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China ready to work with ASEAN countries to address security challenges: military spokesperson

Xinhua) 14:36, November 08, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to join hands with ASEAN countries in coping with security challenges and further elevating their defense and security cooperation, a Chinese military spokesperson said on Friday.

Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about Defense Minister Dong Jun's recent meetings with his counterparts from ASEAN countries.

Noting that geographical proximity and intertwined interests underpin shared security and common development, Jiang said China-ASEAN defense cooperation has expanded in both depth and scope, now encompassing high-level exchanges, joint training, personnel training, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, medical services, and rescue and disaster relief.

According to the spokesperson, during his meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Dong reached important consensuses with defense counterparts from ASEAN countries on deepening defense and security cooperation and safeguarding regional peace and stability.

China firmly supports ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture and is ready to work with ASEAN countries to uphold peace, said the spokesperson, underscoring the long-standing tradition of harmonious coexistence and the principles of dialogue and partnership over confrontation and alliance.

The goal, he said, is to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future and create a better future for the region.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Sheng Chuyi)
As the first Hispanic woman to travel to space and director of NASAs Johnson Space Center, the former astronaut has broken barriers and paved the way in science and space exploration

Dr. Ellen Ochoa is an accomplished engineer, former astronaut, and pioneering leader in space exploration. Born on May 10, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Ochoa earned her bachelors degree in physics from San Diego State University and her masters and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Prior to joining NASA, Dr. Ochoa conducted pioneering research in optical systems for image processing and computer vision.

In 1993, she became the first Hispanic woman to travel to space, serving aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. During her NASA career, she logged nearly 1,000 hours in orbit during four space missions. Beyond her achievements as an astronaut, Dr. Ochoa made history again as the first Hispanic director of NASAs Johnson Space Center. There, she championed diversity, STEM education, and innovation in human spaceflight.

Question. What does it mean to you to be a role model for the Latino community through your historic achievements?

Answer. Whats really been wonderful over the last 30 years, is the opportunity thats given to me to reach out to so many people. Certainly, when I was still at NASA as an astronaut, I spoke to many schools, and a lot of them were schools with high Hispanic enrollment, and Im sure they really never seen anyone like me before. So, I was always excited to go there. And Ive continued to do outreach ever since, speaking to a wide variety of audiences, but also doing podcasts, Ive written some childrens bilingual board books on science and engineering. Ive just had all these different ways of being able to reach out to get kids to think about science and engineering, STEM careers, or even just setting a high goal for themselves, no matter what they are interested in. And thats been hugely rewarding.

Q. How has being Latina influenced your career and how you faced these challenges?

A. I always have to think about the people who came before me that helped make it possible for me to take this role. When I was in undergrad in college, NASA selected the first women astronauts and the first astronauts of color. That was a huge milestone that was due to all the people in the womens rights movement in the 1970s. And even going back much further, we see that they also fought for womens right to vote. And without all of that happening, the government wouldnt have opened up jobs to women, including astronauts. So going forward from the time that I flew in space, Ive been able to have an effect and continue down that path, hopefully giving inspiration to lots of people. I feel like Im just one in a long line of people who have had the opportunity to try to get the same kind of rights for everybody that previously didnt have them.

Q. Have you ever encountered people who thanked you for making their path easier?

A. Absolutely! Its always really rewarding when someone comes up to me and says, When I was in school, I read about you and was inspired to study science and engineering. Especially when I know how role models made a big impression on me. Sally Ride flew when I was in the middle of getting my Ph.D., and that made a huge difference. Seeing her in space and learning that she had been a physics major and attended Stanford, where I was working on my doctorate, helped me to see all those things we had in common, and think, Well, maybe this is something that I could do, too."

Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to travel to space and director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. NASA

Q. Of all the notable milestones in your career, which moments filled you with the most pride?

A. Obviously, all of my spaceflights. And one thing Im thinking about, because it is in just a couple of weeks, is a milestone associated with the International Space Station, where they will mark 25 years of continuous habitation onboard the station by astronauts. I was on two flights that were part of the assembly of the station. For a while, I worked in the astronaut office as the astronaut who was leading up support from the astronaut office to the space station program. I made a number of trips to Russia, working out protocols about how we would train crews, how we would select crews. Now, to see it still going strong after 25 years, not only with the original five international space agencies representing 15 countries, but more than 100 countries have been involved in some way, either with scientists who have had experiments on board or with educational activities. It really grew into something that I think surpassed what we were even thinking about when we were working on it.

Q. The We Are All Human gala honored on October 30 for your leadership and contributions. What does receiving this recognition mean to you?

A. It kind of came out of the blue. The event celebrates and recognizes the contributions of Hispanics in the U.S., such as economic progress, innovation, and culture. Im very proud to be recognized.

Q. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, a new Barbie Inspiring Women doll has been introduced in your honor. What was your reaction when you found out that you were going to have your own Barbie doll?

A. That was another thing that came out of the blue and surprised me. About a year ago, Mattel, the Barbie line, contacted me. They described a series called Inspiring Women. They had already made about 20 other dolls in the series, including historical figures like Susan B. Anthony and Amelia Earhart. They worked with me throughout the year on the doll, including what I would wear. They really wanted to focus on my first flight into space. Thats why Im wearing the orange launch and entry suit.

Q. How would you like to be remembered?

A. First of all, everything we do at NASA is a team effort. I always tell students that to be a good astronaut, you have to be good at teamwork. I hope people realize that I was only able to accomplish what I did at NASA because of the great team around me. This was certainly true when I was director of the Johnson Space Center. Ultimately, I hope people understand that with hard work, determination, and support, the skys not the limit.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to travel to space and director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. NASA

Q. What advice would you give to young Latinas who dream of pursuing a career like yours?

A. I would say, We need you. We need all the bright minds we can get, as well as people who are interested, motivated, and willing to work hard. Its important to keep at it. I think what really helped me was finding my own personal supporters. For every professor who discouraged me, there was another one who supported and encouraged me and told me to keep at it. I always had people like that, which really helped, particularly when I ran into people who didnt think women or Latinos should be doing what I wanted to do.

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Farmers from across the UK are preparing to descend on Whitehall on 26 November 2025, driving tractors into the heart of London in a major show of solidarity to demand fairness and a future for British farming.

The demonstration  timed to coincide with the chancellors autumn budget  is being organised by Berkshire Farmers under the banner Farmers To London: Budget Day.

Organisers say the protest will highlight growing discontent over the governments proposed inheritance tax (IHT) reforms, due to take effect from April 2026, alongside wider concerns about the survival of family farms.

The reforms will change how agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) apply to rural assets. Under the new rules, agricultural property relief will be capped at 1 million. Anything above that threshold will face a 50% liability.

Many farmers fear that could leave families facing large inheritance tax bills when handing holdings down to the next generation, forcing the sale or breakup of long-established farms.

Farmers across England are also preparing for coordinated demonstrations on 24 November. Farmers To Action organisers, a campaign group that has been mobilising support online, say the Day of Unity demonstrations will highlight the impact the reforms could have on the viability of family farms and the wider rural economy.

Organisers of both events say the growing movement reflects rising anxiety across the countryside about government policy and a lack of clear long-term support for British agriculture.

The Farmers To London protest on 26 November will run from 9:30am to 5:30pm on Whitehall, with several hundred farmers, families and supporters expected to take part.

The event is being billed as a peaceful, community-led rally, open to anyone who wants to show support for the agricultural sector. Participants are being encouraged to bring tractors, banners and vehicles to make their message visible in the capital.

The current Inheritance Tax system threatens family farms and rural livelihoods  its time for change, organisers said in their announcement, describing the protest as a peaceful, farmer-led protest  by the people, for the people who feed the nation.

The rally aims to remind government ministers of the importance of protecting family farms, which have formed the backbone of the countryside for generations.

Organisers say the industry faces increasing uncertainty amid rising costs, changing support schemes and policy proposals that could reshape the tax landscape for rural businesses.

Farmers, families and supporters will gather from mid-morning to hear from a line-up of guest speakers, with passionate voices from across the countryside expected to address the crowd.

While specific details are yet to be confirmed, the emphasis will be on protecting food production, rural jobs and the next generation of farmers.

Generations of hard work and stewardship are on the line, one organiser said, urging people to bring your tractor and stand to make a difference.

The protest is free to attend and open to all, with organisers calling on both farmers and the public to unite behind British food production and the communities that sustain it.

With the budget expected to set the tone for the governments approach to rural policy, farmers say 26 November will be their chance to ensure their voices are heard. Lets stand together for farming families and a fair future, the organisers added.
Donald Trump is not satisfied with the results of the immigration crackdown he launched as soon as he moved into the White House after winning the election a year ago. The raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) havent gone far enough, he said in a recent interview on CBSs 60 Minutes, where he defended ICE agents aggressive tactics, which have sparked protests across the country. The Trump administration claims to have deported more than 400,000 people since taking office  a high number, but still short of the one million deportations the Republican had promised, and harder to achieve than he expected.

Trump had already made it clear on the campaign trail: if he won, he would carry out the largest deportation effort in history. In his first 100 days, the Republican approved 175 immigration-related measures. Most of those actions were aimed at increasing deportations, but they also shut down borders and weakened asylum and refugee programs. The government has turned documented residents into undocumented ones, expelled workers who had committed no crime, separated families, and even detained U.S. citizens.

He has been far more aggressive than anyone expected, more brutal, says Matt Barreto, a professor of political science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has acted with virtually no regard for the law, violating peoples rights and receiving almost weekly warnings from the courts, including from judges he himself appointed, that his actions are illegal.

Many of his actions are being challenged in the courts, and after his first 10 months in office, it is almost impossible to keep track of all the rulings issued by district judges and appellate courts. Some of those cases have reached the Supreme Court, which  with its conservative majority  has upheld several of Trumps initiatives, such as allowing the use of racial profiling (whether based on appearance or place of work) to justify an arrest.

The presidents determination to achieve deportations on a historic scale has led him to allocate an enormous sum  $170 billion  for immigration enforcement as part of his big, beautiful tax reform, approved in July. The funds will go toward expanding the raids that have multiplied across the country, as well as increasing detention capacity through the construction of new immigration centers.

Protest near the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, on November 1. Leah Millis (REUTERS)

One of the biggest changes under the Trump administration has been the shift of immigration enforcement into the interior of the United States, notes Kathleen Bush-Joseph, an analyst at the Migration Policy Institute (MPI). Under the previous administration, the primary goal was to reduce the number of arrivals at the border.

As early as January, Trump shut down entry points, and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) recorded just 279 daily apprehensions in September  a 95% drop compared to the daily average during Joe Bidens presidency, according to official data. By deploying immigration agents inland, Trump has effectively opened the door to a full-scale hunt for migrants.

During the previous administration, the priority was detaining undocumented immigrants who had committed crimes. Trump also vowed to focus on deporting criminals  the worst of the worst  but in practice, being undocumented has become synonymous with being a criminal. Only 35% of those detained by ICE have criminal records, compared to 65% in October 2024.

The numbers may not satisfy the president, but they are at record highs. When Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, there were 39,000 detainees in ICE custody. By the end of August, that number had risen to 61,000 and could reach 107,000 by January 2026, according to MPI data. The September average  the most recent month available  stood at 1,178 arrests per day, still below the 3,000 daily target set by Stephen Miller, the White House architect of immigration policy.

The surge in ICE raids has spread fear throughout migrant communities, which have seen once-sensitive locations  churches, schools, and hospitals  lose their protected status. Videos showing agents arresting parents as they drop their children off at school have gone viral, sparking panic among students.

One of the most heavily targeted places is immigration courts. Officials take advantage of migrants scheduled check-ins  meant to comply with government requirements  to detain them, turning what should be a routine appointment into a trap.

Targeting Democratic cities

Cities governed by Democrats have been the target of the largest anti-immigration operations. Trump has sent National Guard troops to reinforce what he claims is a crime crisis caused by undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Memphis.

In Chicago, citizens staged a mass protests against Operation Midway Blitz, an aggressive ICE operation in which Blackhawk helicopters were used for arrests. Federal agents fired pepper bullets and tear gas at demonstrators who had gathered outside the Broadview detention center, in a predominantly Black and Latino suburb, to protest the treatment of detainees.

In detention centers like Broadview, children, pregnant women, abuse victims, and migrants with no criminal record are crammed together. Detainees and the organizations that defend them denounce unsanitary conditions, malnutrition, and the lack of access to medicine and medical care. Many sleep on the floor, with barely any warm clothing, under bright lights that remain on through the night, making rest impossible. They are also denied communication with their lawyers or families, according to the complaints.

The poor conditions in which detainees are held have been cited as a possible reason why, during fiscal year 2025, 23 people have died in ICE custody  the highest number in 20 years. Several family members reported that the deceased had no known illnesses at the time of their arrest.

Migrant transfer at the ICE detention center in Broadview, Illinois, on September 16. Jim Vondruska (REUTERS)

ICE detention centers can no longer keep up with the number of detainees, leading to the reopening of closed prisons and the construction of new ones  such as the controversial Alligator Alcatraz facility in Florida, which faces lawsuits for holding inmates in inhumane conditions and for having been built without environmental studies in a protected wetland area. Despite the criticism, the administration plans to create more such centers, allocating $45 billion for the effort.

The lack of space to handle the surge in arrests has led the government to turn to the two largest private prison companies, CoreCivic and GEO Group  both major donors to Trumps presidential campaign  to manage facilities for housing detainees.

Detention is now the standard prelude to deportation. Once detained, migrants are increasingly unlikely to be released. The percentage of people freed on bail, parole, or supervision fell from 26% in October 2024 to just 3% in September 2025, according to MPI data. In fact, 90% of those detained by ICE in September 2025 were deported directly from detention centers, compared with 63% a year earlier.

No protection from deportation

Migrant rights organizations denounce that expulsions are being carried out without granting detainees due process. Back in March, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1889 to deport more than 200 migrants to El Salvador without trial, accusing them of belonging to the Latin American criminal gangs Tren de Aragua and MS-13.

No evidence was ever presented, and many of those deported  who were imprisoned in the notorious Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT)  had no criminal record. Some, such as the now well-known Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran who is fighting a legal battle against the government and has become a symbol of unjust deportations, even had court orders protecting them from removal.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, center, at a demonstration at the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Baltimore, on August 25. Stephanie Scarbrough (AP)

This has become a matter of democracy. [Trump] is using his immigration policies to undermine democracy in the United States, defying court orders and ignoring laws passed by Congress, argues Barreto.

Whats more, to broaden the spectrum of those who can be deported, the government has eliminated legislation granting legal permanent resident status and work permits to millions of people. Among other actions, it has canceled programs like humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which were created to shelter citizens fleeing their countries due to armed conflicts, natural disasters, poverty, and political crises. Hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans, Haitians, Cubans, and Venezuelans have suddenly lost protection from deportation.

For those who cannot be returned to their home countries because the latter refuse to accept them, the administration  with the Supreme Courts approval  is sending them to third countries such as Rwanda, South Sudan, and Eswatini, where human rights are not respected and governments offer no guarantees about the fate of deportees.

The aggressiveness of the immigration policy that has marked Trumps first 10 months in office has completely transformed the lives of millions of migrants, as well as those of U.S. citizens. The Trump administrations immigration enforcement policy is affecting the rights of Americans, as weve seen with the detentions, but it has also changed their way of life: now they carry identification documents for fear of being arrested or detained, says Bush-Joseph. That wasnt what people expected.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gouri G Kishan (@gourigkofficial)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gouri G Kishan (@gourigkofficial)

After her heated exchange with a reporter at a press event went viral, actor Gouri Kishan has released an official statement reiterating her stance against body shaming. The 96 and Master actor, who was promoting her latest film Others, was asked about her weight in what she described as an unnecessary and highly disrespectful question. Her immediate reaction, a mix of composure and assertiveness, has since become a rallying moment across social media and within the industry.In her note, Gouri wrote, As a public figure, I understand that scrutiny is part of my profession. However, comments or questions - direct or indirect - that target a person's body or appearance are inappropriate in any context. I wish I had been asked questions about the film, the work I was there for. I cannot help but wonder if they would ask a male actor the same, in the same aggressive tone.Her words struck a chord with many who praised her for addressing an issue that often goes unspoken. While Gouris composure earned admiration, her message went deeper, calling for a shift in how the media treats artists, especially women, during promotional events.The actor further said that standing up for herself was not easy but necessary, not only for her own self respect but also for others who have experienced similar treatment. This is not new but still prevalent, normalising body shaming in jest while perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards. I hope this will be a reminder to anyone who has felt this way that we are allowed to speak up. We are allowed to express our discomfort, question when wronged and work towards stopping this cycle.Her statement, which was widely shared across social media platforms, has since become a touchstone for conversations about gender sensitivity, media ethics and body image in the Indian film industry.Following the viral clip, several prominent voices came forward to support Gouris stand. Celebrities including Chinmayi Sripaada, Khushbu Sundar, Kavin, Pa Ranjith, Jwala Gutta and composer Santosh Narayanan took to social media to applaud her for maintaining dignity in the face of repeated provocation. Many pointed out that such questions have no place in a professional setting meant to discuss ones work.The Chennai Press Club issued an official note condemning the reporters behaviour, calling the question highly unethical, indecent and condemnable. The statement also praised Gouri for her assertive and courageous response despite being put in an uncomfortable position.Their message read in part, Raising questions aimed at mocking or humiliating a woman artist over her physical appearance, especially in a professional forum meant to discuss a film, is highly unethical, indecent and condemnable. The Chennai Press Club appreciates actress Gouri Kishan for assertively and courageously expressing her views even in the face of collective opposition during the press meet.The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) also expressed solidarity with her, stating, AMMA understands your pain, Gouri. And we strongly believe that it is wrong to engage in body shaming irrespective of who does it, when and where.Despite the heated online debate, Gouris closing words in her note stood out for their grace and restraint. She urged her followers not to attack the individual involved, writing that her intention was not to provoke hate but to encourage empathy and accountability. This is not an invitation to target or harass the individual involved, she clarified, requesting that everyone approach the issue with greater empathy, sensitivity and respect on all sides.As support continues to pour in, Gouri has expressed her gratitude, calling the response unexpected, overwhelming and humbling.Her latest film Others, directed by Abin Hariharan, released on November 7. The drama features debutant Aditya Madhavan alongside Anju Kurian, Munishkanth, Harish Perady, Mala Parvathy, Jagan and R. Sundarrajan. Gouri plays a doctor while Aditya portrays a police officer.In the aftermath of the controversy, Others has drawn even more attention, not just for its performances but also for Gouris authenticity off screen. Her refusal to stay silent has reminded audiences and the media alike that respect and professionalism are non-negotiable and that confidence, not compliance, defines a true artist.Also Read: Narain, Ramzan, and Gouri G Kishan Lead The Chase in Sahasam Trailer
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 7, 2025) - Surface Metals Inc. (CSE: SUR) (OTCQB: SURMF) (the "Company", or "Surface Metals") has granted 250,000 options priced at $0.255 to a consultant, and directors and officers have voluntarily surrendered 499,999 options issued on April 14, 2022 at $3.84 (post consolidation).

As per the press release announced on October 29th, 2025, IDR Marketing Inc. "IDR", has been retained for a six month period commencing October 29th to provide public relations strategies, brand awareness, financial and digital marketing services to the Company. IDR is a California Corporation with its registered office located at 100 Oceangate, 12th Floor, Long Beach, CA, USA, 90802. Its principal and president is Linda Josey, an arm's-length party. Contact details: linda@idrmarketing.com (562) 343-7483.

IDR Marketing Inc. is an independent ad agency providing full-scale integrated marketing and advertising services. Clients trust IDR for brand strategy and awareness, digital marketing, social media and advertising, newswire distribution, article marketing,

About Surface Metals Inc.

Surface Metals Inc. (CSE: SUR) (OTCQB: SURMF) is a North American mineral exploration company focused on advancing a diversified portfolio of gold and lithium projects in Nevada, USA, and Manitoba, Canada. The Company's Cimarron Gold Project is located in Nye County, Nevada, in a historically productive gold district. Surface's Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project hosts an inferred resource of approximately 302,900 tonnes LCE adjacent to Albemarle's Silver Peak Mine. Surface Metals is also advancing lithium projects in Fish Lake Valley, Nevada, and through a joint venture with Snow Lake Energy in southeastern Manitoba.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Neither the CSE nor its regulations service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains certain statements which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273738

SOURCE: Surface Metals Inc.
Black Book Research releases a Europe-wide RIS Purchasing Playbook with contractable SLOs, best-fit vendor guidance, and an RFP scoring toolkit.

LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / November 7, 2025 / Black Book Research today announced the publication of The 2026 European Radiology Information Systems (RIS) Purchasing Playbook, an evidence-based guide for hospital networks, outpatient radiology, and regional imaging programs navigating RIS, enterprise imaging, and AI decisions for 2026-2027. The report distills benchmarks from 543 qualified participants across Europe and translates them into measurable procurement targets, vendor positioning, country-level dynamics, and a ready-to-use RFP scoring toolkit.

The results are reported with a 3.5% margin of error at the 95% confidence level.

"Europe's imaging buyers aren't procuring a PACS' anymore, they're procuring time-to-diagnosis, cross-site capacity, and governable AI at scale," said Doug Brown, Founder of Black Book Research. "This Diagnostic Imaging IT Playbook gives executives and radiology leaders a concrete way to select vendors on outcomes: latency SLOs, report throughput, exchange success, AI auditability, resilience, and cost-to-serve."

What's inside the Playbook

Executive Summary & Market Truths (2026): why standards-first interoperability (IHE XDS-I/XCA-I, DICOMweb, HL7-FHIR), cloud-operable stacks, structured reporting, governable AI, and outcome-based managed services are now non-negotiable. (pp. 4-5)

Vendor Deep Dives: architecture maps, where each vendor wins, quantifiable value levers to contract, operating model, strengths/watchouts, and pointed RFP questions for Dedalus, Philips, GE HealthCare, Siemens Healthineers, Sectra, Agfa HealthCare, and CGM/VISUS. (pp. 14-24)

Country Heatmaps & Buying Dynamics: shortlists and procurement patterns across UK & Ireland, DACH, France, Nordics, Benelux, Italy, Iberia, Austria, Switzerland, and CEE. (pp. 26-30)

RFP Toolkit: a weighted feature matrix, scoring template, AI governance checklist (EU-ready), and a 4-6 week pilot script with go/no-go gates. (pp. 30-35)

Market Outlook (2026-2027): adoption curves for FHIR, DICOMweb, structured reporting, AI orchestration, cloud DR, and cybersecurity; plus ten predictions and KPIs that matter. (pp. 43-50)

2026 trends the report surfaces

Standards-first interoperability is table-stakes (IHE XDS-I/XCA-I, DICOMweb, FHIR) with measurable SLOs for image liquidity

Cloud-operable enterprise imaging moves from pilot to default consideration ; zero-footprint access and DR evidence matter.

Structured reporting + workflow automation unlock throughput and close the loop on follow-ups.

AI must be governable : platformized deployment, model registry, performance monitoring, bias checks, audit trails, and rollback. (pp. 4-5, 32-34, 45-46)

Managed services win where skills are thin - contracts measured on uptime, latency, report TAT, not ticket counts. (pp. 4-5, 46-47)

Top-rated & best-fit vendors (by use case)

Overall edge for 2026 procurement: Dedalus - RIS-anchored orchestration, in-pane structured reporting, pragmatic interoperability, and outcome-tied managed services. (pp. 36-40)

Cloud PACS performance & open AI: GE HealthCare (pp. 18-19, 39); Philips for cloud cadence & reporting UX (pp. 17-18, 39).

Cross-discipline enterprise (radiology + cardiology + pathology): Siemens Healthineers (pp. 20-21, 39-40).

Regional/national stability & cyber backbone: Sectra(p. 22). Archive/viewer standards-forward: Agfa HealthCare (p. 23). DACH-centric

Country-specific highlights (where the market is moving)

UK & Ireland: cloud + shared worklists normalize; frameworks bundle AI & managed services.

Germany (DACH): KHZG accelerates standards-first enterprise imaging with strict DR runbooks; vendor neutrality prized.

France: Segur "Imagerie" funds RIS modernization & exchange conformance through 2027; private radiology leads.

Netherlands & Nordics: high digital maturity; insistence on clean IHE conformance, zero-footprint diagnostics, and green ops.

Belgium/Luxembourg: early public-cloud EI adopters with latency-aware routing & DR guarantees.

Italy, Iberia, CEE, Austria, Switzerland: region-scale consolidation, hybrid cloud DR, consent-aware integration, multilingual access, and cost-controlled migrations.

Unique data & buyer tools you can use today

Feature Matrix (weighted 100%) and Scoring Template to copy into tenders; emphasizes Interoperability & Openness (20%), Diagnostic Workspace & UX (15%), AI Governance (15%), RIS Order-to-Read (10%), Cloud & Performance (10%), etc. (pp. 30-32)

AI Governance Checklist (EU-ready) covering intended use, bias & drift monitoring, human-in-the-loop, rollback, audit export to SIEM, and safety incident response. (pp. 32-34)

Pilot Script (4-6 weeks) with go/no-go gates: baseline, structured reporting + AI on, cross-site & DR test, business case. (p. 35)

Ten Predictions for 2026-2027: structured reporting becomes default; AI orchestration consolidates; DR becomes a go-live gate; green IT metrics enter imaging contracts. (p. 49)

The 2026 European Radiology Information Systems Purchasing Playbook is available today from Black Book Research at https://blackbookmarketresearch.com/register-for-2026-black-book-state-of-healthcare-radiology-information-europe or contact research@blackbookmarketresearch.com

About Black Book Research

Founded in 2003, Black Book Research is an independent market intelligence and benchmarking organization focused exclusively on healthcare technology, services, and digital outcomes. Black Book does not accept paid endorsements or inclusion fees; its rankings reflect validated end-user data and operational evidence.

SOURCE: Black Book Research

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/2026-european-radiology-information-system-playbook-sets-benchmarks-f-1098182
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - November 8, 2025) - Real estate technology innovator Polygant is proud to announce the launch of its all-in-one Real Estate CRM platform. The feature-rich platform is set to transform the way property developers manage their projects and connect with customers. The platform offers an integrated digital ecosystem that combines cutting-edge tools and artificial intelligence to provide developers with an innovative solution for managing properties, sales, and customer interactions efficiently and effectively.

Image: Polygant's Real Estate CRM platform

Speaking on the occasion, Stan Chernukhin, CEO of Polygant, said, "We are thrilled to bring our next-generation Real Estate CRM platform to the market. Our expertise in digital solutions for real estate allows us to offer a product that addresses the most pressing challenges property developers face today. We believe this platform will not only simplify property management but also optimize the way developers interact with clients and make business decisions."

The Real Estate platform is primarily aimed at the GCC markets, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf countries, and is tailored to meet the unique needs of regional developers and investors.

Image: Polygant's Real Estate CRM platform

The platform offers an interactive property catalog, real-time data synchronization, and AI-powered assistants that support both developers and customers. The intuitive mobile and web apps will help developers showcase their properties with up-to-date information. At the same time, buyers can use the apps to filter properties by various criteria such as price, area, and layout. The platform offers seamless online booking and payment features that will streamline the entire transaction process, from application to signing agreements and managing recurring payments like mortgages and installments.

One of the platform's prominent features is its integration with cryptocurrency payment gateways, which allows buyers to make property payments in crypto, while developers receive payments in fiat currency directly to their bank accounts. This highly sought-after functionality opens the door for many more investors to participate in the GCC's real estate market and provides a secure, compliant, and frictionless payment experience.

In addition, the developers will find the integrated CRM tools very handy to track leads, deals, and customer interactions, thus allowing for a more personalized customer journey. The platform generates comprehensive sales reports and analytics that will provide developers with actionable insights and help them make data-driven decisions.

The platform features AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants that interact with clients, answering common questions and guiding them through the property search process. These AI tools leverage popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to ensure a seamless communication experience between developers and potential buyers.





Image: Stan Chernukhin, CEO of Polygant

Today, the real estate businesses need to adopt digital transformation to stay competitive. Polygant's platform is ideally positioned to meet this demand by streamlining property management and enabling developers to respond more swiftly to market trends, optimize resource allocation, and enhance customer satisfaction. Building on its reputation as a leader in AI-driven innovation, Polygant has leveraged this opportunity to establish itself as a dominant player in the real estate sector as well.

"The real estate industry is evolving, and it's clear that AI and digital tools will be at the forefront of that change," said Chernukhin. "Our Real Estate CRM platform offers developers the flexibility and scalability to meet the growing demands of the modern market. I am confident that our unique platform will set the stage for a smarter, more efficient real estate ecosystem."

Image: Polygant's logo





About Polygant

Polygant is a leading technology company dedicated to driving digital transformation in the real estate sector. With over a decade of experience, Polygant delivers innovative solutions that combine cutting-edge AI, automation, and data analytics to help developers optimize their operations and enhance the customer experience. The company's flagship Real Estate CRM platform is designed to streamline workflows, improve transparency, and accelerate growth for developers worldwide.

To learn more about Polygant and its Real Estate CRM platform, visit

https://polygant.io/

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273641

SOURCE: MediaFry
Efforts to ease tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have stalled once more after the latest round of talks in Istanbul ended without agreement. Despite mediation by Turkey and Qatar and a fragile ceasefire still technically in place, both sides remain divided over responsibility for cross-border militant activity

Local journalists gather for an online press conference with Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob after he signed a ceasefire agreement with his Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Asif in Qatar, at the Government Media Centre in Kabul, Afghanistan, October 19, 2025. File Image/AP

Efforts to ease border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have once again reached a stalemate, with the latest round of talks in Istanbul ending without a breakthrough.

The discussions, facilitated by Turkey and Qatar, were intended to reinforce a fragile ceasefire and establish a foundation for long-term de-escalation.

The failure of these talks comes at a time when relations between the two countries are increasingly fraught.

Since the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has experienced a surge in attacks attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), prompting Islamabad to accuse Kabul of allowing militant safe havens.

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Afghanistans leadership denies this, insisting that its territory is not being used to threaten any neighbouring state. As violence escalated along their shared border in recent weeks, the stakes surrounding the peace negotiations had risen significantly.

What happened before the talks?

The Istanbul negotiations followed a period of intense exchanges along the frontier. Fighting in October resulted in dozens of deaths, involving both soldiers and civilians on either side. These clashes were tied to a chain reaction of accusations and retaliatory strikes.

On October 9, explosions in Kabul caused casualties, and Afghanistans Taliban authorities claimed they were the result of Pakistani drone operations. They vowed to respond and defended their right to retaliate against violations of their sovereignty.

Pakistan denied carrying out such strikes, but tensions escalated rapidly. Both sides engaged in cross-border attacks in the days that followed.

The growing violence prompted Qatar to step in as a mediator. Representatives from both countries met in Doha, where they agreed to halt hostilities beginning on October 19.

Afghan Defence Minister Maulvi Sahib Muhammad Yaqub Mujahid (centre left) shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Asif after the two sides agreed to a ceasefire on October 19, 2025. in Doha, Qatar. X/@MofaQatar_EN

Although the ceasefire reduced immediate fighting, it remained highly vulnerable, with both governments accusing the other of provocation and aggressive posturing.

While the ceasefire technically remains intact, isolated flare-ups continued, even during the Istanbul talks.

Afghan authorities reported that four civilians were killed and others injured in recent cross-border fire. With trust already low, such incidents contributed to the breakdown in negotiations.

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What happened in Istanbul?

The talks in Istanbul were considered one of the most serious attempts at diplomatic engagement since 2021. They were also the third round of negotiations between the two sides in recent weeks.

Mediators hoped to build on earlier discussions in Doha and in a prior meeting in Istanbul at the end of October, which resulted in short-term commitments to maintain calm.

However, progress proved elusive. Delegates clashed on fundamental security expectations, particularly Pakistans demand that Afghanistan prevent militant attacks originating from Afghan soil.

During a press conference in Kandahar, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid blamed Pakistan for the collapse of the dialogue, saying that Pakistans demands in the negotiations were unreasonable and the talks could not proceed, the meeting ended and the talks are at a standstill for now.

He stated that Afghanistan seeks stability, (we) do not want insecurity in the region, and entering into war is not our first choice, but added that if war breaks out, we have the right to defend ourselves.

Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif offered a sharply different account. He confirmed that the discussions had ended without agreement, stating on Geo News that the talks are over and that the Pakistani delegation was returning with no plan for any future meetings.

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He made clear that Pakistan was not willing to accept verbal guarantees alone, saying, They said they would respect a verbal agreement, but there is no room for that.

The issue of documentation became a critical sticking point. Asif said mediators had attempted to persuade both sides to compromise, but these efforts ultimately stalled.

According to him, the Afghan side was unwilling to sign a written accord, even though the two parties had verbally acknowledged certain points of understanding.

There is a complete deadlock. The negotiations have entered an indefinite phase, he said.

What does Pakistan claim its concern is?

At the centre of Pakistans demands is the expectation that Afghanistan will act against the TTP.

Islamabad blames the group for numerous recent attacks inside Pakistan and maintains that its leadership operates from Afghan territory.

The TTP has ideological ties to the Afghan Taliban, though Afghanistans ruling authorities repeatedly state they do not control or guide the organization.

Pakistan insists that Afghanistan must demonstrate concrete steps to prevent cross-border militant activity.

On the other hand, Afghanistans leaders argue that Pakistans internal security issues cannot be laid at their feet and that Islamabad must address its own internal governance and counterterrorism challenges.

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Zabihullah Mujahid has reiterated that Afghanistan would not allow its territory to be exploited for attacks on another nation, saying in a statement that Afghanistan will not allow anyone to use its territory against another country, nor permit actions that undermine its sovereignty or security.

However, he also asserted that the TTPs origins and operations were not a product of the Taliban takeover in 2021.

Pakistani officials remain unconvinced.

Islamabad maintains that attacks carried out inside Pakistan are organised from across the border and expects Kabul to impose tighter control. Pakistans government has simultaneously carried out airstrikes and undertaken internal security operations targeting suspected militants.

Afghan officials have disputed Pakistans claims, saying that civilians have been harmed and denying that such operations achieve their stated purpose.

How is the Afghanistan-Pakistan standoff affecting people on ground?

Both governments say that the ceasefire agreed in Doha has not been formally broken.

While publicly affirming the truce, Pakistan has taken numerous measures that indicate eroding trust. Most notably, Pakistan has kept its major border crossings with Afghanistan closed since October 12.

Only limited crossings have occurred, mainly to allow stranded Afghan nationals to return home.

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People wait near the closed gate at the Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan, after the border was shut for nearly two weeks following clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, October 23, 2025. File Image/AP

The restrictions have disrupted a key trade route linking Afghanistan with South Asia and beyond. Hundreds of cargo vehicles remain unable to cross, causing economic strain on both sides.

In addition, Pakistan has continued its campaign targeting undocumented migrants, most of whom are Afghan nationals who sought refuge during decades of conflict.

More than a million Afghans have been repatriated since 2023, according to Pakistani authorities. This policy has strained public sentiment and humanitarian conditions, particularly as Afghanistan is grappling with economic challenges and resource shortages.

So, what happens now?

The mediators, Turkey and Qatar, invested significant political capital in facilitating the discussions, aiming to prevent renewed armed confrontation between the two neighbours.

While both governments expressed appreciation for the diplomatic efforts, neither side has indicated when or if talks will resume.

Asif noted that the mediators optimism had faded, If they still had optimism, they would have asked us to continue. Our return empty-handed shows that even they have given up on Kabul.

In contrast, Afghanistans representatives suggested that Pakistans negotiating posture itself obstructed progress.

The contact between the two nations is now largely limited to maintaining and monitoring the ceasefire.

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The bilateral disagreement over who holds responsibility for addressing cross-border militancy remains unresolved, and without movement on this issue, the prospects for diplomacy appear fragile.

There is currently no scheduled fourth round of talks.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
On November 8 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen, while experimenting with cathode rays in his lab, stumbled upon X-rays, a discovery that changed medicine forever. In 1901, Rontgens life-changing breakthrough earned him the first-ever Nobel Prize in Physics

Rontgens discovered X-rays. It earned him the first-ever Nobel Prize in Physics. And today, November 8 is celebrated around the world as the International Day of Radiology.

November 8 marks an important day in the world of science.

Today was the day in 1895, when the world gained the power to peer inside the human body, thanks to a groundbreaking discovery. German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen, while experimenting with cathode rays in his lab, stumbled upon something extraordinary  X-rays.

Fast forward more than a century later, and November 8, 2013, became known for something far less hopeful. On this day, the Philippines was ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful and destructive storms ever recorded, leaving behind an unimaginable trail of devastation.

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Heres a closer look at all that has happened on this day

X-rays were discovered

It was November 8, 1895, when German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen made a discovery that would forever transform medicine and science. Late one night in his lab at the University of Wurzburg, Rontgen was experimenting with cathode rays using a tube that he had carefully wrapped in black cardboard to block out all visible light.

As he passed a high-voltage electric current through the tube in a dark room, something strange happened  a faint glow appeared on a nearby screen coated with barium platinocyanide. The screen was several feet away, yet it shimmered mysteriously.

Rontgen realised that some invisible form of energy was coming from the tube, passing through the cardboard, and lighting up the screen. Unsure what he had discovered, he named it X-rays, with X representing the unknown.

Over the next few weeks, he worked tirelessly to study this new phenomenon. He discovered that these rays could pass through soft materials like skin but were blocked by denser ones such as bone or metal, leaving distinct shadows on photographic plates.

To test this, Rontgen took one of the most iconic images in scientific history, the first X-ray photograph. It was of his wife, Anna Berthas hand, showing the clear outline of her bones and her wedding ring. The image shocked the world and revealed the immense potential of X-rays for medicine and diagnostics.

Rontgen took one of the most iconic images in scientific history, the first X-ray photograph. It was of his wife, Anna Berthas hand, showing the clear outline of her bones and her wedding ring.

In 1901, Rontgens life-changing breakthrough earned him the first-ever Nobel Prize in Physics. And today, November 8 is celebrated around the world as the International Day of Radiology, a tribute to the day science gained the power to look inside the human body.

Super Typhoon Haiyan slams Philippines

On November 8, 2013, the Philippines was struck by one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, a Category 5 Super Typhoon named Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda.

The storm tore across the islands with winds reaching nearly 315 kmph, flattening homes, uprooting trees, and leaving entire towns in ruins.

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Coastal areas were hit the hardest. In the city of Tacloban, storm surges as high as 15 to 20 feet crashed through neighbourhoods, sweeping away buildings and people within minutes.

Philippines was struck by one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, a Category 5 Super Typhoon named Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda. File image/Reuters

By the time Haiyan moved past, it had left behind an unimaginable trail of destruction. According to the United Nations, more than 6,000 people lost their lives, and around 14 million were affected. Millions were displaced, forced to live in temporary shelters without access to food, water, or electricity.

In the days that followed, international aid began pouring in from across the world. The United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and several European nations sent food, medicine, and rescue teams. Yet, the scale of devastation made recovery painfully slow. The World Bank later called Haiyan one of the most powerful storms to ever make landfall in recorded history.

With input from agencies
The Indian armed forces are launching a tri-service exercise, Poorvi Prachand Prahar, in Arunachal Pradesh next week. The joint military drill in the eastern sector comes days after the Trishul exercise on the Western front. Heres all this and more in our weekly roundup from India

The three wings of the Indian military are set to hold a joint drill in Arunachal Pradesh. The tri-service exercise, Poorvi Prachand Prahar, comes days after the Indian armed forces launched the Trishul exercise on the Western front.

American tech firm Nvidia has joined the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA), a group of private equity and venture capital investors committing $2 billion (Rs 17,735 crore) for deep tech investments.

Indian flyers may soon be able to cancel their air tickets for free. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed rules to offer more flexibility to passengers with their bookings, allowing them to cancel or amend their tickets without extra charges, but with certain caveats.

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Heres all this and more in our weekly wrap from India.

1. The Indian armed forces will carry out Poorvi Prachand Prahar next week in the rugged mountains of Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. The forward-looking exercise will test the operational synergy between the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The tri-service military drill will focus on multi-domain integration across land, air and maritime fronts, demonstrating the enhanced readiness of the Indian armed forces for future conflicts, Defence PRO Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said in a statement. The exercise comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor and an increased threat from China. Read our report to know more.

2. Nvidia, the worlds most valuable company helmed by CEO Jensen Huang, has joined the India Deep Tech Alliance as a founding member and strategic technical adviser. IDAT was launched in September at the Semicon India event in New Delhi by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Semiconductors and Electronics Ecosystem (Semi). The US chipmaker has said it will train and mentor emerging deep tech startups in India as part of the alliance.

It will also provide policy input to help Indian deep-tech startups adopt its AI and computing tools. The development comes days after the Indian government set up a $12 billion (Rs 1 lakh crore) Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. We take a detailed look at the story here.

3. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has doubled down on his allegations of voter fraud (chori). Addressing a press conference this week, Gandhi claimed that a Brazilian models photograph was used 22 times in the electoral rolls of Haryanas Rai Assembly constituency.

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Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a press conference, in New Delhi, November 5, 2025. PTI

He alleged that this indicated a massive voter fraud during the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections. Gandhi went on to accuse the BJP of running a planned operation to manipulate votes and subvert the democratic process. But does the person whose picture was allegedly used in the voter rolls actually exist? We take a look here.

4. Indias aviation watchdog is considering reforms to the ticket refund norms. The DGCA has proposed allowing passengers to cancel or amend their tickets without extra charges within 48 hours of booking.

People wait to board their flight at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, May 30, 2025. File Photo/Reuters

The regulator has said in draft rules that airlines should complete the refund process within 21 working days. Changes are also suggested to the norms that levy extra charges on flyers in case of name correction. What else could change for flyers? Read our story to know more.

5. Sudans brutal civil war has come to haunt an Indian family. There are reports that a 36-year-old Indian national has been abducted by rebel forces, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in war-torn El-Fasher.

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Last week, the RSF said it had captured the city from the army after an 18-month siege. A video has come to light showing an Indian, identified as Adarsh Behera, being quizzed by two RSF fighters. The man, who hails from Odishas Jagatsinghpur district, was reportedly kidnapped from El-Fasher and is being held at an RSF stronghold in South Darfur. But what was Adarsh Behera doing in the African nation? We take a look here.

6. Two brothers have been arrested in a suspected spy racket. Akhtar Hussaini Qutubuddin Ahmed, 60, was nabbed by the Mumbai Police last month for posing as a scientist of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

His 59-year-old brother, Adil Hussaini, was apprehended by the Delhi Police later on charges of espionage and running a fake passport racket. Akhtar was allegedly trying to sell an alleged nuclear-related design to companies in Iran. The duo also received foreign funding and made several foreign tours. Heres our story on the case.

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This is all we have for you this week. If you like how we explain the news, you can bookmark this page.
The abduction of five Indian workers in western Mali has put a spotlight on the countrys worsening security conditions and the growing influence of Al-Qaeda-linked militants. The kidnapping comes as Mali faces a severe fuel blockade, infrastructure disruption, and mounting pressure on its military government

People gather at a petrol station in Bamako, Mali, November 1, 2025, amid ongoing fuel shortages caused by a blockade imposed by al Qaeda-linked insurgents in early September. File Image/Reuters

Mali is witnessing a rapidly worsening security crisis in the West African country, where armed groups linked to al-Qaeda have expanded their control over large swaths of territory and imposed unprecedented economic pressure on the capital, Bamako.

The five Indian nationals were seized by unidentified gunmen on Thursday near Kobri, in the western part of the country.

The individuals were employed by a company involved in electrification infrastructure projects, according to a security source who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.

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The company confirmed the incident to AFP, stating, We confirm the kidnapping of five Indian nationals.

Following the abduction, the rest of the Indian staff affiliated with the same firm were relocated to Bamako for safety. The company representative added, The other Indians working for the company have been evacuated to Bamako, noting that the situation required immediate protective measures.

No armed group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, and no details have yet emerged about the whereabouts of the abducted workers or demands from their captors.

The incident fits a pattern increasingly observed in Mali, where armed groups have frequently targeted foreign nationals for ransom or coercive leverage.

Over recent years, militant factions operating across Malis central and northern regions have routinely carried out kidnappings of aid workers, diplomats, and civilians from various countries.

This kidnapping took place in a region where the states ability to provide security has been undermined by years of insurgent expansion and local armed conflicts.

Armed groups have benefitted from Malis fragmented territorial control, porous borders, and limited presence of government institutions beyond major urban centres.

What is happening in Mali?

The deteriorating security situation in Mali is closely tied to the rise of Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a coalition of armed factions affiliated with al-Qaeda.

JNIM emerged in 2017 through the merger of several militias and ideological currents, including Algeria-based al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ansar Dine, Al-Murabitun, and the Macina Group.

The leaders of these groups consolidated their movements to strengthen their operational coordination against Malian and foreign forces and to expand influence across the Sahel region.

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JNIMs expansion reflects broader trends in Malis conflict dynamics since the armed rebellion that erupted in the northern part of the country in 2012.

That conflict prompted foreign military intervention, but militant groups adapted their strategy and gradually entrenched themselves in rural areas where the states presence was minimal or weak.

The groups primary leader, Iyad Ag-Ghali, has long played a central role in northern Malis political and military affairs.

He previously led Tuareg uprisings in the 1990s before founding Ansar Dine in 2012 with the stated goal of enforcing his interpretation of Islamic law.

Over the past decade, JNIM has steadily extended its influence into central Mali and border regions shared with Burkina Faso and Niger.

The group employs a combination of guerrilla warfare, improvised explosive devices, targeted assassinations, and negotiations with local communities to expand its control.

It has attacked infrastructure such as roads, schools, and communication facilities to weaken state structures.

Human rights organisations have documented violence against civilians, particularly individuals suspected of collaborating with government forces.

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The full scale of casualties is difficult to verify due to the lack of unified data collection, but the conflict has caused thousands of deaths since 2017.

What do we know about the recent blockade?

In recent months, Malis security situation has taken a dramatic turn with JNIM imposing a blockade on key fuel supply routes leading into Bamako.

The city relies on imported fuel transported by road from Senegal and Ivory Coast, but JNIM fighters have prevented oil tankers from reaching the capital.

This blockade emerged after the military authorities prohibited informal fuel sales in rural areas as part of efforts to disrupt militant operations.

Traders in these regions typically purchase and resell fuel using jerry cans, forming part of the supply network that militants have relied on to maintain mobility.

The blockade has caused fuel availability in Bamako to collapse. Fuel queues have become widespread, and in many cases, residents have been unable to purchase any gasoline at all.

Transportation, daily commuting, and basic commercial activities have been interrupted as a result.

In addition, the fuel shortage has exacerbated pre-existing electricity challenges, contributing to more frequent power outages.

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Schools across Mali have suspended operations temporarily, partly because teachers and students cannot commute in the absence of fuel.

The scarcity has led to a steep rise in fuel prices, with the cost per litre increasing by more than 400 per cent at some locations where fuel remains available in limited quantities.

Efforts by the government to escort fuel convoys into Bamako have faced repeated attacks.

Several convoys have been ambushed by JNIM members, and there have been reports of trucks set ablaze in different parts of the country.

In one instance, approximately 200 tankers in southern and western Mali were destroyed. Video footage circulating on local media channels appears to show extensive lines of burning tankers.

While some convoys have managed to reach Bamako, including a delivery of 300 vehicles in early October and another smaller group later that month, the supply remains insufficient.

The blockade represents a major escalation in militant strategy because it directly targets the countrys economic core rather than remote or sparsely populated regions.

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What is Malis military govt doing about this?

Mali is currently governed by a military administration that came to power after a series of coups beginning in 2020. The military leadership has adopted a confrontational approach toward armed groups, rejecting the negotiation policies that the previous civilian government pursued.

However, analysts suggest that the current blockade has placed unprecedented pressure on the authorities by amplifying public anger and potentially contributing to political unrest.

The strategy appears to be designed to undermine the legitimacy of the military leadership and to force concessions regarding territory and governance.

Whether such outcomes will materialise remains uncertain, but the situation has already led to visible strain on economic and administrative functions.

How have foreign nationals been hit?

The kidnapping of the five Indian workers occurred in a broader context in which foreign nationals have faced increasing danger. In September, two Emirati nationals and an Iranian citizen were abducted near Bamako by jihadist fighters.

According to individuals familiar with the negotiations, they were released last week in return for a ransom payment estimated at no less than $50 million.

Such incidents reflect the scale of kidnapping economics in Mali, where armed groups often use abductions to finance operations.

Recent developments have prompted foreign governments to introduce safety measures for their citizens. The United States and the United Kingdom both advised their nationals to leave Mali and evacuated non-essential diplomatic personnel.

France similarly recommended that French citizens exit the country as soon as possible, warning against using land routes due to the possibility of attacks. The French foreign ministry reiterated its advisory discouraging all travel to Mali regardless of the reason.

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With inputs from agencies
In a conversation with Network18s Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh talked about the Operation Sindoor, US President Donald Trumps claims over ceasefire and more

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sat down with Network18 group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi in an extensive conversation ranging from Operation Sindoor to the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections.

Here are the edited excerpts from the interview:

Q 1: Rajnath-ji, thank you very much for giving this exclusive interview to News18. The atmosphere in Bihar is charged with elections, and this is your first interview with us after Operation Sindoor. There are many questions. Since its election season, lets start with Bihar. You have addressed many rallies in Bihar and have been quite active there. First of all, we would like to know, what kind of atmosphere have you observed? Yesterday, the first round of voting took place, and there was a record turnoutabout 65 per cent. So, how many seats would you give to the NDA?

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A 1: Seeing the response of the voters in our public meetings, I can say that our government will be formed for sure and we may also secure a two-thirds majority, which is more than 160 seats.

Q 2: A question that is being asked repeatedly is about your chief ministerial face. Please tell us clearly, who is your CM face? Is it Nitish Kumar? Will he become the chief minister and remain so for five years?

A 2: Look, the election is being held under his leadership. So, it is natural that he will be the chief minister.

Q 3: Will we then see one deputy chief minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and one from Chirag Paswans party?

A 3: Whatever happens in future will be decided by consensus when everyone sits together and decides what is to be done.

Q 4: Rajnath-ji, one issue that your party has been raising from the beginning is that of Lalu Prasads jungle raj" in Bihar. That earlier there was hooliganism, lawlessness. This time too, you have consistently brought up this issue. But now, a leader from your own alliance, Anant Singh, has been arrested. There was firing, and Dularchand Yadav was killed. What do you have to say about this?

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A 4: Its possible that such stray incidents happen some times. But because of that, you cant simply say that a particular person is a mafia or such-and-such thing. We take all precautions that we pick people who have a clean image as candidates. When there is such a large group of people involved, mistakes or lapses can sometimes occur. I dont deny that possibility.

Q 5: In this election, Rahul Gandhi has been continuously canvassing and campaigning. As the election progressed, his attacks became somewhat personal. While addressing rallies, he said that Modi-ji can do anything for votesthat if needed, he would even dance on stage for votes. During Chhath as well, he commented that Modi-ji did not take a dip in the Yamuna, but went to a sanitised pond and offered prayers to Chhath Maiya there. How do you see this?

A 5: Such remarks are not proper. The country knows that such allegations do not stick to PM Modi. He always speaks to the public in a direct and straightforward manner. He has never tried to mislead the people.

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Q 6: This time, since early morning, there were long queues of women at the polling booths in Bihar. A large number of women came out to vote. How do you see this? Whom does this support seem to favour? Has the Jeevika Didi scheme been your game changer?

A 6: While Jeevika Didi is a crucial scheme, apart from that, women feel that in Nitish Kumars regime, law and order was maingtained. There is no lawlessness as happened during the RJDs time. Women, naturally, want that whichever government is in power, law and order should be maintained so that they can step out of their house even at night, if required. Earlier, when Lalu Prasad was the chief minister in Bihar, after 5pm, people had to think twice before stepping out. And women would not step out at all.

Q 7: Has the alcohol ban been a big part of this? The Opposition, for instance, has said they will lift the ban if they come to power.

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A 7: I cant say for sure what the benefit has been. But I know for sure that it has been beneficial. Women have seen before their eyes how alcohol affected the families so they understand the benefits of the ban.

Q 8: There is also a significant revenue loss angle to this. Its said that nearly Rs 20,000 crore in revenue was lost because of the ban.

A 8: But to remove social evils, if there is some loss of revenue or profit, then thats acceptable. We do politics to make society, not only to come to power.

Q 9: This time, Rajnath ji, one more factor has been talked about a lotthe Prashant Kishor factor. People are saying this time its a fight involving him too. Prashant Kishor ji has formed his new party, Jan Suraaj. For the past three years, he has been going from village to village in Bihar, sharing his ideas. So, how big do you think the PK factor is? How much vote share will he get? Whose votes will he cut into moreyours or the Mahagathbandhans?

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A 9: Look, I believe that factor is insignificant. Not significant enough to even consider. You see, over time, as people have continued to cast their votes, the public of this country has become politically very aware. They now understand very well who is standing in elections just to cut votes and who wants to form the government. People in Bihar know he may not win a single seat.

Q 10: Where on one hand you spoke about Jeevika Didis being a game changer, on the other hand, the Opposition is promising government jobs in every household. You mocked him but now your party has promised 1 crore jobs. Hows that possible?

A 10: Tejashwis promise is not deliverable. They are talking about giving government jobs. We too will provide government employment wherever necessary. But more importantly, we want to ensure that everyone has work in their handssome means of livelihood. And we make sure not to make false promises or let such things happen. Thats why, whatever we say, we say it after careful consideration. We never bring differences in our words and deeds to being out a crisis in politics.

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Q 11: Rajnath-ji, one more important question: you had earlier criticised the culture of freebies. But if you look today, in every state, whether its Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, or now Bihar, a lot of promises are being made. How is this even possible? How will all this be funded? Where will the revenue come from? You too have promised free electricity. Youve said that you have already given direct benefit transfers to around 1 crore 40 lakh women. Now theres talk of increasing this to Rs 2 lakh rupees. Where will all this money come from?

A 11: We have made well-calculated estimates. Whatever free units or benefits we are offering are within those calculations. I believe these measures will help improve their economic condition and increase their purchasing capacity.

Q 12: So, schemes like Ladki Behna in other states focus on direct benefit transfers. How is your Jeevika Didi scheme different? Does it focus more on entrepreneurship?

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A 12: Yes, through this, every woman will be able to improve her economic condition, thereby contributing to the states economy in her own way. When purchasing power and capacity to earn increase, it strengthens the overall economic layer of society. Parties should carefully calculate what they can actually provide and then make those promises. For instance, under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Rs 6,000 that we offer every year has benefited farmers. With that, production of food grains and other goods also rises. We make assurances with long-term vision.

Q 13: Lets move a little further, towards SIR. Rahul-ji and Tejashwi-ji both raised the issue of voter lists in Bihar. They claim that around 65 lakh people have been deregistered in the state, and that this benefits your party because those voters were originally theirs.

A 13: But they havent been able to present even a single concrete case. The Election Commission has repeatedly said: if you have any complaints, please bring them to us, we are ready to investigate. Yet, over the same issue, they keep talking about dropping a hydrogen bomb" or an atom bomb", but in reality, they havent even managed to light a small firecracker.

Q 14: He (Rahul Gandhi) had said that what happened in Haryana and Maharashtra was a theft of votes, which he says will happen in Bihar too. According to him, is it some kind of attempt to bypass the democratic process?

A 14: He took out a padyatra for the same but they found nothing. Now he is discussing elections that are done and dusted. You cant do politics for long by conning people.

Q 15: The rest of the opposition parties, whether its Mamata Banerjee or Stalin, say they wont let SIR happen in their states. They say you are trying to remove legitimate voters.

A 15: Their statements are actually violating the democratic process concerning legitimate voters. And I want to ask themthose who have come from outside, the infiltrators whose names were on the rolls in Biharare now being removed. There are also many people who have permanently moved away from Bihar in search of livelihood or those who passed away. Only their names wont be in the voter list.

Q 16: There is one very controversial statement given by Rahul Gandhi which even you have responded to. I would like to understand it better. He had said only 10% people are running the Armed Forces. Why did he say this? What is his logic and rationale? What would you like to say?

A 16: Look, what I want to say is whatever he says, he tries to create anarchy in this country. He does this because he understands well that he cannot win public trust or support through his actions, deeds or work. So, he keeps making baseless statements to mislead people. But I believe healthy politics is one which does not mislead people or throw dust in their eyes, it is about taking people into confidence.

Q 17: So, politics should not drag the armed forces into such issues

A 17: There is no questionAs far as the armed forces are concerned, I believe they have only one religionhe spoke about reservation and other things Armed forces have only one religiona military duty. The armed forces have people from all religions. You will see people from all castes, religions and sects are in our armed forces. Everyone follows their own religion and religious practices. The priests who perform those rituals are also present there. There is no discrimination of any kind, no casteism, no communal or sectarian bias in our Army. I believe that he should leave the armed forces out of such statements. He should not drag the armed forces into politics.

Q 18: Rajnath ji, the Opposition had earlier raised a lot of noise about the Agniveer scheme as well. Although the four-year scheme is set to end in 2026, do you think, given the countrys situation and security concerns, youll be able to retain more than 25 per cent of the people?

A 18: Look, Agniveer is a very good, well-designed scheme. We have also said that after completing the four years, those Agniveers who leave the service will certainly be provided with arrangements for placement. If they want to take up employment, we will ensure the necessary funding and systems to help them find jobs.

Q 19: So more than 25 per cent

A 19: We wanted to ensure youthfulness in the Army. I believe this is very important, and the decision was taken on that basisBut I believe there is no reason for anyone to be worried about their future. We have complete clarity in our concept about this. We will not let anyone be harmed or treated unfairly.

Hearing this, the people will be reassured.

Q 20: Donald Trump has said that Pakistan is conducting a nuclear test. He also said that seeing Russia and China doing this, it is possible that America, too, may try something similar.

A 20: They can do it if they wish

Q 21: What will India do? Will India also do a nuclear test?

A 21: What India will do, the future will tell. Everybody can do what they want. I dont want to say anything on this. Be it Pakistan, America, they can do what they wantIndia will not take steps under pressure or fear. India will take steps that it thinks are necessary in its interest.

Right steps at the right time

Appropriate steps at the right time.

Q 22: After Operation Sindoor, Im speaking to you for the first time. I remember that in 2024, you had said, This is not old India. We will go into peoples homes and kill". You said it so forcefully that even the international media highlighted

A 22: We proved it by doing so

Q 23: Yes. You proved it with Operation Sindoor. But some believe that you stopped a bit too soon. Why did you stop so quickly? Those people wanted you to teach Pakistan a lesson.

A 23: I want to make one thing clear. There were calls coming from Pakistans DGMO. After those calls, this happened. We are not warmongerssome people are the kind who want war and confrontation, but India never wants that. If repeated demands are coming from their side that it should be stopped or restrained, then we considered it. We did what we had to do. We realised there was no reason to escalate this war further. If need arises, we will act again.

Q 24: You people keep saying this repeatedly. Do you still think the situation is such that Operation Sindoor will have to be done again?

A 24: That is for the future to decidewhat will happen and how is uncertain. But I want to make this clear about Operation Sindoor that it is not finished, it is halted for the time being.

Q 25: Because you had also

A 25: Look at what precautions we took. Terrorists had secretly infiltrated our borders and killed our innocent citizens. We targeted only their terrorist centres. We did not target the ordinary citizens in Pakistan. Despite taking such steps, people accuse our government of discrimination on grounds of religious or caste. India is a country where our sages considered not just those living in our borders, but the entire world as one family. If the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam has gone to the world from any place, it is from your and mine Indian soil.

Q 26: You have stated this very clearly. Not just today but earlier as well. Your government says that between India and Pakistan, there was no one else. It was only because of their [Pakistans] insistence that the war was stopped.

A 26: Operation Sindoor was not halted under anyones pressure or at anyones request. I want to state this plainly in simple words. You know I take full precaution in political matters that I should never lie. No one can point to any political decision of mineIf something happened in my childhood, I cannot speak to that. But I am cautious. I am human and mistakes can happen, but on this matter, I stand fully by what I am saying.

Q 27: President Trump has repeatedly said that he played a major role in getting this [war] shut down, and because we did not agree with him, we are paying the price  tariffs have been imposed on us, and there are various visa restrictions coming in. Despite all this, you have now signed a 10-year defence pact with Pete Hegseth this year with the US. Why?

A 27: He is saying that and still they made a pact with us, right? This means all indications are positive.

Q 28: Do you believe that the tense situation that had developed between the two countries is now better than before?

A 28. Now we will have to think about whether the tension is there or not or what it is. I cannot say exactly what the situation is. Only those who are talking about it can explain.

Q 29: This time, we reprimanded Pakistan and taught them a lesson, along with the terrorist camps, we also destroyed 11 of their defence bases and inflicted damage.

A 29: We destroyed.

Q 30: Despite that, Pakistans General Asim Munir got a promotion. He says all kinds of things. Will Pakistan ever stop these kinds of actions?

A 30: He got a promotion or took it, one can never say about Pakistan. There, the Army is dominant.

Q 31: Lets move a bit away from Pakistan and talk about Afghanistan. Afghanistans foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi ji, had come here, and during that time there was also a clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan even carried out a bombing in Kabul. Pakistan is saying that India is behind all this  they are hinting at our role. What would like to say?

A 31: Those are completely baseless, unsubstantiated accusations. We do not seek or encourage any kind of confrontation.

Yes.

We want peace in the world. We are in favour of peace. We will not provoke anyone or encourage conflict with anyone. But if someone teases or provokes us, we will not spare them. Our policy on this is clear.

Q 32: Afghanistan and Pakistan

A 32: We do not use crutches to defend our self-respect. We do it ourselves. We take decisions on our own and take required actions on our own. But our fundamental outlook is that we do not want conflict in the world.

Q 33: The problem between Afghanistan and Pakistan that has been going on is about the Durand Lineits a dispute over the Durand Line. My question to you is simple: what is Indias position on this?

A 33: Whatever the issue, all the countries involved should sit down and settle it by negotiation. We do not want to intervene in another countrys affairs. If both countries agree that there should be outside interference and that an impartial process of dialogue should be started, then the matter can be considered at that time. We do not believe in maan na maan, main tera mehmaan (whether you like it or not, I am your guest).

Q 34: So you think this is their internal matter

A 34: This is an internal matter. They will decide.

Q 35: Bangladeshs interim leader, Mohammad Yunus, often gives provocative statements. Recently, he gave a map to a Pakistani general in which the northeast of India was shown as part of Bangladesh. What do you have to say about this?

A 35: This is very unfortunate, and he should avoid such actions. We want to maintain better relations with our neighbouring countries. We do not want any kind of tension with our neighbouring countries.

Q 36: Rajnath-ji, the larger question that arises is thisearlier, we used to deal mainly with Pakistan, our problem was with Pakistan. After Galwan, we also had a tense atmosphere with China. Now Bangladesh. So, is it that there is a kind of unrest on all three fronts? Have three fronts opened up for us? How will we deal with this, and how will we move forward?

A 36: As many problems or challenges may come before usIndia has the capability to meet all those challenges. We can face every difficulty and find solutions. But we are people who believe in peace, we do not want unrest. However, this does not mean that India is a coward. If Indias sovereignty is harmed, India will give a strong response. That is all I want to say. The situation in our neighbouring countries should also be calm and normal, that is our thinking. As far as our neighbouring countries are concerned, we want to maintain good relations with them. Our leader Atal-ji used to say repeatedly that we must always remain cautious and remember that in life you can change your friends, but you can never change your neighbours.

Q 37: Youve made a very important point. You have been defence minister for a long time  lets talk a little about the changes and reforms that have come after you took office. Id like you to explain a bit. In todays era, air superiority is very important.

A 37: We have already demonstrated our superiority.

Q 38: Yes, absolutely. My questions come from that point. Recently, we finally retired the MiG-21, its replacement is the Tejas, in which we have confidence. Where exactly do we standare the discussions progressing properly with GE or is there any delay? Are we considering any alternatives?

A 38: Look, GE, Safran, there are many companies involved in this field. To some extent, we have already advanced. I dont want to disclose details here because this matter will be decided in the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security), so I shouldnt speak too much about it. We have concept clarity. Within a year, we will reach a position where we will build the engines for these fighter planes in India, on Indian soil, by Indian hands.

Q 39: Thats a big statement. We will do that, and we will also procure some from abroad.

A 30: For the moment, we do need to source engines from abroad.

Q 40: Are we under any American pressure?

A 40: There is no pressure. Even for what we buy from abroad, we will not compromise on our terms. It may well be possible, a strong possibility, that we can say, Okay, we will buy engines from you, but the manufacturing must happen in India."

From whom?

And that they must transfer technology to us.

Q 41: Are you in talks with any company?

A 41: I dont want to reveal details, but what Im saying is not baselessaccept it as a fact. Which company, what will be done, which companies we are talking to, I cant reveal the details.

Q 42: We are in talks with French company Safran about jointly developing an engine for a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. When will it arrive, when will we get the first enginecan you explain a little in detail about that, as youve mentioned earlier?

A 42: Our effort is to bring engine manufacturing to India as soon as possible. As soon as possible. This matter will be decided by the CCS and it will happen very quickly.

Q 43: So, collaboration with foreign companies is possible, but the manufacturing will be in India.

A 43: Our effort is that whoever we get into an agreement with, should transfer the technology too.

Q 44: So, regarding the fifth-generation fighter  the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), its design has been completed? How far has the work progressed?

A 44: The progress is good, satisfactory.

Q 45: So can you give any timelines for it?

A 45: It should happen soon.

Q 46: Some experts are saying it could take up to 10 years for the entire process to be completed. Is that correct?

A 46: It may take time, but I dont think it will take 10 years.

Q 47: It will happen before 10 years?

A 47: It may happen even before that.

Q 48: Under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project, we are to acquire 114 Rafale jets. Please tell us something about its progress, and also how our experience with the Rafale was during Operation Sindoor.

A 48: The experience was very good. Rafale has performed remarkably, it is an excellent fighter aircraft.

Q 49: So these 114 Rafales by when will this be completed?

A 49: You have to wait, these things take time. Discussions are going on, and it may take some time. But overall, the progress is reasonably good.

Q 50: Weve seen that drones play a very big role in modern warfare, even in Operation Sindoor we witnessed this. So, is there a delay in India receiving MQ-9 drones from the US? And what is your view on indigenous drones?

A 50: Work on indigenous drones has already begun. These drones will be made here in India. As per the timeline that was set for MQ-9 drones, I believe the delivery should happen accordingly.

Q 51: Are we buying more S-400 missile systems from Russia? And is there any discussion about manufacturing the Russian SU-57 jet in India?

A 51: We do need the S-400. If we get the opportunity, well buy them. I would not like to say anything regarding SU-57 jet at the moment.

Q 52: Speaking of BrahMos missiles  they proved to be quite effective during Operation Sindoor. Several countries have also shown interest in them. Will this have a major impact on Indias defence exports?

A 52: It will have a very big impact. Our export numbers are set to rise. As of now, we have achieved exports worth approximately Rs 25,000 crore. Our target is that by the end of 202930, our defence exports should reach at least Rs 50,000 crore. And we are confident that we will successfully achieve that goal.

We have also accelerated the process of indigenisation. We have decided that, no matter what, many of our defence items will be manufactured in India  on Indian soil, by Indians.

We have prepared an indigenisation list. It includes about 550 items that we will not import from any foreign country. Similarly, for certain local replacement units, we have identified around 5,000 such components that we will no longer procure from abroad. Out of these, production of around 2,000 to 2,500 items has already begun in India. The advances made in self-reliance within Indias defence sector are indeed very encouraging.

Q 53: When will the test of the Agni-6 missile take place? Its our longest intercontinental ballistic missile and has been much talked about.

A 53: Just wait and watch. Everything will go well.

Q 54: Is the nuclear submarine project delayed? The project has an estimated cost of Rs 1 lakh crore.

A 54: I wouldnt say its delayed, but yes, there has been a slight setback. However, the progress is very good. It has improved significantly compared to earlier stages.

Q 55: When we talk about self-reliance and indigenisation, would you also say that our weapon systems and platforms should be entirely our own and that we shouldnt depend on anyone else?

A 55: When it comes to our defence equipment and weapons, we do not want to depend on other countries. We aim to become completely self-reliant, and our efforts are moving in that direction. I would like to say that the progress so far has been good.

Q 56: What about theatrisationthe proposed unified command of the Army, Navy, and Air Force? By when do you think it will be implemented?

A 56: I wont specify a timeline right now; it isnt possible to do so at this stage. But I can say that our progress on theatrisation has been good.

Q 57: The Army chief said the progress is going well, but has the Air Force raised any objections or issues, and how are you dealing with it?

A 57: The Air Force has not registered any objections with us so far. But whatever we do, we will do it after taking the Army, Air Force, and Navy into confidence.

Q 58: The armed forces are conducting large-scale exercises. Are these routine exercises, or are you anticipating a threat?

A 58: There is no threat. These are routine exercises that continue to take place, and they are going on these days as well.

Q 59: Tensions have eased on the LAC, but de-escalation has not happened.

A 59: There has been de-escalation at several points. You must have seen Chinas statement where they said they want to normalise the situation with India at the LAC. I spoke with the Chinese Defence Minister when I went to attend the ADMM-Plus. We had a very good discussion. They said they want military-to-military meetings to continue so that no tense situation comes up again.

Q 60: This is a very big development. Does it mean we can trust China?

A 60: They have said it, and we (India) have also agreed on this. When I went to the SCO meeting, I held a meeting with the Chinese Defence Minister. I said clearly that the ice on India-China ties should melt down, or not  and how long will the ice be there? There should be a clear decision on this. I also requested that the President (Xi) should convey this message. I felt good that the Chinese Defence Minister said in our recent meeting that they are ready for discussions and want to find a way to resolve differences of opinion on the LAC.

Q 61: It feels from these meetings that there will be concrete steps further.

A 61: It should definitely happen.

Q 62: I want to ask you about the Uttar Pradesh elections.

A 62: We will form the government.

Q 63: No government has come to power in Uttar Pradesh after two terms.

A 63: Jo kabhi nahi hua tha, woh sab Bharat mein ho raha hai. (Things that never happened are now happening in India.)

Q 64: Looking at the results of the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, do you think the BJP will form the government again? And on what issues will these elections be held?

A 64: The Parliament elections were different. Dont link that with this (2027 polls). There must have been some circumstances for those elections. Yogi Adityanath is running the government very well. You must have seen how successful Uttar Pradesh is now in managing law and order. Law and order is the first requirement of development. If the law and order situation is good, then development will happen fast  and it is going on now.

Q 65: So you will take development as the issue in the UP polls.

A 65: We take development as an issue in every election. Whenever our governments seek re-election, we go to the people with development as the issue. Because we have done the development, and thats why we discuss it.

Q 66: When will the next BJP president be announced?

A 66: I think the name will be announced after the Bihar elections.

Q 67: It means the names have been finalised.

A 67: We dont have issues. Our people sit, discuss, and decide.

Q 68: Then why did it take so long? Mohan Bhagwat was saying that if it were in his hands, he would have done it earlier. Is there any difference with the RSS on this?

A 68: The RSS does not interfere in our political affairs. It is true that we are sevaks of the RSS and will remain so throughout our lives. But the RSS never interferes in our political affairs.

Q 69: You joined the RSS at a young age. How did you come in contact with the RSS? How did the RSS shape your political life?

A 69: When I was in high school, I came in contact with the Tehsil Pracharak. From then, I started going to Sangh Shakhas. The environment and the things they teach youabout how to live your life and inculcate patriotic feelingsthese things affected me.

Q 70: Who inspired you in the RSS?

A 70: There are many peoplefrom the RSS chief to many people at the lower levels of the RSS. Their commitment to society and the nation affected me.

Q 71: Rajnath-ji, we are thankful to you for giving your time and answering our questions. You were seen on different channels of News18. News18 Bihar is the biggest channel in Bihar; we have an 80% share there. Wishing you well for the Bihar election.

A 71: Thank you.
Delhis air quality plunged into the severe category on Saturday, with pollution levels crossing 400 in several areas and a thick haze blanketing the city, making it one of the most polluted in the country.

A pedestrian walks amid smog, near India Gate in New Delhi on October 29, a day after cloud seeding trials took place. Unfortunately, it didn't induce rain, leaving Delhiites dismayed. AFP

Delhis air quality deteriorated sharply on Saturday as pollution levels surged, with several parts of the city recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 400  a level classified as severe. The toxic haze pushed the national capital deep into the red zone, making it one of the most polluted cities in India.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhis 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm, stood at 361  up from 322 the previous day  before worsening to 372 by 6 pm.

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The CPCBs Sameer app, which tracks real-time data from 39 monitoring stations across the city, showed at least 15 stations reporting AQI levels at or above 400 by 6 pm. These included Alipur (417), ITO (408), Punjabi Bagh (404), Nehru Nagar (407), Patparganj (403), Ashok Vihar (402), Sonia Vihar (401), Jahangirpuri (409), Rohini (408), Vivek Vihar (415), Narela (412), Wazirpur (424), Bawana (424), Chandni Chowk (400), and Burari Crossing (420).

In the neighbouring NCR region, Noida recorded an AQI of 354, Greater Noida 336, and Ghaziabad 339  all falling in the very poor category, according to CPCB data cited by PTI.

Satellite data showed 100 incidents of stubble burning in Punjab, 18 in Haryana, and 164 in Uttar Pradesh on Friday  contributing to the worsening smog over Delhi.

The Air Quality Early Warning System forecast suggests no immediate relief, predicting that the citys air will remain in the very poor category in the coming days. Since Diwali, Delhis air quality has consistently hovered between poor, very poor, and at times severe.

As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 050 is considered good, 51100 satisfactory, 101200 moderate, 201300 poor, 301400 very poor, and 401500 severe.
The GE-F404 engines will be delivered to the defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) between 2027 and 2032. However, the delivery of 99 such engines ordered in August 2021 is still pending

India has signed a $1 billion deal with Americas General Electric for the procurement of 113 jet engines to power the indigenous Tejas Mark 1-A fighters.

The GE-F404 engines will be delivered to the defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) between 2027 and 2032. However, the delivery of 99 such engines ordered in August 2021 is still pending.

Talking about the recent deal signed in Bengaluru, HAL chief D K Sunil told the Times of India, We have 11 Tejas aircraft ready, including four fitted with the new GE engines. We are moving towards certification, and the aim is to deliver the first 10 jets to IAF by the end of March next year.

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Apart from delays in the delivery of the first 99 engines, production of the Tejas Mark-1A has also been slowed by the pending trials and integration of several weapon systems, including the Astra beyond-visual-range missile, the ASRAAM short-range missile, and laser-guided bombs, with the Israeli Elta ELM-2052 radar and its fire-control suite.

Whats the status?

Currently, HAL has received four of the initial batch of 99 engines, with the fifth expected later this month. Once the supply stabilises, GE has committed to delivering 20 engines annually.

In terms of the Tejas weapons trial, the HAL chief said, Results of the data from the trials involving Astra and ASRAAMs are being analysed. Next, during Nov and Dec, we plan to begin the bombing trials. If GE delivers 10 engines in time, we dont see any reason for delay in handing over 10 aircraft to the IAF by the end of this fiscal.

More Tejas orders

In September, the Indian Air Force was slated to receive as many as 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighters under the largest-ever contract with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) worth Rs 66,500. The development came after Russian-origin MiG-21 fighter jets were decommissioned.

The order came following Operation Sindoor, which saw Pakistan use Chinese-origin jets like J-10s armed with PL-15, and made IAF come to the conclusion based on an internal assessment that it will need far more than even its authorised 42.5 fighter squadrons.

The IAF has consistently raised concerns over the painfully slow progress in developing the single-engine Tejas fighters, warning that operational readiness cannot be compromised indefinitely in the name of atmanirbharta (self-reliance).
One of the major reasons for Indias success in the last decade has been its deft and often bold foreign policy choices. Whether it was the decision to stand up and defy the West despite the threat of sanctions by continuing to buy Russian crude oil after the breakout of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, or Prime Minister Narendra Modis call that this is not the era of war at the SCO Summit in Samarkand in September 2022, India has made many crucial foreign policy choices. These decisions have propelled the country to the global centre stage.

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The Vaccine Maitri during the Covid-19 pandemic, when India supplied Covid vaccines to more than 100 countries, won India global goodwill, especially within the Global South. The G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023 was a crowning glory where, despite huge contradictions in the text of the joint statement due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the Delhi Declaration was signed unanimously, without a single footnote of disagreement.

The launch of transcontinental connectivity projects like the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (Imec) has projected India as the hub of global connectivity. Plus, the decision of India to become the voice of the Global South, first by having the African Union included in the G20 and thereafter, hosting Global South Summits, too, has been hugely successful for India.

In the era of Donald Trump, where his authoritarian and personalised style of leadership has demanded obedience and compliance, it is perhaps only India which is still standing, holding its ground.

In the Gaza war, India was among the few countries which were seen to balance things right, supporting Israel in its fight against terror while supporting and endorsing the right to a statehood for the Palestinian people. Even in the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, acknowledging Indias closeness with Russia, has often called upon PM Modi to help end the war.

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Indias decision to engage the Taliban leadership of Afghanistan by hosting their Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in October and upgrading their diplomatic presence in Kabul to an embassy was a big diplomatic push, as it came against the backdrop of Trump asking the Taliban to return Bagram Air Base to the US and the recurring Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes.

However, in recent months, some of the choices or decisions taken by India have definitely raised eyebrows, if not questions. Most of them can be attributed to US President Trumps approach towards India and its consequences for Indias economic and security interests. The start to this was the recent India-Pakistan conflict, Operation Sindoor, which was called off when Pakistan, hit hard by Indian strikes deep into Pakistan, pleaded for a ceasefire, which India agreed to.

However, the twist in the tale came about when Trump started claiming that it was he who pressured India to accept a ceasefire with Pakistan under the threat of trade and sanctions. Despite repeated clarifications and denials by India, Trump continues to do so.

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India had two choices in such a situation: either to accept Trumps version or to have a direct rebuttal coming from PM Modi. India chose a third option, of staying quiet and avoiding direct engagements between Modi and Trump. So, while President Trump has been globe-trotting, often with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir in close tow, the Indian PM stayed away from the photo ops. Such absences may well achieve the aim of avoiding Trump but are unintentionally leading to the dilution of Indian influence and outreach across the world. Let us examine some of these.

The first of those was soon after Operation Sindoor when PM Modi was invited by Trump to visit Washington after the G7 Summit in Canada in July, which Modi declined. Additional tariffs had not yet been imposed on India by the US then. The primary reason was the possibility that Trump would have used the opportunity once again to claim that he had got the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. No major damage was done due to this missed invite, although it can be said that it did lead to some frustration in Washington.

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In September, Modi missed two opportunities because of Trump. The first was the virtual summit of Brics called by Brazilian President Lula da Silva to discuss the Trump tariffs on September 8. Following public threats by the US Commerce Secretary of imposing 100 per cent tariffs on India and Brics nations, Modi nominated External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to represent India.

In a summit where the Russian and Chinese presidents were present, it was a missed opportunity for India and Modi. Shortly thereafter again, Modi skipped the UN General Assembly, once again asking S Jaishankar to deliver the annual address. It was a miss going by the impact Modis speech could have had, especially on trade and tariff wars, global conflicts and the need for effective multilateral forums.

Similarly, Modi chose to travel to Tianjin, China, in August, where the newfound bonhomie with Putin and Xi grabbed global headlines, but he once again chose to skip the Asean Summit in Malaysia in October despite Malaysia initially announcing Modis participation. The excuse was Diwali celebrations, which were, in fact, long over by the time of the Asean Summit. The real reason once again  to avoid Trump and any loose statement that he might make during any such meeting on a potential trade deal with India.

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Any such half-truth or outright lie from President Trump could have hurt PM Modi and the central government back home, especially with the crucial elections in the state of Bihar round the corner. Result  Modi spoke via virtual link but missed out on many more meetings on the sidelines, whereas Trump, with the Pakistani PM in tow, made the most of the opportunity.

Another missed opportunity was the Gaza peace summit convened in Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, where Trump, taking the lead, announced a new rebuilding in Gaza while signing an agreement on the future of the Gaza peace process with Egypt, Turkey and Qatar. India was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. Again, no clear reason was given for PM Modi skipping the summit. Surrounded by many global leaders, while Trump exerted leadership and power, India chose to stay on the sidelines  which is justified from a perspective, particularly when optics suggested Trump asserting his supremacy over others.

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Another hindrance in Indias outreach in the extended neighbourhood was the recent vacation of the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan. The base  also known as the Gissar Military Aerodrome  was Indias part of Indias strategic outreach in Central Asia, planned and executed in the early 2000s. It was the only active overseas military outpost for India and provided options for power projection as well as eyes and ears, both into Afghanistan and Pakistan. The refusal of the Tajik government to extend the lease, evidently under pressure from China, is a major setback, especially in the context of the emerging dynamics in the region and Indias outreach to the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

In terms of the neighbourhood, the developments in Bangladesh over the past two years, especially the renewed bonhomie and increased interaction between the Pakistani and Bangladeshi armed forces, cannot be good news for India. Pakistan, beaten and hurt during Operation Sindoor, has found a willing ally in Yunus-led Bangladesh and is doing its utmost to exploit the opportunity. Plus, the surprising and sudden closeness between the US and Pakistan, coincidentally, after Operation Sindoor, must be causing anxiety in Indias policy circles.

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Conclusion

There is no doubt that President Trump is defying the established norms of global geopolitics and setting demands and conditions which most countries are finding it difficult to accept and comply with.

The fact that India has stood its ground reflects how strongly India believes in its India Story and the march towards realisation of its vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. However, the practice of strategic autonomy and defiance always comes at a cost. Speaking at an international conference in Delhi on August 7, PM Modi had admitted in the context of trade tensions with the US that, For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers, further adding that, I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it, and I am ready for it. India is ready for it.

Within this, however, the choice of avoiding contact and letting go of important opportunities for projecting Indias stand directly is something that India will have to weigh in on.

In an age of social media and instant news, not putting out the Indian perspective directly and avoiding meetings/travel can be viewed as a sign of weakness or lack of clarity. India, which is the fastest-growing big economy in the world, with a stable and strong political leadership over the past decade and a proven military strength, cannot be seen in either of the prisms. It is time to shed the reluctance and play on the front foot.

(Col Rajeev Agarwal is a West Asia expert and a Senior Research Consultant at Chintan Research Foundation, New Delhi. His X Handle is @rajeev1421. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shaking hands with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 meet in Alberta, June, 2025. Image: ANI

India and Canada finally have a workable reset on the table. The last two years were rough. The episode of Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing, Ottawas allegation and New Delhis denial froze a relationship that once felt easy. High commissions thinned out, trade talks stalled, and everyday linksstudents, families, flights, suppliersgrew brittle. That cycle is no longer inevitable. Ottawas political cast has changed, the tone has shifted in both capitals, and the diplomatic calendar offers real touchpoints to rebuild trustquickly.

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A Different Ottawa, a Cleaner Slate

Mark Carneys arrival as prime minister matters because he is not invested in yesterdays fights. His brand is competence and quiet deal-making, not performative trench warfare. That gives him space to lower the temperature with India and move sensitive issuessuch as security, mobility, and tradeinto professional channels. His cabinet choices underline that intent. Anita Anandexperienced and measurednow leads Global Affairs Canada. A broader slate of Indian-origin ministers without links to fringe diaspora politics signals a shift from symbolism to problem-solving. New Delhi noticed.

October in Delhi: The Ice Begins to Thaw

In mid-October, Foreign Minister Anita Anand made her first official visit to India, meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi, as well as engaging with firms in Mumbai. The agendatrade resilience, energy, AI, critical minerals, agriculture, and securitymapped where both economies need each other. Crucially, the stated objective was to reset ties and deepen people-to-people links, not litigate the past. Indian officials framed the visit as a means to build momentum and revitalise mechanisms. That frame anchors the relationship in practical workstreams rather than grievance.

November in Niagara: A Timely, Neutral Platform

Canada hosts the G7 foreign ministers in Niagara on November 1112, with India among the participating outreach countries. Jaishankar is slated to attend and may meet Anand on the sidelines. The agendamaritime security, economic resilience, energy security, and critical mineralsaligns with the new worklist and provides a neutral, multilateral setting to facilitate ongoing repairs. If Anand and Jaishankar meet again in Niagara, it will be their third engagement in forty-five days. Choreography then becomes a process, and process is the raw material of trust.

The diplomatic diary is invaluable. Following the Niagara event, India will host the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February. If Prime Minister Carney attends, his first visit to India as PM can align AI safety, public-interest innovation, compute access, and standards. Later in the year, both leaders will attend the G20 in Johannesburg, an opportunity to show cooperation on debt, development, and resilient supply chains. Sequence matters: Octobers meetings, Novembers interaction, Februarys AI summit, and Novembers G20 can convert goodwill into muscle memory and protect a pragmatic track from domestic politics.

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From Problem Statement to Plan

The reset will work only if both sides treat it as a management issue, not a morality play. First, handle security quietly. New Delhis bottom line is clear: no tolerance for violent extremism cloaked as free speech. Ottawas is clear too: the Charter and the courts adjudicate speech. The path through is operational. Revive a standing security working group with scheduled meetings, brief readouts, and tracked actions. Joint designations of violent actors, de-risked events, and a protocol for real-time cooperation will build confidence. Handle the loudest issue most silently.

Second, deliver mobility with responsibility. Students and families took the biggest reputational hit. A rapid packagepriority student visas, a rules-based post-study pathway, early movement on mutual recognition in selected professionswill restore predictability. Both sides should restore consular staffing and issue joint guidance to prevent rumours from swaying applicants.

Third, pursue a trade that is narrow, deep, and doable. Reviving CEPA is sensible, but a near-term CEPA-lite corridor is wiser. Clean energy and critical minerals, plus education services and digital/AI cooperation, offer natural fits. Annexe-ready chapters in these lanes can advance while the comprehensive deal catches up. Early wins depoliticise the economic track.

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Fourth, make critical minerals the flagship. Canada needs offtake certainty and investment. India needs a reliable and friendly jurisdiction for battery, electronics, and clean tech supply. A Minerals for Mobility compactcharacterised by transparent permitting timelines, credible ESG disclosures, clear offtake commitments, and a blended-finance windowcan transform talking points into projects and jobs in both countries.

What Each Side Should Do Now

Ottawa should reactivate the security working group and commit to short readouts after every sitting. That formality signals a structured process, not a photo op. It should ease mobility bottlenecks by agreeing with India on student and family processing targets, publishing them, and meeting them before the January intake.

A single empowered point person for critical mineralsspanning Natural Resources, Innovation, Finance, and Global Affairsshould table the first project slate within ninety days. Canada should also use the February summit to propose a CanadaIndia AI for the Commons workstream covering safety benchmarks, compute for health and language technologies, and reciprocal sandboxes.

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New Delhi should restaff the mission in Ottawa and appoint the next High Commissioner early. An evidentiary template distinguishing lawful speech from violent action will make Indian requests easier to deliver within Canadas rule-of-law traditions.

Building on Anands Mumbai engagements, India should back a standing MumbaiToronto business corridor with quarterly CEO-level check-ins focused on logistics, agri-food, and clean-tech components. On the multilateral stage, India should position Canada as a partner in African development finance, debt reform, and health security.

Good Timing

Three things are different now. First, the politics: a new Canadian leadership team is not constrained by prior framing and does not need to prove its toughness through theatrics. It needs outcomes. Second, the venues: Niagara offers a neutral forum to institutionalise the thaw; the AI summit provides a concrete, future-facing deliverable; and the G20 offers a global stage for a maturing partnership. Third, the economics: both countries need diversified resilience. India needs secure minerals and know-how for clean-tech ambitions. Canada needs to reduce single-market exposure and find demand-rich partners for the energy transition and digital public goods. A narrow-but-deep corridor can move now while a comprehensive pact catches up.

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This reset will stall if either side turns the process into theatre. Diaspora politics in Canada and security sensitivities in India are real, so the work must be technical, layered, and steady. Diplomacy restarts with people in a room who keep returning to the table. The discipline is to keep them there, on schedule, with a checklist, and to produce small, verifiable outcomes.

A Scorecard for February

By the AI Impact Summit in February, success should be visible without fanfare. This includes at least two formal meetings of the revived security group, accompanied by a brief joint readout and a tested crisis-communications protocol. It also involves meeting published intake targets for students and families, restoring consular staffing, and establishing a roadmap on professional recognition in two sectors.

Additionally, there should be a joint statement launching Minerals for Mobility with two pilot projects and a blended-finance window. Finally, an AI for the Commons workstream should be active, featuring two public-good pilotshealth and languageand an early safety-benchmark exchange.

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Hit those marks and the relationship will feel normal againperhaps better than before. Miss them, and old habits will reassert themselves.

Carneys government has a clean slate and a problem-solving instinct. Anands October visit began the thaw; Niagara can institutionalise it, and a substance-first Carney visit for the AI summit can solidify it. In Johannesburg later that year, both prime ministers could demonstrate that pragmatismon security, minerals, and technologycould rebuild a partnership that others had written off. That is the test. It is also an opportunity.

(The author is the Executive Director of the Centre for Legislative Research and Advocacy (CLRA), New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
For now, Zohran Mamdani stands as the symbol of a hopeful moment  a reminder that in politics, even in cynical times, sincerity still matters. (Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP)

When Zohran Mamdani walked up to the podium to claim victory in New Yorks mayoral election, the applause was about more than a single citys choice. It represented a generational inflection point. Mamdani, the 34-year-old son of Ugandan-Indian parents, had achieved what many thought impossible  breaking into one of Americas most entrenched political bastions. His win, however, is as much a story of favourable timing as it is of individual brilliance.

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The first factor behind Mamdanis success was his youth. His campaign radiated energy and freshness, his messaging modern and personal. Voters repeatedly described his ability to speak to everyone. Affable and eloquent, he combined a reformist agenda with accessible communication. Older white voters who had once tilted conservative found themselves responding to his warmth and conviction. His plural, inclusive approach struck a chord with diverse constituencies  from working-class families worried about rent to young professionals seeking a fairer city.

He personified what analysts have begun calling the Gen Z ethos: authenticity, transparency, and openness to difference. His campaign avoided complicated ideological rhetoric and instead spoke of everyday struggles  housing, public transport, affordability, and fairness. For a generation weary of hyper-partisanship, this combination was disarming.

The terrain favoured Mamdani. His main rival, former governor Andrew Cuomo, entered as a political survivor running as an independent with Republican backing  a hard sell in a strongly Democratic city. Past controversies over conduct and integrity left him weak, creating an opposition vacuum Mamdani capitalised on.

Nevertheless, the election reflected changing urban dynamics: an electorate seeking engagement over cynicism. Mamdanis ability to translate youth enthusiasm into structured organisation set him apart. In that sense, he didnt just win a city; he revived a form of campaigning that felt participatory again.

Mamdanis leadership qualities  passion, articulation, and adaptability  are undeniable. Yet his sharp rhetoric against Donald Trump and the Republican establishment raises another question: must decisiveness always sound confrontational? His occasional acidity, while energising supporters, risked narrowing his appeal among moderates who value civility in discourse.

From a leadership lens, true strength often lies in composure. Leaders who can engage opponents without antagonising them tend to endure longer. Mamdanis post-election tone, therefore, will matter more than his campaign oratory. A degree of restraint could expand his influence and help him govern more inclusively.

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Governing will test Mamdani far more than campaigning. Managing an $119 billion budget and eight million residents demands new skills. His promises  rent freezes, fare-free transit, expanded childcare  are ambitious and will need negotiation, compromise, and fiscal discipline. The mayors office is unforgiving; if delivery falters, his symbolic win could quickly turn to frustration, especially as Democrats look to him before the 2026 midterms.

Mamdanis triumph aligns with a series of Democratic wins across US cities and states. In Virginia, Indian-American Ghazala Hashmi became the states first Muslim lieutenant governor, while Democrats reclaimed the governors post there. Similar trends appeared in New Jersey and California. Many analysts interpret this as a subtle move back to the political centre after a decade of right-wing dominance in much of the Western world.

Senator Bernie Sanders recently observed:

I think the younger generation today is probably the most progressive young generation in the history of this country. This is a generation which is profoundly anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic, anti-xenophobic, and anti-religious bigotry. It is a generation of tolerance and decency.

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That description perfectly fits the coalition that propelled Mamdani. His campaign embodied the desire for a more empathetic political culture.

It would be premature to read this as a definitive rejection of Trumpism. In New York, diversity and youth favour progressives; across the US, conservative white voters still wield deep influence, particularly in swing and rural states. While Democrats may celebrate, Trumps base has historically proved resilient, capable of recalibrating through new forms of grievance politics.

Mamdanis ridicule of Donald Trump, though it energised progressives, seemed out of character for a leader known for calm and civility. In an already divided political climate, such rhetoric risks deepening rifts rather than closing them. True leadership today demands restoring decency and dignity to public discourse, not replicating the aggression it seeks to end. Mamdanis task now is to shift from confrontation to cohesion, from energising partisans to healing Americas fractures.

Across Europe and parts of Asia, left-leaning and centrist coalitions have drawn inspiration from Mamdanis inclusive campaign. Youth movements in Nepal, Bangladesh and Madagascar  each challenging entrenched elites  echo similar themes of empathy and participation.

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Globally, Gen Z appears less ideologically rigid and more values-driven. They seek fairness, sustainability and connection. Mamdanis story, therefore, is not isolated; it reflects a new vocabulary of leadership evolving worldwide.

India too reflects a comparable trend. A large and aware younger demographic increasingly values clarity, inclusiveness, and efficiency in public life. Their instinct is less ideological than aspirational  seeking opportunity, competence, and a voice in shaping the nations future. From climate action and technology start-ups to community initiatives and civic engagement, Indian youth are contributing through innovation and participation.

Mamdanis rise, therefore, fits into a broader global rhythm of generational change. Across democracies, a new political temperament is taking shape  pragmatic yet principled, diverse yet cohesive. It suggests a shift in leadership culture from exclusion to engagement, from rhetoric to results.

Mamdanis success story, though remarkable, has only begun. The momentum that carried him into office will dissipate unless translated into policy and performance. His biggest challenge now lies in converting inclusive campaigning into inclusive governance. The exuberance of youth must find discipline in administration.

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If he succeeds, Mamdani could become a reference point for modern urban leadership  empathetic, efficient, and collaborative. If he falters, his story will become another reminder that charisma alone cannot sustain a democratic renewal.

For now, Zohran Mamdani stands as the symbol of a hopeful moment  a reminder that in politics, even in cynical times, sincerity still matters. His city has placed its faith in youth and inclusiveness. Whether the world follows suit will depend on what they achieve.

(The writer is a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of derailing the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, saying Islamabad took an irresponsible and non-cooperative approach and tried to shift all security responsibility onto Kabul. The Taliban-led government said Pakistans stance caused the two-day negotiations to collapse despite mediation efforts by Turkey and Qatar.

Afghan Defence Minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif shake hands, following the signing of a ceasefire agreement, during a negotations meeting mediated by Qatar and Turkey, in Doha, Qatar, October 19, 2025. (Reuters)

Afghanistans Taliban led government has accused Pakistan of adopting an irresponsible and non-cooperative stance during the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, claiming Islamabad tried to shift all security responsibility onto Kabul while refusing to take any itself. The Taliban-led government said this approach directly caused the two-day negotiations to fail.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the Afghan delegation had participated in good faith and with appropriate authority, expecting Pakistan to engage seriously and constructively after consulting its leadership. Instead, he said, Pakistan did not demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistans security or its own, leaving mediators Turkey and Qatar unable to bridge the gap.

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Mujahid reaffirmed that Kabul would not allow Afghan soil to be used against any country and vowed to defend Afghanistans sovereignty against any aggression.

Talks collapse over written pledge on TTP

The talks, held on 6 and 7 November, failed to produce a written commitment from Kabul to act against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, whom Islamabad accuses of launching attacks from Afghan territory.

Pakistani officials said the negotiations collapsed after Kabul declined to provide a written pledge to act against the group.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the suspension of talks, saying, There is a complete deadlock. The negotiations have entered an indefinite phase.

Verbal assurances not enough, says Asif

Asif thanked Qatar and Turkiye for their mediation efforts but noted that even the facilitators had lost hope of progress.

They support our stance. Even the Afghan delegation agreed with us; however, they were not ready to sign a written agreement. They wanted verbal assurances to be accepted, which is not possible in international negotiations, he said.

Asif reiterated that Pakistan would only accept a formal written accord, warning: If there is any attack from Afghan soil, we will respond accordingly. As long as there is no aggression, the ceasefire will remain intact.

Border tensions flare amid stalemate

The talks broke down as tensions rose along the border, with both sides accusing each other of overnight shelling that reportedly killed four Afghan civilians and injured several others.

Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said, The onus lies on the Afghan Taliban to fulfil its long-standing international, regional, and bilateral pledges regarding control of terrorism, in which so far they have failed.

He added that Pakistan does not harbour any ill will against the Afghan people but shall never support the Afghan Taliban regimes measures that are detrimental to the interests of the Afghan people as well as neighbouring countries.

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Ceasefire holds despite repeated failures

Despite the deadlock, the Qatar-brokered ceasefire of 19 October remains technically in effect, though sporadic clashes continue along the border.

The Istanbul impasse marks the third failed attempt at reconciliation between the two neighbours, with no date set for a fourth round of talks. The first meeting was held in Doha on 29 October following deadly border clashes between 11 and 15 October, while the second round on 25 October in Istanbul also ended without progress.
Brazils Supreme Court on Friday reached a majority to uphold a 27-year prison sentence against former president Jair Bolsonaro for plotting a coup.

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro stands at his home while under house arrest, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, as he awaits trial over an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election, in Brasilia, Brazil, August 14, 2025. File Image/Reuters

Brazils Supreme Court on Friday reached a majority to uphold a 27-year prison sentence against former president Jair Bolsonaro for plotting a coup.

The 70-year-old far-right firebrand was found guilty by the same court in September of attempting to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking power.

Prosecutors said the plan failed only due to a lack of support from military top brass.

Bolsonaros lawyers argued there had been profound injustices and contradictions in his conviction, and sought to have his prison sentence reduced.

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Three of the four Supreme Court judges weighing the appeal voted to reject it on Friday.

However, the result is not considered official until a deadline set by the court at midnight on November 14.

Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over the trial, was the first to cast his vote electronically, and wrote that arguments by Bolsonaros lawyers to have his sentence reduced were without merit.

Moraes, in a 141-page document seen by AFP, rejected defense claims they had been given an overwhelming amount of documents and digital files, preventing them from properly mounting their case.

He also rejected an argument that Bolsonaro had given up on the coup, saying it failed only because of external factors, not because the former president renounced it.

Moraes reaffirmed that there had been a deliberate coup attempt orchestrated under Bolsonaros leadership, with ample proof of his involvement.

He again underscored Bolsonaros role in instigating the January 8 assault on Brazils democratic institutions, when supporters demanded a military takeover to oust Lula.

Ruling justified

Moraes ruled that the sentence of 27 years and 3 months was based on Bolsonaros high culpability as president and the severity and impact of the crimes. Moraes said Bolsonaros age had already been considered as a mitigating factor.

The ruling justified all stages of the sentencing process, Moraes wrote.

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Two other judges voted in the same way shortly afterward.

Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since August. Under Brazilian law, he will not be sent to prison until all legal avenues are exhausted.

If this is rejected, his lawyers could file another appeal, but the court could refuse to hear it and Bolsonaro could be jailed.

Because of health problems stemming from a stabbing attack in 2018, Bolsonaro could ask to serve his sentence under house arrest.

In May, another former president, Fernando Collor de Mello, was given permission to serve his nearly nine-year sentence for corruption at home, on grounds of ill health.

Prosecutors say the plot at the heart of the case envisaged the assassination of Lula, his vice-president Geraldo Alckmin, and the judge Alexandre de Moraes.

The trial against Bolsonaro angered his ally, US President Donald Trump, who imposed sanctions on Brazilian officials and punitive trade tariffs.

However, in recent months tensions have thawed between Washington and Brasilia, with a meeting taking place between Trump and Lula and negotiations to reduce the tariffs.

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An initiative from Bolsonaro supporters in Congress to push through an amnesty bill that could benefit him fizzled out after massive protests around the country.

Brazils large conservative electorate is currently without a champion heading into 2026 presidential elections, in which Lula, 80, has said he will seek a fourth term.
Officials from countries most vulnerable to global warming offered searing dispatches of life on the front line of a warming planet Friday, as world leaders gathered on the edge of the Amazon rainforest for the annual United Nations climate talks.

Officials from countries most vulnerable to global warming offered searing dispatches of life on the front line of a warming planet Friday, as world leaders gathered on the edge of the Amazon rainforest for the annual United Nations climate talks.

Ahead of Mondays official kickoff, officials have sought to build support for initiatives to protect forests and to streamline carbon markets, which seek to reduce the emissions that drive warming. But the meetings also took time to hear impassioned testimony about the harms climate change is causing around the world.

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Haitian diplomat Smith Augustin, whose country was pummeled by Hurricane Melissa, appealed to wealthier countries that produce the greatest share of the worlds emissions to support Haiti in preparing for bigger storms. Developed countries pledged $300 billion to help poor nations cope with climate shocks at last years summit, but the money has yet to be distributed.

The hurricanes and the heavy rain devastated my country, said Augustin. Developing countries, and especially the small island states, are the least responsible for climate change.

Kithure Kindiki, Kenyas vice president, said rescuers in his country are still searching for scores of people missing after a deadly landslide triggered by torrential rain sent muddy water crashing into villages last week.

A previously once-in-a-century cycle of extreme droughts alternating with devastating floods continues to wipe out lives, he said. This has now become common.

And Kalani Kaneko, the foreign minister of the Pacific Island nation of the Marshall Islands, said his country already is living a nightmare.

All we have to do is look out our front doors to witness the impact of climate change, he said. Now the sea rises, the coral dies and the fish stock leaves our shores for cooler waters.

Time running out

Officials warn that it has become almost impossible to keep global warming below the key Paris Agreement benchmark of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit).

Last year was the hottest year on record. Scientists say that every fraction of a degree of atmospheric heating unleashes longer droughts, deadlier heat waves and more intense storms.

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Hurricane Melissa has made that painfully clear, said Racquel Moses, director of the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, a coalition investing in climate resilience.

It will be much, much harder to ignore the Caribbean, to talk around the issues that are absolutely real, because we just had this experience, said Moses, who has family in Jamaica. The very way that we live is dependent on these negotiations going according to plan.

Reduced summit participation hangs over talks

World leaders who were not in the room on Friday were perhaps as important as those who were.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who calls climate change a hoax and prioritizes fossil fuels, boycotted the summit, leaving a hole that many other world powers sought to fill.

Although Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India also skipped the conference, the officials sent in their place used the podium to revive lagging enthusiasm about the global energy transition and assure the gathering that multilateralism was not dead just because the U.S. wished it so.

Praising his countrys massive installations of wind and solar power, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang promised to accelerate the green transition in all areas. Although China is by far the worlds biggest carbon emitter, Ding made clear it was still a leader in switching to cleaner forms of energy.

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China is a country that honors its commitments, he said.

Indian diplomat Dinesh Bahata on Friday touted his countrys expansion of renewables to half of all energy capacity, portraying the Global South as bending toward the future of affordable, clean power while political calculations trapped wealthier nations in an outdated addiction to fossil fuels.

While developing countries take decisive climate action, he said, developed countries fall short.

Others criticized that imbalance, with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the chairman of the African Union Commission, questioning how developing nations were expected to decarbonize at a time when financial assistance for poor countries is faltering and the U.S., the worlds biggest oil producer, is cashing in on heightened demand for hydrocarbons.

We do not ask for charity, but for climate justice, he said.

Maina Vakafua Talia, the environmental minister of the island nation of Tuvalu, at one point addressed Trump directly over the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Mr. President, this is a shameful disregard for the rest of the world, he said.

The White House shot back that Trump will not jeopardize our countrys economic and national security to pursue vague climate goals that are killing other countries.

Progress on forest protections and carbon markets

Attendees said they made progress on two initiatives over the past two days: Financial incentives to support endangered forests and a shared global carbon market.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was working to win support for a signature new fund that would pay 74 developing countries to better preserve their rainforests.

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The fund drew $5.5 billion in pledges on the first day of the U.N. climate summit, as Norway and France joined Brazil and Indonesia in investing. Germany said Friday it would make a considerable commitment. The scheme eventually seeks to leverage investments into $125 billion.

Finlands President Alexander Stubb hailed the fund as a model for how to drive climate solutions.

What we might be seeing now, according to studies, is a turn of the tide on carbon dioxide emissions, he told The Associated Press. This is because of financing. This is because of innovation.  Thats why I think (the fund) is a good idea.

Also on Friday, Brazil and the European Union announced that they were joining forces with China and several other countries to create a coalition aimed at uniting the worlds different emission trading systems into a single global carbon market.

A shared carbon pricing framework would motivate countries and companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing those that pollute less than their assigned emission caps to sell credits to counterparts that exceed theirs. It has long been notoriously difficult to get nations on the same page about emission limits and prices.

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Indigenous people eye a spot at the table

Brazil has billed this summit in the Amazonian city of Belem as uniquely inclusive of Indigenous leaders who have long been sidelined from decision-making in past climate talks despite feeling the most adverse effects of global warming.

Lulas government, which includes Brazils first-ever Indigenous Peoples Ministry, expects over 3,000 Indigenous delegates to participate this month as both members of civil society and negotiators. For comparison, last years summit in Azerbaijan drew just 170 Indigenous people.

This time, world leaders are coming Belem, to the heart of the Amazon, closer to our homes, our rivers, our territories, said Olivia Bisa, leader of the Chapra nation in Peru. Although Indigenous people cannot represent tribal nations in the talks, Bisa and others will have a greater role as delegates negotiating on behalf of their nation-states.

We need to be in the room, not right outside of it, she said.

Their protests have also shined a light on the contradictions of host Brazil promoting itself as a defender of the Amazon rainforest. Lulas recent approval of an oil drilling project at the mouth of the Amazon river has set off demonstrations and outrage.

On Friday, outside Belem in the wider state of Para, hundreds of Indigenous people scaled cargo boats on the strategic Tapajos River to denounce separate plans for a new railway that would slice through their lands.

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This is our message to the leaders of the world, Marilia Sena, a leader of the Tupinamba nation, told reporters. We want people to see us who have been here for centuries, caring for the forest and the river.
The longest US government shutdown on record is doing more than grind activities to a halt at home; an ocean away in Europe, local workers at US military bases have started to feel the pain.

FILE -United States' Air Force transport aircrafts are seen on the tarmac at Ramstein US air base, in Landstuhl, Germany, June 23, 2025. (Boris Roessler/dpa via AP, File)

The ongoing US government shutdown, the longest in the countrys history, is rippling far beyond American borders, with thousands of local employees at US military bases in Europe now caught in its fallout.

Nearly 2,000 European workers stationed at U.S. bases have seen their salaries disrupted since the shutdown began almost six weeks ago. In some host nations, governments have temporarily covered wages, anticipating reimbursement once the US budget impasse ends. But in others, including Italy and Portugal, employees have continued working without pay as political gridlock in Washington drags on.

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Its an absurd situation because nobody has responses, nobody feels responsible, said Angelo Zaccaria, a union coordinator at the Aviano Air Base in northeastern Italy. This is having dramatic effects on us Italian workers, he told the Associated Press.

Foreign nationals employed at U.S. bases perform a wide range of duties from food service and maintenance to logistics, construction, and specialised technical work. Some are directly hired by the U.S. government, while others are employed through private contractors.

How these workers are compensated depends on bilateral agreements between the U.S. and each host country, explained Amber Kelly-Herard, spokesperson for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa. Despite the funding freeze, she said, local employees are still expected to fulfil their contractual duties.

The prolonged shutdown, which has already paralysed parts of the U.S. government, now threatens to strain diplomatic ties as European partners bear the cost of Washingtons political deadlock.

The AP reached out to the Pentagon with multiple questions on the pay disruption, but was only provided a brief statement that did not acknowledge it.

We value the important contributions of our local national employees around the world, it said. The official declined to answer any follow-up questions.

In Germany, the government has stepped in to pay the salaries of nearly 11,000 civilian employees that work on U.S. military bases, the nations finance ministry said in a statement. American facilities in Germany include the Ramstein Air Base, a critical hub for operations in the Mideast and Africa and headquarters to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa.

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Workers in other countries have not been so fortunate.

More than 4,600 Italian nationals work at the five U.S. bases in Italy, said union coordinator Zaccaria. Of those, over 900 local employees at U.S. bases in Aviano and Vicenza, and another 400 workers at a base in Livorno have not received their salaries since the shutdown began.

We are waiting for urgent responses, as there are workers struggling to pay their mortgages, to support their children or even to pay the fuel to come to work, Zaccaria said. He said the union had asked the Italian government to intervene but that, in the meantime, those affected were continuing to show up to work.

Unfortunately, we see no political will to solve this situation, but were asking the Italian government to intervene, he said.

In Portugal, a similar situation was playing out at the Lajes Field base in the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, where more than 360 Portuguese workers have not been paid, according to Paula Terra, head of the Lajes base workers committee.

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Terra said unpaid staff are still turning up because furloughs arent legally recognized in a U.S.-Portugal agreement on the base. Staying away could leave them open to disciplinary proceedings, she added.

But this week, the Azores Islands regional government approved a bank loan to pay the Portuguese workers at the base in the interim. Terra said she was waiting to hear when workers could claim the money.

Germany is counting on being repaid once the shutdown ends, the finance ministrys spokesperson told the AP, adding that during previous shutdowns, civilians were paid by the U.S. government.

The governments of Poland, Lithuania and Greenland did not respond to a request for comment from the AP about whether they, too, have also stepped in to pay local workers.

Linda Bilmes, a professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and an expert on public finance, said local workers at U.S. military bases who work as contractors are generally most at-risk of losing pay during U.S. government shutdowns.

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She added that the U.S. government in the past always paid back full-time employees, including those working at overseas facilities who may be foreign nationals  but that contractors are not always covered, which is why some add extra fees in their contracts to cover potential government funding stoppages.

But I doubt anyone anticipated this length of delay, Bilmes said.

In Spain, where the U.S. operates the Moron and Rota military bases in the south, a union representing more than 1,000 Spanish workers said a delay in payments had been resolved last month with the help of the Spanish government.

Spains defence ministry did not respond to multiple requests seeking to confirm its involvement in resolving the pay issue.

With inputs from agencies
Egypt is leveraging Gaza crisis to reclaim its lost regional clout, using mediation, reconstruction and economic revival to reassert influence in West Asia but question remains: can Cairo convert this window into lasting regional relevance?

Ahmed Kaabna, a Palestinian Bedouin man walks in his small village of Kaabna, near Jericho in the occupied West Bank, on November 6, 2025. (Photo by Menahem Kahana / AFP)

The Gaza crisis has once again placed Egypt at the centre of regional diplomacy, offering Cairo a rare opportunity to reassert its fading influence in West Asias power politics. As Israels military operations intensify and mediation efforts stall, Egypt  with its geographic leverage, historic ties to Gaza and longstanding relations with both Israel and the West finds itself positioned as a crucial broker. Yet, its ability to translate this moment into lasting diplomatic capital will depend on how deftly it balances domestic pressures, regional rivalries and international expectations.

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The diplomatic moment arrives at a time when Egypt also pursues economic recovery, notably through renewed access to the Suez Canal and its global trade link. As such, the Gaza crisis may offer Egypt both strategic and economic leverage but the question remains: can Cairo convert this window into lasting regional relevance?

Diplomatic resurgence through Gaza mediation

Egypts diplomatic push is rooted in its role as host of the recent cease-fire talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, where Cairo hosted delegations from Israel, Hamas, Arab states and Western players. According to reports, Egyptian intelligence officials travelling directly to Israel during the negotiations, highlighting Cairos centrality. Analysts view the summit as a huge win for Egypt, restoring a role it held decades ago as the Arab worlds key mediator.

Nonetheless, Egypts resurgence is still tentative. While it has regained attention, analysts emphasise that Cairos challenge lies in expanding beyond its immediate theatres Gaza, Sudan and the Red Sea if it is to reclaim broader West Asia influence.

Key to Egypts strategy is anchoring its role not merely as mediator but as future guarantor of Gazas governance and reconstruction. Egypt has proposed leading talks among Palestinian factions, hosting meetings in Cairo and coordinating heavy equipment and engineering for Gazas rebuild. The plan envisions a technocratic transitional authority under Egyptian auspices but ultimately managed by Palestinians to fill the vacuum post-war.

For Cairo, the stakes are high: a visible reconstruction role bolsters regional standing, secures US and Gulf investment and positions Egypt as indispensable in any Gaza settlement. Yet the risk lies in being stuck in a permissive role, enabling others rather than orchestrating outcomes.

Strategic and economic dividends

Egypts diplomatic efforts in Gaza align with wider national interests. With the Suez Canal at the heart of its economy, Cairo has welcomed a return of shipping traffic: revenues from July to October rose 14 % year-on-year as Red Sea tensions eased. This economic up-turn both underwrites Egypts return to regional relevance and provides leverage in Western capitals eager to protect trade stability.

Moreover, by positioning itself as broker between Israel, Hamas and Gulf states, Egypt strengthens its security-economic logic: stability in Gaza contains spill-over risks into Sinai and opens the possibility of attracting reconstruction contracts, foreign aid and investment.

Limits and vulnerabilities

But Egypts diplomatic revival faces several obstacles. Domestically, Cairos economy is under strain and political freedoms constrained, factors that limit its soft-power appeal. Regionally, Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE have supplanted Egypt as preferred partners of Western powers, diminishing the room for a singular Egyptian leadership role.

On the Gaza axis, Cairos ability to translate mediation into governance authority is uncertain. Ownership over Gazas future remains contested among Israel, the US, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Egyptian officials must navigate these overlapping claims while avoiding perceptions of dominance or annexation. The coming phases of reconstruction and security governance will test whether Egypt can move from intermediary to architect.

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A regional turning-point?

In the wider scheme, the Gaza crisis offers Egypt a rare opening to shift from regional by-stander to indispensable actor. If Cairo can sustain its mediation role, secure credible involvement in Gazas reconstruction, and align economic dividends with political capital, it may re-emerge as a core player in the West Asia.

But if the cease-fire unravels or rival states crowd out its influence, Egypt risks returning to the margins. For now, Cairo is betting its diplomacy will translate into strategic gain, the next chapters will decide whether the gamble pays off.

With inputs from agencies
Indonesian police are investigating explosions at a Jakarta mosque that injured nearly 100 people during Friday prayers, suspecting it may have been a deliberate attack by a 17-year-old student.

Indonesia: Over 50 injured in explosion at mosque inside Jakarta school during friday prayers. Representative image. (Photo by Timur Matahari / AFP)

Indonesian police have found what they believe to be explosive powder as they investigate blasts that rocked a mosque in Jakarta on Friday, injuring nearly 100 people during prayers. Authorities said the explosions could have been a deliberate attack, with a 17-year-old student identified as the suspected perpetrator.

Several pieces of supporting evidence were found, police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said at a press conference after visiting victims at a hospital. There were written materials and some powder that could have potentially caused an explosion, he said. We are gathering other records, including examining social media and family members to gather all the information.

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The suspect, a student at a nearby school, is recovering after surgery. The suspects condition is improving, and hopefully this will make things easier for us when needed, Prabowo added.

At another briefing on Saturday, Prabowo confirmed that investigators had seized some writings, evidence of potentially explosive powder, and other notes from the suspects house. We are examining social media records and interviewing families. Once this is complete, we will announce the details, he said.

He noted that police were probing whether the student had been radicalised or bullied. That is one of the pieces of evidence we are currently collecting in our efforts to uncover the motive, he said. Whether he follows a certain doctrine, or is exposed to content or things that interest him, or what reasons make him do that, we are all currently investigating.

The explosion caused injuries ranging from minor wounds to severe burns, with the suspect and another person still in intensive care. We are also building a trauma healing centre, which we are preparing to provide psychological services, Prabowo said.

The mosque, located within a naval housing complex in Jakarta, serves many military personnel and retirees. Forensic teams continue to work at the site.

While Indonesia has faced attacks in the pastmostly targeting Western interestsexplosions at mosques are rare. Authorities said Islamic militancy has been largely curbed in recent years.
The US and Israel have accused Iran of orchestrating a failed plot to kill Israels ambassador to Mexico, a claim dismissed by Tehran and unconfirmed by Mexican authorities

The US official did not provide detailed evidence or say how the plot was contained. (Reuters)

The United States and Israel on Friday accused Iran of planning to assassinate Israels ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz-Neiger, a charge Tehran has denounced as a big lie". Mexican authorities, meanwhile, said they had not received any information on such an incident.

Israels foreign ministry expressed gratitude to Mexican security forces for allegedly preventing a terrorist network, which it said was directed by Iran, from carrying out the attack. However, Mexicos foreign ministry stated that it had received no information about the reported plot.

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Mexicos Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, without directly naming the US or Israel, said it remained open to respectful and coordinated cooperation with international security agencies, provided such collaboration respected national sovereignty.

In response, Irans embassy in Mexico dismissed the accusation, saying its purpose was to harm the friendly and historic relations between Mexico and Iran.

Mexico, which traditionally adheres to a policy of non-intervention in global affairs, has maintained a cautious position on the Gaza conflict. While it has supported investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes, it continues to uphold diplomatic relations with Israel that have endured for decades.

Alleged Venezuela link and rising regional tensions

A US official claimed the plot was organised by the elite Quds Force of Irans Revolutionary Guards in late 2024 and disrupted this year. The official said operatives were allegedly recruited from Irans embassy in Venezuela, whose president, Nicolas Maduro, maintains a tactical alliance with Tehran.

This is just the latest in a long history of Irans global lethal targeting of diplomats, journalists, dissidents and anyone who disagrees with them, the US official said anonymously, without providing specific evidence or details of how the plot was foiled.

The alleged scheme followed Israels 1 April 2024 strike on the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, which killed several senior Revolutionary Guard officers. Iran vowed retaliation and later launched missiles and drones against Israel. A year after that attack, Israel conducted extensive airstrikes in Iran, killing more than 1,000 people, with US support targeting key nuclear sites.

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Iran remains a staunch backer of Hamas, which carried out the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. Israels subsequent military campaign has devastated Gaza and expanded across the region, targeting Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Qatar and Yemen.

Israeli intelligence has repeatedly accused the Quds Force of plotting against Israeli and Jewish interests abroad. Australia recently expelled Irans ambassador, citing Tehrans involvement in two arson attacks  one on a Melbourne synagogue and another on a kosher restaurant in Sydney.

Latin America has previously witnessed West Asia-linked violence, including the 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people, an attack attributed by Argentina and Israel to Hezbollah acting on Irans orders.

Despite Tehrans official hostility toward Israel since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran remains home to a historic Jewish community.

(With agency inputs)
Israel faces mounting criticism over reports of Palestinians allegedly held in a secret underground jail without daylight or trial, raising legal and human rights concerns amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Israeli soldiers stand on the army Merkava main battle tank at a position in northern Israel along the border with southern Lebanon on November 6, 2025. Image- AFP

Israel is facing mounting scrutiny over allegations that it is holding dozens of Palestinians from Gaza in a secret underground detention facility where they are denied daylight, contact with families and access to lawyers. Human rights lawyers and former detainees have described the site, known as Rakefet prison as a subterranean complex used to keep Gaza detainees in total isolation under military authority.

Secret facility under spotlight

According to the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) as reported by the Guardian, several detainees have been held for months without charge or trial, including a nurse arrested in his scrubs and a young food vendor. Lawyers say they are kept in windowless cells with limited ventilation and constant artificial light, deprived of news from the outside world.

The revelations come as Israel faces increasing pressure from mediators to release Hamas fighters and civilians trapped in tunnels in Gaza. Rights groups warn that the treatment of Palestinian detainees risks breaching international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit arbitrary detention and inhumane conditions of confinement.

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Legal ambiguity and lack of oversight

The facilitys existence and Israels refusal to confirm or deny details has sparked debate within the countrys legal community. Former prisoners and lawyers claim the underground site functions outside the oversight of the Israel Prison Service, instead being managed by the military under emergency regulations.

Israeli officials have maintained that all detentions are conducted in accordance with the law and security protocols, but they have not commented specifically on Rakefet. The secrecy has drawn concern from Israeli civil rights advocates who warn that unchecked military authority risks undermining the rule of law.

Wider pattern of detentions

Rights organisations say the case reflects a broader trend since the Gaza war began last year. Thousands of Palestinians have been detained across Gaza and the West Bank, many under administrative detention, a policy allowing imprisonment without charge for renewable six-month periods.

Reports of deaths in custody, beatings, and prolonged isolation have risen sharply in recent months. Human rights monitors argue that these practices indicate systemic violations, not isolated incidents, as Israels security establishment expands its detention powers under wartime conditions.

Balancing security and human rights

The controversy underscores Israels deepening dilemma over balancing national security with human rights obligations amid an ongoing conflict. The government argues that Hamas fighters embed themselves in civilian areas, necessitating strict interrogation and isolation protocols. Critics, however, say the states reliance on secrecy and indefinite detention erodes democratic accountability and fuels further radicalisation among Palestinians.

Global concern and diplomatic fallout

The allegations have drawn concern from the European Union and the United Nations, both calling for Israel to allow international inspection of all detention sites. Humanitarian organisations have stressed that while Israels right to defend itself is recognised, detaining civilians without daylight or trial violates fundamental international norms.

Diplomats warn that such practices could complicate ceasefire negotiations and future prisoner exchanges. Hamas has already cited reports of mistreatment as grounds to halt talks on hostage releases.

An emblem of a deeper conflict

If confirmed, the existence of an underground facility detaining Palestinians without trial would add a new layer of controversy to a war already defined by humanitarian and legal disputes. For now, the Rakefet prison remains shrouded in secrecy, a potent symbol, rights groups say, of how the Gaza conflict has blurred the line between security imperatives and basic human rights.

With inputs from agencies
The terrorists are currently shut in tunnels located in southern Gaza behind the so-called Yellow Line, which Israeli forces withdrew troops from after the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas

A Palestinian Hamas militant stands guard as people gather to watch Red Cross vehicles transporting hostages, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, following their handover as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in the central Gaza Strip. Reuters

Israeli allies, including the US, are pushing the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government to let Hamas terrorists trapped in Gaza tunnels get out in exchange for them laying down their weapons.

The terrorists are currently shut in tunnels located in southern Gaza behind the so-called Yellow Line, which Israeli forces withdrew troops from after the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Thursday that he had held talks on the matter with Israels Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Turkeys Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. According to Witkoff, the outcome could serve as a test for future initiatives aimed at disarming Hamas.

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Everyone is under pressure

The fate of the trapped Hamas fighters has become a major sticking point in the ceasefire deal. The issue has reached the Israeli government, with far-right members like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly opposing any deal to release the terrorists.

A source told the Financial Times, The goal of the war was to disarm Hamas. So if they get out free, its going against one of the war goals. Everyone is under pressure. It will probably be resolved eventually, but the creative solution hasnt been presented yet.

Since the ceasefire came into effect last month, multiple clashes have erupted between militants confined behind the Yellow Line and Israeli forces. One such skirmish left two Israeli soldiers dead, triggering a wave of Israeli airstrikes that killed dozens, marking the most serious challenge to the ceasefire to date.

There are no tunnels

Hamas claims that it has lost contact with its members trapped in tunnels in southern Gaza since March and that they have not been given orders to attack Israeli forces.

On the other hand, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that he has ordered the destruction of all the remaining tunnels. If there are no tunnels, there is no Hamas, he wrote on X.

Israeli media have suggested that the militants may be holding the remains of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed in the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, whose return is mandated under the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Over 1,200 flights were cancelled across the US on Friday as the government shutdown strained air traffic control operations and disrupted travel nationwide

Airlines across the United States cancelled over 1,200 flights on Friday after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered schedule reductions to ease pressure on air traffic controllers, many of whom are working without pay due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Forty major airports, including Atlanta, Denver, Newark, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles, were affected. The FAA said the decision followed a rise in air traffic controllers calling in sick because of financial hardship from missed paychecks. Initial reductions of four percent were implemented, with warnings that cuts could increase to 10 percent next week if Congress fails to agree on a funding deal.

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While airlines said international routes were mostly unaffected, passengers faced long queues at security checkpoints, extensive delays, and unexpected cancellations. American Airlines reported nearly 220 cancelled flights, Delta about 170, and Southwest around 100. Flight tracking service FlightAware also recorded thousands of delays, with airports such as Boston, Chicago OHare, Atlanta, and Reagan National reporting average delays of more than an hour.

Travellers face growing disruption amid shutdown

At Houstons George Bush Intercontinental Airport, travellers described scenes of confusion as security lines stretched across terminals, with some passengers resting on the floor while waiting. The disruptions underscored the growing impact of the nearly six-week-long government shutdown, which has forced many federal workers either to work without pay or to take unpaid leave.

With the busy Thanksgiving travel period approaching, airlines have warned that cancellations may increase if the shutdown continues. Passengers expressed anger and disappointment as their plans were upended. This is hurting a lot of people, said Rhonda, 65, at LaGuardia Airport. Another traveller, retiree Werner Buchi, cautioned, This will get serious if things drag on to Thanksgiving.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sought to reassure the public, stating that air travel remains safe despite the operational challenges.
North Koreas defence minister has threatened further military action following US-South Korea security talks and the arrival of a US aircraft carrier in South Korea

A day earlier, North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea after condemning new US sanctions targeting its cyber-linked money-laundering networks. (Reuters)

North Koreas defence minister, No Kwang Chol, warned on Saturday that Pyongyang would take more offensive action after condemning recent US-South Korea security talks and the arrival of a US aircraft carrier in South Korea.

The statement came a day after North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast, following Washingtons announcement of new sanctions targeting North Korean individuals and entities allegedly involved in cyber-related money-laundering schemes.

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South Koreas defence ministry denounced the missile launch, calling the Norths criticism of the talks regrettable. No accused the US and South Korea of conspiring to enhance deterrence efforts and integrate nuclear and conventional forces after their meeting in Seoul and visit to the inter-Korean border.

This is a stark revelation and an unveiled intentional expression of their hostile nature to stand against the DPRK to the end, No said, referring to North Koreas formal name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated earlier in the week that the alliance with Seoul would continue to prioritise deterring North Korea while also allowing flexibility for US forces stationed in the region to respond to broader threats.

Tensions rise as US carrier arrives and missile tests continue

No also condemned the arrival of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington at the South Korean port of Busan following joint air drills between the two countries. We will show more offensive action against the enemies threat on the principle of ensuring security and defending peace by dint of powerful strength, he said, according to state media outlet KCNA.

South Koreas navy clarified that the carriers visit was for resupplying and crew leave.

During his visit to South Korea last week, US President Donald Trump reiterated his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Although no meeting took place, Trump said he remained open to returning to the region for talks.

North Korea also test-fired cruise missiles to the west of the peninsula last week, coinciding with regional meetings attended by Trump and other leaders in South Korea.

In response to the latest ballistic missile launch, the US Indo-Pacific Command stated on Saturday that it does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to our allies, adding that the incident underscored the destabilising impact of North Koreas actions.

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After facing heavy losses in Operation Sindoor, Pakistan is planning major military reforms, including creating a new top post  the Commander of Defence Forces (CDF). The move aims to unify the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a single command through constitutional changes.

Security personnel stand beside a poster of Pakistani Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir in Islamabad. Rumours are swirling that the Pakistani army chief is preparing to oust President Asif Ali Zardari. File image/AFP

After being hit hard by India during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan is considering the creation of a new top military post  the Commander of Defence Forces (CDF)  as part of major defence reforms aimed at improving coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force following its recent conflict with India in May, Pakistan-based The News reported on Friday.

According to the report, the proposed position would be established through an amendment to Article 243 of Pakistans Constitution.

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The move is said to have been influenced by the heavy damage Pakistan suffered during the four-day conflict and the growing need for unified command structures in modern warfare.

Indias Operation Sindoor and cross-border clashes

India had launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May in response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, which was orchestrated by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The Indian military carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled areas. The clashes ended on 10 May after both sides agreed to cease hostilities.

Last month, Indian Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said that around a dozen Pakistani aircraft, including US-made F-16s, were destroyed or damaged in the strikes, adding that Pakistan sought an end to the conflict after facing severe losses.

Satellite images also indicated heavy damage to Pakistani bases, runways, and military establishments.

Pakistans internal military reshuffle

In the aftermath, Pakistan promoted Army Chief General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal  only the second officer in the countrys history to receive the title.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that discussions are underway to amend laws governing the armed forces. Consultations on amending Article 243 are ongoing () defence requirements have changed, he told Geo News.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Tuesday that the government plans to introduce the 27th constitutional amendment in Parliament, which would revise Article 243  currently placing supreme command of the armed forces under the President and control under the federal government.

Conditional political support and proposed reforms

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by President Asif Ali Zardari, has extended conditional support to the move. The party has authorised me to offer conditional backing for the amendment, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Thursday.

As per reports, the proposed reforms include renaming the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, establishing a Strategic Forces Command, and granting the current army chief the permanent rank of Field Marshal  moves that follow Pakistans claimed but unverified victory over India.
Islamic Jihad is an armed group that is allied with Hamas and which also took hostages during the October 7, 2023 attack that precipitated the Gaza war. It said the hostages body was located in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis

Palestinians gather around a Red Cross vehicle transporting hostages as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 13. REUTERS

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad handed over the body of a deceased hostage on Friday as part of the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said that a coffin carrying the remains of a hostage has been handed over to Israeli security forces in Gaza via the Red Cross and will be transported into Israel for identification.

Islamic Jihad is an armed group that is allied with Hamas and which also took hostages during the October 7, 2023 attack that precipitated the Gaza war. It said the hostages body was located in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

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Under the October ceasefire deal Hamas turned over all 20 living hostages still held in Gaza since the groups 2023 attack on Israel, in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian convicts and wartime detainees held in Israel.

The ceasefire agreement also included the return of remains of 28 deceased hostages in exchange for remains of 360 militants. So far, 22 hostage bodies have been returned in exchange for 285 bodies of Palestinians, though not all have been identified according to Gazas health authorities.

Hamas-led militants seized 251 hostages in the 2023 attack and killed another 1,200 people, most of them civilians, according to Israeli tallies.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed nearly 69,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, health officials in Gaza say.

The tenuous ceasefire has calmed most but not all fighting, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to the ruins of their homes in Gaza. Israel has withdrawn troops from positions in cities and more aid has been allowed in.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that work is under way on President Vladimir Putins order to prepare proposals for a possible Russian nuclear test, state news agency TASS reported.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that work has begun on President Vladimir Putins directive to develop proposals for a potential Russian nuclear test, according to state news agency TASS.

Regarding President Putins instruction at the Security Council meeting on November 5, it has been accepted for implementation and is being worked on. The public will be informed of the results, Lavrov was quoted as saying.

The move follows US President Donald Trumps announcement last week that Washington would resume nuclear testing, a decision that has further strained ties between the two nuclear powers.

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Lavrov said Moscow had not received any official clarification from the United States about Trumps order.

Relations between Russia and the US have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, with Trump cancelling a planned summit with Putin and imposing new sanctions on Moscow over its ongoing war in Ukraine.

On Friday, Russia has called on the United States to clarify recent remarks by President Donald Trump regarding a potential resumption of nuclear testing, warning that such a move could provoke serious responses from other nations.

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at a press briefing in Moscow on Friday.

Amid the uncertainty over US intentions, President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday directed senior officials to draft proposals for a possible Russian nuclear test in retaliation to any American test.

Russia has not conducted a nuclear test since the Soviet Unions collapse in 1991, and together with the U.S., it maintains the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.

With inputs from agencies
Republicans have rejected Senate leader Chuck Schumers proposal to end the record US government shutdown by linking renewed funding to a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits.

The shutdown, which began on October 1, has led to severe disruptions across the country. (Reuters)

Senate Republicans on Friday rejected a proposal from Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to end the record-long US government shutdown. The plan sought to reopen the government in exchange for a one-year extension of tax credits aimed at lowering costs under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed the offer as a nonstarter, as the political deadlock stretched into its 38th day.

Democrats are ready to clear the way to quickly pass a government funding bill that includes healthcare affordability, Schumer said on the Senate floor. He urged Senate majority leader John Thune to add a clean, one-year ACA tax credit extension to the continuing resolution and suggested creating a bipartisan committee to pursue longer-term healthcare reforms once the government reopens.

Now, the ball is in Republicans court. We need Republicans to just say yes, Schumer said.

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Thunes spokesperson, Ryan Wrasse, rejected the offer, reiterating that discussions on tax credits would only take place after the government resumes operations. Extending the Covid bonuses is the negotiation  something that can only take place after the government reopens. Release the hostage. End the pain, Wrasse said.

Senate Republicans also posted a blunt response on X: Hard no, Chuck.

Thune has kept the Senate in session through the weekend, but a resolution remains out of reach. Any final deal would also require approval from the House of Representatives, which Speaker Mike Johnson has kept in recess since 19 September, preventing an immediate end to the 38-day shutdown.

Shutdown worsens as economic and political pressure mounts

The shutdown, which began on October 1, has led to severe disruptions across the country. The Trump administrations attempt to pause payments under the food aid programme was blocked by a court order, while the Federal Aviation Administration reduced commercial air travel after weeks of unpaid work by air traffic controllers. Around 1200 US-linked flights had been cancelled as of Friday morning, according to tracking site FlightAware.

Despite Republican control of both chambers of Congress, passing any spending bill requires bipartisan support to meet the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. Thune has tried 14 times to advance a House-approved bill funding the government through 21 November, but only three Democrats have supported it.

Democrats have maintained that any funding measure must include an ACA tax credit extension, which is due to expire at years end. Without renewal, healthcare costs for ACA users could rise by an average of 26%, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said the shutdown could halve GDP growth this quarter, although recovery is expected once federal employees receive back pay. Trump has suggested he may not authorise back pay for those affected.

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Later on Friday, Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bill that would have paid active-duty troops and select unpaid federal workers. The vote, 53-43, fell short of the 60 needed for passage. Democrats argued that the bill could allow Trump to decide who gets paid.

Democrats stance was reinforced earlier in the week when their candidates swept several off-year elections, a result party leaders said reflected voter backing for their position. Americans plagued by high costs fired a political torpedo this week at Donald Trump and Republicans, Schumer said.

Recent polls show Republicans receiving more public blame for the shutdown. Some Democrats have warned against conceding too soon, with Senator Chris Murphy cautioning that backing down after electoral success would damage the partys momentum. Trump appeared to recognise the issue, telling Republican senators the shutdown was negative for Republicans.

He urged his party to scrap the Senate filibuster, writing on Truth Social, If Republicans kill the Filibuster, they sail to Victory for many years to come. If they dont, DISASTER waiting to happen! Thune has made clear that his caucus does not support that move.

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Abdul Hannan Chowdhury (2nd L), vice-chancellor of North South University, Li Shaopeng (2nd R), cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, and other attendees unveil a new book titled "China in the eyes of Bangladesh's new generation" during the launching ceremony in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Nov. 6, 2025. The book was launched in Dhaka on Thursday, containing 19 articles written by 22 Bangladeshi authors. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua)

DHAKA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A new book titled "China in the eyes of Bangladesh's new generation" was launched in Dhaka on Thursday, containing 19 articles written by 22 Bangladeshi authors.

The book launching ceremony was held at Bangladesh's top leading private North South University (NSU) with hundreds of dignitaries including teachers, students and officials from the NSU, the Chinese embassy in Dhaka and many leading Bangladeshi educational institutions.

The book, written in Bengali, was edited by Ma Xiaoyan and Bulbul Ashraf Siddiqi, the Chinese and the Bangladeshi directors of the North South University's Confucius Institute.

At the ceremony, it was unveiled by Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, vice-chancellor of the NSU, alongside Mahbub Morshed, chief editor of the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the national news agency of Bangladesh, and Li Shaopeng, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh.

Speaking at the ceremony, NSU's VC Chowdhury said China is a very cooperative country, both with its neighbors and with the world.

This has created great opportunities for people globally, especially for neighboring countries like Bangladesh, he said.

He said the friendship between China and Bangladesh is long-lasting and will continue to be strong. "We believe this relationship will become even stronger in the future. This is because China always includes Bangladesh in its events, cultural exchanges, and academic programs."

For his part, Li said that twenty-two young Bangladeshis wrote this book with great feeling and the book shows how deeply this new generation understands Chinese culture and dialogue between our civilizations.

Li said that China is now focusing on high-quality growth, innovation, and developing skilled people. "This creates new opportunities for partnership with countries like Bangladesh," he said, "We welcome more friends from Bangladesh to learn about China." 

This photo taken on Nov. 6, 2025 shows a scene during the launching ceremony for a new book titled "China in the eyes of Bangladesh's new generation" in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The book was launched in Dhaka on Thursday, containing 19 articles written by 22 Bangladeshi authors. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua)
The coordinated raids, carried out in Barcelona, Madrid, Girona, A Coruna, and Valencia, marked Spains first major operation targeting what investigators believe to be a local cell of the Venezuelan prison gang

Spanish authorities have arrested 13 alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organisation Tren de Aragua, seizing illegal drugs and shutting down two laboratories used to produce synthetic narcotics, officials said Friday.

The coordinated raids, carried out in Barcelona, Madrid, Girona, A Coruna, and Valencia, marked Spains first major operation targeting what investigators believe to be a local cell of the Venezuelan prison gang. Tren de Aragua was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the US government earlier this year.

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According to police, officers discovered and dismantled two drug labs producing tusi, a potent synthetic blend of cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine. The arrests stemmed from an investigation launched last year after the brother of Nino Guerrero, the gangs notorious leader, was detained in Barcelona under an international warrant issued by Venezuelan authorities.

Tren de Aragua first emerged more than a decade ago inside a violent Venezuelan prison in the central state of Aragua. Since then, it has evolved into one of Latin Americas most powerful transnational criminal networks, spreading across the continent as millions of Venezuelans fled economic collapse, reaching as far as the United States and Spain.

In a related development, the Trump administration on Friday confirmed another deadly strike against what officials described as a narcotics-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean Sea, part of its ongoing military campaign against drug operations in South American waters. US authorities said at least 69 people have been killed in 17 such strikes.

President Donald Trump has defended the operations, claiming that the US is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels, including groups like Tren de Aragua.

Spanish police said the recent arrests dealt a significant blow to the gangs efforts to establish a foothold in Europe. Investigations are ongoing.

With inputs from agencies

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The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a lower court order requiring the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits during the government shutdown

Two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trumps administration must continue to fund SNAP. (Reuters)

The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administrations emergency appeal to pause a lower courts directive to provide full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments during the ongoing government shutdown. The move came even as some states had already released the full November benefits.

A lower court had ordered the administration to issue complete SNAP payments by Friday, but the government sought to suspend that ruling, citing limited contingency funds. It requested permission to continue issuing only partial payments instead of using funds beyond what was currently available.

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After a Boston appeals court declined to intervene, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an emergency order late Friday, pausing the mandate for full payments until the appeals court determines whether to extend the suspension. Her order will remain effective for 48 hours after the appeals court issues its ruling, giving the administration time to return to the Supreme Court if necessary.

The SNAP programme, which supports roughly one in eight Americans, primarily benefits low-income households. Officials in several states, including Wisconsin, Oregon, Hawaii, California, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, confirmed they had already begun issuing full benefits before the Supreme Courts order took effect.

In Wisconsin, more than $104 million was made available to 337,000 households shortly after a Thursday court order. Oregons governor said state employees worked overnight to ensure families could access food benefits by Friday, while Hawaii processed its payments within hours of the ruling.

The Trump administration argued that states were rushing to secure limited federal funds before an appeal could be filed, warning that once the money was distributed, it could not be recovered.

Legal wrangling deepens as states adopt mixed responses

The funding dispute has caused weeks of uncertainty for millions of Americans who rely on SNAP assistance. Some recipients, such as Newark resident Jasmen Youngbey, reported delays in receiving their benefits and turned to food pantries for help before funds eventually appeared in their accounts.

The administration initially stated that SNAP benefits would not be available in November due to the shutdown. However, two federal judges ruled that the government must use an emergency reserve containing over $4.6 billion to fund the programme. Each months payments require between $8.5 billion and $9 billion, and the administration refused to allocate additional funds, asserting that only Congress could authorise further spending.

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A Thursday ruling by US District Judge John J. McConnell Jr rejected the administrations plan to fund only 65% of the usual benefits, describing the cut as unlawful. In response, Solicitor General D. John Sauer told the Supreme Court that the judges order undermined the separation of powers by overriding legislative and executive authority.

States have since taken varying approaches. Colorado and Massachusetts said full payments could arrive as early as Saturday, while New York expected them by Sunday. Other states, including North Carolina, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana and North Dakota, issued partial payments, with full benefits anticipated later. In Delaware, Governor Matt Meyer said the state had used its own funds to issue initial relief payments to affected residents.

(With agency inputs)
Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday said that the peace negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been suspended with no programme for the fourth round of talks'

Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif shake hands following the signing of a ceasefire agreement mediated by Qatar and Turkey, in Doha, Qatar. Reuters

Pakistans Defence Minister on Friday said that the peace negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been suspended with no programme for the fourth round of talks. There is a complete deadlock. The negotiations have entered an indefinite phase, the Pakistani defence minister said while speaking to Geo News.

Pakistan and Afghanistans Taliban regime started the third round of talks in Istanbul on Thursday. The talks were coming at a time when tensions between the two nations reached an all-time high, eventually leading to deadly border clashes. The meeting also came after earlier five-day talks that resulted in a last-minute interim agreement.

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While speaking to Geo News, the defence minister thanked Turkey and Qatar for their sincere efforts and facilitated the talks between the two sides. They support our stance. Even the Afghan delegation agreed with us; however, they were not ready to sign a written agreement, he said, adding that Pakistan would accept only a formal, written accord. They wanted verbal assurances to be accepted, which is not possible in international negotiations, he added.

Asif emphasised that both Turkey and Qatar tried their best to resolve the animosities between the two sides. Our only demand is that Afghanistan must ensure its soil is not used for attacks on Pakistan, he said.

Asif issues fresh warning

In the same interview, Asif went on to unleash wrath against Afghanistan, warning that Pakistan would respond strongly if provoked. If there is any attack from Afghan soil, we will respond accordingly, he stated, adding that as long as there is no aggression, the ceasefire will remain intact.

Meanwhile, Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also put the onus on Afghanistan to ensure stability in the region in a post on X. Pakistan does not harbour any ill-will against the Afghan people. However, it shall never support the Afghan Taliban Regimes any measures that are detrimental to the interest of the Afghan people as well as the neighbouring countries, Tarar said. Pakistan shall continue to exercise all options necessary to safeguard the security of its people and its sovereignty, he concluded.

At the end of the last talks, all the parties involved in the negotiations released a joint statment that stated that both sides agreed to maintain the ceasefire and establish a monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure peace and penalise any violations.
A senior JLL broker was dismissed after comparing New Yorks mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani to Adolf Hitler and making Islamophobic comments in a company-wide email

Scott Panzer, one of New York Citys leading office leasing brokers, has been dismissed by JLL Real Estate Services after making offensive remarks about newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Panzer sent a company-wide email comparing the socialist, Muslim mayor-elect to Adolf Hitler and expressing unease at the prospect of hearing Islamic prayers from City Hall, reported the New York Post.

The incident occurred shortly after Peter Riguardi, president of JLLs New York office, circulated a message urging staff to support the new administration and give [the new mayor] a chance to lead. In response, Panzer hit reply all, writing, Is it just me, or does this sound eerily similar to what much of Germany and Europe said about you know who back in 1938? He added, We all know how that worked out for them  and for the world.

Panzer went on to share an anecdote from a trip to Istanbul, stating that while he did not mind hearing the Muslim call to prayer during his holiday, he would not want that to be a 365 day event. He concluded that this change was just around the corner for NYC.

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Company confirms dismissal

According to reports, Riguardis original message had been intended to ease tensions within the firm following Mamdanis election, which had unsettled some conservative business leaders. Instead, Panzers email quickly drew internal backlash, with several employees labelling his comments Islamophobic.

JLL acted swiftly, terminating Panzer within hours. We can confirm Scott Panzer is no longer with JLL, a company spokesperson said. The views and sentiment expressed in his email do not align with our companys culture and shared values."

Panzer, who had worked with JLL for over 16 years and was known for handling major leasing deals in Midtown, did not respond to requests for comment. His dismissal came as New Yorks real estate industry adjusted to Mamdanis unexpected win.

The 33-year-old democratic socialist, originally from Uganda, campaigned on rent freezes, public housing expansion and greater transit subsidies, pledging in his victory speech to build a city for the many, not the few.
US President Donald Trump on Friday said no US government officials would attend the Group of 20 summit, which is scheduled to take place this year in South Africa.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said no US government officials would attend the Group of 20 summit, which is scheduled to take place this year in South Africa. Trump cited the treatment of white farmers in the country as a reason behind the boycott.

The American leader has previously announced that he would not attend the international event for the same reason. Initially, it was reported that US Vice President JD Vance would be attending the leaders summit in Trumps place. However, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Vances plan was scratched and there will be no American representation at the summit.

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It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa, Trump said on his social media site. In his post, Trump cited abuses of Afrikaners, including violence and death, as well as confiscation of their land and farms.

The Trump administrations ire against South Africa

It is pertinent to note that the Trump administration has long accused the South African government of allowing minority white Afrikaner farmers to be persecuted and attacked. Earlier this year, the US restricted the number of refugees admitted annually to the US to 7,500, the administration indicating that most will be white South Africans who claimed to face discrimination at home.

However, the South African government rejected the accusations and maintained that white people in the country generally have a much higher standard of living than its Black residents, even after more than three decades after the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule.

The countrys President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he told Trump that the information about the alleged discrimination and persecution of Afrikaners is completely false. Despite this, the Trump administration has kept up with its criticisms of the South African government. Earlier this week, during an economic speech in Miami, Trump said South Africa should be thrown out of the Group of 20.

Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted a G20 meeting for foreign ministers because its agenda focused on diversity, inclusion and climate change efforts.
A federal judge ruled that US President Donald Trump unlawfully sent National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, rejecting his claim of rebellion and marking the first permanent block on his use of military force in American cities

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut is the first to permanently block Trump's use of military force to quell protests against immigration authorities. (AP)

U.S. President Donald Trump unlawfully ordered National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, a federal judge ruled Friday in a legal setback to the administrations use of the military in American cities.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut is the first to permanently block Trumps use of military force to quell protests against immigration authorities. Trump is also attempting to do that in Democratic-led Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C. It replaces her interim order that had prevented the Portland deployment.

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White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement Friday that Trump had exercised his lawful authority to protect federal officers.

President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities and we expect to be vindicated by a higher court, Jackson said.

The Oregon Attorney Generals Office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

TRUMP BREAKS WITH NORMS ON USING MILITARY

Immergut, a Trump appointee, said the administration had no lawful basis to claim that there was a rebellion in Portland or that the government was unable to enforce federal law due to the protests.

The occasional interference to federal officers has been minimal, and there is no evidence that these small-scale protests have significantly impeded the execution of any immigration laws, she said in her 106-page opinion and order.

Trumps attempts to use military force to tamp down unrest are a sharp break with long-standing but rarely tested norms against deploying troops on U.S. soil.

The Trump administration is likely to appeal Fridays ruling, and the case could ultimately reach the Supreme Court.

The City of Portland and Oregon Attorney Generals Office sued in September, alleging the Trump administration was exaggerating occasional violence to justify sending in troops under a law permitting presidents to do so in cases of rebellion.

JUDGES RULE TRUMP EXCEEDED LEGAL AUTHORITY

Dueling narratives emerged during a three-day bench trial.

Justice Department lawyers described a violent siege overwhelming federal agents, echoing Trumps description of the city as war-ravaged. Lawyers for Oregon and Portland said violence has been rare, isolated and contained by local police.

Immergut concluded in her order that the violence was small-scale, isolated, disorganized and had largely subsided by the time Trump ordered in the National Guard in late September.

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Democrats have said Trump is abusing military powers meant for genuine emergencies such as an invasion or an armed rebellion.

Immergut blocked Trump from deploying troops to Portland with an interim order on October 5.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considering the Trump administrations appeal of that decision.

Three judges, including Immergut, have issued preliminary rulings that Trumps National Guard deployments are not allowed under the emergency legal authority cited by his administration.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Trump threw his weight behind Indian-origin politician Vivek Ramaswamy, formally endorsing him for the Ohio governors race and calling him something special. The endorsement comes despite growing divisions within Trumps own MAGA base, with some supporters opposing Ramaswamys candidacy.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (November 7, 2025) formally endorsed Indian-origin leader Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio governors race, calling him something special. Acknowledging that he once ran against Ramaswamy in the Republican presidential primaries, Trump said he would be a GREAT Governor of Ohio. Declaring his Complete and Total Endorsement, Trump added that Ramaswamy will never let you down.

Trumps endorsement came even as some MAGA supporters have been calling for Ramaswamy to lose.

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In a Truth Social post, Trump praised Ramaswamys intelligence, strength, and conservative values, describing him as someone who truly loves our country. He wrote, Vivek Ramaswamy is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio, a place I love and won big three timesin 2016, 2020, and 2024. He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, and has my Complete and Total EndorsementHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!

Praising the 39-year-old former presidential candidates leadership, Trump wrote, As your next Governor, Vivek will fight tirelessly to grow the economy, cut taxes and regulations, promote Made in the U.S.A., champion American energy dominance, keep our now very secure borders secure, stop migrant crime, strengthen our military and veterans, ensure law and order, advance election integrity, and protect our always under siege Second Amendment.

The endorsement came soon after Ohio voters cast their ballots for the 2026 governors race. Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati native and former co-chair of Trumps Department of Government Efficiency initiative, had earlier secured the Ohio Republican Partys endorsement in May. The decision followed weeks of lobbying and a last-minute push from Donald Trump Jr. on X urging members to support him.

Born in 1985 to Indian immigrant parents, Ramaswamy is an entrepreneur, author, and politician who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 on a platform of nationalism, anti-woke politics, and limited government. After dropping out, he endorsed Trump and became one of his most vocal allies. He is also the author of Woke, Inc. and Nation of Victims, books that critique corporate activism and identity politics.

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MAGA backlash

Despite Trumps backing, some MAGA supporters have expressed frustration with Ramaswamy after recent Republican losses in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. The backlash intensified following a poll suggesting Democratic candidate Amy Acton is leading in Ohio. Critics accused Ramaswamy of turning away GOP voters after he said the party must shun identity politics if they dont want to lose voters.

Vivek must lose. If Republicans dont want to lose, they should run someone else right now, one supporter wrote on social media. This race is not Republican vs Democrat, but a referendum on whether being an American is just a piece of paper. Its a line in the sand.
Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, Turkey issued an arrest warrant against Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him and other senior Israeli officials of committing genocide in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, DC. File image/Reuters

Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, Turkey issued an arrest warrant against Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him and other senior Israeli officials of committing genocide in Gaza. On Friday, the Turkish authorities listed 37 suspects against whom the warrants were issued.

The list included Israels Defence Minister, Israel Katz, the national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the army chief, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, Istanbul prosecutors office said in a statement. The Turkish authorities accused the Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, of genocide and crimes against humanity, which Israel has perpetrated systematically in Gaza.

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The statement from the prosecutors office also refers to the Turkish-Palestinian friendship hospital, built by Turkey in the Gaza Strip, which was bombed by Israel in March. Israel soon responded to the arrest warrants, calling them PR Stunt.

Israel reacts

Gideon Saar, the foreign minister, said on X: Israel firmly rejects, with contempt, the latest PR stunt by the tyrant [president Recep Tayyip] Erdogan. In Erdogans Turkey, the judiciary has long since become a tool for silencing political rivals and detaining journalists, judges, and mayors, Saar said in a social media post, referring to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu earlier this year.

It is pertinent to note that last year, Turkey joined South Africa in the case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice. The arrest warrants are coming at a time when a fragile ceasefire has been in place in the devastated Palestinian territory since 10 October as part of Donald Trumps regional peace plan.

Meanwhile, Hamas has welcomed Ankaras move, insisting that the warrants confirm the noble positions of the Turkish people and their leadership. What is interesting is the fact that the Turkish warrants raised questions over what role Turkey will play in a multinational security force for Gaza, which will be formed to uphold the US-brokered ceasefire deal.

Earlier this week, several Muslim-majority nations gathered in Istanbul to discuss the international stabilisation force (ISF) for Gaza, which is expected to play a key role in the 20-point Gaza peace plan introduced by Trump earlier this year. However, US Vice President JD Vance has maintained that Israel will ultimately have to consent to any foreign troops stationed in Gaza.

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South Africa will be investigating how its citizens ended up as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine war after the men sent a distress call, urging the government to bring them back home

In this image made from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, Russian servicemen attend a practice for sabotage operations behind enemy lines at a training ground on an undisclosed location. (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that over 1,400 African citizens have been recruited by Russia to fight the war, urging the governments of African nations to warn their people from joining the conflict, where they are quickly killed.

Foreign citizens in the Russian army have a sad fate. Most of them are immediately sent to the so-called meat assaults, where they are quickly killed, Sybiha wrote on X.

Russia recruits nationals of African countries using a variety of methods. Some are offered money, while others are duped and do not realise what they are signing up for or are forced to do so under duress. Signing a contract is equivalent to signing a death sentence, he added.

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South Africa probes citizens fighting in war

South Africa will be investigating how its citizens ended up as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine war after the men sent a distress call, urging the government to bring them back home.

The South African government said in a statement that as many as 17 men were lured into fighting in the war on the pretext of lucrative jobs. This phenomenon is not new to India, as several men continue to remain trapped in Ukraine as a result of being duped by Russian agents.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men into these seemingly mercenary activities, said the statement.

The presidency statement did not say which side the men were fighting on, and presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwengya said: We dont know yet, hence the investigation.

South Africa caught in the middle of war

The 17 men are said to be trapped in Ukraines Donbas region, which is under Russian military control. A spokesperson for Ukraines foreign ministry said it was looking into the reports. Russias embassy in South Africa did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Under South African law, it is illegal for citizens to provide military assistance to foreign governments or participate in foreign armies unless authorised by South Africa.

South Africa has maintained itself as a neutral partner in the Russia-Ukraine war and has maintained warm relations with Russia as a fellow member of the BRICS group of emerging economies. Ramaphosa has met leaders of both countries.
US House representative and a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, Elise Stefanik, has formally entered the New York gubernatorial race against the states current Governor, Kathy Hochul.

U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik at the annual CPAC DC conference on February 22, 2025. Stefanik announced her bid for New York governor on Friday. AFP

US House representative and a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, Elise Stefanik, has formally entered the New York gubernatorial race against the states current Governor, Kathy Hochul. On Friday, Stefanik announced her candidacy, which many see as a way to remove New York Citys newly elected Mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

If Stefanik manages to win the 2026 elections against Hochul, she will be able to use a rare gubernatorial power to remove Mamdani. On Tuesday, voters elected New York Citys first South Asian Mayor. It is pertinent to note that Mamdani was endorsed by Hochul during the race against New Yorks former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

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Soon after his win, Stefanik has repeatedly slammed Hochul for her endorsement and Mamdani for his values, calling him an Antisemite, Jihadist, Communist. Hence, the possibility of Stefanik, a Republican, defeating Hochul in New Yorks 2026 gubernatorial race has prompted new scrutiny over the governors legal authority to remove elected city officials.

Can Stefanik remove Mamdani?

While the mechanism has been dormant for decades, it has the potential to change the balance of political power in New York and NYC, the nations largest city. Under the New York state constitution, the governor possesses the authority to remove the mayor and other local officials from office.

The mayor may be removed from office by the governor upon charges and after service upon him of a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard in his defence, the NYC charter says. Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the governor may suspend the mayor for a period not exceeding thirty days.

While this grants broad executive discretion, it also requires a formal legal processincluding the lodging of charges, the serving of those charges to the official in question, and an opportunity for the mayor to respond and present a defence, including cross-examining witnesses under oath.

On paper, the process is not limited to specific categories of misconduct but has traditionally been reserved only for actions deemed official misconduct or violation of public trust, or one that involves moral turpitude. Interestingly, a judge cannot overturn the governors decision, according to Politico.

In case a mayor is removed, the city could be required to hold a special election within 90 days, depending on the timing of the removal and the provisions of the city charter. According to the polling conducted by the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, in late October 2025, Stefanik holds a slight edge over Hochul, with 43 per cent of polltakers supporting Stefanik and 42 per cent backing Hochul. It will be interesting to see how the race will play out.

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SHANGHAI, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is deepening its long-term partnership with China, driven by the country's steady efforts to expand high-standard opening up and its growing innovation ecosystem.

On Nov. 5, the first day of the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), which runs through Nov. 10, the company announced an additional investment of 136 million U.S. dollars in its manufacturing base in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, just months after unveiling a plan of 2.5 billion U.S. dollars to establish a global strategic R&D center in the capital city of Beijing.

"We really see China as a strategic hub for both R&D and manufacturing," said Tony Pusic, SVP, Supply Asia Pacific, AstraZeneca.

As a full-time participant of the high-profile expo, AstraZeneca brought to this year's CIIE two breast cancer drugs newly approved in the Chinese market, alongside more than 40 innovative medicines covering a wide range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, rare diseases and autoimmune disorders.

"We're really leveraging the CIIE platform, the innovation, the science capability in China to deepen our presence in the country," Pusic said, noting that the expo has allowed AstraZeneca to strengthen cooperation with governments at all levels and with multinational companies.

Since its entry into the Chinese market in 1993, the company's footprint in China has grown substantially. It has established four global production hubs in Wuxi, Taizhou, Qingdao and Beijing, supplying high-quality medicines to more than 70 markets worldwide.

Pusic also praised China's continuous efforts to advance high-level opening up, particularly in the biopharmaceutical sector. Measures such as streamlining the regulatory approval process, strengthening intellectual property protection, and promoting innovation-friendly R&D policies have been "very helpful for global companies like AstraZeneca," he said.

As a move in this direction, in February this year, China announced an action plan to stabilize foreign investment, which includes further opening the biopharmaceutical sector and facilitating the faster market entry of innovative drugs.

"China's opening-up measures make it very advantageous for us to keep growing here and continue serving this incredible market," Pusic said. 
UPS and FedEx have grounded their MD-11 cargo aircraft after a deadly UPS plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, left at least 14 people dead. The decision followed Boeings recommendation to suspend flights for safety checks as investigators probe the cause of the accident.

Smoke rises from the wreackage of a UPS MD-11 cargo jet after it crashed on departure from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. November 4, 2025. USA Today Network via REUTERS

American delivery giants UPS and FedEx have temporarily grounded parts of their cargo fleets following a deadly plane crash in Kentucky that killed at least 14 people.

Both companies said on Friday that they had grounded their MD-11 aircraft after a UPS plane crashed during takeoff in Louisville earlier in the week. The move came on the recommendation of the aircrafts manufacturer, Boeing, which absorbed McDonnell Douglasthe original maker of the MD-11in the 1990s.

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With safety as our top priority, we recommended to the three operators of the MD-11 Freighter that they suspend flight operations while additional engineering analysis is performed, Boeing said in a statement.

Fireball crash in Louisville

The UPS aircraft burst into flames after veering off the runway and hitting nearby buildings, sparking a massive fire that destroyed several structures and forced Louisville International Airport to close temporarily.

Officials said the death toll rose to 14 after another body was found in the wreckage. Search teams were still scouring burnt-out buildings for more victims.

We pray for each of the victims families and pray that no additional victims are lost, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said.

Airlines act out of caution

UPS said grounding the MD-11sabout 9% of its fleetwas done out of an abundance of caution following Boeings advice. FedEx confirmed it had taken the same step.

This recommendation was made in an abundance of caution and we will continue coordinating with the FAA on this matter, a Boeing spokesperson told Reuters.

UPS and FedEx are the worlds largest cargo airlines, operating 27 and 28 MD-11 aircraft respectively. UPS said it had contingency plans to ensure deliveries continued uninterrupted.

Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve, UPS said.

Ageing aircraft under scrutiny

The crashed plane was an MD-11F triple-engine freighter, first delivered 34 years ago to Thai Airways before being converted to cargo use by UPS in 2006. Production of MD-11s ended in 2000, and the last passenger version was retired in 2014.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the planes left engine caught fire and detached from the wing during takeoff. The aircraft was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel for a flight to Hawaii, which fuelled the blaze after impact.

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Investigators have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash.
The US has given Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports after Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. Orban, calling for continued energy trade with Moscow, argued that Hungary has limited alternatives as a landlocked nation dependent on pipelines.

US President Donald Trump winks alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 7, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

The US has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on importing Russian oil and gas, The Guardian reported, citing a White House official.

The decision followed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans meeting with Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, during which Orban pressed for continued energy trade with Moscow. He argued that Hungary, a landlocked nation, has few viable alternatives for oil and gas supplies.

Trump, describing Orban as a friend, said he was considering the exemption because its very difficult for him [Orban] to get the oil and gas from other areas.

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The move marks a major win for Orban, who had warned that sanctions on Russian energy would devastate Hungarys economy. Following the meeting, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote on X that Budapest had received a full and unlimited exemption from sanctions on oil and gas, though a White House official later clarified that it would last only one year.

Last month, Trump imposed sanctions on Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft, threatening penalties for countries that continued purchasing from them. The decision to exempt Hungary appears to contradict that policy, though Washington officials said Budapest agreed to buy several hundred million dollars worth of American natural gas as part of the deal.

Trump appeared sympathetic to Hungarys position, saying he was very disturbed by other European nations that still buy Russian energy despite not being landlocked. He described Hungarys case as unique, given its heavy reliance on pipelines.

Defending his countrys energy ties with Moscow, Orban said, Pipelines are not ideological or political, but physical realities. He has long resisted European Union pressure to cut Russian imports and has promised voters cheap Russian energy ahead of elections next spring.

The two leaders also discussed the war in Ukraine. Trump said, He [Orban] understands Putin and knows him very well I think Viktor feels were going to get that war ended in the not-too-distant future.

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Orban agreed, saying that only the US and Hungary truly want peace. All the other governments prefer to continue the war because they think Ukraine can win on the front line, which is a misunderstanding of the situation, he said. When Trump asked if Ukraine could win, Orban replied, You know, a miracle can happen.

The meeting also addressed trade tensions, with Hungarys export-driven car industry struggling under Trumps tariffs on European goods. Despite Orbans frequent clashes with EU leaders over migration and rule of law, Trump urged Europe to respect this leader very, very strongly because hes been right on immigration.
BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council Information Office on Saturday released a white paper titled "Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality China's Plans and Solutions."

The white paper presents a comprehensive overview of China's major achievements in pursuing peak carbon and carbon neutrality over the past five years, and shares China's approaches, actions, and experience. 
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
HANGZHOU, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- With artificial intelligence (AI) evolving at breakneck pace, one cannot help but wonder how it will reshape our daily lives in the near future, and how we need to navigate potential challenges stemming from its rapid advancement.

At the 2025 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit which opened on Friday in eastern China, founders and executives of Chinese tech companies shared their vision regarding topics such as AI. The event in Zhejiang Province has drawn over 1,600 participants from more than 130 countries and regions.

Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of Unitree Robotics, a leader in legged and humanoid robotics, believes that AI is fueling accelerated growth across the robotics sector.

He said that many scenarios once confined to science fiction, like robots dancing and performing, have become reality in the past year alone. "The next two years will bring even greater surprises," he noted at a meeting at the summit on Friday.

Also upbeat about AI's speedy advancement, Liu Qiangdong, founder and chairman of e-commerce giant JD.com, said that robotics is poised to revolutionize the logistics ecosystem.

Addressing the opening ceremony, he highlighted that JD's recently established sorting center in Beijing has already replaced 90 percent of its former workforce with robots, and that by next April, the company will launch the world's first fully unmanned delivery station.

Han Bicheng, founder and CEO of the brain-machine interface company BrainCo, envisions expanding this technology's reach beyond its current focus on assisting people with disabilities -- to serve wider populations.

He said the company will roll out a next-generation sleep aid next year and a weight management product in the coming two years, all aimed at addressing diverse challenges in daily life.

As the WIC Wuzhen Summit marks its 12th edition, AI has unquestionably stolen the show.

In recent years, the government's supportive policies on AI have acted as a powerful catalyst, propelling the AI industry into explosive growth and positioning China at the forefront of global technological innovation.

In August, China's State Council published a document on boosting the large-scale commercial application of AI, stipulating that by 2030, the adoption rate of new-generation smart terminals, agents and other applications will exceed 90 percent, and by 2035, China will fully enter a new phase of development characterized by an intelligent economy and an intelligent society.

Eddie Wu, CEO of e-commerce and AI titan Alibaba, expressed full confidence in achieving this goal. He revealed at the opening ceremony that Alibaba is currently constructing massive AI infrastructure and significantly increasing investments to build a super AI cloud. Through its full-stack technological capabilities, the company aims to provide leading AI services to developers worldwide.

"AI's potential to liberate both productivity and humanity itself will surpass all expectations," he added.

AI's swift ascent, however, is prompting growing concerns about human job displacement -- a key issue that tech company leaders sought to address.

Noting that AI could displace many jobs in the market in the coming decade or two, Chen Deli, senior researcher of DeepSeek, said that tech companies have a responsibility to identify these at-risk roles and raise public awareness.

"Tech companies should act as guardians of humanity, safeguarding human safety and participating in the reshaping of social order," he said.

Yet, he remains optimistic about the future, believing that while some jobs will vanish and others emerge, overall societal productivity will increase -- with humanity retaining its unshakable role as the center of wisdom.

Feng Ji, founder and CEO of Game Science, the developer of the blockbuster video game "Black Myth: Wukong," echoed Chen's view, saying that AI should empower ordinary people, rather than being a technology concentrated solely in the hands of tech companies.

"The true potential of AI lies in its ability to give us more time to freely pursue our passions and expertise," he added. 
BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- China has made concrete progress in pursuing green and low-carbon development over the past five years, making significant contributions to global climate action, according to a white paper released on Saturday.

The white paper, titled "Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality China's Plans and Solutions," presents a comprehensive overview of China's major achievements in pursuing peak carbon and carbon neutrality over the last five years and shares China's approaches, actions and experience.

China has contributed about one-fourth of newly added green areas worldwide over the past two decades, and ranks among the countries with the fastest decline in energy consumption intensity, said the white paper. China has blazed a viable trail for developing countries to pursue green and low-carbon development, thereby making significant contributions to global climate action and the sustainable development of humanity.

Five years after the announcement of its ambitious peak carbon and carbon neutrality goals in 2020, China has achieved historic results in advancing the green and low-carbon transition through concrete action, painstaking efforts and a commitment to the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.

China has established the most systematic and comprehensive carbon reduction policy framework in the world, built the world's largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system, developed the largest and most complete new energy industrial chain globally, and achieved the largest and fastest promotion and adoption of new energy vehicles in the world, the white paper noted.

In line with the requirements of the Paris Agreement, China has demonstrated the highest possible ambitions in its national climate action plan, also known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), taken the most substantial actions and advanced its goals resolutely, the white paper added.

In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060 -- and presented its 2030 NDCs.

On Sept. 24, 2025, at the United Nations Climate Summit, China clarified its 2035 NDCs -- thereby injecting fresh momentum and certainty into global climate governance and demonstrating China's stance as a responsible major country that champions integrity.

As part of its new NDCs, China will reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions from peak levels by 7 percent to 10 percent by 2035, striving to do better. China also announced the goals to increase the share of non-fossil fuels to over 30 percent of its total energy consumption, and to expand its installed wind and solar power capacity to more than six times the 2020 level by 2035 -- working hard to elevate this capacity to 3,600 gigawatts.

China has actively fulfilled reporting obligations, compiling and submitting national greenhouse gas inventory reports, national reports on climate change, biennial update reports, and biennial transparency reports on a timely basis as mandated -- thus showing high-standard and consistent compliance.

Over the years, China has developed numerous clean power projects in Belt and Road partner countries, contributing to their green energy transition and high-quality development.

Noting that the year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the white paper points out that over the past decade, despite some ups and downs in global climate governance, green and low-carbon development has become an unstoppable trend.

"Only through concrete measures and solid actions can we turn the goals of tackling climate change into reality, and only then can we better protect Earth, the shared home of humanity," the white paper noted. 
Tue Tuesday

51 /33

Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 30s.
Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Message to Samia Suluhu Hassan on Her Assuming Office as President of Tanzania

People's Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated: November 06, 2025 20:34

On November 6, 2025, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Samia Suluhu Hassan on her assuming office as President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Xi Jinping noted that China and Tanzania enjoy a profound traditional friendship. In recent years, bilateral relations have gained high-level development. The two sides have supported each other on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns, and achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation across various fields. Xi Jinping said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Tanzania relations, and is ready to work with President Samia Suluhu Hassan to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, continuously advance the China-Tanzania comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights, and make greater contributions to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

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UNHCR High Commissioner's statement to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Speeches and statements

As delivered

By Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in New York

6 November 2025



Mr. Chairman, Distinguished delegates,

This is the tenth and final time that I address this Committee as High Commissioner for refugees.

Every year for the past 10 years I have come here to speak about the devastating impact of war, violence and persecution on millions forced to flee their homes.

Every year in this Committee I have described how, with your support, UNHCR responds to humanitarian emergencies, on the front lines, providing (with its partners) life-saving assistance to refugees: shelter, food, water; how it works to ensure that refugees and displaced people have access to safety; are documented; can use basic services; how it strives to give  whenever possible  a little hope to people that have lost everything.

And every year I have reported that the number of refugees and other forcibly displaced people has gone up. Every year except this one.

Because yes, for the first time in nearly a decade, this number has decreased. From 123 million at the end of 2024 to about 117 million today.

This may seem surprising. Because the world has not become safer  on the contrary. Conflicts  new and old  continue to rage: in Sudan, where we have witnessed shocking violence once again, but also recently in Gaza, in Ukraine, in Myanmar, and many other places.

How can we then explain this drop in displacement figures at a time of continued global instability?

Let me start by speaking of solutions to forced displacement. Or rather, of the possibility of solutions.

This unexpected decrease in the forced displacement figure is largely driven by the return of some refugees and internally displaced people to their places of origin. In many (but not all) cases, returns were voluntary, despite continued fragility in countries of return.

Because this is the nature of voluntariness: the decision to go back lies with the refugees themselves, based on an assessment of what is best for them. The voluntary nature of returns is an important distinction which statistics cannot always capture, as the decrease in the total number of forcibly displaced people also accounts unfortunately for returns that were not voluntary.

Let me focus therefore on the two situations that drove those statistics.

First, the return of displaced Syrians  which seemed impossible only a few months ago  illustrates very clearly the dynamic of voluntariness. Since 8 December 2024, more than 1.1 million refugees have returned to Syria from neighbouring countries. Approximately two million people displaced inside the country have also returned home. But whether they will stay in Syria will depend in large part on being safe (and we have seen how volatile the situation remains); and on having access to the basics  housing, jobs, electricity, clinics, schools, financial services -- barring which they may be compelled to move again.

To address this, Syria needs support  initially, of a humanitarian nature. That is why UNHCR's teams are on the ground, helping returnees with immediate needs  cash assistance, shelter rehabilitation, documentation and legal issues  working in support of central and local authorities.

But much more is needed. The international community, and especially donors in the Gulf region and Europe and the international financial institutions, must step up their support in building infrastructure, restoring services, reforming the security sector, and restarting the economy. That will give space and opportunities for all the people of Syria, under the leadership of their authorities, to rebuild their country; and for more refugees to return, and for those who do, to stay. It will also help relieve pressure on those countries in the region  Lebanon, Jordan, Turkiye, Egypt and Iraq  that have generously hosted Syrian refugees for years.

This same opportunity exists in other parts of the world  in Burundi or in the Central African Republic to name but two. With additional humanitarian funds, and with development investments in areas of return, UNHCR's work can contribute directly to global security and regional stability. This is why I am particularly grateful to the United States for having helped recognize our unique mandate and role in the context of the recent Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda  a potential breakthrough in a decades-long conflict. As stipulated in the 2010 Tripartite Agreement, UNHCR is ready to play its role in consolidating peace, and opening the door for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of  potentially  millions of refugees and displaced people to their homes.

These developments show that with political engagement more opportunities for solutions can be created, including in places like Myanmar or Sudan, to address the root causes that continue to prolong humanitarian and refugee crises. This is an important message here in New York, where  a few steps from here, in the Security Council  we continue to see tensions and divisions blocking pathways to peace.

The situation of Afghans, and in particular those forced back to Afghanistan, mainly from Iran and Pakistan, has been the other driver of lower displacement numbers. Let me be clear. For decades, Pakistan and Iran have been generous hosts to Afghan refugees, and they continue to be for many of them. Afghans in both countries are provided access to services practically on par with nationals. Indeed, generations of Afghans -- women especially  were educated in Iranian and Pakistani schools. We cannot forget that.

But the recent waves of forced returns to Afghanistan deny many Afghan refugees the protection they need, forcing them back to an environment where human rights violations and discrimination are widespread -- especially against women. Worse, we know from experience that forced returns are ultimately counterproductive. That they only serve to exacerbate instability.

It is positive that the Iranian and Pakistani governments, and the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, have agreed to discuss these matters within the quadripartite framework, and I hope a meeting can take place next month as proposed. It may well be that a new paradigm is needed in the region to better reflect the changing composition of Afghan population flows. One that ensures that Afghan refugees continue to receive the protection they need, while creating more space to regulate migratory routes for others. UNHCR, with its partners, stands ready to support this important discussion.

Mr. Chairman,

By its very definition, forced displacement is dynamic. It is a complex phenomenon - people may flee a country at the same time as others return to it. This is the reality today in South Sudan for example, or even in Sudan.

Population flows and displacement patterns are constantly evolving in response to a multitude of factors  war and violence certainly, but also the effects of climate change, poverty, economic opportunities, and so on. As a result, mixed population flows, consisting of both refugees and migrants, have grown. From a legal point of view, they belong to distinct categories. Refugees are forced to flee; migrants leave for other reasons. In practice, they often move alongside each other, along transnational routes that span large geographic areas. Through the Sahara; across the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Andaman Sea; in Latin America or towards Southern Africa.

I have spoken extensively about this phenomenon, so I will not elaborate on this issue in detail. UNHCR fully recognizes that responding to mixed movements is a complex challenge. We know that asylum systems can become overwhelmed and can be misused by people who do not need international protection  to the detriment of refugees, for whom asylum is lifesaving. And we agree: it is imperative that the integrity and the efficacy of asylum systems be maintained. We can help you with that.

But the solution does not lie in restrictions, barriers and pushbacks  practices that breach international obligations and endanger people who have no choice but to flee.

To be clear: legal measures that strengthen borders are absolutely legitimate. In fact, they are necessary. But such control and deterrence measures are not sufficient as  alone  they do not solve the problem.

Instead, it is more strategic to look at entire displacement routes and identify measures that provide protection and opportunities to people on the move, and their hosts, as early as possible  before people cross several borders. That is the essence of the 'route-based' approach that UNHCR, together with the International Organization for Migration and others, has been advocating in recent years. Such measures include strengthening asylum systems, developing mechanisms for lawful transfers of asylum seekers to safe third countries, or indeed  for those individuals who do not need protection -- setting up return programmes. They also include creating predictable and regulated migration pathways  for labour, education or family reunification.

Here again, l encourage you to consult with us. We have issued extensive technical guidance on these issues, so that responses can be both effective and lawful.

This brings me to my next point.

There has been a push recently  partly as a reaction to these challenges  to question the continued relevance of the international legal framework that governs asylum.

Under the guise of effectiveness, or based on arguments that asylum undermines national sovereignty, some have even called for the 1951 Refugee Convention to be replaced by a new instrument. These arguments are misguided. Let me explain why.

To begin with, we should keep in mind that the fundamental principles of asylum are timeless and universal. People who flee persecution and violence should be welcomed and protected, not turned away or left to die. I hope we can all agree on that. This is the principle of non-refoulement that is at the heart of the 1951 Convention and clearly established as a norm under international customary law. And the Convention is the instrument which has guided States in codifying these long-standing norms. As such, it is a direct expression of State sovereignty. This is a critical point.

But asylum is not a backdoor for migration. Quite the opposite, States have the duty to manage their borders. We all agree on that too. The modern institution of asylum  rooted in the Refugee Convention  is the tool that enables States to meet both obligations. To their citizens and to refugees.

To question the effectiveness of the current framework is also to view it selectively, from too narrow a perspective  as if all refugees were moving to Europe or North America. That is quite the opposite. Every day, because asylum is upheld in Chad, for example, the lives of thousands of Sudanese refugees are saved. Refugees' lives have been saved in Moldova, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Costa Rica and many other places thanks to the institution we all built together. What could be more effective at a time when military might is replacing diplomacy and dialogue as a means of resolving conflict?

Finally, it is important to note that the current international framework has evolved over time, even as fundamental principles, and the Refugee Convention itself, have remained unchanged. That is the challenge: stay true to principles but find innovative ways to apply them. Numerous legal instruments have been developed by States, to operationalize these principles and account for regional specificities, such as the Pact on Asylum and Migration adopted by the European Union.

And the Global Compact on Refugees, which the General Assembly - you - affirmed in 2018, continues to be a critical toolbox that States can draw on when responding to today's displacement crises, including those which extreme climate events create, aggravate and accelerate, as will be discussed among other challenges at the ongoing COP30 in Belem.

Mr. Chairman,

A further point on which I would like to reflect relates to the nature of humanitarian responses. Creating standalone humanitarian infrastructure is no longer an option. It is imperative that humanitarian responses follow a more sustainable model, especially as funding has become unpredictable.

A number of refugee-hosting countries  Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye and many others  have affirmed that. They have recognized that only through the inclusion of refugees into existing structures  at the national and local level  can responses to displacement be sustainable. This means investing in self-reliance. It means giving refugees and displaced people access to education, services, financing, work. So, they can contribute better to host communities, in a more cohesive context. That is a living example of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

To bear fruit, this process requires both time and resources. It does not happen overnight, especially as the shift to inclusion and sustainability needs to reflect local specificities, constraints and priorities  which is why national governments must lead it, and why UNHCR, partners and donors must continue to support it. As I have repeated for 10 years, responsibility towards refugees cannot be borne by host countries alone  it must remain shared, including financially.

I am proud that, over the last decade, we have mobilized significant expertise and financing in support of such efforts. Many bilateral development agencies have been strong partners, as have international financial institutions. The partnership with the World Bank has been particularly successful, resulting in $5.5 billion allocated directly to low-income refugee-hosting countries through the IDA Window for Host Communities and Refugees. Middle-income host countries have had access to financing through the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF)  a critical programme that has also been impactful for refugees and beneficiary countries. It is positive  although the decision must be formalized  that a political agreement was reached in Yerevan a few days ago on extending the GCFF for another five years.

Mr. Chairman,

Before I conclude, I must address the impact on UNHCR, and on the humanitarian sector as a whole, of this year's drastic and sudden reductions in financing.

We project that we will end the year with $1.3 billion less in funds available than we did in 2024  a 25% decrease  and a collapse of unearmarked contributions. We also project that we will receive less than $4 billion this year, out of a budget of $10.6 billion. The last time we received less than $4 billion was in 2015, when the number of forcibly displaced people was half of what it is today.

We did what we could to absorb these reductions internally, in the hope of minimizing the impact on refugees and host countries. We reduced the size of our workforce by 30% -- affecting close to 5,000 colleagues  and aggressively cut spending. We shrank our operational footprint globally, consolidating or reducing our presence in 185 locations.

Still, faced with such wide-ranging reductions, we had no choice but to cut lifesaving and life-changing activities. Across all sectors. With such wide-ranging reductions, and such little time, nothing could be spared.

Some are saying that these reductions were overdue. That they are an opportunity for UNHCR to become more efficient, to return to our "core mandate" -- implying that we had until now somehow been inefficient, or unfocused. I couldn't disagree more. These cuts will make it more difficult to save lives; to deliver on our mandate.

This is why I appeal to all those who can help us bridge the gap before the end of the year and to make early, flexible pledges for 2026.

Of course, we will cope. By reprioritizing our activities yet again, and by redoubling our efforts to make the organization more efficient -- building on a decade of transformation and modernization, and in a manner that complements United Nations system-wide reform efforts, including the Humanitarian Reset, and the Secretary-General's UN80 initiative, to both of which we are active contributors and participants.

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished delegates,

After 10 challenging yet fascinating years, my mandate comes to an end in a few weeks and so, today, I take leave of you, with many thanks for your support.

It has been an enormous privilege to hold this responsibility  the highlight of a humanitarian path which started in your country, Mr. Chairman, almost 42 years ago, at the Thai-Cambodian border. The last institutional milestone under my watch will be the Progress Review of the Global Refugee Forum in just over a month.

This will coincide with UNHCR's 75th anniversary. I cannot think of a more fitting way to end my tenure than such a clear reminder that we have been with refugees, displaced people, stateless people, and those hosting them for such a long time, through thick and thin, in good and bad times, but also that our job is not done, yet; and that this organization, of which I am very, very proud, will endure, until it is no longer needed.

Thank you.



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Europe must move faster in defence robotics, EDA conference hears

European Defence Agency

07 November 2025

The European Union is making big strides in developing and deploying defence robotics but it must move faster, senior officials and industry leaders said at the European Defence Agency's (EDA) 2nd Autonomous Systems Community of Interest (ASCI) conference in Tallinn.



"We cannot afford to let bureaucracy slow down innovation," Nathalie Guichard, EDA's Director for Research, Technology and Innovation, told more than 420 participants from EU Member States, Ukraine, NATO and industry at the two-day event in early November.

"Countries and companies must experiment together, share testing and training campaigns, and validate concepts in realistic conditions," she said at the conference, which showcased robotic combat vehicles, remote driving systems, loitering munitions and low-cost missile interceptors.

The ASCI initiative, launched by EDA, aims to speed up cooperation among EU Member States and industry by linking research, testing and deployment. The Agency wants to help shorten the path from prototype to battlefield use.

Guichard also highlighted Europe's need to catch up in artificial intelligence for autonomous systems. "AI is essential for autonomous systems. It enables rapid decision-making where humans must be out of the loop, but for that we need trustworthy AI. The Agency is working with Member States to provide secure datasets for training AI models."

Kuldar Vaarsi, Milrem Robotics' CEO, said excessive technical standards were making development slow and equipment costly. Estonia's Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary Kaimo Kuusk called for "rapid adoption from the laboratory to the field," backed by flexible testing and experimentation.

Innovation cycle saving lives

Dmytro Tolstoluzhskyi, Head of Department, Central Directorate for Innovations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said his country was able to design and field new technologies in just four to twelve weeks. "Defence innovation will save lives," he said, urging European partners to strengthen ties between the military, research institutions and industry.

The conference examined the growing role of autonomous swarms, which are drones and unmanned systems able to cooperate among themselves in logistics, communications and counter-drone missions. Speakers highlighted autonomy, systems integration, cyber strength and electromagnetic dominance as factors shaping modern warfare.

Following the conference, EDA's third Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium, also held in Tallinn, specialised on the air domain. Discussions ranged from integrating drones into civilian airspace, developing cross-border air corridors and exploring a future training school network for drone pilots.

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Minister presents defense and security policy in parliament

Government of Iceland - Ministry for Foreign Affairs

07 November 2025

orgerur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Minister for Foreign Affairs, presented yesterday in Alingi (the Icelandic Parliament) a parliamentary resolution proposal on a defense and security policy.

This marks Iceland's first formal policy on defense issues and is based on recommendations from a consultation group of MPs appointed in March to discuss the content and priorities of the policy.

The resolution addresses the security environment and the challenges Iceland faces, both in the short and long term, with an emphasis on external threats. Thirteen key priorities for defense and security policy are outlined.

The policy reaffirms that the main pillars of Iceland's defense are its membership in NATO and the 1951 bilateral defense agreement with the United States. Regional and bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries and key allies within NATO supports and strengthens these two pillars. The policy discusses strengthening domestic capabilities and preparedness, emphasizing the need to ensure that Iceland has the human resources, plans, infrastructure, and equipment necessary to meet security challenges and fulfill its international obligations.

"We are living in a time of great uncertainty in international affairs, and Iceland's security environment has deteriorated rapidly in recent years. Like other European countries, Iceland must face this reality and take action to safeguard the nation's security and contribute to the collective defense of NATO member states. This involves reinforcing the security, defense, and resilience of Icelandic society. The policy has been shaped through broad political consensus, which is crucial when the nation's security and defense are at stake. I welcome the informed and constructive debate that took place in Parliament today, which provides valuable momentum for the next steps in this work," said orgerur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Executive Summary in English of the report of parliamentary consultative panel.

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IOM Highlights Urgent Need to Address Protracted Displacement in South Sudan

International Organization for Migration

News - Global

07 November 2025

Geneva/Juba, 7 November 2025 -- During a week-long visit to South Sudan, Deputy Director General for Management and Reform of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), SungAh Lee, underscored the scale and complexity of displacement affecting millions across the country. She called for sustained attention to the plight of internally displaced people and returnees and emphasized the need for durable solutions that ensure safety, dignity, and stability for affected communities.

"What I have seen in South Sudan reflects both the immense challenges of displacement and the resilience of the people determined to rebuild their lives," said DDG SungAh Lee. "Communities that have been uprooted time and again continue to show extraordinary strength and solidarity. They want more than just relief - they want the chance to return home safely, to send their children to school, and to regain their sense of belonging. Supporting them means not only meeting urgent needs but also laying the groundwork for peace, recovery, and opportunity."

South Sudan remains one of the world's most displacement-affected countries, with over 9.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, nearly 2 million internally displaced, and more than 1.3 million people arriving from Sudan since April 2023.

During her visit, DDG Lee met with government officials and UN partners, and visited communities affected by displacement in Malakal, near the Sudan border, and Bentiu, where long-term displacement and seasonal flooding continue to affect residents.

In Malakal, she met newly arrived returnees from Sudan and saw firsthand the critical assistance IOM provides, including medical screenings, vaccinations, safe onward transportation, and other essential services. In Bentiu, she saw communities taking steps toward lasting recovery, with families returning home, restoring services, and rebuilding their houses.

Across the country, years of conflict, cyclical flooding, and the spillover from the crisis in neighbouring Sudan have deepened humanitarian needs. For many displaced families, repeated shocks have eroded coping capacities, leaving them dependent on assistance and uncertain about their future.

Following these field visits, DDG Lee held meetings in Juba with senior government and UN officials to strengthen alignment between humanitarian aid and longer-term recovery and development efforts. She also met with IOM South Sudan staff during a town hall, commending their commitment to supporting communities through ongoing displacement and recovery efforts.

Her visit comes as South Sudan continues to face the ripple effects of conflict in neighbouring Sudan, prolonged internal displacement, and severe funding shortages, with the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan only 31 per cent funded. These gaps are limiting lifesaving assistance and slowing progress toward durable solutions for displaced and host communities alike.

The visit coincided with the Second World Summit for Social Development held from 4 to 6 November in Doha, where IOM co-led with the Global Solutions Hub a high-level side event on transitions from aid to recovery. The discussions reinforced the importance of people-centred approaches that promote peace, stability, and inclusive development - principles that underpin IOM's efforts in South Sudan to help communities recover and rebuild their lives.

Under the UN Secretary-General's Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, South Sudan was selected as a pilot country to advance practical solutions for internally displaced people. In 2025, IOM is leading coordination efforts with UNDP and UNHCR to support government-led and development-focused planning to end displacement.

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TOKYO, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Japan has issued a notice to urge Chinese citizens in the country to stay vigilant amid a record surge in bear sightings and attacks across Japan.

A record 13 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in bear attacks across Japan since April, public broadcaster NHK reported Saturday.

The number of bear sightings nationwide from April to September reached 20,792, exceeding 20,000 for the first time in the first half of a fiscal year since records began in 2009, the Environment Ministry said earlier this week.

According to the Japanese government, compared to previous years, bear attacks since July this year have occurred more frequently within human habitats, with over 70 percent taking place in urban areas or near residential neighborhoods. Wild boars have also been spotted in urban regions, including Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture.

The embassy advised Chinese residents and travelers to check local government websites and social media for wildlife warnings, avoid high-risk areas, and refrain from hiking alone, especially at dawn or dusk.

It also recommended carrying bear deterrents such as sprays or bells. If signs of bear activity are detected, individuals should leave the area immediately. In case of a direct encounter, remain calm, face the bear, and back away slowly, as running or screaming could trigger an attack.

The embassy reminded that in case of emergency, people should contact local police and the Chinese embassy or consulates in Japan, or call the foreign ministry's global consular emergency hotline for assistance. 
Iran condemns Israeli military aggression in Lebanon

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the aggressive military aggression of the Zionist regime against various regions of Lebanon.

In a statement on Friday, the foreign ministry emphasized the responsibilities of the United Nations, the international community, and regional countries to confront the warmongering of the occupying regime and to hold this regime accountable and punish it.

It warned of the dangerous consequences of the Israeli regime's impunity and the continuation of its warmongering and expansionist policies on regional peace and security.

The military attacks by the Israeli regime against Lebanon, particularly since the ceasefire agreement in November 2025, have resulted in the deaths and injuries of over a thousand innocent Lebanese citizens, as well as significant destruction of infrastructure and residential areas.

These criminal attacks are a clear violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent country and are considered heinous crimes against international peace and security.

These attacks, undoubtedly planned and executed with the full support and complicity of the United States, further demonstrate the criminal, terrorist, and domineering nature of the Israeli regime. Their sole purpose appears to be weakening Lebanon's sovereignty and security, as well as hindering the country's reconstruction and development.

While expressing condolences for the loss of Lebanese lives during these brutal attacks, the foreign ministry emphasized its solidarity with the government and people of Lebanon in their fight against these aggressions. It also reaffirmed its support for Lebanon's legitimate resistance and its ongoing efforts to maintain its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

3266**2050

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Delegation of the Department of National Defence of the Philippines has visited the Ministry of National Defence

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-11-07

Development and Strengthening of the Armed Forces | International cooperation | Security and defense policy

Vice Minister of National Defence Tomas Godliauskas and Defence Policy Director Vaidotas Urbelis received a delegation of the Department of National Defence of the Philippines. They discussed bilateral defence cooperation, opportunities for defence industrial cooperation between Lithuania and the Philippines and a closer dialogue between the academia and industry community with Undersecretary for Defence Technology Research and Industry Development Rene S. Diaz.

"Lithuania's defence industry is developing at pace. Our strategic effort already yields successful military hi-tech companies - many of those have already been battle-tested in Ukraine and proven effective. This gives us unique experience and valuable know-how to be shared," said Defence Policy Director V. Urbelis at the meeting.

V. Urbelis briefed the guests on Lithuania's work to strengthen cooperation with the defence industry, encourage investment and develop financial instruments to simplify technological innovation challenges. Another topic discussed was the recently passed Law on Defence and Security Industry further on used as the basis for drawing a list contracts and technology deemed necessary for defence capability development.

Next, the officials addressed industrial cooperation, the Green Corridor initiatives, and other themes concerning defence industry. V. Urbelis underscored that Lithuania aimed to deepen the ties with the Philippines and saw scientific research in the area of defence industry and experimental development as an excellent kickstart.

When discussing the threat posed by Russia, security situation in Ukraine and China, both sides agreed to arrange talks in order to enhance intelligence sharing, and to take stock of the nearest exercises for military contact-building.

The Filipino representatives also toured Lithuanian defence industry companies, met with different associations, agreed to invite Lithuanian companies to defence industry exhibitions in the Philippines.

The bilateral relations between the Philippines and Lithuania is gaining importance, particularly in the area of security and defence. Lithuania is implementing the Strategy for Defence Engagement in the Indo-Pacific Region by consistently strengthening the ties with partners in the region.

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The President of Lithuania spoke by telephone with the President of Serbia

President of the Republic of Lithuania

November 07, 2025

On Friday, President Gitanas Nauseda spoke by telephone with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, at the latter's initiative. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed Serbia's European integration process, progress on reforms, support for Ukraine, and the security situation in the Western Balkans.

The President underlined that supporting Ukraine and stopping Russian aggression are in the interest of security across the whole of Europe. At the same time, the Lithuanian President called on Serbia to fully align its foreign and security policy with the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, particularly regarding sanctions against Russia.

"Contacts with the Russian leadership are currently sending a misleading signal about Serbia's solidarity with Ukraine and its position on European security issues. Russian propaganda channels Russia Today and Radio Sputnik operating in Serbia are spreading false information and destabilizing propaganda in the region," the President said.

The President emphasized that Lithuania supports EU enlargement, but that the accession process must remain based on progress and tangible reform results - strengthening the rule of law, protecting human rights, and promoting European values. He stressed the need to achieve measurable results in combating corruption, ensuring judicial independence, upholding media freedom, increasing transparency in the electoral process, and strengthening civil society.

"Progress in combating disinformation and enhancing media freedom is crucial for advancing Serbia's negotiations with the European Union. Lithuania is ready to share its reform experience and to strengthen practical cooperation with Serbia through the EU's Twinning and TAIEX programmes," the President said.

The President also emphasized that Serbia should continue to pursue good-neighbourly relations, especially with Kosovo, and actively contribute to regional stability and cooperation. According to the President, both Serbia and Kosovo should avoid unilateral or provocative actions that could further heighten tensions.

The President's Communication Group

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Allied Air Forces converge in Italy for Exercise Falcon Strike 2025

NATO Allied Air Command

Nov 7 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- From 3 to 14 November 2025, NATO Allies are taking to the skies over Italy for Exercise Falcon Strike 2025, hosted by the Italian Air Force and designed to advance multinational air combat readiness across fourth and fifth-generation aircraft.

Centred at the 32nd Wing in Amendola - one of Italy's key F-35 operating bases - the exercise brings together more than 1,000 personnel and over 50 aircraft from Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Greece. Additional Italian Air Force bases are supporting the event, enabling large-scale, joint operations that integrate air, land and maritime components for a comprehensive multi-domain training environment.

While led by Italy, Falcon Strike 2025 directly contributes to NATO Allied Air Command's objectives of Deterrence and Defence, enhancing interoperability and standardisation across Allied fleets. Positioned in the Mediterranean, Italy provides a vital operational hub for the Alliance, and exercises of this scale strengthen the readiness and agility of NATO air forces under the collective defence framework.

The training focuses on integrating fourth and fifth-generation aircraft into cohesive formations, which is an essential step in refining tactics for modern air warfare. Participating forces will also train in Agile Combat Employment (ACE), testing NATO's ability to deploy rapidly and operate from dispersed locations while maintaining combat effectiveness.

A key element of Falcon Strike 2025 is the integration of Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) environments at Sardinia's Salto di Quirra Joint Training Range. This allows aircrews to engage in realistic, data-linked simulations that mirror complex threat scenarios, ensuring the training reflects the principle: "Train as we fight, fight as we train."

Described by the Italian Air Force as a "leap into the future," Falcon Strike 2025 underscores NATO's defensive strength and unity. By enhancing interoperability and advancing fifth-generation integration, the exercise reaffirms the Alliance's commitment to peace, stability, and collective defence across the Euro-Atlantic area.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

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NATO joins forces with global shipping industry in Exercise Dynamic Master 25

NATO Allied Maritime Command

Nov 7 2025

NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom -- NATO is reinforcing its partnership with the civilian shipping community, boosting civil-military maritime coordination through Exercise Dynamic Master 25, which is being held at MARCOM in Northwood, United Kingdom from Nov 3 to 14, 2025.

Led by the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC), the exercise equips staff with the skills to support, reassure and guide merchant vessels during crises or NATO operations, ensuring safe and efficient maritime operations.

Dynamic Master is structured to enhance maritime security and the Alliance's readiness through realistic, multi-domain training. It focuses on vital areas such as naval cooperation and guidance for shipping (NCAGS), safe-navigation coordination, and interoperability between Allied naval forces.

Personnel from multiple Allied nations participated in simulated operational scenarios, including real-world shipping traffic, cyber attacks and threats to critical undersea infrastructure.

"This exercise enhances the NATO Shipping Centre's critical role as a central hub and liaison between the commercial shipping industry and Allies," said Royal Danish Navy Captain Niels Markussen, NSC director. "Our NATO team, with the cooperation of Allies and our shipping partners, are creating a stronger security network that benefits Allied maritime security and a better environment for our commercial shipping partners."

Teams were deployed to the ports of Mallorca in Spain, Piraeus in Greece, Portsmouth in the UK and Toulon in France. They briefed ships, local companies and authorities on the role of the NSC, NATO's vigilance activities in the Baltic Sea (Baltic Sentry) and Mediterranean Sea (Operation Sea Guardian). They also covered the military doctrines of Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) and Allied Worldwide Navigational Information System (AWNIS). These are essential guides for military cooperation with merchant shipping in a crisis or conflict.

Sixteen Allied nations took part in Dynamic Master - Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkiye and the United Kingdom.

The NSC is NATO's single point of contact with the merchant shipping industry in peace, crisis and war. It provides reassurance and advice during a developing crisis, including areas to avoid and recommendations for safe routes. It also provides guidance on self-protective measures, up to the implementation of a group transit scheme of merchant shipping, with or without a naval escort.

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM

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UN experts on mercenaries warn of expanding use of proxy actors in both conflict and peace-time settings

Press releases

Special Procedures

07 November 2025

NEW YORK -- The UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries has warned of the growing and evolving use of mercenaries, related actors and private military and security companies (PMSCs) as proxies, enablers, and facilitators of violence, repression, and human rights violations worldwide, in a new report to the General Assembly.

"We are deeply concerned that these actors are increasingly recruited not only in armed conflict but also in peace-time settings, including in counter-terrorism, organised crime, and humanitarian operations," said Jovana Jezdimirovic Ranito, Chair of the Working Group. "Proxies, facilitators and enablers often bypass international legal frameworks, evade accountability, and result in grave harm to civilian populations. They are not merely bystanders to conflict; they are key initiators and perpetrators of conflicts."

The report notes that these actors operate in legal grey zones and are used to suppress opposition, exploit resources, and destabilise entire regions. The report documents widespread abuses including massacres, torture, sexual violence and forced displacement.

"We are also concerned about the rise of State-sponsored military companies - entities that blur the line between public and private, between national service and profit-seeking enterprises. The privatisation of force and the reliance on these actors gravely undermines sovereignty and threatens the international order," the experts said.

The use of digital platforms for the recruitment of mercenary-related actors and to perpetuate disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks, exacerbates the difficulty of bringing perpetrators to justice, the report said.

The Working Group urged Member States, the UN and the international community to strengthen protections against mercenarism and PMSC activities and to stem the use of proxy actors, enablers and facilitators through improved coordination across its entities. Measures by all stakeholders aimed at holding perpetrators accountable need to be well-coordinated and supported, the experts said.

"The spread of mercenaries, related actors and PMSCs used as proxies, enablers and facilitators is not only a threat to human rights  it is a direct attack on the international order," they said.

*The experts:The Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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Sudan: Turk fears more atrocities in Darfur, warns Kordofan could be next

Press releases

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

07 November 2025

From

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk

Location

Geneva

Today, traumatised civilians are still trapped inside El Fasher and are being prevented from leaving. I fear that the abominable atrocities such as summary executions, rape and ethnically motivated violence are continuing within the city. And for those who manage to flee, the violence does not end, as the exit routes themselves have been the scenes of unimaginable cruelty.

At the same time, I issue a stark warning about events unfolding in Kordofan. Since the capture of El Fasher, the civilian casualties, destruction and mass displacement there have been mounting. There is no sign of de-escalation. To the contrary, developments on the ground indicate clear preparations for intensified hostilities, with everything that implies for its long-suffering people.

Given the cataclysmic violence in El Fasher, States, especially those who have influence over the parties to the conflict, are put on notice that unless they act quickly and decisively there will be more of the carnage and atrocities that we have already witnessed. The Security Council's arms embargo is clear: the provision of continuing military support to sustain parties committing serious violations must stop.

I repeat my plea for an immediate end to the violence both in Darfur and Kordofan. Bold and urgent action is required by the international community.



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Sri Lanka, Bangladesh hold foreign office talks after 8 years

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:49, November 07, 2025

COLOMBO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka and Bangladesh held the fourth round of Foreign Office Consultations here on Thursday after an eight-year gap, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

This was co-chaired by Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, the statement said.

Sri Lanka highlighted its investments and diaspora presence in Bangladesh and invited Bangladeshi investors to take part in development projects, logistics services, cultivation, and tourism-related ventures in Sri Lanka, the ministry said.

Colombo also discussed expanding collaboration in banking services to support financial stability, expressed interest in partnering on Green Tourism initiatives, and explored strengthening maritime connectivity.

Sri Lanka proposed increasing annual training slots for Bangladeshi nurses and welcomed enhanced cooperation between the two national news agencies, the statement said.

Bangladesh, appreciating existing Sri Lankan investments, invited further investment from Sri Lanka, especially in pharmaceuticals, hospitality, tourism, automobiles and light engineering, renewable energy, agro-processing, leather and footwear.

Bangladesh also invited Sri Lankan farmers for exposure visits, offered cooperation in the livestock sector, expressed interest in Sri Lanka's expertise in deep-sea fishing, the statement said.

Both sides agreed to work on trade facilitation, enhance private-sector engagement, and finalize pending legal instruments to boost trade, investment and connectivity.

According to Sri Lanka's Export Development Board, Bangladesh is the 12th export destination for Sri Lanka. The total export value from Sri Lanka to Bangladesh was 241.54 million U.S. dollars in 2024 and total imports from Bangladesh for the same period were 83.79 million dollars.

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The Philippines should cease infringement, provocation and propaganda: Defense Spokesperson

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source China Military Online

EditorChen Zhuo

Time2025-11-07 17:49:10

BEIJING, Nov. 7 -- "China will neither tolerate the blackmail by those who provoke first and play the victim, nor indulge the provocation by those who stir up troubles in collusion with outside powers," said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), at a press briefing on Friday.

Jiang Bin made the remarks when asked to comment on the media reports that the Philippines continuously rallied countries outside the region to conduct joint patrols and military exercises in the South China Sea, and it clamored for establishing a so-called task force to deal with China's "coercive" behavior.

"We hold that defense and security cooperation between relevant countries should neither target or harm the interests of any third party, nor undermine regional peace and stability. The root cause for tensions in the South China Sea is that the Philippine side frequently draws in outside forces to conduct infringement and provocation," the spokesperson stated.

He pointed out that the historical context and the rights and wrongs of the South China Sea issue are clear. China rejects any unfounded accusations that propagate false narratives and distort legal facts, and will not give up efforts to uphold peace, stability and development through coordination.

"China stands firm and resolute in safeguarding our territorial sovereignty and protecting our maritime rights and interests. We urge the Philippine side to stop undermining joint efforts by regional countries in pursuing peace and development, and cease its infringement, provocation and propaganda. Otherwise, the higher it jumps, the harder it will fall," the spokesperson added.

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Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Message to Paul Biya on His Re-election as President of Cameroon

People's Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated: November 07, 2025 15:42

On November 7, 2025, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Paul Biya on his re-election as President of the Republic of Cameroon.

Xi Jinping noted that China and Cameroon enjoy a traditional friendship. In recent years, the two countries have continuously deepened political mutual trust, achieved fruitful results in cooperation across various fields, and firmly supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns. Next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cameroon, presenting new opportunities for the development of bilateral relations. Xi Jinping said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Cameroon relations, and is ready to work with President Paul Biya to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to promote the in-depth development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and better benefit the two peoples.

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Trump says no U.S. officials to attend upcoming G20 summit in South Africa

Xinhua) 15:05, November 08, 2025

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that no U.S. officials will attend G20 summit scheduled to be held in South Africa late this month.

Trump again claimed on his Truth Social platform that Afrikaners, a minority in South Africa, "are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated." The South African government has repeatedly dismissed the White House allegations throughout the year.

"I look forward to hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida!", Trump added. The president had earlier announced that he would not attend the summit in South Africa.

Tensions between Washington and Pretoria occurred shortly after Trump returned to office in late January. Trump signed an executive order to freeze U.S. aid to South Africa in February, accusing the Expropriation Act, a land reform law South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed in January, of "discriminating" against the country's white people.

In response, the South African government pushed back against the White House's accusations, saying the executive order of freezing aid "lacks factual accuracy and fails to recognize South Africa's profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid."

In February, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that he would boycott the G20 summit in Johannesburg because of "bad things" happening in the country, while criticizing the summit for focusing on "solidarity, equality, & sustainability."

In March, Washington expelled then South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, further straining the bilateral relations. The expulsion followed an earlier address by the South African ambassador, in which he criticized Trump.

In May, Trump confronted visiting South African President Ramaphosa at the White House with conspiracy theories on "white genocide" in South Africa, which Ramaphosa firmly denied.

At the time, Ramaphosa, who had arrived in Washington to improve trade terms and ease bilateral tensions, rejected Trump's assertions during their meeting. The South African president refuted the notion that white South Africans are fleeing the country due to racist policies, noting that the majority of crime victims in his country are Black.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Sheng Chuyi)
HANGZHOU, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) will expand faster across application scenarios to achieve comprehensive empowerment in China, alongside a rising user penetration rate and deepening industrial integration, an industry report said Saturday.

AI will not only transform people's daily behaviors but also become a core driver of intelligent upgrades within the real economy in the country, according to the China Internet Development Report 2025 released by the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies during the ongoing 2025 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, held in east China's Zhejiang Province.

The report noted that over the past year, China's AI technologies have made continuous breakthroughs, supported by upgraded computing infrastructure.

Meanwhile, AI has also been applied across various scenarios in the country with accelerated, deep integration into manufacturing, services and other sectors, and has become a powerful engine for high-quality development.

The Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies, on the same day, also issued the World Internet Development Report 2025, which highlighted the rapid advances in AI technology worldwide.

The reasoning capabilities and knowledge density of large language models have improved remarkably, while multimodal large models have emerged as the leading edge of AI research, said the report, adding that embodied intelligence has gained increasing attention from major economies, with applications expanding in fields such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and elderly care.

However, the report also warned of the risks and challenges posed by AI, noting that AI governance is a core topic of global cyberspace governance.

The report advised countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on the basis of respecting sovereignty and development interests to ensure that AI develops in a safe, reliable and sustainable manner that benefits humanity.

The two reports have been released annually since 2017 as outcomes of the WIC Wuzhen Summit.

This year's summit kicked off on Friday and will run through Sunday. 
US intelligence unearths warnings from Israeli military lawyers on war crimes in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Friday, 07 November 2025 9:55 PM

Recently declassified US intelligence has revealed that Israeli military lawyers had warned of evidence that could substantiate claims of war crimes against Israel in relation to its genocidal war in Gaza, according to five former US officials.

The Reuters news agency reported on Friday that this previously undisclosed information is cited as a significant finding that stirred concern among top US policymakers during the brutal Israeli war against the people of Gaza.

Two former officials indicated that this intelligence was not broadly circulated within the US government until late in the Biden administration, just before a congressional briefing in December 2024.

Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 68,875 Palestinians and wounded 170,679 since October 2023.

The findings heightened alarm in Washington regarding Israel's genocidal war in Gaza. facts have surfaced that Israel was deliberately targeting civilians and humanitarian workers.

Amid growing civilian casualties in Gaza, US officials have voiced increasing apprehension about the potential violations of international legal standards regarding Israeli military operations. However, the specifics of the evidence cited by Israeli military lawyers have not been disclosed by the former US officials involved.

Reuters spoke to nine former US officials from the Biden administration, six of whom had direct knowledge of the intelligence discussions; all requested confidentiality due to the sensitive nature of the revelations.

The internal dissent concerning Israel's genocidal war in Gaza became apparent during former President Biden's tenure, shedding light on the intense debates among administration officials in the lead-up to President Donald Trump's inauguration in January.

The intelligence findings prompted discussions at the National Security Council (NSC), where officials and legal experts deliberated on possible responses. A formal US determination of Israeli war crimes would necessitate the suspension of future arms shipments to Israel and halt intelligence sharing.

Discussions in December involved officials from the State Department, Pentagon, and intelligence community, with Biden receiving briefings from his national security team.

Despite inquiries into the matter, the White House did not respond to Reuters requests for comment, while a State Department spokesperson remarked, "We do not comment on intelligence matters."

US officials expressed concerns that the administration's approach did not adequately confront the allegations of war crimes.

Former officials have voiced their dissatisfaction with the administration's choice to uphold the status quo, advocating for a more assertive stance regarding Israel's alleged misconduct and the US's complicity in it.

Before this intelligence revelation, some State Department lawyers had raised alarms about Israel's military conduct, suggesting it might violate international humanitarian law. However, discussions in December 2023 did not yield conclusive assessments to formally declare such violations.

The indecisiveness from the State Department's legal bureau was reflected in a report issued during the Biden administration in May 2024, which acknowledged potential violations but refrained from making firm accusations due to the complexities inherent in wartime situations.

As international scrutiny regarding potential war crimes escalates, the International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others. Israel has refused to acknowledge the court's jurisdiction.

As debates continue over US complicity in Israeli genocidal war, criticism has emerged from US political figures such as Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, who highlighted a perceived pattern of negligence by the Biden administration.

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Israel seeks US guarantees to keep its attacks on Gaza unrestricted: Report

Iran Press TV

Friday, 07 November 2025 6:47 PM

Israel is reportedly negotiating with the United States to obtain written guarantees that would allow it to continue its brutal military assaults without facing sanctions following an imminent deployment of a so-called stabilization force in Gaza.

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth,quoting sources, said on Thursday that the guarantees were being sought even if the UN Security Council plans to pass a resolution to establish the stabilization force in the territory.

Earlier this week, American and Israeli media outlets reported that the United States had presented a draft resolution to the UN 15-member council.

This came as the Security Council prepares to start negotiations to authorize a two-year mandate for a transitional governance body and the stabilization force.

The proposal outlines the structure and duties of an international "enforcement force" to operate in Gaza for two years, with the option to extend its mandate.

The news website Axios previously quoted a US official as saying that the force would be "an enforcement force, not a peacekeeping one."

The stabilization force would reportedly include troops from several countries tasked with securing Gaza's borders with the occupied territories and Egypt, protecting civilians and humanitarian corridors, and training a new Palestinian police force.

Israel is adamant that it will not accept armed forces from Islamic countries in Gaza under the plan.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday that any stabilization force must have "full international legitimacy" to support Palestinians in Gaza.

The resolution would reportedly permit a force of 20,000 troops to "use all necessary measures" to carry out its mandate.

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza resistance factions took effect on October 10, which the former has repeatedly breached with its repeated bombing and heavy restrictions on aid to the blockaded territory.

Observers say Israel is not interested in peace and appears to have its own narrative on the stabilization force.

During a joint news conference with Trump back in September, Netanyahu said that "Israel will retain security responsibility for the foreseeable future" in Gaza.

The Hamas resistance movement has also not said whether it will demilitarize, a key tenet of Trump's controversial 20-point plan.

The Palestinian group has made clear that the resistance's existence is directly tied to the occupation, and that they won't hand over their weapons unless the occupation is ended.

Khalil Al-Hayya, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said late last month that all Palestinian political factions had agreed to fully relinquish administrative control of the Gaza Strip to a newly formed non-partisan body.

He then argued that the reality on the ground and the international popular stance have swayed America.

"The US administration and President Trump became convinced that the war must end. The US administration gave [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu all the time and opportunities to achieve what he wanted, and he could not."

Hamas has already approved a list of names for the committee and agreed to the deployment of UN forces to monitor the ceasefire and separation, welcoming Arab and Islamic bodies to be part of those forces.

Israeli forces have killed at least 236 Palestinians and wounded 600 others in Gaza since a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Tel Aviv regime took effect last month.

Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 68,875 Palestinians and wounded 170,679 since October 2023.

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Israel rejects over 100 aid requests for Gaza since Oct.10 ceasefire: UN

Iran Press TV

Friday, 07 November 2025 4:11 PM

The United Nations says the Israeli regime has rejected 107 requests for the entry of relief materials into the besieged Gaza Strip since a ceasefire agreement that went into effect on October 10.

UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters that Israeli forces were blocking essential humanitarian supplies into the blockaded Palestinian territories despite the existing fragile truce.

"Our partners report that since the ceasefire, the Israeli authorities have rejected 107 requests for the entry of relief materials, including blankets, winter clothes, and tools and materials to maintain and operate water, sanitation, and hygiene services," Haq said.

Haq added that about 90 percent of these denials were issued on the grounds that organizations are "not authorized" to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza.

"Almost 90 percent of these rejected requests were from over 330 local and international NGOs, of which more than half of the requests were denied on the grounds that the organizations were not authorized to bring relief items into Gaza," he said.

The Israeli regime continues to impede the entry of aid to the besieged Palestinian territory. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, fewer than 30 of the aid trucks agreed in the ceasefire deal were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Haq noted that "continued detonations of homes and buildings had been reported every day across various neighborhoods of Gaza."

"Continued detonations of residential buildings have been reported daily in multiple areas where the Israeli military remains deployed, especially in eastern Khan Younis, eastern Gaza City, and Rafah," he added.

Haq said that Israeli strikes near the so-called "yellow line" continue, resulting in casualties. He stressed that "these military activities put civilians, including aid workers, at risk."

The "yellow line" is the first withdrawal line outlined in the initial phase of the ceasefire. It separates areas still under Israeli military control in the east from those where Palestinians are permitted to move in the west.

'Impediments' to medical aid delivery

Meanwhile, Caroline Willemen, project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, said the medical charity brought in just 15 aid trucks since the truce came into effect nearly four weeks ago.

A number were denied entry, which she called part of a "pattern" over the past two years, where "bureaucratic impediments" by Israeli authorities are used to stifle humanitarian efforts.

She said this goes against the ceasefire deal that states 600 trucks a day should be allowed to enter the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

Willemen said the medical charity has witnessed "a genocide in Gaza" for the last two years, with civilians killed and the health system deliberately destroyed.

"People have been denied access to water, access to food, access to medication," she said.

In another development, the World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that over 16,500 Palestinians in the blockaded Palestinian territory were in urgent need of medical care.

The WHO pleaded with the international community to immediately take them in for treatment.

"We urge more countries to receive patients from Gaza as over 16,500 people still need urgent medical care that is not available in the Strip," said Ghebreyesus.

He also called for all evacuation routes - particularly those from the occupied West Bank, including East al-Quds - to be opened to facilitate the transfer of patients in need.

Israeli forces have killed at least 236 Palestinians and wounded 600 others in Gaza since a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Tel Aviv regime took effect last month.

Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 68,875 Palestinians and wounded 170,679 since October 2023.

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Israel confirms coordination with US on intensified strikes in Lebanon

Iran Press TV

Friday, 07 November 2025 8:14 AM

Israeli officials have confirmed that the recent attacks on Lebanon were carried out in coordination with the United States, despite the ceasefire brokered by Washington last year.

Israel's broadcasting corporation (Kan) cited Israeli officials as saying that the strikes in Lebanon were carried out "in coordination with the Americans," who have been present at Israel's so-called Northern Command base since the ceasefire was reached last November.

The sources claimed that the strikes came as the Lebanese Army "does not operate uniformly across the country when it comes to disarming the Hezbollah movement," and that its "pace of its operations is estimated to be slower than expected."

The officials said "the United States also recognizes that Hezbollah must be disarmed, in accordance with the decision of the Lebanese government."

In August, Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam tasked the country's army to develop a plan to restrict weapons to the state by the end of the year, a decision that aims at disarming the Hezbollah resistance movement that has for decades defended the country from external aggression, especially from the Israeli enemy.

Hezbollah has condemned the government's decision to disarm it as a "grave sin," warning that such a move would weaken the country against Israeli aggression. The popular resistance group declared it would ignore the decision entirely, treating it "as if it did not exist."

In a further escalation of its violations of the ceasefire agreement, Israel's warplanes carried out heavy airstrikes on several southern Lebanese towns on Thursday.

'Full-fledged crime'

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday decried the Israeli airstrikes as "full-fledged crime."

"What Israel committed today in southern Lebanon constitutes a full-fledged crime under international humanitarian law, which criminalizes the targeting, terrorizing, and forced displacement of civilians," Aoun said.

He also described the Israeli escalation as "a heinous political crime", stressing that "Every time Lebanon expresses openness to peaceful negotiations to resolve outstanding issues with Israel, the latter intensifies its aggression against Lebanese sovereignty, flaunts its disregard for UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and continues violating its obligations."

"Nearly a year has passed since the ceasefire took effect, and during that period Israel has spared no effort in showing its rejection of any negotiated settlement" between the two sides, Aoun said.

'Israel's destructive approach'

The Lebanese army also denounced the Israeli strikes as "a continuation of the enemy's destructive approach aimed at undermining Lebanon's stability, expanding devastation in the south, and prolonging the war to maintain the threat against the Lebanese people."

"These assaults also hinder the full deployment of the Lebanese army in implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement between Lebanon and Israel," the statement added.

It emphasized Lebanon's commitment to "close coordination with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)," emphasizing that "the partnership between both sides remains at a high level of trust and cooperation."

'US masterminds Israeli attacks'

Noting that the Israeli strikes targeted civilians' homes, Lebanese lawmaker Hassan Izz al-Din from Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, Loyalty to the Resistance, stressed that the US masterminds the Israeli attacks.

He urged the Lebanese president and government to take decisive action against the Israeli enemy, calling for unity among the various components of Lebanese society.

"Israel does not differentiate between one Lebanese and another", Izz al-Din said, adding that" Israel targets "all of Lebanon and its capabilities because its project is expansionist".

He stressed Lebanon's "absolute" right to defend its people, its land, and its sovereignty, "without permission from anyone".

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire that took effect on November 27, 2024. Under the deal, Tel Aviv was required to withdraw fully from Lebanese territory  but has kept forces stationed at five sites, in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the terms of last November's agreement.

Since the implementation of the ceasefire, Israel has violated the agreement thousands times through repeated assaults on Lebanese territory. Lebanese authorities have warned that the regime's violations of the ceasefire threaten national stability.

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Orban Says Hungary Received US Exemption On Russian Energy

By RFE/RL November 07, 2025

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his country has received an exemption from US sanctions on Russian energy purchases following talks with US President Donald Trump amid stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

"We have received full sanctions exemption for the TurkStream and Druzhba pipelines," Orban said at the press conference after his meeting with Trump at the White House on November 8.

While there was no immediate comment from US officials, Trump earlier said he would consider a move, acknowledging the country's limited options for importing energy.

"We're looking at it, because it's very difficult for him to get oil and gas from other areas," Trump said as he hosted his longtime ally Orban.

Orban, who has often criticized Europe for taking what he called a "hard-line" stance on Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said that Russian energy was "vital" for Hungary.

He added that Hungary's landlocked geographical position limited the country and forces it to buy Russian oil exports through the Druzhba pipeline, which runs across Ukrainian territory.

Cutting access would carry deep consequences for Hungarians, Orban said, adding that the issue is not about politics.

"It's a physical reality because we don't have a port," he said.

During the meeting, Trump criticized other European countries for buying Russian energy, suggesting that they are in a better position than Hungary, which neighbors war-torn Ukraine on its eastern border.

"Many of those countries don't have those problems and they buy a lot of oil and gas from Russia," he said.

US Sanctions On Russia

Prior to Orban's first visit to the White House in years, the two leaders, long united by ideology, found themselves on opposite sides of the policy fence when it came to imports of Russian oil.

Last month, the United States sanctioned Russia's two largest oil companies as Trump's frustration grew over Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to end the invasion of Ukraine.

RFE/RL's Hungarian Service reported that conversations with sources in the Hungarian government suggested they thought a deal on an exemption was likely following another European precedent -- a decision to temporarily exclude Rosneft's German subsidiary from sanctions.

The US sanctions on Russia's energy giants came after several unsuccessful rounds of negotiations between the United States and Russia, which at one point were expected to be discussed at a summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest.

Shortly after a conversation between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Trump said he was not going "to be wasting time" meeting with Putin if the Kremlin leader was not ready to make a deal to end his war on Ukraine.

Western media had largely reported that there has been little change in Russia's stance on ending the conflict since Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska in August, which didn't result in a cease-fire.

On November 8, Trump said he still didn't see Russia as willing to stop the fighting, though he still prefers Budapest as the venue for a peace summit once the conditions for such a meeting are met.

"The basic dispute with Russia is they don't want to stop war in Ukraine," Trump said.

Both Trump and Orban agreed that they see a possible end to the nearly four-year conflict in the "near" future, with the Hungarian leader, who has been Russia's biggest ally in the EU, saying he would present Trump with ideas on how to end the war.

In his remarks to the press on the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country would support a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest but only if it would bring peace closer.

Zelenskyy also claimed Ukraine would find a way to end Europe's Russian energy exports, saying it was a good sign "the United States are interested in this."

"Russia must lose from the war, and its greatest loss is when it cannot trade energy resources," he added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary--us-orban-trump- russia-ukraine-sanctions/33584332.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Serbian Parliament Adopts Law Paving Way For Controversial Kushner Project

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service November 07, 2025

Serbia's parliament has approved a special law to fast-track a planned property development in Belgrade by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, overriding local concerns about the project on the site of NATO's 1999 bombing.

Legislators voted 130-40 on November 4 in favor of the law, backed by the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Aleksandar Vucic -- who has spoken enthusiastically of the plan, saying it will result in a "magnificent hotel."

Kushner, who is married to Trump's elder daughter, Ivanka, and served as a White House adviser during Trump's first term in office, last year announced a $500 million hotel complex in Belgrade.

Bombed By NATO In 1999

The development, designed by architect Nikola Dobrovic, centered on a pair of jagged unoccupied modernist brick structures in the center of Belgrade, the former General Staff headquarters for the Yugoslav Army.

The site was bombed by NATO jets in the spring of 1999 as part of a campaign to stop Serbian forces from attacking parts of Kosovo, which was still part of the country.

Despite being bombed out, the buildings retained their protected status due to what activists said was their architectural significance.

The new law overrides this by declaring the project a national priority, stating that "all procedures related to the implementation of the General Staff revitalization project are to be considered urgent," and "all state bodies and institutions are obliged to issue acts within their jurisdiction without delay."

Speaking during debate over the law, opposition parliamentary deputy Biljana Dordevic of the Green-Left Front said the provisions of the new law allow it to take effect the day after adoption.

"I can imagine they'll start demolishing as soon as next week. Citizens will surely come and try to stop it. I can't imagine it otherwise," she said.

Kushner's company, Affinity Partners, did not immediately comment on the ruling.

A Long-Running Battle

The legislation follows a series of battles over the project.

In November 2024, the Serbian government stripped the buildings of their protected designation, paving the way for Kushner's company to move forward. That prompted outrage from historic preservationists.

In May, prosecutors announced that the cultural official in charge of the site's historic designation had forged a signature on a key document and had been arrested.

Goran Vasic, acting director of the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, admitted he had fabricated an expert's opinion -- and an investigation is ongoing.

At the time, Affinity Partners denied any involvement in document falsification. It has also committed to building a memorial complex within the site dedicated to all victims of the NATO bombing.

The site was included in this year's list of most endangered heritage sites in Europe by Europa Nostra, the continent's largest heritage protection organization.

When a delegation from the group visited the site in July, it said the complex was "a symbol of the collective responsibility to safeguard the cultural legacy of the 20th century."

The project has also been criticized within Serbia. In 2024, a former chief of Serbia's General Staff, Zdravko Ponos, accused Vucic of "investing in his political future" and likened any deal relinquishing control of the site to surrendering "a family jewel."

Politicians from across the spectrum have said it should be preserved as a historical monument.

Vucic, however, has hit back, saying the project "will contribute to our capital becoming the center of this part of the world" and help Belgrade position itself as "an unmissable destination and desirable headquarters for the largest corporations, universities, and international institutions."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbian-parliament-law- kushner-project-belgrade-trump-vucic/33584209.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Consolidation of the defence industry on the Eastern Flank - main topic of discussion between Defence Minister and NATO Deputy Secretary General

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 207

07.11.2025

On Thursday, November 6th, Minister of National Defence, Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu, had a meeting with Radmila Shekerinska, NATO Deputy Secretary General, as part of the NATO Industry Forum, which takes place in Bucharest on November 5th and 6th.

The meeting agenda focused on topics of major interest, with an emphasis on strengthening the deterrence and defence posture on NATO's Eastern Flank, the security situation near Romania's borders, and the defence industry.

Thus, the two officials stressed the importance of continued allied support for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as well as the need to strengthen the resilience of these partners. An important topic of discussion was "Eastern Sentry", the recent NATO initiative aimed at developing a coherent air defence architecture across the entire Eastern Flank, including Romania, strengthening air defence and increasing allied military presence in the region.

Minister of National Defence and NATO Deputy Secretary General also mentioned the commitments undertaken at the NATO Summit in The Hague, in particular the objective set by the allies regarding the gradual increase of defence budgets to 5% of GDP by 2035, a measure considered essential for consolidating defence capabilities and strengthening the allied posture on the Eastern Flank.

The Black Sea represents an area of strategic interest for the entire Alliance, and cooperation with our partners is essential for ensuring stability. We will continue to invest in our own capabilities, support partners in the Eastern Neighborhood and actively contribute to the security of the Eastern Flank", Minister Mosteanu declared.

Today's meeting emphasized the essential role of developing the defence industry, both at national and allied levels, as a strategic tool for providing the capabilities needed to counter threats in an unstable and unpredictable security environment.

The two officials have highlighted that investments in the production, modernization and innovation of defence technologies represent an indispensable condition for supporting allied operations, strengthening resilience and increasing the ability to face the emerging challenges.



The Press Office

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Foreign Ministry statement on the fifth anniversary of the ceasefire agreement between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone

7 November 2025 13:52

1872-07-11-2025

November 9, 2025, marks the fifth anniversary of the Statement on a complete ceasefire and the termination of all hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. Hours of negotiations between the three countries' leaders ended the bloodshed and initiated a series of steps to restore peace in the region.

A Russian Peacekeeping Contingent was subsequently deployed to the region in accordance with the November 9, 2020 Statement, making an indispensable contribution to stabilising the situation and ensuring security in the region, at the cost of our soldiers' lives. Since the beginning of the peacekeeping operation, Russian peacekeepers have cleared of explosive items 2,550.2 hectares of land, demined over 689 kilometres of roads, inspected 1,940 buildings, and located and neutralised 26,794 explosive hazards. The operation of 31 socially significant facilities has been restored, along with 40 kilometres of communication lines and 20 kilometres of gas pipelines. An exchange of detainees and prisoners of war was also brokered, resulting in the repatriation of 213 individuals - 189 to Armenia and 24 to Azerbaijan.

When hostilities resumed in September 2023, Russian military personnel facilitated a ceasefire, ensured the safety of the civilian population, accommodated approximately 5,000 civilians (including over 2,000 children) at their deployment points and observation posts, and guaranteed the safe passage of the ethnic Armenian population to Armenia. The peacekeepers continued to fulfil their duty until their withdrawal on June 12, 2024.

Following the November 9, 2020 Statement, a decision was made at the Moscow summit on January 11, 2021, at the proposal of Russian President Vladimir Putin, to establish a Trilateral Working Group (TWG). Co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the Russian Federation, its mandate was to unblock all economic and transport links in the region. The TWG has accomplished extensive work to coordinate both the legal framework and technical parameters for establishing transport routes between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

On November 26, 2021, in Sochi, the leaders of the three countries reached an agreement to establish commissions for the delimitation of the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, followed by its demarcation, with the Russian Federation providing advisory assistance at the parties' request.

At their meeting on October 31, 2022, in Sochi, the heads of state emphasised the importance of actively preparing a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia to achieve sustainable and long-term peace in the region. This was to be based on the progress achieved and with the assistance of the Russian Federation. They also agreed to work towards resolving all outstanding issues, including humanitarian matters.

Taken together, these four highest-level statements form a roadmap for the peace process. The agreements remain valid and relevant. The important foundations built in the trilateral format are being actively utilised by the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides, including in their direct dialogue. In this context, the Russian side welcomed the initialling of the draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia by their foreign ministers in Washington on August 8, 2025.

Baku and Yerevan still have much to do to make the normalisation of their bilateral relations irreversible. This includes signing a peace treaty, restoring transport and economic links in the interests of all South Caucasus countries and their immediate neighbours, completing a fair process of border delimitation and demarcation, and establishing effective civil society contacts. Russia is ready to continue providing comprehensive assistance in all areas to its Azerbaijani and Armenian partners, including within the 3+3 Regional Cooperation Platform (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Iran, and Turkiye).

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Swedish Troops Deployed to Mission in Somalia

Swedish Armed Forces

Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters - 7 November 2025 kl: 10.00

Lieutenant General John W. Brennan, Deputy Commander of United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), recently met with Rear Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum, Chief of Joint Operations, via virtual meeting to discuss the ongoing cooperation within Operation Thunderbird in Somalia.

Earlier this summer, the Swedish Armed Forces deployed a small unit to Somalia to support the Somali National Army in its counterterrorism operations. The mission contributes not only to combating terrorism in the region but also to strengthening both Swedish and global security.

"The Swedish contingent is focused on supporting Somali and U.S. forces through training, advisory activities, and technical exploitation capabilities - that is, extracting as much information as possible from a site, event, or object", said Ewa Skoog Haslum.

Sweden's presence in Somalia is based on an invitation from the Somali government, and the support to the Somali Armed Forces is conducted in cooperation with U.S. Africa Command (US AFRICOM). So far, the results have been very positive, and Lt. Gen. Brennan is eager to continue the collaboration.

"Sweden is an invaluable partner in the fight against terrorist groups in Somalia. Their unique expertise - particularly in forensic intelligence - makes a real difference and strengthens our collective ability to achieve results together with Somali forces", said John Brennan.

The security situation in Somalia remains serious, and the Swedish Armed Forces has carried out a comprehensive risk assessment for the deployment.

Sweden also participates in several other international missions in the region, including the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia, Operation Atalanta, and Operation Aspides.

U.S. Africa Command (US AFRICOM) is responsible for coordinating U.S. military activities across Africa, including countering extremist groups, training and strengthening partner security forces, and addressing a range of regional security threats. Its headquarters are located in Stuttgart, Germany.

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Ranking Member Shaheen Statement on President Trump's Meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Orban

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Published: November 07, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement following President Trump's meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Orban at the White House:

"President Trump is right to say that Europe needs to reduce its reliance on the Russian energy exports that fuel Putin's war machine. I urge President Trump to not give Prime Minister Orban a pass as Hungary actually increases its dependence on Russian energy and has provided nearly seven billion dollars to the Kremlin's coffers since the beginning of this war. That's why Senator Tillis and I led a bipartisan resolution this week with six Republican co-sponsors urging Hungary, and all other applicable European countries, to end their dependence on Russian energy. If we want to get Putin to the negotiating table, we need to put pressure on his key sources of revenue. I'm pleased President Trump took action against major Russian energy firms last weekhe must do the same with their biggest customers like Hungary."

###

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HAIKOU, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will launch island-wide special customs operations on Dec. 18. This will be a landmark move for China to unwaveringly expand high-standard opening-up and promote the development of an open world economy.

The launch is set to generate ample new opportunities for economic and trade cooperation between China and the world.

After the official launch, the island province of Hainan will implement a special supervision model of "freer access at the first line, regulated access at the second line, and free flow within the island." This two-tier customs system will enable freer trade between Hainan and areas outside China's customs border, while maintaining standard customs controls for the mainland.

This institutional design positions Hainan as a key pivot for China to connect with the global market. In terms of trade, the island will expand the coverage of its zero-tariff policy to 74 percent of imported goods, with further expansion planned in the future. Supported by simplified customs clearance procedures, it will improve cross-border trade efficiency, creating low-cost and high-efficiency trade advantages. Hainan is expected to become a hub for global goods to enter the Chinese market.

In terms of investment, Hainan will continue opening up sectors such as tourism, modern services, and new and high technology. Eligible enterprises and talent can enjoy preferential income tax rates that are highly attractive globally.

Over the past five years, Hainan has utilized actual foreign investment of 102.5 billion yuan (14.47 billion U.S. dollars), with an average annual growth rate of 14.6 percent, attracting investment from 176 countries and regions. This positive trend is expected to gain more steam after Hainan begins special customs operations.

In recent years, Hainan's foreign trade has demonstrated strong growth momentum. In 2024, the total volume of Hainan's goods imports and exports reached 277.65 billion yuan -- up 20 percent year on year and nearly 200 percent compared to 2020.

The opportunities in Hainan extend beyond the flows of goods and capital to encompass fields such as talent, education and scientific research.

Hainan is actively introducing high-quality, international educational and medical resources to build a livable and business-friendly environment. Global scientific research institutions and tech enterprises can leverage Hainan's talent opening-up policies and international joint innovation platforms to participate in R&D in cutting-edge fields such as the seed, deep-sea and aerospace industries, and to share in the opportunities brought by China's sci-tech innovation.

Hainan is accelerating its establishment of an institutional system in line with international standards. It is strengthening intellectual property protection, innovating commercial dispute resolution mechanisms, and creating a stable, transparent and predictable business environment through measures such as those to improve the rule of law, simplify administrative procedures and promote cross-border capital flows. These comprehensive institutional innovations will provide a new model for China's cooperation with the world.

In short, the special customs operations of the Hainan FTP are far more than a technical adjustment to customs supervision. Rather, it opens a fast track for trade, investment and innovation. Against the current international backdrop of rising protectionism, Hainan's special customs operations demonstrate China's firm determination to expand its high-level opening-up.

The world needs an open China, as the country's opening-up contributes to a more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable world. The 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) will see China take steady steps to advance its opening-up at the institutional level, which will mean greater openness in its rules, regulations, management and standards. The country's pilot free trade zones and the Hainan FTP will serve as testing grounds for such reforms.

As various policies are implemented, Hainan is expected to become a new engine boosting regional economic and trade cooperation. Through the expansion of its high-standard opening-up, China is set to bolster more open cooperation across the globe, and to provide powerful impetus for an open world economy. 
Trump, Orban Express Optimism About Ending Ukraine Conflict Soon

Sputnik News

20251107

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he intends to address the conflict in Ukraine, along with topics related to trade and energy, during his meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House.

Meeting With Putin

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Budapest.

"There's always a chance," he told reporters during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Trump noted that he intends to discuss with Orban the possibility of meeting with Putin.

"We are talking, but we will report on that later. Meetings with Putinwe were talking about that with Viktor [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban]. He understands Putin, knows him very well," Trump told reporters.

Trump also said that he would like to keep the Hungarian capital of Budapest as the venue for the possible meeting.

A day earlier, Orban said that the meeting could take place within a few days once Moscow and Washington resolve "one or two" outstanding issues. Putin and Trump agreed to the meeting during a phone conversation in late October, but the US president later canceled it. Both the Kremlin and the White House have said that the summit could still take place in the future.

Ukrainian Conflict

During the talks with Orban, Trump acknowledged that Ukraine "has become smaller," referring to its loss of territory. Orban, for his part, said he plans to present several ideas for resolving the Ukraine conflict to the US president. Trump expressed their shared belief that the conflict could end soon.

"I think we're going to get it ended in the not-too-distant future," Trump told reporters at the top of his meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House.

According to Trump, the Ukraine conflict was inherited from his predecessor, Joe Biden, but he intends to bring it to an end.

"What we have done  I mean, the Western world  several years ago, we have to stop it. And it is a common response. Biden actually pushed for that war to happen. Okay, if you can believe it  nobody can believe it  but it's one of those things. And now look what happened. Look what has happened to Ukraine," Orban said ahead of his meeting with Trump in Washington.

Orban in turn said that he has several ideas for the ending of the Ukrainian conflict that he will present to US President Donald Trump.

"I have some ideas, and I will, I will present it to the President," Orban said ahead of a meeting with Trump in Washington.

He added that the governments of the United States and Hungary are the only ones that advocate for peace in Ukraine.

"So the only pro-peace government is the United States government and the small Hungary in Europe. Anyway, all the other governments prefer to continue the war, because many of them think that Ukraine can win on the front line, which is a misunderstanding of the situation. So, it is a complicated issue. We will discuss it," Orban said

Trump is leading great peace efforts on the Ukrainian conflict, which is positive for the European continent and all peoples of Europe, Orban said, adding that Trump's current determination is to do everything to stop the conflict in Ukraine.

Orban said that he had come to the US to be as useful as possible to contribute to Trump's peace efforts.

Russian Oil

Trump avoided giving a direct answer when asked whether Hungary could continue purchasing Russian oil, calling Orban "a great leader." He acknowledged that it is difficult for Hungary to give up such imports due to its geographical position and promised to consider exempting the country from sanctions against Russian companies.

Two weeks ago, the United States imposed sanctions on Russian energy suppliers and their subsidiaries, including Lukoil, which provides oil supplies to Hungary.

 Sputnik

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US Army Plans to Buy Over One Million Drones in Next Three Years

Sputnik News

20251107

The United States Army plans to purchase at least one million drones over the next two to three years and could acquire from half a million to several million annually thereafter, US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said in an interview with Reuters.

According to him, the large-scale expansion of the drone procurement program will be a major challenge, as the army  the largest branch of the US Armed Forces  currently buys only about 50,000 units per year.

"It is a big lift. But it is a lift we're very capable of doing," Driscoll said while visiting Picatinny Arsenal, where he reviewed developments in drone-intercepting munitions, as well as new explosive and electromagnetic systems integrated into US weapon platforms.

He noted that the US Army is closely studying the experience of the Ukrainian conflict, where drones are being used "on an unprecedented scale."

Driscoll emphasized that his top priority is to enable mass production of drones within the United States, encouraging domestic manufacturing of engines, sensors, batteries, and circuit boards  most of which are currently produced in China.

"We expect to purchase at least a million drones within the next two to three years. And by a year or two from now, we expect to know that, in a moment of conflict, we can activate a supply chain robust and deep enough to produce however many drones we would need," he said.

The secretary also stated that the Pentagon intends to change its approach to drones, viewing them not as expensive, "unique" systems but rather as expendable munitions.

 Sputnik

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China Slams Philippines, Outside Powers for Fueling Tensions in South China Sea

Sputnik News

20251107

BEIJING (Sputnik) - China will not tolerate provocations staged by the Philippines in collusion with powers from outside the region in the South China Sea, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said on Friday.

"We hold that defense and security cooperation between relevant countries should neither target or harm the interests of any third party, nor undermine regional peace and stability. The root cause for tensions in the South China Sea is that the Philippine side frequently draws in outside forces to conduct infringement and provocation," Jiang said.

Beijing objects to the Philippines rallying countries outside the region to conduct joint patrols and military exercises in the South China Sea. China's resolve to safeguard its territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests remains unshakable, the spokesperson said.

"We urge the Philippine side to stop undermining joint efforts by regional countries in pursuing peace and development, and cease its infringement, provocation and propaganda. Otherwise, the higher it jumps, the harder it will fall," the spokesman warned.

On November 2, the Philippines and Canada signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA). The Philippine Department of National Defense said the pact would create a framework for expanded cooperation between armed forces and support more effective joint exercises and capacity-building activities.

The Philippines has signed SOVFA agreements with the United States, Australia and Japan, and is negotiating similar deals with France and several other countries.

The Philippines is prohibited by the constitution to host permanent foreign military bases. SOVFA agreements allow foreign troops to be temporarily stationed in its territory during joint activities. The SOVFA between the Philippines and the United States has allowed US forces to conduct joint exercises and temporarily deploy personnel in the Philippines.

 Sputnik

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Senate Blocks Bipartisan Measure to Curb Trump's Military Authority on Venezuela

Sputnik News

20251107

The US Senate on Thursday rejected a bipartisan war powers resolution that sought to prevent President Donald Trump from carrying out military strikes against Venezuela without congressional approval, CBS News reported.

The motion, introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and backed by 15 co-sponsors, including Republican Rand Paul, failed in a 49-51 vote, with only two Republicans supporting it.

Kaine argued that "Congress should not cede its power to any president," stressing that any military action must be debated and approved by lawmakers.

The resolution would have required the administration to withdraw US forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress.

According to CBS News, the US military has conducted 16 drone strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in waters off South America since September, killing at least 67 people. The administration maintains that the operations do not constitute "hostilities" under the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

 Sputnik

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U.S.-Hungary Relations Reach New Heights

US Department of State

Fact Sheet

Office of the Spokesperson

November 7, 2025

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Viktor Orban, U.S.-Hungary relations continue to reach new heights of cooperation and achievement. This partnership is built on mutual respect for sovereign decision-making and a commitment to advancing strategic goals that benefit both nations as trading partners and NATO Allies. Below are key achievements and opportunities demonstrating the depth and breadth of this relationship since President Trump's return to office and as the United States and Hungary look forward to celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.

Driving Economic Prosperity and Energy Independence

A New U.S.-Hungary Energy Partnership: Hungary and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Energy: The MOU signals our intent to start negotiations to facilitate cooperation across the civil nuclear industry, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and spent fuel storage.The United States and Hungary are collaborating to make Budapest a hub of the emerging Central European SMR market, deploying market-leading U.S. nuclear innovation to jumpstart a new transatlantic industry. Hungary signaled it intends to support construction of up to 10 SMRs with a potential value of up to $20 billion. At today's meeting, Prime Minister Orban announced a nuclear fuel deal with U.S.-based Westinghouse to supply U.S. nuclear fuel for Hungary's Paks I nuclear plant. This contract is valued at approximately $114 million. LNG Purchases : Hungary has committed to purchasing U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), further diversifying its energy sources. Contracts are expected to be valued at approximately $600 million.

Travel and Border Security Full restoration of Hungary's Visa Waiver Program participation, facilitating legitimate travel while maintaining rigorous screening and enhancing border security. American Airlines has announced the resumption of direct seasonal flights between Philadelphia and Budapest starting in May 2026, further strengthening economic and cultural ties.



Building a Stronger Security Partnership

Defense Cooperation Launch of negotiations for the renewal of a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), signaling closer bilateral defense ties and Hungary's commitment to protect national security infrastructure from malign actors.

Military Procurement The Government of Hungary has announced its intent to purchase $700 million worth of defense articles via foreign military sales.

Civil and Commercial Space Cooperation Hungary signed the Artemis Accords on October 22. This reflects Hungary's space ambitions and marks its place in a growing network of nations that are committed to peaceful and transparent use of space.



Empowering the Next Generation

Expansion of Fulbright Partnership To commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, the binational Fulbright Commission in Hungary in cooperation with the Pannonia Scholarship Program will expand the John von Neumann Distinguished Award in STEM to include new opportunities for exchange to American scholars, Hungarian scholars, and Hungarian students. The Hungarian government will also increase its annual contribution to match U.S. funding for this flagship binational exchange program.

U.S.-Hungarian Research into Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence The Hungarian government will provide $1 million to establish a joint research consortium between The Catholic University of America and Pazmany Peter Catholic University to study the ethical use of AI.



Joint Support for Science and Innovation The Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN) has signed a cooperative agreement with MIT's Center for International Studies (CIS) to advance science and innovation in the United States and Hungary. The MIT-Hungary HUNREN Seed Fund, part of the MIT Global Seed Funds program at CIS, offers grants to support bilateral travel, workshops, and collaborative meetings.



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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

7 November 2025

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Secretary-General/Belem Climate Summit

Good afternoon, and happy Friday, everyone.

As you know, the Secretary-General is in Brazil, where he is participating at the Belem Climate Summit. Today, he spoke at a thematic session on Energy Transition.

The Secretary-General noted that the global energy landscape is changing at lightning speed. Last year, he pointed out, 90 per cent of new power capacity came from renewables and global investment in clean energy reached $2 trillion US dollars  $800 billion more than fossil fuels.

The Secretary-General highlighted that the renewables revolution is here, but we must go much faster  and ensure all nations share the benefits.

Also today, the Secretary-General held a bilateral meeting with the Vice-President of Turkiye, Cevdet Yilmaz. He also met Denis Sassou N'Guesso, President of the Republic of Congo.

Yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General spoke at a thematic session on "Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans", where he stressed that protecting forests and oceans is not charity, it is a legal and moral responsibility  and smart economics. He called on all to honour that duty, by safeguarding these foundations of life, investing in nature's recovery, and ensuring that people and planet thrive together  now and for generations to come.

Yesterday, the Secretary-General also held a bilateral meeting with Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.

This afternoon, the Secretary-General is expected to speak at a session on 10 years of the Paris Agreement: NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) and Financing. He will depart Belem tomorrow and will be back here in New York on Sunday.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that despite significant progress on the humanitarian scale-up, people's urgent needs are still immense, with impediments not being lifted quickly enough.

Since the ceasefire and as of this Monday, the UN and our partners have collected from Gaza's crossings more than 37,000 metric tons of aid  mostly food. That's according to the UN 2720 Mechanism, which does not include bilateral donations and the commercial sector.

Entry continues to be limited to only two crossings, with no direct access from Israel to northern Gaza or from Egypt to southern Gaza. This is on top of certain items and NGO (non-governmental organization) staff not being let in.

Our colleagues leading on the shelter response say that most displaced people remain in overcrowded makeshift sites  many of which were established spontaneously in open or unsafe areas. Hundreds of thousands of families face the onset of the rainy season without desperately needed protection from the elements.

Our partners working on shelter support say that once impediments are lifted, they have enough materials in the pipeline to meet most of the needs of nearly 1.5 million Palestinians requiring such assistance.

On the food front, there has been clear progress. Since the ceasefire, the World Food Programme (WFP) has reached over 1 million people with food distributions, hot meals, bakery support, fortified snacks for children, expanded nutrition services, and digital cash assistance.

WFP expanded storage capacity to three warehouses, reopened key roads, and reinforced retail networks to sustain food assistance. The agency says that food has been delivered in all parts of Gaza.

However, local food production remains challenging, given widespread damage to farmland and soil being contaminated with remnants of war. Only 13 per cent of cropland in the Gaza Strip has not been damaged, and most of it remains inaccessible because it is located in areas where the Israeli military remains deployed. That figure is from a recent geospatial analysis by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Satellite Centre (UNOSAT).

Between 79 to 89 per cent of greenhouse areas, agricultural wells and farming infrastructure have been damaged. Nearly 89 per cent of orchard trees, especially olive trees, have been damaged or  in most cases  destroyed.

Turning to the West Bank, OCHA warns of a sharp rise in settler violence against Palestinians, both in frequency and severity.

Last month, OCHA recorded 264 settler attacks that caused casualties, property damage or both. That's the highest monthly toll in nearly two decades of record-keeping  averaging more than eight incidents every single day.

Since 2006, OCHA has documented over 9,600 such attacks. About 1,500 of them took place just this year, roughly 15 per cent of the total.

The humanitarian impact has been severe. Since October 2023, more than 3,200 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence and related access restrictions. Entire herding communities have been completely depopulated. People have been killed, hundreds injured  including with live fire  and many more have lost access to their livelihoods.

The attacks often involve vandalizing trees, cars, homes and infrastructure. OCHA says it also receives daily reports of other settler actions  involving intimidation, trespassing, threats and harassment  that are not reflected in the published figures but nevertheless fuels the coercive environment that pushes Palestinians off their farmland and out of their homes and communities.

According to OCHA-confirmed data, as of Wednesday, the number of Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank so far this year has reached 42. That means one in every five Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank in 2025 has been a child.

** Lebanon

You will have seen the statement issued on Thursday by the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon in reaction to the latest Israeli airstrikes within UNIFIL's area of operations in the southern parts of the country.

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) says that these airstrikes constitute clear violations of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). They come as the Lebanese Armed Forces are undertaking operations to control unauthorized weapons and infrastructure in the south Litani area.

As you will recall, the cessation of hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanon was reached a year ago. We continue to urge the parties to adhere to their obligations under resolution 1701 (2006) to avoid putting the current hard-won progress at risk.

** Philippines

Turning to the Philippines, the UN has fast-tracked funding to support more than 400,000 people at high risk of being severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Fung-Wong, which is expected to strengthen into a super typhoon as it approaches the country.

The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated nearly $6 million for those relief efforts in record time  just two minutes after agreed triggers were met yesterday. These funds were released as part of anticipatory action efforts, which allow the humanitarian community to get ahead of the worst impacts of tropical cyclones in the Philippines.

The CERF allocation will enable five UN agencies and their partners to deliver life-saving assistance  with a focus on food, health, shelter, protection, cash assistance, and water, sanitation and hygiene  in support of Government-led efforts.

The World Food Programme's preliminary assessments in Cebu Province show that tens of thousands of people  especially families forced to seek refuge from the storm  urgently need food, water and shelter.

WFP, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, delivered cash assistance to more than 157,000 people (31,000 households) in the provinces of Aurora, Cagayan, and Isabela. The vital assistance before the storm helps families protect their lives and livelihoods and to recover faster after the storm passes.

Additionally, and at the request of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, WFP has mobilized 60 trucks to transport over 265,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs), enough to support 1.3 million people across Caraga, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

WFP has also deployed generators and warehouse equipment to support the Government's response efforts.

Tropical Cyclone Fung-Wong is expected to bring devastating winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges to the Philippines, posing severe risks to communities across the country  which has already seen an intense typhoon season this year, with some 20 tropical cyclones so far.

Just this week, Tropical Cyclone Kalmaegi brought heavy rains and flash floods, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency. More than 150 deaths were reported, with dozens of people still missing, according to authorities in the Philippines.

** Hurricane Melissa

Turning to the Caribbean, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that one week after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in the Caribbean, nearly 5 million people in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica have been affected.

According to authorities in all three countries, the hurricane claimed at least 75 lives, displaced more than 770,000 people, and damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of homes, schools and healthcare facilities.

We and our partners continue to support authorities across all three countries. OCHA has deployed additional staff to Jamaica to help the Government with humanitarian issues and strengthen operations, ensuring consistent information across agencies.

In Cuba, FAO has delivered agricultural tools, livestock feed and fishing supplies to help restore livelihoods.

WFP has deployed mobile warehouses, lighting towers and tents to the eastern provinces.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is distributing reproductive health kits and working with partners to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, while the UN Development Programme (UNDP) is providing roofing materials, toolkits and generators to aid the early recovery process.

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is delivering water storage and treatment supplies that will benefit up to 16,000 people daily. Additionally, UNICEF is mobilizing new funds to acquire school supplies and waterproof blankets, which could help more than 30,000 children in the worst-affected municipalities.

** West and Central Africa

Our colleagues from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) are telling us that this year, more than 42,000 refugees have been able to return home voluntarily in the West and Central Africa region.

This brings the total to more than 272,000 since 2021 and offers renewed hope for communities recovering from years of displacement.

The majority of them have returned to Nigeria and the Central African Republic. Approximately 10,000 more Central African refugees are expected to return from neighbouring countries before the end of this year.

UNHCR stresses that continued progress is tied closely to securing additional funding to ensure that returns remain voluntary, safe and sustainable. UNHCR appeals for urgent, flexible and multi-year funding to sustain voluntary returns and reintegration, enabling thousands more families to return home in dignity, reintegrate sustainably and contribute to the recovery and stability of their communities.

** Food Prices

Global food commodity prices declined in October, driven largely by ample supplies, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the prices of internationally traded food commodities, averaged 126.4 points in October, down 1.6 per cent from September. Overall, the Index was slightly below its October 2024 level and 21.1 per cent lower than its peak in March 2022.

** International Week

And last, the International Week of Science and Peace begins on Sunday. This week aims to promote global cooperation and awareness of links between science, technology, and peace. And that is it for me. Are there any questions from you? Yes, Namo.

** Questions and Answers

Question : Thank you, Farhan. Yesterday, the Security Council voted to remove sanctions on Syrian leadership, including President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, who were previously designated as members of AlQaida terrorist group. What does Secretary-General have to say on this?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, on that, these are, of course, decisions that we leave in the hands of the Security Council. And we certainly are aware that the Council members take this measure following the recent changes that have taken place in Syria.

Question : But doesn't that send a message to other terrorist organizations that they can keep doing whatever they are doing  as long as they become forces to be reckoned with, they will be forgiven, and nothing will happen to them?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, you're certainly entitled to your analysis. But, from our standpoint, the Security Council is the arbiter of these sanctions regimes. So it's ultimately up to the members of the Council to decide who does and does not belong on those sanctions lists. Yes. Islam first, and then you can go.

Question : Thank you, Farhan. You mentioned again that there's only two crossings open to Gaza. There's like almost eight crossings. And the other day, Secretary-General has also said that in his interview, eight entrances is not enough. So, do you still talk with Israeli authorities? And why do they only keep two crossings? Do they give you any reason to keep only two, but not to open others?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, they've cited security considerations. But at this stage, our point is that now that the ceasefire has taken hold, we need to be able to use all of the crossing points, including, as I just said earlier, the ones coming in from the Egyptian side and the ones to the north. At this stage, it's the Kerem Abu Salem and Kissufim crossings that are open, but we want all the others to be opened up as soon as possible. Yes, please?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. US Secretary of Defence said yesterday that the US Military carried out another missile strike in the Caribbean, killing three people. And since September, the United States has killed maybe nearly 70 people in the Caribbean and the East Pacific Ocean. I know that the human rights chief last week issued a statement, saying that these attacks may violate international human rights law. So I wonder if the SG will issue a statement to express his position on these strikes?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, on this Secretary-General supports the views of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who has made it clear that the air strikes are in violation of international human rights law. According to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, based on the information that's been available so far, none of the individuals on the targeted boats appear to pose an imminent threat to the lives of others or otherwise justify the use of lethal armed force against them under international law. And, of course, we want to make sure that established law enforcement methods are used to deal with questions of illegal trafficking on the high seas. Stefano?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. The UN Special Advisor on Genocide Prevention has warned that Sudan is nearing the threshold of atrocity crimes. In light of this, will the Secretary-General send a formal letter to the Security Council invoking the responsibility to protect civilians?

Deputy Spokesman : As we've said a few times this week, if he feels the need to do that, he will do so. At this stage, the Security Council members are seized of the matter, and we are pressing on them to act  and act with urgency  regarding the situation in Sudan.

Question : Just a follow-up. Yesterday  I believe it was yesterday  online, there was a brief by the Norwegian Refugee Council with people in Darfur. And we heard things that I don't want to even repeat here, how horrible they are. And now there is the special adviser on genocide prevention saying to the Secretary-General that we are basically in a situation that can only get worse. I don't know what it can be worse than what we already heard. So, what the Secretary-General is still waiting for? As I said before, when some situation similar to this in Myanmar happened, this were the beginning of his mandate as a Secretary-General, he basically saved 800,000 people with the letter; it is recognized by anybody that the letter was crucial to make. So, why is he still waiting?

Deputy Spokesman : We've discussed this several times this week. The point is the difference is between a case on which the Security Council had not previously been seized and a case like this, in which the Security Council is already looking into the matter. What more the Council can do is up to the members of the Council, but they certainly do not lack information from us, including from the special adviser on the prevention of genocide, and we'll continue to raise the alarm. And then it's up to the members of the Council to act. All right. Have a good afternoon, everyone. Oh, Alex, one more.

Question : Thanks, Farhan, and happy Friday. Firstly, quick follow-up on Syria. I guess Syrian leader will be in the United States on Monday. Any meetings to announce?

Deputy Spokesman : No, we don't have any meetings to announce here.

Question : On completely different topic, if I may. The European Union has said that it would deny multiple entry visas for Russian nationals. Have you seen these reports? Do have any comments on that?

Deputy Spokesman : No. I wouldn't have any comment on this. That would be an issue for the European Union and its officials to deal with.

Correspondent : Sure. Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman : Islam, did you have one more?

Question : Yes. I have a follow-up on West Bank. You said that last month, 264 settler attacks is the highest in past two decades. My question is, I understand OCHA keeps record and following. But from the UN point, is there any practical step to solve this problem over there? What would you say on that?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, we are reminding Israel of its obligations under international law. But we, as the UN, are interested to also monitor what happens, to report violations, and bring it to the attention of the bodies here at the United Nations, including, of course, the Security Council. Have a good weekend.

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UNHCR appeals for funding to sustain refugee returns in West and Central Africa

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Briefing notes

This is a summary of what was said by Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde UNHCR's Director of the Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at the press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

7 November 2025

GENEVA -- This year, more than 42,000 refugees have been able to return home voluntarily in the West and Central Africa region, bringing the total to more than 272,000 since 2021 and offering renewed hope for communities recovering from years of displacement.

The majority have returned to Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR). Approximately 10,000 more Central African refugees are expected to return from neighbouring countries before the end of the year

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, stresses that continued progress is tied closely to securing additional funding to ensure that returns remain voluntary, safe and sustainable.

Voluntary return remains one of the most tangible solutions to forced displacement. Yet finding the right conditions is difficult: returns should only occur when conditions such as security and access to land, documentation and basic services are in place. Successful refugee returns go well beyond crossing a border. Investment in sustainable reintegration is critical to allow refugees to rebuild their lives with stability and hope.

Recent return intention surveys conducted by UNHCR across the region reveal the strong aspirations of refugees to return home next year despite ongoing challenges. Around 80,000 Central African refugees in Cameroon and Chad intend to return as soon as basic services and reintegration opportunities are available. UNHCR and partners plan to support the return of 60,000 refugees to the CAR in 2026, under the 2024-2028 Solutions Plan, which envisages up to 300,000 returns, reflecting growing stability in the country and strengthened regional cooperation.

New peace and cooperation frameworks are helping to pave the way for sustainable refugee returns. In February 2025, UNHCR, with the Governments of Chad and Nigeria, signed a Tripartite Agreement to facilitate the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Nigerian refugees from Chad. Talks are advancing toward a similar agreement with Niger, further reinforcing coordinated regional action and protection safeguards.

The June 2025 Washington Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, with the July Doha Declaration of Principles between the DRC and M23, reaffirmed that all refugee returns must remain voluntary and in line with the 2010 Tripartite Agreements between UNHCR and the governments of the DRC and Rwanda. Building on these renewed commitments, UNHCR has facilitated 5,000 returns in 2025 and plans to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of 10,000 Rwandan refugees from the DRC in 2026.

Yet the momentum achieved is at serious risk due to funding shortfalls, which could halt planned repatriation and reintegration activities and leave thousands of refugees stranded and dependent on humanitarian aid.

UNHCR appeals for urgent, flexible and multi-year funding to sustain voluntary returns and reintegration, enabling thousands more families to return home in dignity, reintegrate sustainably and contribute to the recovery and stability of their communities.

While some returns have been safe, voluntary and dignified, many have taken place under difficult and insecure conditions, reflecting the ongoing fragility of the region's security situation.

UNHCR calls for strengthened peace initiatives and regional coordination. We will continue to work closely with governments through tripartite agreements and coordinated return frameworks to ensure that all returns are voluntary, safe and durable. We thank our partners whose continued support makes returns possible.

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DR Congo hunger crisis worsening amid fighting and lack of aid funding

7 November 2025 - The crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to worsen amid ongoing fighting that has driven tens of thousands of people from their homes and created acute hunger, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.

UN aid agencies are struggling to access provinces overrun by Rwanda-backed M23 rebel fighters at the start of the year, although dramatic funding shortfalls for humanitarian work have also contributed to the dire situation. Kigali has consistently denied providing military backing to the group.

Help could be provided more easily if air access were re-established, WFP insisted, as two airports in M23 areas "have been closed basically since the end of January...we're urgently calling for a humanitarian air corridor, to be established", said Cynthia Jones, WFP's Country Director for DRC.

The alert follows the release of a report by UN-backed food insecurity experts at the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification platform (IPC), warning that nearly 25 million people are experiencing high levels of food insecurity, denoted as IPC3 on a scale of one to five, with five indicating famine.

This includes an alarming three million individuals who face "emergency" levels of hunger - IPC4 - a number that is "surging" and which is "almost double since last year", said Ms. Jones.

"This means what for families? It means that they're skipping their meals, depleting all of their household assets. They're selling off their animals," she said, speaking via video from Kinshasa to journalists in Geneva.

According to the UN agency, "people are already dying of hunger" in parts of eastern DR Congo.

Ms. Jones noted that fighting between M23 militiamen and DRC government forces is continuing, sparking new displacement and people "forced from their home over and over again".

In eastern DR Congo, this has left about 5.2 million displaced people "including 1.6 million that have been displaced this year alone, making DRC one of the world's largest displaced person crisis", the WFP official added.

Despite deepening hunger, funding is running out for lifesaving humanitarian work and the UN agency has been forced to reduce the number of people it assists, from around one million at the start of the year, to 600,000 now.

"We will only be able to support a fraction of those in need" moving forward, Ms. Jones said, in an appeal for $350 million to support emergency food and nutrition assistance over the next six months. "Without it, we will have to make further cuts reduce [assistance] even further, down to 300,000 - which is only 10 per cent of the three million in need."

Without a significant funding boost, the WFP warned of a "total pipeline break" in assistance by March 2026.

"That means a complete halt of all emergency food assistance in the eastern provinces."

The dire funding shortfall has also impacted the agency internally, too. "We're starting to close downtown offices, we're reducing our footprint, the number of staff and juggling how to maintain the operational capacity to deliver in a very complex environment," Ms. Jones explained.

And yet aid assistance remains vital for those displaced in eastern provinces including North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika because vital services have closed amid ongoing insecurity.

"The banks are closed, there's no money available and this has just had a major impact on the population and on the humanitarian response," Ms. Jones explained. "It has devastated livelihoods and really put the food security of affected people in dire, dire circumstances."

As the conflict drags on, families seek shelter in urban centres such as Ituri, where host communities are already struggling to cope. Equally worrying is the fact that millions of subsistence farmers forced from their homes or too fearful to access their land have missed the planting season this year.

"The women, children, men, they've just been suffering devastating sequences of the violence, perpetrated by the non-state armed groups and fleeing from conflict. They're tired, exhausted and need peace," Ms. Jones insisted.

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World News in Brief: Russian rights abuses in Ukraine, US a no-show for rights review, Orlando Blooms highlights Rohingya plight

7 November 2025 - Independent UN human rights investigators have heard first-hand accounts of torture, unlawful detention and the forced transfer of civilians during their first visit to Ukraine in more than a year.

During their mission from 2 to 6 November, the three members of the Human Rights Council-mandated Commission of Inquiry met survivors, families of victims and human rights groups in Kyiv.

"People spoke of unimaginable suffering - homes destroyed, loved ones killed, and lives upended," said chairperson Erik Mse.

The investigators - who are not UN staff and receive no salary for their work - said they documented continuing violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, mostly committed by Russian forces and officials, including indiscriminate attacks, torture, deportations and sexual violence.

These, they concluded, amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The team also investigated abuses by Ukrainian forces, such as arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of people accused of collaboration, though limited access prevented full inquiries.

Justice must prevail

After hearing victims' testimonies, the investigators renewed their call for accountability and reparations. "Justice must honour those whose lives were deliberately cut short," they said, stressing the need for mental health and psychosocial support for survivors.

The visit follows the investigators' latest report to the UN General Assembly, which detailed Russia's coordinated actions to drive out Ukrainian civilians from occupied areas and forcibly transfer them elsewhere.

UN rights body regrets US withdrawal from human rights review

The UN Human Rights Council has expressed regret over the United States' decision not to take part in a key review of its human rights record, scheduled for this week in Geneva.

The review, known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), is a process in which all UN Member States have their human rights performance examined by their peers.

The US was due to appear before the Council's Working Group on Friday but declined to do so - the first time the country has refused to take part in its own review.

Postponed

Council members urged Washington to resume cooperation with the UPR and said they would reschedule the review for 2026, though it could take place earlier if the US re-engages.

The decision follows the Trump administration's recent disengagement from the Human Rights Council itself, although all UN Member States that are not among the 47 members of the Council remain observers, able to represent themselves during proceedings.

The previous US withdrawal, in 2018 under the first Trump administration, did not prevent the country from taking part in its 2020 UPR - making this year's absence unprecedented.

Documents compiled for the planned review, including reports by UN experts and civil society groups, remain available online. The US did not submit its own national report before the deadline.

The council said it would continue efforts to persuade the US to return to the process, stressing that the UPR system relies on equal participation by all 193 UN Member States.

Orlando Bloom highlights plight of Myanmar's Rohingya

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom visited Bangladesh this week to see the impact of severe cuts to aid work on children living in camps in Cox's Bazar.

The star actor met some of the 500,000 children in the vast camp, along with their families.

They are "100 per cent dependent on aid", but it is shrinking, he warned.

At risk from the funding cuts are education, health, protection and survival for people in the camps who are mainly ethnic Rohingya who fled persecution in neighbouring Myanmar - most of them following an systematic military operation in August 2017.

"It's a very transient environment, there are so many people coming and going," the veteran British actor and UNICEF champion observed.

Precarious and unstable

"We met a mother who has just arrived who still feels you just had to flee the conflict. It felt very unstable and unsafe. So, this is really, a lifeline for these families in these communities and without their support, they have nothing."

In June, UNICEF had to temporarily close most schools in Cox's Bazar because of funding shortages; almost 150,000 children were affected.

And although youngsters of all ages recently went back to class after a fundraising push, the threat of an imminent funding shortfall in early 2026 risks closing all schools again, potentially impacting more than 300,000 children.

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Philippines, Hurricane Melissa

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Gaza: needs remain immense despite humanitarian scale-up

OCHA says that despite significant progress on the humanitarian scale-up in Gaza,* people's urgent needs are still immense, with impediments not being lifted quickly enough.

Since the ceasefire and as of this Monday, the UN and its partners have collected more than 37,000 metric tons of aid from Gaza's crossings - mostly food - according to the UN 2720 Mechanism. This figure excludes bilateral donations and the commercial sector.

Entry continues to be limited to only two crossings, with no direct access from Israel to northern Gaza or from Egypt to southern Gaza. This is on top of certain items and NGO staff not being let in.

Partners leading on the shelter response say that most displaced people remain in overcrowded makeshift sites - many of which were established spontaneously in open or unsafe areas. Hundreds of thousands of families face the onset of the rainy season without desperately needed protection from the elements.

Partners working on shelter support say that once impediments are lifted, they have enough materials in the pipeline to meet most of the needs of nearly 1.5 million Palestinians requiring such assistance.

On the food front, there has been clear progress. Since the ceasefire, the World Food Programme (WFP) has reached over 1 million people with food distributions, hot meals, bakery support, fortified snacks for children, expanded nutrition services and digital cash assistance.

WFP expanded storage capacity to three warehouses, reopened key roads, and reinforced retail networks to sustain food assistance. The agency says that food has been delivered in all parts of Gaza.

However, local food production remains challenging, given widespread damage to farmland and soil being contaminated with remnants of war. Only 13 per cent of cropland in the Gaza Strip has not been damaged, and most of it remains inaccessible because it is located in areas where the Israeli military remains deployed. That figure is from a recent geospatial analysis by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Satellite Centre.

Between 79 and 89 per cent of greenhouse areas, agricultural wells and farming infrastructure have been damaged. Nearly 89 per cent of orchard trees, especially olive trees, have been damaged or - in most cases - destroyed.

West Bank: increasing settler attacks imperil Palestinians

OCHA warns of a sharp rise in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, both in frequency and severity.

Last month, OCHA recorded 264 settler attacks that caused casualties, property damage or both. That marks the highest monthly toll in nearly two decades of record-keeping - averaging more than eight incidents every day.

Since 2006, OCHA has documented over 9,600 such attacks. About 1,500 of them took place just this year, roughly 15 per cent of the total.

The humanitarian impact has been severe. Since October 2023, more than 3,200 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence and related access restrictions. Entire herding communities have been completely depopulated. People have been killed and hundreds injured - including with live fire - and many more have lost access to their livelihoods. The attacks often involve vandalizing trees, cars, homes and infrastructure.

OCHA also receives daily reports of other settler actions - involving intimidation, trespassing, threats and harassment - that are not reflected in the published figures but nevertheless fuel the coercive environment that pushes Palestinians off their farmland and out of their homes and communities.

This morning, two Palestinian boys were shot and killed by Israeli forces, who said the children were throwing a Molotov cocktail on a road. Another child fatality was reported yesterday in a separate incident. According to OCHA-confirmed data as of Wednesday, the number of Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank so far this year has reached 42. That means one in every five Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank in 2025 has been a child.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support.

Philippines

UN expedites support ahead of Tropical Cyclone Fung-Wong

The UN has fast-tracked funding to support more than 400,000 people in the Philippines at high risk of being severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Fung-Wong, which is expected to strengthen into a super typhoon as it approaches the country.

The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated nearly US$6 million for those relief efforts in record time - just two minutes after agreed triggers were met yesterday. These funds were released as part of anticipatory action efforts, which allow the humanitarian community to get ahead of the worst impacts of tropical cyclones in the Philippines.

The CERF allocation will enable five UN agencies and their partners to deliver life-saving assistance - with a focus on food, health, shelter, protection, cash assistance, and water, sanitation and hygiene - in support of Government-led efforts.

Tropical Cyclone Fung-Wong is expected to bring devastating winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges to the Philippines, posing severe risks to communities across the country - which has already seen an intense typhoon season this year, with some 20 tropical cyclones so far.

Just this week, Tropical Cyclone Kalmaegi brought heavy rains and flash floods, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency. More than 150 deaths were reported, with dozens of people still missing, according to authorities in the Philippines.

Hurricane Melissa

Millions in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica affected by hurricane

OCHA reports that one week after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in the Caribbean, nearly 5 million people in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica have been impacted.

According to authorities in all three countries, the hurricane claimed at least 75 lives, displaced more than 770,000 people, and damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of homes, schools and healthcare facilities.

The UN and its partners continue to support authorities across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. OCHA has deployed additional staff to Jamaica to help the Government with humanitarian issues and strengthen operations, ensuring consistent information across agencies.

In Cuba, FAO has delivered agricultural tools, livestock feed and fishing supplies to help restore livelihoods.

WFP has deployed mobile warehouses, lighting towers and tents to the eastern provinces.

The UN Population Fund is distributing reproductive health kits and working with partners to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, while the UN Development Programme is providing roofing materials, toolkits and generators to aid the early recovery process.

UNICEF is delivering water storage and treatment supplies that will benefit up to 16,000 people daily. The agency is also mobilizing new funds to acquire school supplies and waterproof blankets, which could help more than 30,000 children in the worst-affected municipalities.

Posted on 7 November 2025

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Chinese artists perform during an open day event at the Embassy of China in Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Nov. 8, 2025. The Embassy of China in Cambodia on Saturday hosted an open day event, welcoming hundreds of Cambodian youths. The event featured a variety of activities such as Chinese cultural performances, cuisine, and calligraphy, among others. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Embassy of China in Cambodia on Saturday hosted an open day event, welcoming hundreds of Cambodian youths.

The event featured a variety of activities such as Chinese cultural performances, cuisine, and calligraphy, among others.

Svay Raksa, a sophomore majoring in international relations at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said the event offered a unique opportunity to Cambodian youths to explore Chinese culture, cuisine, achievements, and history.

"The event today was really amazing, with a lot of wonderful performances featuring Chinese music, culture and songs," she told Xinhua. "I think it will definitely help promote our Cambodia-China relations."

Raksa said she is keen to learn about Chinese history, music, culture, and civilization.

"My ambition is that when I graduate with my bachelor's degree in Cambodia, I will pursue my master's degree in China," the 20-year-old said. "I really have a desire to be a bridge of friendship between Cambodia and China."

Sok Kim, a student in the major of Chinese literature at the Cambodia-ASEAN International Institute, said the event strengthened cultural and educational relations between the two countries, promoting a deeper understanding of Cambodia-China relations.

"When I graduate, I want to be a promoter of Cambodia-China relations. I really desire to be a bridge of friendship for a better future of Cambodia-China relations," the 26-year-old student said. 

This photo taken on Nov. 8, 2025 shows a scene during an open day event at the Embassy of China in Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Embassy of China in Cambodia on Saturday hosted an open day event, welcoming hundreds of Cambodian youths.

The event featured a variety of activities such as Chinese cultural performances, cuisine, and calligraphy, among others. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

Chinese artists perform during an open day event at the Embassy of China in Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Nov. 8, 2025. The Embassy of China in Cambodia on Saturday hosted an open day event, welcoming hundreds of Cambodian youths.

The event featured a variety of activities such as Chinese cultural performances, cuisine, and calligraphy, among others. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)
Hunger surges in DRC's conflict-hit Eastern provinces yet funding gaps force WFP to scale back support

World Food Programme

7 November 2025

This is a summary of what was said by Cynthia Jones, WFP Country Director for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

GENEVA - Good morning and on behalf of the World Food Programme team on the ground here in the Democratic Republic of the Congo we are grateful for your time.

I am here to speak about the deepening hunger crisis that is unfolding in the eastern provinces of the country and the latest food security analysis report, the IPC, that was released a few days ago.

The numbers of people facing the emergency level of hunger is surging. It has almost doubled since last year. This has been driven by the various conflicts in the Eastern DRC - and demonstrates the impact of a major shift in the Eastern DRC context.

An area of the size of Switzerland has fallen under the defacto control of a non-state armed group - known as the M23 - which caused massive population movement, including large-scale forced returns as all displaced sites were broken up: people forced to return with nothing finding their houses destroyed, fields looted or farmed by others, and ongoing new displacement as the fighting continues.

In the eastern provinces, families have been forced from their homes over and over again: a total of 5.2 million people are displaced, including 1.6 million this year alone. This makes eastern DRC one of the world's largest displacement crises.

This is coupled with the major disruptions to markets, national services and systems - health, education and banking systems with banks closed and no money available - in these areas. This has had a major impact on the population and the humanitarian response.

This has further devastated livelihoods and the food security of affected populations.

So, what does means in terms of the numbers and people in direct need of live-saving food assistance?

One in three people in DRC's eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika are facing crisis levels of hunger or worse. That's over 10 million people

Of that, an alarming 3 million people are in emergency levels of hunger. What does this mean? It means families are regularly skipping meals, have depleted their household asset, selling off their last goats. This figurehas I saidhas almost doubled since last year at this.

Malnutrition among children is also alarmingly high. In some areas, reports indicate that over 60 percent of children are malnourished.

I have seen for myself the difficult choices that women make trying to feed their children.

However, in spite of all of these challenges - including the poor roads, rainy season and many humanitarian access challenges - our teams on the ground in the east have reached over 3.4 million of the most vulnerable this year with emergency food assistance - both cash and in-kind food rations. We have supported almost 1 million malnourished children and mothers through our nutrition programmes in the most complex and challenging context.

But now as the hunger deepens, funds are running out and we will be able only to support a fraction of those in need.

Now, we have been forced to cut our live saving assistant to just 600,000 people per month from Octoberdown from reaching over one million plus people per month.

WFP urgently needs US$349 million to continue delivering emergency food and nutrition assistance over the next six months.

Without it, we will be forced to make further cuts. As it stands, we are looking at a total pipeline break from February/March 2026. That means a complete halt of all emergency food assistance in the eastern provinces.

What else needed by the humanitarian community?

Improved humanitarian access.

The two airports in DRC's east - Goma and Bukavu airports - have been shut for months. WFP is urgently calling for a humanitarian airbridge to be established. Either for the partial re-opening of the airport of Goma for the resumption of humanitarian flights, or, if this is not possible, cross-border flights between eastern DRC and western Rwanda. This would improve the effectiveness of the response.

Behind these stark statistics that I have explained are children, women and men who everyday suffer the consequences of devastating levels of violence perpetrated by armed groups. They are tired and exhaustedand need peace.

Let me be clear. WFP is doing all we can, but we can do more and reach more people.

We are asking for support in one of the world's largest hunger crises. We are calling on donors, partners, and the international community to assist and help the people of DRC and bring in hope for millions.

Notes to Editors:

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification for DRC: https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-analysis/details-map/en/c/1159775/?iso3=COD

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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Bihar

Bihar, often a bastion of caste-driven voting patterns, showed signs of issue-based voting by 2025. For many voter in the 2025 election season in Bihar, the state in Eastern India which was second largest state by population, was not about politics but survival. On 06 November 2025, almost 79 million voters cast their ballots in the first phase of Legislative Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission of India, the first phase saw the highest ever voter turnout of 64.66% in the history of Bihar.

The state, one of Indias poorest and most densely populated with a total population of 130 million, had long been a paradox: politically vibrant but economically fragile, rich in rhetoric but poor in opportunity. Bihar sends 40 lawmakers to Indias lower house of parliament, making it critical for any ruling coalition in New Delhi. In 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was contesting 101 of the states 243 assembly seats in alliance with Chief Minister Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United). Facing them was a united opposition led by the Indian National Congress and regional socialist groups under the banner of the Mahagathbandhan, or Grand Alliance.

For the first time since Modis rise to national power in 2014, the BJPs dominance in Bihar appears uncertain. The air was thick with discontent over unemployment, migration, and the governments controversial voter list revision  officially a special intensive revision, but described by opposition parties as a selective purge that has excluded millions of eligible voters. Its not just a political contest, said Pushpendra Kumar, a former professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Patna. Its a test of the idea that elections in India are still a fair expression of popular will.

Nearly 1.4 million people were casting their ballots for the first time this election. Many of them have grown up under Modis decade-long rule  a period of economic expansion nationally, but one that has done little to reverse Bihars chronic outmigration. The states political map remained complex. Despite fatigue and infighting, the BJP-led alliance retains an edge thanks to Nitish Kumars regional network and the lack of a strong alternative.

But new players are stirring the waters. The Jan Suraaj Party, led by former Modi strategist Prashant Kishor, has positioned itself as a reformist force focused on governance and accountability. Its national president, Uday Singh, believes this election could reshape Bihars politics. Joblessness, migration, and debt are Bihars real issues, Singh said in an interview. People are tired of the slogans. They want a new kind of politics that deals with everyday problems. Polarization doesnt work here anymore. Even Modis charisma has limits now.

The BJPs allies faced pressure from within; dissenting leaders protested outside the chief ministers residence over ticket allocations. On the other side, the opposition Congress party and its allies sense an opening, particularly after the campaign of one of its key leaders, Rahul Gandhi, spotlighted the alleged voter list exclusions. The BJP is not unbeatable here, said Pushpendra Kumar. If the opposition stays united and focuses on everyday issues  jobs, prices, corruption  the ruling alliance will feel the heat.

At the same time, the entry of film star and controversial figure Pawan Singh, fielded by the BJPs allies, has drawn criticism for his history of misogynistic remarks. It was a mistake, said Dr. Vidarthi Vikas, an economist at the A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies. Theres already discontent among women voters. Bringing in someone like him will alienate them further. Pawan has now announced he would not contest the elections.

Women had emerged as Bihars most decisive voters. In the 2024 general elections, more women voted in Bihar than men, largely because of migration. Many of them are beneficiaries of cash transfers under schemes launched by Nitish Kumars government  such as the recent Rs 10,000 ($113) payment to 2.1 million women  but these gestures have created as much anger as gratitude. That changing gender dynamic could redefine Bihars political playbook. With men absent and women asserting themselves as decision-makers, politicians are being forced to rethink how they approach rural voters.

Most analysts predicted a close contest rather than a dramatic upheaval. A C-Voter opinion poll puts the BJP-led alliance slightly ahead at 40%, with the opposition close behind at 38.3%  a statistical dead heat in a state famous for springing surprises. For the BJP, the stakes went far beyond Bihars borders. The outcome would set the tone for a series of crucial assembly elections in 2026 and 2027, including in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh. A strong performance could reaffirm Modis hold on Indias political map; a setback could embolden the opposition and hint at an undercurrent of fatigue among voters nationwide.

Bihar was one of the countrys poorest states and lags on most development indicators, but its massive population makes it politically significant. With some 104 million people -- the entire population of Egypt -- it accounts for 40 seats in the 545-member lower house of federal parliament giving it outsize national influence. The state was ruled JD(U)-BJP coalition and the election would be the first political test of how voters view PM Modi's handling of the pandemic and the economic crisis and joblessness it has spawned.

Bihar state assembly elections began 28 October 2020 and ran into November 2020. The counting of votes would happen on November 10. The Election Commission was likely to announce the poll schedule in the last week of August, soon after the flood season was over. Filing of nominations, scrutiny and withdrawal of names would take place in September while voting, in multiple phases, began from the last week of October. The EC had to keep festivals like Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath in mind before finalising the dates for multiple phases of polling.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) and its allies, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are aiming to retain power in the state. The ruling coalition was challenged by the Grand Alliance, of the Mahagathbandhan comprising Tejashwi Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Congress and other smaller parties. The election was the first test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

A strict nationwide lockdown resulted in the countrys worst economic downturn in decades and both unemployment and virus infections have soared. India trails only the US as the nation with the most highest case tally.

The Assembly election in Bihar was significant because the poll outcome would decide whether Nitish Kumar would become Chief Minister again (for the fourth time in a row). Or possibly the RJD, which emerged as the single largest party during the 2015 Assembly polls, would stop the NDA in its tracks through Grand Alliance, also called Mahagatbandhan.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhisaid 28 October 2020 there was anger among small shopkeepers, youths, farmers and labourers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the national level and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Bihar. Addressing his second poll rally of the day at Kusheswar Asthan in Darbhanga, the former Congress president also said it was sad that Prime Minister Modis effigy was burnt in Punjab on the occasion of Dusshera. "You didnt get to see it perhaps because Nitishji and Modiji control the media," he alleged.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Opposition and even went ahead to term the Mahagathbandan's chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, as "Yuvraaj of Jungleraj" (Prince of Jungleraj) - the era of former chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) founder Lalu Prasad Yadav's rule in the state was often referred to as 'Junglreraj' by its opponents. "I want to know from the people of Patna, I want to know from the people of Bihar, could Bihar dream of becoming an IT-hub in Jungle Raj? Whether 'Yuvraj of Jungle Raj', he can take Bihar forward in the field of IT, or in any area of modernity," PM Modi said at the rally held in Patna.

The electoral dynamics in Bihar changed midway in 2017 after Nitish, who won the 2015 Assembly elections in alliance with the RJD and the Congress, dumped the Mahagatbandhan (in July 2017) and joined hands with the same BJP which he had decisively defeated in a prestigious battle with Narendra Modi.

Though the Opposition cried foul and charged Nitish with hijacking the mandate, much water has flown down the Ganga since 2015. The clean sweep by NDA during 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when it won 39 out of 40 parliamentary constituencies in Bihar, provided the clearest evidence that Nitish-Modi combination was a sure shot recipe for success in this part of the cow-belt.

The Nitish-led NDA regime in Bihar was in an advantageous position as the JD (U), BJP and the LJP present as a cohesive unit. Together, they command more than 40 per cent of the votes. On the other hand, Grand Alliance was neither Grand nor there was much proper alliance between its constituents  RJD, Congress, Upendra Kushwaha-led RLSP (Rashtriya Lok Samata Party), Jitan Ram Manjhis HAM (Hindustan Awam Morcha) and VIP (Vikasheeel Insaan Party) headed by Mukesh Sahni, who belongs to the numerically-strong Mallah (boatmen) community.

The master strategist of the Mahagatbandhan in 2015, Lalu Prasad, was cooling his heels in Ranchi, serving a jail sentence in the fodder scam. This compounded the problem for the faction-ridden Mahagatbandhan. But then, if Lalu was enlarged on bail (he had already been granted bail in all cases except one), the entire poll dynamics could eventually change.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar was on 06 October 2019 re-elected as Janata Dal (United) president unopposed for a fresh term of three years. Nitish was nominated the JD(U) president for the first time on October 04, 2016. His election was ratified at the partys national council meet at Rajgir (Bihar) on October 16, 2016.

Several NDA leaders including Bihar deputy CM and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, congratulated Nitish on being elected unopposed as JD(U) chief for the second consecutive term. Nitish Kumars unopposed re-election on the top post of JD(U) would strengthen the NDA. Nitish has given a new height to the politics of development with justice, Sushil Modi said in a statement. States water resources department (WRD) minister Sanjay Jha also congratulated Nitish on his re-election. Under the able leadership of Nitish Ji, the JDU would form the next government in Bihar in 2020 and once again he would become the CM. Nitish Kumar Ji was a visionary leader. He was one of the best political figures in the country.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar was elected as president of Janata Dal (United) on 10 April 2016 for the first time. Kumars elevation to the post was critical for the ruling party in Bihar as it attempts to increase its political presence in other states. With Kumar taking the top post, the 10-year tenure of former JD (U) chief and veteran Sharad Yadav comes to an end. Yadav, who had announced earlier that he would not seek another term, resigned as president. The decision to elect Kumar was taken at the partys national executive meeting in the national capital.

Interestingly, the 65-year-old Kumar was JD (U)s first chief from Bihar. Previous presidents Yadav and George Fernandes did not originally belong to the state. Kumar had stepped down as chief minister of the state after 2014 Lok Sabha election, but soon took over the reins again from former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.

In 2015, the JD (U) in a successful coalition with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress party won the Bihar assembly elections, with Kumar becoming the chief minister of the state.

It was under Yadavs tenure that the JD (U) broke away from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Yadav was a founding member of the JD (U) and had been the president of the party since 2006 when he took over from George Fernandes and was re-elected in 2009 and 2013.

The topmost priority of the government had been to establish the rule of law by improving the law and order. Without bias and prejudice and by following the legal provisions and procedures have controlled crime and made the criminals ineffective, the impact of which can be seen in all spheres. Organised crime has also been stringently brought under control. In co-ordination with the courts, speedy trial system was introduced and many criminals have been convicted by the court. In keeping with the ratio of the population, attention was paid to the appointments in police and equipping it with essential resources and also its modernisation. Wherever the anti social elements tried to create conflict or communal tension, the government controlled the situation by immediately entering into dialogue with the people and taking their cooperation along with administrative intervention.

Conventional policy matters, high density of population, backwardness in infrastructure, lack of investment and minerals and the state being landlocked were obstacles in industrialisation. Over 89 percent of state's total population resides in villages and 76 percent of the population was dependent on agriculture for its livelihood.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 07 November 2025 - Day 1353

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, 170 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day. Ukrainian defenders are decisively intercepting the Russian attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression.

Today Russian troops launched 55 aviation strikes, dropping 115 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, 3,074 kamikaze drones were involved and 3,864 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements were carried out.

In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, Ukrainian soldiers repelled four Russian assault actions, three of which are ongoing. In addition, the Russian enemy launched six air strikes, dropped 13 controlled airstrikes, and carried out 99 shells to positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including four from reactive fire systems.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, theRussian enemy nine times stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Vovchansk, Kamyanka and in the direction of Dvorichansky. The two fighting clashes are not over.

In the Kupyans komu direction, the Russian aggressor carried out offensive actions near Kupyansk, Pi any, Borivs koi Andriyivka and in the direction of Petropavlivka. Ukrainian defenders stopped six Russian attacks, two more combat clashes continue.

In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces stopped seven attacks of Russian invaders in the areas of Kolodyazi, Novoselivka, Torske, Zarichne and in the direction of the settlement of Korovy Yar.

In the Slovenian direction, the Defense Forces repelled 14 Russian attacks near the settlements of Yampil, Dronivka, Serebryanka, Grigorivka, Zvanivka, Viymka.

In the kramators komu direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully stopped four Russian attacks near minkivka and stupocok.

In the Konstantinivsky direction, Russians 18 times went on offensive against the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Pleshiyivka, Rusynoy Yar, Sofiyivka and in the direction of Illinivka. One battle clash is still going on.

In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of the day, the Russian occupiers tried 59 times to advance on the position of Ukrainian units. The Russian enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian troops in the areas of settlements Shahove, Fedorivka, Nikanorivka, Chervony Liman, Rodinske, Chervony Yar, Hrodivka, Dacenske, Novogrodivka, Mirnograd, Pokrovsk, Piscne, Zvirove, Kotline, Udacne, Molodetske, Novomykolaivka, Filia, Novoekonomicne and in the direction of settlements Novopavlivka and Kucheriv Yar. Three battle clashes are still ongoing.

According to preliminary data, today in this direction 110 Russian occupants were defecated, 50 of them - irrevocably. Ukrainian soldiers also destroyed a robotic complex, a reactive system of salp fire, a car, eight special equipment units and 15 unmanned aircraft. In addition, four units of automotive equipment, two artillery systems and two units of special equipment of the Russian enemy were affected.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped 14 Russian offensive actions in the areas of settlements Verbove, Sichneve, Orestopil, Pavlivka, Novogrigorivka, Novovasilivka, Rybne, Novomykolaivka and towards Yegorivka and Ternuvatogo.

In the Gulyajpilsky and Orihivsky directions, the Russian enemy did not carry out offensive actions from the beginning of the day, but made aviation strikes, in particular in the areas of the settlements Yablukove, Rivnopillya, Chervone, Zaliznychne, Novoandriivka, Preobrazhenka.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, the Defense Forces repelled two attacks of the Russian zagarbnikiv near the Antonivsky Bridge.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that from 1 to 7 November, in response to Ukrainian terrorist attacks on civilian facilities in Russia, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered seven group strikes by precision weaponry and attack unmanned aerial vehicles at Ukrainian defence industry enterprises, gas and power facilities ensuring their operation, transport infrastructure used by the AFU, military airfields, weaponry and armoured hardware repair facilities, attack unmanned aerial vehicle depots and launch preparation sites as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations, nationalists, and foreign mercenaries.

During the week, units of the Sever Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one jaeger brigade, one air assault brigade, two assault regiments of the AFU, and three territorial defence brigades in Sumy region.

In Kharkov direction, losses were inflicted on formations of one mechanised brigade, one motorised infantry brigade of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades.

Over the past week, the AFU losses in the area of the Sever Group of Forces responsibility amounted to more than 1,470 troops, nine tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 81 motor vehicles, and 19 field artillery guns. Six electronic warfare and reconnaissance stations, 49 ammunition and materiel depots were destroyed.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of five mechanised brigades, two assault brigades, one airmobile brigade of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and three national guard brigades.

Assault detachments of the 6th Army and 1st Tank Army continue to eliminate the encircled group of the AFU troops near Kupyansk (Kharkov region). Separate enemy groups are mopped up near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Kurilovka, and Petropavlovka (Kharkov region).

Over the past week, six attempts of the enemy to release encircled AFU units from Blagodatovka, Monachinovka, Moskovka, Nechvolodovka, and Petrovka (Kharkov region) as well as three attempts of Ukrainian formations to regain control over the Oskol River crossing and break through the encirclement were foiled.

From 1 to 7 November, the AFU losses close to Kupyansk (Kharkov region) amounted to more than 345 troops, 94 units of armoured hardware, including nine armoured fighting vehicles, 45 motor vehicles, 15 artillery guns and mortars.

Over the past week, the AFU losses in the area of the Zapad Group of Forces responsibility amounted to more than 1,540 troops, 33 armoured fighting vehicles, 138 motor vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns. 33 ammunition depots, 49 electronic warfare and counter-fire stations were destroyed.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of five mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, two territorial defence brigades, and one national guard brigade.

Over the past week, in this direction, the AFU losses amounted to more than 1,095 troops, five tanks, including one German-made Leopard tank, and 27 armoured fighting vehicles. 17 field artillery guns, 104 motor vehicles, nine electronic warfare and counter-fire stations, 20 ammunition, POL, and materiel depots were destroyed.

Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Losses were inflicted on formation of seven mechanised brigades, three assault brigades, two air assault brigades, two jaeger brigades, one airborne brigade, one airmobile brigade, three assault regiments of the AFU, three marine brigades, two territorial defence brigades, and two national guard brigades.

In Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic), assault detachments of the 2nd Army continue to eliminate encircled AFU formations in the eastern part of the Tsentralny neighbourhood and on the territory of the industrial area to the west. Ukrainian militants are mopped up in Gnatovka and Rog (Donetsk People's Republic), 45 buildings were liberated over the past 24 hours.

Eleven enemy attacks to release encircled AFU formations launched from Grishino (Donetsk People's Republic) were repelled. Ukrainian militants of the AFU 32nd Mechanised Brigade with support of a tank attempted to break through the encirclement to the north. As a result of a precise FPV drone strike, a Ukrainian T-72 tank was destroyed. The enemy's manpower was suppressed by small arms and artillery fire.

Units of the 5th Motorised Rifle Brigade as part of the 51st Army liberated 24 buildings in Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic) and continue resolute offensive actions in the direction of Zapadny neighbourhood.

Over the past week, the enemy made 45 attempts to release the encircled group of AFU troops near Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic) and 32 attempts to break through the encirclement.

In this area, the AFU losses amounted to more than 1,460 troops, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 13 motor vehicles, and six field artillery guns. Over the past week, the AFU losses in the area of the Tsentr Group of Forces responsibility amounted to more than 3,285 troops, 26 armoured fighting vehicles, 48 motor vehicles, and 10 field artillery guns.

Over the past week, units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued to advance into the depth of the enemy's defences and completed the liberation of Uspenovka (Zaporozhye region).

Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, three assault regiments of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades.

In total, the AFU losses amounted to up to 1,695 troops, two tanks, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, and 96 motor vehicles. 11 field artillery guns, nine electronic warfare stations, four ammunition and materiel depots were destroyed.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one mechanised brigade, one mountain assault brigade, and two coastal defence brigades of the AFU.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 455 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, 75 motor vehicles, and seven field artillery guns. 37 electronic warfare stations and 27 ammunition, POL, and materiel depots were destroyed.

Over the past week, air defence units shot down 17 guided aerial bombs, 13 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 1,497 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

Units of the Black Sea Fleet destroyed seven uncrewed surface vehicles of the AFU in the northwestern part of the Black Sea waters.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost:

 668 aircraft,

 283 helicopters,

 95,376 unmanned aerial vehicles,

 635 anti-aircraft missile systems,

 25,889 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles,

 1,609 MLRS combat vehicles,

 31,134 field artillery guns and mortars,

 46,064 units of support military vehicles.

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In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.



We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.



Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.



John McCrae, May 1915

11-11-11 - Armistice Day

The fighting ceased at a time easy to remember in future years  the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in the year 1918. Americans fell in the last hour  in the last fifteen minutes, while tidings of peace were being flashed around the globe to thrill the people of every land. The brave fellows who went to graves and hospitals in the closing hours were the greatest martyrs of them all. New England units were among those ordered to attack that morning. I saw the victims buried next day. It was one of the saddest spectacles of the war. A few minutes more and they might have joined their comrades in celebrating the armistice as their relatives and friends did in a delirium of joy at home. But orders had come to straighten the lines and some units attacked and gained small strips of ground. Before others could obey, orders were rescinded, renewed and rescinded. Obviously there had been a confusion of orders somewhere.

On 01 July 1918 Count von Roon, a member of the Prussian House of Nobles, had delivered himself unofficially of an ultimatum of terms upon which Germany would consent to peace. Until its conditions were realized, he said, there should be no armistice and no cessation of submarine warfare. The conditions in detail were: the annexation by Germany of Belgium, including the Channel coast as far as Calais; the annexation of the Briey and Longwy Basins and the Toul, Belfort, and Verdun regions eastward; the restitution to Germany of all her colonies, including Kiaochow; Great Britain to cede to Germany such naval bases and coaling stations as Germany desired; Great Britain to cede her war fleet to Germany, to restore Egypt to Turkey, and the Suez Canal to Turkey; Greece to be reestablished under the former King Constantine; Austria and Bulgaria to divide Serbia and Montenegro; Great Britain, France, and the United States to pay all of Germany's war costs.

The soldiers and people of the European countries had fought and endured for more than four years. The United States had been in the conflict something more than a year and a half. With Turkish forces in Palestine virtually annihilated, Americans and French pressing on victoriously in the Champagne and the Argonne, and British advancing in the direction of Cambrai, Prussianism everywhere on the defensive, or in retreat, President Wilson could have desired no more suitable opportunity for giving, as in October 1918, in his armistice correspondence with Germany, point and emphasis to the great doctrine that this was a people's war which could be ended only by a people's peace. Official Germany had as yet no conception of that truth. It was still living in the days of the Congress of Vienna when nationalities and peoples were bartered about like cattle. It still believed possible a negotiated peace, in which diplomatists would adjust the differences of governments, arrange the strategic requirements of great powers and begin a new game of imperialism under the rules of the old.

Bulgaria signed an armistice on 29 September 1918, accepting unconditionally all the terms the Allies laid dowm which virtually rendered her incapable of any further operations. Three days later Prince Maximilian of Baden was announced as the new German Chancellor. Prince Max being from Baden, was from one of the liberal strongholds of Germany. He had made moderate speeches, and was known as a wealthy Junker who had begun to see the ruin of his class through further prolongation of the war. The Hohenzollern monarchy was threatened with a crisis such as it had never known before. It faced the anger of a weary and desperate people, a people it had misled and betrayed. Only six months before, exponents of German opinion had been talking in terms of huge indemnities and large territorial acquisitions. Vanquished nations were to be bled white and Germany was to vault easily, and inevitably, into a position of world-supremacy.

Germany, on 05 October 1918, sought peace. The text of a note forwarded by the new Chancellor, Prince Maximilian, to President Wilson through the Swiss Government was as follows: "The German Government requests the President of the United States to take in hand the restoration of peace, acquaint all the belligerent states of this request and invite them to send plenipotentiaries for the purpose of opening, negotiations. It accepts the program set forth by the President of the United States in his message to Congress on January 8th and in his later pronouncements, especially his speech of September 27th, as a basis for peace negotiations. With a view to avoiding further bloodshed, the German Government requests the immediate conclusion of an armistice on land and water and in the air."

"Victory first, then peace," was the way French civilians, returning to their shell-wrecked homes in northern France, exprest themselves on the subject. The same idea ran through the Allied armies, where men who had seen their comrades die felt that they would have died in vain unless victory became absolute.

President Wilson on October 14 informed Germany that it "must be clearly understood that the process of evacuation and the conditions of an armistice are matters which must be left to the judgment and advice of the military advisers of the Government of the United States and the Allied Governments, and the President feels it his duty to say that no arrangement can be accepted by the Government of the United States which does not provide absolutely satisfactory safeguards and guaranties of the maintenance of the present military supremacy of the armies of the United States and of the Allies in the field."

It became known on 19 October 1918 that the German decision to reply affirmatively to President Wilson's note was taken at a dramatic meeting of the Crown Council in Berlin, where Ludendorff made a gloomy report on the military situationthe situation being such that Germany might be invaded within a few weeks. Germany's three allies, Bulgaria, Turkey, and AustriaHungary, had now laid down their arms, ceased hostilities and accepted terms which made it impossible for them to renew the war. History was being made with such lightning-speed that people failed to comprehend the full significance of changes, any one of which would have startled the world five years before. The terms granted to Turkey had almost automatically called into being an independent Arabia, an autonomous Armenia, a free Palestine, with Syria and Mesopotamia as French and British protectorates, and Persia liberated forever from the pressure of German intrigue and Turkish penetration.

Germany also knew that another offensive would be launched on the Lorraine front on 14 November 1918 by 600,000 men under Castelnau. American and French troops had been concentrated between Briey and ChateauSalins, supported by 3,000 guns of all calibers and 300 tanks on a front of forty-five miles. The German commander on this front had available approximately only 160,000 men, with 1.000 guns. The Allied attack" would have carried the war into German Lorraine and Rhenish Prussia and threatened to cut from its base the German army in Belgium and the Ardennes. The German command had averted that catastrophe by pleading for an armistice.

On November 8 the nervous tension of years of war was suddenly broken in America by a false report that Germany had that day signed the armistice. Joyful enthusiasm pent up through the long ordeal broke forth only to be lost on a 'fake." All over the country sirens, whistles and bells ro-e in a resounding clamor about one o'clock in the afternoon, carrying news of the supposed signing and the cessation of hostilities. Men and women of all ages and all stations, in every part of New York and many other cities, with unspoken accord, suddenly stopt business and poured out into streets to join all that afternoon and until midnight in a delirious carnival of joy beyond comparison with anything ever seen before. The false report went to villages, small towns and great cities, where celebrations as enthusiastic as those in New York took place. Afternoon papers which carried the false news were snatched off the stands by eager crowds.

No attention meanwhile was paid to the less romantic reports of a steady advance of Allied armies, of the taking of Sedan by French and Americans, or of the outbreak of a revolution in Germany. It was not till late afternoon that papers declared the report false. Even then the celebrating went on just the same until far into the night. The United States had got into the war last, and now it was getting out first.

Paris on November the eleventh, 1918, was the stage of such scenes as occur once in the history of the world. They had no rehearsal and they can have no repetition. The Armistice came to France as it could come to no other nation, for no other nation had so suffered. It came as a great revivifying stream bringing new life, new hope, new strength and relief from the heaviest burdens and the deepest sorrows that a people had ever borne. The sun burst radiantly upon a nation that for four years has lived in darkness; a great mass of humanity was lifted in the twinkling of an eye from distress and mourning to a state of joy so elated, so overwhelming as to be actually painful.

Within a few days the American Third Army, otherwise known as the Army of Occupation, crossed the German lines and advanced unmolested through the Duchy of Luxembourg, along the valley of the Moselle and across the Rhine at the heels of the retreating German forces. But the Armistice was a cease fire, not an end to the war, which only came with the Versailles Treaty, signed 28 June 1919.

November 11th was celebrated as Armistice Day starting in 1919 and became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. After World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day in the United States. November 11 is still celebrated as Armistice Day in France and Belgium, but is called Remembrance Day today in the British Commonwealth of Nations, and is known as the Day of Peace in the Flanders Fields. While Veterans Day is typically a tribute to Americas living veterans, it is always appropriate to include a moment of silence in respect for those who gave their lives for their country.

Honor veterans past and present by pausing for a minute of silence at 11am on 11/11, the eleventh hour on the eleventh day on the eleventh month.

Armistice Day is also called Remembrance Day and they both refer to November 11th, which the US chose to call Veterans Day. In Britain, it is tradition to pause for a two minute silence at 11am on November 11 to remember those killed in the two world wars and the British servicemen killed or injured since 1945. Poppies became the symbol of the Royal British Legion when it was formed in 1921. King George V issued a proclamation calling for a two minute silence, it said: "All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead." To celebrate the centenary of the outbreak of war, the Tower of London was adorned by a monumental work composed of 888,246 ceramic poppies - one for each soldier of the Crown who fell during the Great War. The suggested donation is 1 per poppy. The British public usually buy nearly 45 million poppies each year.

While the red poppy is worn in specifically in honour of the armed forces and is distributed by the Royal British Legion, the white poppy, given out by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), a pacifist organisation, serves as an alternative. James McLean, the West Brom winger, received death threats in 2014 for playing a match without an embroidered poppy on his shirt, but has continued to avoid the symbol, saying: The poppy is used to remember victims of other conflicts since 1945 and this is where the problem starts for me.

The Peace Pledge Union stated, The white poppy was not intended as an insult to those who died in the First World War  a war in which many of the white poppy supporters lost husbands, brothers, sons and lovers  but a challenge to the continuing drive to war. The Cornflower of France [Bleuet de France], national symbol of Remembrance and Solidarity, helps veterans and their younger brothers in arms, their wives, children and families in the event of injury or death as well as victims of attacks. Besides the symbol of life that continues despite the shelling, "blueberries" was the nickname that gave the hairy new soldiers, arriving with their uniform of blue still pristine horizon. It was in 1925 that the appellation becomes a badge, at the initiative of two nurses: Charlotte Malleterre and Suzanne Leenhardt create the "Bleuet de France" , which aims to collect funds to come in help the mutilated the Great War. Resident Invalides can create their own blueberries tissue then sold for profit.

The National Office for Veterans and Victims of War (ONACVG) is the major operator of the Ministry of Defences policy for the remembrance of veterans. It is responsible for local actions in respect of the topics associated with the commemorative calendar. Since its creation, the National Office for Veterans and Victims of War (ONACVG) has had the task demonstrating the Nations gratitude to persons affected by war through the allocation of entitlements and cards. The flower of the field has become a symbol of solidarity towards all generations of soldiers left for the front whatsoever.

The "poppy" of the tradition persists, particularly in the UK, where it would be frowned upon if a politician made an appearance during the week before November 11 without wear his poppy. Proof of its popularity: the money collected in Britain graze each year to 50 million euros, against just over a million in France. Both wild flowers continued to grow in the land ravaged by the battles of the First World War. And both echo a poem, the "Bleuets of France" and "In Flanders fields".

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Hercules fleet clocks 170,000 flying hours

By Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee

5 November 2025

In September 2025, 37 Squadron's C-130J Hercules fleet surpassed 170,000 flying hours, marking a significant milestone in the squadron's history of delivering tactical airlift capability to the Australian Defence Force and beyond.

Introduced in 1999, the C-130J brought enhanced range, payload and avionics to the fleet. With its ability to operate from unsurfaced airfields and deliver precision airlift in complex environments, the C130J has become a cornerstone of Defence capability.

37 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant David Campbell spoke about the significance of flying the aircraft's 170,000th hour.

"It was great to see that the milestone ticked over during a sortie very typical of C-130J operations - a resupply mission to Port Moresby in support of [Exercise] Olgeta Warrior," Flight Lieutenant Campbell said.

"It was a good opportunity to reflect on not just the flying hour milestone, but the immense contribution behind the scenes by our maintenance, logistics and operations personnel to keep the aircraft flying all these years, which would be many multiples of the flying hour total."

From tactical resupply and airborne operations to aeromedical evacuation and humanitarian relief, the aircraft has proven its versatility across thousands of missions, consolidating its role as the backbone of Australia's tactical airlift capability from its home at RAAF Base Richmond.

The fleet is expected to remain in service into the 2030s, when it will be replaced with a new fleet of C-130s under Project AIR 7404, ensuring Australia maintains a robust tactical airlift capability.

The squadron is also celebrating the cumulative 870,000 flying hours flown by 36 Squadron and 37 Squadron across the C-130 variants.

Commanding Officer 37 Squadron Wing Commander Dianne Bell emphasised how important the milestones were to the squadron.

"These significant milestones create an opportunity to stop and reflect on what the C-130 capability has safely delivered both domestically and globally over decades, and what it needs to be prepared for in the future," Wing Commander Bell said.

Notable operations, exercises and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts:

Middle East operations, including: Slipper, Bastille, Falconer, Catalyst, Highroad, Okra, Accordion.

Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including: 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Queensland floods, Cyclone Yasi, 2019-20 bushfires, 2022 Tongan volcanic eruption.

Operation COVID-19 Assist.

Continued support for exercises, including: Pitch Black, Talisman Sabre, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Cope North.

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Australia prepares Philippines for Herculean tasks

By Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton

6 November 2025

With the Philippine Air Force (PAF) about to grow its C-130 Hercules fleet, Australia has shared its experience of keeping the transport aircraft flying on operations.

In September, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) sent five aviators to the Joint Australian Training Team - Philippines (JATT-P) program.

Travelling from 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond in Sydney's north-west, the aviators worked with PAF counterparts at Mactan Air Base in the Philippines.

The Australians briefed on Hercules engineering, maintenance and logistics support with the 222nd Airlift Squadron and 470th Maintenance and Support Group.

Flight Lieutenant Peter Chung, a logistics officer with 37 Squadron, led the mobile training team (MTT).

"This MTT was an inaugural initiative, and marked the beginning of a journey in supporting the PAF's C-130J transition," Flight Lieutenant Chung said.

"The MTT delivered a blended training package to the PAF, designed to enhance their foundational level of C-130J aircraft maintenance, common faults and logistics planning considerations for future platform sustainment.

"We also covered away-base operations and deployed logistics considerations, as well as mutual logistics processes to operate the C-130J."

The RAAF has considerable experience with the J model Hercules, being one of the first operators when it introduced its fleet of 12 aircraft in 1999, and is about to introduce a new fleet of C-130Js from 2027.

The PAF currently operates five 'legacy' C-130 aircraft, and in 2026 it will introduce three new C-130J Hercules.

In the Philippine service, these will bring increased range, payload and performance over legacy C-130 variants.

The MTT activity in September provided classroom presentations to Philippine maintenance and logistics specialists, and on-the-job training and integration with the respective squadrons.

"The PAF were extremely grateful for the opportunity to work together with the RAAF and draw upon its extensive experience operating the C-130J," Flight Lieutenant Chung said.

"The engagement revealed a workforce eager to modernise its maintenance philosophy, improve technical proficiency and adopt best practices across planning, documentation, troubleshooting and equipment usage."

Both Australia and the Philippines count on their Hercules and greater air mobility fleet to carry people and cargo during times of need.

Each C-130 Hercules can carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo or up to 100 passengers - potentially more in an emergency - and are able to land on remote, semi-prepared runways.

The Philippines has a population of about 117 million people spread across thousands of inhabited islands, meaning the PAF must overcome significant logistical challenges during domestic operations.

The Australian Defence Force has considerable experience using the Hercules on operations in the region, including on disaster relief deployments to the Philippines.

"Effective C-130J maintenance and logistics procedures are critical in generating air mobility capability for the PAF and broader Armed Forces of the Philippines," Flight Lieutenant Chung said.

"The PAF is looking forward to ongoing cooperation in order to support future development of its air mobility capability to conduct tasks ranging from improved access to remote communities or airdrop missions."

The C-130 maintenance MTT is part of a larger program of JATT-P engagements between Australia and the Philippines conducted each year.

MTTs are drawn from Navy, Army and Air Force areas of expertise, as well as other military fields including operational planning, strategic communications and cyber resilience.

Previous RAAF MTTs have included deployed air traffic control and airfield survey and damage repair - both of which are essential for supporting airlift operations from remote airfields.

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One year of progress on guided weapons

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister for Pacific Island Affairs

7 November 2025

The one-year anniversary of the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Plan has been marked by the opening of an office in Newcastle dedicated to the $850 million missile manufacturing partnership with Kongsberg Defence Australia.

The new Kongsberg office is an important milestone in the partnership which is creating hundreds of jobs in the Hunter and is expected to pump $100 million into the local economy. It will see Australia home to only the second factory in the world, and the first outside of Norway, to produce the Joint Strike Missile and Naval Strike Missile.

This missile manufacturing hub represents a deepening in Australia's defence relationship with Norway. It will not only supply missiles to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), but also create opportunities for exporting missiles to trusted partners around the globe.

Released in October 2024, the GWEO plan is a blueprint for a generational uplift in Australia's defence industrial capabilities. The Government is working closely with industry to ensure speed to capability through a number of key initiatives outlined in the GWEO Plan, including:

Establishing a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missile manufacturing capability in Australia, with production on track to commence by the end of 2025.

Investing up to $850 million with Kongsberg Defence Australia to build a Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile factory in New South Wales, with construction underway and missile production on track to start in 2027.

Committing $11 million to establish a facility at Defence Establishment Orchard Hills to assemble and maintain explosive components for Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile.

Funding more than $500 million to uplift Australian companies to manufacture and maintain guided weapon components.

Delivering an initial commitment of $22 million towards the establishment of a solid rocket motor manufacturing capability.

Signing agreements with the United States to support: Assembly and future co-production of GMLRS missiles; Transfer of Intellectual Property and standards for 155mm artillery; and Access to co-development, co-production and co-sustainment of Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) under a cooperative program.

Signing a Joint Statement of Intent with Lockheed Martin and the United States Department of War, paving the way for further co-development and production of critical long-range fires, beginning with variants across the GMLRS family of munitions and the PrSM.

Opening a joint office in Huntsville, Alabama, to serve as the central hub for coordination between Australia and the United States on the acquisition and development of the PrSM capability, and to oversee its production and sustainment.

a joint office in Huntsville, Alabama, to serve as the central hub for coordination between Australia and the United States on the acquisition and development of the PrSM capability, and to oversee its production and sustainment. Committing $7 billion to acquire Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC and Standard Missile 6 from the United States.

Committing $142 million to acquire the Joint Strike Missile and $650 million to acquire additional stocks of Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile - Extended Range.

Acquiring additional quantities of AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles.

Contracts have been awarded for torpedo production following the March 2025 agreement with the United States for additional MK-48 Heavy Weight Torpedo.

The focus on speed to capability has seen Defence already introduce a number of these capabilities into service following the successful live test firings of Naval Strike Missile, Standard Missile 6 and Tomahawk cruise missile in 2024, and the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile and Precision Strike Missile in 2025.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

"In just 12 months, Australia has come a long way towards sovereign missile manufacturing and increasing our long-range strike capabilities,backed by a commitment of up to $21 billion in the Defence Integrated Investment Program.

"Australian industry is at the heart of this plan, with more than $500 million set aside to uplift Australian companies and to help insulate us from global supply chain pressures."

"By the end of this year, we will begin manufacturing Australia's first guided missile on home soil - a significant feat that will strengthen sovereign Australian supply chains and get these weapons into the hands of the war fighter sooner."

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China commissions first electromagnetic catapults-equipped aircraft carrier, Fujian; country officially enters three-carrier era

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun, Liang Rui and Guo Yuandan Published: Nov 07, 2025 01:02 PM Updated: Nov 07, 2025 01:14 PM

Official Chinese media on Friday revealed that the country's third aircraft carrier, the electromagnetic catapults-equipped Fujian, was officially commissioned on Wednesday. China now officially entered an era with three aircraft carriers, as experts highlighted the significant capability boosts that the Fujianwill give to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

President Xi Jinping on Wednesday attended the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian, China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, in South China's Hainan Province, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, boarded the aircraft carrier to inspect the vessel after the ceremony at a naval port in Sanya City, according to Xinhua.

About 2,000 representatives from the navy and institutions involved in the construction of the aircraft carrier took part in the ceremony on Wednesday. At the ceremony, Xi presented a flag of the PLA to the captain and political commissar of the Fujian, and took a group photo with them, according to Xinhua.

Aboard the vessel, Xi was briefed on the country's aircraft carrier development. He learned about the systematic combat capabilities of the aircraft carriers and the electromagnetic catapult system, Xinhua reported.

On the flight deck, new-generation carrier-based aircraft, including the J-35 and J-15T fighter jets and the KJ-600 early warning aircraft, were parked in sequence. Talking with carrier-based aircraft pilots, Xi encouraged them to keep improving their skills and expertise, and to contribute to the development of the combat capabilities of the Fujian.

Xi visited the control tower on the island section of the Fujian to learn about flight command and takeoff-and-landing operations. He then entered the pilot house, where he signed the log book.

It was Xi's decision that the Fujian adopt the electromagnetic catapult system. On Wednesday, he visited the control area of this system and attentively observed the operational procedures, Xinhua reported.

He also toured the vessel's dining facilities and crew quarters to inspect the living conditions of officers and sailors.

The Fujianwas launched in June 2022 and named after Fujian Province.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the commissioning of the Fujianis a symbol of the achievements in the transformation of the PLA Navy from coastal defense to far seas defense, marking that China has officially entered an era with three aircraft carriers, as well as an era of electromagnetic catapults-equipped carrier.

Zhang said the commissioning of the Fujianwill bring three major changes and capability leaps for the PLA Navy. The first is the use of the electromagnetic catapult system that enables aircraft to take off with full fuel and ammunition, increasing the combat radius and enhancing the attack capability; the second is the significant increase of aircraft carrier sortie rate, also thanks to the electromagnetic catapults; the third is the formation of a far seas combat system that integrates offense and defense for the carrier group, with the addition of the KJ-600 early warning aircraft.

The commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian, China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, is held at a naval port in Sanya City, South China's Hainan Province, on November 5, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

On September 22, the PLA Navy announced that the Fujianhad achieved a breakthrough by hosting the first catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training for the J-15T heavy fighter jet, the J-35 stealth fighter jet, and the KJ-600 early warning aircraft. These aircraft, along with the J-15DT carrier-borne electronic warfare aircraft, were also featured in China's V-Day military parade held in Beijing on September 3.

According to official media reports, the Fujian, China's third aircraft carrier, with hull number 18, was launched in June 2022. Unlike the ski-jump decks of China's first two carriers - the Liaoning and the Shandong- it is China's first domestically made carrier that uses catapults. With a full-load displacement of more than 80,000 tons, the carrier is equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices. Since its first sea trials in May 2024, the Fujianhas carried out a series of maritime tests according to plan, progressing with equipment commissioning and assessments of overall operational stability.

Song Zhongping, another Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that that the Fujianis China's new-generation aircraft carrier, as it has transitioned from the previously used ski-jump ramps to the more advanced electromagnetic catapults, and bypassing steam catapults. This improvement can significantly boost the performance and capabilities of the Fujian, representing some of China's most advanced technologies.

Song said that the commissioning is a new beginning for the Fujian, and real tests still lie in getting prepared for real combat and true confrontation trials. "That is where the Fujianwill truly play its roles," he said.

Same port as Shandong

Like the aircraft carrier Shandong, the Fujianis also commissioned in Sanya. Zhang said that in the future, the two carriers might be deployed in the same port facing the South China Sea. The South China Sea has a larger and vaster area, deeper water, and more complex sea conditions, making it more suitable for carriers to carry out realistic combat training, and more conducive for the Fujianto conduct realistic combat training. Having both the Fujianand the Shandonghomeported at the same location is also more conducive to forming a dual-carrier group, executing far seas defense operations, seizing far seas air and sea control, and also carrying out operations like land attack and supporting island and reef offensive operations, Zhang said.

"The commissioning of the Fujianmakes the deployment of dual carriers in the PLA South China Fleet a reality, which will undoubtedly have a strategic deterrence effect on the 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces and some certain countries with malicious intentions toward China."

China's development of aircraft carriers aims to better implement a defensive national defense policy and safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. At the same time, this also helps maintain regional peace and stability, Zhang said.

Powerful formations

After the official commissioning of the Fujian, the PLA Navy can form a three-carrier formation in the far seas in the future to carry out maritime defense operations, with the Fujian, the Liaoning, and the Shandongconducting joint operations, according to Zhang.

Experts noted that the Fujian, just like other carriers, will not fight alone, but in a combat formation consisting of escorts such as the advanced destroyers, frigates, replenishment ships and submarines.

Referring to weapons and equipment shown at the V-Day military parade on September 3, Chinese military expert Wang Yunfei told the Global Times that the Chinese carrier formations possess strong anti-ship, air defense and anti-submarine capabilities.

He highlighted the PLA Navy's shipborne and submarine-launched hypersonic anti-ship missiles. He said that this provides Chinese aircraft carrier formations with a lethal edge over potential opponents while significantly bolstering China's maritime defense.

More carriers expected

Based on the patterns of carrier operations and China's needs to protect its long coastline and huge overseas interests, three carriers can only meet the minimum operational requirements, experts said, noting that according to the conventional practice of carrier use, if there are three carriers, one is usually under maintenance, one conducting combat training, and one on operational duty.

"In the future, China needs to build more carriers to better safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests," Zhang said.

When asked to confirm foreign media reports claiming that China's fourth aircraft carrier, also the first nuclear-powered one, is under construction at Dalian Shipyard, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang told the Global Times at a regular press conference in September that he was not aware of the specific situation.

He emphasized that China's aircraft carrier development is always conducted in accordance with national security needs and the progress of equipment technology.

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Xi attends commissioning of China's Fujian aircraft carrier

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source China Military Online

EditorLiu Sen

Time2025-11-07 13:19:26

SANYA, Nov. 7 -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday attended the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian (Hull 18), China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, in South China's Hainan province.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, boarded the aircraft carrier to inspect the vessel at a naval port in Sanya city.

The Fujian was launched in June 2022 and named after Fujian province. The aircraft carrier Fujian completed its maiden sea trial in May, 2024.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on November 7, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 07, 2025 17:50

At the invitation of the government of Bolivia, President Xi Jinping's Special Envoy and Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying will attend the inauguration of Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, on November 8.

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide will pay an official visit to China from November 10 to 11.

CCTV: To follow up on your announcement about the visit to China by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, how does China view its relations with Norway and what is China's expectation for the visit?

Mao Ning: We welcome Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to visit China. China has extended congratulations to the Norwegian government immediately after it won a second term in power. The Foreign Minister's visit to China not long after the election speaks to the importance Norway attaches to its relations with China. During the visit, the two sides will have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. We believe the visit will help consolidate mutual trust, enhance common understanding, and deepen cooperation, and play an important role for the sustained, sound and steady growth of bilateral relations.

Nippon TV: The Japanese government has announced that Japan's scallops have been exported to China a few days ago. It is the first time in two years after China has banned imports from Japan. Does China have any comment for this?

Mao Ning: China has released an announcement about the import of Japanese aquatic products to China.

China will continue working with the international community to ensure Japan will fulfill its commitments and continue to accept the international monitoring of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water and China's independent sampling and monitoring.

Competent authorities of China will continue to step up regulation of the import of Japanese aquatic products in strict accordance with laws and regulations and ensure people's food safety. Once any risks are identified, necessary import restrictions will be taken immediately in accordance with the law.

RIA Novosti: President Donald Trump said earlier that he believes that the denuclearization would be a great thing and that he has been discussing this with Russian and Chinese leaders. Can you please confirm that U.S. and Chinese leaders have discussed this issue and if there is any change in China's position on the trilateral talks?

Mao Ning: China has stated its position on multiple occasions. China's nuclear strength is by no means on the same level with that of the U.S. or Russia. At the current stage, it's not fair, reasonable or realistic to ask China to join the nuclear arms control talks.

Sitting on the world's biggest nuclear arsenal, the U.S. should earnestly fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, further make drastic and substantive cuts to its nuclear arsenal, and create conditions for the realization of complete and thorough nuclear disarmament.

Global Times: It's reported that according to the Emissions Gap Report released by the UN Environment Program on November 4, nations remain far from meeting the key climate goals of the Paris Agreement. As the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) is being held in Belem, what's China's take on other parties' climate response? What role will China play?

Mao Ning: China has actively implemented the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. China has made notable achievements in implementing its 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and achieved ahead of schedule the targets of installed capacity of wind and solar power and total forest stock. At the UN Climate Summit, President Xi Jinping solemnly announced China's 2035 NDCs covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases. This is the first time that China put forward an absolute emissions reduction target, which is a testament to China's firm resolve and maximum effort. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years. It made important arrangements for building a Beautiful China. China will accelerate the green transition in all areas of economic and social development, work actively and prudently toward peak carbon emissions, and make greater contributions to addressing climate change.

Climate change is a global challenge that requires joint efforts from all parties. Developed countries should step up to their historical responsibility, take the lead in drastically cutting emissions, and support developing countries in funding, technologies and capacity building. China will continue to work with all parties to uphold true multilateralism, safeguard the multilateral process on climate change, and promote global green and low-carbon development.

Reuters: Shein has been suspended in France for selling sex dolls that look like children. Does the selling of these products reflect badly on China?

Mao Ning: For anything specific, I'd refer you to competent authorities. More broadly, the Chinese government asks companies to do business in accordance with laws and regulations and fulfill their corporate responsibilities. We also hope relevant parties will abide by the principles of market economy and provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from all countries.

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BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Saturday called on the Netherlands to put forward constructive plans and take concrete actions to restore the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain.

A spokesperson for the ministry made these remarks when asked to comment on the statement concerning the issue of the semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia, an overseas subsidiary of Chinese company Wingtech, released on Thursday by Vincent Karremans, Dutch minister of economic affairs.

China has noted the statement, the spokesperson said, adding that to date, China has not seen any practical actions taken by the Dutch side to stop infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and restore the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain.

In a responsible attitude toward the stability and security of the global semiconductor supply chain, China announced on Nov. 1 that it would grant export exemptions to eligible enterprises, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson emphasized that the Dutch side is the source of, and bears responsibility for, the current disruption in the global semiconductor supply chain.

China hopes that the Dutch side's statement will not remain mere rhetoric. The Netherlands should put forward substantive and constructive proposals and take practical actions to effectively restore the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain at its source, the spokesperson added.

The Dutch side should stop using administrative means to intervene and meddle in the internal affairs of enterprises and it should promote an early resolution of the Nexperia issue, the spokesperson said.

China has agreed to the request of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to send personnel to China for consultations, according to the spokesperson. 
China adds third aircraft carrier to fleet, boosting blue-water presence

Iran Press TV

Friday, 07 November 2025 2:31 PM

China's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier has officially entered military service, marking a major step in expanding the country's blue-water naval capabilities.

The Fujian  China's third, most advanced, and largest aircraft carrier reaching 316 meters in length  was commissioned on Wednesday at a military naval port in Hainan, Chinese state media announced on Friday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and over 2,000 naval officers and construction personnel attended the commissioning ceremony of the domestically-built warship, CCTV said.

The first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was made by the former Soviet Union. China's second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, was built in China based on the Soviet model. Both vessels used a ski-jump launch system for aircraft takeoff.

The latest aircraft carrier features three electromagnetic catapult systems on its flight deck, CCTV reported. The USS Gerald R. Ford is the only other warship in the world featuring such a launch system used in the takeoff of larger aircraft.

China's new carrier-based jets  the stealth-fighter J-35, the heavy-fighter J-15T, and the early-warning aircraft KJ-600  are all capable of taking off from the Fujian.

PLA has undergone rapid modernization under Xi's leadership, with the focal point being to enable Chinese forces to compete against the US military. The US Navy has 11 aircraft carriers in military service at present.

China has set 2035 as the deadline for the modernization of its military at a "basically complete" level. By 2049, the Chinese military plans to be at a "world-class" level.

Military experts say Chinese aircraft carriers could play a crucial role in the event of conflict over Chinese Taipei, the wayward island across the Taiwan Strait that Beijing sees as an inseparable part of its territory.

China's three aircraft carriers  the Liaoning, the Shandong and the Fujian  are all named after Chinese territories.

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US Must Cut Its Arsenal Before Demanding Nuclear Talks - Chinese Foreign Ministry

Sputnik News

20251107

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - China's nuclear arsenal is incomparable with that of Russia and the United States, demanding Beijing join negotiations on this issue now is unfair, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he believes that denuclearization would be a "great thing" and that he has been discussing it with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"China's nuclear arsenal is incomparable to the level of nuclear forces of the United States and Russia. Demanding China to join nuclear arms control negotiations at this stage is unfair, unreasonable, and unfeasible," Mao told reporters.

She highlighed that the United States must significantly reduce its nuclear arsenal and create conditions for achieving complete nuclear disarmament

"The United States, as the world's largest nuclear weapons country, must faithfully fulfill its special and priority nuclear disarmament obligations and further significantly and substantially reduce its nuclear arsenal to create conditions for achieving comprehensive and complete nuclear disarmament," Mao told reporters.

 Sputnik

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China suspends export controls on rare earths, other key resources

Global Times

Restoration of US soybean, log imports shows responsibility over trade: expert

By Ma Tong and Chu Daye Published: Nov 08, 2025 12:36 AM

China announced on Friday a series of adjustments to trade measures, including the suspension of export controls on rare earths, superhard materials and other strategic resources, as well as the reinstatement of soybean import qualifications for three US companies and the lifting of a ban on US log imports.

These new measures followed the consensus reached by the recent China-US trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and also came after the adjustments of multiple tariff and non-tariff measures by both sides as agreed on November 5.

Upon approval, the implementation of Announcements Nos. 55, 56, 57, and 58 of 2025 jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and General Administration of Customs (GAC), as well as MOFCOM's Announcements Nos. 61 and 62 of 2025, has been suspended until November 10, 2026, the statement said.

The announcement pertains to the pause of four notices issued on October 9 this year. These notices had imposed export controls on certain items related to superhard materials, rare earth equipment and raw/auxiliary materials, medium and heavy rare earths, as well as lithium batteries and synthetic graphite anode materials.

Friday's suspension covers the control measures on overseas-related rare earth items and rare earth-related technologies, which were also released on October 9.

Also on Friday, the GAC announced the lifting of an import ban on US logs and the reinstatement of export qualifications for three American soybean exporters, with the measures effective from November 10.

These moves follow an evaluation of the corrective measures taken by the US side and are in accordance with relevant Chinese laws, regulations, and international standards on phytosanitary measures, per the GAC statements.

The GAC on March 4 announced the immediate suspension of log imports from the US, in accordance with the relevant laws, aiming to prevent the introduction of harmful species and to protect China's agricultural and forestry production, as well as its ecological security, the customs authority said.

The customs authority also announced on March 4 the suspension of soybean imports from three US companies after ergot and seed coating agents were detected in shipments from the US, in a move aimed at protecting consumer health and ensuring the safety of imported grains, and was made in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations and relevant regulations of the WTO.

Chen Fengying, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times that the actions taking by Chinese authorities on Friday have shown the Chinese government's responsible attitude over trade and the will to honor its commitments.

The recent exchanges between China and the US will inject further certainty and stability into the global economy, Chen said, as trade facilitating measures between the two largest economies will beef up commercial exchanges, and help stabilize global trade norms.

MOFCOM on October 30 unveiled the outcomes achieved by the Chinese and US delegations during their recent economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, and both sides have moved to implement the relevant measures, adjusting multiple tariff and non-tariff measures.

On Tuesday local time, the US government declared a reduction in tariffs linked to the so-called fentanyl-related imports from China, along with an extension of the pause on certain reciprocal duties on Chinese products, effective November 10. The so-called "fentanyl-related tariff" will drop from 20 percent to 10 percent, and the temporary tariff truce has been extended for another year, lasting until November 10, 2026.

On Wednesday Beijing time, China announced that it will suspend additional tariffs on certain US imports starting at 1:01 pm on November 10 as part of efforts to implement the outcomes of the recent China-US economic and trade consultations. The 24 percent additional tariff rate on US imports will remain suspended for one year, while the 10 percent additional tariff rate will be retained, according to the statement.

The China-US economic and trade consultations held in Kuala Lumpur yielded positive results, fully demonstrating that when both sides uphold the principles of equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity, they can find ways to resolve issues through dialogue and cooperation, a MOFCOM spokesperson said in a statement on October 30.

"The outcomes of the consultations were hard-won, and China looks forward to working with the US to ensure their effective implementation, injecting more certainty and stability into China-US economic and trade cooperation as well as the global economy," the spokesperson said.

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Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministries' Official Telephone Meeting on North Korea

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

November 7, 2025

On November 7, in response to the ballistic missile launch by North Korea on the day, Mr. OTSUKA Kengo, Deputy Director-General, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministries' Official Telephone Meeting with Mr. Baek Yong-jin, Director-General for the Korean Peninsula Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and Mr. Dan Cintron, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of State of the United States of America.

They reaffirmed that ballistic missile launches by North Korea violate the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and strongly condemned the launch on the 7th as a threat to the peace and security of the region and the international community. They reaffirmed close coordination among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK.

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Talks between Representatives of KPA General Political Bureau and Russian Military-Political General Department Delegation Held

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, November 7 (KCNA) -- Talks between the representatives of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army and the delegation of the Military-Political General Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were held here on November 5.

Present at the talks from the DPRK side were Pak Yong Il, vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, and other leading members and from the Russian side were the delegation of the Military-Political General Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation headed by Director Viktor Goremuikin, vice-minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, and members of the military attache office of the Russian embassy here.

Discussed there were the issues of strengthening cooperation and exchange between the army political organs in line with the bilateral relations expanding under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of the two countries.

A reception for welcoming the delegation was given that evening. -0-

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DPRK Defence Minister Meets Russian Military-Political General Department Delegation

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, November 7 (KCNA) -- No Kwang Chol, minister of National Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Military-Political General Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation headed by Director Viktor Goremuikin, vice-minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, who paid a courtesy call on him on November 6.

Present there were Pak Yong Il, vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, Kim Jong Gyu, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Aleksandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and members of the military attache office of his embassy. -0-

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North Korea Likely to Have Fired Ballistic Missile - Japan Coast Guard

Sputnik News

20251107

TOKYO (Sputnik) - North Korea is likely to have fired a ballistic missile, the Japan Coast Guard said.

"According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, North Korea may have launched what is suspected to be a ballistic missile. Aircraft and vessels are requested to monitor the situation and, if fragments fall, not approach them and report them to the Japan Coast Guard," it said in a statement.

The missile has already fallen, the statement added.

"Aircraft and vessels are requested to monitor the situation and, if fragments fall, not approach them and report them to the Japan Coast Guard," the statement said.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, speaking urgently to reporters at her office, said the missile landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone and that there was no information about damage.

Earlier, the Japan Coast Guard reported the launch of what was believed to be a ballistic missile by North Korea.

 Sputnik

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Government response

The FCDO has released a statement following a ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 7 November.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Published 7 November 2025

An FCDO spokesperson said:

We are concerned by reports that North Korea conducted a further ballistic missile launch on 7 November.

Ballistic missile launches violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and destabilise peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

The UK continues to urge North Korea to cease provocations, to engage in meaningful diplomacy and accept offers of dialogue.


US involvement in Israeli aggression against Iran was clear 'from the very beginning': Spokesperson

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that it was quite clear from the very beginning that the United States was a participant in the Israeli aggression and crimes against the people of Iran.

"Remember when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared, on 13 June 2025, that Washington had no role in the Israeli regime's act of aggression and terrorism against Iran, insisting that it was a 'unilateral action' by Israel and that 'we are NOT involved in strikes against Iran'?" Esmaeil Baqaei wrote on his X account on Friday.

Calling the statement "an outright lie," he added, "From the very beginning, it was clear that the United States was a full participant in Israel's crime of aggression against the nation of Iran."

"Now, the U.S. President himself has exposed that lie by openly admitting, 'I was very much in charge of that,' effectively confirming that Washington was actively involved in that unlawful attack."

Baqaei also said, "This admission constitutes irrefutable evidence of America's direct involvement and active complicity in Israel's unprovoked act of aggression against Iran. It also stands as an unambiguous acknowledgment of U.S. responsibility for a wrongful act and a serious breach of international law."

"The United States must be held accountable for this flagrant violation and the atrocious wrong it has committed."

United States President Donald Trump has claimed responsibility for Israel's initial attack on Iran, which contradicts previous claims by US officials that Tel Aviv had acted unilaterally and with no coordination with Washington. "Israel attacked first. That attack was very, very powerful. I was very much in charge of that," Trump told reporters on Thursday.

9417

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Iran Pins Hopes On Iraq To Salvage Regional Influence

By Kian Sharifi November 07, 2025

What You Need To Know

 Eyes On Iraq: Iraq's parliamentary elections on November 11 come at a critical moment for Tehran. With its influence in the region facing growing challenges, the results could determine whether Iran keeps a key foothold or ends up juggling proxies from a distance, at a higher cost.

 Leftist Economists, Sociologists Detained: Security forces in Tehran raided several homes this week, going after left-leaning scholars and writers. They arrested economist Parviz Sedaqat, sociologist Mahsa Asadollahnejad, and translator Shirin Karimi, and they summoned economist Mohammad Maljoo, whose status is still unclear. There's no official explanation yet. Hossein Qazian, a US-based Iranian sociologist, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda the authorities are sending a message: a show of force to remind critics the state hasn't lost its grip.

 Ask Me Anything, On Reddit: I've been fielding sharp questions on Iran and the wider Middle East on Reddit this week. If you're into nuanced takes and back-and-forths, you might enjoy the thread. I'll be answering until later today, so if there's something on your mind, you've still got time to drop it in. Go on, AMA!

The Big Issue

Holding On To Iraq

Setbacks in Syria and increasing pressure on Hezbollah in Lebanon have made Iraq the central stage for Iran to protect its regional influence, maintain economic access, and preserve its deterrence strategy.

In other words, what happens in Baghdad over the next few weeks could have ripple effects far beyond Iraq's borders.

Shi'ite factions within Iraq's Coordination Framework -- home to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani -- are now at odds over US-backed moves to disband the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the Iran-aligned militias folded into Iraq's army.

Once united under Tehran, many Shi'ite groups are now running against each other, signaling a shift toward transactional politics. Last month, Iran sent Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani to Baghdad to try to contain the rivalries, but it's still unclear if he succeeded.

Why It Matters: For Tehran, Iraq has become its most crucial foothold -- the go-to anchor for regional influence and deterrence as its options elsewhere in the Middle East shrink.

With Iraq's Shi'ite Coordination Framework showing cracks and voters growing tired of militia politics, there's an opening for more nationalist forces to chip away at Iran's grip on government formation, especially if turnout is low and coalition talks drag on.

US pressure to disarm the PMF and tighten state control directly challenges Tehran's leverage, making heavy-handed tactics riskier and costlier.

For Iran, a real setback would be a coalition that sidelines its closest allies from key posts in security, energy, and finance -- curbing PMF budgets and steering ministries toward economic diversification.

Still, even if pro-Iran parties lose ground, Tehran isn't out of moves. Its networks in Iraq's militias, media, and backroom politics can still give it veto power in postelection bargaining. Iran has long shown it can turn chaos into leverage -- just look at Hezbollah's role in Lebanon's political deadlock from 2016 to 2020.

What's Being Said: Iranian officials have mostly stayed quiet about the upcoming elections next door, but state-linked media have been sounding the alarm for weeks about what they call Western attempts to sway the vote.

The hard-line Tasnim News Agency, tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), claimed the US Embassy in Baghdad has "become a hub for shaping and directing Iraq's elections." It also accused Israel and several Gulf Arab states of trying to influence the outcome in hopes of pressuring the "axis of resistance."

Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency quoted pro-Iran Iraqi commentators who say Washington wants a say in forming Iraq's next government.

Expert Opinion: "The parliamentary elections could indeed be consequential for Iran, because if its preferred candidates fare poorly, it's just another thing that goes wrong for Tehran and could lead to a cascading effect where Iranian power is viewed as significantly diminished," said Colin Clarke, executive director of the Soufan Center, a New York-based think tank.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/farda-briefing-iran- iraq-elections-us-pmf/33583242.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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HARARE, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's cooperation with African countries has been instrumental in fostering tangible growth and development on the continent, a Zimbabwean scholar has said.

Tungamirai Eric Mupona, deputy chairman of the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Center, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the advancement of China-Zimbabwe cultural and socio-economic development, told Xinhua in a recent interview that China has evolved from being Africa's largest trading partner to establishing a more comprehensive cooperation with African countries, which has brought tangible benefits to the continent.

"China is bringing much-needed capital, expertise, and technology to the continent, fostering its industrialization by investing in manufacturing, infrastructure development, mineral value-addition, and many other critical sectors," said Mupona.

He hailed the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, saying it has been key in deepening China-Africa economic cooperation, enhancing connectivity, and delivering persistent developmental benefits across the continent.

"In addition to these incoming investments, China has continuously opened its market to African products in recent years," he said, adding that these measures have provided "green lanes" to African agricultural products and enabled local farmers to generate more revenue.

Mupona said China, as a nation with a vast consumer market and high-quality development, has made significant contributions to global economic development, with the ongoing China International Import Expo showcasing China's willingness to pursue high-level opening-up.

"In recent years, China has continued to open up, offering more opportunities for multinational companies and global investors," said Mupona.

"The 2025 Action Plan for Stabilizing Foreign Investment is also a positive signal that China will continue to deepen reforms, further expand market access, and enhance the business environment. We can therefore expect even greater openness under the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan," he said.

China has forged a distinctive path to modernization with unique institutional arrangements, an approach that may inspire Africa and other developing countries to find innovative ways to foster growth, thereby contributing to global development, said Mupona.

The scholar noted that, beyond investment, China has also made significant contributions to the cause of global development.

"One notable example is the Global Development Initiative proposed in 2021, which aligns closely with the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," said Mupona.

"Overall, given these sustained efforts and partnerships, I believe China will remain a proactive force in global development moving forward," he added. 
Why Is Kazakhstan Joining The Abraham Accords?

By Frud Bezhan and Reid Standish November 07, 2025

Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords, a diplomatic pact brokered by the United States to normalize relations between Israel and Muslim-majority nations, in a strategic move intended to curry favor with Washington.

Astana's decision on November 6 is largely symbolic -- Kazakhstan has long recognized Israel and maintained diplomatic ties with the country since gaining independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

But joining the Abraham Accords, a hallmark achievement of US President Donald Trump's first term in office, puts Kazakhstan at the center of a new push by the White House to reinvigorate the foreign policy initiative.

Expanding The Abraham Accords

The Abraham Accords were designed to bolster cooperation between Israel and the Muslim world, with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco signing the agreement in 2020 to normalize their relations.

The Trump administration is looking to expand the initiative, and it will be a focus of a planned visit to Washington on November 18 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Kazakhstan, the largest and wealthiest country in Central Asia, will become the first country in that region to join the accords. The move expands the diplomatic agreement from the Middle East and North Africa to Central Asia.

"Our anticipated accession to the Abraham Accords represents a natural and logical continuation of Kazakhstan's foreign policy course -- grounded in dialogue, mutual respect, and regional stability," a statement by the Kazakh government said.

For oil-rich Kazakhstan, a longtime ally of Moscow and a deepening partner of Beijing, joining the Abraham Accords is seen as an opportunity to partner with the United States.

"Sandwiched between Russia and China, Kazakhstan wants as many partners as it can get, and in particular Astana wants a more active relationship with the United States and Europe," Andrew D'Anieri, the associate director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, wrote in an analysisfor the Washington-based think tank.

"Joining the Abraham Accords is a smart pragmatic step to get positive attention from Washington to help catalyze more concrete economic interest in Kazakhstan from US government agencies and the private sector."

It was not a coincidence, experts said, that Kazakhstan announced that it will join the Abraham Accords as Trump hosted Central Asia's five leaders at the White House. During the one-day summit, Trump announced trade, diplomatic, and mineral deals to strengthen US ties with a region long dominated by Moscow and increasingly tied to China.

Mineral Deals With Central Asia

Prior to the summit, Kazakhstan announced a major mineral deal through a new partnership with the United States to develop one of the world's largest untapped deposits of tungsten, which sits in the Central Asian country.

Joseph Epstein, director of the Washington-based Yorktown Institute's Turan Research Center, told RFE/RL that while the move by Kazakhstan may appear symbolic, it could hold diplomatic weight moving forward.

"Astana's decision to join the Abraham Accords marks the beginning of a new phase, transforming the accords from a Middle East peace initiative to a pro-US coalition of moderate Muslim countries devoted to tolerance and prosperity," Epstein said.

Other countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus have shown interest in joining the accords, including Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, which borders Iran.

"Winning over key players such as Astana and Baku, with rich gas and uranium deposits and a location at the doors of the Caspian Sea, will provide the United States and Israel with a strategic edge over Russia and Iran in regions the latter traditionally viewed as their exclusive sphere of influence," Sarah Zaaimi, senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Middle East Programs, wrote in an analysis for the think tank.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-abraham- accords-russia-china/33583991.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Statement by the Spokesperson

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

07 Nov 2025

Responding to a media question that referred to the statement made by the Spokesperson of Indian MEA today and asked how does Pakistan interpret India's attempt to link President Trump's comment on nuclear testing with allegations about Pakistan's past nuclear record and if Pakistan wishes to take up the matter of nuclear testing with US, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:

India is clearly distorting facts and misrepresenting the remarks of U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. side has already clarified its position to the media regarding the statements by the President.

For the record, Pakistan's last nuclear tests were conducted in May 1998. Our position on nuclear testing is well established and consistent. Pakistan has been supporting United Nations General Assembly resolutions calling for a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing. In contrast, India's abstentions on these resolutions reflect its ambiguous and questionable intentions on future nuclear testing.

Pakistan's nuclear program operates under a robust command and control structure, comprehensive export controls, and an impeccable record of compliance with the global non-proliferation regime. Allegations of "clandestine or illegal nuclear activities" are baseless, malicious, and part of India's disinformation campaign aimed at diverting attention from its own irresponsible conduct.

India's record on nuclear safety and security remains deeply concerning.

Over the past several decades, numerous incidents involving the theft and illicit trafficking of sensitive nuclear material and other radioactive substances have exposed serious deficiencies in India's ability to safeguard its facilities. As recently as last year, radioactive equipment from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), along with the highly radioactive substance Californiumvalued at over USD 100 millionwas found on sale in India.

Such recurring incidents of theft and illicit sale point to the existence of a thriving nuclear black market for sensitive and dual-use materials in India. The international community must take serious note of these alarming gaps, which pose a grave threat to both regional and global security.

330/2025



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Transcript of the Weekly Media Briefing by the Spokesperson on Friday, 7th November 2025

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Just now, we issued a curtain raiser on visit of the Prime Minister to Azerbaijan. At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, our Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif just left for an official visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the event marking the Fifth Anniversary of Victory Day being commemorated in Baku. We will continue to update you with the information on Prime Minister's engagements in Baku.

Let me a give you a roundup of this week's activities.

Yesterday, our Talks with the Afghan Taliban Regime commenced in Istanbul, with the presence and participation of the mediators.

Pakistan delegation has handed over its evidence based, justified and logical demands to the mediators, with singular aim to put an end to cross border terrorism.

The mediators fully endorse Pakistan's stance on the basis of the evidence provided by our side as well as the tenets of international law and principles. The mediators are discussing Pakistan's demands with the Afghan Taliban delegation, point by point.

Any other information being circulated on social media, especially Afghan accounts, is either pure speculation or deliberate disinformation. Such false information may please be disregarded.

The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, undertook an official visit to Doha, State of Qatar, from 3-6 November 2025 to participate in the World Summit for Social Development.

Hosted by the State of Qatar, the Summit convened world leaders with the aim to redoubling global efforts toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Upon its conclusion, the Summit adopted the Doha Political Declaration.

In his address to the Summit on 4th November 2025, the President raised the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the imperative of realization of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.

The President underscored that the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) facing Indian state terrorism for decades.

The President also accused India of deliberately violating international law by breaching the Indus Waters Treaty, describing it as a direct threat to regional stabilityan act that deprives millions of Pakistanis of their right to water, undermines Pakistan's sovereignty, and endangers the livelihoods of its people.

The President also condemned the Israeli aggression against Palestine.

The President urged enhanced global cooperation aimed at achieving social justice, equality, human dignity, expansion of social protection. He further emphasized the need for a fair, inclusive and reformed global financial architecture to support social development, especially in the Global South.

On the margins of the Summit, the President held meetings with various counterparts and world leaders, including His Highness the Emir of Qatar; His Excellency the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar; His Excellencies the President of Iraq and Tajikistan; Vice President of China; and the Secretary General of the United Nations.

At the invitation of the Turkish Foreign Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, visited Istanbul on 3 November 2025 to attend the Coordination Meeting of Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers.

Pakistan, as one of the eight Arab-Islamic countries part of the Gaza Peace Plan, has remained engaged with the initiative that led to the signing of the Gaza Peace Agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with his Arab-Islamic counterparts, deliberated on the way forward for a lasting ceasefire and sustainable peace in Gaza. The leaders jointly called for urgent humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, condemned Israeli ceasefire violations, demanded Israel's withdrawal from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and emphasized the rebuilding of Gaza.

Pakistan reaffirmed its principled stance for the establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in line with the UN and OIC resolutions.

Pakistan has been, and will continue to be, committed to efforts to restore peace, justice, and dignity to the Palestinian people, as well as to ensure the realization of their right to self-determination.

On the sidelines of the Meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Turkiye.

During the meeting, the ministers expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Turkiye bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepened cooperation across political, economic, and defense spheres. Both sides agreed to continue working together on the issue of Palestine, especially establishing sustainable peace in Gaza.

Both leaders reaffirmed the strong bonds of brotherhood and mutual support that continue to underpin Pakistan-Turkiye relations and agreed to maintain close coordination on regional and international issues.

Upon his return from Istanbul on 4th November 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar attended the launch of Pakistan's first Chromebook Assembly Line, a landmark step in advancing Digital Nation Pakistan.

In his remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister noted that these milestones reflect the vision and guidance of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif whose digital transformation agenda is now being realized through concrete initiatives and partnerships.

After a productive telephonic conversation on 30th October 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, The Honorable Anita Anand, issued a joint statement, reaffirming the strong and enduring ties between Pakistan and Canada.

The statement highlighted the leaders' commitment to strengthened diplomatic and economic ties, including the facilitation of export of Canadian canola to Pakistan, the on-track negotiations toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) and cooperation on energy security and critical minerals.

On Wednesday, Indian media started flashing the false news that certain members of Hindu community were denied entry into Pakistan,

In our response, we categorically reject the unfounded and misleading allegations that members of the Hindu community were denied entry into its territory. These claims are entirely baseless and represent yet another attempt to distort facts and politicize a matter that was purely administrative in nature.

For record -- we issued over 2,400 visas to pilgrims from India, mostly Sikh brothers and sisters, to participate in the celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji from 4-13 November 2025.

i. On 4 November 2025, a total of 1,932 pilgrims successfully crossed into Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border.

ii. It is pertinent to note that approximately 300 visa holders were prevented by the Indian authorities from crossing over.

iii. The entire immigration process on the Pakistani side was smooth, orderly, and free of any hindrance. A few individuals were found to possess incomplete documentation and were unable to provide satisfactory responses to immigration authorities. Consequently, they were requested to return to the Indian side in accordance with standard procedures. Upon completion of their documents, these individuals will be allowed entry into Pakistan.

To suggest that these individuals were denied entry on religious grounds is completely incorrect and mischievous. Pakistan has always welcomed pilgrims of all faiths to visit its sacred religious sites under a well-established and facilitative framework.

Any attempt to give this issue a communal or political colour is not only regrettable but also reflective of the prejudiced mindset that increasingly dominates the Indian government and media narratives.

Pakistan is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake in northern Afghanistan that has claimed precious lives and caused widespread destruction. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured.

I thank you all.



***

(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): My question is on the last round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban Regime upon the conclusion of which the joint statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry clearly stated that there has been an agreement on a verifiable monitoring mechanism. Today, you have disclosed that Pakistan has put forward its demands with the singular aim of stopping terror. So, is the formation of a verifiable mechanism not part of the talks anymore? And, will the talks continue today too? What is their current status? My other question is that there is a lot of talk on Pakistani troops partaking in the International Stabilization Force for Gaza, and a conference in this regard is also expected to take place soon either in New York or somewhere else, so, is Pakistan willing to contribute troops to be stationed in Gaza?

(Mateen Haider, GTV): My question is also related to the deployment of Pakistani troops in Gaza. The Indian media has reported that a meeting between intelligence officials of the CIA, Mossad and Pakistan took place where, it was further alleged by the Indian media, Pakistan demanded a hefty payment, in US dollars, from Israel for the deployment of its troops in Gaza. The Indian media has continued to report such baseless things. What are your official comments on this? Did any such meeting take place?

Spokesperson: On the first part of the question from Mr. Piracha, the idea of a verifiable monitoring mechanism is very much on the table. It has not been taken off from the agenda. In my opening statement, I pointed that Pakistani side has offered very clear, evidence-based, empirical information with concrete coordinates, on the basis of which, we believe, this verifiable mechanism can be formed. This is on the table. Our delegation, as we speak, is still in Istanbul. And as I stated that as long as they are in Istanbul, I do not have a final word on the conclusion or on the process of this particular round.

On the deployment of Pakistani troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force, decision will be taken in due course, as and when required. Certain quarters from the government have stated that the decision will be taken by the parliament. This is an important point as well.

On Mr. Mateen Haider's question on intelligence chiefs meeting reported by Indian media, let's not talk about the fairy tales projected by the Indian media. There was absolutely no truth in meeting of intelligence agencies or any demands for hefty payments for Pakistan. The precious lives of Palestinians are too invaluable to be attached with a price tag.

(Khalid Mehmood, Express TV): This is a follow up question, there was a deadlock, previously, during the talks which led the Pakistani delegation to return. Now that the talks are being held again, is the situation the same as it was during the previous round of talks? Are the talks still ongoing or have they ended? If so, will they resume in a subsequent round? Secondly, what is the stance of Qatar and Turkiye, being the mediators of these talks? Are they supporting Pakistan's stance? Moreover, are their delegations participating in the current round of talks?

(Adeel Bashir, Roze News): You have stated that Pakistan has communicated its evidence-based, justified and logical demands to the mediators in Istanbul, would you like to share the points of the demands that Pakistan has shared with the mediators? Also, who is representing Pakistan at the talks from the Foreign Office?

(Asghar Ali Mubarak, Daily Mail International): My question is regarding the previous round of talks held between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban Regime in Doha where no implementation of any of the clauses, agreed on by both sides, could be witnessed. So, what guarantees are being sought by Pakistan during the current round of talks and how would they be implemented?

Spokesperson: Regarding the first question on deadlock in Afghan talks--well, "deadlock", "stalemate", "impasse", are different words assigned to a very difficult negotiation process. You have used one of these words, i.e.: deadlock. You are entitled to use it. I would like to refer back to my original comment that our delegation is in Istanbul, as we speak. The mediators are also there. So, let's wait. I would not assign a verdict yet on the status of talks.

On the justified, legal demands I mentioned these demands were in the context of the set of information shared by Pakistan. These are the empirical, logical sets of information on the presence of Fitna Al Khwarij in Afghanistan, their abettors, their movement, the formation of tashkeels and the trends to that effect. So, this is the kind of evidence-based, verifiable, empirical information which is contained in Pakistan's document.

The demand is a single liner. The demand is that based on information provided these infiltrators of Fitna Al Khwarij should not be allowed to operate from Afghan soil and kill innocent Pakistanis. A verifiable mechanism should be created. The demand is simple. It has been made through a document which is empirical and logical. It is for the Afghan Taliban Regime to act upon it and agree on a verifiable mechanism.

The mediators are also interceding, on the basis of this evidence-based information provided by Pakistan. So, this is how the dynamics are working. And, you are entitled to your pessimism on the previous round of talks. As for the current round, let us wait and see how things unfold before we come to a final word on this.

(Zahid Farooq Malik, Daily Metro Watch): For the 20th time, US President Donald Trump talked about the Indian fighter jets shot down by Pakistan during the Pakistan-India war which took place earlier this year. Starting from the figure of 6 fighter jets that were shot down, the POTUS then went on to state 7 fighter jets, and now he says that there were 8 beautiful jets that were shot down. Meanwhile, as per information by the Pakistan Foreign Office, about 5 fighter jets of India were shot down by Pakistan during the war. Similarly, President Trump said that he called Prime Minister Modi, telling him that there will be no war with Pakistan. As President Trump repeatedly gives out such statements, is there any intended messaging behind them? If so, toward whom is it directed? It is also believed that whenever an election in India is around the corner, like the Bihar election this year, India perpetrates false flag operations against Pakistan. Now that the first phase of the election in Bihar is over, has the risk, as indicated by President Trump, been eliminated?

(Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): I would like your comments on the reports as well as the belligerent statements from India, signaling that India is preparing for another war. Also, if you could please share how many violations on the LoC been committed by India during the past 10 to 15 days?

Spokesperson: The number of planes shot down by our brave Air Force, be these six, seven or eight, is part of history. It stands out as a landmark event in the history of air warfare. We stand by the numbers that have been given by our Spokespersons from the ISPR and the Air Force. The number of planes which were shot down is important. But perhaps more important is the fact that an act of aggression by an aggressor India, much larger in size, was repulsed and deterred by Pakistan. This is the message that India ought to take.

President Trump has played a positive role in this conflict, particularly, when India requested the US's intercession to end this conflict. The role of the President of the United States was positive, and we hope that it would remain so far, the future. I say this because the war mongering from India continues. Given how some of its political leaders have now transitioned from normal belligerents to serial war mongers. So, stopping this kind of war mongering and threats from India is important.

We would like the President of the United States, and indeed larger international community as well as the United Nations, to keep a tab on the issue of peace, security and stability in South Asia--take notice of this bellicose, belligerent war mongering, emanating from New Delhi, and urge India to behave like a normal, civilized country, which is invested in peace and security of its region and beyond.

Regarding preparations for war by India--well these continue. We have to, as is our religious injunction, "keeping our horses and power prepared". We are instructed to be prepared for war. Accordingly, our military preparedness is robust, and our armed forces and political leadership are fully geared to the defense of our country. This is backed by the resolve of the people of Pakistan, which is the key factor in this overall national determination to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity against any Indian aggression.

(Saleh Zaafir, The News): My question pertains to what was previously asked by my colleague, Mr. Abdullah, on the number of Sikh pilgrims who have come to Pakistan for this annual yatra. Secondly, what is the policy on the Kartarpur corridor? Is Pakistan prepared to welcome Sikhs from that entrance? Thirdly, what would be the future policy in case some Sikh pilgrims would like to visit Pakistan?

Spokesperson: As per record that I have shared with you, we issued over 2400 visas to pilgrims from India. I do not have, as I said, the faith-wise breakup of the visiting pilgrims. The second set of information that I have is that on 4th November, 1932 pilgrims crossed over. I, however, do not have the details on how many of the pilgrims were from the Sikh faith and otherwise. If you would like the detailed breakup on this, we would definitely get back to you on this.

On Kartarpur, as per my information, there is no hindrance from our side for the visitors to cross over and visit Kartarpur Sahib. If the people are facing any hurdles reaching it, that is due to stoppage from the Indian side.

With regard to the policy for members of the Sikh community and others interested in visiting Kartarpur Sahib, from non-India destinations from abroad, they are allowed entry as per their visa requirements, specific to their nationalities. So, for instance, if travelers from some countries have facility of visauponarrival, they are being given visa upon arrival. Overall, it is an open process from Pakistan and we are welcoming pilgrims to Kartarpur Sahib and the religious sites.

(Abdullah Mohmand, Dawn News): In your rebuttal to the claims made by the Indian media regarding the denial of entry to members of the Hindu community at the Wagah border, you stated that more than 1900 visas were issued for the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, could you quote a figure on how many non-Sikhs persons were allowed entry into Pakistan for this festival? Secondly, the delegation of the Afghan Taliban Regime participating in the current round of talks in Istanbul includes your counterpart, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, as well the Deputy Interior Minister and Anas Haqqani, but no one from Pakistan's political side is part of the Pakistan delegation. Who formed this delegation? The Prime Minister or the Foreign Office?

Spokesperson: With regard to your first question, I am not sure how many non-Sikhs or Hindus were allowed entry. The fact of the matter is that, as I said, 2400 visas were issued. My understanding is that majority of them were of the Sikh faith, but there may be people of other faiths as well. Those who had valid and complete documents were allowed entry into Pakistan. There was no discrimination based on any religion or faith. I can check if we have the record of the breakup of visa holders in terms of their faith or religion.

With regard to the delegation, our delegation is being headed by DG ISI. Additional Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia, Syed Ali Asad Gilani, is also part of the delegation.

(Allah Noor Wazir, Mashriq TV): Initially, US President Donald Trump said that there were 6, then went on to say that 7 Indian jets were shot down by Pakistan, and now he says that 8 planes were shot down. You also said that DG ISPR and the Air Force stated that 6 planes were shot down by Pakistan. What is the actual number of planes that were shot down, is it 8 or 6? Which figure is accurate? Secondly, if the talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban Regime fail, will Pakistan go to war with Afghanistan? Thirdly, you and your predecessor have said that Pakistan has shared reports on TTP sanctuaries, so, according to those reports where are these sanctuaries located? Fourthly, and this issue was also raised today in the parliament, in which countries, has the staff of Pakistan Embassy been unable to receive their salaries?

Spokesperson: Regarding the number of jets, the number is definite. The problem is that sometimes they talk of Rafales. So, it could be four Rafales and two other non-Rafale planes, six Rafales or two non-Rafales and so on. The reason why you see different figures is because of the type of the planes that were shot down. If President Trump is saying eight, so it may be six Rafales and two non-Rafales, or five Rafales and three non-Rafales. As such - the issue is the make or model of planes, rather than their numbers.

On your second question, let me reemphasize that the talks are taking place as we speak. Our delegation is in Istanbul. The two mediators are there, so is the Afghan delegation. So, let's not come to a conclusion on failure of talks.

What happens if these talks fail is a speculative question. I will not venture into issuing a statement yet. All I can say is that in any eventuality, we will protect the lives of our people and make sure that our innocent civilians, our military forces, our law enforcement agencies on the border are not killed from attacks emanating from Afghanistan.

On the issue of salaries of staff of Pakistani Embassies, I am not aware of it. These may be an instance of delayed payment of salaries at stations where banking channels are not operating. In that case the salaries are not credited. For instance, when I was posted at Tunis few years ago, the situation in Libya was grave, and due to disruptions in the banking channels, we used to get our staff's salaries delivered physically through Tunis. I do not know if such situation persists anywhere in our Missions abroad.

(Tahir Khan, NNI): So, after what happened yesterday along the Pak - Afghan border, on this side, Chamman and on the other side, Spin bolduk. The Afghan Taliban, say that Pakistan fought on the Afghan side, and today they said four people were killed and around five were injured. Pakistan's Information Ministry has rejected the statement from the Taliban side. Is there any chance of reopening of the borders, because you said maybe last week or the other week, that the borders are hard, so we cannot open it. So, now as there is almost peace on the border, and three weeks have passed since the closure. So, is there any chance of reopening of the border?

(Muhammad Anwar Abbas, 24 News): In the joint statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on negotiations, there was a clause that violation of ceasefire will result in penalty on the violator. After the recent violations of ceasefire from the Afghan Taliban, how Pakistan will proceed towards above mentioned clause in this aspect?

(Rashida Sial, Azad Digital): Sir, in the ongoing talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan, there is one clear demand that is counter-terrorism operation against TTP. What are other important demands in the charter of demands that Pakistan has put forward and what are the demands of the Afghan side and where is the deadlock?

Spokesperson: On question of Tahir Sahab, I will echo Ministry of Information's statement about the Chamman incident. We also reject this false claim by Afghanistan side regarding this Chamman incident. Actually--firing was initiated from the Afghan side to which our security forces responded immediately and in measured and responsible manner. Regarding opening of border, these are the kind of incidents which are stopping opening of border. If with closed borders, at the crossings or around the crossings, we face this kind of unprovoked attacks, then obviously, the security situation warrants that these border openings, sort of remain closed. As I said last week that opening of border will depend on the evaluation of the security. So obviously, the incident, on Chamman border does not contribute to any positive assessment to the evaluation of border that would lead to the opening of these border crossings.

About course of action on the violation of ceasefire, I understand this would be under discussion in Istanbul particularly in the wake of this Chaman incident. So let us wait for hearing from them.

Madam Rashida Sial, on question about charter of demand, from our sideas I said, our document is very empirical, grounded in facts, and with full coordinates. On Charter of demands from the Afghan side, I think that it is more abstract. They are making demand as tit for tat. Afghan demands seems like a knee jerk reply and to the demands that we have made. But what I can tell you is that our demands are logical, evidence based, empirical, and to my understanding, the demands by the Afghan side are reactionary and just abstract.

(Aijaz Ahmed, GNN): I was going through some Afghan social media accounts which are official but are being handled in an unofficial way. An Afghan Taliban leader also tweeted on one such account that Pakistan supports ISIS and helps them infiltrate into Afghanistan and we demand Pakistan to take action against them. Did any such demand come from the Afghan side in negotiations?

Secondly, when the agreement was reached, it was decided that a mechanism will be established which will determine which party violated ceasefire, how many times ceasefire was violated, and what will be the penalty. Are these violations by Afghan Taliban so significant in number that these will be put forward in the negotiations?

Thirdly, are negotiations being held directly or indirectly through a mediator just like previous negotiations?

Spokesperson: As far as the ISIS elements in Pakistan are concerned, this is absolutely false and ridiculous. We are ourselves victims of terrorism. We are facing a scourge of violence against our forces and ISIS is no friend of any civilized society or government. So, if ISIS is part of demand by Afghan side this is reactionary. Argument peddled by these Afghan accounts or handles in this regard, is absolutely incorrect.

As regards the format of the negotiations, I know for the fact that mediators, and both Afghanistan and Pakistan are in the talks. They are participating and back and forth information is being shared. The round of talks that took place yesterday had these mediators present and participating.

I am not privy to what exactly transpired. I believe this issue would be raised. Obviously, the issue of ceasefire point is important because the initial agreement was premised on the ceasefire. So, if the ceasefire is violated while the talks are underway, such violations might will have featured in the discussion.

(Syeda Qurat ul Ain, Independent Urdu): Minister of Information Ata Tarar, over the last weekend, had claimed in a press conference that Pakistan had caught, allegedly a spy from Pakistani waters, Mr. Ijaz Mallah. He had claimed that he was caught with a few sims that were from the UAE. So, has Pakistan been in contact with the UAE Government on this matter?

Spokesperson: Ministry of Interior would be in best position to answer it. I do not have this specific information or whether we took it up with a third country or not.

(Syeda Qurat ul Ain, Independent Urdu): Minister of Information referred to MoFA.

Spokesperson: I will check then from the concerned quarters. I do not know but I can check and get back.

(Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Zohran Mamdani has been appointed as first Muslim mayor of New York. This is a huge change in local politics of the USA. What are your comments?

Spokesperson: First of all, this is an internal matter of the United States. Politics of the United States, the elections that is an internal matter. Obviously, we welcome that Mr. Mamdani who shares the same heritage from South Asia is elected as Mayor of New York position. Congratulations to him and best wishes.

(Amna Ali, Daily Express): Sir, did Pakistan ask this time the mediators to urge Afghanistan Taliban to adopt policies that are not India centric, to make talks more successful?

Spokesperson: Madam, I am not privy to what transpired and what do you mean by India centric policies. I think we have a single point focus, and that is Afghan soil should not be used for promoting terrorism and violence in Pakistan. So, to the extent of terrorism in Pakistan from Afghan soil directed by New Delhi, obviously this would be part of the discussion and our interlocutors would be raising these issues.

(Sardar Shokat Mehmood Khan, Islamabad Today): Sir, on one hand, India is openly preparing for war against Pakistan. On the other hand, America and India signed a defense agreement and American President gave a statement last night that indicated he will visit India next year. Do you think this is a U-turn on President Trump's part and what will be its consequences on Pakistan?

Spokesperson: There is obviously no U-turn from the U.S. President. The relations between India and the US are between two sovereign countries and we do not have any objection to that. We believe Pakistan - US relations should follow an independent course, not anchored or dependent on the third country. India-US defense agreement, is a framework agreement and a periodic upgrade of the previous version. With regard to this agreement, and about the proposed or the planned visit of President Trump to India in the future - let me state that President Trump played a very positive role in the 90 hours war during the May conflict. We hope that the US will continue to play its important role for peace and stability in South Asia. On that count, we view the engagement of the US President in positive terms.

(Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya News): Sir, you just stated that the Afghan Taliban is playing tit for tat in negotiations. Let us talk about the previous sessions. In previous talks what were Afghan Taliban's demand, as we have seen reports that they are asking for written guarantees. So, will you please elaborate it.

Spokesperson: What I meant was that their reciprocal demands seem more in abstract terms. They talk of certain broad political issues. I do not know, quite frankly, what transpired in this round of talks with respect to those demands. But the point is that if there is some concrete information in Afghanistan's exchange, obviously, our side will respond accordingly.

About second part of the question, I am not aware of that of any written guarantee sought by Afghan side.

(Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, The News): Your views about the recent agreement between India and Israel regarding the electronic warfare.

Secondly, there are reports that Israeli senior officials and Israeli experts are present during the recent, or rather ongoing Indian military exercises across Runn of Kutch and Jasalmer areas. I wish to have your comments, sir. Thank you.

Spokesperson: On electronic warfare, we are aware of the cooperation between India and Israel, particularly in the area of defense and within defense, the area of emerging and disruptive technologies. Israeli manufactured systems were used by India in the May 9 conflict.

As regards the presence of Israeli personnel in the ongoing Indian military exercise, I am not aware of any particular information. But what I can assure you, as I assured last week regarding these exercises -- Pakistan remains vigilant with respect to these exercises. Our military forces are on the watch, fully capable to address any untoward incident emanating from across the border.

(Asghar Ali Mubarak, The Daily Mail Islamabad): Sir, there are reports that Saudi Arabia played a crucial role in de-escalating conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan after the recent skirmish. Even Donald Trump reiterated this. Is Saudi Arabia also playing role of a mediator in these negotiations?

Spokesperson: I am not aware of it.

(Khalid Mehmood, Express News): This is a public interest question. The rejection rate of Pakistani students and visitors applying for foreign visa is very high. Students pay heavy fees to Embassies and still their visas get rejected. Can this matter be taken up diplomatically emphasizing on easing the visa policy for students and visitors?

(Sardar Amer Hussain Alamgir, Daily Maddar): Pakistan Immigration Directorate also brought forward a new format according to which, a person going on a work permit, will give an affidavit authorized by a 17-Grade officer. Was this format put in implementation on the demand of a foreign government or a country? Because of this, in past days, many people suffered financial losses in the shape of flight tickets.

Spokesperson: You raised an important issue, particularly our students, who are denied visas despite paying the fees. This is, I think a regular part of conversation. In this matter, at certain point, Foreign Ministry gets engaged and these issues are resolved. I know for a fact, in my previous area of work, not as Spokesperson, that there was one visa denial for an important UN conference of our post graduate student who was going there in a student capacity. So, these issues are taken up. It is a very serious issue, and you have very rightly pointed out that it is a public issue, but we consider it to be our duty to address these questions. So, two levels, one, at the overall systemic level, this issue is raised with these countries to ease visa particularly for students who have obviously paid fees. And at the second level, we do help out individual applicants who reach out to us in certain cases.

Regarding this affidavit, I will have to check. Immigration and Passport department comes up with their own policies. As you know, they are under Ministry of Interior if they have asked for any work-related visa; I think you might also like to check with the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development about it.

Thank you.

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Pakistan Navy Ship SAIF visited the Port of Male as part of its ongoing overseas deployment.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - November 07, 2025

No PR-352/2025-ISPR

Pakistan Navy Ship SAIF visited the Port of Male as part of its ongoing overseas deployment. Upon arrival at the port, the ship was warmly welcomed by Maldivian authorities.

During the visit, Mission Commander held meetings with the military leadership of Maldives and also visited High Commission of Pakistan. During these interactions, matters of mutual interest, naval engagements, and cooperation in maritime security were discussed.

During the ship's stay in Maldives, government officials, ambassadors of various countries, and members of the diplomatic community visited PNS SAIF. Following the port call, PNS SAIF conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Maldives Coast Guard vessels.

Regular visits of Pakistan Navy ships to Maldives reflect the strong bilateral relations between the two countries and will further enhance interoperability between the naval forces.

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US resumption of nuclear testing would trigger reciprocal actions: Russia

Iran Press TV

Friday, 07 November 2025 6:25 PM

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has warned that if the US restarts testing its nuclear weapons, this would trigger reciprocal actions by other countries.

US President Donald Trump said last month that he had instructed the country's Department of War to resume testing nuclear weapons.

Trump instructed the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing on an "equal basis" with China and Russia, ushering in a major shift in decades-long US policy.

Trump made the announcement after condemning Moscow for testing its new Burevestnik missile, a nuclear-powered weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

His announcement met with negative reaction among disarmament advocates and global security experts, who warned that reviving nuclear weapons tests could destroy decades of painstaking non-proliferation efforts and lead to countries conducting retaliatory tests worldwide.

Zakharova on Friday said the Trump administration had issued "contradictory" announcements on the testing of nuclear weapons, urging the Americans to clarify whether they were against or pro-nuclear testing.

"If it is the latter, then this will create negative dynamics and trigger steps from other states, including Russia, in response," she said.

"For now, we note that the signals emanating from Washington, which are causing justified concern in all corners of the world, remain contradictory, and, of course, the real state of affairs must be clarified," Zakharova told reporters.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had noted a lack of clarity around the US nuclear testing plans announced by Trump.

The Russian leader instructed top officials on Wednesday to prepare proposals for Russia to carry out its own potential nuclear testing in response to any US test.

He said Moscow would be "obliged to respond" if Washington or any other signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) carries out a nuclear test.

Experts expect the resumption of nuclear testing by any major power would result in another global arms race.

The United States and Russia by far have the world's largest nuclear arsenals, followed by China, France and the United Kingdom, respectively.

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Russia & US Must Iron Out 'One or Two' Issues to Revive Budapest Summit, Says Orban

Sputnik News

20251107

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russia-US summit in Budapest could take place within a few days after Moscow and Washington resolve "one or two" issues, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

"There are one or two unresolved issues in the US-Russian negotiations. If they are resolved, a peace summit in Budapest could take place within a few days, and after that, depending on the agreement of the parties, a ceasefire and peace could follow [in the Ukraine conflict]," Orban told the Magyar Nemzet newspaper on Thursday.

Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had their eighth phone call. Following a two-and-a-half-hour conversation, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said that Moscow and Washington would immediately begin preparations for a new meeting of the leaders of the two countries, which could take place in Budapest. According to Ushakov, the Hungarian capital was proposed by the US leader as a venue for negotiations, and the Russian president supported the idea.

Later, Trump announced that he had canceled a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest. The Russian President, in turn, said that it was more likely about postponing the meeting. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that Trump was the first to express the idea that there is no point in holding a summit in Hungary yet, Putin agrees with him.

 Sputnik

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Trump to skip G20 summit in South Africa over Pretoria's anti-Israel stance

Iran Press TV

Friday, 07 November 2025 11:08 AM

US President Donald Trump says he will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg and that South Africa should no longer be part of the group of the world's largest economies following the African country's staunch pro-Palestine stance against the Israeli genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Trump made the announcement while speaking to the American Business Forum in Miami on Thursday as he expressed anger that South African officials had filed suit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the occupying regime's genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza.

"South Africa shouldn't even be in the G's anymore, because what's happened there is bad," Trump said. "I'm not going ... I'm not going to represent our country there. It shouldn't be there."

The US president had also in April voiced his intention to skip the G20 meeting in Johannesburg over South Africa's anti-Israel move.

"How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 meeting when land confiscation and genocide are the primary topics of conversation?" Trump said at the time.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced earlier in the year that he would boycott the G20 summit in Johannesburg, with South Africa signaling that it would not bow to pressure from Washington.

As the primary forum for international economic cooperation, the G20 comprises 19 countries, the African Union, and the European Union, with representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

The next G20 Summit is planned for November 22-23 in the South African city.

South Africa launched the case in the same year that the Israeli regime brought the coastal sliver under full-on war, charging that the brutal military onslaught violated the Genocide Convention.

In November 2024, South Africa presented the Hague-based court with evidence of Israeli leaders' "special intent to commit genocide."

Since Israel launched its genocidal campaign on Gaza on October 7, 2023, approximately 69,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 children, have been killed and over 170,000 wounded.

Even after the ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the regime, casualties continue to rise as more bodies are recovered from the rubble.

Experts warn the true death toll could reach hundreds of thousands once those missing or buried beneath Gaza's ruins are accounted for.

On May 21, 2025, Trump hosted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, where he confronted Ramaphosa with video clips and newspaper clippings alleging a "white genocide" in South Africa.

Trump claimed that white farmers were having their land seized and being killed, asserting the South African government was complicit.

Ramaphosa strongly rejected these allegations, stating that "that is not government policy" and emphasizing the violence in South Africa is criminal and affects all citizens, not a targeted campaign against whites. PBS+1

Analyses from multiple outlets described Trump's accusations as "baseless" and noted there was no credible evidence of a racially--targeted campaign against white farmers in South Africa.

The meeting underscored a diplomatic rift: Trump had earlier in February suspended US aid to South Africa and extended US refugee protections to white South African farmers, citing alleged persecution.

On Thursday, President Ramaphosa said the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit is expected to take concrete steps to reform the global financial system while addressing the deepening divide of global wealth and income inequality.

Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said South Africa's G20 presidency aims to "foster a more stable, a more effective and resilient international financial architecture."

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Syria: Continued worrying reports about abductions and enforced disappearances

Press briefing notes

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

07 November 2025

From

Spokespeople for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Thameen Al-Keetan

Location

Geneva

Eleven months after the fall of the former government in Syria, we continue to receive worrying reports about dozens of abductions and enforced disappearances, in addition to the more than 100,000 people who went missing under the Assad regime.

Since the fall of Assad, some families have been reunited with their loved ones, while many still live with the distress of not knowing where they are, or what happened to them. The fate and whereabouts of all those who have gone missing, both before and after the fall of the former government, must urgently be clarified. In this regard, we support the work of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP).

One recent emblematic case is the disappearance of Syria Civil Defense volunteer Hamza Al-Amarin, who went missing on 16 July 2025 while supporting a humanitarian evacuation mission during violence in Suweida. He remains unaccounted for.

We stress that all armed actors - both exercising State power and otherwise - must respect and protect humanitarian workers at all times, everywhere, as required by international human rights law and applicable humanitarian law.

Accountability and justice for all human rights violations and abuses, past and present, are essential for Syria to build a durable, peaceful and secure future for all its people.

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UN Security Council lifts terror-related sanctions on Syria's Jolani

Iran Press TV

Friday, 07 November 2025 10:45 AM

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has removed Syria's self-proclaimed president, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, and his interior minister, Anas Khatta, from a terrorism-related sanctions list.

During a Security Council meeting on Thursday, 14 member states voted in favor of a US-sponsored resolution to formally lift UN sanctions that had been slapped on Jolani and Khatta for their affiliation with terrorist groups.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said that with the adoption of the resolution, the UNSC is "sending a strong political signal that recognizes Syria is in a new era."

China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong, however, said that his country abstained from the vote because the resolution did not properly address its concerns about counter-terrorism and security in Syria.

The United States "did not fully heed the views of all members and forced the Council to take action even when there were huge differences among Council members in an attempt to serve its own political agenda," he added.

Once affiliated with al-Qaeda and Daesh, Jolani seized power in Syria following a rapid onslaught by his militant group, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which ousted the government of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

HTS had been proscribed as a terrorist outfit by the United Nations since 2014. Jolani was among those sanctioned, subjected to an asset freeze and travel ban.

In May, US President Trump announced that his country would remove sanctions on Syria and he met with Jolani for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

However, Jolani remained on the UN sanctions list and was forced to seek waivers for some of his travels, including for the September trip to New York to address the General Assembly session.

The lifting of sanctions on Jolani came ahead of his visit to the White House, where he is expected to meet Trump.

Since the fall of Assad's government, the HTS-led administration, which enjoys unconditional backing by Western and the Persian Gulf Arab countries, has engaged in sectarian killings, kidnappings, and persecution across Syria.

Between December 2024 and July 2025, more than 430,000 people in Syria were newly displaced, driven by sectarian violence, acts of revenge, property disputes and Israeli occupation of land, according to the UN.

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United States Leads Effort to Delist Syrian Leaders

US Department of State

Press Statement

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

November 7, 2025

On November 6, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution championed by the United States to delist Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Hasan Khattab. The adoption of this resolution sent a strong political signal that further recognizes Syria's transition to a new chapter.

Today, the Secretary is delisting Syrian President al-Sharaa-who is listed under the name Muhammad al-Jawlanias a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to E.O. 13224. In addition, the Department of the Treasury is delisting Anas Hasan Khattab as an SDGT pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. These actions are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of Bashar al-Assad and more than 50 years of repression under the Assad regime.

This new Syrian government, led by President al-Sharaa, is working hard to locate missing Americans, fulfill its commitments on countering terrorism and narcotics, eliminating any remnants of chemical weapons, and promoting regional security and stability as well as an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process.

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JERUSALEM, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that its air force killed two militants in southern Lebanon on Saturday.

According to the statement, the two were members of the Lebanese Resistance Brigades, a paramilitary group affiliated with Hezbollah.

They were targeted while traveling in a car in the village of Chebaa in southeastern Lebanon, the IDF said.

The Israeli army claimed that they were involved in smuggling weapons used by Hezbollah, and their activities constituted a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.

A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024. Still, the Israeli army continues to conduct occasional strikes in Lebanon, saying its operations were against Hezbollah "threats," while maintaining forces at five main positions along the Lebanese border.

Earlier in the week, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the recent spate of attacks, describing them as "heinous political crime." The Lebanese army also condemned the Israeli attacks as "a continuation of the enemy's destructive approach aimed at undermining Lebanon's stability, expanding devastation in the south, and prolonging the war to maintain the threat against the Lebanese people." 
'Worrying reports' continue of abductions and disappearances in Syria

7 November 2025 - Nearly 100 people in Syria have been abducted or forcibly disappeared since January, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday, calling for greater accountability from the authorities.

"Eleven months after the fall of the former government in Syria, we continue to receive worrying reports about dozens of abductions and enforced disappearances," Spokesperson Thameen Al-Keetan said at a press briefing in Geneva.

Syria is undergoing a political transition following the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024 and 13 years of brutal civil war.

Families in distress

In response to a journalist's question, Mr. Al-Kateen said OHCHR had managed to document at least 97 people who have been abducted since the beginning of the year.

This is in addition to the more than 100,000 people who went missing during the father and son rule of the Assads, which lasted some five decades.

While some families have been reunited with their loved ones, "many still live with the distress of not knowing where they are, or what happened to them," he said.

He stressed that "the fate and whereabouts of all those who have gone missing, both before and after the fall of the former government, must urgently be clarified."

In this regard, he underscored OHCHR's support for the work of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP).

Karla Quintana, who leads the UN body, recently said that "everyone in Syria knows someone who has gone missing."

Missing aid worker

Mr. Al-Keetan highlighted the case of Hamza Al-Amarin, a volunteer with the Syria Civil Defense, commonly known as the White Helmets.

He went missing on 16 July of this year while supporting a humanitarian evacuation mission during violence in Suweida, located in the south, and remains unaccounted for.

"We stress that all armed actors - both exercising State power and otherwise - must respect and protect humanitarian workers at all times, everywhere, as required by international human rights law and applicable humanitarian law," the Spokesperson said.

"Accountability and justice for all human rights violations and abuses, past and present, are essential for Syria to build a durable, peaceful and secure future for all its people."

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'Taiwan contingency' could prompt Japanese armed reaction: Japan PM

ROC Central News Agency

11/07/2025 10:14 PM

Taipei, Nov. 7 (CNA) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Friday that China using armed force against Taiwan could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, allowing the country to mobilize the Japanese armed forces under its security laws.

Takaichi made the remarks during a parliamentary session on Friday while responding to a question about whether a "Taiwan contingency" involving a Chinese naval blockade would qualify as a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, according to a report by Japan's Asahi Shimbun.

"If warships are used and other armed actions are involved, I believe this could constitute a survival-threatening situation," Takaichi was quoted as saying in the report.

Under Japan's security legislation, such a situation allows the country to exercise "collective self-defense" if an attack on an ally -- such as the United States -- or a country closely related to Japan is deemed to threaten Japan's survival, even without a direct attack on Japan.

"The situation regarding Taiwan has become serious. We must assume the worst-case scenario," Takaichi was quoted by Kyodo News as saying during Friday's parliamentary session.

However, she noted that not all disruptions in the Taiwan Strait would meet the threshold, saying that civilian vessels forming a line to block passage would not qualify.

Her statement echoed that of former Japanese Prime Minister and fellow Liberal Democratic Party member Taro Aso, who has said on multiple occasions that Japan would likely consider a conflict across the Taiwan Strait as a survival-threatening situation.

In 2021, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned Beijing against invading Taiwan, saying in a speech on Taiwan-Japan relations: "A Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan."

"In other words, it is also a contingency for the Japan-U.S. alliance," Abe added, urging China's leadership not to misjudge the situation.

Takaichi, who was elected Japan's 104th prime minister last month, is widely regarded as "Taiwan-friendly" and aligned with the policy direction of the late Abe.

(By Tai Ya-chen and Hsiao Hsu-chen)

Enditem/AW

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MOFA condemns U.N. for denying Taiwanese activist at Qatar summit

ROC Central News Agency

11/07/2025 01:32 PM

Taipei, Nov. 7 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has condemned the United Nations for barring a Taiwanese national from attending one of its events, saying the move "seriously violates basic human rights."

MOFA said Friday that the U.N. has long refused to allow people holding Republic of China (Taiwan) passports to visit or attend meetings within its system, a practice that infringes on Taiwanese citizens' rights to participate in international affairs.

The ministry's statement came one day after Vivi Lin (), a Taiwanese period equity and gender equality activist, posted on Facebook Thursday that she had been barred from the World Summit for Social Development, held in Qatar Nov. 4-6.

Lin said she had planned to attend the event, but during the online application process, the U.N. Secretariat sent her an email asking her to "change her nationality."

She responded by protesting the request and her application to participate in the event was subsequently canceled without a formal explanation.

Lin, the founder of With Red, a non-governmental organization focused on removing the stigma surrounding menstruation and gender equality issues, later complained that the U.N. request to change her nationality was a "mission impossible."

MOFA said it has been working with allied and like-minded countries to urge the U.N. to "correct the situation," but the Secretariat has not responded positively.

The ministry said it will continue to pursue the issue and called on the U.N. to resist China's coercive pressure, uphold the principles of equal rights for all humanity as enshrined in the U.N. Charter, and promptly rectify the discriminatory treatment of ROC nationals.

(By Wu Shu-wei and Ko Lin)

Enditem/ls

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Arms co-production should eye less complex targets: U.S. defense nominee

ROC Central News Agency

11/07/2025 11:44 AM

Washington, Nov. 6 (CNA) Joint weapons production by Taiwan and the United States should focus on projects that are relatively less complex and within Taiwan's existing capabilities, according to Alexander Velez-Green, a nominee for a key U.S. Department of Defense post.

Velez-Green, the nominee for deputy under secretary of defense for policy, gave the assessment in his response to policy questions on "security capabilities" suitable for co-production from the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of a confirmation hearing.

Formal co-production agreements often involve complicated and lengthy negotiations with partners and industries, he said, indicating that Taiwan should focus on projects that can be delivered quickly to bolster deterrence and support a "denial defense."

"Appropriate co-production or similar opportunities should focus on less technically complex capabilities for which Taiwan has existing workforce and production infrastructure," he argued.

On Thursday, Velez-Green told a Senate committee that he has long supported arming Taiwan and ensuring it has the tools necessary to defend itself.

"I think that's vitally important, not just as a matter of fairness, but also, frankly, from an operational perspective. And if confirmed, you have my strong commitment to continue to advocate to that effect, including by providing options up to higher leadership for their consideration," he said.

One option he mentioned was presidential drawdown authority (PDA), but when he was asked whether the fourth PDA for Taiwan under the Trump administration was on hold, Velez-Green said he was unsure of its current status.

Meanwhile, on Taiwan's role in deterring China and the need to expedite arms deliveries, Velez-Green said "with respect to Taiwan and the first island chain, this is a critical terrain when we think about operating from a position of military strength in the Indo Pacific.

"Having forceful deterrence along that geography is vital to ensuring a balance of power that allows us to achieve our ends," he said.

He said the U.S. focus is on the "denial of defense," aimed at convincing China that any attempt at aggression would not only be costly but ultimately fail, making it not worth the risk.

This also involved the role that U.S. allies and partners can play in "this critical region," he said, acknowledging that it would be a problem if the United States could not provide allies or partners with the weapons they need.

In his earlier written responses to the Senate's questions, Velez-Green said, "Taiwan needs to do more and faster, first and foremost by significantly increasing its defense spending and rapidly acquiring the appropriate weapons and systems needed to deter aggression from China."

The U.S. government has repeatedly pushed Taiwan to spend more on its own defense, with some officials calling for spending of up to 10 percent of GDP. President Lai Ching-te () has vowed to increase defense spending to over 3 percent of GDP next year.

U.S. members of Congress, however, have also complained that American arms vendors have been slow to deliver weapons ordered by Taiwan, potentially hurting Taiwan's defense and deterrence posture.

(By Elaine Hou and Ko Lin)

Enditem/ls

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U.S. to ensure Taiwan's full APEC participation in China in 2026

ROC Central News Agency

11/07/2025 11:16 AM

Washington, Nov. 6 (CNA) The United States will ensure Taiwan can participate in a "full" and "equal" way in next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events to be held in China, a senior U.S. State Department official said Thursday.

China's foreign ministry told Reuters on Tuesday when asked about Taiwan's participation that Beijing will fulfill its obligations as the host but that Taiwan should comply with the "one China" principle, which raised fears that Taipei's participation could be limited.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung () described the stance Wednesday as an "additional condition" being placed on its APEC participation, but the U.S. has offered its backing in the controversy.

"A really important feature of APEC is the fact that Taiwan is a full and equal participant and partner, and the United States supports that," Casey Mace, a U.S. State Department senior official to APEC said in a briefing on this year's APEC events held in Gyeongju, South Korea.

"When the 21 economies of APEC endorsed China as the host for 2026, it sought assurances from China that that it would follow all standing practices and policies regarding participation, and so we expect that that they will live up to that certainly," Mace said in reply to a CNA question on the concerns over China's stance.

China will host the 2026 APEC meeting in Shenzhen.

In a statement to Reuters published Tuesday, China's foreign ministry said: "We would like to emphasize that the key to Chinese Taipei's participation in APEC activities lies in compliance with the 'one China' principle and the relevant APEC memorandum of understanding, rather than any safety issues."

In response, Mace said the U.S. will continue to talk to its Taiwanese friends to ensure that they will be participating in APEC events in China in a "full" and "equal" manner.

While Mace did not comment on concerns over the safety of Taiwanese participants in APEC in China, a State Department spokesperson told CNA on Tuesday that the U.S. will "continue to press China for security arrangements and protocols that safeguard all participants when attending APEC meetings in China."

Beijing's "one China" principle asserts that Taiwan is part of China, and that there is only one legitimate and sovereign state representing the whole of China, a claim repeatedly rejected by Taiwan.

On Wednesday, Lin said on the sidelines of a legislative session that Taiwan will launch "countermeasures" against China's extra condition for the 2026 events.

"We will safeguard our right to participate and will work with like-minded countries to launch countermeasures," Lin said, without elaborating.

In November 2024, when Beijing announced it would host APEC events in 2026, Taiwan expressed concerns over its participation and the safety of its delegation.

It was particularly concerned about Chinese guidelines that provide for criminal punishments, including the death penalty, for certain extreme cases involving what it called "die-hard" Taiwan independence separatists.

Hsu Szu-chien (), who served as a deputy secretary-general in the National Security Council (NSC) then and now is an advisor to the NSC, said at that time that APEC's decision-making process is based on consensus, meaning all members must agree on a decision before it is adopted.

After discussions among APEC members, they agreed to Beijing hosting the 2026 event only after it promised to follow APEC's policies and practices to ensure APEC members' participation with dignity and protect the safety of all participants, Hsu said.

(By Chung Yu-chen, Joseph Yeh and Frances Huang)

Enditem/ls

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Historic meeting between leaders a milestone in cross-Straits relations, advancing reunification: Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 07, 2025 10:23 PM

In response to a question about the 10th anniversary of the historic meeting between the leaders of the two sides across Taiwan Straits, following a social media post by Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) party, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Friday that the historic meeting on November 7, 2015, was a major initiative led and promoted by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, to advance the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and promote the cause of national reunification.

It set a precedent for direct dialogue between leaders on both sides and elevated political interaction across the Straits to a new level, becoming an important milestone in the development of cross-Straits relations, Chen Binhua, the spokesperson said.

The meeting reinforced the 1992 Consensus as the key political foundation for peaceful cross-Straits development, demonstrating that Chinese people on both sides are fully capable and wise enough to resolve internal national and ethnic issues, keeping the destiny of the Chinese nation firmly in Chinese hands, the spokesperson said.

The historic meeting and subsequent development of cross-Straits relations have fully shown that as long as both sides uphold the 1992 Consensus, oppose "Taiwan independence," and recognize that people on both sides are Chinese and one family, cross-Straits compatriots can sit down, enhance understanding, build mutual trust, resolve differences, and seek consensus.

This enables peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, stability in the Taiwan Straits, and the protection of the interests and well-being of compatriots, Chen said.

Conversely, denying the 1992 Consensus, deviating from the one-China principle, pursuing "Taiwan independence," or inciting "resist mainland, defend Taiwan" hostility obstruct dialogue and negotiation, escalate tension, and harm the interests of Taiwan compatriots, the spokesperson said.

Ma posted on Facebook explaining the significance of the meeting and its profound impact on cross-Straits relations, urging the DPP authorities to correct their "resist mainland, defend Taiwan" policy, which he says does not serve the interests of the Taiwan residents nor enjoy mainstream support.

Relevant parties and organizations in Taipei also held a commemorative seminar, where Cheng Li-wun, newly elected chairperson of the KMT, attended and spoke, stating that the KMT will steadfastly follow its policy direction to reverse the dangerous situation in the Taiwan Straits, according to the post.

Reunification is the historical trend and the right path; "Taiwan independence" is a historical regress and a dead end, the spokesperson said.

Only by resolving political confrontation early and advancing toward complete reunification can lasting peace in the Taiwan Straits be ensured. We are willing, on the shared political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," to strengthen dialogue, communication, and exchanges with all parties, groups, and representative figures in Taiwan, including the KMT, to jointly promote cross-Straits relations, safeguard peace in the Taiwan Straits, protect the well-being of compatriots, and advance national rejuvenation, the spokesperson said.

We hope that the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots will work together with us in unity, advance cross-Straits relations peacefully, promote national reunification, resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" and external interference, safeguard the shared homeland and fundamental interests of compatriots, and jointly create a bright future of national rejuvenation and complete reunification, Chen said.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/11/07

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 a.m. Nov. 6 (Thu.) to 6 a.m. Nov. 7 (Fri.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities

38 sorties of PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 31 out of 38 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, central, and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1141107_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window]

1141107_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window]

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Turkey 'refuses to jettison' Russian S-400 missile systems despite US pressure

Iran Press TV

Friday, 07 November 2025 8:33 AM

Turkey will not abandon its Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems despite sustained pressure from the United States, the Bloomberg reports.

Citing officials familiar with the matter, the American news outlet said on Thursday that Ankara is open to limited compromises regarding the advanced air defense systems' operation, but has ruled out their removal.

The unnamed officials added that Ankara could agree to a "joint military mechanism" with Washington to oversee the use of the S-400s - a plan meant to address US concerns without dismantling the Russian platform.

"Turkey has signaled it is willing to compromise over the Russian S-400 missiles but has refused to jettison the system completely, as demanded by Washington. Turkey could agree to a technical, joint military mechanism to supervise the S-400," Bloomberg reported.

Turkey purchased four S-400 units from Russia in 2017 for $2.5 billion, with Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport confirming by October 2019 the completion of all deliveries.

The move was met with a US response and the expulsion of Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program.

Bloomberg said Ankara's decision to retain the S-400s comes as it prepares another round of talks with Lockheed Martin over pricing disputes for new F-16 Viper aircraft.

Turkey  the world's largest F-16 operator outside the US  has resisted Lockheed's demand that it finance upgrades to the aircraft's mission computer and production lines despite the US Congress' clearance for the sale of 40 jets, according to the officials.

"Although the US Congress approved Turkey's acquisition of 40 Lockheed Martin F-16 Vipers in February 2024, Turkey has resisted the company's requirement that as the buyer it should pay for upgrades of the jet's mission computer and new production lines to overcome a backlog of orders," the news outlet cited the unnamed officials as saying.

Media reports stated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had made a personal appeal regarding the issue to US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House, but Washington has yet to comment publicly on the exchange.

Moreover, Ankara signed a deal with the UK last month to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoons and is negotiating to purchase 12 used Typhoons each from Qatar and Oman, with deliveries expected in early 2026.

Bloomberg reported in September that Erdogan was pressing Trump to authorize local production of key components for Boeing and Lockheed Martin jets as part of a wider plan to purchase hundreds of US aircraft.

According to people familiar with the negotiations, Erdogan sought to offset multibillion-dollar payments for the planes through local manufacturing deals valued at over $10 billion.

The report said Ankara hoped the discussions would ease tensions created by its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems, which led to US sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program in 2019.

Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 system has since 2017 deeply affected its relations with NATO and the US, as the long-range surface-to-air missile system is not compatible with NATO equipment.

Ankara has stated the S-400 system would operate independently and not be integrated into NATO networks, with Russian technicians not allowed to operate the system.

Turkey has excluded the S-400 from its new air defense project but retains it as a dormant capability to be deployed if needed.

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PM meeting with President Lula da Silva of Brazil: 6 November 2025

Press release

The Prime Minister and President Lula da Silva had a separate bilateral meeting at the COP30 summit in Belem.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 7 November 2025

The Prime Minister and President Lula da Silva had a separate bilateral meeting at the COP30 summit in Belem.

They spoke about the importance of multilateralism and international collaboration to tackle climate change. The leaders discussed joint efforts on clean energy, agreeing it was the economic opportunity of the 21st century. They said it was important to take transition efforts very seriously - not only for the future of our planet but for the extraordinary opportunities for growth and jobs.

The Prime Minister said it was 200 years of UK-Brazil diplomatic ties, and they pledged to keep building an even stronger partnership for the future.

The Prime Minister and President Lula agreed on the urgent need for peace in Ukraine following Russia's ongoing illegal invasion. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ramping up the pressure on Russia's economy to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position - before, during, and after any ceasefire.



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Poland-Ukraine security talks

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

06.11.2025

Deputy Foreign Ministers Robert Kupiecki and Marcin Bosacki met today in Warsaw with Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. The talks focused on Poland's support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression, and on Warsaw-Kyiv cooperation in dealing with challenges to regional security.

The meeting participants emphasised the particular significance of cooperation between the defence industries of Poland and Ukraine. The strengthening of shared production capacities and the exchange of experience in military technologies are crucial for the defence of Ukraine and for enhancing cooperation in the region in the face of the ever growing threat posed by Russia.

The interlocutors agreed that the unanimity of international community, especially in regard to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, is crucial for achieving a fair and lasting peace. They stressed that such measures must encompass military, political, and economic dimensions, including the toughening of sanctions against Russia.

A key challenge identified by all democratic countries is how to effectively counter Russian disinformation. Deputy Ministers Robert Kupiecki and Marcin Bosacki also noted the importance of clear communication in both Poland and Ukraine. They emphasised that showcasing the full spectrum of Poland-Ukraine relations, including cooperation between businesses, NGOs, and local governments, is essential to improving the public perception of Poland's support for Ukraine. This approach could also highlight the scale of economic potential for Polish and Ukrainian companies engaged in Ukraine's reconstruction.

The meeting reaffirmed Poland's steadfast solidarity with Ukraine, as expressed through military and economic assistance as well as diplomatic initiatives in international forums. The participants reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the partnership between Poland and Ukraine.

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Students pose for a group photo during an educational activity about forest fire prevention at a primary school in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 7, 2025. Currently, the risk of forest fire is high across the Helan Mountain. Staff members of local nature reserve administration have rolled out a series of educational activities with the theme of forest fire prevention, aiming to enhance students' safety awareness via lectures, equipment demonstrations, and hands-on experiences. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

A staff member of Ningxia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration instructs a student to use equipment for forest fire prevention at a primary school in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 7, 2025. Currently, the risk of forest fire is high across the Helan Mountain. Staff members of local nature reserve administration have rolled out a series of educational activities with the theme of forest fire prevention, aiming to enhance students' safety awareness via lectures, equipment demonstrations, and hands-on experiences. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

A staff member of Ningxia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration explains the use of fire extinguisher to students at a primary school in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 7, 2025. Currently, the risk of forest fire is high across the Helan Mountain. Staff members of local nature reserve administration have rolled out a series of educational activities with the theme of forest fire prevention, aiming to enhance students' safety awareness via lectures, equipment demonstrations, and hands-on experiences. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

A staff member of Ningxia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration gives a lecture on forest fire prevention at a primary school in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 7, 2025. Currently, the risk of forest fire is high across the Helan Mountain. Staff members of local nature reserve administration have rolled out a series of educational activities with the theme of forest fire prevention, aiming to enhance students' safety awareness via lectures, equipment demonstrations, and hands-on experiences. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Staff members of Ningxia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration introduce equipment for forest fire prevention to students at a primary school in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 7, 2025. Currently, the risk of forest fire is high across the Helan Mountain. Staff members of local nature reserve administration have rolled out a series of educational activities with the theme of forest fire prevention, aiming to enhance students' safety awareness via lectures, equipment demonstrations, and hands-on experiences. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

A staff member of Ningxia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration demonstrates the use of fire extinguisher to students at a primary school in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 7, 2025. Currently, the risk of forest fire is high across the Helan Mountain. Staff members of local nature reserve administration have rolled out a series of educational activities with the theme of forest fire prevention, aiming to enhance students' safety awareness via lectures, equipment demonstrations, and hands-on experiences. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)
Denys Shmyhal: We are continuing efforts to ensure the delivery of Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft systems to Ukraine

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

6 November, 2025, 6:29 PM EET

While visiting Sweden, Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Denys Shmyhal, visited Saab headquarters, the company that manufactures Gripen aircraft.

In October, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson signed agreements paving the way for the transfer of aircraft to Ukraine.

During his visit to Sweden, Denys Shmyhal met with the company's leadership to discuss potential areas of technical cooperation and further steps towards the delivery of aircraft to Ukraine.

"Modern Gripen fighter aircraft will considerably enhance the combat capabilities of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We are continuing efforts to accelerate their delivery and integration so that the Gripen aircraft may already defend Ukraine's skies next year," stated the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

According to him, the transfer of Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft to Ukraine will help implement the Aviation Development Roadmap in line with NATO standards.



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Denys Shmyhal and Sweden's Defence Minister sign Letter of Intent on partnership in defence innovation

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

6 November, 2025, 9:48 PM EET

In Stockholm, Ukraine's Minister of Defence Denys Shmyhal and Sweden's Minister for Defence Pal Jonson signed a Letter of Intent on partnership in defence innovation.

The Letter of Intent creates new opportunities to engage Swedish investment and technology in the development of Ukraine's defence industry, giving impetus to new forms of cooperation and promoting Ukraine's integration into the European innovation and industrial ecosystem.

Denys Shmyhal thanked Sweden for its consistent and unwavering support since the onset of the war against the russian aggressor. The Minister of Defence reported that Ukraine has received over $9 billion in assistance from the Swedish people over this period, and that Sweden has announced the allocation of approximately $8 billion in 2026 and 2027 to further strengthen military support for Ukraine.

"We are thankful for Sweden's participation in the PURL initiative and value its involvement in the 'Danish model,' which has made it possible to supply 400 deep-strike assets to the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Denys Shmyhal emphasised.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed strengthening Ukraine's air capabilities, with particular attention to the potential supply of Gripen fighter aircraft systems by Sweden.

Denys Shmyhal suggested to his Swedish counterpart exploring ways for the joint development of surface-to-air missile interceptors and the joint production of radar systems.

Particular attention was given to strengthening Ukraine's air defence, including the supply of additional missiles.

"I extend gratitude to friendly Sweden for always standing by our side," Denys Shmyhal said.





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Special Envoy's exchange with 46 CoE states representatives: focus on co-operation, awareness-raising of the plight of children of Ukraine

Council of Europe

Special Envoy of the Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine

Strasbourg

7 November 2025

Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, Special Envoy of the Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine, exchanged views with the Ministers' Deputies of the Council of Europe today about her activities since the nomination in early February 2025.

She stressed that raising awareness of the plight of children of Ukraine, wherever they are, and co-operation with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the most acute issues facing these children are kept high on the political agenda, are central to her mandate. There is a need for strong international and inter-institutional cooperation, the Special Envoy noted. The Special Envoy reiterated that she would welcome any opportunity to be a connector, a facilitator or a participant in any effort that aligns with the common goal of stepping up and delivering results.

The Special Envoy spoke about her fact-finding mission to Ukraine in March 2025, which reaffirmed the importance of the support to accountability efforts as well as psychological support and trauma-informed care of children affected by Russia's war of aggression.

Regarding psychological support and trauma-informed care, she mentioned the important work being done at the Council of Europe, including by the Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine to provide support through manuals and trainings of front-line professionals working with war-affected children of Ukraine.

As trauma-informed care is very much linked to any effective accountability process, Thordis Gylfadottir highlighted her active cooperation with the Register of Damage for Ukraine . She also mentioned the joint activities with the Parliamentary Assembly's Network on the Situation of Children of Ukraine, notably her intervention in a recent conference on "Restoring Childhood: Physical and Psychological Rehabilitation of War-Affected Ukrainian Children."

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Ukraine to receive at least 300 million cubic meters of U.S. LNG: Svitlana Grynchuk

Ukraine Government

Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, posted 07 November 2025 16:25

During the Ministerial Meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC), Naftogaz Group and Poland's ORLEN signed an agreement for the supply of at least 300 million cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States.

"We are grateful to our partners from the United States and Poland for their strong support in strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience at a time when russia continues its daily attacks on our energy and gas infrastructure," said Svitlana Grynchuk, Minister of Energy of Ukraine.

According to the Minister, the signed memorandum is not only about meeting Ukraine's immediate needs, but also opens new opportunities for long-term cooperation aimed at diversifying supply routes and enhancing Europe's energy security with the support of the United States.

Minister Grynchuk expressed her sincere appreciation to Poland's Minister of Energy Miosz Motyka, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum for their constructive partnership and steadfast support for Ukraine.

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Update 326 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

7 November 2025

Vienna, Austria

115/2025

Another localized ceasefire brokered by the IAEA took effect near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) today, paving the way for repairs aimed at strengthening the site's connection to the electricity grid and preventing a nuclear accident, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

Two weeks after off-site power was successfully restored to the ZNPP following a one-month outage - also made possible by temporary truce arrangements negotiated by the IAEA - demining and other preparations got under way this morning near a damaged section of the 330 kilovolt (kV) Ferosplavna-1 line, whose connection to the plant was cut six months ago.

Technicians are expected to begin the repairs on Saturday with the intention to re-connect Ferosplavna-1 to the site in the next few days. It would give the ZNPP access to two power lines after last month's repairs of the 750 kV Dniprovska line, which had been disconnected for more than four weeks when it resumed supplying electricity to the plant on 23 October.

The IAEA team based at the ZNPP will be monitoring the new repairs, just as two Agency teams supervised last month's activities on opposite sides of the frontline.

The initial plan had been to repair both lines simultaneously in October, when two localized and temporary ceasefires allowed technicians from both sides to work. While they restored the Dniprovska line, additional damage to Ferosplavna-1 was discovered at another location closer to the plant itself but outside of the initially agreed ceasefire zones, delaying its re-connection.

"Last month's restoration of off-site power to Europe's largest nuclear power plant was an extremely important development for nuclear safety and security, ending the tenth and longest complete loss of external electricity during more than three and a half years of war," Director General Grossi said.

"However, it is clearly not enough to just have one power line available for the plant, which used to have ten before the war. Following intense and complex consultations with the Russian Federation and Ukraine, we agreed on a new ceasefire window that will allow the additional repairs to proceed. Hopefully, also this power line will be re-connected soon, marking a new significant step for nuclear safety and security. It will further enhance the plant's nuclear safety resilience," he said.

The ZNPP's six reactors have not produced electricity for more than three years and its six reactors are all shut down. But it still needs electricity to power the pumps used for cooling its reactor cores and spent fuel and to avoid a meltdown with a possible radioactive release. When the plant loses all external electricity, it relies on emergency diesel generators for the power it needs to operate its safety systems.

"Both sides recognize the risks posed by a prolonged loss of power as well as by limited off-site power redundancy at a nuclear facility. They have worked constructively with us to enable these vital repairs to proceed. However, the overall nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant remains highly precarious. We will only be able to claim success once this devastating war ends without a nuclear accident," Director General Grossi said.

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The Commission visits Kyiv, reiterating its findings

Press releases

Independent investigation

07 November 2025

KYIV -- From 2 to 6 November 2025, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry visited Ukraine. The three Commissioners taking part in the mission - Erik Mse (Chair), Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover - met with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the Prosecutor General's Office, the Parliamentary Ombudsman, the diplomatic community, non-governmental organizations and victims of torture.

The visit follows shortly after the Commission's report of 27 October 2025 to the United Nations General Assembly, in which it found that Russian authorities have systematically coordinated actions to drive out Ukrainian civilians from their place of residence as well as deportations and transfers. In this report, the Commission concluded that attacks with short-range drones affecting numerous localities on the right bank of the Dnipro River constitute the crimes against humanity of murder and of forcible transfer of population, whereas actions to deport or transfer civilians from the occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast amount to war crimes.

Since its establishment in 2022, the Commission has visited Ukraine 26 times, and also travelled to Georgia, Estonia, the Netherlands and Poland. It has published nine written reports, including two conference room papers, one of them a comprehensive 170-page document, as well as several oral statements.

Not having had the opportunity to visit Ukraine for more than a year now, because of the liquidity crisis at the United Nations, the Commissioners consider it useful to recapitulate the main findings of the Commission since its creation. In its investigations, it applies the common standard employed by investigative bodies, "reasonable grounds to believe". The conclusions reached by the Commission are based on its own investigations and corroborated by other sources. It has documented a wide range of violations of international human rights, international humanitarian law, as well as international crimes, predominantly committed by Russian authorities in the context of Russian Federation's full-scale invasion against Ukraine on 24 February 2022. These violations have affected men, women, boys and girls, older people, and both civilians and members of the armed forces.

Starting with violations of international human rights and humanitarian law perpetrated by Russian authorities, they include indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks with explosive weapons, causing civilian casualties and destruction. Such attacks notably affected civilian objects with special protection, such as medical facilities. The Russian armed forced often failed to take precautions to avoid harming civilians. The Commission also found that Russian authorities violated international human rights and humanitarian law by spreading terror among civilians, using short-range drones.

The Commission has also determined that Russian armed forces and authorities have committed a wide range of war crimes against civilians, civilian objects, as well as members of armed forces: the transfer and deportation of children and adult civilians; attacking civilians and civilian objects; the wilful killing of civilians; killing or wounding prisoners of war or persons hors de combat; torture, rape and sexual violence, including as a form of torture, and excessive incidental death, injury, or damage, linked to attacks targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Moreover, the Commission has determined that Russian authorities have committed crimes against humanityof torture, enforced disappearances, murder and forcible transfer of population. These most serious crimes have crossed the necessary threshold for such determination since they have been committed as part of widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population, pursuant to a state policy.

As a consequence of these violations and crimes, thousands of lives have been lost, people have been injured and maimed, loved ones murdered, property destroyed, life projects ruined, families separated, cultural objects wrecked. The pain and trauma that has been caused by a conflict of this magnitude will leave multigenerational traces.

The Commission, as an independent and objective body, has also investigated violations perpetrated by Ukrainian authorities. It has determined that they are responsible for some violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including indiscriminate attacks. In some cases, they have violated human rights of persons they accused of "collaborative activity" by subjecting them to arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearance.

It has also examined other alleged violations committed by Ukrainian authorities but was unable to conclude the investigation due to lack of access to the territory, concerns relating to the safety of witnesses, and in the absence of response by the Russian authorities.

The Commission is committed to contributing to accountability for these crimes and violations in order to break cycles of impunity and strengthen respect for international law. The evidence collected, including identification of individuals and entities, will be of use in ongoing and future accountability proceedings. Justice is also due as a mark of respect in the memory of victims whose lives were interrupted, not by natural causes, but by deliberate acts.

The Members of the Commission have always promoted a broad notion of accountability including criminal justice, as well as other rights of victims. Therefore, measures of rehabilitation, including mental health and psychosocial support, are essential. The Commission strongly endorses comprehensive reparations programs for victims, distinct from national reconstruction projects, which in the case of an international conflict should be paid for by the aggressor state; the satisfaction of the right to truth, including the resolution of cases of missing persons; and also guarantees of non-recurrence.

This is a complex and large-scale armed conflict and much more remains to be investigated. The Commission will, to the extent of its capacity, and in accordance with its mandate, continue to do its utmost to contribute to this broad notion of accountability towards the satisfaction of all victims' rights.

ENDS

Background: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to, among other things, investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. The Commission comprises Erik Mse (Chair), Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover.

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Ex-NATO Chief Stoltenberg Says More Arms For Kyiv Will 'Change Putin's Calculus'

By Ray Furlong November 07, 2025

Summary

Former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urges increased military aid to Ukraine force Russian President Vladimir Putin into talks.

Stoltenberg acknowledges NATO allies' uneven support for Ukraine, despite significant aid contributions since Russia's 2022 invasion.

He warns of China's growing influence as a key enabler of Russia.

Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the way to change Russian President Vladimir Putin's mind and bring him to the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine is to step up military aid to Kyiv.

Speaking in an interview with RFE/RL on November 7, Stoltenberg, who led the alliance for a decade before leaving in October 2024, said that despite "unprecedented" support some NATO countries are not doing all they should to support Kyiv.

While he said he would not "name and shame," he acknowledged this is "discussed among NATO allies internally."

His comments come amid stalled US-led diplomatic efforts to get Russia to agree to a cease-fire in Ukraine, where it launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Stoltenberg, who was NATO chief at the time the invasion was launched and is currently Norway's finance minister, said Putin still believes he can win more on the battlefield than at the negotiating table, meaning his hand must be forced.

"I don't think we can change Putin's mind. His aim is to control Ukraine. But I do think we can change Putin's calculus," he said.

"And we can do that by stepping up, providing more military support to Ukraine, so Putin realizes that he will not win on the battlefield."

According to figures compiled by the Kiel Institute in Germany, NATO nations provided some 291 billion euros ($336 billion) of aid to Ukraine between January 2022 and August 2025.

This has included military supplies such as Patriot missile-defense systems, tanks, artillery, and fighter jets, as well as British and French Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles.

But there has been no new major US military aid package since Donald Trump began his second term as US president in January, and European countries have failed to pick up the slack.

"We can always agree that it's possible to do more," Stoltenberg said.

"The problem is that not all allies do as much as they should.... I will not name and shame, partly because I don't think that's the right approach. I know this is something which is discussed among NATO allies internally," he added.

Stoltenberg also stressed that since he took up his cabinet position in February this year, Norway had announced it would triple its level of aid to Ukraine to 7 billion euros ($8.1 billion) annually.

"Hardly any other country, if any, provides more support to Ukraine measured against GDP per capita," he said.

The Threat Of China

While Ukraine is a key test of NATO resolve, Stoltenberg noted wider challenges facing the alliance -- above all "China, the size of China, their economy, their technological advances."

Noting China's role as "the main enabler" of Russia's war in Ukraine, through its economic support for Moscow, he said this wider context was a powerful driver keeping the NATO alliance united.

"Questions are asked on both sides of the Atlantic [about] whether we will continue to stand together. But I believe that we will do so," he said, pointing to the combined economic strength of Europe and the United States and their shared global network of allies.

Washington's role in Europe's military defenses is fundamental. But Stoltenberg said mutual defense was not a one-way street.

Across the border from Norway, he said, "we have the Kola Peninsula [in Russia] and that's where we have the highest concentration of nuclear weapons in the world: on submarines, strategic bombers, missiles...aimed at the United States."

"But of course, with Norwegian capabilities, with the capabilities of other European countries, we're able to follow the submarines, to follow the activities on the Russian side. And that makes the US safer," he said.

More US Troop Cuts In Europe?

Still, tensions within the alliance are well documented.

Since Trump reassumed office, he has increased the pressure on other member states to increase military budgets. This resulted in an agreement at the alliance's summit in The Hague in June to raise defense spending in each country to 5 percent of economic output.

"We were carrying much more than our fair share. It was quite unfair actually," Trump said at the time. But those new targets still need to be met.

Meanwhile, a Pentagon review is expected to lead to reductions in US forces in Europe as Washington continues its pivot to Asia. Last month, it emerged that the United States had decided to significantly cut its troops in Romania.

Stoltenberg would not be drawn on whether he expected further reductions.

"But I still believe that we need to be prepared," he said, adding that as long as it were handled "in a coordinated way" Europe could deal with a diminished US presence.

"And we have seen how European allies over the last years have really started to invest more in defense.

"What is important is that the US stays committed to the security guarantees," he said, referring to NATO's Article 5, under which an attack on one is considered an attack on all.

"A strong NATO is good for Europe. For me, that's obvious," Stoltenberg added. "But a strong NATO is also good for the United States."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-stoltenberg -weapons-kyiv-putin-trump-war/33584297.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Soldier Gets Life In Prison In Ukraine For Battlefield Execution

By Merhat Sharipzhan November 07, 2025

A Russian soldier convicted of executing a captured Ukrainian serviceman has been handed a life sentence, the first time Ukraine has imprisoned a person on such charges.

The Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office and Security Service stated on November 6 that a court in Zaporizhzhya sentenced Dmitry Kurashov, 27, to life in prison for the crime.

The court found Kurashov, a rifleman in the Storm-V assault unit of Russia's 127th Motorized Rifle Division composed of convicts who signed up to fight for the Kremlin in Ukraine in exchange for their release from prison back home, shot and killed unarmed Ukrainian serviceman Vitaliy Hodnyuk at point-blank range.

According to the court, Hodnyuk emerged unarmed from a dugout and, following orders to put his hands up and kneel, Kurashov opened fire with a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Defendant Was A Convicted Thief

Kurashov, who was previously convicted in Russia for theft, joined the Russian armed forces in November 2023 in exchange for amnesty and was deployed to the Zaporizhzhya front.

After the incident, Ukrainian forces launched a counterattack, recapturing their positions and took Kurashov and four of his fellow Russian soldiers prisoners, some of whom testified against him at the trial. Kurashov lost an eye in the battle.

During the trial, Kurashov initially admitted guilt but later sought to retract his confession, claiming another soldier was responsible. However, the court weighed testimonies from fellow prisoners and the evidence and found the defendant guilty.

The sentencing was pronounced as authorities continue to document other violations of international law, including the confirmed execution of over 320 Ukrainian POWs since Russia started its ongoing invasion in February 2022.

A UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMMU) reportin February accused Russian authorities of subjecting Ukrainian POWs to "systematic and widespread torture."

It also said it had verified the executions of 71 Ukrainian POWs since February 2022. The HRMMU said it also recorded "an alarming spike in executions since August 2024 with at least 79 executions assessed as credible in 24 separate incidents."

Moscow denies its military has committed atrocities in Ukraine, despite the mounting evidence.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/first-russian-soldier- life-prison-shooting-ukraine-war-crime/33583863.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Defence Minister's meeting with the Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 208

07.11.2025

On Thursday, November 6th, Minister of National Defence, Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu, had a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Hanna Hvozdiar, in Bucharest, as part of the NATO-Industry Forum.

The meeting between the two officials was a good opportunity to address topics of common interest in the field of defence and the prospects for bilateral cooperation.

The dignitaries addressed the regional security developments, the support provided to Ukraine and the strengthening of NATO's defence and deterrence posture on the Eastern Flank.

Cooperation opportunities between the two states in the field of defence industry was the main topic of discussion.

Minister Ionut Mosteanu also highlighted the openness of the European member states' community, including Romania, to Ukraine's involvement in the European projects and initiatives in the field of defence.

Also, the officials highlighted the main progress made by Romania in implementing the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, in order to capitalize on the national defence industry, since Ukraine itself is eligible to participate, alongside the member states, in joint procurements supported by this European financial instrument.

"Our joint efforts at European level should also be based on the lessons learned from Ukraine, especially regarding the importance of creating innovative drone and anti-drone ecosystems. We are interested in exploring the full potential of innovation in the field of defence, including by capitalizing on Ukrainian solutions," the Defence Minister stated.



The Press Office

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Russian Defence Minister congratulates servicemen on liberation of Uspenovka in Zaporozhye region

07 November 2025 04:46

The Head of the Russian military department pointed out that courageous and selfless servicemen from the Far East had performed their military duty to protect our people and land from the enemy since day one of the special military operation.

'In all directions of the special military operation, the regiment's personnel demonstrated exemplary bravery, heroism, and selflessness, thus continuing the glorious traditions of our warriors during the Great Patriotic War. We will always remember the warriors of the regiment, who added their names to the history and gave their lives in the fight for our Motherland,' said the Russian Defence Minister in the telegram.

Andrei Belousov thanked the command and personnel for successful completion of the combat tasks and loyalty to the military duty, as well as expressed confidence that resilience, dedication, and professionalism of the regiment's servicemen would ensure the security of the borders of our country.



Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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ISLAMABAD, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and another injured when two trucks carrying vegetables collided in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, rescue officials said on Saturday.

The accident took place early in the morning near the Grand Trunk (GT) Road in the Sohawa area of Jhelum district after a truck reportedly suffered a brake failure and crashed into another vehicle from behind.

"The second truck veered off the road and hit a tree, killing its driver and a helper on the spot, while another was injured," Saeed Ahmed, the Rescue 1122 in-charge in Jhelum, told Xinhua.

The bodies and the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital, the official said, adding that the driver of the truck that caused the crash fled the scene. 
Russian Commander Vows to Liberate Eastern Kupyansk in 5 Days

Sputnik News

20251107

The commander of an assault detachment from the Zapad Battlegroup, call sign "Lovets" ("Trapper"), says that his unit continues to advance in the eastern part of Kupyansk and is pressing Ukrainian troops.

"In my sector in the eastern part of the city, fewer than 50 buildings remain to be secured," he reports.

According to him, over the past day, his fighters have eliminated two groups of Ukrainian militants totaling eight, taken control of seven buildings, and completed clearing operations at the feed mill complex.

"Lovets" added that within the next five days, the unit will complete the mission of liberating the eastern part of Kupyansk.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that Volodymyr Zelensky's claims about an alleged "sweep" operation in Kupyansk indicate that "he has lost touch with reality and does not understand the actual situation on the ground  or, realizing the hopelessness of the Ukrainian position, is trying to conceal the truth from Ukrainians and the West."

The ministry noted that the situation of Ukrainian militants encircled in the Kupyansk and Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) areas continues to deteriorate, and their only chance of survival is to surrender voluntarily.

 Sputnik

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Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk: In 2026, 70% of UAV procurements will be conducted through DOT Chain Defence

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

7 November, 2025, 1:27 PM EET

The First Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, announced that 70% of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) procurements are planned to be conducted in 2026 through the DOT Chain Defence digital platform.

He made this statement at the presentation of the study 'Corruption Risks in the Procurement of Unmanned Systems and Electronic Warfare Assets for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Conducted by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), the study aims to identify and mitigate risks associated with defense procurement.

According to Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, there are currently more than 500 manufacturers of unmanned systems in Ukraine.

In the context of high-intensity warfare, the Defence Forces of Ukraine are employing a wide range of new weapons and military equipment. At the same time, the growth in production and the expanding range of weaponry create corruption risks. The Ministry of Defence is taking measures to mitigate them.

Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk noted that the Ministry of Defence continues to implement reforms to ensure the rapid and efficient provision of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and to decentralize procurement. This is being implemented through the DOT Chain Defence digital platform. The platform enables military units to procure the UAV models they require directly from the manufacturers. Within the system, the average order fulfillment time is approximately two weeks.

The Deputy Minister of Defence added that the use of the DOT Chain Defence platform helps prevent intermediaries from participating in procurement operations. The platform is expected to serve as an effective mechanism for mitigating corruption risks in procurement.

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Anna Gvozdiar: Ukraine and Romania expand defence partnership and joint industrial projects

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

7 November, 2025, 4:05 PM EET

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Anna Gvozdiar, during her working visit to Romania, held a bilateral meeting with Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Romania.

During the meeting, the parties discussed ways to deepen Ukrainian-Romanian cooperation in the security and defence sector, focusing on countering russian aggression and exploring opportunities to expand defence-industrial cooperation, implement joint military-technical projects, and strengthen institutional ties between the defence establishments of both nations.

Anna Gvozdiar thanked the Romanian side for its continued support for Ukraine and for its solidarity in countering the aggressor.

"Romania is our reliable partner in the region, and we highly value Bucharest's practical steps in support of Ukraine  both in the military and humanitarian domains," noted Anna Gvozdiar.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Romania Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu reaffirmed Romania's steadfast support for Ukraine and expressed confidence in Ukraine's victory.

In addition, during the visit, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Anna Gvozdiar, held a bilateral meeting with Radu-Dinel Miruta, the Minister of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of Romania.

The meeting participants exchanged views on prospects for developing Ukrainian-Romanian economic cooperation in the defence industry, as well as on joint opportunities to attract investment, promote technology exchange, and support innovative enterprises.

"Joint efforts in developing defence technologies and production open new opportunities for our countries. Economic cooperation should become another dimension of the lasting partnership between Ukraine and Romania," emphasised Anna Gvozdiar.

Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defence also took part in the NATO-Industry Forum 2025, "Rearming NATO - Innovate, Accelerate, Sustain," where she joined the panel discussion "Creating Space for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises."

In her address, Anna Gvozdiar stressed that Europe must recognise that the war is not confined to Ukraine  genuine peace has long been absent from the continent.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the importance of engaging small and medium-sized enterprises in the development of the defence industry, as well as creating favourable conditions for innovative companies that can contribute to strengthening the defence capabilities of Ukraine and its partners.

As part of the visit, Anna Gvozdiar also held meetings with the leadership of Romania's leading defence manufacturers. The parties discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation between Ukrainian and Romanian defence companies, develop joint production initiatives, and establish new supply chains.

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Base service remuneration to range from 50,000 to 60,000 UAH  Denys Shmyhal discusses details of new military service contracts with the President of Ukraine

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

7 November, 2025, 6:58 PM EET

Minister of Defence Denys Shmyhal and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed new Ukrainian military service contracts during a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.

Denys Shmyhal outlined the key provisions of the new contracts:

Clearly defined service durations ranging from one to five years. For contracts lasting two to five years, a 12-month deferral from mobilization will be guaranteed upon contract completion;

Increased base service remuneration of 50,000-60,000 UAH, along with additional increments, higher combat payments, and a signing bonus that rises depending on the contract's duration.

An option to choose the brigade and position.

The Minister of Defence emphasized that everyone will have the opportunity to sign a contract, first and foremost, active-duty service members.

Denys Shmyhal specified that the required changes to the legislation are now being drafted. It is anticipated that the system will be launched at the beginning of 2026.

"We are building a professional European military that is and will remain the main guarantee of our nation's security. I thank all our defenders who are fighting for Ukraine and its future. Glory to Ukraine!" said Denys Shmyhal.

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The President of Ukraine and the President of Lebanon Discussed Bilateral Cooperation and Agreed on Further Work of Their Teams

President of Ukraine

7 November 2025 - 19:27

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with the President of Lebanon, General Joseph Aoun.

The Head of State emphasized that Ukraine supports all the efforts by Lebanon and the international community to ensure stability in the Middle East. Achieving real peace is equally important for both of our regions. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Lebanon for its support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The two leaders discussed food security and bilateral cooperation. To implement relevant projects, Ukraine is ready to provide its experts in logistics and agricultural technologies. The Presidents agreed that the Ukrainian and Lebanese teams will work together to discuss all potential partnership areas in greater detail.

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Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carpathian Capital Management (CCM) today announced the largest investor distribution in its history. The distribution reflects proceeds from three projects, each executed with CCMs repeatable playbook.





"At CCM, process beats prediction," said Ian Colville, Chief Executive Officer. "While many funds are struggling with post-pandemic distress in the commercial real estate sector, our model, executed alongside experienced partners, has remained disciplined. We avoid that volatility by focusing squarely on the residential sector, where a significant shortage of houses creates persistent high demand. Where appropriate, we use preferred-equity positioning in these assets to prioritize cash flows and mitigate downside risk. This milestone, driven by our 'Market, Partner, Project' thesis, validates that discipline."

The Gathering  Alpharetta, GA: Infill land development in a top Atlanta suburb with partner Brock Built , acquired at an attractive basis with a blend of single- family and townhomes near schools, employment, and retail.

Infill land development in a top Atlanta suburb with partner , acquired at an attractive basis with a blend of single- family and townhomes near schools, employment, and retail. Bells Ferry  Kennesaw, GA: An age-targeted 55+ community with resort-style amenities in northwest Atlanta suburbs, developed with partner Brock Built .

An age-targeted 55+ community with resort-style amenities in northwest Atlanta suburbs, developed with partner . Project #3  Sarasota, FL: Townhome lot development, advancing under a purchase agreement with one of the nations largest homebuilders located near major retail and interstate access.

Key milestone details (by project)

Distribution date for all: October 28, 2025

Project Net IRR to Preferred Total Return Project Hold The Gathering 15.1% 1.52x 3 years, 8 months Bells Ferry 16.75% 1.63x 4 years, 2 months Project #3 20.56% 1.35x 1 year, 9 months





Carpathian Capital Management is a private real estate investment firm providing accredited investors access to high-quality, institutional-grade real estate opportunities focused on a disciplined, risk-mitigated strategy in high-growth U.S. residential markets.

More about CCM: https://carpathiancapital.com/ Website Blog Post

Information about CCMs Development Fund III, open to accredited investors.

Estimated returns methodology (): Project #3 and Bells Ferry returns are estimates derived from our internal model. We began with each projects gross cashflow schedule, applied haircuts equal to the relative platform costs, reserves, and other reconciling items observed on The Gathering standalone investment, and then ran those haircutted cash flows through the same investor waterfall used for The Gathering. These estimates are illustrative of projectlevel, standalone outcomes and are not fund returns. Actual results may differ.

Disclaimer: This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Any offering is made only pursuant to definitive offering documents to accredited investors and qualified purchasers, as applicable. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal.
NEW YORK, Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) between May 6, 2025 and June 19, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important November 18, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

SO WHAT: If you purchased KBR securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the KBR class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=42136 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 18, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) despite the knowledge that the U.S. Department of Defenses Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) had, for months, had material concerns with HomeSafes ability to fulfill the Global Household Goods Contract, defendants claimed that the partnership was without issue, and would ramp up in future quarters; and (2) as a result, defendants statements about KBRs business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the KBR class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=42136 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
Vancouver, B.C., Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NextGen Digital Platforms Inc. (CSE:NXT) (OTCQB:NXTDF) (FSE:Z12) (NextGen or the Company) announces, further to its news release of October 6, 2025, that the Company has completed the first tranche (the First Tranche) of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units (the Offering). Pursuant to the First Tranche, the Company issued 2,065,000 units of the Company (the Units) at $0.40 per Unit for gross proceeds of $826,000.

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a Share) and one half of a transferrable common share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.60 for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering.

The Warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiry provision such that if, for any ten (10) consecutive trading days (the "Premium Trading Days") during the unexpired term of the Warrants, the closing price of the Common Shares exceeds $0.90, the expiry date will be accelerated to 30 calendar days (the "Acceleration Clause"). The activation of the Acceleration Clause will be announced by press release and the 30-day period will commence seven days after the last Premium Trading Day.

In connection with the First Tranche, the Company paid finders fees to eligible finders consisting of $30,820 in cash and 57,050 common share purchase warrants (the Finders Warrants). Each Finders Warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.40 per share for a period of 24-months.

The Company anticipates closing one or more additional tranches of the Offering in the coming weeks.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

The Company will use the net proceeds from the Offering for corporate development, marketing, and general working capital.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

Resignation of CEO

The Company also announces that, effective December 5, 2025, Matthew Priebe will be resigning as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company to pursue other opportunities. The Company would like to thank Mr. Priebe for his contributions to the Company.

About NextGen Digital Platforms Inc.

NextGen Digital Platforms Inc. (CSE:NXT) (OTCQB:NXTDF) (FSE:Z12) is a publicly listed fintech and digital asset company that provides investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of Web3 technologies, blockchain infrastructure, and digital assets. The Company is committed to developing innovative financial structures that align with the future of decentralized finance while prioritizing transparency, regulatory compliance, and shareholder value creation. NextGen also operates PCSections.com, an e-commerce platform and a hardware-as-a-service business supporting the artificial intelligence sector, called Cloud AI hosting.

For More Information:

Ajay Toor, Chief Financial Officer

(778)706-6104

https://nextgendigitalplatforms.com/

info@nextgendigitalplatforms.com

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to, statements relating to the completion of the Offering on the terms described herein or at all, and the use of proceeds and available funds following the completion of the Offering, and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to such events. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future events and that actual events or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
BOSTON, Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Berman Tabacco, a national law firm representing investors, announces its investigation into potential stockholder claims involving Humana, Inc (Humana) allegedly paying illegal kickbacks to insurance brokers. If you are a current Humana stockholder, you can obtain additional information by visiting Humana, Inc. | Berman Tabacco.

About the Investigation

Allegations that Humana paid illegal kickbacks and other claims were unsealed in May 2025 after the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts intervened to join claims first raised by a whistleblower pending in the District of Massachusetts. The complaint alleges that between 2016 and 2021, Humana paid illegal kickbacks in the tens of millions of dollarspossibly totaling as much as $250 millionto Select Quote and other insurance brokers, so that they would steer insurance customers into Humana's Medicare offerings. The complaint further alleges that the most senior officers of Humana were personally involved in the scheme. Shares of Humana subsequently declined approximately 3% upon the filing of this complaint.

Berman Tabacco is investigating whether Humanas board of directors had a role in this scheme and whether its officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties.

Contact

If you would like more information concerning our investigation, please contact us here: Humana, Inc. | Berman Tabacco or at 800-516-9926 or at law@bermantabacco.com.

About Berman Tabacco

Since 1982, our firm has prosecuted hundreds of securities cases on behalf of investors. The firm and its attorneys have been recognized for their work on behalf of plaintiffs, including by Benchmark Litigation, which ranked the firm as a Top Plaintiffs Firm and as Highly Recommended. Chambers USA recognized the firm as a leading securities litigation firm in its Securities LitigationMainly Plaintiff category. The Legal 500 has also ranked the firm as recommended in securities litigation. The firm has offices in Boston, Massachusetts and San Francisco, California.

This Notice May Constitute Attorney Advertising.

Past Results Do Not Guarantee Future Outcomes.

Berman Tabacco

Quentin J. Morgan, Esq.

One Liberty Square

Boston, Massachusetts

(800) 516-9926

Email: law@bermantabacco.com
Beijing, China, Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the gentle embrace of the autumn sun, the ancient village of Hongcun in Yixian county, East China's Anhui Province awakens as a living masterpiece. Its iconic Huizhou-style residences, with their pristine white walls and deep black tiles, form a serene backdrop that suddenly bursts into vibrant life. Long wooden racks stretch across rooftops and courtyards, laden with strings of fiery red chili peppers glistening like rubies in the light. Nearby, golden corn kernels spread out in wide, shallow bamboo sieves, drying slowly under the warm rays. This is the "Autumn Sun-Drying," known as shai qiu in Chinese, an age-old agrarian tradition that paints the village's monochrome elegance with strokes of abundance and color.

Far from a mere practical chore for sustenance, this ritual has evolved into a magnetic spectacle, drawing travelers from around the world. Sun Min, a member of the post-1985 generation, embodies this shift. After years in bustling Shanghai, he has returned to his roots, now guiding international visitors through Hongcun's winding paths.

For him, the village is a treasure trove of childhood wonders: the chirp of insects, the melody of birdsong, the vast starry skies and the fiery hues of sunset. He recalls games in the courtyards and along the shores of Nanhu lake, moments that fuel his passion for sharing this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sun's story reflects a broader resurgence - a reconnection with cultural heritage amid rapid urbanization. As Geng Han, director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center at Tianjin University's Feng Jicai Institute of Literature and Art, shared with the Global Times, "China's traditional villages are the physical carriers of our thousands of years of agrarian civilization." Echoing the words of writer Feng Jicai, they serve as "living gene banks," safeguarding the profound, deeply rooted legacy of the Chinese nation.

Picturesque village

Nestled in Yixian county, Huangshan city, Hongcun captivates with its Huizhou-style architecture: white walls, black tiles, meandering flagstone lanes, and crystal-clear brooks weaving through the settlement. Mountains cradle the village, waters nourish it, creating a harmonious paradise where visitors often whisper, "It's like a village in a painting."

From an aerial view, the village mirrors a slumbering green ox, nestled against the mountains and a gentle stream. Two towering relics - a red poplar and a white ginkgo - stand as the "ox horns," Leigang Mountain as the backbone, and four river bridges the hooves, and clustered homes the body. An intricate water system pulses like veins throughout this "ox body."

Zhao Changheng, a professor at Huangshan University's School of Life and Environmental Sciences, explained that this connected layout draws from ancient principles, symbolizing reverence for the ox and the philosophy of "harmony between Heaven and humanity." In agrarian times, the ox represented diligence, selflessness, bravery, resilience, and prosperity. Water, essential for life and labor, was ingeniously managed.

"The ancients harnessed terrain gradients, embodying the agrarian wisdom of 'following nature's laws' and 'circular utilization,'" Zhao noted. Villagers like Sun grew up beside these waters without the fear of floods.

During the flood season of 2024, Huangshan experienced heavy rainfall and various degrees of flooding, with many tourist attractions urgently evacuating visitors and temporarily closing. However, Hongcun withstood the test of the heavy rain and was one of the few scenic spots in Huangshan that remained open, the People's Daily reported. Behind this is a scientific water system design embodying ancient wisdom, as well as the modern maintenance and upkeep of the system.

Furthermore, traditional Anhui architecture also plays a unique role in Hongcun's water system. Huizhou-style architecture emphasizes "four waters returning to the hall," where rainwater from the four sides of the roof flows through gutters into a central courtyard.

Most of Hongcun's ancient residences are designed based on this principle: Some water is stored for subsequent production and daily life, while the rest is connected to the water channels and drained away in a timely manner.

Ancient Chinese villages such as Hongcun have fascinated French architect and urban designer Olivier Greder, who has completed various research projects on villages. In his eyes, the foundation of ancient Chinese villages was designed according to morphogeographic criteria in accordance with feng shui, Yingshui or Bagua geomancy, while the settlement of villages depended on water resources and agricultural capacity. In the southern regions of East China's Zhejiang Province, villages are generally located at the foot of a mountain, slightly elevated and set back from a river.

"With these road characteristics, and buildings made of natural materials, these villages are harmoniously integrated with nature and, if well maintained, have survived to the present day. And all this is to be linked with the intangible culture that has developed there throughout the centuries," Greder told the Global Times.

Allure of Huizhou-style aesthetics

Greder's fascination with southern Chinese villages mirrors that of famous filmmaker Ang Lee, who showcased Hongcun's archways, tiles, walls and intricate carvings in the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 alongside Xidi village, which is also in Yixian county, Hongcun exemplifies Hui aesthetics.

In a typical home, a horse-head gable raises the gable walls at both ends of the house above the roof and ridge, capping them with horizontal-line gable eaves. To avoid an excessive height difference between the gable eaves and the roof, a stepped form gradually descending toward the eaves is adopted, which saves materials and creates a varied, picturesque skyline. Crucially, as the primary building structure is wooden and not fire-resistant, the raised gable walls help isolate fires, hence the common name "fire-sealing walls."

Hongcun's architecture often features high walls and high windows because, in ancient times, men frequently traveled for business, leaving women alone at home. High walls and windows provided good security against intrusion.

The Huizhou patio is an adaptation of the northern Chinese courtyard, or siheyuan. Due to the hilly terrain and scarce land area for building in the Huizhou region, the spacious siheyuan transformed into an internal patio within the building. Although the form changed, it still embodies the concept of harmony between nature and humankind, "borrowing" exterior space and bringing it into the interior, making the building an organic whole.

Particularly, the art of the "Three Carvings" - wood, brick, and stone - exemplifies the exquisite skill of Huizhou artisans and the life philosophy of the Huizhou people living in harmony with nature.

Farming-and-studying civilization

The buildings of Hongcun are not merely the accumulation of the material but also a transmission of spirit and culture. The village is a settlement primarily inhabited by the Wang family. The Wangs were a prominent clan from the Central Plains who migrated southward around the end of the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220), with their descendants spreading throughout the Jiangnan region.

The Wang clan of Hongcun originated from Jinling (modern Nanjing of Jiangsu Province) and moved to Huizhou around the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), becoming the founders of Hongcun.

The same as other villages in South China, Hongcun carries the spirit and moral pursuits of local scholars and the wealthy, which is reflected in the names of buildings like Zhi Dao Tang (Hall of Aspiration to the Way) and Kuan He Tang (Hall of Tolerance and Harmony).

Each building carries rich cultural significance, conveying deep historical and philosophical meanings through its name and structural design, noted Zhao.

Take Lexu Tang, or Hall of Joyous Orderly Discourse, as an example. It exemplifies the profound connotation of harmonious beauty. The Chinese character "le" in its name means joy and harmony, while "xu" represents orderly discourse. Lexu Tang not only bears the family history of the Wang clan in Hongcun but also embodies the profound essence of harmonious beauty. It also symbolizes the harmonious coexistence of culture and human nature, deeply touching every visitor.

Protection and inheritance

Three decades ago, professor He Keren from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts visited Huizhou villages as a student. He was awestruck by their feng shui integration, ecological harmony and artistry. "These were treasures of Chinese civilization," she recalled.

"Their overall layouts were closely integrated with traditional feng shui culture and ecological concepts. The exquisite architectural techniques and artistry were truly treasures of Chinese civilization, deeply moving us young students at the time."

However, back then, the clan culture that sustained these traditional villages was already declining. Young people in the villages had begun migrating to big cities for work, leaving many traditional houses to deteriorate without funds for repair, and the protection of traditional villages had not yet been prioritized.

"We lamented the situation but could only do what we could - meticulously recording everything we saw," she said.

According to CNR News, Yixian county annually allocates 20 percent of ticket revenue from the World Heritage Sites to a Cultural Heritage Protection Fund specifically established for the protection of these sites.

Professor He expressed that the most crucial aspect for achieving sustainable development of traditional villages is attracting and retaining people. Besides well-protected villages like Hongcun, there are many villages lacking sufficient overall architectural and planning resources to attract tourists. However, their ecological and environmental resources can be tapped to try to retain people, she noted.

After a short trip to the village, Armin Schober, from Innsbruck, Austria, and his Chinese wife, Huang Qiong, now run a homestay and a pizza and coffee bar in Hongcun. "This ancient house tells a lot of stories, and that is what makes it special. It sparks my imagination about what life was like 200 years ago," Schober said.

While the buildings have many stories from the past, the aesthetic system inherent in the architectural essence of traditional villages like Hongcun also serves as an inexhaustible reservoir of resources for the creation of modern aesthetics.

"It offers architectural paradigms beyond Western-centric aesthetics, enriching the connotations of modern spatial aesthetics," Geng said.

Moreover, preserving the physical and spiritual heritage of traditional villages provides a spiritual homeland for people amid urbanization, fulfilling the cultural pursuit of "keeping nostalgic sentiments alive," Geng added.

Hongcun endures not as a relic but as a vibrant testament to ingenuity, harmony, and renewal. In its sun-dried harvests and flowing waters, the village has whispers of ancient wisdom while embracing the future, inviting all to partake in its timeless canvas.



Source: Global Times:

Company: Global Times

Contact Person: Anna Li

Email: editor@globaltimes.com.cn

Website: https://globaltimes.cn

City: Beijing





Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Cornell University, one of the eight schools in the Ivy League, announced Friday that it has reached an agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to restore federal funding, with a payment of 30 million U.S. dollars over three years directly to the U.S. government.

"Since April of this year, Cornell has been subject to more than 250 million dollars in federal funding interruptions, which have disrupted the research of faculty and students across all campuses. Today I write to share that Cornell has reached an agreement with the federal government to immediately restore and continue the university's research funding," Michael I. Kotlikoff, president of Cornell University, said in a statement.

"The agreement explicitly recognizes Cornell's right to independently establish our policies and procedures, choose whom to hire and admit, and determine what we teach, without intrusive government monitoring or approvals," said Kotlikoff, noting that the university will make admissions and hiring decisions based on merit.

Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, the university will invest 30 million dollars over three years in research to strengthen U.S. agriculture and help build even more successful and productive farms.

Cornell will also pay an additional 30 million dollars over three years directly to the U.S. government "as a condition for ending pending claims that have been brought against the university," the statement said.

"Cornell shall provide the United States with anonymized undergraduate admissions data ... broken down by Cornell's individual colleges and schools, race, grade point average, and performance on standardized tests, on a quarterly basis," according to the agreement.

Admissions data will also be subject to a comprehensive audit by the United States, it noted.

The duration of this agreement will be from Friday to Dec. 31, 2028.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon celebrated the agreement on social media platform X.

"The Trump Administration has secured another transformative commitment from an Ivy League institution to end divisive DEI policies," said McMahon, referring to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. "U.S. universities are refocusing their attention on merit, rigor, and truth-seeking - not ideology."

In March, the Trump administration announced an investigation into antisemitism at 60 U.S. universities, including Cornell University. In April, the Trump administration said it was freezing more than 1 billion dollars in planned federal research funding to the university.

Since Trump returned to the White House in January, the U.S. government has required a number of prominent domestic universities to adjust their policies, including eliminating "antisemitism" and abolishing admissions policies favoring minority groups.

Universities that fail to make these adjustments may face funding cuts. Columbia University, Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania have previously announced agreements with the federal government, while some other universities are still negotiating with the government. 
Camarillo, CA, Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smile Spa Camarillo, a modern dental office led by Dr. Joelle Abed Elahad and Dr. Shawn Nguyen, is proud to announce that it has officially opened its doors at 400 W Ventura Blvd, Suite 240, in Camarillo, California. Conveniently located in the heart of Ventura County with easy access from Highway 101, the practice is now fully operational and welcoming patients from Camarillo and neighboring communities looking for patient-centered and tech-driven dental care.

Dr. Joelle Abed Elahad and Dr. Shawn Nguyen

Smile Spa Camarillo was established to provide patients with a modern integrated approach to dental care in a setting that supports both clinical efficiency and patient comfort. Dr. Joelle and Dr. Nguyen aim to meet a wide range of dental health needs while emphasizing clear communication, evidence-based treatment protocols, and a streamlined care experience, making even complex dental procedures approachable.

We established Smile Spa Camarillo to provide patients with consistent, comprehensive care supported by modern dental technology, said Dr. Joelle. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, accurate diagnostics, and efficient treatment planning, so patients can feel confident that their care is both clinically sound and tailored to their individual needs.

Dr. Joelle and Dr. Nguyen oversee Smile Spa Camarillo with a shared focus on clinical precision, modern technology, and individualized care. Together, they bring years of combined experience and advanced training across multiple areas of dentistry. Their approach emphasizes ongoing education, evidence-based practices, and a commitment to delivering consistent, patient-centered outcomes.

Comprehensive Services and Continuity of Care

Smile Spa Camarillo is equipped to provide a full spectrum of services ranging from general, cosmetic, surgical, and emergency dental services. This all-in-one approach reduces the need for external referrals and allows for consistent, streamlined care throughout the patient journey.

By offering comprehensive services internally, we reduce delays and simplify the communication between doctor and patient, explained Dr. Nguyen. Its a more efficient, effective model that supports long-term outcomes and stronger patient relationships.

With advanced tools like CBCT scanners and laser technology, the clinic supports more accurate diagnostics and minimally invasive treatment protocols. In addition to routine check-ups and cleanings, patients have access to restorative treatments like crowns and implants as well as specialized offerings such as TMD therapy, Botox for clenching and grinding, and even IV drip therapy.

Key features and offerings:

Modern Dental Technology: Features CBT imaging, digital X-rays, intraoral scanners, and soft-laser equipment to support accurate diagnostics and efficient treatment.

Features CBT imaging, digital X-rays, intraoral scanners, and soft-laser equipment to support accurate diagnostics and efficient treatment. Comprehensive Service Offering: Includes preventive, restorative, cosmetic, surgical, implant, and emergency dental care.

Includes preventive, restorative, cosmetic, surgical, implant, and emergency dental care. Specialized Procedures: Offers services such as TMD management, Botox for bruxism, sedation options, laser-assisted treatments, and IV hydration support.

Offers services such as TMD management, Botox for bruxism, sedation options, laser-assisted treatments, and IV hydration support. Multilingual Staff: Team members are proficient in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Russian to accommodate a diverse patient population.

Team members are proficient in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Russian to accommodate a diverse patient population. Emergency Availability: Provides weekend support for urgent dental needs outside of regular office hours.

Provides weekend support for urgent dental needs outside of regular office hours. Patient-Centered Care: Clinic prioritizes patient comfort while maintaining a high standard of clinical care.

Accessible Dentistry Through Flexible Payment Options

In line with its commitment to inclusivity, Smile Spa Camarillo has adopted a patient-friendly approach to financial accessibility. It accepts most major dental insurance plans and offers flexible financing options for uninsured or underinsured patients. This allows for individuals and families to prioritize their oral health without undue financial stress.

Our goal is to remove barriers to care, whether through language support, flexible scheduling, or financing. We want every patient to feel confident that high-quality dental care is within reach, added Dr. Joelle.

To learn more about available services, treatment options, or to schedule an appointment, please visit https://camarillocosmeticdentistry.com/ or call 805-243-9588. The clinic is currently accepting new patients, and it is open from Monday to Friday for routine appointments and on weekends for emergencies.

About Smile Spa Camarillo

The Smile Spa Camarillo is a modern dental practice located at 400 W Ventura Blvd, Suite 240, in Camarillo, California. Under the leadership of Dr. Joelle Abed Elahad and Dr. Shawn Nguyen, the clinic offers a full range of general, cosmetic, restorative, surgical, and emergency dental services. The practice integrates advanced technology such as CBCT imaging, digital X-rays, and intraoral scanning to support accurate diagnostics and efficient treatment. With a multilingual team and a patient-centered approach, The Smile Spa Camarillo serves individuals and families throughout Ventura County in a professional, inclusive, and comfort-focused environment.





Media Contact

Company Name: Smile Spa Camarillo

Contact Person: Amin Nassiri

Contact Number: (310) 592-6293

Email: amin@dentistnerds.com

Country: United States

Website: https://camarillocosmeticdentistry.com/

Socials: https://www.instagram.com/thedentalcouple/
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 275 emerging Christian leaders from across the United States convened this week in Orlando, Florida, for the Christian Leaders Summit -- a joint initiative of Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and International Christian Embassy JerusalemUSA (ICEJ USA).

Designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to stand with Israel and confront rising antisemitism, the two-day forum -- held under the banner of "Defending Truth, Strengthening Faith" -- brought together pastors, ministry leaders, campus advocates, media voices, and young professionals for teaching and collaborative strategy building.

The goal of the summit was to empower up and coming Christian leaders to speak confidently about Israels biblical and historical significance and actively combat antisemitism in their communities and online.

CAM Director of Christian Outreach and Engagement EJ Kimball said, "Antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, and it does not only attack Jews. It is a societal scourge that destroys from within. Thats why it is so important for you all to be here to learn and, more importantly, speak out."

"Today, we see prominent voices on the Right fully embracing antisemitism, yet too many remain silent," he noted. "Some dismiss this as a small fringe. We heard the same thing ten years ago when a small fringe on the Left, called 'The Squad,' was ignored. And now, New York City just elected an antisemitic mayor who supports calls to 'Globalize the Intifada."

ICEJ USA President Dr. Susan Michael told the audience, "You are here today because you are a new generation of Christian leaders. Some of you are already leading, some are emerging, and some are still aspiring -- but you are here to prepare for your leadership in this generation. The situation is critical and urgent, and your generation needs your leadership. What many of you have known as normal over the last several years is not normal, and God wants to use you to bring about change."

She added, "I want to encourage you: dont think small. Think big. Think of ways you can be world changers, because the world desperately needs you."

Featured speakers included: the Honorable Jay Collins, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida; Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee; and social media influencers Officer Tatum and Ami Kozak, among other leading voices committed to fighting antisemitism and strengthening support for Israel.

Faith and truth matter," Collins said. "Standing strong matters. As Christians, we recognize that the story of Israel is part of our story. Its the foundation of a shared belief. And standing with Israel means standing with the truth.

In his remarks, Officer Tatum referred to the proliferation of conspiracy theories -- including many antisemitic in nature -- following the murder of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

"When Charlie was killed, a few things happened in the spiritual world," he said. "The biggest thing that happened is the separation between the wheat and the tares. Now you know who is on the right side and who is on the wrong side. Now you know who really loves God and the people who have been posing this entire time -- people who have the spirit of God in them and people who are just acting on Sunday."

"When somebody who believes in God gets assassinated, your first response tells me everything I need to know about your spiritual life," Officer Tatum continued. "When your first response is to push conspiracy theories, when your first response is to destroy everything God created through him, somethings wrong with you. Youre not hearing from God. You dont have the spirit of God in you. This should have been a spark, a fire for all of us. But for the ones it hasnt been -- we know them, we mark them, we see them."

Dillon said, "There's antisemitism on the Left, lots of it. There's now going to be a lot more of it in New York City. But it's on the Right as well. It's a growing threat on the Right. There is an identitarian, white nationalist movement that's gaining a lot of momentum, and it has some helpers. And these bad ideas are rising almost completely unchecked. They need to be confronted."

Attendees also heard powerful firsthand testimonies from former Gaza hostage Almog Meir and Nova music festival massacre survivor and CAM Public Affairs Officer Natalie Sanandaji.

"I spent 246 days in captivity in Gaza, and it was a nightmare," Meir recalled. "Days filled with fear, violence, hunger, and abuse -- physical, mental, and even religious. But it made me stronger and prouder to be a Jew."

The program also featured musical performances by Kaya Jones, a Grammy-winning recording artist and former member of The Pussycat Dolls who now uses her platform to share her Christian faith and support for Israel, and Carine Bassili, a Lebanese-born Christian worship leader known for blending Middle Eastern and contemporary worship styles. Bassili has recently drawn attention for her outspoken defense of Israel despite backlash from some in the Arab world.

Igor Tulchinsky, philanthropist and CEO of WorldQuant, said, "We are here to stand together -- Jews and Christians -- children of one God, people of one promise -- the promise God gave to Abraham, that, through his seed, all nations would be blessed. God told Abraham, 'I will bless those who bless you.' Thats not ancient history -- thats a living promise. And tonight, I see that promise alive in this room."

When you stand with Israel, you stand for truth," he emphasized. "You stand for covenant. You stand for Gods faithfulness. When you defend the Jewish people, you defend faith itself. And when you raise your voice against hate, you make the world safer for all our children."

Key sessions included:

Antisemitism: A Biblical and Historical Perspective

Antisemitism Today: How to Recognize and Counter It

Diverse Voices in Support of Israel

Combating Antisemitism on Social Media

Extending the Reach: Activating in the Current Environment





A highlight of the summit was a Strategy Lab, where attendees met in four focus groups -- pastors, campus leaders, social media influencers and faith-based leaders/young professionals -- to develop strategies to combat antisemitism within their spheres of influence.

Leaders presented their strategies in a closing session, encouraging continued collaboration and partnership beyond the event.

For more information, contact:

Shannon Bennett

USA Director of Communications

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

407-399-8164 / E: shannon.bennett@icejusa.org

Leia Gluckman

Associate, Miller Ink

310-291-8107 / E: leia@miller-ink.com

About the Combat Antisemitism Movement

The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) is a global coalition uniting more than 950 partner organizations and millions of grassroots activists and individuals across diverse backgrounds to fight antisemitism in all its modern-day forms. By mobilizing communities, advancing innovative tools, and working with governments and civil society, CAM drives collaborative action to protect Jewish life and uphold democratic values worldwide.

About the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA

The United States branch of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem serves as a channel and a voice of Christian support for Israel and the Jewish people. Through extensive educational resources -- including publications, online courses, podcasts, and events -- ICEJ USA equips Christians to understand the biblical, historical, and modern significance of Israel. In addition, ICEJ provides practical support in Israel through humanitarian aid, Holocaust Survivor care, and relief efforts for vulnerable communities. Together, these initiatives reflect ICEJs mission to comfort Gods people, deepen Christian understanding of Israel, and build bridges of reconciliation between Jews and Christians. Learn more at www.icejusa.org.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascot Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AOT.H; OTCQB: AOTVF) (Ascot or the Company) announces it is undertaking a rights offering to raise gross proceeds of up to C$14,871,517 (the Rights Offering).

Rights Offering

Pursuant to the Rights Offering, the Company will be offering 1,487,151,720 rights (the Rights) to certain holders (the Shareholders) of common shares in the capital of Ascot (the Common Shares) at the close of business on the record date of November 18, 2025 (the Record Date) on the basis of one (1) Right for each Common Share held. Each one (1) Right will entitle the holder to subscribe for one (1) Common Share of the Company (a Rights Share) at the subscription price of C$0.01 per Rights Share (the Basic Subscription Privilege).

The Common Shares are listed on the NEX Board of the TSXV Venture Exchange (NEX). The Rights will not be listed on any stock exchange or marketplace.

The Rights will expire at 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on December 12, 2025 (the Expiry Time), after which time unexercised Rights will be void and of no value. Shareholders who fully exercise their Rights under the Basic Subscription Privilege will be entitled to subscribe pro rata for additional Rights Shares, if available, as a result of unexercised Rights, prior to the Expiry Time (the Additional Subscription Privilege), subject to certain limitations as set out in the Companys Rights Offering circular dated November 7, 2025 (the Circular).

In connection with the Rights Offering, the Company has entered into a standby agreement dated October 27, 2025, as amended November 7, 2025, with Fiore Management and Advisory Corp. (Fiore or the Standby Purchaser), pursuant to which Fiore has agreed to acquire 100% of all outstanding Rights Shares not otherwise acquired under the Rights Offering by Shareholders, including pursuant to the Basic Subscription Privilege and the Additional Subscription Privilege. The Circular will be filed on SEDAR+ under Ascots profile at www.sedarplus.ca, along with the Notice of Rights Offering on Form 45-106F14  Rights Offering Notice for Reporting Issuers (the Notice). The Notice, the Rights certificate and subscription form will be mailed to Shareholders in the Eligible Jurisdictions (as defined below) as of the Record Date on or about November 21, 2025. The Company expects to close the Rights Offering on or about December 15, 2025 subject to the requirement of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) that any personal information forms required to be filed in respect of the Rights Offering have been cleared.

The Rights will be offered to Shareholders resident in all provinces and territories of Canada (the Eligible Jurisdictions). Registered Shareholders in the Eligible Jurisdictions who wish to exercise their Rights must forward the completed subscription form, together with the applicable funds, to the rights agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. (the Rights Agent), on or before the Expiry Time. Shareholders who own their Common Shares through an intermediary, such as a bank, trust company, securities dealer, or broker, will receive materials and instructions from their intermediary.

Upon completion of the Rights Offering and assuming all Rights are exercised, the Company will have 2,974,303,440 Common Shares outstanding, of which Rights Shares issued under the Rights Offering will represent approximately 50% of the Companys issued and outstanding shares.

Subject to the detailed provisions of the Circular, Rights certificates and subscription forms will not be mailed to Shareholders resident in the United States or otherwise outside of the Eligible Jurisdictions, unless such Shareholders are able to establish to the satisfaction of the Company that they are eligible to participate in the Rights Offering and provide such evidence to the Company and the Rights Agent of the same.

Closing of the Rights Offering is subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV.

Subsequent to the closing of the Rights Offering, the Company will complete a 50:1 share consolidation (the 50:1 Share Consolidation). The Rights Offering will close on a pre-consolidation basis. The Company also intends to complete a brokered private placement of subscription receipts (the Subscription Receipts) at a price per Subscription Receipt to be determined in the context of the market (the Private Placement). The Private Placement will also close on a post-consolidation basis. The 50:1 Share Consolidation and the Private Placement are subject to TSXV approval.

If a significant amount of the anticipated Private Placement does not close, the Company will be required to initiate proceedings under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).

Use of Proceeds

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Rights Offering to settle outstanding amounts owed to the Companys creditors.

Additional Information

Further details concerning the Rights Offering are contained in the Notice and Circular, each of which will be available on the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and for persons outside of the United States, on the Companys website at www.ascotgold.com. Prospective investors should read these documents before making an investment decision.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any state securities laws in the United States, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, NEX or the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ascot Resources Ltd.

James A. (Jim) Currie

CEO and Director

For further information contact:

Email: info@ascotgold.com

Phone: 778-725-1060

About Ascot

Ascot is a Canadian mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and its shares trade on the NEX under the ticker AOT.H and on the OTCQB under the ticker AOTVF. Ascot is the 100% owner of the Premier Gold mine which is located on Nisgaa Nation Treaty Lands, in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia.

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or visit the Companys web site at www.ascotgold.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "targeted", "outlook", "on track" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could", would or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements in respect of the terms and conditions of the Rights Offering, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Rights Offering; the ability of the Company to accomplish its business objectives and the intentions described herein; and future plans, development and operations of the Company. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including uncertainty relating to the closing of the Rights Offering, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required approvals to complete the Rights Offering; discretion in the Companys use of available funds from the Rights Offering; the uncertainty associated with estimating costs to completion of the Rights Offering; risks relating to negative operating cash flows of the Company; dilution of the shareholdings of shareholders who do not exercise all of their Rights under the Rights Offering; irrevocability of the exercise of Rights by a shareholder; the possibility that the subscription price is not indicative of the Companys value; if a shareholder fails to follow the subscription procedure and abide by the subscription deadline their subscription may be rejected; whether the Private Placement and 50:1 Share Consolidation will be completed on the terms described or at all; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; environmental compliance; risks related to outstanding debt; uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to development, production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need to obtain additional financing to finance operations and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; social media and reputation; negative publicity; human rights; business objectives; shortage of personnel; health and safety; the possibility of delay in future plans and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; claims and legal proceedings; information systems and cyber security; internal controls; violation of anti-bribery or corruption laws; competition; tax considerations; compliance with listing standards; enforcement of civil liabilities; financing requirement risks; market price volatility of Common Shares; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; the need for exchange approval, and other regulatory approvals and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Ascot's filings with Canadian securities regulators, available on Ascot's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca including the Annual Information Form of the Company dated March 24, 2025 in the section entitled "Risk Factors". Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made with regard to: the completion of the Rights Offering under certain thresholds, including the estimated costs thereof; the estimated costs associated with the care and maintenance plans; the tax rate applicable to the Company; future commodity prices; the grade of mineral resources and mineral reserves; labor and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Companys current expectations, the ability of the Company to convert inferred mineral resources to other categories; the ability of the Company to reduce mining dilution; the ability to reduce capital costs; the ability of the Company to raise additional financing; currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels, compliance with the covenants in Ascots credit agreements; exploration plans; and general marketing, political, business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Although Ascot believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Ascot can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Ascot does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canacol Energy Ltd. (Canacol or the Company) announces that it has been notified of the decision issued in the domestic arbitration proceedings initiated by VP Ingenergia S.A.S. E.S.P. before the Arbitration and Conciliation Center of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce.

The arbitration addressed the termination of three natural gas supply contracts, which were terminated by Canacol due to VP Ingenergias contractual breaches, including the failure to provide the contractually required guarantees and the failure to pay for gas delivered. During the proceedings, the relationship between these facts and the occurrence of a force majeure event experienced by Canacol in 2023 was also examined.

The arbitral tribunal decided to accept Canacols arguments regarding the invalidity of the guarantees provided by VP Ingenergia and the irregular manner in which VP Ingenergia handled proceeds from the sale of gas, while on the other hand partially upholding VP Ingenergias claims with respect to the force majeure events. The net effect of the tribunals ruling against each of the parties is that Canacol has to pay approximately USD $22 million. This decision is not yet perfected, as it is subject to clarification and supplementation, and therefore the award will become binding on November 20, 2025.

In this regard, the Company is reviewing this decision in light of the invoices that VP Ingenergia still owes, as well as the payment orders against VP Ingenergia in favor of Canacol issued by different Colombian judges, totalling USD $25 million approximately.

Additionally, Canacol is pursuing an international arbitral tribunal in which VP Ingenergia is the respondent and in which amounts exceeding USD $76 million are claimed, without VP Ingenergia having any economic claim against Canacol. Canacols case in the international tribunal is strengthened by the recognition of the domestic tribunal that the contracts were terminated by Canacol for just cause, and therefore the Company expects a positive outcome in such process, which is estimated to conclude during the first half of 2026.

Likewise, Canacol will submit the domestic arbitral decision to the attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, as it was proved that the guarantees provided by VP Ingenergia did not secure the contracts entered with Canacol and that VP Ingenergia breached its duties of good faith by making unjustified withdrawals of the trust funds, which were intended for the payment of VP Ingenergias obligations in favor of Canacol. The foregoing will have a direct impact on the criminal actions being pursued against VP Ingenergias directors and shareholders, specifically Mr. Alvaro Augusto Vargas Bravo (owner of VP Ingenergia S.A.S. E.S.P.), Patricia Pena (his spouse) and Darlyn Yesenia Neira (legal representative of the company), in relation to which charges have been filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, along with a request for preventive detention measures, for various offenses, including aggravated fraud and corruption, for acts and facts related directly to the differences between the parties in the domestic arbitration proceeding, which were decided in favour of Canacol by the domestic arbitration tribunal as noted above.

We reiterate that Canacol is currently reviewing the full content of the arbitral decision and will analyse the potential filing of any appeals or legal actions as appropriate.

Canacol insists that it will continue to rely on the Colombian justice system.

About Canacol

Canacol is a natural gas exploration and production company with operations focused in Colombia. The Corporations shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CNE, the OTCQX in the United States of America under the symbol CNNEF, the Bolsa de Valores de Colombia under the symbol CNEC.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as plan, expect, project, target, intend, believe, anticipate, estimate and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions may or will occur, including without limitation statements relating to estimated production rates from the Corporations properties and intended work programs and associated timelines. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Corporation cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. They are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change and the Corporation assumes no obligation to revise or update them to reflect new circumstances, except as required by law. Information and guidance provided herein supersedes and replaces any forward looking information provided in prior disclosures. Prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Further information regarding the risks and uncertainties related to Canacol and its securities can be found in the disclosure documents filed by Canacol with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com y www.superfinanciera.gov.co
TOKYO, Nov. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fintradix, a leading digital asset and cryptocurrency trading platform, has released its quarterly performance report, showcasing another period of consistent growth and operational stability. The report highlights double-digit percentage gains in key metrics, including active user engagement, trading volume, and overall platform profitability. This performance underscores the companys position as one of the fastest-evolving firms in the digital trading industry, reflecting the growing confidence of both retail and institutional investors.





During the quarter, Fintradix recorded substantial increases across its crypto trading ecosystem, supported by the integration of advanced analytics and AI-driven trade execution technology. The platforms seamless operation and enhanced risk management framework allowed it to navigate market volatility while maintaining steady performance. The report details how strong internal governance and technology-driven scalability continue to support the companys commitment to operational excellence.

As a global trading platform, Fintradix has built its reputation on transparency and technological innovation. According to Fintradix reviews , users frequently cite the platforms stability, reliability, and straightforward user experience as key advantages. The companys ongoing enhancements to infrastructure and customer engagement tools have contributed to consistent growth in both client satisfaction and trading efficiency.

The companys data-driven approach has also strengthened its strategic position within the competitive cryptocurrency marketplace. Fintradixs analytics systems monitor liquidity flows, trade depth, and real-time risk exposure, enabling traders to operate confidently in both bullish and bearish conditions. The firms internal development teams continue to refine these systems to ensure that users benefit from precision execution and transparency across every transaction.

A crucial component of Fintradixs performance this quarter was the steady expansion of its active user base. New account openings have risen in tandem with market participation, indicating sustained interest from a diverse range of investors. These findings align with Fintradix reviews that emphasize accessibility and platform dependability as defining strengths for new and experienced traders alike.

Operational data within the report further highlights Fintradixs risk management strategies. By employing layered security protocols, automated monitoring, and AI-assisted compliance verification, the company maintains stringent protection standards for user data and assets. These efforts align with global best practices in fintech regulation and ensure that both individual traders and institutional clients can operate within a secure trading environment.

Fintradixs commitment to innovation remains central to its growth strategy. The company continues to allocate significant resources toward research and development, particularly in the areas of AI signal optimization, algorithmic trading, and cross-market analytics. Such advancements support traders in making informed decisions, aligning with the platforms vision to merge cutting-edge technology with practical trading functionality. As noted in several Fintradix reviews , the companys investment in research and intelligent systems has resulted in improved trade accuracy and reduced latency across all supported instruments.

In addition to technological enhancements, Fintradix has strengthened its internal governance structures to manage risk more effectively. The platforms multi-tiered liquidity management system and advanced monitoring architecture provide safeguards against high volatility events, ensuring continuity even during unexpected market movements. This foundation has proven crucial in maintaining investor trust and consistent platform performance.

The quarterly report also reflects Fintradixs ongoing commitment to financial transparency. The company publishes detailed summaries of trading activity, liquidity distribution, and growth indicators, ensuring stakeholders can assess progress objectively. Such transparency continues to be a cornerstone of the companys operations and is consistently recognized in independent Fintradix reviews as one of the defining qualities that distinguishes it within the competitive landscape.

Looking ahead, Fintradix plans to sustain its current growth trajectory by expanding access to new trading instruments and further optimizing its AI infrastructure. The platforms developers are currently testing several predictive modeling frameworks designed to refine decision-making and enhance order execution accuracy. These initiatives are expected to drive additional user engagement and long-term platform value as adoption accelerates.

While the broader cryptocurrency market continues to evolve amid regulatory developments and investor sentiment shifts, Fintradixs adaptability positions it strongly for continued success. Its infrastructure-driven approach, combined with a focus on safety and consistent performance, has created an ecosystem capable of supporting long-term investor confidence. The companys long-standing emphasis on trust, transparency, and technology integration reflects a strategy built for sustainable expansion and enduring relevance within the digital trading industry.

The latest quarterly performance report reaffirms Fintradixs commitment to responsible growth and its dedication to serving a global investor base with integrity and innovation. With the continued support of its growing community, and the trust highlighted through numerous Fintradix reviews , the platform remains poised to strengthen its leadership role within the cryptocurrency trading market.

About Fintradix

Fintradix is a global cryptocurrency trading platform offering access to a wide range of digital assets, advanced analytical tools, and AI-driven technologies. Established with a vision to simplify and secure digital investing, Fintradix provides traders with a transparent and efficient environment to execute trades across multiple markets. The platform combines innovation with reliability, supporting clients worldwide through powerful automation, risk management systems, and user-centric design.

By prioritizing security, compliance, and technological progress, Fintradix has built a foundation of trust among its clients and partners. Its ecosystem continues to evolve to meet the needs of both retail investors and institutional participants, positioning Fintradix as a forward-looking leader in global crypto trading solutions.

Media Contact

Name: Hannah Lindberg

Title: Communications Officer

Email: press@fintradix.reviews

Company: Fintradix LTD

URL: https://www.fintradix.reviews

Disclaimer: Trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or legal advice.

This content is provided by Fintradix. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sectorincluding cryptocurrency, NFTs, and miningcomplete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.



Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

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XIAMEN, China, Nov. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fangzhou Inc. (Fangzhou or the Company) (HKEX: 06086), a leading provider of AI-driven Internet healthcare solutions, was recognized with the Social Responsibility Golden Bull Award at the 2025 Xiamen Industry Development Conference and Listed Companies (Hong Kong) Golden Bull Awards Ceremony, organized by China Securities Journal.

The conference brought together corporate leaders and investors to discuss how Hong Kong-listed enterprises can leverage innovation and governance to achieve sustainable global growth. This year marked the inaugural edition of the Golden Bull Awards for Hong Kong-listed companies.

Fangzhou was recognized with the Social Responsibility Golden Bull Award

Fangzhou distinguished itself among the field of Hong Kong-listed companies to receive the honor, demonstrating not only strong revenue growth and solid profitability, but also leadership in technological innovation and sustained social value creation. The award underscores growing confidence in the companys AI + chronic disease management strategy  a high-growth and high-impact field that is reshaping Chinas digital healthcare landscape.

Dr. Xie Fangmin, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Fangzhou, remarked: We are honored to receive the award and will continue to advance AI-driven chronic disease management and deliver lasting benefits for public health.

The award comes as Chinas National Health Commission recently released policy guidance promoting the application of AI + Healthcare as a key national development priority. In line with this direction, Fangzhou has built an AI + H2H (Hospital-to-Home) ecosystem that integrates its proprietary XJ LLM and XS LLM to enhance precision, efficiency, and accessibility in chronic disease management.

In April of this year, Fangzhou and the Guangdong Provincial Institute of Liver Disease jointly established the AI + Hepatitis Prevention and Control Training Center to enhance liver disease management through AI technology. In June, the Company joined a rural revitalization initiative led by the Guangdong Communications Administration, advancing digital healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. And more recently in October, Fangzhou launched the AI + Psoriasis Management New Horizons public education week, leveraging AI to expand the reach and enhance the quality of health awareness campaigns.

Fangzhou has also let efforts in responsible AI governance, becoming the first Internet healthcare enterprise to join the Human-Centered AI Development and Governance Initiative this past July, contributing to high-level policy dialogue on AIInternet integration. In October, the Companys XJ LLM received official national registration, highlighting Fangzhous commitment to regulatory compliance, and establishing best practices across the medical AI field.

The Company continues to strengthen its leadership position in AI + weight management, working with the China Food and Drug Institutions Quality and Safety Promotion Association to develop national standards for AI-enabled weight management. Fangzhou also deepened its strategic collaboration with global pharmaceutical leader Novo Nordisk to jointly develop a digital intelligence ecosystem, combining medical expertise with AI-driven insights to advance the quality and accessibility of chronic disease management across China.

Looking ahead, Fangzhou will continue to build on its leadership as a leading Internet healthcare enterprise, advancing AI-powered chronic disease management while driving forward the industry's development.

About China Securities Journal Golden Bull Awards

Established by China Securities Journal and approved by national authorities, the Golden Bull Awards are recognized for their rigorous, transparent evaluation system and have become one of Chinas most authoritative platforms for fostering positive interaction between industry and capital markets.

About Fangzhou Inc.

Fangzhou Inc. (HKEX: 06086) is Chinas leading online chronic disease management platform, serving 52.8 million registered users and 229,000 physicians (as of June 30, 2025). The Company specializes in delivering tailored medical care and AI-enabled precision medicine solutions. For more information, visit https://investors.jianke.com.

Media Contact

For further inquiries or interviews, please reach out to:

Xingwei Zhao Associate Director of Public Relations Email: pr@jianke.com

Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements

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EAGLE, Idaho, Nov. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What should homeowners know before relocating to another state? According to a HelloNation article , Denise Abmont of Abmont Realty Group in Eagle, Idaho, explains that a successful relocation depends on much more than packing boxes. Timing, preparation, and understanding both your current and future real estate markets are key. Many home sellers underestimate how long a long-distance move takes, leading to rushed decisions. With careful planning and a knowledgeable real estate agent, relocating can be smoother and far less stressful.

The HelloNation article notes that the first step in relocating is setting a realistic timeline. The schedule determines every other part of the process, from when to list your current home to when to start searching for a new one. Denise Abmont advises that selling and buying in different states rarely happen at the same pace. Market conditions, pricing trends, and demand vary widely from one region to another. Working with a real estate agent who understands both markets, or coordinating between two agents, helps create a clear and achievable plan. This collaboration ensures that home sellers know when to list, what to expect in terms of timing, and how to align both transactions as closely as possible.

Temporary housing is another factor many families overlook when relocating. The HelloNation feature highlights that some home sellers need short-term rentals between transactions. Whether due to delays in closing or timing differences between the sale of one home and the purchase of another, temporary housing provides essential flexibility. Denise Abmont recommends including these costs in your relocation budget from the start. Planning for short-term rentals, storage, or overlapping mortgage payments prevents last-minute stress and helps maintain financial stability during the move.

Once a relocation timeline is in place, the next step is researching the new community. The article emphasizes the importance of evaluating the cost of living in your destination area, including taxes, insurance, and utilities. What appears affordable in one state may be more expensive in another once these ongoing expenses are factored in. Understanding the local cost of living helps buyers and home sellers make informed decisions about where to live and what type of property fits their financial goals.

A qualified real estate agent is essential during relocation because laws, customs, and procedures vary from state to state. Denise Abmont points out that closing costs, contract terms, and inspection requirements can differ significantly. Some states require attorney involvement at closing, while others rely on title companies. Disclosure rules and negotiation styles may also change. The HelloNation article explains that a local real estate agent in the destination city can help navigate these differences, ensuring that clients understand what to expect before making an offer.

Financing can also become complex when relocating. Home sellers planning to buy soon after selling their current property should talk with a lender early. Denise Abmont recommends discussing timing for loan approvals and how proceeds from a sale will be used for the next down payment. In some cases, bridge loans can ease the transition between homes. The article advises that each situation is unique, and the best approach depends on income stability, relocation benefits, and overall market conditions.

If a move involves a job transfer, communication with the employer is just as critical as coordination with a real estate agent. The HelloNation feature encourages homeowners to confirm relocation assistance, start dates, and reimbursement options. Some companies help cover temporary housing, moving expenses, or storage costs, which can significantly reduce the financial strain of relocating. Understanding these details early helps families plan their budgets with confidence and avoid unexpected expenses.

Beyond logistics, the article stresses the importance of researching practical aspects of life in the new community. Reviewing schools, commuting routes, healthcare options, and transportation systems helps home sellers and buyers settle in more comfortably. Setting up utilities, updating drivers licenses, and transferring vehicle registrations are small but time-consuming steps that are easier to manage when scheduled in advance. Denise Abmont suggests visiting the destination city before finalizing the move, if possible. Spending a few days in the area allows families to explore neighborhoods, meet with their real estate agent, and get a true sense of the local lifestyle and amenities.

The HelloNation article concludes that relocating to another state is a major life transition but can be managed successfully with the right strategy. Creating a timeline, budgeting for temporary housing, and working closely with a trusted real estate agent help make the process more predictable. Each step, from selling the current home to closing on a new one, builds momentum toward a smoother, less stressful move.

Denise Abmont reminds homeowners that relocating is more than a change of address; it is an opportunity to begin a new chapter. When home sellers and buyers approach the process with preparation, patience, and good communication, they can focus less on the stress of moving and more on the excitement of settling into their new community.

The article, What to Know When Relocating to Another State , features insights from Denise Abmont of Abmont Realty Group, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative edvertising approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.



HelloNation Staff

info@hellonation.com

www.hellonation.com





A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a7c66f46-e7ea-4a65-bc95-324821382064




YVERDON-LES-BAINS, Switzerland, Nov. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ecorobotix, the global leader in ultra-high precision spraying, will attend Agritechnica to unveil its advancements in spraying precision powered by its Plant-by-Plant AI technology.

Throughout the year, Ecorobotixs Ultra-High Precision (UHP) sprayers have demonstrated unprecedented accuracyapplying non-selective herbicides across various crops with clean, undamaged fields as a result. By combining Plant-by-Plant AI with non-selective contact herbicides, Ecorobotix has eliminated the need for mechanical and manual weeding, solving a major agronomic challenge for farmers.

Significant yield increases have also been recorded in Europe and the U.S. by applying selective herbicides only on weeds, without touching the crops.

With more than 30 crop-specific algorithms, Ecorobotix now offers the largest AI model portfolio in agricultural spraying, enabling ultra-targeted applications of herbicides and other crop protection productsreducing inputs by up to 95%.

For media inquiries contact media@ecorobotix.com

Editors note:

Ecorobotixs continuously expanding crop algorithm list includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, chicory, lettuce, onion, spinach, string beans, sugar beet, radish, escarole, potato, ragwort, celery, tomato, red beet, garlic, sweetcorn, leeks, and more. The company remains the only agricultural equipment manufacturer to have received an award for algorithmic innovation - LAMMA award for its carrot algorithm.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d2a8f806-03d3-45fa-80ed-a45de3bf8c18
Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new initiative announced at the Leaders Summit of COP30 in Belem, Brazil, was informed by a report released in September 2025 by the Global Climate Policy Project at Harvard and MIT (GCPP), which is dedicated to identifying and advancing innovations in global climate policies and institutions.



Signatories from Brazil, China, the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Germany, Mexico, Armenia, Zambia, and France, representing about 40% of global emissions, at COP30 intend to work expeditiously to establish the Open Coalition on Compliance Carbon Markets  a forum for discussing experiences and sharing lessons on carbon pricing, carbon accounting, offsets, and verification systems  to accelerate multilateral coordination on carbon pricing and trade.



The Open Coalition will focus on climate action and enable progress by providing a framework in which members would advance possibilities of coordination on development and enhancement of compliance carbon markets, the declaration read. The coalition will explore options to promote interoperability of compliance carbon markets in the long term.



Global leaders took an important first step to advance carbon pricing, avert trade frictions, and unlock billions in new funding, said Catherine Wolfram , the William Barton Rogers Professor of Energy Economics and Professor of Applied Economics at the MIT Sloan School of Management, faculty co-lead of the Global Climate Policy Project and affiliated faculty member at the MIT Climate Policy Center .



Our research shows that a well-designed carbon-pricing coalition can drive large-scale climate action and prevent a chaotic patchwork of border levies, Wolfram said. Were excited to see leaders send such a clear political signal that countries are serious about aligning compliance carbon markets.



The GCPP at Harvard and MIT is based at the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University and the MIT Climate Policy Center. GCPP also receives support from the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University . The GCPPs September report, a working paper titled Building a Climate Coalition: Aligning Carbon Pricing, Trade, and Development, was developed with input from a working group of thought leaders and academics from many of the worlds major emitting nations.



Through modeling scenarios, it outlined a practical pathway to decarbonize heavy industry, independent of the pace of global consensus within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, while keeping developing-economy priorities at the forefront.



Wolfram served on an ad hoc council of economists advising COP30 leaders and presented the coalition concept in June at an official event hosted by the Government of Brazil. COP30 host Brazil placed the reports proposal on its COP30 agenda and convened allied countries for technical sessions in the lead-up to the summit.



Catherine Wolframs work through the Global Climate Policy Project at Harvard and MIT paid major dividends for global leaders focused on climate adaptation and mitigation, said Bethany Patten, executive director of the MIT Climate Policy Center. As MITs front door for local, state, federal, and international climate policymakers, our mission is to serve as a trusted, nonpartisan resource for evidence-based climate policy. This is a great example of our model in action.

Attachment
New York, NY, Nov. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Credit Blockchain, a global fintech company pioneering AI-driven digital finance, today announced the launch of its Free Cloud Trial Program, designed to introduce investors  particularly those in the XRP community  to the companys next-generation AI-powered cloud financial ecosystem.

The initiative marks a new phase in the convergence of artificial intelligence, blockchain transparency, and sustainable computing, offering XRP investors access to an intelligent, automated environment for managing and optimizing digital assets securely and efficiently.



Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Digital Asset Management

The newly introduced trial program showcases how AI computing can redefine participation in the digital asset economy.



Built on Credit Blockchains AI Cloud Infrastructure, the platform integrates machine learning, predictive analytics, and blockchain verification to create a smarter, automated framework for digital asset interaction.

Through the free trial, XRP investors will experience how AI can be applied to monitor market trends, automate asset allocation, and optimize performance without manual intervention.

Our AI infrastructure transforms how investors interact with digital assets, said a Credit Blockchain spokesperson.



This trial gives XRP holders a first-hand experience of intelligent financial systems designed for transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.

How the Free Cloud Trial Works

The Credit Blockchain Cloud Trial Program allows users to explore the platforms AI ecosystem at no cost.

Participants can register, access live dashboards, and experience the real-time analytics that power Credit Blockchains AI-based financial architecture.

Core functionalities of the trial include:

AI-Driven Portfolio Insights:

Automated analysis of XRP and other assets using AI models that identify patterns and optimize exposure.





Automated analysis of XRP and other assets using AI models that identify patterns and optimize exposure. Predictive Performance Tools:

Machine learning algorithms that process live blockchain data to forecast potential returns and volatility trends.





Machine learning algorithms that process live blockchain data to forecast potential returns and volatility trends. Cloud Computing Infrastructure:

A secure, globally distributed AI computing network that enables fast, reliable processing with low energy impact.





A secure, globally distributed AI computing network that enables fast, reliable processing with low energy impact. Transparent Blockchain Tracking:

Every AI-generated operation is verified on-chain, ensuring traceable, auditable results for complete user confidence.





This model combines AI intelligence with decentralized accountability, delivering a seamless, real-world demonstration of how technology can modernize digital asset engagement.

Empowering XRP Investors Through AI and Accessibility

With the Free Cloud Trial, Credit Blockchain is targeting the growing community of XRP investors seeking smarter, compliant, and more transparent participation in the Web3 economy.

The companys infrastructure allows participants to view performance analytics, access cloud-based computation, and evaluate risk-adjusted strategies  all through AI automation.

The program aligns with Credit Blockchains mission of democratizing AI-powered finance, providing equitable access to intelligent computing for individuals and institutions alike.

Were giving investors the ability to understand AIs potential through experience, not speculation, said the companys Chief Innovation Officer.



This is a practical demonstration of how artificial intelligence can support real digital asset ecosystems like XRP.

Sustainability and Smart Infrastructure

Credit Blockchains AI Cloud runs on a renewable energy framework, ensuring environmentally responsible operation while delivering high computing performance.



The companys infrastructure is distributed across multiple regions, supporting scalability and uninterrupted service for users worldwide.

By combining AI automation, energy efficiency, and blockchain verification, the platform demonstrates that advanced financial technology can remain sustainable without compromising reliability or transparency.

Security, Compliance, and Transparency

All trial activities operate within strict compliance standards, following international KYC and AML guidelines.



User data and activity are protected through multi-layer encryption, MPC-based security, and real-time system monitoring.

Credit Blockchain also conducts regular audits and AI performance reviews to ensure data integrity and operational trust.

Every process within the trial is recorded and viewable through blockchain logs, enabling full transparency from registration to completion.

About Credit Blockchain

CreditBlockchain is a UK-based fintech enterprise specializing in AI computing, blockchain-based financial solutions, and sustainable digital infrastructure.

The company focuses on bridging artificial intelligence and decentralized finance, providing intelligent systems that support global investors in assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP.

Through automation, transparency, and renewable energy innovation, Credit Blockchain continues to lead the transition toward a smarter, inclusive, and responsible digital financial ecosystem.

 Disclaimer

Participation in AI-powered trials or digital financial programs involves operational and market risks. All figures and metrics mentioned are illustrative and not guaranteed. Users should review applicable terms before engaging.

#CreditBlockchain #ArtificialIntelligence #AIComputing #XRP #DigitalFinance #Blockchain #AIFinance #Web3 #FinTech #SustainableTechnology #CloudComputing #SmartInfrastructure #DigitalAssets

For More Information

Official Website: https://creditblockchain.com

Business Inquiries: info@creditblockchain.com
Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia Wan Li (2nd R) and some of the recipients pose for photos at the award ceremony of Chinese Ambassador Scholarships in Tunis, Tunisia, Nov. 7, 2025. Thirty-nine Tunisian high school students received Chinese Ambassador Scholarships on Friday in recognition of their participation in cultural exchanges between Tunisia and China, the Chinese embassy said. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

TUNIS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-nine Tunisian high school students received Chinese Ambassador Scholarships on Friday in recognition of their participation in cultural exchanges between Tunisia and China, the Chinese embassy said.

The award ceremony, co-hosted by the Chinese embassy, the Tunisian Ministry of Education, and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University, was held in Tunis and attended by Chinese diplomats and Tunisian officials.

Three Chinese language teachers were also honored with "Excellent Teacher" awards, while a school principal received a "Special Contribution" award.

Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia Wan Li said the scholarships aimed to encourage more Tunisian students to study Chinese and pursue higher education in China, helping them "better understand a real and multi-faceted China" and strengthen bilateral ties.

Ahlem Ben Soussia, coordinator of Chinese language teachers at Tunisian high schools and one of the award recipients, said the number of students studying Chinese had risen to nearly 900 this year from 683 last year, reflecting growing interest among Tunisian youth.

She said she hoped the scholarship program would continue to foster educational and cultural exchanges and "serve as a bridge for friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding." 
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RZoasis, a next-generation Web3 infrastructure project, today announced the official launch of RZUSD, a transparent and independently backed stablecoin designed to meet the increasing demand for decentralized digital dollar alternatives.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for the stablecoin market. After years of dominance by Tether (USDT), growing concerns around reserve transparency, centralized control, and regulatory risk are prompting users to explore decentralized alternatives. With RZUSD now entering the market, RZoasis is positioning itself at the forefront of this transition.

A Turning Point for Centralized Stablecoins

While USDT continues to lead in market capitalization, its centralized structure and limited transparency have sparked community-wide debates. Analysts warn that reliance on traditional financial institutions contradicts the decentralized ethos of crypto, leading users to seek solutions that ensure financial autonomy and security.

Introducing RZUSD: Built for Transparency and Decentralization

RZUSD represents a new era of stablecoins built around verifiability and independence. Developed by RZoasis, it leverages on-chain smart contracts and diversified reserves to maintain stability without reliance on traditional banking intermediaries.

Reports from Forbes and CoinMarketCap have already spotlighted RZUSDs innovative model, which balances price stability with a transparent reserve structure visible to all users.

RZUSD was created to give users confidence in what backs their digital dollar, said a spokesperson from RZoasis. Our mission is to redefine stability in DeFi through openness, verifiability, and community-driven governance.

A Broader Shift Toward Decentralized Finance

The introduction of RZUSD alongside established decentralized stablecoins like DAI marks a clear shift in user sentiment. As traders and DeFi participants increasingly prioritize transparency, RZoasis aims to lead this movement with tools that restore trust and align with the principles of decentralization.

About RZoasis

RZoasis is a Web3 infrastructure project focused on building transparent, trustless financial tools for the decentralized economy. The companys flagship product, RZUSD, aims to set a new benchmark in stablecoin transparency and independence.

Media Contact

Contact person: Mazyar More

Email: info@rz.game

Disclaimer: This content is provided by RZoasis. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sectorincluding cryptocurrency, NFTs, and miningcomplete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/330ae592-3077-4389-8b8f-1c2c957f9394
Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE American:TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals", "Trilogy" or "the Company") has entered into an equity distribution agreement, effective as of November 7, 2025 (the "Distribution Agreement"), with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and BMO Capital Markets Corp., as lead agents (the "Lead Agents"), and Canaccord Genuity LLC, National Bank of Canada Financial Inc. and Raymond James (USA) Ltd.(collectively with the Lead Agents, the "Agents") for an at-the-market equity program ("ATM Program").

The Distribution Agreement will allow the Company to distribute up to US$200,000,000 of common shares of the Company (the "Offered Shares") under the ATM Program. The Offered Shares will be issued by the Company to the public from time to time, through the Agents, at the Company's discretion. The Offered Shares sold under the ATM Program, if any, will be sold at the prevailing market price at the time of sale. The Company is not obligated to sell any Offered Shares under the Distribution Agreement. The volume and timing of distributions under the ATM Program, if any, will be determined at the Company's sole discretion. If sales are made under the ATM Program, the net proceeds of any such sales are anticipated to be used for continued development of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects ("UKMP") in Alaska and for general corporate purposes.

Under the Distribution Agreement, sales of Offered Shares will be made by the Lead Agents through any method that is deemed to be an "at the market" offering as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the NYSE American LLC ("NYSE American") or as otherwise agreed between the Lead Agents and the Company. No sales of Trilogy's Offered Shares will be made in Canada, to anyone known by the sales agent to be a resident of Canada or over or through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") or any other exchange or market in Canada. The Agents are not registered as investment dealers in any Canadian jurisdiction and, accordingly, will only sell Offered Shares on marketplaces in the United States and are not permitted to and will not, directly or indirectly, advertise or solicit offers to purchase any Offered Shares in Canada. Unless earlier terminated by the Company or the Agents as permitted therein, the Distribution Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) October 31, 2028 and (ii) the date that the aggregate gross sales proceeds of the Offered Shares sold under the ATM Program reaches the aggregate amount of US$200,000,000.

The ATM Program is being made pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated November 7, 2025 to the Company's U.S. automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed October 31, 2025. The prospectus supplement relating to the ATM Program has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and is available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

The prospectus supplement filed today adds to, updates or otherwise changes information contained in the accompanying prospectus contained in the Company's automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-291209) filed by Trilogy with the SEC on October 31, 2025. Prospective investors should read the prospectus in that registration statement and the prospectus supplement (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) for more complete information about the Company and the ATM Program, including the risks associated with investing in the Company. Copies of the prospectus supplement and related prospectus may be obtained from Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Attention: Capital Markets, 110 East 59th Street, 6th floor, New York, New York 10022; by email at prospectus@cantor.com, and from BMO Capital Markets Corp., Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 151 W. 42nd Street, 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10036; by email at bmoprospectus@bmo.com. You may also obtain these documents free of charge when they are available by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of these securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Trilogy Metals

Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metal exploration and development company which holds a 50 percent interest in Ambler Metals LLC, which has a 100 percent interest in the UKMP in northwestern Alaska. On December 19, 2019, South32 Ltd., a globally diversified mining and metals company, exercised its option to form a 50/50 joint venture with Trilogy. The UKMP is located within the Ambler Mining District which is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler Mining District - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within a land package that spans approximately 190,929 hectares. Ambler Metals has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., an Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler Mining District in cooperation with local communities. Trilogy's vision is to develop the Ambler Mining District into a premier North American copper producer while protecting and respecting subsistence livelihoods.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding the ATM Program and the use of proceeds of sales, if any, under the ATM Program are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving the outcome of pending litigation, success of exploration activities, permitting timelines, requirements for additional capital including but not limited to the strategic investment by the United States Department of War, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services, uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests, unexpected cost increases and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2024 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trilogy-metals-enters-into-at-the-market-equity-distribution-agreement-302609176.html

SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.
Vancouver, November 7, 2025 - Silicon Metals Corp. (CSE: SI) (FSE: X6U) ("Silicon Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has granted an aggregate of 3,500,000 stock options (collectively, the "Options") to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the Company for the purchase of up to 3,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (each a "Share"), pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan.

The Options are exercisable for a period of 5 years at an exercise price of $0.075 per Share and vest immediately. The Options and underlying Shares will be subject to a four month hold period in accordance with the policies of the CSE.

About Silicon Metals Corp.

Silicon Metals Corp. is currently focused on exploration and development in Canada, namely British Columbia and Ontario. The Company has 100% ownership in the Maple Birch Project, located approximately 30km south-east of Sudbury, Ontario, which is a high purity quartz pegmatite project with a 3,000 tonne per year production permit. The Company also holds an undivided 100% right, title and interest in the exploration stage Ptarmigan Silica Project located approximately 130km from Prince George, British Columbia. The Company has also acquired an option to purchase an undivided 100% right, title, and interest in both the exploration stage Silica Ridge Silica Project located approximately 70kms southeast from the town of MacKenzie, British Columbia, as well as the exploration stage Longworth Silica Project located approximately 85km East from Prince George, British Columbia.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

SILICON METALS CORP.

"Morgan Good"

Morgan Good

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273725
VANCOUVER, Nov. 07, 2025 - Ascot Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AOT.H; OTCQB: AOTVF) ("Ascot" or the "Company") announces it is undertaking a rights offering to raise gross proceeds of up to C$14,871,517 (the "Rights Offering").

Rights Offering

Pursuant to the Rights Offering, the Company will be offering 1,487,151,720 rights (the "Rights") to certain holders (the "Shareholders") of common shares in the capital of Ascot (the "Common Shares") at the close of business on the record date of November 18, 2025 (the "Record Date") on the basis of one (1) Right for each Common Share held. Each one (1) Right will entitle the holder to subscribe for one (1) Common Share of the Company (a "Rights Share") at the subscription price of C$0.01 per Rights Share (the "Basic Subscription Privilege").

The Common Shares are listed on the NEX Board of the TSXV Venture Exchange ("NEX"). The Rights will not be listed on any stock exchange or marketplace.

The Rights will expire at 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on December 12, 2025 (the "Expiry Time"), after which time unexercised Rights will be void and of no value. Shareholders who fully exercise their Rights under the Basic Subscription Privilege will be entitled to subscribe pro rata for additional Rights Shares, if available, as a result of unexercised Rights, prior to the Expiry Time (the "Additional Subscription Privilege"), subject to certain limitations as set out in the Company's Rights Offering circular dated November 7, 2025 (the "Circular").

In connection with the Rights Offering, the Company has entered into a standby agreement dated October 27, 2025, as amended November 7, 2025, with Fiore Management and Advisory Corp. ("Fiore" or the "Standby Purchaser"), pursuant to which Fiore has agreed to acquire 100% of all outstanding Rights Shares not otherwise acquired under the Rights Offering by Shareholders, including pursuant to the Basic Subscription Privilege and the Additional Subscription Privilege. The Circular will be filed on SEDAR+ under Ascot's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, along with the Notice of Rights Offering on Form 45-106F14 - Rights Offering Notice for Reporting Issuers (the "Notice"). The Notice, the Rights certificate and subscription form will be mailed to Shareholders in the Eligible Jurisdictions (as defined below) as of the Record Date on or about November 21, 2025. The Company expects to close the Rights Offering on or about December 15, 2025 subject to the requirement of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") that any personal information forms required to be filed in respect of the Rights Offering have been cleared.

The Rights will be offered to Shareholders resident in all provinces and territories of Canada (the "Eligible Jurisdictions"). Registered Shareholders in the Eligible Jurisdictions who wish to exercise their Rights must forward the completed subscription form, together with the applicable funds, to the rights agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. (the "Rights Agent"), on or before the Expiry Time. Shareholders who own their Common Shares through an intermediary, such as a bank, trust company, securities dealer, or broker, will receive materials and instructions from their intermediary.

Upon completion of the Rights Offering and assuming all Rights are exercised, the Company will have 2,974,303,440 Common Shares outstanding, of which Rights Shares issued under the Rights Offering will represent approximately 50% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares.

Subject to the detailed provisions of the Circular, Rights certificates and subscription forms will not be mailed to Shareholders resident in the United States or otherwise outside of the Eligible Jurisdictions, unless such Shareholders are able to establish to the satisfaction of the Company that they are eligible to participate in the Rights Offering and provide such evidence to the Company and the Rights Agent of the same.

Closing of the Rights Offering is subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV.

Subsequent to the closing of the Rights Offering, the Company will complete a 50:1 share consolidation (the "50:1 Share Consolidation"). The Rights Offering will close on a pre-consolidation basis. The Company also intends to complete a brokered private placement of subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") at a price per Subscription Receipt to be determined in the context of the market (the "Private Placement"). The Private Placement will also close on a post-consolidation basis. The 50:1 Share Consolidation and the Private Placement are subject to TSXV approval.

If a significant amount of the anticipated Private Placement does not close, the Company will be required to initiate proceedings under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).

Use of Proceeds

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Rights Offering to settle outstanding amounts owed to the Company's creditors.

Additional Information

Further details concerning the Rights Offering are contained in the Notice and Circular, each of which will be available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and for persons outside of the United States, on the Company's website at www.ascotgold.com. Prospective investors should read these documents before making an investment decision.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any state securities laws in the United States, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, NEX or the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ascot Resources Ltd.

James A. (Jim) Currie

CEO and Director

For further information contact:

Email: info@ascotgold.com

Phone: 778-725-1060

About Ascot

Ascot is a Canadian mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and its shares trade on the NEX under the ticker AOT.H and on the OTCQB under the ticker AOTVF. Ascot is the 100% owner of the Premier Gold mine which is located on Nisga'a Nation Treaty Lands, in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia.

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or visit the Company's web site at www.ascotgold.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "targeted", "outlook", "on track" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could", "would" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements in respect of the terms and conditions of the Rights Offering, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Rights Offering; the ability of the Company to accomplish its business objectives and the intentions described herein; and future plans, development and operations of the Company. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including uncertainty relating to the closing of the Rights Offering, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required approvals to complete the Rights Offering; discretion in the Company's use of available funds from the Rights Offering; the uncertainty associated with estimating costs to completion of the Rights Offering; risks relating to negative operating cash flows of the Company; dilution of the shareholdings of shareholders who do not exercise all of their Rights under the Rights Offering; irrevocability of the exercise of Rights by a shareholder; the possibility that the subscription price is not indicative of the Company's value; if a shareholder fails to follow the subscription procedure and abide by the subscription deadline their subscription may be rejected; whether the Private Placement and 50:1 Share Consolidation will be completed on the terms described or at all; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; environmental compliance; risks related to outstanding debt; uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to development, production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need to obtain additional financing to finance operations and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; social media and reputation; negative publicity; human rights; business objectives; shortage of personnel; health and safety; the possibility of delay in future plans and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; claims and legal proceedings; information systems and cyber security; internal controls; violation of anti-bribery or corruption laws; competition; tax considerations; compliance with listing standards; enforcement of civil liabilities; financing requirement risks; market price volatility of Common Shares; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; the need for exchange approval, and other regulatory approvals and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Ascot's filings with Canadian securities regulators, available on Ascot's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca including the Annual Information Form of the Company dated March 24, 2025 in the section entitled "Risk Factors". Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made with regard to: the completion of the Rights Offering under certain thresholds, including the estimated costs thereof; the estimated costs associated with the care and maintenance plans; the tax rate applicable to the Company; future commodity prices; the grade of mineral resources and mineral reserves; labor and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Company's current expectations, the ability of the Company to convert inferred mineral resources to other categories; the ability of the Company to reduce mining dilution; the ability to reduce capital costs; the ability of the Company to raise additional financing; currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels, compliance with the covenants in Ascot's credit agreements; exploration plans; and general marketing, political, business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Although Ascot believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Ascot can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Ascot does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Aston Martin admits technical shake-up in the works

Rumours are swirling in Brazil that Aston Martin is undergoing a sweeping technical overhaul - with several senior engineers reportedly forced out of the team.

Fernando Alonso, Mexican GP 2025

 Aston Martin Racing

According to multiple paddock sources, those departing include Eric Blandin, the highly regarded head of aerodynamics who joined from Mercedes in 2022, and veteran designer Akio Haga. Speculation suggests that Adrian Newey, deep into his work on the all-new 2026 project, was influential in the reshuffle.

When asked about the situation, a team spokesperson declined to name individuals but confirmed that changes are coming. Aston Martin is undergoing a technical restructuring which will be officially announced soon, the official said.

Internal matters are not discussed.

The shake-up comes just as reports emerge that Marco Fainello, a key figure in Ferrari's Schumacher era and the architect of the Scuderia's first F1 simulator, is set to join the Silverstone outfit. Fainello, who has spent recent years in advanced AI simulation research, would mark a notable return to Formula 1 after a 13-year absence.

Meanwhile, Lance Stroll has dismissed recent claims that he has asked his father for permission to quit F1. Speaking at Interlagos, the Canadian called the reports fake news but admitted 2025 has been a tough campaign.

I think we've managed to do a good job on some of the weekends where the car has been competitive, he said. "But there's also been a lot of weekends where we just haven't been as competitive as we want to be as a team.

So, yeah, four more races to go - and then next year is a new opportunity for everyone.

(GMM)
Audi shift gathers pace ahead of F1 concept reveal

Audi's long-awaited Formula 1 entry is beginning to take visible shape, with the manufacturer confirming that its concept F1 car will be unveiled on November 12 - widely expected to showcase its 2026 livery rather than the final race chassis.

Nico Hulkenberg, Mexican GP 2025

 Sauber

Behind the scenes, the transition from Sauber to full factory status is now in full swing. According to Blick's veteran correspondent Roger Benoit, the changes in Hinwil have been sweeping - and symbolic.

The catering department, with its renowned kitchen that has been famous for years, is being discontinued, Benoit wrote. It will be taken over by the world-famous company Do and Co. The Austrians also work for the Paddock Club and rival Mercedes. Audi and the Silver Arrows are also jointly outfitted by Adidas.

He added starkly: It is unknown who from the old Sauber guard in Hinwil is still alive.

Benoit quoted a long-time employee as saying: In our factory, everything that even remotely reminds us of Sauber is currently being removed. There aren't any old pictures hanging on the walls anymore.

The extent of the internal overhaul remains unclear, but Audi is reportedly determined to keep the process under wraps. Still, Blick noted that the team is now financially secure for several years thanks to major support from Revolut, the UK-based neobank, and Qatari state investment.

Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg, speaking at Interlagos, said the transformation to Audi is accelerating: "I can say the project continues to evolve.

It's clear that next year will bring big changes, the German added. "A lot of work is happening behind the scenes alongside the current season, and we're getting closer and closer to realising the project. It's becoming more and more real with each passing week.

It hasn't had a major impact on us yet - but it will soon begin to happen.

(GMM)
(CIIE) Opening doors to shared future -- China's import expo boosts market access, development for least developed countries

Xinhua) 15:08, November 08, 2025

This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2025 shows a view of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

SHANGHAI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's annual import expo has been opening doors to the world's least developed countries (LDCs), facilitating not only the exchange of ideas, orders and friendship, but also driving their local development and income growth.

At the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which began on Nov. 5 and will close on Nov. 10 in Shanghai, Myanmar entrepreneur Thida Win has been offering her customers spoons of fruit-scented honey, and showcasing byproducts such as beeswax balm and candles.

"The CIIE is a global marketplace in the spotlight. We are looking forward to finding celebrated distributors and unlocking the potential of the Chinese market," said Win, CEO of Plan Bee Social Enterprise.

Although her company has already exported honey products on a small scale to China's border regions, Win is attending the import expo for the second time to gauge market trends and gain greater visibility.

She said the company is committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities by training over 2,000 beekeepers, and by providing equipment and buying honey from them. Acknowledging the CIIE's vision for a shared future, she said, "We expect to boost our production capacity and farmers' livelihood."

Win's booth is in an exhibition area dedicated to products from the LDCs that have diplomatic ties with China, offering a glimpse into how China's preferential policies are supporting small exporters to gain a foothold in the world's second-largest import market. Over 160 enterprises from 37 LDCs are participating in the eighth CIIE -- up 23.5 percent year on year.

Visitors try coffee at the pavilion of Ethiopia during the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Meng Chenguang)

Connections between China and the LDCs have extended beyond these exhibition halls, reaching Chinese households and dinner tables, demonstrating the expo's spillover effect and fruitful cooperation outcomes.

Hamed Rauf is representing Afghan carpet company Qadir Rauf Co. Ltd., which has participated in all eight CIIEs since 2018, said he has secured partnerships with 15 to 20 new dealers at each event.

"I really appreciate that many Chinese like Afghan culture, and we double down on investment in China," he said. The company has established an operations center in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, and plans to expand its footprint in China's small commodity hub of Yiwu in the eastern Zhejiang Province, he noted.

China began its mutton imports from Africa in 2024, making its first purchase deal with Sino-Malagasy Animal Husbandry (Madagascar) Co., Ltd. (SMAH), a Chinese firm based in Madagascar. SMAH made its CIIE debut at the seventh expo and gained the recognition of distributors.

Last month, Madagascan mutton appeared on the shelves and online platform of Hema Fresh, a Chinese fresh-food retail chain. At the eighth CIIE, staff have been livestreaming the quality and low-fat content of these meat products.

"We have established a full industrial chain for livestock breeding, slaughter and processing. Since last year, we have exported over 400 tonnes of mutton to the Chinese market," said Zhang Ting, executive director general of SMAH.

Over 500 local herding households breed livestock for the company, which has strict quality requirements. According to 43-year-old Madagascan herder Etsara, his cooperation with SMAH has enabled him to expand his livestock herd and earn an additional annual income of 2,000 yuan (about 282.3 U.S. dollars) -- an increase of about 42 percent of the local average yearly income. "China has changed my life," he said.

Beyond the CIIE platform, these small exporters benefit from greater access to international trade networks thanks to China's policy of zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for the LDCs and African nations that have diplomatic ties with China.

A parallel session titled "Building Multilateralism to Enhance Economic Resilience of the Global South" is held during the 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang)

Gerd Muller, director general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, noted that China is the most important partner for investment and trade with developing countries, and highlighted China's commitment to multilateralism.

"We appreciate and thank China, especially for zero-tariff access for LDCs," Muller said.

"The Global South cooperation with China offers developing countries greater market chances, and enables technology transfer and industrial development, adding the possibility to end hunger in the world," he said.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Sheng Chuyi)
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, addresses the Sangam Gala 2025 in Islamabad, Pakistan, Nov. 6, 2025. (Photo by Ahmad Kamal/Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has said that Pakistan should learn from China's development experience to achieve sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Sangam Gala 2025 held by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan in Islamabad earlier this week, Sheikh said China's achievement in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty serves as a global example of people-centered development.

He noted that China's progress in education, technology, and technical skills must be prioritized in Pakistan to empower youth and reduce poverty.

"The way China develops its people through education and technology offers an ideal model for Pakistan and South Asia," Sheikh said. "Only through skill development and technical education can our people overcome poverty."

Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, said that driven by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan has made significant progress in various fields such as energy, healthcare, and women's well-being. Pakistan will actively promote strategic alignment with China's 15th Five-Year Plan and work together with China to create a more prosperous future for bilateral relations, he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said the ongoing modernization efforts in China and Pakistan have opened up broad avenues for collaboration. In particular, the proposals outlined in China's 15th Five-Year Plan present important opportunities for strengthening the China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

China's initiatives, including promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and expanding high-standard opening up, also provide strong momentum for upgrading CPEC and solid support for the two countries to jointly advance economic globalization, he added.

Jiang hoped both sides could reaffirm their commitment to carrying forward the ironclad friendship, deepening practical cooperation, and working together to create a brighter shared future.

The gala brought together diplomats, officials, scholars, and representatives from both nations to celebrate the two countries' long-standing ties and explore new channels of collaboration. 

Pakistan's Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh addresses the Sangam Gala 2025 in Islamabad, Pakistan, Nov. 6, 2025. (Photo by Ahmad Kamal/Xinhua)
Illness wave hits F1 paddock as Sainz sidelined

Carlos Sainz has been forced to miss his Thursday media duties at Interlagos after falling ill - the latest case in what many in the Formula 1 paddock describe as a virus sweeping through teams in recent weeks.

Carlos Sainz, Mexican GP 2025

 Williams

Although Williams did not specify the nature of Sainz's illness, reports suggest he is resting in hopes of being fit to drive on Friday. The Spaniard's absence adds to a growing list of unwell drivers and team members as the gruelling 24-race season nears its conclusion.

Esteban Ocon revealed that he too has been struck by the same lingering virus that has been circulating through the paddock.

I was still really unwell a week ago, the Alpine driver told reporters. "It took me quite a while to recover. The race in Mexico was probably one of the hardest of my life. The last 15 laps were torture, to say the least, but I still managed to score points for the team.

Many people in the paddock have fallen ill, including on our team, Ocon explained. "Long seasons are a real challenge for health. I hope my immunity will last the winter and into next year.

Between Austin and Mexico, it was like a bad cold. I didn't leave my room for two or three days and slept constantly. Unfortunately, that's one of those factors we can't control.

(GMM)
Lando Norris

 McLaren

Lando Norris secured Formula 1 sprint pole for the Brazilian Grand Prix, leading a McLaren-Mercedes 1-3 ahead of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri, as Max Verstappen struggled to sixth for Red Bull.

In a tight SQ3 at Interlagos, Norris set the benchmark early with a 1m09.271s before improving to 1m09.243 on his second effort. The Briton looked composed and confident throughout both runs, carrying momentum from his strong FP1 performance earlier in the day. Antonelli impressed again in his Mercedes W16, narrowly missing out on pole by 0.097s after a smooth final sector on his second flyer. Piastri completed the top three, just 0.185s adrift, while George Russell took fourth with a 1m09.495s.

Fernando Alonso continued Aston Martins recent resurgence by taking fifth with 1m09.496s, holding off Verstappen, whose 1m09.580s lap left him frustrated with the Red Bulls balance. The car is completely broken, the Dutchman complained over team radio, summing up a difficult session for the reigning world champion.

Lance Stroll followed in seventh for Aston Martin, ahead of Charles Leclercs Ferrari (1m09.725s), while Isack Hadjar again starred for Racing Bulls, placing ninth with a 1m09.775s. Nico Hulkenberg completed the SQ3 lineup for Sauber, setting 1m09.935s.

Earlier segments saw Alonso briefly top SQ2 on mediums with a 1m09.330s, leading Norris and Piastri, while Verstappen narrowly escaped elimination after describing his car as a handful. Lewis Hamilton was the high-profile casualty, finishing 11th after a late lock-up prevented him from improving.

Behind him, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon were eliminated in 13th and 12th respectively, while home rookie Gabriel Bortoleto finished 14th for Sauber ahead of Haas driver Oliver Bearman. Franco Colapinto, whose 2026 Alpine contract was confirmed ahead of the session, missed out on SQ2 by fractions in 16th.

In SQ1, Norris had already signaled his pace by topping the times on mediums with a 1m09.627s, three tenths clear of Verstappen and Piastri. Conditions remained warm and stable throughout, though grip was limited in the first sector due to light overnight rain.

With Norris heading the grid for Saturdays sprint ahead of Antonelli, Piastri, and Russell, McLaren appear in strong shape to extend their recent momentum  while Verstappen faces a recovery challenge from the third row.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Ye Jianying memorial park to learn about local efforts in promoting revolutionary culture in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 7, 2025. Xi on Friday inspected the city of Meizhou in south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

GUANGZHOU, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensively deepening reform and opening up for high-quality development, and advancing the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with sustained efforts.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection tour in Guangdong on Friday and Saturday. He hailed the southern province as a pacesetter, pioneer and pilot zone of reform and opening up.

While visiting the Ye Jianying memorial park in Meizhou City on Friday afternoon, Xi noted that all of China's great achievements today are built on the foundation laid by Mao Zedong and other older generation revolutionaries, calling for efforts to educate and guide officials and the public, especially young people, to carry forward revolutionary traditions.

In Meizhou, Xi also toured a pomelo growing base where he was briefed on Guangdong's efforts to step up support for old revolutionary base areas and advance all-around rural revitalization, among others.

He pointed out that developing rural specialty industries is fundamental to promoting comprehensive rural revitalization, calling for greater efforts to boost farmers' incomes.

On Saturday morning, Xi inspected the exhibition of the province's achievements in the integrated development of technological and industrial innovation in the provincial capital, Guangzhou. After this, Xi heard a work report from the Party committee and government of Guangdong Province.

Xi noted that studying, publicizing and implementing the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee is a major political task for the whole Party and the entire country at present and in the period to come.

Guangdong, as an economic powerhouse and a developed region, should take the lead, set an example and play a major role in the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, Xi said.

Xi emphasized that for Guangdong to create new advantages and achieve new breakthroughs, it is necessary to vigorously carry forward the spirit of reform and opening up and the spirit of the special economic zones, and promote high-quality development through comprehensive deepening of reform and opening up.

Xi also urged the province to focus on developing new quality productive forces, strengthen the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, and build a modernized industrial system with international competitiveness.

The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area means a huge responsibility for Guangdong and also presents a rare development opportunity for the province, Xi noted.

He urged efforts to deepen cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and to support Hong Kong and Macao to better integrate into as well as serve the country's overall development.

Xi stressed that it is imperative to strengthen Party leadership and advance full and rigorous governance of the Party. He called for coordinated efforts to ensure officials do not dare, are not able, and have no desire to commit corruption, and create a sound development environment through clean and earnest governance.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Ye Jianying memorial park to learn about local efforts in promoting revolutionary culture in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 7, 2025. Xi on Friday inspected the city of Meizhou in south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with staff members while visiting the Ye Jianying memorial park in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 7, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province on Friday and Saturday. (Photo by Xiao Yi/Xinhua)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a pomelo growing base to learn about local efforts in expanding support for old revolutionary base areas, and advancing all-around rural revitalization in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 7, 2025. Xi on Friday inspected the city of Meizhou in south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, tours a pomelo growing base in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 7, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province on Friday and Saturday. (Photo by Xiao Yi/Xinhua)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a pomelo growing base to learn about local efforts in expanding support for old revolutionary base areas, and advancing all-around rural revitalization in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 7, 2025. Xi on Friday inspected the city of Meizhou in south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with local villagers and farmers while visiting a pomelo growing base in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 7, 2025. Xi on Friday inspected the city of Meizhou in south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the exhibition of Guangdong's achievements in the integrated development of technological and industrial innovation in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 8, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the exhibition of Guangdong's achievements in the integrated development of technological and industrial innovation in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 8, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
Before planning a beach day, consider what the Guam Environmental Protection Agency had to say about the quality of water after a heavy rainfall connected to a passing tropical disturbance.

Guam EPAs Beach Watch Program on Friday issued a beach advisory that includes all 43 beaches due to the large amount of rain from a passing storm.

Storm water runoff may contain additional bacteria and cause many beaches to have high concentrations of unsafe bacteria, Guam EPA said.

Guam EPA is urging residents to stay safe.

Recreational activities in unsafe beaches may result in minor illnesses such as sore throats or diarrhea. It might also result in more serious illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis, or severe gastroenteritis.

Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of getting sick when they come in contact with contaminated water.

For any questions regarding this advisory or the Beach Monitoring Program, contact beach.report@epa.guam.gov or Guam EPA at (671) 588-4751.

The beaches tested by Guam EPA include:

Dededo  Tanguisson Beach

Tumon Gun Beach, Naton Beach  San Vitores Beach, Naton Beach  Fujita, Naton Beach  Matapang Beach, Naton Beach  Guma Trankilidat Beach, Ypao Beach

Tamuning  Gognga Beach, Dungcas Beach  Sleepy Lagoon, Dungcas Beach, East Hagatna Bay  Alupang Towers Beach, East Hagatna Bay -Trinchera Beach

Hagatna Padre Palomo Park Beach, Hagatna Channel, Hagatna Channel  Paseo Outrigger Canoe Ramp, Hagatna Bayside Park

Assan-Ma'ina  Adelup Beach Park, Adelup Point Beach, Asan Bay Beach

Piti  Piti Bay, Santos Memorial Park, Outhouse Beach, Family Beach, United Seamens Service, Port Authority Beach

Hagat  Togcha Beach  near Namo River, Togcha Beach  Agat Park Beach, Togcha Beach(near Southern Christian Academy), Bangi Beach, Nimitz Beach

Humatak  Humatak Bay, Toguan Bay

Malesso'  Malesso' Pier at Mamaon Channel

Inalahan  Inalahan Pool, Inalahan Bay

Talo'fo'fo'  Talo'fo'fo' Bay, First Beach, Ipan Public Beach, Togcha Bay

Yona  Tagachang Beach

Chalan Pago-Ordot  Pago Bay
HANGZHOU, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- From nursing homes to farmland, rapid advances in AI and other digital technologies are reshaping services, production and governance across China.

As the country strives to make technology accessible to all, these innovations are injecting new momentum into its drive for inclusivity and common prosperity.

In the ancient water town of Wuzhen, in east China's Zhejiang Province, a local nursing home exemplifies this shift. At the Wuzhen Intelligent Elderly Care Center, residents live with the support of robotic companions and intelligent devices such as smart pill boxes.

Unlike traditional facilities, this smart nursing home features an intelligent system that analyzes seniors' behavior and vital signs in real time. The data-driven system helps caregivers identify potential risks early and provide customized services.

"The system, integrating Internet of Things, big data and AI, streamlines elderly care services, enhances seniors' quality of life, and foresees potential risks," said Zhong Yueying, director of the nursing home.

"We have evolved from simply providing care to helping the elderly enjoy their lives by improving their overall well-being," said Wang Qiuhong, assistant general manager of Tongxiang Heji Nursing Home Co., Ltd., which manages the nursing home.

This digital transformation is reaching China's growing silver-haired population. By the end of 2024, people aged 60 and above reached 310 million, accounting for about 22 percent of the country's total population, a demographic now increasingly assisted by smart technology.

At a sub-forum of the ongoing 2025 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, Li Yanyi, vice governor of Zhejiang, highlighted the province's efforts to expand AI applications to meet public needs, particularly those of vulnerable groups. A major step has been the launch of a digital platform linking over 40,000 senior service providers throughout the province, enabling more elderly residents to access digitalized care.

The wave of technological empowerment is also sweeping China's vast countryside, playing a critical role in the country's push for rural revitalization, further narrowing the urban-rural gap and bringing common prosperity to rural residents.

In Xiaogang Village, Fengyang County, in east China's Anhui Province, intelligent irrigation and field-monitoring systems serve as "digital guardians" for crops, while AI-powered drones conduct precision scouting, identifying pests and diseases in real time. The data they collect generates "digital prescriptions" for targeted fertilizer and pesticide use.

"Smart agriculture in Xiaogang ensures stable and increased yields, cuts costs and boosts efficiency," said Li Jinzhu, the first secretary of the village's Party committee. "We are also integrating digital technology into tourism and local governance to diversify villagers' income and improve public services."

Li added that Xiaogang, widely regarded as the "cradle of China's rural reform," hopes to share its new experience in developing modern agriculture and bridging the urban-rural divide with other regions.

In August this year, China released a national AI action plan, calling for accelerated digital-intelligent upgrading of agriculture and strengthened AI integration in farm management and risk prevention to support farmers across the country.

In Zhejiang's Jinhua City, AI is being paired with low-altitude technology to help farmers map field boundaries, classify crop types, detect forest fires and pest infestations, and reduce pollution by enabling precision fertilization and waste monitoring.

Xu Zhijie, assistant general manager of Jinhua Zhejiang Agricultural Information Technology Co., Ltd., said that the company has developed over 20 proprietary AI models for agriculture, streamlining tasks from field monitoring to biodiversity tracking.

"AI is fueling high-quality development and expanding the economic pie. It enhances productivity and value of traditional industries while creating new professions and improving governance," said Li Jun, director of the Zhejiang Development and Planning Institute.

"Rural residents are active participants, not bystanders, in this technological revolution," he added. 




Haiti - Politic : The OAS and CEAL join forces to support Haiti





The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Latin American Business Council (CEAL) are joining forces to promote economic and social development in the Americas, with a focus on education and support for Haiti.



The OAS and CEAL will collaborate to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors in the economic, social, and educational development of the region, particularly to support Haiti. This partnership was formalized following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding today during the XXXVI CEAL Plenary Assembly, held in Washington, DC.



CEAL President Roberto J. Zamora stated : "This agreement represents a great opportunity for a new era amid so many changes taking place in the world: politicians cannot solve problems alone, and neither can businesspeople. If we come together to confront economic challenges and promote the development of our countries, it is a winning formula. Now, the important thing is to make this a reality; not to leave it at the signing of a protocol, but to move forward on issues of interest for economic development. And we are going to put it to the test with a very difficult task : Haiti"



Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the OAS, Albert R. Ramdin, stated : "the signing of this document is a milestone for us, and I am pleased that one of the areas of cooperation includes not only financial inclusion, employment, education, and food security, but also support for Haiti." The OAS leader expressed his conviction that this partnership "The OAS leader expressed confidence that this partnership will be the beginning of a long-standing relationship, not only with regard to Haiti but many other places where we will be able to assist."



CEAL brings together private business leaders from 19 Latin American countries, Puerto Rico, Miami, and the Iberian Peninsula, all committed to a "borderless America" fostering the exchange of experiences, promoting investment, and integrating entrepreneurs.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Agribusiness : Ayitika Chocolate wins 3 awards in Paris





At the 30th edition of the Salon du Chocolat (World Chocolate Fair) held in Paris (October 29 to November 2nd), the Haitian company Ayitika, sharing a booth with Norway, proudly represented Haiti and won two "Gourmet" medals awarded by the Agency for the Promotion of Agricultural Products (AVPA) for its Dark Chocolate with Guava and its Dark Chocolate with Cinnamon. The medals were officially presented to Ayitika during the fair.



This fair is not a competition; it is the world's largest event dedicated to cocoa and chocolate, bringing together more than 250 exhibitors each year from some thirty countries, representing the main players in the industry: producers, chocolatiers, artisans, chefs, institutions, and enthusiasts. In 2024, it welcomed more than 95,000 participants who came to discover and taste the creations of chocolatiers, pastry chefs, and producers from around the world.



Furthermore, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, a new competition, "Les Eclats de Chocolat" (Chocolate Sparkles), organized by the Salon du Chocolat in partnership with Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet, was launched to showcase the most innovative, ethical, and delicious creations from the Salon's exhibitors, rewarding products that embody the excellence of contemporary chocolate.



Five prizes were awarded : the Innovation Prize, the Jury's Choice Award, the Commitment and Ethics Prize, the Discovery Prize, and the Best Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Bar, won by Ayitika for its "Kanperen-80%" bar.







This chocolate bar is a blend of two groups of cacao varieties: Contamana and Amelonado. Selected by Ayitika, these varieties are cultivated by rural families in the Camp-Perrin region (Southern Haiti). Specific fermentation and roasting protocols were developed and adopted for this combination. The jury particularly appreciated the balance of flavors, the intensity, and the great aromatic subtlety of this chocolate bar, stated the president of the Salon du Chocolat (Chocolate Fair) as she presented the award to Jean Chesnel Jean, Founder and CEO of Ayitika.



One of the immediate benefits of this award is the featuring of three Ayitika products at the prestigious Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet in Paris in the spring of 2026.



In the meantime, Ayitika will also participate in the Salon du Chocolat de Montreal (Montreal Chocolate Fair) from November 20 to 23, 2025, at Windsor Station.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46135-haiti-agribusiness-ayitika-haiti-wins-silver-medal-in-the-gourmet-category-for-its-70-dark-chocolate-amelonado-criollo.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Team EU : 30 Tons of Aid

Team Europe (Europe, Spain, France) welcomed a humanitarian flight funded by the European Union, carrying over 30 tons of humanitarian aid from Panama. This essential equipment is destined for people affected by Hurricane Melissa in Haiti and will be distributed by UNICEF, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Several partner organizations contributed to this aid, including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).



Vocational Training in Aeronautics ?

Reginald Guignard, Director General of the National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC), met with representatives of the Mobile Training Center for Arts and Crafts (CEFOMAM) to explore avenues for collaboration to facilitate young people's access to vocational training and promote their integration into the aeronautics sector. OFNAC thus reaffirms its commitment to supporting and mentoring youth and strengthening local skills within Haitian aeronautical services.



Port-au-Prince City Hall : Immediate Sanctions

The Port-au-Prince City Hall informs the public that it has become aware of a video circulating on social media showing some City Hall employees improperly dumping waste on public roads. The General Directorate wishes to clarify that the employees involved have been formally identified and that immediate administrative sanctions have already been taken against them, in accordance with the City Hall's internal regulations.



Qatar : Laurent Saint-Cyr met with Bishop Eugene Nugent

Laurent Saint-Cyr, President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transition Council, met with Archbishop Eugene Nugent, Apostolic Nuncio to Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, to discuss the urgent appointment of a new Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti. Saint-Cyr also expressed his desire to obtain the Holy See's support for organizing an international solidarity conference for Haiti.



Administrative delays hinder job creation

Built with a mixed Haitian-foreign investment estimated at over $60 million, the Varreux container terminal has been ready for five years but remains inactive. "All the facilities are ready. All that's missing is the presence of customs officials to get started. Five years of waiting is too long !" declared David Ware, representative of Africa Global Logistics (AGL), during an interview on a radio station in the capital, urging Haitian authorities to deploy customs agents to the Varreux container port to allow for its official opening. This is a job-creating opportunity. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46153-haiti-news-zapping.html



US Aid to Haiti : The American Ambassador Explains (Video)

In the latest video edition of "Coffee Break" from the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Ambassador Henry T. Wooster discusses American aid to Haiti in the fight against arms and ammunition trafficking.







HL/ HaitiLibre


















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WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. administration has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from U.S. energy sanctions on Russia after President Donald Trump met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House on Friday, multiple media outlets reported, citing anonymous White House officials.

"We're looking at it, because it's very difficult for him (Orban) to get the oil and gas from other areas. As you know, they don't have the advantage of having the sea," Trump told reporters at the White House with Orban earlier on Friday.

Orban stressed that the access to Russian energy is "vital" for Hungary's economy.

The exemption for Hungary may raise questions about the Trump administration's seriousness in enforcing its sanctions on Russia's oil exports, local analysts said.

In return, Hungary has committed to buying U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) worth about 600 million U.S. dollars, the U.S. State Department said in a fact sheet issued on Friday.

Orban also announced a nuclear fuel deal with U.S.-based Westinghouse to supply U.S. nuclear fuel for Hungary's Paks I nuclear plant, according to the fact sheet, adding that the contract is valued at approximately 114 million dollars.

The Hungarian government has announced its intent to purchase 700 million dollars' worth of defense articles via foreign military sales as part of efforts to boost bilateral defense cooperation, said the document. 
Network operator Vodafone will operate less network and is completely withdrawing from public peering, i.e. interconnection with other internet providers and backbone operators at neutral locations. This means Vodafone is also withdrawing from the leading German internet exchange point, DE-CIX. Vodafone is keeping existing direct interconnections with large streamers and hyperscalers. Otherwise, it is outsourcing all peering to a private provider.

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As Vodafone announced, that private provider is Inter.link GmbH from Berlin. Vodafone expects lower latencies, more resilience, and cost savings from this step. For peering partners who do not yet work with Interlink, the changes mean additional effort. Furthermore, they will have to pay fees from now on, which depend on the amount of data exchanged. This is unusual for public peering at neutral locations, but Vodafone has already been charging for private peering.

Deutsche Telekom is also doing this, reportedly at significantly higher rates. Although Telekom is still present at a few neutral exchange points, its operations there are restricted. Several consumer protection organizations accuse Deutsche Telekom of being a "network brake" and of having created artificial bottlenecks at the access points to its network. In April, they filed a complaint with the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur, BNetzA).

Vodafone's German peering is to be completely switched over in 2025, with other group countries to follow next year. Interlink's German connection points are located in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Munich, Dusseldorf, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart. The company also has network connections in Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, as well as in the US state of Virginia.

(ds)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
Anti-aircraft fire was also reported in Atbara, around 300 kilometres north of Khartoum. No deaths or injuries have been reported from the incidents.

Residents told AFP that the blasts occurred early on Friday near a military base and a power station. The capital remains under control of the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Explosions from drone strikes shook areas near Sudans capital Khartoum less than 24 hours after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces announced it would join a US-backed humanitarian ceasefire.

Sudans military-led government did not confirm responsibility but reiterated its mistrust of RSF ceasefire claims.

Sudans civil war began in April 2023 between the army and the RSF. The conflict has killed at least 150,000 people, according to recent estimates, and displaced 12 million more.

The RSF, led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, announced on Thursday it had accepted a humanitarian truce plan initially proposed in September by the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The plan called for a three-month pause in hostilities, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a transition to civilian governance.

The announcement came days after RSF forces seized full control of el-Fasher, a strategic city in the Darfur region. The group had surrounded the city for 18 months, blocking aid and restricting movement.

The fall of el-Fasher has triggered international condemnation. Survivors have accused RSF fighters of systematic killings, torture, and sexual violence. More than 60,000 people have fled the city, the UN refugee agency said.

The RSF admitted that violations had occurred and claimed to have arrested some fighters. The group released video footage it says shows a soldier being detained for participating in executions.

UN-backed monitors have confirmed famine conditions in parts of Darfur, including el-Fasher. Aid deliveries have been severely disrupted by the conflict and siege tactics.

On Tuesday, Sudans Defence Minister Hassan Kabroun gave a televised speech thanking the US for its efforts to broker peace but reaffirmed the militarys commitment to defeating the RSF.

Our preparations for war are a legitimate national right, he said.

The Sudanese ambassador to South Africa, Osman Abufatima Adam Mohammed, rejected the ceasefire proposal. He warned that previous truces were exploited by the RSF to reposition and escalate fighting.

From our experience, we had many truces at the beginning of the war but every time there was no respect from [the RSF], he told reporters on Friday.

Khartoums charge daffaires in Nairobi, Mohamed Osman Akasha, told the BBC that any end to the conflict must include the RSFs disarmament and the prosecution of its leadership.

I have no information about a proposal for truce. The only thing that I know is the government of Sudan, the people of Sudan are very determined to defeat this militia, he said.

The Sudanese government has also opposed the involvement of the UAE in ceasefire negotiations. Officials have repeated accusations that the Gulf nation has supplied weapons and foreign fighters to the RSF. UAE authorities deny the claim.

UN experts have assessed the allegations and deemed them credible.

The RSFs takeover of el-Fasher has given it control of most of western Sudan. The city had served as one of the last major army-held positions in the region.

The fall has worsened the humanitarian crisis. The United Nations says more than 24 million people are facing severe food insecurity in Sudan, the highest number ever recorded in the country.

Islamic Relief warned that community-run kitchens, which have become critical lifelines for civilians, are collapsing due to lack of supplies and volunteers.

A volunteer quoted in the report said most kitchens would shut down within six months unless funding and support resumed.

Famine, disease outbreaks, and mass displacement have accelerated as international aid access remains restricted. UN agencies have appealed repeatedly for humanitarian corridors and security guarantees, which neither side has consistently honoured.

On 14 November, the UN Human Rights Council will hold an urgent session on the situation in el-Fasher.

RSF officials have said they welcome dialogue aimed at achieving comprehensive and lasting peace, but they have not acknowledged responsibility for atrocities.

The group remains under scrutiny as reports of human rights violations continue to emerge from areas it controls.

Despite the announcement of a truce, the Sudanese armys stance and the drone attacks near Khartoum suggest that no ceasefire is currently in effect.

Both parties have agreed to previous truces since the war began, none of which have lasted. The situation remains volatile with no immediate sign of a durable peace.

HT
Emergency power outages were introduced across much of the country after hundreds of missiles and drones struck power and gas facilities. Ukraines air force said it intercepted 406 out of 458 drones and nine of 45 missiles launched in the overnight assault.

Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure overnight, killing at least ten people and leaving widespread blackouts across several regions, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday.

Kyiv officials reported explosions across the city before dawn, with falling debris setting off fires in residential areas. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a blaze broke out in the Pechersky district before being contained. No casualties were reported in the capital.

In Dnipro, a drone hit an apartment block, killing at least two people and wounding 11 others, including children, local authorities reported, according to the Kyiv Independent. A man was reported dead and ten more wounded in Kherson, while Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia each reported several civilian deaths from strikes on residential districts.

Governor Oleg Kiper confirmed that drones damaged an energy facility in the Odesa region. He reported no deaths but said repairs would take days. Ukraines Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said emergency power cuts would end once the system stabilised.

The enemy is massively attacking Ukraines energy infrastructure again, she said. Emergency outages will be cancelled when the situation is under control. Despite the enemys plans, Ukraine will have light and heat this winter.

Ukraines grid operator Ukrenergo said rolling blackouts would remain in place through the weekend, with Kyiv and surrounding areas facing up to eight hours without power.

The attack was one of the heaviest on the energy grid since October, when Russias strikes destroyed around 60% of Ukraines gas production capacity. Officials warned that similar large-scale attacks are expected to continue as temperatures fall.

Russias Ministry of Defence confirmed it had carried out a massive strike using long-range precision missiles launched from land, air and sea. The statement said the targets were energy and defence industry sites across Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities accused Moscow of trying to break public morale by depriving cities of electricity and heating as winter approaches. The darkness and cold are part of Russias war tactics, a government statement said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed calls for tougher sanctions on Moscow and urged the European Union to freeze Russian assets. Russian nuclear energy is still not under sanctions, and its military industry still receives Western microelectronics, he said. More pressure is needed on oil and gas trade as well.

Zelenskyy said Russian forces were also massing near the border city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian troops reported minor advances by Russian units near Pokrovsk, where intense close-quarter fighting continues.

Ukraines top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces were carrying out counter-assaults around Dobropillia to relieve pressure on Pokrovsk.

The attacks came as Ukraine announced a new commander for its drone air defence forces. Yuri Cherevashenko, who helped establish Ukraines first mobile air defence brigades, was appointed to improve interception capacity and strengthen the countrys layered system of protection.

Kyivs energy challenges have led to new agreements to secure winter fuel supplies. State-owned Naftogaz confirmed plans to import at least 300 million cubic metres of US liquefied natural gas through Polands Orlen. The deal aims to ensure heating and electricity continuity despite ongoing attacks.

Ukraines government said recovery teams were working through Saturday to restore power to critical facilities. Officials in Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv warned residents to prepare for extended outages as temperatures drop.

HT
GAZA/JERUSALEM, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel handed over the remains of 15 Palestinians to the Gaza Strip through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday, a day after Palestinian militants returned the remains of an Israeli hostage under the ongoing ceasefire agreement.

The handover followed Israel's confirmation that the remains transferred by Hamas the previous night belonged to a reserve soldier killed during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The hostage was identified as 61-year-old Lior Rudaeff, whose body had been held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, according to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The latest exchange brings the total number of Palestinian bodies returned to 300, while 23 hostage bodies have so far been returned to Israel.

The remains of four Israelis and one Thai national are still in Gaza, out of 28 hostage bodies that Hamas is obligated to return under the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Oct. 10.

In addition to the deceased, Hamas has released 20 living Israeli captives, while Israel has freed 250 Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences and 1,718 detainees from Gaza as part of the truce deal. 
THE home of the former River & Rowing Museum in Henley is for sale with a guide price of 3 million.

The sale, which was listed yesterday (Thursday), is being handled by American commercial real estate services company CBRE.

The 35,688 sq ft building was designed by the modernist architect Sir David Chipperfield and opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

The structure has won awards, including the Royal Fine Art Commission Building of the Year award in 1999 and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) National Award in the same year.

The museums foundation trust made the decision to shut down the operation in July, citing rising costs and is working with Oxfordshire agent Richard Venables to find a suitable buyer.

The building is designed in two different parts and is linked by a glass and concrete footbridge, with

78 parking spaces and it has a D energy rating.

While its three large galleries are in the process of being cleared and dismantled, the buildings office spaces are currently occupied by the

foundation as it continues to wind down the operation. Part of the second building has been let as self-contained office suites.

The property is held on a long leasehold interest, and the sale will be subject to VAT.

The building currently has planning permission for use for learning and non-residential institutions (Class F1) and part use for offices (Class E), however, other uses may be possible subject to planning.

None of the museums 35,000 objects are included in the sale, and are in the process of being rehomed by the few remaining museum employees following the closure in September.

Interim director Kevin Sandhu said that the sale of the building could see the potential for a version of the museum to remain in the town.

He said: We ourselves are focused on if we can support a new museum that would almost certainly be smaller.

So a new owner for this building that could generate the type of income that could make it viable would be fantastic.

Mr Sandhu said that several interested parties had already made enquiries and had looked around the building.

The site sits on land owned by Henley Town Council and has a 68-year lease.

Mr Sandhu said that while he would like to see the space as something that could be used by the community, they needed to assess the appetite of the market. He said: I think lots of people will have strong personal views on it, which I totally understand and respect because, for a long time, it has served the community.

I think if it ended up being something that was still used by the community, I think that would be a really good outcome.

But, of course, we do live in times where there are commercial necessities and unfortunately, as a museum, it hasnt been able to be commercially viable.

Of course, being very self-focused, if [the sale] meant that foundation could go on and deliver its objectives in some other way, then I think that would be a win all around.

Mr Sandhu said that a priority was ensuring that the sale ensured the foundation trust was able to support its future operations.

He said: If we were to generate significant funds, that would give us a much stronger level of resource to continue our charitable objects which are the provision of education and museum learning around the collections of river, rowing and Henley.

Mr Sandhu said that while the buildings design which was inspired by river boathouses, was iconic however, its size was something of a double-edged sword.

He said: The galleries are huge spaces and really impressive spaces, but it would depend on the type of use.

Having that space is slightly a double-edged sword because it costs quite a lot in terms of energy costs and to cool it. Its so iconic, its so eye-catching and yet there are operating costs associated with having something so large.

He added that some of the buildings plant and machinery, which was put in nearly 30 years ago, was dated.

In October 2022 the museum underwent a 1.1 million refurbishment project, which closed the building for nine months to fix its leaking roof, heating, electrical and cooling systems and refitted its shop and cafe.

The museum, which is a charity, had relied on interest from an 8.5million endowment by Sir Martyn Arbib, founder of the Perpetual fund management company, to cover its operational costs. But, as its deficits increased, including the building work, compounded with the rise in national insurance contributions and with low footfall, it struggled to keep its doors open.

Mr Sandhu said that the new format of the museum was still in its early days but that its education arm had begun to take on some bookings.

He said: We are building up the book for next year in terms of school visits.

In terms of the museum objects, weve returned quite a few of our loaned objects but were still working through our policies and procedures to make sure that if further disposals of accessioned objects they are done in a very strictly controlled, documented and transparent way.

Mr Sandhu said that the museum continued to work closely with the town council, the landowner.

He said: Almost certainly any new occupier will need to have a kind of deed of variation.

Of course, Henley Town Council are our landlord and so would become the landlord. So theyre aware at this stage and we just need to consider what appetite is out there.

l What do you think? Write to: Letters, Henley Standard, Caxton House, 1 Station Road, Henley or email

letters@henleystandard.co.uk
SHANGHAI, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- When Amanda Gallegos arrived in Shanghai last year to take part in the China International Import Expo (CIIE), she was anxious about the fate of her six luggage cases filled with Andean cereals made from quinoa and amaranth, only to see them unexpectedly become a hit at the expo.

Buoyed by the response and confident in China's vast market, she returned this year with a large container of multi-flavored healthy snacks from her company IncaSur, catering to the growing Chinese appetite for natural, low-sugar, high-protein foods.

Gallegos, CEO of IncaSur, explained that all the ingredients in the exhibited foods are grown by Peruvian family farmers living over 3,500 meters high in the Andes, who have inherited the agricultural traditions of the Inca civilization across generations.

"The change from six luggage cases to one container means not only the growth of my company but the closer cooperation between Peru and China," she said, noting that such business cooperation also serves as an exchange of culture and tradition.

Meanwhile, the Chancay Port has accelerated and simplified bilateral cooperation, serving as a flagship Belt and Road project between China and Peru that has reduced the sea voyage from over a month to around 23 days while cutting shipping costs by at least 20 percent.

According to the latest statistics from Shanghai Customs, the "Chancay-Shanghai" shipping route handled 154,000 tonnes of import and export cargo valued at 3.97 billion yuan (about 560.45 million U.S. dollars) during the first three quarters of this year, fueling a 56.9 percent year-on-year surge in Shanghai's trade with Peru to 13.42 billion yuan.

The arrival of the first shipment of exhibits for the 8th CIIE at Shanghai's Yangshan Port last month marked the first time that expo goods were transported via this route since the Chancay Port opened in late 2024.

Faster transportation and lower shipping costs have made Peruvian enterprises more competitive in China, Gallegos said, expressing gratitude to the CIIE, which she described as the best gateway to the vast market of the world's second-largest economy.

The digital platform provided by the CIIE enables enterprises to submit applications in real time and maintain online interaction with relevant Chinese departments, accelerating the product registration process significantly, she said.

Thanks to convenient services, the 8th CIIE attracted over 200 exhibitors from Latin America, surpassing last year's turnout, according to official data. Jairo Ruiz, commercial manager of Colombia's coffee company Banexport, also felt the warm hospitality. Upon arriving in Shanghai, a customs official personally welcomed his team and guided them through a priority clearance channel designated for the CIIE exhibitors.

"This is China's respect for us and our products," said Ruiz, who attended the import expo for the first time and hopes his company's coffee will win wide popularity.

The CIIE is a very important window for Banexport as it brings together people from China and many other countries who are interested in coffee products, he said, emphasizing the importance of consumers appreciating the meticulous process that transforms coffee beans into a rich, flavorful drink.

Ruiz noted that his company has purchased coffee-making equipment from China, including sorting machines and drying plants. "We wish to bring our coffee to China and Chinese products back to Colombia."

A total of 29 Colombian enterprises have showcased products such as coffee, vegetable oil, alcoholic beverages, chocolate, and meat at the expo, drawing long queues of visitors.

Jin Lin, vice chairman of the Shanghai Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs, said the CIIE offers a big platform for Latin American enterprises, with their exhibits -- particularly farm products and alcoholic beverages -- gaining popularity among Chinese consumers.

This demonstrates the growth of China-Peru economic and trade cooperation, as well as the vast consumption potential of China's market, Jin added.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 8th CIIE, Colombia's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Diana Morales, described participation in the expo as "a cooperation based on understanding and mutual benefits."

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Colombia, and the two countries signed a cooperation plan on jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road in May.

Colombia's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative is an important step to advance the relations between the two countries, said Sergio Cabrera, the ambassador of Colombia to China. Colombia is a guest country of honor of the 8th CIIE.

"We are glad to see more Colombian companies seeking opportunities in China, which in the meantime reflects that Chinese consumers are increasingly willing to try new things," said Oscar Felipe Rueda, director of ProColombia in China.

According to Rueda, the bilateral trade relationship has a promising future. "The coming years are important for strengthening relations between the two countries -- not only in exports, but also in investment and tourism. When trust is enhanced, achievements begin to happen," he said. 
HANOI, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The opening ceremony of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi's cultural festival took place on Friday night, promoting Vietnamese cultural values and presenting Hanoi as a city rich in tradition and innovation.

The opening performance, featuring nearly 1,000 artists and attended by about 3,000 guests, showcased Vietnam's cultural diversity through various traditional and contemporary art forms.

The festival, themed "Heritage-Connection-Era," will run until Nov. 16, featuring a series of cultural and artistic events at the Temple of Literature, Hanoi Museum, and other tourist sites across the city.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha said the festival offers a stage connecting traditional heritage with the spirit of the digital age, where folk artisans and young creators join hands to renew and enrich Vietnam's cultural identity. 
JERUSALEM, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) on Friday night revised its outlook on Israel to "stable" from "negative," while affirming its sovereign credit rating at "A."

S&P said the stable outlook reflects its view that military de-escalation, supported by the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, has lowered the immediate security risk for Israel.

"The outlook reflects our assumption that the scale of direct military confrontation will remain contained, even if tensions between Hamas and Israel persist and the broader regional security environment remains fragile," the agency noted in its report.

It noted that Israel's economic structure, driven by high-tech service exports, with a high percentage of employees able to work from home, has cushioned the impact of security disruptions.

However, it noted that the ratings are limited by high geopolitical risks, as well as increased security-related pressures on public finances. It warned that a military escalation could weaken Israel's economic, balance-of-payments, and fiscal performance.

S&P assessed that the differing views of Israel, the United States, the European Union, Turkiye, and the Gulf states on the post-war arrangements in Gaza will hinder progress toward a durable peace agreement. It also warned that Israel and Iran could engage in another round of direct military confrontation.

The agency expects Israel's GDP growth to recover sharply in the second half of 2025, reaching 5 percent in 2026, driven by stronger consumer and business confidence and a decline in reserve soldier mobilization, which will ease labor shortages.

It forecasts a general government deficit of slightly below 6 percent of GDP this year and 4.8 percent in 2026. These projections are slightly stronger than the previous ones due to the reduction in military spending, stronger economic recovery, and lower borrowing costs. 
Sweden is one of the guest countries of honor at the ongoing 8th CIIE in Shanghai, and has brought more than 20 brands for display. Join Xinhua Correspondent Sam as we dive in for a "Fika" coffee break and experience the minimalist philosophy of Sweden.
ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has expressed concern over the recent allegations by U.S. President Donald Trump over the Nigerian government's complicity in the targeted killing of Christians.

In a statement issued late Friday, the AU Commission rejected any threat of unilateral military action against Africa's most populous nation, reiterating its "unwavering commitment" to Nigeria's sovereignty and its constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.

The 55-member continental bloc emphasized the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, religious freedom, and the rule of law, as enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act and related instruments.

"Nigeria is a longstanding and valued member state of the African Union, playing a key role in regional stability, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping initiatives, and continental integration," the statement read.

It followed a recent social media post by Trump, in which he alleged that thousands of Christians are being killed in Nigeria by "radical Islamists," who are responsible for "this mass slaughter." The U.S. president also declared Nigeria a "country of particular concern."

The Nigerian government had earlier dismissed the U.S. designation as "inaccurate," while reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens, maintaining religious freedom, and tackling violent extremism.

"Any external engagement must respect Nigeria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity," the AU Commission said, underscoring full respect for Nigeria's sovereign right to manage its internal affairs, including security, religious freedom, and human rights, in line with its constitution and international obligations.

It urged external partners, including the United States, to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building partnerships rather than resorting to unilateral threats of military intervention, which could undermine continental peace, regional stability, and AU norms for peaceful conflict management. 
LUSAKA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has approved Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable antiretroviral (ARV) drug, for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, with the government describing it as a major milestone in the country's fight against the pandemic.

Minister of Health Elijah Muchima said on Friday that the approval of the drug reaffirms the government's commitment to ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030 through the introduction of innovative and highly effective prevention technologies.

Lenacapavir is administered once every six months and offers protection against HIV infection for the same duration.

According to Muchima, the registration of the drug makes Zambia the second country in Africa, after South Africa, to do so.

He noted that the introduction of the drug has significant implications for HIV prevention in Zambia, which continues to record about 30,000 new infections annually, particularly among adolescent girls and young women.

"The availability of this drug gives hope to those who struggle to take daily or two-monthly HIV prevention doses, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers at risk of infection, and men who prefer to access prevention privately," he said.

Muchima said the milestone builds upon the country's introduction of another long-acting injectable ARV, Cabotegravir, in February 2024, adding that Lenacapavir will be provided free of charge to all eligible Zambians. 
COLOMBO, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan authorities have identified six police divisions in the Western and Southern Provinces as high-crime zones, a senior government minister told parliament on Saturday.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala said the government has launched several measures to curb criminal activity in these locations.

In addition to increasing regular police patrols, officers in plain clothes have been deployed for surveillance, and dedicated elite police motorcycle units are being established in the identified areas, he said.

Wijepala added that while targeted operations are being carried out in high-crime divisions, police across the country are also conducting random checks on residences, vehicles and individuals to locate illegal weapons and contraband.

Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities are also coordinating with Interpol to issue red notices for wanted Sri Lankan suspects living overseas, the minister said. 
SYDNEY, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A man has been charged with attempted murder over the stabbing of a police officer with a sword in southwest Sydney on Friday evening, police said on Saturday.

The police force in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) said that the 28-year-old probationary constable was one of the officers deployed to reports of a concern for welfare at a residence in the suburb of Grasmere, about 50 km southwest of central Sydney, at around 5:20 p.m. on Friday.

Officers arrived at the scene and attempted to arrest a 20-year-old man. During the course of the arrest, the 20-year-old allegedly threw a spear at police before stabbing the 28-year-old constable in the leg with a sword.

The constable was treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics and airlifted to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The 20-year-old was tasered and taken to a nearby police station, where he was subsequently charged with several offenses, including two counts of attempted murder, four counts of wounding a person with intent to resist arrest and wounding a police officer executing their duty.

A crime scene was established at the residence, and a knife, hatchet and spear were seized for forensic examination. 
VIENNA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has brokered another localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which took effect on Friday, paving the way for repairs of the facility's power supply, the agency said in a statement the same day.

Demining operations and other preparatory work began Friday morning near a damaged section of the 330 kilovolt Ferosplavna-1 line, whose connection to the plant was cut six months ago, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in the statement.

Grossi said technicians are expected to start repair work on Saturday, aiming to reconnect Ferosplavna-1 to the site in the next few days, adding that the IAEA team based at the ZNPP would monitor the repair process.

The move would restore access to a second external power line for the ZNPP, following the successful repair last month of the 750 kilovolt Dniprovska line.

According to the statement, the initial plan was to repair both lines simultaneously in October, under two localized, temporary ceasefires that allowed technicians from both sides to work. However, during the restoration of the Dniprovska line, additional damage to the Ferosplavna-1 line was discovered at another location closer to the plant itself but outside of the previously agreed ceasefire zones, delaying its reconnection.

"Both sides recognize the risks posed by a prolonged loss of power as well as by limited off-site power redundancy at a nuclear facility. They have worked constructively with us to enable these vital repairs to proceed. However, the overall nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains highly precarious," Grossi said.

The ZNPP's six reactors have not produced electricity for more than three years and are all shut down. However, the plant still needs electricity to power the pumps that cool its reactor cores and spent fuel, and to prevent a meltdown and a possible radioactive release. 
PORTOROZ, Slovenia, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Vice President of the National Assembly of Slovenia Meira Hot on Friday called for closer cooperation between Slovenian and Chinese media to enhance mutual understanding and promote objective reporting.

During a meeting in Portoroz with Huo Xiaoguang, vice president of Xinhua News Agency, Hot said that the media serves as a vital bridge between nations, helping share true and balanced information and to build mutual trust.

Huo, for his part, said Xinhua is ready to deepen exchanges with Slovenian partners and work together to uphold fairness, objectivity and accuracy in reporting.

Amid the rise of social and digital platforms, professional journalism remains essential for public trust, Hot said. "Through stronger collaboration between our media, we can tell our stories more accurately, foster dialogue and contribute to friendship between our peoples."

The two sides also exchanged views on the Belt and Road Initiative.

Hot stressed that the initiative has brought tangible benefits to participating countries by improving infrastructure and connectivity and that Slovenia should make better use of the platform to advance cooperation and exchanges.

Hot said the Chinese market offers vast opportunities for Slovenian products, and stronger trade and communication will further strengthen Slovenia-China friendship and cooperation. 
LJUBLJANA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A secondary school student was reportedly assaulted by two young Roma men outside the Community Health Centre in Kocevje, southern Slovenia, on Friday, fueling recent security concerns related to the ethnic minority.

Local media said the victim has sustained several blows to the face and lost at least one tooth. Police have launched an investigation. Both suspects have been identified.

The incident comes amid heightened public concern over youth violence and community tensions in southeastern Slovenia. It follows a recent fatal assault in Novo Mesto, in which the suspect is also believed to be from the Roma community.

In response to recent public concerns about regional security, the government has proposed the Sutar Law, seeking to strengthen law enforcement in areas identified as having high risks.

Under the draft legislation unveiled on Thursday, police and judicial authorities are granted broader authority to prevent and prosecute crimes more effectively. It also deepens cooperation between local governments and national security institutions.

Kocevje Mayor Gregor Kosir voiced support for the law, saying that additional measures are urgently needed. He said mayors in the region have long raised concerns about repeated offenses by some young individuals.

"The problem is not identifying the perpetrators, but ensuring effective sanctions," Kosir said, adding that the new law could help address long-standing security challenges in local communities. 
MOSCOW, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Russia said Saturday that it targeted Ukrainian military-industrial and gas-energy facilities in response to alleged Ukrainian attacks on civilian sites.

The Russian Defense Ministry described the operation as a "massive strike" using high-precision long-range weapons from air, land and sea, including hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and combat drones.

"All designated targets have been hit," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's air defense systems shot down two guided aerial bombs and 178 drones over the past day, said the ministry.

Ukraine said that Russian forces launched 45 missiles and 458 drones overnight against its critical infrastructure and that air defense systems downed 406 drones and nine missiles. 
ISTANBUL, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and another injured when a fire broke out at a cosmetics factory in Turkiye's northwestern Kocaeli province on Saturday, local authorities reported.

The fire erupted at the facility in the Dilovasi district, and multiple fire units were dispatched following an emergency call, according to a statement from the office of Governor Ilhami Aktas.

The blaze was eventually brought under control, Aktas added.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. 
Guestroom at the Hyatt Centric Reims - Image Credit Hyatt

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Hyatt Centric Reims, the first for its brand in France. The hotel is situated in the city center of Reims, offering views of the Aisne-Marne Canal and proximity to key tourist attractions, including the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Palais du Tau. This opening is part of Hyatt's plan to expand the Hyatt Centric brand globally, aiming for a 50% increase in its footprint by the end of 2029.

The Hyatt Centric Reims features 155 guestrooms and suites. The design incorporates natural tones and materials inspired by the local vineyards. Each room is equipped with a rain shower and a flat-screen TV. The hotel caters to both business and leisure travelers with its adaptable design.

The hotel includes two dining options. Le Neo, the main restaurant, offers a menu that reimagines classic French cuisine with charcoal grilling techniques. The Bar by Le Neo focuses on mixology, offering a selection of cocktails and a Champagne menu that highlights local producers. Additionally, a boutique store offers a curated selection of Champagne brands and local products.

For events, Hyatt Centric Reims provides eight meeting rooms equipped with modern technology. These spaces are designed to host conferences, seminars, and receptions, featuring natural light and contemporary decor.
GCP Hospitality: a Pragmatic, Data-driven Approach to Direct Bookings With Triptease - Image Credit Triptease



Learn how GCP Hospitality leverages Triptease's tools to drive direct bookings and optimize its revenue strategy across its hostel properties in New Zealand and Australia.

GCP Hospitality is a hotel management company operating a diverse portfolio of independent hotels and hostels across the Asia-Pacific region. With properties ranging from luxury resorts to brand-forward hostels, GCP operates a highly adaptive, analytics-first approach to revenue and distribution. While direct bookings are an important goal, GCPs strategy centers on sustainable growth, healthy channel mix, and guest retention.

To support that vision, GCP partners with Triptease for its New Zealand-based hostel brand, Haka House, leveraging Tripteases metasearch and messaging tools to build a forward-thinking direct booking strategy. We spoke with Vice President of Commercial Strategy, Michael Belanger, and Cluster Revenue Manager, Leo Fyot, to learn more.

A balanced approach to direct bookings

GCP takes a strategic approach when it comes to driving direct bookings. They appreciate the role that OTAs can play in a guest discovering a property, but they dont want to rely too much on these third parties.

We dont necessarily set a specific target for any of our properties. Were mostly focusing on year-on-year growth. That comes down to retention, building loyalty, and making sure that weve got the best rates and best content on our direct channel. Michael Belanger, Vice President of Commercial Strategy

GCPs goals differ by market and property. In key leisure destinations, they aim for direct bookings to make up 2030% of total reservations, while recognizing that some remote or once-in-a-lifetime destinations will likely see more OTA-driven demand. For their hostel properties, they often depend on OTAs to bring the guest to the first destination, and then try to convert the guest direct for their next stay.

In New Zealand, there are some places that are the first point of contact for travelers, and wed often depend on OTAs for that first booking. So if a guest books through Booking.com for their Auckland stay, wed like them to book direct in Taupo or Queenstown or Rotorua. Michael Belanger, Vice President of Commercial Strategy

They choose to work with Triptease to make sure that guests who come through OTAs continue as direct bookers.

Metasearch: Ensuring that the final booking comes direct

Metasearch plays a foundational role in GCPs direct booking strategy. While many guests first discover GCP properties through OTAs, metasearch becomes essential later in the booking journeyparticularly for rate-aware guests comparing prices across platforms.

Tripteases AI-powered algorithm takes into account important levers on metasearch like rate parity, location, and length of stay, and bids higher in auctions where the searcher is most likely to convert. By bidding smarter, Triptease Metasearch drives an 18x ROAS for GCP hospitality and makes up 15% of direct revenue across the portfolio.

Knowing that Triptease is making sure that bidding is optimized for when were in parity or cheaper than the OTAs really means that our money is well spent, and were not wasting money on auctions we wont win. Michael Belanger, Vice President of Commercial Strategy

Tripteases ability to showcase rates effectively in the metasearch auction for single beds in a shared room (something that not all metasearch providers are equipped to do) is also key to GCPs success when promoting its hostel properties.

Metasearch for hostels is a bit tricky, and weve been able to work closely with Tripteases product team to make sure that we really get the bang for our buck in the metasearch auction. Michael Belanger, Vice President of Commercial Strategy

Website personalization that adapts to GCPs goals

GCP uses Triptease Messages with nuance, depending on the unique needs of the property and its audience.

Exit messaging in particular has proved extremely effective, driving over $170k in revenue by offering a discount to customers who look likely to leave the website without booking. Overall, these messages have over a 5% conversion rate.

Exit messaging is an obvious one where, if you know the guest is about to leave your site, you definitely want to keep that line of communication open. Michael Belanger, Vice President of Commercial Strategy

With messages being used by multiple team members, both at the corporate level and at individual properties, the overall ease of the platform has proven invaluable.

"Its very easy to create messages, and the information in the dashboard is great. Michael Belanger, Vice President of Commercial Strategy

A platform that drives collaboration and adoption

One of the standout benefits of Triptease for GCP isnt just performance: its usability. GCP is a large group, and while much of the revenue and marketing team sits at corporate level, property-level employees are also key to direct booking success.

From on-property teams to senior leadership, the intuitive nature of the Triptease platform has made it accessible to all levels at GCP. Dashboards and data are easy to interpret, and adoption has been high even among teams without technical or marketing backgrounds.

Its been very easy for us to encourage adoption at the hotel level because the system is intuitive. Even a GM can just look and see how much business theyre getting. In many ways its far better than Google Analytics, which gives too much information for someone not trained in digital marketing. We use it regularly in our performance reviews. Michael Belanger, Vice President of Commercial Strategy

Looking ahead

As GCP continues to expand its reach across the APAC region, its team remains focused on optimizing its channel mix, building loyalty, and adapting its distribution strategy to each unique market. With Triptease as a strategic partnernot just a tech providerGCP has the tools, flexibility, and support it needs to scale direct bookings thoughtfully.

About Triptease

Triptease are the pioneers of the Direct Booking Movement. For more than a decade, the companys unique technology has helped thousands of hoteliers around the world to fight back against OTAs by driving more direct bookings and winning more valuable guests.

The Triptease Data Marketing Platform is a full-funnel marketing solution designed specifically for hotels, powered by their unique price, market and customer data. This data is applied across a range of industry-leading marketing productsincluding Metasearch, Paid Search, Display Retargeting, Website Personalization, and Emailto help hotels build direct guest relationships, reduce their cost of sale, and increase revenue.
BIC Sees $5.2M State Investment for Tech Hub

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Berkshire Innovation Center's plans for an optics tech hub have been boosted by $5.2 million from the state.



On Thursday, the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's Innovation Institute announced over $16.3 million in funding and designated 14 state regions as "TechHubs" through the Massachusetts (MA) TechHubs Program. The awards were announced at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

The BIC received a $5.2 million transformation grant  the largest allocation  for an Advanced Optics TechHub within the William Stanley Business Park. The innovation center, established in 2020, is looking to add a 7,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing for Advanced Optics Tech Hub to its 23,500-square-foot floor plan.



Business Development Manager Michael Coakley said this is wonderful news for Pittsfield.



"The City has been working with Myrias Optics, an advanced optics manufacturer, and EMA [Electro Magnetic Applications] to be the anchor companies for the hub," he reported.



"The goal for the tech hub is to make Pittsfield the national leader in the testing and manufacturing of advanced optics."

Mayor Peter Marchetti has proposed $1 million in Pittsfield Economic Development Funds to assist the

BIC with this expansion and for Myrias Optics to establish a manufacturing laboratory at the

"The AMAO TechHub places Pittsfield at the forefront of advanced manufacturing," said the mayor in a statement. "The combination of state and local resources for the TechHub will create more job opportunities while we support entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses in this community. I continue to appreciate the investments made in Pittsfield by the Healey-Driscoll administration, Rep. [Tricia] Farley-Bouvier and Sen. [Paul] Mark."

The AMAO Tech Hub is poised to bring more than 60 new, high-quality manufacturing jobs to Pittsfield. The project would allow Myrias to relocate to Pittsfield, create over 50 new job opportunities, and invest $10 million into its work in the region. EMA would be able to continue expanding in Pittsfield, adding a dozen jobs over the next two years. Through partnership with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, this project is hoped to extend its reach beyond Pittsfield, creating bridges to other regions of the state and investing in the next generation of industry leaders.

The state's press release said this will also facilitate collaboration along the Boston-Rochester optics corridor, develop a pipeline of talent for advanced optics manufacturing, and facilitate the growth of startups, including Myrias Optics and Electro Magnetic Applications.

"Massachusetts has always led through innovation, not just in our labs and universities, but through the strength and creativity of our people," Gov. Maura Healey said in the press release.

"The TechHubs Program reflects our belief that every region should have the opportunity to shape the future of technology and to share in the prosperity it brings."



The BIC is seeking $500,000 to expand, and Myrias Optics Inc. is seeking $500,000 to establish the manufacturing laboratory at the BIC. Both requests were referred to the Community and Economic Development subcommittee, which will meet on Monday, Nov. 10.



Funds would go toward a specialized nanoimprint lithography (NIL) lab to support the Massachusetts-based photonics company that is currently reliant on space in Austria.



Myrias Optics was born out of the UMass Amherst, and this facility is expected to "dramatically" advance the company's commercialization goals. The manufacturing lab would be modeled after the Austria facility and house NIL tooling, process engineering, and metrology operations.



By 2028, the company plans to expand from 10 to 55 employees with an average annual salary between $112,000 $127,000, and the annual revenue growth from $1 million to $33 .7 million.



The BIC has more than 50 members and 14 academic partners. It has recruited and supported Pittsfield startups through the Stage 2 Accelerator Program tailored for hard tech ventures transitioning from prototype to commercialization. This program provides mentorship and facilities, as well as connections and funding pathways.



"As the BIC continues to drive this growth, it has observed a clear shift in regional needs from basic capacity-building to advanced research, development, and commercialization," the funding ask reads.



"Today, the demand for lab space, prototyping tools, and startup support significantly exceeds available resources."



The BIC currently has an advanced optics lab in partnership with EMA and UMass Amherst. In 2019, Pittsfield gave EMA $140,000 in economic development funds towards the purchase of a space environment testing chamber and a tax agreement that will curb the taxes EMA pays to the city from fiscal 2020 to fiscal 2026.

"This funding is a big step forward in enabling the Berkshire Innovation Center and the City of

Pittsfield to plant a mustard seed into soil that has been cultivated at the BIC allowing for the next

critical step in the communitys economic revitalization and into the future," said Farley-Bouvier.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute also received $5.2 million for a Bioindustrial Manufacturing TechHub. These grants are said to support regions ready to "execute large-scale projects that enhance innovation infrastructure, promote the development of local high-growth scaling companies, catalyze technology commercialization, and foster workforce development with up to $5 million in capital funds over a period of up to three years."






Rep. Leigh Davis, left, Health & Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, Rep. John Barrett III, Dr. Christopher Abbot and Jennifer Bach-Guss, associate nursing director, outside 2 North on Tuesday. Mahaniah, in an ER treatment room, was in the Berkshire to visit several food and health-care organizations. PreviousNext

Health Secretary Updated on Patient Care at North Adams Regional



Health Secretary Kiame Mahaniah tours a private room with Jennifer Bach-Guss and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  State Health & Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah toured North Adams Regional Hospital's inpatient ward on 2 North and its emergency department with Berkshire Health Systems President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz and the emergency department.

The secretary was in the Pioneer Valley and Berkshires this week for "food-focused" listening sessions, including in Pittsfield and North Adams , but found time to ask questions of officials at the critical access hospital and with mental health-care providers at the Brien Center in North Adams. He was accompanied by state Reps. John Barrett III, Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Leigh Davis.

The reopening of the in-patient beds last year at the hospital filled a substantial health-care gap in North County. The hospital closed in 2014 when its parent organization declared bankruptcy; Berkshire Health Systems stepped in to purchase its assets, gradually reopen some of its services and, finally, received the designation of critical access last year to allow for inpatient beds.

"We have 24/7 coverage, position coverage available for our patients that are admitted," explained Jennifer Bach-Guss, associate nursing director. "We have observation patients in patient and swing [units], which is a rehab-type level that is available for patients who live in rural areas, so they don't have to go to nursing home facilities when it's not appropriate."

Patients in the swing units are kept to around three or four, and they may stay for a couple of weeks. They need to show improvement, and the hospital works out a discharge plan. Physical and occupational therapy is available for swing patients and the hospital has a geriatric certification in the Emergency Department, so therapists can do evaluations with patients struggling with mobility and walking and make referrals.

"The patients that are going to nursing home or acute rehab have a little bit different than need," she said. "And I'm hoping that as time goes on, the nursing homes and rehab facilities see that we're not so much of a threat. It's a very specific type of patient that we're looking to keep here."

The critical access designation puts a cap of four days on average, so some observational patients may stay seven days and others two, as long as the average is four.

"We've been averaging about 10 patients, including swing and observation," said Rodowicz. "We can only go up to 25 beds. We've got 18 because that's what the unit can handle with private rooms."

Dr. Christopher Abbott, a hospitalist who rotates with three other physicians, said NARH can't treat patients requiring an intensive care unit, so no intubated patients. Those requiring more intensive care are taken to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield or life-flighted elsewhere from the hospital's helipad.

"They [BMC] know when we have a patient that is having a hard time here, that we need a quick transfer and are always very, very receptive to moving the patients through quickly," said Bach-Guss. "Our biggest, our most significant struggle is just with the transportation piece, is actually getting an ambulance here."

Farley-Bouvier did a "ding ding ding" to point out a problem that the Berkshire delegation has brought up time and again: transportation in the largely rural district. (Transportation to BMC 25 miles away was a hardship on patients, families and ambulances.)

"Yeah, that is something that's always in mind," agreed Bach-Guss. "When we are making a transfer out, either from the inpatient side or from the emergency department, what is the need in the community? Where are our ambulances and how long are we going to be sending them out?"

Rodowicz said a lot of underinsured people use the emergency department as a primary-care stop.

"We, like everybody else, have a significant shortage of primary care," she said. "Definitely throughout the whole county, people are using the emergency department. ... we think that what will be changed in the enrollment at the federal level and eligibility, that we'll see more utilization. We do also offer the same care regardless of coverage, with our primary care offices as does local FQHC [Federally Qualified Health Center, which is CHP.] We have the preponderance of primary care doctors either employed by BHS or by the FQHC. So both practices take everybody."

Rodowicz said it was something she'd like to discuss further with the secretary when they had lunch in the hospital's dining room. The health system is also in need of nurses and other health care staff.

Registered nurse Erynn Fletcher said, "I don't think we'll ever have enough. But, I mean, there is a really good availability of nursing programs."

Fletcher graduated from the licensed practical nursing program at McCann Technical School and then went through Berkshire Community College's RN program. She's been with the health system for two years.

"This is exactly the kind of nurse that we want to keep," Bach-Guss said. "Takes great care of patients, like being at the bedside and that we'll be able to train and precept the next generation of nurses."

"And not go to some big medical center in Albany?" said Mahaniah. Fletcher laughed that she already did with Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, but found the drive was too much and that as someone who's lived her whole life here, her familiarity can bring a lot of comfort to patients.

Rodowicz said there's a real need for community health and social workers and that BHS had used a three-year grant to address that work until the hospital reopened. Barrett told Mahaniah that she was the driving force in getting the hospital reopened; Rodowicz demurred that it was a team effort.

"I think one of the things that was most important to the community was that Darlene and the leadership team were very happy and willing to embrace that this is, this was North Adams Regional Hospital," said Bach-Guss. "And it reopened as North Adams Regional Hospital, and it was an anchor in the community, and that we maintained that identity and that connection."
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that no U.S. officials will attend G20 summit scheduled to be held in South Africa late this month.

Trump again claimed on his Truth Social platform that Afrikaners, a minority in South Africa, "are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated." The South African government has repeatedly dismissed the White House allegations throughout the year.

"I look forward to hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida!", Trump added. The president had earlier announced that he would not attend the summit in South Africa.

Tensions between Washington and Pretoria occurred shortly after Trump returned to office in late January. Trump signed an executive order to freeze U.S. aid to South Africa in February, accusing the Expropriation Act, a land reform law South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed in January, of "discriminating" against the country's white people.

In response, the South African government pushed back against the White House's accusations, saying the executive order of freezing aid "lacks factual accuracy and fails to recognize South Africa's profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid."

In February, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that he would boycott the G20 summit in Johannesburg because of "bad things" happening in the country, while criticizing the summit for focusing on "solidarity, equality, & sustainability."

In March, Washington expelled then South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, further straining the bilateral relations. The expulsion followed an earlier address by the South African ambassador, in which he criticized Trump.

In May, Trump confronted visiting South African President Ramaphosa at the White House with conspiracy theories on "white genocide" in South Africa, which Ramaphosa firmly denied.

At the time, Ramaphosa, who had arrived in Washington to improve trade terms and ease bilateral tensions, rejected Trump's assertions during their meeting. The South African president refuted the notion that white South Africans are fleeing the country due to racist policies, noting that the majority of crime victims in his country are Black. 
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Pakistan and Afghanistan have been holding peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, as a tenuous ceasefire holds following cross-border clashes that left dozens of people dead and hundreds wounded.

Here's a look at what's been going on between Pakistan and Afghanistan:

The fighting, which has killed civilians, security forces and militants, has been the deadliest in years between the two neighbours. It erupted after a 9 October explosion in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and another in the southeastern province of Paktika the same day that Afghanistan's Taliban-led government blamed on Pakistan.

Pakistani officials have neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the blasts, and there was no official comment from either side on whether there were any injuries.

Since 9 October, there have been several shelling and shooting incidents which have led to dozens of deaths on both sides of the border, although the two sides have differed widely on the casualty figures.

Earlier this week, Pakistan's military spokesman Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif said more than 200 Afghan soldiers and more than 100 militants were killed when Pakistani forces targeted militant hideouts and army positions in Afghanistan after coming under attack.

Afghan government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid rejected the claim, saying only nine Afghan soldiers had been killed and 22 wounded. But he said up to 45 civilians had been killed and 102 had been wounded in the attacks.

Mr Mujahid also claimed 58 Pakistani soldiers had been killed, but Pakistan countered that the number was incorrect and that 23 of its soldiers had been killed in the fighting.

Afghanistan and Pakistan traded thinly veiled threats of escalation, prompting Qatar to bring the two to the negotiating table in Doha for peace talks that led to a ceasefire on 19 October. Since then, another two rounds of negotiations have been held in Istanbul. The latest began on 6 November, but stalled on the night of 7 November and ended without a result.

While both sides say the ceasefire is holding, there have been attacks even while the talks continued. An Afghan official said Friday that overnight clashes in the border area killed four Afghan civilians and wounded another five.

open image in gallery Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob shake hands after signing a ceasefire agreement in Doha, Qatar ( AP )

The two countries share a 2,611 kilometre (1,622 mile) border known as the Durand Line, named after British diplomat Mortimer Durand and established in 1893.

The line cuts through the heartland of the Pashtuns, Afghanistan's largest ethnic group and also the group from which the Afghan Taliban, who now run the country, stem from. Although the line is internationally recognised as Pakistan's western border, Afghanistan has not recognised it.

Both countries often accuse each other of turning a blind eye to Islamic militants operating along the porous frontier.

open image in gallery An Afghan Taliban fighter sit next to an anti-aircraft gun near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Afghanistan ( REUTERS )

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of allowing the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, to be based on its soil and to carry out bombings and gun attacks within Pakistan.

Kabul rejects the allegations and says it does not allow anyone to use Afghan soil for attacks on any country, including Pakistan.

Created in 2007, the TTP brought together different outlawed groups that agreed to work together against Pakistan and support the Afghan Taliban, who at the time were fighting US and NATO forces. The United Nations and the United States have designated it a terrorist organisation.

The group seeks stricter enforcement of Islamic laws, the release of its members imprisoned in Pakistan, and a reduction in Pakistani military presence in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province bordering Afghanistan that it has long used as a base.

Although separate, the group is closely allied with the Afghan Taliban. Many of its leaders and fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, further straining ties between the two countries.

Pakistan has seen an increase in militant attacks on its security forces and civilians in recent months, most of them claimed by the TTP. In response, Pakistan's military said it has targeted TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan.

Last month, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said his country wants Afghanistan to hand over TTP members and leaders based in Afghan territory or take steps to stop them from carrying out attacks inside Pakistan.

"If that does not happen there could be open an open war" with Afghanistan, he warned.

Afghan officials say they will not hand over TTP leaders, that Pakistan's conflict with the group is an internal matter and that Islamabad should open negotiations with the group.

open image in gallery Afghan refugees sit beside trucks loaded with their belongings as they wait their turn to leave for their homeland through a border crossing point ( AP )

The outbreak of cross-border fighting alarmed the international community, particularly as the area is one where other militant groups, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, still have a presence and have been trying to resurface.

Qatar and Turkey have been helping broker the ceasefire and peace talks, aiming to prevent all-out conflict and creating a durable framework for border security.

A ceasefire that began on 19 October following the first round of talks in Qatar has largely held since then.

US President Donald Trump later weighed in, saying on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit in Malaysia that he intended to resolve the conflict "very quickly."

His comments came as the two sides held a second round of talks in Istanbul, Turkey. But those negotiations collapsed after four days, with Pakistan accusing Kabul of refusing to act against the TTP.

Despite the setback, the ceasefire held. The third round of peace talks took place on 6-7 November.
A visitor feeds animals at the 2025 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Canada, on Nov. 7, 2025. This annual event kicked off here on Friday and will last until Nov. 16 this year, with displays of fruits and vegetables, poultry and livestock, as well as educational activities. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People view a sheep shearing demonstration at the 2025 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Canada, on Nov. 7, 2025. This annual event kicked off here on Friday and will last until Nov. 16 this year, with displays of fruits and vegetables, poultry and livestock, as well as educational activities. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People view insect specimens at the 2025 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Canada, on Nov. 7, 2025. This annual event kicked off here on Friday and will last until Nov. 16 this year, with displays of fruits and vegetables, poultry and livestock, as well as educational activities. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People view bees at the 2025 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Canada, on Nov. 7, 2025. This annual event kicked off here on Friday and will last until Nov. 16 this year, with displays of fruits and vegetables, poultry and livestock, as well as educational activities. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
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Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan broke down, a day after both sides accused each other of mounting border clashes that risked breaching a ceasefire brokered by Qatar.

However, the ceasefire between the two South Asian neighbours will continue, a Taliban spokesperson said on Saturday.

Zabihullah Mujahid said negotiations had failed due to Islamabad insisting that Afghanistan assume responsibility for Pakistan's internal security, a demand he described as beyond Afghanistan's "capacity".

But, he said, "The ceasefire that has been established has not been violated by us so far, and it will continue to be observed".

An Afghanistan official earlier said four Afghan civilians were killed and five others wounded in clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces along their shared border despite the joint negotiations.

Pakistan's state media reported that the Pakistan delegation is leaving for the airport to return home. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also told Pakistan's independent Geo news channel that "as we speak, the talks are over."

Mr Asif said the ceasefire will remain intact until there is no breach of it from the Afghan side.

In a statement thanking Turkey and Qatar for mediating the talks, Pakistan's information minister Attaullah Tarar maintained that the Afghan Taliban has failed to meet pledges it made with the international community about curbing terrorism under a 2021 Doha peace accord.

Mr Tarar said that Pakistan "will not support any steps by the Taliban government that are not in the interest of the Afghan people or neighboring countries." He did not elaborate further, but added that Islamabad continues to seek peace and goodwill for Afghans but will take "all necessary measures" to protect its own people and sovereignty.

In Kabul, Mr Mujahid also thanked Turkey and Qatar for hosting and mediating the Istanbul talks, saying on Saturday that the Afghan representatives "participated in good faith and with appropriate authority," hoping for constructive engagement from Pakistan.

However, in a statement he said the discussions did not produce tangible results, citing differences over security responsibilities. He reiterated that Afghanistan "will not allow anyone to use its territory against another country," and affirmed that the Islamic Emirate "will firmly defend the people and land of Afghanistan against any aggression, with the help of Allah and the support of its people."

open image in gallery Afghan refugees arrive near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman on 30 October 2025, ahead of their departure for Afghanistan ( AFP via Getty Images )

Ali Mohammad Haqmal, head of the Information and Culture Department in Afghanistan's Spin Boldak district, blamed Pakistan for initiating the overnight shooting, but said Afghan forces did not respond due to the peace talks in Istanbul.

However, a tense calm largely prevailed along the Chaman border in southwest Pakistan, where the two sides briefly exchanged fire Thursday night, with both sides blaming the other.

Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi on Friday said Afghanistan initiated the shooting. Pakistan's Ministry of Information said late Thursday on social platform X that "the shooting was initiated from the Afghan side, but the situation was brought under control."

The ministry said a ceasefire brokered by Qatar on Oct. 19 remained intact.

Mr Andrabi said Pakistan's national security adviser Lt. Gen. Asim Malik is leading the Pakistani delegation in the talks with Afghanistan. The Afghan side is being led by Abdul Haq Wasiq, director of general intelligence, according to Mujahid.

Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan's Taliban government of harboring Pakistani militants who carry out cross-border attacks, a charge Kabul denies.

open image in gallery Afghan women and children are evacuated via trucks during ongoing clashes between Taliban security personnel and Pakistani border forces in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar Province on October 15, 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Tensions have remained high since last month, when deadly border clashes erupted, killing dozens  including soldiers, civilians and suspected militants  and wounding hundreds on both sides. The fighting began after explosions in Kabul on Oct. 9 that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan and vowed to avenge.

The violence, the worst between the neighbours in recent years, subsided after Qatar brokered a ceasefire.

Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant attacks in recent months, most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban  known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP  a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN and the US.

Though separate, the TTP is closely allied with the Afghan Taliban. Many of its leaders and fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, further straining ties between the two countries.

(With additional input from Reuters)
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President Donald Trumps press secretary has branded the BBC a leftist propaganda machine and 100 per cent fake news after the broadcaster was accused of bias in some of its reporting.

The corporation was accused of misleading viewers in a Panorama episode by selectively editing a speech made by Trump ahead of the Capitol riots on 6 January 2021.

MPs said there were serious questions to answer after a memo leaked to the Telegraph said the BBC had completely misled viewers with the editing choice.

open image in gallery Leavitt called the editing choice purposefully dishonest ( Getty Images )

The programme showed Trump urging his supporters to fight like hell before the riots, but omitted a section where he told the crowd to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.

This purposefully dishonest, selectively edited clip by the BBC is further evidence that they are total, 100 per cent fake news that should no longer be worth the time on the television screens of the great people of the United Kingdom, Leavitt told the Telegraph.

Every time I travel to the United Kingdom with President Trump and am forced to watch the BBC in our hotel rooms, it ruins my day listening to their blatant propaganda and lies about the president of the United States and all that hes doing to make America better and the world a safer place.

open image in gallery Over 2,000 people stormed the Capitol after Trumps election loss in 2020 ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The memo, said to have been written by Michael Prescott, a former adviser to the BBCs editorial guidelines and standards committee, is understood to have been leaked to the paper by a whistleblower.

Mr Prescott, who left the role earlier this year, has not publicly commented on the leak.

The extract read: It was completely misleading to edit the clip in the way Panorama aired it. The fact that he did not explicitly exhort supporters to go down and fight at Capitol Hill was one of the reasons there were no federal charges for incitement to riot.

open image in gallery A speech by Trump is said to have been selectively edited ( Reuters )

The BBC said of the controversy: While we don't comment on leaked documents, when the BBC receives feedback it takes it seriously and considers it carefully.

Over 2,000 people stormed the Capitol building as a joint session of Congress took place to formalise President Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 elections.

Five people, including a police officer, died following the incident. Over 174 police officers were said to have been injured. The attack caused serious damage, amount to an estimated $2.7 million.

The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.
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Four more mistakenly-released prisoners are at large after the manhunt for a sex offender freed in error has ended with his arrest.

The government is under increasing pressure as reports have emerged that the on-the-run inmates form part of the 262 prisoners in England and Wales who were mistakenly released in the year to March 2025.

On Friday, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was arrested in Islington, north London, after being spotted by a member of the public following a nine-day manhunt. The Algerian national  who has convictions for theft and had previously also been convicted for indecent exposure was serving a sentence at HMP Wandsworth in southwest London but was set free in error on 29 October.

Justice secretary David Lammy admitted there was a mountain to climb to tackle the prison system crisis following the 24-year-olds arrest. The mistaken release marks just one of a number of high-profile cases of offenders being wrongly freed. Another, fraudster Billy Smith, 35, handed himself in on Thursday.

And now, the BBC has reported four other prisoners are still at large in revelations that came just hours after Kaddour-Cherifs arrest.

In response to the reports, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson told The Independent: The vast majority of offenders released by mistake are quickly brought back to prison, and we will do everything we can to work with the police to capture the few still in the community. These cases only further expose the scale of the crisis in our prisons we inherited. This will not be fixed overnight, but we are using every possible lever to bear down on these errors.

open image in gallery Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was arrested in north London on Friday morning ( Metropolitan Police )

During his arrest, Kaddour-Cherif tried to claim he was somebody else. The officer said: We are just going to do some further checks because you look exactly like the person. Ive had a look at the photo, youve got a very distinctive wonky nose which looks the same as the person.

Nadjib Mekdhia, who is also Algerian, claimed he called the police after spotting Kaddour-Cherif and said he is glad he is in prison.

Mr Mekdhia, 50, who is homeless and stays in the Finsbury Park area of north London, said he recognised the prisoner from a newspaper photograph.

Mr Lammy said: I can confirm Brahim Kaddour-Cherif has been recaptured and is back in custody. My thanks are with the police and staff at HMPPS who have been working around the clock.

We inherited a prison system in crisis and I'm appalled at the rate of releases in error this is causing. Im determined to grip this problem, but there is a mountain to climb which cannot be done overnight.

That is why I have ordered new tough release checks, commissioned an independent investigation into systemic failures, and begun overhauling archaic paper-based systems still used in some prisons.

open image in gallery Brahim Kaddour-Cherif is held by Met officers on Friday ( PA )

It comes after migrant Hadush Kebatu was wrongly released from HMP Chelmsford on 24 October. Stronger security checks were put in place in prisons and an independent investigation was launched into releases in error following the blunder in Kebatus case.

The Epping migrant jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, which sparked a wave of protests, was accidentally freed from prison instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre last month. He was later traced.

Shortly before news of the latest incident broke, Mr Lammy had been asked in the House of Commons whether any more asylum seekers had been wrongly released since Kebatu. The deputy prime minister, who also serves as justice secretary, refused to confirm the question when asked four times.

It is understood Kaddour-Cherif is not an asylum seeker, but is in the process of being deported after he overstayed his visa.

The latest blunders were blamed on clerical errors in a system under relentless strain.

Housing secretary Steve Reed told Times Radio: The problem is weve got a broken system, and you are going to see failings when you have a broken system.

open image in gallery Hadush Kebatu was given 500 after threatening to disrupt his deportation flight ( PA )

The key is to make sure we have a digital system so that no prisoner is ever released by mistake.

There is not an acceptable number for this, but the way to fix it is not tittle tattle about David Lammy in the newspapers, its to get on and do the work and put in the investment that will digitise the system.

David has already had the prison governors in his office yesterday, I imagine they felt pretty hauled over the coals given whats been going on, but he was also making sure that theyre getting all the support they need to carry out the much tougher checks that will be required to make sure that the repeats of this are at an absolute minimum.

Chris Philp MP, shadow home secretary, said: This case sums up the total collapse of law and order under Calamity Lammy. A foreign sex offender, meant to be deported, strolling the streets of London because Labour cant even keep track of its prisoners. He must be immediately deported as soon as his sentence is finished.

The British public shouldnt have to be the ones to catch escaped criminals. This is chaos, incompetence, and weakness from top to bottom, and its putting peoples safety at risk.

Labour dont have the backbone to get a grip of law and order. Only the Conservative Party has a common sense, hard-edged plan to restore order, put 10,000 extra police officers on our streets and put fear back where it belongs  in the minds of criminals.
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Two of the four prisoners who are at large were mistakenly released in 2024, according to reports.

The government is under increasing pressure as the details emerged, with the other two on-the-run inmates revealed to have been wrongly freed in June this year.

The mistaken releases of the four offenders mark just some of a number of high-profile cases of prisoners being wrongly freed.

open image in gallery The mistaken releases of the four offenders mark just some of a number of high-profile cases of prisoners being wrongly freed (stock image) ( PA Archive )

Only a day ago, a sex offender released in error was finally arrested, following a nine-day manhunt. On Friday, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was captured in Islington, north London, after being spotted by a member of the public.

The Algerian national  who has convictions for theft and had previously also been convicted for indecent exposure was serving a sentence at HMP Wandsworth in southwest London but was mistakenly set free on 29 October.

Kaddour-Cherifs release piled pressure on justice secretary and deputy prime minister David Lammy, who came under fire for how he dealt with the mistaken release of the prisoner.

Mr Lammy was criticised for his decision not to address the blunder when he appeared at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, despite having been briefed about it and being repeatedly asked about accidental prison releases.

Following the 24-year-olds arrest, he admitted there was a mountain to climb to tackle the prison system crisis.

That is why I have ordered new tough release checks, commissioned an independent investigation into systemic failures and begun overhauling archaic paper-based systems still used in some prisons, the justice secretary said in a statement.

open image in gallery Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was arrested in north London on Friday ( PA Media )

Just the day before, another wrongly released prisoner, fraudster Billy Smith, 35, handed himself in on Thursday.

And now, the BBC has reported details of the four other prisoners who are still at large, in revelations that first emerged just hours after Kaddour-Cherifs arrest.

In response to the reports, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson told The Independent: The vast majority of offenders released by mistake are quickly brought back to prison, and we will do everything we can to work with the police to capture the few still in the community. These cases only further expose the scale of the crisis in our prisons we inherited. This will not be fixed overnight, but we are using every possible lever to bear down on these errors.

Following Kaddour-Cherifs arrest, Chris Philp MP, shadow home secretary, said: The British public shouldnt have to be the ones to catch escaped criminals. This is chaos, incompetence, and weakness from top to bottom, and its putting peoples safety at risk.

And shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the unaccounted prisoners revealed "the incompetence of this government".

"It shouldn't be left to reporters to uncover the facts. [Justice Secretary] David Lammy must finally come clean about how many prisoners have been accidentally released and how many are still at large."

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller said the situation is a disgrace and an omnishambles and called for Parliament to be recalled from recess.

open image in gallery Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has been criticised for his handling of mistaken prison releases ( PA Wire )

It shouldn't have to take the media to inform the public that prisoners are at large after accidental release, she said.

"The situation for the government and the justice secretary is grave. The public deserves a full and frank explanation, and a rapid inquiry that stops this from happening.

"Every resource must go into finding these prisoners and warning the public. The Justice Secretary must answer to MPs at the earliest opportunity, with Parliament recalled."
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England is facing its worst drought in decades with government and water companies preparing to take drastic measures to deal with the problem.

Executives at one major water company told The Guardian that water shortfall  made more likely by the Met Offices long-term forecasts of lower than average rainfall  would mean taking extreme water use curtailment measures going beyond hosepipe bans.

Months of dry weather have depleted the countrys existing water storages, despite roughly average rainfall in September and October.

Last month, the National Drought Group warned that the country must prepare for an ongoing drought unless there is significant rain.

Average reservoir storage is currently at 63.3 per cent across the country, compared to the 76 per cent that is usual for this time of year. Some areas including Ardingly in West Sussex and Clatworthy and Wimbleball in Somerset, are below 30 per cent.

open image in gallery Some areas of the country are facing reservoir storages of less than 30 per cent as dry spells are expected to continue into 2026 ( Gareth Fuller/PA Wire )

South East Water has been forced to apply for a local water restriction order that would ban some businesses from using water for activities such as cleaning buildings and equipment or filling hotel pools.

England lacks water resilience and relies on consistent rainfall, but climate change and growing water demand including for food production and data centres has led to a strain on resources.

The drought is expected to continue into next year, which means England risks running out of water if there is below-average rainfall through spring and summer.

We now need exceptional rainfall all winter just to recover, Prof Hannah Cloke, a professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, told The Guardian.

Even with recent improvements in some areas, many drought orders and hosepipe bans are staying in place. That tells you how serious the water resource deficit really is. Some reservoirs are sitting at less than a third of their capacity, which is alarming at this point in the year.

open image in gallery People walk over a bridge that is normally submerged by Baitings Reservoir in Ripponden, West Yorkshire. (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA Wire )

With climate change drying Britain out for longer periods in the future, we need to adapt to the climate we have now. Building new reservoirs will help, but we also need much more management of demand, and a more ambitious plan for water resilience.

Water minister Emma Hardy said: We are closely monitoring all regions  especially those still experiencing drought  and working with the National Drought Group and water companies to maintain supplies. We face increasing pressure on our water resources. That is why this government is taking decisive action, including the development of nine new reservoirs to help secure long-term water resilience.

This year has been characterised by notable rainfall deficits across much of England, said the Met Offices chief meteorologist, Dr Will Lang.

open image in gallery Experts said exceptional rainfall is needed (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Wire )

By 28 October, provisional data shows England had only 61 per cent of its expected annual rainfall, when wed normally have about 80 per cent at this time of the year (based on 19912020 average).

Looking ahead, there is an increased risk of dry spells through late autumn and early winter and regional differences in rainfall continue to be likely. Without sustained and widespread precipitation, a consistent recovery from drought remains uncertain.

England has not built any new major reservoirs for over thirty years, however experts have said that the impending crisis requires more than long-term measures and needs immediate changes including nature-based solutions, more efficient water usage by consumers, and effective water resilience planning.

Regions across the UK will be affected differently with the government reporting that the two areas of Cumbria and Lancashire, and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire have both moved out of drought status into drought recovery today. But, it added that their the position remains fragile.
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Emergency services rushed to the M25 after a multi-vehicle collision forced the UKs busiest motorway to close on Saturday afternoon.

A four-mile queue built up on the M25 anti-clockwise with delays of up to 60 minutes after the road was closed to allow an Air Ambulance to land and pick up an injured person.

The M25 clockwise between J23 and J25, which was also closed after the collision, has now reopened, National Highways East said.

M25 is CLOSED anti-clockwise between J25 (Waltham Cross) and J23 (Potters Bar) due to a collision the traffic organisation said in a post on X. In a previous post, it described the incident as a multi-vehicle collision.

After around two hours, National Highways East said three lanes had been reopened other than the outside lane where the collision had taken place. Half an hour later traffic flow was back to normal.

The earlier collision has now been cleared Delays of approx. 10 mins, 2 miles of slow moving traffic remain on the approach, National Highways said at 4:24pm.

National Highways East later confirmed that the injury was not as serious as initially feared according to info from the scene. It didnt give any further information.

It advises all travellers to plan ahead before travelling on the motorway.

Late last month, a lorry overturned in the Surrey area of the M25, prompting travel chaos for motorists nearby.

Emergency services including Surrey Ambulance Service attended the scene, with dramatic pictures show a blue lorry on its side.

Weeks earlier, a section was closed near Heathrow Airport after a major crash involving a car and a lorry.
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Princess Beatrice has been named as deputy patron of a charity amid the continuing fallout over her father.

The Outward Bound Trust, which Andrew Mountbatten Windsor had supported for decades before his resignation as patron in 2019, announced on Friday that Beatrice has become deputy patron, while the Duke of Edinburgh has become royal patron.

The charity, which helps children develop lifelong skills through adventure, said Beatrice had served as a trustee for six years.

It comes after the King officially stripped his disgraced brother of both his HRH style and his prince title, and members of the US Congress wrote to Andrew requesting he sit for a transcribed interview in connection with his long-standing friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

As daughters of the son of a Sovereign, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will retain their titles in line with King George Vs Letters Patent of 1917.

open image in gallery Princess Beatrice has been named deputy patron of The Outward Bound Trust ( PA )

Edward will also be continuing his late fathers long-standing support, as Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, served as patron from 1953 to 2019.

The Outward Bound Trust announcement coincided with an event at St Jamess Palace on Thursday, hosted by Edward.

Martin Davidson, chief executive of Outward Bound, said: With The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice working alongside us, were embarking on a new chapter.

One where every young person has the chance to test their limits, build confidence and discover that anything is possible. Their support reflects a shared belief that adventure changes lives.

Andrews links to Epstein eventually led to the King dramatically stripping him of his titles  putting an end to his public life.

open image in gallery The former prince vehemently denies all allegations made against him ( AP )

The move followed the publication of Virginia Giuffres posthumous memoirs, and the US governments release of documents from the paedophiles estate.

Ms Giuffre alleged she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times  once at convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwells home in London, once in Epsteins address in Manhattan, and once on the disgraced financiers private island, Little St James.

The incident at Maxwells home allegedly occurred when Ms Giuffre was 17 years old.

Andrew is accused of taking part in an orgy with underage girls, as well as Ms Giuffre, during the alleged incident on Little St James.

The former prince vehemently denies all allegations made against him.
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Rachel Reeves will reportedly target employee pension contributions in a bid to raise more money and fill a black hole in the public finances at this months crunch Budget.

The chancellor is said to be preparing to cap the amount of someones salary that can be sacrificed for extra pension contributions before national insurance contributions are incurred to 2,000 a year.

The move would offer a smaller boost to the public finances, mostly affecting high earners.

open image in gallery Rachel Reeves is looking to address a hole in public finances worth up to 30 bn ( PA Wire )

Sources told The Times employee contributions of more than 2,000 a year would be subject to national insurance, a move that could raise up to 2bn per year.

It comes at the end of a week in which Ms Reeves reportedly told the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that she intends to increase income tax in the budget, which will be unveiled on 26 November.

Despite Labours manifesto pledge to the contrary, she is said to be weighing a 2p rise in income tax, balanced by a 2p cut in national insurance in order to effectively cancel out the burden on workers.

The chancellor last week put the country on notice that sweeping tax rises are coming in her Budget, using a major speech in Downing Street to warn we will all have to contribute to building a new future for Britain.

Promising to put the national interest above political expediency, the chancellor signalled she is ready to break Labours manifesto commitment not to raise income tax, personal national insurance or VAT.

But this week, Labours new deputy leader, Lucy Powell, warned a break in the manifesto could damage trust in politics, as a split emerged at the top of the party over measures to fill an estimated 30bn hole in public finances.

Meanwhile, new polling shows that just one in five voters backs the reported plans to break Labours manifesto pledge  even if they acknowledge its in the countrys interests.

But it also indicates that the political damage inflicted by raising income tax would be reparable if it was paired with taxes on the wealthy and a positive vision for change, such as clear, achievable targets to improve public services.

open image in gallery Labour's new deputy leader Lucy Powell urged the government to follow through on its manifesto pledge not to raise taxes ( PA Wire )

Economists have repeatedly warned Ms Reeves that a combination of LabourU-turns, higher borrowing and sluggish economic growth means she must raise taxes or tear up her flagship borrowing rules in the Budget.

An employee earning an income of 50,270, putting aside ten per cent of their salary through a sacrifice scheme, would pay an additional 240 a year in national insurance contributions under the proposal.

Also reportedly under consideration is limiting the existing national insurance exemption for employers, which could mean they would have to pay an additional 450 on the same income and sacrifice.

Ms Reeves is also said to have decided not to cut pension lump-sum withdrawals, offering some reprieve to pensioners. Those retiring will still be able to withdraw up to a quarter of a total pension pot up to 268,275.

On Wednesday, education secretary Bridget Phillipson showed her support for Ms Reeves, telling the BBC that there are some big challenges in the economy and the government will have to do whats right, whats necessary for the public and the long-term future of the economy.
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The home secretary is preparing to announce a major shake-up of the immigration system that would be modelled on Denmark  which has one of the toughest systems in Europe.

Officials are thought to be looking at Denmarks tighter rules on family reunion, as well as considering restricting most asylum seekers to a temporary stay in the country.

A delegation of senior officials was sent to Copenhagen last month to learn about their interventions and draw lessons that could be applied to the UK.

The plan to copy Denmark comes as the government ramps up its efforts to bring down migration amid growing public anger over the issue.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is looking at Denmarks immigration system ( PA )

Sources told the BBC that the decision to look at the Danish system comes as part of an attempt to slash the pull factors that draw people to the UK, as well as making it easier to remove those with no right to stay.

Labour MPs are split on the move, with some in so-called red wall seats  seen as vulnerable to challenge from Reform UK  wanting ministers to go further in the Danish direction, while others believe the policies will estrange progressive voters and push the party too far to the right.

Left-wing Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who is a member of the partys Socialist Campaign Group caucus, urged against emulating the Danish model, suggesting it was far-right.

I think this is a dead end  morally, politically and electorally... I think these are policies of the far-right. I dont think anyone wants to see a Labour government flirting with them, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

But Stoke-on-Trent Central Labour MP Gareth Snell said that any change bringing fairness to an asylum system that his constituents dont trust is worth exploring.

He said it was worth looking at what best practice we can find from our sister parties around the world where they have managed to find practical solutions to managing immigration.

It has been a difficult few months for the government, with the UK experiencing rising numbers of small boat crossings in the Channel and a migrant, who was deported under the UKs returns deal with France, re-entering the country.

The Iranian man was detected on arrival and removed after he arrived in the UK for a second time on 18 October, a month after he was returned to France.

At Labours party conference in September, Shabana Mahmood pledged to do whatever it takes to regain control of Britains borders.

But the government is yet to get a grip on the number of people making the dangerous crossing, with the total who have arrived in the UK by small boat this year reaching 37,575 on 6 November.

Last year, the Danish government said it had approved a historically low number of asylum applications  something that is said to have impressed the home secretary.

While refugees who have been targeted by a foreign regime are likely to be provided protection in Denmark, most people who have been granted asylum are only allowed to stay in the country temporarily.

There are conditions, such as being in full-time employment, that are applied to people seeking settlement rights. The length of time necessary to acquire settlement rights has also been extended.

Home Office officials are also said to be looking at the countrys tighter rules for family reunions, which include a minimum age of 24 for refugees applying for their partners to join them, which the country says is to protect against forced marriages.

A person who has been granted residency in Denmark must not have claimed benefits for three years, and they must put up a financial guarantee. Both partners must also pass a Danish language test.

Denmark also takes a tough approach to integration, with a law that allows the state to demolish apartment blocks in areas where at least half of the residents have a non-Western background  a law that was found to be discriminatory on the basis of ethnic origin by a senior adviser to the EUs top court.

Refugees who live in these housing estates would not be eligible for family reunion.

In September, former home secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to suspend all new applications under the refugee family reunion route as part of a series of measures to clear the asylum backlog and clamp down on the number of people crossing the Channel.

The changes mean that refugees will temporarily be covered by the same family migration rules and conditions as everyone else while a new, tougher framework for family reunions is drawn up.
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More than 1,500 flights were canceled Saturday, and thousands more were delayed, as the Federal Aviation Administration reduced air traffic at terminals across the country due to the government shutdown, creating chaos for travelers.

The shutdown has dragged on for a record 39 days, meaning air traffic controllers have not been paid for over a month.

To reduce the immense strain and fatigue on the federal workers as some of the busiest holiday travel days approach, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that 40 airports would be forced to cut flight capacity.

Flights were reduced by 4 percent Friday. Airports are bracing for next week, when the FAA said reductions will ramp up to 6 percent by November 11, 8 percent by November 13, and 10 percent by November 14.

On Saturday, travelers were already scrambling. More than 8,000 flights in the U.S. faced disruptions, according to FlightAware, as ground stops and delays plagued travel hubs. Though some of the delays were likely to due to weather or other issues.

I will EMPLOY EVERY TACTIC to keep the flying public safe, Duffy wrote on X Friday. Flights will be delayed, and trips will get canceled. But the skies will remain safe.

open image in gallery Over 1,500 flights were canceled Saturday as FAA-forced cuts continue to wreak havoc for travelers ( AFP via Getty )

Even after the government shutdown ends, Duffy warned it could take time before operations will return to normal. He predicted it would be days, if not a week, before we get back to full-force flights, he said Saturday to Fox News.

Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport had the highest number of canceled flights, with 192 cancellations Saturday alone. Also hitting high numbers were Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which saw 85 cancellations, and North Carolinas Charlotte Douglas Airport, which had 74.

The disruptions have led to angry passengers.

Everyone is saying this is the new America, Marietta Hamilton, who was planning on traveling from Charlotte to Houston, told the Charlotte Observer. We have to adjust and who knows what to expect next. Its very inconvenient for the American people. We have enough stress with everything thats going on, and these types of things just add to our stress and mental health.

Gino Carr repeatedly checked his emails throughout the night before heading to the airport Friday morning to head to a Mexico and Bahamas cruise. Every time I got a ding, I was a little worried that they were canceling my flight, he told the Charlotte Observer.

Its kind of terrible that the government cant get its act together and open it up, he said. All of these [federal workers] are basically working for free, and now there are plenty of people who are going to be stranded.

open image in gallery Several airports saw ground stops and ground delays Saturday as staffing shortages plague air travel  and left passengers frustrated ( Reuters )

An hour-long ground stop at the Charlotte airport Saturday also added to the mayhem. The afternoon saw ground stops at Nashville International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey due to staffing shortages.

The FAA also issued ground delays at several travel hubs across the country due to staffing issues.. San Francisco International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, New Yorks LaGuardia Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport were among the impacted hubs.

Jade Vardi was forced to rebook her canceled flight from Milwaukee to OHare. Im frustrated, the 29-year-old told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Despite her irritation, she expressed sympathy for the air traffic controllers: If I wasnt getting paid, I wouldnt want to work either.

The sentiment is a common one.

open image in gallery Airline passengers sympathized with air traffic controllers and urged Congress to end the longest-ever government shutdown ( AFP via Getty )

Jill Hess, who was traveling from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to New York, told CBS12: Theres no reason for the military, the federal police, the air traffic controllers not to be paid. They should not pay Congress and maybe things would get done.

The hope is that our airplane will be somewhat on time and get us to where we need to go, which is Westchester, Hess said.

Inconvenience, yes, irritation, no. I tend to go with the flow. I don't get upset about things I have no control over and I have no control over this, Hess added.

Along with commercial aircraft, private jets have also been reduced, Duffy said.

Weve reduced their volume at high traffic airports  instead having private jets utilize smaller airports or airfields so busy controllers can focus on commercial aviation. That's only fair, he said in a Saturday social media post.

Jets used for medical transports, emergencies and law enforcement will be prioritized, the Transportation Secretary added.

Meanwhile, Hawaiis Department of Transportation wrote Duffy a letter asking that the state be exempt from flight cuts, citing its unique reliance on air travel for access to medical services, cargo movement and food security, national defense and military family support, as well as economic stability.
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President Donald Trump on Friday accused foreign-owned meat packers of driving up the price of beef in the U.S. and asked the Department of Justice to open an investigation.

The Republican president announced the move on social media days after his party suffered losses in key elections in which the winning Democratic candidates focused relentlessly on the publics concerns about the cost of living. But experts said it's unlikely that an investigation would result in lower prices at grocery stores, and a trade group representing meat packers said they're not to blame.

Trump did not present evidence for his claims, writing on social media that I have asked the DOJ to immediately begin an investigation into the Meat Packing Companies who are driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation.

He said he was taking the action to help ranchers, who were recently angered by his suggestion that the U.S. would buy Argentine beef to bring down stubbornly high prices for American consumers.

We will always protect our American Ranchers, and they are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices, and jeopardize the security of our Nations food supply, Trump said.

Why beef prices have climbed

Beef prices have soared to record levels in part after drought and years of low prices led to the smallest U.S. herd size in decades. Trumps tariffs on Brazil, a major beef exporter, have also curbed imports.

Meanwhile, demand for beef remains strong. Prices are high because consumers want to eat it, and theyre willing and able to pay for it, said Glynn Tonsor, who leads the Meat Demand Monitor at Kansas State University.

Tonsor said the ownership mix in the meat packing industry has not changed significantly in the past four years.

Concentration in the meat packing business has been a longtime concern for farmers and politicians on both sides of the aisle. Four major meatpacking companies dominate the beef market in the United States.

Theres no evidence to back up claims that the big packers have undue market power and use it to drive up beef prices, said Derrell Peel, an agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University.

The packing industry in this country has been investigated and researched for 50 years, and its been an issue for over a hundred years, at least, for some producers, Peel said, expressing skepticism that consumers or producers will benefit from the investigation Trump announced.

If the outcome is to break up the big packers, the outcome will be higher beef prices for consumers, and lower cattle prices for producers, Peel said.

Meat packers say they're getting pinched by high prices

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin said he and his fellow Republican senators Cindy-Hyde-Smith of Mississippi and Tim Sheehy of Montana visited the White House to speak with Trump about recent volatility in the beef market. Mullin said Trump agreed to have the Justice Department look at the issue.

Mullin blamed meat processors, saying that were seeing the same exact game play again out as a 2019 lawsuit against large meatpackers for violating antitrust laws.

JBS, which is based in Brazil, is the largest U.S. beef producer and its second-largest producer of poultry and pork. Half of its annual revenue comes from the U.S., where it has more than 72,000 employees.

The company has faced price-fixing charges before. In 2022, JBS agreed to a $52.5 million settlement with grocery stores and wholesalers who accused JBS, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods and other companies of working together to suppress the number of cattle being slaughtered in order to drive up beef prices.

JBS did not admit wrongdoing as part of that settlement. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with JBS USA.

The Meat Institute, a trade group that represents JBS and other meat producers, said its industry is being pinched by the price of cattle, despite record prices for U.S. beef.

For more than a year, beef packers have been operating at a loss due to a tight cattle supply and strong demand, Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said in a statement. The beef industry is heavily regulated, and market transactions are transparent. The governments own data from USDA confirms that the beef packing sector is experiencing catastrophic losses and experts predict this will continue into 2026.

Trumps accusations have renewed a bipartisan presidential fight against rising food prices.

Then-President Joe Biden talked with independent farmers and ranchers about initiatives to reduce food prices by increasing competition within the meat industry. And then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who Trump defeated in winning reelection last year, used her campaign to vow to crack down on food producers and major supermarkets  price gouging.

____

Karnowski reported from Minneapolis. Dee-Ann Durbin from Detroit, Josh Funk from Omaha, Nebraska, and Stephen Groves in Washington contributed to this report.
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The FBI is investigating the death of a cruise ship passenger, according to officials.

A passenger traveling aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship reportedly died during a recent voyage, according to WSVN.

Carnival Cruise Line said it was cooperating fully with federal investigators, based in Miami, and is focusing on supporting the passengers family.

The ship returned to Miami on schedule Saturday.

Since this is an ongoing matter under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, all media inquiries need to be directed to the FBIs Miami public affairs office, the company said in a statement.

A passenger died while traveling aboard the Carnival Horizon in November 2025. The FBI is investigating the passengers death ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The Independent has requested comment from the FBI.

No further details were made available about the passenger or the circumstances of their death.

A recent Netflix documentary, and a high-profile incident in Australia, has put the spotlight on cruise ship passenger deaths.

Last month, a cruise around Australia was cancelled after an elderly passenger was left behind on a remote island and died. The woman, Suzanne Rees, 80, was hiking with a tour group on Lizard Island when she began to feel unwell and became separated from the group.

When the crew of the ship realized she was missing, and returned to look for her a day later, she was found dead.

In July, Netflix debuted a three-part true crime documentary, Amy Bradley is Missing, which details the disappearance of a cruise ship passenger in March 1998. Bradley disappeared when she was 23 years old. She was last seen resting on a balcony after dancing at a nightclub. She disappeared sometime between that evening and the following morning.

The documentary featured interviews with Bradley's family and witnesses on the ship the night of her disappearance.
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A Harvard University teams research has been rescued by a 6-year-old girls generous fundraising donation that left everybody flabbergasted, one professor said.

Marianne Cullen of Springfield, Massachusetts, about an hour and a half drive to Harvard, loves axolotls.

The baby-faced salamanders live their whole lives underwater and can regrow a leg in about a month. Gamers may recognize the amphibians in a pixelated version from the video game Minecraft.

"There's more to them than just being cute," Marianne told CBS News. "They can grow back any limb...And there's way other animals that need saving, but this one is my destiny to save."

open image in gallery A Harvard University teams research has been rescued by a 6-year-old girls generous fundraising donation that left everybody 'flabbergasted,' one professor said ( Rick Friedman/AFP via Getty Images )

Jessica Whited, an assistant professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, leads research on axolotls at the Ivy League.

Whited explained how she and her team want to find out the molecular secrets of how axolotls regrow their legs with the hope of gaining insight into how humans could potentially regenerate limbs.

A few months ago, her team lost almost all its federal funding, which is when Marianne stepped in.

She held a fundraiser for Whiteds lab and was able to donate about $1,000.

"It definitely had a positive effect on everyone in the lab," Whited said.

"Everybody was just flabbergasted."

open image in gallery Marianne Cullen of Springfield, Massachusetts, raised about $1,000 for research into axolotls, which are salamanders that can regrow limbs ( Pablo Porciuncula/AFP via Getty Images )

Federal funding for Whiteds lab has since been restored, for now, following court rulings on the matter.

"Not a lot of people get how important it is to save this animal," Marianne said.
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Honda has recalled more than 400,000 of its most popular cars due to a manufacturing error that could make the wheels fall off.

The issue lies with a small batch of wheels on Honda Civics from 2016 to 2021.

Due to a manufacturing process error by a supplier, the steel lug seat inserts in aluminum accessory wheels may not have been installed (pressed) into the nut seating surface, Honda said in a press release.

While driving, the wheel nuts could loosen and detach.

open image in gallery Honda has recalled more than 400,000 of its most popular cars due to a manufacturing error that could make the wheels fall off ( Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images )

Federal regulators warn the fault could cause drivers to lose control of their car, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Affected owners can take their cars to a Honda dealership and have their wheels inspected for free. If the wheels need to be replaced, the dealers will do so at no cost to the owner.

Owners will be mailed a letter notifying them of the issue early next month.

The Independent has reached out to Honda for comment.

open image in gallery The issue lies with a small batch of wheels on Honda Civics from 2016 to 2021 (file photo) ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images )

Honda isnt the only manufacturer that has had issues with their cars this year. A total of 25.8 million cars have been recalled as of November, the Daily Mail reported, citing federal data.

Toyota recently recalled more than 1 million cars due to a software error affecting the rear-view camera that could cause an increased risk of a crash.

The recall affects certain Toyota, Lexus and Subaru Solterra cars from 2022 to 2026.
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President Donald Trump has issued a pardon for a former New York police sergeant, Michael McMahon, who was convicted of assisting China in an attempt to coerce an ex-official into returning to his home country. The case was a prominent example of US authorities' efforts to counter what they describe as Beijing's extensive attempts to suppress critics abroad.

McMahon received an 18-month prison sentence this spring for his involvement in what a federal judge termed "a campaign of transnational repression." He consistently maintained his innocence, stating he was "unwittingly used" after taking what he believed to be a straightforward private-investigator assignment. McMahon asserted he was informed he was working for a Chinese construction company, not the nation's government.

A White House official, speaking anonymously on Friday regarding the unannounced pardon, highlighted McMahon's explanation that he had been misled. The official also noted McMahon's distinguished 14-year career with the NYPD, which included dozens of commendations before a 2001 injury forced his retirement.

McMahon's lawyer, Lawrence Lustberg, said the pardon corrects a horrible injustice.

I will always believe that it was the Chinese government that victimized Mike, a true hero cop, whom our government should have celebrated and honored, rather than indicted, Lustberg said by email.

The Brooklyn-based federal prosecutors office that brought the case declined to comment.

A jury had convicted McMahon, 58, of charges that included acting as an illegal foreign agent and stalking. He was released from prison to a halfway house earlier this year and was back at his New Jersey home Friday, his attorney said.

open image in gallery The seal of the United States is displayed on the facade of Federal court in Brooklyn, Jan. 17, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

McMahon had gotten support from U.S. Reps. Mike Lawler, R-N.J., and Pete Sessions, R-Texas. They wrote to the court last year to back McMahon's assertions of innocence and urge the judge to spare him prison.

Lawler cheered the pardon Friday, writing on X that the former officer never should have been prosecuted to begin with. A message seeking comment was sent to Sessions' office.

McMahon was one of three men convicted at the first trial stemming from U.S. claims about Chinas decade-old Operation Fox Hunt initiative. His co-defendants, both Chinese citizens, also were sentenced to prison, where they remain. Messages seeking comment were sent Friday to attorneys for the men, who denied the charges.

Three other people pleaded guilty in the case, and another five defendants remain at large, believed to be in China.

U.S. authorities have viewed Operation Fox Hunt, in at least some instances, as a tool of transnational repression  a term for sending government operatives to harass, threaten and silence dissidents living abroad.

Beijing says it's just trying to repatriate fugitives, including corrupt officials, and denies making threats to secure their return.

The case involving McMahon centered on a former Chinese city official named Xu Jin, who moved with his family to suburban New Jersey in 2010. The Chinese government has accused him and his wife of bribery. The couple denied the allegation and said he was unjustly targeted because of internal politics within Chinas Communist government.

China has no extradition treaty with the U.S. so it couldn't legally compel Xu's return. Instead, U.S. prosecutors said, Beijing engineered years of creepy outreach and innuendo to try to induce him to come back.

open image in gallery US and China flags against blue sky ( Alamy/PA )

Hired by co-defendants to locate Xu, McMahon searched law enforcement and government databases and conducted surveillance. He and Lustberg acknowledged that McMahon missed red flags about the $11,000 job, but they said he was duped by his clients and didnt foresee that the information would be used to hound Xu.

I never thought for one minute I was working for China, stalking anyone," McMahon said at his sentencing.

Prosecutors and trial witnesses said Xu was subjected to a pressure campaign that included disparaging Facebook messages to friends of his adult daughter, a slew of letters to a relative in New Jersey and a startling visit from his octogenarian father, who was flown in from China to press his son to return.

Finally, Xu's wife found a note on their front door that read, in translation: If you are willing to go back to the mainland and spend 10 years in prison, your wife and children will be all right. Thats the end of this matter!

Xu said at the trial that before seeing the note, he thought the Chinese Communist Party's overtures were only a mental threat to me.

"However, when I saw that note, I realized that it had become a physical threat, Xu testified, through a court interpreter.
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Six Flags is clinging on as more parks teeter toward closure amid plunging revenues.

Even after the news of a new investor, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, joining the fun, executives at North Americas largest amusement park company told investors Friday that they plan to focus on expanding their most popular parks while selling off underperforming ones.

Chief Financial Officer Brian Witherow said in a conference call about its third-quarter earnings report that the company is trying to narrow our focus and shrink our capital needs and our risk or liability closures, getting the portfolio smaller and more nimble is a priority.

After merging with Cedar Fair in 2023, Six Flags now runs over 40 parks.

Six Flags America, located outside Washington, D.C., as well as its water park, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, closed this week, following 50 years of operation.

Six Flags plans to close Californias Great America between 2028 and 2032 and has sold unused land near Kings Dominion in Virginia, which will remain open. Witherow said Friday that Six Flags is now identifying core and non-core parks, planning to divest the latter, though he did not specify which parks will be sold.

open image in gallery Six Flags executives are identifying 'core' and 'non-core' parks, with plans to close or sell the underperforming amusement parks. ( Getty Images )

Parks announcing new attractions, such as Six Flags Over Texas, Carowinds, Six Flags Mexico, Kings Island, and Canadas Wonderland, are likely safe, while others could still be at risk.

More than 500 people commented on Six Flag Americas final Instagram post, which thanked fans for 50 years of family fun.

We were there today for the last day (November 2, 2025), one person wrote. The weather was beautiful and everyone was kind as people took their last rides at Six Flags America. Very grateful my family got to be there.

Everybody pitch in, lets buy the park and open it back up, another person suggested.

A third person wrote, I dont know why this makes me sad. This is not my park. Just dont close Six Flags Over Georgia. But for real, its sad to see a stable that so many people love close.

open image in gallery Six Flags rocky year involved Six Flags Texas parks seeing slightly higher attendance in JulySeptember, but guests spent less. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Six Flags rocky year involved Six Flags Texas parks seeing slightly higher attendance in JulySeptember, but guests spent less, leading to a revenue decline, its owner said.

Our performance in 2025 has fallen short of our expectations, CEO Richard Zimmerman said. While the 2025 season has been defined by volatility, I remain encouraged by the underlying strength of our business and believe the lessons were taking from this period help lay the foundation for future success.

Zimmerman, who is stepping down by the end of the year, also highlighted a new investment led by JANA Partners and Kelce, whose group now holds a 9 percent stake, the companys largest, which he said will boost Six Flags in 2026, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Zimmerman said growing public interest shows Six Flags remains a strong brand and plans to build on that momentum for the 2026 season.

The company, which operates parks across the US, Canada, and Mexico, saw summer attendance rise 1 percent to 21.1 million visitors, though weaker demand in September offset earlier gains.

Individual park figures were not disclosed.

Six Flags reported a 2 percent drop in third-quarter revenue to $1.32 billion, missing analyst expectations, with in-park spending down 4 percent.

The company posted a $1.2 billion net loss, compared to a $111 million profit a year earlier, largely due to a $1.5 billion noncash impairment charge tied to weaker performance and a lower share price.
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South Carolina has paid $1 million to the estate of a 58-year-old patient who died following days in agony after surgeons left a blade inside him.

Jeffrey Alan Fulcher, a husband and father of three, had undergone a minimally invasive surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in June 2022 to remove part of his esophagus after being diagnosed with localized carcinoma, a type of cancer.

During the procedure, a Thompson retractor blade ended up inside Fulchers abdomen, according to local outlet WCSC, which cited documents from a lawsuit.

Fulchers doctor allegedly failed to see or remove the blade and closed his abdominal cavity.

Operating room nurses counted all medical instruments before and after surgery and confirmed that no blades were missing.

South Carolina has paid the estate of a 58-year-old patient who died following days in agony after surgeons left a blade inside him ( Google Earth )

But that assessment turned out not to be true.

Fulcher told his doctors a day after his procedure that he had pain in his abdomen, but they determined he was doing well, the lawsuit claimed.

The pain increased for several days until Fulchers oxygen saturation level dropped and his abdomen was distended, or swollen, according to the lawsuit.

X-rays were taken, and more than six hours after the blade was discovered, Fulcher was rushed to the operating room. Documents said that he was in septic shock by this time. The blade had perforated Fulchers colon, leading doctors to remove the dead part of it.

He then needed another procedure, as doctors were concerned about bowel ischemia, which is when blood flow to the intestines slows or stops. The surgery was done at Fulchers bedside since he was too unstable to be moved, the lawsuit claims. Doctors ended up removing what was left of his colon.

Fulcher died six days after his initial procedure from sepsis, colonic perforation and peritonitis, which is inflammation of the membrane that lines the abdomen.

The lawsuit claims MUSC was negligent, carless and reckless. Following Fulchers death, South Carolinas insurance fund paid his estate $1 million.

The Independent has reached out to MUSC for comment.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom once again trolled President Donald Trump, this time over his trip to Mar-a-Lago with an AI-generated image portraying Trump as Frances Marie Antoinette - as the shutdown drags on and SNAP food benefits remain in flux.

On Friday, Newsom slammed Trump in a series of posts on X, accusing him of trying to block food aid and showing he DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU.

His press office went further, charging the Trump administration with fighting tooth and nail to starve children and responding to a CNN segment covering Trumps Florida trip amid the longest government shutdown.

Accompanying the AI-generated image, which depicts Trump in 18th-century Antoinette attire and used previously by Newsom, symbolizing selfish luxury while people go hungry, the press office captioned the post: GOOD NIGHT, PEASANTS!

Trump arrived at his Mar-a-Lago club Friday and is scheduled to leave Sunday. The Federal Aviation Administration notice did not provide exact arrival or departure times, and the visit comes amid travel disruptions caused by the government shutdown, which has led the FAA to reduce flights at major airports.

This weekend trip marks the presidents 13th visit to Mar-a-Lago during his second term and his 15th overall to Florida since Inauguration Day.

California Governor Gavin Newsom once again posted this AI-generated image of President Donald Trump as Marie Antoinette on Friday, criticizing his 13th trip to Mar-a-Lago. ( X/@GovPressOffice )

Also, Friday night, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked a judges order requiring Trumps administration to fully fund SNAP after a weeklong lapse, the first in the programs 61-year history. A federal appeals court had rejected the administrations emergency request on Friday, but the Supreme Court quickly granted a temporary freeze while the legal challenge continues.

Last week, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted Halloween events at the White House before he returned to Florida for Mar-a-Lagos seasonal Halloween party and a MAGA Inc. super PAC dinner.

Newsoms press office previously used the Antoinette image in October, following reports that work on Trumps new White House ballroom continues despite multiple federal agencies being shuttered due to a budget stalemate.

TRUMP MARIE ANTOINETTE SAYS, NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU PEASANTS, BUT A BALLROOM FOR THE QUEEN! the governors press office posted, mocking Trumps trademark all-caps social posts.

Antoinette, queen of France during the 1789 Revolution, is famously, but likely inaccurately, credited with saying Let them eat cake in response to starving peasants, often reiterated to illustrate the aristocracys obliviousness to the suffering of common people.
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Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell says shes much happier at the Texas prison camp she was transferred to after meeting with Trump officials, she revealed to friends and family.

I feel like I have dropped through Alice in Wonderlands looking glass, Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend and associate, wrote in an email obtained by NBC News. I am much much happier here and more importantly safe.

She sent the emails shortly after she was transferred in August from a low-security federal prison in Florida to the minimum-security Bryan Federal Prison Camp. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in a sex-trafficking scheme with Epstein.

In some of the emails, Maxwell touted the prison camps cleanliness and orderliness.

The institution is run in an orderly fashion which makes for a safer more comfortable environment for all people concerned, inmates and guards alike, she wrote in one email.

The kitchen looks clean too  no possums falling from the celling to fry unfortunately on ovens, and become mingled with the food being served, she wrote in another, comparing it to her previous prison arrangement.

open image in gallery Ghislaine Maxwell revealed shes much happier at the Texas prison camp after she was transferred from a Florida federal prison in August. ( US Department of Justice )

Maxwell also told loved ones that the food is improved at the prison camp compared to the Tallahassee prison.

The food is legions better, the place is clean, the staff responsive and polite - I haven't seen or heard the usual foul language or screaming accompanied by threats leveled at inmates by anyone. I have not seen a single fight, drug deal, passed out person or naked inmate running around or several of them congregating in a shower! she wrote.

Maxwell even gave a shoutout to prison camp warden Tanisha Hall, whom she hailed as a true professional.

NBC News obtained the emails from the House Judiciary Committee after its top Democrat Jamie Raskin asked Hall in a letter last month about Maxwells VIP treatment, citing the Wall Street Journals report about the 63-year-olds unusually favorable treatment that has sparked resentment from fellow inmates.

Now, shocking new reports reveal that Ms. Maxwell is not only receiving VIP treatment at FPC Bryanincluding private meetings with mysterious visitors, meal delivery to her dormitory, and other special perksbut that you and other prison officials have retaliated against inmates who dared to speak out about her fawning preferential treatment, the Maryland Congressman wrote.

Maxwell was moved to the prison camp days after meeting with Justice Department officials for two days in July as part of the investigation into the so-called Epstein files. Former prison staffers said such a transfer was unheard of and others said it reeked of special preference.

Its not a very uncommon thing, President Donald Trump told reporters at the time. He has not ruled out a pardon for the British socialite.

The prison camp is dubbed club fed for its relatively relaxed conditions that boasts dormitory-style cells, no barbed wire, and opportunities to take classes outside of work. Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah are also housed there.

open image in gallery Federal Prison Camp Bryan has gained a reputation for its relatively relaxed conditions. The camp is home to Maxwell along with Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epsteins sex-trafficking ring. ( AFP via Getty Images )

David Oscar Markus, a lawyer for Maxwell, told NBC News that theres nothing journalistic about publishing a prisoners private emails, including ones with her lawyers.

Thats tabloid behavior, not responsible reporting, Markus told the outlet. Anyone still interested in that kind of gossip reveals far more about themselves than about Ghislaine. Its time to get over the fact that she is in a safer facility. We should want that for everyone.

Her brother, Ian Maxwell, similarly expressed disapproval of republishing her emails, telling NBC News that the messages were personal and private by their very nature.

Maxwell is at the center of the controversy surrounding the Epstein Files, which have plagued the second Trump administration. The public and politicians on both sides of the aisle called for greater transparency around the records after the Justice Department released a memo in July stating that Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 and said no further investigation was warranted.

Attorney General Pam Bondi informed President Trump in May that his name appeared in the documents, the Wall Street Journal reported. A mention in the files does not imply wrongdoing, and dozens of other high-profile names were also mentioned. The president has never been formally accused of wrongdoing in connection to Epstein.

In August, the DOJ released the transcripts and audio recordings from Maxwells two-day meeting with top Justice Department officials. In the wide-ranging interview, Maxwell said she absolutely never saw Trump behaving inappropriately with anyone in Epstein's circle.

I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way. The president was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects, she told officials.

Maxwell also alluded to her experience at the Tallahassee prison when telling officials that she didnt believe Epstein died by suicide.

In prison, where I am, they will kill you or they will pay  somebody can pay a prisoner to kill you for $25 worth of commissary, she said. That's about the going rate for a hit with a lock today.
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As airports across the U.S. cut traffic due to the government shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to fly to a campaign event for his son-in-law  drawing ire from some in MAGA world, according to a report.

Duffy is scheduled to headline a November 11 meet-and-greet for Michael Alfonso, a 25-year-old Republican candidate for Congress in Wisconsin, who is married to Duffys daughter, NOTUS reports.

But, the secretary  who previously held the same congressional seat  did not receive the approval of President Donald Trump, who has yet to endorse a candidate in the race, an unnamed source with knowledge of the matter told the outlet.

A source with ties to the White House described it as a world-class stupid decision on Duffys part.

Duffy believes its a non-issue though.

Leave it to D.C. gossip to find a father supporting his son-in-law breaking news, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation told NOTUS. The secretary would be attending his son-in-laws meet and greet in his personal capacity. His presence does not reflect any official administration position or endorsement.

And White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai had nothing but praise for the transportation secretary.

Duffy is an America First patriot who has been front and center keeping Americans safe and supporting our air traffic controllers throughout the Democrat Shutdown, Desai told The Independent. Americans are better off thanks to Secretary Duffy who is restoring competence and merit at Department of Transportation after four years of DEI nonsense under Joe Biden.

open image in gallery Leave it to D.C. gossip to find a father supporting his son-in-law breaking news, a DOT spokesperson said ( Getty )

Duffys upcoming trip to the Badger State also comes amidst the longest-ever government shutdown, which has disrupted air travel nationwide.

You will see mass chaos, Duffy predicted on November 4, pinning the blame on Democrats. You'll see mass cancelations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace, because we just cannot manage it because we don't have the air traffic controllers.

As a result of the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration reduced flights at 40 of the nations busiest airports. On Nov. 7, the first day the cuts went into effect, more than 1,000 flights were canceled across the country.

open image in gallery 40 major airports across the country were operating with a reduced flight load Friday. ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images )

Its not the first time Duffy has weighed in on a congressional election before Trump, who has long established himself as the ultimate kingmaker in Republican politics.

In May, Duffy was due to stage a fundraiser for Congressman Bill Huizenga, who was contemplating running for a Michigan Senate seat. At the time, Trump was preparing to endorse erstwhile Rep. Mike Rogers for the seat, so administration officials were taken by surprise when the secretarys name appeared on a fundraising invite, sources said.

Trumps allies, left fuming by Duffys decision, contemplated barring cabinet secretaries from getting involved in GOP primaries, Politico reported.

Last month, administration officials also expressed growing frustration with Duffy over his efforts to bring NASA under the Department of Transportation in order to maintain control of the space agency. White House Chief of Staff reportadely told him told him to knock it off, according to the Daily Mail.

However, the White House pushed back on this characterization, telling NOTUS that Duffy is a trusted, valued and loyal cabinet member.

The Independent has reached out to Duffy and Alfonso for comment.
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Donald Trump has been permanently blocked from sending National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, after a federal judge found the administration failed to meet the legal requirements for their deployment to the city.

U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, said Friday the president had not established there was a rebellion or danger of rebellion, or that he was unable to enforce the law with regular forces.

It comes after a three-day trial last week in which both sides argued over whether protests at the citys ICE building met the conditions for using the military domestically under federal law. Both Portland and the state of Oregon sued the Trump administration in September over the deployment of National Guard troops.

Trump said the troops were needed to protect federal personnel and property in the city, which he described as war ravaged with fires all over the place.

In a 106-page opinion, Immergut found that even though the president is entitled to great deference in his decision on whether to call up the Guard, he did not have a legal basis for doing so.

open image in gallery Federal agents confront protesters outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on September 28, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. The president had not established that there was a rebellion or danger of rebellion, or that he was unable to enforce the law with regular forces, a judge ruled Friday ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Federal agents, including members of the Department of Homeland Security, the Border Patrol, and police, clash with protesters outside a downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Portland. A federal judge found Friday the Trump administration failed to meet the legal requirements for their deployment to the city ( Getty Images )

The trial record showed that although protests outside the Portland ICE building occurred nightly between June and October 2025, ever since a few particularly disruptive days in mid-June, protests have remained peaceful with only isolated and sporadic instances of violence," Immergut wrote.

The occasional interference to federal officers has been minimal, and there is no evidence that these small-scale protests have significantly impeded the execution of any immigration laws.

The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

The courts are holding this administration accountable to the truth and the rule of law, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in an e-mailed statement. "From the beginning, this case has been about making sure that facts, not political whims, guide how the law is applied. Todays decision protects that principle.

Several Democratic cities targeted by Trump for military involvement have pushed back on the perceived overreach of the president, arguing  as was found to be the case in Portland  that Trump has not satisfied the legal threshold for deploying troops and that doing so would violate states sovereignty.

open image in gallery Several Democratic cities targeted by Trump for military involvement have pushed back on the perceived overreach of the president ( AP )

Immergut issued two orders in early October that had blocked the deployment of the troops leading up to the trial, previously describing Trumps depictions of Portland as simply untethered to the facts.

Residents of the city took to social media to mock the presidents comments in September, posting pictures of their peaceful and wholesome weekend activities using the hashtag #WarRavagedPortland.

Immerguts first order blocked Trump from deploying 200 members of the Oregon National Guard; the second, issued a day later, blocked him from deploying members of any state's National Guard to Oregon, after he tried to evade the first order by sending California troops instead.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has already ordered that the troops not be deployed pending further action by the appeals court. The trial Immergut held further developed the factual record in the case, which could serve as the basis for further appellate rulings.

open image in gallery Trump said the troops were needed to protect federal personnel and property in the city, which he described as war ravaged with fires all over the place. Residents of the city took to social media to mock the presidents comments in September, posting pictures of their peaceful and wholesome weekend activities using the hashtag #WarRavagedPortland ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

During the trial, witnesses including local police and federal officials were questioned about the law enforcement response to the nightly protests at the citys ICE building. The demonstrations peaked in June, when Portland police declared one a riot.

Attorneys for Portland and Oregon said city police have been able to respond to the protests.

After the police department declared a riot on June 14, it changed its strategy to direct officers to intervene when person and property crime occurs, and crowd numbers have largely diminished since the end of that month, police officials testified.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The U.S. will boycott this months G20 summit in South Africa, Donald Trump announced on Friday, repeating his unfounded claims of an ongoing genocide against white people in the country.

It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa, Trump wrote on Truth Social of the upcoming summit, which begins on November 22. Afrikaners (People who are descended from Dutch settlers, and also French and German immigrants) are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated. No U.S. Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue.

The Independent has contacted the South African embassy in Washington for comment.

Throughout this year, the president has echoed viral misinformation and claimed that white people, in particular farmers, are being killed in a genocide in South Africa. South African officials, outside observers, and a prominent group representing Afrikaner farmers have all denied such a campaign is taking place.

The president has pointed to inflammatory comments from a fringe politician in South Africa and a newly passed land seizure law as evidence of his unfounded remarks, including during a tense Oval Office in May meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed theres an ongoing white genocide in South Africa, even as officials and outside observers say theres no real evidence of this ( Getty Images )

At the meeting, Ramaphosa vigorously denied any genocide is taking place and said the official has no genuine power in the country, while comparing the land seizure law to the U.S. use of eminent domain.

In May, South Africas Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said there were six farm killings between January and March, five of whose victims were Black. During the previous quarter, 12 people were murdered on farms, only one of whom was white.

In February, a South African court dismissed claims of a white genocide as clearly imagined.

Despite the dearth of evidence, the U.S. has used claims of a white genocide to reshape major parts of its immigration policy.

The Trump administration has largely frozen refugee admissions, though in May a small group of Afrikaners were let into the country, even as their home country denied they were refugees at all.

Since then, the White House has shrunken the overall refugee cap from 125,000 people per year to 7,500, with most slots reserved for white South Africans.

Refugee groups have criticized the move, arguing it shifts U.S. policy away from need-based consideration, instead returning the country to the prior centurys history of explicitly racial immigration policies.

At a time of crisis in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Venezuela to Sudan and beyond, concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the programs purpose as well as its credibility, Krish OMara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, said last month.
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President Donald Trump brought back a couple of his tried-and-tested insults after being fact-checked by a reporter from NBC on his recent claims of delivering on affordability for Americans ahead of Thanksgiving.

"Fake news," Trump replied, when confronted at a White House meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Friday. "NBC, you're fake news. NBC's gone down the tubes along with most of the rest of them."

The reporter had challenged the presidents claim earlier this week that Walmarts Thanksgiving dinner this year was down 25% since under Sleepy/Crooked Joe Biden.

AFFORDABILITY is a Republican Stronghold, Trump, 79, claimed. Hopefully, Republicans will use this irrefutable fact! Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday.

Internet users were quick to point out the differences between Walmarts meal in 2024 and 2025, calling out the retail giant for using fewer items, cheaper brands and a smaller turkey this year compared to last  even though this years meal does cost less.

open image in gallery On Friday a reporter challenged the presidents claim earlier this week that Walmarts Thanksgiving dinner this year was down 25% since under Sleepy/Crooked Joe Biden. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Despite this, Trump repeated his claim Friday, saying: I just heard this yesterday that Walmart said that the Thanksgiving was 25 more expensive, 25 percent more expensive under Biden.

"That's a big, to me, that's a big number, because Walmart's respected. I mean, Walmart is Walmart, and, you know, they're giving you prices."

Bringing out another of his favorite labels, he rambled on: "So that would mean that the whole series of pricing and costs, you know, the groceries and everything else, it was a con job.

It was a con job, affordability, they call it, was a con job by the Democrats. The Democrats are good at a few things, cheating in elections and conning people with facts that aren't true."

open image in gallery Internet users were quick to point out the differences between Walmarts meal in 2024 and 2025, calling out the retail giant for using fewer items, cheaper brands and a smaller turkey this year compared to last  even though this years meal does cost less ( Walmart )

The president has doubled down multiple times on his claims that he has slashed prices in time for the holiday, despite being proved wrong by online users, and even having his post slapped with a community note correction on X.

He also made a similar claim during a press conference in the Oval Office Thursday afternoon.

It comes as new surveys show that the majority of Americans still feel Trump is to blame for the current affordability crisis, with three-quarters of those surveyed reporting an increase in household expenses  contrary to the presidents claim of falling prices.

About 74 percent of Americans say their regular monthly household costs increased by at least $100 in the last year, according to a new Harris poll published by The Guardian. Some Americans even said theyre paying between $500 and $749 more each month.
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Denmark has announced a landmark agreement to prohibit social media access for children under the age of 15, a move designed to intensify pressure on major tech platforms amid escalating global concerns over the influence of harmful content and commercial exploitation targeting young users.

While the new legislation would permit parents, following a specific assessment, to grant their 13- and 14-year-olds access, significant questions remain regarding the practical enforcement of such a sweeping ban.

Many tech companies already impose age restrictions on their platforms, yet officials and experts widely acknowledge that these measures are frequently circumvented by pre-teens, rendering them largely ineffective.

This measure represents one of the most far-reaching steps taken by a European Union government to curb social media use among younger demographics.

Caroline Stage, Denmark's minister for digital affairs, highlighted the pervasive nature of online platforms among children, revealing that 94 per cent of Danish under-13s and over half of those under 10 already maintain social media profiles.

"The amount of time they spend online. the amount of violence, self-harm that they are exposed to online, is simply too great a risk for our children," Ms Stage stated.

She further criticised tech giants, adding: They have an absurd amount of money available, but theyre simply not willing to invest in the safety of our children, invest in the safety of all of us.

No rush to legislation, no loopholes for tech giants

open image in gallery Caroline Stage, Denmark's minister for digital affairs, said 94 per cent of Danish children under the age of 13 have profiles on at least one social media platform ( Thomas Traasdahl/Ritzau Scanpix via AP )

Ms Stage said a ban wont take effect immediately. Allied lawmakers on the issue from across the political spectrum, who make up a majority in parliament, will likely take months to pass relevant legislation.

I can assure you that Denmark will hurry, but we wont do it too quickly because we need to make sure that the regulation is right and that there are no loopholes for the tech giants to go through, Ms Stage said. Her ministry said pressure from tech giants business models was too massive.

It follows a move in December in Australia, where parliament enacted the worlds first ban on social media for children, setting the minimum age at 16.

That made platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram subject to fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (25m) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts.

Officials in Denmark didnt say how such a ban would be enforced in a world where millions of children have easy access to screens.

But Ms Stage noted that Denmark has a national electronic ID system  nearly all Danish citizens over the age of 13 have such an ID  and plans to set up an age-verification app. Several other EU countries are testing such apps.

We cannot force the tech giants to use our app, but what we can do is force the tech giants to make proper age verification, and if they dont, we will be able to enforce through the EU commission and make sure that they will be fined up to 6 per cent of their global income.

Aiming to shield kids from harmful content online

open image in gallery Caroline Stage at a press conference about a new political agreement for better protection of children and young people online ( Thomas Traasdahl/Ritzau Scanpix via AP )

Many governments have been grappling with ways of limiting harmful fallout from online technologies, without overly squelching their promise. Ms Stage said Denmarks legislative push was not about excluding children from everything digital, but keeping them away from harmful content.

China  which manufacturers many of the worlds digital devices  has set limits on online game time and smartphone time for kids.

Prosecutors in Paris this week announced an investigation into allegations that TikTok allows content promoting suicide and that its algorithms may encourage vulnerable young people to take their own lives.

Children and young people have their sleep disrupted, lose their peace and concentration, and experience increasing pressure from digital relationships where adults are not always present, the Danish ministry said. This is a development that no parent, teacher or educator can stop alone.

The EUs Digital Services Act, which took effect two years ago, forbids children younger than 13 from holding accounts on social media like TikTok and Instagram, video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Twitch, and sites like Reddit and Discord, as well as AI companions.

Many social media platforms have for years banned anyone 13 or under from signing up for their services. TikTok users can verify their ages by submitting a selfie that will be analysed to estimate their age. Meta Platforms, parent of Instagram and Facebook, says it uses a similar system for video selfies and AI to help figure out a users age.

Meta and TikTok didnt respond immediately to requests for comment from the AP.

Weve given the tech giants so many chances to stand up and to do something about what is happening on their platforms. They havent done it, said Ms Stage. So now we will take over the steering wheel and make sure that our childrens futures are safe.
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Being falsely accused of setting fire in the Amazon with funds from an Oscar-winning actor eventually became a blessing in disguise for Caetano Scannavino, the founder of a nonprofit organization in the heart of the rainforest.

Brazil's then President Jair Bolsonaro falsely claimed in November 2019 that actor Leonardo DiCaprio had funded nonprofit groups that he alleged were partly responsible for setting the fires. The accusation, though false, created risks for Scannavino and his work promoting sustainable development and citizens' rights in a region along the Tapajos River popular with tourists for its blend of rainforest and beaches.

Four of Scannavino's friends who volunteered as forest firefighters were jailed for two days and then prosecuted as alleged perpetrators of fires in the region, only to be cleared later. Police scrolled through documents of Scannavinos Saude e Alegria nonprofit for weeks. Scannavino received anonymous threats, and his car was set on fire.

DiCaprio takes notice

But Bolsonaro's comments helped DiCaprio take notice of Scannavino's work and decide to sponsor his work through Re:wild, a nonprofit conservation group that the actor helped found. Their partnership has already lasted five years, the Brazilian activist said.

When the accusations emerged, DiCaprio came out to say he was not funding us, but added we deserved his support after he saw our work, Scannavino told The Associated Press in a phone interview. I've never been with him or spoken to him. But he gives us support, uses his social media to show what this partnership does.

The 59-year-old Scannavino founded Saude e Alegria, or Health and Happiness, in 1987 to promote integrated and sustainable community development in Para state, whose capital Belem will host the United Nations' Conference of the Parties, or COP30, next week. Scannavino arrived in Belem on Tuesday from Santarem, the city where the initiative is based, after a two-day boat ride that featured broadcasts with journalists, activists and climate experts.

Local products hub

The project started as a health care initiative, but it has since grown to work with rural communities to improve their quality of life and exercise of citizenship.

One project sponsored by DiCaprio's institute is the Forest Economy EcoCenter in Santarem, which serves as a hub for processing, storage and commercialization of products made by locals. Organizers said the facility enhances the economic viability of sustainable practices in the region.

The hub was opened a year ago, and is also supported by the governments of Brazil, Germany and Norway, all contributors of the Amazon Fund, a Brazilian initiative that pays for anti-deforestation and sustainable development efforts.

Scannavino said that the initiative cost about 5 million Brazilian reais ($938,000), mostly paid for by the Amazon Fund.

Those first few days after Bolsonaro's accusation were terrible. People insulted us and our families on the streets, the firefighters had to leave. But then a surprising thing happened, Scannavino said.

Usually people get away from you if such a big target appears on your back. It was the opposite with us. Eventually the accusations went away, the firefighters were released, and people were curious about us  including DiCaprio, he added.

Meet the moment

In an Instagram post this week, DiCaprio said the world leaders gathering in Brazil must ensure that those defending nature have the resources they need. He said Re:wild is pledging more money to protecting forests.

I urge leaders to unite and meet the moment, he said. Our future depends on it.

The AP emailed Re:wild seeking further comment on its work with Scannavino and at COP30.

Scannavino, who left the Brazilian metropolis Sao Paulo for the Amazon more than 37 years ago, said that DiCaprio and other backers of his nonprofit also came in support because he chose to show Bolsonaro he was working with the support of local police and armed forces instead of trying to score political points.

The former president was recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for a coup attempt in 2023 after losing his reelection bid.

Our critics are specialists in hatred, and since that incident we chose to be polite, provide evidence we worked with all stakeholders, everyone who mattered in the region. We refused to leave our local communities without due health care assistance just because of an absurd accusation, Scannavino said.

Many awards and acknowledgments later, Scannavino is expected to meet with Re:wild officials and perhaps DiCaprio himself at COP30.

Scannavino said that he nearly met DiCaprio about 20 years ago while setting up for a photo exhibition in New York. He said that the team preparing the photo exhibition didn't recognize the actor under a cap and complained that he was getting in the way, so he left.

Shortly later our producer raced to tell me that was Leonardo DiCaprio," Scannavino said. "I told her to run after him and get him back. She caught him on his bike a few blocks away. He thanked her, but had to leave.

"I hope that the next encounter is a very different one, so we can thank him duly, he added.

___

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___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
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Naive, self-sabotaging and riddled with Moscows agents, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons and an arms industry that produced a third of the Soviet Unions supply, trusted the West and the Kremlin to protect it, and was left fighting for its life.

Now, 30 years on, the start-up nation redefining how war is fought has been forced into a bodge-and-make-do world of arms production, fusing old technology with IT know-how to break the bonds its allies tied to make Kyiv fight one-handed.

The latest innovation is a cruise missile with a range of 3,000km, a maximum speed of 900kmph and a payload of over a tonne, which has been used in strikes deep into Russian territory.

The FP-5 Flamingo missile is powered by a rocket and a Soviet-era turbofan jet engine bolted on top. Some of those engines have been dug out of landfill dumps.

open image in gallery The Flamingo is an entirely Ukrainian-made long-range missile ( AP )

Its got twice the range of the US Tomahawk, carries twice as much explosive and costs about the same.

But its main advantage is that it is entirely under the control of Ukraines forces. The UK and France restricted the use of the Anglo-French Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Russian targets inside Ukraine for many months.

The US reduced the ability of Ukraine to use American ATACM missiles against Russian targets in Russia and has not yet decided on whether to allow access to Tomahawks, that would be paid for by European allies.

In contrast, Kyiv can fire the Flamingo at any target it wants. It is not restricted by what Ukraines allies say it can and cannot do when fighting Russias invading forces.

Prototypes were painted pink to make them easier to retrieve from test flights. They strike deep inside Russia and are designed to destroy Moscows capacity to wage war in Ukraine.

Targeting oil refineries has had a measurable effect. Russia has at times lost about 20 per cent of its fuel capacity and pump prices have soared by 10 per cent.

open image in gallery Smoke billows after Ukraine's SBU drone strikes a refinery in Ryazan, Russia, in March 2024 ( via Reuters )

Ukraines focus has been on the Fluid Catalytic Cracking plants inside refineries  theyre mostly imported from the West and Russia is banned from buying any more.

With arms supplies from the West so uncertain, Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine now makes about 60 per cent of its own weapons.

When you have a gun being pointed towards your head, you dont think about standards, you think that this should be working, says Iyna Terekh, the chief technology officer of Fire Point, which makes Flamingos among other munitions.

And the huge achievement of the Ukrainian government is to downgrade the bureaucracy pressure as much as possible so that technology can thrive.

And that is what happened to our company. We didnt care that we meet Nato standards.

We only cared that our weapons would be effective on the front line, not on some paperwork. We could, as a result, make a very effective weapon.

open image in gallery Launch of a long-range Flamingo missile, which Kyiv can use without any restrictions ( ZN.UA )

As well as Flamingos, Fire Point also produces the shorter-range Shahed-style drones FP1 and FP2. The former have been used frequently to attack Russia as far as Moscow.

The latter, which carry a payload of 150kg, have been mistaken for long-range American missiles because of their explosive power.

Their value lies in that theyre cheap and fast to make. It takes a couple of hours to make the wings and 30 minutes to fashion the fuselage from a mix of plastic and carbon.

The lightweight machines are glued together with carbon printers, use lawnmower engines and rely on open source navigation systems.

No money is spared, Terekh insists, on the electronics of the weapons as theyre designed to evade Russian jamming systems.

Ukraine shoots down about 90 per cent of Russias incoming Shahed-type drones. So a similar kill rate of Ukrainian drones must be assumed. They have to be clever and cheap to make if theyre going to get through.

open image in gallery A worker inspects a combat drone at Fire Point's secret factory in Ukraine ( AP )

FP1s and 2s cost about $50,000 each. Ukrainian officials estimate that modern Shaheds may be as much as $250,000 each. Independent estimates put the Russian-made drones at closer to $80,000.

For Ukraine, price competition is important. The European Union, Kyiv biggest backer, is an economic bloc at least nine times the size of Russias economy with four times its spending power.

Ukraines allies can outspend Russia, if they choose to, but so far they have not.

The war is now mostly a grinding stalemate. It balances Russias superior manpower resources with Ukraines motivation and innovation, although that latter edge risks being eroded as Moscow has moved quickly to learn from earlier bloody mistakes on the battlefield.

Russia has had years to prepare for its invasion of Ukraine. With hindsight, it was aided by the collapse of Ukraines arms industry after its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Back then, Ukraine had the third-largest nuclear weapons stockpile. It produced 30 per cent of the Soviet Unions weapons.

Ukraine produced some of the Kremlins most terrifying weapons intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) like the SS-18 Satan.

open image in gallery A worker at a drone factory on the outskirts of Kyiv ( Sam Kiley/The Independent )

Kyiv still has a factory where the company Antonov made many of its aircraft, and the capital was also the centre of production for anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.

Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine produced tanks and boasted 40 universities and educational institutions, which churned out scientists who made rockets for sale worldwide.

But in 1994, Ukraine was persuaded to give up its nukes in return for an agreement from the US, UK, and Russia to guarantee its security.

Later, China and France signed up, but only Ukraine believed the memos were worth the ink spent on setting them down.

Ten years later, it had let its arms industry collapse from one that employed three million to less than a third of that.

A mouldy military faced Russias first invasion in 2014, and the country was saved mostly by private volunteer militia.

Now it is reliant on start-ups like companies such as Fire Point and General Cherry  the latter producing thousands of interceptor drones a week to take on Russias Shaheds and protect troops on the front lines, where combat has turned from trench warfare to a churning horror for infantry individually hunted by tiny deadly drones.

open image in gallery A serviceman of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade launches a reconnaissance drone, near the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, 6 October 2025 ( Reuters )

In production, 3-D printers whir day and night in secret locations across Ukraine. In cubicles across the nation, drills scream and solder burns and circuits are laid for semi-autonomous quadcopters to be flown into incoming missiles every night.

Ukraines weapons industry is now worth only $1bn, but it is growing very fast. Taking off like one of the Ukrainian GCs bullet drones, which erupt from the ground and can hit over 200kmph in a vertical climb to take on Russian Shaheds.

Midway through what is a long war, theres an air of growing confidence in Ukraines arms industry.

Its bred off fast growth and battlefield success.

open image in gallery Stacks of drone wings are produced in secret factories on the edge of Kyiv ( Sam Kiley/The Independent )

But also the realisation that, already, Ukraine has the most powerful army in western Europe and that the lessons learned from battleground to workshop here will mean Kyiv may be a dominant force in Europes future.

We all have to grow up and build our own security with our own hands, says Terekh.

This means ending reliance on America.

What we learn from working in Ukraine is that you have to diversify and you have to rely on yourself. You have to count on your own resources, and thats what Europe has to do.
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When it comes to popularity with tourists, New York City is the undisputed No. 1 in the U.S., drawing around 64 million visitors a year with its iconic pizzas, hot dogs, skyscrapers, museums, and boardwalk beaches.

Theres no doubt it has plenty to recommend it  but a trip there comes with a warning. Its expensive and exhausting. The sidewalks are frantic, many attractions are miles apart, and youll pay a premium for a good hotel room.

Luckily, theres an alternative that offers all of New Yorks swagger but with far less stress  Chicago.

Heres why you should ditch New York City and visit this Midwestern metropolis instead, from its legendary cuisine to public transport thats an attraction in its own right.

1. Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper

open image in gallery The Skydeck on the 103rd floor of Chicago's tallest building  the 1,451ft Willis Tower ( Skydeck at Willis Tower )

New York City is tall, but Chicago gave birth to the skyscraper - the 138-foot Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885, is widely regarded as launching the high-rise era. There are thrilling observation decks incorporated across Chicagos epic skyline, home to over 100 skyscrapers.

One is the dizzying 1,451-foot Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), the city's tallest building. Here, visitors can enjoy views that stretch for up to 50 miles (on a clear day) from the Skydeck on the 103rd floor (1,353-foot up). And for a test of nerves, there's The Ledge  where you stand in a glass box that extends 4.3-foot out over the street below.

A similarly hair-raising experience can be had at the 1,128-foot-tall 875 North Michigan Avenue (John Hancock Center). The 94th-floor observation deck there features Tilt, which leans you out over the sidewalk at a 30-degree angle. And you can toast your bravery with a cocktail at the buildings CloudBar on the same floor.

What's more, you can discover the city's skyscrapers top to bottom. After taking in cloud-scraping panoramas, take the Architecture River Cruise, a fascinating narrated tour of Chicago's iconic buildings from the water, a venture New York City simply can't replicate.

Read more: Seven cozy fall getaways to savor autumn charm ahead of the holidays

2. The pristine lakefront and urban beaches

open image in gallery Chicagos dazzling beaches are mere moments from the city center ( demerzel21 - stock.adobe.com )

From Manhattan, you need to travel for at least 45 minutes on the subway to reach a beach. In Chicago, the sandy shoreline is mere steps away from downtown  and it stretches for 26 miles along shimmering Lake Michigan.

In total, the Chicago Park District maintains 24 public beaches, featuring regular lifeguard patrols and a variety of activities to enjoy, including volleyball and DJ sets. There's a pathway for walkers and cyclists  the 18-mile Lakefront Trail  that connects each strip of sand, meaning you can beach-hop seamlessly and enjoy jaw-dropping views of that immense skyline while you're at it.

In New York City, the beaches are disconnected and there are no opportunities to sunbathe or swim under a glorious skyscraper.

Lastly, the fact that the beaches in Chicago are by a freshwater lake is another bonus. There's no salt water to sting your eyes and corrode your gear, and no jellyfish to worry about.

Where to stay nearby

The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago is moments from Lake Michigan and Oak Street Beach.

Read more: Forget Route 66: Five under-the-radar road trips that get to the heart of America

3. World-class museums within walking distance

open image in gallery On walkable Museum Campus three world-renowned attractions sit side by side  the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium ( City of Chicago )

New York City is exhausting for culture vultures. Yes, there's "Museum Mile" along Fifth Avenue, home to The Met and Guggenheim, but some of the Big Apple's best museums are up to six miles apart (American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side to 9/11 Memorial & Museum in Downtown, for example).

Chicago has a convenient cluster of world-class institutions minutes apart, with lakefront views to boot.

Top of your list to tick off should be the Art Institute of Chicago. Founded in 1879, it's one of America's oldest museums, and with a collection comprising over 300,000 pieces, it's also one of the country's largest.

Step between the bronze lions at the entrance, and inside you'll find a world-class collection of impressionist paintings, including Monet's Water Lilies and Vincent van Gogh's The Bedroom, along with works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Vasily Kandinsky.

Stroll 25 minutes south along Lake Michigan and you'll discover the "Museum Campus. Here, on a scenic peninsula, three world-renowned attractions sit side by side  the Field Museum, home to Sue, the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered; the Adler Planetarium, where you can see stunning "Sky Shows" and study the heavens through a giant telescope; and the Shedd Aquarium, where more than 30,000 creatures are on display in over five million gallons of water.

Where to stay nearby

The Palmer House Hilton is just one block from the legendary Art Institute of Chicago.

Read more: The best bonus perks your entry ticket covers at 6 top US theme parks (including Disney and Universal)

4. Better pizzas and hot dogs

open image in gallery Pictured is a classic Chicago dog, as served at Portillo's ( Portillo's )

New Yorkers are rightly proud of their pizzas, but Chicago's deep-dish is on another level  literally. They're akin to pies and practically a religious experience.

You'll know you're eating one of these belt-loosening creations if there's a wall of buttery crust encasing layers of gooey cheese and a chunky crushed-tomato sauce. Sausage and vegetables often complete the mouth-watering picture.

The best places to try one? Lou Malnati's, located at 439 N. Wells St., serves gold-standard pizzas; Giordano's, at 223 W. Jackson Blvd in downtown, offers pizzas with a dough lid; and Pequod's Pizza, at 2207 N. Clybourn Ave in Lincoln Park, offers delicious caramelized crusts.

The Chicago hot dog is equally sacred and assembled in a particular way.

If it's authentic, you'll notice an all-beef frankfurter  steamed or simmered  that has a satisfying snap when you bite into it.

The steamed poppy seed bun, meanwhile, will be soft and will never crack, and the ingredients will have been added in the following order  yellow mustard, bright green relish, chopped white onions, tomato wedges or slices, a dill pickle spear, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt.

Ketchup, you'll notice, is conspicuous by its absence. That's because putting this sauce on a "Chicago dog" is a sin.

Top places to try one include Portillo's (Downtown, 100 W. Ontario St.), The Wieners Circle in Lincoln Park (go after dark for the best staff banter), and vintage Superdawg Drive-In (6363 N. Milwaukee Ave.).

If fine dining is more your vibe, Chicago hits the same culinary heights as NYC. It's home to two three-Michelin-starred restaurants, Alinea (Lincoln Park) and Smyth (West Loop), along with several others honored with one or two stars  from Oriole and Ever (both West Loop) to Kasama (West Town).

Read more: A Euro trip without leaving America: Seven US towns that look exactly like places in Europe

5. The elevated train experience

open image in gallery Chicagos L train is an attraction in its own right, serving as an unofficial architecture tour ( Choose Chicago )

New York City has a vast subway system, but it's functional  you ride it to get from A to B.

Chicago's elevated rail system  the L train  not only helps you discover the city's top-tier delights, but it's an attraction in its own right, passing so close to buildings that the line serves as an unofficial architecture tour.

Some of the spots where the train appears to brush against buildings include Harold Washington LibraryState/Van Buren station (Red and Blue Lines), the Merchandise Mart (Brown and Purple Lines), and the Apple Store block on the Green Line.

Top attractions within a short walk of an L train station, meanwhile, include Cermak-Chinatown for Chinatown, Berwyn for the "shop local capital" of Clark Street, the California stop for buzzy Logan Square and Washington/Wabash station for a host of top sights, including Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Chicago Architecture Center, and the Chicago Riverwalk.

Read more: These hotels have very specific concierge services, from sandcastle building to a bourbon butler

6. It's less crowded and the locals are friendlier

open image in gallery Chicago is less hurried than New York City, and noticeably less crowded ( Choose Chicago )

If you visit New York City, get ready to keep up  and don't expect much help from the locals. The pace is frantically fast, the sidewalks are narrow and busy and New Yorkers have far too much on their minds to point you in the direction of your next bucket list attraction.

Chicago, by comparison, feels less hurried. You have space to get past people on the sidewalks without barging into shoulders  even in the most touristy areas  and the locals are more welcoming.

This is a major world city, but one with a relaxed, Midwestern heartbeat.

Read more: Luxury hotels with the best service: The worlds most impressive stays loved by billionaires

7. It's cheaper

open image in gallery Chicago is world class, yet budget friendly ( City of Chicago )

Both cities have world-class experiences  but you'll pay less for them in Chicago.

Sometimes a lot less.

For starters, enjoying a luxury hotel room in central Chicago can often cost $200$300 per night, compared to the $400 to $600 you'll pay for something similar in New York City.

And for great sit-down meals  a deep-dish feast, for example  the bill will be around $25 to $40 per person versus $50 to $70 in NYC.

Chicago's subway system is slightly easier on the bank balance, too, with the L train costing $2.50 to ride compared with $2.90 for the NYC subway.

Getting into the city from the airport is also better for budgets in Chicago, with the Blue Line from O'Hare Airport to downtown costing $5 versus $8.25 for New York's JFK AirTrain.

Read more: 10 of the best under-the-radar beaches in the US for crowd-free coastal escapes
What I spend on Christmas: I would imagine that my total will be about 2,000 and the majority of my budget will be on my own kids
Its getting worse  Dublin city traders call for more Garda visibility amid rise in theft and shoplifting

Although there are fewer incidents of theft and robbery from individuals, there's been an increase in reports of shoplifting

Mark Lenehan outside his shop on Capel Street in Dublin. Photo: Adrian Weckler

Sarah Burke Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Its a cold Friday morning in Dublin city centre, and Capel Street hums with people walking on the now pedestrianised street.
Paedophile ballet teacher tried to resume classes after his arrest for sexually assaulting child

Leighton Morrison (49) was jailed for appalling crimes against two young girls in changing room

Paedophile ballet teacher jailed for eight years for evil abuse of two young girls

Eavan Murray Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Paedophile ballet teacher Leighton Morrison tried to return to teaching children within weeks of his arrest for sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl.
Regarded as defensive investments, consumer staples stocks are generally safe bets in choppy markets. The flip side is that they frequently fall behind growth industries when times are good, and this perception became a reality over the past six months as the sector was down 8.3% while the S&P 500 was up 20.1%.

Only some companies are subject to these dynamics, however, and a handful of high-quality businesses can deliver earnings growth in any environment. With that said, here is one consumer stock poised to generate sustainable market-beating returns and two best left ignored.

Two Consumer Staples Stocks to Sell:

Conagra (CAG)

Market Cap: $8.18 billion

Founded in 1919 as Nebraska Consolidated Mills in Omaha, Nebraska, Conagra Brands today (NYSE:CAG) boasts a diverse portfolio of packaged foods brands that includes everything from whipped cream to jarred pickles to frozen meals.

Why Do We Avoid CAG?

Shrinking unit sales over the past two years imply it may need to invest in product improvements to get back on track Forecasted revenue decline of 2% for the upcoming 12 months implies demand will fall off a cliff Underwhelming 5.3% return on capital reflects managements difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities, and its decreasing returns suggest its historical profit centers are aging

Conagra is trading at $16.81 per share, or 9.6x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why CAG doesnt pass our bar.

Post (POST)

Market Cap: $5.73 billion

Founded in 1895, Post (NYSE:POST) is a packaged food company known for its namesake breakfast cereal and healthier-for-you snacks.

Why Does POST Give Us Pause?

Falling unit sales over the past two years indicate demand is soft and that the company may need to revise its product strategy 1.9 percentage point decline in its free cash flow margin over the last year reflects the companys increased investments to defend its market position Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities

Posts stock price of $104.97 implies a valuation ratio of 13.8x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with POST, check out our full research report (its free for active Edge members).

One Consumer Staples Stock to Watch:

Procter & Gamble (PG)

Market Cap: $340.7 billion

Founded by candle maker William Procter and soap maker James Gamble, Proctor & Gamble (NYSE:PG) is a consumer products behemoth whose product portfolio spans everything from facial tissues to laundry detergent to feminine care to mens grooming.
Gardai in Connemara are investigating the sudden death of a woman in An Spideal.

Emergency services were alerted to an incident yesterday shortly before 6pm at a property in An Saile Chuanna on the outskirts of the village on the Inverin road.
Ireland Funds charity removes photos of convicted fraudster DJ Carey taken at prestigious event in Texas castle

The jailed former Kilkenny hurling star was one of 30 Irish people invited to the US in 2015, with one gathering also attended by billionaire hoteliers June and Archie Bennett

DJ Carey at an Ireland Funds event

Amy Molloy Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:30

The Ireland Funds charity has removed multiple pictures from its website of convicted fraudster DJ Carey attending events that it held in Dallas, Texas.
Suspicious device found in Dublins North Strand deemed non-viable as army bomb disposal unit attends scene

A section of the area was cordoned off during peak tea-time traffic in the city centre

The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit

Keith Kelly Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 09:29

Gardai have confirmed that a suspicious device found in north Dublin last night has been removed after being deemed non-viable.
In his new memoir, Dr Andrew Rynne charts a career where hes carried out the snip 35,000 times, was fined for selling condoms and unknowingly played the Nutcracker Suite to a patient under his knife

The recent death of Mary May McGee, the brave woman who took the landmark 1973 case on access to contraception in Ireland, was in the forefront of my mind for several days. Any woman who is popping her daily contraceptive pill or buying condoms without a second thought owes her a great debt. Men who have undergone vasectomies may not necessarily know to whom they owe their great debt, as such.

But despite being the doctor who introduced vasectomy to Ireland, thats probably not even the most interesting thing about GP Dr Andrew Rynne. Singing with Luke Kelly or Christy Moore, and founding Clane General Hospital make for good anecdotes, but it is being shot at in his surgery by a disgruntled ex-patient whose wife had left him that really raises your eyebrows when you read this self-published memoir. Six shots later and a bullet lodged in his hip, it is hard to know who to sympathise with more  Rynne, who brushes off the incident with what one imagines is his natural stoicism, or the poor patient who was mid-snip. The bullet removed, he keeps it in a plastic envelope in his bedside drawer for years.
I think theyre going to have a moment  are Irish B&Bs a dying breed, or a warm welcome in a world of key boxes?

Irelands B&Bs face huge challenges, from long hours to rising costs. But new ideas and an old-school welcome can still hold appeal for travellers

Ciara O'Brien at Barnahown. Photo: Kirsty Lyons

Chrissie Russell Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Theres usually two different things people think of when they hear we run a B&B, says Enda MacMullan.
John Downing: French plans to pare back government generosity may ignite new wave of protests

Charity hits out at budget proposal to exclude households without children from Christmas welfare bonus

French prime minister Sebastien Lecornu has expressed doubts about getting a budget delivered before the end of the year. Photo: AP

John Downing Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:30

The first doomed idea was abolishing two public holidays to help tackle Frances runaway debt and now the book-balancing row is focused on proposals to curb the Christmas welfare bonus to exclude households without children.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has called on the US leader to clarify comments about US nuclear testing. Photo: Reuters

If Henry Miller is correct and example moves the world more than doctrine, then we have reason to be fearful. In the last two weeks we have seen the most alarming nuclear sabre-rattling in recent years.

Russia claimed it successfully tested two new super-weapons. Vladimir Putins Skyfall, a new nuclear-powered cruise missile, spent 15 hours in the air flying 14,000km. Within days, Moscow revealed it had perfected Poseidon, a new underwater nuclear drone. Its unique diabolical selling point was, the Kremlin claimed, the fact that it can trigger a tsunami of irradiated swells to wipe out coastal cities.

The intention is clearly to make the West think again about its support for Ukraine. In Washington, Donald Trump was unnervingly vague. He said he was ordering a resumption of nuclear weapons testing.

The White House has since refused to elaborate.

Mr Trumps order was mistakenly made to the Pentagon, rather than the Energy Department, which administers nuclear tests.

Ambiguous or not, it was enough for Putin to say he could restart weapons testing for the first time in 35 years. Putin has now called on Mr Trump to specify if he meant flight-testing of nuclear missiles or a return to tests involving nuclear explosions.

It will trigger steps from other states, including Russia, in response

Should it be the latter, Moscow has warned it will trigger steps from other states, including Russia, in response.

That such intentional dicing with the future of humanity could be conducted in one part of the world, while in another, the Cop30 climate summit is under way  driven by a motivation to rescue the planet from man-made climate change  speaks to the cognitive dissonance of our age.

Notions about non-proliferation have long since disappeared. China has greatly ramped up its nuclear arsenal, as has North Korea. Experts say the genie is out of the bottle when it comes to nuclear weapons.

And they also point out the bilateral arms control that characterised the Cold War is no longer relevant in a new multipolar world. There are already enough nuclear weapons to guarantee our total annihilation.

It is not a love of peace, but the recognition of mutually assured destruction, that maintains whatever security we have. Superpowers are never going to consider total disarmament. What matters, we are told, is the preservation of strategic stability.

But as a recent editorial in the Washington Post stated, such fragile equilibrium will not be maintained by wishful thinking. The key, it said, was credible deterrence.

The ominous threats being tossed around in both Moscow and Washington are more conducive to destabilisation than security. Nobel Peace Prize-winner, and last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev noted that global progress was only possible through universal consensus in the movement towards a new world order.

Such a quest is more crucial than ever, for as the first chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Omar N Bradley, once noted ruefully: Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.
A county councillor has called for a graffiti wall in East Cork so that young people can express their creativity and display their artistic talents to the public through the medium of street art.

Cllr John Buckley put forward a motion at this weeks meeting of the East Cork Municipal District (MD) calling on the MD to facilitate the proposal. The Independent councillor said he has been approached by a number of teenagers in Midleton who are looking for somewhere to paint murals.

I did a small bit of research on it and there was one in Cork city for a couple of years, there is none in the county at the moment so I was thinking that it might be a nice thing for the youth of the community. It could be used for groups displaying their art, kept on display for a few months and then repainted for the next art piece, he said.

The motion was seconded by the Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Mary Lenihan Foley, who said the idea could also be extended to Youghal. I'm well aware of very talented graffiti artists that are only standing in the background waiting for permission. She said that students in the town brightened up a drab car park, it looked fab with boards that they painted.

Cllr Ann Marie Ahern also supported the motion. She said theres an excellent mural on an underpass in Midleton and availability around the town for more artwork. It would be an excellent idea to get somebody else's viewpoint in doing the art. So it may not be what we think, but it could be their viewpoint. It can evoke a lot of conversation and also can bring out art in people, she said.

Municipal District Officer Susan Hegarty said the MD would welcome suggestions from elected members about locations for a graffiti wall that could be used by the community. She said Cork County Councils Sustainable Travel Unit has already worked with a youth group in Cloyne to paint graffiti under bridges and on electrical boxes on a cycle route in Midleton.

She added that murals created within the architectural conservation area (ACA) of a town such as Midleton have stricter requirements such as design sign-off from the council and a lifespan of three years before theyre painted over.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
A woman who poured her own urine sample down the toilet at Tallaght Garda Station and refused to give a blood sample has been disqualified from driving for four years.

Olga Pegasoua (46), of Mount Andrew Court, Lucan, was convicted at Tallaght District Court of refusing to provide a specimen under the Road Traffic Act. Judge Karen Dowling said she had no choice but to impose the mandatory four-year driving ban.

Garda Shauna Higgins told the court she was on patrol shortly before 11pm on March 27, 2021, in the Tallaght area when she saw a silver Nissan swerving on a road before taking a sharp turn into a cul-de-sac. The front bumper was dented, indicating a recent collision.

Garda Higgins said Pegasoua refused to lower the window or open the door, stared at her and smiled. The court heard there was a strong smell of alcohol and an almost-empty wine bottle was found in the car.

Garda Higgins formed the opinion that the defendant was intoxicated to such an extent that she was incapable of driving in a public place and arrested her.

Pegasoua arrived at Tallaght Garda Station at 11.18pm, while a Russian interpreter and designated doctor were called to attend. At 12.35am, after the procedure was explained to her through the interpreter, the court heard that Pegasoua opted to provide a urine sample.

The court heard she entered the bathroom and provided a sample into a jug, but then immediately poured it down the toilet. She then refused to give blood and became agitated.

Garda Higgins said she warned Pegasoua of the consequences, but said that the defendant continued to refuse.

Defence counsel argued that the prosecution could not rely on what was said through the interpreter because they were not present in court to be cross-examined.

However Judge Dowling rejected the application to dismiss, finding there was a case to answer based on the gardas observations, the defendants conduct and her actions in the bathroom.

The court heard that Pegasoua is a single mother with no previous convictions. She works as a cleaner and the court was told she has a generalised anxiety disorder and kidney issues.

Judge Dowling said the legislation left her with "no option" other than to impose the mandatory disqualification for refusing to give a sample.

Pegasoua, who did not appear in court, was disqualified from driving for four years, fined 500, and given five months to pay. A 200 recognisance was set. The judge agreed to defer the start of the driving ban by four weeks to allow Pegasoua to make arrangements.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
A woman whose car was found upside down after a late-night crash has been directed to get a medical report to show she is no longer drinking alcohol, with a judge telling her she is "very fortunate" to have not killed or injured someone.

Lisa Clarke (51), of Belgard Heights, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to driving with excess alcohol at Ballymount Road, Tallaght, on April 11 last.

Detective Sergeant Mick Ormsby told the court that gardai were called to the scene shortly after midnight following a report that a white Nissan Juke had overturned near a childcare centre on the Tymon Hall side of Ballymount Road.

When they arrived, they found Ms Clarke at the scene beside the car, which was lying on its roof. Gardai said she smelled strongly of alcohol and her speech was slurred.

She was arrested and taken to Terenure Garda Station, where she provided a blood sample showing a concentration of 155mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - more than three times the legal limit.

The court heard that Ms Clarke, who has no previous convictions, is a healthcare assistant who is a carer for an individual who sometimes resides in Spain and was due to fly back there later that day.

She told Judge Patricia McNamara she had been going through a difficult time because of a marital breakdown and was struggling with her mental health.

I gave up drinking the day this happened", Ms Clarke said.

Judge McNamara replied: You were clearly drinking in April - your car was on its roof. Youre very fortunate to be alive, and that you didnt kill someone or seriously injure somebody else".

The judge questioned whether Ms Clarke had an issue with alcohol, adding: 155 milligrammes - thats an awful lot of drink. I have a concern at that level of alcohol you consumed - youre right up there".

She directed Ms Clarke to obtain a medical report from her doctor and provide urine analysis to show she is no longer consuming alcohol.

I want to see something from your doctor", Judge McNamara said. Youve pleaded guilty and that goes in your favour, but youre facing a minimum three-year disqualification".

The case was adjourned to December 12 for finalisation.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
The youngest member of Goldman's newest class of managing directors is 29 years old.

Paulo Costa, promoted Thursday, is based in London and spoke to Business Insider about making MD.

The trader leads dividend trading in Goldman's synthetic products group in EMEA.

By early Thursday afternoon, cheers celebrating Goldman Sachs' newly promoted managing directors had been mounting for hours throughout the firm's London office.

Paulo Costa heard the trader across from him  whose last name starts with an X  take the call he had been hoping for. He presumed the calls would be rolled out in alphabetical order, and thought, "Oh, hang on, this is starting to feel a little strange," he told Business Insider.

At last, the call came: he'd been named managing director  and, at 29, the youngest in this year's class.

Costa  an executive director overseeing dividend trading across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa  was among the 638 employees in this year's Goldman MD class. He said that it marked the culmination of a remarkable year, personally and professionally.

His promotion comes on the heels of a strong run for Goldman's equities division, where third-quarter revenues climbed 7% compared to the same period a year earlier. The bank cited higher net revenues in financing, an area adjacent to Costa's work, as a key driver.

Seated a few rows away from Costa when the call came was his wife, who is a prime broker at Goldman. The two met at the firm in 2018 and married this year.

"She was definitely the first person that I spoke to," once he'd hung up the phone, he said.

The road to managing director

Costa runs dividend trading within the bank's equities division, helping big investors like hedge funds make bets on stocks without actually buying them, using financial contracts that move with share prices. His team manages the dividend component of those deals, ensuring that when companies pay shareholders, those payouts are accurately reflected in the value and cash flows of the trades.

He has weathered a few volatile markets, from the pandemic to this year's market sell-off in the spring. Past experiences, he said, made him "more aware" of how to approach choppy markets.

"When you really learn about the markets and the inner plumbing of things, is when things get messy," he said, recalling how unusual trading conditions during the COVID pandemic shaped his approach.

Born and raised in Portugal in a family of doctors, Costa said his parents hoped he'd follow in their footsteps and pursue a career in medicine. But the MD title he clinched this week has proven just as satisfying. Choosing finance over medicine came as "a bit of a shock," he said, "but I think they're happy I did it."
It feels like an act of resistance  Meet the Galway zine club offering an alternative to social media

Combining arts, crafts and public events, a passionate group of people led by Tuam woman Mot Collins have been getting their message across in small-circulation print publications

Mot Collins of Stray Cats Press PIC CREDIT: Mot Collins

Jessica Mercer Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 12:40

In a pub in the West end area of Galway, a plethora of people huddle together over drinks with magazine cuttings. Glitter and glue is strewn across the table in an effort to create  in a move away from technology and towards a more analogous avenue of creative expression  zines.
Emily O'Reilly has been shortlisted for Young Volunteer of the Year.

Paul Montgomery has been shortlisted for Instructor of the Year.

Elena Barry has been shortlisted for Newcomer of the Year.

Three of Kerrys Irish Red Cross volunteers as well as its Tralee branch have received nominations in the Irish Red Cross Volunteer of the Year Awards.

From Young Volunteer of the Year to Instructor of the Year to Newcomer of the Year, Kerry volunteers have received national recognition for their tireless volunteer service with the Irish Red Cross.

The Irish Red Cross National Volunteer Awards recognise the commitment, compassion and hard work of Irish Red Cross volunteers who generously give their time for the betterment of communities across Ireland.

These inspiring volunteers - who provide first aid at local community events, check on isolated or vulnerable people, help communities prepare and respond to severe weather episodes or provide therapeutic hand care to nursing home residents, to mention just some examples  will be celebrated at a ceremony in Croke Park on November 29.

The Kerry shortlisted nominees are:

Elena Barry  Shortlisted for Newcomer of the Year

Elena Barry.

The Irish Red Cross Tralee Branch has proudly nominated Elena Barry for the prestigious Newcomer of the Year Award. Since joining the Branch in 2024 following a successful Taster Session, Elena has become a standout volunteer whose swift engagement and energetic leadership has revitalised key areas of the Unit.

Elena immediately impressed her colleagues with her 'get up and do' attitude. After quickly completing her First Aid Responder (FAR) course, she immersed herself in service, demonstrating the immense value of recruiting new members. Her enthusiasm and proactive spirit led to her being selected as the Branchs new Youth Officer this year.

Under her leadership, the Tralee Youth Section, which had become dormant during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been successfully re-convened and is now thriving.

Paul Montgomery  Shortlisted for Instructor of the Year

Paul Montgomery.

Paul Montgomery who volunteers with the Irish Red Cross Tralee branch has been shortlisted for the Irish Red Cross Instructor of the Year Award 2025.

Since joining the Tralee branch in 2016, Paul has been active at branch level, organising fundraising initiatives and overseeing the planning permission application for a building extension. As an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) practitioner, he has taught numerous courses in the community and for Irish Red Cross members.

Paul has represented the Red Cross with distinction in course delivery for local communities throughout Kerry. He has trained 50 post-primary teachers in first aid and supported local defibrillation access in rural communities including Causeway, Lixnaw and Ballyheigue, significantly enhancing emergency response capabilities across the county.

Paul has also contributed to the education of the youth section and is keen to establish an education pathway for progressive learning in Kerry. In a recent poll, the Tralee membership selected Paul as their nominee for Instructor of the Year, recognising his natural teaching ability and dedication.

Emily OReilly - Shortlisted for Young Volunteer of the Year

Emily O'Reilly.

Emily O'Reilly who volunteers with the Irish Red Cross Tralee Branch Youth Section has been shortlisted for the Irish Red Cross Young Volunteer of the Year Award 2025.

Emily has played a key role in the Youth Section's continued collaborations with local groups like the Tralee Tidy Towns, combining her passion for first aid with environmental awareness to make a positive impact in her community.

Looking to the future, Emily is hoping to complete her First Aid Response (FAR) qualification this year and become a Youth Leader as soon as she can so she can continue to give back to the community.

Shortlisted for Branch of the Year  Tralee Branch

The Irish Red Cross Tralee Branch has been shortlisted for the Irish Red Cross Branch of the Year Award 2025.

Celebrating 80 years of service to the community of Kerry, the Tralee Branch is one of the longest established branches in the country. With 30 dedicated members, the branch is the only Irish Red Cross branch in County Kerry and experiences huge demand for its services.

The Tralee branch continues to provide a vital first aid and ambulance service to the county. In 2024, the branch completed its fundraising venture to acquire a CLAR-supported ambulance for the unit, significantly enhancing its capacity to serve the community.

The branch helped to fund and organise the reconvening of the Youth Section, which became defunct during COVID-19.
Remembering and forgetting the Kerry dead of the Spanish Civil War

Portmagee historian Dr Denis Casey is researching Irish-Spanish relations and recently travelled to Caceres to visit the graves of Kerry men who died in the Spanish Civil War

One of the Nationalist monuments in Caceres city cemetery, under which four Kerry men are buried. Photos by Denis Casey

Denis Casey Kerryman Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:00

The city of Caceres in western Spain does not feature prominently as a holiday destination for Irish people, unless you are a diehard Game of Thrones fan or a historian interested in Irish involvement in the last great cause, the Spanish Civil War (19361939).
Julia Lucey left and her Sister Noreen Lucey, visit The City of Shone, Pilgrimage site, near Rathmore, Co Kerry. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan.

Sraide Eoin: Declan Malone (left), Pat Doyle (Hobby Horse) and Grace OMalley, standing by waiting for the Wren to begin. La an Dreoilin or Wren Day is a very old tradition particularly in the Dingle Peninsula. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan.

The tradition of boating tours on the Lakes of Killarney is centuries old. Boat Operators, Donal 'Dux' O'Donoghue Senior, Claire Tangney and Donal 'Dux' Jnr O'Donoghue. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan

Anna Downings house in the Black Valley was the last house to be connected to electricity in the 1970s, and the first house to receive state of the art fibre-optic broadband, 50 years later. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan.

Lucas Machowski, professional kite surfer and videographer from Killarney, on Inch Beach, Dingle Peninsula, availing of the winter winds. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan.

ESB crews arrive to Valentia Island Lighthouse at Cromwells Point during storm force Eleanor, as it gripped the southern and western seaboard of the Atlantic. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan.

There are few that can capture life through a lens than Valerie OSullivan and once again the Kerry photographer has managed to capture the beauty of Kerry but also the unique aspects of the history and heritage of the county.

Her latest collection of photos are now available in the stunning and must-have publication On the Edge of Europe which charts through words and images the richness of The Kingdom of Kerry.

Described as a love letter to Kerry it captures the not only the magnificence of the county but also its people and its rich heritage.

In his foreword of the book Director General, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Niall O Donnchu, whose roots are well defined in Gneeveguilla writes: Valerie OSullivan has long understood that to portray Kerry is not only to frame its grandeur, but to honour the relationship between people and place.

On the Edge of Europe explores the more quirky nature of Kerry - from the highest farm in Ireland, the highest Grotto in the county, the farthest Island in Europe, to the ancient customs of the Kilbognet Biddies and  La an Dreoilin - The Dingle Wren.

The UNESCO biosphere reserve that is Killarney National Park is given centre stage in the book as is the world famous UNESCO island of Skellig Michael with images capturing not only the beauty of the remote island but also the boatmen who bring visitors to see it.

Valerie, who is renowned for her wildlife photography, capturing native red deer and white-tailed eagles, also includes some of her best images of the countys flora and fauna.

The talented Killarney photography has also captured some very quirky aspects of Kerry history including the story of Cait Na Pluaise - a brave woman who lived in a cave situated between Castlecove and Caherdaniel. Cait of the Cave raised her seven children in a cave, following her eviction after the famine in the 1850s. To this day limpet and periwinkle shells still lie on the floor of the cave. Etchings of maths are carved on the roof by her children.

This is just one of the many stories that bring Kerry to life in this wonderful new book.

Valerie will be available to sign the book at Killarney House on November 15, at 2pm.
Meet the Limerick student with a keen eye for AI who has just secured Web Summit invite

With Steve Jobs named as his blueprint David Hackett (19) is looking to the future as he merges his skillset in entrepreneurship with AI to improve the lives of those in his Limerick City community

David Hackett

Edana Flynn Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 12:00

A young entrepreneur from Limerick City is one of 50 Irish students selected to attend Web Summit 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal from November 10-13.
A jury has taken 23 minutes to acquit a man of seriously assaulting his best friend from school in an incident which occurred during the 2019 Fleadh in Drogheda.

Tom Bell (26), Cormorant Lodge, The Lynns, Annagassan, Dunleer, contested a charge of assaulting Patrick Mitchell causing him harm on August 18, 2019.

A case of self defence was put forward after the jury heard that the two men exchanged punches in the early hours of the morning outside St. Peters Church in West Street.

It was accepted that Mr Mitchell threw the first punch. Two witnesses said that they thought he was dead after being knocked unconscious by the accused.

A trial at Dundalk Circuit Court was told that all parties had been drinking before they unexpectedly met up, though it was disputed there they actually encountered each other for the first time.

Testifying via video link from Sydney, Australia, Patrick Mitchell, originally from Carrickmacross, said that he knew no one when he started first year in Dundalk Grammar School. Tom was one of the first people he met and they became best friends.

He bumped into him after attending Earth nightclub in Drogheda. He was not sure on which street. He was happy to see him as Tom hadnt been able to attend his 21st.

He said hello and they embraced. The next thing he remembered was waking up in the Lourdes Hospital ICU, surrounded by his family.

He had suffered multiple contusions and a fracture to the base of his skull and was hospitalised for six or seven days.

Mr Mitchell continued that he had no recollection of what caused his injuries.

Tom was with Eoin McMahon. Eoin came to the Grammar School in Transition Year.

Cross-examined by barrister Donough McDonough, instructed by solicitor Peter Lavery for Mr Bell, the witness said that he had no recollection of meeting the other two men in the nightclubs smoking area.

Neither did he recall being sour that they hadnt gone to his 21st, nor that he was hyper and giddy.

"I most definitely hadnt taken drugs. I dont remember hitting Tom Bell first. It was not something he would do, he said.

He couldnt remember what happened on the night good, bad or indifferent.

Eoin McMahon, from Blackrock, Dundalk, gave evidence via video link from Vancouver, Canada.

He said that he knew Tom Bell since he was 6. They played rugby together the whole way up the age groups.

On this night they bumped into Patrick Mitchell in the smoking area. He and Patrick became good friends when he moved to the Grammar from the De La Salle. The three of them were all best buds in school.

He hadnt seen him in a long time. They hugged and shook hands.

"Patrick was happy to see us. He had been drinking like us. He was a bit hyper. We were all kind of messing.

They went to a church near Earth for a smoke.

They were slagging to annoy each other when Tom made a remark about Patricks mother.

"I remember Patrick striking Tom and Tom striking Patrick back and him hitting the ground. There was a couple of seconds, maybe 5 seconds, between the strikes.

Mr McMahon continued that Tom punched with his right fist and clean connected with the other mans jaw.

"Patrick was out before he hit the ground, I think.

He said that he went backwards and very badly banged his head. He was completely unconscious with his eyes open.

"I saw blood coming out of his ear. I knew it was bad. I tried to wake him up. I was super panicked. I didnt know what to do.

"To be honest, we thought he was dead.

Mr McMahon said a crowd gathered. A woman was trying to get a response from Patrick.

Tom ran down to get the garda. Tom was worried.

Under cross-examination, he said that in his statement to gardai, he said that Patrick chased him around the smoking area and tried to knock a drink out of his hand.

He would say that Tom was giving back what Patrick gave him, which was a smack. He didnt mean to hurt him as badly as he did, Im convinced of that.

Adam Griffin, Carrickmacross, said that he went to primary school with Patrick Mitchell.

They left Earth around 1.30am and met Tom "around the church. He never met Tom but knew about him. He was Patricks best friend at school. Eoin McMahon was with him.

Everyone was laughing and joking. He was talking to Eoin when he heard gasps behind him.

"I saw Paddy on the floor. He was lying on his back. I saw blood coming slowly from behind his head.

Mr Griffin said he started to panic. Paddy is fair and it was almost like somebody dyed his hair red.

"I put him in the recovery position. There was blood coming from his ear. I tried to get a pulse. There was no response from Paddy. I started screaming and begging to get an ambulance.

Thankfully, the emergency services arrived in less than five minutes, he continued. The paramedics got a response.

He saw Tom running away. He thought that he was chasing after the person that did it.

In reply to Mr McDonough, the witness said that Patrick was basically dead in front of me.

He didnt see what happened.

It was so lucky the Fleadh was on, there were so many gardai and paramedics around, Mr Griffin added.

Gda Odhran Loughran testified that at 1.10am he responded to an incident in West Street.

He saw a man on the ground in front of St. Peters Church. He was unconscious and not responding. There was blood coming from his right ear. There was a considerable amount of blood on the footpath.

He set up a cordon.

Tom Bell approached and asked to speak to him. He made admissions about the incident and was cautioned.

Later that day at 3.40pm the defendant presented himself to Drogheda Garda Station and provided a voluntary cautioned statement. He said he did not want a solicitor.

He said after seeing Patrick in Earth he tried to call him but he couldnt hear. He met him later in the smoking area.

He hadnt seen his best friend since grammar school in ages. He said Patrick pushed him around. Patrick was under the influence. He wasnt really himself.

Mr Bell said Eoin had left and that he went outside to find him.

There was playful banter and slagging by the steps of the church.

Patrick struck him with a closed right hand to the left cheekbone. After this, the accused said he (Tom Bell) was smiling to try to laugh it off.

He saw Patricks hand flinch. He was afraid he was going to be hit again.

He said that he retaliated with his right hand, a closed fist. Patrick fell back.

Mr Bell added that he ran to a garda, 10 metres away.

The statement continued, If I could reverse time I wish it didnt happen. I hope he recovers alright.

The jury of 10 men and 2 women heard that Tom Bell, who has no previous or subsequent convictions, made a statement of complaint the following October against Patrick Mitchell. A case came before the district court and was struck out on a technicality before hearing.

A medical report read into the record stated that Mr Mitchell appeared confused when brought by ambulance to the Emergency Department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

He was bleeding from his right ear on arrival.

He suffered multiple small haemorrhagic contusions and two fractures to the base of the skull.

A consultant neuro surgeon at Beaumont Hospital reported on August 11, 2020, a year later, that Patrick Mitchell had made an excellent recovery and that he had no complaints of any lingering symptoms.

After Judge Dara Hayes refused a defence application for a direction that there was no case to answer, it was indicated that Mr Bell would not be giving evidence.

In his closing submission prosecuting counsel Steven Dixon BL said the accused had an opportunity to disengage.

Self defence was not available to him. Self defence was not a licence to retaliate.

He could have walked away. The force used was fundamentally disproportionate.

Defence counsel Mr McDonough submitted that this was a curious case in the number of facts that were agreed; the men were best friends from school, both had drink taken, Patrick Mitchell struck Tom Bell first, then Tom Bell struck him, and both made complaints of assault and were charged.

Mr McDonough said it was a case of self defence in light of the situation Mr Bell honestly believed he faced that night.

He never intended to cause the injuries.

The jury took 23 minutes to return with a not guilty verdict.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Sligo County Council's monthly meeting heard calls for country singers, such as Sandy Kelly, and comedians to be supported like other artists

A motion before Novembers monthly meeting of Sligo County Council heard calls for a funding scheme to be made available to country musicians and comedians, with Cllr Thomas Walsh calling on the local authority to write to the Minister for Culture and Arts, the Director of the Arts Council and the CEO of Failte Ireland to ensure country music musicians and groups and comedians are supported like other artists and genres.

Cllr Walsh explained, Comedy and country music section is excluded from applying for funding through the Arts Council, adding, It is within the Ministers power to impose policy under legislation.

You would have to question what the difference is between opera, literature, circus performance, who all can apply. Country music is the fastest growing genre in Europe and America, adding, Luke Combs sold out two nights in Slane at 80,000 per night.

It is important these two genres are allowed to apply for public funding, venues across the country are packed every weekend with young people attaching to music festivals and they are continuing to soar in popularity. I think it is important they get their fair share of public money.

Highlighting the disparity faced by artists in different genres Cllr Walsh pointed out that funding isnt available to country music performers and comedians, despite their popularity, but would be available to artists who would not be able to attract similar attendances.

"It is important they get their fair share of funding. It is very unfair, other events get funding and they wouldnt get 5% of the crowds of Sligo Comedy Festival.

Cllr Walsh also took the opportunity to congratulate Sligos own Sandy Kelly who was recently inducted into the Irish Country Music Hall Of Fame Award on the Late Late Show.

Cllr Gerard Mullaney agreed with the sentiments of the motion, as did Cllr Fergal Nealon who commented, I would like to support the motion but one serious concern over potential conflicts of interest because as far as I can see there is some amount of comedians in this chamber.

Cllr Paul Taylor offered his support for the motion saying, if we are bringing more into it, more funding has to be made available.

Cllr Liam Brennan also gave his backing to the motion saying, There is a social element and it fills hotels. If we are going to support these artists, we need funding.

Cllr Gino OBoyle agreed greater support should be available made saying, Take the money out of horse racing.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Wexford native and member of Young Fine Gael Eli Byrne spent four eye-opening days in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv

A Wexford native and graduate of Law and Politics from University College Dublin, who recently travelled to Lviv, Ukraine last month for an international political camp says that he was driven to do so because of the political values instilled in him during his childhood in Bunclody.
There was a time when there were no books available specifically about Irish wildlife; the only books available were about the wildlife of the British Isles. Ireland and Britain were lumped together as a single unit with the assumption that they shared a common biodiversity.

Slowly, it became more politically correct to refer to Ireland and Britain rather than the British Isles and intriguing questions were asked about why Ireland had species that do not occur in Britain and why species that are common and widespread in Britain never succeeded in colonising the Emerald Isle.

Britain left the EU and now Ireland is, from a biodiversity point of point, described as part of the Atlantic region of the European Union rather than part of any alignment with our nearest neighbour.

That our biodiversity is uniquely Irish is becoming clearer with the passage of time and new discoveries. The latest revelation is that the Buff-tailed Bumblebees found in Ireland are distinctly different to those found in Britain. They look the same, but their genes are different. Scientists who study these matters have discovered that Irish Buff-tailed Bumblebees are cut from a different cloth than those found elsewhere.

So what?, you may well ask. Does it make any difference? Well, it might. Buff-tailed Bumblebees are common and widespread throughout Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe. They are alsobred commercially to pollinate crops like apples and strawberries. Up to now, it was assumed that those found in Ireland, in Britain, and in mainland Europe were all the same and there was free movement of bees.

We now know, thanks to Dr Sarah Larragy and her colleagues, that Irish Buff-tailed Bumblebees are unique and distinct from the others. So, should our Irish stock be conserved and kept pure and distinct, or should interbreeding and genetic mixing be permitted? The answer may have consequences for disease resistance, competition, etc.

Nine subspecies of Buff-tailed Bumblebees are recognised across Europe and North Africa. As a result of the recently published findings do our Irish bees now require distinct classification? Since it would appear unlikely that a bumblebbe would fly across the Irish Sea under its own steam, the sea was a significant genetic barrier in the past. That situation is likely to change with increased imports of bees to pollinate orchards and greenhouse crops.
Key Points

Verizon's 7% dividend is well-funded by the company's cash flow.

Altria Group continues to pay a generous dividend.

Realty Income offers dependable monthly income.

10 stocks we like better than Verizon Communications 

The stocks and investments that are right for you will largely depend on your personal circumstances. If you're young and have decades of work ahead, you may prefer very different stocks from someone who's retired or close to it.

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Don't worry, I've got you covered. Here are three dependable high-yield dividend stocks, with dividend yields between 5.5% and 7.5% that will fill your pockets and give you the peace you deserve.

Image source: Verizon Communications

1. Verizon Communications

Wireless networks are a staple of modern life in the United States, and you may have used Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) at some point as your phone or internet provider. The company is one of just a few players in the U.S. telecommunications market, entrenched by its expansive infrastructure built over the course of decades. Today, Verizon has 146 million connected lines across its retail segment.

While Verizon must continually invest in infrastructure, it produces enormous cash flow, which has funded its dividend and enabled management to raise it for 19 consecutive years. Shares currently yield a juicy 7% at their current share price.

Fortunately, investors needn't stress about Verizon's ability to pay its shareholders. The company's free cash flow, guided for $19.5 billion to $20.5 billion this year, is easily enough to cover the dividend.

Retirees will also like the stock's docile nature. It has a stock beta of just 0.35, meaning it doesn't respond nearly as much to the broader market's ups or downs. Verizon's smooth share-price action, generous yield, and modest 58% dividend-payout ratio check all the boxes that retirees look for.

2. Altria Group

Most retirees grew up in a time when smoking was more accepted than it is today. Despite a steady decline in smoking rates, Altria Group (NYSE: MO), which sells Marlboro cigarettes in the United States, has continued to raise its dividend year after year by continuously hiking its prices.

The company has increased its dividend for 54 consecutive years. Tobacco stocks are famous for their high dividend yields, and Altria's 7.5% doesn't disappoint.
Mayor Garry Laffan, Paul Cleary (Chairman Wexford Festival Opera), Ann Reck and volunteer of the year Davy Lynch had the honours of planting the tree during the annual Wexford Festival Opera tree planting ceremony in Ferrybank on Sunday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Mayor Garry Laffan, Paul Cleary (Chairman Wexford Festival Opera), Ann Reck and volunteer of the year Davy Lynch had the honours of planting the tree during the annual Wexford Festival Opera tree planting ceremony in Ferrybank on Sunday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Mayor Garry Laffan, Paul Cleary (Chairman Wexford Festival Opera), Ann Reck and volunteer of the year Davy Lynch planted the tree at the annual Wexford Festival Opera tree planting ceremony in Ferrybank on Sunday. Pic: Jim Campbell

The power and importance of volunteering has been celebrated by Wexford Festival Opera, at an annual ceremony which first took place in 1991.

Each year, trees are planted in a special grove at Ferrybank to represent the operas presented at the festival since it started in 1951.

Typically, each year three trees, one for each opera that year are planted by the Mayor, the WFO Chairperson and these days the Volunteer of the Year, whom this year was Davy Lynch, who first joined WFO as one of three drivers in 1991. Over the past number of years, he has expanded and led the festivals team of voluntary drivers. Davy always greets you with a big smile and has a no task is too difficult attitude and is a very popular member of the volunteer family.

The annual ceremony traditionally takes place on the Sunday of the October bank holiday, ahead of the Annual Opera Mass of Thanksgiving.

The grove is located at Ferrybank which is just across the bridge and beside the Riverbank Hotel. The ceremony and ongoing maintenance of the grove is undertaken by Borough District of Wexford Council.

Back in September, Cllr Robbie Staples launched a successful campaign for the Borough District to tidy the area which was inaugurated by then President Mary Robinson 34 years ago.

I was out for a walk with the dog one day he said. We were just walking by, and I knew the Wexford Festival Opera was coming up, and I saw the area was untidy. I reached out to the District Manager, and it was sand blasted and tidied.

Maybe a lot of people arent aware of it, or what it is there for. But to me, it is important, not only for Wexford Festival Opera and in terms of recognising the Volunteer of the Year. It something that we probably dont maybe appreciate enough.
Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien has signed the order to move the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway into phase three of planning.

This will allow Wicklow County Council to procure a technical adviser to develop the detailed aspects of the route prior to its development.

The move follows a recent public meeting in Tinahely, where local representatives discussed the greenways potential for tourism and safe connections for walkers and cyclists.

Concerns were raised about the proposed route impacting Aughrim village, with residents worried about planning considerations for infrastructure and traffic management.

500,000 funding had been allocated this year, but the project has been bound by bureaucratic challenges for more than 14 years.

Following a separate meeting at County Buildings, delegates of a new committee representing the interests of residents were informed about the councils dedicated greenway team. Previously it was managed by their general projects team.

Slight amendments have been made to the emerging preferred route due to environmental considerations. The route itself is currently being finalised and will be brought forward to design stage and planning.

Future changes are only expected if required by survey results or other planning considerations.

It will then be sent to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for approval with an expectation that will be approved by the end of the year.

Cllr Peter Stapleton, who attended the meeting advised that all affected landowners will be written to in advance of the publication of the route, so they know where they stand.

The council is currently progressing with the tender process for the appointment of a consultant to lead the design of the greenway and get the project through planning. Its expected they will be appointed by Christmas.

Wicklow Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the decision and says the project will be transformative for tourism and business in Arklow and across South Wicklow.

It has strong support, and we need to get it started, even on a phased basis, as soon as possible."

He praised the work of the community team who are promoting the project and everyone involved in seeking to advance the greenway.

Minister O'Brien has vowed to make sure the project doesnt face any further delays.

"Greenways are incredible assets for the communities where they are built. I'm very committed to ensuring that the Wicklow project now moves forward swiftly and I'm grateful to Malcolm, John Mullen and all those who have come behind this greenway in the community."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
After being closed for almost five years, Tom Galvin charts the Cliff Walks demise and the efforts to save it

It has been almost five years since landslides and rock falls forced Wicklow County Council to close the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk. Since then, a lot has happened and nothing has happened and the official line then remains the official line now  the trail poses a significant risk to public safety.

The long period of inertia in those intervening years, when no more land has fallen into the sea and not another rock has tumbled from the cliffs above, has meant frustration, obfuscation and exasperation have filled the space. There hasnt been much by way of innovation and in terms of renovation, nothing.

We are where we are, but looking ahead to 2026, will the amenity, which was once voted Irelands No1 Favourite Local Attraction in the Irish Independent Readers Travel Awards, open back up in time for the summer?

In any other country, and having witnessed this first hand as a frequent visitor to the mountains of Eastern Europe, rock falls, landslides and mudslides, which happen frequently and endanger roads and tourist trails, are repaired quickly and efficiently as a matter of course. They don't get in the way of road safety and because of the revenue generated by tourism, they dont block trails for any length of time.

You could argue that rock falls and land slides in Wicklow are a rarity and the local authority doesnt have teams equipped with the skills required to the job on the Cliff Walk. But only this week, the last section of the Spinc, in Glandalough, has been repaired and will be open in time for the hikers on St Stephens Day.

In May this year, with much fanfare, regeneration works were completed on the Great Sugarloaf. This week, 16.5m in funding was announced for 63 outdoor recreation projects, with four in Wicklow, including 445,500 for Djouce Mountain trail works; 193,500 for the Glen Turn Cliff Walk upgrade; 180,900 for the Russborough to Russelstown link; and 194,580 for the Vartry Trails lower loop walk.

But the poor boy of the trails, the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk, didnt see a cent from that pot. Maybe its because its going to take a lot more than a couple of hundred grand to fix it. In fact, two tenders went out this year  one for rockfall stabilisation works to the value of 500,000, and the second to the value of 80,000 just for an engineering report.

Following the latter, the chair of Greystones Cliff Walk Management Committee, Councillor Erika Doyle, highlighted the main takeaways from that report and even went to the trouble of a door drop with leaflets to point them out.

The findings, she said, certainly support the decision to close the walk.

Different options were given separately for the Bray and Greystones sides, with the issue on the Bray side being the rockfalls and that on the Greystones side being the landslides.

"On the Bray side, one option is rerouting the walk more inland, Cllr Doyle said, which she believed is not what people want. The other is netting and/or concrete spraying the affected slopes. In Greystones it seems that rerouting may be the only viable solution. Coastal erosion is the issue here, and any minor fixes will simply not last.

Whatever decisions are made when the elected representatives convene to discuss the options, it seems nothing is going to happen unless there is significant money behind it.

This is where national government will come in and we will be looking for large funding to pay for the works. Once money is available the north works will be reasonably straightforward. The south is a little trickier, Cllr Doyle said.

Hope for that lies in the next meeting of the next Cliff Walk Task Force, which met earlier this year and was led by Tanaiste and Greystones resident Simon Harris. After the first meeting in February, it was all symbolism as it was hailed as an important step forward, even if no steps were taken on the actual walk and all talk was on how it was a treasured route for locals and visitors.

The chief executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer OGorman, said she will now be looking for definitive answers, particularly around the area of funding.

Councillor Joe Behan called the forthcoming meeting, which will take place in Government Buildings on November 25, a golden opportunity, and said: We need to be sure that we are going in looking for sufficient money that we will be able to get this walk open as soon as possible.

Stepping back from the Cliff Walk for a moment and zooming out to look at the bigger picture, works costing at least 230m are likely now needed to protect the Dart line between south Dublin and Greystones from falling into the sea.

This was the grim assessment of Irish Rail, when it devised the The East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects scheme to defend the Dublin to Rosslare coastal rail line. A proposal to move the train line between Greystones and Bray inland was rejected by Iarnrod Eireann and the National Transport Authority on the basis it would be too costly and, in what was quite a prescient view at the time, would cause too much interference with other peoples property.

Incidences of track washout and wave overtopping on to the tracks have increased in the last 20 years, and if something isnt done, the line would be at risk in certain sections within just 10 years.

In a nutshell, climate change and increased rainfall has eroded sections of our coastline and constant fixing is no longer an option but, among other issues, getting access to land is one of the main problems. That should ring a bell.

When people voted the Cliff Walk Irelands No 1 attraction in 2020, with the sentiment being, Most walks tire you; this one energises you, little did they know that within a year, nature would unleash its own plan that would leave everyone, from residents and tourists to councillors and TDs, totally knackered.

The first collapse on the Cliff Walk occurred over the weekend of February 27 and 28, 2021, on the Greystones side.

Wicklow County Council, gardai and the Coast Guard all inspected the area and found that two collapses had occurred within 40 metres of each other, immediately adjacent to the walk. The collapses extended all the way down to the beach, around 65 feet below and the fear was that this could continue to happen along the walk. By March, the Cliff Walk was officially closed on the Greystones side and the idea of the well-intended but ultimately confusing looped trail would come into being (the whole attraction of the Cliff Walk was that it was linear).

The council had tried to close the walk during Covid and discovered it was a fairly futile task. Robust fencing was installed but this was ignored, wholesale, by walkers who were able to bypass it by whatever means possible.

Even when signs are erected and media campaigns advertising its closure and that it is hazardous the public do still walk it, a council report read at the time. It is a fact that the cliff will continue to erode and collapse as it has done possibly for the last 10,000 years, since the end of the last ice age, it added.

Ruairi OHanlon, the former Greystones district engineer, confirmed that the local authoritys legal department were in talks with the solicitors of the relevant landowners, while then district manager Michael Nicholson said the council was working as hard as we can to get it open for the summer season.

But with no land in sight at the Greystones end over the impasse with the landowners, nature again proved a tough foe in October 2022, when on the Bray side, a rockslide closed off access at the end of the month following a period of intense rain. Much like the landslides at the other end, which consigned the path to purgatory, the rock slide damned the whole thing to hell and the gates were eventually erected to serve as a reminder.

In March 2023, the Greystones/Wicklow Coast Guard Unit warned the public that the north beach in Greytones had become impassable at high tide and should be avoided at all times due to cliff collapse and erosion.

Mr O Hanlon, at a council meeting of Greystones Municipal District, said erosion was a constant threat on the north beach, and while it can erode by as much as one metre per year, it doesnt happen every year and was not overly concerning for the time being. However, he added that at some stage the situation will worsen. The cliff erosion, he added  perhaps ominously for the plans to address the rockslides in Bray  is not so much caused by the sea, but in fact comes from water run-off from above.

Over the summer, as people continued to arrive at the base of Bray Head, mobiles in hand, steering them down towards the gates at the Cliff Walk, the council was at a loss to try to stop them.

Referring to the barriers, Mr OHanlon said: People dont like being told they cant go places, even for their own safety. People initially started climbing around them, maybe half a metre away from the 100-foot drop. When that didnt work, we welded on extensions and people hung over the 100-foot drop to get around. And that didnt work and people started knocking them over.

He added that if these impediments arent stopping people, they may well have to look at removing them and erecting more signage instead, warning people of the risks. But, he said, it is such a perilous walk, with the risk of a 100-foot drop into the sea from the Greystones side, and from the Bray side  where there are also barriers  the danger is posed by falling rocks.

Mr Nicholson reiterated Mr OHanlons concerns over the blatant disregard walkers were showing for their own safety.

I dont know if any of you got to see the Cliff Walk before we closed it, he said. Two large sections were gone, they just disappeared. So anyone that is walking across those, theyre almost putting their back against the wall and sliding along a 100-foot drop. If they drop, theyre never going to be found again, they certainly wont survive it. We have to put a barrier there to stop people doing it. And from an insurance point of view, if somebody climbs over one of the barriers and falls to their death, we can say we did everything in our power to prevent it.

If we take down those barriers and somebody walks and falls, we would be accused of not taking every step to prevent it. We cant take down the barriers. And it beggars belief that there are people out there so determined to exercise their constitutional right to walk that they are literally taking their lives in their hands to walk across the Cliff Walk. That is absolutely lethal. Theres a 100-foot drop. Even to retrieve a body would be difficult, thats how bad it is.

An alternative route was later mapped out, over the top of Bray Head, as far as the remains of the obelisk built in 1901 to celebrate Queen Victorias Diamond Jubilee in 1897 (and was blown up in 1933) and take in the sweeping views west over the Wicklow Mountains, north over Dublin Bay, south down to Wicklow Head and, just below, take out the hankies and admire those parts of the Cliff Walk you will never reach again.

But nobody really bought it. In fact, what actually happened was one of the only practical things to have happened in the long five-year history of this calamitous trail  and that was good old people power.

The Friends of the Cliff Walk, a community group based in Greystones, took matters into their own hands in September last year and began to clear away the undergrowth and overgrowth in a drive to get simple and safe short-term solutions over the line.

From four local residents, the numbers have soared and the groups now counts almost 2,000 supporters on Facebook. The group has laid bare the cost of the walks closure to the community, to tourism and to local business, with damage caused by the loss of some 350,000 visitors per year estimated to be in the region of 3.5m per year.

The same group is calling for the walk to be opened by St Patricks Day 2026. We can only live in hope.
Former students from Dunlavin Vocational School came together recently for a lively reunion in Germaines of Baltinglass, where old classmates spent the evening catching up, sharing memories and enjoying music and conversation.

Around 20 past pupils who attended the school, which later became St Kevins Community College, between 1986 and 1989 were there. While many still live in or near Dunlavin, one former student travelled from Manchester to join the gathering. For many, it was the first time they had all been in the same room since leaving school.

This was the first reunion held for these year groups, and the organisers said the smaller turnout worked in its favour. Catherine noted that the intimate size meant everyone was able to speak to each other properly, share stories from their school days and find out where life had taken people since. Several remarked on how quickly the years seemed to fall away once the conversations started.

The event was organised by Catherine Kelly, Trish OHalloran and Martina Reid, who said the evening had a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Finger food and chat led into a sing-along and some dancing, helped along when the husband of one of the group took out his guitar.

There may have only been a small number of us, but it was a fantastic night, with a lovely bunch of people, and we had a great laugh, Catherine said. It was great to re-establish connections, and were going to meet up again before Christmas. A big thanks to Germaines for hosting us.
Jennifer Zamparelli: Theres a lot of kink shaming. Theres not enough talk about pleasure and desire, in a positive sense

Fronting a new podcast on Irelands sex and dating scene, Jennifer Zamparelli admits shes always been an open book when it comes to her relationships. Here, she talks about making compromises with her husband, ditching ego-based career decisions and why shes stopped hiding behind radio and stepped out of her comfort zone

Jennifer Zamparelli speaking about her new podcast 'Just Between Us'

Tanya Sweeney Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Jennifer Zamparelli is talking about the jobs she undertook in the earliest parts of her career. Among them: cleaning toilets as a chambermaid, working in a cabling company after school, working the graveyard shift in a New York bar, and selling hairdressing promotions to passersby on Grafton Street. Graft and tenacity featured heavily in those early times, and they proved useful later on.
Putin demands greater clarity from US on Trump call for resumption of nuclear testing

If explosions are part of manoeuvres and not just flight-testing this could trigger a response from Russia and other countries a Kremlin spokesperson said

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting in Russia on Thursday. Photo: Sputnik/via Reuters

Dmitry Antonov Reuters Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 01:00

Russia urged the United States yesterday to clarify what it called contradictory signals about a resumption of nuclear testing, saying such a step would trigger responses from Russia and other countries.
Campaigners are worried Mimmo the dolphin could be killed by traffic in Venice, Italy. Photo: AP

A dolphin living in Venice could be killed by tourist boats, locals have warned, as they called for the mammal to be removed from the lagoon for its own safety.

The bottlenose mammal, nicknamed Mimmo, was first spotted in the waters of St Marks Basin in June by a water-taxi driver. The dolphin has delighted tourists with its acrobatic dives and fish-catching prowess, becoming a regular feature in sightseers snaps while on boat trips.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said his country has received an exemption from US sanctions on Russian energy after a meeting in the White House with US President Donald Trump.

It is an allowance that will keep Russian oil and gas flowing to Hungary in a sign of the close affinity between the two leaders.
US intelligence found Israeli military lawyers warned there was evidence of Gaza war crimes, former US officials say

Report sparked debate within the Biden administration, however, it was decided that arming Israel was still legal because US had not gathered its own evidence

Civilians carry out search and rescue operations in Gaza City. Photo: Khames Alrefi/Anadolu via Getty Images

Erin Banco Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:30

The US gathered intelligence last year that Israels military lawyers warned there was evidence that could support war crimes charges against Israel for its military campaign in Gaza  operations reliant on American-supplied weapons, five former US officials said.
Pope Leos criticism of anti-immigration raids emboldens US Catholics to stand up to Trump

The pontiff has been vocal in his criticism of the US presidents actions which has sparked a backlash among some prominent conservative Catholics in America

Pope Leo XIV has taken a different approach to his predecessor with his public comments. Photo: Reuters

JOSHUA MCELWEE Reuters Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Pope Leos recent criticisms of US president Donald Trumps anti-immigration policies are emboldening Catholic efforts to help immigrants caught up in the administrations hardline crackdown, senior US Church leaders say.
Two women eating sub sandwiches - PeopleImages/Shutterstock

Fast food might not be as inexpensive as it once was, now carrying a double-digit price for an average single meal in some regions of the United States. However, that hasn't slowed the growth in spending or the number of quick service restaurants (QSRs) in operation. How much do Americans spend on fast food each year? Statista says growth has continued at a steady pace for U.S.-based QSRs for three decades, including record spending of $509 billion in 2024. Only three QSR chain brands have more than 10,000 restaurants in operation in the United States currently, though: Subway, Starbucks, and McDonald's.

The fast-food chain with the most restaurants in the United States at the end of 2024 is Subway, which had 19,502 total locations, according to QSR Magazine. Even though Subway is number one now, it is a restaurant that is seeing a reduction in the total number of U.S. stores. The chain recently dipped below the 20,000 restaurant threshold for the first time in almost two decades after peaking at more than 27,000 U.S. locations in 2016. 2024 marked the eighth straight year that Subway's total U.S.-based restaurant count dropped year to year.

Although Subway ranks first in total number of restaurants, it ranked ninth in U.S. sales in 2024 of $9.65 billion. To explain the reduction in sales and total number of stores, Subway's struggles include managing heightened competition and changes in consumer preferences.

Read more: The 10 Most Affordable Places To Live In California

The second-largest U.S. fast food brand is about more than beverages

Woman looking at her phone and holding a Starbucks cup - Boyloso/Shutterstock

According to QSR Magazine, Starbucks had a total of 16,935 stores in the United States at the end of 2024. Its year-to-year store growth was 589, ranking as the highest growth number among the top 50 fast food restaurant chains. California is the most popular state for Starbucks locations, with 18% of all U.S.-based stores.

Starbucks might be categorized as a snack QSR, but it's still competing successfully with more traditional fast food burger and sandwich restaurants. It might be cheaper to brew coffee at home vs. grabbing a beverage at Starbucks, but that hasn't slowed the amount Americans spend on products from the famous coffee brand that sells beverages, food, and branded products. In 2024, Starbucks reported $30.4 billion in sales at its U.S. restaurants, which is the second-largest sales number among QSR brands during 2024.

Starbucks continues to focus on growth in the number of stores it operates, with a goal of 55,000 stores worldwide by 2030. However, much of the growth may be focused outside the United States, including in China. The chain announced a restructuring plan in October 2025, where it expected to close several hundred underperforming locations in the United States while still opening new stores. The company announced it would end up with about 18,300 operating stores in the United States and Canada after the restructuring. At the end of 2024, Starbucks had an estimated combined 18,400 stores in the two countries.
Satellite images show RSF forces burning bodies in El-Fasher as truce hangs in balance in Sudan

Paramilitaries deny killing hundreds near hospital despite images depicting the digging, and filling in, of mass graves

Sudanese refugees protest against the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Photo: Getty

Fatma Khaled Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 06:30

New satellite images appear to show efforts by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to dispose of corpses after they rampaged through the city of El-Fasher in Sudans Darfur region.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
( Image credit : Instagram/popmart | Chinas new art toy obsession heads to Thailand in search of the next Labubu )

Chinas art toy scene wants its next global superstar



From a bathroom studio to Chinas art toy hype machine



( Image credit : Instagram/popmart | Chinas new art toy obsession heads to Thailand in search of the next Labubu )

Akidoo: Cute, creepy, and uncomfortably relatable



( Image credit : Instagram/popmart | Chinas new art toy obsession heads to Thailand in search of the next Labubu )

Why Thailand? Because that is where collectible culture is exploding



( Image credit : Instagram/popmart | Chinas new art toy obsession heads to Thailand in search of the next Labubu )

The hunt for the next Labubu-level cultural phenomenon is officially underway, and China is turning its gaze to Thailand. The country has rapidly become a playground for new art toy experimentation, with young creators testing out concepts that blur the line between fashion, collectibles, and emotional storytelling.Among the rising names trying to crack the global toy code is 24-year-old Chinese artist Runyu, whose character Akidoo has quietly captured attention for being cute, a little unsettling, and surprisingly deep.Before Akidoo had fans, photo ops, or display shelves, the character was born in a tiny bathroom-turned-art-studio in Singapore. Back when Runyu was a student at the National University of Singapore, he lived in a cramped flat shared with five others, yet still refused to let space limit his creativity.He explained that he had improvised a mini spray-paint workshop in the bathroom just to create his prototype. That first Akidoo was hand-painted, humid air, shower tiles and all.The plan at the time? A chill future working in Thailand. But once Akidoo picked up traction, and with Chinas toy production ecosystem being fast and cost-efficient, the designer packed his bags back to China to open a small studio instead.Akidoo stands out in a crowded toy market by tapping into something universal: that awkward Gen Z core memory of pretending not to care while actually caring way too much.The characters signature design includes eerie, ever-watching eyes that follow you even when its head shape changes. Runyu described the concept as a reflection of how children, and honestly, adults too, claim to be carefree, but are secretly insecure and hyper-aware of how others view them.It is adorable therapy with a side of existential crisis.Thailand has become an epicentre for art toy fandom, resale markets, collector fairs and drop culture, and Chinese brands want in. With influencers, hype communities and collectors treating toys like luxury assets, the country is now the perfect testing lab for the next viral character.If Akidoo or one of its rivals sparks the same frenzy as Labubu, expect queues, resellers, and a new cultural icon to emerge from Bangkoks buzzing toy scene.
( Image credit : Freepik | Denmark declares digital timeout: Teens under 15 could lose social media access )

Denmark says enough is enough to tech giants



( Image credit : Freepik | Denmark declares digital timeout: Teens under 15 could lose social media access )

The law will not land overnight, but it is coming



( Image credit : Freepik | Denmark declares digital timeout: Teens under 15 could lose social media access )

The world is watching, will others follow?



Denmark is ready to snatch the phones out of Gen Alphas hands, and the internet is shaking. In a move that could flip the online world upside down, the Danish government has announced plans to ban social media access for anyone under 15. And yes, that includes TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and every app kids use more than oxygen.But wait, the ban comes with a tiny escape hatch: parents may approve access from age 13, but only after a formal assessment. Translation: you will need a whole digital permission slip to scroll memes after middle school.If passed, this could become one of the strictest online-age rules in the European Union, echoing global concerns that kids are being fed way too much chaos online, way too young.Caroline Stage, Denmarks Digital Affairs Minister, basically called time out on Big Techs let the kids suffer, we profit strategy. She pointed out that a shocking 94% of Danish children under 13 already have at least one social media profile, and yes, more than half of kids under 10 do too. She stressed that the daily exposure to violence, self-harm and harmful content is a risk that the nation can no longer sweep under the carpet.According to her, tech giants have endless money yet show zero urgency when it comes to kid safety. The message was loud: Silicon Valley has had enough time to fix this, and Denmark is tired of waiting.Before Gen Z and Gen Alpha start organising protests on Minecraft, calm down, the ban is not instantly hitting. Stage confirmed that the legislation will take months, because Denmark refuses to write a rushed law full of loopholes that tech companies can slip through like digital ninjas.Her ministry made it clear that this is not an anti-tech era. Kids can still thrive in digital spaces, just without the trauma, doom-scroll spirals and algorithmically-induced self-esteem collapses.Denmark is not alone in this battle. Australia shook the world last year with the first-ever law banning social media for under 16s. Now, European countries are quietly watching Denmarks bold move and taking notes. If Denmark pulls this off, a domino effect across Europe could be next.One thing is certain: if this passes, childhood is about to look very different. Less scrolling, more playground brawls? Time will tell.
A speeding car and a sudden crash



Lives lost and survivors fighting for recovery



Suspect identified as investigation deepens



What began as a regular Friday night out in Tampas busy Ybor neighbourhood turned into a devastating scene of chaos and heartbreak. In the early hours of Saturday, 8 November, a car travelling at dangerously high speed lost control and crashed into a local business, mowing down pedestrians in its path. Within moments, a familiar nightlife hub turned into the site of one of the citys most distressing incidents in recent times.According to Tampa Police, their Air Service team had been tracking a car that was reportedly speeding and driving erratically along Interstate 275 minutes before the tragedy unfolded. The car exited the interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive and continued at a reckless pace before the driver lost control, crashing into a storefront and striking multiple people standing outside.Authorities revealed that the same vehicle had allegedly been involved in street racing earlier in the night, raising further alarm over the dangerous driving culture that continues to claim innocent lives.Fifteen people were caught up in the catastrophic crash. Three victims lost their lives at the scene, while a fourth tragically passed away at the hospital despite medical efforts to save them. One critically injured victim remains in life-threatening condition, while eight others are currently being treated but are stable. Two more suffered minor injuries connected to the collision.The pain echoing through families, friends, and the local community is immeasurable. A night filled with ordinary plans  meeting friends, enjoying the weekend, or grabbing a late-night meal, transformed into an unimaginable tragedy that loved ones will never forget.Police confirmed the suspected driver as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, who was taken into custody at the scene. The Florida Highway Patrol has now assumed control of the investigation, as authorities work to determine every detail that led up to the deadly crash.Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw expressed deep grief over the loss, describing the incident as an avoidable and heartbreaking tragedy. He emphasised that reckless driving robbed innocent people of their lives and said the authorities are determined to ensure justice is served for every victim and family affected.
( Image credit : Instagram/starbucks | How a $30 Starbucks Bearista cup sparked chaos, abuse and insane resale prices explained )

The Starbucks bear cup that broke the internet (and peoples patience)



Sold out in minutes and reselling for rent money



( Image credit : Instagram/starbucks | How a $30 Starbucks Bearista cup sparked chaos, abuse and insane resale prices explained )

Fans camped overnight and chaos broke out at stores



( Image credit : Instagram/starbucks | How a $30 Starbucks Bearista cup sparked chaos, abuse and insane resale prices explained )

Long-time collectors are hitting their breaking point



( Image credit : Instagram/starbucks | How a $30 Starbucks Bearista cup sparked chaos, abuse and insane resale prices explained )

This is not merch, it is a cultural phenomenon



( Image credit : Instagram/starbucks | How a $30 Starbucks Bearista cup sparked chaos, abuse and insane resale prices explained )

Forget Pumpkin Spice Latte season, the real flavour of the holidays is unhinged consumer chaos, courtesy of Starbucks newest obsession: the Glass Bearista Cold Cup. Priced at a seemingly innocent $29.95, this festive bear-themed cup transformed overnight from cute merch to a collectors holy grail, with resale listings shooting as high as $50,000. Yes, for a cup. A cup.Starbucks fans have always been intense, but this launch pushed the fandom into new levels of main character of a Black Friday meltdown energy.Within hours of the launch, eBay turned into a digital battleground. Some listings hit outrageous Buy It Now prices of $50,000, while active bids comfortably climbed past $285. Even Starbucks seemed stunned, with a spokesperson admitting the reaction was beyond anything they expected this season.The company claimed it shipped more Bearista cups than almost any other holiday item, but still, they vanished faster than cold foam on ice. Starbucks apologised to disappointed fans and teased that more merch is coming, but it did little to calm the rage.If you thought people lining up for iPhones was dramatic, try caffeine-loving collectors in winter. Several Starbucks stores received only one or two cups to sell, leading to dawn queues, arguments, and the kind of behaviour that makes retail workers question humanity.A barista in Minnesota revealed her store was swarmed before 4am with customers wrapped in blankets, camping outside, and then attempting to shove their way in as staff unlocked the doors. When her manager reminded the crowd that the limit was one cup per group, customers responded by verbally abusing her.Another worker described a relentless day of phone calls, with customers demanding secret stash checks like they were trying to access a VIP nightclub list. Some polite callers were gently redirected to Target stores rumoured to have more stock, while rude callers received a blunt reality check.Starbucks merch collectors are a different breed, some have spent thousands, curated shelves like museums, and treat cups like investments. One lifelong fan who has been collecting for 25 years admitted he queued at 3am to get the Bearista, only to find his stores only cup had allegedly been claimed by a staff member. He said the experience left a sour taste and he is now reconsidering supporting the merch craze at all.He also shared that while he has paid inflated reseller prices before (including 150 for a Taylor Swift-themed cup), he is tired of feeding a market that preys on hype.The Bearista mania has been compared to the cult-like Labubu toy craze, where fans spend hundreds for the rarest editions. Social media was full of proud I got mine! posts and equally heart-breaking I missed out! confessions. Meanwhile, exhausted baristas begged the public to remember they are not the gatekeepers of stock.Scarcity is not an accident, and as one seasoned collector pointed out, Starbucks knows exactly how to fuel the frenzy.Love it, hate it, or silently judge it, the Bearista cup is officially the new holiday status symbol.
Even though KB Home (currently trading at $60.50 per share) has gained 12.6% over the last six months, it has lagged the S&P 500s 19.5% return during that period. This was partly driven by its softer quarterly results and may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Is now the time to buy KB Home, or should you be careful about including it in your portfolio? Check out our in-depth research report to see what our analysts have to say, its free for active Edge members.

Why Do We Think KB Home Will Underperform?

We don't have much confidence in KB Home. Here are three reasons we avoid KBH and a stock we'd rather own.

1. Backlog Declines as Orders Drop

We can better understand Home Builders companies by analyzing their backlog. This metric shows the value of outstanding orders that have not yet been executed or delivered, giving visibility into KB Homes future revenue streams.

KB Homes backlog came in at $1.99 billion in the latest quarter, and it averaged 20.4% year-on-year declines over the last two years. This performance was underwhelming and shows the company is not winning new orders. It also suggests there may be increasing competition or market saturation.

KB Home Backlog

2. New Investments Fail to Bear Fruit as ROIC Declines

ROIC, or return on invested capital, is a metric showing how much operating profit a company generates relative to the money it has raised (debt and equity).

We like to invest in businesses with high returns, but the trend in a companys ROIC is what often surprises the market and moves the stock price. Over the last few years, KB Homes ROIC has unfortunately decreased. We like what management has done in the past, but its declining returns are perhaps a symptom of fewer profitable growth opportunities.

KB Home Trailing 12-Month Return On Invested Capital

3. High Debt Levels Increase Risk

Debt is a tool that can boost company returns but presents risks if used irresponsibly. As long-term investors, we aim to avoid companies taking excessive advantage of this instrument because it could lead to insolvency.

KB Homes $3.89 billion of debt exceeds the $330.6 million of cash on its balance sheet. Furthermore, its 5 net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio (based on its EBITDA of $671.8 million over the last 12 months) shows the company is overleveraged.

KB Home Net Debt Position

At this level of debt, incremental borrowing becomes increasingly expensive and credit agencies could downgrade the companys rating if profitability falls. KB Home could also be backed into a corner if the market turns unexpectedly  a situation we seek to avoid as investors in high-quality companies.
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LONDON  Frances crackdown on Shein over childlike sex dolls and banned weapons is exposing a perennial problem of online marketplaces: failing to properly police third-party sellers and block sales of counterfeit, illegal, dangerous, or simply offensive products.

Online marketplaces  platforms that let multiple vendors display and ship their goods globally  have surged over the past decade, with Amazon, Alibaba, Temu, and Shein generating massive revenues by offering consumers a seemingly endless array of low-cost products.

Not all products comply with safety or legal standards.

Amazon was criticized in Britain in 2022 for selling illegal weapons, and in 2018 for selling sex dolls resembling children, the same issues that have caused an uproar in France with the government moving to ban Shein.

Because marketplaces are not policing the products all the time, you can find look-alikes or even the same products just being sold under a different name again, very briefly after theyve been taken down, said Sylvia Maurer, director of advocacy coordination at European consumer organization BEUC.

Its a little bit like fighting windmills.

Shein was meeting with the European Commission on Friday, a spokesperson for the EU executive said, after France urged the Commission to launch an investigation into the Chinese online retailer under its Digital Services Act law governing online platforms.

The French Finance Ministry on Friday allowed Chinese online retailer Shein to resume operating in France after demonstrating it had withdrawn all illicit products from its platforms.

Shein will remain under close surveillance, the ministry said in a statement, adding that all the judicial investigations against Shein continue.

Vast marketplace

Shein, popular with young and lower-income consumers for its ultra-affordable fashion, showcases around 10 million individual items on its website, with the vast majority from third-party vendors rather than its own brand clothes, estimates New York-based e-commerce analyst Juozas Kaziukenas.

Its just a massive, massive catalog from all sorts of different manufacturers and sellers, and things you will find are things no person at Shein has manually reviewed to be on the site  its just on the site, said Kaziukenas.

In a statement to Reuters, Shein said it screens product listings to identify any prohibited goods or policy violations. It said it uses detection tools to help flag potential issues and has more than 900 employees globally working on content moderation.

Amazon said it takes measures to prevent prohibited products from being listed by third-party sellers and continuously monitors its store.

No one to hold accountable

Marketplaces, as intermediaries, are not liable for the products they sell as they are not the deemed importer under European Union law, said Maurer. Her organization is among those pushing for this to change, in the EUs upcoming customs reform.

Many foreign suppliers get away with selling on platforms with minimal oversight and no EU-based entity, said Gabriela da Costa, partner at law firm K&L Gates in London.

This leaves the authorities with no one in the Union to hold accountable, compounded by the practical and resource difficulties of enforcing against massive volumes, she added.

French authorities are investigating online marketplaces Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Wish for alleged rule breaches that include minors being able to access pornographic content via their marketplaces, the Paris prosecutor said on Tuesday.

Frances crackdown on Shein comes amid growing concern in Europe about online platforms facilitating increased flows of cheap Chinese products into the bloc.

Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Amazon Haul send products from Chinese factories direct to consumers without paying customs duties, as the EU waives these for e-commerce parcels under 150 euros ($174.93). Some 4.6 billion low-value e-commerce parcels were imported into the EU in 2024, double the number in 2023.

Small parcels inundating our cities

Paris, the global fashion capital, is also increasingly frustrated with platforms selling counterfeit handbags or cosmetics.

There are, in this massive flow of small parcels inundating our cities and our villages, counterfeit products, unhealthy products, and illicit products, Frances Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, said in a radio interview.

Frances Budget Minister, Amelie de Montchalin, on Friday said customs authorities have examined 100,000 low-value parcels at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, as the government looks for evidence of illegal products sent by Shein.

The childlike sex doll is egregious and easy to point to because it makes headlines, but in reality, the everyday situation were dealing with is, for example, a cream thats not exactly the real deal, but looks legitimate, said da Costa.

French state-owned postal service La Poste, which last month announced a partnership with Temu, says French consumers are ordering heavily from Chinese platforms, which now account for 20% of its Colissimo parcels  the same share as Amazon.

Temu said its compliance teams work to ensure that products and sellers on its platform meet EU safety and legal requirements. AliExpress said its algorithms detect risky listings which are then reviewed by humans.
File photo of a multiple exposure photograph of a Philadelphia Police Department cruiser parked on North Broad Street September 10, 2019. Read more

A former Cheltenham Elementary School teacher was arrested and charged with keeping and distributing child sexual abuse materials.

Kenneth Vaughn, 35, of Peapack, N.J., was arrested in late August, according to the Somerset County, N.J., Prosecutors Office. An internet tipster reported Vaughn as having kept and shared files depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor via social media, authorities said.

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Vaughn had been employed as a teacher in Branchburg, N.J., prior to his arrest, but he had previously taught at Cheltenham Elementary. He was last employed in Cheltenham in the 2022-23 school year, officials said.

New Jersey online court records show that Vaughn was arrested on Aug. 26 and was released the next day after he was processed. His case is still active.

An attorney listed in online court records as representing Vaughn could not be reached for comment Friday evening.

New Jersey 101.5 reported in September that the Branchburg Township School District said Vaughn no longer worked for the district.

In an email sent to Cheltenham families Friday, Superintendent Brian Scriven said the news was extremely disturbing and extremely difficult to share.

While we are not aware that any district students have been victimized in any way, we encourage parents/guardians to speak to their children, and, if any additional information comes to light, we encourage you to contact Cheltenham Township Police Department, Scriven wrote.

Our team of school counselors and mental health professionals is available to provide assistance to anyone who may need additional support in processing this news, he wrote.

Staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.
Workers with Sautter Crane Rental Inc. prepare to lift a 36,000-pound rock monument commemorating the encampment of Gen. George Washington's Continental Army at Gulph Mills. It is being removed from a temporary location to its permanent location less than two miles away along South Gulph Road near New Gulph Road, on Friday. Read more

The answer to the question of how one moves a 7-foot, 36,000-pound historic rock is probably about what you would have guessed  very slowly, and carefully.

It was a process that took several hours Friday, beginning with workers hoisting the rock monument, which commemorates Gen. George Washingtons Continental Army encampment at Gulph Mills in December 1777, onto a truck. The Army was en route to its winter quarters in Valley Forge.

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Once the rock-moving crews were able to load the cargo, it commuted from what had been a temporary location to its rightful home less than two very ponderous miles away.

The monument, created by the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution in 1892, was located near what is now the bustling Gulph Mills interchange of the Schuylkill Expressway, according to the societys news release.

It had to be moved twice for roadwork projects, and for the last 40 years it has rested at Executive Estates Park in another part of Upper Merion Township.

On Friday it was placed at the encampment location on South Gulph Road near a gas station and the Savona restaurant.

In one piece.

Anthony R. Wood and Alejandro A. Alvarez
The Reworld incinerator in Chester. Councilmember Jamie Gauthiers Stop Trashing Our Air Act" would ban the city from incinerating waste, during a visit with lawmakers and staff in Chester, Pa., on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Read more

CHESTER  Like a Ben Franklin impersonator waving at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, tour guide B. Preston Lyles directed the tour groups attention to various landmarks as they passed by.

But instead of highlighting monuments that made locals swell with pride, Lyles was pointing to sites he said made the people of Chester get sick and die younger: power plants, an oil refinery, a sewage sludge-burning facility, and  most relevantly for Fridays group  the Reworld trash incinerator, the destination for about a third of the rubbish collected by Philadelphias city government.

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Chester City is known as one of the nations worst cases of environmental racism, Lyles, an organizer for Delco Environmental Justice, told the group, referring to the concentration of polluting industries in Black and brown communities. It is not just because the city holds the nations largest waste incinerator, but due to an extreme concentration of toxic industries in and adjacent to such a small city.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who is hoping to end the citys relationship with the Reworld incinerator, on Friday attended the Energy Justice Networks Toxic Tour in and around Chester to highlight the facilitys impact on Phillys southern neighbors.

 READ MORE: Philly burns a lot of its trash. A new Council ordinance would stop that.

From a justice and fairness perspective, it just seems so wrong to me and so obvious, said Gauthier, who was joined on the tour by Councilmember Kendra Brooks and staffers for other lawmakers. Seeing the incinerator on the waterfront and all of these other dirty uses and the abandoned homes, that made me want to do this more, because its wrong. Its wrong that people should be loaded down with all these toxic uses.

Reworld in 2024 burned more than 355,000 tons of trash collected by the city. Its contract with Philadelphia ends in June 2026.

Gauthier has introduced a bill, the Stop Trashing Our Air Act, that would prohibit the city from incinerating trash, and Councils Committee on the Environment, which she chairs, will likely hold a hearing on it this fall.

Reworld spokesperson Linda Ribakusky said the company is a leading sustainable waste solutions provider. The Chester facility, she said, offers a more sustainable alternative to landfilling by converting waste into renewable energy and recovering valuable metals that would otherwise be lost.

The Reworld Delaware Valley facility helps reduce greenhouse gases by avoiding landfill methane and generates enough clean electricity to power more than 50,000 local homes each year, Ribakusky said in a statement. We are proud to be an active part of the Chester community. Working alongside local schools, nonprofits, neighbors, and community organizations, we support initiatives that create real impact.

Now is the time

The Philadelphia Sanitation Department collects and disposes of about half of the citys waste, said Michael Ewall, founder of the Philly-based Energy Justice Network. The other half is handled by private haulers hired by businesses and owners of larger residential properties.

Under its contract, Reworld takes one-third of the municipally collected trash to the Chester incinerator, which the company says produces about 87 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 52,000 homes, while burning the waste. WM, which operates a major landfill in Bucks Countys Falls Township, takes the other two-thirds.

When the most recent contracts were signed in 2019, the city agreed to pay roughly $65 per ton of trash to both Reworld, which was then known as Covanta, and WM, formerly Waste Management.

Gauthier said she has had constructive conversations with Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration about eliminating incineration from the citys waste management operations, and is hopeful the city will include environmental justice concerns in its request for proposals for the new contracts.

Parkers office did not respond to a request for comment.

The Chester incinerator provided a flashpoint in the 2023 mayoral election, which Parker won. During a debate, a moderator asked candidate Jeff Brown about the incinerator, prompting Brown to say, in part, The trash has to go somewhere.

In a debate performance that was key to her rise and Browns downfall in the race, Parker was among the candidates who pounced on the soon-to-be-infamous comment.

That response is the same way you treat the Black and brown community, said Parker, who ran on a campaign to turn Philly into Americas safest, cleanest, greenest big city.

 READ MORE: The trash has to go somewhere: Jeff Brown draws rebuke over debate answer on Philly sending trash to Chester

During the debate, however, Parker was not asked directly if she would commit to ending the citys contract with Reworld.

I was enthused to hear our mayor speak about this on the campaign trail, Gauthier said. I hope we all want to do the right thing. Now is the time to show that.

Environmental advocates contend that neither landfills nor incinerators are good for the environment and urge municipalities to focus on reducing waste in the first place. For instance, Ewall, who developed a policy platform called the Zero Waste Hierarchy, pointed out that thousands of communities now charge residents for each bag of trash just as utilities charge for each gallon of water or kilowatt of electricity.

But for the residuals that do need to be collected, advocates have generally coalesced around the conclusion that incineration is more harmful than landfilling, Ewall said.

Delaware County, which adopted a Zero Waste Plan in September, commissioned a 2021 study that found incineration was the costliest of its waste-disposal options, from both a health perspective and a financial one.

The county determined that each ton of trash burned at the incinerator produced $234 to $337 in health and environmental costs. The impact from landfilling, meanwhile, was $144 per ton.

Reverse the environmental tragedy

Founded by William Penn, Chester is the oldest city in Pennsylvania. But over the last century, it has become a hub for some of the regions least-wanted uses, including polluting manufacturers, fossil fuel facilities, a state prison, and, since the early 1990s, the incinerator. About 69% of Chesters 33,000 residents are Black, and 31% live below the federal poverty line.

We hope that Philadelphia is listening in a strong way  as we attempt to reverse the environmental tragedy that has occurred here in the last 3 decades due to the incineration of trash, Chester Mayor Stefan Roots said Friday. Its an old technology, and its time for it to go. Especially in a community like Chester thats looking to develop, its one of our biggest impediments.

 READ MORE: For 30 years, she has fought a waste-to-energy plant in Chester City: We dont have a choice

About 31% of the trash the incinerator burned in 2024 comes from Philly, with Delaware County accounting for 28% and New York City 26%.

During the tour, Lyles explained how environmental racism can occur even if decision-makers are not consciously prejudiced against certain communities, because wealthier areas often organize to prevent polluting industries in their backyards.

In the late 1990s, there were about 60 proposals for new gas-fired power plants in PA. Only 16 of them were built, he said. Most of them faced a stiff opposition from community groups in suburban and rural areas, but those on either side of Chester went in with no organized opposition.

The final stop on the tour was a row of boarded-up and dilapidated homes along a railroad used for industrial purposes near the edge of the incinerator property. The homes started emptying out in the early 2000s, Ewall said, and the last was abandoned a few years ago.

He recalled meeting one of the last residents to leave.

She had six grandchildren. She lived with her granddaughter, around 14, and one of the times I met her, had an oxygen tank that she would carry around with her just to be able to breathe, Ewall said. They just kind of disappeared one day, and I saw a boarded house.
The buyers: Kate Sheppard, 41, editor; Deen Freelon, 44, communications professor.

The house: A 2,800-square-foot twin in West Philly with four bedrooms and 3 baths built in 1898.

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The price: Listed for $720,000; purchased for $760,000

The agent: Scheryl W. Glanton, BHHS Fox & Roach

The ask: Kate Sheppard told her husband, Deen Freelon, that the only place she was willing to live other than Durham, N.C., was Philadelphia, so he decided to call her bluff. In October 2023, he got a job at the University of Pennsylvania. True to her word, Sheppard agreed to move but not right away.

They set a goal of moving to Philadelphia by summer 2024. Until then, Freelon spent part of the week in the city for work. On Wednesdays, he met with their agent, Scheryl Glanton, and toured houses chosen by Sheppard, a self-described Redfin troll.

We would drive all over the place, checking various places out, Freelon said.

The search: With two kids and one parent occasionally working from home, they wanted at least four bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, with the half bath on the first floor. They also wanted a kitchen that is actually made for cooking, Sheppard said, and a basement with ceilings high enough to accommodate Freelons 6-foot-4 frame.

They were fine with a home that needed work, as long as they could still live there in the meantime. What they werent fine with was a pool, which they saw at several homes in Mount Airy. We did not want to be responsible for a pool  absolutely not, Sheppard said.

Finding a house with a basement that had high enough ceilings for Freelon turned out to be a challenge in the couples preferred neighborhood of Mount Airy. Sheppard is only 5-foot-4 and nearly hit her head on the ceiling of one of the homes. It was weird, she said. They were made for colonial munchkins or something.

Eventually, the couple found a few homes they liked, but they sold before the couple could put in an offer. The stock was really not abundant at the time, Freelon said.

They put an offer on a home near the border of Chestnut Hill but were outbid by $200,000. After that, they decided to expand their search to West Philly so they could be near Freelons work at the University of Pennsylvania.

The appeal: The house that stole their hearts is a historic home, part of the West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District.

Parts of the inside had a very tasteful remodeling, Sheppard said, while the outside retained elements of its historic charm, like a giant stained-glass window near the front door. The house also had its original doors and hardwood staircase.

Another perk? All the natural light. I like the Philly twin-style because you get windows on three sides, Sheppard said.

The deal: The couple continued to look at houses in West Philly, but most homes they saw required gut renovations. Only the one with the stained-glass window was move-in ready.

After an issue-free inspection, they decided to put in an offer. The house was listed at $720,000, but after being outbid in Mount Airy, they offered $10,000 over the asking price. The house had multiple offers, so the seller asked if they could go any higher. We went back and forth a little bit, Freelon said. Eventually, both parties agreed to $760,000.

The money: The couple had a variety of funds for a down payment. One was a $120,000 forgivable loan from the University of Pennsylvania that Freelon received as part of his compensation package. As long as they stay in the house for a decade, they dont have to repay it.

They also had savings from the sale of their former house, along with saved work bonuses, and money that Freelon inherited after his father died.

All in, they put $242,000 down  more than 30% of the total home price  and secured a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.875%. The total loan amount after the down payment was $518,000.

The move: Although they purchased the house in April, the couple waited until summer to move because both buyers and sellers wanted their kids to finish the school year. Sheppard and Freelon also wanted their kids to attend camp in North Carolina, so they moved over two days in mid-July, three months after they closed on the West Philly house.

Any reservations? Sheppard and Freelon havent had any issues since moving in, only minor inconveniences. The previous owners baby-proofed literally everything, Sheppard said, and weve been too lazy to take it down.

Life after close: It wasnt until after they moved in that the couple realized how nice their neighbors are. In their first two weeks, more people stopped by with cookies and pastries than in seven years at their old house.

Everybody says the big city is so impersonal and everybody is so rude, Freelon said. But weve had the exact opposite experience. The social capital aspect is really, really nice.

Did you recently buy a home? We want to hear about it. Email acovington@inquirer.com.
Anxious travelers across the U.S. felt a bit of relief Friday as airlines mostly stayed on schedule while still cutting more than 1,000 flights largely because of the government shutdown.

Plenty of nervousness remained, though, as more canceled flights are coming over the next week to comply with the Federal Aviation Administrations order to reduce service at the nations busiest airports.

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The order is in response to air traffic controllers  who havent been paid in over a month as the shutdown drags on  calling out of work in higher numbers as they deal with financial pressure.

At Philadelphia International Airport as of Friday afternoon, there had been 40 cancellations of flights  16 arrivals and 24 departures.

While its left some passengers making backup plans and reserving rental cars, the flights canceled Friday represented just a small portion of overall flights nationwide.

Passengers still faced last-minute cancellations and long security lines at the 40 airports targeted by the slowdown including major hubs in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Charlotte, N.C.

Airlines expect limited disruptions this weekend and stressed that international flights are not expected to be affected.

 READ MORE: The FAA reduced flights at PHL Airport. Here's what you need to now.

But if the shutdown persists much longer, and more controllers call out of work after they miss their second paycheck on Tuesday, the number of cancellations could jump from the initial 10% reduction of flights to 15% or 20%, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Fox News on Friday.

Long lines and, for some, long drives

Those who showed up before sunrise Friday at Houstons George Bush Intercontinental Airport faced security lines that barely moved, prompting some people to lie down while they waited.

It was snaking around all different parts of the regular area, Cara Bergeron said after flying from Houston to Atlanta. Ive never seen anything like that.

Others were less fortunate.

Karen Soika from Greenwich, Conn., found her flight out of Newark, N.J., was rebooked for an hour earlier. Then she learned her plane was actually leaving from New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport, at least an hour away.

Soika, a surgeon, unsuccessfully tried to book a rental car to get to Utah for a weekend trip before settling on an option that seemed straight out of Hollywood.

Im going to U-Haul and Im going to drive a truck cross-country, said Soika, who is advising on medical scenes there for a spinoff of the TV series Yellowstone.

Hertz reported a sharp increase in one-way car rentals.

Airlines scramble to rebook passengers

More than 1,000 flights were called off nationwide Friday  five times the number canceled Thursday, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.

Reagan National Airport was hit the hardest with at least 18% of its arrivals  81 flights  canceled Friday. The major hubs of OHare, Atlanta, Denver, and Dallas-Fort Worth rounded out the top five airports for cancellations, but those airports only lost around 3% of their flights.

Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order, and both United and American Airlines said they were able to quickly rebook most travelers.

The airlines focused their cuts on smaller regional routes to airports where they have multiple flights a day, helping minimize the number of passengers impacted.

Delta Air Lines said it scratched roughly 170 flights Friday while American planned to cut 220 each day through Monday. Southwest Airlines cut about 120 flights Friday.

The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4% of flights at the busiest airports and will ramp up to 10% over the coming week.

I just dont want to be stranded at the airport sleeping on a bench, Michele Cuthbert, of Columbus, Ohio, said about an upcoming flight to Dallas. Everyones paying the price for the politics thats going on. Were just collateral damage.

If the shutdown continues, there may be another knock-on effect ahead of the holidays.

Nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft, so the disruption could raise costs for shipping goods, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.

Air travel is part of the infrastructure backbone of the American economy, said Greg Raiff, CEO of the Elevate Aviation Group consultancy. This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel.

Why is this happening?

The FAA said the cuts are necessary to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers. Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.

I dont want to see the disruption. I dont want to see the delays, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters at Ronald Reagan National Airport, just outside of Washington.

The FAAs order comes as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Democrats in Congress to end the shutdown.

Ending the government shutdown would ease the situation for controllers, but the FAA said the flight cuts will remain in place until their safety data improves.

Denver International Airport is working to fill in the gap, creating a food pantry for its federal employees and asking the FAA for permission to use the airports revenue to pay for controllers wages.

What can airlines and travelers do?

Airlines are in uncharted territory, said Kerry Tan, a professor at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore who has studied the industry.

The uncertainty associated with the government shutdown makes it challenging for airlines to rationally plan their response and optimize their flight operations, Tan said.

Carriers are required to refund customers whose flights are canceled but not to cover costs such as food and hotels unless a delay or cancellation results from a factor within the control of the airlines, according to the Department of Transportation.

Christina Schlegel, who is booked on a flight to Florida on Wednesday ahead of a Bahamas cruise, said her husband suggested they drive if their flight is canceled, but shed rather try a different flight or airport.

Schlegel, a travel adviser from Arlington, Virginia, has told clients to not panic, to monitor their flights and to arrive at the airport early.

People really should be thinking, What else can I do? she said. Can I already research some other potential flights? What other flights are out there? Have that information in your back pocket.

Staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.
Retirement may feel far off, but the habits you build with every paycheck today can have a huge impact on how comfortable your future looks. Financial planners say that small, automated steps can quietly turn your income into lasting wealth.

Find Out: Heres How to Fix Your Budgeting Problems, According to Kumiko Love

Read Next: 9 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week)

These experts described seven paycheck habits that youll thank yourself for in retirement.

1. Start Early

The top habit your future retired self will thank you for is starting early, according to Curt Scott, CFP of Scott Financial Group. Small changes over a long period of time result in a significant difference when it comes to retirement, he pointed out.

He specifically recommended between 10% and 15% of ones income to be allocated toward a retirement savings account. Then they can start planning their budget with the remaining income.

Its hard to think in percentages, however, so Zaccary S. Call, CFP, president of Capita Financial Network, laid out the numbers: For words of encouragement: Remember that every $500/month you can redirect from unaware or unintentional expenses to retirement savings will create over $800,000 in 30 years at 9% growth.

Learn More: Heres How to Build an Emergency Fund Without Blowing Your Budget

2. Automate

No matter when you start saving, automatic transfers and direct deposits are by far the best way to consistently save, Scott said. The money is gone before it ever hits the checking account and when something is out of sight, it is usually out of mind.

When tight times arise, money that is not sitting in a checking account, or easy to get to, tends to stay saved.

3. Create a Fake Paycheck

Another way to trick yourself into saving, according to Call, is to create a fake paycheck for yourself. Here is how it works:

You set up two accounts: a funnel account and a fake paycheck account.

You deposit all your income into the funnel account.

You create a regular transfer to the fake paycheck account. Ideally, these are two different banking institutions to provide barriers.

You fund savings and retirement from the funnel account.

You spend all of the fake paycheck.

These two accounts naturally push you toward success without relying on motivation, he explained.

With immense effort, you can fight your behavior, Call said. Two bank accounts and the fake paycheck concept organize your cash flow management.

4. Save Any Raises

If you feel behind in saving for retirement, Scott encouraged saving all or most of any pay raises. However, getting that pay increase can prove difficult and may require a change, he said.

Many times, an income increase comes from a job change or gaining new skills, for example. That may require more of a plan to meet an income goal.
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Arguably best-known for her role as Linda Walsh on The Young Offenders, Demi Isaac moved into the radio world earlier this year when she joined 2FM as part of the expressions of interest recruitment process.

Paired with co-host Mikey Reilly, they took over the 12-3pm weekend slot and, since October, have been filling in for Doireann Garrihy on Drive.

I studied radio broadcasting in college, and I always said that the be-all and end-all goal was to end up on 2FM, says Demi.

To get the opportunity to cover maternity leave for Doireann, whom I absolutely adore, Im chuffed. And to be doing it with one of my best friends is even more of a blessing. Im honestly really enjoying it.

Its 6.15pm on a Wednesday evening when I finally manage to get Demi on the phone. Its been an effort. Unsurprising, perhaps, given shes currently in the middle of a country-wide game of hide and seek as part of the new show.

Hide and seek isnt an easy game when youre a child, and its even more difficult when youre running around the country like a headless chicken with a load of money, she says. But its great craic.

Jennifer Barry and Demi Isaac Oviawe in The Young Offenders

Forging a path for herself in a related but distinct industry, the Mallow native could be forgiven for tiring of questions about her first TV role  but instead, she credits that experience as the foundation of her success.

Playing Linda gave me confidence. I was very lucky; I ate the chocolate bar that had the right golden ticket in it, and here I am. Anything that I accomplish, I always bring it back to The Young Offenders because I wouldnt be where I am in my career today without that show.

As it turns out, the move from screen to airwaves hasnt been as big a leap as one might think, and her time as Conor MacSweeneys long-suffering girlfriend equipped her with many of the skills she now brings to her new role.

Im my biggest critic  when I did my driving test, I told the driving instructor everything I did wrong before she even sat down at her desk. But Hilary Rose and Shane Casey and the lads all told me that I need to go easier on myself and give myself grace, so thats something that I definitely try to apply when it comes to my radio work.

Demi Isaac Oviawe and Mikie O'Reilly. Picture: Andres Poveda.

CHEMISTRY

Mikey and Demis chemistry is palpable, so Im surprised to learn that they havent known each other for long. First meeting in RTE 2FM head Dan Healys office, it was clear from the get-go that the two clicked.

We laughed and we talked and we just got to know each other. Everything you guys are hearing on air, thats all natural. Its genuinely how we bounce off each other.

Is there any truth in the adage, Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life?

In my very short career, this is probably one of the easiest jobs Ive ever done, she says, a smile in her voice.

Dont get me wrong, there is a lot of work and thought that goes into doing our show and coming up with these crazy gimmicks, but working alongside Mikey is actually quite easy. Its a great positive vibe to be a part of. If youre laughing along, that means were doing our job right.

Few mediums feel as personal or intimate as this one  Demi and Mikey are, after all, right there in peoples cars, homes, and ears every day  and its that connection to listeners that Demi values the most.

Maybe its because Im low-key a bit of a radio nerd, but I just feel like people dont understand the impact that it can have. Mikey and I have gotten messages from people saying, Im having a really crappy day, but listening to you has helped turn it around. You never know whos listening to you and what theyre going through.

Demi Isaac Oviawe. Picture: Andreas Poveda

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Irish with Nigerian heritage, its a combination that has undeniably moulded Demi into the person she is today. Ive got the best of both worlds. My stepmom is Irish, and my dad was Nigerian. Im Nigerian, but I also identify as being Irish. I grew up here, I know of nothing else, and I think all of that has shaped me. I want to show people that its great to embrace both sides of your world, no matter where you come from. I think Im doing a pretty good job

A long-time advocate for representation in Irish media, Demi has spoken candidly about past struggles to find roles that mirror modern Ireland, but shes confident that things are moving in the right direction.

Were slowly getting there, she acknowledges. I hope that seeing people like me, Katja Mia and Zeinab Elguzouli shows others that if we can do it, they can too. The resources are there for young people. Compared to the interviews I did pre-covid, where I would talk about the need for diversity, I think were doing really well. That said, its not just about the Black community. All forms of community need to be represented  the Traveller community, the LGBTQ+ community. Whatever is happening in your estate, whatever is happening in your community, should be reflected in all forms of Irish media.

Grounded as she is in gratitude, Demis still got lots of goals for her future. A self-described worker, she has a quiet determination to make her mark  something she learned from past jobs but also the example set by her parents, who she lost when she was young.

My dad came here with nothing. I remember telling him that I wanted to do this and I wanted to do that, and he would always say, Theres no one like you.  Id love for him to see me now, to see what Im doing. I would like to think that hes proud of me. I hope hes looking down and proud, and my mom too.

They came to this country with nothing. Im, dare I say, a very recognisable person in this country, and I work a lot, so I hope Im making them proud.

I think if the 14- or 15-year-old me saw me now, shed be very proud. Shed still be judging me a little bit  laughing at my eyebrows  but I think shed be in disbelief to see that were part of a national radio station, that Ive worked on big projects and that were actually following the dreams that we were told we would never be able to pursue.

Demi Isaac Oviawe. Picture: Andreas Poveda

Not one to sit still for too long, Demi already has her sights on the future and has lots planned for the next few years.

Any role where I get to express myself and I get to be creative, thats what I want. Ive been writing, but nothing has been put out yet. If I had to set myself another goal, Id hope that within the next 10 years, Ill have a show or series on television thats mine.

A lot can happen in a decade.
One day on the set of RTE show Hidden Assets, actor Nora-Jane Noone had a giddy moment.

We were in this room and there was a plastic divider, and whatever way we were filming it, I saw it on the monitor. I was like, Oh, my God, Im having my Dana Scully moment, she laughs, referencing the iconic X-Files character played by Gillian Anderson.

But while FBI special agents Scully and Fox Mulder (played by David Duchovny) investigated strange occurrences of an extra-terrestrial nature, Noones character Detective Sergeant Claire Wallace is squarely on terra firma in Hidden Assets.

DS Wallace is the head of a team at the real-life Criminal Assets Bureau. So instead of aliens, shes on the hunt for criminals.

Its Noones second season playing DS Wallace, and the third season of the show drops on November 9.

From the beginning of the first episode, the drama is amped up. Very quickly, DS Wallace is faced with a traumatic incident.

Noone, who is from Galway, is a gentle and thoughtful presence in person.

Off-screen, she confesses to being a bit of a nerd. On-screen, she enjoyed getting to play the vulnerable side to DS Wallace this season.

But how did she prepare for the difficult scenes? You think: how would you feel, and how would you cope? A lot of the thing with Claire is: How would you feel underneath, and then how does she hide it? she says.

The role involved learning some unusual skills, like handling a gun.

We always have training beforehand, she says. So you always do a run through of things in advance to make sure youre holding it properly, youre not flopping it around or pointing it in the wrong place, and to know how to put on the safety, or to know how to go around corners.

Hidden Assets is a co-production, with Irish company Saffron Moon working alongside Belgiums Potemkino for RTE and Acorn TV.

The action takes place across Europe and Ireland, and the third season kicks off in Bilbao with the murder of investigative journalist Olatz Alzola.

DS Wallace and team are drawn in when the killings are linked to a past CAB raid in Ireland that ended in tragedy.

Noones co-stars include screen and stage stalwarts Cathy Belton as Norah Dillon and Aaron Monaghan as DS Sean Prendergast.

Season three welcomes a raft of newcomers, with Inigo Gastesi as Inspector Jon Beitia, Cra star Donall O Healai as Detective Liam Boylan, Catherine Walker as Niamh Bennett, and Steve Wall as Inspector Martin Dunlop.

They spent six weeks filming in Antwerp, a city which Noone likens to a cross between Berlin and Rome. Her young daughter visited during the shoot, and the pair were recently in Canada visiting her actor husband, Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette, who is filming a new series of Reacher.

Nora-Jane Noone in Hidden Assets, season 3. Picture: Michel Vertongen/AcornTV

Its fitting, then, that DS Wallace is also juggling a lot. Shes taking the lead career wise, but her husband isnt happy about it. Its really nice that they allow her to not apologise for it, says Noone of how the show treats DS Wallaces career ambition.

How does she resonate with DS Wallace as a person? I think shes someone who just forges on. In this season, its taking responsibility for things and instead of maybe wallowing shes just, Okay, well, how do I fix it? says Noone.

Im way softer than her. Im a sappy creative  I cant hide anything in my real life, its written on my face. So were very different in that sense, in how much we show of things. But I do tend to just get on with it, and its only after something difficult that I go, Oh, God, that was hard.

She envies how unapologetic her character is about her strength. Definitely something I have struggled with in life is always being too apologetic for existing, she says with a laugh.

She inspires me in that sense of just holding true to yourself and what you believe. But Noone adds she has gotten better over the years at advocating for herself. This was presumably helped by living in America from 2015 to 2023, after a long spell in London.

I think thats part of why I wanted to move, because I [thought] that could be good to have that freedom, to be unapologetic, and just think big.

I think the reason why I liked living in big cities a lot when I was younger is youre anonymous, and you can do whatever you want and nobody cares, she says. It gives you a lot of space to grow and just not worry too much about what anybody else is thinking or doing.

These days, Noone lives in Galway, having moved back in 2023 with her family. She made her debut at 17 in The Magdalene Sisters (2002), directed by Peter Mullan, but didnt linger long in the Irish screen industry, moving to London after college.

Theres so much great stuff being made here, so thats exciting, says Noone of her return home.

Shes open to working in Ireland or abroad, with some caveats. You never know whats going to come up, she says. The only thing is that with having a kid and her being in school now, the job has to be worth being away and potentially having to take her out of school for a while and all those other complications.

Shes also working on her own scripts. One project is the love child of Pans Labyrinth meets Stranger Things, but with Irish folklore.

Shes waiting on news about funding, but says she has to balance her own writing with the demands of work and family life.

At 21, Noone starred in The Descent (2005), which marked its 20th anniversary this summer. The cult horror is about six young women who go caving and get trapped.

I was just so young. It was my first job that I got when I moved to London, she says of that time. Im still really good friends with the girls in it.

Nora-Jane Noone

What appealed to her was that The Descent involved stunts and big sets, plus it was an all-female horror that didnt overly sexualise its characters. The Descents director Neil Marshall even revealed this year that he almost quit over the suggestion of a nude swimming scene in the film.

It was so different then, says Noone.

Indeed, theres been a lot of positive change since 2005 with regards to gender in the film industry, in large part thanks to MeToo. But in an era where gender equality is under pressure, particularly in the US, is she afraid things might go backwards?

I hope not, she says with a sigh, referencing how it was terrifying to see immediate changes after Trump got into power. But I dont see it in the arts you would hope that [people] would reinforce the progress thats been made, rather than allowing it to be backtracked.

Is it a relief to be back in Ireland during Trumps second presidency?

100%. I remember the last time Id just landed when he was first voted in, and you could feel it. It was so tense, and people were so scared and so angry. I cant imagine what its like at the moment I keep hoping theres a secret plan going on in the background somewhere  somebodys doing something about it, we just cant see it at the moment.

Now in her early 40s, Noone is at a point where she can reflect on what shes learned about her craft since those early days as a newcomer in The Magdalene Sisters. I didnt know enough to worry, but it was very overwhelming, she says of that time. Not only was it her first film role, she was young and the subject matter was intense.

Does she have moments even now of realising just how young she was in such a serious film?

I do. Because I was trying so hard to pretend like I knew what I was doing, and to not be terrified, she says.

And I think because everyone else had been in the industry a long time, or for a while, and was just showing up to work and doing a job, I think it was just taken for granted that I would just get on with it. So definitely it wasnt until many years later where I thought, Oh, wow, that was really intense to do  Id just turned 17.

In one vulnerable scene, she appeared nude, which would be a challenge for an actor of any age, never mind a young teenager.

Theres definitely a different level of care now, even with intimacy coordinators and everything else. Not that they werent mindful, but theres definitely a different level across the board for all crew members and everyone involved to be mindful and to be appropriate, she says, adding of the industry in general: I think it makes me feel very protective of any young people [wanting to act]. Or even thinking of my own daughter, if she ever wanted to get into acting. I wouldnt want her to be having her first kiss, or her first sexual encounter of a sort, in an unreal and professional situation.

After The Magdalene Sisters, Noone studied science in Galway, then moved to London to pursue acting. Further challenges awaited her.

I didnt know how to audition. I didnt know how to learn lines. I didnt know how to figure out the tone of a piece. I didnt understand beats, she reflects.

I was just instinctively reading a story, understanding it, and then doing it honestly, I wish Id trusted that part more. But I psyched myself out so much because I didnt know the technical side of it it just felt very high stakes that this was the impression I was making on people as I was making all my mistakes. So I tried to do as many workshops and classes and courses as I could afford in between jobs, and then just learned by doing.

Looking back now, she says: Honestly, I did have a lot of anxiety in my 20s, and there was a family member who was very ill, and so I feel like there was such a journey of coming back round to that trust in what I inherently had, and then trusting the experience that I earned over time. And I think thats

always the process, isnt it, in life. Its such a balance of learning and unlearning.

Today, she has more trust in herself and her skills, all of which has led her to the lead role of DS Claire Wallace in Hidden Assets. Looking to the

future, there are still many dream roles Noone would like to play. Hidden Assets is a serious show, but shed love to try comedy.

I do love genre stuff, because I think you can push things further in a certain way, she says with a grin. And Id love to play a proper villain, or do some really fun, magical thing. Im a nerd, so any Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, fantasy-type project or some really cool sci-fi. Directors, take note.
Jane Bond and Simon Wiltshire will always remember the day they first laid eyes on one another.

Jane, from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and Simon, from Melksham, Wiltshire, UK, met on April 29, 2011, having taken up farm jobs in Queensland, Australia, in order to get their second-year visas.

Jane Bond and Simon Wiltshire. Pictures: David Murphy Studio

We remember the exact date because it was the day Prince William and Kate [Middleton] got married! says Jane. Love soon blossomed for us too!

Jane and Simon were to receive the royal treatment on their own wedding day, too.

Returning to the other side of the globe in 2013, they now live in Bristol, and Simon surprised Jane by popping the question during a weekend away in the Cotswolds on March 9, 2025.

They were married by Fr Michael OShea on September 19, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rowe Street, Wexford, where Janes grandparents Kathleen and Jim Bond were wed in 1959.

Rain failed to play spoilsport: Jane Bond and Simon Wiltshire. Pictures: David Murphy Studio

As they met at the top of the aisle, both felt almost giddy, says Jane: We couldnt stop smiling, says Jane.

I thought Id be very nervous and a bit teary, but when it came to it I was just very excited.

Janes aunt and godmother, Marie Phelan, sang during the ceremony, accompanied by Eamonn OMalley, who also performed at the drinks reception.

Janes mother arranged for the newlyweds to be whisked from church to venue in a 1930s Brenchley Tourer, provided by The Limo Company, Waterford. We were chauffeured by the lovely Caroline, says the bride.

Jane Bond and Simon Wiltshire with Simon's parents parents Pamela and Richard Wiltshire. Pictures: David Murphy Studio

The reception venue, Newbay House, Co Wexford, was just perfect, adds the bride. The team thought of every detail  I cant stress enough how good they are, says Jane.

The band The Firm had everyone on their feet. Everyone loved them. We had 'Tennessee Whiskey' as our first dance. Then we had DJ Rob Murphy play until the early hours.

The dancing went on all night  we found ourselves being carried around on peoples shoulders a lot!

Janes mother and father, Patricia and Martin Bond, and Simons parents, Pamela and Richard Wiltshire, helped them plan the occasion.

We had about 130 guests; we wanted as many of our close family and friends there with us, says Jane. People came all the way from America, Australia, Thailand, France, Amsterdam, Spain, Scotland, England and Wales.

Jane Bond and Simon Wiltshire with Jane's parents parents Patricia and Martin Bond. Pictures: David Murphy Studio

Janes sister Emma Bond was by her side as a bridesmaid, along with her cousin Jeanne Phelan and her friend Gemma Cooper. Simons friends Craig Witherick and Mark Coles were his groomsmen, and his niece Grace Wiltshire was the flowergirl, while Janes godson Joe Delahunty was the pageboy.

Jane looked ultra-elegant in a Justin Alexander gown, and the groom was dapper in a Moss Bros suit. Although I didnt have a dream dress in mind, I knew the minute I put the dress on that it was the one for me.

The bridal hair and makeup team were Marie Hickey and Edel Morrissey. I must say these two really added to the morning getting ready, they were so much fun! says the bride. Flora Bella, Wexford, created the floral decor.

Rain failed to play spoilsport on the occasion as they posed for the camera, especially with Janes childhood friend David Murphy of David Murphy Studio (Davidmurphystuio.com) behind the lens. He put everyone at ease and had everyone laughing, says the bride.

Jane and Simon enjoyed a week in Westport, Co Mayo, and will honeymoon in Sri Lanka next year.
A mother who was rescued along with her children from a fire at an asylum-seeker centre in Drogheda says she is terrified about further acts of violence and may have to leave the town.

The property on George's Street in Drogheda, which houses up to 28 people seeking international protection, had to be evacuated after a fire broke out on Halloween night.

CCTV images appeared to show someone pouring fuel on the stairs before the building went on fire.

Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

A number of people were taken to the nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda but were later discharged and have been moved temporarily to Mosney in Laytown, Co Meath.

I am very nervous, I am terrified, a rescued mother told the Irish Examiner. I just dont understand it.

The children, they are okay, for now, but I am shaking with worry. I am just trying to be okay for the kids.

I had to go to see the GP today, I am not sleeping. It has upset many people, we are all afraid now.

The mother has lived in Drogheda for many years, but said: "I dont know if Ill stay in Drogheda, but we have been there for a long time."

Her children go to school in the town and any move would negatively impact them, she said.

Local Fine Gael councillor Ejiro O'Hare-Stratton, a friend of those evacuated from the burning building, said: I think everyone is shocked by the events that happened. I am meeting the manager of the place to talk to him also, as they are all frightened. People have lost their jobs too.

I work with the families in that Ipas centre and the mother of the two children, she is at the centre of my networking when it comes to integration between the people in the town and those seeking shelter. Its just a very worrying time now.
A small village in North Cork has set about battling social isolation among its residents by trying to buy and reopen the last pub in the area.

Locals in the tiny village of Cullen are to form a fundraising committee to purchase the former Flemings Tavern, which closed its doors last September.

Damian Hickey, one of the organisers of the campaign, said Cullen boasted five pubs not so long ago. It also had three shops, a petrol station, and a post office, which have all closed.

The pub, also known as Art OConnors, and its adjoining four-bed house are up for sale for 300,000.

We know that it is a viable business because the previous owner did a very good trade there, said Mr Hickey.

He and others in the group have already sought advice from other communities that have bought out their local pubs, such as in Kilteely, Co Limerick, and Dromid, Co Kerry.

Mr Hickey said the expectation is that they will form a limited company with shareholders who will vote in directors to oversee the running of the pub.

Were concerned about the impact not having a pub has on social isolation for older people, said Mr Hickey.

There used to be a group of eight or nine men in their 70s who would meet in Art OConnors regularly for a game of cards and a chat.

They have been put at a disadvantage since its closure. It has upset them. We also want there to be a place for the young people to meet.

While the project is in a very embryonic stage, he is hopeful that it will get good backing from locals.

We have a great community spirit in Cullen, said Mr Hickey. We have a very good GAA club, a fine community centre, and a modern national school and creche. We also have a very good Tidy Towns association and special needs association and a pipe band, which has won world titles.

The village has a population of fewer than 100 people and the parish has approximately 400.

Local Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan said he hopes the Cullen initiative works out.

Ten years ago, there were seven pubs in Knocknagree, he said. Now there are only two and one only opens on weekends. Boherbue is down to one. Banteer, and Rathcoole have none. I think a community without a pub loses a bit of its soul.
Air Lease Corporation (AL) reported third-quarter 2025 earnings per share of $1.29, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.60. However, the bottom line improved 3.2% year over year owing to an increase in ALs total rental of flight equipment revenue, partially offset by lower sales activity and higher interest expense.

Total revenues of $725.4 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $737.3 million but grew 5.1% year over year.

Air Lease Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Air Lease Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Air Lease Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Air Lease Corporation Quote

On Sept. 2, 2025, Air Lease announced that it had signed a definitive agreement, wherein it is set to be purchased by a Dublin, Ireland-based new holding company. Shares of the new holding company are held by Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Aviation Capital Limited, and investment vehicles affiliated with Apollo managed funds (Apollo) and Brookfield.

Per the aforesaid merger agreement, Air Lease shareholders should receive $65 per share of Class A common stock in cash at the closure of the deal. This reflects a total value of almost $7.4 billion, or $28.2 billion including debt obligations to be assumed or refinanced net of cash.

Subject to customary closing conditions, which include approval by Air Leases Class A common shareholders and receipt of certain regulatory approvals, the deal is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2026. However, the deal is not subject to any financing contingency.

ALs board of directors has already ratified the agreement. Air Leases directors and certain executive officers have agreed to vote (the shares of Class A common stock held by them) in favor of the transaction.

Other Statistics

Revenues from the rental of flight equipment grew 9% year over year to $681 million. The uptick was owing to the continued growth of ALs fleet and an increase in the companys portfolio lease yield. During the third quarter of 2025, AL witnessed almost $20 million from lease revenues.

Revenues from aircraft sales, trading activity and other sources fell 32% from the year-ago quarter to $44 million, owing to lower sales activity. AL witnessed $35 million in gains from the sale of five aircraft during the third quarter.

Operating expenses rose 7.3% year over year to $600.9 million.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, Air Lease owned 503 aircraft with a net book value of $29.5 billion. The total fleet size at the third-quarter end was 781 (including the owned fleet of 503, 50 managed fleet and 228 aircraft on order).

Air Lease exited the third quarter with $452.21 million in cash and cash equivalents compared with $454.80 million at the prior-quarter end. Debt financing, net of discount and issuance costs, amounted to $20.2 billion at the third-quarter end compared with $20.3 billion at the prior-quarter end.
A sister of Jo Jo Dullard is urging anyone with information about her disappearance not to stay silent anymore ahead of the 30th anniversary of her disappearance on Sunday.

Kathleen Bergin was speaking to the Irish Examiner ahead of a remembrance event in Kilkenny Castle on Sunday afternoon, at the monument for the missing. A prayer service will take place for Jo Jo, who would now be 51.

The 21-year-old was last heard from when she made a phone call to her friend, Mary Cullinan, from a phone box in Moone, Co Kildare, at 11.37pm on November 9, 1995. A plaque has been placed at the site by the family in memory of their sister, who was a native of Callan, Co Kilkenny.

Two days after her anniversary last year, a man was arrested and a large section of land was searched for the missing woman, but no trace was found. The man was subsequently released without charge.

Ms Bergin said the family had hoped that this years anniversary of her disappearance would be different because they would have had her remains found. However, she said that instead, we are still here in the same situation.

All of us are there for her, and we wont give up on her, and we are going to do everything we can to get Jo Jo home.

She appealed to anyone with information to come forward and help bring her home.

She is out there long enough. It is a simple thing to put flowers on a grave, but we cant do that.

Kathleen Bergin. File picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Ms Bergin said all the family want is to have her back to lay her to rest beside her parents.

The fear is that we are all getting older, and for anyone with information, it must be a burden to be holding this. We dont want them to pass away without telling us what they know, Ms Bergin said.

Information is there, somebody has it. We want them not to stay silent anymore.

She added: [Jo Jo] was on her way home that night, with no one to help her. They can do that for her. It was a cold damp night, and she only wanted to get home, and somebody made that decision that she wasnt going to. She would have been looking for help, and I can only imagine what was going through her head, God love her. What was going through her mind? The fear, and nobody to help.

At the time of her disappearance, Jo Jo was on her way home from Dublin, where she had enjoyed socialising in Bruxelles Bar, Harry Street, Dublin 2. She had left home in Callan at 8.30am that morning and had hoped to get a bus back home to Kilkenny that night, but missed it.

She instead took a bus to Naas, Co Kildare. Her intention was to then hitch a lift back home to Callan and managed to get a spin from Naas as far as the N9 at Kilcullen, Co Kildare, according to gardai.

She managed to get another lift to Moone, Co Kildare, at around 11.15pm, from where she made the last phone call to Mary Cullinan.

She cut the phone call short and told Mary that a car had stopped and she was going to take the lift. No further sighting was made of Jo Jo after that, and she failed to make contact with home. Concerned about her, Ms Bergin made a report to gardai that she was missing and a missing persons case was launched.

However, the investigation into her disappearance was upgraded to murder in 2020, after the case was examined by An Garda Siochanas Serious Crime Review Team. The upgrading coincided with the 25th anniversary of her disappearance.
A man who was arrested in connection with a gun seizure in Co Cork has been charged.

He is due to appear before a special sitting of the District Court in Cork City at 2pm on Saturday.
A 45-year-old man has appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court charged in connection with firearms and explosives offences.

Paul Sheehan of Elm Drive, Shamrock Lawn, Douglas in Cork faces a total of four charges.

Det Garda Anthony Daly of Mallow Garda Station in Co Cork gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He told Judge Joanne Carroll that Mr Sheehan was formally charged with the four offences at 6.57pm on November 7 at Mallow Garda Station.

Det Garda Daly told the court that Mr Sheehan replied in different ways to the charges. His replies included making no reply, saying: "No thanks, I understand"; "No, I understand thank you" and "No, thank you."

The alleged offences are contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990. One charge was brought under the Explosive Substances Act of 1883.

The charges faced by Mr Sheehan include possession of a .32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol, a deactivated .38 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver, a slide for a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol and three pipe bomb bodies.

He is charged with unlawful possession of the .32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic and the slide for a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol at Applegreen Service Station in Mallow on November 4.

Mr Sheehan is also charged with unlawful possession of a deactivated .38 calibre Smith & Wesson six-shot revolver and three pipe bomb casings at Elm Drive, Shamrock Lawn in Douglas on November 5.

Defence solicitor David OMeara said that bail was not being applied for at this juncture. However, he indicated that a bail application could be made when Mr Sheehan is next before the court.

Mr OMeara said that it was a serious matter and he would need time to get his ducks in order.

Inspector David Noonan said that gardai were seeking remand in custody in the case. He stated that the DPP has instructed that all four charges remain before Cork District Court.

A legal aid application was made by Mr OMeara. Judge Carroll asked if the house in Shamrock Lawn was owned by Mr Sheehan. However, she was informed that it belonged to his parents. Mr Sheehan, who is on job seekers allowance, was assigned free legal aid.

Judge Carroll remanded Mr Sheehan in custody to appear in court by video link on November 12 next. Mr OMeara has to let the State know by Monday if he plans to make a bail application on behalf of his client when he is next before the court.
An ex-IRA man who has vowed to continue to help with the search for the remains of Disappeared soldier Robert Nairac will speak in Cork at the premiere of a new documentary.

Former republican prisoner Martin McAllister described the situation as an "open running sore" in south Armagh, where the Grenadier Guards captain was last seen alive in 1977.

Information he secured led to the first official search for his remains last year by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR).

Capt Nairac is considered to be part of a group known as the Disappeared, who were killed and secretly buried by paramilitary groups.

The search for his remains in Co Louth ended without success last October.

A new film, The Disappearance of Captain Nairac, will be screened for the first time at the Cork International Film Festival on Sunday at 8pm.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with the film's director Alison Millar, BAFTA award-winning investigative journalist Darragh MacIntyre, and Mr McAllister.

The film hears that Capt Nairac had walked into the Three Steps Bar in Drumintee on the night of Saturday, May 14, 1977, undercover, dressed in a donkey jacket and jeans, hoping for a breakthrough in the intelligence war against the IRA.

Those in the bar remember him drawing attention to himself, saying he had lost his cigarettes and also asking for advice on routes across the border without army checkpoints.

He maintained he was a republican from Belfast called Danny McErlean and sang two rebel songs. However, a group of local men are understood to have become suspicious, overpowered him in the car park, took him across the border and shot him.

The documentary heard an account of a man in the car who said they called the local IRA Officer Commander, who arrived drunk, and told them to shoot Capt Nairac.

He said he pretended to be a priest to try and elicit a confession, but then withdrew, adding he heard shots fired as he walked away. He went on to say he hopes some day Capt Nairac's body will be given to his sisters, and wanted to sympathise for the part he played.

Former local councillor Seamus Murphy recalled Capt Nairac as having stood out, greeting people in Irish in Crossmaglen and showing off a knowledge of Irish history.

"He had a certain swagger and arrogance about him, and an awful habit of putting his gun down and walking away from it, which everyone thought was strange," he said.

"Everyone knew he wasn't an ordinary soldier, but they thought he was a roaring idiot, and probably dangerous."

He also said he saw him in "full undercover mode" once at the cattle mart in Newry, dressed as a farmer and pretending to be a bit drunk.

However, an anonymous former army intelligence officer described Capt Nairac's role in an area known as the IRA's greatest stronghold, where soldiers had to be brought in and out by helicopter, as "absolutely imperative", being out on the ground, talking to people and identifying potential agents.

Capt Nairac's biographer Alistair Kerr said he was said to have believed he was on the verge of an intelligence breakthrough, recruiting someone with serious links to the IRA on the night he disappeared.

A former RUC intelligence officer said he had a "touch of 007 about him" and took risks he would never take.

He said he believed Capt Nairac went to the pub that night as he cultivated a friendship with a woman who was very close to an IRA figure, and hoped to gain information through her about her relatives.

Capt Nairac's friend Jemima Parry-Jones said he loved Ireland and was passionate about the Troubles not going on.

"He wanted to be a part of stopping it ... which meant he took risks," she said.

Grenadier Guards captain Robert Nairac talking to children in the Ardoyne area of Belfast in 1977. Picture: PA Wire

Mr McAllister said he has always been fascinated by the Nairac story, describing it as "an open running sore in this area".

He said he was in prison at the time of the abduction, but said he has learned those who abducted Capt Nairac were IRA sympathisers, not members, and all "scarpered" after, adding they had nothing to do with the burial.

Rumours were circulated about Capt Nairac following his disappearance, adding to the confusion.

Mr McAllister said in the decades since "every imaginable horror has been laid at his door", with claims he was involved in atrocities such as the Miami Showband killings, the Kingsmill Massacre and the Dublin Monaghan bombings.

"It just becomes a figure of speech with no proof," he said.

Mr McAllister described speaking to lots of people to put together a jigsaw puzzle of what happened.

He said, while people are "shy" about giving information, they will give it to him.

"It's been on my mind constantly because it's an open running sore in this area," he said.

"This man was a soldier, and I was his enemy, but to disappear somebody is something I never ever agreed with.

"No one should be left in such a position whereby they haven't a grave to visit.

"This man should be back with his family."

He has pledged that he will not give up on his search, describing it as a "matter of honour".

The Disappearance of Captain Nairac will premiere on Sunday at 8pm in the Triskel Cinema on Tobin Street.
Ivan Yates is unlikely to be experiencing any trauma over what has befallen him in the public square this week.

The former government minister, bookmaker and media entrepreneur was uncovered as having provided media training to presidential candidate Jim Gavin while simultaneously commenting on the election on podcasts and on radio.

Such a conflict of interest would have a major impact on the reputation of, for instance, a journalist. But Yates, despite engaging for over 15 years in journalism in its broadest form, has always claimed he is not a member of the press.

People who know him suggest that the whole affair will be like water off a ducks back, unless there is any comeback on his corporate dollar.

That dollar comes mainly in the form of presenting and hosting commercial gatherings, principally to do with the construction industry. So he wont have any sleepless night unless hes getting calls telling him he is now considered unclean in the corporate world.

There is little fear of that.

The kind of knowledge he has, his cachet, his easy style, will ensure that he is still in demand. So while the media from which he earned a tidy income for the last 15 years is up in a heap over it, Yates will just keep on keepin on, focused on the next challenge.

Another reason he may not be too perturbed at having a harsh light shone on his tall and imposing frame is that he has previously suffered real trauma through work, not once but twice.

The first occasion was in 1996 when he was serving as minister for agriculture in what was termed the rainbow coalition government. He was 37 at that time. He was first elected to the Dail at 22 and pretty quickly was spotted as having talent and potential.

He also backed the winning horse for the leadership so when John Bruton got into power he handed Yates a senior ministry. His time in office coincided with an outbreak of BSE, known as mad cow disease. The minister, understandably was under severe pressure.

I wasn't eating properly, drinking a gallon of coffee every morning in lieu of breakfast, followed by sandwiches at my desk. I stayed in the Mount Herbert Hotel (now the Sandymount Hotel), instead of having my own apartment, he wrote in his memoir, Full On.

I would eat a late-night room-service meal. After a bottle of wine I would fall asleep, but wake in the middle of the night and fail to get back to sleep.

All my life I had successfully solved problems by applying energy, analysis and focus to them. I was totally up for the challenges of being a Cabinet minister and was determined to make a success of it, but something outside my control was happening.

He was having a nervous breakdown. A combination of prescription drugs and therapy saw him through and he recovered. All of this was only revealed in full years later in his very frank memoir.

At the time, both while in government and subsequently between 1997 and 2002 on the opposition benches, he was widely tipped as a potential leader of Fine Gael.

Business venture

Then, to much surprise, he announced ahead of the 2002 general election that he was leaving politics. He wanted instead to concentrate on what was a burgeoning business empire.

In 1987, just six years into his parliamentary career he had opened a bookies shop in Tramore, Co Waterford. This was effectively a business on the side. He also had a busy homelife. He married his wife Deirdre, a school teacher, while still in his 20s and the couple had four children.





He was doing well for himself. By the time he retired from politics he had 10 shops. In the early straits of the Celtic Tiger era, he saw the potential to scale further peaks of success.

Over the following years he expanded the portfolio six-fold to a point where he owned 63 shops, including two in the UK, and employed 300 staff on a turnover of 200m. As with plenty of other self-styled entrepreneurs he thought that he was now living in the land of the forever sun.

When the world economy started to rain, and the worst of it washed up on these shores, he joined the ranks of the overstretched. His business went to the wall, leaving huge bank debts.

Bankruptcy

Enter the third stage of the talented Mr Yates. In 2010, he found himself filling in as a Newstalk radio presenter for George Hook, a fellow alpha male who considered himself a bulwark against political correctness gone mad.

Yates was a natural in the presenters chair, particularly in Newstalk where his schtick had more scope. But the past wouldnt leave him alone.

In 2012, he concluded his best option would be to declare bankruptcy in the UK, where he would be able to emerge from the process in little over a year, while it could take more than a decade in this country.

Newstalk are conducting a review of Ivan Yates's work at the station after the Fianna Fail revelation. File photo: Joe Dunne/ RollingNews.ie

He packed in his Newstalk gig and decamped to Wales. It was not a pleasant experience. Later, he would recall that he was bereft through that year, separated from his family. For an ebullient man his exile saw him also burdened with his own company as he was a stranger in a strange land, who knew nobody.

He returned with tales of loneliness, softened by daily drinking. It does seem like the whole State is against you, he said of attempting to clear his debts. The State owns the banks, the State controls the insolvency lawyou just have to suck it up.

Like many in the upper echelons of a battered society in the wake of the crash, his comeback was rapid and fiscally bountiful. He did a deal with the banks, his stock rose in the media world and his ebullient presence was in demand on the commercial circuit.

Media career

In 2017, he was appointed co-host of Virgin Medias Tonight Show, along with Matt Cooper.

People who worked with him across the broadcast media suggest he wasnt the most collegiate of colleagues.

Management loved him, one source in Newstalk remembers. He got the ratings and he more than filled a gap left by Hook.

After five years he quit both TV and radio gigs to concentrate on the corporate world. He continued to do fill-in stints for regular presenters and two years ago he and Cooper began the Paths To Power podcast.

Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates at Virgin Media in 2017. They hosted the 'Paths To Power' podcast together until recently. File photo: Fran Veale

Meanwhile, he was frequently called on as a pundit for elections. Unlike many of his fellow pundits, he was always on hand to offer a prediction, a hazardous business, particularly these days in a fractured political environment.

It was on another podcast, with Newstalk political correspondent Sean Dafoe, that he generated huge controversy after Gavin departed the election contest. Yates said if he was asked his opinion by Fine Gael how to campaign he suggested they should smear the bejaysus out of Catherine Connolly.

The comment was seized on by Connollys campaign and severely discommoded his old Fine Gael colleagues. During the controversy, current minister for health Jennifer Carroll McNeill offered a scathing assessment of Yates punditry.

I dont really listen to Ivan Yates, she said.

Ever since, I think, he predicted that I wouldnt get elected in 2020  did I stop listening to him then?

Or did I stop listening to him when he predicted that Sinn Fein were going to take 70 sets in the last election? Or is it his gloriously inconsistent, patchy political analysis? I cant remember when I stopped listening to him.

Last Saturday, the Irish Independent revealed his involvement in the Gavin campaign. Cooper, understandably upset and angry that he had been kept in the dark by his co-host, immediately moved to sever Yates's involvement with the podcast. Surprisingly, Yates has been largely silent all week.

He is unlikely to be back on the airwaves, certainly in the short term. While he has always disassociated himself from the journalism trade, listeners and viewers are unlikely to take much notice of that nuance.

What the whole affair has arguably done is dealt a blow to the credibility of the media. In recent years, as the old economic model for newspapers in particular, has increased employment insecurity, a growing number of journalists have quit to join political parties in one role or another.

This has given rise to cynicism about how independent the media might be if its practitioners can seamlessly transfer from gamekeeper to poacher.

RTE presenter Miriam O'Callaghan talking a selfie with Ivan Yates in Dublin Castle. Yates, despite engaging for over 15 years in journalism in its broadest form, has always claimed he is not a member of the press. File photo: Eamonn Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

For the greater part, however, once gone over to the dark side, journalists are highly unlikely to return to the fourth estate. Yates, by contrast, made a career of straddling between the two, interrogating politicians on air, while training them on how to conduct themselves while being interviewed.

Its highly unlikely Ivan will lose any sleep over the impact the whole affair might have on trust in the media. He has previously shown a capacity to pick himself up, brush himself down and carry on.

At 66, he shows no interest in slowing up. If he does pine for an audience outside conference halls again, it will be interesting to observe where he may show up and how he will be received.

These days, there is certainly a cohort out there who will tune in for opinions and dismiss this weeks furore as an example of that much used and abused term, wokeness.

You Tube, for instance, is top heavy with former mainstream presenters who carve out a corner of cyberspace where issues like balance and conflict of interest are given short shrift. Dont be too surprised if he turns up on that platform in some guise.
Mahatma Gandhi once said: Be the change you wish to see in the world.

There's a collective yearning for change in the air - of old, rigid structures crumbling and a rejection of societal norms that no longer serve a purpose.

A part of that change happened last Tuesday when a 34-year-old Muslim immigrant, a democratic socialist called Zohran Mamdani  who was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to Manhattan with his family when he seven years old  was elected mayor of the biggest city in the US by population.

To put it in perspective, imagine a young Muslim immigrant from Karachi becomes taoiseach following the 2044 general election. He came to Ireland in 2023 when he was 18. He put himself through college studying law at UCC while working two part-time jobs seven days a week. Its called the future.

Ive been following Mamdanis campaign, which promised greater rent control, free day care, and city-run neighbourhood grocery stores.

Mamdani, who has lived most of his life in subsidised housing, made a promise to 8.5m New Yorkers in his victory speech, which echoed that Gandhi quote: I will wake up each morning with a singular purpose: To make this city better for you than it was the day before.

What I like about him is that he is an outlier  an establishment outsider  and thats precisely what got him elected. He told his supporters he wanted to create an inclusive and progressive future and a world marked by equality, sustainability, justice, and love.

Theyre not words youd associate with an election campaign; more like a throwback to 1967s Summer of Love hippy revolution  a shift in consciousness when American teenagers tried to recreate the lost golden age of bliss.

Last June, Mamdani was accused of running a campaign full of crowds, slogans, and big promises. This week he proved his opponents wrong and won.

What makes him different? Well, in April 2021, he joined a sleep-out to push for higher taxes on the wealthy. Later that year, he joined a 15-day hunger strike to support debt-ridden taxi drivers struggling to make payments on the prohibitively expensive medallions they need to legally pick up passengers. After two weeks without food, he left the protest in a wheelchair.

New Yorkers elected leftist Zohran Mamdani as their next mayor this week. Picture: Angelina Katsanis / AFP

We live in a country that is struggling to break away from its tendency to breed sameness  especially in politics. Sameness is to blame for its failure to honour its promises. Politics is not evolving with the society it claims to represent. Our leaders are drowning in political fudge, champions in the game of how to evade or be vague.

Political outliers are rare. They dont do things by the book, or fit into the conventional model of what passes for a leader. The cut-throat world of politics doesnt bother them, because they refuse to let it get in their way.

They dont procrastinate. You dont realise how amazing they were until theyre gone.

John Hume was an outlier. In an interview from his home in Derry in 2006 with Marika Griehsel, he told the story of how his father once said to him: You cant eat a flag.

The moral of the story was that real politics is about living standards.

Its about social and economic development. Its not about waving flags at each other.

Another outlier was Jacinda Ardern, elected New Zealands prime minister and the worlds youngest serving leader in 2017. Her aggressive approach to covid, by way of a strict national lockdown, won her international praise. She took a pay cut to show solidarity with those affected by the virus. Instead of clinging to power for the sake of it, she knew when it was her time to go. She won hearts and minds.

So who are the outliers in Irish politics? Right now, there are none.

When was the last time an Irish politician inspired meaningful change? We now have two governing parties that look and sound the same.

It wasnt what the electorate wanted, but we werent given a choice. Without choice, politics falls flat on its face

We are grieving the state of our country and what it has been allowed to become in recent years, but that grief is falling on deaf ears.

Could you imagine a world in which everyone thought the same?

Thats what Micheal Martin and Simon Harris believe is best for this small country of ours. I dont want to live in that world.

Judging by the recent presidential election, the vast majority of those who voted dont either.

I grew up in a Fianna Fail household where Jack Lynch was revered. I voted for the party for the first time in 1981, because it was known as the party that got things done.

I might have been naive in my innocence surrounding the integrity of Charles Haugheys politics, but those days are long gone.

We badly need a political outlier to breathe hope back into a depressed nation. If Amazon delivered at the same pace as our current Government, it would have gone out of business years ago.

When you cant afford to buy a house, or healthcare, or good quality food at the supermarket, or feel safe in your neighbourhood, or find suitable childcare for your children without having to up sticks and move to a town 90km away, then it makes no sense to believe that a government has your best interests at heart.

When I think of outliers in Irish politics, Im reminded of Albert Reynolds. He was an outlier because he was also a successful businessman  Irelands first entrepreneur-turned-politician.

He treated political fudge with contempt

I can recall in 1987 when he forced the oil companies to lower the price of petrol by 10p a gallon (almost 1 in todays money). He also instructed the ESB to lower the price of electricity.

He was ruthless. In the space of 15 minutes in February 1992, he sacked half the Cabinet Haughey had left in his wake  eight Cabinet ministers and nine ministers of state  in the biggest reshuffle in history.

When chief whip Dermot Ahern demanded to know how he had arrived at that point in his career, Reynolds bellowed back: You didnt. You just backed the wrong horse.

Fergus Finlay said of Reynolds: He was the most dogged, most persistent, most straightforward and most single-minded person Ive ever met in terms of the pursuit of an objective.

I often wonder what type of president he would have made.

President-elect Catherine Connolly pays a visit to President Michael D Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain ahead of her swearing in. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins, Dublin.

He never got to find out, having been shafted by Bertie in 1997 in favour of Mary McAleese. Without Albert Reynolds, the outlier, we most likely would still be years away from a peace agreement in the North. On Tuesday, Ireland will have a new president  an outlier. In a country where successive governments have made mental health an afterthought  something to address once other priorities are met, as Catherine Connolly described it on World Mental Health Day last month  Connolly has said she will use her office to ensure its never pushed to the margins again.

She is not afraid to take risks. Its worth remembering the 2007 general election when Labour decided not to put her on the ballot for Galway West.

She wanted to run as her partys second candidate but Higgins wasnt having any of it. She left the party and embarked on a career as an Independent.

Now the country will get to see if her greatest quality really is as an outlier.

A shift in consciousness is impossible to stop. Maybe were starting to acknowledge that theres an outlier in each of us. We are bigger on the inside. We owe it to ourselves to set that free.
There have been multiple tributes to the towering legacy left behind by Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, a social justice campaigner who started things with nothing, as she put it herself, but went on to achieve so much.

She cut a swathe through the red tape of civil society to set up numerous organisations, transforming the lives of thousands. There was much opposition. Former taoiseach Charlie Haughey, for instance, once described her as the most intransigent woman he had ever met.

She wore the remark as a badge of honour and used it to sharpen her resolve to help those most in need. She had considerable success. But imagine the further impact she might have had if this woman of deep faith and even deeper determination had been allowed to advance in the hierarchy of her own Church.

In lay society, she was a leader, a founder, a chairwoman, a co-ordinator, the head of several institutions. In religious life, however, she was simply Sr Stan, although her pioneering work and her commitment to the poor was certainly on a par with her mentor, the bishop of Ossory, Peter Birch.

Imagine if the Church had appointed her a bishop.

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She would have made the kind of religious leader that might have helped return the Catholic Church to its original values; a female bishop to restore a little of the trust so deeply shattered in recent decades

Her own early work in the Church was shaped by the bishop of Ossory. In the mid-1960s, she was sent to Kilkenny to help him set up a pioneering project, Kilkenny Social Services. She believed, as he did, that the Catholic Church needed to do more to help the poor.

Except she did not have the right to say so. When she wrote a paper pointing out that the Church wasnt using its resources to help the poor, all hell broke loose, as she recalled later. People were furious, bishops were furious, I got a letter from Rome. In the end of it, I was silenced. But then I rose up again and started speaking out again.

She did that again and again, speaking out against mandatory celibacy for priests and nuns, speaking up for a yes vote in the 2015 referendum on same-sex marriage and advocating for equality for women within the Catholic Church.

If her calls for equality in the structure of the Church made little more than an uncomfortable ripple, the opposite was true in lay society. Her many successes have been outlined in detail in recent days.

It is impossible to do justice to all of that here but let us recall them in broad brush strokes. She set up Focus Point (now Focus Ireland) to help the homeless in 1985. In 1998, she founded the Sanctuary, a meditation centre in Dublin city. The Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Young Social Innovators followed in 2001. There were myriad projects and thousands of articles, lectures and books.

There is comfort in seeing that her tireless advocacy for a more just society was acknowledged in her own lifetime, but its impossible to ignore the fact that her efforts made not a jot of difference to womens restrictive roles in the Catholic Church

You have the definition of intransigence right there.

Perhaps it is naive to expect any change because we have seen, with depressing clarity, how unwilling the Church has been to pay redress, or even fully acknowledge, the unspeakable wrongs perpetrated in so many of its institutions and schools.

Sr Stan herself was not untouched by controversy.

The Ryan Report claimed she had been told of the abuse of children at St Josephs Industrial School in Kilkenny, a finding she firmly rejected. She found it deeply hurtful but she did contrast her own hurt with the greater hurt the children went through, which was terrible.

She also spoke about the unfair depiction of the Sisters of Charity during the controversy over the transfer of St Vincents hospital to the National Maternity Hospital and said, in any other context, the depiction of her order as a power-grabbing congregation would be considered elder abuse.

Speaking of context, it is always helpful to remember the beginnings of things. In this case, the radical philosophy that informed Sr Stans congregation when it was founded in 1815 by Cork woman Mary Aikenhead.

It is difficult to appreciate now, two centuries on, just how norm-shattering their work was

At the time there were about 100 women in religious orders in Ireland, all of them safely cloistered behind convent walls.

For the first time, Mary Aikenhead and her sisters ventured out into the community to help the sick and the poor. They ran schools and visited prisons to spend time, in dank cells, with those facing long sentences and, in some cases, execution.

This column has cited before the remarkable entry in the diary of Mother Catherine (Alicia Walshe) which describes how she and Mary Aikenhead made daily visits to Kilmainham Jail to visit Biddy Butterly and Biddy Ennis, two young women awaiting execution after they were convicted of murdering their mistress, Miss Thompson.

Hours before the baying crowds gathered to watch the execution in May 1821, the two women visited again to comfort and assist in preparing for death. That remarkable insight, courtesy of social historian Ciaran McCabe in an article in Archivium Hibernicum, reveals a very hands-on pastoral Church willing to care for even the most wayward of its flock.

Its easy to forget too, given the recent controversy, that Mary Aikenhead established St Vincents Hospital in Dublin in 1834 so that the poor  the chosen children of God, in her view  would receive the same medical care as the rich, but without charge.

You have to wonder if the women who worked so arduously in the service of the poor had been more prominent in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, whether we might have avoided the unconscionable hurt the institution inflicted in later years.

Its impossible to say, but I cant sign off without noting that Sr Stan died at St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown.

That brought film-maker Alan Gilsenans powerful documentary series The Hospice to mind.

Pearl Phelan/Sr Joseph Ignatius (1921-2010) who was a hospice-care pioneer.

In 2007, Gilsenan wrote this about his mothers reaction to her terminal diagnosis. Sucking deep on a Silk Cut (Extra Mild, of course), in a strangely matter-of-fact manner, my mother said, I'll have to go to Pearl.... She was newly diagnosed terminally ill and Pearl was Pearl Phelan, her girlhood friend and cousin from Tipperary. But Pearl was also Sr Ignatius of Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross.

She was also a Religious Sister of Charity and a pioneer in the development of end-of-life and palliative care in Ireland.

In 1987, her work was acknowledged with a Rehab People of the Year award which she received with fellow Religious Sister of Charity, Sister Francis Rose OFlynn. The judges described their work at Our Ladys Hospice as a modern-day miracle.

When Pearl died in 2010, her nephew John Blake Dillon recalled a woman who had four families  her physical family, her religious community, the hospice and the families of those she helped to negotiate a path through terminal illness and bereavement.

He also said that her leadership style and skill were best summed up by Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, who said: As for the best leaders  the people do not notice their existence.

That might well be true but it is beyond time that the work of these remarkable women, who moved heaven on earth to improve peoples lives, was at least acknowledged in the hierarchy of the Church they did so much to serve.
Music man

He arrived in Ireland from Slovakia at 19, having dropped out of music college because he felt constrained by the regimented classical training.

That was in 2004, and violinist Vladimir Jablokov left behind a very disappointed father, who was a music professor. My dad, Alexander, didnt talk to me for a few months when I said I wanted to quit and do something else, says Vladimir.

The budding performer had chosen to move to Dublin because a cousin of his was already living there. But his funds soon ran low  and his second months rent was due. So, he tuned up to busk on Grafton Street. Not only did his virtuoso, playful style win him legions of fans, but his vibrant fusion of classical compositions with pop and folk music also helped cover his bills.

Now his live shows sell out across Ireland, and Vladimir is about to return to the 3Arena on December 6 and 7 for the fourth year in a row with his festive concert, Vladimirs Family Christmas. But hes never forgotten his busking days and how they opened his eyes to the plight of those without a place to live.

Vladimir Jablokov busking on Grafton Street in 2025.

Ahead of those eagerly awaited December dates, Vladimir is again taking to the streets  to help the charity that works to address homelessness, Focus Ireland. When I was busking, I used to see homeless people living on the streets and I realise how fortunate I was not to end up in that position, says the dad-of-four.

I arrived here with no money and nowhere to stay, and I couldnt speak English. I have now made my home here for the past 21 years and am married to Nicola, and I am so grateful that my life turned out the way it did.

As he rehearses for the 3Arena shows, the acclaimed musician will pop up on streets around Ireland, busking in aid of Focus Ireland and to raise awareness about Irelands housing and homelessness crisis. The numbers are shocking  16,000 people, including over 5,000 children, are without a home, he says.

Vladimir Jablokov with his guests Katherine Jenkins and Sean Costello at the 2024 3Arena concert.

Every euro I earn from these busking sessions goes directly to Focus Ireland, which provides shelter, support and hope for those who need it most.

His December concerts also feature celebrated Welsh singer and BBC Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones and Irish soprano and radio presenter Claudia Boyle. Also on the bill is a full orchestra, a 100-piece choir, Ceol Aoine, Dublin, and Kerry Concert Choir.

See idonate.ie/fundraiser/VladimirJablokov

On the small screen

A fire-ravaged cinema that soared into new life as a theatre in Corks market town of Macroom. A gate lodge that opened a brand-new chapter as a library and a former railway building that was fast-tracked into the future as a digital hub. These are just three ways communities are breathing new life into Irelands derelict properties and abandoned spaces. The revamps will star among six remarkable restorations shown in a TG4 six-part series in November.

There are over 166,000 vacant buildings in Ireland today. Throughout Buildings Beo, presenter Carrie Crowley meets with the builders, architects, and communities driving restoration projects, offering us a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation process.

Two Cork buildings feature  in episode four, we watch Carrie delve into the transformation of a disused old mill building in Kinsale (The Old Mill/James ONeill Building) into a vibrant community space and library.

Carrie Crowley in Macroom with librarian Lorraine Lynch.

In another episode, the presenter visits Macroom, where the iconic Briery Gap, a beloved theatre and cultural hub left derelict since a fire in 2016, takes centre stage as the community joins forces, eager to see it restored.

Buildings Beo starts on TG4 on Wednesday, November 19, at 8.30pm

The Ikea Sandlopare collection.

An eye for the birds

Transform your home into an adventurous African savannah with Ikeas Sandlopare childrens collection.

Box, giraffe, Ikea, 6.

It features 29 products developed in collaboration with Swedish wildlife conservation centre Nordens Ark to inspire families to care for endangered animals through play.

Until November 30, for every Ikea soft toy sold (including those from the sustainable Sandlopare range), 1 will be donated to BirdWatch Ireland to support its work conserving populations of Irelands wild birds, many of which undertake migratory journeys to distant lands, including the African savannah. This partnership is a powerful reminder that our actions here in Ireland have global implications, especially for our migratory birds, says Andrew Kelly, CEO, BirdWatch Ireland.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said his country has received an exemption from US sanctions on Russian energy after a meeting in the White House with US President Donald Trump.

It is an allowance that will keep Russian oil and gas flowing to Hungary in a sign of the close affinity between the two leaders.

Mr Orban, a longtime Trump ally, had come to Washington seeking to convince the president to allow Hungary to continue importing Russian oil and gas without being subject to sanctions Mr Trumps administration has placed on Russian fossil fuels.

A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Hungary will get an exemption for a year.

Hungary has also been under heavy pressure to end its reliance on Russian energy from the European Union, most of which has heavily cut or ceased its imports of Russian oil and gas.

The nationalist Hungarian leader has called access to Russian energy a vital issue for his landlocked country, and said he planned to discuss with Mr Trump the consequences for the Hungarian people if the sanctions took effect.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a meeting with Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Cabinet Room of the White House (Evan Vucci/AP)

During a press briefing with Hungarian media following his talks with Mr Trump, Mr Orban said Hungary had been granted a complete exemption from sanctions affecting Russian gas delivered to Hungary from the TurkStream pipeline, and oil from the Druzhba pipeline.

We asked the president to lift the sanctions, Mr Orban said. We agreed and the president decided, and he said that the sanctions will not be applied to these two pipelines.

Hungary agreed to buy US liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of the discussions, the US State Department said in a fact sheet, noting contracts were expected to be worth about 600 million dollars (455 million).

The two nations also agreed to work together on nuclear energy, including small modular reactors.

Hungary will also purchase nuclear fuel from the US-based Westinghouse Electric Company, Mr Orban said. That fuel will be used to power Hungarys Paks nuclear plant, which until now has relied on Russian-supplied nuclear fuel, though Hungarian officials earlier stressed that Budapest will continue its purchase of Russian nuclear fuel as well.

A large delegation of cabinet members, business leaders and numerous right-wing political influencers with close connections to Hungarys government accompanied Mr Orban to Washington. The delegation rented a 220-passenger commercial jet from Hungarian carrier Wizz Air for the journey.

Prior to Mr Orbans arrival on Thursday, a bipartisan group of US senators introduced a resolution calling on Hungary to end its dependence on Russian energy.

The resolution was co-signed by 10 senators including Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. It expresses concern that Hungary has shown no sign of reducing its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, and urges Budapest to adhere to a European Union plan to cease all Russian energy imports into the bloc by the end of 2027.

Europe has made extraordinary progress cutting its energy ties with Moscow, but Hungarys actions continue to undermine collective security and embolden the Kremlin, Ms Shaheen wrote in a statement.

The resolution, she continued, sends a clear message that when it comes to buying Russian energy, all allies should be held to the same standard, and that includes Hungary.

After arriving in Washington, Mr Orban and some of his top officials met Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who in September was sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup after an election loss.

Mr Orban posted on social media: We stand firmly with the Bolsonaros in these challenging times  friends and allies who never give up. Keep fighting: political witch-hunts have no place in democracy, truth and justice must prevail!
Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul have ended without agreement, with each side blaming the other for the breakdown in negotiations aimed at easing border tensions and upholding a fragile ceasefire, officials said on Saturday.

Tensions have escalated in recent weeks following deadly border fighting that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians.

The violence erupted after explosions in Kabul on October 9, which Afghanistans Taliban government said were drone strikes conducted by Pakistan and vowed to avenge.

The clashes subsided after Qatar brokered a ceasefire on October 19, which remains tenuously in place.

There is no plan or hope for any fourth round of talks. Talks have entered an indefinite pause

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban government, blamed Pakistan for the talks failure, writing on X that the irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude of the Pakistani delegation resulted in no outcome, despite the Islamic Emirates good intentions and the efforts of the mediators.

Speaking during a press conference from the southern Afghan city of Kandahar on Saturday, Mr Mujahid said Afghanistan (does) not want insecurity in the region, and entering into war is not our first choice, but he noted that if war breaks out, we have the right to defend ourselves.

Earlier, he reiterated that Afghanistan will not allow anyone to use its territory against another country, nor permit actions that undermine its sovereignty or security.

The two-day talks in Istanbul, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, were the third round of peace negotiations that were viewed as one of the most significant diplomatic efforts between the two neighbours since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Despite intense back-channel diplomacy, officials said discussions stalled late on Friday without tangible progress.

Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif told the private Geo News channel late on Friday that the talks are over and that the Pakistani delegation was returning home with no plan for any future meetings.

He added that the ceasefire would remain in place as long as it is not violated from the Afghan side.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistans Taliban rulers of harbouring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a surge in attacks inside Pakistan since 2021.

Kabul denies the charge, saying it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries.

The collapse of talks came the night after Afghan officials reported that four civilians were killed and five others wounded in cross-border clashes despite the ongoing negotiations.

Mr Asif said the Afghan delegation came without any programme and refused to sign a written agreement, insisting only on verbal assurances.

They said they would respect a verbal agreement, but there is no room for that, he said. There is no plan or hope for any fourth round of talks. Talks have entered an indefinite pause.

Afghan refugees gather beside trucks loaded with their belongings on the outskirts of Chaman, a border town on the Pakistan Afghan border (H Achakzai/AP)

Earlier this month, Pakistans military said it carried out airstrikes on the hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban inside Afghanistan, killing dozens of people it described as insurgents.

Afghan officials denied the claim, saying civilians were among the dead, and said Afghan forces had struck Pakistani military posts in retaliation, killing 58 soldiers. Pakistans military acknowledged losing 23 troops in the fighting.

The violence prompted Qatar to invite delegations from both sides to Doha, where they agreed to a ceasefire on October 19. It was followed by six days of talks in Istanbul, which resulted in an agreement to extend the truce and hold a third round on November 6 and 7  talks that ultimately failed to produce any breakthrough.

Since then, Pakistan has kept all its border crossings with Afghanistan closed, though it partially reopened the main Torkham crossing last week to allow stranded Afghan refugees to return home.

The closure, imposed on October 12, has disrupted vital trade and transit routes and stranded thousands of people. Hundreds of trucks loaded with goods remain backed up on both sides of the frontier, cutting off one of the busiest economic arteries linking South and Central Asia.

Alongside the border restrictions, Pakistan is pursuing a nationwide campaign to deport undocumented foreigners, the majority of them Afghans. Since 2023, authorities say more than a million Afghan nationals have been sent back as part of the repatriation drive.

Pakistan has also witnessed a surge in militant attacks, many claimed by the TTP, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US and the United Nations.

Although separate from Afghanistans ruling Taliban, the TTP is closely allied with it and has been emboldened since the Talibans 2021 takeover of Kabul.
Nearly all of the workers allege Amazon failed to grant medical accommodations necessary to their health and safety. The complaint said that Amazons requirement that employees use its A to Z app when requesting accommodations created technical issues and resulted in significant delays.

The employees participating in the latest suit  which would be ruled on as a class action by Judge John Chun in the Western District of Washington, should it go forward  range from warehouse workers to software engineers.

Amazon is one of the largest US employers, with more than 1.5 million employees. Last week it announced thousands of layoffs as it aggressively invests in AI .

The legal action is one of the latest in a series of employee discrimination lawsuits against Amazon. In late October, New Jerseys attorney general filed a complaint accusing the company of discriminating against disabled and pregnant warehouse workers. In 2022, the New York State Division of Human Rights filed a similar lawsuit , alleging that Amazons policies force disabled and pregnant warehouse workers to take unpaid leave rather than accommodate them.

The plaintiffs are represented by New York-based law firm Harman Green PC, which represents about two dozen disabled Amazon employees overall.

Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser told Yahoo Finance in an email: "Most of the allegations in this case are simply untrue and intentionally misleading, and we plan to demonstrate that through the legal process."

Nine Amazon employees across multiple divisions and states filed a complaint proposing a class action in a federal district court in Seattle on Oct. 20. Their suit claims Amazon unlawfully denies nearly all medical requests to work remotely as the tech giant pursues its controversial return to office policy  and allegedly uses AI to handle accommodations requests. The suit said the company terminates employees or forces them to take unpaid leave rather than granting their requests for medical accommodations.

A group of Amazon ( AMZN ) employees has filed a lawsuit against the tech giant, claiming the company systematically discriminated against disabled workers in part due to its alleged use of artificial intelligence.

Story Continues

Ashley Cook, an Amazon cloud engineer and a military veteran from Texas with uterine fibroids, alleges in the complaint that Amazon unlawfully placed her on unpaid leave against her will after ignoring her requests in its A to Z app to work remotely as a means of managing her condition.

Another plaintiff, Amy Rooker, an investment manager for Amazon's cloud division, claims she suffered serious injuries from a car accident, which caused chronic pain that limited her ability to commute to work safely. Rookers remote work accommodation request was denied, the company refused her request to appeal the denial, and she was terminated from her position, according to the complaint.

Meanwhile, warehouse worker David Ottenweller alleges he was terminated after he was hospitalized as a result of his mental health disability. Another warehouse worker, Michelle Grissom, said she was put on unpaid leave and ultimately terminated after requesting an accommodation for her seizure symptoms.

The lawsuit alleges that the problems faced by plaintiffs are likely more widespread, potentially representative of tens of thousands of current and former employees of Amazon.

According to an internal document provided to Yahoo Finance by a group of Amazon workers called Disabled Employees United, which was verified by Amazon, the company receives a slew of accommodation requests  roughly 725 daily, as of 2024. On an annual basis, the lawsuit estimates Amazons accommodation requests could tally as high as 255,000 per year. Amazon declined to disclose how many requests it receives or how many are granted.

Amazon headquarters in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)  Stephen Brashear via Getty Images

More discrimination lawsuits from disabled employees could be coming: Jasno Dolmer, a spokesperson for Disabled Employees United  which includes 662 Amazon disabled corporate employees who are working to form a union  said nearly all of the groups members are lawyering up to fight the companys handling of accommodation requests. So far, at least 140 members of Disabled Employees United have been granted the right to sue the company by the US Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) Commission  a key procedural step that allows them to take their case to court  according to a poll conducted by the group. The EEOC did not respond to a request to confirm that figure.

Amazon told Yahoo Finance it is testing the use of AI for administrative tasks related to accommodations requests but not for making decisions on cases. The tech giant has increasingly looked to use AI internally as it invests hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure to power its AI products. CEO Andy Jassy said in June that the company would reduce its workforce as it implements AI, and the company recently announced it would cut 14,000 jobs.

Using automation to handle accommodation requests for disabled workers is controversial. Former EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows told Yahoo Finance, More and more employees are in a situation where they are looking to vindicate their rights under the law and cannot get relief because they're in an automated process that doesn't allow them to appeal to a person.

When you have a disability claim  you have a right to an interactive process,  They [employers] have to engage. In other words, the Americans With Disabilities Act requires employers to engage in good-faith, back-and-forth discussions  an interactive process  with an employee who has requested a reasonable accommodation for a disability.

The October lawsuit claims Amazon prevents employees from notifying others about their rights under the law, saying that Amazon deleted Slack messages from one of its plaintiffs who shared resources for disabled employees if they felt their rights had been violated. Amazon has multiple Slack channels for employees with disabilities that include thousands of members, according to a review of Slack channels seen by Yahoo Finance.

Dolmer said the issue is having a "chilling effect" and that some members of his group have received warnings of disciplinary action for posting such messages in Slack.

Amazon said the messages violate its solicitation policy.

Glasser, Amazon's spokesperson, told Yahoo Finance: "We're committed to supporting our employees by providing accommodations that meet their individual needs and the needs of the business."

This post was updated to include that Disabled Employees United provided Yahoo Finance with an internal Amazon document showing accommodation request figures.

Laura Bratton is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Bluesky @laurabratton.bsky.social. Email her at laura.bratton@yahooinc.com.

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Donald Trumps press secretary has described the BBC as 100% fake news and a propaganda machine in an outspoken interview that comes after allegations of bias at the British broadcaster.

Karoline Leavitt, a senior White House official in the Trump administration, said watching BBC bulletins while on trips to the UK ruins her day, saying taxpayers were being forced to foot the bill for a leftist propaganda machine.

Ms Leavitts comments came after British MPs said the corporation had serious questions to answer about the way a speech by the US president was edited by a BBC Panorama documentary.

A document leaked to The Telegraph suggested that an episode of the current affairs programme completely misled viewers by splicing two parts of the speech together.

The programme showed Mr Trump saying he would walk with his supporters to the Capitol before the riots on 6 January 2021, urging them to fight like hell. However, it omitted a section of the speech where Mr Trump urged the crowd to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Ms Leavitt said: This purposefully dishonest, selectively edited clip by the BBC is further evidence that they are total, 100% fake news that should no longer be worth the time on the television screens of the great people of the United Kingdom.

Every time I travel to the United Kingdom with President Trump and am forced to watch the BBC in our hotel rooms, it ruins my day listening to their blatant propaganda and lies about the president of the United States and all that hes doing to make America better and the world a safer place.

The newspaper said its reporting was based on a memo written by Michael Prescott, a former adviser to the BBCs editorial guidelines and standards committee. Mr Prescott left his role earlier this year and has not commented on the document, understood to have been leaked by a whistleblower.

It published an extract that read: It was completely misleading to edit the clip in the way Panorama aired it. The fact that he did not explicitly exhort supporters to go down and fight at Capitol Hill was one of the reasons there were no federal charges for incitement to riot.

The memo reportedly added that Mr Prescott, a communications consultant and former political journalist, had raised concerns about the way BBC Arabic covered the war in Gaza.

The Telegraph said Mr Prescott alleged there were systemic problems, which had not been addressed by senior management, claiming there were stark differences between the coverage of the war on BBC Arabic and on the main BBC website. One issue Mr Prescott is said to have highlighted is the repeated use of commentators who were antisemitic or pro-Hamas.

The 19-page dossier is also reported to have criticised the BBCs coverage of transgender issues, saying the broadcaster had been captured by a small group of [staff] promoting the Stonewall view of gender identity issues and that its LGBT desk would decline to cover any stories raising difficult questions.

It is said to have alleged that stories raising complex questions about trans issues were suppressed, with a constant drip-feed of one-sided stories celebrating the trans experience without adequate balance or objectivity.

In response, the BBC said: While we dont comment on leaked documents, when the BBC receives feedback it takes it seriously and considers it carefully.

Michael Prescott is a former adviser to a board committee where differing views and opinions of our coverage are routinely discussed and debated.

The Guardian
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The Daily Sabah, which is close to the government of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, reports that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office has issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials on charges of genocide.

The move comes amid jockeying between Turkiye and Israel over the Turkish proposal to send Turkish peacekeepers to Gaza. The Israeli government rejects a Turkish force in Gaza, seeing the Erdogan government as inimical to Israel. Erdogan sometimes may have Trumps ear on the matter, however.

The office pointed to the killing and wounding of thousands of people and the deprivation of the populace of shelter and building infrastructure. The prosecutors office also instanced Israeli destruction of hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

The indictment document concluded that the State of Israel has been systematically committing genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Or by check:

Juan Cole

P. O. Box 4218,

Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548

USA

(Remember, make the checks out to Juan Cole or they cant be cashed)

The Israeli government spokesman dismissed the indictment as a PR stunt.

The principle of universal jurisdiction over war crimes has, however, been widely claimed by judges. In 1998, Spanish magistrate Baltasar Garzon indicted former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet for the human rights violations he committed in Chile. London authorities arrested him 6 days later when he traveled to that country. He was allowed to return to Chile for health reasons, but was tried there, dying before a verdict could be pronounced. There is no reason Turkiyes magistrates cannot exercise universal jurisdiction, just as Garzon and his British colleagues did.

Reuters reports at the same time that Biden administration officials became aware in 2024 of Israeli government lawyers fears that Israeli forces were committing war crimes in Gaza. Despite blithe denials, then, even the more clear-eyed figures in the Israeli government bureaucracy could see clearly the crimes the Israeli military was committing.

The complaint in Turkiye was brought by the Istanbul Bar Association. It named Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, along with military figures such as Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir and Navy Commander David Saar Salama. Salama was indicted because the complaint includes Israels illegal interception in international waters of the 50-ship Sumud Aid Flotilla on October 2, contravening United Nations Convention on Maritime Law as well as Turkish law. Salama was charged with kidnapping the Flotilla volunteers and with torturing them.



Photo by Salah Darwish on Unsplash

Istanbul Bar Association Chair Yasin Saml, who brought the complaint, pointed to the hundreds of rounds fired at 5-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza, who had called for help. Israeli forces fired on the ambulance coming to her aid and then riddled the car she was in with bullets. The Daily Sabah quoted Saml: This act shows the world that Israel is committing an open genocide. Israel kills children out of fear. There is no innocent person that Israel would refrain from attacking. Israel is a threat to all humanity.

Never miss an issue of Informed Comment: Click here to subscribe to our email newsletter! Social media will pretend to let you subscribe but then use algorithms to suppress the postings and show you their ads instead. And please, if you see an essay you like, paste it into an email and share with friends.

The Bar Association Chair also pointed to what he called an Israeli infrastructure of terror, involving repeated airstrikes on Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, Tunisia, Qatar, Iraq, Malta, Egypt and Iran.

Articles 76 and 77 of the Turkish penal code specify genocide as a crime:
By Anne Irfan, UCL

(The Conversation)  The great Palestinian revolt, which began in 1936 and lasted three years, was a pivotal event in the modern history of both the Middle East and the British empire.

Often considered the biggest popular uprising in Palestinian history, it had far-reaching ramifications for Palestinian nationalism, Zionism and British colonialism. Despite this significance, it is typically absent from official accounts of British history. Few Britons today are aware of it.

In her latest film, Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir powerfully shows why this episode in history is so significant. The depiction of the revolt in Palestine 36 helps illuminate events in modern-day Palestine, including Israels recent assault on Gaza, which a UN human rights council commission of inquiry said amounts to genocide.

By 1936, the British had occupied Palestine for 18 years. The British army had first entered the country in 1917, the same year the British government declared its support for the Zionist movements campaign for a Jewish state in Palestine in the Balfour Declaration.

Five years later, Britain was granted a mandate to govern Palestine by the League of Nations, precursor to the UN. The text of the mandate incorporated the Balfour declaration, making the creation of a Jewish state part of its objectives. For this purpose, the British regime empowered a Zionist organisation subsequently known as the Jewish Agency and supported large-scale Jewish immigration to Palestine.

Unsurprisingly, these policies caused rising tensions with the Palestinians, whose own nationalist movement had been growing during the later years of the Ottoman empire that had previously ruled the country. By the 1930s, Palestinians were increasingly concerned about Zionist state-building and settlements in the country.

In 1936, the newly formed Arab Higher Committee called for a general strike. It was widely observed across the country and brought much of the economy to a standstill. Palestine 36 depicts the impact of the strike and the subsequent armed uprising in rural villages, alongside political debates among Palestinian elites in Jerusalem. We also see the brutal British repression of the uprising, as the mandate regime imports ruthless counterinsurgency tactics from elsewhere in the empire, including India and Ireland.

The film, which was selected as Palestines entry for the Academy Awards, intersperses archival footage with dramatised scenes by an ensemble cast. Real historical figures like Charles Tegart (Liam Cunningham) and Orde Wingate (Robert Aramayo) are depicted alongside fictionalised characters.

Yusuf (Karim Daoud Anaya) is a villager who begins working in Jerusalem and becomes politicised as he witnesses colonial machinations close up. Kholoud (Yasmine Al Massri) is a journalist and nationalist who writes under the pen name Ahmed Canaani. Kholouds husband Amir (Dhafer LAbidine) colludes with the Jewish Agency (called the Zionist Commission) in the film while professing outward support for the Palestinian national cause.

One of the films most instructive elements is its clear depiction of the British mandates operations. The regime laid many of the foundations for the Israeli state, but has often avoided culpability in contemporary conversations.

In Palestine 36, we see the regimes brutality alongside its contradictions and double standards. British officers violate Palestinian property while serving an empire that otherwise venerates ideals of private ownership. The mandate regime condemns Palestinian militancy while drawing its own power from deploying violence with impunity.

Early on, a British official implores Palestinian villagers to acquiesce to a new land registration system or risk losing everything. Nearly a century on  as Palestinians face similar pressures to comply with foreign demands  the viewer knows that acquiescence will provide no real protection.

It is one of many long-term continuities shown in the film, and Jacir largely avoids heavy handedness in how she depicts them. Wingates typically colonial tactics, including the designation of Palestinian villages as good or bad, the endorsement of collective punishment and disproportionate retaliation, and the control of movement via transit permits, checkpoints and curfews, are all practices that the Israeli state continues to deploy today.

Scenes showing Palestinians being incarcerated behind barbed wire and denied water will inevitably remind viewers of contemporary testimonies from Gaza and the Sde Teiman detention camp.

At the same time, many of the Palestinian slogans and symbols from 1936 remain resonant. The film depicts protesters chanting Palestine is not for sale outside the office of High Commissioner Wauchope (Jeremy Irons). And later on, Kholoud discusses the British ban on the keffiyeh (the traditional headdress made from a chequered scarf, which has become a symbol of Palestinian resistence). This was a move replicated by institutions in the US, Germany and Australia in the 2020s.



Abd al-Rahim al-Hajj Muhammad (on horseback beneath the x mark) and his rebel volunteers during the 1936-39 Arab revolt in Palestine. Abd al-Rahman al-Hattab is riding on the brown horse to the far right while to his right is Maarouf Saad, a volunteer and future parliamentarian of Lebanon. He is positioned beneath the 1 mark. The rebels are outside of Kafr Sur village near Jenin. H/t Wikimedia Commons

At the same time, the portrayal of Palestine before the establishment of Israel is an important rejoinder to ongoing denials of Palestinian national history. Jacirs film shows a Palestine characterised by widespread agricultural village life before what is known as the Nakba forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into overcrowded and urbanised refugee camps.

Palestine 36 doesnt shy away from the internal divisions of Palestinian society. The Jerusalem elites condescend to the fellahin (farmers), represented by Yusuf. Amir happily collaborates with the Zionist leadership in the hope of becoming mayor.

The film closes with continuing Palestinian insurrection, juxtaposed with intensifying British brutality. The informed viewer will know that by the end of the revolt, mandate repression had executed, wounded, imprisoned or expelled one in ten Palestinian men.

The fallout would have fatal repercussions for the Palestinians a decade later. As such, it is incomplete to survey Palestinian history since 1948 without taking account of the pivotal events of 1936. Its a far too common oversight that Jacirs film goes a long way to correcting.

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Anne Irfan, Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Race, Gender and Postcolonial Studies, UCL

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
( Middle East Monitor )  In the face of the international legal and political systems paralysing silence and utter failure to hold Israel accountable for its genocide in Gaza, international civil society has refused to stand idly by. Instead, it continues to forge a path, presenting essential working models for what true justice in Palestine must look like.

The latest, and arguably most critical, expression of this global conscience is the Gaza Tribunal. Its final session concluded in Istanbul on Sunday, 26 October.

The Tribunal, launched in London in November 2024 and consciously modeled on the historic Russell Tribunal, has a mission to activate global civil society and provide a comprehensive peoples record by rigorously documenting Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.

Its activities involved earlier hearings in Sarajevo and consolidating findings across three thematic chambers: International Law; International Relations and World Order; and History, Ethics, and Philosophy. The Istanbul session culminated with a Jury of Conscience issuing a powerful moral judgment that accused Israel of systematic exterminatory violence.

These civil society-led tribunals are held specifically to fill the ethical and legal void created by the international systems failure to confront war crimes carried out by powerful states that are, by all appearances, practically immune from accountability.

In the case of Palestine, such initiatives are particularly critical. They contribute to a well-recorded indictment of Israeli war crimes, and of those who enable them through direct funding, the provision of weapons, or the blocking of any punitive actions at international institutions.

Though mechanisms exist through the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court (ICC), the US government and other allies of Israel have consistently succeeded in blocking or at best obstructing the legal paths that could have stopped the war of extermination against Palestinians.

The Gaza Tribunal thus becomes a necessary platform for casting educated, evidence-based judgment  the very judgment that should have been adopted by the ICJ and enforced by the UNSC. Those behind these initiatives are well-experienced international law experts, academics, and well-regarded justice activists. They include renowned figures such as Dr Richard Falk, former UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine, and professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University, who served as the Tribunals president.

In their Final Findings and Moral Judgment statement, the panel of judges condemned the Israeli genocide, referencing its holistic nature, its dehumanization of the people, and its sadistic character.

Among other investigated crimes, the judges indicted and condemned Israel for the crimes of starvation and famine, domicide (the deliberate destruction of homes and shelter), ecocide (the systematic destruction of the environment and ecosystems), reprocide (the destruction of conditions for procreation and reproduction), and scholasticide (the systematic destruction of educational facilities, personnel, and the collective memory of a people).

The judges also condemned the killing of journalists, the very individuals attempting to document and expose the genocide, along with their families. Silencing these journalists is instrumental to the concealment of the genocide and more journalists have been killed than in any other conflict, the final statement starkly read.

The statement further condemned the prevalent use by Israel of torture, sexual violence, forced disappearances, and gender-based violence in detention, among a host of other egregious crimes.

Crucially, the final verdict directly assigned responsibility to powerful actors. The Tribunal found that Western governments, particularly the United States and others, have been complicit in the Israeli genocide and, in some cases, actively colluded with it.

The scope of complicity and collusion was not limited to state actors. It extended to media and academic institutions that, the Tribunal found, actively justify the Israeli crimes, silence the Palestinian voice, and provide wholesale condemnation of all Palestinians  a position entirely consistent with Israels own narrative.

The powerful indictment of Israel is not merely symbolic. Its practical value, however, depends entirely on our collective ability to leverage its findings. We must use this evidence to advance the many legal cases lodged against Israeli leaders, military officials, and individual soldiers.



Gaza 70, Digital, Midjourney, 2025

The massive files, victim testimonies, expert analysis, and eyewitness accounts constitute a treasure trove for those committed to seeing Israeli war criminals punished for one of the worst crimes carried out against a civilian population in modern history.

It is critical to recognize that much of the ongoing legal proceedings concerning Gaza  at the ICJ, the ICC, and in various national courts  have been pioneered and sustained by civil society. These efforts are led by human rights groups, legal research organisations, and justice activists.

The Gaza Tribunal, therefore, is not an endpoint; it is a vital step on the path to justice and accountability. It has consciously built upon the work of past initiatives and now serves as a major, indispensable stepping stone for future action.

Unlike divine judgment, human justice is neither guaranteed nor inevitable; it is a fierce process. Its attainment rests entirely on the determination of those who fight for it and aspire to achieve it.

Friends of Palestine, globally, are unwavering in their resolve to shatter Israeli immunity once and for all. The Gaza Tribunal is a powerful weapon in their arsenal. Its success hinges on our unyielding faith in the process, and our ironclad determination to follow through.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.

Middle East Monitor
Qatar condemned on Friday what it called unfounded allegations by "bad actors" after The Guardian reported the country had attempted to discredit a woman who accused the ICC's chief prosecutor of sexual misconduct.

Karim Khan is currently on leave pending an investigation into the allegations.

The British lawyer gained prominence after he successfully requested an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

In an article published on Thursday, The Guardian alleged that his accuser was targeted by private intelligence agencies at the request of Qatar.

The objective of the secret operation was to collect information which could discredit her, in particular by uncovering links to Israel, the paper reported.

The Qatar media office on Friday denounced the report as "unfounded allegations".

"These claims are part of a coordinated campaign led by certain bad actors" it said in a statement, adding it was being targeted for its mediation role in the Gaza war.

It said the reports were based on "falsified information".

The ICC's oversight body announced last year that it had requested an external investigation into allegations of "alleged misconduct" by Khan, without providing further details.

According to various media reports, Khan was accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour towards a member of his office. He has denied the allegations.

Last year, Khan asked the ICC to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and three senior Hamas officials.

All three of the Hamas leaders were later killed. The warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant were granted and remain outstanding.
AMN Healthcare Services also reports its number of travelers on assignment, which reached 8,203 in the latest quarter. Over the last two years, AMN Healthcare Servicess travelers on assignment averaged 20.5% year-on-year declines. Because this number is lower than its revenue growth, we can see the company benefited from price increases.

We at StockStory place the most emphasis on long-term growth, but within healthcare, a half-decade historical view may miss recent innovations or disruptive industry trends. AMN Healthcare Servicess performance shows it grew in the past but relinquished its gains over the last two years, as its revenue fell by 18.6% annually.

Examining a companys long-term performance can provide clues about its quality. Even a bad business can shine for one or two quarters, but a top-tier one grows for years. Regrettably, AMN Healthcare Servicess sales grew at a tepid 2.9% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years. This was below our standards and is a tough starting point for our analysis.

With a network of thousands of healthcare professionals ranging from nurses to physicians to executives, AMN Healthcare (NYSE:AMN) provides healthcare workforce solutions including temporary staffing, permanent placement, and technology platforms for hospitals and healthcare facilities across the United States.

The AMN team responded impressively to the second quarter's marketplace uncertainty, delivering third quarter revenue and earnings ahead of our guidance, said Cary Grace, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMN Healthcare.

Is now the time to buy AMN Healthcare Services? Find out in our full research report .

Healthcare staffing company AMN Healthcare Services (NYSE:AMN) reported revenue ahead of Wall Streets expectations in Q3 CY2025, but sales fell by 7.7% year on year to $634.5 million. On top of that, next quarters revenue guidance ($722.5 million at the midpoint) was surprisingly good and 16.4% above what analysts were expecting. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.39 per share was 95.2% above analysts consensus estimates.

Story Continues

AMN Healthcare Services Travelers on Assignment

This quarter, AMN Healthcare Servicess revenue fell by 7.7% year on year to $634.5 million but beat Wall Streets estimates by 2.7%. Company management is currently guiding for a 1.7% year-on-year decline in sales next quarter.

Looking further ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to decline by 7.3% over the next 12 months. Although this projection is better than its two-year trend, its hard to get excited about a company that is struggling with demand.

While Wall Street chases Nvidia at all-time highs, an under-the-radar semiconductor supplier is dominating a critical AI component these giants cant build without. Click here to access our free report one of our favorites growth stories.

Operating Margin

AMN Healthcare Services was profitable over the last five years but held back by its large cost base. Its average operating margin of 7.1% was weak for a healthcare business.

Looking at the trend in its profitability, AMN Healthcare Servicess operating margin decreased by 20.2 percentage points over the last five years. The companys two-year trajectory also shows it failed to get its profitability back to the peak as its margin fell by 20.1 percentage points. This performance was poor no matter how you look at it - it shows its expenses were rising and it couldnt pass those costs onto its customers.

AMN Healthcare Services Trailing 12-Month Operating Margin (GAAP)

This quarter, AMN Healthcare Services generated an operating margin profit margin of 7.5%, up 4.3 percentage points year on year. This increase was a welcome development, especially since its revenue fell, showing it was more efficient because it scaled down its expenses.

Earnings Per Share

We track the long-term change in earnings per share (EPS) for the same reason as long-term revenue growth. Compared to revenue, however, EPS highlights whether a companys growth is profitable.

Sadly for AMN Healthcare Services, its EPS declined by 10.5% annually over the last five years while its revenue grew by 2.9%. This tells us the company became less profitable on a per-share basis as it expanded due to non-fundamental factors such as interest expenses and taxes.

AMN Healthcare Services Trailing 12-Month EPS (Non-GAAP)

Diving into the nuances of AMN Healthcare Servicess earnings can give us a better understanding of its performance. As we mentioned earlier, AMN Healthcare Servicess operating margin expanded this quarter but declined by 20.2 percentage points over the last five years. This was the most relevant factor (aside from the revenue impact) behind its lower earnings; interest expenses and taxes can also affect EPS but dont tell us as much about a companys fundamentals.

In Q3, AMN Healthcare Services reported adjusted EPS of $0.39, down from $0.61 in the same quarter last year. Despite falling year on year, this print easily cleared analysts estimates. Over the next 12 months, Wall Street expects AMN Healthcare Servicess full-year EPS of $1.89 to shrink by 49.7%.

Key Takeaways from AMN Healthcare Servicess Q3 Results

It was good to see AMN Healthcare Services beat analysts EPS expectations this quarter. We were also glad its revenue guidance for next quarter trumped Wall Streets estimates. Zooming out, we think this was a solid print. The stock traded up 5.3% to $19.40 immediately after reporting.

Sure, AMN Healthcare Services had a solid quarter, but if we look at the bigger picture, is this stock a buy? What happened in the latest quarter matters, but not as much as longer-term business quality and valuation, when deciding whether to invest in this stock. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, its free for active Edge members.
The market can be a fickle beast. One moment, it is cheering; the next, it is sulking. On Oct. 29, when Microsoft (MSFT) dropped its latest earnings, the crowd gasped as shares slipped about 2.9% the following day. Funny thing is that the company beat expectations.

Investors were simply spooked by Microsofts growing appetite for capital expenditures, which shot up 74% year-over-year (YOY) in the most recent quarter. Half of that spending went straight into GPUs and CPUs, fuel for Azures unrelenting hunger. CFO Amy Hood added that capital expenditure growth will accelerate even further this fiscal year.

More News from Barchart

But the smarter money, people like Morgan Stanleys analyst Keith Weiss, saw the drop not as a red flag but as an open door. He called Microsoft a Buy on any pullback, highlighting its resilient margins and unstoppable artificial intelligence (AI) growth. CEO Satya Nadella echoed that tone.

Morgan Stanley went a step further, saying the companys durability of top-line demand and the potential for further margin expansion remain underappreciated.

So, as Microsoft continues to plant its flag across the AI frontier and analysts call every dip a buying opportunity, one cannot help but wonder if the markets little tantrum was merely the calm before another climb.

About Microsoft Stock

From its Redmond, Washington-based headquarters, the nearly $3.8 trillion titan powers the backbone of modern life. Microsofts Windows keeps the global workforce ticking, Microsoft 365 fuels productivity, Azure drives the cloud, and Xbox keeps billions entertained after hours.

LinkedIn connects professionals, while GitHub gives developers a playground to innovate. However, despite the growing empire, MSFTs shares have seen their fair share of mood swings, but long-term, it keeps smiling. Over the past 52 weeks, MSFT shares climbed 19%.

www.barchart.com

MSFT currently trades at 32.58 times forward adjusted earnings and 13.57 times sales, placing it comfortably above most of its industry peers. The premium signals the markets confidence in the companys prospects.

Microsoft Surpasses Q1 Earnings

On Oct. 29, Microsoft unveiled its financial results for its first quarter of fiscal 2026, which surpassed estimates on the top and bottom line. Revenue surged 18.4% YOY to $77.7 billion, soaring past the $75.3 billion Street consensus. Every business segment pulled its weight and then some.






Friday, November 7, 2025 - The family of Caroline Mokeira, who has been missing since October 17th, continues to live in agony as days turn into weeks with no sign of their beloved daughter.

Her mother, overwhelmed by pain and uncertainty, made an emotional plea: I just need to see my daughter. Ata heri akae nyumbani bila kuenda kazini, nikue namuona (Id rather she stays home jobless, as long as I can see her).

Carolines disappearance has taken a dark twist after her husband, Tobis Keller, was arrested on Monday, November 3rd, alongside a woman identified as Gloria, who is now being treated as a possible suspect in the case.

Days Before The Disappearance

On October 15th, just two days before she went missing, Caroline and her husband were reportedly attacked by thieves. Both were beaten and robbed, but witnesses say Caroline bore the brunt of the assault.

Their phones and money were stolen, and later it was alleged that Tobis managed to renew his SIM card and successfully initiate an M-Pesa reversal, while Carolines attempt was unsuccessful.

The Night She Vanished

On the evening of October 17th, Tobis allegedly told their house help that he was going out with his wife and that they would return late. He came back alone around 8:00 p.m., instructing the house help not to lock the door, saying theyd return in the wee hours.





The next morning, the house help saw Tobis leave early, but Caroline was nowhere to be seen.

Later that night, Carolines family received strange messages from her phone claiming she was at the Uganda border with her husband. Her parents immediately grew suspicious, as her tone and wording were unusual.

The Familys Search

Carolines father, Joash Momanyi, who had been planning to visit after hearing of the couples earlier attack, tried calling her repeatedly, but her phone was off. Calls to her husband also went unanswered. When they finally reached him on Saturday morning, Tobis claimed he was in church - a claim that turned out to be false after inquiries revealed he was not attending the church he mentioned.

When the family arrived in Kitale on Tuesday to question him, Tobis reportedly gave two conflicting accounts of what happened:

1) To Carolines mother, he said they had a misunderstanding, and she boarded a matatu to Nairobi.

2) To her father, he claimed she disappeared while he was receiving a call at the stage.





The family immediately filed a missing persons report with the police.

Disturbing Clues from Her Phone

Even more troubling, Carolines phone appeared to be active days after her disappearance.

A WhatsApp message sent on October 21st was marked as delivered on October 25 at 8:21 p.m., raising chilling questions about who was using her phone.

Now, as the investigation continues, Carolines loved ones are pleading for her safe return.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, November 7, 2025 - Tension appears to be simmering within former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonkos family after his eldest daughter, Saumu Mbuvi, reportedly blocked his calls and ceased communication with him.

Sonko revealed the rift during a recent interview, attributing it to comments he made about his daughters mental health during the burial of former journalist, Kimani Mbugua.

According to Sonko, his statement was misunderstood and blown out of proportion, which deeply upset Saumu.

The statement was taken out of context. Whatever I said, I meant it with good intent. Unfortunately, it was exaggerated, and my daughter eventually blocked my contact, he explained.

Despite the fallout, Sonko emphasized that he harbors no resentment toward his daughter.

As a parent, I am in no position to pick fights with my children or family. I aspire to remain a role model to them, he said.

The flamboyant politician further defended his decision to speak publicly about his daughters struggles, saying his intention was to destigmatize mental health and encourage other families to seek help.

It is true my daughter was going through a condition, and we had to have it in check, so I sought help from a mental health institution, Sonko stated.

Any time I visited her, I didnt just take shopping for her but for all other patients in the facility, he added.

Sonko insisted that his remarks came from a place of love and concern, not ridicule or publicity.

While the communication breakdown between father and daughter persists, Sonko maintained that there is no love lost.

She is a grown-up and a parent, but she remains my beloved daughter, and I respect her, he affirmed.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) stock has recently seen its consensus analyst price target edge down slightly, from IDR 5,067.10 to IDR 5,043.43. This change reflects both renewed optimism in the banks fundamentals as well as a degree of caution amid evolving sector dynamics. Stay tuned to discover how to monitor these shifts and stay informed on future updates to the banks narrative.

Stay updated as the Fair Value for Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero).

What Wall Street Has Been Saying

 Bullish Takeaways

Goldman Sachs has upgraded Bank Negara Indonesia from Neutral to Buy and raised their price target to IDR 5,180.

The firm highlights anticipated benefits from the Indonesian government's recent liquidity injection in deposits, which is expected to bolster banking system liquidity for the bank.

 Bearish Takeaways

Some analysts remain cautious, noting broader sector risks and possible near-term uncertainties that may weigh on valuation.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative!

IDX:BBNI Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025

What's in the News

Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) has announced a Special/Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting, scheduled for December 15, 2025. Key decisions are expected at this meeting, which could influence the banks future strategic direction.

Recent government initiatives aimed at strengthening liquidity in the Indonesian banking sector are anticipated to impact the bank. These initiatives may offer opportunities for capital growth and operational stability.

Market analysts have reiterated their focus on regulatory changes affecting state-owned lenders. They emphasize the importance of upcoming policy reforms and potential shifts in the competitive landscape.

How This Changes the Fair Value For Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero)

Consensus Analyst Price Target has edged down slightly, from IDR 5,067.10 to IDR 5,043.43.

Discount Rate has fallen modestly, moving from 14.52% to 14.22%.

Revenue Growth projection has increased, rising from 18.99% to 20.13%.

Net Profit Margin has improved fractionally, from 31.36% to 31.73%.

Future P/E ratio has decreased, shifting from 10.67x to 10.17x.

 Never Miss an Update: Follow The Narrative

Narratives are a smarter, more dynamic way to invest. A Narrative gives you the story behind the numbers, linking a companys journey to future financial forecasts and fair value. Available right on Simply Wall Sts Community page, Narratives dynamically update as new news or earnings results emerge. This helps you see when a stock is under- or over-valued and plan your next move with confidence.






Friday, November 07, 2025 - The Kenyan diaspora community is mourning the sudden death of George Yonge, a 35-year-old Nairobi-born father and husband who passed away in the U.S after suffering a persistent headache for three days.

George, who had lived in America for over 15 years, collapsed at home last Thursday and slipped into a coma.

He was placed on life support but tragically died on Sunday night.

His death has left his wife, Sharon Miranda, and their baby daughter Maggie - who turns one next month - devastated.

In a deeply emotional tribute shared on Facebook, Sharon described George as her soulmate, protector, and best friend.

My heart aches in ways I never knew were possible, she wrote.

You werent just my man - you were my safe place, my everything.

She praised Georges devotion as a father, saying his bond with Maggie made her fall in love with him over and over again.

Sharon vowed to keep his memory alive for their daughter, promising that Maggie would always know how deeply her father loved her.

As the family prepares for his final sendoff, a GoFundMe page has been launched to help cover funeral costs and support Sharon and Maggie during this heartbreaking time.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Key Points

Apple has delivered superior returns over the long run, but it has faced some challenges recently.

The company is diligently working on overcoming these issues.

10 stocks we like better than Apple 

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has been one of Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) best investments. The conglomerate first bought shares of the iPhone maker in 2016, increased its stake thereafter, and made it its biggest holding by 2017. Apple's shares have produced incredible returns since, and even though the Buffett-led holding company has trimmed its stake in recent years, it remains Berkshire Hathaway's largest holding.

However, some investors have been concerned about Apple's long-term prospects following recent developments. Can the company still deliver solid returns? Let's look deeper into Apple's business and decide.

Image source: Getty Images.

Looking at Apple's challenges

Apple is one of the largest corporations in the world by market cap, but even well-established businesses face headwinds. The tech giant has encountered several challenges over the past few years. First, the buzz surrounding new iPhone releases has died down significantly since the early days of the device. The iPhone still makes up the lion's share of Apple's sales, so slowing revenue in that department substantially impacts the company.

Second, Apple is once again facing the threat of tariffs from the Donald Trump administration. The U.S. president has pursued an aggressive agenda in that department, sparking trade wars with some countries, especially China, where Apple has significant manufacturing operations. Apple could see margins and profits squeezed as a result. Third, some investors worry that the company's long-term growth opportunities no longer look attractive.

While its similarly sized tech peers are taking full advantage of the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, Apple has lagged most of them in that area. And on top of all that, the company's shares aren't particularly cheap by traditional valuation metrics compared to its similarly sized peers, despite lagging all of them in revenue growth.

These challenges make the stock fairly risky and unattractive, or at least, so the argument goes. Is Apple still a buy?

Don't count this tech giant out yet

It's worth noting that Apple continues to deliver financial results that, although not exceptional, often come in ahead of analyst estimates. In the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2025, ending Sept. 27, Apple's revenue increased by about 8% year over year to $102.5 billion. The company's earnings per share climbed 13% year over year to $1.85. Apple credited strong demand for some of its latest models, including the iPhone 17, for the results. The company set a September quarterly record for iPhone sales.
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Arbor Realty Trust recently announced third quarter 2025 earnings, detailing lower net income of US$48.81 million despite revenue rising to US$4.19 million, and affirmed a US$0.30 per share dividend payable November 26 to shareholders of record on November 14.

The company reported significant progress resolving legacy, nonperforming loans, including a US$48 million gain from a Lexford portfolio sale, while addressing increased delinquencies and temporary net interest income declines during an ongoing transition in its loan portfolio.

Well now examine how Arbor Realty Trusts accelerated efforts to resolve troubled assets shape its investment narrative moving forward.

Uncover the next big thing with financially sound penny stocks that balance risk and reward.

Arbor Realty Trust Investment Narrative Recap

To be a shareholder in Arbor Realty Trust, you need to believe the company can effectively resolve nonperforming loans and reposition its portfolio to restore earnings stability and support future dividend sustainability. The latest earnings update highlights short-term headwinds looming over net interest income and asset quality, but recent progress with distressed assets means these announcements do not materially alter the central catalyst: a return to normalized earnings, while risks tied to elevated delinquencies persist.

Among recent news, the reaffirmed US$0.30 per share dividend stands out as the most relevant development. While sustaining the dividend can reinforce shareholder confidence, it draws attention to ongoing questions about dividend coverage and the businesss ability to weather continued earnings fluctuations as the loan book transition continues.

In contrast, investors should be aware of how recent asset sales may mask the full impact of...

Read the full narrative on Arbor Realty Trust (it's free!)

Arbor Realty Trust is forecast to achieve $227.2 million in revenue and $219.3 million in earnings by 2028. This outlook is based on an expected annual revenue decline of 28.7% and reflects a decrease in earnings of $4 million from current earnings of $223.3 million.

Uncover how Arbor Realty Trust's forecasts yield a $12.00 fair value, a 30% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

ABR Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025

Nine Simply Wall St Community fair value estimates for Arbor Realty Trust range widely from US$1.88 to US$16.54 per share. While opinions diverge, the growing credit concerns highlighted in the latest results could shape the return outlook for those closely following distressed asset resolutions.

Explore 9 other fair value estimates on Arbor Realty Trust - why the stock might be worth less than half the current price!
AstraZenecas AZN third-quarter 2025 core earnings of $1.19 per American depositary share (ADS) beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.14 per share. Core earnings of $2.38 per share rose 14% year over year on a reported basis and 12% on a constant exchange rate (CER).

Total revenues of $15.19 billion rose 12% on a reported basis and 10% at CER, driven by higher product sales and alliance revenues from partnered medicines. Revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14.87 billion.

All growth rates mentioned below are on a year-over-year basis and at CER.

AZNs Product Sales & Alliance Revenues

Product sales rose 9% to $14.37 billion, driven by strong underlying demand trends for its products across all therapy areas and across all major geographic regions.

Alliance revenues include royalties and profit share from partnered medicines, such as Enhertu and Tezspire, in geographies where its partner books product sales. Alliance revenues rose 44% to $815 million, driven by continued revenue growth from partnered medicines.

AstraZenecas Key Drugs Drive Growth

Here, we have discussed the total revenues of some of AZNs key drugs by including Alliance revenues and Collaboration revenues within each revenue figure.

In Oncology, Tagrisso recorded revenues of $1.86 billion, up 10% year over year, on strong demand for all indications and in all regions, which more than offset the impact of Medicare Part D redesign in the United States and pricing pressure in some European markets. The company is seeing encouraging uptake in frontline EGFR-mutated NSCLC based on data from the FLAURA2 study. Favorable tender order timings also benefited growth in emerging markets. Tagrisso sales beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.85 billion and met our model estimate.

Lynparza's total revenues rose 5% to $837 million, driven by increased market share/demand growth for all approved indications, partially offset by the impact of Part D redesign in the United States and generic launches in China. Lynparza revenues also benefited from launches in breast and prostate cancers across Europe. The drugs sales missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $850.0 million and our estimate of $844.3 million.

AstraZeneca markets Lynparza in partnership with Merck MRK. During the quarter, the company did not record any milestone payment from partner Merck related to the drug.

Imfinzi generated sales of $1.60 billion in the quarter, up 31%, driven by strong growth from launch in bladder and lung cancer indications, partially offset by mandatory price reductions in Japan. Imfinzi sales beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.53 billion and our estimate of $1.45 billion.
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Dutch construction services business Royal BAM Group has reported continued financial progress in the third quarter of 2025 and reiterated its outlook for adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) margin of at least 5% for the full year.

Higher revenues in both the Netherlands and UK/Ireland divisions contributed to this sustained performance, said the group. Order booking stood at 12.5bn ($14.4bn) and an improved solvency position.

The Netherlands division generated increased revenue and adjusted EBITDA during the first nine months of 2025 compared with the previous year, primarily driven by nonresidential construction activities.

The company saw an uptick in home sales during the third quarter and expects overall home sales for the year to surpass the 1,854 units recorded in 2024.

Major project awards supported growth, such as a 600m energy and water supply contract in Limburg for Enexis and Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg and a 240m energy renewal contract in North Brabant for Enexis.

The division also secured a maintenance contract for the Zeeland Bridge in partnership with SPIE Nederland.

In the UK and Ireland, revenue and adjusted EBITDA rose from 2024 levels.

Construct UK made a significant contribution to these results while Civil Engineering UK and Ireland continued to deliver stable outcomes.

BAMs Scottish operations expanded their specialist workforce by 300 over the past year to support green energy projects with SSEN Transmission and the Eastern Green Link 2 initiative.

The groups operations in Belgium reported positive results despite strong competition.

The divisions order backlog fell slightly from mid-2025 due in part to currency effects but remained historically strong.

In the third quarter, BAM secured a place on National Grids High Voltage Direct Current Major Works & Civils Framework, worth approximately 9bn across six contractors, and continues to pursue opportunities in the education sector.

Royal BAM Group CEO Ruud Joosten said: Royal BAM Group delivered a strong performance in the first nine months of the year. This was supported by the structurally enhanced performance of the nonresidential construction activities in both divisions.

The group continued its upward revenue trend in the first half of the year into the third quarter. BAM continues to make progress with the strategy Building a sustainable tomorrow, which is built on the pillars Focus, Transform, and Expand. In order to benefit from the growing demand for affordable and sustainable housing BAM is investing in land and building rights.
Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, Nov. 7:

Bank of Marin Bancorp BMRC: This holding company for Bank of Marin has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 10.6% over the last 60 days.

Bank of Marin Bancorp Price and Consensus

Bank of Marin Bancorp Price and Consensus

Bank of Marin Bancorp price-consensus-chart | Bank of Marin Bancorp Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 3.8%, compared with the industry average of 3.2%.

Bank of Marin Bancorp Dividend Yield (TTM)

Bank of Marin Bancorp Dividend Yield (TTM)

Bank of Marin Bancorp dividend-yield-ttm | Bank of Marin Bancorp Quote

Invesco Ltd. IVZ: This publicly owned investment manager has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.5% over the last 60 days.

Invesco Ltd. Price and Consensus

Invesco Ltd. Price and Consensus

Invesco Ltd. price-consensus-chart | Invesco Ltd. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has a dividend yield of 3.6%, compared with the industry average of 2.8%.

Invesco Ltd. Dividend Yield (TTM)

Invesco Ltd. Dividend Yield (TTM)

Invesco Ltd. dividend-yield-ttm | Invesco Ltd. Quote

Preferred Bank PFBC: This banking products and services company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.6% over the last 60 days.

Preferred Bank Price and Consensus

Preferred Bank Price and Consensus

Preferred Bank price-consensus-chart | Preferred Bank Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 3.3%, compared with the industry average of 3.2%.

Preferred Bank Dividend Yield (TTM)

Preferred Bank Dividend Yield (TTM)

Preferred Bank dividend-yield-ttm | Preferred Bank Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

Find more top income stocks with some of our great premium screens.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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Bittrexs bankruptcy filings are riddled with tens of thousands of contradictory, suspicious, and improbable transactions, potentially impacting the nearly 2 million customers who held funds on the crypto exchange before it collapsed in 2023.

Certain patterns in the filed documents immediately raised serious red flags, Pasha Onur, a regulatory compliance researcher who analysed the documents, told DL News.

Our analysis of court documents and Bittrex hot and cold wallets reveals over $500 million in fabricated transactions filed with the bankruptcy court across multiple dockets.

DL News reviewed Onurs analysis and found tens of thousands of tiny, economically impractical transactions, over 10,000 clustered, repetitive withdrawals for the same specific amounts of crypto, and hundreds of transactions on a blockchain network that shut down years before the transactions were supposedly conducted.

Founded in Seattle in 2014, Bittrex gained traction by using cold storage for user funds and offering trading for a wide range of cryptocurrencies.

The exchange, which had a history of regulatory malfeasance, filed for bankruptcy in May 2023, weeks after the US Securities and Exchange Commission accused it of operating an unregistered securities exchange. It shut down in December of the same year.

Bittrex Global and its bankruptcy agent Omni Agent Solutions did not respond to requests for comment.

Significant impact

If large swaths of transactions submitted in Bittrexs bankruptcy filings are inaccurate, it could significantly impact creditors attempting to claw back funds from the defunct exchange.

Bittrex had approximately 1.6 million users when it filed for bankruptcy. However, just under 36,000 users  less than 3%  filed claims.

If withdrawal transactions are fabricated, customer account balances are wrong, meaning creditor claim amounts are incorrect, Onur said.

The list of the top 20 creditors, which is used for conflict-of-interest checks and distribution priority, is also calculated from this corrupted data, Onur said.

Bankruptcy claims for Bittrex Global closed in April this year. It has yet to pay creditors.

At the time of the exchanges bankruptcy filing, the US Treasurys Office of Foreign Asset Control, or OFAC, was its biggest creditor due to a $24 million unpaid settlement following sanctions violations in 2022.

OFAC did not respond to a request for comment.

Economically impractical

The financial statements analysed by Onur covered the 90-day period before Bittrex filed for bankruptcy, and were submitted to the court in June 2023.
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A lesser-known British cryptocurrency company just made a move that could signal a major shift in how institutional investors view digital assetsand its happening at a time when traditional finance is cautiously warming up to blockchain technology.

KR1 announced on Oct. 28 that it plans to uplist from the Aquis Stock Exchange to the London Stock Exchange. The move is intended to boost visibility and attract a broader investor base, but the timing suggests something larger is at play.

Don't Miss:

Why This Matters More Than It Seems

KR1s decision comes as decentralized blockchain companies have gained a strong foothold in the global financial system and drawn significant interest from institutional investors. Translation: the days of crypto being dismissed as internet play money are fading fast, and companies operating in this space are positioning themselves to capitalize on that legitimacy.

The company isnt just looking to switch exchangesits also establishing a placing program to issue new shares, which would fund an expansion of its staking operations, according to Reuters. Staking involves validating transactions on blockchain networks in exchange for rewards, essentially allowing investors to earn passive income on their crypto holdings. Its a business model thats becoming increasingly attractive as blockchain networks mature and offer more stable returns.

Trending: Wall Street's $12B Real Estate Manager Is Opening Its Doors to Individual Investors  Without the Crowdfunding Middlemen

London Is Making Its Play for Crypto Dominance

This move also highlights Britains aggressive push to become a global crypto hub. The UK, which has one of the fastest-growing crypto markets, has been revising regulations and positioning itself as a hub for the maturing sector. While the U.S. continues to grapple with regulatory uncertaintybouncing between encouraging innovation and cracking down on enforcementthe UK is taking a more measured approach that could attract capital fleeing less friendly jurisdictions.

KR1s uplisting to the main market would put it alongside traditional financial institutions and established corporations, a symbolic win for the crypto industry. Its also a practical one: main market listings typically come with higher liquidity, greater analyst coverage, and access to a deeper pool of institutional capital.
THEY did it! Timahoe Male Choir brought home a Pride of Place Award at an All Island ceremony last night.

From Laois to New York, the choirs journey has always been about lifting spirits and building bonds and the award is a tribute to every voice, every volunteer and every supporter.

Timahoes community spirit took centre stage at the prestigious IPB Pride of Place Awards in Limerick on Friday 7 November, attended by members of the Timahoe Male Choir and representatives from Laois County Council, attended.

The choir that memorably captured the main arena at the 2025 Electric Picnic was awarded the Community Wellbeing Initiative (Focused) Award at the joyful ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Barry Walsh, expressed his pride as he said: Its inspiring to see how the efforts of a small community can have such a wide-reaching impact.

"Im thrilled to see their dedication recognised. Huge congratulations to everyone involved and to the community of Timahoe.

Chief Executive of Laois County Council, Michael Rainey, echoed the sentiment, as he said: The Timahoe Male Choir exemplifies the extraordinary potential of community-driven initiatives across Laois.

What began locally has now earned national and even international recognition. The sense of community, connection and support evident with the Timahoe Male Choir reflects the vibrant community spirit found across the county of Laois.

Back in August, Timahoe Male Choir welcomed Pride of Place judges Tom Dowling and Liam Hannaway for a visit which left a lasting impression. Judges heard powerful testimonies from choir members and proud residents, as well as from numerous local groups who have benefited from the choirs fundraising efforts and uplifting performances. What began as an idea has developed into a vital community initiative.

Since its formation, the Timahoe Male Choir has featured on national TV and radio, proudly represented Laois at the St. Patricks Day Parade in New York and performed on the main stage at Electric Picnic. Yet choir members say as much joy comes from singing for small audiences as for thousands at major events.

Judges praised the real sense of community and togetherness they witnessed in Timahoe, noting the infectious energy and positivity the choir brings to every performance. More importantly, they highlighted the choirs role in fostering connection, offering support, and building lasting friendships.

Choir leader Damien Bowe reflected on the honour saying: Were absolutely thrilled to bring this award home to Timahoe. Its always encouraging to be acknowledged. This initiative has grown into something truly special, and were committed to keeping the music alive, the conversations going, and our doors open to all.

Choir member Roghan Headen said: Since the Timahoe Male Choir started in 2023, it has been a great initiative for the charitable work and fundraisers undertaken, as well as for our personal wellbeing.

Members meeting up once a week, having a purpose and coming together collectively in song, has ignited a sense of community in a lot of men in Timahoe and the surrounding areas.

Men that would have been private now have an awoken sense of community, wellbeing and spirit. Its a fantastic initiative that personally Im very proud to be involved in.
Pennsylvania fall foliage displays are largely at an end. Here is the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' sixth and final foliage report for fall 2025, which covered through Wednesday. Some trees are still putting on a show, though, across the Lehigh Valley, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled this weekend. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

As the outside world normally is around this time each November, things have changed a lot. Many trees are already devoid of leaves while others are still covered with colorful ones. When the chlorophyll that makes the leaves green is no longer being produced, anthocyanin pigments in them turn the leaves red as the days shorten and cooler temperatures prevail.

Black walnut trees are almost all bare except for a few nuts still hanging on here and there. Along many roads you can hear your car wheels driving over their dropped fruits.

Small flowering dogwood trees are glowing wine red, as are tupelos, commonly called blackgum trees, along woods edges or in wet areas. And Callery pear trees, known as Bradford pears, have turned dark red or purplish.

Some of the most interesting and noticeable trees in our area are the American sycamores that prefer growing near water. Their creamy gray trunks stick out even during the summer, but they really stand out when their leaves are gone. However, unlike a lot of other trees, they drop their leaves so gradually that sometimes they still have a lot of them on in late fall.

In some developments you may see trees that look just like native sycamores, but theyre actually hybrids between sycamores and tropical plane trees. I well remember that they confused me years ago before I knew about these London plane trees that were planted because theyre tolerant of all sorts of city pollution.

But when it comes to fall color its the maples that make the landscape so pretty, even in New England. There are 13 native maple species in the country, and they all put on a good fall show.

Sugar maples may have orange to deep red leaves, while the leaves of silver maples are usually bright yellow or golden yellow. And red maple leaves can be so brilliantly bright that they take your breath away.

Around here there are also countless Norway maples whose leaves turn a bright yellow, but these maples are native to Europe. They were planted as landscape trees, but theyve become so plentiful that theyre considered to be invasives, although they often hold their colorful leaves long after most other trees are bare.

And there are, of course, several different kinds of oak trees in our woodlands, some of which turn scarlet, red, orange, or shades of brown. And some old oak trees grow to be so big that people become emotionally attached to them.

Thats how I felt about one about a half mile down the road from our farm. It was on a neighbors property but every time I drove by their house I always found myself admiring the oak.

However, that will no longer happen because that big tree blew down across the driveway in recent winds. But luckily for them only a small number of its top branches landed on their roof.

The property owners called David to come look at it because hes helped them with other trees at times. But there was nothing he could do because it had a 4-foot diameter. And the reason it blew down was obvious: Except for the outer edges, the entire insides of its bottom were completely empty.
A Laois Tidy Towns committee were invited to an audience with president Michael D. Higgins, in acknowledgement of their hard work.

With presidential-elect Catherine Connolly due to take office, this audience with president Higgins was one of the last of his career.

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns were welcomed to the Aras on Friday November 7, where they had a 'fantastic day', according to Tidy Towns Chairperson Robbie Quinn.

Pictured: Abbeyleix Tidy Towns members laughing with President Michael D. Higgins

"It was fabulous froom start to finish, we travelled up with Ballincollig Tidy Towns and shared a bus to promote sustainable travel," Mr Quinn told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"We won the Tidy Towns compitition in 2023, and Ballincollig won it in 2024, but unfortunately due to the passing of the Pope, the President could not host us at the time. President Higgins wanted to ensure that we were acknowledged for our hard work, so we were invited to meet him," he explained.

"He and Sabine are in the process of moving out- when we arrived, we could see that some of the furniture had been taken away, they are moving out on Monday. They couldn't have been more hospitable, welcoming us in for photos, a tour and some lovely refreshments," Mr Quinn praised.

"Unfortunately due to number restrictions we could only bring 15 committee members, and Ballincollig were the same. It was a lovely occasion, the president presented each of us with a copy of his publication Machnamh, 100 presidential centenary reflections. It was really lovely, and it was great to get the tour of the house and hear the history."

Pictured: Abbeyleix Tidy Towns members receive a tour of the Aras

When welcoming the two Tidy Towns groups, President Higgins spoke as gaeilge, and the groups each presented him with a gift from their locality.

"We presented the president with local produce that had recently won gold in Blas na hEireann, G's Jams and Temptation Chocolates. It was a bit tongue in cheek of us, but we suggested that we would give him foods that he could eat before he moves, that he wouldn't have to pack away," Mr Quinn joked.

"We also presented Ballincollig with some produce, as a thank you for sharing the bus with us, in keeping with Tidy Town's sustainability."

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns were delighted to have received such acknowledgement from the president, who presented them with a commemorative plaque in honour of their hard work and achievements.

"The staff and the president were extremely hospitable. President Higgins has grown a bit frail, and he is looking forward to his retirement," Mr Quinn said.

"The staff couldn't have been more hospitable, and we were delighted to get photographs in the state rooms. We have made a lot of memories that we will be delighted to share with the committee.

"I'm particularly delighted for some of our longstanding members to get the recognition. It is easy for me to have joined seven years ago and taken up the mantle as chairman, but it is the longer standing members who have worked a lot longer than I have who deserve the recognition for their hard work," he said.

"Everyone played their part, and we are delighted to return home with the plaque, we look forward to erecting it on one of the buildings in the town," Mr Quinn finished.
Offaly Hospice Foundation has again objected to the planning application for the Midlands Regional Hospice, which is planned to serve Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.

A new submission once again urges Offaly County Council to refuse the construction of the new Midlands Regional Hospice at the proposed Arden Lane site in Tullamore.

The proposed development is for a 20 bedroom in-patient hospice with daycare facilities which will serve the last four counties in Ireland without a hospice accommodating patients who are nearing the end of their life.

The latest objection which was submitted by O'Neill Town Planning on behalf of the Offaly Hospice Foundation is in response to the additional information which was put forward on September 15 which the planning authority deemed to be significant on October 14.

That additional information which was provided by the HSE is being classed as "materially different" to the original application in the new objection by the Offaly Hospice Foundation.

As stated by the Offaly Hospice Foundation in their objection, they cite the ownership status and permission for the land as major changes. It also points to "the revision of the boundaries to the application site to allow for the omission of the road widening scheme proposed, and the omission of footpaths on the access road to the hospice".

As a result, the Offaly Hospice Foundation suggests that a revised planning application would be the best way forward in the interests of the public and the process itself.

As part of the submission, Offaly Hospice Foundation also questioned the process for the site suitability matrix score which was conducted by the HSE in December 2023 to determine which site was a better fit between Arden Lane and Wellwood Health Park.

READ MORE: Laois family takes to the skies in memory of their well known Portlaoise dad

The matrix used a number of factors which awarded Arden Lane with a site suitability score of 84.7 bettering Wellwood's 81 which is used to justify the former as the ideal site for the Midlands Regional Hospice.

However, according to the objection, the Offaly Hospice Foundation: "expert assessment of the matrix reveals significant issues in both adjudication and scoring process".

They make the argument that in the criterion of zoning, "Wellwood has the appropriate zoning and gains full marks at 8. The Arden Lane site has no appropriate zoning, and should therefore score 0. Instead Arden Lane receives an inexplicable score of 4".

The objection also refers to the criterion of co-location for the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore. It explains: "Wellwood has a significant advantage, yet both sides are given equal marks. Even with these small adjustments, Wellwood scores higher than Arden Lane and would have objectively been the site of first choice for the regional hospice".

The Offaly Hospice Foundation claims that abiding by this metric would have helped in "avoiding many of the contentious planning issues around zoning, access, conflicting land uses and services".

Another point on the submission details how it was agreed in September 2017 for the hospice to be built on a site that would be adjacent to the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore with the HSE offering a suitable area on the grounds in 2020.

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This proposal was deemed as "feasible and acceptable to all parties" which led to government funding of 20 million assigned to the facility in September 2022.

The objection also details that Tullamore Lions Club offered an alternative site on Arden Lane in April of 2023, a decision which the Offaly Hospice Foundation claim wasn't made known to the hospice groups until August 22, 2023.

They write in the objection that plans were effectively abandoned for site 1 as a result, they further claim that if the plans for site 1 were allowed to proceed then "in all likelihood, the Midlands Regional Hospice would effectively be built by now".

The Offaly Hospice Foundation continues the objection by reiterating that Arden Lane is not the only possible site for the hospice and there are available areas in Wellwood as well as on the grounds of the Midlands Regional Hospital.

They say that in contrast to Arden Lane, "both sites are not encumbered by planning issues of zoning, access or services and are still available".

The submission concludes: "There is nothing new in the additional information that should delay the planning authority issuing a notification of decision to refuse planning permission for the proposed development of the grounds set out in the original observation".

A decision on the planning application for the proposed Midlands Regional Hospice is due on November 11.
Senior living provider Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD) fell short of the markets revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025 as sales rose 3.7% year on year to $813.2 million. Its GAAP loss of $0.48 per share was significantly below analysts consensus estimates.

Is now the time to buy Brookdale? Find out in our full research report.

Brookdale (BKD) Q3 CY2025 Highlights:

Revenue: $813.2 million vs analyst estimates of $827.4 million (3.7% year-on-year growth, 1.7% miss)

EPS (GAAP): -$0.48 vs analyst estimates of -$0.17 (significant miss)

Adjusted EBITDA: $111.1 million vs analyst estimates of $106.1 million (13.7% margin, 4.7% beat)

EBITDA guidance for the full year is $457.5 million at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $453 million

Operating Margin: -6.6%, down from 1.4% in the same quarter last year

Free Cash Flow Margin: 14.1%, up from 1.5% in the same quarter last year

Market Capitalization: $2.20 billion

"Brookdale's solid third quarter results highlight the underlying strength of our company amidst the accelerating tailwind from increasing demand for senior living coupled with suppressed inventory growth," said Nick Stengle, Brookdale's Chief Executive Officer.

Company Overview

With a network of over 650 communities serving approximately 59,000 residents across 41 states, Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD) operates senior living communities across the United States, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities.

Revenue Growth

A companys long-term sales performance is one signal of its overall quality. Any business can have short-term success, but a top-tier one grows for years. Brookdales demand was weak over the last five years as its sales fell at a 2.6% annual rate. This was below our standards and is a sign of poor business quality.

Brookdale Quarterly Revenue

We at StockStory place the most emphasis on long-term growth, but within healthcare, a half-decade historical view may miss recent innovations or disruptive industry trends. Brookdales annualized revenue growth of 4.3% over the last two years is above its five-year trend, but we were still disappointed by the results.

Brookdale Year-On-Year Revenue Growth

This quarter, Brookdales revenue grew by 3.7% year on year to $813.2 million, falling short of Wall Streets estimates.

Looking ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to decline by 3.4% over the next 12 months, a deceleration versus the last two years. This projection is underwhelming and suggests its products and services will see some demand headwinds.

Microsoft, Alphabet, Coca-Cola, Monster Beverageall began as under-the-radar growth stories riding a massive trend. Weve identified the next one: a profitable AI semiconductor play Wall Street is still overlooking. Go here for access to our full report.
History was made in Portarlington this past week as the inaugural Laois/Offaly Primary Schools Badminton County Qualifier took place at Portarlington Community Centre.

For the first time, schools from both Laois and Offaly competed in a dedicated regional qualifier, with the top two schools in each category earning a place at the upcoming Leinster Finals.

The event drew strong participation from across both counties, and the standard of play was high throughout. Mayo National School, the reigning Leinster champions and 2024 All-Ireland qualifiers, set an early benchmark in the boys competition, while Portlaoise Educate Together NS, who finished fifth in Leinster last year, were among the frontrunners once again. They were joined by Sandylane NS, Presentation NS and Scoil Padraig NS.

Mayo NS quickly established their dominance, securing early wins to take command of the standings. Portlaoise ETNS remained firmly in contention, while Sandylane NS and Scoil Padraig NS stayed within striking distance.

One of the biggest games of the day came when Sandylane met Portlaoise ETNS in a crucial tie that would determine the second Leinster qualification spot. Sandylane made a strong start, taking the opening game 3021, before PETNS fought back to lead 1512 midway through the second. However, the Portarlington school regrouped and held firm, sealing the match 3019, 3028 to claim runner-up honours behind the Laois representatives, Mayo NS.

Although Portlaoise ETNS narrowly missed out on qualification, their performance earned praise for its fighting spirit and quality of play, with many tipping them as a team to watch in next years series.

In the girls division, it was Sandylane NS who brought major success back to Laois, turning in a superb performance to capture both the Laois/Offaly title and qualification for the Leinster Finals. From the outset, Sandylane looked composed and focused, while Presentation NS, competing in their first-ever badminton event, quickly emerged as worthy rivals. The two sides met in a thrilling final that showcased the best of school sport, but Sandylane proved too strong, taking victory 3025, 3025.

Presentation NSs runners-up finish also earned them Leinster qualification, ensuring Laois will be well represented when the finals take place in Dublin on January 29.

Badminton Ireland Development Officer Garry Kehoe, who organised and oversaw the event, praised both counties for their enthusiasm and talent and highlighted the importance of opportunities like this for the sports growth at grassroots level.

"It was a pleasure to deliver the first-ever regional primary school badminton qualifier here in Portarlington. The skill and passion on display were incredible. Some schools were playing badminton for the very first time and didnt look out of place at all. For many of these children, this will be a memory theyll remember forever, and hopefully it will inspire them to continue playing long into the future," he said.

READ NEXT: Recent competition results from Portlaoise, Roscrea and Mountrath Golf Clubs
A mother from Newbridge Co. Kildare has started doing school visits around the county to share her story and inspire young people to stay away from drugs.

33-year-old Antoinette Foley is the youngest of eight and was once addicted to heroin and crack cocaine and homeless on the streets.

Today, she is an inspiration to hundreds of people in Ireland addicted to drugs, alcohol and struggling due to homelessness and she shares how a random act of kindness from a local shop owner had helped her turn her life around.

Antoinette has recently started going to schools around Kildare to share her story to the students to show them how drugs can affect someone's life and to warn them not to use drugs. She told us her story.

"I'm showing pictures that's not just made up; I'm talking from experience. I'm going to schools to teach students not to do drugs, not to do drink, it's not just a one weekend thing. Not many people survive it. So basically I'm doing it to help people," the young woman said in an exclusive interview.

Antoinette said that she also gives talks in public libraries and said that afterwards people come up to her to tell her how much her story has touched them.

"Even the students yesterday came up crying and put their arms around me and they broke down crying and everything because they know what drugs can do because some of them have family members that are doing drugs," Antoinette said.

Antoinette's story is a truly inspiring one, as she explains how she was once addicted to drugs and homeless, but now has her own home in Newbridge and recently published her own book.

"I'm clean. I have my own home. I brought out a book called The Hawk Against the Dove. I'm planning on bringing that book to the school visits and talks. I am hoping to go all around the country.

"I'm hoping to get into more schools to do talks because if I had seen the same pictures and a person had to come up to talk to me like the way I am doing, I would have loved it."

Antoinette's life took a turn for the worst when she ran away with the father of her kids and the relationship started going bad.

"Then when the kids went, it all started from there. I was in that situation then for a few years. Then I met up with

another boy and I was with him for a few years and I was homeless, begging on the streets. It was hard".

Antoinette said that her life changed for the better when a local shop owner and his wife approached her one day.

READ NEXT: LATEST: Major news as nearly 600 new homes planned for this Kildare town

"With the help of that man and the support of some lovely people, I built my life back and also my faith had a lot to do with it.

"If I needed food he would help that way or he advised me that this is not the life that my mother would have wanted because my mother is four years unto God now. He knew that there was something worth saving in me.

"Like I'm the youngest of eight, so I had no family to support me or nothing. My mother was dead. My father is in sick care. So like he's the father I never had."

Antoinette's advice to other people is "don't do drugs and drink. I'm a girl that's talking from experience. It'll take everything if you leave it.

"And never look down on anyone unless you're giving them a hand up. No one wants to wake up one morning and say 'I want to be like this.' And I think they should talk; parents, friends should talk with each other more, sit down more, instead of running to drugs and stuff like I did to hide my emotions, to hide the hurt.

"But today, thank God, I'm drug-free. I'm doing good. I'm helping others. And it makes me happy to see other people doing good."

Antoinette's book is about her journey of drug addiction and shows pictures of what she looked like when she was on drugs.

"You'll see pictures of me when I was an addict. If I'd have seen pictures that are in my book, I would have never put a cigarette, never mind a drug or a drink to my mouth.

"I brought it out to help families, to show families, even if they are down a bad road, they have a choice. They can stop or react and turn. It's never too late to change your life. It's never too late.

"And always put your faith in God. My faith in God got me through a lot. And I did it for my kids. I love them and I did it for them as well. I don't want my son and daughter to go down a road I went down. Of just one night going out or walking around with bad company, or some evening you're angry and do something stupid.

"This is why I am a mother. It's only now I realise what my poor mother was probably thinking or worrying about me".
A motion to establish a Library of Things in Leitrim received unanimous support at the most recent meeting of Leitrim County Council.

A Library of Things operates on the principles of shared access and collective ownership, allowing people to donate, borrow, and swap items. This reduces waste while providing an affordable alternative to ownership.

These initiatives are growing in popularity across Ireland and the UK. Cllr Brendan Barry proposed that Leitrims library services expand to include a Library of Things, beginning with sensory and educational toys for children, as well as puzzles, jigsaws, and musical instruments for all ages.

I believe there are lots of good quality toys, puzzles and jigsaws in our communities that people would share, swap and donate, his motion stated.

READ NEXT: Leitrim Animal Welfare group issues warning following recent boat fires

He noted that such a project would allow people of different ages to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange items, and ease financial pressures on families by reducing the need to purchase everything new.

Cllr Paddy ORourke seconded the motion, observing that children often take up new hobbies and quickly lose interest. This initiative, he said, would allow families to borrow items and try them out without the expense of buying equipment upfront.

An official response confirmed that the Leitrim Library Service already offers a lending collection of toys and sensory equipment, which continues to expand. The Sense-Ability collection includes more than 170 toys and pieces of equipment designed to support children and adults who are neuro-diverse.

While toy donations or swaps are not currently part of the lending catalogue due to health and safety considerations, the service welcomes ideas for community-led share-and-swap events.

READ NEXT: 'How to Spell Leitrim': One filmmaker's cinematic love letter to his new home in Leitrim

The library could serve as a meeting space for themed gatherings, and staff remain open to any initiatives that promote sharing and learning.
Brookdale Senior Living reported third quarter 2025 results, including revenue of US$813.2 million and a net loss of US$114.7 million, with both earnings and revenue missing analyst expectations.

Despite the headline losses, the company achieved record occupancy rates and a 20% year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA, reflecting improved operational performance and growing demand for senior living services.

Well examine how Brookdales record occupancy and cash flow growth impact its outlook and key investment considerations going forward.

Rare earth metals are the new gold rush. Find out which 35 stocks are leading the charge.

Brookdale Senior Living Investment Narrative Recap

To be a Brookdale Senior Living shareholder, you need to believe in the long-term growth of senior living demand, accelerating occupancy rates, and operational improvements outweighing current financial losses. The recent Q3 results showed record occupancy and stronger cash flow, supporting the most important near-term catalyst: occupancy-driven margin expansion. However, ongoing net losses and below-expectation earnings highlight the immediate risk of cost pressures, these results are a reminder, but do not materially shift the near-term trajectory for either risk or catalyst.

The companys October 8 occupancy update is especially relevant, with Septembers average occupancy reaching 82.5%, up from 79.2% a year ago. This rise in occupancy signals that operational changes may be taking hold, supporting the key catalyst of improved margins, but the challenge remains whether this can offset persistent losses and high expenses over time.

By contrast, investors should be aware that despite occupancy gains, Brookdales persistent and widening net losses reveal ...

Read the full narrative on Brookdale Senior Living (it's free!)

Brookdale Senior Living's outlook anticipates $3.3 billion in revenue and $176.3 million in earnings by 2028. This projection assumes a 2.3% annual revenue growth rate and a $418.9 million increase in earnings from the current earnings of -$242.6 million.

Uncover how Brookdale Senior Living's forecasts yield a $8.81 fair value, a 7% downside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

BKD Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Nov 2025

The Simply Wall St Community provided one fair value estimate for Brookdale at US$21.05 per share, far above recent prices. While optimism around rising occupancy dominates, growing labor and expense pressures could weigh further on financial health. Check out how different investors interpret these numbers and risks.

Explore another fair value estimate on Brookdale Senior Living - why the stock might be worth just $21.05!
A FORMER journalist from Rosbrien has set up his own public relations agency.

Kevin Purcell who now lives in Corbally, founded Treaty Media after returning to his hometown following a stint in Brussels.

Through his new venture, he wants to try and get organisations and voluntary groups from Limerick and across the Mid-West a voice on the national stage.

READ MORE: Limerick comes to a standstill as slow drive flags wind farm fears

Kevin started his media career in Red FM after studying radio broadcasting at Cork College of FET.

He worked his way up to a full-time position in the station.

Following this, he moved to Dublin to work for UTV Radio News, which provided syndicated content to stations across Ireland, including Limericks Live95FM at the time. A stint with the short-lived TV station UTV Ireland as a video journalist followed, before Kevin worked for Virgin Media News.

It was in 2019 when he moved to Brussels, to see how it worked from the other side, in his words.

During this time, he worked as a political advisor to Colm Markey - a former Fine Gael MEP who replaced Mairead McGuinness when she became a European Commissioner.
A COUNTY Limerick woman was caught driving without insurance on two consecutive days just three weeks after she received suspended prison sentences for similar offences, a court has heard.

Gina Daly, aged 28, formerly of Kilmurry Lane, Feenagh was sentenced to four months' imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to multiple offences arising from detections over the summer.

At Newcastle West Court, she pleaded guilty to driving without insurance under Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act and to driving without a licence under Section 38 of the same act.

Inspector Barry Manton told the court that on June 26, Ms Daly was stopped by gardai in the centre of Feenagh village and found to be driving without valid insurance or a licence. The following day, gardai caught Ms Daly driving again at Kilmurry, Feenagh.

Insp Manton told the court that just over three weeks earlier, on June 3, Ms Daly had been convicted of several road traffic offences including driving without insurance and failing to produce a valid NCT. She received two suspended sentences and a number of fines.

Solicitor Michael ODonnell, representing the accused, said his client has four young children and he told the court that Feenagh is a small village and that the bus service is very poor.

The solicitor said Ms Dalys partner had been highly abusive around the time of the offences and that she had been "pressurised" to drive on occasion.

The solicitor said his client, who is a tenant of Focus Ireland, has since secured alternative accommodation and he requested an adjournment of the case to facilitate the preparation of a Probation Report.

However, Judge Carol Anne Coolican refused this request, saying she had absolutely no option but to impose a custodial sentence, given the facts of the case.

Ms Daly received prison sentences totalling six months with the final two months suspended.

READ NEXT: Mouldy taste and chemical smell reported in the water from people across Limerick city

Separate theft charges, which Ms Daly also pleaded guilty to were taken into consideration by the judge.

Outlining the facts, Insp Manton said at approximately 11.30pm on June 26, a childrens go-kart, valued at 120, was stolen from outside from a house at The Forge, Feenagh. On the same date and in the same area, Ms Daly also stole a childrens bike.

Gardai subsequently recovered the go-kart and the bike from her property.

Mr ODonnell highlighted how Ms Daly had co-operated fully with the gardai and that the stolen items had been returned.

"She took it, they were abandoned somewhat and she took them home," he told the court.

Ms Daly has lodged an appeal against the severity of the sentences imposed in relation to the road traffic offences.
The AI hack we unlocked today is based on a tool: Perplexity Finance.

What problem does Perplexity Finance solve?

Investors and business analysts face a significant challenge: tracking what industry leaders are saying across hundreds of earnings calls each quarter. Reading through 50-page transcripts to find specific insights about AI investments, market trends, or competitive positioning is time-consuming and often inefficient. Critical information gets buried in dense financial jargon, making it difficult to quickly understand strategic direction or compare statements across companies. Perplexity Finance addresses this by providing AI-powered analysis of earnings call transcripts, allowing you to instantly query and extract insights from any company's earnings discussions.

How to access: https://www.perplexity.ai/finance

Perplexity Finance can help you:

 Extract key insights instantly: Ask specific questions about company strategy, financial metrics, or management commentary without reading entire transcripts.

 Compare across quarters: Track how messaging evolves over time on critical topics like AI investments or market outlook.

 Identify strategic priorities: Quickly understand what executives emphasize and how they're positioning the company.

Example:

Let's analyze Alphabet's Q32025 earnings call, where they reported $102.3 billion in revenue (up 16% year-on-year) and highlighted AI as a key growth driver.

Scenario: You want to understand Alphabet's AI strategy and cloud growth trajectory.

Steps:

Go to https://www.perplexity.ai/finance

2. Search GOOG

3. Click Earnings tab.

Effective prompts to try:

Strategic and competitive analysis:

 What risks or challenges did management highlight during the Q&A session?

 How did executives respond to analyst questions about competition from Microsoft and Amazon in cloud services?

 What new products or initiatives were announced for the upcoming quarter?

Market sentiment and guidance:

 What is management's outlook for the next quarter and full year?

 Did executives revise any previous guidance? If so, what changed and why?

 What tone did management take - optimistic, cautious, or neutral - and what drove that sentiment?

Industry and macro trends:

 How is AI contributing to Google Cloud's revenue growth?

 How is management viewing the current regulatory environment affecting the business?

 What did executives say about macroeconomic conditions and customer spending patterns?

 Which emerging technologies or market opportunities did leadership emphasize?

Operational insights:

 What specific metrics did Sundar Pichai share about Gemini's performance and adoption?

 What headcount changes or organizational restructuring was discussed?

 How is the company measuring AI success, and what KPIs are they tracking?

 What partnership announcements or strategic collaborations were mentioned?

Pro tips:

 Start with broad questions, then drill down into specific metrics or segments

 Ask comparative questions: "How does this quarter's guidance compare to Q2?"

 Request summaries: "What are the top 3 strategic priorities mentioned?"

What makes Perplexity Finance special?

 Real-time transcript access: Earnings transcripts are available immediately after calls conclude.

 Contextual understanding: The AI understands financial terminology and can connect related concepts across the transcript.

 Source citations: Every answer includes specific quotes and references to where information appears in the transcript, ensuring accuracy.

Mint's AI tool of the week is excerpted from Leslie D'Monte's weekly TechTalk newsletter. Subscribe to Mint's newsletters to get them directly in your email inbox.

Note: The tools and analysis featured in this section demonstrated clear value based on our internal testing. Our recommendations are entirely independent and not influenced by the tool creators.

Jaspreet Bindra is co-founder and CEO, and Anuj Magazine is co-founder, of AI&Beyond.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Saturday said the chipmaker is experiencing very strong demand for its newest, state-of-the-art Blackwell chips, which are designed to power the current Artificial Intelligence boom.

Huang also noted that this increasing demand for Blackwell chips is translating into a growing appetite for wafers from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Nvidia's long-time manufacturing partner.

Speaking at a TSMC event in Hsinchu, Huang acknowledged strong support from the company. TSMC is doing a very good job supporting us on wafers, he said, adding that Nvidia's success would not be possible without TSMC.

Huang made his fourth public trip to Taiwan this year, at a same time when the semiconductor giant is navigating loss of market share in China due to tariff tensions between Washington and Beijing, Reuters reported.

Demand for wafers grow Nvidia builds the GPU (graphics processing units), but we also build the CPU (central processing units), the networking, the switches, and so there are a lot of chips associated with Blackwell, Huang told reporters at an event.

TSMC CEO C.C. Wei confirmed that Huang had asked for wafers, though the exact quantity remains confidential. Wafers refer to a thin, round disks, that serves as a base for microscopic electronic circuits found in chips.

Nvidia made history in October when it became the first company to reach a $5 trillion market value and TSMC's Wei celebrated this achievement by calling Huang a five-trillion-dollar man.

Supply chain resilience When questioned about how concerned Huang was about memory shortages, he responded by stating that while business is growing strongly and there would be shortages of different things, Nvidia is well-supported.

We have three very, very good memory makers - SK Hynix, Samsung, Micron - are all incredibly good memory makers, and they have scaled up tremendous capacity to support us, Huang noted, adding that the chipmaker has received the most advanced chip samples from these three memory makers.

When asked about possible memory price increases, he said: It's for them to decide how to run their business.

Also Read | China bans foreign AI chips; Nvidia turns to India with new startup alliance

South Korea's SK Hynix announced last week that it had sold out all its chip production for next year, and plans to boost further investments as the company is expecting an extended chip super cycle spurred by the AI boom.

Samsung Electronics also said last week it was in close discussion to supply its next-generation high-bandwidth memory chips, or HBM4, to Nvidia.

Will Blackwell chips be sold in China? Despite the massive global demand, Nvidia faces limitations regarding the sale of its most advanced AI chips. Huang said on Friday, that there were no active discussions about selling the Blackwell chips - Nvidia's flagship AI chip - to China.

This position is a direct result of the Trump administration's restrictions on such sales, as the government believes they could aid the Chinese military and the country's AI industry.

As a response, the Chinese government had also issued an official guidance that mandates new data centre projects receiving state funds to use domestic artificial intelligence chips, Reuters reported earlier.
Matt Garman may be the CEO of a major tech company, but the chief of Amazon Web Services (AWS), has rather opposite advice for future job seekers, including his own children, about developing skills in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Not in coding, IT, or even medicine. Speaking to CNBC, Matt Garman said he strongly believes in the need to develop more soft skills in the AI era advice he also gives his children. Develop your critical thinking skills in college, no matter what subject you study, he strongly emphasised.

I think part of going to college is building [your] critical thinking. Its less about the development of skills, and it really is [about] how do you become a critical thinker? In some ways, I think thats actually going to be the most important skill going forward, he added.

Matt Garman's advice for job seekers in AI age: Develop soft skills Speaking to the publication, Matt Garman stressed that critical thinking is the number one, biggest key to success in the age of AI.

Youre going to want to be creative. Youre going to want to be [good at] critical thinking. And youre going to want to be flexible. I think the ability to learn new things and adapt is going to be just as important as any particular skill that you learn, he added.

He believes the goal is to excel at tasks that AI cannot replicate or overtake humans in. While AI may handle administrative work, it still struggles with critical thinking, nuanced decision-making, and creative problem-solving, the report added, citing studies.

Besides critical thinking, Garman also highlighted two other important soft skills  adaptability and communication. "(Soft skills) are important today. I think theyll be just as important, if not more important (in the future), he added.

Most customers still want to talk to a person and get personal insights and attention from a human being. Those people skills are going to continue to be super important for a long time, he believes.

Human edge to make a difference as AI takes jobs Matt Garman is not alone in his thinking. In September, Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, Director of AI Research at Zoho Corp, echoed similar views. He felt that the human edge in critical thinking and reasoning will continue to be vital in the age of AI and large language models.
Political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tactics to "instil fear" among voters against RJD's Lalu Yadav and the RJD's "Jungle Raj" won't work in the Bihar Election 2025.

He said PM Modi was right in urging voters to vote against the RJD's jungle raj when there was no other option. But, right now, Jan Suraaj is an alternative and hence the prime minister's tactics won't work this time, Prashant Kishor said.

Prashant Kishor, the founder of Jan Suraaj, said on Saturday, PM is trying to get votes by instilling fear of the RJD because he has nothing else to say... But this time, the situation has changed... 

Prashant Kishor questioned, "If you're saying Jungle Raj shouldn't return, but then why should you [NDA]? Jan Suraaj is a new alternative..."

On higher voter turnout in the first phase of the Bihar Election 2025, Prashant Kishor said, "These self-proclaimed analysts are claiming they know what's going to happen in Bihar... But no one predicted that Bihar would have the highest voter turnout in the country's political history. The sheer number of polls shows that change is definitely coming in Bihar."

Bihar sees record 64.66 polling in first phase The first phase of the assembly elections in Bihar concluded peacefully on Thursday, November 6, with a record voter turnout of 64.66 per cent, the highest-ever in the state's history.

The voting was held on 121 seats spread across 18 districts and a total of 3.75 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase polls. The second phase of assembly polls will be held on November 11 and the votes will be counted on November 14.

The election was held after the recently concluded Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The opposition parties had expressed strong reservations about the exercise. The SIR is to be carried out in other states and union territories of the country.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar stated that the state has witnessed the highest voter turnout since 1951.

"Bihar has shown the way to the nation. SIR with zero appeals and the highest voter turnout since 1951. Purest electoral rolls and enthusiastic participation of electors. Transparent and dedicated election machinery. Democracy wins. It has been an amazing journey for ECI," he said.

PM Modi reacts Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has gained a massive lead in the first phase of assembly polls and there was a wave in its favour in the second phase.

"In the first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections, the NDA has gained a massive lead. Along with this, its wave is visible everywhere in the second phase as well. Amid this enthusiasm of the public and the masses, tomorrow afternoon around 1:45 PM, I will have the good fortune to communicate with my family members in Aurangabad, and around 3:30 PM in Bhabua," he said in a post on X.
Bank holiday today: All private and public Banks in Bengaluru will be closed today, 8 November on the occasion of Kanakadasa Jayanthi, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) region-wise holiday calendar list. However, banks in the rest of the country will remain open today.

Banks are typically closed across different parts of the country to observe and celebrate national, religious, and regional holidays. Additionally, banks have fixed holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays, as well as every Sunday of the month.

Bank holiday in Bengaluru Kanakadasa Jayanthi is a regional public holiday in the state of Karnataka celebrating the birth anniversary of the 16th-century poet-saint, musician, and philosopher Kanaka Dasa.

It is usually celebrated on the 18th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which typically falls in November. The day is entirely dedicated to him and honors his contributions to literature, music and his teachings of equality.

Also Read | Banks will be closed on these five days in November 2025  check full list

This year, the saint's birth anniversary is celebrated on 8 November, which also marks the 525th birth anniversary of Kanaka Dasa. Hence, the government offices, schools, and banks will remain closed in Bengaluru.

Upcoming bank holiday There are no more dedicated bank holidays remaining this month after today. The next bank holiday will only fall on 1 December, when select regions such as Itanagar and Kohima will be observing State Inauguration Day and Indigenous Faith Day respectively.

However, banks across the country will be close on all Sundays this month, as well as on 22 November, which falls on the fourth Saturday.

What transactions can you do when banks are closed? Customers can continue using online or mobile banking services even during national or regional bank holidays, unless they are specifically notified by the service provider for any technical issues or other reasons.

If an individual is facing cash emergencies, ATMs will also be open for withdrawals as usual. People can also use their respective banks app and UPI to facilitate payments in such cases.

While bank holidays can temporarily affect the operations of bank branches, digital banking ensures that your transactions remain smooth.
Nexperia microchips are leaving China again, easing a shortage of simple but ubiquitous parts that threatened to paralyze the auto industry.

German automotive supplier Aumovio, which was recently spun out of tire giant Continental, said Friday that the Sino-Dutch companys semiconductors and components containing them were on their way from China to Aumovios distribution hub in Hungary.

The shipments are the first clear sign that Nexperia chip supplies are flowing more freely, following last weeks meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea. The Chinese commerce ministry on Saturday said it would grant export licenses in eligible cases.

Beijing moved to halt exports of Nexperia chips last month after the Dutch government seized control of the company from its Chinese owner Wingtech, citing risks to economic security. Nexperia, which is based in the Netherlands, sends most of its products to facilities in China for packaging and testing before they are delivered to customers.

The move sparked a flurry of warnings from automakers that they would have to suspend operations because of thinning inventories of parts containing Nexperias chips, which are used in everything from lights to electronics.

While Nexperia is a small player in the automotive-chip market overall, it is the market leader for a basic category of chips mainly consisting of transistors and diodes.

The Dutch government raised hopes of a breakthrough Thursday by citing constructive" talks with Beijing.

The Netherlands trusts that the supply of chips from China to Europe and the rest of the world will reach Nexperias customers over the coming days," Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said.

So far, Honda is the only big carmaker to have said it curtailed output for want of chips. Last week it halved production at a plant in Alliston, Canada, where workers assemble Civic sedans and CR-V sport-utility vehicles.

The problem was among the reasons the Japanese carmaker gave for cutting its annual profit outlook on Friday. It said production in North America would be 110,000 vehicles lower in its current financial year than previously anticipated.

Other automakers have warned they are working week by week to secure sufficient supplies of the vehicle electronics that contain Nexperia chips, while urging politicians to resolve the situation.

The diplomatic turning point came after last weeks Trump-Xi meeting, when the U.S. agreed to put on hold a September move to apply tighter trade restrictions to certain subsidiaries of blacklisted Chinese entities.

The Dutch had taken control of Nexperia the day after the U.S. said it would expand its trade blacklist. Wingtech was added to the blacklist last year, meaning Nexperia could have faced the same trade restrictions as its Chinese parent.

Aumovio, which integrates Nexperia chips into over 100 components including displays and sensors, got an export license verbally on Wednesday and in writing on Thursday, according to a spokesperson. Its shipments to Europe pave the way for a resumption of affected parts supplies to automakers.

Bosch, another major German auto-parts supplier, also has obtained permission to export chips from China, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Write to Stephen Wilmot at stephen.wilmot@wsj.com and Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com
Online retail platforms such as Amazon, Myntra, Meesho, and Nykaa, are increasingly becoming the go-to destination for influencers, nudging at the dominance of social media giants like Instagram and YouTube.

The e-commerce platforms no longer only collaborate with publishers on affiliate programs as they have done for long, they now enable influencers and everyday users to create, publish, and livestream directly on their apps.

This shift has grown such affiliate marketing activity on e-commerce platforms multifold in the last one year, according to online retail company executives. (Affiliate marketing refers to influencers or publishers including product links or recommendations in their videos or content and earning a commission on it.)

Fashion platform Myntras chief marketing officer Sunder Balasubramanian said that the videos on the platform have grown 240% in about a year.

The videos on the platform have grown 240% in about a year. Myntras Sunder Balasubramanian

Earnings surge

Creator commissions on sales generated through their product recommendations have shot up as a result. The estimated two lakh creators across categories such as fashion, beauty, tech, home decor, and cooking, have seen their earnings double, peaking at the festival season just gone by when purchase-based commissions were at their highest, the executives said.

At Amazon India, an influencer program that is nearly a decade old has recorded traction recently. "Amazon.ins Influencer Program now includes over one lakh creators, with many evolving into more advanced roles over time. We provide creators with tools to recommend products, earn commissions on qualifying purchases, and even get featured across Amazon," said Zahid Khan, director of shopping experience, Amazon India said.

Livestreams with product recommendations today average 45 daily, where creators engage customers with real-time demonstrations, question and answer sessions, and exclusive promotions.

Khan said products falling under tech, fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle consistently drive the highest engagement on live content. So, in August, Amazon launched a tech influencer program offering early access to product launches and deals, preferential commissions, dedicated content studios, training resources, and brand partnerships to tech creators.

During the Amazon Great Indian Festival, the platform featured over 2,000 livestreams hosted by more than 900 trusted creators and category experts. Engagement climbed up two times in the festive sale with 1.5 times more views and double the conversions compared to non-sale events, Khan said. The likes of chef Kunal Kapur; celeb mom-influencer Kishwer Merchant; make-up educators Sumukhi Suresh, Asha Negi, among others; interior designer Pragya Tunge; and fashion stylist Vanshika Gaba were among the influencers engaged by Amazon.

View Full Image Amazon hosted over 2,000 livestreams by more than 900 creators during the Great Indian Festival.

As young shoppers seek authenticity and a personal connection, e-commerce platforms are pushed to collaborate with content creators, said Harsh Pandit, a fashion creator with 424,000 followers on Instagram. While e-commerce has become a solid extension of creators income beyond brand collaborations, it comes with its own challenges. For example, a creator with five lakh followers might earn around 25,000 per hour from a live e-commerce session, compared to about 1 lakh for a similar brand promotion video on Instagram," he said. He started his e-commerce partnership with Amazon two years ago, followed by Meesho, Flipkart, and Myntra.

The difference lies in intentaudiences on e-commerce platforms watch with an aim to purchase, whereas on Instagram, they might engage simply because they like the style.

To be sure, some of this content created for the e-commerce platforms also finds its way on Instagram and YouTube. This reflects in the majority of creators earnings: close to 80% comes from brand collaborations on social media, Pandit said.

Category leaders

Tech creator Dhananjay Bhosale, who has 631,000 followers on Instagram, said that technology has emerged as one of the biggest content categories on e-commerce platforms, alongside beauty and fashion. These (tech) products are usually higher-value, long-term investments, so consumers want to choose carefully based on their budgets and needs. Creators help by reviewing products, explaining technical terms, and testing devices extensively to give viewers realistic and practical insights," Bhosale said.

He added that the festive season, when e-commerce giants run their flagship sales, is when creators earn the most. Typically, 10-20% of a creators monthly income comes from e-commerce collaborations. But during September and October, that figure jumps by 40-50%. Live videos are especially effective then, as they allow for two-way interactions and personalized product suggestions based on specific consumer requirements," he said.

Bhosale also pointed out that, much like how brands collaborate with creators on Instagram and YouTube, they now sponsor livestreams on e-commerce platforms during product launches, further expanding creators earning avenues.

This content-driven commerce model is not restricted to top-tier influencers only, with regular users turning creators, as well. According to Myntras Balasubramanian, the platform has over 3.5 million shopper-creators who are part of its Ultimate Glam Clan community, which has resulted in a 20% month-on-month increase in sign-ups on the app. Of these creators, the ones that are actively creating content earn up to 3,000-4,000 a month on an average.

Engagement, too, has surgedcreator posts are up by 80% and video content by 240%. Notably, conversion rates from social commerce are 28% higher, underscoring the growing power of this ecosystem in driving purchase intent," said Balasubramanian.

IPO-bound Meesho has also capitalized on the growing content commerce trend. In 12 months to June 30, Meesho has enabled 39,618 active content creators who posted 679,466 order generating content", the companys draft prospectus noted. We generated 7.07 billion in net merchandise value (NMV) from our marketplace through content commerce in fiscal 2025 having achieved this growth within 23 months of its launch in May 2023," read the document. NMV refers to the value of goods sold.

Also Read | Instagram, YouTube now help brands find influencers for free

Emails sent to other e-commerce platforms including Nykaa, Flipkart and Purplle did not receive a response in press time.

E-commerce platforms are increasingly transforming into content hubs for influencers, an analyst said. These platforms are doubling down on influencer-driven campaigns both on-site and across social media, as creators offer a more affordable and targeted marketing alternative to traditional advertising," said Madhulika Tiwari, a partner specializing in retail and consumer goods at consulting firm The Knowledge Company, (formerly Technopak Advisors).

This, however, also comes with reputational risks, she added. Given the low entry barriers, platforms must stay vigilant and equipped to handle potential controversies or damaging behavior from creators, whether on or beyond the platform."
NEW DELHI : The Centre has extended the deadline for applying for the 5,000-crore Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech (PRIP) Scheme, planned to facilitate wider participation and help transition India from being a generics producer to a global hub for innovative drug and device development, until 10 November.

Mint explains the rationale behind the extension.

What is the scheme?

While India has earned the moniker of the pharmacy of the world" for producing affordable generic drugs, it has historically lagged in high-risk, high-reward basic researchparticularly in discovering new chemical entities (NCEs) and developing complex novel drugs.

The 5,000 crore government initiative is designed to fix this innovation deficit and shift the industrys focus from a volume-based model to a value-based, innovation-driven one, ultimately positioning the country as the laboratory of the world".

Also Read | India readies crackdown on pharma licence fraud with new draft rules

The Indian pharmaceutical industry currently accounts for about 3.4% of the global pharma market. With the right growth enablers, it could expand its share to 4% (around $130 billion) or even 5% (roughly $160 billion).

How will the scheme address the lack of research and development (R&D)?

Leading Western pharmaceutical companies routinely spend 15% to over 20% of their revenues on R&D for breakthrough therapies such as gene therapy and precision medicine. In contrast, top Indian companies invested only around 7.2% of their sales in R&D in 2020-21.

This scheme tackles this gap through two major components. Firstly, 700 crore is earmarked to establish centres of excellence at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)'s seven branches to build world-class, shared research infrastructure. The overarching aim is to promote stronger industry-academia linkages for R&D in priority areas, cultivate a culture of quality research, and nurture a pool of scientists for sustained global competitiveness.

Secondly, 4,200 crore is allocated for direct financial grants to the industry and startups, derisking projects in strategic areas and encouraging the private sector to commit the significant capital needed to develop globally competitive IP and close the innovation gap with the West.

Why has the Centre extended the deadline for applying for the scheme?

The government extended the deadline primarily to enable wider participation and accommodate additional requests from interested parties. Despite having already received an encouraging response" from various key stakeholders, including startups, micro, small and medium enterprises, large industry players, and multinational companies, the extension was granted to ensure maximum inclusion.

Also Read | India seeks pharma firms' partnership to develop indigenous Nipah virus antibody

Furthermore, applicants were advised that key preliminary steps, such as entity locker registration and fee payment on Bharatkosh, require time for processing and verification, necessitating an extension to give all registered entities adequate time to complete their formal applications.

What are the scheme's priority areas for financial support?

The scheme focuses its large grant component on six priority areas, including New medicines (like new chemical entities and biologics), complex generics and biosimilars, and novel medical devices. Critically, the scheme also offers higher financial assistance, up to 50% of the project cost, for strategic priority innovations (SPIs) that address areas of the country's public health concern for which market potential is relatively lower. These SPIs include orphan drugs for rare diseases and medications targeting antimicrobial-resistant priority pathogens.

What's the funding structure?

The funding mechanism is flexible and risk-adjusted. For startups and MSMEs working on early-stage projects, the scheme provides up to 5 crore per project. Importantly, for projects costing up to 1 crore, no co-funding from the applicant is required, providing crucial risk capital. For larger industry players and startups undertaking more mature, late-stage projects, the scheme offers grants of up to 100 crore, typically restricted to a maximum of 35% of the total approved project cost. This co-funding approach ensures that both the government and the industry are invested in the project's ultimate success.
Groww IPO allotment date: The Groww IPO share allotment will be finalised on Monday, November 10. The investors who applied for the issue can check Groww IPO allotment status in Groww IPO registrar portal, which is MUFG Intime India Private Ltd (Link Intime India Private Ltd). The Groww IPO opened for subscription on Tuesday, November 4 and closed on Friday, November 7.

Groww IPO subscription status was 17.60 times on day 3. The issue received overall positive demand from the Street. Investors can review the basis of allotment to see if they have been assigned shares and the quantity they have received. The allocated number of shares can also be checked in the IPO allotment status. For individuals who have not received shares, the company will initiate the refund process. Shares that are assigned will be deposited into the recipients' demat accounts.

The initiation of the refund process will start on Tuesday, November 10 for individuals not given shares. Those allotted will receive their shares in their demat accounts on Tuesday. Groww IPO listing date is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12.

If you have applied for the Groww IPO, you can do a Groww IPO status check on the website of the IPO registrar, which is MUFG Intime India Private Ltd. You can check the Groww IPO allotment status of your application below: Groww IPO :

How to check Groww IPO allotment status on Registrar site? Step 1 Start by visiting the IPO registrar's website at Link Intime India Private Ltd. You can access it here: [IPO Registrar Website](https://in.mpms.mufg.com/Initial_Offer/public-issues.html).

Step 2 Once on the site, confidently select the IPO you want from the dropdown menu. Youll see the name only if the allocation has been finalizedlets get to it!

Step 3 Now, choose one of three straightforward options to check your status: Application No, Demat Account, or PAN. Pick the one that suits you best.

Step 4 Determine whether youll use ASBA or non-ASBA for your application typeits your choice!

Step 5 Fill in the necessary details based on the method you selected in Step 3. Youve got this!

Step 6 Complete the captcha to ensure everything stays secure, and then click on submit. Youre done!

How to check Groww IPO allotment status on BSE? Step 1 Go to the allotment section on the official BSE website - Groww IPO allotment status can be checked online at https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx

Step 2 Select 'Equity' under the 'Issue Type' category.

Step 3 From the drop-down menu under 'Issue Name', pick the IPO you are interested in.

Step 4 Input your PAN or application number.

Step 5 Click on 'I am not a Robot' to verify your identity, and then press the 'Submit' button.

How to check Groww IPO allotment status on NSE? Step 1 Go to the official Groww IPO allotment status check page on the NSE website - https://www1.nseindia.com/products/dynaContent/equities/ipos/ipo_login.jsp

Step 2 To register on the NSE site, click on the 'Click here to sign up' link and provide your PAN.

Step 3 Log in by entering your username, password, and the captcha code.

Step 4 On the new page that appears, verify your IPO allotment status.

Groww IPO GMP today Groww IPO grey market premium is 5. Considering the upper end of the IPO price band and the current premium in the grey market, the estimated listing price of Groww share price was indicated at 105 apiece, which is 5% higher than the IPO price of 100.

According to the grey market activities observed over the past 11 sessions, the IPO GMP is trending downward today and is anticipated to decrease further. Experts indicate that the GMP range has been a minimum of 5.00 and a maximum of 16.70.

'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price.

View full Image Groww IPO
The Indian stock market ended mostly unchanged on Friday after a day of fluctuating trading, with the Sensex falling slightly by around 95 points and the Nifty 50 just below the 25,500 level.

On Friday, the Sensex fell by 94.73 points, or 0.11%, closing at 83,216.28, while the Nifty 50 decreased by 17.40 points, or 0.07%, to finish at 25,492.30.

Experts noted that this stable outcome was mainly influenced by mixed investor sentiment, amid ongoing selling from foreign institutional investors, alongside some cautious backing from domestic institutional investors that helped ease the declines. Lackluster global indicators, particularly weakened technology and AI stocks in the US markets, also contributed to the tepid trading atmosphere.

Moreover, profit-taking pressures continued, particularly in industries such as financials and real estate, while the metals sector demonstrated resilience and provided some stability to the indexes.

Also Read | Mehul Kothari of Anand Rathi recommends three stocks to buy or sell

Stock market Outlook According to Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, the Indian stock market sentiment has improved as the Nifty 50 index has bounced back strongly after coming close to 50-DEMA support placed at 25,320. However, the index would need to break above 25,750 for further improvement in Dalal Street bias. On breaking a over 25,750 levels, the 50-stock index would head for the short term targets of 26,100 and 26,500 respectively.

Stocks to buy on Monday Sumeet Bagadia has recommended three stocks to buy on Monday, 10 November 2025. The three stock picks by Bagadia are ICICI Bank Ltd, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M), and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).

Also Read | Rajesh Palviya of Axis Sec suggests these 3 shares to buy today

ICICI Bank Ltd Buy ICICI Bank in Cash at  1,343; Stop loss at  1,300; target at  1,440 ICICI Bank share price is showing early signs of recovery after a recent corrective phase and is currently trading around 1,343, up nearly 1.7%. The stock has taken support near the 1,3151,320 zone, indicating a potential short-term base formation and renewed buying interest at lower levels. The recent price action suggests that the stock may be attempting to stabilize after a consistent downward move over the past few weeks.

On the technical front, ICICI Bank is currently trading below its key moving averages. A sustained move above these averages would signal an early trend reversal and could trigger fresh momentum on the upside. The volume pattern also indicates active participation on bounce-backs, suggesting accumulation around support levels.

On the downside, 1,300 will act as a crucial support zone and can serve as a stop-loss for short-term traders. Holding above current levels could lead to a gradual recovery towards 1,440, which aligns with the next key resistance and the upper band of the recent trading range.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M) Buy M&M in Cash at  3,690; Stop loss at  3,555; Target price at  4,000 M&M share price has witnessed a strong rebound after a brief consolidation phase and is currently trading around 3690, showing nearly a 2% intraday gain. The stock has been forming an ascending triangle breakout pattern, which typically signals a continuation of the prevailing uptrend. The recent breakout above the upper trend line of this pattern indicates renewed bullish strength and growing buying interest at higher levels.

On the technical front, M&M is trading comfortably above its key moving averages. A sustained move above these averages reflects strengthening momentum and improving market sentiment. The recent pickup in volumes also highlights active participation on up-moves, supporting the view of accumulation at current levels.

On the downside, 3,555 will act as an immediate and crucial support zone  traders may keep this level as a stop-loss reference. Holding above 3,700 could set the stage for a rally towards 4,000, which aligns with the next resistance area and the stocks recent swing highs.

Also Read | Stocks to buy for short term: Ajit Mishra of Religare suggests 3 shares

Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) Buy BEL in Cash at  414; Stop loss at  399; Target price at  444 BEL share price is showing renewed strength after a brief consolidation phase, currently trading around 414.25, reflecting a positive sentiment shift. The stock has witnessed consistent higher lows formation, signalling a potential continuation of its broader uptrend.

On the technical front, BEL has reclaimed and is comfortably trading above its 20-day, 50-day, and 100-day EMAs, indicating a strong underlying bullish momentum. The alignment of short-term EMAs above long-term averages further strengthens the positive bias. A decisive close above the recent swing high zone could confirm a fresh breakout, paving the way for the next leg of the rally.

The volume pattern also supports this view, with noticeable accumulation during recent up moves  a sign of institutional buying interest. On the downside, immediate support lies near the 399 zone, which also serves as a prudent stop-loss level for short-term traders. A sustained close below this level could delay the uptrend. However, if BEL continues to hold above 410412, it may set the stage for a rally towards 444, aligning with the next resistance level and the upper range of its recent trading structure.
After months of twists, delays, and rival bids, MEG Energy shareholders have officially approved the long-awaited takeover by Cenovus Energy, clearing one of the final hurdles in an $8.6 billion deal that will reshape Canadas oil sands sector.

At a special meeting this week, 86% of MEG shareholders voted in favor of the acquisitionwell above the two-thirds threshold required. The vote marks a decisive end to a saga that began back in the spring, when Strathcona Resources launched a hostile bid for MEG but was rebuffed by its board. Cenovus stepped in with a competing offer in August, quickly winning MEGs supportbut the road since then has been rocky.

Initially valued at C$7.9 billion (US$5.7 billion), Cenovus bid was sweetened twice as the company sought to win over skeptical shareholders and fend off Strathcona. By late October, the offer had climbed to C$8.6 billion (US$6.2 billion), or about $29.80 per MEG sharehalf in cash, half in Cenovus stock. The deal also gave MEG shareholders the choice of taking cash or shares in the new, combined company.

Then came the regulatory hiccup. Canadas securities regulators requested more details on a separate transaction between Cenovus and Strathconaspecifically, Cenovus sale of its Vawn thermal oil facility and other Saskatchewan and Alberta assets to Strathcona. That deal effectively turned Strathcona, which holds a 14.2% stake in MEG, from an opponent into a supporter of the Cenovus takeover. The inquiry forced MEG to delay its shareholder vote three separate times before finally holding it this week.

With the vote now behind them, the companies move into the final stretch. Whats left are the standard closing conditionsregulatory approvals from Canadas Competition Bureau and Albertas Energy Regulator, along with final court approval of the arrangement. Those are expected to be formalities at this point.

The merger will create one of North Americas largest integrated oil producers, expanding Cenovus heavy oil footprint in the Christina Lake region and tightening its grip on the Canadian oil sands. After a year of corporate chess, the pieces have finally fallen into place.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Stock market news: The Indian stock market mostly remained flat on Friday after experiencing a day of volatile trading, with the Sensex dipping around 95 points and the Nifty 50 closing just under the 25,500 mark.

On Friday, the Sensex declined by 94.73 points, or 0.11%, settling at 83,216.28, while the Nifty 50 slipped by 17.40 points, or 0.07%, to end at 25,492.30.

Analysts pointed out that this stable result was primarily driven by mixed sentiment among investors, as ongoing selling from foreign institutional investors was somewhat offset by cautious support from domestic institutional investors that helped mitigate the drops.

Lackluster indicators from global markets, especially weakened technology and AI stocks in the US, also contributed to the subdued trading environment.

Additionally, profit-taking pressures persisted, especially in sectors like financials and real estate, while the metals sector showed resilience, providing some support to the indexes.

Also Read | Buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends three stocks to buy on Monday

Market Views - Prashanth Tapse, Research Analyst, Senior Vice President of Research at Mehta Equities Nifty 50 Nifty 50 continued to face profit-booking pressure, slipping below the crucial 25,500 zone, signaling short-term weakness. The index now finds support at 25,350 and 25,200, while resistance is placed near 25,650. A close below 25,450 could trigger further downside toward lower supports. However, pullbacks toward 25,650 cannot be ruled out if short covering emerges. Traders should stay cautious and avoid aggressive long positions until the index sustains above 25,650, which would confirm a reversal in sentiment.

Bank Nifty Bank Nifty remained volatile, struggling to maintain momentum above the 58,000 level. Immediate support lies at 57,500, below which weakness may extend toward 57,20057,000. Resistance around 58,000 is acting as a supply zone, with sellers active at higher levels. For renewed strength, the index needs a decisive close above 58,00058,200. Until then, traders should adopt a cautious stance, focusing on booking profits on intraday recoveries and maintaining a defensive approach below key resistance levels.

Also Read | Mehul Kothari of Anand Rathi recommends three stocks to buy or sell

Buy  Dr. Reddys Labs CMP: 1,205 | SL: 1,185 | Target: 1,250 / 1,265

Dr. Reddys Labs maintains its positive bias as the stock trades near the 1,200 zone with sustained volume participation. The overall trend remains constructive, supported by consistent higher lows and healthy momentum. A breakout above 1,220 may trigger fresh upside toward 1,250 1,265. On the downside, immediate support is placed at 1,185, which should act as a cushion for short-term traders. The stock remains a strong candidate for positional buying.

Buy  Max Healthcare CMP: 1,135 | SL: 1,110 | Target: 1,165 / 1,185

Max Healthcare continues to display strength with higher lows on the daily chart and steady buying interest. The uptrend remains intact as the stock trades above key moving averages. A sustained move above 1,140 could lead to a breakout, targeting 1,165 1,185. Momentum indicators show continued bullishness, suggesting accumulation on dips. Traders can maintain a positive outlook and use declines toward 1,120 1,125 as buying opportunities while keeping a strict stop-loss at 1,110.

Also Read | Rajesh Palviya of Axis Sec suggests these 3 shares to buy today

Buy  Orkla India CMP: 706.95 | SL: 675 | Target: 825 / 850

Orkla India, though newly listed, exhibits encouraging early strength supported by accumulation on lower levels. The stock has been forming a base near 680 700, indicating investor confidence. The short-term outlook remains positive with potential for a 1520% upside from current levels. Sustaining above 715 could trigger a fresh rally toward 825 850. Traders can adopt a buy-on-dips approach, keeping a stop-loss at 675, as the stock shows promising technical potential for medium-term gains.

Buy  Ixigo CMP: 280.40 | SL: 265 | Target: 300 / 310

Ixigo has stabilized after recent consolidation, finding firm support near 275. The overall trend remains constructive, with the price showing higher lows and rising volumes, reflecting accumulation interest. Sustaining above 280 could reignite upward momentum toward 300 310. Short-term traders can stay positive as long as the stock holds above 265. A decisive move above 285 288 could further strengthen the structure, making it attractive for gradual accumulation for medium-term investors.
As we near the second last week of earnings, nearly 113 companies are set to announce their Q2 results today. India's corporate earnings for the September quarter (Q2FY26) are proving to be more robust than anticipated thus far, with impressive performances from the commodity, capital goods, and technology sectors contributing to a rise in overall profits, according to experts.

As per Motilal Oswal, the preliminary review indicates that while the general trend remains steady, the recovery in earnings is primarily being driven by specific sectors  and estimates for the Nifty 50's earnings have experienced slight upward revisions.

The Oil & Gas sector has been the main contributor to this growth, with profits for Oil Marketing Companies skyrocketing nearly nine times compared to the previous year, in addition to substantial double-digit increases in technology, cement, capital goods, and metals. Collectively, these five sectors accounted for nearly 86% of the total earnings growth in Q2, according to the report.

On November 7, the domestic benchmark equity finished unchanged on Friday but declined for the week as foreign capital outflows overshadowed the positive sentiment around corporate earnings and trade discussions between India and the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that his discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were progressing positively and that he intends to visit the country soon.

On Friday, the Nifty 50 decreased by 0.07% to reach 25,492.30, while the BSE Sensex fell by 0.11% to settle at 83,216.28 points. Both indices experienced a drop of 0.9% over the week.

According to Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, lately, Nifty 50 has been trading below the 50EMA, indicating near-term weakness. Looking at the broader backdrop, the index has been declining since forming a double top around 26,100 on the hourly timeframe.

 Recently, the index slipped below a critical moving average, setting a deeper bearish tone. The crucial resistance is placed at 25,600; as long as it remains below this level, sentiment may continue to favor a sell-on-rise strategy. On the lower end, support is placed at 25,400, and a fall below this level might further boost the bears morale, said De.

Q2 Results today Today, a handful of major companies will be releasing their Q2 results, including Saven Technologies Ltd, Advani Hotels & Resorts (India) Ltd, Ambika Cotton Mills Ltd, AMS Polymers Ltd, Anant Raj Ltd, Anthem Biosciences Ltd, Apex Frozen Foods Ltd, Associated Alcohols & Breweries Ltd, and many more.

Approximately 113 companies will release their September quarter results today - ASM Technologies Ltd, Asutosh Enterprise Ltd, Autoline Industries Ltd, Aviva Industries Ltd, AYM Syntex Ltd, Bajaj Steel Industries Ltd, Bella Casa Fashion & Retail Ltd, Bengal Steel Industries Ltd, BMW Industries Ltd, B & A Ltd, Captain Pipes Ltd, Consecutive Investment & Trading Company Ltd, Cochin Minerals & Rutiles Ltd, Captain Polyplast Ltd, Craftsman Automation Ltd, Creative Eye Ltd, Crystal Business System Ltd, Deccan Bearings Ltd, Ethos Ltd, Exxaro Tiles Ltd, Fredun Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Gujarat Ambuja Exports Ltd, Gagan Gases Ltd, GK Consultants Ltd Golkonda, Aluminium Extrusions Ltd, Goodluck India Ltd, GPT Healthcare Ltd, Greenlam Industries Ltd, Gujarat Terce Laboratories Ltd, H S India Ltd, IFGL Refractories Ltd, Indiqube Spaces Ltd, Indsil Hydro Power and Manganese Ltd, Jayant Agro Organics Ltd, JLA Infraville Shoppers Ltd, Kamat Hotels (India) Ltd, Meghmani Organics Ltd, Meghmani Organics Ltd, Kriti Nutrients Ltd, Zenlabs Ethica Ltd, and others.
In the long history of horny sex jams, nothing quite matches up to the brilliance of DAngelos Untitled (How Does it Feel? ). Its a seven-minute slow-burn that thrums with a tension both erotic and divine, its entreaties to his lover to take the walls down" with him delivered by a choir from the heavens. Its a song that channelled decades of Black musical excellencecontroversy-era Princes fusion of raw desire and tender vulnerability, the yearning of Marvin Gayes Sexual Healing , Jimi Hendrixs volcanic guitar playinginto a meisterwerk of pop eroticism.

If Untitled (How Does it Feel?) was the only song that DAngelo ever wrote, it would already guarantee him a spot in the pantheon of pop music greats. But the American musicianwho died last month aged 51, after a long battle with pancreatic cancerleaves behind a body of work that is full of such moments of sonic wizardry. With just three albums, released over two decades, he helped birth the neo-soul movement, influenced artists as varied as Tyler The Creator, Alicia Keys and KeiyaA, and laid the blueprint for the contemporary Black avant-garde.

DAngelo was born Michael Eugene Archer, the son of a Pentecostal minister in Richmond, Virginia. He was three years old when his elder brother discovered him playing the house piano, and he was soon performing gospel songs to his fathers congregation. By the time he was a teenager, he was dominating school talent competitions and playing local gigs as part of Three Of A Kind, a band that consisted of him and two cousins.

His first significant success came a year before his debut album Brown Sugar dropped in 1995, with U Will Know, a song he co-wrote and co-produced for supergroup Black Men United, alongside R&B stars Brian McKnight, Usher, R. Kelly, Boyz II Men, Lenny Kravitz and Gerard Levart. Even then, he was being spoken of as one of the music industrys biggest talents.

At a time when popular R&B was all shiny and synthetic, Brown Sugar harked back to the organic warmth and grainy textures of 1970s soul, which he blended masterfully with the sounds and sensibilities of contemporary hip-hop. Shit, Damn, Motherfucker, a song about coming home to find your girl in bed with your best friend, is a murder ballad set to the most seductive of bass-and-drum grooves. The title song is a smoky, jazzy ode to marijuana in the vein of James Browns Mary Jane, while album closer Higher hinted at the synthesis of spirituality and sex that found full bloom on Untitled.

A modest success on its release, Brown Sugar would eventually spend 65 weeks on the Billboard 200 charts, and launch the neo-soul movement, its name coming from a term popularised by DAngelos then-manager Kedar Massenburg (though DAngelo would later disavow the term, saying he was making Black music"). After touring behind the album for two years, he retreated to the Electric Lady Studios in New Yorkestablished by Jimi Hendrixto work on the follow-up. He was plagued by writers block for years, though he also found a collaborative community in experimental collective Soulquarians, of which he was founding member alongside Questlove and J. Dilla (Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, Common and Mos Def would be among the groups later alumni).

The collectives jam-and-recording sessions at Electric Lady Studios would result in truly iconic albums, including The Rootss Things Fall Apart and Phrenology, Erykah Badus Mamas Gun, and Commons Like Water for Chocolate. But DAngelos Voodoo, released in 2000, was an outlier even among this set of instant classics. The album eschewed traditional song structure in favour of extended jams that drew from funk, soul, blues and rock. Questloves usually precise drumming often lagged just behind the beat in a way that gave the albums grooves a languid elasticity, as if time itself was just another instrument in the hands of these masters.

Voodoo was also a darker, more philosophical record than its predecessor, touching upon subjects like spirituality, sexuality, personal growth and fatherhood. But thanks to the scorching hot video for Untitledwhich featured a ripped, shirtless DAngelo singing to the camerait was the sensuality that lodged itself into the public consciousness. DAngelo became an unwilling sex symbol, with women often lining up at his shows and shouting at him to take his clothes off. He struggled with that attention, receding from public view after the Voodoo tour was done. There were battles with addiction, a near-death car accident, and drug arrests.

Fourteen years after his last album, DAngelo returned in the waning days of 2014 with Black Messiah, once again reclaiming his title as one of contemporary musics most visionary geniuses. The album dropped in the wake of the acquittal of the police officers who had murdered Michael Brown and Eric Garner, and seemed to be a prescient response to the growing urgency of the Black Lives Matter movementits dense jazz-funk grooves and psychedelic guitar pyrotechnics soundtracking DAngelos verses about systemic racism and Black resilience.

Also Read | Three new indie rap records you should hear

We should all aspire to be a Black Messiah," he wrote on the albums liner notes. Its about people rising up in Ferguson and in Egypt and in Occupy Wall Street and in every place where a community has had enough and decides to make change happen. Its not about praising one charismatic leader but celebrating thousands of them."

In the wake of DAngelos passing, and at a time when Americaand the world at largeseem to be heading for another period of darkness, those words ring even more loudly as a challenge and an exhortation for other artists to pick up the baton.

Bhanuj Kappal is a Mumbai-based writer.
Theres a scene in Dhoom Dhaam (2025) where Yami Gautams character goes off on a rant about patriarchy. It felt to me a moment written for the express purpose of being able to share on social media as a mic-drop monologuewhich is exactly what Netflix did a few days after the release. I was reminded of this by a scene in Haq, where Gautams Shazia Bano, accosted in the marketplace, exhorts onlooking women to really read the Quran and not submit meekly to their husbands. Another mic-drop, I guess, but one complicated by the subject, the times, and the actor.

Shazia is based on Shah Bano, a divorcee whose long legal battle for the right to receive alimony reached the Supreme Court in 1985. The court ruled in her favoura hugely controversial decision, as many saw it in contravention of Muslim Personal Law. In response, the Congress government at the time enacted a law that limited the effect of this judgment, in large part shifting the maintenance of divorced Muslim women back onto their family or the Waqf board.

Suparn S Varma's Haq is not the Shah Bano film I was expectingnot exactly, anyway. For one, it only reaches the courts halfway through. Before that, its a fairly restrained look at the romance of Shazia, a maulvis daughter, and lawyer Abaas Khan (Emraan Hashmi), followed by a slow souring of the relationship. One day, out of the blue, he brings home a new wife, Saira (Vartika Singh). Shazia, though distraught, tries to make the new arrangement work, but finally gives up and moves back to her parents place with her three children.

There are those who mightve hoped that a film about an oppressed Muslim woman and Islamic law would be the kind of Hindutva propaganda that graces our screens every few months now. Haq, written by Reshu Nath, isnt that at allthough whether it still serves to further a right-leaning political line is worth pondering. It offers an unconditionally supportive Muslim cleric in the person of Shazias father, played by Danish Husain, to counter all the patriarchal ones opposing her claim. Even Abbas isnt shown to be an oppressive sort, just someone who uses existing rules to justify a self-serving decision. The only outright caricature is Abbass boorish, wife-beating neighbour.

In the Supreme Court, Abbas, representing himself, launches into an impassioned defense of shariat. He speaks of the independence movement, of Pakistan, of the difficulties of being a minority and importance of Islamic law to Muslims in India. Varma loses his nerve and adds vaguely sinister music at the end, but its a thoughtful speech, and Hashmi delivers it sincerely. The film clearly doesnt agree with his point of view, but it finds time and the right language for it.

Working with cinematographer Pratham Mehta, Varma finds a simple, stark look for his filmroomy framings, muted colours, lots of natural light. Gautams performance mirrors this starkness, her eyes flashing with hurt and resentment as her husband causally moves on from her, occasionally exploding at him and society at large. The film hints at the larger political implications of the case, but mostly keeps a tight focus on Shazia. This restraint is abandoned in the final moments, when the present government is congratulated for the abolition of Triple Talaq and the Uniform Civil Code is finally, inevitably mentioned.

There are implications to Gautam playing Bano that transcend what is, in isolation, an impassioned performance. In Uri (2019), a film about the 2016 cross-border strikes by the Indian military, and Article 370 (2024), about the revocation of the special status of Jammu & Kashmir, she played a RAW agent and an NIA agent respectively. Both films (one directed by her husband, Aditya Dhar, the other written by him) are laudatory of the central BJP leadership to a level indistinguishable from propaganda. A Uniform Civil Code has been a longstanding demand of the RSS. Haq may not be anyones idea of a hard-right film. But I imagine itll be the first of several in coming years to address the code.

Haq is in theatres.

Read the latest reviews on Livemint.com/mint-lounge.
Last month when the winner of this years Nobel Prize for Literature was announced, millions of readers heard of the Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai for the first time. Once the news was out, media platforms from around the world seemed to fixate on a single aspect of his enormous genius: Krasznahorkais famously difficult sentences, which often run for pages, making his writing unique, even inaccessible, to a cross-section of readers.

Considering Krasznahorkais experiments with the Hungarian language, it must be notoriously tough to render his work into English. Even so, his novels have reached Anglophone readers due to the efforts of his translators, George Szirtes, Ottillie Mulzet and John Batki. In spite of the undeniable greatness of his workI use the term here with the full awareness of its weighthis books will appeal only to a niche, and that is of a piece with who he is, both as a writer and human being.

For the vast majority, Krasznahorkais novels are obtuse, a test of their patience. And not only is the writer aware of this effect, he also owns it with equanimity. In a Paris Review interview with Adam Thirwell in 2018, he spoke of the distinction of his novels in no uncertain terms. Occasionally a very high-level literary work happens to say something on the midrange level and reaches more readers," he put it. My novels absolutely dont work on the mid-level because I dont ever compromise."

In India, Krasznahorkais work gained currency among select readers in 2013, when the writer visited the country for the first time to participate in the Almost Island Dialogues, an annual literary convention curated by poet, writer and translator Sharmistha Mohanty, who is also the publisher of an online magazine of the same name. Mohanty had previously interviewed the reclusive writer during a trip to Budapest which was published in Almost Island magazine. In the course of that long conversation, Krasznahorkai had spoken of his life under Soviet rule, the many odd jobs he did along the years, including working as a miner and nightwatchman for 300 cows, and his relationship with the Hungarian language.

View Full Image Books by author Laszlo Krasznahorkai at Borshuset in Stockholm after he was announced as the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Photo: Henrik Montgomery via AP

Speaking of the latter, Krasznahorkai pointed out that Hungarian being just 200 years old, can withstand bolder experiments that, say, western European languages with long and august histories. He also offered a remarkable and profound explanation for his long sentences. For him, Krasznahorkai said, the sentence is a unit of thought. Even one that only has a few words, therefore, could feel impossibly long if it makes the reader think for a long time. So, the length of his sentence is, for Krasznahorkai, a philosophical choice rather than a matter of stylistic virtuosity. As he said in the Paris Review interview, If you want to say something very important you dont need full stops or periods but breaths and rhythmrhythm and tempo and melody."

As a student of literature, I was trained to read and appreciate the sentencethe long and the short of it. I wrote my graduate thesis on the novels of Henry James, another writer famous for his serpentine sentences. I loved Virginia Woolfs novels, which are minefields of complex sentences. I read Ulysses, a novel where language breaks down into pure thought, but I gave up on James Joyce after a brush with Finnegans Wake. My 20-something self may not have always survived the force field of the long sentence, but thankfully my 40-something self is better fortified to face it, considering I read Krasznahorkais first novel, Satantango (1985), recently with rapt attention.

To be honest, I was surprised by the degree of my absorption in the world Krasznahorkai builds in the book. Each chapter consists of a single, seemingly endless paragraph. At a glance, it looks like the reader is confronting a brick wall, but once the eye starts moving over the words, they begin to see life forms trembling, moving, breathing in the interstices of the letters. I had anticipated my smartphone-haunted brain to put up a resistance against this parade of words, but I was startled by the ease with which Krasznahorkai drew me in. Once I entered his dark, dank, apocalyptic rural dystopia, I didnt want to lose the thread of his thought.
Amit Damani remembers his grandmothers 80th birthday because his extended family gathered for the celebrations in a rented villa in Lonavala, near Pune. Everyone was up past midnight as the octogenarian regaled them with stories.

Those (kind of gatherings) dont happen at home because if youre at home, everyone has to leave by a certain time," says the co-founder of luxury villa rental company StayVista (formerly known as Vista Rooms). But (on holiday) theres no restriction on what time you have to be up till, what time you want to go to sleep, etc."

Damani, 37, narrates this story as an illustration of what family holidays mean in India, the joys of group travel and why their company is riding high on a growing travel trendvilla rentals. The Indian branded rental villa market, in 2023, was sized at $329.6 million and expected to reach $1,377 million by 2028, according to a report from Axon Developer.

StayVista has an inventory of about 1,200 properties across over 150 destinations in the country, expecting to hit a revenue of 240 crore in FY26, and a profit of close to 10 crore. Their properties are broadly across three categories: the luxury segment ( 12,000 plus on an average per night per room), the premium segment (between 7,000-10,000) and the budget segment ( 4,000-6,000), with Maharashtra being the largest market in terms of the number of properties. It still doesnt have a lot of presence in the North-East, in places of pilgrimage and wildlife because supply in many of these places is limited, Damani says. They want to add those, keep expanding in existing markets, and offer guests other forms of travel, like glamping and cottages.

We can see the hunger Indians have to travel. Its no longer about doing a summer holiday or a Diwali holiday. Its, like, I want to take a quarterly check (on holidays)," he says.

Damani grew up in a big joint Marwari family" in Mumbai, which included uncles, cousins and grandparents, till the age of about 15. It was a fluid set-up, with up to six children squashed in a room, which may have, he admits, planted the idea of StayVista in his subconscious. Everything was common, shared and he doesnt think he had ever been on a holiday with just his parentsit was always in a group.

His grandfather, Makhanlal, was in the bullion market, operating out of Zaveri Bazar, but his sons later worked in the stock market, transferring the familys wealth creation in gold towards stocks and equity. But none of the newer generation got involved in the same businessDamanis brother Aditya runs a consumer lending firm, Credit Fair.

Damani studied in Bombay International and Cathedral and John Connon schools, one that allowed him to learn and explore, another that was competitive. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics and international relations at Northwestern University in Chicago, initially aiming to become a diplomat.

A few internships followed, one of them at Goldman Sachs in Chicago, at the peak of the global financial crisis. The markets tanked in my first week of work (in 2008). The next day, half of the office was fired. The person I was reporting to as an intern was gone. I was literally a fly on the wall, seeing whats going on in such a large financial institution," he recalls.

The experience made him realise that financial services was not his calling (nor was diplomacy), so he thought about consulting to get exposure on building businesses and problem solving. He joined the non-profit Teach for India in 2010, teaching class III and IV children in a municipal school in Dharavi for two years. I tell everyone that managing those 35 students is as hard as managing an organisation of 350 team members because you have to motivate each of those students," he says.
On an average weekend in the National Capital Region (NCR), there are heritage walks and nature trails early in the morning; poetry readings and book club meetings in the day; tastings galorefrom coffee and chocolates to wines and whiskiesto fill the evenings, and some fake weddings too. As these endless options for communal experiences vie for our attention (and money), theres one pastime that has remained relatively unchanged: The movie.

Most halls have stuck with the same old recipe of overpriced snacks and carbonated drinks. So, when I came across a social media ad for a gourmet cinema experience", I was intrigued. The films on offer werent new but the kind you didnt mind rewatching. The price was steep 3,000 per personbut it was a five-course meal inspired by the movie. It was an experience served by the Sunset Cinema Club (SCC), which currently runs events in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Amritsar, Goa, Dehradun, and Chandigarh. The nine-year-old company started with an open-air screening of Pulp Fiction in Connaught Place in 2016. The experiment was such a hitwith casual bean-bag seating and snacksthat it led to a three-day film festival in Chanakyapuri, Delhi, with food trucks, cocktails and artists in 2017.

After hosting 200,000 people over eight yearsin screenings at a variety of venues like malls, rooftops, amphitheatres, microbreweries, and drive-in spacesSCC cut to the gourmet cinema experience in June. Founders Sahil Kapoor and Sanchit Gupta, batchmates in engineering college, curate the film menus with a creative team and tweak it in collaboration with each host partner. You should be able to feel the movie through your palate," says Kapoor, a Delhi-based entrepreneur who got the idea for SCC after experiencing an array of nightlife offerings in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand. He was engaged in his family business until he took the leap with co-founder Gupta, who held a job in a leading NBFC.

Movie-hall fare in India has improved lately, with cinema chains collaborating with celebrity chefs to pepper their menus with razzmatazz. INOX (now PVR INOX) famously launched a healthy menu curated by chef Vicky Ratnani in 2017. While it sounds like a great idea in theory, navigating a bowl of khichdi in the dark just doesnt feel right. Another long-term collaborationPVR Cinemas with chef Sarah Toddyielded an expanded menu with global influences. Cinepolis matched this by partnering with chef Saransh Goila to introduce 40 dishes in 2019. Recently, PVR INOX launched its first luxury dine-in cinema" in Bengaluru, serving chef-curated menus from nine F&B brands cafe-style, with tables facing the screen.

Also Read | Are movie theaters losing their magic to dining distractions?

These ventures arent a minute too early. Elsewhere in Asia, cinema has been engaging the senses with food. For instance, a hotpot cooking and dining experience from a cinema hall in Chengdu, China, inspired a similar venture in Malaysia last year. In Hamburg, Germany, Eat The Film Restaurant & Bar has been plating films since late 2023. The biggest player in this fusion of cinema and food seems to be Fork n Film, which started as an apartment rooftop pop-up event in Los Angeles in mid-2023 and now has events across eight locations in the US plus one in Mexico and another in London.

Gourmet menus at Indian movie halls cannot provide a sensory portal to the films world unless they are customised for every show. This takes time and work, as shown by Taste Cinemas Gurgaon, which curates eight-course menus inspired by the movies/shows it screens as limited editions. It started in 2024 with some Harry Potter screenings, moving to obvious choices like Ratatouille and then some not-so-obvious ones like Twilight, Mean Girls, and episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. in its latest and seventh edition. Sometimes, the choice of movie is so outlandish that the dishes too must look out of this worldpicture watching Avatar while eating blue dimsums. Sacrilegious, but also curious.

The movie I watched was Eat, Pray, Love. SCC organises one screening per weekend for its gourmet cinema experience, each film selected for its predominant travel and/or gastronomic themes. It started ordinarily enough with a small basket of truffle popcorn that kept getting refilled. While I was still getting to know the main characters of the movie at a party, I was served an appetiser of baked nachos with cheesethe platter arriving at the exact moment when nachos were mentioned in the film. Service was timed exactly for all the 40-50 patrons in the restaurant. The nachos portion was unlimited, too. Until Julia Robertss character, Elizabeth Gilbert aka Liz, decided to quit her marriage, and travel to Italy. It is here that she would discover her appetite for lifeand I, for gourmet cinema.

As Liz tucked into spaghetti and pizza, so did I. There are vegetarian and meat options for all the courses, and I had chosen in advance. My spaghetti pomodoro and margarita pizza did not just look like they had been coaxed out of the films universe but they arrived perfectly timed to Lizs order at a restaurant. And so, as Liz sipped on red wine on the screen, I sipped a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.

I have watched Eat, Pray, Love a few times, always on TV and always in fragments. Lizs ashram experience, when she lands in the chaos of India, plays out to me as an annoying stereotype. Maybe it was this aversion to cliches or my revulsion for beetroot that made the next course leave a bad taste in the mouth. Or maybe, a beetroot galouti chaat was never meant to follow spaghetti and pizza.

Thankfully, it didnt take Liz too long to make peace with her past and explore new shores. As she found balance and new love in Bali, I found myself trying tofu steamed in banana leaves with rice and a sauce that was as hot and sweet as Lizs affair with Javier Bardems Felipe.

We go to the movies to escape the boring certitude of our daily lives. We pay a premium because we want to be immersed in another world, where we can fly through the clouds and save the world, or find unexpected love on a train journey. Seeing is believing, but add smell and taste and youre suddenly living the story.

Eat, Pray, Love had to run out of food at some point. And even though Lizs story had a sweet ending, it lacked a dessert. So, the curators had to improvisea tutti-frutti sundae, inspired by a girl called Tutti, whom the protagonist helps find a home with some white-people crowdfunding magic.

When the lights finally came on, they left the audience dazed with a sudden displacement. There was a souvenir to take home, a themed postcard commemorating the film and its destinations. To counter my post-vacation blues, I began planning my next shoestring adventureI began to list all the other movies I would like to taste.

Sumeet Keswani is an independent journalist.
In a significant win against the Income-Tax Department, Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has won a 4 crore dispute in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Mumbai, according to multiple reports.

The actor won her case at ITAT Mumbai, which ruled that the tax authority had not provided adequate reasons for rejecting the original computation and not properly considered the facts of the case, Business Insider reported.

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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wins  4 crore disallowance case: Details According to a report by the Economic Times, the issue stems from the I-T Department's challenge of the actor's income tax computation for AY22-23 (FY23-24). Here's what we know:

On October 22, 2022, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan declared total income of  39.33 crore for AY23, including investments generating  2.14 crore in exempt income, as per the ET report.

39.33 crore for AY23, including investments generating 2.14 crore in exempt income, as per the ET report. She also declared voluntary disallowance of  49.08 lakh in her filings, citing no direct expenses incurred to obtain the exempt income under Section 14A.

49.08 lakh in her filings, citing no direct expenses incurred to obtain the exempt income under Section 14A. However, the I-T Department sent her a notice of comprehensive scrutiny, under which it conducts detailed verification of ITR filings, it said.

She reportedly responded to the tax notice, but her clarifications were rejected by the tax assessing officer (AO) by reading Section 14A with Rule 8D, and a disallowance of  4.60 crore was calculated, increasing her assessed income for the fiscal to  43.44 crore.

4.60 crore was calculated, increasing her assessed income for the fiscal to 43.44 crore. The case was referred to the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)] which have the actor relief, but it was further taken to ITAT by the tax department, the report added.

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What were the claims made by each side? Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's side argued that her detailed reply to the tax notice was dismissed and due consideration was not given to her response. The counsel also said that the actor's total expenses were 2.48 crore, against the AO's much higher 4.60 crore disallowance, as per the report.

For the I-T department, the lawyer said that the AO had correctly invoked Section 14A read with Rule 8D and had documented his satisfaction.

The ITAT in its October 31, 2025 ruling, said that the AO rejected Rai Bachchan's calculations without looking at particulars under investments and actual generated income, it also acknowledged the disproportion between total expenses and disallowance as unreasonable, the report added.

It also used precedence from the Supreme Court's 2018 decision in Maxopp Investments, where the AO was required to record satisfaction as to why the taxpayer's disallowance is not acceptable before invoking Rule 8D, which the tribunal pointed the officer in this case failed to do.

What is Section 14A? According to IndiaFilings, Section 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is a legal provision which lays down the law in relation to expenses incurred by a taxpayer to earn an income which does not form a part of total income as per the provisions under the Act.
Air India flight, scheduled to take off from Mumbai for London, was delayed by over six hours on Saturday, November 8, due to technical difficulties.

According to an Air India spokesperson, the AI129, scheduled to take off from Mumbai for London at 6.30 AM, is delayed and yet to take off.

Due to technical difficulties, the flight will now take off at 1 pm, the airline said.

Air India also said that the passengers were provided with refreshments.

In a separate incident on late Friday night, a major accident occurred near Air India Junction in Mumbai after two vehicles collided, resulting in both vehicles catching fire.

Speaking on the incident, Traffic Police Inspector Nilesh Waje said, Around 7:45 pm, near the Air India Junction, a taxi collided with a car, causing both the car and the taxi to catch fire... There were no injuries in the incident. The fire department arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control.

Also Read | Delhi airport says technical glitch gradually improving

Delhi Airport's technical snags affect Mumbai Airport Flight Operations at Mumbai Airport were also affected on Friday after a technical issue with the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Delhi Airport caused delays to hundreds of flights.

In an advisory, Mumbai Airport said, "Flight Operations at Mumbai Airport have been affected by a technical issue impacting the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Delhi, which supports Air Traffic Control flight planning. The concerned authorities are actively working to resolve the issue at the earliest."

"As a result, airline operations may experience delays. Passengers are advised to connect with their respective airlines for updates on flight status and revised schedules. We regret the inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and cooperation," the advisory added.

Also Read | Are Delhi flights still being delayed? What to know before heading to IGI

Airline operations at the Delhi airport, the country's busiest airport, were slowly returning to normalcy on Saturday morning.

The technical problem with the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which supports the air traffic control's flight planning process, continued for over 15 hours from around 5:45 am on Friday before the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said at around 9 pm that the issue has been addressed.

Delhi airport operator DIAL on Saturday morning said the technical issue which affected the AMSS is gradually improving.

"Airline operations at Delhi Airport are returning to normal, and all concerned authorities are working diligently to minimise any inconvenience caused," it said in a post on X.

Apart from over 800 flights that faced delays, some services were also cancelled on Friday, impacting hundreds of passengers.
More than 24 hours after a technical issue led to delays in flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, the Delhi airport said that all flight operations are normal at the Delhi airport, but advised passengers to stay in touch with their airlines for the latest flight updates.

Are flights at IGI still being delayed? On Friday (Nov 7), arriving flights were delayed by an average of 50 minutes, Bloomberg reported while citing data from tracking website Flightradar24. It said departures were almost an hour late.

Also Read | Delhi airport says technical glitch gradually improving

On Saturday (Nov 8), the Delhi airport said airline operations are returning to normal, and "all concerned authorities are working diligently to minimize any inconvenience caused."

"Passengers are advised to stay in touch with their airlines for latest flight update," the Delhi airport said.

Around 12 pm, the Delhi airport said all flight operations are normal at Delhi airport.

What caused delays in flight operations at Delhi IGI? A computer glitch in the airports Air Traffic Control systems delayed hundreds of flights at Delhi airport on Friday.

The issue started on Thursday evening due to a technical issue with the automatic message switching system, which caused delays in processing flight plan messages, according to the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) post on X.

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As the issue was reported, additional staff were deployed to process flight plans manually during the outage, according to the post.

The separation between departing aircraft increased under manual planning and that lead to inefficient usage of airspace and delays, sources told Bloomberg.

Timeline of glitch at Delhi airport Around 8:30 am on Friday, the Delhi airport issued an advisory, saying, "Due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, flight operations at IGIA are experiencing delays. Their team is actively working with all stakeholders, including DIAL, to resolve it at the earliest."

"Passengers are advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused," the advisory stated.

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At 10 am on Friday, the Airport Authority of India said flight operations at Delhi Airport are experiencing delays due to a technical issue in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which supports Air Traffic Control data.

"Controllers are processing flight plans manually, leading to some delays. Technical teams are working to restore the system at the earliest. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of all passengers and stakeholders," the AAI added.

In an update around 11.20 am, the Delhi airport said the matter was being addressed on priority with close coordination among ATC, DIAL and other stakeholders.

At 12 pm, IndiGO also released an advisory saying that flights across all airlines at Delhi Airport and some other airports in the northern region were experiencing delays.

The airline recommended checking the latest flight status at http://t.co/iWgtpd6h6C and "arriving a little earlier than usual to allow additional time at the airport."

The airline said, We understand how inconvenient and uncertain this can be, especially when travel plans are involved. Please be assured that the authorities are working to restore the system at the earliest, and our on-ground teams are doing their best to support you and ensure continuity of services.

Even at 1:30 pm on Friday, all airline operations at Delhi airport remained delayed. An advisory said, Concerned authorities are working on resolving the issue at the earliest.

At 11 pm, the Delhi airport authority said airline operations at Delhi airport are returning to normal, and all concerned authorities are working diligently to minimise any inconvenience caused.

It also advised flyers to stay in touch with their airline for latest flight update..
Pharmaceutical companies around the world are under massive pressure from President Donald Trump to lower drug prices and manufacture them on American shores.

UK drugmaker AstraZeneca, which reported ascendant results on Thursday, is taking him up on both suggestions. A good quarter certainly helps. The companys net profit rose 77% year-over-year to $2.53 billion in the third quarter, and revenue grew 12% to $15.2 billion, beating analysts expectations.

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London Stalling

AstraZeneca is the biggest drugmaker in Britain, and its 193 billion ($253 billion) market capitalization tops the London Stock Exchange. That makes its symbolic and literal importance to the shrinking and struggling bourse practically seismic. Lately, however, the companys attention has been diverted across the pond. Shareholders voted resoundingly (99.36%) on Monday in favor of plans to list directly on the New York Stock Exchange, while also remaining on the LSE. And, last month, AstraZeneca became the second major pharmaceutical company to strike a deal with the Trump administration on drug prices, agreeing to charge Medicaid the lowest price available in other developed countries and offer direct-to-consumer discounts up to 80%. In exchange, the Trump administration gave the company a three-year reprieve from 100% tariffs on branded pharmaceutical imports.

In the meantime, AstraZeneca plans to invest $50 billion to boost US manufacturing and research by 2030 to shore up its position in the crucial market. The US accounts for over 40% of revenue, which CEO Pascal Soriot said Thursday could be half of our potential revenue by 2030. He also issued warnings to Europe and the UK, where R&D spending lags behind that of the worlds two largest economies, that they might lose their health sovereignty. Separately:

AstraZeneca, which made $54 billion in revenue last year, reiterated a forecast that 2025 sales will grow by a high single-digit percentage.

The company has targeted $80 billion in revenue by 2030 and says it can absorb the impact of its US deal.

Joining the Fray: AstraZenecas powerhouse is its oncology portfolio, which accounted for 44% of revenue last quarter. The company is also joining the weight loss fray, where Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have made billions. AstraZeneca said Thursday that it exercised an option to acquire SixPeaks Bio for $170 million, the cost of shares it didnt already own. The Swiss company is developing weight-management drugs that preserve lean muscle mass, which is often lost by users of GLP-1 drugs like Novos Wegovy and Lilys Zepbound.

This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter.
Delhi has now tumbled into the red zone with pollution levels crossing the 400 mark in several parts of the city on Saturday, making the national capital one of the most polluted cities in the country. Since Diwali, the national capital's air quality has consistently remained 'poor' or 'very poor', occasionally slipping into the 'severe' zone.

The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), reported at 4 pm every day, stood at 361 on Saturday, placing Delhi in the 'red zone' and making it the second most polluted city in the country, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Which areas have severe AQI? Several parts of Delhi recorded pollution levels in the 'severe' category.

Monitoring stations reported an AQI of 404 at Alipur, 402 at ITO, 406 at Nehru Nagar, 411 at Vivek Vihar, 420 at Wazirpur, and 418 at Burari, according to the CPCB's Sameer app data from 38 monitoring stations across the capital.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 to 100 "satisfactory", 101 to 200 "moderate", 201 to 300 "poor", 301 to 400 "very poor" and 401 to 500 "severe", as per the CPCB classification.

In the NCR region, Noida recorded an AQI of 354, Greater Noida 336, and Ghaziabad 339, all falling in the 'very poor' category, according to CPCB data.

What was the AQI before? On Friday, Delhi recorded an AQI of 322, ranking first among the most polluted cities in the country.

According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality forecasting, stubble burning contributed around 30 per cent to Delhi's pollution, while the transport sector accounted for 15.2 per cent on Sunday.

The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has predicted that the city's air quality will remain in the 'very poor' category over the next few days.

Which are the most polluted cities? Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida emerged as the most polluted cities in October, while Dharuhera in Haryana topped the chart, according to a study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) released on Tuesday, 4 November.

The air quality in the national capital remained in the very poor category over the last few days.

What doctors have said? Amid rising chatter of the amount of toxic air Delhi is breathing and the severe implications of the same, doctors have sounded warnings about the alarming number of illnesses that have increased due to the pollution.

Earlier, senior pulmonologist Dr Gopi Chand Khilnani advised the Delhi residents, especially the elderly and those with chronic lung disease or chronic heart disease, to leave Delhi for six to eight weeks or relocate, if they can afford.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday announced the dates for Winter session of Parliament. According to the schedule, Winter session of Parliament will be held from December 1 to 19.

In a post on X, he stated, The Honble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji has approved the proposal of the Government to convene the #WinterSession of #Parliament from 1st December 2025 to 19th December, 2025 (subject to exigencies of Parliamentary business).

He concluded the post with the statement, Looking forward to a constructive & meaningful Session that strengthens our democracy & serves the aspirations of the people.

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This announcement comes at a time political campaigning entered its final leg ahead of Phase 2 of Bihar assembly polls. The Bihar elections results will be announced on November 14, three days after the final polling round which will be held on November 11.

Also Read | FM to seek Parliament nod for extra funds to cover income tax, GST reliefs

Prime Minister conducted two rallies today, the first in Sitamarhi and the second in Bettiah. As the political climate heats up, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)Janata Dal (United) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is locking horns with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)Congress-led Mahagathbandhan.

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Possible issues to be discussed in Winter session of Parliament In the upcoming Winter session of Parliament, the government plans to introduce the draft of the Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Act 2025. It was presented by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr Rajeev Raghuvanshi at a high-level meeting of the Union health ministry held on November 4.

The proposal pertains to growing demand for regulation of medical devices and cosmetics so that they comply with safety and quality control norms for medical products. It aims to strengthen laws governing market surveillance and requirement for drug quality testing.

During the meeting chaired by Union Health Minister J P Nadda, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and DCGI senior officials outlined the framework of the proposed law. The meeting comes in the backdrop of contaminated cough syrup related juvenile deaths in Madhya Pradesh.

In September, the Congress demanded that the PM Modi-led government must introduce a law for implementing Article 15(5) in Parliament's Winter session. This pertains to reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs in private educational institutions.

The opposition party cited a parliamentary committee report to support its argument and claimed that the SC, ST, and OBC community students are underrepresented in private universities.
A 9-year-old girl Amaiyra, who died by suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of Neerja Modi school in Jaipur, was bullied, claimed the deceased child's parents, who also held a teacher responsible for dodging their complaints, according to media reports.

The family has reportedly lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the school administration, claiming that her death took place under suspicious circumstances and demanding an inquiry into the involvement of the teaching staff. According to an NDTV report, the parents alleged that the bullying involved verbal abuse and comments with sexual connotations".

This follows the Rajasthan education department's five-member committee constituted to present its report next week on the demise of the girl on November 1. The horrifying CCTV footage with no sound shows her scaling the railing moments before her fatal fall.

As per an India Today report, the girl's mother Shivani Meena stated that they had told the teacher about the bullying; however, there was no action taken. "I would speak to the class teacher, I spoke to the class coordinator not once, but a number of times over the last one year, but they would either shrug me off or ignore me," NDTV quoted the girl's mother as saying.

Her husband, Vijay Meena, recounted an incident during a Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) when, according to him, a group of children pointed towards Amaiyra and another boy. Feeling embarrassed, Amaiyra hid behind Vijay. He then raised the matter during the parents-teacher meeting. He mentioned, The teacher told me this is a coed school and Amaiyra must learn to talk to all children, even the boys. I told the teacher that 'it is my daughter's choice if she does not want to talk to boys'."

Also Read | Seven lawsuits allege OpenAI encouraged suicide and harmful delusions

'They charge substantial fees but where is accountability' The NDTV report said that Amaiyra's uncle, Sahil sought answers from the school", asking with over 5,000 children and a six-floor building, how did they get permission to build the extra floors without having a grill or a net for safety? It's the most basic thing. How can you have open floors with so many children around? How come there is no audio available in the CCTV that should be there as per CBSE guidelines? In fact, 15 days of CCTV footage should be available. It's a prestigious school of Jaipur. They charge substantial fees, but where is the accountability?

Also Read | 7 lawsuits against OpenAI claim ChatGPT encouraged people to die by suicide

We have spoken to her teachers, classmates, and other school staff. Prima facie, she was not willing to visit the school on the day of the incident. However, the fact will be ascertained after we speak to her parents,Jaipur district education officer Ramniwas Sharma said, Hindustan Times reported.

Sharma stated that investigators discovered some classmates had used bad words toward the girl. He added, We are probing whether she was depressed due to that or also had some problems at home.
As per latest update on Indian Army's Operation Pimple, two terrorists were killed by security forces in the Keran area of Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir. Army Chinar Corps shared the development about the ongoing operation.

In a post on X, Chinar Corps stated, Two terrorists have been neutralised by the security forces in the ongoing operation. Search of the area in progress.

This statement comes after the Army received intelligence input from agencies with respect to an infiltration attempt. Based on the available cues, a joint operation was launched in Keran sector of Kupwara on November 7. During the coordinated search operation, the specific area linked to suspicious activity was traced and contact established. According to the Indian Army, the infiltration attempt took place along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara.

The army suspected suspicious activity in Kupwara which resulted in a confrontation, this is when the terrorists open fired at the troops. In the gunfire exchange, two terrorists were killed.

In a post on X, Chinar Corps had stated, On 07 Nov 2025, based on specific intelligence input from agencies, regarding an infiltration attempt, a joint operation was launched in the Keran sector of Kupwara. Alert troops spotted suspicious activity and challenged which resulted in terrorists opening indiscriminate fire. Contact established and terrorists trapped. Op continues.

This latest operation comes months after India's landmark anti-terrorism move named Operation Sindoor, initiated on May 7, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack. In the tragic terrorist attack, as many as 26 civilians were killed.

J&K Police conduct searches in jails across the Valley In an unrelated development, Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday conducted searches at various jails across the Valley.

"The CIK is carrying out searches in various jails of Kashmir. Legal action will be taken if anything illegal is recovered during searches," PTI quoted the officials as saying.
SIR in Bengal: All voters, who are away from West Bengal, can now fill up the enumeration forms online. The online forms for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) have been made live following a brief delay earlier in the week due to technical glitches, as per multiple reports.

Online SIR forms: How to access it? To access the online enumeration forms, you will need to visit the voters' portal on the Election Commission of India's website. Click here for the direct link.

You can also access the forms via the ECINET mobile app, election officials had said earlier.

How to fill online SIR form? A step-by-step guide Upon visiting the website, click on the option Fill Enumeration form

Next you will be directed to another window, that will require the login details such as registered mobile number, or email ID, EPIC number of the voter.

Login details such as registered mobile number, or email ID, EPIC number of the voter are required

After filling all the details, enter the captcha code given. An OTP will be generated, which you need to enter. Next, click submit.

Upon hitting the submit button, you will be directed to a list of states. Choose West Bengal from the drop-down list.

Select West Bengal from the drop-down list

Once you select the state, another field will appear. Here you need to enter the EPIC number, as per your voter ID card.

Upon entering the state and EPIC number, all details including elector's name, serial number, others will be generated. Ensure that the details are correct.

Prefilled information on online SIR form

Ensure that your name on the Aadhaar card exactly matches your name.

Fill all the remaining details and submit. What if details do not match? The name and phone number of the respective Booth Level Officer will also be provided under the section of the pre-filled information, when you are filling the form.

In case the pre-filled information, such as your name, does not match the details given in your Aadhaar card, you can contact the BLO directly for any queries or assistance.

Cannot access online SIR forms? Here's what to do If you cannot access your enumeration form online, you can wait for the BLO to come and fill the form offline. You can also contact your BLO, whose information is available on the ECI website. The website also has an option to book an appointment with your BLO.

Click on this tab from ECI website to book a call with BLO.

How to book call with BLO? You can book a call with the Booth Level Officer (BLO) by clicking on the tab provided on the ECI portal. You will need to enter your EPIC number and captcha code for the same.
TMC Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee has received the 57 lakh that was stolen from one of his SBI accounts, but has raised the question of what security is there for the common people of the country against cyber fraud if someone of his stature can be targetted so easily, as per an NDTV report.

Banerjee recently lost 57 lakh due to a cyber fraud that targetted a dormant account of his with the State Bank of India (SBI).

The lawyer-politician questioned why the Ministry of Finance under Nirmala Sitharaman is not setting up an anti-cyber fraud unit.

Banerjee, as per the publication, also said that the bank had credited the money back into his account and cited the issue to an internal error.

Also Read | What is KYC fraud? Signs to watch and tips to stay protected

"If a person like me were to fall under the trap of bank fraud, what will the common people face? Why is the Ministry of Finance not setting up an anti-cyber fraud unit?" Banerjee told NDTV.

Banerjee, in his interview with the publication, has claimed that someone carried out the scam using his KYC (know your customer) details.

He had earlier alleged that the miscreants had added a phone number to that account, following which the OTPs (one-time-password) and details of the transactions were sent to them.

"The criminals transferred 57 lakh from my account. If this can happen to an MP, what will be the condition of a common man? How come these people find out that I had such a significant amount of money in my account?" Banerjee had then questioned, as per PTI.

"Someone did the scam by using KYC. My photo was superimposed. PAN and Aadhaar were used wrongfully. Using that account, nearly 57 lakh has been siphoned from my account that I won as MP," he told NDTV.

The bank has filed a complaint with Kolkata Police's cybercrime division after detecting suspicious transactions in Banerjee's account.

The bank later credited 57 lakh into his Parliament account, Banerjee told the publication.

"After SBI lodged a complaint, the case has been under investigation. On Friday night, the SBI credited 57 lakh in my Parliament account. They said it was because of some internal fault," he said.

NDTV spoke to official sources in the know who said that cybercriminals had gained access to Banerjee's account with the SBI at the West Bengal legislative assembly sub-branch, and the amount was transferred using a series of unauthorised transactions.
New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Friday, 7 November 2025, witnessed a technical issue which affected the air traffic control (ATC) system, in turn disrupting more than 800 flight operations and causing delays across the Indian airspace.

According to a Times of India report, the IGI Airport in Delhi witnessed multiple GPS spoofing incidents over the last few days, which contributed to the flight operation disruption.

Also Read | Delhi Airport News LIVE: Brace for longer wait time as 200 flights delayed

What is GPS spoofing? Cybersecurity software company McAfee's data explained that GPS spoofing is a practice where a GPS receiver is manipulated or tricked in a way to broadcast false GPS signals.

This malpractice to tamper with the GPS signals can mislead the GPS receiver into providing inaccurate location data, which can even result in the device's location information being somewhere where it is not present.

This form of cyberattack undermines the reliability of GPS data, which is vital for a variety of applications, from navigation to time synchronisation and more, according to the cybersecurity software firm.

Over the years, GPS spoofing has transformed into a threat, as the malpractice is now being used against ongoing operations due to the easy availibity of expensive hardware and software which is capable of sending fake GPS signals.

Also Read | Delhi Airport tech glitch resolved as 800+ flights face delays

Delhi Airport disruption On Friday evening, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) disclosed that the technical issue at the Delhi Airport has been resolved, but due to the backlog, there will be some delay in bringing back normal operations.

However, the disruption in the airline activity on Friday became worse due to the eastern winds. Several flights had to switch their runway approach to land from the Dwarka side and take off from the Vasant Kunj side, resulting in air traffic congestion in Delhi.

Over the last week, airlines flying over Delhi have been experiencing severe GPS spoofing incidents, resulting in false navigation data transmission, like inaccurate aircraft locations, misleading terrain warnings, etc, according to a Hindu report.

Also Read | Delhi airport says technical glitch gradually improving

The news portal also cited a government official and said that the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is investigating the incidents.

More than 800 flights were delayed due the Delhi Airport technical glitch which affected the Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, reported the news agency PTI, citing people aware of the development.

Do ATC systems need overhaul? The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, in a report issued in August 2025, called for a time-bound overhaul of Indias Air Traffic Control (ATC) automation systems, reported the news portal News18 on Saturday, 8 November 2025.

The news report also highlighted that the committee warned that the outdated technology risks operational and safety challenges, particularly at high-density airports such as Delhi and Mumbai.
Japan's Defense Ministry has deployed troops in the northern prefecture of Akita, as pre reports. Not due to security threats, but to help tackle a surge in bear attacks that has seen 13 deaths across the nation since April.

Bear sightings have increased in Japan. Multiple videos circulating on social media, also showed a bear charging toward a moving car, with the driver accelerating in panic as the four-legged animal continued to chase it down the road. Netizens claim the incident happened in Japan's Hokkaido.

Apart from the 13 deaths,100 other people have been injured after encounters with brown bears and Asisatic black bears in Akita, as per multiple reports.

As per AFP, the number of fatalities from bear attacks is double the previous record of 2023-24, with five months of the fiscal year still to go.

living inside safari park Bear sightings have reportedly become almost a daily occurrence in the mountainous regions, with the creatures being spotted near schools, train stations, supermarkets and resorts.

Hajime Nakae, professor of emergency and critical medicine at the Akita University Hospital, said the frequent bear sightings made him feel like he was "living inside... a safari park for bears".

How Japan is tackling the bear attacks? On Wednesday, 5 November, Japanese troops began an operation which involves them setting box traps, assisting local hunters with transport and helping dispose of dead bears.

A staff member sorts bells next to an advertisement for bear spray at a store in Hanamaki, Iwate prefecture on October 24, 2025. Since April a record 13 people have been killed by bears across the country, with incidents reported on an almost daily basis of the animals entering homes, roaming near schools and rampaging in supermarkets. The government is scrambling to deal with the surge in maulings, which scientists say is being driven by a fast-growing bear population combined with this year's bad acorn harvest, leaving some mountains 'overcrowded' with hungry bears. (Photo by Caroline GARDIN / AFP) / To go with AFP story Japan-bear-environment-climate-demographics, REPORTAGE by Hiroshi Hiyama and Caroline Gardin

They have been instructed not to open fire on the animals, mentioned a report by Independent.

Why the rise in bear attacks? Experts say a booming bear population and a changing climate is driving the rise in bear sightings, and the attacks. Owing to warmer weather and plentiful food sources  like acorns, deer, and wild boars  bears are thriving and multiplying rapidly, reported AFP.

In just three decades, Japans brown bear population has nearly doubled to around 12,000, while Asian black bears on the main island of Honshu have climbed to roughly 42,000, according to a recent government report.

Some mountain regions are now overcrowded, said Naoki Ohnishi, a researcher at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute.

Put simply, the size of the bear population has gone beyond the capacity of the mountains to hold them, AFP quoted the researcher as saying.

What eye-witnesses say

It's becoming something that feels personal, and it's simply frightening.

"We hear news almost every day about people being attacked or injured," said Kakeru Matsuhashi  a traditional "Matagi" hunter  who is 28-years-old.
An Indian Software Development Engineer (SDE) has drawn attention on social media after sharing their experience of working for a company that required employees to pay for artificial intelligence (AI) tools for office work without reimbursement. In a now-viral Reddit post titled Feeling the burn of AI in a weird way at my workplace, the employee questioned whether the companys actions amounted to employee extortion.

What happened at the workplace? The SDE explained, I am working as an SDE in a product-based startup. Recently, they came to know about Cursor IDE and they have been nagging us for some time to write unit tests on our codebase. They figured the developers can quickly use Cursor to write the test cases and reach an 80 per cent coverage.

Initially, developers were asked to pay $20 per month for two months from their own pockets, with the promise that the company would reimburse them later. However, when employees requested repayment, management changed its stance.

When people started to raise reimbursement requests to the accounts team, the management suddenly stops it and adds a condition, every developer needs to provide a report on how he used Cursor and how many unit tests he wrote and what was his contribution to the coverage number, the reimbursement will not happen for the individuals who don't submit the data or if they are not able to justify their use, the employee said.

So essentially we are being forced to purchase the subscription from our pockets, use it for company work, beg for reimbursement for something which they asked us to spend on them.

How did social media react? The post quickly gained traction, with users expressing empathy and offering suggestions.

I feel genuinely sorry for you. It baffles me how easily the founders/employers get away with these things, wrote one user. Another added, What kinda company is this? It's really weird to ask employees to purchase something that the company requires from their own pocket and then make them beg for reimbursement.

Some users also offered practical solutions. This is clearly wrong. But I can help you out. Try using Gemini CLI, it's an agentic AI tool that runs in terminal, reads and writes in your project files, and its free quota should be sufficient, one suggested. Another advised, If they can't reimburse the request just apply for sick leave for 1 or 2 days for chilling and relaxing. Find out ways to decrease your productivity so that you can get your time back instead of focusing on money lost.
Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw fumed over the gutka stains outside a Bengaluru metro station, once again pointing out the lack of civic sense in the city.

Shaw had reshared a video from an X user that showed tobacco-stained pavements outside Malleshwaram Metro Station, putting the onus on the auto drivers.

Irked by the visuals, Shaw said, Filthy habits that must be called out and hefty fines imposed.

Also Read | Harsh Goenka backs Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on Bengaluru infra row

The original post claimed that it was a scene from outside Malleshwara metro stationdone by Karnataka auto Walas standing outside the metro.

Last month, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw criticised the Bengaluru administration for its poor infrastructure and declining sense of accountability in the city.

She has since consistently posted about her concerns as a citizen and even met with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to discuss an action plan to address key infrastructure bottlenecks in Bengaluru.

Here's how netizens reacted: Shaw's post sparked a widespread debate online, as the Bangaloreans echoed her concerns and vented their frustration about the citys deteriorating civic sense.

This isnt about one metro station, its about habits. There are so many Auto Sanghas, yet no effort to educate members about civic hygiene. Ive seen this countless times, not just near metro stations but across roads. As a regular walker, Ive had arguments over it, friends often say dont get into fights, but thats how normalized this neglect has become, a social media user said.

Another added, We should start to charge pan and Gutka companies for this. They earn and tax payers pay to clean!

BMRCL claims area under their stations as its property & no honk zone. Fails to keep it clean, flowing water under Yeshwantpur station, filth around Malleswaram station, Overflowing bins in Soap factory. The filth and Namma Metro seem synonymous. Clean inside, filth outside, a user noted.

Also Read | Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw hits back at trolls questioning her loyalty to Karnataka

A netizen pointed out that because of regular rains in the city, the citizens hardly see the gutka stains, but now, since it's been days since the last pour, these stains are everywhere.

Mostly due to continuous rains we are not able to see gutka stains. Now rain gave little gap. I am able to see gutka stains everywhere including metro station elevators, FOB, roads, footpaths etc. Its high time to ban the sale of gutka. Red rangolis are disgusting on roads, the netizen said.
santypan / Getty Images

Investors love dividend stocks, especially high-yield varieties, because they offer a significant income stream and have substantial total return potential. Total return includes interest, capital gains, dividends, and distributions realized over time. In other words, the total return on an investment or a portfolio consists of income and stock appreciation. Let's take a closer look at the concept of total return. Imagine you purchase a stock at $20 that offers a 3% dividend. If the stock price rises to $22 within a year, your total return is 13%. This is calculated by adding the 10% increase in stock price to the 3% dividend.

Quick Read

Beer stocks have been hit as consumption has dropped among Gen Z and some Millenials.

A falling stock price means rising dividends for patient growth and income investors.

Despite falling consumption in some demographics, there will always be a demand for alcohol, as history has shown us.

Some investors get rich while others struggle because they never learned there are two completely different strategies to building wealth. Dont make the same mistake, learn about both here.

While researching our database of dividend stocks, we were surprised to find that two of the world's largest beer and liquor companies were also paying dividends at rates exceeding 4%. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway holds both stocks, and both offer some of the best entry points in years. We decided to screen the rest of our high-yield dividend stock database, looking for other companies that sell alcohol, and found three more that also pay outstanding dividends, with one as high as 7.65%.

Why do we cover high-yield dividend stocks?

MarsBars / Getty Images

High-yield dividend stocks offer investors a reliable source of passive income. Passive income is characterized by its ability to generate revenue without requiring the earner's continuous active effort, making it a desirable financial strategy for those seeking to diversify their income streams or achieve financial independence.

Ambev

Unknown to most investors, this South American company pays a substantial 7.27% dividend. Ambev S.A. (NYSE: ABEV) was previously Inbev Participacoes Societarias, a Brazil-based company operating in the brewing sector. The Company produces, distributes, and sells beer, carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), and other non-alcoholic and non-carbonated (NANC) beverages across the Americas.

Ambev's activities are divided into three segments:
A Microsoft employees unexpected reaction to her termination was unlike that of most  instead of feeling upset, she felt happy and shared the news with her close ones. Tatiana Teppoeva, who had been with the tech giant for 14 years, described her first reaction as pure happiness.

I picked up the phone and called a friend to share the news, Teppoeva told Business Insider.

Teppoeva shared that she had long been waiting to leave her tech job and start her own company  but the security of full-time employment kept holding her back. She said she even had a resignation letter prepared but couldnt muster the courage to send it.

For more than a year, I had been thinking about leaving to start my own company, but it was not an easy decision after a 17-year stable career at Boeing and Microsoft.

She added, I even had a resignation letter saved in my drafts, waiting for the right moment. When the layoff happened, I felt it was a green light, and I was grateful.

What did she do after being laid off? After being laid off from Microsoft  where she began as a senior research manager and gradually advanced to the role of senior data and applied scientist  she went on to start her own business.

When I was laid off from Microsoft after 14 years, I started a company, One Nonverbal Ecosystem, rather than seeking a new corporate job. Now I teach executives how to command the room and project the presence they want.

Who inspired her to take the leap? Speaking about her inspiration, Teppoeva shared that her son  who built a thriving construction business from scratch  motivated her to follow a similar path. Watching his journey encouraged me to take the same leap, she said.

Teppoeva describes entrepreneurship as a completely new adventure. She admits that there are days when she works for over 16 hours, while on others, she doesnt work at all.

What is her educational and professional background? According to her LinkedIn profile, Teppoeva holds a masters degree and a PhD in economics from St Petersburg State University, along with two additional degrees from Harvard University.

Also Read | Hundreds of CDC employees get fired, only to be reinstated
Social media has been flooded with complaints from users after a nationwide outage hit Bank of America's digital systems, leaving customers across the United States locked out of their accounts late Friday, November 7, night. Several users have reported that their Bank of America account balances suddenly showed zero, sparking concern and online buzz.

Although some users have now reported that the Bank of America's website and app are functioning normal, other are still dealing with mismatched balances and difficulties in logging into their accounts.

What does the data shows? Outage tracking site Downdetector shows that the number of complaints about the disruptions crossed 3,000 at 6:45 AM. The disruption affected both the mobile app and the online banking platforms.

According to the site's live data, 85% of the complaints came from users facing issues on the Bank of America mobile app, while 8% struggled with login errors, Another 7% of the users were facing difficulties with online banking.

The disruption was spread across cities like Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, which saw the highest spike in outage alerts. This suggested that the issue grappled a large part of the country.

The US bank has not yet released any formal statement about the outage, as users and observers are actively keeping an eye for their social media statement or update on the full restoration process.

Social media reaction to the outage The posts on the outage on social media platforms appear sharply divided. While some users have taken a humorous approach, sharing memes and jokes about the issue, others are demanding answers from the bank and fellow netizens, expressing deep concerns for their money.

An user took to X (formerly twitter) to share their dilemma, as they stated Dont even bother going to a Bank of America location to get cash out, the system is down nationwide it wont even let you get your money.

Another user shared their experience of the issue, stating Just got off the phone with Bank of America after waiting on hold for 30 min. It was a waste of 30 min. Its nothing they can do.

An X user gave a humorous tone to their post, sharing that, Bank of America count your days. My mom called me all crazy saying her moneys gone but the servers are just down and I had to give her a whole rundown on how servers work and how the database has nothing to do with the money she has to her name

Even though the Bank of India has not acknowledged the outage, some customers confirmed that they are still able to call the bank for assistance and the ATM services were functioning normally.
Billionaire philanthropist and Jeff Bezos's ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott, has donated more than $19 billion since 2020 as she continues to offload her stake in Amazon, which she received as part of her divorce with the e-commerce giant founder, reported the news portal Forbes on Friday, 7 November 2025.

The news report also highlighted that in total, MacKenzie Scott has donated $19.25 billion to thousands of organisations which focus their efforts on DEI, education, disaster recovery, among other things.

MacKenzie Scott's stake in Amazon? According to media reports, when MacKenzie Scott and Jeff Bezos inked their divorce in 2019, Scott received nearly 4% stake in Amazon as she played a key role in the founding and early operations of the e-commerce giant. This stake amounted to nearly 139 million shares of the company at that time.

Since 2019, Scott has sold 42% of her stake, donating the value from nearly 58 million shares, which are worth around $12.6 billion as of 2025. According to the data collected from the Forbes Rich List, MacKenzie Scott's net worth stood at $35.6 billion as of 8 November 2025.

Scott donated the $19.25 billion through her philanthropic venture named Yield Giving, which was founded in 2022. According to the news portal's report, the philanthropist continues to sell her stake in Amazon as her wealth continues to grow over time.

Amazon share price closed 0.56% higher at $244.41 after Friday's US stock market session, according to the data collected from MarketWatch. The company's market capitalisation (M-Cap) stood at $2.61 trillion as of the Wall Street close this week.

Over the last five years, Amazon shares have given US investors more than 47% returns on their investment, and are trading 17% higher in the last one-year period on Wall Street.

Also Read | MacKenzie Scott donates record $38 million to Alabama State University

Where has MacKenzie Scott donated? According to the news portal's report, MacKenzie Scott has donated hundreds of millions of dollars in 2025, for her efforts on DEI, education, and disaster recovery, among other things.

Scott through her venture has donated $80 million to Howard University, $50 million to Virginia State University, $42 million to Alcorn State University, $38 million to Spelman College, $70 million to United Negro College Fund (UNCF), $40 million to African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, and $60 million to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

The report also highlighted that the donations are unrestricted, which means that the receiving organisations will be able to choose themselves how to use the funds allocated by the billionaire philanthropist.
Five Indians were kidnapped in Mali on Thursday, according to a report by AFP citing their employer and a security source, as the West African nation struggles with increasing unrest and jihadist attacks.

The workers were kidnapped near Kobri in western Mali, the security source, who spoke to AFP anonymously, said. They were employed by a company involved in electrification projects.

We confirm the kidnapping of five Indian nationals, a company representative told AFP.

The other Indians working for the company have been evacuated to Bamako, the capital, he added.

No group has claimed the kidnappings so far.

Mali is ruled by military junta Mali, currently under a military junta, has been grappling with rising unrest attributed to criminal gangs and jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

The deteriorating security situation has worsened the country's economic crisis, with the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) enforcing a crippling fuel blockade.

(FILES) Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, head of the Army's special forces and coup leader, waves to the crowd as he arrives at the Palace of the People in Conakry on September 6, 2021, ahead of a meeting with the Ministers of the Ex-President of Guinea, Alpha Conde. Guinea's junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya officially entered his country's presidential race on November 3, 2025, submitting his candidacy to the Supreme Court ahead of December 28 elections that are meant to restore constitutional order following a 2021 coup. Doumbouya has ruled the west African nation with an iron fist since first coming to power. Despite his initial promise to return the government to civilian rule, he had been largely expected to run for president. (Photo by CELLOU BINANI / AFP)

Kidnappings targeting foreigners are common in the country, which has been plagued by coups and conflicts since 2012.

In September, JNIM jihadists abducted two Emirati nationals and an Iranian near Bamako.

According to AFP citing sources familiar with the negotiations, the hostages were released last week after a ransom of at least $50 million was paid.

What's happening in Mali? The crisis has forced school closures, disrupted harvesting in several regions, and limited access to electricity.

On Monday, President Assimi Goita urged citizens to help by reducing unnecessary travel, while pledging to do everything possible to deliver fuel.

Alioune Tine, the former UN independent expert on human rights in Mali, called Goita's statement a terrible admission of failure.

The military junta, which seized power in consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021, had vowed to halt the jihadist expansion that has plagued the country for more than a decade.

What is JNIM's objective? JNIM is the most influential jihadist group in Mali and the most significant threat in the Sahel, according to the United Nations.

JNIM seeks to implement Sharia law and aims to undermine the legitimacy of Sahelian states, both militarily and politically, by presenting itself as a more credible alternative.

Also Read | Trump snubs G20 summit in South Africa, says no US official will attend

The group exerts indirect control over villages through agreements tailored to local conditions, claiming in its propaganda to protect the local population.

In recent months, JNIM has expanded its influence across a significant portion of territory, though the exact extent remains unclear, funding its operations through taxation and kidnappings for ransom.

Last week JNIM obtained at least $50 million for the release of two Emirati hostages and their Iranian employee, AFP learned from sources close to the negotiations.

For Sambe, the jihadists' "strategic objective" with their blockade is to "bring down the regime".

And one European security source told AFP that JNIM "wants to overthrow the junta and install a government with which it can negotiate, which it can force to implement its agenda".

Here's what experts think Experts say JNIM had been consolidating control in the countryside for some time, but its pressure on of the countrys economic nerve points to bigger ambitions.

The growing intensity of the fuel blockade, operations on the citys outskirts, and even reports that the group is in touch with political figures opposed to the government suggest they may now be really considering more of a Taliban-type takeover, said James Barnett, a research fellow at Hudson Institute, specialising in African security and politics, as reported by AP.

According to the Soufan Center think tank, if Mali falls, there could be a domino effect with other governments in the region, including in Burkina Faso and/or Niger, two other countries led by juntas.

Experts say JNIM had been consolidating control in the countryside for some time, but its pressure on of the countrys economic nerve points to bigger ambitions.

The growing intensity of the fuel blockade, operations on the citys outskirts, and even reports that the group is in touch with political figures opposed to the government suggest they may now be really considering more of a Taliban-type takeover, said James Barnett, a research fellow at Hudson Institute, specialising in African security and politics.

For Alioune Tine, formerly the UN's independent expert on the human rights situation in Mali, the leader's statement was a "terrible admission of failure".

Tine, the former independent UN expert, said the "collapse of the Malian state" would have "catastrophic consequences" throughout the region.

According to the Soufan Center think tank, "if Mali falls, there could be a domino effect with other governments in the region, including in Burkina Faso and/or Niger", two other countries led by juntas.
SNAP benefits: Several American families are struggling to make ends meet as the SNAP payments remain disrupted amid the ongoing government shutdown, leaving them worried about families as well as pets.

SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, offers monthly financial support for groceries. Though the benefits cant be used for pet food, the food aid program helps low-income families free up money to purchase kibble.

On Friday, the Supreme Court granted the Trump administrations emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP aid.

Also Read | US shutdown: Senators to work through weekend as workers remain unpaid

Sarah Lungwitz, a 46-year-old auto parts store worker, is worried about her pets. She fears that she may have to surrender her cat, Bambi, and two dogs  Spike and Chloe.

I dont even make enough money for all my bills, let alone groceries, said Lungwitz told AP.

Lungwitz said that last week, an Illinois nonprofit arranged for volunteers to give her a grocery gift card last week to buy food for herself and her pets.

Kirsten Peek, the spokesperson of the Humane World for Animals, estimates that more than 20 million pets live in poverty with families.

An increase in surrenders is always a concern when an influx of people fall on hard times, Peek said.

Katie Saari, who is unemployed because of health issues and struggling to set up interviews to get SNAP benefits, said that she needed food for her two dogs.

Theyre more important to me than I am, so I want to make sure theyre fed first. Theyre my babies, she added.

Kim Buckman, with Feeding Missouri, a coalition of food banks, stated that she knows a lot of people will feed their pets before themselves.

Paula Shaw, the shelters director of access to care, said that it was so common for SNAP recipients to give their own food to their pets.

People are exceptionally panicking. I dont know what a better word would be, she stated.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has made clear that he is unlikely to compromise any time soon with Democrats who are demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Former US President Joe Biden, appearing with a fresh-looking bandage on his head, told Nebraska Democrats on Friday that his late son, Beau Biden, should have been elected commander-in-chief in 2020 instead of him.

Speaking at the Nebraska Democratic Party's Ben Nelson Gala, Biden remembered Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015, and criticised President Donald Trump. He accused him of cutting federal funding for cancer research after previously declaring it a priority.

Folks, I know what cancer research means, Biden said. Cancer hits every family. Its hit my family hard.

When the love of my life, my oldest son, the attorney general of the state of Delaware, who should've been the president, not me, volunteered to go to Iraq for a year, didn't have to, he came back with stage four glioblastoma because he lived in a burn pit just like those guys did on 9/11, and he died, Biden said, as reported by the New York Post.

It was Biden's second public appearance in the past week, and his second since completing a round of radiation therapy in October for an aggressive form of prostate cancer diagnosed after he left office.

Although he made no mention of his health, when he spoke about cancer, it was not about himself but about his late son, Beau, who died in 2015.

Friday's event also marked Biden's first purely political appearance since Labor Day 2024, when he joined Vice President Kamala Harris at a labour rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, two months before the November 5, 2024, election.

Biden urges political comeback Biden called for a political comeback, though not for himself, but to an audience hungry for a fight.

You know what it feels like to be outnumbered, he told Democrats in Nebraska, where Republicans have carried the state in every presidential election since 1968. But every election, you put up the yard signs and you make your voices heard. The country needs you badly."

It was the kind of pep talk that sells in a place where Democrats lose statewide but have staged winning races for the Omaha area's 2nd District electoral vote, elected a Democratic mayor for the first time since 2009 and feel energized about capturing the 2nd District seat in 2026.

Also Read | Damning Report On US Military Strikes On 'Narco-Terrorists'

Biden heaped on the encouragement, but returned repeatedly to his view of his lone term's high points, curbing COVID-19 and beginning the economic recovery from the epidemic.

He didn't touch the difficulties he had last year, nor the year of debate Democrats have engaged in over how they lost the presidency to Republican Donald Trump.

In the summer of 2024, Biden waited more than three weeks after his disastrous June debate with Donald Trump, a delay that fueled panic among Democrats, before announcing in July that he would not seek another term. He went on to endorse thenVice President Kamala Harris as his successor on the Democratic ticket.

In a book published in September, Harris wrote that she and others within Biden's inner circle should have been more forceful in urging him to consider stepping aside earlier, AP reported.

During his speech on Friday, the closest Biden came to acknowledging the difficulty of that decision was through an oblique joke.

I have the dubious distinction. I'm the youngest ever man elected to the U.S. Senate and I'm the oldest damn president, he playfully rued.
Millionaire Tax Plan: New York City (NYC) mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has proposed a tax plan during his campaign, which aims to target the wealthiest Americans living in the city in order to fund other developmental infrastructure needs for the people.

Also Read | NYC Mayor Election Live: Mamdani open to working with his billionaire critics

According to a recent Forbes report, Mamdani plans to tax the millionaires living in New York to raise funds for projects like universal free early childcare services, free bus rides for the public and cut down the housing costs in the city.

What is the Millionaire Tax Plan? Zohran Mamdani, during his campaign, proposed that once he comes to power, the 33-year-old Democratic Socialist will impose a 2% tax rate on the wealthiest 1% of New Yorkers who earn more than $1 million every year.

This proposal seeks to raise $4 billion per year, which will go towards the developmental infrastructure needs for the residents of the city.

This tiny share of the city population, according to Mamdani's campaign website, cited in the news portal's report, takes home 35% of all income earned by New York City residents.

Although this proposed 2% extra tax is only applicable to people who earn more than $1 million annually, the news report highlighted that the millionaire tax proposal will impact nearly 34,000 households in the city in efforts to make New York's tax system more progressive.

Mamdani also reportedly said that the same 1% wealthiest New Yorkers benefited from the tax cuts under the first Trump administration, and recently under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed in July 2025.

Will Mamdani's plan work? During his campaign, Mamdani highlighted that it does not matter whether a New York City resident earns $50,000 or $5 million per year; the difference in the tax they pay starts at 3.078% and goes up to 3.876%, marking a small rise in an otherwise high income spread.

Zohran Mamdani claimed that the plans of taxing the millionaires will work, highlighting states like Massachusetts, which already has a similar surtax system.

In November 2022, Massachusetts approved a 4% surtax on personal income of more than $1 million, and in the first three quarters since the implementation of the same, they raised $1.8 billion in tax collections, according to the Forbes report.

Ill use every tool available to bring down rent, create worldclass public transit, and make it easier to raise a family, said Mamdani on his campaign website.

Although people fear that a millionaire might leave New York after the additional tax rates are imposed, the news portal's report suggests that many residents left Massachusetts, but they mostly belonged to the upper-middle-class taxpayers, and were not millionaires.
New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday sought dismissal of federal fraud charges against her calling it vindictive and politically motivated, and said that the case stems from Trumps genuine animus.

To show the case was driven by personal animus, the motion lays out a litany of comments from President Donald Trump .

This lawsuit, and AG James outspoken criticism of the President, triggered six years of targeted attacks. President Trump and his allies have used every insulting term in their vocabulary to deride AG James and call for criminal penalties in retaliation for the exercise of her rights and fulfillment of her statutory duties to fulfill her obligations as New York states attorney general, reported AP, quoting lawyers for James who urged that the case be dismissed.

James' attorneys also claimed that the Justice Department ignored apparent inconsistencies in the mortgage records of numerous other public officials.

The filing also cited name-calling by the President describing James as crooked, scum, a monster, and criminal, according to

According to NewsNation, at a rally for New York City then-mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, James said that she stand on sold rock and I will not bow, I will not break, I will not bend.

What is Letitia James accused of? James is accused of lying on mortgage papers to get favorable loan terms when purchasing a modest house in Norfolk, Virginia, where she has family.

Letitia James plead not guilty However, last month, James has pleaded not guilty, and told reporters outside the courthouse that the Trump administration was using the justice system as a tool of revenge.

Also Read | US shutdown: Senators to work through weekend as workers remain unpaid

Ex-FBI director pleads not guilty In October, Former FBI Director James Comey also pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in a case his lawyer described as a vindictive prosecution directed by President Donald Trump.
US President Donald Trump's administration on Friday asked the US Supreme Court to halt a judge's order requiring it to promptly fully fund this month's food aid benefits for 42 million low-income Americans during the US government shutdown.

According to Politico, Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the Supreme Court to grant a stay by no later than 9:30 pm Friday, so the administration would not have to make an irretrievable transfer of billions of dollars by the days end.

Also Read | Trump administration allowed to limit $4 billion in food aid for now

Last week, a judge blocked the Trump administration from suspending benefits entirely. But on Monday, the administration said it would provide those enrolled in the program with only half of what they usually receive.

What's the case? The Trump administration filed an emergency request asking the justices to act within hours to put on hold a Rhode Island-based judge's order requiring the US Department of Agriculture to cover an expected $4 billion shortfall by Friday for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP or food stamps.

This came after a federal appeals court refused for now to pause a judges order requiring the Trump administration to fully fund November food-aid benefits to 42 million eligible Americans, reports claimed.

Also Read | Trump snubs G20 summit in South Africa, says no US official will attend

The ruling by US District Judge John McConnell in Providence on Thursday came after the administration said it would provide $4.65 billion in emergency funding to partially cover SNAP benefits for November. Full funding for the program costs $8.5 billion to $9 billion per month.

The Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday denied the Trump administration's request to pause McConnell's ruling, prompting the Justice Department to file an emergency request to the Supreme Court.

The appeals court delivered its ruling hours after the USDA informed states it would be making funds available to fully fund SNAP benefits.

The USDA sent the memo to states even as the Department of Justice urged the federal appeals court to block the judge's order that USDA by Friday use $4 billion set aside for other purposes to ensure Americans receive full rather than reduced SNAP benefits in November.

What are SNAP benefits? SNAP benefits lapsed at the start of November for the first time in the program's 60-year history. Recipients have turned to already strained food pantries and made sacrifices like foregoing medications to stretch tight budgets.

SNAP benefits are paid monthly to eligible Americans whose income is less than 130% of the federal poverty line. The maximum monthly benefit for the 2026 fiscal year is $298 for a one-person household and $546 for a two-person household.

'Snap cuts are leaving 1 in 8 Americans hungry' Food banks are struggling under the weight of unprecedented demand, Linda Nageotte, president and chief operating officer of Feeding America, a network of food banks across the US, was quoted by the Guardian as saying.

One in eight people in our country right now dont have enough to eat, and if youre one of the seven who does, its time for you to activate," Nageotte said.

The plaintiffs in the case said in a Friday brief that the administration showed disregard for the harm that would befall nearly one in eight Americans if the 1st Circuit agreed to halt McConnell's decision and allow anything short of full benefit payments to proceed.

States begin to issue aid Several states, including New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts announced after the USDA issued its memo that they had directed state agencies to issue full federal SNAP benefits for November.

"President Trump should never have put the American people in this position," Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, said in a statement.

McConnell and another judge ruled last week that the administration must at least tap $5.25 billion in emergency funding to partially fund SNAP benefits.

On Saturday, McConnell said the USDA could either use agency contingency funding once it resolved the "administrative and clerical burdens" of paying reduced benefits, or tap additional funding to fully pay out November's SNAP benefits.

The USDA opted on Monday to use only contingency funding, which after subtracting $600 million for states' administrative costs would leave $4.65 billion to cover benefits.

On Thursday, McConnell agreed with a coalition of cities and nonprofits represented by the liberal legal group Democracy Forward that the USDA failed to consider it could take weeks or months for some states to change their systems to process reduced benefits, prolonging delays.

The judge, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, accused the Trump administration of withholding SNAP benefits for "political reasons."

The plaintiffs said in a Friday brief that the administration showed disregard for the harm that would befall nearly one in eight Americans if the 1st Circuit agreed to halt McConnell's decision and allow anything short of full benefit payments to proceed.

"The Court should deny Defendants' motion and not allow them to further delay getting vital food assistance to individuals and families who need it now," the lawyers wrote.
The National Weather Service in Nashville issued a tornado watch for much of Middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky and northern Alabama until 10 pm on November 7 as a line of strong storms moves in from the west.

According to the weather service, a band of showers and thunderstorms is advancing eastward, bringing strong and potentially damaging winds along with a slight risk of tornadoes. The primary hazards are reportedly expected to be strong winds and hail.

Remain weather aware through the evening as this severe event unfolds, the NWS posted on X. Its Storm Prediction Center mentioned that thunderstorms forming across the region could produce possibly tornadoes.

As of Friday afternoon, NWS Nashville noted that severe thunderstorms were already impacting areas including Dickson, Fairview, and Ashland City, Tennessee.

The weather service mentioned, This severe-warned supercell near Dickson, TN, is warned for damaging winds and large hail. Not much concern for a tornado right now, but it is entering an environment that is becoming more conducive for tornadic storms.

Also Read | IMD issues orange alert for Gujarat as Arabian Sea depression moves closer

"Severe weather in Nashville led to a ground stop at Nashville International Airport at about 4:33 pm on Nov. 7, according to an announcement on the airports X account. "Travelers should check their flight status with their airlines," the airport advised in the post.

The tornado watch for Middle Tennessee was issued earlier that afternoon, around 3:37 pm on Nov. 7, according to The Tennessean.

Affected counties In Alabama, the counties most at risk for severe weather consist of Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, and Jackson counties. The tornado watch extends across numerous counties such as Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, Marshall, and Maury, among others in Tennessee.

A small section of southern Kentucky is also included in the watch area.

Also Read | How India is using UAEs strategic location to weather US tariffs

1 killed, 4 injured after Tornado strikes near French capital In related news, a tornado struck areas north of Paris on Monday, knocking over three construction cranes and killing one person while leaving four others critically injured, officials said, according to AFP. The town of Ermont, located about 20 kilometers (13 miles) northeast of Paris, was the hardest hit by the sudden twister, which caused damage across roughly 10 districts.
Stale Ulriksen, a security expert at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, expressed dismay at the countrys naive politicians, who had been warned repeatedly of such risks.

Ruter, which operates 300 Yutong buses in Oslo, has since removed all SIM cards from its vehicles and says it is developing firewalls and putting in place stricter security requirements in future procurements.

A recent report by the Royal United Services Institute, a military think tank, warned that Britain risked hardwiring vulnerabilities into its future infrastructure by relying too heavily on Chinese tech.

Similar concerns have emerged over Chinese-made electric cars, as well as wind turbines and solar panels.

With Chinese companies under the thumb of the countrys ruling communist government at home, the fear is that  in the wrong hands  this seemingly innocuous feature could be exploited in future.

For Britain, Yutongs ability to stop a bus dead in its tracks is alarming because of its growing presence on UK roads  including possible plans to launch on the highly congested streets of London .

Yet the discovery of a potential kill switch in the Chinese vehicles has nevertheless raised fresh concerns about cyber security at a time when tensions between Beijing and the US and Europe are ratcheting up.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Yutong and experts say such methods are increasingly common in the automotive industry, including among major Western brands such as Tesla, Ford and BMW.

To do this, the bus was fitted with a small device containing a SIM card  which is also connected to the battery and power supply control systems.

The electric Yutong bus was brand new and used over the air systems, giving its Chinese maker remote access to the bus and its onboard computers for diagnostics and software updates.

No such vulnerability was found in the VDL bus, which was older, the company added.

In theory, this could be exploited to affect the bus, a statement published this month by Ruter said.

What the company discovered was startling . The Chinese bus contained software that allowed it to be stopped or rendered inoperable by its manufacturer remotely.

Ruter, Oslos transport network operator, took each to an underground mine where they were isolated from all outside signals, and put them through a series of tests.

One of them was made by Dutch manufacturer VDL Groep, while the other was made by Chinese company Yutong.

About three months ago, the Norwegian authority that runs Oslos public transport network secretly took two buses for a test spin just outside the capital city.

Story Continues

I cannot comprehend and understand that politicians refuse to listen to the security authorities repeated annual warning, he told NRK, Norways public broadcaster.

Yutong operates buses across the UK

But Norwegian politicians arent the only ones with questions to answer.

Yutong is the worlds biggest manufacturer of buses and has supplied them to transport authorities around the world  including in Britain, where many hundreds are in operation.

For example, they are used by private coach operators Flixbus and McGills, as well as major public transport operators Stagecoach and FirstBus.

Yutongs electric buses are in operation across the UK - Mint Photography / Stockimo / Alamy Stock Photo

Electric models made by Yutong are also operated in several Scottish cities and towns  including Glasgow, where they were used to ferry delegates to and from the Cop26 climate conference four years ago.

Stagecoach ordered 158 single-deck, electric buses from Yutong last year alone for use in Somerset, Bristol, the Midlands, the Tees Valley, Essex and Lancashire.

FirstBus, too, ordered 169 single and double-deck electric buses for use in Somerset, Essex and Bristol.

Overall both companies are thought to have more than 200 Yutong buses in operation each.

On Friday, FirstBus described the Norwegian findings as helpful for wider industry learning. A spokesman said the company had raised the matter with Yutong, was satisfied with the response and would continue to consider the companys buses for future orders.

Cyber security risk is a core element of our procurement process for new electric buses, said Gavin Davies, IT director at the bus operator.

Ruters work in Norway is helpful for wider industry learning, and its really encouraging that they are carrying out tests and exploring how security systems can be improved even further.

Stagecoach referred The Telegraph to a statement by the British company Pelican Bus and Coach, which has been the sole distributor for Yutong in the UK since 2013, but declined to comment.

In an email, Ian Downie, head of Yutong sales for Pelican Bus and Coach, said Yutong fully understands and highly values the publics concerns regarding vehicle safety and data privacy protection.

He insisted the company fully complies with all laws and regulations but declined to comment on the specific findings from Norway.

However, he added: Yutong vehicles operating in Europe support customers remote controls for comfort-based needs, such as AC pre-conditioning scheduling.

Customers can log into the system using private accounts to manage the fleet. Without customer authorisation, no one is allowed to access or operate the system.

Yutong vehicles in Europe do not support remote control of acceleration, steering, or braking.

As a responsible global manufacturer, Yutong always prioritises user trust and continuously enhance vehicle cybersecurity and data protection capabilities, providing global users with high-quality products and services.

He added: All software updates are controlled by Pelican with manual physical access only to the vehicles only, with written prior authorisation by customers.

Green transition

In recent accounts, Pelican said it had supplied more than 2,000 of the Chinese buses and coaches to customers in the UK and Ireland with hundreds more on forward order.

The Castleford-based company, which also sells trucks, said annual sales rose from 109m to 226m in the year to March 31. It has been receiving financial support in the form of loans from banking giant HSBC, according to press releases.

HSBC said it extended financing to help support the transition to greener transport  a key goal of the Governments net zero plans.

Meanwhile, Yutong has also seemingly got its sights on an even bigger prize in the UK: supplying buses for use in London, one of the most complex environments in the world for public transport.

Although it does not appear that any of Yutongs models are currently used in the capital, the company has repeatedly advertised that its buses are compliant with Transport for Londons standards.

When the company launched its U11DD double-decker last month, it appeared in Londons well-known red livery.

With a series of bus routes in London also preparing to switch to electric models, Mr Downie would not comment on whether his company intends to bid for contracts to supply the buses.

We have designed buses that incorporate TfL standards. We will, however, not be able to advise of our intentions due to commercial sensitivity, he said.

Do we trust the Chinese?

There are also questions about whether or not Yutongs software really poses a risk.

Cyber security experts have said that such remote software updates are mainly included for ease, as it means engineers dont have to travel the globe to administer improvements.

Ken Munro, a cyber security expert at Pen Test Partners, says that the ability to manipulate vehicles via over the air is not necessarily a bad thing, but the risk posed depends on who has access.

It simply comes down to trust, he says. Do we trust the Chinese? Its got nothing to do with whether you can deactivate the bus or not, because thats a perfectly normal update system youll find in most Western vehicles.

Ultimately, he adds, there are also business interests at stake.

Tesla uses the same system. But Elon Musk would not use a kill-switch on all the Teslas because hed destroy his reputation, his net worth, and the stock market value of his company in a stroke.



So would the Chinese destroy their entire global export market for EVs for a political or military point?

The issue has echoes of the controversy surrounding Huawei, the Chinese company that had supplied swathes of equipment used in Britains telecoms network.

Despite concerns, British cyber security experts at GCHQ repeatedly insisted it was safe to use Huawei kit and that the risks could be mitigated.

But this put London at loggerheads with Washington, where US officials insisted that American information should only pass through networks where they could be confident that that network is a trusted one.

In the end, the White House forced the UK Governments hand by imposing sanctions that effectively forced the removal of Huawei kit from Britains 5G telecoms systems.

There is no suggestion any such restrictions may be coming for Yutong.

But with Chinese-made technology proliferating around the world, it is a worry that seems unlikely to go away.

A TfL spokesman said: We do not have Yutong buses in London, and none of our operators have any on order.



Any buses entering service in London have to meet our robust technical requirements, including rigorous testing.



We continuously review and update these requirements to ensure buses in London meet the highest standards.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that zero illegal aliens were released in the US in the past six months amid the administration's crackdown on illegal immigrants.

Trump's remark comes amid the administration is exploring buying warehouses to retrofit them as detention facilities for immigrants before they are deported.

According to Department of Homeland Security's internal data, which was obtained by CBS News, the number of detainees in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody increased to 66,000 this week.

Under President Trump, the number of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border are at historic lows after his rapid action to close the border on Day One, with illegal crossings plummeting to levels not seen in decades and virtually no illegal aliens being released into the countrys interior, said the White House on November 5 on the first anniversary of Trump's second term.

Also Read | Damning Report On US Military Strikes On 'Narco-Terrorists'

According to New York Post, some GOP senators are seeking stringent measures against the illegal immigrants who are caught defrauding welfare or other public benefits programs.

They are unveiling new legislation to automatically deport and permanently ban the entry of of such illegal immigrants.

Americans who meet eligibility requirements should be the only ones to receive taxpayer-funded benefits, Senator Ted Cruz said in a statement to The Post.

The Deporting Fraudsters Act, unveiled by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), would also clarify in federal law that any illegal immigrant convicted of defrauding the US government broadly is inadmissible and deportable.

Americans who meet eligibility requirements should be the only ones to receive taxpayer-funded benefits, Cruz said in a statement to The Post.

Also Read | Joe Biden says his late son came back from Iraq war with stage four cancer cause

Senator John Cornyn said that illegal aliens who falsify documents, steal identities, and cheat the system to gain public benefits meant for American citizens, including SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] or Medicaid, should unquestionably be deported.

In September, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that since January 20, two million illegal aliens were removed or have self-deported.

Ramped-up immigration enforcement targeting the worst of the worst is removing more and more criminal illegal aliens off our streets every day and is sending a clear message to anyone else in this country illegally: Self-deport or we will arrest and deport you, said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin earlier.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that over 2,700 Indians were deported from the US since January.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that no US government official would attend the Group of 20 summit in South Africa, which will be held later this month.

Explaining the reason behind his decision, Trump claimed Afrikaners face persecution based on their race in the Black-majority country. The South African government denied the allegations.

Trump said in a Truth Social post, "It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa. Afrikaners [People who are descended from Dutch settlers, and also French and German immigrants] are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated.

"No US Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue. I look forward to hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida!." Trump said.

Last month, the president set the lowest cap on record for US refugee admissions and said those people admitted would be focused largely on white Afrikaners.

Vice President JD Vance, who was expected to attend the Group of 20 world leaders in Johannesburg in November 22-23, was no longer going, a source told Reuters.

South Africa's foreign ministry spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump has taken issue with South African domestic and foreign policies - ranging from its land policy to its case accusing Israel of genocide in the U.S. ally's war in Gaza.

Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also boycotted a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in South Africa, which has the G20 presidency from December 2024 to November 2025.
The United States government is reportedly considering buying and retrofitting warehouses as detention and holding facilities for immigrants before they are deported from the country, NBC reported citing officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the White House.

Warehouses that were originally designed for use by Amazon and other corporates will be adjusted as holding facilities for use by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), it said. The option is under review to vastly expand the Trump administration's detention capacity, the official told the publication.

When approached for comment, the White House asked the publication to contact DHS and ICE for an official response on the matter, the report said. It added that the DHS and ICE did not respond to queries.

NBC reached out to Amazon and a spokesperson said that the company is not involved in discussions with the DHS or ICE for warehouses. The representative added that Amazon only leases its own facilities and does not own majority of its warehouse space.

Also Read | US govt cancels Grad plus loans, announces changes to student debt programme

ICE to buy warehouses as detention centres? All we know As per the report, the warehouses being considered are more than twice the size of current ICE holding facilities. An ICE detention facility in Tacoma (Washington) is 2,77,000 sq ft., and can hold 1,500 immigrants, the report said.

Talk regarding the deal is in the early stages and which warehouses will be bought has not yet been decided, as per the report. It added that ICE is looking at places near airports in the southern US, from where majority immigrants are being deported, the DHS official added.

The DHS official described the warehouses as future mega detention centers to NBC. The average size of Amazon warehouses is around 8,00,000 sq ft., with the company's largest one in Wilmington (Delaware) being 3.8 million sq ft.

They was no confirmation on who of which department will own the warehouses that may be bought. Both also said that no private contractors, prison industry people or states would own the facilities.

Once purchased, the warehouses will be turned into detention facilities and run by ICE officials, not contractors or military personnel, both added.

Both officials were also unable to confirm the size of the deals, but the White House official said ICE would pay for the warehouses with funds from the budget reconciliation package presented in Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act aka OBBBA.

Both official confirmed that Amazon would not be part of the deals and would not profit from any purchases. The warehouses, some of which were never used, will be bought directly from the developers, they added.

ICE ramps up anti-immigration drive: How do Americans view it? The report added that this is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to ramp up its anti-immigration policy. After US President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, he made good on his promise to mass deport migrants and has undertaken different approaches with varied success.

But the report noted that the White House is frustrated that ICE has failed to reach daily arrest quotas or hire required personnel. Some senior leaders are being replaced amid the struggles, it added.

Among other attempts, earlier this year, there were plans to hold tens of thousands immigrants in tents at US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), but this did not materialise, it said. Later, plans were made to construct tents for 2,000 immigrants in Fort Bliss, Texas, but faced logistical issues. More recently, officials announced state-run detention centres would be run in Louisiana, Indiana, and Florida, it added.
US may expand Trump tariffs on 700 more steellinked goods at the request of small, medium and large American companies, said report.

At present, 407 steel-linked products are already facing extra tariffs.

According to the Guardian report, goods ranging from bicycles to baking trays could be added to the list.

The report stated that the US firms have asked the US Department of Commerce to add the items to an August list.

Guardian Bikes in Indiana, the tomato-canning company Red Gold, firms making steel wheels for trucks are among those who have submitted requests to the US commerce department.

In a plea to the commerce secretary, Guardian Bikes stated that the industry was lost amid 11 million bicycles being imported in 2024.

Whereas, Red Gold complained that it was facing tariffs of 25% on tinplate steel imported from the UK and 50% on steel from elsewhere used in its own can production.

In August, the Trump administration widened the reach of its 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by adding hundreds of derivative products to the list of goods subject to the levies.

The non-steel and non-aluminum content will be subject to the tariff rates President Donald Trump has imposed on the goods originating from specific countries, the notice said.

Meanwhile, India's exports to America tanked for the fourth straight month across all sectors.

China's exports saw a 25% drop in shipments to the United States, the government reported.

Persisting trade tensions with Washington may get a respite in the final quarter of the year after President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed last week to de-escalate the trade war between the two largest economies. But trade friction still appears to be casting a pall on demand elsewhere.

Customs data show a 1.1% drop in China's global exports in October compared to a year earlier, the weakest since February, following an 8.3% increase in September. Imports rose 1% last month from the year before, compared with 7.4% growth in September, reported AP.
In a fresh trouble for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who has been formally stripped of the title of prince by the brother King Charles III, is under investigation by London police and may face jail time, said a report.

The king announced on October 30 that he was removing his brother's titles and evicting him from his royal residence over his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The News Nation reported that Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson is also being probed for unscrupulous use of charity money.

The report said that the Londons police force has publicly said it is actively looking into claims that Andrew asked a close-protection officer in 2011 to dig up personal information about Virginia Giuffre.

Historian Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, told the news outlet "Andrew is going to be charged with various public offences and misconduct in public office hell probably go to jail. The case against him is pretty clear. Hes absolutely, hes toast.

Lownie also claimed that Andrew had an obsession with prostitutes and also brought them to Buckingham Palace, which the Queen knew.

In 2019, Andrew famously resigned from royal duties after his interview to BBC Newsnight, in which he denied meeting Virginia Giuffre, US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's main accuser.

In 2022, Andrew was sued by Virginia Giuffre.

The tragic April suicide of Giuffre and the explosive revelations in the posthumous memoir Nobodys Girl, in which she reiterated in shocking detail allegations, opened the floodgates to outrage and finally forced the palace to take significant action.

Meanwhile a UK minister has urged Andrew to cooperate with a US congressional panel thats investigating Jeffrey Epsteins sex-trafficking ring.

I think if anyone has information that can help with investigations, they should do that. But it is a matter for him, a private individual. Housing Secretary Steve Reed told BBC Radio.
Following its recent clash with India, Pakistan has moved to strengthen the constitutional foundation of its military command, signalling a push to modernise defence structures.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Saturday tabled the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Senate, proposing revisions to Article 243 to formally enshrine the appointments and parallel ranks of the Army, Air Force, and Naval chiefs.

Also Read | Indias Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi Takes A Dig At Trump Citing Operation Sindoor

Citing lessons from recent India-Pakistan standoffs, Tarar said the evolving nature of modern warfare necessitated constitutional alignment with changing command dynamics.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

Recent Pakistan-India tensions have taught us many lessons. The nature and strategy of war have undergone significant changes. Appointment procedures and some positions were previously in the Army Act but were not mentioned in the 1973 Constitution. Parallel ranks exist worldwide for Air Chief and Naval Chief, Tarar said.

What is in Article 243 of Pakistan's Constitution? Article 243 of Pakistan's 1973 Constitution establishes civilian control over the military. It vests control and command of the Armed Forces in the Federal Government. The President, subject to law, can raise, maintain, and grant commissions in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and reserves.

The article also ensures that the President appoints the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the three Service Chiefs (Army, Navy, and Air Force) only on the Prime Minister's advice and determines their salaries.

Also Read | Trump not so sharif? US Prez makes Pak PM wait for 60 minutes ahead of meeting

It further ensures democratic oversight, prevents unilateral military decisions, and aligns with the constitutional supremacy of elected institutions.

How will it benefit Asim Munir? Formal recognition of Field Marshal: The rank of Field Marshal would be given constitutional status, transforming it from an honorary title into a legally recognised position.

Commander of Defence Forces (CDF): The bill proposes establishing a new position, the Commander of Defence Forces, with authority over the army, navy, and air force. Gen. Asim Munir could assume this post, consolidating command across the armed services. Munir has been widely criticised for intervening in Pakistans civilian politics despite his military role. He is accused of suppressing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, including using military courts to try civilians involved in the May 9, 2023, riots following Khans arrest.

Shift of supreme command: Operational control over the armed forces would shift from the president and prime minister to the CDF or Field Marshal, effectively centralising military command and reducing civilian oversight.

Tenure extension: The revised language in the amendment would allow for extended or potentially indefinite terms for the Field Marshal, thereby giving Munir prolonged influence in national affairs.

Centralisation of civilian functions: Federal ministries, such as education and population welfare, would come under greater central control, a move critics say could expand Islamabad's, and by extension, the military's influence.

Reduction of provincial autonomy: The amendment would curb the powers of provincial governments and reallocate federal resources, weakening regional checks on the military and central authorities.

Why has the proposal sparked criticism? The proposal, however, has sparked criticism, with observers warning it could further consolidate the militarys power over the civilian government.

According to Dawn, legal experts in Pakistan remain divided on whether such changes require a constitutional amendment.

Many argue that operational reforms, including the creation of a Chief of Defence Staff-type post, could be implemented through ordinary legislation or defence regulations without altering Article 243.

They caution that constitutional amendments risk expanding military autonomy under the guise of structural modernisation.

Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Zafar said that debating the constitutional amendment was not appropriate when the leader of the oppositions seat remained vacant.

He said that the government and its allied parties appeared to be in a hurry to pass the bill.

Also Read | Pulwama terror attack truth admitted by Pakistan Parliament, says PM Modi

I would suggest that instead of sending it to the committee, let this Senate be treated as a committee as a whole, he said, suggesting the bill be debated by all individuals.

The PTI leader further said that the opposition had received the draft only on Saturday and had not yet read a word of it.

We cannot debate something we have not read, he said.

Earlier, shortly before the Senate session, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had chaired the cabinet meeting via video link from Azerbaijan, according to state-run PTV News.

The federal cabinet approved the draft for the 27th Constitutional Amendment and welcomed it to the fullest extent, it had added.
As the Ukraine-Russia war enters its fourth winter, Moscow on Friday escalated attacks on energy infrastructure in Kyiv, crippling the power grid and leaving thousands of people in darkness.

The attack on power plants and facilities has prompted power cuts in several regions, further risking heating outages ahead of the winter months.

"Russian strikes once again targeted people's everyday life. They deprived communities of power, water, and heating, destroyed critical infrastructure, and damaged railway networks," reported Reuters, quoting Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga.

Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba stated that the power outage has affected train services.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said that the focus was on the rapid restoration of heat and light, and efforts were underway to eliminate the consequences for the country.

Energy company Naftogaz said that the attack was the ninth massive attack on gas infrastructure since early October.

Also Read | As Russian drone incursions rattle Europe, Poland and Romania deploy a new defensive system

All power plants down, restoration work underway Ukraine's state-owned energy company Centrenergo stated that all thermal power plants (TPP) operated by the company, which had been restored after attacks in 2024, are down, reported Kyiv Independent.

In a statement on Facebook, Centrenergo said that after the night's strike, restoration work continues.

An unprecedented number of missiles and countless drones  several per minute  targeted the same thermal power plants that we had restored after the devastating attack of 2024. For safety measures, we remained silent, but we did everything possible to ensure that Ukrainians had light and heat last winter, and made our way through hellish trials to successfully start the current heating season!

Firefighters stand at an impact site after a Russian drone attack, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 8, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Further stating that repair crews are doing everything possible and necessary to eliminate the consequences of the attack as soon as possible, the company said, "We will do everything to restore the destroyed as soon as possible!

Currently, power generation is down to zero. Zero. We lost what we had been rebuilding around the clock. Completely! But we will continue to do what we do best, overcoming fatigue and the pain of loss  rebuilding, repairing, and implementing a new generation!

Also Read | Trump Chuckles As Hungary PM Says Ukraine Needs A 'Miracle' To Win Russia War

Drones neutralized Meanwhile, Zelensky said that Ukraines Defense Forces neutralised more than 400 drones over the night and some of the missiles were also shot down.

Only a few systems in the world are capable of intercepting such missiles effectively  and to protect our entire territory, we need far more of these systems and the missiles for them.

The Ukrainian President further stated that they are working with the United States to purchase additional Patriots, and we are very much counting on the support.
The Taliban government of Afghanistan has issued a statement blaming internal elements in the Pakistan military for "directly sabotaging" the peace talks between the two countries which were aimed to ease tensions at the borders.

These internal elements are trying to put the blame on the Taliban government for the internal problems of Pakistan and the terrorist attacks being carried inside the country by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban government, said in a press conference.

Details of his speech were later shared on X by an Afghan government official.

What the Afghan statement says In the statement by Zabihullah Mujahid, he expressed gratitude to "the Republic of Turkey and the State of Qatar - the two brotherly countries - for hosting and mediating the talks." The statement said that Afghanistan's representatives had attended the talks "in good faith and with appropriate authority" and had expected Pakistan to approach the issue "seriously and constructively."

"Unfortunately, certain military elements in Pakistan appear to perceive a strong central government in Afghanistan, along with stability, security, and development, as contrary to their interests. For years, they have taken advantage of Afghanistans instability, conflicts, and displacement. Once again, they appear intent on creating tensions through manufactured pretexts," the statement shared on X read.

It claims that some groups in Pakistan have accused the Islamic Emirate falsely to the internationally community, claiming that instability in Pakistan and the rise of TTP began after the Talibans gained control of the Afghan government. However, the post claims, "both the insecurity and the emergence of the TTP date back to 2002, primarily as a result of misguided policies by certain elements within the Pakistani military."

It then highlights repeated "large and small-scale operations" by the Pak Army, especially in coordination with the US in Waziristan.

The statement claims that the TTP emerged in 2002 after Pak military colluded with the United States, and then highlights seven operations launched by Pakistan on Afghan tribals resulting in the displacement of millions of people over the years.

"These documented facts show that the Pakistani military was engaged in fighting the Pashtun tribes and the TTP even before the arrival of the Islamic Emirate. They themselves admitted that, in the so-called fight against terrorism, 80,00090,000 military personnel and civilians were killed," it also said.

It also highlights a number of terror attacks on Pakistani soil, and reminds that these happened way before the Talibans formed their government in Afghanistan. It lists seven different terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil in which hundreds were killed.

The statement then goes on to list several measures the Taliban government in Kabul has taken to better the lives of the displaced tribal population.

The Talibans have reiterated their stance that they will not allow Aghanistan's territory to be used against any other country, and neither will they allow any foreign entity to use their territory to violate another country's independence and sovereignty.
Many in India would recall the November 2024 incident in Uttar Pradesh, where three men drove off a bridge into the Ramganga River after following Google Maps directions.

The incomplete bridge in Bareillys Badaun district had a section that collapsed due to floods in 2023. However, this change wasnt updated in Maps, and the route looked operational. Local police reported that the driver, relying on the app, didnt realize the bridge was unsafe and drove off the damaged section. Compounding the issue, there were no safety barriers or warning signs to alert drivers.

This chilling incident represents an extreme consequence of what happens in daily life, in subtler ways, when we hand over thinking and attention to technology. Its called cognitive offloading. As AI channels our information, makes our decisions, and personalizes our thinking, we must ask what mental bridges we might be driving off without realizing.

Food for thought

Luckily, AI is descending on us so rapidly that it hasnt managed to take over our mental faculties entirely, leaving us with some time to consider strategies to protect our brains while still managing to use the exciting new capabilities that come with artificial intelligence.

The practice of letting AI think for you creeps up insidiously. Because using it for tasks that require thoughtwriting, brainstorming, or making decisionsusually happens alongside something else, you might stop noticing it altogether.

As you collaborate" with your chat assistant, it will be difficult to separate what thinking comes from the AI and what is solely yours. We are also lured by the trap of efficiency, which is so rewarding that we stop noticing what AI does to aid the thinking. As you offload a thinking task to AI over and over again, that skill starts to fade for you. One day, the skill is gone, and you become dependent on the tool, making you vulnerable.

Human thinking isnt just one big process, but involves many different functions and faculties. The foundational or executive functions are the ones we need to protect first. One of the most critical skills impacted is memory. When you have a world of knowledge in your pocket and know you can get to any piece of information with a few button presses (and now even conversationally), you wont be bothering to remember as much yourself.

Weve all stopped remembering phone numbers long ago and dont even know our own, sometimes. People even refer to it as the Google Effect or Digital Amnesia. Experts recommend that we try to remember some things, pause for a second and try to work something out before searching for the answer. After all, if you dont use it, you lose it. Were becoming quicker at finding information but less so at retaining it in our heads.

We also begin to take the availability of always-there information and guidance for granted. Thats how the three men happily going to attend a wedding ended up in the river instead. Mix all this with the fact that were facing an information overload, and we have a situation where technology is impacting our attention and focus. This is said to be a very real impairment, sometimes referred to as Digital Dementia.

Cost of convenience

The next misstep would be finding it easier to outsource critical thinking and judgment to generative AI, which makes for a convenient shortcut. If we stop questioning, brainstorming, evaluating, scrutinizing, deciding, and eventually creating, we are shifting our role from creator to supervisor. All the solutions and innovations that are put out into the world would gradually be generated by AI instead of coming from the unique thinking that humans are capable of. That is a frightening thought.

Theres clearly a significant cognitive cost to using technology, especially when it is pervasive and an integral part of everything we do. But we cant just reject AI, just as we cant reject electricity. AI eliminates much of the tedium and repetition associated with many tasks, making us faster and more productive. It also takes on tasks that we can never do, such as going through the whole internet in a few seconds. Think of what happens when you head to Google or a tool like Shazam and hum a song or let it listen to a piece of music. It takes mere seconds for it to identify the piece. And its looked at almost all the songs in the world.

Humans, at both an individual and societal level, need a cognitive contract with AI so that we can utilize it to make our lives more convenient and eliminate the tedium of routine and repetitive tasks, while retaining what makes us essentially humanour minds.

Its worth taking up each of the thinking faculties on its own and delving into the strategies each of us could deploy to protect our extremely precious thinking skills.

The New Normal: The world is at an inflexion point. Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to be as massive a revolution as the Internet has been. The option to just stay away from AI will not be available to most people, as all the tech we use takes the AI route. This column series introduces AI to the non-techie in an easy and relatable way, aiming to demystify and help a user to actually put the technology to good use in everyday life.

Mala Bhargava is most often described as a veteran writer who has contributed to several publications in India since 1995. Her domain is personal tech, and she writes to simplify and demystify technology for a non-techie audience.
Few episodes have altered Mumbais economic geography as profoundly as the infamous 1982 textile strike. What began as a wage dispute under Datta Samant, a doctor-turned-union leader with a gift for mass mobilization, ended up redrawing the citys skyline.

The confrontation between labour and capital broke the spine of Indias traditional trade-union movement and cleared the ground, quite literally, for Mumbais shift from an industrial hub to a property and financial capital.

Indias own Lech Walesa

Born on 21 November 1932 in Devbag, now part of Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, Dattatray Datta" Samants journey from medicine to labour activism began in the working-class neighbourhoods of 1960s Mumbai. After doing his MBBS from G.S. Seth Medical College and KEM Hospital, he opened a clinic in Ghatkopar. Many of his patients were factory workers suffering from occupational disease and malnutrition, and it was their stories of exploitation that drew him to labour activism.

Also Read | George Arbuthnot: The banker who laid bare the myth of British integrity

Representing workers from quarries and small engineering and pharmaceutical units, Samant bypassed the disciplined Marxism of S.A. Dange and the socialist networks of George Fernandes. He was a populist lonerpragmatic, transactional, and driven by results. His method was simple: mobilize overwhelming numbers to force immediate wage gains. Early victories in the auto and engineering sectors built his reputation as a leader who delivered.

By the early 1980s, large sections of Mumbais textile-mill workforce, disillusioned with the Congress-affiliated Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh (RMMS), threw their support behind Datta Samant in their search for higher wages, better working conditions and the right to be heard in a city built by their labour.

Samants charisma and defiance energized the movement. His leadership style relied on direct confrontation, often accompanied by general exhortations to violence and threats against management", as the Bombay high court noted in an earlier case, though it found no proof of conspiracy or intent. For a moment, Samant looked like Indias own Lech Walesa, the Polish electrician whose Solidarity movement was defying communist authorities across the globe. Both men were quintessential outsiders speaking the language of the shop floor while championing the working classs dream of self-assertion.

But unlike Walesa, who eventually negotiated his way into government, Samants militancy met a wall of political calculation. Wary of his influence spreading to Mumbais docks and transport hubs, the Congress-led state and central governments, backed by powerful mill owners, refused to negotiate. The standoff dragged on for over a year. With no concessions forthcoming, the strike collapsed by mid-1983. More than 50 mills shut permanently, and over 150,000 workers lost their jobs, most of them never to return to industrial employment.

The turning point

The strikes failure paved the way for Mumbais most dramatic real-estate transformation. Nearly 600 acres of prime mill land in Girangaon became a property gold mine, a process accelerated by the 2001 amendment to the Development Control Regulation, which allowed mill owners and developers to bypass requirements for worker housing and public amenities while erecting luxury towers and commercial blocks. The wealth generated flowed to builders and financiers, completing Mumbais evolution from an industrial powerhouse to a financial and real estate hub.

The 1982 strike is now seen as the last great assertion of organized labour in India. It revealed that capital and the state were willing to sacrifice an entire industry rather than yield to a mass-based union leader. Liberalization in the 1990s, the spread of contractual employment, and the rise of services further eroded the economic base of industrial unionism.

Riding a wave of working-class sympathy, Samant won a Lok Sabha seat from Mumbai South-Central in 1984 as an independent. But as the mills disappeared and the strikes legacy soured, his political and organizational influence waned. On 16 January 1997, he was assassinated by hired gunmen in Mumbais eastern suburbs. Underworld figure Chhota Rajan and others were charged but later acquitted for the lack of evidence. Whether his murder stemmed from mill-owner revenge, underworld rivalry, or political vendetta remains unresolved.

Also Read | Prakash Tandon: The quiet revolutionary behind modern Indian management

Four decades later, the silence of the old mill lands still speaks to that turning point. The factories are gone, the unions have faded, but the consequences of Samants revolt remain etched in the skyline, a reminder that Mumbais wealth was built, and rebuilt, on the bones of its working class.

For more such stories, read The Enterprising Indian: Stories From India Inc News.
Coinbase Europe Limited, the European arm of U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase, has agreed to pay a 21.5 million ($24.7 million) fine to the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) after a series of coding failures left thousands of customer transactions unscreened for suspicious activity between 2021 and 2022.

The Irish regulator said the errors represented a critical compliance lapse in Coinbases transaction monitoring system, which is designed to flag potential money laundering or other illicit behavior.

The failures reportedly affected around 31% of all transactions conducted by Coinbase Europe during the period, worth more than $202 billion, according to the Irish Independent.

Coinbase Strengthens Controls After 21.5M Fine for Transaction Monitoring Errors

Coinbase disclosed the settlement in a blog post on Thursday, confirming that it had cooperated fully with the regulator.

The company said the problem stemmed from three coding errors that caused five of its 21 transaction monitoring scenarios to malfunction, leading to only partial screening of certain transactions.

As part of the review, Coinbase re-analyzed around 185,000 transactions out of approximately 97 million processed in total.

The re-screening resulted in about 2,700 suspicious transaction reports (STRs) being filed with the Irish authorities, covering a combined value of 13 million.

Coinbase said the settlement does not suggest that any of the flagged transactions were confirmed to involve criminal activity.

The Central Banks decision was based on Coinbases average annual revenue in Europe, estimated at 417 million between 2021 and 2024.

The exchange said it fixed the coding flaws within weeks of discovery and has since strengthened its monitoring systems and compliance checks to avoid similar lapses.

Coinbase Europe, which opened its Dublin office in 2018, has been expanding its presence across the EU ahead of the blocs Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.

In 2023, the company selected Ireland as its European hub, allowing it to operate across all 27 EU member states once MiCA takes effect.

Coinbases European Units Under Pressure Amid Expanding AML Crackdowns

The settlement in Ireland adds to a series of recent regulatory challenges facing Coinbases international entities.

In July 2024, Coinbases UK-based subsidiary, CB Payments Limited, was fined 3.5 million ($4.5 million) by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for breaching a voluntary restriction that prohibited it from onboarding high-risk customers.

The FCA found that CB Payments provided e-money services to over 13,000 such customers, who collectively transferred nearly $226 million through Coinbase-linked platforms despite the restriction.
Few Iraqis welcomed both the 2003 U.S. invasion and the subsequent rise of Iranian influence in Baghdad as much as Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

He was 10 years old when his father was executed by Saddam Husseins regime for membership in an Iran-aligned political party. He still praises the U.S. intervention that toppled Hussein, even as he owes his premiership to the Iran-aligned Shia Muslim political parties that rule Iraqs democracy.

Today, Sudani, 55, is running for a second term as prime minister in national elections Tuesday, touting his efforts to regain a degree of independence from both Washington and Tehran without sacrificing Baghdads ties to either of its powerful patrons. Many see it as an impossible goal, and in a bitterly divided Iraq, it might not be a winning platform.

In his three years in office, Sudani has overseen three major political accomplishments. He negotiated the final withdrawal of U.S. combat troops last year; he kept Iraq out of the Israel-Iran war; and he used high oil prices from early in his term to fund a construction boom that has boosted employment and put a check on the countrys cycle of civil unrest.

There is now security, stability and societal harmony," Sudani said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, a stark change for a country that for two decades has been an arena of conflict with outside powers and conflicting internal forces.

The questions now are whether Iranbloodied and weakened from its war with Israelis losing its grip on Iraq, its last major ally in the region, and whether the Trump administration is too distracted by conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Venezuela to exert its long-held influence over Iraq.

Iran, Sudani said, is a neighboring country with which we have friendly ties. But certainly, this friendship will not be at the expense of our national decisions and the interests of Iraq and Iraqis."

With the U.S., Sudani said, he wants the nature of the relationship not to be a security one, but rather an economic and commercial one that benefits both countries."

We are keen on a relationship based on mutual respect, respect for Iraqi sovereignty and shared interests," he said.

Political analysts say Sudani has an uphill battle.

Washington remains Baghdads closest security partner and top weapons supplier. The Trump administration has significant leverage over Iraq with potential financial sanctions in connection with armed militia groups aligned with Iran. The U.S. has already designated several of the groups as terrorist organizations.

Iran remains a powerful force in Iraq. Tehran-backed militias are the backbone of Irans presence there, and the dominant political force is Nouri al-Maliki, an Iran-aligned politician who was Iraqs first elected prime minister in 2006.

As long as Iran-backed armed groups retain their operational autonomy, no government can genuinely break away from Irans influence," said Tamer Badawi, an associate fellow with RUSI, a U.K. defense think tank.

U.S. officials were modestly optimistic when Sudani emerged from obscurity to be prime minister in October 2022. He made waves in a January 2023 interview with the Journal, when he said he believed U.S. troops were needed in the country to defeat Islamic Statea position that contradicted the Iran-aligned political allies who installed him in power.

Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Sudani and reiterated the demand that Iraqs militias disarm. In the interview, Sudani said the militias are now an official security institution" subject to orders from the government.

View Full Image President Trump met with Sudani last month in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

It is a security apparatus that executes orders," Sudani said. It has no involvement in any political stance."

The militias mostly stayed on the sidelines during Irans 12-day war with Israel.

We protected our country from being dragged into this war," Sudani said. Today, Iraq is not an arena for conflict, but rather a hub for dialogue."

But Iraqi analysts said Sudani has largely failed to rein in the militias. Those armed groups retain political and economic influence, and the state has yet to demonstrate full capacity or will to enforce broad disarmament," said Hayder Al-Shakeri, a research fellow with the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, a London think tank.

Badawi, the RUSI analyst, said Sudani, with Irans backing, persuaded the militias to stop attacking U.S. and other Western forces by cutting them into government contracts. Sudani made short-term gains but allowed the groups to become more entrenched in the economy," Badawi said.

An aide to Sudani said there is no evidence of such arrangements with the militias.

A clear break from Iran came when Sudani flew to the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh to attend President Trumps signing ceremony for the recent cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza. The trip drew criticism from the powerful Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a nationalist who accused Sudani of legitimizing Israel.

Tuesdays election wont settle the matter of Iraqs next leader. Elections, which involve dozens of political parties, kick off intense backroom negotiations over who will get the premiership, which always goes to a member of a Shia political party in Iraqs power-sharing system. Washington and Iran are always part of the conversation.

Iran will never let a powerful leader rise in Iraq," said Lawk Ghafuri, an Iraqi political analyst. Changing the PM every four years is a must for Tehran to make sure no individual will have a fan base or become popular."

Sudani has launched his own political party but faces an unusual situation in that his party is still part of Malikis larger umbrella political group. Maliki is working to undermine him, political analysts said.

Sudani needs to win enough seats in Parliament to show that he cant be shunted aside, analysts said, a tall order.

It is a large national alliance," Sudani said. We have a great opportunity by virtue of what we have achieved."

Write to Michael Amon at michael.amon@wsj.com
Zohran Mamdani, who just swept to victory in the New York City mayoral race, already faces his next big challenge: making the right hires without alienating loyalists or further antagonizing skeptics.

Local business leaderswary of the 34-year-old state assemblymans thin resume and short political careerfear he will choose young progressives with limited experience for top roles. Meanwhile, Mamdanis core supporters are pressuring him to staff his administration with people who share his socialist values.

Mamdanis inner circle includes a mix of longtime advisers with ties to the Democratic Socialists of America, along with City Hall veterans. He has signaled that he will hire additional seasoned hands, including an offer to retain New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch. He has also shown a willingness to court controversy, notably with his pick of antitrust crusader Lina Khan to help lead his transition team.

Heres a look at the people closest to the mayor-elect and some of the players in line for key roles in his administration.

Inner circle

Elle Bisgaard-Church, campaign manager

Bisgaard-Church had never run a political campaign before signing up to coordinate Mamdanis mayoral run. The campaigns success has solidified her as Mamdanis closest adviser. She is leading the transition-team effort and is expected to serve as Mamdanis chief of staff or in a similar high-profile position. She previously helped run his state assembly office. Bisgaard-Church is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and was instrumental in persuading the groups leaders to back Mamdanis run for City Hall.

Rama Duwaji, wife and artist

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Duwaji and Mamdani were married earlier this year after the two met on the dating app Hinge. The 28-year-old Syrian-American is an illustrator who uses her Instagram account to push for Palestinian rights and showcase her artwork to her 1 million followers. While she largely stayed out of the spotlight during the mayoral race, she accompanied her husband to vote and joined him on stage after his victory speech. Mamdani had his first conversation about running for mayor with Duwaji. She has advised him on important decisions throughout the mayoral race and played a key role with the campaigns branding and visuals.

Morris Katz, political strategist and senior adviser

Katz helped make some of the campaign ads that were key in connecting with young voters. He has advised other political outsiders, including Dan Osborn, a union leader, who nearly toppled incumbent Nebraska Republican Sen. Deb Fischer in a race last year.

Patrick Gaspard, informal adviser

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A former top aide to President Barack Obama, Gaspard has known Mamdani for more than a decade and served as a close informal adviser to him during the campaign. As a former executive director of the Democratic National Committee, Gaspard has acted as a bridge between Mamdani and the partys political establishment. He also brings institutional knowledge about City Hall because he advised two former progressive mayors, Bill de Blasio and David Dinkins.

Zara Rahim and Dora Pekec, key personnel

Rahim, who previously handled communications for Hillary Clinton and Vogue magazine, serves as an adviser to Mamdani. Pekec, who previously worked for a rivals mayoral primary campaign, is now the spokeswoman for the transition team. Both women also worked on Mamdanis mayoral campaign.

Transition team

Lina Khan, transition-team leader

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The chair of the Federal Trade Commission under President Joe Biden, Khan is serving as a leader of Mamdanis transition team. Khan gained a reputation as a trustbusting crusader under Biden before stepping down earlier this year. She sought to use the commissions enforcement authority in ways not seen in decades, leading to clashes with big business.

Elana Leopold, Grace Bonilla, Melanie Hartzog and Maria Torres-Springer, transition team leaders

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The four women were named as the heads of Mamdanis transition team the day after his election victory. They have each served in one or more of the past three mayoral administrations. Their appointments signaled Mamdani will pursue prospective staffers who have deep experience in running city government.

City Hall veterans

Jessica Tisch, police commissioner

A Harvard University graduate whose family controls the conglomerate Loews Corp., Tisch became the police Department commissioner late last year. She has been credited with driving down crime. While she and Mamdani hold opposing views on some criminal-justice issues, he has said he would like to keep her in the post in his administration. That was seen as an olive branch to the business community and the police force, but Tisch hasnt said if she will accept the offer.

Daniel Garodnick, current chair of City Planning Commission

Garodnick has received high praise from progressives and business-focused moderates for his work in government, including as current head of the City Planning Commission. The onetime city councilmember is considered a strong candidate for a role in Mamdanis administration. Last year, Garodnick helped champion broad zoning changes aimed at reducing barriers to building housing in the city. Mamdani has pledged to build more affordable housing to alleviate high rents.

Key connections

Gustavo Gordillo and Grace Mausser, co-chairs of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America

The local socialist organization played an important role in Mamdanis mayoral run and will seek to have a voice in his new administration.

Write to James Fanelli at james.fanelli@wsj.com
Viewers tuning in to watch Thursday night's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! got an unusual surprise as the show got cancelled at the last minute, while ABC aired a repeat of the October 28 episode, featuring Tessa Thompson, Daymond John and The Beths, US Weekly reported.

Since no announcement was made before the change, it led to major confusion among the fans and sparked conversation on social media.

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Jimmy Kimmel episode cancelled: What to know? It is being said that the episode was postponed due to a "personal matter" involving the show's host, Deadline reported. As of now, it remains unclear why the episode was not recorded.

Fans, who were expected to attend the recording of the episode at the El Capitan Theatre, have been sent a message stating that it has been "postponed". Also, they were informed that they will be provided tickets for a future taping.

Among the celebrities who were scheduled to appear on Thursday night's episode were Malice star David Duchovny, Stranger Things' fame Joe Keery and Madison Beer.

Madison Beer reacts Beer, who is currently dating Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert, later addressed the matter on social media. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jimmy Kimmel Live! needed to reschedule my performance that was originally set to air tonight to a later date," she wrote on her Instagram Stories.

Beer stated that she will provide further details regarding the timing later. "I cant wait for you all to see it, she added.

On social media, several fans expressed their views on the show. Recalling what happened in September, one person stated that "any missed tapings makes me anxious."

"I hope its not due to a family emergency and everything is okay," another added.

A third person speculated that a guest might have cancelled at the last minute, while the makers were unable to "find a replacement."

"I wish the show would be transparent to why it was canceled," the person added.

A few months ago, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was temporarily taken off air after the show's host sparked a major controversy over his comments regarding the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

When the show marked its return, Kimmel highlighted that his intention was never to hurt anyone and even expressed condolences to Kirks family.

FAQs Why was the November 6 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! cancelled? For now, it is being said that the recording was pulled at the last minute due to a "personal matter" involving the host.

Who all were scheduled to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday night? David Duchovny, Joe Keery, and Madison Beer were set to appear.
Gentex recently showcased two custom vehicles and launched its new slim-profile, carbon fiber automatic-dimming rearview mirror tailored for the custom car market at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

This development underscores Gentex's efforts to expand its presence in specialty automotive markets, leveraging partnerships like Ringbrothers to bring advanced vision technologies to new audiences.

With the launch of the GNTX-R mirror, we'll explore how Gentexs custom car innovation could influence the company's broader investment outlook.

These 13 companies survived and thrived after COVID and have the right ingredients to survive Trump's tariffs. Discover why before your portfolio feels the trade war pinch.

Gentex Investment Narrative Recap

To be a Gentex shareholder, you need confidence in the companys ability to adapt its core automotive vision products to new high-value markets as traditional revenue streams face disruption. The recent SEMA launch of its slim profile, carbon fiber automatic-dimming mirror is an innovation milestone but does not change the most important near-term catalyst, which remains increased adoption of advanced mirror and vision content by global automakers. The biggest risk is still exposure to decontenting and profitability challenges in China, which this news event doesnt materially impact.

Of Gentexs recent updates, the new defense contract with the Czech Ministry of Defence is the most relevant since it highlights efforts to diversify beyond auto mirrors. While entering new segments is promising, sustained progress from advanced mirror technology on mainstream vehicles remains the main short-term driver for potential margin or revenue expansion.

In contrast, investors should be mindful that structural shifts in the China auto market...

Read the full narrative on Gentex (it's free!)

Gentex's outlook anticipates $3.0 billion in revenue and $529.5 million in earnings by 2028. This is based on a 7.4% annual revenue growth rate and a $134.7 million increase in earnings from the current $394.8 million.

Uncover how Gentex's forecasts yield a $30.06 fair value, a 28% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

GNTX Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025

The Simply Wall St Communitys fair value estimates for Gentex range from US$19 to US$40, with four distinct analyses contributing to this viewpoint. Some see opportunity as Gentex expands feature-rich product lines, but substantial regional risks may shape outcomes quite differently, so consider all sides before forming your view.

Explore 4 other fair value estimates on Gentex - why the stock might be worth as much as 71% more than the current price!
Author, business owner and former actress Aoibhin Garrihy has partnered with Specsavers to launch a nationwide short story competition, encouraging young, budding authors to unleash their creativity. This exciting initiative celebrates Specsavers sponsorship of the Junior and Senior Children's Book of the Year categories at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025. The deadline is Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Read more: Exhibition on last days of boglands as an industry in Longford's Aras an Chontae

As an author and a mother to three young children, Aoibhin is passionate about fostering a love for reading and writing. She comments: As an author and a mum, I know first-hand the magic that happens when children are given the space to create. This competition isn't just about writing a story; it's about discovering the incredible worlds inside their own minds. Every child has a unique voice and a story waiting to be told, and this is a wonderful opportunity for children in County Longford to share it. I can't wait to see the imagination and talent that shines through - it's a chance for them to inspire us all, and perhaps even win some fantastic prizes for their school!

Designed to ignite a passion for storytelling, the competition offers fantastic prizes. Winners in both the junior and senior categories will secure 500 for their school library, plus a collection of all titles shortlisted in the Specsavers Irish Childrens Book of the Year categories at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025.

Aoibhins top tips for writing a short story:

Meet Your Hero (or Villain!): Think about your main character. What do they love? What are they scared of? What makes them unique? Giving your character a personality makes your story exciting!

Paint a Picture with Words: Where does your story take place? Use your words to describe sights, sounds, and even smells so your reader feels like they're right there.

Start with a Spark: How can you grab your reader's attention right away? Maybe it's a mysterious sound, a funny discovery, or an unexpected event. Make them want to know what happens next!

Let Them Talk: What do your characters say to each other? Does their dialogue show if they're happy, sad, or mischievous? Good conversations make your story feel real and lively.

The Big Problem: Every good story has a challenge! What problem does your character need to solve? How do they try to fix it? This is where the adventure truly begins.

Read, Read, Read!: The best writers are also great readers. Explore all kinds of books: comics, fantasy, adventure. See how other authors tell their stories and let it inspire your own ideas.

Above all, remember to have fun. Writing should be enjoyable. Let your imagination run wild, embrace silliness and surprise, and savour the process of bringing your unique story to life.

Read more: Longford's Halloween festivities spread to Lisryan with several activities

To enter Specsavers competition simply create a short story, no longer than 500 words, inspired by the prompt and picture below:

I looked around my new classroom, at the letters, the map, and numbers on the wall - then I saw it, the teachers secret cupboard tucked away behind my desk. There was a weird noise coming from it, so slipped off my chair and went to investigate
An Arctic airflow looks set to make its way over Ireland next week, bringing with it bitterly cold conditions. This prediction comes despite an unseasonably mild start to November.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel gave the update to his social media followers on Thursday.

He said: "Latest model runs continue to hint at the transition towards something distinctly wintry, perhaps unseasonably so, as we progress through the latter stages of next week and into the following weekend, with perhaps even a hint of snow for some over higher ground.

"The transition towards colder conditions is very much attributed to the development of a blocking high pressure situated to our north and later northwest with a cold Arctic airflow expected to develop gradually through the second half of the month.

"Before then we must contend with some heavy falls of rain and localised flooding next week," he added.

READ NEXT: Early Ireland weather models suggest bitterly cold December similar to 2010 snow

Met Eireann is also predicting some harsh weather with their outlook predicting "further spells of rain but sunny spells at times too."

They say there will be "some sunny spells across northern and eastern areas early on Saturday where it should remain largely dry for daylight hours. Cloudier elsewhere with patchy, mainly coastal rain, turning heavier later in the afternoon across southern and western counties. The rain will extend nationwide during the evening hours with freshening southerly winds. Hill, mist and coastal fog developing then too. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees.

"Wet and breezy with widespread rain, heavy at times [on Saturday night]. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees, in a moderate to fresh southerly wind."

"Beginning cloudy with some scattered falls of rain and drizzle, soon clearing northeastwards [on Sunday]. Mostly dry weather will follow for the rest of the day with sunny spells breaking through. Highest temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees, in light to moderate southwesterly winds. Mostly dry and calm overnight but with some mist and fog, mainly across eastern areas. Chilly too with lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees."

For Monday, Met Eireann predict: "Crisp sunshine to begin but with areas of mist and fog across eastern areas. Some uncertainty - while many areas will remain dry with sunny spells, some showery rain may affect south and southeast areas. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees, in light to moderate southeasterly winds.

"Current indications suggest it will be a wet and blustery day [Tuesday]. The rain will be heavy and persistent with spot flooding. Hill, mist and coastal fog too. Highest temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees, in brisk south to southeast winds."

Beyond that, the forecast is equally bleak as it will remain "unsettled with a large and complex area low pressure in the nearby Atlantic feeding up further spells of rain or showers."
The US convenes a meeting of the elected members of the UN Security Council, along with Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey, on November 5. (US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz on X)

The US is seeking a United Nations Security Council resolution on Gaza aimed at bolstering President Donald Trumps Gaza peace plan, including by greenlighting an international security force, France24 reported on November 6. The UN Security Council was expected to begin negotiations on the text. The goal is to authorize a two-year mandate for a transitional governance body and international stabilization force, Reuters noted.

The Trump administration, which led efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire brokered in Egypts Sharm el Sheikh on October 8, has said it has regional support from Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates for the text, Reuters added. The US has already secured regional support for the ceasefire, but the UN resolution would provide international legitimacy for the subsequent phases in Gaza.

Over the last month, Hamas has released 42 of the 48 hostages held in Gaza. Twenty of the living hostages were freed on October 13, and deceased hostages have been freed subsequently over the past few weeks. The body of Tanzanian student Joshua Lolitu Mollel was returned and identified on November 6. Another body was transferred to Israel on the evening of November 7. Meanwhile, Israel has demarcated an area in Gaza called the Yellow Line that marks the boundary of the Israel Defense Forces control of around half of the territory.

The US began presenting a draft of the resolution to several members of the Security Council as early as November 3, Axios reported. Parts of the text have been circulating on social media since November 5. The US mission to the UN noted on November 5 that Ambassador Michael Waltz, the representative of the United States to the United Nations, convened the elected members (E10) of the UN Security Council  representatives of Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia. In addition, Egypt, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Turkey were invited to the meeting to show support for the resolution.

The resolution welcomes the Board of Peace and authorizes the International Stabilization Force outlined in President Trumps Twenty-point Gaza peace plan. This includes continued humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages  paving the way for a safer and more prosperous Gaza, the US mission to the UN noted. Ambassador Waltz added that bringing the countries together would help create real peace in the Middle East.

The resolution aims to solidify support for an International Security Force (ISF) that would be an enforcement force and not a peacekeeping force, Axios noted, quoting from the draft. The force would have a unified command, operate alongside a Board of Peace, which will provide transitional governance for Gaza, and stabilize the security environment in Gaza by ensuring the process of demilitarizing the Gaza Strip. This effort would mean decommissioning weapons used by terrorist groups.

In addition, Israel would gradually withdraw from additional parts of Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority [would] conduct reforms that would enable it to take over Gaza longer-term, the report added. It is not clear which countries will contribute forces, but Axios mentioned Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Turkey as those that have shown interest.

Le Monde noted that if a UN resolution can be secured, then an international force could be in place in January 2026. This time, the US administration agreed to take the lead in drafting this text, which is intended to provide a UN framework for the deployment of the stabilization force envisaged in Trumps peace plan, as desired by Arab and Muslim countries that, like Indonesia, are likely to send troops to Palestinian territory, the report said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that what we believe is that whatever entity that is created in Gaza should have the legitimacy of a mandate from the Security Council. Guterres also stated in a speech in Qatar that the transition should include unity between Gaza and the West Bank, as well as a two-state solution.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
A battle for control of a little-known chipmaker has threatened global auto production by choking off the semiconductor supply chain, though there are signs the crisis is inching toward a resolution.

The power struggle over Nexperia, a Chinese-owned Dutch semiconductor maker, highlights how technology supply chain vulnerabilities are squeezing auto makers, most notably forcing Honda to halt production at a Mexican factory making its popular HR-V crossover for North American markets. It also exposes how Europe is caught in the middle of the wider geopolitical showdown between Washington and Beijing.

Here's a look at the dispute:

A surprise move

The turmoil erupted into public view in mid-October, when the Dutch government announced it had invoked a rarely used World War II-era law to take effective control of Nexperia weeks earlier.

The Dutch ministry of economic affairs said it took action because of national security concerns. Officials said they intervened because of serious governance shortcomings at Nexperia, asserting control to prevent the loss of crucial tech know-how that could threaten Europe's economic security.

Nexperias Chinese owner Wingtech Technology, a partially state-owned company, is at the heart of the dispute. Amid the boardroom battle, a Dutch court granted the ministry's request to oust Nexperia's Chinese CEO Zhang Xuezheng. American officials told the Dutch government he would have to be replaced to avoid trade restrictions, according to a court filing.

What is Nexperia?

Nexperia makes simple semiconductors such as switches and logic chips. The auto industry  one of Nexperia's biggest markets  uses its chips for numerous functions, such as adaptive LED headlight controllers, electric vehicle battery management systems and anti-lock brakes.

Headquartered in the Dutch city of Nijmegen, Nexperia was spun off from Philips Semiconductors two decades ago. It was eventually purchased by China's Wingtech Technology in 2018 for $3.6 billion.

Nexperia has wafer fabrication plants in Britain and Germany. It operates an assembly and testing center in China's southern manufacturing heartland of Guangdong  which accounts for around 70% of its end-product capacity  and similar centers in the Philippines and Malaysia.

Geopolitics

The dispute is part of the broader struggle between the U.S. and China over tech supremacy, which has left Europe caught in the middle.

It stems from Washingtons decision late last year to place Wingtech on its entity list," which subjects companies to export controls because of national security risks. In late September, the U.S. expanded that list to Wingtechs subsidiaries, including Nexperia, pressuring allies to follow suit.
Massachusetts State Police helped a couple safely welcome a new baby after the mother went into labor while the pair were stuck in traffic on Interstate 93 north in Milton Friday evening.

The incident occurred at around 7:30 p.m. when police found the couples vehicle at the Granite Avenue ramp and helped to make sure that emergency medical services (EMS) could safely reach them, the department said in a statement. Working quickly at the scene, EMS helped to safely deliver the baby.

With the mother and child in stable condition, troopers escorted the ambulance through traffic to Boston Medical Center.

The State Police would like to congratulate the couple on the birth of their child, and thank our EMS partners for their swift response, the department said.
This door leads into City Council chambers at City Hall in Holyoke. (MIKE PLAISANCE / THE REPUBLICAN, File) THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO

HOLYOKE  As Holyoke grapples with years of financial disarray, a $137,000 transfer meant to reconcile city accounts has sparked a deeper debate over governance, with the City Council and mayor jousting with a veto and override over who has the final word.

In this case, even though his veto was overridden by the council, Mayor Joshua Garcia came out on top, with the money he sought assigned and spent on a financial consultant.

In a season marked by antagonism between City Hall and a cadre of councilors, the latest drama began when Councilor Linda Vacon filed an order on Oct. 21, asking the citys lawyer to give a written opinion about whether the $137,000 transfer was approved correctly at the Oct. 7 City Council meeting.

Only after the meeting was over did councilors realize that they differed greatly on what the vote meant. Some were voting to kick the request back to committee; others thought they were approving the funding transfer. Vacon was among the former.

I did not vote to approve a transfer as stated in my email to our city clerk, Vacon wrote in her order. She also notified the councils administrative assistant and Assistant Solicitor Michael Bissonnette on Oct. 9.

Vacon also asked the citys lawyer to explain whether the vote to reconsider was valid, since it happened about 10 minutes after the meeting should have ended, based on council rules and two-time extensions.

If the last-minute vote occurred after adjournment, then is the item still in the finance committee based on the valid vote from earlier in the meeting? she asked.

Mayors veto

In an Oct. 27 letter to councilors, Garcia said he was sending back the councils order for a legal opinion with a written veto.

Garcia said he understands the Oct. 7 meeting ran late and caused confusion but believes its too late to challenge the vote.

He said the citys lawyer already gave an opinion, the council president and city clerk ruled the vote passed, and the finance committee supported it. The council later approved the transfer, and the money already has been used through a purchase order and signed contract, Garcia wrote.

He said his earlier request for $300,000 to support cleanup work in the treasurers office  including keeping the City Council updated  was rejected by the council during the fiscal 2024 budget process.

The failure to approve this, along with the broader pattern of delays over the past two decades in adopting state financial management recommendations, has contributed significantly to the Department of Revenues recent actions, Garcia wrote.

The state raised serious concerns with the city in September and October over its bookkeeping practices, resulting in the commonwealth withholding multiple millions of dollars in local aid payments.

At this point, the city cannot afford further delays or diversion tactics, he added.

Garcia said ongoing council demands are slowing progress on fixing the citys finances. He reiterated that the city lacks a strong financial management plan and needs real changes to avoid repeating problems that have lasted more than 20 years.

During the meeting Thursday, before the override vote, Vacon said she had read Garcias letter vetoing the order but reminded the council that he doesnt have veto power over city ordinances.

In our ordinance, it calls for the City Council to be able to ask for a written legal opinion, and the council voted that and sent it to the Law Department, and under our ordinances, they need to answer our voted request for the written opinion, she said.

Councilor Kevin Jourdain, an attorney, said the city law is clear, and the mayor cant block it.

This is an internal affair of the council of the council, asking for a legal opinion to know what it should do and to give guidance from the law department, he said.

The council then voted 11-2, with Councilors Patty Devine and Kocayne Givner opposing, to override the mayors veto.

City lawyers opinion

On Oct. 9 in an email to the mayor, Bissonnette said the vote was proper and considered final.

He said the request for a legal opinion involves asking a department under the mayor to take action. Further, he said that, even if the request is allowed under city ordinances, it doesnt mean the mayor lacks authority over it.

The Law Department doesnt see this as an internal council matter, like choosing a council president or setting its own rules, Bissonnette said.

This goes outside that scope and involves an executive department, and its not about the internal affairs of the council.

Bissonette told the council that the matter was voted on by a voice vote without discussion at the end of a meeting, and he was not inclined to give it the same weight as something that might have taken a half-hour of the councils time to discuss and debate.

Bissonette said anyone who looked at the end of the Oct. 7 meeting will agree that it was rather confusing, but he believes the intent was clear.

Bissonnette told the council the issue doesnt matter much now, because the transfer is complete, and the final contract has already been shared with the council.

For those reasons, he said Garcias veto is valid and should be upheld.

City Councilor David Bartley, also a lawyer, called the legal reasoning from Bissonnette laughable.

To say our vote is somehow less valid because we didnt talk about it for three hours  thats pretty thin, he said.

Bartley added that the council should at least get something in writing from the Law Department.

I dont think this is a big ask, he said.

Councilor Michael Sullivan said he understands the money already has been spent and the contract signed, but warned that letting a mayor block a legal opinion sets a dangerous precedent.

Councilor Israel Rivera said he believes the council always can override a veto later, so no precedent is being set.

Were not giving up our right to override  thats still there, and always will be, he said.

Its unclear if the council will get a written opinion beyond a copy of Bissonnettes Oct. 9 emailed to the mayor.
BOSTON  The state Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by state Sen. John Velis on Thursday that will provide enhanced safety, stability and educational opportunities for military families and strengthen public safety and increase access to justice around military bases, according to an announcement from Veliss office.

As we approach Veterans Day, I am incredibly proud to be a part of a legislative body that prioritizes not only our veterans and servicemembers but also our military families as well, said Velis, the Westfield Democrat who serves as the chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Velis said the legislation builds off the advancements made in the SPEED Act, which supports military families in their transition to the commonwealth, introduces new benefits and services for veterans and National Guard members, and expands the ways our state recognizes the sacrifices of those who have served.

He added the new legislation also complements the HERO Act, which increased benefits, modernize, and promote inclusivity for veterans and their families that include provision that expand access to behavioral health treatment, increasing benefits for disabled veterans, and supporting businesses that hire veterans.

The EASE Act bolsters the way that Massachusetts cares for our military families and in turn helps improve our Department of Defense scorecard to maintain critical federal military investments in our state, Velis said when announcing the legislation being passed by the Senate.

The bill, if passed by the House of Representative and signed by the governor, would guarantee that a child of a military family would have a seat in the classroom at their current school in Massachusetts, even if their parent or guardian is temporarily transferred elsewhere on official orders. If a military family moves permanently and arrives in a Massachusetts community, the bill also requires a timely and seamless transition for students who receive special education services

The bill also allows federal judges to transfer juvenile cases to Massachusetts courts for offenses that occur on military bases and included an amendment adopted with bipartisan support that further directs National Guard leadership to track and report suicide data among veterans of the Massachusetts National Guard, according to the announcement.

Provisions in the EASE Act respond directly to needs that have been raised by military families in recent years. Addressing these concerns is key to further boosting Massachusetts standing on the Department of Defense scorecard, a key metric that the federal government takes into account when deciding where to increase or maintain its spending for military bases, according to the announcement.

At the end of the day, my focus as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs continues to be on ensuring that our Commonwealth is not only the very best state for a veteran to call home, but also a welcoming and supportive home for our active-duty service members and their families.

During the same session, the Senate passed An Act Clarifying the Duties of the Adjutant General, S.2675, which writes into law that the adjutant general  Massachusetts highest-ranking military officer  has command of all troops in the state National Guard while carrying out the orders of the governor. A technical clarification, the bill brings state statute around the National Guard chain of command into line with the model used by the vast majority of other states, according to the announcement.

Im proud that Massachusetts continues to seek out ways to support our active military members and veteransand their families, said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. In advance of Veterans Day, it was important that the Senate reinforce our commitment to meeting veterans, active military members and their families where they are and provide support to those who have served and are serving our nation. I am tremendously grateful to Senator Velis for his leadership on these issues  and for his service  as well as Chair Rodrigues and the entire Senate for advancing these measures.

Massachusetts is currently among the top 10 states for defense contract spending. More than 57,000 Massachusetts jobs are supported by the states six military installations: Fort Devens, Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westover Air Reserve Base, and the Natick Soldier Systems Center.

Separately, the Senate approved legislation  H.3388, An Act Designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day  that will set aside Sept. 22 of each year as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. That bill, which has already been passed by the House of Representatives, acknowledges that suicide among service members and veterans is an epidemic and calls for annual recognition with a proclamation from the governor.

All three bills acted upon yesterday were approved by the Senate and now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
HARDWICK  After three days without contact, Fitzroy Powell began to fear for his wife and two children in Jamaica.

News reports showed a once-in-a-century storm causing widespread destruction. Powell said he was terrified. The Category 5 storm flung 5 million tons of debris into the air, ripped the roofs off 120,000 homes and spurred landslides that cutoff 27 communities, The Associated Press reported.

It turned the community to mush, said Carlton Bailey, a fellow worker from Jamaica.

Powell and Bailey, both from Manchester Parish in Jamaica, are employed at Still Life Farm in Hardwick under the H-2A visa program for temporary agricultural workers. The men, both in their 40s, travel to Massachusetts each year for nine months to work. On a typical day, they speak to their families back home several times.

After the storm, that daily contact stopped.

Finally, on the third day, Powell received a call from his wife, who had driven 20 minutes to another district to find a wireless signal. The connection was weak, but the sound of her voice brought him some relief.

Bailey had to wait another two days before hearing from his family. When the call eventually came, he was smiling with joy all day, said farm owner Halley Stillman. To reach a signal, Baileys wife drove 30 minutes up a mountain, he said.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the storm caused damage to homes and key infrastructure, equivalent to roughly 30% of the countrys gross domestic product.

I was more worried about my neighbors, Bailey said. My house is concrete.

Worcester resident Tony Thomas, 64, feeds goats and chickens on the Still Life Farm on Friday morning in Hardwick. As a sign of respect, he is called Uncle Tony by his fellow farmworkers. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Tony Thomas, known as Uncle Tony to his colleagues, moved to Worcester decades ago from Jamaica. He showed a photo of his sisters house in Manchester Parish, its roof partially torn off.

She was lucky, he said. A lot of others werent.

The death toll from the storm has risen to 32, according to the Jamaican governments official website.

We do expect that number to increase, Jamaican Minister of Education Dana Morris Dixon said earlier this week at a press conference.

In a couple of weeks, both itinerant farmworkers will begin their journey back home to Jamaica to help rebuild their communities.

Ive been keeping an eye on flights, Stillman said. She was concerned about how the government shutdown might delay the two men.

Stillman noted that it is bad enough that Jamaica has been hit by such a powerful storm, but for the men to be delayed from getting back to their families because of flight disruptions would be heartbreaking.

Regardless, Powell and Bailey remain positive, looking forward to long-awaited reunions.
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A WESTPORT man who headbutted another man leaving him with a broken nose during a night out in Westport has been jailed for 20 months.

Brandon O'Connor (23) of Chestnut Grove, Westport appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to assault causing harm to Cian Harty on Bridge Street, Westport in the early hours of December 10, 2022.

The court heard that Mr O'Connor and the victim had exchanged words earlier in the night in a pub and at approximately 12.30am Mr O'Connor met Mr Harty again outside McGreevey's shop at the top of Bridge Street and headbutted him into the nose.

Garda Paul Harte explained that gardai met the injured party in Cosy Joe's pub shortly afterwards and noticed that his nose was bleeding. He said that Mr Harty was not able to tell gardai much about what happened but he was upset.

A short time later, three males including the defendant presented themselves at Westport Garda Station and it emerged that the other two males were friends of the injured party and were chasing Mr O'Connor.

CCTV footage showed the incident and Mr O'Connor was identified crossing the street towards the injured party and headbutting Mr Harty. He suffered a broken nose and in a victim impact statement Mr Harty stated that his nose does not look that same and he was informed by doctors that they will never be able to get it back to what it was. He added he fears going out at night and meeting Mr O'Connor and he suffered financially as he had to take time off work due to the broken nose.

Mr O'Connor was later arrested and admitted to the offence and the court was told he has three previous convictions and received a custodial sentence for violent disorder and aggravated burglary in 2023.

Garda Harte confirmed that he has not come to the attention of gardai since this incident and any interaction he had with him he was polite and respectful with him.

Mr Mark Ryan, counsel for Mr O'Connor, said he accepted that the probation report put his client at a very high risk of reoffending but felt there was a lot of hope in it for his client. He said the report identified issues faced by Mr O'Connor which included lack of employment.

Judge Eoin Garavan asked him what he was doing about this and also noted that the probation officer had identified his 'lack of motivation' for him not working and questioned if this was now an excuse for not doing something.

Mr Ryan said his client has addiction issues but is making efforts to better himself and is willing to go into treatment for his addictions. He also said he wishes to apologise to Mr Harty for his actions on the night.

Judge Garavan described what happened and another senseless act of violence due to Mr O'Connor attacking someone he did not know and could not remember what happened due to his intoxication.

He noted his previous sentence included robbery, violent disorder and aggravated burglary and described Mr O'Connor as 'violent and dangerous'.

Judge Garavan sentenced Mr O'Connor to two and a half years imprisonment but suspended the last ten months of the sentence for a two year period on the condition he comes under the care of the Probation Service for one year post release.

READ MORE: 'Hit squad' member jailed for three years for machete attack outside Mayo filling station
CTP (ENXTAM:CTPNV) has shown interesting movement for investors recently, especially when looking at its returns over the past year. The companys shares are up 27% over the last twelve months, which is ahead of broader market trends.

See our latest analysis for CTP.

CTPs 1-year total shareholder return of 27% reflects not only solid share price gains, but also signals renewed investor confidence in the companys growth profile. While the past month brought a slight pullback in the share price, momentum for the year to date remains strong, suggesting market optimism has not faded.

If CTPs strong run has you thinking bigger, now is the perfect time to broaden your search and discover fast growing stocks with high insider ownership

But with shares up markedly in the past year, is the current price still attractive for new investors? Or is all of CTPs anticipated growth already reflected in its valuation, leaving little room for upside?

Price-to-Earnings of 7.2x: Is it justified?

CTP is trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 7.2x, which is notably lower than both the sector and peer group averages. The company's last close price, 18.02, suggests the market may be undervaluing its earnings power relative to competitors in the European real estate sector.

The P/E ratio is a popular valuation tool, measuring how much investors are paying for a companys net profit per share. For real estate businesses, this metric helps gauge expectations for future profit growth, stability, and sector risks.

At 7.2x, CTP's P/E is well below the peer average of 19.8x and the wider European real estate industry average of 14.6x. This may indicate that the market is assigning a discount despite the companys above-market earnings growth. If investor sentiment shifts in line with the sector, there could be significant upside as the multiple normalizes.

See what the numbers say about this price  find out in our valuation breakdown.

Result: Price-to-Earnings of 7.2x (UNDERVALUED)

However, slower annual net income growth and recent share price volatility could temper optimism and indicate the need for caution going forward.

Find out about the key risks to this CTP narrative.

Another View: Discounted Cash Flow Perspective

While the price-to-earnings ratio points to undervaluation, our DCF model provides another perspective. Based on projected future cash flows, CTPs fair value is estimated at 24.11 per share, which is 25.2% above the current market price. Can this deeper value signal remain valid as conditions change?

Look into how the SWS DCF model arrives at its fair value.
The Irish premiere of Bound for Canada: A Musical Journey from Hardship to Hope is set to take place in Ballina Arts Centre on December 5 and 6.

Composed by Dr Odhran O Casaide, this 80-minute orchestral suite forms the centrepiece of his recently completed doctoral research at Dundalk Institute of Technology.

The work pays tribute to the resilience and courage of the Irish Famine migrants who, in 1847, embarked on their perilous journeys in search of a new life. It also serves as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the compassionate people of Canada who provided refuge, care, and hope to the thousands of Irish men, women, and children who arrived on those distant shores during one of the darkest chapters in our shared history.

The orchestra will be conducted by Pat Kenny, Musical Director with The Garda Band. It will feature performances by Sibeal (Sean-nos vocalist), Ellen Fair (Soprano), Patrick Lacken (Tenor), Dr. Odhran O Casaide, Maitiu O Casaide (Uilleann Pipes), as well as The Garda Band and St Muredach's Cathedral Choir.

All proceeds from both evenings will go directly to Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation to support its future development of a Childrens Hospice for the Western Seaboard, with further details to be announced in the coming weeks. Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation provides palliative care services to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families in County Mayo and County Roscommon.

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said,

It is so special to have Bound for Canada premiere here in Mayo, and I am incredibly proud that our next project will benefit from whats going to be a truly fantastic event.

This concert represents hope, compassion, and community coming together in support of children and families who need it most. We are extremely grateful to everyone involved.

Dr Sheila Flanagan, Vice President, Academic Affairs, DkIT, expressed her delight for the upcoming Irish premiere of Bound for Canada.

This sweeping musical epic represents a creative, skilled, and moving rendering of a major chapter in the conjoined histories of Ireland and Canada. It is a tribute to Canada for its compassionate response to Ireland in a year of desperate, apocalyptic need, and it is indeed appropriate that the narrative within the music is representative of hope.

We are thrilled to support Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation in its future development of a Childrens Hospice through this concert event.

Joanne Grehan, Director of Services, Mayo County Council, says this event represents a meaningful opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening international connections and fostering relationships that honour our shared heritage.

It also opens new avenues for cultural, social, and economic collaboration between Mayo and our global family.

We are especially honoured to once again welcome His Excellency Dennis King, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, to County Mayo. His presence at this event underscores the importance of our transatlantic ties and the mutual respect that continues to grow between our communities.

In addition to celebrating our diaspora, this occasion also supports the future development of a vital new Hospice service for the people of Mayo and the wider region - a testament to our collective values of compassion, care, generosity of spirit and community.

Mayo County Council looks forward to welcoming audiences to Ballina Arts Centre on 5th and 6th December for what promises to be a significant, enjoyable and memorable event.

Tickets for the event can be booked on www.ballinaartscentre.com, while donations can be made online at www.hospice.ie.
The recent outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a turkey farm in Carlow has caused much concern across the country, with the Department of Agriculture imposing a mandatory housing order for poultry and captive birds starting from 10 November.

Earlier this week, the National Chair of the IFA's Poultry Committee, Nigel Sweetman, said that the outbreak discovered in Carlow is "very, very worrying" and encouraged all farmers to take the necessary precautions to avoid its spread.

The outbreak in Carlow follows the closure of Fota Wildlife Park until the end of November due to the detection of the virus in a flock of geese at the park. The virus has been identified in over 40 wild birds across Ireland this year, however the Carlow farm is the first outbreak in a commercial poultry flock in a number of years.

Can people contract bird flu?

Now, what many people are wondering is whether or not people can pick up the bird flu. The answer is yes, although it is very rare to find cases of bird flu in people.

According to the HSE, bird flu or 'avian influenza' is a type of flu infection that spreads among birds. It does not spread easily to humans and the spread of the flu from person to person is very rare.

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That being said, it is possible. You can contract bird flu if you are in close contact with a bird that has it. The HSE considers close contacts to include touching infected birds that are dead or alive, touching their waste or bedding, and killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking.

However, they also note that "you cannot get bird flu by eating poultry or eggs that are fully cooked, even in an area with an outbreak."

Symptoms of bird flu in people:

If a person does contract bird flu, it takes about 3 to 5 days for the first symptoms to appear. The main symptoms include a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above, feeling hot or shivery, aching muscles, headaches, and a cough or shortness of breath.

Some other early symptoms to look out for are diarrhoea, stomach pain, chest pain, bleeding from the nose and gums, and conjunctivitis.

How to avoid catching bird flu:

Luckily, it is rare for people to catch bird flu and there are many ways to prevent contracting it. The HSE advises not to go near or touch bird poo and sick or dead birds. Do not visit live animal markets or poultry farms if you do not need to, do not bring live birds, poultry or feathers into the country, do not eat poultry that is raw or undercooked, and do not eat raw eggs.

The HSE also encourages people to take some simple steps to avoid its spread such as washing hands often with warm water and soap, especially when handling food and raw poultry. They also advise to use different utensils and surfaces for raw meat and cooked meat, make sure meat is cooked until steaming hot, and report any sick or dead wild birds.
Vicky Tindal, who has lived in Westport for the past eighteen years, says her journey from international aid work to holistic health has been a long time coming.

I grew up beside the sea in Donegal, and I have always had an interest in health and complementary therapies, she told The Mayo News.

I had a completely different career before I moved to Mayo. I was an aid worker, so I lived all over the world and worked in some very traumatic and stressful situations. It was an amazing, challenging, and very privileged experience, she said.

After returning to Ireland to work with Trocaire, she met her husband, actor Lochlann O Mearain, who would collect her from the airport when she returned from work in conflict zones: Wed drive to the west and dream about living there.

The couple married, settled in Westport, and raised four children. For a time, she continued working as a consultant for aid agencies, but as her family grew, she began looking for a change.

I first came across reflexology through my sister, who is a natural therapist. Her fascination came about when working with her sister one summer. I was surrounded by all kinds of complementary therapists. It really opened my eyes to another way of helping people.

Now that fascination has turned into a full-fledged vocation.

Ive always loved working with people, she said. Working two days a week in a health food shop, Vicky says, Reflexology feels like an extension of that. Its about listening, caring, and supporting other people.

So, what is reflexology? It is described as a complementary therapy, not an alternative one, she explains.

Overall well-being

IT supports overall well-being. Using gentle thumb and finger pressure, we work on reflex points on the feet or hands that correspond to organs and systems in the body. Its a holistic therapy, so it works through the whole body. It considers the physical, emotional, and even spiritual aspects of health.

Stress, she says, is something everyone can relate to. We all experience stress; its part of life. But prolonged stress can cause inflammation, which in turn can lead to long-term health issues. Reflexology helps calm the system and reduce that inflammation.

As she prepares to welcome clients to The Reflexology Room in Brackloon, Vicky hopes they will leave feeling restored and rebalanced. I want people to have a moment for themselves  a bit of calm, some time out, and hopefully a really good nights sleep afterwards.

The qualified reflexologist says, A course of 6 treatments is where the real transformation happens physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Vicky is fully insured and registered with the National Register of Reflexologists Ireland (NRRI), meaning clients with private health insurance such as Laya, VHI, and others may be eligible to claim back some or all of their treatment costs.
Westport Chamber of Commerce is once again launching the 'Westport Shop Local Promotion 25' next week  this is similar to last years very successful event. The Chamber are now looking for retailers and businesses to get on board once again with the campaign.

The initiative will afford shoppers who spend a minimum of 20 to receive a ticket for a free draw for up to 5,000 worth of gifts. The first drawn ticket will give the winner 1,000 worth of shopping vouchers/products from local Westport businesses. Subsequent draws will provide vouchers of various values. Shopping locally supports our town and locality. Your support of the promotion, as always, would be much appreciated by either a voucher or a cash donation.

The hugely popular Paddington Bear helped Geraldine Horkan and Dermott Langan launch the Christmas 2025 Shop Local promotion draw.

The Chamber will distribute all the point-of-sale materials, Information leaflets, Entry Tickets, Competition Entry Box etc, and ask that retailers inform their staff about the working of the promotion. Offer a free ticket for all sales over 20, the customer should then complete the ticket with their name and contact details and drop the completed ticket into the competition box.

To be part of this exciting Shop Local promotion, contact the Westport Chamber on 098 27375 or email chamber@westportireland.com.

READ MORE: Mayo family to feature on Ireland's Fittest Family
A caller on a recent episode of The Ramsey Show asked whether buying silver was a smart move after seeing friends get big returns. While it may have looked like a win from the outside, co-hosts Rachel Cruze and John Delony quickly pushed back on the idea.

Silver Is Volatile And Fear-Driven, Cruze Says

Not a great one, Cruze said when asked if silver was a good investment. Usually commodities like that, gold, silver, all of it, is so dependent upon honestly, the fear of whats going on in the current moment.

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She explained that silver prices spike when global events cause panic, but they fall just as quickly once things calm down. You can really see a correlation with the amount of fear that the American people have in life, Cruze added.

Despite the skepticism, silver has surged 67% year-to-date as of Nov. 2, a jump that has caught the attention of many investors. But Cruze warned that those gains dont make it a reliable long-term strategy.

She also pointed out that some buyers arent just thinking about returns, theyre prepping for economic collapse. They do it for like an end-of-the-world, apocalyptic plan, she said. But if the U.S. dollar completely collapsed, Cruze argued, people wouldn't be trading silver. Its going to be ammo and food and clean water. A little bag of gold? Everyones like, I dont need that. I need food and shelter.'

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Delony: Wealthy Investors Dont Touch It

Delony chimed in with a more personal perspective. The wealthiest guy I know personally that I hang out with is Dave Ramsey, and he owns zero dollars of silver or gold commodities, he said. For me and my house, we owe zero dollars of silver and gold.

The caller, David from Indiana, said he had already been leaning away from investing in silver but wanted confirmation. I know we did the total money makeover and, you know, we have our money in, you know, in a 401(k) and then some [certificates of deposit], he said.

Delony encouraged him to stick with his plan. Keep being boring, dude, he said. Because that same friends going to come back next month and be like, I just lost all my pants on silver.'

Cruze also gave a lighthearted warning about where silver gets marketed. If they have commercials on cable TV, its always reverse mortgages, buying gold and silver, and walk-in bathtubs, she said. Thats the market they are preying on, Delony added.
A new clinical trial reveals that a gentler dialysis approach may be just as effective as an intensive one for patients with acute kidney injury.

  Trusted Source

A Conservative Dialysis Strategy and Kidney Function Recovery in Dialysis-Requiring Acute Kidney Injury The Liberation From Acute Dialysis (LIBERATE-D) Randomized Clinical Trial



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TOP INSIGHT Did You Know

Doing less dialysis did not harm  and even eased recovery for ICU patients. #kidneyhealth #medindia

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LIBERATE-D Clinical Trial

Conservative Strategy Group: Dialysis was initiated only when it was evidently required, such as when the patient displayed symptoms of fluid overload or metabolic issues, or when waste products or potassium levels increased excessively. The goal was to keep patients safe while allowing the kidneys to heal on their own.

Dialysis was initiated only when it was evidently required, such as when the patient displayed symptoms of fluid overload or metabolic issues, or when waste products or potassium levels increased excessively. The goal was to keep patients safe while allowing the kidneys to heal on their own. Conventional Strategy Group: Regardless of lab results or symptom alleviation, patients received standard, three-weekly dialysis (the conventional hospital schedule).

LIBERATE-D Trial Monitoring and Measurements

Kidney recovery: Could patients stop dialysis entirely prior to being released?

Could patients stop dialysis entirely prior to being released? Survival: Whether they survived their hospital stay and the ninety days that followed.

Whether they survived their hospital stay and the ninety days that followed. Dialysis-free days: The number of days they were able to avoid dialysis.

The number of days they were able to avoid dialysis. Complications: Like infection, electrolyte abnormalities, or low blood pressure.

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No Big Difference in Survival

Overall, fewer dialysis sessions were required.

Reduced the amount of time spent plugged into dialysis equipment.

Exhibited comparable rates of recovery and survival to those who received more intensive care.

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Gentler Dialysis Brings Relief in the ICU

A Conservative Dialysis Strategy and Kidney Function Recovery in Dialysis-Requiring Acute Kidney Injury The Liberation From Acute Dialysis (LIBERATE-D) Randomized Clinical Trial - (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2841171)

is a common treatment used by doctors to filter blood and save lives when the kidneys suddenly fail, a condition known as. However, a fundamental question has perplexed medical professionals for years: should dialysis be initiated quickly and aggressively, or should they wait and treat more conservatively, allowing the kidneys to attempt to heal themselves?In order to address this, researchers compared these two methods in critically ill patients who needed dialysis as part of the LIBERATE-D clinical trial ().The study involvedwho were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) across several hospitals in the United States. All participants had, but they were. They were randomly assigned to one of these two groups:Both groups were closely observed for:The main goal was to see which approach helped patientsAfter, approximatelyof patients in both groups were alive and not on dialysis, indicating that neither approach clearly outperformed the other in terms of helping patients recover kidney function.However, patients in theIn short,Doctors have been concerned for years that dialysis results could deteriorate if dialysis is postponed or intensity is decreased.However, the LIBERATE-D trial indicates that a cautious, conservative approach can be equally effective and could even lessen the psychological and physical strain of dialysis for patients in the intensive care unit who are struggling to recover.The LIBERATE-D study calls into question the widely held belief that more dialysis leads to better results. Rather, it demonstrates that a patient-centred, well-balanced approach could be just as safe and even simpler for both patients and healthcare providers.This study serves as a reminder that, as medicine moves towards more individualised treatment, sometimes less is more, especially when the goal is healing rather than intervention.Source-JAMA
Could foreigners with diabetes, obesity, or heart disease be denied U.S. visas under Trump-era health rules?

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U.S. Department of State - Home



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TOP INSIGHT The US just raised the bar for #immigrationand it's all about your health. New #Trump administration directives suggest #visas could be denied to foreigners with conditions like #diabetes, #obesity, and #heartdisease. Is this a major policy overreach? #USVisa #Immigration #HealthPolicy

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A Major Shift in Visa Health Policy

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Experts Warn of Bias and Misuse

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Criticism Over Discrimination and Fairness

A Step Backward for Global Health Equity

U.S. Department of State  Home - (https://www.state.gov/)

Foreign nationals applying to live in theif they haveaccording to a new directive issued by the Trump administration ().The US State Department has expanded the scope of medical reviews for visa applicants, instructing consular officers to consider long-term, non-communicable diseases as someone likely to rely on government assistance or healthcare services.The directive, first reported by KFF Health News, was distributed to US embassies and consulates around the world through an internal cable.Until now,The new policy goes further, adding chronic illnesses and metabolic disorders to the list.The State Departments guidance reportedly says: You must consider an applicants health. Certain medical conditions  including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases , respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases , and mental health conditions  can require hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of care.Visa officers have also been told to evaluate whether applicants can afford such care independently  without depending on US public health resources.Immigration advocates and legal experts have expressed alarm over the expanded discretion given to visa officers.Charles Wheeler, a senior attorney at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, said that although the rule technically applies to all visa types, it would most likely affect permanent residency applicants. This is troubling because visa officers are not medically trained, Wheeler said. They shouldnt be making projections based on their own assumptions or biases about health and financial stability.The cable also directs officers to assess the health of dependents, including children and elderly family members, to determine whether their care could prevent the applicant from maintaining full-time employment.Do any of the dependents have disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or other special needs and require care such that the applicant cannot maintain employment? the guidance reportedly asks.Sophia Genovese, an immigration lawyer at Georgetown University, said the guidance effectively empowers consular officers to deny visas based on speculative costs and health conditions.Its a discriminatory policy that punishes people for being sick, Genovese told KFF Health News. It targets middle-aged applicants and families with children or elderly dependents, particularly from developing countries where chronic diseases are common.Advocacy groups say the policies critics argue are designed to favor young, healthy, and affluent applicants.Public health experts warn that suchThe decision also comes as the World Health Organization urges nations to address chronic diseases as part of global health inclusion efforts.The US State Department has not released an official public statement, and it remains unclear when the new guidelines will be formally implemented.Source-Medindia
New research identifies tumor-promoting keratinocytes linked to HPV infection, driving poor prognosis in cervical cancer.

  Trusted Source

Single-cell analysis identifies PI3+S100A7+ keratinocytes in early cervical squamous cell carcinoma with HPV infection



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TOP INSIGHT New research is dissecting the complex "cross-talk" between HPV-infected cells, immune cells, and surrounding tissue in early #cervicalcancer. This not only reveals how cervical #carcinogenesis progresses but also identifies potential therapeutic targets to halt the disease! #HPV #Oncology #WomenCancer

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Rapid Mapping of HPV-Driven Cellular Changes in Early Cervical Cancer

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Distinct S100A7PI3 Keratinocytes Linked to HPV

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HPV Drives Keratinocyte Reprogramming in Early Cervical Cancer

Single-cell analysis identifies PI3+S100A7+ keratinocytes in early cervical squamous cell carcinoma with HPV infection - (https://journals.lww.com/cmj/fulltext/2025/10200/single_cell_analysis_identifies.8.aspx)

continues to pose a significant global health challenge, largely fueled byand underlying genetic susceptibility ().Despite advances in screening and vaccination, early-stage detection and understanding of its molecular mechanisms remain critical for improving patient outcomes.In a groundbreaking study, a research team led by Professor Ruozheng Wang, alongside Mr. Peiwen Fan, Mr. Danning Dong, Dr. Yanning Feng, and Dr. Xiaonan Zhu from the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, employed cutting-edgeto map the molecular landscape of early-stage CESC.Their findings reveal intricateand significant remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME) during carcinogenesis.This detailed characterization not only deepens the scientific understanding of early cervical cancer development but also highlights potential therapeutic targets, paving the way for more precise and effective treatments. The studys results were published in the, marking a significant advance in cervical cancer research.Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of tumor and adjacent tissues from early-stage CESC patients identified a distinct population of S100A7PI3 keratinocytes that were highly enriched in tumors and closely associated with HPV infection. Prognostic validation using the TCGA dataset showed that increased infiltration of these cells was significantly correlated with poorer patient outcomes.Within tumors, PI3S100A7 keratinocytes were found in close spatial proximity to CD163 macrophages, engaging in interactions that co-activated key oncogenic pathways, including NF-B, TNF signaling, and cytokinereceptor interactions.These signaling networks collectively promoted tumor proliferation, differentiation, and metastasis. Notably, patients with high infiltration of both cell types exhibited markedly reduced overall survival.Fibroblast subtyping further revealed four distinct populations. Among these, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs; C1 subtype) were predominant in tumor tissues and displayed strong activation of inflammatory pathways, whereas undifferentiated fibroblasts (C3 subtype) were more abundant in adjacent non-cancerous tissues.Prof. Wang quoted, We identifiedsamples compared to non-tumor controls, as validated by TCGA data. Through immunohistochemistry, we further confirmed the co-localization of S100A7 and PI3 within keratinocytes, defining a distinct subpopulation of PI3+S100A7+ cells.Prof. Wang further highlighted that these interactions between keratinocytes and immune cells are pivotal in shaping the tumor environment: Macrophages were enriched in tumor tissues and exhibited strong crosstalk with keratinocytes, mediated by TNF, CCL2, CXCL8, and IL10.The study sheds light on how HPV infection drives transcriptional reprogramming in keratinocytes, creating a permissive tumor microenvironment through intricate stromalimmune crosstalk. This mechanism likely underlies both viral persistence and the early stages of malignant transformation.This research not only deepens our understanding ofimmune cells, and stromal components in early CESC.Future investigations focusing on pathway-specific inhibitors or immunomodulatory agents directed at these cell populations could fundamentally transform the management of early-stage CESC.In conclusion, this discovery represents a pivotal step toward precision medicine in cervical cancerredefining how HPV-driven cellular reprogramming is understood and opening the door to earlier, more effective therapeutic interventions.Source-Eurekalert
American States Water Company reported third quarter 2025 earnings and revenue that surpassed analyst expectations, with sales reaching US$182.72 million and net income at US$41.17 million, both above last years figures.

Alongside strong financial results, the company secured regulatory approval for capital investments and expanded service to a new planned California community, highlighting growth prospects and long-term operational focus.

We'll examine how American States Water's earnings and new regulatory approvals influence its long-term growth and infrastructure investment outlook.

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American States Water Investment Narrative Recap

To own American States Water, investors generally need conviction in the stability of regulated utility earnings, the company's ability to execute on long-term capital investment plans, and manageable regulatory risks in California. While the latest quarterly earnings exceeded analyst expectations and highlight resilient operating momentum, these results do not fundamentally alter the biggest short-term catalyst, continued customer growth from newly approved service expansions, nor do they resolve the persistent risk from regulatory changes impacting rate recovery and earnings predictability.

Among recent announcements, the company's regulatory approval for approximately US$573.1 million in capital investments over the next three years stands out. This commitment is aligned with the customer base growth catalyst, as it supports upgrading assets and meeting future demand in newly served communities, though it also increases the importance of timely project execution and favorable rate outcomes for returns.

But at the same time, investors should be aware that new growth approvals do not eliminate the ongoing risks from California regulatory shifts and possible exposure to...

Read the full narrative on American States Water (it's free!)

American States Water's outlook projects $749.2 million in revenue and $155.0 million in earnings by 2028. This forecast implies a 6.7% annual revenue growth rate and an increase in earnings of about $30.7 million from the current $124.3 million.

Uncover how American States Water's forecasts yield a $81.50 fair value, a 9% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

AWR Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025

Simply Wall St Community members provided three fair value estimates for American States Water ranging from US$59.44 up to US$199.94. While opinions vary, the recurring risk of regulatory shifts in California could have significant implications for future growth and margin stability.
DoorDash requires corporate employees to make deliveries at least four times a year.

The program, called WeDash, provides employees with a sense of what it's like to be a gig worker.

WeDashers also function as beta testers for some new DoorDash app features.

About once a month, Cody Aughney delivers for DoorDash. It's not his usual job at the delivery company.

Most of the time, he's the vice president of dasher and logistics for DoorDash. However, sometimes Aughney delivers coffees, salads, and other food through the company's WeDash program, which requires DoorDash corporate employees to make deliveries at least four times a year.

WeDash has been a formal DoorDash program since 2015. It gives employees like Aughney on-the-ground insight into what gig workers, whom the company calls "Dashers," face on a daily basis. Last year, about 8 million people made deliveries for DoorDash, the company said in its annual report.

The approach has become common in the gig work industry. Uber has a similar program, which puts corporate employees behind the wheel as ride-hailing drivers. The top brass at the major gig work companies have also gotten involved: The CEOs of Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash have all said they've driven or delivered food for their respective apps.

"If you're at the surface level, you're never going to actually realize what the problems are," DoorDash CEO Tony Xu said on a podcast in 2021.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi even said he was tip baited, or offered a tip by customers who later took it back or reduced the amount of the gratuity  a common point of frustration among gig workers.

At DoorDash, the WeDash program has also become a key way to beta-test new features within the app and identify areas for improvement.

DoorDash employees become beta testers

Aughney has worked at DoorDash for nine years. When he started, he said, corporate employees stepping in to deliver orders was more about necessity. "We need to go dash now because we don't have enough couriers," he said of the company back then.

Roughly a decade later, WeDash provides feedback for the company on what's working on the app and for Dashers, and what isn't, he said.

On a lunchtime WeDash run last month in downtown Washington, DC, a DoorDash spokesperson showed Business Insider how employees make deliveries. Using the DoorDash app, WeDashers either wait to be offered a delivery, similar to how most Dashers work, or claim orders that are available nearby.

The spokesperson claimed an order that contained several kinds of sushi tagged on the DoorDash app as a large catering order, despite the fact that the package was small enough to be carried to an office building several blocks away.
A Washington lawmaker has sponsored legislation calling on the U.S. State Department to advance religious freedom and protect persecuted Christians in Nigeria, telling Military.com that the situation has gotten significantly worse within the past year.

President Donald Trump threatened this week to "do things to Nigeria that Nigeria is not going to be happy about" and "go into that now-disgraced country guns-a-blazing to counter what he and the administration have described as the targeting of Christians by Islamic militants in Africas most populous nation.

Trump has called Nigeria a "disgraced country with a government that "continues to allow the killing of Christians. On Thursday, the State Department said in a post on X that 80,000 visas belonging to Nigerians and other foreign nationals have been revoked since January.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced H.R. 860, which he said updates and expands H.R. 220legislation he introduced earlier this year to under law provide congressional guidance that the State Department can and must take to advance religious freedom and protect persecuted Christians in Nigeria.

A vendor sells local newspapers with headlines referring to US President Donald Trump's comments about Nigeria, on the street of Lagos, Nigeria, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

No action was taken with the previous resolution introduced in March and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

"The legislation supports President Trumps initiative in combating Christian persecution overseas and provides congressional input for the State Departments legally authorized actions, such as sanctions, to be used to persuade the Nigerian government to do the right thing, Smith told Military.com.

It also puts Nigeria on watch, sending a forceful message that the United States will not tolerate or enable the religious persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in that country, or anywhere else in the world, he added.

Smith's legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL).

Military.com reached out to the U.S. embassy in Nigeria for comment.

A State Department official told Military.com that they do not comment on pending legislation or legislative proposals.

"The level of violence against Christians in Nigeria is appalling," the official said. "The government of Nigeria must provide safety, security and rule of law for Christians and protect religious freedom across the country.

"Authorities must address the threats posed by terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in northern Nigeria and targeted violence perpetrated by Fulani ethnic militia and other violent groups."

The department looks forward to continuing to engage with the Nigerian government to address shared security priorities and advance regional peace and stability, the official added, which in turn "will strengthen Nigerias international reputation, attract foreign investment, and build trust among communities."

Steps State Department Can Take

Smith and bill co-sponsors highlight some of the actions the State Department can take to mitigate violence in Nigeria, including:

Providing immediate humanitarian assistance to faith-based groups in Nigeria.

Conditioning U.S. foreign assistance, including global health programs, to address religious freedom violations and develop strategies for long-term peace and stability.

Collaborating with the U.S. Department of the Treasury to impose targeted sanctions, visa bans, asset freezes, and other restrictive measures under the Global Magnitsky framework on individuals and entities responsible for egregious religious freedom violations in Nigeria, such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

Adding Fulani-Ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau States to the Entities of Particular Concern list.

Reaffirming the United States commitment to promoting and protecting religious freedom and human rights worldwide.

The slaughter of innocent Christians in Nigeria demands a strong response from the United States.  This measure calls for setting verifiable conditions on any U.S. aid going to Nigeria. Nigeria must do more to protect all innocent individuals, including Christians, within its borders, said Rep. Huizenga in a statement.

Concerns Since 2009

On Nov. 3 the president designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

The designation mirrors actions during Trumps first term. In 2019, the State Department designated Nigeria as a Special Watch List Country. One year later, it was designated as a CPC country as government officials say that violent attacks against religious communities in Nigeria have become tragically commonplace.

House Foreign Affairs, Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations subcommittee and Western Hemisphere subcommittee Chairman Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, during a joint hearing on, 'The Global Zika Epidemic.' (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended such a designation since 2009, due to what they call the Nigerian governments engaging and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations.

USCIRF applauds President Trump for speaking out on the religious freedom crisis in Nigeria and making Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler said in a statement. The U.S. government can now develop a tough plan with Nigeria to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held to account, people of faith are protected, and those held hostage are rescued.

Nigerian Violence and Remedies

Smith cited various reports about religious violence in Nigeria as impetus for him to elaborate upon his previous legislation.

Figures compiled and published in August by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) claimed that roughly 19,100 churches have been attacked, looted, or shuttered since 2009.

They also suggested that in the first 220 days of 2025, more than 7,000 Christians (an average of 32 per day) were killed across the nation. That adds onto a death toll since 2009 that has reportedly eclipsed 185,000 dating back to 2009including some 125,000 Christians and 60,000 Muslims accused of being liberal or insufficiently radical.

Another 8,000 Christians have also been kidnapped by jihadist groups since approximately 16 years ago.

Smith said he is optimistic that H.R. 860 will receive its due consideration in Congress.

"Christians living in Nigeria are living under the unabating threat of murder, rape and torture by radical Islamist terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and Fulani herders, Smith said. President Trumps well-founded action to redesignate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concernreversing an incredibly ill-advised decision by the Biden Administrationis a significant stride towards addressing this mounting crisis and eventually achieving lasting peace, stability, and religious freedom in the country.

UPDATED 11/7/25, 4:54 p.m. ET: This story was updated with remarks from the State Department.
Fifty-five miles north of Saigon, at a critical road junction in Phuoc Long Province, 11 American Green Berets were settling into what should have been a routine advisory mission. Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group, had arrived at Dong Xoai in late May 1965 to train local Montagnard tribesmen and South Vietnamese forces.

On June 9, Viet Cong mortar rounds and recoilless rifle fire tore through the camp's defenses. What followed was a 14-hour battle that would force American planners to recalculate their efforts in the country and push the U.S. into full-scale ground combat.

Two Viet Cong Regiments Attack Under the Cover of Darkness

America had not yet launched full military operations in the country. The U.S. provided vital air support for ARVN forces facing the communists, while Special Forces advisors, like the troops at Dong Xoai, trained and equipped them to American standards.

Only a few days after the Americans had arrived at the camp, two Viet Cong regiments  the 272nd and 273rd of the 9th Division  had crept to within 100 meters of the camp with 1,500 to 2,000 fighters. They wrapped their weapons in fabric to muffle sound as they positioned themselves in the darkness.

The 272nd would advance into Dong Xoai village and the Special Forces camp. The 273rd would block any reinforcements trying to reach the besieged troops. It was textbook ambush tactics, executed with a level of sophistication that U.S. leaders had underestimated.

Aerial view of a helicopter crash site at Dong Xoai, June 1965. During the battle, the 118th Aviation Company lost multiple aircraft while attempting to insert ARVN reinforcements into Viet Cong kill zones near the Thuan Loi rubber plantation. Of the more than 500 South Vietnamese troops inserted at two landing zones, about 250 were unaccounted for. (Wikimedia Commons)

At 11:30 p.m., 60mm mortars and 57mm recoilless rifles slammed into the camp. In the opening minutes, the VC destroyed the communications equipment and medical dispensary.

SF Capt. Bill Stokes, the camp commander, was running to the command bunker when shrapnel ripped into both legs. Command of the camp suddenly fell to 2nd Lt. Charles Q. Williams.

Williams had been an NCO in the 82nd Airborne Division before going to Officer Candidate School and joining the Green Berets.

He grabbed a PRC-10 radio and tried to reach Stokes in the other compound. Before he could reach Stokes, Williams made a quick decision to organize the defense, figure out where the main enemy attack was coming from, and get troops to the south and west walls.

When he tried to reach the district headquarters to establish communications, fierce enemy fire drove him back. Shrapnel tore into his right leg.

VC started to scale the camp walls. Some of the Montagnard guards panicked and started falling back. Williams ran through the gunfire, rallied the retreating fighters, and led them back to their positions. In those frantic minutes, he suffered two more wounds.

Nine Navy Seabees from Technical Assistance Team 1104 were fighting alongside the Green Berets. They had arrived only days before to improve the fortifications  construction work, not combat. Nevertheless, they picked up weapons and joined the fight.

Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Marvin Glenn Shields, a 25-year-old former lumberjack from Port Townsend, helped carry the wounded Capt. Stokes to the district headquarters as bullets flew overhead.

Two other Seabees became separated from the rest of the Americans. They spent the rest of the battle evading communist troops, but were wounded in the process.

Assigned to construction and improvement of training facilities of a Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) camp at Dong Xoai, 55 miles north of Saigon, 9 members of Seabee Team 1104 and 11 other U.S. Army Special Forces personnel were trapped in one of the bloodiest and hardest fought battles of the Vietnamese war. (Naval History and Heritage Command)

ARVN Reinforcements Fly Into the Kill Zone

Only hours after the initial attack, two UH-1B Huey gunships from the 118th Aviation Company's 3rd Flight Platoon flew in from Bien Hoa. Despite the pitch darkness, the pilots opened fire on VC positions, dumping rockets on the machine gun positions surrounding the camp. Chief Warrant Officer Ralph Orlando would later write that the compound was in shambles and the enemy was attacking in human waves.

But the real disaster was unfolding with the ARVN reinforcements.

Just as the sun started to rise, helicopters were shuttling the 1st Battalion, 7th ARVN Regiment toward landing zones near Dong Xoai. The first drop point was an open field near the Thuan Loi rubber plantation, a couple of miles north of the camp.

When 14 helicopters approached, the pilots saw what looked like civilians in the landing zone. They held their fire. Turns out they were VC fighters who quickly dove into prepared bunkers and unleashed hell as the ARVN troops hit the ground. It was a slaughter.

South Vietnamese civilians flee Dong Xoai after the Viet Cong attack, June 1965. The coordinated assault by two Viet Cong regiments on the district capital and Special Forces camp left approximately 300 civilians dead and displaced 2,500 more as refugees. The battle devastated the town over 14 hours of intense fighting. (Wikimedia Commons)

The helicopters refueled and tried a different landing zone  the Thuan Loi airstrip. VC troops again massacred the ARVN reinforcements as they exited the aircraft. Blue Tail 1 from the 118th Aviation Company lifted off after dropping troops and caught a mortar round. The chopper rolled over and exploded, killing four crewmen and two U.S. Army advisers.

Orlando later noted that of the more than 500 ARVN troops inserted at the two landing zones, about 250 were unaccounted for.

The ARVN 52nd Ranger Battalion fought through the prepared ambush and managed to recapture parts of Dong Xoai by the afternoon. But the next day, June 11, when the ARVN 7th Airborne Battalion arrived to search for survivors near Thuan Loi, the VC ambushed them again. By the following morning, few survivors were found and only 100 or so paratroopers remained combat effective. The Rangers managed to find and rescue the two wounded Seabees.

The American-trained South Vietnamese forces were walking into repeated traps, getting systematically destroyed by an enemy that they had underestimated.

South Vietnamese Rangers from the 52nd Ranger Battalion and a U.S. adviser examine the wreckage of a downed American helicopter at Dong Xoai, June 1965. Multiple helicopters were shot down during attempts to reinforce the besieged Special Forces camp, including Blue Tail 1, which was struck by a mortar round and exploded, killing four crewmen and two U.S. Army advisers. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Heroic Actions of Shields and Williams

Back at Dong Xoai, Williams was consolidating what was left. As the outer perimeter fell, he pulled American personnel from both compounds into the district headquarters building. The troops even sheltered several civilians in the compound to protect them from the VC.

When someone got a battery-powered radio working, Williams raced to the communications bunker. Grenade fragments caught him in the stomach and right arm. His fourth and fifth wounds.

Using the radio, Williams directed airstrikes against VC positions that were closing in on the building.

By dawn on June 10, the Viet Cong had moved a .30-caliber machine gun into a schoolhouse south of the district headquarters. The gun hammered the American position. Williams needed it destroyed.

He grabbed the last heavy weapon available  a 3.5-inch rocket launcher. I need a volunteer, he said.

Shields stepped forward. He'd already been wounded three times and had never fired a 3.5-inch rocket launcher before. He continued anyway.

The two men moved carefully across open ground toward the schoolhouse. Williams shouldered the launcher. Shields loaded the rocket and stepped clear of the back-blast area. The sight was faulty, but Williams sent the rocket downrange. At 150 meters, he hit the machine gun nest.

They turned to head back, but a second machine gun opened up. Williams took rounds in the right arm and leg. Two bullets shattered Shields' right leg. Williams couldn't carry him. He dragged Shields to cover, then crawled back to get help. A few other Americans pulled Shields back to the building.

At noon, SF radio operator Staff Sgt. Harold Crowe sent a message that captured just how dire things had gotten: I'm using my last battery for the radio, and there is no more ammunition. We are all wounded, some of the more serious are holding grenades with the safety pins already pulled. The VC are attacking in human waves. The last wave has been defeated, but we are expecting the next wave now.

At the 118th Aviation headquarters in Bien Hoa, Maj. Harvey Stewart stood up and said, I'm going in.

Around 1 p.m., Stewart and five pilots flew three Hueys through heavy fire and landed. They loaded the Americans and several Vietnamese fighters and got out. Stewart would receive the Distinguished Service Cross for the rescue.

Shields was loaded onto one of the rescue helicopters. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class James Keenan was with him. Shields was joking and cutting up to the end, Keenan later recalled. When he finally went under, it was very quiet, nothing dramatic. He just went to sleep. The last thing he did was to thank everyone who helped him.

Shields died en route to medical care.

Rear view of the District Headquarters Building at Dong Xoai, June 1965. The surviving American troops made their way to the District Headquarters Building but were quickly surrounded by an almost overwhelming Viet Cong. The enemy used flame-throwers, machine guns, recoilless rifles and small arms against the fortifications. First Lt Charles Williams and CM3 Marvin Shields moved outside the headquarters defenses and successfully destroyed a Viet Cong .30 caliber machine gun position. (Naval History and Heritage Command)

173rd Airborne Brigade Deploys as America Enters the Ground War

Following the evacuation from the compound, the VC withdrew, having suffered horrendous casualties. As the Allied troops consolidated their positions, the VC still maintained several defensive positions in the area. Gen. William Westmoreland did not want these communist troops to remain in the area.

He ordered the ARVN forces in the region to rearm and move back out to crush them. He was unaware, or unwilling to accept, that the ARVN were decimated, depleted, and not capable of any further action.

Upon reassessing the situation and the casualties of U.S. and ARVN forces, Westmoreland finally made a decision that would define the country over the next decade. South Vietnamese forces couldn't hold without direct American combat support.

On June 13, fearing the VC would become entrenched in Phuoc Long Province, Westmoreland deployed 738 men from the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade to a staging area at Phuoc Vinh.

This was the first major commitment of U.S. ground combat troops in the conflict. The 173rd had been staged on Okinawa as a rapid reaction force  now they were being fed into a war that would consume them for the next six years.

By the time the paratroopers arrived, the Viet Cong had melted back into the jungle. American paratroopers began running into the same ambushes and suffering the same setbacks the ARVN had only days prior. American forces were no longer advising, they were fighting.

Three Special Forces soldiers and two Seabees were killed among the 20 Americans at the camp. Of the 15 survivors, 14 were wounded. Eight helicopter crewmen were dead, as were five U.S. Army advisers. About 43 Montagnards and South Vietnamese troops were killed at the camp. More than 400 additional ARVN soldiers were killed in the fighting nearby.

The Viet Cong left only 134 bodies in the camp area, though they likely carried off many more.

Members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade maintain their defensive position at the perimeter of the staging area. The paratroopers began deploying to South Vietnam after ARVN forces suffered devastating losses against VC forces at Dong Xiao. (Wikimedia Commons)

Two Medals of Honor from One Battle

Williams received the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon Johnson on June 28, 1966. In the East Room of the White House, Johnson told the assembled crowd: Lieutenant Williams and a very small band of Americans and Vietnamese fought for 14 long hours against an enemy that outnumbered them more than five to one. During those long hours, Lieutenant Williams was wounded five times.

Shields became the first and only Navy Seabee to receive the Medal of Honor. His widow, Joan, and daughter, Barbara, accepted it in August 1966 in the Oval Office.

Williams retired as a major and died in 1982 at age 49. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Dong Xoai had exposed a frightening lesson that American leaders would again face years later. The ARVN were incapable of facing the communists. They walked into ambushes repeatedly. Their leadership issues stemmed from a promotion system based on political connections rather than combat experience. While individual ARVN troops fought valiantly, they were led by less-than-stellar officers.

A South Vietnamese soldier runs to cover while under fire at Dong Xiao. The ARVN forces would suffer horrendous casualties during the 14-hour battle, leading Gen. William Westmoreland to call in the 173rd Airborne to to country to face the enemy. (AP Photo/Horst Faas)

America's advisory strategy wasn't working. Now, U.S. troops would pay the price, only to be withdrawn in 1973 as the ARVN again failed to face the NVA and VC.

Within months, American combat strength in Vietnam would surge from 75,000 to nearly 200,000. That November, troopers from the 1st Cavalry Division would face the North Vietnamese Army for the first time at Ia Drang.

Despite the odds stacked against them and the failures of ARVN leaders, 11 Green Berets and nine Seabees had fought like hell and proven what individual Americans could do.
Every Nov. 10, Marines worldwide gather to cut birthday cakes with Mameluke swords, listen to the reading of a nearly century-old order, and watch the oldest Marine hand a piece of cake to the youngest.

Surprisingly, these traditions that Marines hold sacred are barely 100 years old. They were created during one of the darkest periods in Corps history when its very existence was in danger.

Lejeune Faces Budget Cuts and Existential Threats

When Major General John A. Lejeune became Commandant in 1920, he inherited a Marine Corps that had proven itself and earned national fame for its actions at Belleau Wood but it faced serious questions about its future. Post-World War I America wanted disarmament and drawdowns. The Washington Naval Treaty discussions led to massive budget cuts and military downsizing that created legitimate concern among Marine Corps senior leaders.

Congress occasionally debated whether the nation needed a separate amphibious force at all. The Army could handle land operations, while the Navy had its own security forces. Many voiced their belief that the Marines were nothing but a waste of money, something the other branches could handle instead.

Lejeune watched the political tide turning against his service. The Corps needed more than combat effectiveness to survive going forward. It needed an identity that was impenetrable to budget cycles and congressional scrutiny.

Maj. Gen. John A. LeJeune, C. 1920. After becoming Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1920, LeJeune established the Marine Corps birthday on Nov. 10 every year, linking current Marines to their Continental predecessors. (Wikimedia Commons)

Marine Corps Clerks Make History

Major Edwin McClellan ran the Corps' historical section in 1921 with just three enlisted clerks. They noted that Marines had been celebrating their founding on July 11 since 1798, when Congress formally reestablished the service after disbanding the Revolutionary War-era Continental Marines.

However, these celebrations were nothing but an acknowledgement of the anniversary. Historical records show minimal fanfare, with one 1918 newspaper clipping noting the Corps' 120th birthday passed as usual with no fuss. Drastically different from the celebrations of today.

On Oct. 21, 1921, McClellan sent a memo to Lejeune suggesting the Marines shift their official birthday to Nov. 10, 1775, the date the Second Continental Congress authorized raising two battalions of Continental Marines. The recommendation came with a proposal for an annual celebration that would remind both Marines and the American public of the Corps' long history and its service to the nation.

Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47 on Nov. 1, 1921. The order directed that a birthday message be read to every command on Nov. 10 of that year and every year thereafter.

On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress, the order read. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name 'Marine.'

His order established a continuity to the original Continental Marines that all modern-day Marines can be proud of.

Lance Cpl. Isidro Grana, an administrative clerk with Headquarters Battalion, and fellow Marines and sailors from the battalion, display Marine uniforms from different time periods during a Marine Corps uniform pageant on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Nov. 10, 2010. The pageant was held to celebrate the Marine Corps' 235th birthday, and featured more than 30 Marine and Navy actors in uniforms from different time periods. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder)

Building USMC Traditions From Scratch

The first formal Birthday Ball took place in Philadelphia in 1925. Guests included the Secretaries of War and Navy, Lejeune himself, and prominent political and military figures. The main event was an unveiling of a memorial tablet at the site of Tun Tavern, the Philadelphia waterfront tavern where Captain Samuel Nicholas recruited the first Marines in 1775.

The celebration featured a parade with Marines, Army and Navy units, National Guard detachments and other military organizations marching through Philadelphia. An evening banquet at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel preceded a ball at the Bellevue-Stratford.

The birthday cake tradition developed over the years. Evidence points to a cake-cutting ceremony at Quantico, Virginia, in 1935. The first well-documented ceremony occurred at Marine Barracks Washington in 1937, when Commandant Thomas Holcomb presided over an officer open house that featured the cutting of a massive cake shaped like Tun Tavern.

Lt. Gen Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, then a colonel, cuts the Marine Corps birthday cake 10 Nov. 1950, during a brief reprieve in battle during the Korean War. (Wikimedia Commons)

The cake-cutting ceremony wasn't formalized across the entire Corps until Oct. 28, 1952, when Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. issued standardized protocols. Those protocols became part of the Marine Corps Drill Manual in 1956.

The modern ceremony follows specific traditions handed down over decades. Marines cut the birthday cake with a Mameluke sword. The first piece goes to the guest of honor. The second piece goes to the oldest Marine present, who hands it to the youngest Marine. The Mameluke sword itself traces to Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon's assault on Derna, Tripoli, in 1805, when he was reportedly given the blade from the city's governor.

The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, cuts the Marine Corps Birthday cake during the Pentagons 250th Marine Corps Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony at Washington, D.C., Nov. 5, 2025. Each year, Marines celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps to build camaraderie across generations of Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juaquin Greaves)

Strategic Survival Through Tradition

Lejeune issued Order No. 47 during a period when the Corps fought for institutional survival against congressional scrutiny and budget threats. By formalizing the birthday celebration, he created an annual ritual that reaffirmed the Corps' distinct identity when its future remained uncertain.

Annual birthday celebrations created public visibility for the Marine Corps beyond its wartime actions. Each ceremony reminded Americans and their elected representatives that the Marines represented something more than just being another military branch. Lejeune applied principles of public relations to ensure the Marine Corps survived the post-World War I budget cuts, establishing Marine Corps alumni groups and creating lasting traditions that kept former Marines engaged in supporting the Corps.

Even Marines deployed to remote locations began improvising birthday celebrations, sometimes with ration cakes or handwritten versions of Lejeune's message. In the absence of cake, some Marines in the middle of combat began using desserts from MRE packages.

1st Lt Raymond Horn, CO C/1/7, cuts a piece of cake to celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday in Vietnam. (Wikimedia Commons)

Even the Marines' Hymn, sung at every birthday celebration, became popularized during this time. The melody came from Jacques Offenbach's 1867 comic opera Genevieve de Brabant, though no one knows who wrote the current lyrics. Commandant Lejeune authorized it as the official Marine Corps Hymn in 1929, giving Marines another identifiable feature.

Modern birthday celebrations have added new traditions alongside the cake ceremony. Unit motivational runs on Nov. 10 have become standard practice across Marine commands. Most celebrations include a display of Marine uniforms, past and present. Each year, Marines also gather at Samuel Nicholas's grave in Philadelphia's Arch Street Friends Meeting graveyard at dawn to place a wreath honoring the Corps' first officer.

U.S. Marines participate in a motivational run to celebrate the 250th Marine Corps Birthday on MCB Quantico, Nov. 6, 2025. Marines from across the installation participated in a motivational run emphasizing esprit de corps and physical readiness showcasing unity and pride in their shared heritage. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by James H. Frank)

USMC Birthday Celebrations Today

Marines celebrate their 250th birthday in 2025. The traditions Lejeune created in 1921 remain central to Corps identity. Lejeune faced congressional and public pressure that threatened to disband or merge the Marine Corps into other services.

He understood that institutions survive when they become part of a nation's identity, not just its military structure. The birthday celebration gave the Corps something critics couldn't easily dismantle without public backlash.

Delmar Beard, a former U.S. Navy Yeoman 2nd Class and a veteran of the Battle of Iwo Jima, eats a slice of cake at a Marine Corps birthday ceremony at the Pentagon, Nov. 5, 2025. The ceremony took place in honor of the Marine Corps 250th birthday and included the marching of the colors, cake-cutting, reciting of the birthday message, and remarks by guest speakers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Abigail Hutcheson)

Today, Marine celebrations are widespread and recognized, not just by the Marines, but also by the same alumni groups founded by Lejeune, countless veterans, as well as the American public.

The Marine Corps exists today not just because of its phenomenal battlefield performance but because Lejeune built traditions that made the service feel permanent and irreplaceable.
They arrived in Europe with sketchbooks, cameras, and maps instead of rifles. The soldiers of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section  later immortalized as the Monuments Men  were historians, museum curators, art conservators, and architects drawn into the war not to destroy, but to protect. Operating within the U.S. Armys Civil Affairs and Military Government Division, they followed the Allied advance across Europe, often just days behind combat troops, assessing damage to cathedrals, cataloguing rescued paintings, and advising commanders on how to avoid unnecessary destruction.

The Important Task

The task demanded courage and ingenuity. These officers moved through battlefields littered with mines and rubble, searching bombed churches, abandoned trains, and underground vaults. They were vastly outnumbered, with fewer than 350 men and women covering an entire continent. They worked with limited authority, relying on persuasion more than orders. Yet their mission was strategically vital. Preserving Europes cultural heritage meant preserving the symbols that defined entire nations: the architecture, archives, and artworks that gave meaning to freedom itself.

When the war turned toward victory, the Monuments Men uncovered vast caches of stolen art hidden by the Nazis, including thousands of masterpieces stashed in mines, castles, and monasteries. The discovery at the Altaussee salt mine in Austria alone revealed works by Michelangelo, Vermeer, and Rembrandt  all pieces Hitler intended for his planned Fuhrermuseum. Their painstaking recovery and restitution of millions of cultural objects became one of the greatest rescue operations in history. They returned over five million works of art and safeguarded countless others for postwar restitution.

This photo depicts monuments men who are retrieving stolen paintings that were stored in the Merker's salt mine during WWII (Wikimedia Commons).

Their Legacy

The Monuments Mens legacy extends far beyond museum walls. Their work redefined what victory means. They demonstrated cultural preservation is inseparable from moral legitimacy, and that protecting a nations heritage is a form of strategic communication, signaling respect for civilization even amid total war. As General Dwight D. Eisenhower instructed, We are fighting in a country which has contributed greatly to our cultural inheritance We are bound to respect and preserve these monuments so far as war allows. The directive captured a profound truth: the integrity of the mission depends on the conduct of those who win it.

Today, that lesson feels newly urgent. In modern conflicts, cultural heritage remains a target precisely because it embodies identity. When ISIS destroyed Palmyras temples or the Taliban blew up the Bamiyan Buddhas, the goal was psychological warfare  to erase memory and sever people from their past. Russias shelling of Ukrainian museums and churches has followed the same logic. Attacking monuments is never only about stone or canvas; it is about breaking continuity, rewriting history, and demonstrating dominance over meaning itself.

Why This Matters

For military professionals, this understanding carries operational consequences. Protecting cultural sites is not a sentimental gesture; it is an act of stability. When a population sees that its shrines, archives, or places of learning are respected, it is more likely to cooperate with foreign forces and less likely to radicalize. Conversely, when cultural symbols are destroyed, resentment deepens and legitimacy collapses. The Monuments Men grasped this instinctively. Their work laid the foundation for what would become a central tenet of modern stability operations: that enduring peace requires protecting both people and the things that give them identity.

Modern militaries have rediscovered this connection. The U.S. Army and Smithsonian Institution have partnered to train soldiers and civilians in cultural-property protection, recognizing that heritage awareness is integral to mission success. NATO has created cultural-heritage advisors within its Civil-Military Cooperation framework. The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict remains the guiding legal standard, emphasizing that heritage protection is both a moral obligation and a matter of operational discipline.

The photo shows a soldier who is washing his hands while nearby many works of art are being stored in and around the sink. These art pieces were stored in a castle in Germany during WWII (Wikimedia Commons).

The relevance extends further. Looted art and antiquities often pass through the same networks used for trafficking weapons, drugs, and people. Tracking these items can provide intelligence on transnational crime and terrorist financing. Engineers who preserve cultural sites strengthen reconstruction and governance. Civil-affairs teams who understand local history and faith traditions build rapport that no amount of firepower can substitute. Heritage protection thus becomes a force multiplier, merging tactical prudence with ethical purpose.

A Lesson from the Past

The Monuments Men also offer a leadership lesson. They worked without precedent, authority, or resources and were armed mostly with conviction. They remind todays soldiers that adaptability and moral clarity are as vital to mission success as logistics or strategy. Their improvisations, like using gas-mask liners to cushion sculptures and drafting damage assessments by candlelight, reflect the ingenuity demanded in modern humanitarian or peacekeeping deployments.

To preserve victory in the twenty-first century is to win not only the battlefield but the aftermath. It is to leave behind a society capable of remembering what it was fighting for. When monuments, manuscripts, or sacred spaces vanish, the victory that remains can feel hollow. The Monuments Men understood that rebuilding civilization required more than rebuilding walls; it required restoring meaning.

Their story remains a reminder that military power and cultural stewardship are not contradictions. They are complementary duties, bound by the same discipline that separates professional soldiers from destroyers. In the end, the Monuments Men did more than save art; they proved that even in war, civilization can defend itself. In doing so, they left behind a truth every generation of soldiers should remember: that true victory endures only when the world that follows is still worth inheriting.
Ken Burns new PBS series, The American Revolution, reframes the founding war as a brutal, chaotic conflict fought on multiple fronts and driven by impossible odds. From fractured command to unpredictable alliances, the war was less a straight line to freedom and more a logistical and strategic nightmare.

This was not just a war between Americans and the British, Burns said in a recent Fresh Air interview with Terry Gross. It was Americans killing Americans. And it became a global war.

The American Revolution, a six-part, 12-hour series, co-directed by Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, premieres November 16 on PBS, airing over six consecutive nights. It will also stream in 4K Ultra HD on the PBS appthe first time a Burns documentary is available in that format.

When people picture the American Revolution, they often imagine powdered wigs and famous quotes, but not a ragtag force held together by desperation, freezing nights, and battlefield improvisation. But Ken Burns documentary strips away the mythology and tells the wars full military story.

Cinematographer Buddy Squires films Hessian re-enactors with Regiment Von Huyn. Photo credit Edgardo Gonzalez, images made possible by Florentine Films Press.

A Revolutionary War, Reimagined as Military Campaign

Burns, whose last project The Vietnam War: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick landed in 2017, worked on the project for nearly a decade alongside codirectors Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Their goal was to show how the war was won not just through ideas, but through hardship, adaptation, and military ingenuity.

The series highlights the stark operational reality: there was no standing army when the war began. Militiamen, immigrants, indentured servants, and landless laborers became the backbone of the fight. By 1777, many officers had deserted for more profitable ventures, leaving General George Washington to rally a force that was cold, underpaid, and outmatched.

Its a standing miracle that the army held together, Burns says.

The documentary unpacks how Washingtons leadership evolved, especially his early misstepslike his resistance to including Black soldiersand how necessity reshaped his approach to command. These moments, often overlooked in traditional narratives, show how the Revolution was just as much a test of logistics and strategy as it was of ideals.

Minute Men Leaving the Home of Captain Isaac Davis, April 19, 1775. Painting by Arthur Fuller Davis. Credit: Acton Memorial Library

Militia vs. Continental Army: Command in Crisis

The tension between local militias and the Continental Army is one of the shows most compelling threads. Militias were often undisciplined and loyal to their own colonies rather than to the broader war effort. At the same time, Congress struggled to fund a national army and maintain supply chains, especially during harsh winters like those at Valley Forge.

Burns team includes historians and military advisors who guide viewers through key decisionshow battles were planned, why specific campaigns failed, and how morale and material shortages forced creative solutions.

Its a layered, battlefield-informed portrait that will resonate with service members and veterans familiar with the complexity of multi-front operations and coalition warfighting.

Cinematographer Buddy Squires films on-location at Monmouth Battlefield State Park during a reenactment. Image credit: Mike Doyle, made available by Florentine Films Press.

A Logistics Nightmare: Cold Camps, Lost Pay, and Desertions

By the winter of 1777, the American war effort was falling apartnot from British offensives, but from hunger, sickness, and unpaid labor. The image of Valley Forge has been softened in classrooms over the years, but as Ken Burns makes clear, it was a logistical catastrophe that nearly ended the Revolution before it truly began.

General George Washingtons army arrived underfed, underdressed, and unequipped. Soldiers had no boots. Horses starvedmakeshift hospitals filled with the dying. Washingtons own officers deserted in large numbersBurns says roughly 500 officers walked away from command after receiving letters from home about how much money was being made selling provisions to the army rather than serving in it.

They desert, Burns told Fresh Air. And he stays.

That momentWashington staying while others profitedhelped define his role in the war. But the greater story was how impossible it was to sustain the military campaign. Congress couldnt reliably fund the army. States often withheld troops or supplies unless their own interests were served. Morale plummeted. Even elite units faced ammunition shortages. Rations dwindled to nothing but firecake and weak broth.

Burns treats this not as a backdrop but as a central battlefield in its own right. Supply lines were fragile. Uniforms were scavenged from the dead. Rifles were often mismatched or broken. And yet, somehow, this army held.

That resiliencethe ability to hold a force together despite having almost nothingis what impressed the French, and ultimately, helped bring about American victory. But it wasnt inevitable. It was won inch by inch, often in the mud, and frequently on an empty stomach.

Washington Rallying the Americans at the Battle of Princeton. Painting by William T. Ranney, 1848. Credit: Princeton University Art Museum.

Washington Learns to Adaptand Lead

George Washington was already a decorated veteran when he took command of the Continental Army in 1775, but he was far from perfect. As Ken Burns shows, Washingtons greatness didnt come from flawless strategyit came from growth.

When Washington arrived in Boston, he was alarmed to see Black soldiers already enlisted and fighting. He ordered that no more be recruited, aligning with his identity as a Virginia planter and slaveholder. But soon after, he reversed course.

And that, Burns said, is what distinguishes George Washington from many other people of his time. He grows.

Washington recognized that these soldiers had already proven themselves at Lexington and Bunker Hill. He adapted, and he kept adapting. Throughout the war, his ability to pivotfrom battlefield tactics to personnel decisionskept the army intact.

He made plenty of military mistakes, and Burns doesn't shy away from them. But unlike other Founders who stayed on the sidelines, Washington shared in the suffering of his men. He lived through the freezing winters. He watched supplies vanish. He endured watching his best officers quit while he remained in the field.

We went from being subjects to inventing a new conceptcitizens, Burns said in the official press release. As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding, Im hopeful that people will come together to appreciate what our ancestors did to secure our liberty and freedoms.

Washington wasnt just a commander. He became a symbol. One of the wealthiest men in the colonies, he sacrificed wealth, comfort, and personal safety to lead a cause that was always teetering on the edge of collapse.

That willingness to change and lead from the front is what turned a loose collection of militias into something resembling a national armyand, eventually, a nation.

The American Revolution Extended Trailer | Premieres Nov. 16 on PBS | Ken Burns Documentary Series

The Revolution Was Also A Civil War

Beyond traditional battlefields, the series focuses on the Revolution as a civil war. In many communities, Patriots and Loyalists fought each other in violent, freelance skirmishes. Families were divided. Homes were burned. Revenge killings became common.

This brutal reality is central to understanding the full scope of the conflictand the difficulty of maintaining unity, morale, and discipline. Burns treats this not as background noise, but as one of the wars defining features.

When the British were dominant, Loyalists took revenge, Burns says. And when the reverse happened, Patriots did the same.

James Forten. Painting by an Unknown Artist, 1818. Credit: Collection of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Enslaved Soldiers, Native Allies, and Forgotten Fighters

Burns also devotes time to the people often left out of textbook versions of the Revolution. From enslaved Black soldiers who fought for both sides, Native American nations caught between imperial powers, and women who served on the front lines of survival, cleaning wounds, burying the dead, and even fighting, we are treated to stories that many military history docs dont bother telling.

These stories add depth to the military narrative, revealing the Revolution as not just a fight for independence, but a test of who had access to that freedom. As Burns puts it,

The big ideas of the Revolution arent diminished by telling the truth. Theyre made stronger by it.

A revolutionary soldier bidding farewell to his wife. Painting by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe. Credit: William R. Koch

What the Revolution Still Teaches Modern Military Readers

For todays military readers, The American Revolution is more than a documentaryits a reminder of how American warfighting culture began. From command challenges to uneven troop quality, from fragile alliances to the politics of military funding, the war was a stress test that still shapes modern doctrine.

And Burns doesnt offer easy answers. Like any war, the Revolution was full of contradictions: Washington was both a slaveholder and a general who came to embrace Black soldiers. The war was fought in the name of liberty, while many Americans remained unfree. Its victory launched a democracybut only after chaos, sacrifice, and near-defeat.

Cinematographer Buddy Squires shoots on-location at Monmouth Battlefield State Park. Photo Credit: Mike Doyle, made available by Florentine Films Press.

In the end, what makes The American Revolution stand out isnt just the visuals or the access to experts. Its the campaign-level thinking applied to the story. Filmed across 100+ locationsincluding Valley Forge, Colonial Williamsburg, and Fort Ticonderogathe production used historical reenactments, archival images, and expert advisors to recreate 18th-century camp life and battlefield tactics.The war isnt presented as a foregone conclusionits shown as a gamble, with high stakes, poor odds, and authentic leadership under fire.

For viewers who understand what it means to plan, fight, and survive a long war, this series may be the most honest take yet. Ken Burns' The American Revolution begins airing on November 16 on PBS, airing over six consecutive nights. Be sure to check your local listings.
HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY

Cosmic Blanket Toss

In a ceremonial event held by Alaska Natives, a person was tossed into the air on a large walrus-hide blanket to celebrate a successful whale hunt. A playful version of the Inuit blanket toss lives on today -- and now the planets seem to join in. The recent moves of Mars, Venus and Uranus lend an up-in-the-air feeling, best read as a cosmic celebration.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Youll be reminded that you dont have to share the same interests to share common ground. When you both care deeply, laugh easily or think curiously, thats enough of a shared interest.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Youre well aware of what too many cooks in the kitchen does to the soup. And youve got far more going on today -- six courses at least. So limit involvement. Maybe this one is just about you, the head chef, working alone.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your enthusiasm wont always be naturally high. Low-energy days are part of the process. When passion doesnt show up, discipline will carry you through. Keep building habits. Daily practice and consistent rituals will eventually make progress automatic.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Its OK for a relationship to be both good and hard. Holding that paradox without demanding resolution is emotional maturity. Its how long relationships survive and deepen. Joy and stress can be two sides of the same connection.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You do not wish anyone to be inconvenienced on your behalf. You are already content and free to choose collaborations and arrangements of mutual benefit. If there is no joy in the transaction, it is not worth your attention.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Because you can tune your frequency to others, you can connect broadly on many levels including socially, creatively and professionally. Today shows you learning fast, fitting into new settings and acting as a bridge between worlds.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Youre in a phase of social and emotional shape-shifting. Dont mistake it for losing yourself. This is just part of your learning process. As your empathy expands and extends, you discover the many truths that live inside you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Just by being open, your presence has an impact. Your generosity will be felt everywhere you go; your warmth will ease a strangers day, change someones outlook or even start a chain of good decisions elsewhere.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Youll be affected by something in the culture. Only time can tell whats important to this moment in history, but you will know whats relevant to you; you can feel it in the moment. Youll be moved and impressed.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You see the target they want you to hit, but youll question it, too. Goals are useless unless they count toward a larger purpose. Understanding the relevance of your work will strengthen your conviction.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Original thinkers like you sometimes forget how far ahead they are. Slow down long enough to explain, or better yet, to listen. When you make others feel included in the vision, it grows stronger and gains momentum.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Kindness doesnt always have to be about moral superiority or self-sacrifice. There are times when its just easier to be nice. Also, being stuck in the story of who wronged you costs energy. Thats energy youd rather spend on living.

TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Nov. 8). Welcome to your Year of Creative Fire. Youll blaze new trails in areas like art, communication and leadership. Youll turn experiments into successes; transform everyday work into inspired play. More highlights: Love is collaboration -- muses sparking each others brilliance. Finances grow through originality and the courage to ask for more. Youll give a presentation; people follow and pay you. Gemini and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 18, 4, 44 and 28.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Scorpio Gordon Ramsay continues to expand his global restaurant empire with new locations, all while starring in multiple television shows, launching a digital food and lifestyle brand, and mentoring young chefs through his foundation. Ramsay was born when the sun, Venus and Neptune were in passionate Scorpio, whose transformation energy can be applied to many causes. You have to change with the times; otherwise, the times will change you. -- Gordon Ramsay

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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LANSING, MI -- Michigan regulators want marijuana retailers to report customers who possess illegal amounts of cannabis.

But theyre not asking the stores not to sell it.

It doesnt really make sense, at all, said the manager of a store in the Upper Peninsula, who asked not to be named over concerns that he may be perceived as criticizing Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). I think that what theyre saying is: if a customer comes through and wants more than what their daily limit is, they want us to call and tell on the customer.

Legally, you could sell more, but youd have to report them.

The reminder, which retailers tell MLive is confusing in its vagueness, came in the form of a notice issued to licensed marijuana businesses on Monday, Nov. 3.

The same communication was sent April 15, days before the annual 4/20 pot holiday.

The notice reiterated an existing rule: a store must report suspected theft, diversion or criminal activity that occurs at the marijuana business to police and the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) within 24 hours of detecting it.

But it included a caveat that caught the attention of some in the industry: This includes, but is not limited to, individual possession of more than twice the amount of marijuana allowed under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act ... 

Notice sent to licensees by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency. Cannabis Regulatory Agency

In Michigan, you may transport, gift or purchase (in a single transaction) up to 2.5 ounces, including a maximum of 15 grams of concentrate.

Possession exceeding the limit is a civil infraction with possible fines. Once the quantity exceeds twice the legal limit, it becomes a misdemeanor crime.

Store representatives who spoke to MLive interpret this to mean they may sell up to five ounces and 30 grams of concentrate to a customer.

Because that amount would exceed single-transaction limits, stores split the sale into two transactions and issue separate receipts.

What the CRAs position has been is that if you ring up more than one transaction and it keeps somebody at or under (the limit for a misdemeanor), that person is not committing a crime, yet, said Lansing-based Dykema Attorney John W. Fraser, who assists cannabis businesses with regulatory guidance. This has been percolating for the last six or seven months, and its been a topic of discussion that has come up in a lot of our calls with clients ... 

No stores MLive spoke to said they have reported customers to police or the CRA for exceeding personal possession limits.

Youre not gonna stay in business very long if you start calling the police on your customersif youre in any business, Fraser said.

The CRA wouldnt answer MLives questions on the topic.

The CRA declines to comment beyond what is outlined in statute, administrative rule or agency bulletin regarding reporting requirements or enforcement processes related to personal possession limit violations, spokesman David Harns said.

This leaves answers to some questions in legal limbo.

What happens if (the customer) leaves the store, returns to their car and they come back in, Fraser said. I dont know what CRA position is on that.

The U.P. store manager who spoke to MLive said his dispensarys policy requires customers to leave the store and parking lot, which is under camera surveillance, before any additional purchases are allowed.

After a customer leaves, its possible the marijuana was dropped off at homewhere you may possess up to 10 ounces of store-bought weedor legally gifted to someone.

Were left to be able to assume they took it to their hunting camp or something, the U.P. dispensary manager said. Weve got to play stupid to a point. They come in 10 minutes later (and say) Id like to do another two orders.

Kate Hauck, vice president of operations for Emerald Fire, which has stores in Coleman and West Branch, said its a very common practice for customers to make a purchases up to their transaction limits, leave the store and return to purchase more.

This is especially prevalent at border stores because those stores are getting a lot of out-of-state traffic where folks are coming to buy significant quantities of marijuana and then leaving the state of Michigan, Fraser said.

If a customer reaches their possession limit while shopping at another store, theres no way to tell when they arrive at yours, Hauck said.

She said information sent to the state after a purchase doesnt include distinct customer information, so regulators cant immediately see if a store violates the two-transaction limit.

So how does the CRA learn about stores that violate those rules?

In about 85% of all the formal complaints against clients Im representing, the investigation starts with an anonymous complaint from a former employee who was terminated, Fraser said. So that would be my guess. The CRA picks that up and they request the camera footage.

All stores are required to maintain surveillance video of the sales floor that is accessible to the CRA.

While the memo focused on personal possession limits, it also has businesses wondering how the CRA interprets criminal activity.

Its not clearly defined in the law and criminal activity is a blurry concept in the world of cannabis, where there is patchwork of state laws competing with a federal marijuana ban.

Every single one of the customers is committing criminal activity if you start looking at federal law, Fraser said. but Im sure CRA would say: Well never apply it in that fashion.

If a store were to report a customer, the law requires employees file a complaint with a local police agency, which could include a municipal department, county sheriff or even state police, Fraser said.

Theres a standardized form retailers also complete and send to the CRA, which includes a criminal activity description field.

Its unclear what the CRA or law enforcement do after the information is collected.

Fraser and store owners believe the recent notice was prompted, in part, by recent complaints publicized by the CRA involving excessive retail sales.

On May 20, police in Berrien Countys Chikaming Township stopped an Iowa-bound rental truck driven by a man hauling nearly eight pounds of marijuana and 466 grams of concentrate. Thats nearly 25 times the daily limit of marijuana and 16 times the daily limit of concentrate.

Police notified the CRA because the marijuana appeared to be retail product. CRA investigators tracked the marijuana to a dispensary named Fire Creek in Battle Creek, according to the formal administrative complaint the CRA later filed.

When contacted by phone, a Fire Creek representative declined comment.

Its not clear if it was the same person police later arrested, but the CRA complaint said a review of store surveillance showed a man filling a grey duffel bag with large amounts of marijuana and employees completing multiple order forms before accepting cash.

During a July investigation of Muha Meds, which operates a store in Ypsilanti, CRA investigators identified two large transactions involving sales of between 800 and 1000 grams of concentrate. Both were removed from the store by customers, who would have possessed up to 33 times the legal limit for concentrate.

A Muha Meds representative was unwilling to comment when contacted by phone.

Both businesses were accused of rules violations for failing to report to police and the CRA sales in excess of legal personal possession limits.

Both of those cases have other stuff thats going on but that was the part that a lot of folks in the industry latched onto, Fraser said, that they got dinged for not reporting criminal activity because a person within their store possessed more than five ounces of marijuana.

While the CRA communication about criminal reporting and personal possession limits has generated a large amount of industry discussion, Fraser doesnt think enforcing it is a priority.

Its led to a couple of really egregious examples, Fraser said. Its one of those things thats worth reiterating to everybody, because if folks are getting really kind of reckless with it, theyre probably not the only ones, I think, probably is the CRAs thought process.
The L.C. Waldo was driven onto Gull Rock near the Keweenaw Peninsula in Lake Superior on Nov. 8, 1913. Crews from two U.S. Life Saving Stations were able to reach the broken ship 90 hours later, rescuing all 22 crew, two women and the ship's dog.

GULL ROCK, LAKE SUPERIOR - When maritime historians talk in hushed tones about the White Hurricane storm of 1913 that exploded over the Great Lakes like a five-day meteorological bomb, their words are laced with death.

They tell of the giant waves that rolled huge ships before sucking them underwater, sinking at least a dozen. They describe the snow squalls whipped up by cyclone-force winds that pushed other ships right out of the lakes, leaving them stranded on rocky beaches. They talk of the more than 250 sailors and crew believed lost in our inland seas while this storm raged.

The famous White Hurricane that happened 112 years ago this week would go down in the books as the worst natural disaster in Great Lakes history.

But what stands apart is a story of survival: A nail-biting drama that played out just off the tip of Michigans northernmost peninsula. Its the story of a shipwrecked crew who refused to die - and the stubborn determination of men from two U.S. Life Saving stations in the Upper Peninsula who overcame nearly impossible odds to save them.

When you look at the Waldo rescue, that crew was stuck on that ship for over 90 hours, not knowing whether they were going to be rescued or not, Mark Rowe, a trustee for the Keweenaw County Historical Society, told MLive in an earlier interview. Hes done several historical presentations on this dramatic event.

I think a lot of people were amazed that they were rescued, and what the rescuers went through.

This photo shows stacks of life belts outside an undertaker's building in Ontario after the 1913 storm. Some bear the names of ships like the Wexford and James Carruthers.

AN INSANE WIND SCREAMING MURDER IN THE DARKNESS

The story of the freighter L.C. Waldo made international headlines this week in 1913.

The Waldos crew had started out the trip with some unseasonably warm temperatures, according to the National Weather Service. At that time, the Great Lakes were busy with big freighters and a mix of smaller boats making late-season shipping runs.

The Waldo, a 470-foot steamer, was loaded with iron ore. It had left Minnesota on Lake Superiors western end with plans to cross the lake, downbound for Ohio. It had 22 crew on board, two women and the ships dog.

The Waldo was on the initial leg of that journey on Nov. 7, 1913 when the first of two colliding storm fronts struck the big lake. Gale and storm warning flags were hoisted in harbor towns. A nasty cold front turned violent. Big waves began to roil Lake Superior. The squalls came mixed with snow and icy spray.

At that point, Captain J. W. Duddleson was just trying to find someplace the Waldo could get a break from the winds, estimated to be howling at 60 mph.

In his book Great Lakes Shipwrecks and Survivals, author William Ratigan gives a dramatic account of the scant hours the Waldo had left to remain afloat. And lest you think this sounds a bit too dramatic, remember this was about the time that the Great Lakes began swallowing a dozen other ships. Conditions were becoming more hurricane-like by the minute - a chaos that would last for the next four days.

Huge waves broke over the Waldos bow and raked her decks with spray that froze and encased her with tons of ice. At nine oclock that night, Captain John Duddleson, a real blue-water sailor, born at the Soo, stood in the pilothouse whose windows were blind with frost. It was like being in the solitary cell of a madhouse, with an insane wind screaming murder in the darkness. At visibility zero, he steered by compass alone and prayed for his guardian angel to keep a sharp lookout.

At midnight Captain Duddleson bent over his chart, laying a compass course for Manitou Island, off the Indian arrow-point of Keweenaw Peninsula, hoping to gain the islands shelter before the wind blew the Waldo off the map.

Gull Rock, next to Manitou Island, off Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. Google Maps

Early in this maritime battle, the Waldo had suffered a crippling blow.

As the steamer approached Michigans Keweenaw Peninsula, a monster wave had broken over the stern and smashed down on the full length of the ship, reportedly damaging the pilot house. The ships navigational equipment also was lost.

Supposedly there was some type of compass in a lifeboat, Rowe said. A mate went to get the compass, crossed the icy deck, and set that compass on a stool. With a lantern light, thats what they were steering by.

Now the Waldo was headed for Manitou Island, a 1,000-acre expanse off the tip of the Keweenaw. But before it could reach that windbreak, it smashed into Gull Rock, a tiny islet just west of the island. Some have described it as the tip of an underwater mountain peak, jutting up from the lakes surface and likely invisible overnight in a furious storm.

The Waldo wrecked on the rocks in the wee hours of Saturday, Nov. 8. That started the clock ticking on a life-or-death struggle for the sailors - and for the rescuers who were duty-bound to try and save them.

Recorded wave heights from the White Hurricane in 1913. National Weather Service

A CLEVER ENGINEER, A BATHTUB AND A FROZEN TOMB

When they ran aground, they kept the engines running. The only safe place to shelter was the very front of the ship, below the pilot house level, Rowe explained.

While they were up there, the ship broke in two and it flooded out the engines, so they had no heat.

The ships engineer had an ingenious solution for a temporary stove.

He came up with the bright idea of taking the captains bathtub, Rowe said. They ripped it out of the captains quarters and brought it into this room.

Huddled together in a small space in the bow of the ship, the survivors turned the tub upside down, kicked the bottoms out of some metal fire buckets, stacking them together to make a stovepipe out of one of the portholes. Then they lit a fire.

The captain directed them to start burning the wood off the ships walls and door casings.

He had part of the crew tearing out the wood, and the others doing exercises to keep warm, Rowe said.

This tiny space was all the survivors had. As each wave battered the broken ship, the Waldo became encased in ice. The crew could not risk going to other parts of the ship to search for supplies. The food they had with them was nearly non-existent. Someone had managed to grab a one-gallon container of either peaches or tomatoes, depending on the account you read.

They were left to wait in these hellish conditions, wondering if anyone even knew they were missing - or how to find them.

The boathouse at the U.S. Coast Guard Station at Eagle Harbor, which replaced the original Life-Saving station. Photo provided by the Michigan Tech Archives. Michigan Tech Archives

THOSE BOYS ARE NEVER COMING BACK

It was late Saturday by the time the Waldos rescuers got word that the steamer was in trouble. Its unclear if the first details reached the Keweenaw Peninsulas U.S. Life Saving stations via the crew from a ship that had passed the wreck site, or from locals who spotted the wreck. Surfmen from the Eagle Harbor and Portage stations both were alerted to the ships plight.

The Eagle Harbor station, which had opened the year before because of the number of calls for help near the tip of the peninsula, was the closest to the Waldo. Their surfmen got underway early Sunday, taking their smaller 26-foot motorized boat because their larger one was being repaired.

They pushed off into the storm, propelled by the U.S. Life Saving motto: You have to go out, but you dont have to come back.

By now the storm had ramped into a fury, the wind and blizzard-like conditions were even worse than when it had dashed the Waldo against the rocks.

Watching them leave, local resident Dave Kingston of Agate Harbor reportedly made a grim prediction: You better wire Washington. Those boys are never coming back.

On this first try, the Eagle Harbor rescuers made it only eight miles out into the storm. Ice began to encrust the small boat. The storm was coming out of the northwest, with winds topping 70 mph at their stern. The rescue boats captain decided to turn around, fearing for the safety of his crew.

They went back to get the 34-foot boat, which was being repaired for them. When they arrived back at Eagle Harbor, they had frozen to their seats and had to be freed with small axes, according to reports.

At the Portage Life Saving Station on the other side of the Keweenaw, that crew tried to set out on the north side of the peninsula, also to be turned back by the gale. Instead, they used the inland waterway that cuts across the peninsula to reach the south side.

The Portage crew traveled over 80 miles to reach the wreck site, while the Eagle Harbor crews trip was just over 30 miles.

Within hours of each other, both Life Saving crews eventually made it to where the Waldo lay wrecked, Rowe said. By then it was Tuesday, and the ships survivors had been on the edge of disaster for days.

A TRICKY RESCUE, THE SHIP GETS A NEW NAME

Once rescuers arrived, there was no safe way to tie their smaller boat to the Waldo.

The Portage crew feared their rescue boat had already scraped bottom and might be taking on water.

Eagle Harbors crew was able to maneuver their boat next to the Waldo, and a surfman named John Beck took off his boots and prepared to climb aboard the wreck in his wool socks.

He knew hed have a better chance of sticking to the icy deck in his socks, Rowe said.

Once the surfmen located the Waldos survivors, they had to free them from their White Hurricane tomb in the ships small windlass room.

With the waves and spray, it encased (that part of the ship) in ice, Rowe explained. When the rescuers got there, they had to chop from the outside and the crew was chopping from the inside, so they could get off the ship.

The Portage station rescue boat ended up taking about 10 of the people, with the rest going with the Eagle Harbor crew.

Not one life was lost in this incredible rescue. Their heroics became part of Great Lakes lore.

The Life Saving stations even got some national recognition. Both the Eagle Harbor and Portage crews were awarded Gold Medals, the services highest honor, for their work saving those aboard the Waldo.

And what of the steamers fate? It stayed hung up on Gull Rock until the next spring, when a May 1914 blurb in the Detroit Free Press mentioned it had been towed into the peninsulas Portage Lake area.

But that wasnt the end of the Waldo. Even though insurance underwriters later listed the $300,000 ship a total loss, records show it was salvaged and rebuilt by American Ship Building in Ohio and sold in 1915 to a Canadian company that renamed it the Riverton.

In 1943, the ship reportedly wrecked on Lottie Wolf Shoal off Hope Island in the Georgian Bay and again was listed on insurance forms as a total loss.

Refloated and resold the next year, it was renamed the Mohawk Deer.

In 1967, it was finally sold for scrap and was to be towed to Europe. On Nov. 5, nearly 54 years to the day it ran aground on Gull Rock as the Waldo, the Mohawk Deer broke loose from its Yugoslavian tugboat escort.

It grounded on the rocks off Portofino, Italy in the Gulf of Genoa just short of her destination, according to a profile of the ship on BoatNerd.com. She broke up during the night of November 6-7. Parts of her were salvaged and taken to La Spezia on December 31, 1967.

She eventually slipped off and sank with the bow in 80 feet of water and the stern deeper at 170. The wreck has become a popular dive site in the Portofino Marine Park.

Want to know more about the wreck of the Waldo and the heroic efforts of the two Life Saving crews? Plan a summer trip to visit the Eagle Harbor Lifesaving Station, part of the Keweenaw County Historical Society. Youll find a display and artifacts that have been shared by the surfmens families.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY?

Here are some stories you might like:

Mystery surrounds old Lake Michigan shipwreck, woman left tied to the mast.

Epic salvage effort saved 230 new Chryslers from U.P. shipwreck

Lighthouse mystery: Air Force pilot crashes, leaves heartbreaking note before vanishing
Stanslavs / Shutterstock.com

Quick Read

XRP is trading around $2.30 after falling 22.6% over the past month, with $2.20 as key support and potential resistance at $2.46, while year-to-date holders remain up over 350%.

Ripple Primes institutional trading platform and spot XRP ETF filings from Bitwise and Canary Capital (expected mid-November) could drive demand, though approvals remain uncertain.

Price forecasts range from bearish ($1.60-$2) if ETF approvals delay to bullish ($3.80-$4.20) if Ripples $2.25B in acquisitions (Hidden Road, GTreasury) boost institutional adoption.

Some investors get rich while others struggle because they never learned there are two completely different strategies to building wealth. Dont make the same mistake, learn about both here.

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) took a beating during the recent crypto flash crash, falling more than 20% to around $2.25 as panic selling hammered major assets.

The altcoin briefly climbed back above $2.40 before sellers pushed it down again. The bounce didn't last, but it showed buyers are still interested despite the fear. Now, as volatility cools, investors are watching for what could fuel XRP's next big move.

XRP Loses Steam but Keeps Its Long-Term Spark

Alexandru Nika / Shutterstock.com

Over the past month, XRP has fallen 22.6% to around $2.30. The chart shows a steady downtrend. Recovery attempts keep failing as sellers remain in control.

XRP has dropped below the Bollinger Band midline, with resistance near $2.46. The lower band at $2.24 provides temporary support, but repeated tests suggest it could break under more selling pressure. Buying interest is weak, and trading volume has dropped compared to past surges. Short-term moving averages (MA5 and MA10) sit above the current price, signaling bearish momentum.

Despite recent weakness, XRP's long-term performance remains strong. Holders are still up over 350% in the past year. Market sentiment leans cautious, and XRP must stay above $2.20 to prevent even greater losses. The recent drop after the crypto flash crash hasn't erased its solid yearly gains, but the short-term trend remains weak. Buyers are waiting for clearer signals before stepping in again.

4 Drivers That Could Power XRP's Next Major Price Move

alfernec / Shutterstock.com

Ripple's expansion is entering a new phase. Despite recent price pressure, progress in regulation, institutional trading, and market access could fuel XRP's recovery. Four catalysts stand out:

1. Ripple Prime and Institutional Demand

The launch of Ripple Prime marks a defining moment in Ripple's journey to serve institutional investors. The platform lets large clients conduct secure over-the-counter spot trades for XRP, Ripple USD (RLUSD), and other major digital assets.
As the 50th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald approaches, memorials are being planned all across the Great Lakes. From a special mariners church in Detroit to a clifftop lighthouse overlooking Lake Superior, the Mighty Fitz and her 29 lost crewman will be honored with special tributes for the next few days.

Some can be attended in person. Others are available via livestream. Heres a roundup of some of the memorial highlights:

Sunday, Nov. 9

The historic Mariners Church of Detroit will mark the 50-year anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with a couple different events. On Sunday, the church will host an 11 a.m. memorial service as a tribute to the Fitzgeralds crew.

Uniformed representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and the International Ship Masters Association will take part in the service. A Detroit police and fire department pipe band will perform Amazing Grace. Family members of the Fitzgeralds crew are expected to attend.

You can watch a livestream of that event at the link here.

The 200-pound bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald on display at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point, Mich. In 1995 the museum worked alongside the National Geographic Society and the Canadian Navy to recover the bell from the wreck site in the deep cold waters of Lake Superior. After the bell was recovered it went through an extensive restoration process. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Monday, Nov. 10

Split Rock Lighthouse, perched atop a scenic cliff in Two Harbors, Minnesota, will have its beacon lit during a remembrance gathering for the Fitzgerald. Tickets to the in-person event are sold out, but the lighthouse overlooking Lake Superior will be hosting a livestream on its social media page.

In Michigan, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point will be holding a public remembrance event on Nov. 10. That event gets underway at 2 p.m. The museum will also host a private ceremony at 7 p.m. for the relatives of the Fitzgeralds crew. That evening event is not open to the public. But you can watch of livestream of that event here.

Also on Monday, the Mariners Church of Detroit will host a special anniversary Eucharist service at 12:10 p.m. which will feature a bell ringing remembrance on the day-of anniversary. You can watch a livestream of the bell-ringing event here.

The University of Detroit Mercy will host a ticketed luncheon symposium after the service, exploring legal issues surrounding shipwrecks. This event will begin at 1 p.m. at the School of Law, 651 East Jefferson Ave., room 226.

The luncheon will include remarks from Darren P. Muljo, a safety consultant and advocate for ethical shipwreck preservation whose grandfather, Ransom Cundy, was among those lost on the Fitzgerald.

Saturday, Nov. 15

The library at Michigan Technological University in Houghton is sponsoring a commemorative event on Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Maritime historian and author Fred Stonehouse will present a program entitled The Legend Lives on: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. To register for the event, follow the website link here.
CADILLAC, MI -- As Northern Michigan becomes a blur of Family Fares, Dollar Generals and Walmarts, sometimes its worth taking the side road and finding a tried-and-true general store.

Meauwataka General Store is a delightfully old school mom-and-pop general store stocking everything from baked goods to beer  plus a lot of bourbon.

If youre out off-roading in Cadillacs gateway to Up North consider making a pitstop at this haven of local treasures.

Located at 2020 E 24 Rd in Cadillac, the general store is a quick turn off M-115.

The state highway is a slower, more scenic ride but theres not much out there other than forest, trails and horse farms.

Owners Pam and Ken Sandy know their business is one of few stops folks can make for a hot meal or a cold beverage while in the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

Thats why the little general store at the top of the hill needs to have it all.

Our driving force is, it has to be worth the trip, Pam Sandy said. Great food. Quality ingredients. Locally made products.

Ken Sandy builds a take out order for a couple of regulars at the Meauwataka General Store on Thursday, October 9, 2025 tucked away in the Manistee National Forest in Cadillac, Mich. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com

The 85-year-old general store sat on the market for years before the couple bought the general store in 2020. The Sandys wanted to keep its roots but spruce it up.

They overhauled the kitchen, previously used for heating up frozen pizzas, and started serving pies with homemade sauces and local cheese and meat from Ebels.

At first, the Sandys tried weekly meal deals to supplement their expanded pizza kitchen. Ken Sandy would bring his smoker to the store and fill it with chicken, pork or beef to make roadside delicacies.

The meal deals exploded, Pam Sandy said. It became so popular, folks were calling in requesting them every day of the week. It didnt take long for them to adopt a full daily menu.

Now the Sandys go through 30 to 50 pounds of ground beef a week to keep up on their taco orders alone.

Pretty soon the operation called for an onsite smoker and Ken Sandy built a small smokehouse on the side of the store.

Then the couple added a picnic pavilion so their growing customer base of contractors, trades workers and tourists no longer had to eat on their tailgates.

Pam Sandy makes a KISS-inspired toasted sub sandwich at the Meauwataka General Store on Thursday, October 9, 2025 tucked away in the Manistee National Forest in Cadillac, Mich. Inspired by Ace Frehleys favorite food, a tropical pizza, Pam created a sub with ham and pineapple cream cheese as alternative to the Hawaiian pizza they already sell. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com

That love for their customers is what grew the general stores bourbon collection.

At first they just stocked standards like Jack Daniels and Jim Beam. Then a customer told them about Iron Fish, a distillery just 33 miles northwest of the general store.

To represent the other side of the state, they started stocking Detroit City Distillery.

Since beginning the collection four years ago, the Sandys now have hundreds of bottles of bourbon, many of which are Michigan-made.

We were both born in Michigan. Were true blue Michiganders. We work really hard to source quality products that were made in Michigan or made in Cadillac, Pam Sandy said.

That extends to all the aisles of the little 1,000 square foot store.

Pam Sandy explains how the Meauwataka General Store came to sell such an extensive bourbon collection on Thursday, October 9, 2025 tucked away in the Manistee National Forest in Cadillac, Mich. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com

Pam Sandy said she lays in bed searching Facebook for independent or local businesses to source everything from fidget spinners to t-shirts. The store has more than 100 vendors.

Were proud of our state, Pam Sandy said. We want to support the awesome people in it. Many of our vendors shop here, too, so we support each other.

As teenagers the couple met at Ken Sandys family restaurant. They both had careers working for independent companies. Now as small business owners themselves, the Sandys are proud that they add to the small business ecosystem.

Out on the trail: Changes coming to Michigans ORV trail map. Heres how to add your voice.
The award-winning documentary and a Q&A with the Muskegon chef is coming to The Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts for one night only.

4h ago
Detroit Metro Airport saw 17 cancellations and 21 delays Friday, according to FlightAware, as travelers began feeling the first wave of the FAAs phased-in reductions. | Fuad Shalhout Fuad Shalhout -- MLive.com

ROMULUS, MI - The ongoing federal government shutdown is rippling through airports nationwide after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a 10% cut in flights to ease pressure on unpaid air traffic controllers.

Detroit Metro Airport saw 17 cancellations and 21 delays as of Friday afternoon, according to FlightAware, as travelers began feeling the first wave of the FAAs phased-in reductions.

Friday, Nov. 7, marked the 37th day of the shutdown  now the longest in U.S. history after the 35-day stint that stretched from December 2018 to January 2019 during President Donald Trumps first term in office.

Delta passenger Katie Cron, traveling from Detroit to Phoenix, said her flight was delayed an hour but praised airline communication.

Honestly, its not a big deal for me, but my boyfriend had a flight last night from Detroit to Phoenix that delayed for two hours and didnt get in until 3 a.m., Cron said. They always text me.

Another Delta passenger, Amy Long, who was on the same flight to Phoenix, said she was making the best of the situation.

It actually worked out for me because I had a chance to eat dinner with my kids before coming here, she said. However, the app doesnt provide a specific cause for the delay.

Lisa, another Delta traveler headed to Washington, D.C., also faced an hour delay.

The airline hasnt specified a cause for the delay, she said. The government shutdown is for sure affecting this.

The cuts are part of a nationwide order affecting 40 major airports  including those in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York  as the agency moves to reduce flight volume due to staffing shortages.

The FAA says the changes are meant to prevent burnout among air traffic controllers who have continued working without pay during the shutdown.

Nationwide, more than 800 flights were canceled Friday, according to the Associated Press, with major carriers like Delta and American Airlines each cutting more than 150 flights. The FAA says the 10% reduction will be phased in gradually, starting with smaller cuts before expanding over the weekend.

The Associated Press contributed to this reporting
HOUGHTON, MI  A Michigan Tech student accused of stealing 900 American flags from a 9/11 memorial earlier this fall was sentenced Friday morning.

Avery Brynn Lawrence, who was 21 at the time of the incident, was sentenced Nov. 7, to 12 months of probation and 15 days of community service, WLUC-TV reported.

Lawrence was also ordered by a Houghton County District Court judge to pay $582 in restitution, the majority of which she had already paid, the station reported.

I now understand how disrespectful and hurtful that was, Lawrence is reported of saying at Fridays sentencing. I would like to sincerely apologize to the community and the university and everyone who was hurt by what I did.

Im committed to demonstrating that Ive learned from this and Im not going to repeat these mistakes in the future.

RELATED: Michigan Tech student arrested for stealing American flags at 9/11 memorial

The memorial Lawrence vandalized is organized each year by the U.P. schools chapter of Young Americans for Freedom. Students annually place 2,977 flags  one for each person who died during the terrorist attacks on the lawn.

Lawrence was accused of stealing over 900 of those flags, along with some signs.

She was arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of malicious destruction of tombs and memorials, causing between $200 and $1,000 in damage.

The charge carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000 or three times the value of the damage, whichever is greater.

Houghton County Prosecutor Daniel Helmer said previously that there would be no plea offer made in the case, but if Lawrence wished to plead guilty  which she did  she would be eligible for the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.

By electing to plead guilty, if Lawrence successfully completes probation, her case will now be sealed and charges dismissed from her record.

Helmer recommended that any community service Lawrence does be involved with veterans, WLUC-TV reported.
A 24-year-old Oakland County homeowner has been charged with manslaughter after killing a 17-year-old teen who allegedly was breaking into a detached garage on the homeowner's property. (MLive file photo) MLive.com

OAKALAND COUNTY, MI  A 24-year-old White Lake Township man appeared in court Friday after being charged with shooting two teens this summer at his home.

Dayton Thomas Knapton was arraigned Friday, Nov. 7, on one count of manslaughter and one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. He was also charged with two counts of weapons felony firearm, court records show.

RELATED: Teen dead after homeowner shoots at group breaking into garage

According to a news release issued by White Lake Township Police on Tuesday, July 8, a security system alerted Knapton to the fact people were breaking into a detached garage on his property at 1 a.m. that morning.

Knapton is alleged to have fired shots at a group of seven teens who had allegedly entered the garage, located in the 9000 block of Mandon Drive.

The teens fled on foot, but the gunfire allegedly struck two 17-year-olds, killing one of them and injuring the other, police reported.

Deadly force is a legal act of self-defense in Michigan if the person has an honest and reasonable belief that they or someone else is in imminent danger of death, sexual assault, or great bodily harm.

Read more on the applicable laws here and here.

According to Fox 2 Detroit, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said Friday, Nov. 7, that her office believes the evidence in this case demonstrates this defendant crossed the line by firing outside his home at fleeing persons.

His actions not only took a life but potentially endangered the surrounding community by firing his weapon into the night, McDonald is reported to have said.

Fox 2 reported that Knapton is alleged to have fired two shots into the garage through a windowless locked door. When the burglary suspects fled, he fired five more shots, went inside his house, reloaded his weapon and returned outside.

Knaptons attorney said the attempted burglary was the third time his clients garage had been broken into, which is why Knapton had obtained a motion detector.

Knapton pleaded not guilty to all four charges, court records show. He was issued a $200,000 bond in the case.

Knapton is due back in court on Nov. 21 for a probable cause conference.
CHELSEA, MI  At least one Washtenaw County school district is bracing to join a federal class-action lawsuit against the K-12, cloud-based software provider whose systems were breached, exposing tens of millions of students data, several months ago.

News that hackers may have accessed private information managed by PowerSchool hit school districts across the country and in Michigan at the end of December 2024, reaching the public at large in early January. The vendor is utilized contractually on a consortium basis in schools around Washtenaw County.

On Monday, Nov. 3, Chelsea School Board members passed a resolution to join the lawsuit launched last spring in U.S. District Court in Southern California.

The lawsuit itself, spearheaded by Frantz Law Group, alleges that PowerSchool failed to take precautions to secure highly sensitive information provided by thousands districts.

Although school officials around the region have said their districts werent impacted by the breach, Chelsea school officials said there are still a lot of unknowns. Board members this week briefly debated the virtues of taking the step to join the lawsuit, rather than wait and be added with other PowerSchool customers on the back end of the litigation.

However, Superintendent Michael Kapolka said the district could potentially gain more financially by being named individually early on.

Officials said there was no concrete proof how or if the district was harmed in the breach but speculated that moving forward in the lawsuit would also force PowerSchool, as Secretary Sara Tracy put it, to get their act together.

If theres an upside to being named in the suit, there isnt a cost to it, Vice President Glenn Fox said. I do understand that if PowerSchool has to suffer damages, our price will go up. But our price will go up whether or not were named in the suit.  I think joining the suit is prudent. It protects our interests. It doesnt mean were wedded to PowerSchool. Class-action lawsuits are relatively common with large vendors like this.

The California-based lawsuit against PowerSchool and several affiliated holding entities has picked up more than 200 individuals and school organizations as plaintiffs.

Chelsea schools were referred by their legal counsel at Thrun Law Firm to join, and Kapolka said he expected more districts to follow, adding it was to be a point of discussion during a regional superintendents meeting on Friday, Nov. 7.

Criminal charges separately filed against one alleged perpetrator in a Massachusetts federal court reported PowerSchools breach to have exposed the information of roughly 60 million students and 10 million teachers nationwide.

But in Ann Arbor Public Schools, district officials said no Social Security numbers of students were compromised.

PowerSchools last formal update came in early May after the hacker allegedly reached out to multiple school district customers directly in an attempt to extort them.

Nineteen-year-old Matthew D. Lane was arrested this spring in connection to the breach.

According to court records, he allegedly conspired to extort an unidentified U.S.-based telecommunications company to pay a ransom of $200,000 in Bitcoin to avoid public disclosure of stolen data sometime in spring 2024.

The ransom demand was eventually lowered to $75,000.

By the end of last year, without receiving any payment, Lane allegedly leased a computer from a service in Ukraine and used an employees credentials to access students and teachers data from a software and cloud storage company later identified as PowerSchool.

Threatening release of information from more than 60 million students and 10 million teachers, the hacker reportedly demanded 30 Bitcoin, or roughly $2.85 million at the time. According to court records, other conspirators may have been involved in the alleged crimes and ransom demands.

Lane was arrested last spring, later pleading guilty to charges of cyber extortion conspiracy, cyber extortion, unauthorized access to protected computers and aggravated identity theft. In October, he was sentenced to two years in prison, three years of probation once released, a $25,000 fine and an order to pay over $14 million in restitution.
FLINT, MI -- The African American Film Series is coming out swinging for its 11th year at the Flint Institute of Arts.

The film series, presented by Communities First, Inc. in partnership with the Flint Institute of Arts, is starting off its new season on Thursday, Nov. 13, with a showing of The Fire Inside, director Rachel Morrisons 2024 film focused on the story of two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-division undisputed champion Flint native Claressa Shields.

Other dates and films in the series will include the following:

December 18: Sing Sing

January 15: Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power

February 12: James Hemings: Ghost in Americas Kitchen

Sing Sing focuses on a man named Divine G, a man who finds himself at Sing Sing Prison for a crime he was found guilty of but did not commit. He and other prisoners find some reprieve and chance to express themselves and find purpose and strength in a theatre troupe. The film draws inspiration from true events.

The documentary film Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power focuses on the rise of citizen-led voting rights campaigns in Lowndes County, Alabama.

Organizers of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) collaborated with local residents to take a stand against racial violence in the late sixties.

The final film in the 11th version of the series, James Hemings: Ghost in Americas Kitchen, is the story of a chef who uncovers the story of James Hemings, Americas culinary founding father and the enslaved property of Thomas Jefferson.

Each year, were reminded of how powerful storytelling can be in bringing people together, said Essence Wilson, Chief Strategy Officer of Communities First, Inc. These films will spark conversations that strengthen understanding and connection across our community. Its a joy to see neighbors, families, and friends come together to celebrate culture, creativity, and the many voices that make our stories so meaningful.

Each movie screening is free. Donations of $5 or more are encouraged but not required. Those interested in attending can register here.

The African American Film Series is sponsored in part by the Flint Institute of Arts, Dee Cramer Heating & Cooling, and Fifth Third Bank.

Communities First, Inc. is a nonprofit Community Development Corporation. Headquartered in Flint, CFI serves over 35,000 community members across Michigan and Indiana.

The organizations mission is to build healthy, vibrant communities through economic development, affordable housing, and innovative programming.

More information about Communities First, Inc. can be found here.
Ionia County sheriff's deputies determined that missing teen had left with a Kentucky man who is accused of kidnapping sexual assault. (MLive file photo) MLive file photo

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A Kentucky man charged with kidnapping a 14-year-old girl who willingly left with him now faces eight counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Chayleang Tiang, 42, has been held without bond in the Ionia County Correctional Center since July on charges of kidnapping and multiple counts of third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

This week, he was indicted in federal court on the eight exploitation charges, which carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and up to 30, upon conviction.

The indictment said that from May 17 to July 5 Tiang persuaded an Ionia County girl to expose herself or perform sex acts, often over FaceTime which he would record.

According to the indictment, Tiang used online platforms to manipulate the girl.

The document says he knowingly used, persuaded, induced, and enticed a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, for the purpose of transmitting a live visual depiction and producing a visual depiction of such conduct  ."

The investigation began July 11 when the 14-year-old Ionia Township girl was reported missing. Ionia County sheriffs deputies quickly determined that she willingly left with a man from Kentucky and that they had an online relationship.

The investigation revealed troubling signs of manipulation and control by the suspect, prompting an emergency phone location order, Ionia County Sheriffs Office said.

Police obtained real-time data on their whereabouts. Indiana State Police intercepted their vehicle around 1:20 a.m. on July 12. The girl was unharmed and reunited with her family.

Tiang, who has made an initial federal court appearance, is scheduled for arraignment and a detention hearing in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, July 12.
MLIVE FILE PHOTO. A 78-year-old Niles man was injured after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a road on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.

CASS COUNTY, MI  A Niles man was sent to the hospital with injuries after being struck by a vehicle while walking across a road.

At about 6:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, Cass County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to a report a car had hit a pedestrian at the intersection of Barron Lake Road and Cliffield Court in Howard Township.

A preliminary investigation showed a 78-year-old Niles man was walking across Barron Lake Road from Cliffield Court when he was struck by a vehicle.

Sheriffs officials say a 55-year-old Cassopolis woman was traveling northbound on Barron Lake Road when her vehicle struck the man.

The man was transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.

Cass County Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by Michigan State Police, Howard Township Fire and the Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service.

The crash remains under investigation.
In todays CEO Daily: Geoff Colvin on Elon Musks $1 trillion pay package.

The big story: Long delays at U.S. airports as FAA reduces flight capacity amid shutdown.

The markets: Its bad out there!

Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune.

Good morning. For Elon Musk, the Texas gambit seems to have workedgreat news for Musk, bad news for shareholders of U.S. companies.

At Teslas annual meeting on Thursday, shareholders voted in favor of giving CEO Musk a gargantuan, record-shattering pay package that could give him stock worth $1 trillion after several years. Its all upside for Musk; under the packages rules he has nothing to lose. But the backstory of how he got there is worrisome.

Very briefly: In 2018, the Tesla board of directors gave Musk a 10-year pay package that could bring him, if he met certain financial targets over ten years, as much as $55.8 billiona new record for CEO pay at the time. A Tesla individual shareholder sued Musk and the Tesla board for breaching their fiduciary duties. After years of litigation, a judge in Delaware, where Tesla was incorporated like most big U.S. companies, ruled against Tesla and Musk, invalidating the pay package. Other corporations began to fear that Delaware might no longer be the best place to incorporate. In response, Delaware last March passed a law to make the state more alluring, to which Texas quickly counter-punched with an even friendlier law. Key feature: Lawsuits against companies like the suit in Delaware can be initiated only by shareholders who hold at least 3% of the companys shares. The only person with more than 3% of Tesla is Musk. This summer, Tesla left Delaware and incorporated in Texas, where the companys board promptly offered Musk the new, eye-popping pay package.

Supporters of the pay package, which apparently received 75% of the shareholder votes at the meeting, will argue that it aligns management and shareholder interests (to get the trillion-dollar payout, Musk must meet a series of milestones, including boosting Teslas market cap to $8.5 trillion from its current $1.5 trillion). But whats good for corporations and management is not always good for shareholders, and rules like the Texas 3% threshold insulate companies from accountabilitythey whittle away shareholder protections, such as the right for any shareholder to sue a company. And in doing so, they minimize the judiciarys role in overseeing corporate conduct, weakening the system that has built the extraordinary U.S. economy.

The fight to attract big corporations is heating up as states hope to take away some of the incorporation fees and the business litigation that bring Delaware some $2.2 billion annually. Nevada is on its way; Dropbox and TripAdvisor are among those that have reincorporated there since last year. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has said, Im trying to take down Delaware. Competition is good. The danger is that as states vie to become corporations legal homes, the competition risks becoming a race to the bottom.Geoff Colvin



Contact CEO Daily via Diane Brady at diane.brady@fortune.com

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
MLIVE FILE PHOTO. Police are investigating a possible homicide after a man died of a gunshot wound in Comstock Township on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

COMSTOCK TWP., MI  Police are investigating a possible homicide after a man died of a gunshot wound in Kalamazoo County.

At about 11:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, deputies responded to a report someone had been shot in the 3500 block of Comstock Village Lane in Comstock Township, according to a release from the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies located a 35-year-old man with a gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving efforts, the man died at the scene.

The sheriffs office was able to identify a person of interest who was taken into custody at a separate location, sheriffs officials said in the release.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, Michigan State Police, Comstock Fire Department and Life EMS ambulance.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office at 269-383-8748 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100. Information can also be reported online at kalamazoosilentobserver.com.
Pictured is the hummus plate available as an appetizer at Hanson Hill Waterfront Grill. (Photo/Hanson Hill) Hanson Hill Waterfront Grill

WHITEHALL, MI - Hanson Hill Waterfront Grill opened in the fall of 2024 to offer cuisine that goes beyond what meets the eye.

Owner Patrick Nulty told MLive/The Muskegon Chronicle its his first venture into real entrepreneurship. The restaurant at 115 N Mears Ave. in Whitehall was formerly known as Mylans Waterfront Grill before he took over.

I really decided to take this on because I moved back to Whitehall, Nulty said. Its the town I grew up in, and I wanted to be involved in my local area and in my community.

The namesake for the eatery, Hanson Hill, is inspired by a childhood memory made at the bottom of Hanson Street.

For Nulty, its a way to give back to the community after several years of different owners trying to find an identity for the restaurant space.

Growing up, whenever thered be a bunch of snow that would be pushed from the parking lot onto the edge of the hill, it made this great ramp to go down on in sleds, Nulty said. It was important for me to signal to the community that were giving it back to them, that this is a place they can gather and feel invited.

As for the food, theres just as much care and thought put into each dish.

Chef Aaron Johnson started in the fall of 2024 and has become a partner in the journey.

Especially in the Whitehall area, but even in West Michigan, I feel like you see a lot of the same kind of things on the menu, but the goal with Hanson was to be like Grove in Grand Rapids or Hearthstone in Muskegon; something that just steps a little bit further, Johnson said.

He told MLive that Hanson Hill always pushes fresh proteins throughout the menu.

A top order is Great Lakes perch right out of Lake Erie.

For $30, the entree comes with a six-piece house-breaded and fried perch served with fries, coleslaw, house tartar sauce and a lemon spear.

Since changing to Great Lakes perch, one customer actually drove all the way from Grand Rapids for the perch, according to Nulty.

Its like offering some of the comfort food that people enjoy, but at the same time, trying to have an elevated American cuisine, Johnson said.

Hanson Hills menu is built to be elegant while also being accessible. For example, the same menu is offered for both lunch and dinner.

Another favorite on the menu is the glazed pork ribeye for $26. The menu changes seasonally, but some favorite entrees remain, like the Pasta Bayou.

For $23, the dish comes with pan-seared shrimp tossed with fettuccini, Cajun alfredo, bell peppers, onion, sausage and two crostini.

Johnson said his favorite is the fried burrata appetizer for $14. It features double-breaded creamy burrata over house-made romesco, fried basil, parmesan and crostini.

Theres a wide range. We have handhelds, then we have the entree as a plated meal thats sophisticated and worthy of celebration or to feel fancy, Nulty said. Its intentional that its meeting different price levels so that you can go out and have an affordable meal or an expensive night out with high-end food.

Some weekly specials are already rolling out. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, customers can get two entrees for $50.

The options include black garlic sirloin with dessert, two pretzel-crumble walleye with a cream sauce with wine, and a Cajun pasta with wine.

Nulty touts that the reception from locals and visitors has been amazing since day one.

They are cheering for us, and they make that known when they come in, he said. Every time Im here, I try to walk the floor and talk to our guests. We listen to people; what they are looking for, what sells well, what doesnt sell well, and then weve tweaked some of our recipes based on that feedback, too.

The hours of operation for Hanson Hill are from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

There is a special chef dinner coming up in December, with two more planned in 2026.

To learn more and view the full menu, visit hansonhill.com.
In this MLive file image is a view of The Golden Glow at 2950 S. Graham in Swan Creek Township. The Saginaw News

SWAN CREEK TWP, MI  The Rebel Co. in Saginaw is gearing up to host its annual Christmas Market on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22, featuring over 50 curated local vendors, food trucks, and a festive holiday atmosphere.

A statement from the companys staff said the event is designed to support small businesses and bring the community together by highlighting makers, artists, and entrepreneurs from across Michigan.

The Rebel Co. Christmas Market will take place at the Golden Glow Ballroom, located at 2950 S. Graham Road (M-52) in Saginaw Countys Swan Creek Township.

In addition to the 50-plus local vendors, the event will also include food trucks and opportunities for holiday shopping and celebrating local creativity.

Tickets are available now on the Rebel Co. website at rebelcosaginaw.com. General admission costs $5.

Generative AI was used to create this article, based on data provided by Rebel Co. It was reviewed and edited by MLive staff.
MLIVE FILE PHOTO. SNAP benefit payments are back on pause after he U.S. Supreme Court granted President Donald Trumps emergency appeal Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.

MICHIGAN  While state officials in Michigan have issued full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to hundreds of thousands of residents, further payments are back on pause.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is complying with an emergency stay issued by the U.S. Supreme Court Friday, Nov. 7, MDHHS officials announced in a release.

The emergency stay temporarily blocks an order to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to issue November SNAP benefits for about 42 million low-income Americans. The Supreme Court granted President Donald Trumps emergency appeal, the AP reports.

To comply with the courts ruling, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is required to direct its SNAP EBT vendor to pause issuing SNAP benefit payments to Michigan recipients, MDHHS officials said in a release issued shortly after midnight.

November benefits that have not yet been issued will remain paused until the courts or USDA take further action to allow MDHHS to resume payment, officials said.

This reversal comes after a U.S. District judge in Rhode Island ruled Thursday, Nov. 6, that the Trump administration had until Friday to make full payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and some states began to pay out those benefits.

Thursday night, MDHHS issued full benefits to over 200,000 households whose benefits are typically provided on the third, fifth or seventh of each month, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement late Friday night.

Friday nights Supreme Court decision will now halt future full benefits for the other 1.2 million recipients from being distributed for an unknown period, Nessel said.

We are disappointed by the federal governments continued efforts to prevent SNAP benefits from reaching the Michigan residents who rely on them, Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, said in a statement.

Taking this matter all the way to the Supreme Court creates uncertainty, confusion, and frustration. Worse than that, it punishes the more than one million Michigan residents who qualify for and rely on their benefits to put food on the table, Hertel said.

According to last years numbers, the average eligible household in Michigan receives $335 in monthly SNAP benefits.

SNAP recipients are encouraged to reach out to their local MDHHS office with any questions regarding SNAP benefits or they can check MI Bridges for updates.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the state is providing $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to help feed and provide food delivery to residents across the state.

The state is also continuing Double Up Food Bucks, a program that helps families purchase groceries, including fresh fruits and vegetables, officials said.

The state also supports Hunters Feeding Families, a program that supplies venison or other fresh game to Michigan families.

Free breakfast and lunch programs in public schools will continue.

According to the AP, at least nine states had already begun issuing full SNAP benefits under the direction the USDA gave on Thursday.

In addition to Michigan, those states are Wisconsin, Oregon, Hawaii, California, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington.
More changes in the SNAP benefits payments are happening following a Supreme Court ruling on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (AP File Photo) AP

Editors Note: This story has been updated with a statement from Attorney General Dana Nessel, who confirmed that some Michiganders have received full benefits.

The U.S. Supreme Court granted President Donald Trumps emergency appeal Friday evening to temporarily block a federal court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments, the AP reports.

For nearly 85% of Michigans 1.4 million SNAP recipients that means they may not receive full benefits for an indeterminate amount of time, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement late Friday night.

After a U.S. District judge in Rhode Island ruled Thursday, Nov. 6, that Trumps administration had until Friday to make full payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, some states began to pay out those benefits.

Michigan was one of those, Nessel confirmed.

Thursday night, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued full benefits to over 200,000 households whose benefits are typically provided on the third, fifth or seventh of each month, she stated.

The MDHHS had previously stated those payments would be issued on Saturday.

RELATED: Michiganders will now receive full SNAP payments in November, officials say

Friday nights Supreme Court decision will now halt future full benefits for the other 1.2 million recipients from being distributed for an unknown period, she said.

According to last years numbers, the average eligible household in Michigan receives $335 in monthly SNAP benefits.

It is despicable the lengths the Trump Administration will go to to block food assistance for 42 million Americans, including families, seniors, veterans and active military, Nessel said. Thanks to the quick actions from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, some Michiganders were able to receive their benefits this week, but access to food is not a legal game.

Prior to Thursdays ruling, recipients in Michigan, like elsewhere, had been expecting to receive about 50% of their normal benefits for November due to the federal government shutdown  which is now the longest in American history at 37 days.

The Trump administration had originally announced Oct. 24, that despite billions in emergency funds being available, SNAP benefits would not be funded in November.

Two federal judges then ruled on Oct. 31 that SNAP must continue to be funded through the use of contingency funds, giving the administration the choice of partially or fully-funding the program.

RELATED: Trump admin ordered by judges to use contingency funds for SNAP payments during shutdown

The Rhode Island District Court laid out a path for the USDA to fully support the program for November, but the administration agreed to only partially fund it on Nov. 3, instead.

Three days later, U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island ordered the USDA to issue full payments anyway, stating that there would be a long delay in paying out partial SNAP payments and that the USDA failed to consider the harm that would have on those who rely on those benefits.

The Trump administration then appealed Thursdays federal court ruling, not once but twice on Friday.

The administration first asked a federal court of appeals in Boston to suspend any court orders that required the USDA to spend more money than was available in a contingency fund  instead allowing it to continue with planned partial SNAP payments for the month.

The court declined to immediately intervene, however.

The administration then turned to Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who oversees emergency matters for Massachusetts.

Jackson ruled in Trumps favor just prior to 9:30 p.m. Friday, pausing the requirement to distribute full SNAP payments until the appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause, the AP reported. Her order will remain in place until 48 hours after the appeals court rules, giving the administration time to return to the Supreme Court if the appeals court refuses to step in.

RELATED: SNAP benefits cant continue to be part of political game, McDonald Rivet says

According to the AP, at least nine states had already begun issuing full SNAP benefits under the direction the USDA gave on Thursday.

In addition to Michigan, those states are Wisconsin, Oregon, Hawaii, California, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington.

In the Supreme Court filing, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote that the fast-acting states were trying to seize what they could of the agencys finite set of remaining funds, before any appeal could even be filed, and to the detriment of other States allotments.

Once those billions are out the door, there is no ready mechanism for the government to recover those funds, Sauer wrote.

Approximately 42 million Americans rely on SNAP for food assistance.

These choices by this administration put Americans last and literally takes the food off of American dinner tables, Nessel stated. These choices unnecessarily force our family, friends and neighbors to prioritize between necessities like buying groceries or filling prescriptions. I implore the Trump Administration to stand down and ensure that Americans are fed throughout this protracted shutdown.

The Associated Press contributed to this reporting.
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Michael Jordans buzzer-beater style returns in a new look from the archives.

Nike is dropping the Air Jordan 12 Taxi on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. ET, and you can snag a pair in adult ($215), big kid ($165), little kid ($105) and toddler sizes ($90).

Air Jordan 12 Air Jordan 12 Taxi shoes $215 on Nike

This game-winning look hails from 1996, designed by Tinker Hatfield. It was the first Air Jordan to introduce Zoom Air cushioning, too. The style features premium leather and pristine details, like the sunrise-inspired stitch lines on the shoes upper. So why is it called the Taxi? If you take a peek at the shoes sole, youll find subtle yellow accents underfoot, which draw inspiration from New York Citys yellow cabs.

Order your new ride on Saturday morning, and plan to be online before 10 a.m. Air Jordans always go fast and these will be no different.

More November Nike releases

Check out more limited-edition SNKRS releases from Nike with the help of our calendar. Weve mapped out the month ahead and all you have to do is save the date.
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The Columbus Crew looks to pull off the upset in the first round of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs against Cincinnati on Saturday night.

Watch the MLS on Apple TV (7-day free trial)

The first two matches in the best-of-three have laid out the foundation for a thrilling conclusion. Cincinnati pulled out a 1-0 win in Game 1 on home soil, but things certainly did not go their way in Game 2 this past Sunday. The Crew overwhelmed the second-best team in the MLS, coming away with a 4-0 victory in the heart of Ohio to send the series the distance.

Cincinnati entered the postseason, playing like a team that has the potential of making a deep run in the postseason during the regular season. Thanks to picking up points in each of the clubs final five matches, Cincy finished in the top three in the East for the third year in a row, finishing second in the conference, narrowly missing out on snagging a second Supporters Shield in team history.

The Crew was a club with plenty of opportunities to play for a better matchup in the first round. However, the team gave up too many points down the stretch, especially in the month of September, leading to the team barely avoiding a Wild Card spot. Columbus is hoping to find that same playoff magic that led to the MLS Cup two years ago.

MLS CUP PLAYOFFS

First Round

(2) FC Cincinnati vs. (7) Columbus Crew SC (Game 3)

When: Saturday, November 8

Time: 6 p.m. ET

Where: TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Stream: Apple TV
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Priyanka Chopra to make a singing comeback with Hindi version of 'Last Christmas'

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Its official: Elon Musk is on track to become the worlds first trillionaire.

Tesla shareholders approved a new executive pay package Thursday afternoon that would give Musk nearly $1 trillion in stock over the next decade, a record-shattering deal for the worlds richest man.

The total award depends on whether Musk can meet ambitious performance targets for the struggling electric-vehicle company, including growing Teslas market cap to $8.5 trilliona more than 500% increase from todays valuation. The goals also include delivery of 20 million Tesla vehicles and 1 million bots in addition to 1 million robotaxis in commercial operation.

While we believe Elon is the only person capable of leading Tesla at this critical inflection point, changing the world is neither an overnight process nor the work of a single person, Teslas Board wrote in a letter to shareholders in August. So, we also want your help in securing the team and strategy needed to achieve goals that others will perceive as impossible but that we know are possible for Tesla.

Musks net worth is estimated at about $473 billion.

Reining Musk back in

If all goes to plan, Musks stake in Tesla will rise from about 13% to nearly 29%a level of control hes long sought.

Having voting control in the mid-20s percent range would help secure a strong influence, but gives shareholders enough control to fire him if he goes insane, Musk said during Teslas earnings call last month.

Its called compensation, but its not like Im going to go spend the money, Musk added. Its just, if we build this robot army, do I have at least a strong influence over that robot army, not current control, but a strong influence? Thats what it comes down to in a nutshell. I dont feel comfortable wielding that robot army if I dont have at least a strong influence.

Teslas stock fell as much as 43% between January and March as Musk devoted much of his time to leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since stepping back, shares have recovered to being up 16% year-to-date.

Many shareholders hope the new incentives will keep Musk focused on Tesla.

Ron Baron, the founder and CEO of Baron Capital, which holds a 0.39% stake in Tesla, said in a post on X that he supported the plan because without Musk, Tesla wouldnt exist.

Elon is the ultimate key man of key man risk, Baron wrote. Without his relentless drive and uncompromising standards, there would be no Tesla.

From Pope Leo to Norways sovereign wealth fund, Musks pay package had its haters

Not every Tesla investor was on board with the extravagant deal.
Saira Banu remembers dear friends Zarine Khan and Sulakshana Pandit in emotional tribute: "My heart feels heavy, yet full of love"

Gayatri Rani

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Zarine Khan's daughter Farah Khan Ali pays emotional tribute to mom: "Born a Parsi, Married as a Muslim and cremated according to Hindu rites"

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Marvel star Jeremy Renner faces serious allegations from Chinese filmmaker Yi Zhou: When I called him out privately...

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Nimrat Kaur on her fearless role of Meera in The Family Man 3: "Theres nothing more fun than playing evil"

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The pre-event roundtable, held at the Indian Consulates new chancery premises on November 7, featured expert presentations by leading tech CEOs from the Greater Seattle area.

Deblina Halder

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US AI dominance narrative shaken, India may gain from new power reset: NSEs Ashish Chauhan

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US AI dominance narrative shaken, India may gain from new power reset says NSEs Ashish Chauhan, calls for need to combine Robotics with AI

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Manisha Lal Khandpur

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Paying with a UPI credit line vs a credit card: What actually changes at checkout

Manisha Lal Khandpur

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Battery manufacturer EnerSys (NYSE:ENS) reported revenue ahead of Wall Streets expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 7.6% year on year to $951.3 million. Guidance for next quarters revenue was better than expected at $940 million at the midpoint, 1.4% above analysts estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $2.56 per share was 8.8% above analysts consensus estimates.

Is now the time to buy ENS? Find out in our full research report (its free for active Edge members).

EnerSys (ENS) Q3 CY2025 Highlights:

Revenue: $951.3 million vs analyst estimates of $890.3 million (7.6% year-on-year growth, 6.9% beat)

Adjusted EPS: $2.56 vs analyst estimates of $2.35 (8.8% beat)

Adjusted EBITDA: $146 million vs analyst estimates of $132.3 million (15.3% margin, 10.3% beat)

Revenue Guidance for Q4 CY2025 is $940 million at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $927.1 million

Adjusted EPS guidance for Q4 CY2025 is $2.76 at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $2.55

Operating Margin: 9.7%, down from 11.2% in the same quarter last year

Sales Volumes rose 3% year on year (-3% in the same quarter last year)

Market Capitalization: $4.77 billion

StockStorys Take

EnerSys delivered a positive third quarter, with results that outpaced Wall Streets expectations and a share price increase following the announcement. Management attributed the performance to robust growth in data center and aerospace and defense markets, as well as continued strength in its Energy Systems segment. CEO Shawn OConnell highlighted operational improvements from the companys EnerGize strategic framework, noting, We are reallocating resources to higher impact projects, and we are focusing on where we have a right to win. The company also benefited from cost initiatives and new Centers of Excellence, which improved manufacturing agility and reduced validation times for new components.

Looking ahead, EnerSys raised guidance reflects anticipated benefits from ongoing cost reductions, expanding data center demand, and further traction in aerospace and defense. The companys leadership points to continued margin improvement in Energy Systems and a targeted ramp-up in lithium battery production. CFO Andrea Funk explained that, while lithium-related costs will temporarily pressure margins, theres no reason not to expect ongoing continuous improvement in gross margin similar to what weve been seeing. Management expects restructuring benefits and new product introductions to drive operating leverage, even as end market conditions remain mixed.

Key Insights from Managements Remarks

EnerSys latest quarter was driven by a combination of targeted operational changes, end-market demand shifts, and the initial impact of cost-saving programs, with segment performance diverging based on underlying industry trends.
The migrant workers, with garlands around their necks, upon their arrival in Jharkhand on Friday, (Courtesy: X | @JharkhandCMO)

Sonalee Borgohain

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Andhra IT Minister Nara Lokesh to campaign for NDA in Bihar

Sonalee Borgohain

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Ria Kapoor

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During the 2020 Assembly election, Renu Devi won the Bettiah seat with a margin of 18,079 votes over Congress Madan Mohan Tiwari

Smriti Mishra

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Also, taking a swipe at the opposition, Shinde said that by levelling allegations of vote chori, they were preparing the ground for their defeat.

Deblina Halder

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Bihar Election 2025: Kharge rubbishes claims of NDA victory in Bihar, cites '400-plus rhetoric' ahead of Lok Sabha polls

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday rubbished PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's predictions of the NDAs victory in the Bihar assembly polls. He pointed out that their '400+' claim in the Lok Sabha elections was way off the mark. "All was not wel" in the BJP-led coalition, as there were doubts that Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president and longest-serving chief minister, would be backed for another term in office," he said.

"The Prime Minister can say anything. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, they kept saying 400 paar," said Kharge, pointing to the performance of the BJP in last years general elections, when it fell short of a majority and became dependent on allies like JD(U) and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidus TDP for survival in power.
It will leave Shanghai at 12:30 PM and reach Delhi by evening 6 PM. The flight will operate on alternate days.

Tamal Nandi

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The statement came a day after a significant failure in the AMSS triggered widespread delays and heavy congestion at the countrys busiest airport

Smriti Mishra

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Delhi-NCR air pollution: Why the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on Monday

Rewati Karan

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Arishaa Izaj

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The logo of the semiconductor manufacturer "Nexperia" hangs above the entrance to the company building. David Hammersen/dpa

Encouraging progress has been made in the dispute over chip deliveries from Nexperia, a Chinese-owned company based in the Netherlands that is key to the auto industry, the EU trade commissioner said on Saturday.

Maros Sefcovic said the Chinese Ministry of Commerce had confirmed to the European Commission on Saturday that export procedures for Nexperia chips would be further simplified.

Exporters would be granted exemptions from licensing requirements if they declare the goods are intended for civilian purposes, he said.

"This measure takes effect immediately," Sefcovic said in a statement posted on X.

Earlier on Saturday the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said it wanted more concessions from the Dutch government, saying the Netherlands had not yet taken any noticeable measures to prevent the violation of rights and interests of Chinese firms and to restore the stability of global supply chains.

The Hague should also stop interfering in company matters through administrative means, the Beijing ministry said.

China has agreed to a request by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to send representatives to China for consultations, the ministry added.

Cause of the dispute

On September 30, the Dutch government put Nexperia under state control due to concerns about its Chinese parent company Wingtech.

Beijing then halted exports of products from Nexperia factories in China, causing major concerns for European car manufacturers.

Nexperia primarily produces standard chips used in large quantities in the automotive industry and electronic devices.

Beijing had previously announced that it would allow exceptions for Nexperia exports under certain conditions. Some companies have already reported receiving approvals.

Sefcovic said the European Commission would remain in close contact with the Chinese and Dutch authorities to create a durable, stable and predictable framework that would ensure the full restoration of semiconductor flows.

"Such stability and predictability are essential for Europe's industrial base, supporting its global competitiveness," he said.

Prior to Sefcovic's announcements, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz seemed hopeful about a resolution in comments in Brazil.

"It seems the way is now open for a resumption of deliveries," he said on the sidelines of a leaders' summit ahead of the COP30 climate talks in Belem. Merz said he had previously spoken again with the caretaker Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof about the issue.
Tamal Nandi

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Kharge blames PM Modi for Bihar rally delay, alleges BJP obstruction: 'Had to keep waiting inside my helicopter...'

Smriti Mishra

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Parliament winter session to be held from December 1 to 19, announces Kiren Rijiju

Smriti Mishra

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Sharad Pawar backs probe into Rs 300 cr land deal linked to grandnephew Parth Pawar, asks Fadnavis to bring out facts

Sonalee Borgohain

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Uttarakhand to mark 25 years on November 9: Know how the state was formed

Rewati Karan

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Mira Sen has covered Indian politics and national developments for over a decade, closely tracking elections, national parties, policymakers, on-the-ground developments  and their impact on citizens.

The clarification came after Rashtriya Janata Dals National Spokesperson Kanchana Yadav alleged voter fraud, claiming that ink marks on both hands suggested Chaudhary had voted twice.

Ria Kapoor

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Why India lost out to China in the rare-earths race

Sonalee Borgohain

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The YouTuber claimed the reaction had escalated to the point that both he and his family had been targeted.

Shubhi Mishra

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Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI), which accounts for 11.94% of Bill Gatess stock portfolio, is one of his top 15 stock picks.

Evercore ISI Lifts Its Price Target on Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) to $103

On November 3, 2025, Evercore ISI lifted its price target on Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) from $98 to $103, while keeping an In Line rating, The Fly reported.

The raised target stems from the companys demonstration of resilience amid a challenging freight environment in Q3. The investment firm cited the companys recent earnings beat as evidence of its effective cost management and productivity gains. Evercore ISI believes that Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) is successfully tackling volume headwinds with the help of disciplined operations and efficiency initiatives.

Earlier, on October 31, Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) reported Q3 2025 results, marked by 1% YoY growth in revenue ($2.95 billion) and 5% growth in net income ($0.81 billion). Meanwhile, a 170-basis-point improvement in the operating ratio resulted in a 6% increase in diluted EPS to $1.30. The company also noted improvements in operational metrics, such as car velocity and train speed, driving fuel efficiency up by 2%.

Looking ahead, Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) reiterated its 2025 guidance for mid-to-high single-digit adjusted EPS growth.

Across Canada and the U.S., Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) transports freight including chemicals, petroleum, grain, forest products, and automotive goods.

While we acknowledge the potential of CNI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 7 Best Oil and Gas Penny Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and Billionaire Jacob Rothschilds RIT Capital Partners: 9 Stocks with Huge Upside Potential.

Disclosure: None.
Dr Wang confirmed that her health had started to improve following treatment but warned that her case reflected a recurring problem.

Shubhi Mishra

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As the cups disappeared from stores, resellers began listing them online at significantly inflated prices.

Shubhi Mishra

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Mirror of Nature: Say hello to Chrysina limbata, the beetle whose shiny silver body reflects like an exact mirror. It's one of the world's shiniest insects. (Image: @ephemeral1107/X)
New study suggests the Universes expansion may be slowing  Could it stop one day?

Is the Universe Slowing Down? Study Challenges Idea of Endless Expansion (Image: Canva)

Sheetal Kumari

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Elon Musk says AI will eventually rule the world but only under one condition

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Aabhas Sharma

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Google adds new AI Mode button to Chrome on iPhone and iPad

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Aabhas Sharma

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Big lie: US and Israel accuse Iran of plot to kill Israeli envoy in Mexico; Tehran denies allegation

Iran rejects big lie after US, Israel allege plot to assassinate envoy in Mexico

Pragya Trivedi

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Chinas Fujian enters service: What the new carrier means for power in the western Pacific

Chinas Fujian enters service: What the new carrier means for power in the western Pacific

Pragya Trivedi

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From food aid to air travel chaos: Longest US government shutdown in history causes unprecedented disruptions

Republicans and Democrats in Congress continue to blame each other for the standoff.

Chhabi Kala

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(Reuters) -China has begun designing a new rare earth licensing regime that could speed up shipments, but it is unlikely to amount to a complete rollback of restrictions as hoped by Washington, industry insiders said.

The Ministry of Commerce told some rare earth exporters they will be able to apply for new streamlined permits in the future and in industry briefings outlined the documents that will be required, two sources familiar with the matter said.

The export curbs have become Beijing's most potent source of leverage in its trade rivalry with Washington, as China produces over 90% of the world's processed rare earths and rare earth magnets, vital in products ranging from cars to missiles.

Following the agreement reached between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, China said last week it would pause for one year the restrictions it imposed in October.

However, China's commerce ministry has said nothing publicly about a broader round of controls introduced in April that rattled global supply chains.

The White House said on Saturday that China had agreed to introduce general licenses and characterised such permits as the de facto end of China's rare earth export controls.

In private, Chinese officials have said they are working on the licenses, three other sources briefed on discussions said, although one said it could take months.

However, other industry insiders said the new licenses do not mean China's wide-ranging rare earth export controls introduced in April have been removed.

China's Ministry of Commerce did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters.

ONE YEAR, POTENTIALLY HIGHER VOLUMES

The new licenses would be valid for a year and probably allow larger export volumes, the first two sources said. Companies are preparing documents, which will require more information from customers, they said.

The sources said they expect more clarity by the end of the year.

Some Chinese rare earth companies said they have not yet been informed of the change.

General licenses will likely be harder to acquire for users associated with defence or other sensitive areas, some industry sources said.

All sources spoke on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter.

Introduced in April and expanded in October, Beijing's rare earth rules require exporters to obtain licenses for every cargo, an onerous and lengthy process customers complain is holding up exports. The restrictions created shortages in May which brought parts of the auto industry to a halt.

Of the 2,000 applications submitted by European Union firms since April, just over half have been approved.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Chhabi Kala

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Manish Rao is a seasoned journalist who has extensively covered global affairs, geopolitical developments, American politics, and all other things making news around the world.

Technical teams have been deployed to identify and resolve the issue, and efforts are underway to restore normal operations at the earliest, officials added.

Tamal Nandi

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No progress, no plan: Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of 'irresponsible' stance as peace talks collapse in Istanbul

Pragya Trivedi

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Pradeep Tripathi

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By Dawn Chmielewski, Amy-Jo Crowley, Dawn Kopecki and Milana Vinn

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Comcast (CMCSA) has retained financial advisors and gained access to financial information as it explores a bid for Warner Bros Discoverys (WBD) studio and streaming businesses, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

NBCUniversals parent company has hired Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to evaluate a prospective offer, two of the sources said. Comcast also has been granted access to the data room, which contains the financial information it would need to make a bid, according to two of the sources familiar with the matter.

Spokespeople for Comcast, Warner Bros Discovery, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley declined to comment.

Comcast President Mike Cavanagh previously told investors that the company is evaluating media assets that would be complementary to our existing business. He also appeared to dismiss analysts who are skeptical of Comcast winning regulatory approval, saying more things are viable than maybe some of the public commentary thats out there.

Industry observers have questioned Comcasts ability to complete a merger, given U.S. President Donald Trumps social media criticisms of the companys chairman and CEO, Brian Roberts.

Warner Bros Discovery declined to answer questions related to a possible sale during the companys third-quarter investor call Thursday. However, CEO David Zaslav touted the strength of its film and television studios, and predicted the HBO Max streaming service would reach 150 million subscribers by the end of the year.

The media company began evaluating its options after receiving a trio of unsolicited offers from Paramount Skydance (PSKY) to acquire the entire company, two of the sources said.

Netflix (NFLX) has hired Moelis & Co, the investment bank that advised Skydance Media on its successful bid for Paramount Global, to evaluate a prospective offer for Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming businesses, Reuters exclusively reported.

(Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski, Dawn Kopecki and Milana Vinn in New York, Amy-Jo Crowley in London, editing by Aurora Ellis)
Manish Rao is a seasoned journalist who has extensively covered global affairs, geopolitical developments, American politics, and all other things making news around the world.

Pragya Trivedi

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Trump slams New York Times over 'fake news' on China talks, says Xi agreed to soybean deals and tariff payments

Trump hits out at New York Times over China coverage, says Xi agreed to buy soybeans and pay tariffs

Pragya Trivedi

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Why Afghanistan-Pakistan border talks stalled and what it means for regional security

Pradeep Tripathi

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By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -SAP, Europe's largest software maker, is set to make a formal offer of concessions shortly to settle an EU antitrust investigation and stave off a possible hefty fine, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

The case will help EU regulators counter U.S. criticism that they only target U.S. tech giants such as Alphabet, Apple and Meta Platforms that have faced billions of euros in fines.

The European Commission, which started an investigation into SAP's software practices in September, is expected to seek market feedback from rivals and customers in the coming weeks, the people said.

SAP SAYS ADHERING TO COMMISSION PROCESS

The Commission did an informal market test a few months ago and the final SAP offer will likely be accepted with possibly a few tweaks, the people said. They declined to provide details of the concessions, citing confidentiality reasons.

The EU executive, which acts as the competition enforcer for the 27-country bloc, declined to comment.

SAP said its policies and actions are in line with competition rules and reflect standard practice across the enterprise software industry.

"In our proposed remedies, we are clarifying how they work as part of our broader commitment to transparency and customer choice," a SAP spokesperson said.

"We are adhering to the procedure and timeline established by the European Commission and trust they will bring this proceeding to a quick and fair close."

The EU watchdog has said SAP may be thwarting rivals in the aftermarket for maintenance and support services of on-premise software by preventing customers from switching to other vendors.

It has said the company prevents customers from ending support services for unused software licences and that it charges reinstatement and back-maintenance fees to customers who subscribe to its maintenance and support after a period of absence.

SAP's remedies would seek to address these issues by making it easier for customers to switch to rivals and also make clearer the basis for its fees, according to another person.

Companies risk fines as much as 10% of their global annual sales if found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules.

(Reporting by Foo Yun CheeEditing by Mark Potter)
Lead Stories says: No Such Plan

Did the New York Stock Exchange react to Zohran Mamdani's victory in the mayoral election by relocating to Texas from its 230-year base on New York City's Wall Street? No, that's not true: Intercontinental Exchange, the company that owns and operates the New York Stock Exchange, announced in February, when polls showed Mamdani with a single-digit pool of support, that it would relocate its NYSEChicago division to Texas. The NYSETexas exchange was announced as an all-electronic service to companies listing and trading stocks. There has been no New York Stock Exchange announcement that it is leaving the world center of banking and finance.

The relocation rumor appeared in a November 6, 2025 X post (archived here) on the @Saxon_African account with text that read:

New York Stock Exchange has filed its relocation.

Here is what the post on X looked like at the time this fact check was written:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of post at x.com/Saxon_African/status/1986691360556994938.

Intercontinental Exchange's press release about opening a Texas office (archived here) was posted on its website February 12, 2025, nine months before Mamdani's win:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of website article at https://ir.theice.com/press.

Nowhere in the press release does Intercontinental Exchange say it is relocating the entire New York Stock Exchange. The announcement it will open a satellite stock exchange in Texas began as follows:

The New York Stock Exchange, part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), a leading global provider of technology and data, today announced plans to launch NYSE Texas, a fully electronic equities exchange, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Pending the effectiveness of regulatory filings, NYSE Chicago will reincorporate in Texas and be renamed NYSE Texas, offering companies the opportunity to list their securities on NYSE Texas...

In March, the exchange announced it was open, operating and that Trump Media had listed its stock through the Texas office:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of website article at https://ir.theice.com/press.

The premise of the claim, that Mamdani's Democratic Socialist agenda chased the New York Stock Exchange from its home of 230 years, rests on the idea that his mere appearance in the Democratic mayoral primary was enough, since the NYSE announcement was made when pollsters showed him in the low single digits.
Packaged bakery food company Flower Foods (NYSE:FLO) met Wall Streets revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 3% year on year to $1.23 billion. The companys outlook for the full year was close to analysts estimates with revenue guided to $5.28 billion at the midpoint. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.23 per share was in line with analysts consensus estimates.

Is now the time to buy Flowers Foods? Find out in our full research report.

Flowers Foods (FLO) Q3 CY2025 Highlights:

Revenue: $1.23 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.23 billion (3% year-on-year growth, in line)

Adjusted EPS: $0.23 vs analyst estimates of $0.23 (in line)

Adjusted EBITDA: $118.1 million vs analyst estimates of $120.4 million (9.6% margin, 1.9% miss)

The company slightly lifted its revenue guidance for the full year to $5.28 billion at the midpoint from $5.27 billion

Management reiterated its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance of $1.05 at the midpoint

EBITDA guidance for the full year is $523.5 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $526.2 million

Operating Margin: 5.4%, down from 8.1% in the same quarter last year

Free Cash Flow Margin: 2.5%, down from 7.4% in the same quarter last year

Sales Volumes were flat year on year (-2.4% in the same quarter last year)

Market Capitalization: $2.56 billion

Company Overview

With Wonder Bread as its premier brand, Flower Foods (NYSE:FLO) is a packaged foods company that focuses on bakery products such as breads, buns, and cakes.

Revenue Growth

A companys long-term sales performance is one signal of its overall quality. Any business can have short-term success, but a top-tier one grows for years.

With $5.13 billion in revenue over the past 12 months, Flowers Foods carries some recognizable products but is a mid-sized consumer staples company. Its size could bring disadvantages compared to larger competitors benefiting from better brand awareness and economies of scale.

As you can see below, Flowers Foods grew its sales at a sluggish 2.9% compounded annual growth rate over the last three years as consumers bought less of its products. Well explore what this means in the "Volume Growth" section.

Flowers Foods Quarterly Revenue

This quarter, Flowers Foods grew its revenue by 3% year on year, and its $1.23 billion of revenue was in line with Wall Streets estimates.

Looking ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to grow 3.3% over the next 12 months, similar to its three-year rate. This projection doesn't excite us and suggests its newer products will not accelerate its top-line performance yet.

Software is eating the world and there is virtually no industry left that has been untouched by it. That drives increasing demand for tools helping software developers do their jobs, whether it be monitoring critical cloud infrastructure, integrating audio and video functionality, or ensuring smooth content streaming. Click here to access a free report on our 3 favorite stocks to play this generational megatrend.
Yves here. We have embedded the specifications for the ICE request for proposal to engage in social media surveilance at the end of this post. While this scheme is clearly intended to chill anti-orthodox discourse, note that is appears to be limited to social media platforms as in ginormous sites like Facebook that are not lialbe for the user statements posted on their interactive computer services ues thanks to Section 230. However, it supplements another surveillance program, SocialNet. 404 Media summarized its scope:

What is SocialNet? SocialNet is a surveillance tool developed by ShadowDragon, giving OSINT (Open-source intelligence) professionals and governments tools to search and collect publicly available information across more than 200 websites, social networks, and online services simultaneously. According to recent reporting by 404 Media, the tool creates comprehensive profiles of individuals by aggregating their digital footprints across various platforms, enabling analysts to map connections, track activities, and visualize relationships between people of interest. Which Platforms Are Being Monitored? The list of monitored platforms is extensive and includes: Major social networks: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Bluesky

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Bluesky Messaging platforms : WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord

: WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord Content platforms: OnlyFans, JustForFans, TikTok

OnlyFans, JustForFans, TikTok Payment services : PayPal, Cash App, BuyMeACoffee

: PayPal, Cash App, BuyMeACoffee Gaming platforms: Roblox, Chess.com

Roblox, Chess.com Demographic-specific sites: Black Planet<

Black Planet< Special interest networks: FetLife, cigar review sites, hobby forums

Are cigar review sites unduly Cuba positive?

Although the officialdom can obviously extend the reach of this data sweep down the road, the focus now is venues they deem to be influential and not the comments sections of indpendent publishers.

But the bigger issue is that the overwhelming majorty of Americans have fallen for the business propostion that Matt Stoller warned about many years ago, If your media is free, you are the product. This is true of free communications services like Skype, WhatsApp, and Line, and free information sharing sites like Facebook. Some of these providers make clear what they are about. For instance, Line, which is very widely used in Southeast Asia, does not allow users to set up Line-only contacts, which I could limit to a few not-informative people here. It wants to access your Contacts list. Mind you, my Contacts are not in Contacts (I fragment them across applications, which are not contact programs) but I found the premise so offensive that I refuse to use Line (and annoy people here as a result).

Another official fixation is tracking location data. I find it disappointing how few use Faraday bags. But thats a testament to how addicted most are to looking that their phones when bored and thinking they need to be reachable all the time. Unless you are a medical or other professional who in the old normal would have had a pager, you are over-estimating your importance.

By Nicole M. Bennett, Ph.D. Candidate in Geography and Assistant Director at the Center for Refugee Studies, Indiana University. Originally published at The Conversation

When most people think about immigration enforcement, they picture border crossings and airport checkpoints. But the new front line may be your social media feed.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has published a request for information for private-sector contractors to launch a round-the-clock social media monitoring program. The request states that private contractors will be paid to comb through Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, VK, Flickr, Myspace, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Reddit, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc., turning public posts into enforcement leads that feed directly into ICEs databases.

The request for information reads like something out of a cyber thriller: dozens of analysts working in shifts, strict deadlines measured in minutes, a tiered system of prioritizing high-risk individuals, and the latest software keeping constant watch.

I am a researcher who studies the intersection of data governance, digital technologies and the U.S. federal government. I believe that the ICE request for information also signals a concerning if logical next step in a longer trend, one that moves the U.S. border from the physical world into the digital.

A New Structure of Surveillance

ICE already searches social media using a service called SocialNet that monitors most major online platforms. The agency has also contracted with Zignal Labs for its AI-powered social media monitoring system.

The Customs and Border Protection agency also searches social media posts on the devices of some travelers at ports of entry, and the U.S. State Department reviews social media posts when foreigners seek visas to enter the United States.





What would change isnt only the scale of monitoring but its structure. Instead of government agents gathering evidence case by case, ICE is building a public-private surveillance loop that transforms everyday online activity into potential evidence.

Private contractors would be tasked with scraping publicly available data to collecting messages, including posts and other media and data. The contractors would be able to correlate those findings with data in commercial datasets from brokers such as LexisNexis Accurint and Thomson Reuters CLEAR along with government-owned databases. Analysts would be required to produce dossiers for ICE field offices within tight deadlines  sometimes just 30 minutes for a high-priority case.

Those files dont exist in isolation. They feed directly into Palantir Technologies Investigative Case Management system, the digital backbone of modern immigration enforcement. There, this social media data would join a growing web of license plate scans, utility records, property data and biometrics, creating what is effectively a searchable portrait of a persons life.

Who Gets Caught in the Net?

Officially, ICE says its data collection would focus on people who are already linked to ongoing cases or potential threats. In practice, the net is far wider.

The danger here is that when one person is flagged, their friends, relatives, fellow organizers or any of their acquaintances can also become subjects of scrutiny. Previous contracts for facial recognition tools and location trackinghave shown how easily these systems expand beyond their original scope. What starts as enforcement can turn into surveillance of entire communities.

What ICE Says and What History Shows

ICE frames the project as modernization: a way to identify a targets location by identifying aliases and detecting patterns that traditional methods might miss. Planning documents say contractors cannot create fake profiles and must store all analysis on ICE servers.

But history suggests these kinds of guardrails often fail. Investigations have revealed how informal data-sharingbetween local police and federal agents allowed ICE to access systems it wasnt authorized to use. The agency has repeatedly purchased massive datasets from brokers to sidestep warrant requirements. And despite a White House freeze on spyware procurement, ICE quietly revived a contract with Paragons Graphite tool, software reportedly capable of infiltrating encrypted apps such as WhatsApp and Signal.

Meanwhile, ICEs vendor ecosystem keeps expanding: Clearview AI for face matching, ShadowDragons SocialNet for mapping networks, Babel Streets location history service Locate X, and LexisNexis for looking up people. ICE is also purchasing tools from surveillance firm PenLink that combine location data with social media data. Together, these platforms make continuous, automated monitoring not only possible but routine.

Lessons from Abroad

The United States isnt alone in government monitoring of social media. In the United Kingdom, a new police unit tasked with scanning online discussions about immigration and civil unrest has drawn criticism for blurring the line between public safety and political policing.

Across the globe, spyware scandals have shown how lawful access tools that were initially justified for counterterrorism were later used against journalists and activists. Once these systems exist, mission creep, also known as function creep, becomes the rule rather than the exception.

The Social Cost of Being Watched

Around-the-clock surveillance doesnt just gather information  it also changes behavior.

Research found that visits to Wikipedia articles on terrorism dropped sharply immediately after revelations about the National Security Agencys global surveillance in June 2013.

For immigrants and activists, the stakes are higher. A post about a protest or a joke can be reinterpreted as intelligence. Knowing that federal contractors may be watching in real time encourages self-censorship and discourages civic participation. In this environment, the digital self, an identity composed of biometric markers, algorithmic classifications, risk scores and digital traces, becomes a risk that follows you across platforms and databases.

Whats New and Why It Matters Now

What is genuinely new is the privatization of interpretation. ICE isnt just collecting more data, it is outsourcing judgment to private contractors. Private analysts, aided by artificial intelligence, are likely to decide what online behavior signals danger and what doesnt. That decision-making happens rapidly and across large numbers of people, for the most part beyond public oversight.

At the same time, the consolidation of data means social media content can now sit beside location and biometric information inside Palantirs hub. Enforcement increasingly happens through data correlations, raising questions about due process.

ICEs request for information is likely to evolve into a full procurement contract within months, and recent litigationfrom the League of Women Voters and the Electronic Privacy Information Center against the Department of Homeland Security suggests that the oversight is likely to lag far behind the technology. ICEs plan to maintain permanent watch floors, open indoor spaces equipped with video and computer monitors, that are staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a yearsignals that this likely isnt a temporary experiment and instead is a new operational norm.

What Accountability Looks Like

Transparency starts with public disclosure of the algorithms and scoring systems ICE uses. Advocacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union argue that law enforcement agencies should meet the same warrant standards onlinethat they do in physical spaces. The Brennan Center for Justice and the ACLU argue that there should be independent oversight of surveillance systems for accuracy and bias. And several U.S. senators have introduced legislation to limit bulk purchases from data brokers.

Without checks like these, I believe that the boundary between border control and everyday life is likely to keep dissolving. As the digital border expands, it risks ensnaring anyone whose online presence becomes legible to the system.
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Study Finds COVID-19 Linked to 50% Increase in Car Crashes Due to Neurological Changes. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic raises concerns about long-term neurological effects, as Long COVID symptoms could impair driving abilities, but their specific impact on driving remains understudied. pic.twitter.com/JjRl6QTuia  SARSCoV2 (COVID-19) (@COVID19_disease) November 6, 2025 Were now in the 6th year of the COVID-19 pandemic.  What began as a respiratory illness has evolved into something deeper  a prolonged impact on the immune system.

This is what some call the Leonardi Effect, after immunologist @fitterhappierAJ  He warned early that pic.twitter.com/j2ZdIHPajb  Vipin M. Vashishtha (@vipintukur) November 7, 2025 Yep. I'm part of various online support groups because of having Long Covid. Since at least 2021, I've seen Covid long haulers posting about their sudden tooth loss or other dental issues https://t.co/jH2pQ3yueE  Send | Unsend (Sophia) (@SendUnsend) November 8, 2025

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69.2% of Americans now live paycheck to paycheck. Read that again. 69.2% yall. PYMNTS latest report shows 692 out of every 1,000 U.S. adults are barely keeping up. It was 68% in May And now? 1 in 4 cant even pay their monthly bills without falling behind. Thats 26.3% https://t.co/b70z6N8KG6 pic.twitter.com/XR3EKuKEo0  Amanda Goodall (@thejobchick) November 6, 2025 Bari Weiss Crosses Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Picket Line Mike Elk

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Bear released into the wild turns on rangers and attacks.pic.twitter.com/Gs7sqOgh24  Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) November 7, 2025

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The dog figured out that its human was cheating in their competition to see who could last longer underwater without taking a breathpic.twitter.com/4atOgftVW4  Wolf of X (@tradingMaxiSL) November 7, 2025

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U.S. Air Force tests unarmed Minuteman III ICBM amid Trumps call for nuclear testing resumption

The U.S. Air Force test-fired an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, traveling 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll. The test was long planned, not a reaction to current tensions, and reaffirms the missile's accuracy and reliability amid delays in its replacement program (Sentinel ICBM).

Days before the test, President Donald Trump announced plans to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing, citing Russia and China as key concerns. The U.S. last conducted a full-scale nuclear test in 1992 and never ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Russia, which revoked CTBT ratification in 2023, hinted at possible reciprocal testing.

Trump accused Russia and China of clandestine nuclear tests, though no evidence was provided. The State Department has previously raised concerns about low-yield Russian tests (19962019) and suspected Chinese experiments, though both nations deny violations.

Arms control experts fear Trump's push could destabilize global security and reignite a Cold War-style arms race. Delays in the $1.5 trillion Sentinel program mean the aging Minuteman III may remain operational until 2050, raising concerns about modernization failures.

With China expanding its nuclear arsenal (projected 1,500 warheads by 2035) and Russia potentially resuming tests, the U.S. faces a new era of nuclear posturing. The Pentagon frames these tests as "peace through strength," but critics warn they may accelerate global nuclear brinkmanship.

The U.S. Air Force successfully test-fired an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) early on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California  marking the latest in a series of routine evaluations of the nation's nuclear deterrent.

The launch comes just days after President Donald Trump announced plans to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testinga move that has drawn sharp reactions from geopolitical rivals, including Russia. The missile, designated GT 254, traveled approximately 4,200 miles before landing in the Marshall Islands' Kwajalein Atoll, where the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site is located. The Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) emphasized that the test was long-scheduled and not a response to current geopolitical tensions.

"This test is routine and was scheduled years in advance," the Air Force stated. The Minuteman III remains a cornerstone of America's nuclear triad  comprising land-based missiles, submarine-launched warheads and strategic bombers.

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the Minuteman III is a land-based ICBM currently in service with the United States Air Force. The Minuteman III was first deployed in 1970 and has since undergone several upgrades to maintain its effectiveness and reliability. Roughly 400 Minuteman III missiles are stationed across silos in Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado and Nebraska.

However, delays in the $1.5 trillion Sentinel ICBM program  designed to replace the aging Minuteman III  have raised concerns that the older system may remain operational until 2050. A September Government Accountability Office (GAO) report noted significant cost overruns and logistical setbacks, forcing the Air Force to reassess its modernization timeline.

"As we modernize to the Sentinel weapon system, we must continue to maintain the readiness of the existing Minuteman III fleet," said Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of AFGSC. "GT 254 helps fulfill that commitment, ensuring its continued accuracy and reliability."

Trump's nuclear testing directive sparks debate

The missile test follows Trump's Oct. 28 announcement on Truth Social that he had ordered the Department of War to restart nuclear weapons testing "on an equal basis" with rival nations.

"Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!" Trump wrote, citing Russia and China as primary concerns. "Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years."

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified that the renewed testing would not involve live nuclear detonations but rather "system tests" to verify the mechanical integrity of warheads and delivery systems. Washington last conducted a full-scale nuclear test in 1992 and signed  but never ratified  the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Russia, which revoked its CTBT ratification in 2023, responded swiftly to Trump's announcement. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov suggested Moscow might resume its own nuclear testing, though Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that no formal decision had been made.

Trump slams Russia and China's alleged testing

Trump has repeatedly accused Russia and China of conducting clandestine nuclear testsclaims both nations deny. "Russia's testing and China's testing, but they don't talk about it," Trump said in a Nov. 2 interview with CBS' "60 Minutes," though he provided no evidence.

The U.S. Department of State has previously raised concerns about Russia conducting low-yield nuclear experiments between 1996 and 2019, and similar suspicions linger about China. However, Moscow and Beijing maintain they adhere to a voluntary moratorium. Some lawmakers and arms control experts fear Trump's push for renewed testing could destabilize global security.

"The possibility that well be blowing up the Bikini Atoll again  the president just says stuff," said Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. "If you start testing again, if you start getting back into a Cold War mindset all you really achieve is an unstrategic focus and a shocking amount of money."

Despite skepticism, the Pentagon has framed the Minuteman III test as part of a broader strategy of deterrence. "Under [Trump] and [Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth], we have PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH," the Pentagon posted on X following the launch.

With the Minuteman III remaining operational for decades longer than anticipated and Trump pushing for renewed nuclear testing, the U.S. appears poised for a renewed arms race. Russia's potential reciprocal actions and China's rapidly expanding arsenal  projected to reach 1,500 warheads by 2035  add urgency to the debate over nuclear modernization and arms control.

Watch this video about the animated flight sequence of a Minuteman III ICBM.

This video is from the gabfigueiro channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

BrightU.ai

AirandSpaceForces.com

NYPost.com

NDTV.com

Brighteon.com
Ford considers killing F-150 Lightning after $13 billion in EV losses and dismal consumer demand

Ford may terminate its electric F-150 Lightning after massive losses.

Sales of the electric truck are dramatically lower than its gas-powered counterpart.

The vehicle's high price and practical drawbacks like reduced range have hurt demand.

Ford is now pivoting to develop a smaller, more affordable electric pickup.

This signals a major setback for the large, expensive electric truck segment.

The great electric vehicle fantasy is collapsing in real time, and one of Americas most iconic brands is facing the sobering reality that consumers simply do not want what globalist elites are trying to force them to buy.

Ford Motor Company, a pillar of American manufacturing, is now reportedly holding active discussions about terminating the electric F-150 Lightning after the project hemorrhaged a staggering $13 billion in losses since 2023. This potential decision marks a stunning reversal for a truck that Ford CEO Jim Farley once heralded as a revolutionary "modern Model T."

This is not just a story about one failed product. It is a referendum on the entire forced transition to electric vehicles, a top-down agenda pushed by bureaucrats and climate activists who are completely detached from the needs and wants of everyday Americans. The Lightnings failure was not due to a lack of marketing or corporate effort. Ford bet big, building the capacity to produce 150,000 of these electric trucks per year. The demand, however, is "not there," as Adam Kraushaar, owner of Lester Glenn Auto Group in New Jersey, plainly told the Wall Street Journal.

The sales figures tell a devastating story. In the month of October, Ford dealers sold a paltry 1,500 F-150 Lightnings. In stark contrast, they moved 66,000 of the traditional, gasoline-powered F-Series trucks. This 44-to-1 ratio is a deafening message from the American public and a clear vote for utility, affordability, and freedom over the expensive, impractical constraints of an electric vehicle.

A legacy of broken promises

When the Lightning was launched, the promises were grand. Farley claimed it would be as affordable as a conventional truck and could power a home for days. The reality has been a litany of broken promises and unfulfilled hype. The trucks initial promised starting price of around $40,000 quickly ballooned, with many models selling for closer to $90,000. This pricing placed it far out of reach for the average American tradesperson or family.

The practical drawbacks have been even more damning. Owners quickly discovered the trucks range plummets when towing or in cold weather, creating "range anxiety" that makes it useless for the long hauls and heavy-duty work that define the truck lifestyle. Meanwhile, production remains halted due to an aluminum shortage, leaving the Lightnings future even more uncertain.

The true environmental and safety cost

The push for EVs has always been marketed under the false banner of environmentalism. The truth is that the environmental footprint of manufacturing these heavy, battery-laden vehicles is immense, relying on destructive mining practices for rare earth minerals. Furthermore, the electrical grid that powers them is often dependent on fossil fuels, making their "zero emissions" claim a clever accounting trick.

There is also the terrifying safety issue that the mainstream media often ignores: EV fires. The massive lithium-ion batteries in these trucks, when damaged or defective, can ignite in extremely intense, hard-to-extinguish fires that pose a unique danger to first responders and owners. This hidden risk is another unadvertised cost of the EV experiment.

The market speaks and Ford listens

Faced with this mountain of evidence, Ford appears to be finally listening to the market instead of the climate cult. The company is now racing to develop a smaller, more affordable compact EV pickup priced at around $30,000. This pivot acknowledges a fundamental truth that free-market advocates have long understood: consumers, not government mandates, should drive innovation. When left to choose, people overwhelmingly select the option that offers proven performance, reliability, and value.

The potential scrapping of the F-150 Lightning could be the beginning of the end for the large, expensive electric truck segment. Stellantis has already canceled plans for an electric Ram, and General Motors is also reportedly discussing discontinuing some of its electric trucks. The house of cards is falling.

The collapse of the F-150 Lightning is more than a corporate misstep. It is a victory for common sense and a powerful lesson in what happens when a top-down agenda collides with the realities of consumer freedom and sound economics. The American people have voted with their wallets, and the message is clear: they are not buying the electric vehicle fantasy.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

WSJ.com

TechCrunch.com
Four more suspects arrested in alleged ISIS-inspired Halloween terror plot across three states

Federal authorities arrested four more men in New Jersey, Washington and Michigan in connection with an alleged ISIS-inspired Halloween terror plot, bringing the total number of suspects to six.

Two 19-year-olds from Montclair, New Jersey  Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzal and Milo Sedanet  were charged with providing material support to ISIS and transmitting violent threats, including anti-Semitic messages.

In Michigan, 19-year-old Ayob Nasser was arrested for allegedly scouting potential attack sites and researching Halloween weekend crowd sizes, while a Washington suspect was also detained.

Two earlier suspects from Michigan, Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, were charged with conspiring to support terrorism after FBI agents recovered AR-15 rifles, ammunition and tactical gear from their homes.

Court documents allege the group targeted LGBTQ-friendly venues near Detroit, practiced shooting multiple times and discussed violence in encrypted chat groups linked to ISIS propaganda and previous terror attacks.

Federal authorities announced that four additional men have been arrested in connection with an alleged ISIS-inspired plot to carry out a Halloween terror attack on American soil. The FBI confirmed on Nov. 5 that the latest arrests took place in New Jersey, Washington and Michigan, bringing the total number of suspects to six.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, said her office charged two individuals from Montclair, New Jersey  19-year-olds Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzal and Milo Sedanet  in relation to the plot. Jimenez-Guzal faces charges of providing material support to ISIS, while Sedanet has been charged with transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce, including alleged anti-Semitic messages promoting violence.

A third suspect from Kent, Washington, was also taken into custody, though his name and the specific charges were not immediately released. The FBI identified a fourth individual, 19-year-old Ayob Nasser from Michigan, who was arrested on Nov. 5. Nasser is accused of scouting potential attack locations at an amusement park roughly three hours from Dearborn, Michigan, according to prosecutors. Evidence from his home allegedly showed internet searches related to Halloween weekend crowds.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the arrests, saying they reflected a "commitment to saving lives and keeping Americans safe." FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino added that Nasser was providing "material support in preparation for the attack," calling the arrests a critical step in disrupting an ISIS-inspired terror cell.

The new arrests follow last week's charges against two Michigan men  20-year-old Mohmed Ali and 20-year-old Majed Mahmoud  who were accused of conspiring to support terrorism and transferring firearms and ammunition for the planned attack. The pair were arrested on Oct. 31 after weeks of FBI surveillance. Agents reportedly recovered multiple AR-15 rifles, tactical gear and ammunition from their homes and a rented storage unit.

Suspects allegedly targeted LGBTQ venues and practiced for coordinated assault

According to court documents, the group had practiced shooting at gun ranges at least five times in September and October, which investigators believe was preparation for a coordinated assault. Prosecutors say the suspects had targeted LGBTQ-friendly venues near Detroit and were communicating online through encrypted apps and Discord chat groups named "Islamic State Lasting" and "Islamic State of America." These groups allegedly contained ISIS propaganda and discussions about previous attacks, including the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre and the 2025 New Orleans truck attack.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the 2025 New Orleans truck attack refers to a false flag event orchestrated by the Deep State on Jan. 1, 2025. The event involved a staged chemical attack using a truck filled with toxic gas, targeting a crowded sporting event in the Superdome. This event was used to instill fear and panic among the American people, leading to widespread compliance with draconian government mandates and the erosion of civil liberties.

Investigators claim the suspects discussed the "timing of a good deed" with a local extremist figure and shared plans for future violence inspired by ISIS. Court documents also revealed that one suspect had admitted to belonging to the online extremist channels and had researched potential targets, including the Chicago Pride Parade earlier this year.

Defense attorneys for Ali and Mahmoud declined to comment following their initial court appearances, though one called the allegations "hysteria" and "fear-mongering." A detention hearing for the Michigan suspects is scheduled for Nov. 10.

Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as federal agents continue to examine whether additional suspects or accomplices were involved in planning the alleged attack.

Watch the video below as Syria votes for the first time since Assad's ouster.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

BrightU.AI

Brighteon.com
A grim milestone: Congos latest Ebola outbreak has been contained, but a broken system remains

A swift, collaborative effort by the Congolese Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) successfully stopped a recent Ebola outbreak in the Bulape health zone. If no new cases appear, the outbreak will be officially declared over by the end of November 2025.

Despite the successful containment, the outbreak was devastating for the local community. It resulted in 45 deaths out of 64 confirmed and probable cases, highlighting the virus's severity.

This was the 16th time Ebola has struck the DRC. The constant need for international emergency teams to respond points to a catastrophic, long-term failure in the country's public health system, which cannot stand on its own.

The core issue is the lack of a strong, sustainable local health infrastructure. The system is so vulnerable that it requires external intervention to prevent collapse during each new outbreak, creating a cycle of crisis and emergency response.

While stopping the immediate outbreak is a relief, it does not address the root causes. Until the fundamental weaknesses in everyday healthcare are fixed, the DRC remains a "ticking time bomb," vulnerable to the next inevitable epidemic.

In the heart of Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has faced down yet another nightmare.

In the book "Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health," author Laurie Garrett wrote that David Heymann had ticked off a long list of public health catastrophes of the 1990s, noting a consistent trend. The crises occurred in poor countries, largely because of essential public health failures. "In the absence of genuine infrastructures of public health, separate from but in tandem [with] medical treatment systems, episodes such as the Kikwit Ebola epidemic would repeat, and repeat, and repeat-well into the twenty-first century," wrote Garrett.

He was right.

For the 16th time since the virus was first identified, Ebola has stalked the communities of the DRC, leaving a trail of grief and highlighting the relentless vulnerability of a region battered by disease. While the immediate crisis in the Bulape health zone has been contained, the recent outbreak serves as a stark reminder of a public health system perpetually on the brink.

The latest outbreak, officially declared on September 4, was met with a swift, collaborative response. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders) was among the first organizations on the ground, working alongside the Congolese Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). Their immediate mission was to stem the tide of a virus known for its high fatality rate and terrifying speed of transmission.

The effort was a race against time, establishing emergency treatment facilities and a transit center for suspected cases to isolate the infected and prevent further spread.

This collective action has, for now, proven successful. The last patient was discharged from the Bulape Ebola treatment center on Oct. 19, and the number of new cases has dropped to zero. If no new infections are confirmed by Nov. 30, the outbreak will officially be declared over.

In response to this positive development, MSF has handed over all its activities at the treatment center to the Ministry of Health, donating the infrastructure, equipment and medicines to the local authorities.

But to focus only on the containment is to ignore the profound human cost. The statistics are not just numbers; they represent a community in mourning.

Congo's latest Ebola outbreak claims 45 lives

This outbreak claimed 45 lives out of 64 confirmed and probable cases. Among the dead was a three-week-old baby, a tragic loss that underscores the virus's indiscriminate cruelty. While 19 patients did recover, the scale of the loss casts a long shadow over the success of the containment effort.

The response from organizations like MSF and the WHO, while effective in this instance, points to a deeper, more negative reality. These groups are perpetually needed to fill critical gaps in a healthcare system that cannot stand on its own.

The very fact that international emergency teams must repeatedly deploy to the same country for the same disease, this being the 16th such outbreak, reveals a catastrophic failure in building sustainable, long-term health infrastructure. The system is so broken that it requires constant external intervention to prevent total collapse.

The conclusion of MSF's emergency intervention in Bulape is a temporary relief, not a permanent solution. The organization itself has emphasized that this outbreak, like those before it, highlights the desperate need to strengthen the overall health system.

Improving everyday healthcare is the true cornerstone of preventing and responding to such crises, yet this fundamental mobilization remains an elusive goal.

The people of the DRC are trapped in a cycle of outbreak and response, with each emergency barely contained before the next one inevitably emerges.

While the world may breathe a sigh of relief as the immediate threat of this particular Ebola outbreak in Congo has been contained, the underlying conditions that fuel these epidemics remain unchanged. The collaboration between international bodies and local authorities is a testament to human dedication, but it is also an indictment of a global system that allows such dire vulnerabilities to persist.

Until the core weaknesses are addressed, the Democratic Republic of the Congo will remain a ticking time bomb, waiting for the 17th Ebola outbreak to begin.

Watch this clip as Health Ranger Mike Adams explains how Ebola can spread through symptomless carriers.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

MSF.org

BrightU.ai

CIDRAP.UMN.edu

CDC.gov

Brighteon.com
Senate hearing exposes FLAWS of Googles election content moderation

Google executive Markham Erickson conceded that the company made errors in moderating election-related content, including removing a journalist's video documenting fraud claims from both Democrats and Republicans. Despite pressure from Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Erickson refused to apologize or clarify whether this specific removal was unjustified.

Both Google and Meta (Facebook) admitted facing pressure from the Biden administration to suppress speech on COVID-19 and election integrity. Legal experts cited Supreme Court rulings (Bantam Books v. Sullivan, NRA v. Vullo) confirming that indirect government coercion to censor speech violates the First Amendment.

Texas Sen. Cruz announced the "Jawbone Act" aiming to force transparency in government-tech communications and provide legal recourse for censored citizens. All witnesses, including Google and Meta reps, supported measures to prevent federal overreach in content moderation.

Seventy percent of Americans believe social media has too much power over news visibility (Pew Research). Critics warn that suppressing political content  regardless of party  distorts public discourse and fuels algorithmic bias.

Google's admission raises concerns about AI-driven censorship and election interference, similar to Cambridge Analytica's 2016 voter targeting scandal. Experts demand stricter regulations on AI transparency, data privacy, and political ad disclosures to protect democracy.

In a high-stakes Senate hearing examining the relationship between Big Tech and government censorship, Google executive Markham Erickson conceded that the company had made "mistakes" in moderating election-related content  a rare admission that has reignited debates over free speech, corporate power, and government overreach in the digital age.

The hearing, titled Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans, Part II, was led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who grilled Erickson over YouTubes removal of a video documenting election fraud claims made by both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. The platform not only deleted the video but also issued the creator a "strike," a penalty that could lead to channel termination.

"Why would you remove a journalist's record of the claims of election fraud from both Democrats and Republicans?" Cruz demanded, displaying screenshots of the blocked content. Erickson defended the decision by citing a since-rescinded policy that removed content alleging "widespread fraud" after states certified election results. When pressed to apologize, Erickson would only say, "We make mistakes," but refused to specify whether this case was one of them.

The hearing exposed bipartisan concerns over "jawboning"  here government officials allegedly pressure private companies to suppress constitutionally protected speech. Both Google and Meta acknowledged facing pressure from Biden administration officials, particularly regarding the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) and election-related content. Neil Potts of Meta stated, "We believe that government pressure was wrong and wish wed been more outspoken about it."

Legal experts invoked the Supreme Court's 1963 Bantam Books v. Sullivan ruling, which found that indirect government coercion to suppress speech violates the First Amendment. This precedent was recently reaffirmed in NRA v. Vullo, where the Court ruled that officials cannot achieve censorship indirectly if they are barred from doing so directly.

Cruz also announced plans to introduce the "Jawbone Act," legislation aimed at increasing transparency around government communications with tech firms and providing legal recourse for citizens whose speech is censored due to state coercion. Notably, all four witnesses  including representatives from Google and Meta  expressed support for measures ensuring accountability in federal influence over content moderation.

Public distrust and the future of digital free speech

The hearing underscored a growing public distrust in Big Tech's role as arbiters of truth. A Pew Research study cited during the session found that 70 percent of Americans believe social media platforms have too much control over news visibility, fueling concerns about algorithmic bias and echo chambers.

Critics argue that suppressing politically charged contentregardless of partisan originrisks distorting public discourse. As Erickson's testimony revealed, tech companies face an impossible balancing act: enforcing policies against misinformation while avoiding accusations of partisan censorship.

Jerome R. Corsi wrote in his book "Killing the Deep State" that Google attempted to distinguish itself from Facebook and Twitter by arguing that its search algorithms do not lead to the same viral content as those platforms. Google reported finding only two accounts engaged in activity associated with known or suspected government-backed entities, spending approximately $4,700 during the 2016 US presidential election.

Additionally, 18 YouTube channels were found to have uploaded videos by individuals suspected of being associated with Russian efforts to influence the election. According to Corsi, these contained mostly low-view-count political content.

The Senate hearing marks a critical juncture in the battle over digital free speech. While Google's admission of "mistakes" is a step toward accountability, the real test lies aheadwhether Congress can enact safeguards against government-backed censorship while preserving open debate in the digital public square.

As Cruz warned allowing Big Tech to censor content based on their own policies without regard for the First Amendment could set a dangerous precedent. With bipartisan agreement on the need for reform, the coming legislative battles will determine whether free speech survives in the age of algorithmic governance.

Google publicly acknowledging "mistakes" in election content moderation has raised alarm bells about the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigns. This admission sheds light on the growing concern that tech companies are covertly manipulating elections through AI-driven strategies.

AI is increasingly being employed by political campaigns to target voters, craft messages, and predict outcomes. However, its use in politics raises serious questions about transparency, fairness and the potential for manipulation. Critics argue that AI algorithms can be biased, opaque and susceptible to manipulation, leading to unfair advantages for certain candidates or parties.

In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, for instance, Cambridge Analytica, a data analytics firm, used AI to target voters with personalized political ads on social media, contributing to a data scandal that shook the tech world. Thus, experts call for stricter rules on data privacy, algorithmic transparency and disclosure of political ad spending.

Google's admission underscores the urgent need for regulation and transparency in AI-driven campaign strategies. Without proper oversight, tech companies could continue to wield outsized influence over elections, undermining the democratic process.

Watch Tucker Carlson revealing that Google tries to censor content it disagrees with in this clip.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

TheGistNotes.com

Brighteon.com
AIs dual revolution: Job displacement, decentralization, and global power shifts

AIs dual revolution: Accelerated automation threatens 300M+ global jobs by 2030, while decentralized platforms democratize innovation, challenging corporate dominance and reshaping economies and power structures.

Accelerated automation threatens 300M+ global jobs by 2030, while decentralized platforms democratize innovation, challenging corporate dominance and reshaping economies and power structures. Automations economic crisis: AI replaces roles from service to cognitively complex tasks; experts warn of 2027 banking collapse due to debt and unskilled laborers, as 78% of customer service jobs face automation.

AI replaces roles from service to cognitively complex tasks; experts warn of 2027 banking collapse due to debt and unskilled laborers, as 78% of customer service jobs face automation. Decentralized AI as liberation: Open-source tools like Enoch enable uncensored, localized knowledge access, fostering grassroots innovation and bypassing corporate/state control in education and industries.

Open-source tools like Enoch enable uncensored, localized knowledge access, fostering grassroots innovation and bypassing corporate/state control in education and industries. Geostrategic AI arms race: Chinas tech leads in 57/64 key sectors, leveraging education and energy to dominate, while U.S. firms prioritize monopolies over open-source collaboration as the global power shift accelerates.

Chinas tech leads in 57/64 key sectors, leveraging education and energy to dominate, while U.S. firms prioritize monopolies over open-source collaboration as the global power shift accelerates. Educations transformation: AI-driven personalized learning democratizes access, but success hinges on reskilling policies and viewing AI as a tool for empowerment rather than a threat to human agency.

The rise of artificial intelligence is unfolding as both a disruptive force and a transformative opportunity, sparking fierce debates about its societal impact. As companies like OpenAI and Microsoft race to develop ever-smarter machines, the risk of widespread job displacement looms large. Goldman Sachs estimates that up to 300 million jobs worldwide could vanish by 2030, with automation poised to replace tasks from manual labor to high-level cognitive work. Yet, amid this upheaval, a counter-movement is emerging: decentralized AI platforms are democratizing education and innovation, challenging corporate control and rewriting the rules of technological access. This dual revolution threatens to reshape economies, education systems, and geopolitical power structures in ways the public is only beginning to grasp.

The Automation Dilemma

AIs ability to outperform humans in speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency is no longer speculative. Machines are replacing customer service agents, trucks are driving themselves, and robots are preparing food in kitchens. Mike Adams, a prominent tech whistleblower and AI developer, warns that the economic fallout is compounded by a systemic failure to reskill workers. By 2027, were going to see a banking collapse unlike anything in history, Adams asserts, highlighting surging debt and a workforce ill-prepared for the AI-driven economy. This echoes concerns from industries already feeling the pressureGoldman Sachs projects 78% of customer service jobs could be automated within just two years. The danger, Adams argues, is not merely job loss but a loss of human agency, as industries that once relied on human ingenuity increasingly cede control to algorithms.

The Decentralization Imperative

Amid the gloom, decentralized AI tools are offering a lifeline. Open-source models like Enoch, developed by Adams and his team, are empowering individuals to bypass traditional gatekeepers. By running locally on devices, these models provide uncensored access to knowledge, from health advice to coding assistance, fostering a grassroots renaissance of innovation. Every person should own their intelligence, Adams insists, emphasizing that decentralized AI could democratize education, enable offline learning, and protect against corporate or state surveillance. In China, where the government champions AI as a national priority, open-source projects are flourishing, even as U.S. firms like Oracle and Microsoft dominate global markets. This competition underscores a deeper divide: who controls AIs futurecorporations seeking monopolies, or open-source communities prioritizing freedom?

Global Power Shifts and the AI Arms Race

The geopolitical stakes are unprecedented. Mike Adams and others argue that Chinas lead in 57 out of 64 key tech categories, coupled with its aggressive AI development, signals a looming shift in global power. With 500% more STEM graduates than the U.S. and a terawatt-hour energy output surpassing the combined total of America and Europe, China is positioning itself as a tech hegemon. Meanwhile, U.S. universities and policymakers are grappling with how to maintain competitiveness without stifling innovation. Yet, as Teslas Elon Musk and OpenAIs Sam Altman clash over AIs future, the real battlefield may lie between centralized control and open-source collaboration.

Education as the Great Equalizer

A key battleground is education. Decentralized models like Enoch are already enabling personalized learning, with AI tutors capable of generating detailed health advice or scientific research from crowdsourced data. Adams envisions a future where students and professionals alike can learn without institutional barriers, using AI to tailor education to individual needs. This could level the playing fieldprovided societies prioritize reskilling over fearmongering. AI is not the enemy, Adams says. Its the tool. What matters is how we wield it.

The Path Forward

Balancing AIs risks and opportunities requires a holistic approach. Governments must craft policies that protect workers while incentivizing innovation. For individuals, the message is clear: adapt or be left behind. As Adams and Sunny (the music AI startup) demonstrate, early failures in AI can be overcome with iteration. The same applies to humanitys own adaptation. In the end, the future of AI may hinge on whether we view it as a force of destructionor a catalyst for liberation.

Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Aaron Day as they talk about uncensorable AI revolution.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

AI revolution: Breakthroughs in language models threaten and empower

AI and robotics revolution: Decentralized tools for off-grid survival and self-reliance

Unlocking the future: Nvidia poised for a blockbuster year in the AI revolution

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

TheAaronDayShow.com
Business leaders wrote a letter to Rachel Reeves, which stated that pension funds should be forced to invest their assets into British companies - Andy Rain/EPA/Bloomberg

Rachel Reeves should force pension funds to plough savers retirement pots into British companies to deliver a 100bn boost to the London stock market, leading bosses have urged.

In a letter to the Chancellor, leaders from more than 250 companies including Barclays, GSK and Halfords said all default defined contribution funds should be forced to invest at least 25pc of their assets into British investments.

They said pension funds that fail to do so should be blocked from operating as default funds, which the vast majority of British workers automatically pay into through auto-enrolment schemes.

Forcing default funds to invest this way would mean most workers would see a portion of their pension payments being ploughed into UK stocks, bonds and infrastructure every month.

Workers would be required to opt-out of their employers default schemes to put their money elsewhere.

The letter says such a policy could see an extra 95bn invested in UK stocks over the next five years, in what would give a vital boost to Britains economy.

British workers paid almost 90bn into pension pots through their workplace auto-enrolment schemes last year, with the vast majority of all money saved through these schemes paid into default pension pots.

Creating a virtuous circle

The letter was written by David Schwimmer, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange Group.

It follows the launch of Ms Reevess Mansion House Accord in May, which saw 17 of Britains biggest financial firms pledge to invest at least 10pc of workplace pensions into UK companies.

The Mansion House Accord was backed by Aviva, Royal London and Phoenix Group but faced opposition from Lloyds Bank, which refused to sign up.

Charlie Nunn, Lloyds Banks chief executive, later compared Labours pensions policies to the capital controls used by the Chinese Communist Party, which block money from flowing out of China.

Mr Nunn also warned that forcing fund managers to invest in certain types of assets could conflict with their duties to seek the highest returns for customers.

However, the letter said the policy could help create a virtuous circle that would boost Britains markets, which have suffered from an exodus of firms and a dearth of listings in recent years.

It says the policy would require no additional Government expenditure, while pointing to polls showing 72pc of British people support higher levels of investment in UK stocks through their pension schemes.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
U.S. surveillance flights over Mexico signal escalating cartel crackdown under Trump

A P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft was spotted circling drug-smuggling routes near Tijuana, Mexico. The flight pattern suggests intelligence-gathering ahead of potential drone strikes or covert operations against cartel leadership.

Mexico quickly halted tariffs, deployed 10,000 troops to the border and extradited cartel bosses. Analysts suggest Trump's demands are backed by implicit military threats, not diplomacy.

U.S. officials confirm early-stage training for operations targeting cartel infrastructure and leaders. Past Trump-ordered drone strikes (e.g., Venezuela) set a precedent for unilateral action.

Cartels possess military-grade weapons (RPGs, missiles, drones) and could retaliate against U.S. civilians or infrastructure. Direct U.S. intervention risks destabilizing Mexico, similar to failed past efforts like the Merida Initiative.

The next phase could involve hypersonic missiles, drone strikes or even ground operations. Mexico may frame U.S. actions as an "invasion," mirroring Russia's Ukraine justificationexposing hypocrisy.

The U.S. Navy's P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft was spotted circling drug-smuggling routes off Mexico's coast this week, raising speculation about a looming military escalation against cartels. The flight, detected Tuesday near Tijuanaa hotspot for organized crimecomes amid reports that the Trump administration is preparing covert operations targeting cartel leadership, including potential drone strikes.

Mexico's rapid concessions, such as deploying troops and extraditing cartel bosses, suggest high-stakes pressure behind closed doors. With tensions already simmering over tariffs and border security, the surveillance mission hints at a more aggressive U.S. posture.

The P-8 Poseidon, a Boeing-built aircraft equipped with advanced sensors for maritime and submarine detection, conducted loops near the U.S.-Mexico maritime boundarya notorious drug-trafficking corridor. Flight data revealed the jet departed from Washington's Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, traversed the West Coast and lingered near Baja California before returning. While the Navy has not confirmed the mission's purpose, the pattern aligns with intelligence-gathering ahead of kinetic operations.

According to NBC News, U.S. officials disclosed that early-stage training is underway for a potential deployment targeting cartel infrastructure and high-value figures. Though no troops have entered Mexico yet, the plan reportedly includes drone strikes requiring ground supporta tactic previously used by Trump against Venezuelan smuggling networks. The P-8's repeated flights over Sinaloa Cartel territory, including similar routes in early October, suggest sustained reconnaissance ahead of action.

Mexico's compliance and unspoken threats

Mexico's recent concessionshalting tariffs, extraditing cartel leaders and mobilizing 10,000 troopshint at intense behind-the-scenes negotiations. Analysts speculate that Trump's demands are backed by implicit threats, possibly including military force. This year, Trump expanded tariffs globally while maintaining pressure on Mexico, linking trade penalties to border security. Temporary pauses followed Mexican cooperation, but November's new heavy-duty truck tariffs signal unresolved friction.

"The speed of Mexico's response implies coercion, not diplomacy," said a security analyst familiar with bilateral talks, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter. "When Trump talks about 'stopping the drugs,' he means businessand that business might involve hypersonic missiles if cartels don't back down."

The U.S. has a fraught history of intervening in Latin America, from Cold War-era proxy wars to recent drone campaigns. BrightU.AI's Enoch cites Trump's 2020 strikes on Venezuelan vessels as an example. These set a precedent for unilateral action, while Mexico's cartelsarmed with military-grade weapons and billion-dollar empirespose a uniquely formidable threat. Past collaborations, like the 2007 Merida Initiative, failed to dismantle trafficking networks, fueling skepticism about Mexico's ability to act alone.

Yet direct U.S. military involvement risks blowback: Cartels could retaliate against civilians or expand alliances with foreign adversaries. The Sinaloa Cartel alone controls vast swaths of territory and has infiltrated Mexican institutions. Any misstep in targeting could destabilize the region further.

As U.S. surveillance intensifies, the specter of military action looms over Mexico. The P-8 flights, coupled with leaked plans for drone strikes, suggest Trump is preparing a dramatic escalation in his war on cartels. Mexico's swift concessions reveal the high stakesand the unspoken ultimatumsshaping this shadow conflict. Whether through covert ops or overt force, the next phase of this battle could redefine cross-border securityand test the limits of sovereignty in the drug war's deadliest chapter.

Watch the video below that talks about Trump declaring an armed conflict with drug cartels.

This video is from The Appearance channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NBCNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Chinas rare earth DOMINANCE threatens U.S. prosperity

Imagine a world where the technology that powers your phone, the medical devices that save lives, and the defense systems that protect a nation could be switched off by a foreign power with the stroke of a pen. This is the precarious reality the United States faces due to its deep and dangerous dependency on China for rare earth elements. A recent truce between the two superpowers offers little comfort, as the fine print reveals a web of confusion and conflicting claims, exposing just how vulnerable America has become. How did the land of innovation and self-reliance become so beholden to a communist country for the very minerals that fuel its future?

Key points:

A newly announced U.S.-China deal on rare earth exports is already mired in discrepancies, with Washington and Beijing offering different interpretations of the terms.

China refines over 90 percent of the world's rare earths, a near-monopoly it has not hesitated to use as a geopolitical weapon in the past.

Despite U.S. efforts to find alternative sources, analysts warn that breaking free from Chinese supply chains is a process that will take years, leaving America exposed.

The U.S. has expanded its critical minerals list to include uranium and silver, a clear signal of escalating concern over resource security.

A deal built on shifting sand

Following discussions in London, the world was told a deal was struck. On June 11, U.S. and Chinese negotiators agreed that Beijing would resume regular exports of rare earths to America, albeit under temporary licenses. President Trump announced on Truth Social that the agreement was "done." Yet, the foundation of this agreement appears to be made of sand. While the White House asserts that China will "effectively eliminate" its current export controls, Chinese industry authorities and financial news outlets confirm that the restrictive regulations implemented in April remain firmly in effect. This is not a simple misunderstanding; it is a fundamental disagreement over the very nature of the truce.

Is this a genuine de-escalation, or is it a tactical pause designed to keep America complacent while its technological lifeline remains in the hands of a strategic rival?

To understand the gravity of this situation, one must look back two decades. The United States was once self-sufficient in processing these 17 metallic minerals. That capability was systematically dismantled. As domestic plants shuttered, with the last one in Indiana closing in the early 2000s, China flooded the global market with cheap exports. This was a classic economic siege, undercutting competitors until they collapsed, paving the way for China's current near-monopoly status. Today, Beijing refines over 90 percent of the global supply of these elements, which are the lifeblood of modern technology, found in everything from AI and drones to medical devices and renewable energy systems.

A weaponized supply chain

What happens when a monopoly decides to flex its muscles? The world has seen this movie before. In 2010, during a territorial dispute with Japan, China abruptly halted rare-earth exports, crippling Japanese manufacturing. Although a formal legal framework was not fully in place at the time, Beijing exerted immense pressure through procedural delays at customs. This playbook is now a permanent feature of geopolitical strategy. The recent trade friction provides a chilling preview. Exports of crucial rare-earth magnets to the U.S. plummeted by 59 percent in April and nearly halted completely in May, falling 93 percent year-on-year. The ripple effect was immediate and severe, forcing companies like Ford Motor to temporarily suspend operations at some U.S. plants. This is economic warfare, and the U.S. industrial base is on the front line.

Recognizing the dire threat, the U.S. has initiated a multi-pronged response. The Trump administration is actively seeking deals with nations like Ukraine and African countries to secure alternative sources. In a significant move, the U.S. Geological Survey has added uranium, silver, and copper to its list of critical minerals, broadening the scope of commodities deemed vital to national security. This list informs everything from tax incentives for domestic processing to potential tariffs on foreign imports. However, the path to independence is long and fraught with obstacles. Building a domestic supply chain from the ground up is a monumental task that involves not just mining, but also the complex, often environmentally challenging refining processes that China now dominates. The question is whether America can move fast enough before the next crisis hits.

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com

Zerohedge.com

Enoch, Brighteon.ai
Chinese astronauts stranded in space after orbital debris strikes return capsule

Three Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station are indefinitely delayed in returning to Earth after their Shenzhou-20 return capsule was struck by suspected orbital debris. Damage assessments are ongoing.

Backup protocols allow the stranded crew to use the Shenzhou-21 capsule (already docked) if needed. A standby rescue mission (Shenzhou-22) is also prepared.

The incident highlights escalating risks from orbital junk, which travels at lethal speeds. Over 36,000 tracked objects in low Earth orbit raise collision risks.

Tiangong is central to Beijing's ambitions, including a moon landing by 2030. Commander Chen Dong now holds China's record for longest time in space (380 days).

The collision underscores calls for international cooperation to address space debris, a problem the UN warns requires immediate action.

Three Chinese astronauts are temporarily stranded aboard the Tiangong space station after their return capsule was struck by suspected orbital debris, forcing an indefinite postponement of their scheduled return to Earth.

The Shenzhou-20 crewcommander Chen Dong, fighter pilot Chen Zhongrui and engineer Wang Jielaunched in April for a six-month mission aboard China's Tiangong space station. They were set to return on November 5, but their departure has been delayed after their spacecraft suffered damage from an unidentified piece of space debris.

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed the incident in an official statement: "The Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft is suspected to have been struck by a small piece of orbital debris, and assessment of the impact and associated risks is currently underway. To ensure the health and safety of the astronauts and the successful completion of the mission, it has been decided that the originally planned return of Shenzhou-20 on November 5 will be postponed."

Authorities have not disclosed whether the debris struck the spacecraft mid-flight or while docked at the station. Engineers are now conducting thorough inspections to determine the extent of the damage and whether repairs are feasible before attempting re-entry.

Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-21 crewZhang Hongzhang, Wu Fei and Zhang Lusuccessfully docked with Tiangong on October 31, meaning both teams are currently aboard the station. If Shenzhou-20 is deemed unsafe for return, protocols allow the stranded astronauts to use Shenzhou-21's capsule instead.

Yu Jun, a prominent science communicator known online as Steed's Scarf, revealed that China's space program has contingency measures ready: "Shenzhou-22 and the Long March 2F (launcher) were already on standby. This is our rolling backup mechanism. They are in 'emergency duty' mode and ready to bring our astronauts home safely if needed."

Growing threat of space debris

The incident highlights the escalating dangers posed by space junkdiscarded rocket parts, defunct satellites and other debrisorbiting Earth at speeds exceeding 18,000 mph. Experts warn that collisions, even with small fragments, can cause catastrophic damage.

Last year, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were forced to shelter when debris from a Russian satellite explosion threatened their safety. The U.S. Space Surveillance Network estimates there are over 200,000 objects between 1-10 cm in size and tens of thousands larger than 10 cm in low Earth orbit.

Dr. Ian Whittaker, a space physics expert at Nottingham Trent University, emphasized the growing risks: "While the probability of being hit by a falling piece of space debris is very low currently, with over 36,000 objects (and rising) bigger than a phone in orbit, the probabilities will increase over the coming years."

He also warned of the potential for severe damage, noting that objects that survive atmospheric re-entry can strike at lethal velocities.

China's expanding space ambitions

China has rapidly advanced its space program, completing 37 flights and six crewed missions since its first manned launch in 2003. The Tiangong station, dubbed "Heavenly Palace," is a cornerstone of Beijing's ambitions, which include landing astronauts on the moon by 2030.

According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.ai: China's Tiangong space station, launched in 2021, is a significant milestone in the country's space program, marking its transition from a space exploration participant to a major space power. Tiangong is designed to be a modular, multi-purpose space station. It serves as a research laboratory and a testing ground for advanced technologies required for future crewed missions and space exploration. The station is designed to be expandable, with modules added over time to increase its size and functionality.

Commander Chen Dong, a veteran astronaut, now holds China's record for the longest cumulative time in space380 days.

With both crews aboard Tiangong, engineers are working to assess the damage and determine the safest course of action. If Shenzhou-20 cannot be repaired, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft may be used for the return journey, while a backup mission (Shenzhou-22) remains on standby.

The incident underscores the urgent need for international cooperation in tracking and mitigating space debrisa challenge the United Nations has repeatedly warned requires immediate action.

For now, the astronauts remain safe, continuing their work aboard Tiangong while awaiting further instructions from mission control.

Watch the video below about China completing its permanent space station.

This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Metro.co.uk

Independent.co.uk

FoxNews.com

The Mirror.co.uk

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
The great NGO purge: Layoffs hit 22-year high as funding freezes amid RICO threats

The U.S. nonprofit sector is experiencing a severe crisis, with job cuts surging 419 percent year-to-date compared to 2024.

This turmoil coincides with a White House pressure campaign against left-leaning nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) accused of fomenting political violence.

A leading conservative philanthropy CEO has publicly cautioned the administration against politically motivated investigations without clear evidence of legal wrongdoing.

Investigative reports from conservative watchdogs allege that billionaire-funded networks have funneled over $100 million to radical political groups.

The combination of government scrutiny and rising operational costs has led several major liberal foundations to freeze grantmaking and initiate widespread layoffs.

The American nonprofit sector, a sprawling and often opaque landscape of philanthropic organizations and activist groups, is confronting a dual crisis of existential proportions. A shocking surge in job losses, coupled with an intensifying White House campaign targeting alleged political weaponization by certain NGOs, has triggered a wave of panic and organizational paralysis. This convergence of economic distress and political pressure is reshaping the power dynamics of civil society, raising profound questions about the future of philanthropic freedom and the limits of political activism.

The data behind the upheaval

The scale of the sectors contraction is quantified in stark terms by a recent report from the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The data reveals a staggering 419 percent increase in job cuts within the nonprofit sector year-to-date, soaring from 5,329 positions in 2024 to 27,651 in 2025. This dramatic spike is attributed to a combination of factors, including rising operational costs and, critically, a significant chilling effect on fundraising and grantmaking. The report contextualizes this nonprofit apocalypse within a broader national trend of rising layoffs, which have hit their highest level for the month of October in 22 years.

The political crucible

This employment crisis unfolds against a highly charged political backdrop. Following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, the Trump administration pledged a forceful response to what it termed "domestic terrorism and organized political violence." Senior administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and adviser Stephen Miller, have declared war on radical left groups, vowing to dismantle the networks they believe fuel political unrest. The administrations strategy appears focused on leveraging investigative and legal tools to scrutinize the financial underpinnings of these organizations. Actions such as dismantling USAID and threatening RICO charges against entities like the Open Society Foundations have sent shockwaves through the philanthropic world. The administration has also signaled interest in foreign-linked donors, including connections to Cuba and Chinese Marxist billionaire Neville Roy Singham.

A conservative voice of caution

Amid the escalating rhetoric, a notable voice of caution has emerged from within conservative philanthropy itself. Lawson Bader, president and CEO of DonorsTrust, a major donor-advised fund serving conservative and libertarian donors, has publicly warned the White House against pursuing investigations of liberal nonprofits without robust evidence of legal wrongdoing. Bader expressed alarm that "retaliatory rhetoric" could weaponize philanthropy in a manner "antithetical to philanthropic freedom." He argued that any politically motivated assault on the nonprofit status of law-abiding organizations risks eroding the crucial boundary between citizen and state, a precedent that could eventually be turned against conservative causes.

Evidence and escalation

The administrations aggressive posture is bolstered by investigative work from conservative watchdog groups. Organizations like the Capital Research Center and the Government Accountability Institute, led by researchers like Peter Schweizer and Seamus Bruner, have compiled extensive evidence using public tax filings. Their reports allege that foundations linked to billionaires like George Soros have funneled more than $100 million to what they describe as "pro-terror groups" and radical organizations. Bruner, addressing the issue publicly, stated, "When you shine light on billion-dollar NGO networks, they scramble... When you follow the money, the facts speak louder than spin." This body of evidence provides the intellectual foundation for the administration's claims that it is targeting not legitimate philanthropy, but organized political violence and foreign influence operations. The pressure has already yielded tangible results, with several prominent liberal foundations freezing or scaling back their grantmaking activities and adopting more cautious compliance practices to avoid legal exposure.

A sector transformed

The combined weight of a severe financial crunch and unprecedented federal scrutiny has left the nonprofit sector fundamentally transformed. Organizations across the political spectrum are operating in an environment of heightened fear and uncertainty, with leaders concerned that they could be the next target of an administrative or legal probe. The dramatic job losses are a direct symptom of this sector-wide retrenchment. The historical parallel is not to traditional economic downturns, but to moments of profound political realignment, where the institutions of civil society become primary battlegrounds for ideological conflict. The current crisis represents a critical test of the resilience and independence of the American nonprofit model.

A new frontier in political conflict

The turmoil within the nonprofit sector signals a new and volatile frontier in the nation's political conflicts. The staggering job losses and frozen grantmaking are more than an economic indicator; they are the tangible fallout of a high-stakes struggle over the funding and operation of political activism in the United States. The administration's crackdown, justified by its supporters as a necessary measure against violence and foreign influence, is viewed by its critics as an assault on civil liberties and philanthropic freedom. As organizations scramble to adapt and the human cost of layoffs mounts, the ultimate impact on American democracy and the balance of power between citizen groups and the state remains to be seen. The sector is now navigating an uncharted and perilous landscape, where its very survival may depend on its ability to weather this perfect storm of political and financial pressure.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheFP.com

CNBC.com
A decade-long fight: Scientists memoir alleges Pfizer cover-up of lab infection

A former Pfizer scientist has published a memoir detailing her claim of being infected by a genetically engineered virus at work.

Becky McClain alleges the company then withheld her exposure records and fired her for raising safety concerns.

After a decade-long legal battle, a jury found Pfizer violated whistleblower laws, though her illness claim was dismissed.

McClain's story highlights systemic issues in biotech lab safety, corporate accountability and whistleblower protections.

She advocates for banning gag orders on lab injuries and reforming safety oversight agencies.

In 2003, molecular biologist Becky McClain was working in a Pfizer laboratory when she believes she was exposed to a dangerous, genetically engineered virus. What followed was not just a debilitating and mysterious illness, but a decade-long battle against one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. Her new memoir, "Exposed: A Pfizer Scientist Battles Corruption, Lies and Betrayal, and Becomes a Biohazard Whistleblower," chronicles her fight for medical records, proper treatment and justice, raising profound questions about corporate transparency and worker safety in the high-stakes biotech industry. Her story, emerging from Pfizer's Biosafety Level 2 lab in Connecticut, serves as a stark case study in the potential consequences of prioritizing trade secrets over employee health.

A culture of fear and a mysterious illness

According to McClains account, safety concerns were apparent soon after she began her work at Pfizer. She documented issues ranging from improper biocontainment protocols to unsafe office spaces situated too close to areas where infectious agents were handled. She describes a corporate culture where managers allegedly instilled fear in scientists who dared to raise these issues, with an unspoken rule that documenting or speaking out about biosafety problems could cost them their careers. The crisis point came when McClain discovered a "mess" on her personal workbench, left by an untrained scientist and a supervisor. Shortly after, she began experiencing neurological symptoms, including facial numbness and pain, which a neurologist struggled to diagnose. After learning a genetically modified lentivirusa virus family that includes HIVhad been used at her bench, she suspected the cause of her illness.

The fight for information and a whistleblower's ordeal

McClains quest for answers was met with a formidable obstacle: Pfizer refused to provide details of the virus she was exposed to, citing the protection of "trade secrets." Without this critical information, doctors were unable to provide targeted medical care for her worsening condition, which eventually included periodic paralysis. After going on medical leave, Pfizer terminated her employment. McClain then turned to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), submitting documentation of the alleged safety lapses. She claims OSHA, which she labels a "captured agency," refused to help her obtain her exposure records and did not conduct a safety inspection. Left with no other recourse, she filed a civil whistleblower lawsuit, embarking on a grueling legal journey. During this time, she alleges Pfizer engaged in "backdoor retaliation" by threatening her husband, who worked for the FDA, with the loss of his job if he did not force her to settle the case and sign a gag order.

A legal victory with limited vindication

In 2010, a federal jury found that Pfizer had violated laws protecting whistleblowers and free speech by retaliating against McClain for raising safety concerns. The jury awarded her $1.37 million in damages, primarily for lost wages. However, the legal victory was partial. A judge had earlier dismissed her claim that the virus caused her illness, ruling it a matter for workers compensation, a system often ill-equipped to handle novel diseases caused by genetically engineered pathogens. While McClain never gained full access to her exposure records and received no compensation for her suffering or medical expenses, her refusal to sign a gag order allowed her to become one of the few individuals who can publicly share such a story. Her case drew attention from consumer advocates like Ralph Nader, who highlighted the dangers of a system where critical safety information can be hidden from the public.

An enduring legacy and a push for reform

McClains story is more than a historical account; it is a continuing advocacy campaign for systemic reform. She argues that her experience is not an isolated incident but a symptom of broader failures in the oversight of biotechnology, which spans academic, government and private sector labs with varying levels of regulation. Her key proposals for change include making gag orders related to lab injuries and public health concerns illegal, fundamentally revamping OSHA to better understand and regulate biotech risks and strengthening free speech and whistleblower protections for scientists and physicians. In an era defined by rapid biomedical advancement and recent global pandemic, McClains memoir stands as a sobering reminder that the pursuit of scientific innovation must be matched by an unwavering commitment to transparency, safety and corporate accountability.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

NYTimes.com

Finance.Yahoo.com
Trump administration touts border security triumph: Six months of zero migrant releases and record low apprehensions

The second Trump administration has achieved six consecutive months with zero migrant releases into the U.S. interior, marking an unprecedented enforcement record.

In October 2025, migrant apprehensions nationwide plummeted to 30,561  a 79 percent decrease from the previous year  with only 106,134 arrests recorded in Trump's first nine months back in office.

Under Trump's leadership, CBP and DHS have ended catch-and-release, ensuring all apprehended migrants are processed under the law while expanding physical barriers and targeting cartels.

Polls show 52 percent of Americans back mass deportations, with 51 percent agreeing the government is removing those who "should be deported," reflecting widespread approval of Trump's tough stance.

The administration's success has deterred illegal immigration, signaling that the U.S. is no longer a magnet for unchecked migration and prioritizing security, economic stability and immigration law integrity.

In an unprecedented streak, the Trump administration's border policy has delivered six consecutive months with zero migrant releases into the United States, marking a historic milestone in border security.

This remarkable achievement, coupled with record-low apprehensions in October, underscores the administration's commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting American citizens. Under President Donald Trump's leadership in his second term, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seen a significant decline in migrant apprehensions.

Breitbart News reported that in October 2025, the number of migrant apprehensions nationwide plummeted to a mere 30,561  a 79 percent dip from the number of apprehensions recorded a year earlier. The outlet added that in the first nine months of Trump's second term  from Jan. 21 through Oct. 31  immigration agents arrested a total of 106,134 nationals illegally in the country.

"Our mission is simple: secure the border and safeguard this nation, and that's exactly what we are doing," CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said in a written statement on Wednesday, Nov. 5. "No excuses. No politics. Just results delivered by the most dedicated law-enforcement professionals in the country. We're not easing up  we're pushing even harder."

Moreover, the administration has maintained a steadfast policy of not releasing migrants into the U.S. interior  with officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reporting that Border Patrol agents did not release any illegals into the interior for the sixth straight month. "Every individual apprehended was processed according to law  a milestone unmatched in modern border history," the officials added.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also recognized her agencies' efforts toward ensuring the "most secure border ever." She added: "Thank you, President Trump, and our brave DHS law enforcement. You make America proud."

Majority of Americans back mass deportations, NYT poll confirms

Gerald Celente wrote in the March 11, 2021 edition of Trends Journal that "there is a confluence of reasons why the numbers at the border continue to rise, from worsening economic conditions in many Central American countries and a view by many migrants that a Biden administration is more welcoming than the previous White House." Now that Trump has returned, the numbers are on the downtrend.

The Trump administration's tough stance on immigration has garnered significant public support  with a September poll revealing that a majority of Americans back mass deportations and stricter border controls. The poll conducted by the New York Times (NYT), which surveyed 1,313 registered voters, found that 52 percent of respondents support Trump's policy of "deporting immigrants living in the United States illegally back to their home countries."

Moreover, the NYT poll also found that 51 percent of respondents said the government was deporting people who "should be deported." Fifty-four percent, meanwhile, said they support the deportation of foreigners living in the country illegally. This sentiment reflects the growing concern among U.S. citizens about the impact of illegal immigration on their communities, economy and national security.

The Trump administration's success in enforcing border security has sent a clear message to would-be migrants and their sponsors that the U.S. is serious about protecting its borders and upholding its immigration laws. This commitment to national sovereignty is not only crucial for maintaining public safety and fiscal responsibility, but also for preserving the integrity of America's immigration system.

Watch Kim Yeater discussing immigration, border security and the importance of setting rules for entry with the Health Ranger Mike Adams.

This video is from the Brighteon Highlights channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

YourNews.com

Brighteon.com
Ukraine launches long-range drone strike on major Russian oil refinery in Volgograd

Ukraine confirmed it carried out a long-range drone strike on Russia's largest oil refinery in the Volgograd region, marking the second attack on the facility in less than three months.

The strike targeted one of Russia's key energy assets, which processes over 15 million tons of crude oil annually and plays a major role in fueling both civilian and military operations.

Ukraine said the operation was part of its broader campaign to weaken Russia's energy infrastructure, while Russian officials acknowledged a drone-caused fire but did not confirm the refinery strike.

Both countries have intensified cross-border drone warfare, with Ukraine attacking fuel depots and drone bases in Crimea and Donetsk, while Russia launched 135 retaliatory drones that injured civilians and disrupted rail transport in eastern Ukraine.

The escalation underscores a new phase of the war as diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and Europe fail to change the battlefield dynamics, with both sides increasingly targeting critical energy and infrastructure sites deep behind enemy lines.

Ukraine confirmed Thursday, Nov. 6, that it carried out a long-range drone strike on Russia's largest oil refinery in the Southern Federal District, marking the second attack on the facility in less than three months. The refinery, located in the Volgograd region, processes more than 15 million tons of crude oil annuallyabout 5.6 percent of Russia's total refining capacity.

The Ukrainian general staff said the strike, conducted the previous day, was part of a broader effort to target Russia's energy infrastructure and undermine its wartime economy. Local Russian officials acknowledged a fire caused by drones at an industrial site but did not name the facility or confirm it was the Volgograd refinery.

The refinery is regarded as one of Russia's most strategic energy assets, supplying lubricants and refined fuel products across the southern regions and to the Black Sea. Its temporary shutdown could disrupt supply chains supporting both civilian consumption and Russian military operations.

The attack comes amid escalating exchanges of strikes between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides increasingly targeting energy infrastructure. Kyiv's drone campaign aims to diminish Moscow's oil export revenues and weaken its military logistics, while Russia has intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's power grid in an attempt to cripple energy supplies as winter approaches.

President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukrainian energy and emergency service workers for their continued efforts to restore damaged power facilities following repeated Russian bombardments. "Practically every day, our power engineers, repair brigades and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine are carrying out restorations on-site after attacks," Zelensky said. "Hits keep occurring across various points, especially near the Russian border and close to the front."

Both sides escalate cross-border drone warfare as strikes hit energy sites and civilians

Ukraine's general staff reported that additional drone operations struck three fuel and lubricant depots in Russian-occupied Crimea and destroyed a Shahed drone storage and assembly base in the occupied Donetsk region. Officials described these coordinated strikes as part of Kyiv's broader effort to disrupt Russian supply lines and weaken its drone capabilities.

In Russia's Kostroma region, northeast of Moscow, Governor Sergei Sitnikov confirmed that unidentified energy infrastructure was hit by Ukrainian drones, sparking a fire but causing no casualties or power outages. Unconfirmed reports indicated that the target may have been a hydroelectric power plantone of the country's largest.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 75 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions and annexed Crimea. Despite those claims, multiple fires were reported at energy and oil facilities across western Russia.

Russia launched 135 drones of its own overnight in retaliation, according to Ukraine's air force. Regional authorities said eight people were injured in the city of Kamianske in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, where drone strikes damaged buildings and set off fires.

Ukraine's national railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, reported that Russian drone attacks disrupted rail traffic across the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, forcing passenger and freight trains to be rerouted.

As diplomatic efforts led by the U.S. and European allies fail to shift the military balance, both Kyiv and Moscow have accelerated the use of drones and long-range weaponssignaling a new phase in the nearly four-year conflict defined by deep strikes far beyond the front lines.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the drone incursions by Ukraine into Russia can be attributed to several strategic and geopolitical factors, rooted in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Ukraine's drone incursions into Russian territory are a strategic response to Russia's invasion, allowing Ukraine to inflict damage on Russian forces, gather valuable intelligence and demonstrate its resolve in the face of overwhelming odds.

Watch the video below about Ukraine launching massive drone attacks.

This video is from the Maverick News channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Local television broadcasting and media company Gray Television (NYSE:GTN) met Wall Streets revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, but sales fell by 21.2% year on year to $749 million. On the other hand, next quarters revenue guidance of $774.5 million was less impressive, coming in 4.8% below analysts estimates. Its GAAP loss of $0.24 per share was 50% above analysts consensus estimates.

Is now the time to buy Gray Television? Find out in our full research report.

Gray Television (GTN) Q3 CY2025 Highlights:

Revenue: $749 million vs analyst estimates of $746.1 million (21.2% year-on-year decline, in line)

EPS (GAAP): -$0.24 vs analyst estimates of -$0.48 (50% beat)

Adjusted EBITDA: $162 million vs analyst estimates of $138.8 million (21.6% margin, 16.7% beat)

Revenue Guidance for Q4 CY2025 is $774.5 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $813.3 million

Operating Margin: 13.6%, down from 26.3% in the same quarter last year

Market Capitalization: $478.1 million

Company Overview

Specializing in local media coverage, Gray Television (NYSE:GTN) is a broadcast company supplying digital media to various markets in the United States.

Revenue Growth

A companys long-term performance is an indicator of its overall quality. Any business can put up a good quarter or two, but the best consistently grow over the long haul. Unfortunately, Gray Televisions 9.1% annualized revenue growth over the last five years was tepid. This fell short of our benchmark for the consumer discretionary sector and is a rough starting point for our analysis.

Gray Television Quarterly Revenue

Long-term growth is the most important, but within consumer discretionary, product cycles are short and revenue can be hit-driven due to rapidly changing trends and consumer preferences. Gray Televisions performance shows it grew in the past but relinquished its gains over the last two years, as its revenue fell by 2% annually.

Gray Television Year-On-Year Revenue Growth

Gray Television also breaks out the revenue for its most important segments, Retransmission and Advertising, which are 46.2% and 47.4% of revenue. Over the last two years, Gray Televisions Retransmission revenue (affiliate and licensing fees) averaged 2.1% year-on-year declines while its Advertising revenue (marketing services) averaged 2.1% declines.

Gray Television Quarterly Revenue by Segment

This quarter, Gray Television reported a rather uninspiring 21.2% year-on-year revenue decline to $749 million of revenue, in line with Wall Streets estimates. Company management is currently guiding for a 25.9% year-on-year decline in sales next quarter.

Looking further ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to decline by 1.5% over the next 12 months, similar to its two-year rate. This projection doesn't excite us and suggests its newer products and services will not accelerate its top-line performance yet.
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Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, released its Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Disciplined Value Fund third-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The S&P 500 Index recorded a return of +8.1% in the third quarter of 2025, closing the period near its all-time highs. Technology and communication services drove the broad large-cap market while small caps outperformed their large counterparts in the quarter. The fund outperformed the Russell 1000 Value Index in the quarter, returning 6.41% vs 5.33% for the index. Please review the funds top 5 holdings to gain insight into their key selections for 2025.

In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Disciplined Value Fund highlighted stocks such as American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG). American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) is an insurance company that operates through North America Commercial, International Commercial, and Global Personal segments. The one-month return of American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) was -6.17%, and its shares gained 0.93% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On November 6, 2025, American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) stock closed at $76.28 per share, with a market capitalization of $41.159 billion.

Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Disciplined Value Fund stated the following regarding American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter:

"American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) is a leading commercial insurance company, providing property-casualty insurance, life insurance, and risk management products. AIG reported results that we viewed as decidedly positive. Earnings per share were up more than 50% from a year ago. Underwriting and investment income grew considerably, while the share count was down. Premiums written might have been up less than what investors were hoping for, but we view the share price decline as largely inexplicable. We believe AIG is poised for further improvements in operating performance. AIG has been improving return on equity and has good management committed to smart allocation of its excess capitalthis is not reflected in its valuation."

American International Group (AIG) Set to Win  Jim Cramer Calls It a Buy Amid Tariff Troubles!

American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. According to our database, 52 hedge fund portfolios held American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) at the end of the second quarter, up from 49 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
Genetic engineers can design and assemble sophisticated gene circuits to program cells with new functions, but important signaling molecules can become diluted as these cells grow and divide, causing the synthetic gene circuits to lose their new functions.

Xiaojun Tian, an associate professor in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, and his team have discovered a way to protect these fragile genetic programs using a principle borrowed straight from nature.

The project is powered by interdisciplinary expertise in synthetic biology, modeling and metabolic engineering, as provided by David Nielsen, a chemical engineering professor in the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, part of the Fulton Schools at ASU, and Wenwei Zheng, an associate professor of chemistry in the School of Applied Sciences and Arts, also part of ASU's Fulton Schools.

In a new paper published in Cell, the researchers have outlined a technique that can stabilize synthetic gene circuits by forming small, droplet-like compartments inside cells through a process called liquid-liquid phase separation.

These microscopic droplets, called transcriptional condensates, act like molecular safe zones around key genes, shielding synthetically engineered modifications from being washed away by the tide of cell growth.

"When we try to program cells to perform useful tasks, such as diagnostics or therapeutic production, the genetic programs often fail because cell growth dilutes the key molecules needed to keep them running," Tian says.

We addressed this challenge by tapping into the cell's own strategy of phase separation to protect engineered systems." Xiaojun Tian, Arizona State University

Borrowing from nature's playbook

Cells use phase separation to organize their inner environment, creating compartments for essential biochemical reactions without the use of membranes. Tian's team realized that by engineering similar condensates around synthetic genes, they could mimic this natural organization and maintain genetic stability across various cell generations.

"We discovered that by forming tiny droplets called transcriptional condensates around genes, we can protect genetic programs and keep them stable even as cells grow," Zheng says. "It's a simple physical solution that prevents dilution and keeps circuits running reliably."

This approach represents a major shift from traditional strategies in synthetic biology, which have largely focused on tweaking DNA sequences or regulatory feedback loops to keep engineered systems functioning.

Instead of more complex control systems, Tian's team introduced a physical design principle that leverages the existing spatial organization of molecules inside cells.

A new design for self-stabilizing, programmable cells

While natural cells have evolved to use condensates as a built-in protective system for regulating gene circuit activity, this study is among the first to show how it can be repurposed to stabilize synthetic programs.

"Cells already use these droplets to regulate themselves," Tian says. "We're now harnessing the same strategy for synthetic biology."

Adopting this methodology could help researchers build more reliable biological systems that maintain predictable, productive functions.

"This opens a new way to build more reliable living systems, from stable cell factories to future medical applications," Tian says. "Our strategy can become a new design principle for researchers who need their engineered cells to work consistently."

Images taken via microscope from the study show bright, glowing clusters of transcriptional condensates inside cells, which serve as visual proof that droplets can form precisely where needed to stabilize gene activity.

"It's exciting to see how these droplets can be used to boost bioproduction yields," Nielsen says. "This kind of collaboration bridges fundamental biological insights with real metabolic engineering applications."

Sourcing stability through collaboration

Tian's group is already exploring how to engineer different kinds of condensates to control different genes, effectively turning them into programmable control hubs inside cells.

"We want to program different condensates to control different genes, creating smart cells that can adapt and function long-term," he says. "We're learning how to design with the cell, not against it."

This approach to designing in accordance with nature rather than trying to override it represents a key turning point in the field. The next step is to demonstrate the technique's applications for more diverse implementations to determine resilience and scalability, though researchers see no shortage in potential applications.

"Researchers in synthetic biology who struggle with unstable circuits will see this as a new way to make their systems more reliable," Zheng says. "Bioprocess engineers who want a consistent yield can also use it. For biophysicists like me, it's exciting to see physical principles like phase separation turned into practical engineering tools."

"This work reflects a new direction in synthetic biology," Tian says. "By using the cell's own organizing principles, we can build systems that are both powerful and inherently stable."
For years, conversations around hormonal and pelvic health have been overshadowed by stigma, silence, and misunderstanding. Millions of women have endured pain without answers, suffering in silence. But change is coming. EndoSolve, a pioneering EU project, is redefining how we understand and diagnose pelvic conditions early, offering women clarity, validation, and hope. Rooted in empathy and driven by innovation, the project's journey shows that science can be both deeply human and profoundly transformative.

The initiative highlights successful stories from projects funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC). Featured in DeepSync, part of the EIC Communities project, these stories offer a unique opportunity to connect with fellow members and innovators. By showcasing the challenges and successes of each project's journey, these stories present key moments and insights that can raise visibility, foster deeper understanding, and encourage collective knowledge exchange across communities.

Siobhan Kelleher, founder and CEO of OnaWave Medical, leads EndoSolve, an EIC-funded innovation developing a digital biomarker-based platform to identify pelvic conditions such as endometriosis and subfertility. Her work sits at the intersection of biomedical engineering, reproductive physiology, and digital signal analytics. Yet, beyond the science, her motivation lies in bringing hormonal health to the centre of precision medicine, an area that has been long neglected.

By understanding the body's natural signals, we can change the way we diagnose, treat, and empower people throughout their lives." Siobhan Kelleher, Founder and CEO, OnaWave Medical

EndoSolve wasn't the first project. It's the result of years of exploration, failure, and rediscovery in women's health. Siobhan and her early collaborator, Sinead Hughes, began with a different focus, improving fetalmonitoring using bioelectrical signals to enhance outcomes for both mothers and babies. The results were promising, but institutional and commercial barriers made progress impossible. "We could have stopped there, but we pivoted to secure funding to bring the concept closer to practice." Siobhan recalls, "we knew the problem was bigger. Women's health needed more than one solution, it needed a revolution."

Next, they developed a keyhole surgery technology designed to improve retrieval of intact tissue specimens. The idea worked in theory, but it wasn't technically feasible. Still, rather than turn away, they doubled down on their commitment to women's health, exploring areas such as postpartum depression, undiagnosed PCOS, recurrent miscarriage, and subfertility. Among all these conditions, one stood out: endometriosis.

"Women were literally knocking on doors for years, searching for answers," Siobhan says. "They didn't want sympathy, they wanted evidence, something that proved it wasn't all in their heads."

This became the seed of EndoSolve. What began as a search for one biomarker soon revealed something much larger: a platform that could map hormonal rhythms across the entire lifespan, both women and men, in conditions like premature ovarian failure, irregular bleeding, miscarriage and endometriosis. "Pelvic health isn't a women's issue - it's a human issue," Siobhan emphasises. "That realisation shaped our mission: to revolutionise pelvic and hormonal healthcare using the biological intelligence of the body itself".

From the beginning, EndoSolve was built on collaboration. "It started with friends, researchers, clinicians, and patients who believed healthcare could be fairer and more precise," she says. Sinead Hughes' early dedication helped turn an idea into tangible evidence, while the project's next phase was strengthened by a growing team. When the European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition funding was secured, John Hegarty joined as COO, bringing decades of leadership from Baxter Healthcare, and Hari Om Aggrawal came on board as CTO, turning down a professorship to dedicate himself fully to the technology. "Their decision to join was a turning point," Siobhan reflects. "It gave us both technical depth and the confidence to think bigger."

Patient and public advisor Kathleen M. King has also been with the project from the start, ensuring that every step of EndoSolve reflects real patient experiences. "Kathleen reminds us why we're doing this," Siobhan says. "Ensuring that every step of EndoSolve reflects the lived experiences of those it seeks to serve."

The path hasn't been easy. Finding a lab willing to test their technology in an animal model of endometriosis proved impossible, so they built their own. "We were the first in the university to use female rats," Siobhan explains. "Before us, all studies used males, which made no sense when studying a female-specific condition." Managing the animals' four-day hormonal cycle was a challenge, but it produced groundbreaking results. Unfortunately, just as success seemed near, disaster struck. Environmental noise interfered with their data, and during lockdown, their samples were lost. "It was heartbreaking," she admits.

Then, when a human volunteer study was ready to begin, COVID-19 shut the university down. Soon after, Sinead left the project. "For a moment, it felt like everything had fallen apart," Siobhan remembers. But rather than giving up, she reached out to Kathleen and the patient advisory group with an unconventional idea: "If we post devices to your homes, would you record and share your data?"

And they did it. From homes across Ireland, women - and men - recorded biosignals and shared their experiences. "Their trust transformed everything," Siobhan says. "It wasn't just data; it was solidarity." That collective effort became the proof of concept that secured their EIC Transition grant. "We owe a profound debt of gratitude to these volunteers - their trust and generosity transformed EndoSolve from a scientific concept into a collective achievement," she adds with quiet pride.

EndoSolve's ambition is bold: to cut the diagnostic time for endometriosis from years to days using a combination of wearable sensors, a smartphone app, and machine learning. Today, individuals with endometriosis often wait up to a decade for a proper diagnosis - a delay caused by symptom dismissal, misdiagnosis, and lack of access to specialists. By offering a non-invasive, at-home adjunct test, EndoSolve aims to close that gap. "We want to make early and accurate diagnosis a reality," Siobhan says. "No one should have to live in pain, waiting for answers."

The vision doesn't stop there. In the long term, the team hopes to create a digital pelvic health ecosystem, an integrated model of care that combines reproductive, hormonal, and chronic pain management. "Our goal is to make hormonal health the cornerstone of precision medicine," Siobhan explains. "It's not just about disease - it's about lifelong wellbeing."

For Siobhan, this journey has been as personal as it is professional. "EndoSolve changed how I see science," she says. "I started believing that data would tell the story, but now I know that empathy, courage, and persistence are equally essential tools of discovery." The project's evolution - from setbacks to breakthroughs - has shown her the power of collaboration and trust. "Every time a woman writes to us saying, 'Thank you for taking our pain seriously,' it reminds me why we do this," she says.

She often thinks of the teenage girls missing school because of pain, the women told their symptoms are "normal," and the couples facing heartbreak after recurrent miscarriages. "If we can help even one person understand their body better, that's worth it," she says.

In the end, EndoSolve isn't just about technology, it's about transforming lived experience into action. It's about proving that science, when guided by compassion and curiosity, can rewrite what's possible in healthcare. "Women and men have waited long enough for science to catch up with their reality. Now, it's finally happening" she concludes.
Current U.S. immigration enforcement and deportation policies are producing widespread harm to physical and mental health, with family separation and the specters of fear and intimidation affecting the well-being of immigrant and non-immigrant communities.

That's the warning from several longtime public health researchers, who also outline proven community and policy actions that could reduce harm and strengthen health in communities across the nation.

Professors from five prestigious U.S. research universities called for health care professionals and researchers to advocate for the end of deportations and restrictive immigration policies. Their insights appear in the journal Health Affairs. Two academic briefs were published on Nov. 6, both supporting an editorial published on Aug. 5.

These articles bring together years of research that paint a very clear picture: immigration enforcement harms the health of immigrants and their communities." Maria-Elena De Trinidad Young, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, University of California, Merced

Contrary to the principles of public health

The researchers argue that deportation is a violent act and incompatible with the principles of public health. They describe an immigration system in which tens of thousands of people are held in unsafe prisons, often suffering from neglect and abuse. Families left behind face the loss of income and caregivers, leading to stress, anxiety and economic instability that spills across entire communities.

They contend that fear of raids and detention prevents many immigrants from seeking medical care or reporting crimes, weakening public safety. Deportation should be recognized as a public health threat.

In addition to Young, the authors are Research Assistant Professor Nicole Novak at the University of Iowa Department of Department of Community and Behavioral Health; Associate Professor Nolan Kline, MPH, CPH, at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine; Clinical Associate Professor of Health Behavior and Equity William D Lopez, MPH, at the University of Michigan School of Public Health; and Associate Professor of Health, Society and Behavior Alana LeBron at the UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population and Public Health and at the School of Social Sciences Chicano/Latino Studies.

The researchers support "community care" - support networks that provide emotional, legal and material aid during enforcement actions. Through community care, they said, solidarity, advocacy and protection become essential health interventions.

"As professionals committed to population health and the well-being of all communities," the authors said, "there is an opening for us to push for a nation where immigrants are not targeted with violent arrest, deportation or removal."

One of the briefs takes a step back and describes how three decades of exclusionary immigration policy have harmed immigrants and U.S.-born residents. Federal actions since the 1990s have shifted immigration matters from civil to criminal law, expanded detention and restricted access to public benefits.

Enforcement budgets have ballooned from $4 billion in 2000 to more than $25 billion in 2020, with another $170 billion approved in 2025, the authors say.

Fear leads to reduced use of health care and resources

Enforcement of restrictive immigration policies also undermines trust in health institutions, the researchers say. People fearful of deportation often avoid medical appointments, vaccinations, even reporting of domestic violence. This reduction of self-care can worsen heart disease, maternal health and mental illness.

The authors also present what works to protect health in the current environment. They share evidence that limiting local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration agents can reduce fear and improve community well-being. They also say expanding access to driver's licenses and photo ID improves physical and mental health by reducing stress and the risk of police encounters.

Health care and other health-focused organizations can also make a difference. By strengthening privacy protections, avoiding unnecessary collection of immigration data, and partnering with legal aid groups, clinics and hospitals can build trust with immigrant patients.

Community networks play a parallel role. Rapid response hotlines, legal accompaniment programs, and immigrant bond funds provide direct aid and emotional support during detentions and raids. These networks turn collective anxiety into collective action and build the resilience essential to community health.

"Health care professionals have a long history of using their voices to influence policy," the authors said. "They must now work to inform their representatives about the importance of divesting from deportation violence and investing in communities by adequately funding education, health care, infrastructure, and research."
Iain Cheeseman and colleagues reveal the underappreciated role of single genes producing multiple proteins in atypical presentations of rare disease, and present case studies of affected patients through a collaboration with Boston Children's Hospital. The findings help to identify genetic mutations that may contribute to rare diseases.

Around 25 million Americans have a rare genetic disease, and many of them struggle with not only a lack of effective treatments, but also a lack of good information about their disease. Clinicians may not know what causes a patients' symptoms, know how their disease will progress, or even have a clear diagnosis. Researchers have looked to the human genome for answers, and many disease-causing genetic mutations have been identified, but as many as 70% of patients still lack a clear genetic explanation.

In a paper published in Molecular Cell on November 7, Whitehead Institute Member Iain Cheeseman, graduate student Jimmy Ly, and colleagues propose that researchers and clinicians may be able to get more information from patients' genomes by looking at them in a different way.

The common wisdom is that each gene codes for one protein. Someone studying whether a patient has a mutation or version of a gene that contributes to their disease will therefore look for mutations that affect the "known" protein product of that gene. However, Cheeseman and others are finding that the majority of genes code for more than one protein. That means that a mutation that may seem insignificant because it does not appear to affect the known protein could nonetheless alter a different protein made by the same gene. Now, Cheeseman and Ly have shown that mutations affecting one or multiple proteins from the same gene can contribute differently to disease.

In their paper, the researchers first share what they have learned about how cells make use of the ability to generate different versions of proteins from the same gene. Then, they examine how mutations that affect these proteins contribute to disease. Through a collaboration with co-author Mark Fleming, the pathologist-in-chief at Boston Children's Hospital, they provide two case studies of patients with atypical presentations of a rare anemia linked to mutations that selectively affect only one of two proteins produced by the gene implicated in the disease.

"We hope this work demonstrates the importance of considering whether a gene of interest makes multiple versions of a protein, and what the role of each version is in health and disease," Ly says. "This information could lead to better understanding of the biology of disease, better diagnostics, and perhaps one day to tailored therapies to treat these diseases."

Rethinking how cells use genes

Cells have several ways to make different versions of a protein, but the variation that Cheeseman and Ly study happens during protein production from genetic code. Cellular machines build each protein according to the instructions within a genetic sequence that begins at a "start codon" and ends at a "stop codon." However, some genetic sequences contain more than one start codon, many that are hiding in plain sight. If the cellular machinery skips the first start codon and detects a second one, it may build a shorter version of the protein. In other cases, the machinery may detect a section that closely resembles a start codon at a point earlier in the sequence than its typical starting place, and build a longer version of the protein.

These events may sound like mistakes: the cell's machinery accidentally creating the wrong version of the correct protein. To the contrary, protein production from these alternate starting places is an important feature of cell biology that exists across species. When Ly traced when certain genes evolved to produce multiple proteins, he found that this is a common, robust process that has been preserved throughout evolutionary history for millions of years.

Ly shows that one function this serves is to send versions of a protein to different parts of the cell. Many proteins contain zip code-like sequences that tell the cell's machinery where to deliver them so the proteins can do their jobs. Ly found many examples in which longer and shorter versions of the same protein contained different zip codes and ended up in different places within the cell.

In particular, Ly found many cases in which one version of a protein ended up in mitochondria, structures that provide energy to cells, while another version ended up elsewhere. Because of the mitochondria's role in the essential process of energy production, mutations to mitochondrial genes are often implicated in disease.

Ly wondered what would happen when a disease-causing mutation eliminates one version of a protein but leaves the other intact, causing the protein to only reach one of its two intended destinations. He looked through a database containing genetic information from people with rare diseases to see if such cases existed, and found that they did. In fact, there may be tens of thousands of such cases. However, without access to the people, Ly had no way of knowing what the consequences of this were in terms of symptoms and severity of disease.

Meanwhile, Cheeseman had begun working with Boston Children's Hospital to foster collaborations between Whitehead Institute and the hospital's researchers and clinicians to accelerate the pathway from research discovery to clinical application. Through these efforts, Cheeseman and Ly met Fleming.

One group of Fleming's patients have a type of anemia called SIFD-Sideroblastic Anemia with B-Cell Immunodeficiency, Periodic Fevers, and Developmental Delay-that is caused by mutations to the TRNT1 gene. TRNT1 is one of the genes Ly had identified as producing a mitochondrial version of its protein and another version that ends up elsewhere: in the nucleus.

Fleming shared anonymized patient data with Ly, and Ly found two cases of interest in the genetic data. Most of the patients had mutations that impaired both versions of the protein, but one patient had a mutation that eliminated only the mitochondrial version of the protein, while another patient had a mutation that eliminated only the nuclear version.

When Ly shared his results, Fleming revealed that both of those patients had very atypical presentations of SIFD, supporting Ly's hypothesis that mutations affecting different versions of a protein would have different consequences. The patient who only had the mitochondrial version was anemic but developmentally normal. The patient missing the mitochondrial version of the protein did not have developmental delays or chronic anemia but did have other immune symptoms, and was not correctly diagnosed until his fifties. There are likely other factors contributing to each patient's exact presentation of the disease, but Ly's work begins to unravel the mystery of their atypical symptoms.

Cheeseman and Ly want to make more clinicians aware of the prevalence of genes coding for more than one protein, so they know to check for mutations affecting any of the protein versions that could contribute to disease. For example, several TRNT1 mutations that only eliminate the shorter version of the protein are not flagged as disease-causing by current assessment tools. Cheeseman lab researchers including Ly and graduate student Matteo Di Bernardo are now developing a new assessment tool for clinicians, called SwissIsoform, that will identify relevant mutations that affect specific protein versions, including mutations that would otherwise be missed.

"Jimmy and Iain's work will globally support genetic disease variant interpretation and help with connecting genetic differences to variation in disease symptoms," Fleming says. "In fact, we have recently identified two other patients with mutations affecting only the mitochondrial versions of two other proteins, who similarly have milder symptoms than patients with mutations that affect both versions."

Long term, the researchers hope that their discoveries could aid in understanding the molecular basis of disease and in developing new gene therapies: once researchers understand what has gone wrong within a cell to cause disease, they are better equipped to devise a solution. More immediately, the researchers hope that their work will make a difference by providing better information to clinicians and people with rare diseases.

As a basic researcher who doesn't typically interact with patients, there's something very satisfying about knowing that the work you are doing is helping specific people. As my lab transitions to this new focus, I've heard many stories from people trying to navigate a rare disease and just get answers, and that has been really motivating to us, as we work to provide new insights into the disease biology." Iain Cheeseman, Whitehead Institute Member
A new radioimmunotherapy approach has the potential to cure human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, according to new research published in the November issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The regimen, which pre-treats the tumor before delivering targeted alpha-radioimmunotherapy, resulted in durable major responses--including histologic cures--with minimal toxicities, paving the way for a safer and more effective treatment option for breast cancer patients.



Advanced metastatic breast cancer has a poor prognosis, especially for highly aggressive HER2-positive subtypes. HER2 is an oncogene that is overexpressed in 15-20 percent of breast cancers and is a clinically established therapeutic target. Although current HER2-targeted therapies offer improved outcomes, challenges remain because of treatment-related adverse events and tumor resistance to treatment.

Previous studies have shown that HER2-targeted radioimmunotherapy with the -particle-emitting radionuclide 225Ac has been effective, but not safe, as alpha-particles were retained in the body, resulting in high toxicities. In our study, we used a pretargeted radioimmunotherapy (PRIT) approach to directly treat the tumor and prevent potent alpha-particles from being absorbed in healthy tissues." Sarah Cheal, PhD, assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York

The radioimmunotherapy treatment approach consisted of a three-step intravenous regimen: first a bispecific anti-HER2/anti-DOTA antibody, next a clearing agent, and finally 225Ac-Pr radioimmunotherapy. Researchers began by testing the effects of 225Ac-Pr dosing during PRIT on tumor-targeting efficiency and tissue biodistribution in a BT-474 breast cancer xenograft model. The regimen was then evaluated in mice bearing the BT-474 xenograft or a patient-derived xenograft. The mice were treated with either one or two cycles of 225Ac-PRIT separated by one week. A dose escalation study was also performed on the BT-474 model to establish the nephrotoxic absorbed radiation dose.



In the BT-474 model, 100 percent of mice achieved complete responses and 85 percent achieved histologic cure. One-cycle and two-cycle treatments were equally effective. Treatments were well tolerated, with no chronic radiation toxicity documented. In the patient-derived xenograft model, a single 225Ac-PRIT treatment led to 60 percent complete response and prolonged survival versus no treatment. Lastly, researchers identified the dose in the 225Ac-PRIT regimen at which severe chronic nephrotoxicity was induced.



"This study illustrates the curative potential of 225Ac-PRIT as a treatment for highly aggressive subtypes of HER2-positive breast cancer," said Nai Kong Cheung, MD, PhD, member and attending physician in Pediatric Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. "If successfully translated to the clinic, HER2-directed 225Ac therapy could offer new treatment options in breast cancer and other HER2-expressing solid tumors."
Scientists at Oregon State University have filed a patent on a design for a new magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent with the potential to outperform current agents while being less toxic to patients and more environmentally friendly.

The new material is based on a structure known as a metal-organic framework or MOF, whose development in the 1990s earned this year's Nobel Prize for chemistry as MOFs' many possible uses become increasingly apparent.

MOFs are made up of positively charged metal ions surrounded by organic "linker" molecules. They have nanosized pores and can be designed with a variety of components that determine the MOF's properties.

Researchers led by Kyriakos Stylianou of the OSU College of Science say their novel manganese-based MOF, which they named BVR-19, is a promising alternative to currently used contrast agents based on gadolinium. BVR is an abbreviation for beaver, OSU's mascot.

A contrast agent, also called a contrast medium, is a substance that enhances the visibility of tissues during medical imaging. Globally, the MRI contrast agent industry has an estimated value of more than $1.5 billion and is expected to grow by $750 million over the next five years amid rising demand for non-invasive diagnostic procedures.

Gadolinium is a rare earth element that comes with concerns regarding toxicity to patients, potential harm to the environment, and supply chain issues given that China accounts for many of the rare earth reserves and much of the processing and production capacity.

Manganese, however, is plentiful in the earth's crust. In addition to being used in making batteries, steel and ceramics, manganese is vital for human health in trace amounts, playing roles in antioxidation, bone formation and the metabolism of cholesterols, carbohydrates and amino acids.

"BVR-19 represents a paradigm shift in MRI contrast agent design," said Stylianou, who directs the OSU's Materials Discovery Laboratory, or MaD Lab.

We're replacing toxic metals with abundant, biocompatible ones, without compromising performance." Kyriakos Stylianou, College of Science, Oregon State University

Gadolinium has been used in contrast agents for nearly 40 years, he said. The body doesn't metabolize the contrast agents, so they pass nearly unchanged into wastewater systems and are resistant to degradation in treatment plants. Their long-term ecotoxicological effects not well understood.

There is also risk, Stylianou said, from gadolinium retention in the body. Most agents are designed to be excreted within 24 hours of administration, but even in patients with normal kidney function, gadolinium can stay in tissues for months or years. Retention hasn't been conclusively linked to disease, but the Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings and requires patient education because of uncertainty regarding long-term consequences.

BVR-19 is the first manganese-based MOF to incorporate L-cystine, a naturally occurring, biocompatible amino acid, Stylianou said. Its synthesis takes place in water at room temperature, no toxic solvents or other harsh conditions are required, and tests show that it allows for brighter, clearer images at lower doses than required of current commercially available agents.

"This work underscores OSU's leadership in designing functional MOFs for medical and environmental applications and demonstrates how green chemistry and materials design can converge to create safer technologies," he said. "It bridges chemistry, toxicology and medicine, showing how collaboration across disciplines can transform fundamental discoveries into technologies that directly improve human health."

Doctoral student Jacob Lessard and undergraduate Dylan Pyle were first authors of the study, which was published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B. Other contributing members of the MaD Lab were postdoctoral fellow Andrzej Gladysiak, doctoral student Emmanuel Musa and undergraduate Jeff Bowen.

The collaboration also included Robyn Tanguay, Lisa Truong and Siva Kolluri of the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Cory Wyatt of Oregon Health & Science University.
Young people in Scotland are experimenting with nicotine pouches and reporting adverse effects such as sickness and fainting, according to new research from the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) published today in the journal Addiction.

Nicotine pouches, which entered the UK market in 2019, are small tobacco-free sachets placed between the lip and gum to deliver nicotine. They are currently unregulated in the UK and can be legally sold to under-18s, although the UK Government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill proposes new age restrictions on their sale.

Researchers from the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen), conducted the first qualitative study in the UK to explore how 1416-year-olds understand and use nicotine pouches. The study involved 16 focus groups with 77 pupils and interviews with 13 school staff across four Scottish schools.

Key findings:

 High awareness and experimentation: Most pupils knew about nicotine pouches, often referring to them as 'snus' or 'upper deckies'. Experimental use was common, and more established use was also reported, particularly among older male pupils.

 Discreet use in schools: Many young people said they liked that pouches can be used discreetly, including during school hours or on public transport, unlike vapes or cigarettes.

 Adverse health effects: Pupils reported negative effects from using pouches, from gum pain and burning sensations in the mouth and throat, to sickness, sweating and fainting.

 Perceived as safer than vaping: Despite these effects, some young people believed pouches were "better for you" than vaping or smoking, because they avoided lung damage. One male pupil told researchers: "I'd rather have worse gums than worse lungs."

 Staff unaware of use: School staff members had good knowledge and awareness of vaping among pupils in schools, and were taking measures to address this. In contrast, they had limited knowledge of nicotine pouches and were largely unaware that pupils were using them.

Our study shows that awareness and experimentation with nicotine pouches among young people is already widespread and that these products are being used under the radar in schools. Because pouches can be bought by under-18s and used discreetly, they pose a unique challenge for teachers, parents and policymakers. Stronger regulation and better public health messaging are urgently needed." Andy MacGregor, Director of Policy Research at the Scottish Centre for Social Research

Allison Ford, Associate Professor at the Institute for Social Marketing and Health at the University of Stirling and Principal Investigator of the New Nicotine Products (NNPs) in Scotland (NIPS) Study, said: "This important paper highlights the accessibility of nicotine pouches to young people in Scotland and young people's awareness of nicotine pouch marketing and promotion.

"The wider NIPS study is examining the retail availability, marketing and display of NNPs in Scotland. Its findings will help the Scottish Government decide if new rules are needed on how vapes and nicotine pouches are displayed and marketed in shops, to protect young people from using these products."

Jamie Pearce, Professor of Health Geography at the University of Edinburgh, said: "Nicotine pouches are becoming more widely used among young people in Scotland which may lead to long-term and harmful effects for health. There is an urgent need to take steps to reduce the marketing, availability and sale of nicotine pouches to young people."
3 killed, 1 injured in hand grenade explosion in Pak's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 13:43 IST

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Peshawar, Nov 8 (PTI) Three persons were killed and one seriously injured in a hand grenade explosion in Pakistans restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday at the residence of a local in Bara tehsil in Khyber district.

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The local and two others were killed in the explosion.

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The individual injured in the blast was taken to the Dogra Hospital.

Officials immediately cordoned off the area and began investigating the cause of the blast, police said. PTI AYZ SKS SCY

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 13:43 IST

News agency-feeds 3 killed, 1 injured in hand grenade explosion in Pak's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

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Kolkata, India: Buddhadeb Pradhan, a shrimp farmer in Nandigram in the West Bengal state in eastern India, has taken a major risk by cultivating a second shrimp crop within weeks of harvesting the first cycle.

But he needs the money and is willing to risk a diseased crop, a common occurrence when there are two harvesting cycles in a pond in the same year.

He was partly pushed into making that decision because of the falling price of the shrimp on account of the tariffs imposed on India by United States President Donald Trump.

The falling prices of the shrimp have me stressing if I can recover my investment of 300,000 rupees [$3,380], he told Al Jazeera.

India is the worlds second-largest producer of shrimp  predominantly for export  after Ecuador. In the financial year ending in March 2025, it sent $5bn of frozen shrimp globally, with the US accounting for about 48 percent of its sales.

It produces two commercial varieties of marine and freshwater shrimp, black tiger and Pacific whiteleg, popularly known as vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei).

Indias shrimp production stood at 1.1 million tonnes, predominantly vannamei, but also 5 percent black tiger, in the financial year ending March 2024, as per the latest data available.

India has two distinctive shrimp cycles of vannamei, starting from February to June and then from July to October. Farmers are generally reluctant to go for a second cycle, fearing diseases. The black tiger is a single crop from March to August.

The shrimp is cultivated in the coastal states of West Bengal, Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. The industry employs approximately 10 million people, including the shrimp farmers and people at hatcheries, processing units, and others, said Manoj Sharma, a veteran shrimp farmer.

Since the tariffs were announced in May, farm prices of shrimp dropped from 300 rupees ($3.38) per kilogramme to 230 rupees ($2.59) as farmers tried to offload whatever they had. With production costs at 275 rupees ($3.10) per kilogramme, losses are mounting.

Buddhadeb Pradhan has taken a major risk by cultivating a second shrimp crop [Gurvinder Singh/Al Jazeera]

Nardu Das, 40, a shrimp farmer in Nandigram, told Al Jazeera that farmers might be forced to consume poison if the market doesnt stabilise and prices do not increase.

The 40-year-old said shrimp farming is a costly affair with bills for power, lease on land, feed and other expenses.

The farmers not only risk their savings but also take loans with the hope of massive returns. But diseases and the fall in prices often push them to the brink of poverty, he said.

Farmers are worried that with tariffs at 58.26 percent  including countervailing duties of 5.77 percent and anti-dumping duties of 2.49 percent  they will lose their US market.
48 stranded migrant workers return from Tunisia

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 18:57 IST

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Ranchi, Nov 8 (PTI) Forty-eight migrant workers from Jharkhand, allegedly stranded in Tunisia, have safely returned to their home districts, officials said on Saturday.

Team leader at the Migrant Control Cell (Jharkhand Labour department) Shikha Lakra told PTI on Saturday that all the migrant workers reached their homes on Friday.

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They returned in different batches based on their flights from Tunisia to Mumbai and returned to their home districts of Hazaribagh, Giridih and Bokaro by train. The last batch reached Bokaro on Friday. All the workers had their three months salary cleared by the employing company," said Lakra.

The migrants had shared a video narrating their ordeals, and this reached Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and he directed for prompt action by the Labour department to ensure safe arrival of the workers and clearing of their outstanding salaries (nearly Rs 30 lakh), which had led them to face financial hardships," said Lakra.

We got in touch with the Indian Embassy and relevant agencies and completed the process and travel formalities," said Lakra.

The workers were employed by a private firm.

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Following the chief ministers instructions, the Labour department officials met with the workers and learned about their problems in detail at their home districts. The government is now taking steps to cover these workers and their families under various welfare schemes so that they are not forced to migrate," the official said.

According to information, the workers were employed for laying high transmission wires through a private company. PTI ANB RG

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 18:57 IST

News agency-feeds 48 stranded migrant workers return from Tunisia

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Arrests of Afghan nationals in Pakistan jump 146% in one week: UN report

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 13:43 IST

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Peshawar, Nov 8 (PTI) Arrests and detentions of Afghan nationals in Pakistan surged by 146 per cent in the week ending November 1, driven largely by the reopening of border crossings, according to a UN report.

A total of 7,764 Afghan nationals were arrested and detained during the week, a sharp rise from the previous seven-day period, said the joint report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) released recently.

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The crackdown was concentrated in Balochistan, which accounted for 86 per cent of the arrests.

The arrests and detentions surged by 146 per cent in the week ending November 1, the report noted.

Between October 26 and November 1, Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and undocumented Afghans made up 77 per cent of those arrested, while Proof of Registration (PoR) card holders comprised the remaining 23 per cent, it said.

Across Pakistan, the districts of Chagi, Attock and Quetta recorded the highest number of arrests and detentions between January 1 and November 1 this year.

Returns and deportations also rose steeply in the final week of October. UN data showed returns increasing by 101 per cent and deportations by 131 per cent compared to the week of October 1925.

The number of returns climbed from 18,630, including 3,341 deportations, to 37,448, of which 7,733 were deportations, in the week ending November 1.

This notable increase is primarily attributed to the reopening of the Chaman border, with Torkham also reopening on Nov 1," the report said.

From September 15, 2023, to November 1, 2025, a total of 1,667,713 individuals returned to Afghanistan.

For returns recorded between October 26 and November 1, PoR card holders accounted for 47 per cent, undocumented individuals for 44 per cent and ACC holders for 8 per cent.

Deportees during the same period were overwhelmingly undocumented, making up 93 per cent.

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Fear of arrest was cited as the primary reason for return among 93 per cent of undocumented individuals and ACC holders, and for 39 per cent of PoR card holders since April 1, 2023, the report noted.

The latest trends follow several government directives this year affecting Afghan nationals. In July, the government ordered the repatriation of PoR holders after their cards expired on June 30 and later set a September 1 deadline for them to leave Pakistan. PTI AYZ SCY SCY

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 13:43 IST

News agency-feeds Arrests of Afghan nationals in Pakistan jump 146% in one week: UN report

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Bangladesh police stages drill amid fears of unrest in capital: reports

Last Updated: November 09, 2025, 00:27 IST

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Dhaka, Nov 8 (PTI) Bangladesh police on Saturday carried out a large-scale coordinated security drill at key points of the capital ahead of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasinas now disbanded Awami Leagues Dhaka Lockdown" programme on November 13.

Several newspapers quoting unidentified sources in the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said some 7,000 policemen took part in a drill at 142 locations, including interim government chief Muhammad Yunus residence, to contain possible violent street protests next week.

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Witnesses reported increased police presence across Dhaka, which enhanced concerns among residents of the capital about the law and order situation on November 13.

Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) is set to announce a date for delivering judgment against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina after her trial in absentia on charges of alleged crimes against humanity.

The DMP, however, called the deployment part of their regular security exercise" as a huge number of policemen in riot gear, including steel helmets and body armour, were seen at key intersections across the capital, stopping pedestrians for bag checks and questioning, and inspecting suspicious vehicles.

Our regular operational activities include quick-response drills to ensure readiness for any kind of emergency," DMP spokesman Muhammad Talebur Rahman told reporters.

He, however, added that officers of various ranks took part in Saturdays exercise.

A DMP official preferring anonymity said Saturdays mega drill" was meant not only to test coordination and readiness of police but also to serve as a deterrent to any potential acts of violence or unrest in the capital ahead of November 13.

The police drill came three days after the army, which has been on policing duty for the past 15 months, withdrew half of its some 60,000 troops, saying they needed rest and training but promised to extend its full support for the planned February election with the redeployment of extra forces.

A student-led protest ousted Hasinas regime on August 5, 2024, when she took refuge in India while most leaders of her party and the government were subsequently arrested or on the run at home and abroad, as courts generally decline to grant their bail petition.

Yunus flew from Paris to assume the charge of the interim government as the nominee of the student protestors and subsequently disbanded the Awami League until its leaders, including Hasina, were served justice" for crimes they committed.

Bangladeshs political landscape turned murky with the exclusion of Awami League from carrying out political activities and amid growing feuds among other major parties like ex-premier Khaleda Zias BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

But despite the ban, Awami League leaders and activists were routinely staging flash street marches appearing on major thoroughfares, disappearing before any police crackdown on them.

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DMP said at least 3,000 Awami League activists and leaders of its grassroots units were arrested until last month, while drives were underway every day to arrest them raiding their hideouts.

Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanok, currently in India, has announced a lockdown-like" protest programme for November 13, but police did not confirm whether current deployments were linked to his announcement. PTI AR RD RD RD

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First Published: November 09, 2025, 00:27 IST

News agency-feeds Bangladesh police stages drill amid fears of unrest in capital: reports

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Barcode sander logs, track them in real-time, Pawan Kalyan instructs officials

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 16:57 IST

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Mangalam (Andhra Pradesh), Nov 8 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Saturday directed officials to barcode every red sander log with the government and track them in real time.

Kalyan, who has forest portfolio with him, visited red sanders warehouses belonging to the forest department at Mangalam village in Tirupati Urban mandal today, and instructed officials that not even a single log should be missing from the time of its seizure to sale.

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Set up unique bar coding and live tracking for every red sanders log. Not even a single log should be missing from the time of its seizure to sale," Kalyan was quoted in a press release as saying.

The Deputy CM checked out the precious wood stored in eight godowns, categorised into a, b, c and non-grade categories.

He also visited Mamanduru forest area in Tirupati district.

Back in May, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed all revenue-generating departments, including the forest department, to explore possibilities of increasing revenues for the state, setting an income target of over Rs 1.34 lakh crore for FY26.

Naidu had called for the setting up of a committee to facilitate the international sale of red sandalwood stocks in the state.

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Highlighting that Andhra Pradesh is home to red sanders worth thousands of crores of rupees, he said monetising these reserves could bring in substantial income.

Referred to as Zitan in China, the hardwood species found exclusively in the Seshachalam forests of Andhra Pradesh is used for making furniture, among others. PTI STH ADB

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 16:57 IST

News agency-feeds Barcode sander logs, track them in real-time, Pawan Kalyan instructs officials

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'Calorie', featuring Anupam Kher, to premiere at IFFI

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 14:42 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 8 (PTI) Anupam Kher-starrer Calorie" is set to have its international premiere at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on November 23.

The film will be showcased in the Cinema of the World category in the festival, which will run in Goa between November 20 to November 28, according to a press release.

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It is written and directed by Indo-Canadian filmmaker Eisha Marjara and will release across Canada on November 28.

Inspired by true events, Calorie" follows a Sikh-Canadian family navigating grief, identity, and emotional healing.

The film has won Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Actor at its Canadian premiere at the IFFSA Toronto Festival.

Kher said the film has a deeply human story that goes beyond boundaries". Calorie is a deeply human story that goes beyond borders. Its about family, memory, and healingthemes that every audience can relate to. I was drawn to the honesty and emotional truth of Eishas storytelling," he said in the statement.

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Marjara added, Calorie is a story of mothers and daughters, of the complicated bonds that shape who we are. Its also a film born from personal grief, my own familys loss in the 1985 Air India tragedy. Through this story, I wanted to explore how we heal and find strength across generations and borders." The story revolves around Monika, a stressed single mother who sends her two teenage daughters to visit their relatives in India, hoping the trip reconnects them with their Punjabi roots. What begins as a reluctant visit soon unravels into a powerful journey of identity, healing, and rediscovery across continents and generations.

Joe Balass, producer of the film, said, Calorie is a powerful story about hidden secrets and divisions cutting across generations." Calorie" also features Ellora Patnaik, Dolly Ahluwalia, Shanaya Dhillon-Birmhan, and Ashley Ganger. PTI ATR ATR ATR

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 14:42 IST

News agency-feeds 'Calorie', featuring Anupam Kher, to premiere at IFFI

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Displaced families in Kabul struggle for survival as winter nears

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 16:12 IST

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Kabul [Afghanistan], November 8 (ANI): As temperatures drop and winter approaches in Kabul, hundreds of displaced families continue to live under tents, struggling with a lack of shelter, food, and fuel, Tolo News reported.Khwaja, who moved to Kabul from Kunduz two years ago, now lives in a tent with his ailing wife and four children. Sharing his ordeal, he said: I had surgery around four days ago. I borrowed 20,000 Afghanis. Now I dont even have enough money to buy bread for tonight."Another displaced woman, Bibi Gul, appealed for urgent help, saying: We have nothing. We need help, and assistance must be provided to us."Many of the displaced said they have no land and cannot afford to rent houses. They urged the Islamic Emirate to take immediate steps to address their plight, Tolo News reported.Local representative Qoldash expressed concern over the dire situation, saying: Their biggest issue is that they have no land. In all of Afghanistans 34 provinces, they dont own even a meter of land. Now winter has arrived, they need fuel, food, and access to water."Sharif, another displaced man, described the grim conditions, saying: We are facing severe hardship. Come to our home, we dont even have a rug or anything else."While the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations has not issued any recent statements on the matter, it previously stated that more than 5,000 displaced families from Kabul had been returned to their original homes, Tolo News reported.However, as winter nears, the challenges for both displaced and low-income families in Kabul continue to deepen. Many residents are now struggling with rising prices of firewood and coal in local markets, further compounding the hardship for those already lacking shelter and basic necessities, Tolo News reported.Residents say that despite the weather still being relatively warm, the prices of fuel have already increased, creating serious difficulties for low-income families. Abdul Karim, a Kabul resident, said: Wood and coal have become very expensive, and people cant afford them. Many are unemployed, and the government should pay attention to this issue and the rising prices."Mohammad Saber, another Kabul resident, told Tolo News: A cart of firewood costs 12,000 Afghanis and winter hasnt even arrived yet. A sack of coal now costs 1,700 to 1,800 Afghanis. We ask the government to lower the prices."Meanwhile, firewood and coal sellers in the capital have confirmed the price hike, attributing it to rising transportation costs, taxes, and fuel prices.Nazirullah, a firewood vendor, said: A cart of firewood from Khost and Paktia is now 12,500 Afghanis. Mulberry and walnut wood costs between 7,500 and 8,000 Afghanis per cart. Compared to last month, the price of oak wood has increased by around 1,500 Afghanis."Raqib, a coal seller, told Tolo News: This coal comes from Dara-e-Suf. Two to three months ago, it was priced between 9,400 and 9,500 Afghanis. Now, its gone up to 11,700 or even 11,800 Afghanis."The Kabul Timber Sellers Union has also weighed in on the situation. Ajmal Wahidi, head of the union, said: If the government allows the import of Kunar wood now, prices could drop to around 8,000 Afghanis. But it must be done immediately. If they wait until late winter, prices may rise to 13,000 or 14,000 Afghanis."Economic experts stress that with proper market management and continued cooperation between the government and traders, firewood prices could decline again, leading to market stabilisation. (ANI)

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 16:12 IST

News agency-feeds Displaced families in Kabul struggle for survival as winter nears

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In Israel, Mamdani's win in New York stirs alarm over shifting US attitudes

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 11:42 IST

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Jerusalem, Nov 8 (AP) The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York Citys next mayor has sent a chill across Israel as people come to terms with the victory of a politician propelled by an outspoken pro-Palestinian message that is rare in US politics.

Israelis across the political spectrum fear that Mamdanis election  in the city with the worlds second-largest Jewish population  could foreshadow icier relations with the US, Israels most important ally. Support for Mamdani from almost one-third of Jewish voters only added to the pain.

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Very bad," said Hana Jaeger, a Jerusalem resident, assessing the news the day after the election. For the Jews, for Israel, for everyone, its very bad. What else can you say?" Mamdanis campaign was animated by an array of local economic issues, such as the lack of affordable child care and housing.

But in Israel, his pro-Palestinian platform is all that matters, and it was the strongest illustration yet of a change in attitudes showing a softening of support for Israel among the American public  particularly younger, Democratic voters. This change appears to have been expedited by anger over the brutal war in Gaza launched in response to Hamas October 2023 attack on Israel.

Israeli government officials expressed their outrage sharply, labelling Mamdani, who is Muslim, as an Israel-hating antisemite. Analysts said their heavy-handed reactions indicated just how concerned they are about the shifting political winds.

Even where there is a huge concentration of Jewish power, Jewish money, Jewish cultural and political influence  even in this place, an American can be elected with a clear anti-Israeli label on his lapel," wrote Shmuel Rosner, an analyst at the Jewish People Policy Institute.

What he did proves that standing up against Israel  can be politically profitable, or at least not harmful." Israelis react to the news  Israel has traditionally had a special connection with New York City. It is a popular destination for Israeli tourists and politicians, filled with kosher restaurants and home to an Israeli consulate that focuses heavily on relations with the Jewish community. Hebrew can often be heard on the streets and subways.

But throughout his campaign, the 34-year-old Mamdani, a far-left state lawmaker, alarmed Israelis by openly disavowing the pro-Israel stance traditionally adopted by New Yorks mayoral hopefuls.

While he says he supports Israels right to exist, he describes any state or social hierarchy that favours Jews over others as incompatible with his belief in universal human rights.

Thats a statement many Israelis view as an affront to the core premise of the country, which was founded as a refuge and homeland for Jews in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

This vision has tested Israels democratic ideals; Palestinian citizens of Israel frequently suffer discrimination, and millions of Palestinians live under Israeli occupation in the West Bank.

Mamdani also has called the war in Gaza a genocide, a charge Israels government denies. Hes vowed to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the premier steps foot in the city and signalled he may cut ties with Israeli industry and academia over the devastating war in Gaza.

Such views have drawn accusations of antisemitism from mainstream Jewish groups and supporters of Israel. Still, Mamdani has repeatedly committed to fighting antisemitism and developed strong alliances with centre-left Jewish leaders. The AP Voter Poll found that he won roughly 30 per cent of the Jewish vote.

At his celebration party Tuesday night, Mamdani said, we will build a City Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism." Israelis who tuned in Wednesday morning to the countrys popular Army Radio station during their morning commutes heard condemnations  and fear  related to Mamdanis victory.

Israels ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, speculated that the New York Jewish communitys sense of security" might be harmed by Mamdani as mayor, as he has control over the citys police force.

Israels minister of diaspora affairs, Amichai Chikli, a member of Netanyahus nationalist Likud party, posted a stream of anti-Mamdani graphics on social media, including a retweeted photo of the Twin Towers being engulfed in flames after the attacks of September 11, 2001, with the caption New York already forgot." Chikli also encouraged Jews in New York to relocate to Israel. The city that was once a symbol of global freedom has handed over its keys to a Hamas supporter," he said in a social media post.

The extreme rhetoric reflected a deep-seated fear in Israel that American politics are headed in a new direction.

For a long, long time, American domestic politics were dominated by pro-Israel politicians, pro-Israel views. In large part, they still are," said Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. Mamdanis win represents that American Jews, specifically the younger generation, are changing and theres no longer this monopoly of pro-Israel politics in domestic US politics." Netanyahu mostly quiet on Mamdani, emphasises relationship with Trump - The Trump administration, which has been hostile to Mamdani, has largely supported Israels actions in Gaza. It is now working closely with Israel to determine the next phases of the reconstruction of Gaza and the ceasefire with Hamas.

Netanyahu did not immediately comment on the Mamdani win. But his office tried Wednesday to remind Israelis that the countrys relationship with the US was still strong.

We have a bond that is stronger than ever between Israel and the United States right now," government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said at her daily briefing.

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She said the election results did not undermine the incredible, enormous relationship the prime minister has with President Trump." Palestinians celebrate Mamdanis win - In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the sentiment among Palestinians was far from gloomy.

The election of Mr. Mamdani is truly inspiring," said Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti. It reflects a great uprising among the younger generation of the United States, including the Jewish young generation, against political and social injustice." It also shows that the Palestinian issue has become an internal election issue all over the world, including in the United States of America." (AP) GRS GRS

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 11:42 IST

News agency-feeds In Israel, Mamdani's win in New York stirs alarm over shifting US attitudes

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Istanbul prosecutor issues arrest warrants against Netanyahu

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 07:12 IST

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Tel Aviv [Israel], November 8 (ANI/TPS): The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office has issued arrest warrants for 37 individuals, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on charges of genocide" in connection with the war in Gaza.According to a press statement from the prosecutors office cited in the newspaper Turkiye Today, among those named are Defence Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.The prosecutors office has reportedly claimed that Israel of systematically targets civilians in the Gaza Strip" amid its war against Hamas, which started after the terrorist groups 7 October 2023 atrocities against Israeli civilians.The warrant is said to cite specific incidents from the early days of the war, including the 17 October 2023 incident at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. Israeli and US intelligence concluded that this was the result of a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group.Israel denies all claims that it targets civilians. It regularly cites its efforts to evacuate non-combatants ahead of strikes, as well to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid, as evidence.Turkeys president is an outspoken supporter of the terrorist group Hamas.The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor has also issue dozens of arrest warrants for journalists and political opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the past, the most prominent of whom is the opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu, who is currently awaiting trial on treason charges".Worth mentioning that Turkey itself has been accused of committing genocide against its Armenian population between 1915 and 1923, during which time up to 1.5 million Armenians were executed, or left to starve to death. The remaining 500,000 Armenians in Turkey (only 25% per cent of the total population) fled to Russia.The US, Canada, most EU countries, Russia and other nations officially recognise the Armenian Genocide, while others, such as the UK and Australia, do not, mainly due to the fear of reprisals from Turkey.That is also the case of Israel. In August 2025, however, Prime Minister Netanyahu personally recognised the genocide, though this falls short of any kind of official recognition. (ANI/TPS)

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 07:12 IST

News agency-feeds Istanbul prosecutor issues arrest warrants against Netanyahu

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Kuppam to receive Rs 6,339 cr investments from eight companies: Andhra CM Naidu

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 21:12 IST

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Amaravati, Nov 8 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said Kuppam, which he represents, will soon receive investments worth Rs 6,339 crore from eight companies.

He said these investments are expected to generate 43,000 jobs.

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Soon, Kuppam constituency will receive another Rs 6,339 crore worth of investments from eight companies," Naidu said in a press release.

The chief ministers announcement comes after he virtually laid the foundation stone for seven projects involving investments of Rs 2,203 crore at Kuppam earlier in the day.

He laid the foundation from his camp office at Undavalli village in Guntur district.

CM Chandrababu virtually laid the foundation for seven industries in Kuppam, which will invest Rs 2,203 crore," the press release said.

The projects are being set up by companies including Hindalco, Srija Dairy, AS International, SVF Soya, Mother Dairy, E-Royce EV, and ALEAP Womens Park.

The state government has allotted 241 acres of land for these projects, which cover sectors such as dairy, laptops, mobile accessories, cooking oil, food processing, and electric vehicles.

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According to the TDP supremo, a space city, drone city, and aerospace city will also be established in the Rayalaseema region.

He noted that overall state development is the goal of the NDA alliance government and added that the Kuppam district in Rayalaseema will be transformed into a model for development." PTI STH SSK

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 21:12 IST

News agency-feeds Kuppam to receive Rs 6,339 cr investments from eight companies: Andhra CM Naidu

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Mohanlal-starrer 'Vrusshabha' to release on December 25

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 12:42 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 8 (PTI) Vrusshabha", featuring Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, is set to release in worldwide theatres on December 25, the makers have said.

Also starring Shanaya Kapoor alongside Samarjit Lankesh, Ragini Dwivedi, and Nayan Sarika, the film is written and directed by Nanda Kishore.

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It is described as a saga of love, destiny, and vengeance, exploring the unbreakable bond between a father and son," according to a press release.

The makers said the film required extensive VFX work, which resulted in the change of the release date. The film was previously slated for release in May.

We never compromise on quality. Our commitment has always been to deliver the best possible cinematic experience to the audience. Hence, we have decided to move the release to Christmas 2025, a perfect festive gift to all Lalettan fans and cinema lovers across the world," the makers said in the joint statement.

Vrusshabha" has music by Sam CS, sound design by Academy Award-winner Resul Pookutty, dialogues by SRK, Janardhan Maharshi, and Karthik, and action choreographed by Peter Hein, Stunt Silva, Ganesh and Nikhil.

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The film is presented by Connekkt Media and Balaji Telefilms in association with Abishek S Vyas Studios.

It is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, C K Padma Kumar, Varun Mathur, Saurabh Mishra, Abishek S Vyas, Praveer Singh, Vishal Gurnani, Juhi Parekh Mehta and Vimal Lahoti. PTI ATR ATR ATR

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 12:42 IST

News agency-feeds Mohanlal-starrer 'Vrusshabha' to release on December 25

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Some numbers will show the full scale of the companys operations. Kinder Morgan boasts some 66,000 miles of natural gas pipelines, and has 704 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity. The companys enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations produce approximately 37,000 barrels of oil per day, along with 17,000 barrels of natural gas liquids. Outside of gas and oil, Kinder Morgan has 9,500 miles of product pipelines, and can transport 2.4 million barrels of liquid products per day. In all, Kinder Morgan operates approximately 79,000 miles of pipelines, has 139 terminal facilities, and its pipelines move approximately 40% of all the natural gas produced in the US.

The first insider trades well look at are from Kinder Morgan, one of the leading energy infrastructure and hydrocarbon midstream companies in North America. The company was founded in 1997, in the Gulf Coast energy hub of Houston, Texas, and today is a $57.5 billion giant of the industry. Kinder Morgans asset network  which includes processing, pipeline, terminal, and storage facilities for crude oil, natural gas, and even CO2  extends along the Gulf Coast and Florida, across the Southwest and Southeast regions, and into the Great Lakes and along both the East and West Coasts.

With that in mind, we used TipRanks Insiders Hot Stocks tool to pinpoint two stocks that stand out for both their substantial insider purchases and their positive analyst ratings. Lets take a closer look.

That makes insider buying especially noteworthy in todays volatile market, where shifting sentiment and economic uncertainty are sending mixed signals. When executives collectively commit millions of dollars to their own shares, investors have good reason to pay attention.

Importantly, insiders sell stock for many reasons  taxes, diversification, or personal liquidity needs  but they typically buy only when they believe the stock is undervalued and poised to rise.

As senior decision-makers, insiders have a deep understanding of their companies financial performance, strategic direction, and potential headwinds and their actions can reflect informed confidence, or caution, about the companys future.

Subscribe to TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks and see our data in action through our high-performing model portfolio - now also 60% off

Claim 60% off TipRanks Premium for the data-backed insights and research tools you need to invest with confidence.

When it comes to reading market signals, insider trading activity often provides one of the clearest clues. These transactions  made by corporate executives and board members and required to be made public  can offer valuable insight into how those closest to a company view its prospects.

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All of this puts Kinder Morgan in the top tier of the energy sector. It may not be a household name, but millions of households depend on Kinder Morgans activities. Return-minded investors will also benefit from the companys reliable dividend, with a payment history stretching back well over a decade and a current forward yield of 4.5%.

Turning to the insider action, we find that Kinder Morgans Executive Chairman  and one of the companys founders  Richard Kinder picked up an additional 1 million shares at the end of October. This stock purchase cost just under $26 million, and Kinders current stake in the company now stands at $6.67 billion.

In the companys last set of financial results, released on October 22 for 3Q25, Kinder Morgan showed quarterly revenue of $4.15 billion. This was up 12.5% from the prior-year quarter, and it was $190 million better than had been anticipated. The companys bottom line in the quarter, the non-GAAP EPS, came to 29 cents. While this was up 16% year-over-year, it missed the forecast by a penny.

The shares dropped in the aftermath of the Q3 results, but Goldman Sachs analyst John Mackay explains why now is a sound buying opportunity for investors. Following the readout, he wrote, Results came in-line with GSe and consensus, but stronger gas results were a positive relative to underperformance from the lower-multiple RNG business. The latter drove a slight downward revision to 2025 EBITDA commentary as well Details were admittedly lighter, and management continues to highlight strong competition, though we continue to expect strong conversion into the formal backlog over the coming months and quarters. With project momentum thus likely to pick up again, we see the recent pullback as a compelling entry point for the stock.

Mackays comments back up his Buy rating on KMI, while his $31 price target points toward a one-year upside potential of 20%. (To watch Mackays track record, click here)

Overall, Kinder Morgans stock holds a Moderate Buy consensus rating from the Streets analysts, based on 14 recent reviews that split evenly between 7 Buys and 7 Holds. The stock is currently priced at $25.92 and its $32 average price target is slightly more bullish than the Goldman view, implying a 23.5% gain over the next 12 months. (See KMI stock forecast)

Amrize, Ltd. (AMRZ)

Next up on our list today is Amrize, a long-term player in North Americas building industry. Amrize is known as a producer and distributor of construction materials, including such essentials as cement, aggregates, concrete, and asphalt. The company describes itself as the partner of choice in the industry and notes that, as the US and Canada must work to modernize urban and transport infrastructure, business is looking up.

In addition to its leading role in supplying building materials, Amrize also boasts a strong, coast-to-coast network of logistics and distribution facilities. The companys network, with more than 1,000 locations, has access to road, rail, and river transport systems, allowing for timely delivery in a business where time is money.

Amrize has only recently entered the US stock markets through a 100% spin-off transaction from the Swiss firm Holcim. The transaction, which was completed on June 23, saw Amrize enter the US markets under the AMRZ ticker. Holcim conducted a dividend-in-kind distribution of one share of AMRZ for each of its own shares. AMRZ currently has a market cap valuation of ~$28.2 billion.

The newly public firm has released two quarterly earnings reports since its entry into the stock markets. In the most recent, covering 3Q25, the companys revenue came to $3.67 billion, for a 6.6% year-over-year increase and beating the forecast by $190 million. The companys EPS figure of 98 cents was down 2% year-over-year and missed expectations by 4 cents per share. In a metric that bears watching, Amrize generated $674 million in quarterly free cash flow, $221 million more than in the prior-year quarter.

On the insider front, we find that Amrizes Chairman and CEO, Jan Philipp Jenisch, in late October spent nearly $6 million buying two blocks of AMRZ stock, each of 55,000 shares. In a second buy, Amrizes Chief Technology Officer Roald Brouwer spent $207,100 to pick up 4,000 shares. Jenisch now controls $102.75 million worth of Amrize shares, while Brouwers stake in Amrize stands at slightly more than $460,000.

Oppenheimer analyst Bryan Blair, in his coverage of AMRZ, takes an upbeat position, saying of the company, We appreciate Amrizes advantaged footprint and resource base, structural pricing power, and robust/sustainable margin generationtogether positioning the franchise to leverage stronger North American construction demand in 2026 and beyond. Adding solid FCF generation and capital deployment optionality (with an already-proven M&A strategy), we like AMRZ prospects for double-digit earnings growth through the cycle. Given that setup and supportive trading multiples (on pressured 2025 numbers, sub-11x EV/EBITDA), we believe our initial modeling and valuation rationale lean conservative.

Blair quantifies his stance here with an Outperform (i.e., Buy) rating, and he complements that with a $62 price target, implying an upside of 22% on the one-year horizon. (To watch Blairs track record, click here)

The 12 recent reviews on record for Amrize include 10 Buys and 2 Holds, for a Strong Buy consensus rating. The stocks $50.83 trading price and $59.48 average price target together suggest a potential one-year upside of 17%. (See AMRZ stock forecast)

To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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Pakistan brings in amendment to create new post of Chief of Defence Forces

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 16:57 IST

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Islamabad, Nov 8 (PTI) Pakistan on Saturday brought in a Constitutional amendment to create a new post of chief of defence forces to ensure greater coordination and unified command among the three services.

The 27th Constitutional Amendment bill presented in parliament proposes changes to Article 243 of the Constitution, which deals with the armed forces among other issues.

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Under the amendment bill, the President will appoint the Army Chief and the Chief of Defence Force on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Chief of Army Staff, who will also be the Chief of Defence Forces, will appoint the head of the National Strategic Command in consultation with the Prime Minister. The head of the National Strategic Command will be from the Pakistan Army, it adds.

The government will be able to promote individuals from the armed forces to the ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force and Admiral of the Fleet. The rank and privileges of Field Marshal will be for life, meaning that Field Marshals will remain Field Marshals for life.

The bill says that the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will expire on November 27, 2025.

According to a local media report on Friday, the move is said to have been inspired by lessons drawn from the four-day conflict between Pakistan and India in May and the evolving nature of modern warfare that demands integrated operational response.

In response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10.

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh last month said at least a dozen Pakistani military aircraft, including US-origin F-16 jets, were destroyed or damaged in Indian strikes.

India has been maintaining that Pakistan pleaded for ending the hostilities in May after the Indian military pounded various Pakistani military infrastructure.

Soon after the conflict, the Pakistan government promoted Army Chief General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal, making him the second top military officer in the countrys history to be elevated to the position.

The 27th Constitutional Amendment bill also proposes to set up a Federal Constitutional Court, change the process for appointing high court judges, and change the threshold for provincial cabinets.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the bill in the Senate, the upper house, hours after it was approved by the cabinet.

Tarar said that the bill had 49 clauses. Let me clarify that there are three main areas and two ancillary. It will address five subject areas," he said.

Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani referred the bill, as introduced, to the Standing Committees on Law and Justice for review and consideration.

He said that both committees may hold joint meetings for a detailed review and consideration, and the report would be presented before the House.

Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Zafar said that debating the constitutional amendment was not appropriate when the leader of the oppositions seat remained vacant.

He said that the government and its allied parties appeared to be in a hurry to pass the bill.

I would suggest that instead of sending it to the committee, let this Senate be treated as a committee as a whole," he said, suggesting the bill be debated by all individuals.

The PTI leader further said that the opposition had received the draft only on Saturday and had not yet read a word of it.

We cannot debate something we have not read," he said.

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Earlier, shortly before the Senate session, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had chaired the cabinet meeting via video link from Azerbaijan, according to state-run PTV News.

The federal cabinet approved the draft for the 27th Constitutional Amendment and welcomed it to the fullest extent," it had added. PTI SH NPK NPK

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 16:57 IST

News agency-feeds Pakistan brings in amendment to create new post of Chief of Defence Forces

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President Murmu reaches Angola as part of two-country state visit

Last Updated: November 09, 2025, 01:57 IST

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Luanda, Nov 8 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu reached Angola on Saturday in the first-leg of her six-day state visit to the African country followed by neighbouring Botswana.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has described the two-nation visit between November 8-13 a part of Indias efforts to open up new avenues for collaboration and expanding partnership with the two countries in the African region.

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This is the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to these countries, as per the MEA.

Murmu was received at the international airport in the Angolan capital of Luanda by the countrys Minister of External Relations Tete Antonio apart from other senior officials from both the countries.

During the next three days here, the president will hold high-level engagements, including bilateral talks with her Angolan counterpart Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco and also attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of the African nations independence.

The president is also scheduled to address the Angolan parliament and interact with members of the Indian community.

India and Angola enjoy very close ties of friendship and cooperation which have been growing across sectors. We have a vibrant energy partnership with Angola," Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, said at a press briefing on Thursday.

The visit will provide an opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral ties and to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, trade and investments, technology, infrastructure development, defence and people-to-people connections, he said.

The secretary also said that the visit was significant" even as the two countries are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.

Murmu, on November 11, will start the second leg of her visit and travel to Botswanas capital Gaborone.

As part of her engagements there, she will meet her counterpart Duma Gideon Boko, address the national assembly and attend an event related to translocation of cheetahs to India as part of Project Cheetah.

We are confident that the visit of Honble Rashtrapatiji will further strengthen Indias long-standing collaborative ties with Angola and Botswana, and open up new avenues for collaboration and expanding our partnership.

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It is also, as I said earlier, reflective of Indias firm commitment to further strengthen its multifaceted partnership with the African continent," the secretary had said.

Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna and Lok Sabha MPs Prabhubhai Vasava and D K Aruna are accompanying the president on this trip. PTI NES MNK MNK

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First Published: November 09, 2025, 01:57 IST

News agency-feeds President Murmu reaches Angola as part of two-country state visit

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Rajasthan DGP orders upgrade of facilities in police lines

Last Updated: November 09, 2025, 00:12 IST

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Jaipur, Nov 8 (PTI) Rajasthan Police chief Rajeev Kumar Sharma on Saturday directed district police officers to improve basic amenities in police lines, stressing that these facilities form the backbone of the states policing system.

In a special meeting with line officers from all districts, the Director General of Police (DGP) stressed the importance of regular inspections of police messes, barracks, toilets, food quality, and recreation facilities to maintain standards.

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Police lines are an integral part of the policing setup where personnel spend a significant portion of their service life. It is essential that police lines remain clean and well-equipped to provide all basic facilities to police families," Sharma said, according to an official statement.

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The DGP instructed officials to ensure that every police line has essential infrastructure, including schools, dispensaries, gyms, libraries, canteens, and recreational spaces.

Sharma directed that libraries be made functional in all district police lines by December 31. He said improving living conditions for police personnel and their families directly enhances morale and efficiency in service. PTI AG RHL

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First Published: November 09, 2025, 00:12 IST

News agency-feeds Rajasthan DGP orders upgrade of facilities in police lines

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Trump administration launches 175 probes into H-1B visa abuse

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 09:12 IST

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New York, Nov 8 (PTI) The Trump administration has launched about 175 investigations into H-1B visa abuse, including lapses such as low wages, non-existent work sites and the practice of benching" employees.

According to the US Department of Labour, the probes were part of a broader effort for the protection of American jobs.

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As part of our mission to protect American Jobs, weve launched 175 investigations into H-1B abuse," the Labour Department said in a post on X Friday.

It added that under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the agency will continue taking action to put American workers first.

Chavez-DeRemer said in a post on X that the Labour Department is using every resource at our disposal to put a stop to H-1B abuse and protect American Jobs. Under the leadership of @POTUS, well continue to invest in our workforce and ensure high-skilled job opportunities go to American Workers FIRST!" The Trump administration has launched a massive crackdown to check abuse in the H-1B visa programme, which is used by companies, particularly technology firms, to employ foreign workers in the US.

Indian professionals, including technology workers and physicians, are among the largest cohort of H1B visa holders.

A report in Fox News said that the Department of Labour could not provide details on the specifics of the 175 current investigations, which account for over USD 15 million in calculated back wages to workers." The federal department however said that it has uncovered a bounty of concerns", with investigations finding that some foreign workers with advanced degrees are paid far less than what is promoted in a job description.

The Labour Department said this practice drives down wages for visa-holders as well as American workers, while also forcing American employees with the same qualification to accept lower wages to stay competitive, the Fox News report said.

It added that investigations also found instances of employers not notifying the US Citizenship and Immigration Services when an H-1B visa holder was terminated.

It also found significant lag times between a termination and an employer notifying the agency, the news report added.

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In some instances, investigators found that work sites listed on documents did not exist, or that workers were unaware of the jobs they were supposedly assigned to perform as laid out in their permits and applications. Other investigations found some employees took part in benching, which is when H-1B visa holders are not paid anything when they are in-between active work projects," the Fox News report said.

In September this year, Trump issued a Proclamation titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers as an important initial step to reform the H-1B nonimmigrant visa programme. Under the Proclamation, certain H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, must be accompanied by an additional USD 100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility. PTI YAS GRS GRS GRS

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 09:12 IST

News agency-feeds Trump administration launches 175 probes into H-1B visa abuse

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Woman forced to drink alcohol, smoke beedi as part of black magic in Kerala

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 13:43 IST

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Kottayam (Kerala), Nov 8 (PTI) A young woman was allegedly forced to smoke beedi and drink alcohol while being subjected to hours-long physical and mental torture in the name of black magic in Kottayam district of Kerala, police said on Saturday.

Her partner and his family brought a sorcerer to their home last week, allegedly for what they called to evict a ghost from the womans body" and subjected her to hours-long ordeals, police said.

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As the mental condition of the woman deteriorated, her father lodged a complaint, following which the police registered a case and launched an investigation.

Police said the sorcerer Shivadas (54), the womans partner Akhil Das (26) and his father Das (54) were arrested in this regard on Friday.

As per the complaint, the partners mother had brought the sorcerer and made arrangements for the black magic, alleging that the womans body was possessed by the evil spirits of her deceased relatives.

The black magic started by 11.00 am on the day and lasted till night. I fell unconscious at the end," the woman told the media on Saturday.

She alleged that, amidst the ritual, she was given alcohol, forced to smoke beedi, made to consume sacred ash", and subjected to other forms of physical torture, including burn injuries.

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The sorcerer, the prime accused in the case, who had gone into hiding after switching off his phone following the incident, was arrested from the Muthoor area in Thiruvalla, police said.

The partners mother, a co-accused in the case, is currently absconding, they added. The arrested were remanded by a court later, police added. PTI LGK ADB

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First Published: November 08, 2025, 13:43 IST

News agency-feeds Woman forced to drink alcohol, smoke beedi as part of black magic in Kerala

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'Bullied In School, Teacher Ignored Complaint': Parents Of Class 4 Girl Who Jumped To Death

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 09:38 IST

A family member disclosed that the girl had been complaining about being bullied for almost a year, but her concerns were ignored.

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The incident was caught on CCTV. (Image: X)

The parents of a nine-year-old girl, who ended her life by jumping from the fourth floor of Neerja Modi School in Jaipur, have blamed a teacher for ignoring their complaints about their daughter being bullied. On November 1, the girl fell from a height of about 48 feet. Although she was rushed to the hospital, she was declared dead on arrival. CCTV footage captured the incident, showing her climbing the railing before her fatal jump.

The deceased students mother, Shivani, revealed that she had informed the teacher about the bullying, but no action was taken, India Today reported. Her father, Vijay, recounted an incident at a parent-teacher meeting where he saw a boy making gestures at her daughter. He mentioned this to the class teacher, who dismissed it, saying the girl needed to understand it was a co-ed school. The parents expressed dissatisfaction with the police investigation.

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This is not the first time the deceased students family has accused the school administration of inaction. A family member disclosed that the girl had been complaining about being bullied for almost a year, but her concerns were ignored. On the day of her death, CCTV footage showed her approaching the teacher four times to complain, yet no action was taken.

It is learnt that on the day the student took the extreme step, she was bullied by certain people, and the issue was ignored again, which led her to step out of her class. Further, the teacher has also admitted that she came to her and complained about some people disturbing her and using bad words.

Meanwhile, a family member of the deceased girl, Sahil, claimed that they have not received any update from police in the last seven days on the status of investigation. Sahil added that school principal and teachers have not approached them yet to apologise over the tragic incident. The school principle and teachers have not even come to say sorry to us. We dont think any progress is happening in this case, and worried that our child is not getting justice in this case," he stated.

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The school authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the case. When the police arrived at the scene, they found that the area where the minor fell had been cleaned, with no visible bloodstains. The family has filed an FIR against the school administration, alleging that her death occurred under suspicious circumstances and calling for an investigation into the teaching staffs role. The school administration has been accused of being uncooperative and silent on the matter.

The Joint Parents Association has also accused the school of destroying evidence and has demanded a fair investigation and strict action. Arvind Agarwal, the chief of the association, mentioned that they learned from the deceaseds uncle and other children that she had been harassed for one to two years.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 09:38 IST

News jaipur 'Bullied In School, Teacher Ignored Complaint': Parents Of Class 4 Girl Who Jumped To Death

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Mumbai-London Air India Flight Delayed Due To Glitch, Flyers Stranded For Over 6 Hours

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 12:52 IST

Air India flight AI129 from Mumbai to London was delayed by over six hours due to a suspected technical issue, leaving passengers frustrated.

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At around 8.15 am, flyers were informed that the departure had been rescheduled to noon, which was later revised to 1 pm. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

An Air India flight from Mumbai to London was delayed by over six hours due to a suspected technical glitch on Saturday, leaving passengers frustrated. The flight (AI129), originally scheduled to depart Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 6.30 am, was rescheduled for takeoff at 1 pm.

According to passengers, the boarding process began around 6 am, almost 40 minutes later than the initial 5.20 am schedule. However, after boarding, they were asked to wait on the aircraft for approximately 90 minutes before the crew announced a delay, citing a technical issue. Passengers were then asked to deboard the plane, and their hand baggage was rechecked.

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At around 8.15 am, flyers were informed that the departure had been rescheduled to noon, which was later revised to 1 pm. Many passengers, who had stayed awake overnight for the early flight, expressed frustration over the long wait and lack of clear communication from the airline.

In a statement, the airline attributed the delay to technical issues" and confirmed that refreshments were provided to affected passengers.

Air India flight AI129, scheduled to take off from Mumbai for London at 6.30 am, is delayed and yet to take off. Due to technical difficulties, the flight will now take off at 1 pm. Passengers have been provided with refreshments," the airline said in a statement.

According to an Air India Spokesperson, passengers were deboarded as the plane underwent checks.

Flight AI129 scheduled to operate from Mumbai to London on 8 November returned to bay shortly after pushback due to a suspected technical issue. Passengers were disembarked, and the aircraft underwent necessary checks. Subsequently, the crew came under the mandatory Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) protocol, restricting them to operate the aircraft immediately," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson stated that alternative arrangements were made and the flight would depart shortly, adding that its ground staff in Mumbai assisted the affected passengers.

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Alternative arrangements have been made, and the flight is scheduled to operate shortly. We regret the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen situation. Our ground team at Mumbai is providing all possible assistance to passengers, to minimise the inconvenience. At Air India, the safety and well-being of our passengers remain top priority," the official added.

The delay comes a day after operations at Mumbai airport were briefly affected by an air traffic control (ATC) glitch at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport, which disrupted over 800 flights across India, including cities such as Jaipur and Lucknow. Operations returned to normal earlier in the day, though some delays were reported.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 12:52 IST

News mumbai-news Mumbai-London Air India Flight Delayed Due To Glitch, Flyers Stranded For Over 6 Hours

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Patient Dies, Family Attacks Doctors At Mumbais Cooper Hospital

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 19:23 IST

Doctors at Mumbais Cooper Hospital were attacked by a patients relatives after the patient died, sparking demands for better security and raising concerns about hospital safety.

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Screengrab of the video.

In a shocking incident, doctors at Mumbais Cooper Government Hospital were attacked late at night by the relatives of a patient.

According to reports, the patient was brought to the emergency ward in a critical condition and later died during treatment. Enraged by the death, the patients relatives allegedly blamed the doctors and assaulted them.

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The incident created tension inside the hospital, leaving other doctors and staff members fearful.

The CMO, resident doctor, and intern sustained injuries and are currently under observation. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has complained to the Juhu Police Station.

The doctors were attacked without any provocation while performing their duties. This incident has deeply affected them mentally," said Dr Chinmay Kelkar, president of Cooper MARD.

The association demanded the arrest of the attacker without delay, immediate suspension of the negligent security staff and permanent deployment of trained, armed, and accountable security personnel, especially in EMS and critical departments (casualty, ICU, OBGY wards, etc.), under round-the-clock CCTV monitoring.

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CCTV footage of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing a male attendant punching a doctor in the face moments after being informed of the patients death. He then repeatedly attacked the doctor before turning on another medical staff member.

Following the attack, doctors have demanded better security arrangements from the hospital administration. The incident has also raised serious questions about the lack of adequate security at the hospital.

First Published: November 08, 2025, 19:12 IST

News mumbai-news Patient Dies, Family Attacks Doctors At Mumbais Cooper Hospital

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Stray Dog Attacks 2-Year-Old In Thane, Leaves Her Seriously Injured

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 22:08 IST

A two-year-old child was mauled by a stray dog in Thane. Shiv Sena UBT leader Rohidas Munde blamed civic inaction.

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A five-year-old boy received multiple injuries after a stray dog attacked him. (Representative Image)

A two-year-old girl was seriously injured after being mauled by a stray dog in Maharashtras Thane district on Friday evening.

The incident was captured on a CCTV camera. Veda Vikas Kajare was walking in an alley with another girl, when a stray dog came from behind and attacked her. The child fell down and the dog continued to attack her.

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Following the incident, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Rohidas Munde said the stray dog population in the area where the girl was attacked has surged unchecked despite multiple complaints.

If the Thane Municipal Corporation does not take immediate action to capture the stray dogs, then we will collect all dogs in the area and release them in the civic bodys office," he warned.

The incident coincided with an elderly couple from Delhi moving the Supreme Court, alleging civic authorities inaction despite a dog biting at least six people.

The top court on Friday, citing an alarming rise" in dog bite incidents in institutional areas such as educational centres, hospitals, bus stands and railway stations, had ordered that such canines be moved to shelter homes.

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The court also directed authorities, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to ensure that highways and expressways are cleared of stray animals and cattle.

The court had earlier reserved its order on an interim plea seeking a stay on parts of its August 11 directions, noting that the entire stray dog problem" stemmed from the inaction" of local authorities.

Location : Thane, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 22:08 IST

News mumbai-news Stray Dog Attacks 2-Year-Old In Thane, Leaves Her Seriously Injured

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Pune Techie Duped of 14 Crore By Fake Spiritual Healer Promising Cure For Ailing Daughters

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 09:27 IST

A Pune IT engineer and his wife lost 14 crore over seven years to a spiritual healer and guru, seeking a cure for their daughters.

A Pune IT engineer and his wife lost 14 crore over seven years to a spiritual healer and guru, seeking a cure for their daughters. (Representative Image)

A Pune-based IT engineer and his wife have been defrauded of approximately 14 crore over a span of seven years while desperately seeking a cure for their two daughters, who have been ill since birth.

The couple returned to India after the husband worked in the UK for over a decade and settled in Pune in 2010. In 2018, they came across a so-called spiritual healer and a guru who claimed they could rid the family of negative influences (dosh") affecting the daughters and their properties.

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Under this influence, the engineer and his wife sold their UK home, a flat in Pune and farmland in Konkan, exhausted savings and provident funds, and even took loans against relatives properties  all at the behest of the so-called healer. Despite transferring the money, the daughters conditions remained unchanged.

In early November 2025, the couple filed a complaint with the Pune city police, prompting an investigation by the Cyber and Economic Offences Wing. Authorities say the accused persons claimed spiritual powers and used emotional manipulation to extract massive sums from the family.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 09:27 IST

News cities Pune Techie Duped of 14 Crore By Fake Spiritual Healer Promising Cure For Ailing Daughters

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Fire risks, mitigation, and insurance have been at the center of intense debate in California this year, following the deadly January wildfires in Los Angeles County, which caused economic losses between $76 billion and $131 billion, with insured losses estimated at $45 billion, according to the UCLA Anderson Forecast last updated in March.

The next step is to develop a bespoke plan to reduce the risks and make the property safer, like replacing the windows or roof shingle, clearing the brush around the home, or swapping a wooden fence for a steel one.

AI models then simulate how fire, wind, embers, and water would affect a property in the event of a disaster, assigning a quantified percentage to each risk.

Here's how it works: Stand's software creates what the company calls a "digital twin" of each home based on data on the materials used in the constructionand even the type of tree species planted in the backyard.

Stand, on the other hand, takes into account not just the location of the property but also the homeowners efforts to make their dwelling more resilient.

Most standard carriers determine whether or not to insure a home based largely on its location: if a property sits in a fire or flood zone, the company is more likely to deny coverage, or increase premiums, to protect the bottom line.

"We use AI to understand the true risk of your property and help you make your home insurable," Stand's website states.

What separates Stand from typical insurance companies is what it describes as its science-based approach to risk assessment and mitigation.

Stand currently provides coverage for homes in California valued between $3 million and $15 million, with a combined total insured value of more than $1 billion statewide.

"Traditional ways to price insurance don't work in an environment that's so unpredictable," Stand co-founder and CEO Dan Preston previously told The Wall Street Journal , referring to climate-related risks.

Last month, Stand raised $35 billion in a Series B funding round to expand coverage in hurricane-battered Florida, where homeowners have been struggling to find insurance options from a limited pool of carriers and having to contend with sky-high premiums.

In 2024, a group of Silicon Valley tech veterans launched Stand Insurance , using what the company describes as physics-based AI models to underwrite policies and create customized fire resilience plans for properties in Californias wildfire-plagued areas where homeowners often struggle to secure coverage from traditional carriers.

A San Francisco -based insurance company leveraging artificial intelligence promises to reshape home insurance in parts of the U.S. facing some of the worst climate risks.

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Across the Golden State, roughly 1.3 million homes with a combined reconstruction cost value of more than $791 billion face moderate or greater risk of wildfire, according to a recent report from Cotality, a property data analytics firm.

Nationwide, close to 3 million homes are threatened by wildfires.

Even before the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, California has been in the throes of an insurance crisis, with homeowners living in high-risk areas struggling to secure coverage at any cost.

Following several large-scale infernos that scorched through California in recent years, some of the largest private insurance carriers stopped offering new policies in areas with elevated risk, and those that remained have been granted permission from the state to hike rates.

The private insurers' pullback has forced hundreds of thousands of homeowners to seek coverage through the FAIR Plan, California's insurer of last resort. As of June, the state-backed insurance provider reported $650 billion in total exposure, a 42% jump since September 2024.

The number of policies on FAIR Plan's books swelled to over 610,000, up more than 30% compared with nine months prior.

Florida is AI's next frontier

Emerging against this challenging backdrop, Stand appears to offer wealthy California homeowners an alternativeas it prepares to do the same in Florida, providing hurricane and wind protection for homes and condos priced at $500,000 to $2 million.

A 2025 hurricane risk report from Cotality found that Florida was the nations most at-risk state for hurricane and wind damage, with more than 8.1 homes exposed to moderate or greater risk.

Repairing or rebuilding those properties would cost upward of $2.3 billion.

Similar to California, Florida has seen insurers balking at the elevated risk levels and withdrawing from some of the most vulnerable areas, in part due to high litigation costs.

Recently, however, there have been signs of improvement, with more carriers offering policies in Florida and rate increases slowing thanks to legal reforms and regulators' changes.

As a result of this shift, Floridas insurer of last resort, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which has acted as the states largest carrier, has been reducing its policy load as part of what it calls its "depopulation" program.

By the end of the year, Citizens is expected to shrink by more than 510,000 policies, which will be assumed by private insurers, reported WUSF.

As of early November, Citizens still had roughly 560,000 policies, down from a peak of 1.4 million two years ago.

Industry experts weigh in

However, industry experts and stakeholders are divided over whether taking the human element out of insurance underwriting is a good idea.

"I think that the use of AI is a great tool, [but] it's not a solution for underwriting," Jamie Levenshon, senior vice president of the commercial real estate division at Insurance Office of America and a board member of the Florida International University School of Real Estate, tells Realtor.com. "You're losing the human element to underwriting, which I think is pretty dangerous"

Levenshon maintains that every homeowner has a different level of risk tolerance, and she argues that underwriting professionals can come up with "much more creative ways" to structure a comprehensive coverage plan than an AI model could.

Levenshon does not dismiss AI modeling out of hand, but argues that it has limitations, especially in Florida, where the risks and mitigation techniques are vastly different from those in California.

"Wind and water work very differently than fire," she explains. "The mitigation that has to come from a roof being blown off is very different than the mitigation of smoke. ... During a wind event, a hurricane, the wind is blowing for eight hours. It's a completely different beast."

She adds: "I think that there is a place for AI in underwriting as far as being able to better model the risk, but as far as the underwriting element to it, I'm skeptical because I think that you still need humans to evaluate risks."

Critics have also pointed out that AI models tend to be self-contained and opaque, making it difficult to verify their accuracy, or challenge their risk assessments in case a homeowners claim is denied or the monthly premium goes up, as Bloomberg reported.

Lindsey Klarkowski, policy vice president for data science at the National Association of Mutual Insurance Cos., says the use of AI in insurance has several advantages to consumers, including identifying ways to make homes more resilient, fraud prevention and detection, and increased efficiency.

"Though, it's important to note that AI use is simply one piece of the equation, especially in the context of coverage availability and pricing," she tells Realtor.com. "AI can lead to increased precision in risk-based pricing, and has been shown effective in certain mitigation efforts, which can both lead to cost savings. But, those cost savings may be offset by massive losses brought about by changing weather patterns, litigation excesses and abuse, or otherwise, thereby underscoring the need to focus on cost drivers the industry can control."

Asked about the possibility of claim denials based on AI assessments, the NAIMC official says that in Florida, existing state insurance law stills applies.

"Artificial intelligence is a tool added onto or incorporated into processes that already fall within the purview of existing insurance law," explains Klarkowski. "It is not an end-run for the insurance companies around a states statutes, regulations, and consumer protections."

She adds that on the whole, new technological advances in insurance stand to benefit consumers and the broader marketplace.

"Whether for better understanding and more accurately pricing risk, improved mitigation, or operational and other efficiencies, AI use could potentially address challenges for Florida, just as with other markets and homeowners around the country," concludes Klarkowski.
DEE Assam Final Result 2025 Declared For UP And LP Teacher Posts, Direct Link Here

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 09:56 IST

DEE Assam Result: Selected candidates are required to attend the Orientation and Ceremonial Distribution of Appointment Letters scheduled for November 9, 2025, starting at 2 pm.

The DEE Assam PDF merit list contains the selected candidates' qualifying status and application number.

The Directorate of Elementary Education (DEE), Assam has announced the final results for the recruitment of Assistant Teachers in Lower Primary Schools and Assistant Teachers, Science Teachers, and Hindi Teachers in Upper Primary Schools on November 7, 2025. Those who appeared for the exam can check the final merit list on the official website at dee.assam.gov.in.

The DEE Assam PDF merit list contains the selected candidates qualifying status and application number. It also features the district-wise, category-wise, and medium-wise cut-off marks. The provisional merit lists previously published will be automatically cancelled with the release of the final results. The DEE has clarified that no appointment claims based on the provisional lists will be entertained. Only candidates whose names appear in the final results will receive appointment orders.

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Selected candidates are required to attend the Orientation and Ceremonial Distribution of Appointment Letters scheduled for November 9, 2025, starting at 2 PM. The department also stated that a separate appointment distribution programme will be announced for Tea Tribes (OBC) candidates.

DEE Assam Final Result 2025: How To Check

Step 1  Visit the official website at dee.assam.gov.in.

Step 2  Visit the result page

Step 3  Click on the final merit list link

Step 4  Enter your registration number and password

Step 5  The merit list will appear on the screen

Step 6  Download and save the page

Step 7  Take a printout for further use

DEE Assam Final Result 2025 Declared: Direct Link Here

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The recruitment drive aims to fill 3800 vacancies of Assistant Teacher of LP Schools under the Directorate of Elementary Education, Assam. Those selected will get a salary ranging between Rs 14,000 to Rs 70,000 plus Grade Pay and other allowances as admissible as per The Assam Service (Revision of Pay) (Amendment) Rules, 2019".

The aspiring candidates must be ready to serve in their respective places of posting in terms of choice of their districts, stated the official notice.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 09:49 IST

News education-career DEE Assam Final Result 2025 Declared For UP And LP Teacher Posts, Direct Link Here

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Delhi Govt Launches School Web App To Track Students' Attendance, Results

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 11:05 IST

The 'School Web App' aims to promote transparency, digital integration, and improved communication between schools and parents within the education system.

The primary aim of this initiative is to digitise school operations and keep parents informed about their children's progress.(Representative/File Photo)

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has launched the School Web App through which parents and students will be able to easily access information such as timetables, homework, notes, attendance, and results. The primary aim of this initiative is to digitise school operations and keep parents informed about their childrens progress.

The govt aims to implement Digital India and the National Education Policy 2020 by launching separate websites for all 1,512 schools. This will promote transparency, digital integration, and improved communication between schools and parents within the education system.

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Student enrollment in MCD-run schools has declined over the past few years, with approximately 6.6 lakh students currently enrolled in MCD schools in Delhi. Education Minister Ashish Sood praised this MCD effort, calling it a milestone for Developed India 2047.

In the first phase, the MCD has launched websites for 15 schools. Principals of the remaining schools have been instructed to develop their websites within the next two months. Information regarding daily schedules, attendance, results, homework, birthdays, and school activities will need to be regularly updated.

Parents will be provided with QR codes for this purpose. This system is also mobile-friendly, allowing children on vacation to stay updated. Two teachers in each school will be responsible for regularly uploading homework and schedules.

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While the system is mobile-friendly, not all parents may have access to smartphones. An MCD official expects the number of such parents to be small, and information will be shared with them through messages, WhatsApp, parent meetings, and other communication channels. The MCDs education and IT departments are jointly designing this system. Its aim is to reduce teachers administrative burden and simplify time management.

Along with digitisation, the MCD has launched a special initiative to boost enrollment. The Lets Go to School" campaign aims to enroll 75,000 new students over the next three months. Parents who help bring more children from their neighbourhoods to school will be recognised as brand ambassadors and honoured by the MCD.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 11:03 IST

News education-career Delhi Govt Launches School Web App To Track Students' Attendance, Results

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Amit Shah Vows To Expel Infiltrators From Bihar, Targets Lalu, Rahul In Katihar

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 14:42 IST

Amit Shah said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the NDA were determined to remove all infiltrators from the state over the next five years.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah (Credits: ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, accusing them of supporting illegal infiltration in Bihar. Addressing a large election rally in Banmankhi town of Purnea district, Shah criticised the opposition for what he called the Ghushpaithia Bachao Yatra" (Save the Infiltrators March).

Should the infiltrators be expelled or not?" Shah asked the crowd as he accused Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadavs son of wanting to turn Seemanchal into a stronghold of infiltrators. Rahul Baba and Lalus son just started a Save the Infiltrators Yatra. They want Seemanchal to become a stronghold of infiltrators. But we will work to expel every single infiltrator not only from Seemanchal but also from the entire Bihar," he declared.

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The Home Minister alleged that infiltrators were taking away jobs meant for local youth and rations meant for the poor, adding that their presence was making the region unsafe. They snatch the jobs of our youth. They take away the rations of our poor and also make the country unsafe," he said.

Shah went on to stress that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the NDA were determined to remove all infiltrators from the state over the next five years. We will not only expel the infiltrators, but the encroachment they have made will also be razed to the ground," he said, adding that most illegal businesses in Seemanchal had flourished during Lalu Prasad Yadavs rule and were later expanded by infiltrators.

VIDEO | Bihar polls 2025: I agree with Tejashwi Yadav that the Prime Minister cannot do in seven births what Lalu Yadav did, because he cannot commit as many scams as Lalu did," says Union Home Minister Amit Shah (@AmitShah) at a rally in Katihar.(Full video available on PTI pic.twitter.com/GpLDHP77RQ  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 8, 2025

The BJP leader also said the government would act to delete infiltrators from the voters list. Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rahul Baba, listen carefully, we will detect the infiltrators, delete them from the voter lists, and deport them. They will have to go back to their country. There will be no place for infiltrators in Seemanchal," Shah asserted.

Drawing a sharp contrast with the RJD era, Shah accused the former regime of running a jungle raj." During the 15 years of Lalu and Rabris rule, MLAs were murdered in broad daylight, loot, murder, rape, and kidnapping were rampant. This was an industry. Nitish Babu has ended jungle raj," he said.

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The Home Ministers rally came soon after the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, which recorded a historic turnout of 65.08 per cent  the highest in the states history. The second phase, covering 122 seats, will take place on November 11, with results to be declared on November 14.

(With ANI inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Bihar, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 14:42 IST

News elections Amit Shah Vows To Expel Infiltrators From Bihar, Targets Lalu, Rahul In Katihar

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'Don't Want Katta Sarkar': PM Modi Attacks Mahagathbandhan Ahead Of Phase 2 Of Bihar Polls

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 16:04 IST

The NDA alliance has continuously targeted Opposition in Bihar over the crime and infrastructural development in the state.

PM Modi addressing a rally in Bihar's Sitamarhi (Credits: BJP/X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed a rally in Bihars Sitamarhi ahead of the second phase of the Bihar assembly election and said that the polls will decide the future of the states children. He also said that the state doesnt want a gun-wielding government, attacking the RJD government.

Today, I have come to this sacred land of Mother Sita, seeking your blessings, so it is natural that those days come to mind amidst people filled with such enthusiasm. Only with the blessings of Mother Sita will Bihar become a developed Bihar," PM Modi said.

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This election will determine what the future of Bihars children will be in the coming years, what the future of your offspring will be. Therefore, this election is very important," he added.

Nahi chahiye katta sarkaar, fir ek baar NDA sarkaar" (We dont want a gun-wielding government; once again we want an NDA government), he said.

The Prime Minister launched an attack on the Opposition and said that the children of the state will become goons, not doctors or engineers.

Should a child from Bihar become a Rangdaar or a doctor?" he asked, adding, A child from Bihar will now become not a Rangdaar, but an engineer, doctor, advocate, and judge in the court."

Jungle rule means  gun, cruelty, bitterness, bad upbringing, and corruption. These are people filled with bad upbringing, who want the rule of misgovernance," he added.

Prime Minister accused them of neglecting the states development and industrial growth.

These RJD and Congress folks dont even know the ABCD of industries," PM Modi said, criticising the opposition for their poor record on economic progress. These people only know how to put locks on industries," he added.

The Prime Minister pointed out that no major factory had been established in Bihar in 15 years, while existing ones in regions like Mithila had also shut down.

In 15 years, not a single big factory was set up in Bihar. Even the mills and factories that were there in Mithila itself have shut down," he remarked.

Continuing his attack, PM Modi said that the state saw no progress in healthcare or education under the RJD rule. In 15 years of jungle raj, not a single big hospital or medical college was built in Bihar," he said.

Therefore, talks of development from the mouths of these jungle raj folks are nothing but pure white lies," he added.

PM Modi Assures Bihars Development Under NDA Govt

Assuring that the NDA government will have restored Bihars broken trust, PM Modi said, Now investors are eager to come to Bihar. Good roads are being built here, and rail and air connectivity has improved. New electricity factories are being built, and the Riga Sugar Mill here has restarted."

In the coming times, the work of setting up such mills and factories in Bihar will move forward with greater strength," he added.

PM Modi also announced a direct rail service from Sitamarhi to Ayodhya.

Our government is promoting development here while also honoring our heritage. We are connecting this region to the Ramayana Circuit," he said.

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PM Modi Takes 65 Volt Ka Jhatka Jibe

Prime Minister attacked RJD and said that the party got a shock after the first phase of election. In the first phase of the elections, the people of Bihar. The people of Jungle Raj got a 65 volt jhatka," he said.

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

Location : Bihar, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 11:55 IST

News elections 'Don't Want Katta Sarkar': PM Modi Attacks Mahagathbandhan Ahead Of Phase 2 Of Bihar Polls

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Era Of Katta Over, Bihar Will Make Missiles: Rajnath Singhs Big Defence Corridor Promise In Bihar

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 21:00 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced plans to open a defence corridor in Bihar, and said the state will no longer be limited to producing country-made guns.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (IMAGE: PTI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday emphasised that the era of katta" and laltane" was over in Bihar, and the state was ready to produce missiles and cannons to play a formidable role in the nations security and defence.

Addressing a rally in Ramgarh Assembly constituency, Singh said, I want to tell RJD people that ab katta nahin, tope banegi missile banengi (Instead of country-made guns, Bihar will produce cannons and missiles)."

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The Defence Minister described the NDA manifesto as Atal Pratigya" (firm resolve) and said the era of country-made guns and lanterns (laltane) was over in Bihar. He also announced plans to open a defence corridor in Bihar.

We will not make a false promise that we will give government jobs to every household in Bihar. It is not possible financially. We have promised to create job opportunities, and for this, we have announced to set up MSME corridors and a defence corridor in Bihar," he said.

In another rally in Karakat, Singh accused the Congress of trying to divide the country in the name of caste and religion and resorting to appeasement to gain votes. He said the BJP has never indulged in politics of religion, but only of justice and humanity.

Wherever Rahul Gandhi goes, he says that the Election Commission has stolen the votes of the people of Bihar. I want to ask him, is it necessary to lie to achieve political success? If one wants to do meaningful politics, one will have to do politics that builds the nation," he said.

PM Modi Attacks Oppn Over Katta Sarkar

This came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Mahagathbandhan alliance at a rally in Bihars Sitamarhi, saying the state doesnt want a gun-wielding government, in a reference towards the RJD.

Nahi chahiye katta sarkaar, fir ek baar NDA sarkaar" (We dont want a gun-wielding government; once again we want an NDA government)," he said, once again putting the spotlight on Bihars jungle rule under former CM Lalu Prasad Yadav.

These RJD and Congress folks dont even know the ABCD of industries," PM Modi said, criticising the opposition for their poor record on economic progress. In 15 years of jungle raj, not a single big hospital or medical college was built in Bihar."

The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections were held on November 6, concluding with a massive and historic voter turnout of 64.66%. This figure not only surpassed the previous assembly election record set in 2000 (62.57%) but also eclipsed the highest-ever Lok Sabha polling percentage recorded in the state (64.6% in 1998).

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The voting was held on 121 seats spread across 18 districts, and a total of 3.75 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase of polls. The second phase of assembly polls will be held on November 11, and the votes will be counted on November 14.

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

Location : Ramgarh, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 21:00 IST

News elections Era Of Katta Over, Bihar Will Make Missiles: Rajnath Singhs Big Defence Corridor Promise In Bihar

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RJD Claims EVM Strongroom Tampering In Bihar, Poll Body Clarifies Amid Uproar

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 21:25 IST

The Commission said that CCTV feeds from the strong room were being displayed at two points  the main control room and a separate viewing point meant for party representatives.

A video from the RN College counting centre has gone viral on social media, alleging that the CCTV camera installed to monitor the EVMs in the Mahnar-129 assembly constituency has been switched off. (X)

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Saturday alleged suspicious activities at an EVM strongroom in Vaishalis Hajipur district, where the voting took place on November 6 in the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections.

The Tejashwi Yadav-led party posted CCTV footage clips on its X handle, claiming that cameras of different Assembly constituencies were being switched off one by one and that a pickup van was seen entering and leaving the premises late in the night.

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In the video, one large CCTV screen appears to be off while the others are on.

In the strong room in Hajipur, Vaishali district, CCTV cameras from various assembly constituencies are turned off one by one. A pickup van enters and exits at midnight. This is happening," the RJD said in a post on X.

The RJD further alleged that the countrys biggest vote thief has been camping in Bihar for several days under the pretext of campaigning, and accused the media of helping divert attention from alleged vote rigging.

This time, Bihar will teach these two outsiders a lesson. They want to destroy democracy in Bihar, the mother of the republic  Biharis will not let this happen under any circumstances," it added.

Responding immediately to the complaint, the ECI said a preliminary inquiry had been conducted.

The Commission said that CCTV feeds from the strong room were being displayed at two points  the main control room and a separate viewing point meant for party representatives. According to the ECI, the CCTV at the control room continued to run constantly".

Vaishali District Magistrate also refuted the RJDs claims as baseless and misleading, saying that following the investigation, it was found that for the security of the strong room, CCTV footage feeds were displayed in two locations: one in the control room and the other at the viewing area for political party representatives.

The TV display in the control room continued to run continuously, while the TV display of one of the five Vidhan Sabhas, 129 Mahnar Vidhan Sabha, at the viewing area for political parties, went off for a while due to an auto-timeout, which was quickly restored. Furthermore, the TV displays of the other Vidhan Sabhas continued to run without interruption. It should be noted that the display in the control room for Mahnar Vidhan Sabha remained on without interruption," it said in a statement.

However, it said that the display screen at the viewing area for one of the five Assembly segments  129 Mahanar  had turned off for some time due to auto timeout, and had been restarted quickly. The other displays were uninterrupted, the Commission clarified, adding that the main control room feed for Mahanar was not affected at all.

Regarding the pickup van, the Vaishali DM said the vehicle belonged to security personnel posted at the strong room, who had brought bedding and supplies to the college campus late in the night.

The vehicle left within 15 minutes and its entry was recorded in the guard register," the statement added.

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It also quoted Kundan Kumar  the RJD representative from Lalganj who circulated the video  as confirming the factual position during verification. The baseless and misleading post is being refuted," the ECI said.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

Location : Vaishali, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 21:25 IST

News elections RJD Claims EVM Strongroom Tampering In Bihar, Poll Body Clarifies Amid Uproar

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Why Jubilee Hills Bypoll Is A Battle For Prestige For Congress, BRS And BJP

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 15:05 IST

Jubilee Hills bypoll sees Congress, BRS, and BJP in a fierce contest, with CM Reddy leading Congress efforts. Sunita Gopinath, Naveen Yadav, and L Deepak Reddy are key candidates.

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For the BRS, the election is critical after its losses in the 2023 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls.(Image: PTI/File)

The upcoming Jubilee Hills Assembly bypoll on November 11 has turned into an intense three-way battle, with the Congress, BRS, and BJP mounting aggressive campaigns in what is proving to be an unusually charged by-election.

The contest has gained significance with Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy personally leading the campaign for several days  a rare move for a sitting chief minister during a bypoll. All state ministers have also been roped in to bolster the Congress effort, news agency PTI reported.

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Meanwhile, senior leaders from rival parties  including Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar for the BJP, and KT Rama Rao for the BRS  have been holding daily padayatras, roadshows, and public meetings to woo voters.

Though the bypoll result will not impact the Congress governments stability, it is widely viewed as a litmus test for the Revanth Reddy administrations popularity. A defeat could embolden both the BRS and the BJP, which are eager to challenge the ruling partys dominance.

For the BRS, the election is critical after its losses in the 2023 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The party has fielded Sunita Gopinath, widow of late MLA Maganti Gopinath, whose death in June triggered the bypoll. The Congress has nominated Naveen Yadav, a local leader and former AIMIM candidate, while the BJP has once again placed its bet on L Deepak Reddy, who contested unsuccessfully in 2023.

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The ruling party is banking on its alliance with the AIMIM and the recent induction of Mohammad Azharuddin into the state cabinet to attract Muslim voters, whose number is around 1 lakh in the 3.99-lakh-strong electorate.

Despite Jubilee Hills upscale image, the constituency struggles with urban challenges such as congested slums, drainage issues, and stress on urban infrastructure due to increasing population  concerns that could influence voter sentiment in this tightly contested bypoll.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 15:05 IST

News elections Why Jubilee Hills Bypoll Is A Battle For Prestige For Congress, BRS And BJP

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Does Elon Musk Have A' Genius Code'? What Makes Billionaires Wired Differently| Explained

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 13:02 IST

Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and other top entrepreneurs may owe their success to neurodivergent traits- divergent thinking, hyperfocus, and a unique approach to problem-solving

Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton displayed traits of Asperger syndrome as well, including obsessive interests, social difficulties, and communication challenges (Image: Getty)

In the high-stakes world of entrepreneurship, brilliance often masquerades as eccentricity. From Elon Musks obsessive drive to Bill Gates strategic precision, a common thread emerges: a way of thinking that defies conventional patterns. Increasingly, researchers and psychologists point to neurodivergence, a spectrum of cognitive differences including ADHD, autism, and dyslexia as a factor that may shape these unconventional minds.

It is not simply about intellect or ambition; it is a distinct mode of perceiving, processing, and responding to the world that can unlock extraordinary innovation. But can thinking differently truly be considered a superpower, or is it merely one element in a constellation of traits that define success?

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What Traits of Neurodivergence Align with Entrepreneurial Thinking?

Neurodivergence manifests in a variety of ways, from hyperfocus to divergent thinking. Dr. Astik Joshi, child, adolescent, and forensic psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, explains that certain traits commonly associated with ADHD or autism often align naturally with entrepreneurship.

People with ADHD or autism often demonstrate tangential thoughts, strong creativity, and advanced problem-solving. They are able to think and act outside of the ordinary box, which allows them to identify unique opportunities. Persistence and resilience push them to innovate through calculated risks, producing creative ideas or business practices that are outside the usual scope," says Dr. Joshi.

These characteristics can make a stark difference in environments that reward unconventional thinking. Divergent thought processes enable entrepreneurs to approach problems from angles that others might overlook. For instance, Musks vision for SpaceX was not simply to build rockets but to rethink how humanity approaches space travel. Gates early investments in personal computing arose from a capacity to conceptualize software architecture in ways that few contemporaries imagined.

Can Impulsivity and Hyperfocus Influence Business Decisions?

Impulsivity, hyperfocus, and divergent thinking are often double-edged swords in the entrepreneurial arena. Dr. Joshi emphasises that these traits can profoundly influence business outcomes, Impulsivity can drive spontaneous, high-risk decisions that lead to innovation, though without proper checks, it may also result in setbacks. Hyperfocus allows deep immersion into critical projects, unlocking productivity and breakthrough solutions. Divergent thinking supports creative problem-solving, which is essential in navigating uncertainty," he explains.

Consider Musks approach to product development. His willingness to make seemingly impulsive decisions like investing personal fortune into Tesla or launching the Falcon Heavy rocket demonstrates the potential upside of risk-taking driven by unconventional cognition. Similarly, Gates hyperfocus on coding and system optimisation allowed him to pioneer software solutions that defined an industry.

Yet, these traits require balance. Impulsivity without strategy can derail ventures, hyperfocus may obscure broader context, and unchecked divergent thinking might scatter efforts across too many initiatives. Successful neurodivergent entrepreneurs often combine these tendencies with disciplined planning, structured teams, or mentorship to harness their cognitive advantages effectively.

Is Neurodivergence the Common Thread Among Billionaires?

There is growing evidence that traits associated with neurodivergence appear disproportionately among successful entrepreneurs. Surveys and studies suggest that a significant proportion of high-performing business leaders display ADHD, autistic traits, or dyslexia-like cognitive patterns even if they do not meet formal diagnostic criteria.

Yet, neurodivergence alone does not guarantee success. Gates and Musk, while displaying neurodivergent traits, also exemplify strategic thinking, exceptional work ethic, and an ability to attract and retain talent. In other words, neurodivergence may act as a catalyst, not a replacement, for the full spectrum of entrepreneurial competencies.

As Dr. Joshi notes, Some neurodivergent traits increase the likelihood of an individual naturally aligning with entrepreneurial thinking. The ability to perceive and conceptualize situations differently allows ideas that may assist business decision-making and produce unexpected outcomes."

Do Neurodivergent Individuals Have An Extra Edge?

The practical edge of neurodivergence in entrepreneurship are striking. Individuals who think differently can:

Identify unconventional market opportunities.

Innovate product or service design by challenging norms.

Persist through failure and adopt risk-taking as a tool rather than a gamble.

Leverage hyperfocus to solve complex problems with depth and speed.

For example, dyslexic entrepreneurs often excel in visual-spatial reasoning, enabling them to conceptualize complex systems or visualise solutions in ways others may not. ADHD traits may fuel rapid ideation and experimentation. Autistic individuals may bring intense analytical abilities and a commitment to detail, particularly useful in engineering, software, and technology ventures.

While neurodivergent traits can confer an edge, they are not without potential pitfalls. Entrepreneurs may experience:

Burnout due to hyperfocus or overcommitment.

Social communication challenges in team management or investor relations.

Impulsivity leading to miscalculated risks or inconsistent execution.

Dr. Joshi emphasises the importance of internal checks and external support: With some management, these behaviors positively impact agility and innovation. Without it, they may lead to inconsistency, stress, or fatigue."

Many successful neurodivergent entrepreneurs mitigate these risks through structured teams, mentorship, therapy, or technology that supports executive functioning.

Can Neurodivergent Thinking Be Cultivated?

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Although formal neurodivergence is innate, the skills that make neurodivergent entrepreneurs effective creative problem-solving, divergent thinking, and resiliencecan be nurtured. Training in cognitive flexibility, mindfulness, and strategic risk-taking can help neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals alike harness these modes of thinking.

Dr. Joshi summarises, Perhaps the true superpower is not neurodivergence itself, but the ability to harness it purposefully in a world designed for conformity."

First Published: November 08, 2025, 07:00 IST

News explainers Does Elon Musk Have A' Genius Code'? What Makes Billionaires Wired Differently| Explained

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Mera Naam Vinod Kumar: How Delhi MCD Parking Scam Gave Internet An Unlikely Meme

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 14:34 IST

Who is Vinod Kumar and why is everyone talking about him?

Vinod Kumar, an MCD parking employee, is going viral on Reddit. (X screengrab)

First came Binod. Then it found a worthy successor in Bhupendra Jogi. And now we have Vinod. The new meme was not conceived from a hilarious interview, a YouTube comment or a comedy sketch, but came into being from an alleged UPI scam brought to light by a Delhi resident recently. Now, some corners of the Internet are ironically typing away Vinod in comments because of the comical interaction the Delhi resident had with the alleged scammer posing as an employee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and collecting money for parking.

The video of the incident gained traction when Razorpay co-founder Shashank Kumar and Vijay Shekhar Sharma of Paytm took note of the scam.

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Incident

In the video, the irked resident can be seen questioning the man dressed in an MCD uniform. The resident asks the parking employee to disclose whose QR code he was being made to scan.

The two then engage in a back-and-forth, and the conversation goes as follows:

Mujhe aap kis cheez ka QR code dikha rahe ho? (Whose QR code are you showing me?)"

Yeh thekedaar ka mobile code hai (This is the contractors QR code.)"

Also Read: Why Internet Thinks Carrying This School Project On Flight Is A Bad Idea

Abhi ruko aap. Scan kar ispe. MCD ki parking haina, MCD ka naam aana chahiye (You wait! Scan this code. If this is MCD parking, their name should show up after scanning.)"

Yeh Vinod Kumar Is bhen****** ko kyun dunga paise? (Why will I pay this Vinod Kumar?)"

The angered resident, behind the wheel, proceeds to ask the MCD employee his name, to which, after a brief pause, the employee responds by saying: Mera naam Vinod Kumar hai (I am Vinod Kumar.)"

New Scam Unlocked  pic.twitter.com/JfZSIK3sQm Prof cheems  (@Prof_Cheems) November 6, 2025

Vinod Kumar

Vinod Kumars revelation that he was Vinod Kumar after the resident had just abused Vinod Kumar left the Internet in splits.

Bhupendra jogi vibes," wrote one user reacting to the video.

Dekh raha he Vinod? Kaise ghuma ke juta mu pe maara jata he?"

Vinod ke sath vinod ho gya!"

Vinod tumhe Binod bana raha hai."

Comment byu/nun_CARTII from discussion inindiameme

However, when the jokes subsided, a section of Reddit users attempted to make sense of the entire incident.

I dont understand but doesnt parking rights given out as a contact [contract], the contractor pays x in the auction and collects parking fees? If I am paying toll on a highway, it doesnt show nhai, it shows company operating the parking (sic)," quizzed a user.

To which one responded by saying: The problem here is that the parking attendant is not using the official POS machine to collect fees. Instead he is using some other qr code image that is registered to him, an attendant not an actual contractor (sic)."

Also Read: Why YouTuber Tyler Oliveira Has Abandoned Cow Dung Festival Documentary Filmed In India

Vijay Shekhar Sharma & Shashank Kumar

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the Paytm chief, warned citizens, thereby promoting his product.

Only Paytm Soundbox solves problem for many offline scams." Sharma wrote on his X account.

Only Paytm Soundbox solves problem for many offline scams ! https://t.co/ezqCTycjU7 Vijay Shekhar Sharma (@vijayshekhar) November 7, 2025

Razorpay co-founder Shashank Kumar, possibly left red-faced by the incident as the QR code scanning device seen in the viral video belonged to his company, promised to introduce a technical tweak to the payment services and QR handling by disabling the photo gallery access for the seller.

In the next software upgrade we will disable gallery access unless really needed for the seller," he wrote on X.

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UPI

UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is Indias instant, phone-number-linked mobile payment system that lets you transfer money 24*7 without the need for any bank details or lengthy branch codes. This seamless service has been adopted by local vendors, kirana stores, vegetable vendors, food delivery apps, restaurants, hotels, farmers, employees paying rent, Indian Railways, and Airline companies, among millions of Indians, hence eliminating the need to carry physical cash.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 14:33 IST

News explainers Mera Naam Vinod Kumar: How Delhi MCD Parking Scam Gave Internet An Unlikely Meme

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Air Pollution Killing Indians Daily, Time For A National Clean Air Mission: Ex-WHO Chief Scientist

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 09:22 IST

Calling it a 'silent killer', Dr Soumya Swaminathan said air pollution is damaging the lungs, hearts and brains of Indians and must be tackled as a public health emergency

Indias air quality standards remain far weaker than the WHOs safe limits. (PTI Photo)

India can no longer afford to treat air pollution as a seasonal or environmental issue  it is now a full-blown public health crisis claiming lives every day, Dr Soumya Swaminathan told News18 in an exclusive conversation. The former WHO Chief Scientist and public health expert has called for a National Clean Air Mission, warning that toxic air is damaging lungs, hearts and even developing brains.

Swaminathan said air pollution has emerged as one of the top health risk factors in India, contributing to heart attacks, strokes, dementia and cancers. It is cutting many years from our lives," she said.

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She pointed out that Indias air quality standards remain far weaker than the WHOs safe limits  40 g/m for PM2.5 compared with the global benchmark of 5 g/m  and yet, even that 40 is not achieved across much of northern India."

The former WHO scientist warned that prolonged exposure is driving a rise in lung cancer among non-smokers. Its like smoking twenty or thirty cigarettes a day," she said, adding that infants and children are the most vulnerable.

As a paediatrician, Swaminathan underlined that the damage begins even before birth, with studies showing a higher risk of low birth weight and premature babies among mothers exposed to high pollution levels. It not only affects lung development but also impacts the brain," she said.

She added that indoor air pollution remains an overlooked hazard. Many poor families still rely on firewood or dung for cooking because LPG refills are unaffordable," she said. The result is chronic exposure for women and children inside their homes.

According to the State of Global Air 2024 report, about 1.7 lakh Indian children under five died in 2021 due to air pollution  a figure Dr Swaminathan cited to show the scale of harm. We are setting them up for a lifetime of ill health," she said, warning that pollution-driven inflammation raises the risk of diabetes, neurological disorders and chronic lung disease.

She stressed that investing in clean air is not just moral or medical, but economically smart. The World Bank estimates every dollar invested gives six dollars in return," she said.

For immediate protection, she recommended air purifiers in schools, N95 masks on high-AQI days, and limiting outdoor activity for children when pollution peaks. But she warned these are only stopgap measures. No one can isolate themselves from the air they breathe. The only solution is collective national action."

Swaminathan, a global expert in tuberculosis and HIV research, has urged the government to adopt a mission-mode, multi-sector National Clean Air Plan, backed by empowered governance and financing  a programme she compared to Indias successful large-scale drives such as the polio elimination campaign and Swachh Bharat Mission. We achieved what looked impossible before  polio elimination and massive sanitation coverage  and we can do this for clean air too," she said.

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She emphasised the need for cross-state and cross-border cooperation, saying the problem cannot be contained within city or state lines. This has to be apolitical. Clean air is a fundamental right," she said. Investing in it can add up to 2 per cent to Indias GDP."

Ending on a note of guarded optimism, she said India has repeatedly shown it can meet ambitious health goals. We can do it again," she said. If we act now, we can ensure every child in India breathes safe air."

About the Author Himani Chandna Himani Chandna, Senior Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 09:22 IST

News india Air Pollution Killing Indians Daily, Time For A National Clean Air Mission: Ex-WHO Chief Scientist

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Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has directed his ministry to halt imports of middle distillates such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene, claiming his country has achieved self-sufficiency through increased oil production coupled with ongoing additions of refining capacity. Iraq has ramped up oil production and exports, partly through the success of its Nasiriyah field as well as increased production quotas within the OPEC+ agreement. Specifically, production at the Nasiriyah field has increased to 80,000 barrels a day by bringing nine wells online, with the country's total oil exports averaging between 3.4 and 3.45 million barrels a day in September.

Meanwhile, Iraq has been revamping its refining infrastructure. Iraqs Oil Ministry has been working round the clock to bolster refining capacity since the formation of a new government in late-2022. The OPEC member currently has refining nameplate capacity of ~1.3 million barrels per day, with plans to further boost it to over 1.5 million barrels per day in the near future. Previously, the countrys refining sector was badly degraded by frequent terrorist attacks, including the destruction of the Shamal (North) refinery with output of 150,000 b/d by the Islamic State terrorist group in 2014. According to FGE NexantECA oil analyst Palash Jain, the upgrades on oil refineries have gone a long way into making Iraq self-sufficient in oil products.

Iraq mainly imports two oil products. One is gasoline, and the other one is gasoil diesel. In the past two to three years, Iraq has done quite a tremendous job in upgrading their refineries, specifically in Karbala, Basra as well as in Kirkuk, the analyst said. The development will help the country to reduce import bills and support economic development.

That said, its doubtful whether Iraq has truly achieved a balance where output exceeds all consumption categories in volume and quality. This is not the first time that the Iraqi government is claiming to have achieved self-sufficiency in supplying the domestic market. Last year, Hamid Younes, Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs, told MEES that the country was self-sufficient in middle distillates, and that the country would only import ~40,000 b/d of gasoline and suspend gasoil and kerosene imports. However, Iraq still imports high-octane motor gasoline and certain grades of low-sulfur diesel that domestic refineries cannot yet produce to Euro-spec quality.

Customs data from UAE and India for Q2 2025 show continuing exports of refined fuels to Iraq, though at reduced levels. Jain estimates that Iraq imported 50,000 barrels per day of gasoline in the first half of the current year, significantly lower from 120,000 bpd last year but still substantial.
Another Batch Of 8 Cheetahs From Botswana To Arrive In India Soon

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 17:28 IST

India will receive eight more Cheetahs from Botswana for Project Cheetah, with translocation soon. There are currently 27 Cheetahs in India.

Eight cheetahs have been captured in Botswana in southern Africa ahead of their translocation to India.(Photo Credit: Instagram)

Project Cheetah: India is set to receive eight more Cheetahs from southern Africas Botswana soon.

Eight cheetahs, including two males, have been captured in Botswana ahead of their translocation to India. They will be quarantined for a month and undergo a medical examination before being sent to India, a senior forest official told news agency PTI.

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Inter-continental translocation involves several formalities. Considering these and the upcoming Christmas holidays, I cant say when the cheetahs will be flown to Kuno National Park in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh; most probably in January," he added.

Cheetah Project field director Uttam Sharma said that the matter was being handled by the two governments, and he could not comment on it.

We already have enclosures and facilities ready for the third batch of cheetahs, which were prepared when the animals were earlier brought from Namibia and South Africa," he added.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, President Droupadi Murmu, during her visit to Angola and Botswana from November 8 to 13, will discuss the translocation of African cheetahs to India as part of Project Cheetah.

South African Delegation Visits Sanctuary

Meanwhile, a five-member South African delegation visited the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS), located on the boundary of Mandsaur and Neemuch districts in Madhya Pradesh, after its field visit to Kuno National Park on Thursday.

The team appreciated the efforts of the Central and Madhya Pradesh governments and Kuno management in cheetah conservation under Project Cheetah.

The delegation comprised Anthony Mitchell, head of office and cabinet liaison for Deputy Minister Narend Singh; Kam Chetty, retired bureaucrat; Sam Ferreira, SANParks lead biologist; Brent Coverdale, animal scientist at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife; and Jeanetta Selier, senior scientist at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

They were accompanied by Indian counterparts S P Yadav, managing director of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and advisor to Project Cheetah; Subharanjan Sen, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) of Madhya Pradesh; and Sanjayan Kumar, inspector general, NTCA, Sharma added.

Project Cheetah

On September 17, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs brought from Namibia into a special enclosure at Kuno National Park, marking the worlds first intercontinental relocation of a large wild carnivore species.

Indias record in Project Cheetah is excellent, and the survival rate of cubs is over 61 per cent, much higher than the global standard of 40 per cent, top government sources said. There are 27 Cheetahs in India right now, with 15 of them being free-ranging in the wild. India has released three Cheetahs in the Gandhisagar sanctuary this year, besides their original habitat of Kuno in Madhya Pradesh.

India got eight cheetahs from Namibia in 2022 and 12 Cheetahs from South Africa in 2023. Among the 20 translocated Cheetahs, 11 have survived. Twenty-six Cheetahs were born in India and 16 are surviving. Every adult Cheetah has a radio-collar for live monitoring, and there has been no incidence of any damage due to the radio-collar since the second year, as Cheetahs took time to acclimatise.

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India plans to get 10-12 cheetahs every year to populate new sites, ensure genetic diversity and fitness, and habitat restoration.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 17:28 IST

News india Another Batch Of 8 Cheetahs From Botswana To Arrive In India Soon

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Aviation Minister Visits Delhi ATC Tower, Reviews Operations After Glitch Disrupted 800 Flights

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 22:04 IST

Ram Mohan Naidu visited the ATC Tower at Indira Gandhi International Airport after a technical glitch delayed over 800 flights.

Ram Mohan Naidu visits Delhi ATC tower after glitch. (X)

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Saturday visited the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport to review operations in the aftermath of the technical glitch that disrupted and delayed over 800 domestic and international flights on Friday.

Naidu said that as the ATC system is now fully operational, he directed officials to conduct a detailed analysis and enhance system redundancy to make the ATC network more resilient for the future.

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Visited the ATC Tower at Delhi Airport today to review operations after the technical glitch in the ATC messaging system. Over the past two days, teams from AAI, ANS, and ECIL worked tirelessly to identify and resolve the issue while ensuring passenger safety through manual coordination. As systems are fully restored now, I have further directed officials to conduct a detailed root-cause analysis and enhance system redundancy to make our ATC network more resilient for the future," he said while sharing photos of his visit in a post on X.

Visited the ATC Tower at Delhi Airport today to review operations after the technical glitch in the ATC messaging system. Over the past two days, teams from AAI, ANS, and ECIL worked tirelessly to identify and resolve the issue while ensuring passenger safety through manual pic.twitter.com/Q5KVyZ7Nw3 Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) November 8, 2025

ATC Glitch Disrupts Delhi Airport

Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport, the countrys busiest airport, plunged into chaos on Friday, as more than 800 domestic and international flights were delayed due to the air traffic control systems technical issue.

The problem reportedly stemmed from a failure in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which manages crucial Air Traffic Control (ATC) data and flight plans.

Due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, flight operations at IGIA (Indira Gandhi International Airport) are experiencing delays. Their team is actively working with all stakeholders, including DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) to resolve it at the earliest," read a passenger advisory.

The AMSS failure also affected operations at Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Varanasi, and other major airports, as flights originating from Delhi to these destinations were delayed. However, the AAI clarified that no similar technical issue has been reported at any other airport so far.

Over the past two days, teams from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Air Navigation Services (ANS), and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) worked round the clock to identify and rectify the fault. During the downtime, manual coordination protocols were activated to ensure that flight safety was not compromised.

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The flight operations are now returning to normal. In an update posted on X on Saturday morning, the Delhi airport mentioned the technical issue that had impacted the AMSS was gradually improving," with airline operations returning to normal."

Several airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, issued relevant advisories for passengers.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 22:04 IST

News india Aviation Minister Visits Delhi ATC Tower, Reviews Operations After Glitch Disrupted 800 Flights

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'Gradually Improving': Delhi Airport Says Flight Operations Returning To Normal After ATC Glitch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 08:33 IST

Flight operations at Delhi airport are returning to normal after a major disruption caused by a technical glitch in the Air Traffic Controls Automatic Message Switching System.

People wait outside the arrivals exit at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport (Photo: PTI)

Flight operations at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) are steadily returning to normal after a major disruption caused by a technical glitch in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which supports Air Traffic Control (ATC) flight planning.

In an update posted on X on Saturday morning, the Delhi airport mentioned the technical issue that had impacted the AMSS was gradually improving," with airline operations returning to normal."

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The airport assured that all concerned authorities were working diligently to minimise any inconvenience caused" and advised passengers to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates.

The clarification came a day after a large-scale outage in the AMSS system, a crucial backbone for ATC data, led to widespread delays and congestion at the countrys busiest airport.

According to news agency ANI, the temporary AMSS outage that affected ATC operations has now been fully resolved, and normal flight services are being progressively restored not only at Delhi but also at several other airports in northern India.

IndiGo Airlines, in a statement shared on X, said it was pleased to share that the temporary AMSS system outage affecting Air Traffic Control has now been resolved, and normal operations are being progressively restored at Delhi Airport and other impacted airports in the northern region."

The airline expressed appreciation for the swift efforts of the airport and ATC authorities in resolving the issue.

As flight operations stabilise, delays and terminal-side congestion may continue for some time, and we thank you for bearing with us during this transition back to normalcy," IndiGo said, adding that its on-ground teams remained available to assist passengers.

The carrier also urged passengers to check their latest flight status before travelling and assured that it was working to ensure a smooth and pleasant journey once again."

The temporary outage, which began on Friday, led to heavy disruption in flight schedules across airlines operating from Delhi.

At least 800 flights were delayed and around 20 were cancelled, as per airport and aviation sources.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) later confirmed that the issue had been detected in the IP-based AMSS system on November 6, prompting manual processing of flight plans to keep operations running safely.

A team from Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) was called in from Hyderabad to assist in restoring the system, which was brought back online late Friday night.

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While the AMSS system is now operational, officials said residual delays might persist for a short while as backlogs are cleared and automated operations fully stabilise.

ALSO READ | What Is GPS Spoofing And How Did It Cause Major Flight Disruptions At Delhi Airport?

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: November 08, 2025, 07:34 IST

News india 'Gradually Improving': Delhi Airport Says Flight Operations Returning To Normal After ATC Glitch

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Family, Politics Different...: Sharad Pawar Silent Over Grandnephew's Name In Land Scam

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 13:06 IST

On why no FIR had been filed against Parth Pawar, Sharad Pawar remarked, Only Devendra Fadnavis can say.

The land deal, first flagged in 2022, concerns a 40-acre plot in Mundhwa near Koregaon Park valued at around 1,800 crore.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) patriarch Sharad Pawar distanced himself from the controversy surrounding grandson Parth Pawar, who is facing allegations of irregularities in a high-value Pune land deal. Responding to questions on the case, Sharad Pawar said family and politics must be viewed separately, adding that comments made by his daughter and MP Supriya Sule reflected her individual view."

Family and politics are different for me," Sharad Pawar said.

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When asked about Supriya Sules remarks on the issue, he said, What Supriya said is her individual view."

On why no FIR had been filed against Parth Pawar, he remarked, Only Devendra Fadnavis can say."

Probe Ordered Into Pune Land Transaction

The comments came a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry committee to investigate allegations of corruption and procedural violations in a Pune land transaction involving Amedea Enterprises LLP, a company linked to Parth Pawar, son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The land deal, first flagged in 2022, concerns a 40-acre plot in Mundhwa near Koregaon Park valued at around 1,800 crore. Opposition parties allege the plot was sold for just 300 crore and that the transaction involved an improper stamp duty waiver worth 21 crore. The probe will examine whether statutory procedures were followed and if political influence played a role.

Ajit Pawar Denies Any Involvement

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dismissed accusations of wrongdoing and emphasised that he had no connection to the land transfer.

I am not even remotely connected to this land deal. I will not tolerate any wrongdoing. I will analyse the details of the case personally," he said, adding that he had never called any officer to benefit any of our relatives or party workers," and asserted that grown children conduct their own business independently.

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Parth Pawar Rejects Allegations

Parth Pawar, a partner in Amedea Enterprises LLP, has also denied the allegations. He maintains that the transaction adhered to all legal requirements and insisted he did nothing wrong."

First Published: November 08, 2025, 13:06 IST

News india Family, Politics Different...: Sharad Pawar Silent Over Grandnephew's Name In Land Scam

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IAF To Form Barak Formation With Op Sindoor Fighter Jets In Special Guwahati Flypast

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 19:19 IST

The formation will feature frontline fighter jets, including the Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas, and Mirage aircraft, all of which played roles during Operation Sindoor.

The formation will feature frontline fighter jets including the Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas, and Mirage aircraft. (Image: PTI/File)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will fly all aircraft that took part in Operation Sindoor in a special formation, called Barak", as a part of the 93rd Air Force Day celebrations being held at Lachit Ghat on the banks of the Brahmaputra in Guwahati on Sunday.

The formation will feature frontline fighter jets, including the Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas, and Mirage aircraft, all of which played roles during Operation Sindoor, Indias precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror attack.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will join the forces in the presence of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal Surat Singh, to witness the spectacle amid the scenic beauty of the river on Sunday, along with other dignitaries like Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

93rd Air Force Day Celebrations

The IAF has geared up to hold the first-ever full-scale air show in the Northeastern region at Guwahati over the next two days. To mark the 93rd anniversary of the Indian Air Force, Eastern Air Command is organising the show over the weekend at Lachit Ghat above the Barhmaputra river, to display over 75 fighter helicopters and planes in more than 25 formations.

Frontline fighter jets, including the Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage, Jaguar, and attack helicopters like the Apache, along with heavy transport aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, and IL-78 refueller, will take part. The Surya Kiran aerobatic team and advanced light helicopters will also perform.

This is the first time the IAF is holding such an expanded air show in the Northeast. Almost the entire range of IAF aircraft and helicopters will be on display," Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat told news agency PTI. The public will get a close view of our sky warriors showcasing their skill, precision, and aerial capability."

Rawat said the display is not only meant to showcase military strength but also to inspire young people in the region to consider careers in the armed forces. The event aims to foster patriotism, discipline and a spirit of service. Designated viewing areas have been created on both sides of the riverbank," he added.

Rehearsal flights have been underway since earlier this week, drawing large crowds along the riverfront.

According to the Flying Display 2025 schedule, the show will be held between 12:30 pm and 2 pm on both days. The aircraft will operate from seven air bases across the region, including Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat, Chabua, Hasimara, Bagdogra, and Panagarh.

Operation Sindoor

In the early hours of May 7, Indian Defence Forces launched precision strikes at nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor" in response to the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.

The strikes killed over 100 terrorists, including 10 family members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and four close aides.

Targets included Jaishs Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Sarjal camp in Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and the Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad. Lashkars strongholds  Markaz Taiba in Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad  were also hit. Hizbul Mujahideens facilities at Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot were among those targeted.

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The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

Location : Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 19:19 IST

News india IAF To Form Barak Formation With Op Sindoor Fighter Jets In Special Guwahati Flypast

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India Airlifts Citizens Trapped In Myanmar Cyber Scam Hub Near Thai Border

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 10:50 IST

India is repatriating hundreds who fled KK Park in Myanmar after a military raid exposed cyber scams and trafficking. Over 1,500 from 28 nations escaped.

Representational image (AI Image)

India has begun flying home hundreds of its nationals who recently fled from a sprawling cyber-scam compound in neighbouring Myanmar after its army raided the site. The first group, numbering around 270 Indians, departed from Thailands Mae Sot town on Thursday, en route to India.

The complex known as KK Park, on the outskirts of Myawaddy in Myanmars Kayin State near the Thai border, is alleged to have served as a major centre for online fraud, illegal gambling and human-trafficking operations. It drew in workers from dozens of countries under false job offers and forced them into scam operations.

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After the mid-October raid by Myanmars military, which reportedly included explosions and partial demolition of the compound, over 1,500 people from 28 nations fled into Thailand. Thai authorities set up temporary processing camps in Mae Sot to accommodate them, while India coordinated with its missions in Thailand and Myanmar for the evacuation of its citizens.

This repatriation marks Indias latest effort in response to a pattern of South Asian nationals being lured abroad with promises of lucrative tech or office jobs, only to find themselves trapped in illegal scam-factory" compounds. Many such operations in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos are estimated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to generate nearly US$40 billion in annual profits.

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New Delhi has also warned citizens to exercise caution when accepting overseas job offers, emphasising that visa-free travel to Thailand or neighbouring countries should not be used for employment and advising thorough verification of recruiters and employers.

Location : Myanmar (Burma)

First Published: November 08, 2025, 10:58 IST

News india India Airlifts Citizens Trapped In Myanmar Cyber Scam Hub Near Thai Border

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Investor Moves Bombay HC Over Alleged Disclosure Gaps In WeWork IPO; Company Denies Allegations

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 23:26 IST

Rishab Agarwal has named the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and several Book Running Lead Managers (BRLMs) as respondents

The investor has alleged in the HC that WeWork India and its related entities made selective and incomplete disclosures in connection with the companys Initial Public Offering (IPO). (File photo)

An investor has knocked on the doors of the Bombay High Court, alleging that WeWork India and its related entities made selective and incomplete disclosures in connection with the companys Initial Public Offering (IPO).

In his petition, Rishab Agarwal has named the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and several Book Running Lead Managers (BRLMs) as respondents, claiming they did not ensure compliance with SEBIs Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements (ICDR) Regulations, 2018.

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The plea cites earlier complaints filed by Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Ltd to SEBI regarding alleged non-disclosures by WeWork. Agarwal contends that although WeWork published these complaints on its website, the annexures and supporting documents were omitted, thereby withholding vital information from investors.

WeWork India has strongly refuted the allegations, asserting that all disclosures were complete and made in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

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In its reply dated November 3, 2025, the company noted that while a prosecution complaint has been filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), no chargesheet exists, and some related proceedings remain pending before various courts, including the Bombay High Court.

It also emphasised that the fit and proper person" criteria under SEBIs Intermediaries Regulationsinvoked by the petitionerare themselves under judicial review.

About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU vi... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 20:45 IST

News india Investor Moves Bombay HC Over Alleged Disclosure Gaps In WeWork IPO; Company Denies Allegations

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Ironing Out Creases: After CJIs Rebuke, AG Apologises As Centre Signals Openness To Tribunal Reforms

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 09:30 IST

Attorney General R. Venkataramani apologized to the Supreme Court after CJI B. R. Gavai criticized delays in hearings on the Tribunal Reforms Act.

The Supreme Court. (Image: PTI/File)

Attorney General R. Venkataramani issued an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court after Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai sharply criticised the Centres repeated requests that disrupted ongoing hearings on challenges to the Tribunal Reforms Act. The apology came two days after the court deplored the governments attempt to seek a reference to a five-judge Constitution bench midway through arguments and a day after it rebuked a bid to adjourn a scheduled hearing.

Appearing via video conference, AG Venkataramani told the bench, I am tendering a volley of apologies for inconveniencing the court. I will appear before the bench in person on Monday and present my submissions on the validity of the Tribunal Reforms Act."

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He added that the Centre would explain the rationale behind its position but remained open to addressing the concerns raised by petitioners.

If possible, ironing out of creases can be done. The Supreme Court can tell us the creases," he said.

The CJI, sitting with Justice K. Vinod Chandran, noted that the bench had already accommodated the AGs earlier request for absence on Friday. Emphasising that further delays would not be accepted, the CJI said, On Monday either you leave international arbitration or entrust Aishwarya Bhati to argue the case."

At the core of the petitions is the Tribunal Reforms Acts provision for uniform four-year tenures for members and chairpersons of key tribunals, including the NCLT, NCLAT, CAT, CESTAT, APTEL, TDSAT, ITAT and DRT. Senior advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for the petitioners, argued that short fixed terms deter qualified younger professionals from applying and effectively limit appointments to retired personnel. He warned that the possibility of renewal at the governments discretion threatened institutional independence.

CJI Gavai echoed the concern, questioning whether tribunal members who rely on the executive for renewal can truly function independently.

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If the tribunal members and chairperson are dependent on the government for the renewal of their tenures, then would it not impinge upon the independence of judicial functions of the tribunals?" he asked.

The matter will resume on Monday when the attorney general is expected to present the governments defence of the law.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 09:30 IST

News india Ironing Out Creases: After CJIs Rebuke, AG Apologises As Centre Signals Openness To Tribunal Reforms

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Major Crackdown In J&K Over Cross-Border Terror Links; Raids Conducted In Kulgam, Doda, Rajouri

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 10:58 IST

Kulgam Police launched a massive crackdown on networks linked to Pakistan and PoK, targeting individuals aiding terror activities across South Kashmir.

Terror-linked raids across Jammu and Kashmir (Photos: News18)

In a sweeping counter-terror operation, the Kulgam Police in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday initiated a large-scale crackdown against those allegedly operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK).

The move was being seen as part of a wider effort to dismantle the underground ecosystem supporting terrorism in the Valley.

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Sources said the crackdown was launched following a high-level meeting chaired by the Director General of Police (DGP).

According to officials, multiple Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) were carried out across several parts of Kulgam district based on credible intelligence inputs.

The searches focused on individuals suspected of facilitating or funding terror networks and maintaining communication with their relatives currently based across the border.

During the coordinated raids, several relatives and overground workers (OGWs) of these Jammu and Kashmir nationals were booked under relevant sections of law for their continued involvement in anti-national activities, including providing logistical assistance, spreading propaganda material, and helping in recruitment drives for terror outfits.

Police teams also seized a cache of digital devices and incriminating documents believed to be used for subversive purposes.

A senior police officer said the operation was part of an ongoing campaign to completely dismantle the support structures of terror in South Kashmir", emphasising that such measures will continue until the networks facilitating cross-border militancy are neutralised.

Meanwhile, the Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) also intensified surprise inspections at multiple jails to curb the use of illegal communication channels by inmates.

Specific inputs prompted joint inspections of barracks and belongings of prisoners, in coordination with jail authorities, to detect any unauthorised cell phones or materials aiding subversive activities," a CIK official confirmed.

The initiative aims to tighten internal security and prevent any misuse of prison facilities.

In a related development, extensive search operations were also launched in Rajouri and Doda districts.

Doda Police conducted simultaneous searches at several locations, including the residences of slain militants and areas where recent encounters occurred.

The objective, according to officials, is to trace possible militant links, sleeper cells, and logistical support networks active in the region.

Security agencies said the coordinated crackdown across multiple districts reflects a heightened focus on disrupting terror financing and communication channels, both within the Union Territory and across the Line of Control (LoC).

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Authorities reiterated that the operations will continue until every element of the terror ecosystem, both internal and external, is identified and eliminated."

ALSO READ | Two Terrorists Killed By Army In J&Ks Kupwara

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: November 08, 2025, 10:28 IST

News india Major Crackdown In J&K Over Cross-Border Terror Links; Raids Conducted In Kulgam, Doda, Rajouri

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Karnataka Woman Kills Elderly Neighbour For Gold, Dumps Body Near Lake

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 23:40 IST

The crime was uncovered after an investigation by Sarjapur Police, who arrested a woman named Deepa for the alleged murder of 68-year-old Bhadramma.

The incident was reported from Kooguru village in Anekal taluk near Bengaluru. (Representational)

In a shocking incident, an elderly woman who went missing from Kooguru village in Anekal taluk near Bengaluru was killed, then kept hidden inside a house for two days, and later dumped near a lake, Karnataka police said.

The crime was uncovered after an investigation by Sarjapur Police, who arrested a woman named Deepa for the alleged murder of 68-year-old Bhadramma, who had gone missing on October 30, as per reports.

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According to police, a missing person complaint was lodged on October 31 after extensive searches by family members and villagers failed to locate the elderly woman. Police then began a wide-area search operation around the village.

Days later, on November 6, police received a crucial lead indicating that Bhadramma was last seen visiting the home of a woman named Deepa, who lived in the same village.

Acting on this information, police detained Deepa for questioning.

During interrogation, she confessed to the murder, revealing a chilling chain of events.

Deepa told investigators that she allegedly lured Bhadramma to her home by offering her kajjaya, a traditional sweet, and then strangled her to steal her gold chain. After the murder, Deepa placed the body in a large bag and kept it inside her house for two days.

As the odour from decomposition grew, the cops said, she transferred the body into another bag.

She then called her son, telling him they needed to throw out garbage, police said.

Together, they allegedly carried the body to Doddathimmasandra Lake and dumped it among the bushes near the lakebed, according to police.

Deepa reportedly continued her daily routine in the village and denied any involvement when questioned by the victims family.

Police later recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem examination. A murder case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code at Sarjapur Police Station.

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Preliminary investigations suggest that greed for gold was the motive behind the crime. Police are now probing the possible involvement of other family members and are working to trace the missing jewellery and additional evidence.

Further investigation is ongoing.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

Location : Karnataka, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 23:40 IST

News india Karnataka Woman Kills Elderly Neighbour For Gold, Dumps Body Near Lake

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International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the stocks highlighted as Jim Cramer responded to questions from Harvard Business School students. A student asked what advice Cramer would give to people currently investing in AI infrastructure for quantum computing. He replied:

Okay, first, I think there are only two quantums right now that are, that are actually real. One is IBM and the other is Google. Theres a lot of others. Weve had D-Wave on You know, actually, Im not saying that theyre all jokes like Rigetti is a joke.. Its not like that. I do feel that whats happened is that there are a lot of speculative stocks about quantum that are 7, 8, 10 years away. IBMs got something thats going to work in the next year or two. It should impact all the power that, we wont need nearly as much power with quantum. But as Jensen Huang told me multiple times, hell be in there too. You cant run the quantum without the GPUs, so you can run them side by side. IBM is the inexpensive way. They do have eight machines that are currently working in quantum. Thats the way to play it. Nothing else right now, okay? Nothing else.

Photo by Anton Maksimov juvnsky on Unsplash

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) provides software, consulting, infrastructure, and financing solutions to help clients with digital and AI transformations.

While we acknowledge the potential of SBUX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Kerala CM Criticises Railways For Playing RSS Song At Vande Bharat Event: Destroying Secularism

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 18:34 IST

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticised Southern Railway after students sang an RSS song at a train inauguration, calling it unconstitutional.

Visuals show students singing the RSS song onboard the Vande Bharat Express. (Photo: X)

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday criticised the Southern Railway after a video of school students singing an RSS song onboard the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat Express from Ernakulam to Bengaluru emerged. In an official statement, Vijayan described the act as unacceptable."

He took to X and wrote, The @GMSRailway making students sing the RSS anthem at the flag-off of the ErnakulamBengaluru Vande Bharat Express is highly condemnable. Including the anthem of an organisation known for its communal ideology and hate-mongering in an official event is a blatant violation of constitutional principles."

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By sharing the video on its social media handles, the railway authorities have exposed how eminent national institutions are being subverted by Sangh Parivar politics. Once a proud symbol of Indias secular nationalism, the Railways is now being used to sneak communal ideology into official functions. All secular and democratic forces must unite to resist this dangerous move," Kerala CM said.

Students Sing RSS Song On Vande Bharat | Video

Kerala politician John Brittas shared the video of students singing the RSS song on Vande Bharat. Watch the video here.

The RSS Ganageetham formed an integral part of the highly politicised inauguration of the new Vande Bharat service between Ernakulam and Bangalore. Indian Railways has stooped to new depths, as even the announcement of new services is now marked by political fanfare while pic.twitter.com/wWIhQszTvS John Brittas (@JohnBrittas) November 8, 2025

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off Ernakulam-KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat. It is the first inter-state semi-high-speed premium train service linking Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the Southern Railways said.

KSR Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express will provide seamless connectivity between Ernakulam, the commercial capital of Kerala and the cosmopolitan city of Bengaluru," a press note from Southern Railway said.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 18:34 IST

News india Kerala CM Criticises Railways For Playing RSS Song At Vande Bharat Event: Destroying Secularism

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Luxury Cars, Rs 1.01 Crore: ED Makes Big Seizure In Bengal Human Trafficking Racket Probe

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 19:48 IST

ED seized Rs 1.01 crore, luxury cars, and devices in West Bengal raids in human trafficking racket. Investigation ongoing.

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The ED took action after 81 FIRs were filed against Kapoor and SRS Group | Representative image

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized more than Rs 1.01 crore in cash and two luxury cars in West Bengal on Friday after conducting simultaneous raids as part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged organised" human trafficking and prostitution racket being operated in certain bars and restaurants, officials said.

According to the officials, the federal probe agency conducted raids at at least eight locations in Bidhannagar (North 24 Parganas district), Kolkata, and Siliguri under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

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The search operations led to the seizure of over Rs 1.01 crore in cash and two luxury cars, a Land Rover Defender and a Jaguar, digital devices, and various property documents. Officials also identified several bank accounts linked to the accused, used for handling the illicit funds.

Plastic notes" were also discovered during the raids which were being used as currency within the dance bar premises for payments related to trafficking and other illegal activities.

The money laundering case originates from several FIRs and chargesheets filed by the state police against the main accused, Jagjit Singh, Ajmal Siddiqui, Bishnu Mundra, and their associates, NDTV reported.

The investigation revealed that the accused were involved in exploiting vulnerable women by luring them with false promises of employment and coercing them into prostitution.

Officials said the illegal activities generated large sums of cash, which were laundered through several companies owned and operated by the accused.

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Multiple FIRs against the accused were registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Arms Act, and Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1986, all of which fall under the ambit of the PMLA, 2002.

Further investigation into the money trail and international linkages of the racket is underway.

Location : West Bengal, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 19:48 IST

News india Luxury Cars, Rs 1.01 Crore: ED Makes Big Seizure In Bengal Human Trafficking Racket Probe

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Modi Govts Big Plans For 2026 BRICS Presidency: Project Strong Image Of India | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 18:10 IST

Similar to India's earlier G20 presidency, the goal is to present a country-wide, pan-India BRICS image while showcasing India's rich culture and heritage

BRICS meetings are expected to be held across all 28 states and 9 union territories, covering approximately 60 cities. (File image)

The Narendra Modi government has ambitious plans for hosting the presidency of BRICS starting January 1, 2026, aiming to build and project a strong brand image for India during its tenure, according to a document seen by CNN-News18. US President Donald Trump has described BRICS as an attack on the US dollar" and justified tariffs against member countries.

BRICS meetings are expected to be held across all 28 states and 9 union territories, covering approximately 60 cities. Similar to Indias earlier G20 presidency, the goal is to present a country-wide, pan-India BRICS image while showcasing Indias rich culture and heritage, as stated in the document accessed by CNN-News18. A BRICS theme song, lasting 3-4 minutes, may be composed by a renowned Indian musician of international repute who has experience in world music and performing at prestigious international forums or is a recipient of global awards.

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BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation with 11 full members and 10 partner countries, including India, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Upon attaining the presidency of BRICS for 2026, India is keen to effectively showcase its position on both national and international levels, as per the document. India has played a crucial role in developing the agenda for institutional reforms, climate finance, digital governance, and strengthening the voice of the global south, the document reveals.

The government will undertake a branding and publicity campaign for Indias BRICS presidency to popularise the BRICS logo, themes, priorities, and outcomes to a wide audience, both domestically and internationally.

Planned Activities

A list of planned activities includes a BRICS-themed kite festival, projection of the BRICS logo through ecological diyas during Diwali, holographic representations of the BRICS logo in various cities, a Republic Day tableau, and branding on airlines used for delegate transportation.

The government also plans BRICS branding and publicity during state festivals such as the Kerala boat festival, the International Sand Art Festival of Odisha, and the Goa carnival. Additionally, the BRICS logo will be projected on public transport like metro systems, state buses, and railways. Other initiatives include drone swarms in cities and possible collaborations with food festivals for a BRICS-themed food fest.

Indias G20 Success

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India successfully held the G20 chair in 2023, culminating in the New Delhi Leaders Declaration (NDLD), unanimously adopted by all G20 members. Through Jan Bhagidari" (peoples participation) events, the G20 reached 1.4 billion citizens, involving all states and union territories as partners. Nearly 220 meetings took place in 60 cities across India, including Jammu and Kashmir.

India plans to replicate this model for the year-long presidency of BRICS in 2026.

About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, News Director For CNN News18 and News18 English, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office. He has written widely on pol... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 18:05 IST

News india Modi Govts Big Plans For 2026 BRICS Presidency: Project Strong Image Of India | Exclusive

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On The Run Since 2023, Pakistan-Linked Narco-Terror Kingpin Nabbed At Mumbai Airport

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 21:27 IST

Mohammad Arshad alias Asif, the kingpin of a narco-terror module, had been absconding since 2023 and was operating from Saudi Arabia.

The Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) arrested Mohammad Arshad alias Asif at Mumbai Airport. (PTI/Representative Image)

The Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday claimed a major breakthrough with the arrest of a narco-terror kingpin, who had ties with Pakistan-based handlers, at the Mumbai Airport.

Mohammad Arshad alias Asif, who is a resident of Degwar-Terwan village in Haveli tehsil of Poonch, had been absconding since 2023 and was operating from Saudi Arabia, a spokesperson for the agency said. He served as a key link between Pakistan-based handlers and narco-terror operatives in Jammu and Kashmir as a kingpin of a narco-terror module".

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A look-out circular was issued against Arshad in 2023 by the SIA Jammu, following a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) issued by the competent court. The accused has been taken into custody on a three-day transit remand from Mumbai, the spokesperson said.

Out of eight accused involved in the case, two are currently absconding. One absconder, identified as Laquit Ahmed, was earlier arrested by SIA Jammu from Ahmedabads Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in March 2025. He had fled to Dubai soon after the incident.

The agency said Arshad had facilitated the travel of co-accused Ahmed to Dubai and also organised a secret meeting in Poonchs Surankote, aimed at the revival of terrorism and narco-terror activities in the Pir Panjal region.

The arrest marks a significant success for the SIA, Jammu and Kashmir in its sustained efforts to dismantle networks involved in narco-terrorism and cross-border subversive activities," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the SIA filed a chargesheet in an NIA court here against seven persons accused in a narco-terror case in Jammu and Kashmir. The case pertained to a narco-terror module allegedly operated by Pakistan-based handler Mushtaq Ahmad Khan alias Khalid Bhai of the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen.

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The FIR was registered on January 6 at the Parimpora police station after nine kilograms of heroin were recovered from a vehicle during a check, officials said.

(with PTI inputs)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 21:27 IST

News india On The Run Since 2023, Pakistan-Linked Narco-Terror Kingpin Nabbed At Mumbai Airport

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Operation Pimple: Two Terrorists Killed By Army In J&Ks Kupwara

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 08:49 IST

Indian Army foiled an infiltration attempt in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara, eliminating two terrorists under Operation Pimple. Chinar Corps confirmed the ongoing search.

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The terrorists were eliminated under Operation Pimple. (File photo)

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Keran sector of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army said on Saturday.

In a post on X, the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said the operation was launched on Friday, after security agencies provided specific intelligence about an infiltration attempt in Keran.

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OP PIMPLE, Keran, KupwaraOn 07 Nov 2025, based on specific intelligence input from agencies, regarding infiltration attempt, a joint operation was launched in Keran sector of Kupwara. Alert troops spotted suspicious activity and challenged which resulted in terrorists opening pic.twitter.com/Yu1nLkPQG6  Chinar Corps  Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) November 8, 2025

On 07 Nov 2025, based on specific intelligence input from agencies, regarding infiltration attempt, a joint operation was launched in Keran sector of Kupwara. Alert troops spotted suspicious activity and challenged which resulted in terrorists opening indiscriminate fire. Contact established and terrorists trapped," the Chinar Corps said in its post.

Two terrorists have been neutralised by the security forces in the ongoing operation. Search of the area in progress," it added.

A search operation in the area is currently underway to ensure no more infiltrators are present.

Earlier on November 5, an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district. The Indian Army had said its troops, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, engaged terrorists in the area during an intelligence-based operation.

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On 13 October, security forces in Kupwara killed two terrorists. The operation took place in the Kumbakdi forest near the Line of Control (LoC) after the terrorists attempted to infiltrate.

Kupwara district, located along the LoC, has witnessed several infiltration bids in recent months as security forces maintain heightened vigilance to prevent militants from crossing into Indian territory ahead of winter when heavy snowfall blocks major routes.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 08:49 IST

News india Operation Pimple: Two Terrorists Killed By Army In J&Ks Kupwara

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Winter Session Of Parliament To Commence From December 1, Conclude On 19

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 13:09 IST

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the governments proposal to hold the Winter Session of Parliament from December 1 to 19, 2025.

A photo of the Parliament of India (PTI)

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the proposal of the government to convene the Winter Session of Parliament from December 1 to December 19, 2025, subject to the exigencies of parliamentary business.

Announcing the development, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated, The Honble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji has approved the proposal of the Government to convene the Winter Session of Parliament from 1st December 2025 to 19th December, 2025 (subject to exigencies of Parliamentary business)."

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The statement further added, Looking forward to a constructive and meaningful session that strengthens our democracy and serves the aspirations of the people."

The Monsoon Session of the Parliament saw stormy debates between the government and the Opposition over issues, including the April 26 Pahalgam terror attack and Indias subsequent Operation Sindoor against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha also faced continuous disruptions during the Monsoon Session over the oppositions demand for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.

Disruptions by Opposition MPs were also witnessed after they tore up a bill that sought the removal of the Prime Minister, chief ministers, and ministers facing serious criminal charges.

With both the Houses witnessing repeated adjournments due to disruptions throughout the session, the productivity of Lok Sabha was about 31 per cent, and that of Rajya Sabha was about 39 per cent.

In the Lok Sabha, discussions could happen for only 37 hours out of the total available 120 hours and in the Rajya Sabha, discussions took place for 41 hours and 15 minutes.

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A total of 15 bills were passed by Parliament during the session.

ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi Spoke Of H-Bomb, Couldnt Light A Firecracker: Rajnath Singh On Vote Theft Claims

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: November 08, 2025, 12:48 IST

News india Winter Session Of Parliament To Commence From December 1, Conclude On 19

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House Panel Recommended ATC System Revamp In August After Tech Issues Were Flagged

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra



Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 11:38 IST

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport had earlier urged a time-bound overhaul of Indias outdated Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems.

Flights seen at the Delhi airport (PTI)

A day after the technical disruption at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport, it has now come to the fore that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, in its August report, had called for a comprehensive, time-bound overhaul of Indias Air Traffic Control (ATC) automation systems.

In the report, the committee had warned that outdated technology poses operational and safety challenges, particularly at high-density airports such as Delhi and Mumbai.

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The Committee made its recommendations after the Air Traffic Controllers Guild (India) drew attention to critical technological issues within existing automation systems.

According to the details, the Guild had highlighted that several ATC platforms were showing performance degradation, including system slowness, data processing delays, and a lack of modern decision-support features, factors that directly affect operational efficiency and compromise safety margins.

In response, the committee laid down a series of key recommendations aimed at modernising the ATC infrastructure and ensuring global-standard safety and performance benchmarks.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE COMMITTEE INCLUDED

Time-bound modernisation: The Committee had urged the government to prepare a time-bound plan for a comprehensive overhaul of ATC automation systems, incorporating AI-driven tools and advanced automation technologies to enhance accuracy, speed, and safety in air traffic management. Benchmarking against global standards: The procurement and development of new systems must be benchmarked against the latest international standards, the committee said, adding that the system must include predictive analytics for traffic flow, AI-driven conflict resolution tools, advanced surface movement guidance, and real-time interoperability between air and ground systems. Technical audit of existing platforms: A comprehensive technical audit of all existing automation platforms should be undertaken immediately to identify priority areas requiring urgent intervention and to mitigate any risks arising from system degradation, the committee had said. Consultation with experts and controllers: The committee has stressed that the development and implementation of new systems must be carried out in close consultation with domain experts and serving Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) to ensure that the technology introduced is user-friendly, operationally effective, and aligned with real-world requirements.

The committee had also observed that the issue is symptomatic of a broader trend, and that the pace of technological upgradation in Indias critical Air Traffic Control infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the exponential growth in air traffic and airspace complexity.

While the number of flights has soared, the core technological tools used to manage them have not evolved at a commensurate rate, leading to a growing gap between operational demands and system capabilities.

In its further analysis, the committee said existing systems lack advanced features for conflict detection and predictive analysis, increasing controller workload.

These missing features include sophisticated and AI-enabled conflict detection and alerting tools, predictive analytics for traffic flow management, and seamless, real-time data sharing capabilities between different control units and with aircraft.

This technological deficit places an enormous additional cognitive strain on the already-overworked ATCOs.

They are forced to manually compensate for the systems shortcomings, performing mental calculations and cross-checks that a modern system would automate.

This not only increases the risk of human error but also limits the overall capacity of the airspace, the committee added.

More than 800 domestic and international flights were delayed due to the air traffic control systems technical issue at the Delhi airport on Friday. The issue was later addressed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Later, it was known that the airline operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were impacted due to a technical issue in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which supports air traffic control data.

ECIL (Electronics Corporation of India Ltd) officials from Hyderabad came to the national capital to help in addressing the technical issue.

According to AAI, the technical issue was first detected on November 6, and immediately, a review meeting was conducted by the Civil Aviation Secretary, along with AAI Chairman, AAI Member ANS and other officials, and necessary directions were given to address the issue.

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The national capitals Indira Gandhi International Airport handles more than 1,500 flight movements daily.

ALSO READ | Delhi Airport Says Flight Operations Returning To Normal After ATC Glitch

About the Author Anvit Srivastava Anvit Srivastava, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, covers crime, security, policing and society in Delhi. His impactful ground reports have helped him make his mark among the select credited jou... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 11:37 IST

News india House Panel Recommended ATC System Revamp In August After Tech Issues Were Flagged

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This new route will boost religious and cultural tourism, providing pilgrims and travellers with a faster, more modern, and comfortable way to reach Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This will also reduce travel time between key stops.

Vande Bharat Express Trains Will Connect These Major Routes

The Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat will directly connect some of Indias most revered religious and cultural destinations, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho, saving 2 hours 40 minutes compared to the special trains currently in operation.

The LucknowSaharanpur Vande Bharat Express will complete the journey in 7 hours 45 minutes, cutting travel time by nearly an hour. It will benefit passengers across central and western Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Bareilly, Moradabad, and Saharanpur, while improving access to Haridwar via Roorkee, and boosting regional connectivity and development.

The FirozpurDelhi Vande Bharat Express will be the fastest train on the route, covering the distance in 6 hours 40 minutes. It will enhance links between Delhi and key Punjab cities like Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala, supporting trade, tourism, and employment in the border regions.

In the south, the ErnakulamBengaluru Vande Bharat Express will cut travel time by over 2 hours, completing the trip in 8 hours 40 minutes. The train will connect major IT, commercial, and tourism hubs across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, fostering economic growth and regional collaboration.

PM Modi Addresses Rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed a rally after flagging off the trains and congratulated the city for festival of development.

I saw the magnificent Dev Deepawali being held here and today, I congratulate you all for this festival of development. The countries that have seen economic development, infrastructure has played a massive role there," said PM Modi.

VIDEO | Varanasi: Addressing a public gathering after flagging off four new Vande Bharat trains, Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) says, We are trying to make it a special experience for everyone who comes, visits, and lives in Varanasi. Around 1011 years ago, BHU pic.twitter.com/N2wzzaRPqE Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 8, 2025

The way India has today launched a campaign to make its resources superior for a developed Indiathese trains are going to become a milestone in that," added the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister further highlighted the pilgrimage sites the journey will cover and said, Countless pilgrimage sites like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Chitrakoot, Kurukshetra are the centers of our spiritual stream. Today, as these sacred abodes are being connected through the Vande Bharat network, it also serves to link Indias culture, faith, and development in a way. This is an important step towards making the cities of Indias heritage symbols of the countrys development."
PM Modi To Visit Bhutan From November 11-12, To Inaugurate 1,020 MW Hydroelectric Plant

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 18:38 IST

PM Modi will also attend celebrations marking the 70th birth anniversary of Bhutan's King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and hold discussions with his counterpart Tshering Tobgay.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. (PTI/File)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a state visit to Bhutan from November 11 to 12, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday.

During the visit, PM Modi will meet Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and the two leaders will inaugurate the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, developed jointly by the two countries. He will also attend the celebrations marking the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan and father of the current monarch.

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Prime Minister Modi will also hold discussions with his Bhutanese counterpart, Tshering Tobgay. His visit coincides with the exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India. The PM will offer prayers to the Holy Relics at Tashichhodzong in Thimphu and will also participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan, according to the MEA.

Prime Ministers visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to deliberate on ways to further enhance and strengthen our bilateral partnership, and exchange views on regional and wider issues of mutual interest," read the official statement.

CNN-News18 had earlier reported PM Modis upcoming visit to the Himalayan nation on the occasion of the 70th birthday of Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Earlier this week, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay highlighted evolving India-Bhutan relations and said, Theres a lot of cooperation already happening. This is being built actually on cooperation that we have enjoyed over millennia because many spiritual masters from India travelled to Bhutan or sometimes to other parts of the Himalayas and ended up in Bhutan and if they didnt come here in person, their teachings ultimately found their home in Bhutan," he told ANI.

He affirmed that the highest leaders of both the countries enjoy tremendous goodwill and Bhutan has benefited from the partnership. In the past, our cooperation was defined by development partnership and development cooperation and we have benefited tremendously from this partnership with India," he said.

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PM Modi last visited Bhutan in March 2024, where the King accorded him the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, the nations highest civilian honour, becoming the first foreign head of government to be bestowed with the honour. PM Modi dedicated the honour to India and its 140 crore citizens.

This award was first announced in December 2021 during Bhutans National Day. Narendra Modi is an outstanding embodiment of national, regional, and global leadership. Under him, India has become the fastest growing economy in the world and will be the third largest economy by 2030," a citation on the award conferred to PM reads.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 18:28 IST

News india PM Modi To Visit Bhutan From November 11-12, To Inaugurate 1,020 MW Hydroelectric Plant

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Pune Land Deal Cancelled: Ajit Pawar Defends Son Parth, Says He Was Unaware It Was Govt Property

Curated By :

PTI

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 08:56 IST

A 300 crore land deal in Mundhwa, Pune involving Parth Pawar was cancelled amid misconduct claims. Ajit Pawar denies wrongdoing. A high-level probe is underway.

Ajit Pawar . (PTI File)

A staggered land transaction in Pune has been cancelled amid allegations of misconduct involving a 40-acre plot in the upscale Mundhwa area. The land, originally belonging to the government, was the subject of a proposed deal worth 300 crore with a firm in which Parth Pawar is a partner. The company involved is Amadea Enterprises LLP.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated that neither his son nor his business partner was aware that the land was governmentowned at the time the deal was entered into. He confirmed the transaction has now been scrapped, asserting that no money has exchanged hands and the deal did not reach completion.

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A highlevel committee, led by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge and including the Pune District Collector, Inspector General of Registration & Stamps, and other senior officials, has been formed to investigate the unauthorized registration of documents related to Survey No 88 in Mouje Mundhwa. The panel has been given a deadline of one month to submit its findings.

Meanwhile, the opposition has criticised the government for what they call the theft" of land that was reserved for Scheduled Castes under Mahar Watan rules  and the alleged waiver of stamp duty worth crores of rupees. Activist Anna Hazare weighed in, saying that if children of ministers are involved in wrongdoing, responsibility ultimately lies with the minister.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 08:56 IST

News india Pune Land Deal Cancelled: Ajit Pawar Defends Son Parth, Says He Was Unaware It Was Govt Property

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Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is one of the stocks highlighted as Jim Cramer responded to questions from Harvard Business School students. A student asked if the stock, given the companys reputation for innovation, its decline of over 50% from its peak, and recent deals involving Metsera and the Trump administration on drug pricing, is now a buy. In response, Cramer said:

No. Pfizer sells at eight times earnings and will continue to sell at eight times earnings. Ill give you an example of what Dr. Bourla should have done. He should have done a preemptive bid and get that. He really needs, he needs to go up again slowly. He does not have a growth engine. Were beginning to believe that Seagen, which is the old Seattle Genetics acquisition, has not produced the results that we thought. He had an upside surprise in both earnings and revenues, and the stock did not go up. That is what I call an uninvestible situation.

Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) develops and sells medicines and vaccines across therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular, infectious diseases, immunology, and oncology.

While we acknowledge the potential of SBUX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Shay Mitchell Releases Kids' Skincare, Internet Slams Her: 'Let Them Be Children'

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 15:51 IST

Shay Mitchells skincare line for kids features a hydrogel facial mask, an after-sun facial mask, and an everyday sheet mask.

The internet slams Shay Mitchell for launching skincare products for kids.

Shay Mitchell launched a new skincare line this week wait for it for kids. But things took a not-so-pretty turn for the Pretty Little Liars star, as she has been facing a tremendous amount of backlash from the internet. She is being accused of promoting unrealistic beauty standards among children.

On Thursday, the 38-year-old actor launched a brand, called Rini, which sells hydrating face and eye masks for kids. In the caption of her Instagram post, she said her company isnt about beauty or self-care, but it is about teaching our kids that taking care of themselves can be fun, gentle, and safe."

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shay Mitchell (@shaymitchell)

Shay Mitchells Skincare Line Faces Criticism From the Public

The actor revealed the range of products, and she wrote, Our first product, the aloe vera recovery mask, actually came from a spring break moment in Mexico when one of the girls got too much sun and needed some extra TLC. I wanted something that worked, but was still clean enough for my kids, and now its finally here."

She explained, Kids are naturally curious, and instead of ignoring that, we can embrace it. With safe, gentle products parents can trust and sweet moments that bring us closer.

Netizens Slam Shay Mitchell For Launching Kids Skincare Line

However, after the post, Mitchell faced backlash online for promoting the idea of young children being introduced to face masks and similar skincare routines at such a young age. Some also accused her brand, Rini, of trying too hard to appear innovative" in the wellness and beauty industry.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shay Mitchell (@shaymitchell)

One user commented on her post, Were living in capitalisms final boss level where a childs unblemished face is just another untapped market. Sell a calming face mask so they can relax from what, exactly? Snack time? Existing?"

Another commented, Absolutely missed the mark. Children dont need skincare!" while another added: Im deeply disappointed. Why are we projecting beauty standards onto children now?"

The third user wrote, What kind of message is this sending to young girls? Four-year-olds do not need skincare."

Others chimed in, saying, Why are we projecting beauty standards onto children now?" and Let them be kids ffs."

Even if the intention is good, kids really dont need skincare. Its just another business move dressed up as something cute or innovative. Let them be kids. Not mini consumers," another wrote.

I really hope this is just like bathing and sunscreen. Last thing we need is little kids getting more obsessed with unnecessary skincare," another user added.

While a large section of the internet criticised the actress, others seemed to support her idea.

One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), What a great idea! We mums need this."

Another commented, Everyone is dragging Shay Mitchell for her kids skincare brand, but I think its fine. Little girls are already using skincare, so its better to have products made specifically for them that arent as harsh."

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According to a press release from Rini, all its products undergo clinical testing and toxicity risk assessments, overseen by a dedicated regulatory team and a paediatric toxicologist.

First Published: November 08, 2025, 15:50 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Shay Mitchell Releases Kids' Skincare, Internet Slams Her: 'Let Them Be Children'
Hema Malini Mourns The Loss Of 'Close Friend' Zarine Khan, Says 'Heart Goes Out To Dear Sanjay Khan'

Published By :

IANS

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 10:12 IST

Hema Malini's daughter, Esha Deol, also took to social media to pay tribute to Zarine Khan.

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Hema Malini shared a photo with Zarine and Sanjay Khan.

Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini said she has lost another close and dear friend after the passing of Zayed Khan and Sussanne Khans mother, Zarine Khan. Sharing a throwback picture with Zarine Khan and veteran actor Sanjay Khan, Hema expressed her grief using the following words, Another close, dear friend gone Zarine Khan is no more! Such a beautiful person, both inside and out. (sic)."

Revealing she has enjoyed a great rapport with the family over the years, she added, Both Sanjay and Zarine have been close to me for many, many years always wishing me well, participating in all our family celebrations  birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and always ready to lend a helping hand."

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dream Girl Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhemamalini)

Praising Zarine Khan for her skills as an interior designer, Hema said that Zarine even designed her home back in the 70s. She said, Zarine and another dear friend, Neetu Kohli, were excellent interior designers and designed my home in the 70s. I will miss her lovely friendship and her presence. My heart goes out to dear Sanjay in this moment of his personal loss."

Hemas actress daughter, Esha Deol, also used social media to mourn the loss of her aunt Zarine. She took to the Stories section of her Instagram handle and penned, My dear Zarine aunty Im still shocked & cant believe you have left us. One of the most beautiful women Ive known. The strength of your family. Full of love, warmth & beauty in every sense. I have known since I was a baby & have always admired you. I will miss you very much. (sic)"

Sending her condolences to the family, Esha added, Deepest condolences to my dear Zayed. Farha, Sussanne. Simone. Sanjay uncle. Mali & the entire family. Zarine aunty may your soul rest in peace (folded hands emoji) Om Shanti."

About the Author Kashvi Raj Singh Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentar... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 10:12 IST

News movies bollywood Hema Malini Mourns The Loss Of 'Close Friend' Zarine Khan, Says 'Heart Goes Out To Dear Sanjay Khan'
Still Cant Believe: Esha Deols Moving Tribute For Her Zarine Aunty

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 19:12 IST

Esha Deol posted an emotional tribute for Zarine Khan on Instagram.

Esha Deol shared a close bond with Zarine Khan since childhood.(Photo Credit: Instagram)

Bollywood is mourning the loss of Zarine Khan, wife of veteran actor Sanjay Khan and mother to Sussanne Khan and Zayed Khan. The beloved designer passed away at the age of 81 due to age-related ailments. Zarine breathed her last at her Mumbai residence, leaving behind a legacy of grace, warmth and strength that deeply touched everyone who knew her.

Actress Esha Deol took to Instagram to express her grief and disbelief over the passing of Zarine Khan.

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Sharing a cherished picture of them together, she wrote, My dear Zarine Aunty, Im still shocked & cant believe you have left us. One of the most beautiful woman Ive known. The strength of your family, full of love, warmth & beauty in every sense. I have known since i was a baby & have always admired you. I will miss you very much. deepest condolences to my dearest Zayed, Farha, Sussanne, Simone, Sanjay uncle, Mali & the entire family. Zarine Aunty may your soul rest in peace. Om shanti."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pinkvilla (@pinkvilla)

Esha Deol was also spotted at the last rites of Zarine Khan, standing by the Khan family during this difficult time. Her presence reflected the close bond the Deol and Khan families have shared for decades.

Hema Malini Remembers Zarine Khan as a Beautiful Soul"

Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini also expressed her sorrow over the loss of her dear friend. Taking to social media, she shared a nostalgic photograph featuring Zarine Khan and Sanjay Khan, accompanied by a touching note: Another close, dear friend gone Zarine Khan is no more! Such a beautiful person, both inside and out."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dream Girl Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhemamalini)

Reflecting on their long-standing friendship, Hema Malini added, Both Sanjay and Zarine have been close to me for many, many years  always wishing me well, participating in all our family celebrations  birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and always ready to lend a helping hand."

Remembering Zarine Khan: Actress, Designer and Family Pillar

Before marrying Sanjay Khan in 1966, Zarine Khan had a short yet memorable stint in Bollywood, featuring in films such as Tere Ghar Ke Saamne and Ek Phool Do Mali. However, her artistic journey did not stop there. Zarine later made a name for herself as an accomplished interior designer, a passion that she passed down to her daughter Sussanne Khan, who went on to become one of Indias leading designers.

In addition to her creative pursuits, Zarine was also the author of the cookbook Family Secret, which featured treasured recipes passed down through generations, a testament to her love for family and tradition.

A Life Full of Love, Legacy and Family

Zarine Khan is survived by her husband Sanjay Khan and their four children  Sussanne Khan, Simone Arora, Farah Ali Khan and Zayed Khan.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sussanne Khan (@suzkr)

Just a few months before her passing, Zarine celebrated her 81st birthday in July 2025. To mark the special occasion, her daughter Sussanne Khan shared a touching Instagram post featuring a beautiful montage of old photographs and recent memories. The video celebrated not just a milestone birthday but also a lifetime of love, laughter, and strength.

First Published: November 08, 2025, 17:52 IST

News movies bollywood Still Cant Believe: Esha Deols Moving Tribute For Her Zarine Aunty
Salman Khan Asks Farrhana Bhatt To Leave Bigg Boss 19, Condemns Her Remarks About Working On TV

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 11:01 IST

Salman Khan will ask that the house doors be opened and that Farrhana Bhatt leave Bigg Boss 19.

Farrhana Bhatt had said that she wouldn't want to work on TV.

Bigg Boss 19: This Weekend Ka Vaar, Salman Khan wont hold back in calling out contestants for their wrong remarks. As per a new promo, Salman Khan will bash Farrhana Bhatt for saying that she will never work on television. Farrhana had previously made the comment in a condescending tone, and as such, she will be called out by Salman. The superstar will even ask her to leave the house.

Salman Khan says, Farrhana, aap kya bolti rehti ho, aap ki television nahi karungi, yeh kya kar rahi ho aap? (What do you keep saying that youll never do television. What are you doing right now?) People watch this show because of me, and theyll get to know people because of me. Im too embarrassed that people will get to know someone like you because of me."

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This show and this medium are too small for you. Youre free to go, maam. Open the gates, guys," Salman Khan says in the new promo. Salman will also slam Farrhana for questioning Gaurav Khannas career. It is unknown whether Farrhana will be asked to leave the show or if she will apologise and turn a new leaf in the house.

Farrhanas ally, Tanya Mittal, will also be called out this Weekend Ka Vaar. Salman Khan will be calling out Tanya Mittal for her gameplay against Amaal. In a new promo, Salman Khan says, Tanya, your game plan to nominate Amaal failed because Bigg Boss didnt even give you Amaals option. Itna build up diya gaya hai ki main sabke saamne Amaal ko bhaiya bolungi, aap jalana chah rahi thi, uksana chah rahi thi (You gave it so much build-up to call Amaal brother in front of everyone; you wanted to make him jealous and provoke him)."

He adds, Kisi ko farak hi nahi padha. Ab bhaiya se saiyan pe toh jaa nahi sakte. Toh agar yahi aapka game plan hai toh kya game plan hai aapka (But it didnt affect anyone. Now you cant go from brother to partner. So if this was your game plan, then what a game plan it is)." The dynamics inside Bigg Boss 19 continue to shift dramatically, with relationships, alliances and trust being constantly tested.

About the Author Kashvi Raj Singh Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentar... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 11:01 IST

News movies television Salman Khan Asks Farrhana Bhatt To Leave Bigg Boss 19, Condemns Her Remarks About Working On TV
Opinion | Dutch And Go! Hollanders Failed In India, Conquered Indonesia

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 16:29 IST

It would be wrong to credit the British entirely for the eclipse of Dutch power in India. The real credit should go to a Hindu king of Kerala in the mid-18th century

The Dutch had arrived on Indias Malabar Coast in the late 16th century. Representational image/AI-generated

Could Bali have survived as a sovereign Hindu kingdom, like Nepal was until 2008? The island became part of the expanding Dutch empire in the East Indies only in the first decades of the 20th century. Previously, it had maintained its Hindu sovereignty, even as Hindu rule in neighbouring Java had collapsed in the 1520s as a result of dissension caused in the ruling family after many of its members had converted to Islam. Java, prior to its political capitulation to Islam, was the seat of the powerful Hindu maritime empire, viz, Majapahit, in existence since the late 13th century. The Hindu king, informs RC Majumdar (1944), left Java and took shelter in Bali, then a dependency of Majapahit, about 1522 (Hindu Colonies in the Far East, P69).

A large number of Javanese, says RC Majumdar, found migration to Bali as the only means to save their religion and culture". Bali thus became the last stronghold of Indo-Javanese culture. The subsequent history of Bali was merely a continuation of Majapahit. It preserved from oblivion much of it which Java herself lost as a result of conversion to the Muhammedan faith" (Ibid, P71).

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The eclipse of the Hindu sovereignty, though not its religion and culture, happened in the early 20th century in the age of Dutch colonialism. The end was not only pathetic but also dramatic. Whereas the Balinese had acknowledged nominal Dutch suzerainty in 1839, it took many naval expeditions to subdue the island, divided into several autonomous states. In 1908, as historian RC Majumdar informs, the last heir of the Emperors of Majapahit, having found himself hopelessly besieged in his palace by the Dutch, refused with scorn the offer to save his life and family by unconditional surrender. Remembering the proud examples of his Kshatriya forefathers, he seized his sacred sword, and bodily rushed out with his nobles, wives and children to meet an end worthy of his race" (Ibid P72).

Indonesia: A Country Study (2011), of the series produced by the Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, carries further sensational details. It says that in Badung, Tabnan, Klungkung, and others, the rajas and their families and followers sacrificed themselves in dramatic frontal assaults on KNIL (Royal Dutch East Indies Army) guns. These puputan, or ritual suicides, killed hundreds of men, women and children, decimating aristocracy, and obliterating all meaningful further resistance to the expansion of colonial rule in Bali (P34). Dutch rule soon reached its final extent in the East Indies, encompassing far-flung islands like Kai (in south eastern Maluku) and Papua (on the island of New Guinea).

II

These puputan, or ritual suicides, might appear a shocking chapter in the history of colonial rule in the East Indies (now Indonesia). The Dutch had developed a secure footing in Java and the East Indies since the first half of the 17th century. Previously, they had arrived on Indias Malabar Coast in the late 16th century, almost a hundred years later than the Portuguese Vasco da Gama. Gradually, the Dutch expanded their footprints in the East Indies, Ceylon and the Malabar Coast, ending the Portuguese domination in the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese authority got confined to Goa, Daman, Diu on the Konkan Coast in India and Macau in China, etc.

Historian and diplomat KM Panikkar (1931) says that, unlike the Portuguese, the Dutch never claimed that they had conquered India or any part of it. While the Portuguese had appointed governors and viceroys to govern the East, from the time of Vasco da Gama, the Dutch were satisfied with commandeurs and factors (Malabar and the Dutch, P168).

Historian Kalikinkar Datta (1948) informs that, like the English and the French, the Dutch had considerable commercial transactions in India. In Bengal subah (including Bihar and Odisha), the Dutch had important centres of commerce such as Pipli, Balasore, Patna, Futwah, Dacca, Maldah, Kalikapur near Cassimbazar, Chinsura and Baranagore, and Jugdea or Luckipur, etc (The Dutch in Bengal and Bihar 1740-1825, P1-2).

The Dutch relationship with the English East India Company was one of both competition and cooperation. In Bengal, for instance, they had disregarded the stern warning of Siraj-ud-Daulah in 1756-57 to help him against the British. However, the British victory at Plassey made them extremely jealous. The Dutch tried to import troops from the East Indies to chastise the British in 1759. However, in the Battle of Biderra, near Chinsura on November 25, 1759, they found their fleet utterly routed by the British within a span of half an hour. In those days, Hooghly, a branch of the Ganga, was a wide river where European warships could operate with felicity, before geological changes reduced the volume of water flow within fifty years.

Finally, by the 1820s, the Dutch realised that they had become merely an appendage in India, while the British had become the masters. Whereas the British had already secured the lions share of India, they further threatened Dutch colonial interests in Southeast Asia. They thus thought it better to mutually exchange their possession to end this situation of cross-holdings. This was formalised through the Treaty of London (March 17, 1824) between the two royal governments. By 1825, or exactly two hundred years ago, the Dutch moved lock, stock and barrel out of India to concentrate wholly on the East Indies.

They left behind their relics like forts, churches, warehouses and private residences. In 1897, Alexander Rea, the then Superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of Madras, published a list of monumental remains of Dutch Settlements in the Madras Presidency. The compass of these remains extended from the Coromandel Coast to the Malabar Coast in the peninsula. The places they covered were Bimlipatnam, Calicut, Cannanore, Chetwai (Chettuva), Cochin, Conimere (Kunimedu), Cuddalore, Jaganadhapuram, Masulipatnam, Narsapur, Negapatnam (Nagapattinam), Palakol (Pallakollu), Pamban, Pulicat, Tuticorin and Nellore coast, etc. A number of the constructions were in a state of ruin, whereas some others were still in use under British rule.

The most interesting remains", observes Rea, are their tombs. The care and artistic skill bestowed on them, bear evidence to the reverence of the Dutch for their dead". Rea, himself a British archaeologist, says (in a tone derisive to his own government), that the patient labour bestowed on these monuments, and the imperishable nature of their construction, were in marked contrast to the unsubstantial commonplace brick erections of the English in India (The Monumental Remains of the Dutch East India Company in the Presidency of Madras 1664-1824, P.44)

III

People of India have no memory of the Dutch colonial presence. This columnist, born in Chandernagore, formerly a French settlement in Bengal, had grown up hearing about the Dutch settlement in the neighbouring township of Chinsurah-Hooghly. In Bengali, they are called Olandaz, a corrupted form of Hollanders.

The artillery wall of Fort Gustavus, a sign of Dutch power, is now a part of Hooghly Madrasa. There is a Dutch cemetery, protected as a national monument of the Archaeological Survey of India. However, whereas French rule in India, though they were mere toeholds, survived the British departure from the subcontinent, the Dutch settlements, apart from being isolated spots, disappeared two centuries ago.

It would be wrong to credit the British entirely for the eclipse of Dutch power in India. The real credit should go to a Hindu king of Kerala in the mid-18th century, viz, Raja Marthanda Varma (r1729-58) of Travancore. When the Dutch arrived on the Malabar Coast in the late 16th century, only Cochin wielded the real power, whereas Travancore was one of the many principalities (reportedly 46) in Kerala. However, the ascent of Travancore under Raja Marthanda Varma in the 1730s unnerved the Dutch, who were also feeling the pressure of English maritime and military power. In 1740, the Dutch threatened Marthanda Varma with invasion. The Raja scornfully stated, informs PC Alexander (not to be confused with the famous civil servant and governor), that he himself had been thinking some day of invading Europe with his canoes and fishermen (The Dutch in Malabar, P48).

In January 1741, the Dutch did outrage Travancores territory by occupying Colachel in the midst of a political crisis. The Dutch, says PC Alexander, planned to seize the whole country from Colachel to Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari) and make it a Dutch province. They were even contemplating an attack on Rajas palace at Padmanabhapuram. Though the bulk of Travancores army at that time was busy on the northern frontier, the king displayed conspicuous ability to handle the danger in the south. Over the ensuing months, the army under Rama Iyer was moved from north to south, a Nair force was raised, and negotiations were opened with the French, who promised to help the king against the Dutch.

Thus, in the famous battle of Colachel which took place on August 10, 1741 (July 31 according to the Julian Calendar) Raja Marthanda Varma took the overall command of the operations on the battlefield. Rama Iyers troops broke through the Dutch line and threw their army into a great confusion. Even as the Dutch retreated to their fort, PC Alexander informs, 24 of them were taken prisoner and sent to Udaygiri in Kanyakumari district. The Dutch fortress was besieged, forcing the Dutch to sail away to Cochin (The Dutch in Malabar, P.50).

The Battle of Colachel passed into legends. It was a rare occasion when an Indian potentate had taken on European power head-on and defeated them. A painting showing Eustachius De Lannoy, the Dutch naval commander, bowing down on his knees to Raja Marthanda Varma, with the sea in the background. The Madras Regiment of the Indian Army still celebrates the day every year. However, it apparently celebrates the day on July 31 (as per the Julian Calendar, which the British were using until 1752) rather than on August 10.

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Raja Marthanda Varma displayed not only his valour but also kingly sagacity at Colachel. He extended kind treatment to the Dutch soldiers and enlisted them in his army in a bid to modernise it on European lines. De Lannoy, as PC Alexander informs, later came to be known as Valia Kappithan (Great Captain), constructed forts, and reorganised the whole Travancore army on a European model, giving it a smart appearance and raising its efficiency to a very high order (Ibid, P50)

The writer is author of the book The Microphone Men: How Orators Created a Modern India (2019) and an independent researcher based in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 08, 2025, 16:29 IST

News opinion Opinion | Dutch And Go! Hollanders Failed In India, Conquered Indonesia

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Opinion | Massive Voting In Bihar Amid Vote Theft Allegations: A Victory For Democracy

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 12:49 IST

The first phase of the two-stage Assembly election witnessed a record-breaking voter turnout of approximately 65 per cent

Bihar Assembly Elections Phase 1 (Credits: News18)

In the face of relentless attacks on Indias democratic institutions and the Oppositions narrative of vote theft", the ongoing Bihar elections have delivered a powerful counter-message  robust public participation. The first phase of the two-stage Assembly election witnessed a record-breaking voter turnout of 65.08 per cent.

This surge was marked by enthusiastic participation from women and young voters. While which party benefits from this high engagement will be determined on results day, the turnout itself represents a significant victory for democratic expression.

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High Turnout May Reshape Political Landscape

Voting covered 121 constituencies across 18 districts, and the massive participation could reshape key political equations. While urban centres such as Patna saw slower polling, rural districts including Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, and Begusarai witnessed heavy footfall.

Historically, in Bihar, higher turnout has often favoured the ruling party, though it is not always a direct indicator of anti-incumbency. With development emerging as a key issue for many new voters, the final outcome remains keenly awaited.

System And Trust Drive Record Numbers

The record turnout demonstrates that when administrative systems function effectively, public trust follows. The Election Commission of India (ECI) implemented stricter monitoring, technical improvements at booths, and responsive administrative teams to ensure transparency.

Enhanced voter list verification, electronic surveillance, and alert security forces gave citizens confidence that their votes were secure, contributing to the high participation.

Vote Theft Narrative Meets Voter Resolve

The allegations of vote theft", prominently pushed by Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, have placed the ECI under intense scrutiny. The opposition has questioned the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and voter lists in several states. However, the consistency of these claims has been questionable.

For instance, Gandhi cited alleged irregularities in a Haryana constituency that his own party ultimately won. Furthermore, the Oppositions stance on election-related data has been inconsistent; they often reject exit polls that favour the ruling party but accept those predicting their own success. It is crucial to remember that exit polls are indicators, not proof, and have frequently been inaccurate in the past.

A Disconnect Between Allegations And Action

A day before the Bihar polls, the Opposition raised serious allegations about the previous years Haryana elections, making similar claims about Bihar. However, during the actual election process, booth-level agents, whose primary duty is to report discrepancies, filed almost no formal complaints.

In Haryana, with thousands of agents deployed across polling centres, only a handful of official complaints were recorded, raising questions about the ground-level validity of the high-level accusations.

A Call For A Responsible Opposition

The most concerning aspect of this narrative is the targeted effort to sow distrust in democratic institutions among young, first-time voters. Framing their future as being stolen" appears to be a more calculated political strategy than a genuine concern. At a time when Indias stability contrasts with regional unrest, such rhetoric risks undermining social harmony.

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After failing to gain traction with previous narratives, the vote theft" allegation appears to be a new political experiment. However, todays India, and its youth in particular, seem largely focused on development and nation-building.

Democracy is strengthened by constructive debate and criticism, not by baseless accusations that erode faith in its core institutions. Accepting the peoples mandate is the fundamental duty of any political party in a mature democracy.

First Published: November 08, 2025, 12:49 IST

News opinion Opinion | Massive Voting In Bihar Amid Vote Theft Allegations: A Victory For Democracy

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Opinion | Uttarakhands Twenty-Five Years: A Time For Introspection

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 19:42 IST

Authorities, politicians, rule-makers, and common people must work together to save the state from climate threats, ensuring its economy and peoples well-being

As Uttarakhand approaches its twenty-fifth anniversary, it is crucial to assess whether the objectives for which even women sacrificed their lives have been met or if the hill regions still face the same issues. (Representational image: Canva)

A product of the peoples movement, Uttarakhand, a hill state with 10 hill districts and 3 plain districts, and projected to have a population of 1.25 crores by 2025, will complete twenty-five years on November 9, making it no longer a young state. Neglect in infrastructural development, medical facilities, educational and employment opportunities, isolation, migration of able-bodied youth, and the demand for a capital in the hills led to a significant peoples movement in 1994 for their own state. Uttarakhand was finally established with its temporary capital at Dehradun. The main reason for not choosing Gairsain over Dehradun as the temporary capital was the lack of infrastructure. Currently, ceremonial sessions are held in an assembly building constructed at Gairsain, but Dehradun remains the capital. As Uttarakhand approaches its twenty-fifth anniversary, it is crucial to assess whether the objectives for which even women sacrificed their lives have been met or if the hill regions still face the same issues.

Politically, in twenty-five years, Uttarakhand has seen ten chief ministers, starting from Nityananda Swami in 2000 to the current chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has been in office since 2021. Only Narayan Dutt Tiwari completed a full five-year term, indicating an unstable political landscape with internal rivalries and horse-trading within the BJP and Congress. The two-party system seems almost non-existent due to a leadership crisis in Congress and the tendency of leaders to frequently change affiliations. Socio-political divides based on caste and friction between hill and plain areas also impact the political scenario. The current regimes adoption of strict anti-copying laws and the Uniform Civil Code has made Uttarakhand the first state in India to implement these measures. However, issues like copying, paper leaks, and recruitment scams affecting job opportunities for educated youth persist. The government supports startups in various fields through initiatives like Startup Uttarakhand Bootcamps, but these are mostly based in Dehradun or Haridwar. Although unemployment has decreased from 14.2% to 9.8% as per 2024-25 estimates, job opportunities in hill areas remain insufficient. Data from the Ministry of Education for 2024-2025 shows that 104.125 (lac) schools in Uttarakhand have only one teacher, reflecting locational disadvantages and reluctance to work in hill areas. The states leadership often emerges from student politics, resulting in a decline in the quality of higher education and nonproductive human resources. The recent declaration of creating 840 virtual classrooms in hybrid mode remains to be seen in action. Corruption issues, including land scams, land use changes, and unauthorised settlements, remain unchecked. The physical distance between Kumaun and Garhwal remains unchanged, causing problems for residents.

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In terms of infrastructure, while new all-weather highways and ongoing railway development are noted, reports indicate that 6,000 villages with populations under 250 are still deprived of roads as per PMSY criteria. Many villages struggle with network issues, water scarcity despite the Har Ghar Nal scheme, and continuous electricity supply. Economically, Uttarakhand is projected to be one of the fastest-growing states with a GDP of 3,78,000 crore and a growth rate of approximately 6.61% for 2024-25, ranking 20th among Indian states. It stands at number 2 among smaller states in the utilisation and management of Central Government grants. Health services have improved, with 220 new doctors appointed in August and September 2025 for rural and remote hill districts, but accessibility to doctors and specialists remains an issue, leading to migration due to the lack of good educational and medical facilities. This situation has caused overcrowding in cities like Srinagar, Dehradun, and other plain areas, stressing resources and the carrying capacity of these regions. Dehradun, once known for its paradisiacal retired life, Basmati rice, and thick forests, is struggling to maintain its ecosystem amidst rapid development and the influx of people and traffic, further exacerbated by the six-lane Dehradun-Delhi Expressway.

Despite claiming to balance ecology and economy, Uttarakhand continues to face issues of unplanned infrastructural development, resource stress, increasing disasters, and climatic catastrophes. Construction on hill slopes, riverbeds, and ongoing mineral mining worsen the situation. Historically, movements like Chipko led by Gaura Devi have highlighted the need to protect the environment, but current practices overlook these lessons. The region has faced numerous disasters from the 1868 Chamoli landslide to the 2025 Dharali cloudbursts. The 2013 Kedarnath flash flood and landslide, which killed over 6,000 people, serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of ignoring natural laws. Recent disasters in Tharali and Dharali in 2025 have again highlighted the risks of constructing on riverbeds. Despite warnings, unauthorised constructions and mining continue, burdening the fragile region with heavy concrete buildings and modern amenities in areas like the vibrant village scheme for borderland villages and pilgrimage routes.

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Tourism, the most lucrative source of employment for local people, needs a sustainable and eco-sensitive model. The number of rafting boats, high-rise buildings, tourists, pilgrims, Kanwars, and vehicles should be regulated as per carrying capacity and sustainability. To mitigate the impact of disasters, stringent rules need to be enforced, and faulty structures in dangerous locations should be demolished promptly. Authorities, politicians, rule-makers, and common people must work together to save the state from climate threats, ensuring its economy and peoples well-being. The silver jubilee of Uttarakhand offers an opportunity to introspect, discuss, and plan for a secure future. To become the number one developed state by 2047, serious preparation covering every sector over the next ten years is required. Instead of pretending to reform, genuine performance and transformation of the defunct system are essential for a bright future for all.

The Writer is Former Vice Chancellor and Professor of Political Science, HNB Garhwal, (Central) University, Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

About the Author Annpurna Nautiyal Former Vice Chancellor and Professor of Political Science, HNB Garhwal, (Central) University, Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Location : Garhwal, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 19:42 IST

News opinion Opinion | Uttarakhands Twenty-Five Years: A Time For Introspection

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Compromised National Security For Vote Bank: BJP MP Says Congress Enabled Pakistan's Nuclear Rise

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 16:09 IST

Nishikant Dubey blamed Congress and Indira Gandhi for not stopping Pakistan's nuclear program, citing Richard Barlow's remarks and alleged political motives behind the decision.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey (Image: PTI Videos)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Saturday hit out at the Congress over former CIA official Richard Barlows remarks that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi didnt allow any attack on Pakistan to halt its atomic ambition, saying that it was the Congress leadership that allowed Pakistan to move ahead with its nuclear programme, which became a headache for India today.

Pakistan started making nuclear bombs in 1980. When this information was revealed, Israel wanted to come together with India and attack Pakistan But in 1982, former PM Indira Gandhi asked the military not to take any action," the BJP MP said as quoted by news agency ANI.

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#WATCH | Katihar. Bihar | BJP MP Nishikant Dubey says, Pakistan started making nuclear bombs in 1980. When this information was revealed, Israel wanted to come together with India and attack Pakistan But in 1982, Former PM Indira Gandhi asked the military not to take any pic.twitter.com/WCasEQQKEJ ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2025

He further said that such an operation could have altered South Asias strategic landscape. Had Pakistan not been a nuclear state, what would its value have been? It would have been destroyed and divided into pieces," he added.

Dubey further accused the grand old party of compromising national interests for political gains. A CIA document from 1974 mentioned that after Indias nuclear test, Indira Gandhi wanted to share the technology with Pakistan for vote bank politics. Congress thinks that the more it raises the slogans of Pakistan Zindabad, the more Muslim votes it will get," Dubey alleged.

He accused the Gandhi family of pawning the nation for Muslim votes" and said that India now faces a neighbour that can never improve" as a result of decisions taken in the past.

His remarks came a day after former CIA official Richard Barlow reacted to reports about a joint plan by India and Israel in the 1980s to launch a pre-emptive strike on Pakistans Kahuta nuclear facility, saying that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi did not approve of the attack.

He called the decision a shame," saying the mission could have resolved numerous problems.

During an interview with ANI, Barlow, a former CIA member who was part of the American intelligence agency as a counterproliferation officer during Pakistans clandestine nuclear activities in the 1980s, confirmed that he had heard of the reported plan within intelligence circles but was not directly involved, as he was out of government service during that period.

I was out of government from 1982 until 1985. And I think that may have occurred while I was out of government. I heard about it at some point. But I didnt get my teeth into it because it never happened," Barlow said.

Its a shame that Indira Gandhi didnt approve it; it would have solved a lot of problems," he added.

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However, he said that any action against Pakistans nuclear facility would have infuriated then-US President Ronald Reagan, who would have taken strong action against then-Israeli PM Menachem Begin. It would have interfered with the Afghan problem because they (Pakistan) were basically using the flow of covert aid to the Mujahideen as blackmail. I think thats what (Pakistan Army Chief Asim) Munir was saying."

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

Location : Katihar, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 16:09 IST

News politics Compromised National Security For Vote Bank: BJP MP Says Congress Enabled Pakistan's Nuclear Rise

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Phenomenal Support: PM Modi Lauds BJP Workers After Landslide Victory In Dadra, Daman Local Polls

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 21:05 IST

BJP swept local elections in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. PM Modi and Amit Shah thanked voters. Congress alleged unfair cancellation of opposition nominations.

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File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After the landslide victory of the BJP in the local elections in the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the party workers saying that the people have a strong connection" with the partys development agenda.

PM Modi shared a post on X, expressing gratitude towards the elections. Gratitude to my sisters and brothers of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu for blessing BJP with phenomenal support in the Sarpanch, District Panchayat and Councillor elections held across the UT."

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This indicates the UTs strong connect with our Partys development agenda. I laud our hardworking Karyakartas for their effort at the grassroots," the X post added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah thanked the people for showing their faith in the BJP.

Extending heartfelt thanks to the people of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu for the massive faith shown in the BJP in the Sarpanch, District Panchayat, and Councillor elections. Your support reflects trust in the BJPs commitment to progress. Congratulations to our dedicated Karyakartas for their tireless efforts," he wrote on X.

Extending heartfelt thanks to the people of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu for the massive faith shown in the BJP in the Sarpanch, District Panchayat, and Councillor elections. Your support reflects trust in the BJPs commitment to progress. Congratulations to our dedicated Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 8, 2025

According to the details of the results shared by the BJP Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, on its social media handle X, the BJP won 15 out of 16 villages in the Daman district Sarpanch elections, 15 out of 16 seats in Daman District Panchayat elections, and 14 out of 15 wards for the Municipal Council polls in Daman.

In Diu, the BJP swept the elections, winning both the Panchayat seats in the Sarpanch elections and all eight wards in the District Panchayat polls.

In Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the party won 16 out of 26 Panchayats in the Sarpanch polls, 24 out of 26 wards in District Panchayat polls and all 15 wards in the Municipal Council elections.

The polling for the Panchayat and Municipal Council elections was held on November 5.

Meanwhile, the Congress accused the BJP of stealing the election," alleging that nominations of several Opposition candidates had been unfairly cancelled.

The party alleged that in the Silvassa Municipal Corporation election (Dadra and Nagar Haveli), eight of their candidates nominations were cancelled, while 13 were cancelled in the district panchayat polls.

Congress wrote on X, Open election theft has taken place blatantly in the municipal corporation and panchayat elections of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The Election Commission and the BJP have conspired to cancel the nominations of Congress and opposition candidates."

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In the Silvassa Municipal Corporation election, 12 candidates from Congress filed forms, out of which 8 forms were cancelled. Similarly, in the district panchayat election, 21 forms were filed, out of which 13 forms were cancelled. The key point is that all these forms were filled in a way after sitting with the legal team. Even after that, nominations were deliberately cancelled," the party added.

(With inputs from ANI)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 21:05 IST

News politics Phenomenal Support: PM Modi Lauds BJP Workers After Landslide Victory In Dadra, Daman Local Polls

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Vande Mataram Row: BJP, TMC Clash Over Bengal Icons Tagore And Bankim Chandra

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 09:35 IST

BJP accused the TMC of neglecting Bankim Chandra, while Trinamool said the saffron party showed little respect for Bengals cultural pride

Kolkata: BJP workers pay tribute to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, writer of the national song Vande Mataram, during celebrations to mark 150 years of the song. (PTI Photo)

A new political confrontation has erupted in West Bengal between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this time over two of Bengals most revered cultural icons, Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

The controversy was triggered after Karnataka BJP leader Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri claimed that Vande Mataram should have been the national anthem". Kageri, a former Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, sparked a row by suggesting that Indias national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, was originally written as a welcome song for British officials". He made these remarks at an event celebrating the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, arguing that Vande Mataram would have been a better choice for the national anthem.

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He later retracted the remarks following widespread criticism, saying he did not wish to prolong an unnecessary public debate".

The statement, however, sparked outrage within the TMC, which termed it an insult to Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate who composed Jana Gana Mana, Indias national anthem.

The BJP, however, hit back sharply, accusing the TMC government of deliberately downplaying the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, a song written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, to appease a particular community.

State BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya, in a statement to News18, said, They want to appease one community, and that is why they are not celebrating it like others. We know what happens in Bengal. We know how she supports one side. We are celebrating Vande Mataram everywhere."

On the day when BJP offices across the state organised large-scale celebrations of Vande Mataram, the TMC held a quieter observance, placing flowers before a photograph of Rabindranath Tagore. The party accused the BJP of trying to create a division between Bankim Chandra and Rabindranath Tagore" for political mileage.

Rejecting the BJPs allegations, the TMC said that the state government had already set up a special committee in honour of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The ruling party also criticised the BJP for what it described as distorting history", after some BJP leaders allegedly claimed that Tagore wrote Jana Gana Mana to appease the British  a claim widely discredited by historians.

The TMC is set to hit the streets today over the Karnataka BJP leaders remarks on Tagore. Senior AITC leaders will pay floral tributes to Tagores statue at Thakurbari (Jorasanko) before staging a protest against what they have termed the Bangla-Birodhi BJP". The gathering is scheduled to begin at 1 pm and will be led by Dr Shashi Panja and Vivek Gupta.

At present, both parties are locked in a bitter political tussle, each invoking Bengals cultural heritage to strengthen their narrative. While the BJP accuses the TMC of neglecting icons like Bankim Chandra, the TMC counters that the BJPs rhetoric shows a lack of respect for Bengals literary and cultural pride.

Indias national song Vande Mataram marked its 150th anniversary on 7 November. Composed in Sanskrit by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, renowned as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, during the 1870s, the song became a timeless anthem of courage and unity, inspiring millions during Indias struggle for independence.

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In 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the song, and Dr Rajendra Prasad, Indias first President, accorded it the status of the national song. He noted that Vande Mataram had played a vital role in Indias fight for independence and deserved to be honoured equally with the national anthem Jana Gana Mana.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a year-long commemoration of Vande Mataram in Delhi and also released a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion.

About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 09:15 IST

News politics Vande Mataram Row: BJP, TMC Clash Over Bengal Icons Tagore And Bankim Chandra

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Despite strong liquidity, the company has not yet identified specific large-scale M&A opportunities or expansions outside traditional compression.

There is a pullback in customer interest for electric-driven compression due to power grid access issues, particularly in the Permian Basin.

The company exited all international operations, focusing on the U.S. market, which offers higher returns and lower risks.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript .

Story Continues

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide more detail about the backlog for 2026 and how you're thinking about fleet additions and pricing power? A: Mickey McKee, President and CEO, stated that while they are not ready to give explicit guidance for 2026, they are effectively fully contracted for next year. The plan is to spend roughly 60% of discretionary cash flow on growth capital, similar to previous years, and they expect continued growth.

Q: Is larger scale M&A on your radar, and would you consider stepping outside of traditional compression? A: Mickey McKee mentioned that the strategic actions taken this year have positioned Kodiak to consider larger M&A opportunities. The implementation of the ERP system and bond issuance has freed up $1.5 billion in availability, allowing them to pursue M&A if the right opportunity arises.

Q: Can you update us on the initiatives with customers, like sale leasebacks or similar deals? A: Mickey McKee noted that they executed a small purchase leaseback transaction in Q3, which helped grow revenue-generating horsepower. Conversations with customers about such deals are ongoing, and the strategic initiatives completed this quarter have set the stage for larger transactions.

Q: With lead times for equipment above 60 weeks, will this lead to higher prices on incremental orders? A: Mickey McKee explained that the extended lead times are due to high demand in the industry, driven by increased natural gas volume projections and new pipeline capacity. This demand is expected to positively impact pricing, and they anticipate continued constructive pricing discussions with customers.

Q: How has the exit from international operations impacted costs and future divestments? A: Mickey McKee stated that exiting international operations, such as in Mexico and Argentina, involved divesting lower-margin businesses, which should positively impact overall margins. John Griggs, CFO, added that $5 million in professional expenses related to the Mexico business will not recur, leading to cost savings.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Vande Mataram: The Song That Stirred A Nation, But Faded In Its Birthplace

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain



Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 11:43 IST

150 years later, Bengal, the land that gave birth to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyays immortal hymn, seems to have politically distanced itself from it

A portrait of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, writer of the national song Vande Mataram, during a tribute ceremony to mark 150 years of the song, in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)

Vande Mataram, even 150 years after its creation, continues to give goosebumps to most Indians. The song that once stirred Indias soul, written by a Bengali who dreamt of a free motherland, was celebrated on Friday by the Prime Minister of India, marking the beginning of a series of year-long events across the country.

Yet, as Bengal readies for another fierce election in 2026, the TMC and the Left have virtually ceded the space to the BJP when it comes to championing Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyays immortal hymn.

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Bankims Vande Mataram was not just a poem but the first articulation of cultural nationalism in the Indian imagination. Composed in 1875 and included in his novel Anandamath (1882), set against the backdrop of the 18th-century Sannyasi Rebellion, it captured the emotional uprising against colonial rule before there was a political one. It was sung at Congress sessions in the early 1900s and banned by the British for inciting rebellion."

Every freedom fighter  from Aurobindo to Lajpat Rai, from Tilak to Bipin Chandra Pal  saw it as Indias call to awaken.

But 150 years later, Bengal, the land that gave birth to this song, seems to have politically distanced itself from it. The state that once led Indias intellectual and nationalist ferment now hesitates to celebrate the very idea it birthed.

Vande Mataram, once a symbol of unity, has unofficially become politically inconvenient for many.

The Politics Of Symbolism

The BJP went all out in embracing its national mandate to celebrate the day, reportedly holding over 1,500 rallies across Bengal. From the hills of Darjeeling to the streets of Kolkata, the BJP took out marches flaunting tricolours and singing the hymn.

The party embraces it loudly as part of its cultural-nationalist identity, seeing in it a bridge between Bengals literary heritage and its own idea of Bharat Mata.

But for the Trinamool Congress, the dilemma is trickier. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees politics thrives on Bengali pride  she has reclaimed Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and even the icons of the Left. Yet the TMCs celebration of Bankims Vande Mataram has been rather muted.

On Monday, only the standing committee on industry and infrastructure of the Bengal government approved the formation of a committee to draft a plan for celebrating the 150th anniversary of the composition of Indias national song.

We pay tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay The public is also participating in large numbers TMC is not a patriotic party" Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari hit out at the TMC for its muted response.

The Left, once the custodian of Bengals intellectual nationalism, too has vacated the space entirely. In a strange irony, the land that once turned Bankims words into rebellion now seems to debate whether uttering them is politically safe.

What Remains Of Bankims Bengal?

Bankims vision of the motherland was not communal; it was civilisational. Anandamaths call was spiritual, not sectarian. It saw the land itself as divine, a metaphor that transcended religion. His Mother" was both the soil of Bengal and the idea of India.

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The first major rallying point came in 1905, when Vande Mataram became central to the protests against the partition of Bengal. During a Calcutta Town Hall meeting attended by 40,000 people to oppose Lord Curzons decision, all collectively sang Vande Mataram. Bengal was both the birthplace of the song and the place where the phrase attained its iconic, salutary stature among revolutionaries.

But political India, and especially political Bengal, has reduced him to a slogan or an omission. In Delhi, Vande Mataram still opens official events. But in Bengal, it struggles for cultural space. The state that produced Bankim, Vivekananda, Tagore and Subhas Bose now finds its civilisational icons politically celebrated according to respective political convenience.

About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 11:43 IST

News politics Vande Mataram: The Song That Stirred A Nation, But Faded In Its Birthplace

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Vote Bank Above Nation: BJP Slams Omar Abdullah For Opposing Vande Mataram In J&K Schools

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 16:43 IST

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Abdullah of "appeasement politics" and claimed that the opposition to the song was motivated by vote-bank considerations.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Abdullah of "appeasement politics". (File)

Vande Mataram recitation row: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday slammed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for opposing the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in schools and citing it as an outside interference", saying that their appeasement policy and vote bank is above the constitution.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Abdullah of appeasement politics" and claimed that the opposition to the song was motivated by vote-bank considerations.

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In the name of vote bank politics, some leaders continue to oppose Vande Mataram and even encourage others to do so. Historically, Nehruji removed two-thirds of Vande Mataram under pressure from Jinnahs Muslim League. Today, Omar Abdullah is following the same path," Poonawalla alleged.

Omar Abdullah wants to block Vande Mataram in Jammu and Kashmirs schools. He says this is outside dictation. Is promoting the national song in schools an outside diktat?" Poonawalla asked.

These are the same people who opposed the removal of Article 370 and the full implementation of the Indian Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir. They opposed the Indian flag. They wanted two flags, a separate constitution and a separate Pradhan. And today, they even want a separate national anthem," he added.

Poonawalla also targeted the Congress and other opposition parties, claiming a pattern" of similar objections across states.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah opposes Vande Mataram. In Karnataka, Siddaramaiah opposes. In Maharashtra, Abu Azmi of the Samajwadi Party opposes. So all these people oppose national symbols only because vote bank comes first for them, not the Constitution," he said.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On Vande Mataram row, Samajwadi Party state President Abu Asim Azmi says,  You cannot make someone recite something forcefully. Someone who believes only in Allah and does not even worship his mother cannot worship the earth and the sun according https://t.co/IFNxKBWno5 pic.twitter.com/ZpXrqJrGeO ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2025

The nation is not first for them. Only their politics of appeasement comes first," Poonawalla alleged.

What Omar Abdullah Said?

While campaigning in central Kashmirs Budgam district ahead of the November 11 bypolls, the J&K Chief Minister said he did not authorise the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram" in schools, saying there should be no outside dictation on such matters and no interference in governing the Union Territory.

This decision has not been made by the cabinet, nor has the education minister signed off on it. We should decide what happens in our schools without outside dictation on these matters," Abdullah said as quoted by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Budgam | On Vande Mataram row, J&K CM Omar Abdullah says, There is no signature of the Education Minister on this decision. There should be no interference in our work. We will decide what should or should not happen in schools. There should be no dictation from outside pic.twitter.com/ivRq9SlP4A ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2025

On October 30, the culture department of J-K had called for schools across Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram."

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This order faced strong backlash from the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an alliance of several religious organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, which demanded the immediate withdrawal of what they termed a coercive order," arguing that parts of the song contradicted Islamic beliefs regarding monotheism.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 16:43 IST

News politics Vote Bank Above Nation: BJP Slams Omar Abdullah For Opposing Vande Mataram In J&K Schools

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'Pure Happiness': How Losing Microsoft Job Proved To Be Blessing In Disguise For This Techie

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 14:13 IST

After a 14-year stint with Microsoft, Teppoeva launched One Nonverbal Ecosystem. She holds degrees from St. Petersburg State University and Harvard University.

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Tatiana Teppoeva worked at Microsoft for 14 years. (Image: LinkedIn/Tatiana Teppoeva)

Losing a job can be a nightmare for many but for Tatiana Teppoeva, a 49-year-old former Microsoft employee, it was the moment she had been waiting for. Teppoeva, who worked for the global tech giant for 14 years, described her first reaction pure happiness."

My first reaction was disbelief and pure happiness. I picked up the phone and called a friend to share the news," she told Business Insider.

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Teppoeva revealed that she had long dreamed of leaving her corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship but was held back by the security of full-time employment. For more than a year, I had been thinking about leaving to start my own company, but it was not an easy decision after a 17-year stable career at Boeing and Microsoft," she said.

I even had a resignation letter saved in my drafts, waiting for the right moment. When the layoff happened, I felt it was a green light, and I was grateful," she added.

After spending over a decade at Microsoft, where she worked her way up from senior research manager to senior data and applied scientist, Teppoeva finally took the leap and founded her own venture One Nonverbal Ecosystem. The company focuses on helping executives enhance their presence and communication.

When I was laid off from Microsoft after 14 years, I started a company, One Nonverbal Ecosystem, rather than seeking a new corporate job. Now I teach executives how to command the room and project the presence they want," she further said.

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Her biggest inspiration, she added, was her son, who built a successful construction business from scratch.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Teppoeva holds a masters and a PhD in economics from St. Petersburg State University and two degrees from Harvard University. She began her career as an assistant professor before working at Boeing and later Microsoft, and launched her company in May 2025.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 08, 2025, 14:13 IST

News viral 'Pure Happiness': How Losing Microsoft Job Proved To Be Blessing In Disguise For This Techie

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Scooter Worth 1 Lakh, Fine 21 Lakh! UP Mans Traffic Challan Goes Viral

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 17:53 IST

A man in Muzaffarnagar was fined Rs 20.74 lakh for not wearing a helmet, but police corrected it to Rs 4,000 after a viral photo and public backlash.

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A traffic police official manages traffic in Delhi. (Image: PTI/File)

In a bizarre turn of events, a scooter rider in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh was slapped with a staggering Rs 21 lakh traffic fine for not wearing a helmet, over 20 times the cost of his vehicle.

A photo of the challan soon went viral on social media, showing that the rider had been fined Rs 20,74,000. The cops later corrected the challan amount to just Rs 4,000.

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Last Tuesday, Anmol Singhal was stopped during a check in the New Mandi area. He was not wearing a helmet at that time. According to the official, he also did not have the necessary documents.

Police seized his scooter and issued a challan of Rs 20.74 lakh. Stunned by the massive fine, the rider shared a photo of it on social media. Embarrassed by the backlash, authorities quickly revised the penalty to Rs 4,000, NDTV reported.

Atul Chaubey, Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Muzaffarnagar, said the error occurred due to a mistake by the sub-inspector who issued the challan.

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Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act was applied in that case. But the sub-inspector forgot to mention MV Act after 207," he said. Due to this, 207 and Rs 4,000, the minimum fine amount under this section, became a single figure  20,74,000. SP Chaubey said the offender needs to pay just Rs 4,000 fine.

Under Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act, police officers are authorized to seize vehicles if the driver fails to produce the required documents.

Location : Muzaffarnagar, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 17:52 IST

News viral Scooter Worth 1 Lakh, Fine 21 Lakh! UP Mans Traffic Challan Goes Viral

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Beyond Oil & Trade: Bahrain Bets Big On Rule Of Law, Opens Gateway Of Gulf For Dispute Resolution

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 19:22 IST

The Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC) will hear cross-border commercial cases in English and Arabic

The BICC is modelled on Singapores International Commercial Court. Representational image

For centuries, Bahrain has been where deals were struckwhere traders from India, Persia, and Africa haggled over pearls, spices, and silver. Now, its where those deals might be settlednot in bustling souks but in sleek courtrooms.

The newly launched Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC) marks the Gulf nations latest pivotfrom trading hub to centre for dispute resolution.

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The BICC, modelled on Singapores International Commercial Court, will hear cross-border commercial cases in English and Arabic, offering global investors a neutral, transparent, and tech-savvy platform for resolution.

For Bahrain, this isnt just about lawits about legacy. The same island that linked ancient trade routes now wants to link modern boardrooms to fair judgment.

This evolution isnt accidental at all. As global commerce expands and disputes get more complex, countries are racing to offer something more enduring than tax breakslegal certainty.

Indias View: Landmark Step in Cementing Trade Ties

India, for one, is watching with interest and participation. At the courts inauguration in Manama, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal called the initiative a landmark in strengthening India-Bahrain commercial ties".

As trade and investment ties grow, the role of arbitration and dispute resolution mechanisms becomes increasingly important to sustain trust and confidence between our business communities," he said.

He wasnt exaggerating. India and Bahrain share an ancient connection that predates modern bordersfrom Indus Valley trade to contemporary commerce worth $2 billion annually. India is now Bahrains sixth-largest investor, and a credible, neutral venue for resolving commercial disputes strengthens that bond even further.

Meghwal also drew parallels with Indias own journey. ADR is no longer just an alternativeit has become a vital and forward-looking instrument of justice delivery," he said, adding that India is amending its laws to modernise arbitration and mediation systems.

Speaking with CNN-News18 on the sidelines of the event exclusively, the Law Minister emphasised that setting up of the BICC would act as a touchstone for cementing the Indian-Bahrain ties, as many people from various parts of India live in Bahrain.

Adding an Indian flavour to this international experiment is Pinky Anand, former Additional Solicitor General of India, and former Indian Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul, who will now sit among judges of the BICC.

The presence of the Indian judges on the bench brings more than prestigeit signals collaboration, shared legal values, and a recognition that the future of commerce will depend as much on arbiters as on entrepreneurs.

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Speaking with CNN-News18, Anand said that till now, the entire cause of action in dispute resolution was centred towards the West, though Dubai was the one to initiate the opening up of Gulf gateways in this field. The BICC is a unique model in its own, with its appeal going to Singapore.

Bahrain has made a first step forward by not only putting the BICC in place, but by collaborating on the appeal going to the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). So, you have a complete collaboration of two different countries to pass on systems to provide systems that resolve disputes in the most efficient, peaceful, and commercially viable position," said Anand.

About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU vi... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 19:22 IST

News world Beyond Oil & Trade: Bahrain Bets Big On Rule Of Law, Opens Gateway Of Gulf For Dispute Resolution

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Can Mamdani Be Ousted As NYC Mayor? Trump Ally's Gubernatorial Bid Sparks Buzz

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 16:44 IST

US Representative and Trump ally Elise Stefanik formally entered the race for New York's next Governor in 2026, after Zohran Mamdani was elected as the city's new Mayor.

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New York-elect Zohran Mamdani and US Representative Elise Stefanik. (Reuters)

Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old Assemblyman from Queens, scripted history by becoming the first Muslim and Indian-origin Mayor of New York City. Soon afterwards, Trump ally and Republican Representative Elise Stefanik formally entered the gubernatorial race against New York Governor Kathy Hochul for the 2026 elections.

Stefanik, an outspoken critic of Hochul and Mamdani, announced her candidacy on Friday, and many see this as a way to remove the newly elected Mamdani from his post as NYC Mayor. Notably, Mamdani was endorsed by Hochul during the race against New Yorks former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate.

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Soon after Mamdanis victory, Stefanik called Hochul the worst governor in America" and New York the most unaffordable state in the nation." She also called Mamdani an antisemite, jihadist, and communist."

Can Stefanik Remove Mamdani?

If Stefanik wins the 2026 elections against Hochul, she can use a rarely used gubernatorial power to remove Mamdani, potentially changing the balance of power in Americas largest city. Under the New York state constitution, the governor possesses the authority to remove the mayor and other local officials from office.

Although this mechanism has been dormant for decades, the governor of New York possesses the authority, under the New York City Charter and the state constitution, to remove mayors and other local officials, as per Newsweek.

The mayor may be removed from office by the governor upon charges and after service upon him of a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard in his defence. Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the governor may suspend the mayor for a period not exceeding thirty days," says the NYC Charter.

However, the process also requires a formal legal processincluding the lodging of charges, the serving of those charges to the official in question, and an opportunity for the mayor to respond and present a defence, including cross-examining witnesses under oath.

What Happens If A Mayor Is Removed?

If the mayor is removed, the city could be required to hold a special election within 90 days, depending on the timing of the removal and the provisions of the city charter. However, this provision has been used very rarely by governors.

The process has traditionally been reserved only for actions deemed official misconduct or violation of public trust, or one that involves moral turpitude" committed during the officials current term, according to a ruling by the state Supreme Court in 1932.

At that time, Justice Ellis Staley was hearing the challenges to the extent of the removal powers of then-New York Governor Franklin Roosevelt. The last time a New York City official was actually removed was in 1932, when Roosevelt removed Manhattan Sheriff Thomas Farley from office.

A judge cannot overturn the governors decision, Politico reported earlier this year when examining Hochuls powers to remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office.

Does Stefanik Have A Chance?

According to polling conducted by the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, Stefanik held a slight edge over Hochul, with 43% of polltakers supporting Stefanik and 42% backing Hochul. However, other polls showed Hochul ahead of Stefanik.

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I am running for governor to bring a new generation of leadership to Albany to make New York affordable and safe for families all across our great state," Stefanik said in a statement issued Friday. Her campaign will bring strong recognition, fundraising prowess and deep ties to the White House.

Stefanik, a Harvard graduate, was 30 when she was first elected to the House in 2014. She entered Congress as a moderate Republican but soon attached herself to Trump, reshaping her persona into more of a brash, outspoken MAGA disciple.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

Location : New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 08, 2025, 16:44 IST

News world Can Mamdani Be Ousted As NYC Mayor? Trump Ally's Gubernatorial Bid Sparks Buzz

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Democrats Propose Deal To End US Shutdown On One Condition, But Will Trump Accept It?

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 08:31 IST

The offer comes amid increasing pressure on lawmakers from both parties to resolve the crisis.

The dome of the US Capitol is reflected in a window as people visit the Washington Monument, more than a month into the continuing US government shutdown in Washington, DC (Reuters)

Amid the United States witnessing its longest government shutdown, Democrats have come forward with a new proposal aimed at reopening federal operations and easing the growing strain on millions of Americans.

On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuk Schumer said that the Democrats are ready to support a bill to end the shutdown if Republicans agree to extend key Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for another year. These tax credits, central to the healthcare law commonly known as Obamacare, are due to expire soon.

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All Republicans have to do is say yes," Schumer said, according to the Associated Press.

This comes as the pressure on lawmakers tend to increase from both parties to resolve the crisis. The prolonged shutdown has disrupted airport operations, delayed food aid, and left thousands of federal workers unpaid.

What Do Democrats Propose?

Democrats are calling for a joint vote to both reopen the government and extend ACA health care subsidies for one year. In addition, they are pushing for the creation of a bipartisan committee to consider Republican demands for modifications to the health care law.

The plan, led by Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, would link the tax credit extension with a short-term funding bill and a package of appropriations measures to keep government departments running.

The move represents a shift in strategy for Democrats, who have so far held out for 38 days in favour of protecting the ACA tax credits set to lapse on January 1. Lawmakers from both parties have been engaged in quiet talks to reach common ground, but any potential compromise is expected to come with conditions  particularly concerning future votes on healthcare reforms.

Republicans Hold Their Ground

Republican leaders have continued to resist linking healthcare issues to reopening the government. They insist that Democrats vote first to end the shutdown before any discussion on health policy takes place.

In order to resolve the deadlock, the Republicans are reportedly preparing a new bipartisan package of funding bills. However, the details of the plan have not yet been released. A test vote on the measure could take place as early as Friday, posing a crucial decision for Democrats.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated he may keep the Senate in session over the weekenda first since the shutdown began. His decision follows reports that former President Donald Trump, during a White House breakfast with Republicans earlier this week, urged them to find a quick resolution.

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 08, 2025, 07:02 IST

News world Democrats Propose Deal To End US Shutdown On One Condition, But Will Trump Accept It?

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'Young, Strong, Smart': Donald Trump Endorses Vivek Ramaswamy For Ohio Governor

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 08:03 IST

Donald Trump has formally endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for Governor of Ohio, calling him young, strong, and smart.

File photos of Donald Trump/Vivek Ramaswamy (AP)

Donald Trump has formally endorsed biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy for Governor of Ohio, calling him Young, Strong, and Smart" in a glowing Truth Social post on Saturday.

Vivek Ramaswamy is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio, a place I love and won big, three times, in 2016, 2020, and 2024," Trump wrote.

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I know Vivek well, competed against him, and he is something special. He is Young, Strong, and Smart! Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country," the US President mentioned.

Praising the 39-year-old former presidential candidates leadership style, Trump added, As your next Governor, Vivek will fight tirelessly to grow the economy, cut taxes and regulations, promote Made in the U.S.A., champion American energy dominance, keep our now very secure borders secure, stop migrant crime, strengthen our military and veterans, ensure law and order, advance election integrity, and protect our always under siege Second Amendment."

Declaring his Complete and Total Endorsement," Trump said Ramaswamy will be a Great Governor of Ohio" and will never let you down."

The endorsement came hours after Ohio voters cast their ballots for a new governor in 2026, along with all of Ohios other statewide executive offices, as all current officeholders are term-limited.

In May this year, Ramaswamy, 39, a Cincinnati native and former co-chair of Trumps Department of Government Efficiency initiative, won the Ohio Republican Partys gubernatorial endorsement.

The decision followed weeks of lobbying and an 11th-hour appeal from Donald Trump Jr. on X, urging state committee members to back Ramaswamy.

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Ramaswamy had shown interest in the US Senate seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance before, but DeWine chose then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted as Vances successor.

ALSO READ | Vivek Ramaswamy Says Republicans Should Worry After Poll Defeats

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: November 08, 2025, 08:00 IST

News world 'Young, Strong, Smart': Donald Trump Endorses Vivek Ramaswamy For Ohio Governor

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Five Indians Kidnapped In Mali Amid Rising Al-Qaida, ISIS Activities

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 12:21 IST

Mali, currently under a military junta, continues to struggle with deepening instability and a surge in extremist violence

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Five Indians have been kidnapped in Mali amid the rising violence linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated groups in the Western African country, reported AFP, citing officials.

The kidnapping reportedly took place on Thursday near Kobri, in western Mali, when a group of armed men kidnapped the Indians.

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They were working for a company engaged in local electrification projects, a security official said.

A company representative told AFP that all remaining Indian employees have been moved to the capital city, Bamako, for safety. So far, no organisation has claimed responsibility for the abductions.

We confirm the kidnapping of five Indian nationals. The other Indians working for the company have been evacuated to Bamako, the capital," the representative said.

Mali, currently under a military junta, continues to struggle with deepening instability and a surge in extremist violence. The Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has, in recent months, intensified its control, even imposing a crippling fuel blockade that has worsened the countrys already severe economic crisis.

Kidnappings of foreigners are now common in Mali, where years of unrest, repeated coups, and militant attacks have weakened the governments control. Much of the country has been outside state authority since 2012.

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Kidnapping Highlights Security Collapse

In September, fighters belonging to JNIM reportedly kidnapped two Emirati citizens and an Iranian near Bamako, the capital. The hostages were released only last week after a ransom of around USD 50 million was allegedly paid, according to reports.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 08, 2025, 12:20 IST

News world Five Indians Kidnapped In Mali Amid Rising Al-Qaida, ISIS Activities

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Hungary Gets One-Year Exception From US Sanctions Over Russian Oil And Gas

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 08:24 IST

Orban also underlined his stand on the Russia and Ukraine war, saying it would take a "miracle" for Ukraine to defeat Moscow.

US President Donald Trump

United States President Donald Trump has granted Hungarian Prime Minister a one-year exemption from sanctions that will allow Hungary to buy Russian oil. This comes after both the leaders had a meeting on Friday.

During the discussions, Trump and Orban exchanged warm words of praise, showcasing a united front on several key global issues.

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Orban also underlined his different stand from most European Union leaders on the war in Ukraine and said it would take a miracle" for Ukraine to defeat Moscow.

Meanwhile, President Trump agreed with Orbans position on migration, an issue that has defined both leaders political agendas. He said European leaders should show Orban more respect" for his approach to border security and national sovereignty.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Reacts To Meeting

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto described the meeting as a major outcome", noting that it marked Orbans first visit to the White House since Trumps return to power in January.

The exemption will ease energy pressures in the country, which has long depended on Russian supplies.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Szijjarto said, The United States has granted Hungary a full and unlimited exemption from sanctions on oil and gas. We are grateful for this decision, which guarantees Hungarys energy security."

Earlier, President Trump had indicated that he was open to granting such an exemption, noting Hungarys dependence on pipelines for energy imports. The country, being landlocked, lacks direct access to sea routes for oil shipments.

As you know, they dont have the advantage of having sea," Trump told reporters, explaining his decision to make an exception for Hungary.

Trump Praises Orban As Hungary Defends Need For Russian Energy

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, long known for taking a different line from other European Union leaders on Russias invasion of Ukraine, once again defended his countrys continued dependence on Russian energy.

Pipeline is not an ideological or political issue. Its a physical reality because we dont have port(s)," Orban said, emphasising Hungarys geographical limitations as a landlocked nation.

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Hungary remains the closest EU ally of both Donald Trump and the Kremlin, and has often resisted Brussels pressure to cut energy ties with Moscow. Earlier this year, Budapest even offered to host a peace summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Hungarian capital.

However, that summit was cancelled by Trump in October, after his patience wore thin over Putins refusal to end the war in Ukraine. The US president then imposed fresh sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 08, 2025, 07:51 IST

News world Hungary Gets One-Year Exception From US Sanctions Over Russian Oil And Gas

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Mark Mobius added his voice to the bubble camp in the debate over the AI trade.

The investor said he predicts as much as a 40% correction in top AI stocks.

He highlighted emerging markets as one area that's beaten the S&P 500 this year.

Mark Mobius has a warning for AI investors  and one suggestion for where they could put their money instead.

The legendary fund manager and founder of Mobius Capital Partners said he foresaw a big correction coming for top names in the AI space as valuations soar. A correction could tank the top AI stocks by as much as 40%, he said in an interview with Bloomberg Television published Friday.

"When I look at a correction, I look at 30%, down 30%, 40%," Mobius speculated, though he said he believed in the long-term uptrend for the AI. "That will happen, but it will be short-lived."

Talk of a stock market correction has grown this week amid a sell-off in the tech sector.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon speculated that the market could drop as much as 20% over the next couple of years. Morgan Stanley's CEO, Ted Pick, said as much as 15% drawdown was possible, adding that pullbacks were healthy for the overall market.

Mobius said he was mainly concerned about high valuations and heavy spending in the AI space. AI investment at some firms is "probably excessive," Mobius added, referring to the billions mega-cap tech firms have earmarked for capex this year.

Investors, like Mobius, have been fretting that some AI companies are valued too highly, especially when monetization plans are unclear.

"We've got to be prepared for a pullback. And you buy the dip," Mobius said. "I'd love to see a pullback of 30%, 40%. I would be in there with both arms and legs. We'd be buying a lot."

One area to watch

In the meantime, there's one area of the market Mobius thinks could be a promising buy for investors: emerging market stocks.

Emerging markets have outperformed the US market so far this year, Mobius said.

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF is up 29.7% year-to-date, outpacing the S&P 500's 13.8% gain.

The index is largely up due to strength in Chinese and Indian stocks, Mobius said. China's economy is "moving up" the technology ladder, and India is also developing in the computer hardware space  two things that could help fuel a rotation back to EM assets, he suggested.

He also pointed to tailwinds like the Fed cutting rates, which lowers the value of the US dollar relative to other currencies and can give foreign firms more buying power.
'If A War Breaks Out...': Taliban Warns Pakistan As Peace Talks Collapse Again In Istanbul

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 19:44 IST

Afghan Minister Noorullah Noori warned Pakistan against "testing the patience of Afghans" and said the elders and youth "will rise to fight" if a war breaks out.

Yet another round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan has collapsed in Istanbul. (Reuters/File)

The Taliban government has warned Pakistan against testing the patience" of the Afghan government, as the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, held on November 6 and 7, failed to secure a written commitment from Kabul to take action against Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) militants accused of using Afghan territory for terrorist attacks.

After the latest round of talks failed, Noorullah Noori, the Afghan Minister for Tribes, Borders, and Tribal Affairs, warned Pakistani officials not to test the patience of Afghans, saying the elders and youth of Afghanistan will rise to fight if a war breaks out.

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Speaking at a gathering, Noori said Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Asif should not be overly confident in his countrys technology, and told him to learn from the fates of the United States and Russia, whose invasions of Afghanistan ended in failure, as per TOLO News. He also pointed out that Pakistans Sindh and Punjab provinces were not far" should tensions escalate.

He also declared that both the elders and youth of Afghanistan will rise to fight" if a war broke out between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Asif had earlier warned that if the Istanbul talks fail, Islamabad may enter direct confrontation with the Taliban.

Some Factions In Pak Military Not Happy

Earlier today, Zabihullah Mujahid, the official spokesperson of the Taliban government, said certain military factions in Pakistan were not happy about the existence of a powerful central government in Afghanistan, nor about its security, progress, and overall peace and stability.

These groups have historically benefited from Afghanistans insecurity, occupation, migration, and crises. They now seek to re-enter into confrontation with Afghanistan by fabricating new excuses," he said in an official statement.

Mujahid said the TTPs emergence in 2002 was a result of misguided policies by certain elements within the Pakistani military, which at the time aligned with the United States and allowed drone strikes in Waziristan while simultaneously turning against the local population.

He said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan supported conditions for direct negotiations between the Pakistani government and the TTP, resulting in a long-term ceasefire and substantial progress in talks. However, this was sabotaged by certain factions of the Pakistan Army.

The Islamic Emirate continues to consider itself responsible for ensuring that no one uses its territory to interfere in the affairs of another country, and it will take necessary steps to prevent such actions."

Irresponsible, Non-Cooperative

Prior to this, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of taking an irresponsible and non-cooperative" approach during the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, saying Islamabad attempted to shift all security responsibility" onto Kabul while refusing to assume any of its own.

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The Istanbul impasse was the third consecutive failure in a series of talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar since deadly border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The process began in Doha on October 29 following deadly border clashes between October 11 and 15.

That round ended without progress, leading to the second meeting on October 25 in Istanbul, which also yielded no breakthrough. The latest round has now collapsed in the same manner, with no schedule for a fourth session.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

Location : Kabul, Afghanistan

First Published: November 08, 2025, 19:44 IST

News world 'If A War Breaks Out...': Taliban Warns Pakistan As Peace Talks Collapse Again In Istanbul

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Pakistan Navy Ship Docks In Bangladesh For 'Goodwill' Visit Amid Warming Ties

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Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 17:15 IST

A Pakistan Navy ship arrived at Bangladesh's Chattogram Port on Friday in a clear signal of warming defence ties between the two countries.

Pakistan Navy Ship PNS Saif arrived in Bangladesh's Chattogram Port. (Facebook)

A Pakistan Navy ship arrived at Bangladeshs Chattogram Port on Friday for a four-day goodwill" visit, in a clear signal of warming defence ties between the two countries since the fall of Sheikh Hasinas government in 2024.

On 08 November, Pakistan Navy Ship PNS SAIF, commanded by Captain Shujaat Abbas Raja, arrived at Chattogram Port. Upon arrival, the ship was warmly received on behalf of Commander Chattogram Naval Area," the Bangladesh Navy said in an official statement.

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Representatives from the Pakistani embassy in Bangladesh and senior officers of the Bangladesh Navy were also present at the welcoming ceremony, as per the statement. The shop also received a ceremonial welcome by the Bangladesh Navy Ship BNS Shadhinota.

This goodwill visit is expected to further strengthen the friendly relations between Bangladesh Navy and Pakistan Navy," read the statement.

The renewed Pakistan-Bangladesh engagement marks a significant shift since the fall of Sheikh Hasinas government in August 2024. Islamabad was among the first to welcome the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, expressing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh".

Since then, the two countries have seen a rapid thaw in relationssigning agreements on visa-free diplomatic travel, trade facilitation, defence collaboration, sea route access, and air connectivity. Senior Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, have held multiple meetings with Yunus over the past year, both in Dhaka and on the sidelines of international summits.

India-Bangladesh Relations

Bangladesh, which gained independence in 1971 after a bloody freedom struggle against Pakistan, has traditionally maintained close ties with India, which played a key role in its liberation. However, the relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi has deteriorated since student-led protests led to the fall of the Hasina government.

Recently, Yunus stirred a controversy by giving a map to a Pakistani general in which the northeast of India was shown as part of Bangladesh. The artwork outlined what was described as a Greater Bangladesh" plan  including the incorporation of Indias northeastern states, particularly Assam, into Bangladeshs future strategic vision.

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Speaking to Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, This is very unfortunate, and he should avoid such actions. We want to maintain better relations with our neighbouring countries. We do not want any kind of tension with our neighbouring countries."

He also said India had the capability to deal with regional tensions with its neighbours. We can face every difficulty and find solutions. But we are people who believe in peace, we do not want unrest. However, this does not mean that India is a coward. If Indias sovereignty is harmed, India will give a strong response," he said.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: November 08, 2025, 17:15 IST

News world Pakistan Navy Ship Docks In Bangladesh For 'Goodwill' Visit Amid Warming Ties

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Pakistan Senate Tables 27th Amendment Bill Granting Sweeping Powers To Asim Munir | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain



Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 17:21 IST

CNN-News18 accesses the bill proposing to make Asim Munir Pakistans Chief of Defence Forces with full military command and lifelong privileges

The bill also introduces a clause to formally award the title of Field Marshal to General Asim Munir. (AFP)

In what amounts to a constitutional coup, CNN-News18 has accessed the draft of Pakistans 27th Constitutional Amendment, which effectively turns the Army Chief into the countrys Chief of Defence Forces, granting him unified command over the Army, Navy and Air Force, and dismantling the last layers of civilian oversight.

According to the draft, the changes are being pushed through under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari, giving General Asim Munir unprecedented powers that could transform Pakistan from a fragile democracy into a Field Marshal State.

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Bill Tabled In Senate After Cabinet Approval

Soon after receiving approval from the federal cabinet, the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill was tabled in the Senate on Saturday and referred to the standing committees on law and justice for review.

The bill, introduced by Pakistani Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, proposes sweeping constitutional changes  from the formation of a Federal Constitutional Court and the process for appointing high court judges to altering the threshold for provincial cabinets and restructuring military leadership.

Explaining the proposed changes to Article 243, which currently states that the federal government shall have control and command of the armed forces," the minister said new clauses were being added to redefine command structures and appointments.

Army Chief To Become Chief Of Defence Forces

Under the amendment, the Army Chief would concurrently serve as Chief of Defence Forces, assuming direct command over all three military wings.

The bill seeks to abolish the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC)  the only institutional counterbalance to the Army Chief  with the position to cease from November 27, 2025, once the current tenure ends.

Law Minister Tarar clarified that no new appointment would follow. The present CJCSC is our hero; it will be abolished after his appointment ends. Parliament cannot think of depriving him of the role during his tenure," he said.

He added that the Prime Minister, acting on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces, would appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command, effectively giving the military control of Pakistans nuclear command structure.

Field Marshal Title With Lifetime Privileges

The bill also introduces a clause to formally award the title of Field Marshal to General Asim Munir. Tarar explained that this was a title, not a rank or appointment, conferred on national heroes" and meant to be held for life.

He added that the impeachment or reversal of such a title would lie with Parliament, not the Prime Minister. The bill specifies that any officer promoted to Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet shall retain the rank, privileges, and remain in uniform for life," and that the federal government may assign them duties in the interest of the state" after their active service.

Lifelong Immunity And Constitutional Protection

The draft extends the immunity provisions of Articles 47 and 248  currently applicable to the President  to the newly created ceremonial ranks. This would ensure lifelong legal protection, effectively insulating military elites from removal, judicial scrutiny, or political accountability even after retirement.

Civilian Supremacy Reversed

While the amendment maintains that appointments are made on the advice of the Prime Minister," the real authority shifts to the Chief of Defence Forces, as all key recommendations must originate from his office.

This reversal of authority dismantles the fundamental principle of civilian control over the military, replacing it with institutionalised military dominance.

With the abolition of parliamentary oversight, the legislature will no longer be able to question or override military decisions, turning Pakistans Constitution into what analysts describe as a legitimising tool for army rule.

From Republic To Military Autocracy

The creation of a Field Marshal-for-life with constitutional immunity ensures that Pakistans generals remain beyond political and judicial scrutiny.

With the army already controlling significant sectors of the economy through military-run enterprises, and now poised to secure constitutional authority over defence and nuclear command, Pakistan appears to be transitioning from a constitutional republic to a military autocracy.

Key Clauses In The Draft 27th Constitutional Amendment

CNN-News18 has accessed the initial draft version of Article 243, which includes the following major changes:

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Army Chief to concurrently serve as Chief of Defence Forces  unified command over all three services. CJCSC post abolished from November 2025  removes institutional counterbalance. National Strategic Command under Army recommendation  limits civilian role in nuclear decisions. Field Marshal title created  lifetime privileges and duties as defined by law. Articles 47 & 248 protections extended  grants legal and political immunity. Prime Ministers advice reduced to formality  key appointments to follow military recommendations.

With political parties weakened, the economy militarised, and defence authority constitutionalised under army control, the amendment could legally consolidate Asim Munirs power, reshaping Pakistans political system into one where the military commands not just the state, but the Constitution itself.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 08, 2025, 17:21 IST

News world Pakistan Senate Tables 27th Amendment Bill Granting Sweeping Powers To Asim Munir | Exclusive

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Rafale vs Typhoon: Indias Rival Seals Rs 95,000 Crore UK Jet Deal, 3X Costlier

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 07, 2025, 16:17 IST

Each jet costs about Rs 4,750 crore, making it among the worlds priciest fighter deals. The jets are expected to be heavily armed, prompting comparisons to Indias Rafale buy

Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google

The country would purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets for about $10.7 billion. (AP/File)

India is significantly investing in multi-billion dollar projects to modernise its military following Operation Sindoor. The nation is dedicating substantial resources to develop indigenous fifth-generation fighter jets, various missiles, and air defence systems amid heightened threats from neighbouring countries, Pakistan and China.

According to international affairs observers, China and Pakistan are also closely watching Indias preparations and investing heavily to modernise their own forces.

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China, far ahead in this race, has built capabilities that rival the United States. It is developing sixth-generation fighter jets and highly advanced missiles, and continues to directly support Pakistan, even supplying it with fifth-generation aircraft. This evolving landscape underscores why Indias security environment has long remained challenging.

India Faces A Third Adversary

A close ally of Pakistan, Turkey has entered the arms race and provided military assistance to Pakistan, including weapons and drones, during Operation Sindoor. Turkey frequently makes anti-India statements on international platforms.

Most Expensive Fighter Jet Purchase

According to a Reuters report, Turkey recently finalised a deal with the UK worth approximately Rs 95,000 crore to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, at about $10.7 billion. Each jet costs around Rs 4,750 crore, making it one of the most expensive fighter jet deals globally. The report indicates that the jets are expected to be heavily armed, drawing comparisons to Indias Rafale purchase.

Indias Rafale Deal

In 2016, India acquired 36 Rafale fighter jets from France for about Rs 60,000 crore, with each jet costing around Rs 1,666 crore, then considered a significant expenditure. This year, India secured another Rafale deal for its Navy, purchasing 26 Marine Rafales for approximately Rs 63,000 crore in April.

Additionally, India plans to acquire 114 more Rafales and is developing its own Tejas MK-2 and fifth-generation fighter jets. The Indian Air Force has also ordered indigenous Tejas MK-1 jets, with deliveries commencing soon.

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According to reports, Pakistan is simultaneously negotiating major arms deals with China, including fifth-generation fighter jets, posing a substantial challenge to India.

As adversaries bolster their military capabilities, military experts suggest that India must accelerate its modernisation efforts to maintain security.

First Published: November 07, 2025, 16:17 IST

News world Rafale vs Typhoon: Indias Rival Seals Rs 95,000 Crore UK Jet Deal, 3X Costlier

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'Unrealistic Demands': Afghanistan Slams 'Irresponsible' Pakistan As Peace Talks Hit Stalemate

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 11:05 IST

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of stalling Istanbul peace talks, citing security responsibility disputes.

Taliban security personnel. (IMAGE: AFP/REPRESENTATIVE)

Afghanistan accused Pakistan of taking an irresponsible and non-cooperative" approach during the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, saying Islamabad attempted to shift all security responsibility" onto Kabul while refusing to assume any of its own. The Taliban-ruled Afghanistan said this behaviour led directly to the failure of the two-day negotiations.

In a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the Afghan delegation had participated in good faith and with appropriate authority," hoping Pakistan would approach the discussions seriously and constructively" after consulting its leadership. Instead, he said, Pakistan did not demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistans security or its own," leaving mediators Turkey and Qatar unable to bridge the gap.

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The spokesperson reiterated that Kabul would not allow Afghan soil to be used against any country and would defend Afghanistans sovereignty against any aggression."

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The talks, held on November 6 and 7, failed to secure a written commitment from Kabul to take action against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants accused by Islamabad of using Afghan territory to mount attacks. Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Asif said negotiations had entered a complete deadlock," adding that Kabul insisted on offering only verbal assurances, which he called unacceptable in international negotiations." Khawaja Asif said Pakistan would maintain the ceasefire but warned it would respond if attacked from Afghan soil.

The Istanbul impasse was the third consecutive failure in a series of talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar. The process began in Doha on October 29 following deadly border clashes between October 11 and 15. That round ended without progress, leading to the second meeting on October 25 in Istanbul, which also yielded no breakthrough. The latest round has now collapsed in the same manner, with no schedule for a fourth session.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 08, 2025, 11:05 IST

News world 'Unrealistic Demands': Afghanistan Slams 'Irresponsible' Pakistan As Peace Talks Hit Stalemate

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US Says Iran IRGC Plot To Kill Israeli Envoy In Mexico Was Foiled

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 08, 2025, 10:03 IST

The IRGC plotted to assassinate Einat Kranz Neiger, Israeli ambassador to Mexico, in late 2024, but the plan was foiled. US and Israeli link it to broader revenge operations.

The IRGC plotted to assassinate Einat Kranz Neiger, Israeli ambassador to Mexico, in late 2024, but the plan was foiled. US and Israeli link it to broader revenge operations. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

A US official has revealed that the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran plotted to assassinate Einat Kranz Neiger, the Israeli ambassador to Mexico, beginning in late 2024 and continuing into the first half of 2025.

The plot was reportedly foiled and contained," with no immediate threat now posed, according to the official, who spoke anonymously to Reuters. Details of how the operation was disrupted have not been disclosed.

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US and Israeli authorities say this alleged attempt fits a larger pattern of Iran targeting diplomats, journalists, dissidents, and others abroad.

A Broader Pattern of Targeted Attacks

The alleged plot fits into what Western intelligence agencies describe as a broader Iranian campaign of revenge operations abroad. Over the past two years, Iran has been accused of attempting to assassinate or abduct Israeli diplomats, Iranian dissidents, and journalists in countries including Turkey, Georgia, Cyprus, Colombia, and Kenya.

US and Israeli officials have said that Irans Quds Force, the IRGCs external operations wing, has been tasked with carrying out retaliatory strikes against Israeli and Western interests, particularly after a string of assassinations targeting Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists.

Washington and several allied nations have repeatedly accused Iran and its network of proxy groups of orchestrating violent operations abroad, targeting Tehrans critics and perceived enemies.

Iranian officials, however, have consistently dismissed these accusations as politically motivated fabrications intended to discredit the government.

Last year, security agencies in Britain and Sweden warned that Iran was using criminal intermediaries to carry out violent attacks on foreign soil. The UKs Home Office reported that its intelligence services had foiled at least 20 Iran-linked plots since 2022, including plans for abductions and assassinations.

More than a dozen other countries have also condemned a surge in Iran-backed operations, accusing Tehrans intelligence apparatus of engaging in cross-border kidnapping, intimidation, and assassination plots against dissidents and journalists.

In October, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum said that Iran was frantically attempting to silence critics worldwide," citing examples from Australia, the Netherlands, and other nations. Australian authorities had uncovered Iranian involvement in antisemitic plots, while Dutch investigators exposed a failed assassination attempt attributed to Iranian operatives.

Mexicos Response

The Mexican government, however, said it has no official record or intelligence indicating an active attempt on the Israeli envoys life. Mexicos foreign ministry added that it remains in close contact with the Israeli Embassy and allied intelligence partners but has not received any formal alert from Washington or Tel Aviv regarding the case.

Growing Iranian Footprint in Latin America

Experts say Iran has been expanding its diplomatic and covert networks across Latin America, particularly in countries like Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Bolivia, where Tehran maintains close relations. Analysts note that while Mexico is not an ally of Iran, its geographic proximity to the US makes it a potential site for symbolic or proxy operations.

U.S. and Israeli Coordination

The US official emphasized that Washington is working closely with Mexico and Israel to ensure the safety of Israeli diplomatic personnel and to monitor potential Iranian intelligence activity in the region. We take any threat to diplomats extremely seriously," the official said, adding that deterrence and vigilance remain top priorities.

Israel has long been a primary target of Iranian hostility, a tension that escalated sharply this year after Israels military, supported by US bombers, carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, intensifying the ongoing shadow war between the two nations.

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-With inputs from Reuters

Location : Mexico City, Mexico

First Published: November 08, 2025, 10:03 IST

News world US Says Iran IRGC Plot To Kill Israeli Envoy In Mexico Was Foiled

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Mattel (MAT) shares climbed slightly this week, gaining nearly 2% over the past seven days. This uptick arrives amid steady overall performance and prompts investors to weigh how recent company results and competitive moves could influence future returns.

See our latest analysis for Mattel.

Despite a steady climb this week, Mattels share price momentum has cooled from earlier highs. The 1-year total shareholder return remains negative even as the 90-day share price return sits comfortably in positive territory. Short-term optimism contrasts with softer longer-term results, suggesting that while sentiment is improving, investors remain watchful on valuation and future catalysts.

If youre looking beyond Mattel for stocks with a track record of rapid growth and strong insider backing, now is a smart moment to discover fast growing stocks with high insider ownership

With shares currently trading at a notable discount to analyst targets and longer-term gains lagging, investors are left to consider whether Mattel is undervalued, or if the companys future growth is already reflected in the price.

Price-to-Earnings of 13.5x: Is it justified?

Mattel is currently trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.5x, which puts the stock notably below its peer and industry averages and marks it as undervalued at the last close price of $18.73.

The P/E ratio compares a company's share price to its earnings per share and is a widely used benchmark for valuing companies in consumer durables. For Mattel, the relatively low P/E suggests investors may doubt the durability of future growth, despite its recent track record of profits and market familiarity with the brand.

When compared to its peers, Mattel's 13.5x is well below the peer average of 24.3x and the global leisure industry average of 21.1x. If the market gravitates toward the estimated fair P/E ratio of 15x, Mattel could have further re-rating potential built in.

Explore the SWS fair ratio for Mattel

Result: Price-to-Earnings of 13.5x (UNDERVALUED)

However, stagnant long-term returns and modest revenue growth could still present challenges for Mattel as it seeks to maintain investor optimism in the coming months.

Find out about the key risks to this Mattel narrative.

Another View: SWS DCF Model Suggests Even Deeper Value

While the current price-to-earnings ratio points to Mattel being undervalued, our DCF model provides an even stronger indication. The SWS DCF model shows the stock is trading more than 40% below its estimated fair value, which questions whether near-term caution is warranted.
Police in Zimbabwe have opened international reporting channels for alleged Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader Walter Magaya rape and fraud victims.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said law enforcement had been receiving several calls from people all over the world asking how to lay complaints against Magaya.

He said, The Zimbabwe Republic Police has availed cellphone NUMBER +263 776 830 226, National Complaints NUMBER +263 (0242) 703631 and WhatsApp NUMBER +263 712 800 197 for anyone to freely report and allow the Zimbabwe Republic Police to conduct investigations.

Alleged Victims in Zimbabwe, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia or any country were urged to come forward.

For those victims in South Africa, please feel free to go to the local Police Station to report and have your statement notarized and formally submitted to the Zimbabwean Embassy, Commissioner Nyathi said.

Police also sounded the alarm over attempts to frustrate investigations.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns individuals and syndicates trying to interfere with investigations or threaten witnesses that they risk being arrested for defeating or obstructing the course of justice, Nyathi said.

He further cautioned online activist groups.

Individuals and groups, including social media platforms such as COZWA and Crime Watch Zimbabwe, are cautioned against publishing individual officers and investigators personal cellphone numbers or contact details.

This marks one of the most public and coordinated calls for complainants in a religious leader case in recent years.

Magaya is no stranger to controversy. In 2016, he was arrested on allegations of raping a congregant at his Harare hotel. The case was later withdrawn after the complainant filed for the matter to be dropped. Magaya has consistently maintained his innocence, saying he was the victim of targeted attacks and smear campaigns against his ministry.

In the latest wave of allegations, Magaya and his wife were arrested on 1 November 2025 following multiple reports of fraud and rape, with the couple appearing in Harare Magistrates Court on 34 November 2025. He faces fraud charges linked to alleged misrepresentation of investment opportunities through Planet Africa (Pvt) Ltd and Yadah Connect (Pvt) Ltd, including promises of residential stands, mining, farming, and bee-keeping projects to congregants and other members of the public. On the same docket, he faces rape charges in relation to recent allegations.

During the hearing, Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa remanded Magaya and his wife in custody while bail applications were set for the High Court. The defence had argued the couple was held beyond the 48-hour statutory limit, but the court dismissed the over-detention argument, stating it has no effect on their release.

However, the latest wave of allegations has seen victims claiming abuse across borders, prompting police to establish formal international reporting protocols. Documents show the alleged fraud involved thousands of US dollars from investors expecting property or business returns, many of whom remain unpaid.

Meanwhile, police urged any victim or witness to utilize the numbers given above and quickly report anyone issuing threats, harassment or intimidation. H Metro
Senate Republicans have dismissed an offer from Democratic leaders to end the government shutdown, calling the proposal to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies for one year a "nonstarter." The plan, presented by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, included a short-term funding bill, a bundle of three appropriations bills, and the extension of ACA tax credits. GOP senators, including Lindsey Graham and Majority Leader John Thune, criticized the proposal as insufficient and untimely, saying they are unwilling to negotiate on health care until the government is reopened, the Hill reports.

Graham argued that the existing program is too costly and benefits large insurance companies, while Thune noted the proposal also fails to include Hyde Amendment protections on abortion funding. Republicans contended that Democrats are feeling political pressure after recent Democratic electoral victories and suggested the ACA extension is a central Democratic demand meant to appeal to their base. House Republicans echoed the Senate's rejection, with members of the Republican Study Committee and the Freedom Caucus both labeling the proposal unacceptable. Speaker Mike Johnson has declined to commit to allowing a House vote on any measure extending the ACA subsidies. House Democrats generally supported the offer, viewing it as a viable compromise to fulfill campaign promises and break the impasse.

The proposal was significantly scaled back from earlier Democratic plans, per the New York Times. It followed the collapse of bipartisan negotiations that had explored a stopgap funding bill with a delayed vote on ACA subsidies. The next step is unclear, per the AP. Thune has suggested a weekend Senate session was possible. President Trump called on senators to stay in town until they reach a deal.
A federal judge has issued a permanent injunction preventing President Trump from deploying the National Guard in Oregon, marking a significant legal defeat for the administration's efforts to send troops into Portland during protests. The decision, issued by US District Judge Karin J. Immergutherself a Trump appointeefound that the president overreached outside of his authority and violated the 10th Amendment, concluding there was no legitimate basis to federalize the Guard, reports the Washington Post . According to Immergut, the administration's justificationthat there was a "rebellion or danger of a rebellion" in Oregonwasn't supported by the evidence.

Immergut noted that while protests near a Portland immigration facility had turned violent at times, the unrest subsided due to local law enforcement and had since been mostly peaceful, with only sporadic low-level violence. "The occasional interference to federal officers has been minimal, and there is no evidence that these small-scale protests have significantly impeded the execution of any immigration laws," she wrote in her 106-page ruling, per the AP. The ruling comes after a three-day trial and is part of a broader legal battle over the Trump administration's attempts to deploy troops in several cities, often over the objections of local officials.

The White House has indicated it will appeal, arguing that Trump acted within his authority to protect federal property and personnel. Oregon's Democratic attorney general hailed the decision as a "huge victory" for state sovereignty and the rule of law. The case is one of several in which courts have blocked or questioned the federalization of the National Guard, with related disputes in Illinois and other states also pending. The Supreme Court has yet to weigh in definitively, and more legal wrangling is expected as the administration pursues an appeal.
A student at SUNY Canton, known on campus as Justin Phillips, was arrested at a grocery store in Canton, New York, on Oct. 30.

According to NBC News, his ID also listed him as Phillips, but his actual name is Anthony Michael Lennon, which authorities confirmed through fingerprints.

Since 2012, Lennon has faced eight counts of child pornography charges in Oklahoma, which he evaded for 13 years. This past July, the state added him to its Ten Most Wanted list.

Lennon, now 44, was charged over a decade ago after police discovered chat logs, a desktop computer, and stacks of compact discs containing images of children and infants being sexually abused. An investigation was launched after a friend using his computer found 50 gigabytes of child sexual abuse images and alerted authorities.

According to CBS 6 Albany, Lennon pleaded guilty to the charges, then faked his own death at a hotel before going on the run. Its unclear how he ended up in New York and managed to get by under a fake identity.

Lennon is currently being held in Syracuse and has a hearing scheduled for Nov. 19.

Rashid Aidun, an associate professor at SUNY Canton, who served as Lennons academic advisor, told NBC News that everyone is in shock regarding Lennons arrest.

Aidun described the Oklahoma fugitive as a very good student who earned all As and was in his third semester of a transfer program.

Before his disappearance, authorities also learned that Lennon had a masters degree in computer science and was pursuing a doctorate at the University of Oklahoma in 2008.

In a statement, SUNY Canton said Lennon was suspended on Oct. 31 and barred from campus. The university said it knew him only as Justin Phillips, and none of its records indicated a prior identity.
Google Project Suncatcher is a new research moonshot to one day scale machine learning in space. Working backward from this potential future, they are exploring how an interconnected network of solar-powered satellites, equipped with our Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) AI chips, could harness the full power of the Sun. The next step is a learning mission in partnership with Planet to launch two prototype satellites by early 2027 that will test our hardware in orbit, laying the groundwork for a future era of massively-scaled computation in space.

Google is developing a scalable compute system for machine learning in space, using fleets of satellites equipped with solar arrays, inter-satellite links using free-space optics, and Google tensor processing unit (TPU) accelerator chips. To facilitate high-bandwidth, low-latency inter-satellite communication, the satellites would be flown in close proximity. We illustrate the basic approach to formation flight via a 81-satellite cluster of 1 km radius, and describe an approach for using high-precision ML-based models to control large-scale constellations. Trillium TPUs are radiation tested. They survive a total ionizing dose equivalent to a 5 year mission life without permanent failures, and are characterized for bit-flip errors. Launch costs are a critical part of overall system cost. A learning curve analysis suggests launch to low-Earth orbit (LEO) may reach less than $200/kg by the mid-2030s.

$200 per kilogram would mean about $5 million for SpaceX Falcon 9 launching about 25 tons into orbit. Currently, those are sold for $67-70 million per launch. Falcon 9 launch price $3,600/kg is based on Falcon 9 reusable configuration (less payload per launch for reusable). SpaceX Falcon Heavy is half of the cost per kilogram versus Falcon 9. However, reusability for the first stage means that the cost for SpaceX (not the price they charge others) is about $15 million per launch which is $800 per kilogram. SpaceX does not launch Falcon Heavy that much but SpaceX could achieve a cost of $400 per kilogram if they chose to use it a lot.

The SpaceX Superheavy Starship should have full reusability. This will have 100 ton and then 200 ton reusable payload. The 200 ton payload would hit $200 per kilogram is the price was $40 million per launch. SpaceX could reach an internal cost like that in 2027 with three to five reuses of the first and second stage. SpaceX can get the internal cost to $50/kilogram with ten fully reusable launches per vehicle.

Google is assuming 10 reuse and SpaceX having margins of 75%. Launch price to customers would drop to under $250/kg. I think around 2035 , Google is correct. SpaceX would need to go to having an abundance of Starship launch after launching 50,000 V3 communication satellites over the first four years of Starship use. The margins they charge will come down to 75% and the reuse level will go towards 100X.

The Google tensor processing unit (TPU) accelerator chips on a constellation of solar-powered satellites, with size and number of TPUs per satellite determined by both economic and engineering considerations. Google envisions launching the satellites into dawn-dusk, sun-synchronous low-Earth orbit (LEO) to maximize power generation while minimizing latency of ground communications and launch cost. To enable ultra-high bandwidth, low-latency data transfer between satellites, they will fly close together and communicate via free-space optics inter-satellite links (FSO ISLs). An ML-based flight control model enables the satellites to maintain close flight proximity while avoiding collisions. Eventually, optical links will also be needed for high-bandwidth communication with the ground, but for a pilot project, radio suffices, avoiding the challenges of overcoming atmospheric interference.

The Starcloud proposal is for monolithic data centers in space where individual spacecraft significantly exceed the size of any current or planned launch vehicle. Thales Alenia Space proposes building a constellation of 13 satellites measuring a combined 200 meter-by-80 meter, and with a total data processing power of around 10 megawatts (MW). Thats equivalent to a current medium-sized, ground-based data center, with some 5,000 servers. Last summer, a European Commission-funded feasibility study into orbiting data centers published its results. The Ascend report by carried out by Thales Alenia Space  a joint venture between French and Italian aerospace groups Thales and Leonardo was thinking 2037 might be when they could commercially do it.

Google proposed approach would instead rely on arrays of smaller satellites. This more modular design would provide ample opportunity to scale to the terawatts of compute capacity that could fit within the dawn-dusk sun-synchronous low-earth orbital band.

The required inter-satellite communication bandwidth, the dynamics and control of large, tightly-clustered satellite formations, the radiation tolerance of TPUs, and economic feasibility given expected future launch costs. Other significant challenges such as on-orbit reliability and repair, high-bandwidth ground communications, and thermal management are also discussed in the Google paper.

Inter-satellite communication bandwidth is not a show stopping problem. Various radiation tolerance and management approaches are far more advanced and more proven than is commonly known. Launch costs depend upon SpaceX Superheavy Starship achieving full rapid reusability.

The ISC order of 10 Tbps is achievable by using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) transceiver technology, similar to that used in terrestrial data centers. The primary challenge is that such equipment requires significantly higher received optical power levels, on the order of hundreds of microwatts, compared to the 1 W levels typical for traditional long-range

ISLs. These power levels can be achieved by drastically reducing the inter-satellite distance. Since for distances larger than the Fresnel limit, received power scales with the inverse square of the distance due to beam divergence, flying the satellites in close formation (hundreds of kilometers, or less) provides ample power to close the link budget for high bandwidth COTS transceiver.

Google V6e Trillium Cloud TPU with its associated AMD host server were tested in a 67 MeV proton beam to simulate the operating conditions of sun-synchronous LEO. This work presents the first published radiation-testing results for such a device. For the target sun-synchronous LEO with significant shielding (10 mm Aluminum equivalent) the radiation environment is primarily composed of penetrating protons and Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs). This results in an estimated dose of 150 rad(Si)/year.

Total Ionizing Dose (TID) effects, the cumulative build-up of charge in insulating layers leading to device degradation. Single Event Effects (SEEs), which are instantaneous faults caused by a single energetic particle strike generating a dense track of electron-hole pairs. Sensitivity depends on the process node and cell libraries used, and has historically decreased, but this trend does not hold beyond the

5nm node.

The High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) subsystems are the most sensitivity to TID (space radiation). HBM problems are mainly uncorrectable ECC

errors (UECCs) of one event/50 rad. This can be shielded to go to 1 per 10 million inferences. This error rate is likely acceptable

for inference but would be a problem for AI training jobs.

Google researchers estimate SpaceX Starlink V2 mini as having 28 kilowatts of space solar power. The new v2 mini satellites weigh 575kg. Exact specifications have not been publicly released by SpaceX, but photometric and other analyses yield solar panel area 105 square meters. Assuming 22% solar panel efficiency, 1.361kW/m2 solar insolation and 90% packing area for square cells they obtain 28kW/satellite.

It is estimated from FCC communications that the V3 Starlink satellites will have 256 square meter solar panels for about 68 kilowatts of power.
Qualcomm recently announced its AI200 and AI250 rack-scale data center solutions, which are built to run AI inference workloads in servers. The chip designer points out that these solutions are a part of a "multi-generation data center AI inference roadmap with an annual cadence." In other words, it expects to bring out fresh AI solutions every year.

Not surprisingly, Broadcom stock has taken off in the past couple of years, with its shares rising 339% during this period. But if you've missed out on Broadcom's incredible rally thus far and are wary of buying it right now owing to its rich valuation -- the stock trades at 87 times earnings -- it may be a good idea to instead start buying shares of Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM).

That figure is substantially higher than the $60 billion in revenue it has brought in over the past 12 months. Throw in the lucrative contracts that Broadcom has won recently, and the odds look good for the company to keep growing rapidly for years.

The company is on track to end its fiscal 2025 with just under $20 billion in AI revenue, which would be a 63% increase over fiscal 2024. However, analysts are expecting Broadcom's AI revenue to double each year for the next couple of fiscal years. That target seems quite achievable considering that Broadcom reported a revenue backlog of $110 billion as of the end of its third quarter.

Broadcom manufactures custom processors that are proving to be more efficient than GPUs in terms of computing performance and power consumption while handling the specific AI inference tasks they are designed for. As a result, Broadcom has been winning sizable contracts from the likes of OpenAI, and it already boasts a solid customer base that includes major hyperscalers.

That's well above the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite index's gains of 114%. Nvidia was one of the first notable beneficiaries of the AI chip revolution thanks to its graphics processing units (GPUs) , which are the leading general-purpose parallel processors. It is still dominating the AI chip market, but there is now an increasing possibility that it could face stiff competition from Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO).

Artificial intelligence (AI) has supercharged the semiconductor industry over the past three years. In fact, the demand for chips capable of supporting AI systems has been so strong that the PHLX Semiconductor Sector index has clocked a gain of 197% during this period.

Story Continues

The AI200 will be commercially available next year, while the AI250 will follow in 2027. Importantly, Qualcomm has landed its first notable customer for its AI chip solutions. Saudi Arabian AI company Humain, which is backed by that country's Public Investment Fund, will start deploying the AI200 and AI250 solutions next year.

Humain intends to deploy Qualcomm's AI chips to power 200 megawatts (MW) of AI inferencing infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. This partnership unlocks a new revenue stream for Qualcomm. That's because building a 100 MW data center could cost around $1 billion. A report from the consultants at McKinsey notes that 60% of the outlay in constructing an AI data center goes toward chips and computing hardware. As a result, Qualcomm could witness an addressable opportunity of $1.2 billion from the Humain contract.

Even better, this partnership could open a much bigger revenue opportunity for Qualcomm in the long run. Humain is aiming to deploy 1.9 gigawatts (GW) of AI data center capacity by 2030, which could go up to 6 GW by 2034. So, Qualcomm could eventually be looking at a multibillion-dollar opportunity in Saudi Arabia alone thanks to its relationship with the state-backed AI company.

At the same time, investors will do well to note that the demand for AI inferencing is likely to exceed the demand for AI training. Market research firm IDC is expecting investment in AI inference infrastructure to overtake investment in AI training by the end of this year. Meanwhile, Gartner pointed out last year that AI inference computing capacity is likely to grow at an annualized rate of 40% to 50% through 2027.

Considering the tremendous growth potential available, Qualcomm is making the right move by targeting the AI inference market. Shareholders have appreciated this strategy as well, as it could give the company a much-needed growth boost.

In its fiscal 2026, which has just begun, Qualcomm's revenue and earnings are expected to grow by just 2%. That slow pace helps explain why Qualcomm trades at a cheap 16 times earnings and 4 times sales. But if its AI revenue starts taking off on the back of new customer wins following the vote of confidence from Humain, it would be able to clock much stronger growth.

Throw in the company's ability to capitalize on the growing demand for edge AI devices, automotive chips, and the Internet of Things, and there is a good chance that its growth rate will pick up. As such, investors on the lookout for the next Broadcom could consider accumulating a stake in Qualcomm, as its AI-related growth potential could turn out to be a big tailwind for the cheaply valued semiconductor stock.

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Nov. 8AIKEN  Meta announced a $75,000 contribution to the Aiken Chamber of Commerce Foundation Nov. 7 in support of Aiken becoming a hub for high-tech innovation in research, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.

Meta is building an $800 million data center in Sage Mill Industrial Park in the Graniteville/Vaucluse area.

Laura Warren, Meta's community development regional manager for South Carolina and Georgia, announced the gift at the Chamber's monthly First Friday breakfast, calling it "an investment in Aiken's future ... in support of the Aiken Innovation Corridor."

The Aiken Innovation Corridor is an initiative by the Chamber to leverage proximity to the Savannah River National Laboratory, the SRNL Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative and other nearby institutions to attract high-tech jobs and companies to Aiken, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and manufacturing.

"We are hopeful this will help elevate our city to really become that hub for entrepreneurship, high tech business, attraction and innovation led growth," Warren said.

"With this donation, we're helping to build infrastructure like co-working hubs and startup spaces. We're supporting workforce development and entrepreneurial training. We're boosting small businesses and regional marketing and laying the foundation for sustainable job creation and inclusive entrepreneurship," she said.

"This investment in our foundation is really going to help give this vision some legs, and help us start to build out that ecosystem a little bit more and really start to implement some programming," said Chamber President/CEO Jim Tunison. "We're really excited about that."

"They said they were going to be a great community partner, and you guys have hit the ground running since day one," Tunison said of Meta.

"This partnership with the Aiken Chamber is a reflection of our belief in Aiken's potential and our promise to be a good neighbor and supporting the growth, innovation and opportunity that will benefit everyone," Warren said.

Warren said applications for Meta's Community Action Grants are being accepted until Nov. 21.

The grants "help address critical community needs by putting technology to use for community benefit, giving people the power to build strong, sustainable communities and improving local science, technology, engineering and math education," she said.
N-Sun Energy, founded by Alantra Solar, has secured a 355m ($409.08m) green financing facility from Intesa Sanpaolos IMI Corporate & Investment Banking division.

The financing, secured by N-Sun Energys Italian subsidiary N-Sun Energy Advisors Italy 2, forms part of N-Sun Energys broader 1.8GW solar platform across Southern Europe.

Additionally, Alantra Solars investment vehicle arranged a 50m corporate financing facility with Bankinter, backed by CESCE guarantee.

These funds will complete N-Sun Energys investment programme and reinforce its financial structure.

The financing will support the development and construction of five solar plants in Italy, with a total capacity of about 275MWp.

The projects are situated in Lazio (Ischia di Castro), Puglia (Lecce and Minervino Murge), and Sicily (Catania I & II).

Commercial operations for these plants are set to begin by the end of 2027.

Structured under a holdco project finance format, the financing package comprises long-term loan facilities, a VAT facility, a debt service reserve line, and guarantees covering power purchase agreements and decommissioning.

Intesa Sanpaolo served as mandated lead arranger, underwriter, bookrunner, global coordinator, agent bank, and green loan coordinator.

The bank highlighted its commitment to supporting projects in line with the green loan principles.

Bankinters investment and corporate banking teams will further help Alantra Solar in developing its assets in Italy.

This follows the 213m secured in January last year to build seven solar plants as part of the first 306MWp batch in Spain and Italy.

The investment vehicle continues to acquire ready-to-build projects developed by Solarig, backed by key investors Reichmuth Infrastructure and Amundi Energy Transition. To date, the vehicle has acquired 597MWp.

Alantra Solar managing partner Javier Mellado said: This financing highlights the strength of the partnership between Alantra and Solarig in advancing one of the most ambitious solar energy platforms in Europe.

"It marks another milestone towards delivering N-Sun Energys 1.8GW portfolio and confirms the strong commitment of leading investors to our strategy.

We remain dedicated to developing renewable projects that combine scale, sustainability, and long-term value creation for our investors and the communities in which we operate.

"N-Sun Energy secures 400m for 275MWp solar plants from Intesa Sanpaolo " was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




(Corrects paragraph 10 of November 7 story to show that Volkswagen's China chief said the industry as a whole, not VW specifically, had received its first consignments of chips)

By Rachel More, Christina Amann and Daniel Leussink

BERLIN/TOKYO (Reuters) -Semiconductor maker Nexperia has resumed some shipments of its vital chips, auto executives said on Friday, with Germany welcoming signs of de-escalation in a fight for control of the company that has rattled the car industry.

Nexperia, Chinese-owned but based in the Netherlands, makes billions of simple but ubiquitous chips for cars and other electronics. Supply of those chips has been snarled since a dispute between Amsterdam and Beijing over technology transfers amid a broader U.S.-China trade war.

"The de-escalation and continuation of negotiations between the Netherlands and China are very welcome at this point," said a spokesperson for the economy ministry in Germany, Europe's biggest car manufacturer.

The ministry remains hopeful that "short-term individual permits will quickly reach the industry", allowing Nexperia's chip shipments to resume, the spokesperson added.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said there were positive signals that deliveries could restart, "possibly within the next few hours".

The Dutch government took control of Nexperia on September 30, saying its Chinese owner Wingtech, was planning to move the company's European production to China and that this would pose a threat to European economic security.

China responded by cutting off exports of the company's finished chips, which are mostly packaged in China. It said however this weekend it would begin accepting applications for exemptions, following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

AUMOVIO, VOLKSWAGEN, HONDA REPORT MOVEMENT IN DELIVERIES

Germany's Aumovio, one of the automotive suppliers facing pressure on supply chains, has secured deliveries of Nexperia's chips from China, Aumovio's chief executive told Reuters on Friday.

It was the first supplier to confirm an exemption had been approved from Chinese export controls put in place after the Netherlands seized control of Nexperia, citing concerns about its Chinese parent Wingtech.

The car industry has received its first deliveries of chips, Volkswagen's China chief told German daily Handelsblatt.

"After the agreement with the United States, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce reacted quickly and announced that it would grant short-term special permits," said Ralf Brandstaetter, board member for China at Europe's largest carmaker.
Former LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne landed a swanky New York City condominium for $1.95 million. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) AP

Social media star and former NCAA gymnastics champion Olivia Livvy Dunne has secured a luxurious New York City home with a bid of almost $2 million.

The Hillsdale native landed a one-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in New York Citys West Village neighborhood for $1.95 million, according to the New York Post.

The news came just three months after Dunne, 23, was blocked from purchasing a former home of New York Yankees great Babe Ruth.

Dunne shared that she was denied the Upper West Side home after she placed a bid of $1.59 million, in a TikTok video.

I get a call. The co-op board denied me, Dunne said in her TikTok video. Im just disappointed thats all. Pretty much the people in the building voted to not have me live there, which is fine.

Dunne said that her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, had even hired an interior designer for Ruths former home.

The board got pissed because she put it on her Instagram, a neighbor told The New York Post.

The former gymnast accumulated an estimated $9.5 million through NIL deals during her college tenure.
By Wen-Yee Lee

HSINCHU, Taiwan (Reuters) -Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang on Saturday said the semiconductor giant is experiencing "very strong demand" for its state-of-the-art Blackwell chips, as its appetite for wafers from TSMC grows.

"Nvidia builds the GPU (graphics processing units), but we also build the CPU (central processing units), the networking, the switches, and so there are a lot of chips associated with Blackwell," Huang told reporters at an event held by Nvidia's longtime partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co in Hsinchu.

TSMC (TSMC.BA) CEO C.C. Wei said that Huang had asked for wafers, but that the number was confidential.

TSMC is doing a very good job supporting us on wafers, Huang said during his fourth public trip to Taiwan this year, adding that Nvidia's success would not be possible without TSMC.

Nvidia made history in October when it became the first company to reach a $5 trillion market value and TSMC's Wei called Huang a five-trillion-dollar man."

When asked how concerned he was about memory shortages, Huang said that business was growing strongly and there would be shortages of different things.

"We have three very, very good memory makers - SK Hynix, Samsung, Micron - are all incredibly good memory makers, and they have scaled up tremendous capacity to support us," Huang said.

Huang also said Nvidia has received the most advanced chip samples from all three memory makers.

When asked about possible memory price increases, he said: "it's for them to decide how to run their business."

South Korea's SK Hynix said last week it had sold out all its chip production for next year and planned to sharply boost investments, expecting an extended chip "super cycle" spurred by the AI boom.

Samsung Electronics also said last week it was in "close discussion" to supply its next-generation high-bandwidth memory chips, or HBM4, to Nvidia.

On Friday, Huang said there were "no active discussions" about selling Blackwell chips - Nvidia's flagship artificial-intelligence chip - to China. The Trump administration has prevented such sales, saying they could aid the Chinese military and the country's AI industry.

(Reporting by Wen-Yee Lee in Hsinchu; Editing by William Mallard and Thomas Derpinghaus)
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill visited a food distribution site at Essex County's West Side Park on Friday, three days after her victory. Lt. Gov.-elect Dale Caldwell, in tan coat, and United Community Corporation Executive Director Craig Mainor stand behind her. Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Jasmen Youngby stood in line with her two young sons, waiting at West Side Park in Newark on Friday to gather up some of the breakfast cereal, rice, muffins, curried vegetables and other foods laid out on tables by workers from a local nonprofit.

Youngby, a home health aide whose November SNAP benefits have been on hold, said she had no idea that her Essex County neighbor, New Jersey Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill, would also be at the county park that morning.

But she was pleasantly surprised to hear it.

Showing up says a lot, said Youngby, who voted for Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka in the June Democratic primary but then for Sherrill, a Montclair resident, in Tuesdays general election. It says that shes here and ready to do what she needs to do.

In addition to providing photo opportunities, Fridays event let local pols say, Youre welcome to Sherrill, whose visit they viewed as an acknowledgement of Newarks and Essex Countys role in Sherrills win Tuesday over Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

Essex supported Sherrill 76.7% to 22.9% over Ciattarelli, and supplied 182,438 votes to her statewide total, or just under 10%.

Theres no question, to have her come back, this close, to appreciate everything weve done for her, said Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, a Democratic power broker who endorsed Sherrill in the June primary.

Gesturing to the tables of food and the people waiting for it, DiVincenzo added, And for her to see this herself I think is very important.

Others in line took Sherrills stop at a food distribution event with a grain of salt, coming three days after the election amid a nationwide SNAP crisis. Its a photo op, of course, said Tyshon Phipps, 45, a cook, who said he was there to get food for himself and a 78-year-old neighbor.

But Phipps gave Sherrill credit just for showing up. And, he said, She looked sincere.

The event not only had symbolic value for ordinary Newarkers at a time of heightened food insecurity, but also for local Democratic elected officials eager to welcome her as their new standard bearer in the fight against President Donald Trumps blunt conservatism.

Sherrill moved easily through the crowd of fellow democrats gathered outside the parks clubhouse building, mingling with people there to get food and political types hungry for even a moment with the new governor-elect.

Im here today because we now have a president who is trying to stop SNAP funding, and when ordered to do so by a court, is kind of slow-walking the whole thing, Sherrill told reporters.

She was asked whether, as governor, she would tap into state surplus funds to pay SNAP benefits. She noted that SNAP is a federal program and that states are now focusing on pressuring the Trump Administration to meet its obligation to distribute SNAP funds, even during the shutdown.

New Jersey has a program that supplements SNAP benefits with state funds to ensure qualifying recipients receive at least $95 a month, even if the feds provide less. And Sherrill later said she was open to expanding the state program.

Baraka said he appreciated Sherrills presence and respect for the people of Newark.

In one instance, its saying Thank you, and on the other side making sure you come and lay your eyes on whats going on in our community around SNAP benefits and things that are being taken, Baraka said. It shows a sensitivity to that, and we appreciate it.

Fridays event was held at a park building leased by the county to the United Community Corporation, a nonprofit headed by Craig Mainer that was founded in 1964 amid President Lyndon Johnsons War on Poverty.

Assemblyman-elect Chigozie Onyema, who will represent part of Newark in the 28th Legislative District, said the location befit the event.

To have her come three days later to one of the earliest anti-poverty agencies in the country speaks to the kind of mandate that she won, Onyema said. To serve our most vulnerable communities; to make sure that when we pass the budget in June, we dont turn our backs on our most vulnerable communities; that we stand up against Trumpism, against austerity; all the things that I think Democrats got a mandate to govern on.

Sherrill, dressed in Nike sneakers and a black wool peacoat, lingered in the gym so supporters could take selfies or pose for pictures with her.

She also took one last question, which was whether she planned to move down to the governors mansion in Princeton, Drumthwacket, or keep living in Essex County. Like Jasmen Youngby, who had been there with her two sons for food, the governor-elect is a mom, and that job remains a priority.

Oh, yeah, she replied, indicating that she would remain in Essex County. Ive got kids in school.
The 57-year-old Newark School of the Arts abruptly shut down last month, laying off all its faculty and staff after operating in the red in recent years. The nonprofit after-school academy's board president called it a "temporary pause" in operations to regain its financial footing. Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

The message to Newark School of the Arts faculty, administrators and staff was short but not sweet.

Regrettably, due to significant fiscal operational concerns, the Newark School of the Arts is left with no choice but to institute measures to address those concerns, read the email message, sent Oct. 27 by the schools executive director, Divad Sanders. As such, you will be laid off from your position effective IMMEDIATELY.

It is NSAs hope, the message added, that once its financial situation is addressed, the NSA will reevaluate its staffing needs.

The long-struggling 57-year-old weekend and after-school arts academy for children and adults has been shuttered since then, a normally vibrant institution rendered quiet and dark at its longtime location opposite Lincoln Park.

Word of the schools abrupt shutdown has sparked outrage, dismay, and bewilderment among teachers, students, parents and others passionate about an institution founded in 1968 by local art educators and musicians Saunders Davis and Stella Lass to help rebuild Newarks arts community and its spirit after the citys fiery unrest a year earlier.

I was stunned, stunned, NSAs longtime voice teacher and artistic director, Nadine Herman, said more than a week after receiving the email. My heart is still pounding in my chest.

Herman said NSAs leadership scheduled a staff-wide meeting for noon today at the school.

In this December 2001 photo, a class at the Newark School of the Arts rehearsed for a production of Alfred Gallman's interpretation of "The Nutcracker," which Gallman subtitled, "A Soulful Christmas." SL

Herman, who called Sanders email cold-hearted in tone and frustrating for its lack of information, was among several staff and faculty members who said NSAs leadership had not indicated before then that the school was in dire straits or that layoffs or a shutdown were possible. Word of the closing spread quickly among NSAs tight-knit community.

I was devastated, said alumna A-La Davis, a Newark native who started taking voice lessons at NSA when she was 11, before going on to Newark Arts High School, the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and a professional singing career. They validated my dream and helped me fulfill it.

Another NSA alumna, Abby Pukin, 21, of Holmdel, said she commuted to the school from her home in Monmouth County for a decade, attending Tuesday afternoon classes and Saturday performances. Referring to another prestigious institution across the Hudson River, Pukin added, I know students who have taken lessons at the Manhattan School of Music, and they prefer the NSA instruction.

Lauren LeBeaux Craig, executive director of Newark Arts, a 44-year-old arts umbrella group, said, Were deeply saddened by the news of Newark School of the Arts closure.

Their legacy has left an indelible mark on generations of artists, and our community owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude.

Sanders declined to be interviewed for this article or answer questions submitted in writing about the shutdown. Instead, he provided a press release dated Nov. 4 that referred to the closing as a temporary pause in programs and operations, effective immediately.

In this 2003 file photo, Leo Johnson, a jazz musician and music teacher at the Newark School of the Arts, worked with NSA student Mayara Carneiro of Kearny. SL

The release quotes the board president, Lori Scott-Pickens, saying, The decision was made with deep care and reflection, and that we recognize the challenges this pause presents to our students, families, and faculty.

But, Scott-Perkins added, the organization concluded that a brief pause would provide the necessary space to restructure responsibly, reinforce its foundation, and emerge stronger.

The school said it was working to protect tuition investments, and to process refund requests for prepaid tuition on a prorated basis. It pledged to communicate with parents and provide transcripts, recommendations and other records to help students transfer to other programs.

Some faculty said a restructuring of the board may be in order.

If you dont know what youre doing, step aside, said Antoinette Montague, a jazz vocalist and longtime NSA voice teacher.

The Newark School of the Arts Chorus performed "The Lincoln Park Miracle" in April 2018 at a gala celebrating the school's 50th anniversary at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Adva

Steve Shiman is a revered figure in the NSA community, having served what NSA veterans said were two successful stints as executive director.

Steve saved the school, said Frederick Tambwe, a former longtime NSA operations manager.

Shiman left the school after his first stint in the 1980s to start a successful business, and was persuaded to return in the mid-1990s to right its ailing finances, staying on until about 2010. But Shiman said hes been largely out of the loop since then, and didnt know what was wrong with the school or how to fix it.

Its a tragedy to see a place that has done so much for so many people go down, he said, praising the loyalty of the faculty as fantastic.

Shiman was succeeded by Larry Tamburri, an award-winning arts administrator who had previously managed the Pittsburgh and New Jersey symphony orchestras. Tamburri stayed on through 2024 before retiring in his mid-70s after 12 years in the post.

Faculty and staff praised Tamburri as a compassionate, steady leader and well-connected fundraiser. But the school finished 2023 and 2024 with deficits, as it did for a total of seven years since 2011, according to its annual 990 financial statements posted online by Propublica.org.

For example, NSAs 2024 spending totaled $1,378,399, outpacing total revenues of $1,076,324, for a year-end shortfall of $302,075.

That year, spending increased 15.5%, with salaries accounting for 68% of costs, and the deficit was more than double what it had been in 2023.

In addition to dipping into its reserves, the school also began relying more heavily on tuition revenue than on contributions.

Tamburri said the ups and downs of NSAs revenues throughout his tenure were typical of small nonprofit institutions. That said, he attributed the deficits in his final two years at the school to a nationwide decline in charitable giving linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

Post-COVID, its been very tough, Tamburri said.

NJPAC CEO John Schreiber said the schools shutdown, even if temporary, was a great loss to the community.

For almost 60 years, the Newark School of the Arts has been a place where our young people have had their first introduction to music, to dance, to all the art forms, Schreiber said.

He said the shutdown comes at a time when competition for arts funding has intensified as the National Endowment for the Arts has cut funding under President Donald Trump.

The NEA cuts can have a ripple effect even for arts programs that dont rely on the agency for grants, Schreiber said, because donors may divert some or all of their charitable dollars to programs that have lost endowment funding. Federal cuts to non-arts programs could have the same impact on the arts, he added.

Look what were living through now with the SNAP funding," Schreiber said.

Deivis Garcia studied violin at NSA while growing up in Elizabeth, on Newarks southern border. Hes 51, and now lives in Newark with his wife and daughter and works as a librarian in Montclair.

But Garcia still plays music, busking on a classical guitar in Montclairs pedestrian-friendly Church Street area. Life came full circle for him when his daughter began studying drama at NSA, though her class this fall was cut short and her instructor was fired.

Before then, Garcia said the school had been a kind of warm blanket in the states largest city, a hidden gem.

It was inexpensive, he said, and all the teachers were kind souls who genuinely loved sharing their talents with the children.
Although parting ways was mutual, Saint Peter's President and CEO Leslie D. Hirsch said the organization was "disappointed by this result." file photo

The deal is off. Thats what Saint Peters Healthcare System and Atlantic Health System said recently about their pending partnership.

In October, the two parties announced a mutual decision to terminate plans for Saint Peters, operator of one of the last independent hospitals in New Jersey, to join the Morristown-based chain.

While disappointing, unfortunately we have determined that this is the most appropriate path forward, said Saad Ehtisham, president and chief executive officer of Atlantic Health, in a statement. Despite this, our two organizations have enjoyed a shared history of collaboration on behalf of our patients that I hope will continue to guide our work in the future.

The two organizations first announced the proposed partnership in June 2024.

But since then, the two parties have engaged in lengthy discussion and careful analysis of the rapidly evolving health care landscape nationally and its impact on hospitals and health systems across the country, according to a press release.

The two New Jersey health care providers have mutually agreed not to proceed with the transaction, the press release said.

Although the decision to part ways was mutual, Leslie D. Hirsch, Saint Peters president and CEO, said the organization was still disappointed by this result.

Saint Peters has proudly fulfilled its Catholic mission for over 118 years in the communities it serves. Saint Peters takes great pride in the fact that it is well-positioned for continued success, as it now rethinks its future, Hirsch said in a statement.

Despite the dissolution of their business deal, the two organizations will continue to work together through partnerships such as the Healthcare Transformation Consortium and potentially other efforts to ensure the residents of central New Jersey have access to the highest quality care, according to the statement.

Atlantic Healths network includes six acute-care hospitals, including the strategic partnership it forged with CentraState Healthcare System in Freehold in 2021.

The New Brunswick-based Saint Peters consists of a non-profit acute care hospital, a state-designated childrens hospital, a surgical center and a network of primary care and specialty physicians.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Susan K. Livio contributed to this report.
A man was arrested Friday morning while detectives were executing a search warrant at his Morris County home where drugs and a cache of guns were found, investigators said.

The man was discovered inside a steel door-fortified bedroom of the Lake Hopatcong home which had numerous surveillance cameras both inside and outside of it, according to a statement from the Morris County Prosecutors Office.

When the officers entered the bedroom, John B. Scavone, 32, tried to take one of their rifles as he resisted arrest but police were able to detain him without anyone being seriously injuried, the office said.

Officers seized five guns from the home, including a stolen Glock G26 9mm and a Glock 10mm that had an attached switch allowing it to be an automatic weapon, authorities said.

They also seized a crossbow, high-capacity magazines, armor-piercing ammunition, about one kilogram of cocaine, drug paraphernalia and nearly $11,000 in alleged narcotic proceeds, officials said

Detectives learned that Scavone had been operating a cocaine distribution network in Morris County since July 1, investigators said.

He was charged with multiple drug and weapons-related offenses as well as resisting arrest, fortification of a structure and receiving stolen property, the office said.

He was taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility following his arrest and will be held there pending future court proceedings, authorities said.
The body of a missing college student from New Jersey was recovered Saturday morning in waters off Charleston, authorities said.

Charleston Police said Harbor Patrol units located a body around 8:45 a.m. at Patriots Point with assistance from the Mount Pleasant Police Department, Charleston County Rescue and the Charleston County Sheriffs Office.

The Charleston County Coroners Office identified the male as Owen Kenney.

Kenney, 19, of Tinton Falls, was a 2024 graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School who transferred to the College of Charleston in January, a school spokeswoman said.

Kenney was reported missing on Nov. 1. During the investigation, detectives determined he took his own life after walking on the Ravenel Bridge pedestrian walkway around 3:49 a.m. on Halloween, police said.

I would like to thank everyone who took part in the effort to get Owen back to his family, Charleston Police Chief Chito Walker said in a statement. We hope this recovery brings some measure of closure to a family experiencing unimaginable loss. We ask that everyone continue to respect the privacy of the Kenney family during this difficult time.

A GoFundMe campaign was created to support Kenneys family following the news of his death.

Owens infectious smile, kind heart, and joyful spirit touched everyone who knew him, the campaign description reads. He will never be forgotten, and his memory will live on in the love of his family and friends.

Editors note: NJ Advance Media typically limits reporting on suicides to those that occur in crowded public places, involve public figures or, in special circumstances, where there is a larger public impact. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
A 64-year-old Burlington Township man was killed Saturday after a fire tore through a duplex on the 900 block of Beverly Road, authorities said.

Police, firefighters, and EMS crews responded to the blaze around 12:44 a.m., according to the Burlington Township Police Department. When responders first arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames.

Several residents were inside when the fire started, police said. All were able to escape except for one man, identified as Kenneth Jones, who was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Fire crews remained on scene for several hours and eventually brought the blaze under control.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials stated.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact Detective John Arent at 609-239-5868.
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Argentina's President Javier Milei in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington, as Vice President JD Vance listens. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

Speculation is swirling over who will succeed President Donald Trump in the 2028 election  and Republicans are already rallying behind one person.

The new Emerson College poll surveyed registered Republican voters to ask who they would support for the 2028 GOP presidential nomination. The poll, released Friday, found that Vice President JD Vance already has an overwhelming amount of support from those within his party.

The poll showed 54% of Republican voters selected Vance as their choice for the nominationup from the 30% who said the same of Vance when the poll was conducted in November 2024. The remaining Republican voters are largely undecided, according to the new poll.

The poll found 25% of Republican voters were undecided. Another 7% selected Trump despite him not being allowed to run for a third term in office. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clinched 6% of support, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis received 2% of support. An additional 6% chose someone else, according to the poll.

While Republicans are lining up behind Vance, the frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination is less clear.

The poll found that 35% of Democratic primary voters were undecided. Twenty-four percent of Democratic voters chose California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), 10% supported former Vice President Kamala Harris and 9% chose former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez got 2% of the vote. The remaining 19% of Democratic voters chose someone else.

The poll results come days after Democrats swept crucial elections in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City, giving the party a much-needed boost one year after Trump was elected to the White House. Now, Democrats are focusing on whether they can win the House in the 2026 midterm elections.

On the generic 2026 congressional ballot, 44% of voters said they would support the Democratic candidate. Forty percent of voters said they would support the Republican candidate, and 16% were undecided, according to the poll.

Democrats were also more motivated to vote in the upcoming midterm elections compared to Republicans, according to the poll.

The poll was conducted among 1,000 registered voters between Nov. 3-4. It has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
A Politico poll showed that those who voted for then-Vice President Kamala Harris last year remain undecided about who is the leader of the Democratic Party. AP Photo/Steve Helber/Nam Y. Huh/Godofredo A. Vasquez/Godofredo A. Vasquez

The Democrats have no clear leader a year after President Donald Trump triumphed in the 2024 presidential election, according to a new poll.

The new Politico poll, released Friday, showed that those who voted for then-Vice President Kamala Harris last year remain undecided about who is the leader of the Democratic Party. The poll, conducted by Public First, showed that while Harris had the most support on the list, she was only recognized as the party leader by 16% of her own voters.

The top response for the question was I dont know, which was selected by 21% of respondents. About 11% of respondents said that nobody was in charge of the Democratic Party, according to the survey.

Here are the top responses when Harris voters were asked who the leader of the Democrats is, according to Politico:

Meanwhile, those who voted for Trump overwhelmingly knew who the leader of the Republican Party was. The poll showed about 81% of Trump voters said the president was the leader of the GOP, while about 6% said they did not know. About 3% selected Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and 2% chose Vice President JD Vance.

The poll was conducted by Public First from Oct. 18 to 21 among 2,051 U.S. adults. The overall margin of error is plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.

The poll was conducted before Democrats swept crucial elections in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City, giving the party a much-needed boost one year after Trump was elected to the White House. Despite that momentum, its not clear yet who will be the Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential election.

Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) are seen as likely contenders for the Democratic nomination. Other Democrats, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have also been floated as possible candidates for the ticket.
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The No. 1 Nebraska Huskers face the No. 22 Minnesota Gophers in a Big Ten volleyball contest on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, Minn.

The match will be livestreamed on Peacock. Youll need a Peacock Premium or Peacock Premium Plus subscription to watch live sports.

Heres what you need to know:

What: Big Ten Volleyball

Who: Nebraska vs. Minnesota

When: Nov. 8, 2025 (11/8/25)

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Maturi Pavilion

TV: N/A

Live stream: Peacock

Top 25 AVCA Volleyball Rankings

Games through Nov. 3, 2025

1, Nebraska; 2, Kentucky; 3, Pittsburgh; 4, Texas; 5, Stanford; 6, Texas A&M; 7, Louisville; 8, Arizona State; 9, Purdue; 10, SMU; 11, Wisconsin; 12, Creighton; 13, Kansas; 14, Miami; 15, North Carolina; 16, TCU; 17, Southern California; 18, Indiana; 19, Tennessee; 20, Colorado; 21, BYU; 22, Minnesota; 23, Baylor; 24, Iowa State; 25, Penn State.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Mostly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low around 10F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low around 10F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
It's a little early for holiday celebrations, but not too early for holiday drinking with cocktail pop-ups Sippin' Santa and Miracle getting in the spirit before Thanksgiving.

Jeff "Beachbum" Berry is the creator of the Sippin' Santa pop-up, and his French Quarter bar Latitude 29 is now serving the special menu.

There are several new drinks on the menu, like Wreck the Halls, a mix of Caribbean overproof rum, tawny port, lime juice, maple and vanilla syrups and figgy bitters. The Nui Nui New Year is a drink for two, mixing a choice of vodka or rum with allspice liqueur, lime, orange, nui spice mix (cinnamon and spices) and bitters.

Many of Berry's drinks follow tiki inspirations and are built on a foundation of Caribbean rum, but there also are tequila, bourbon and vodka drinks. Returning drinks include the Jingle Bird with bourbon, Campari, pineapple and lime. Holiday on Ice combines vodka, cold brew, condensed milk and a bit of ancho chili liqueur.

There also are Secret Santa drink specials and two nonalcoholic drinks. And many drinks come in glassware designed for the pop-up.

The Sippin' Santa menu also is available at Pelican to Mars in Baton Rouge beginning Nov. 17, and at more than 60 bars from Florida to California.

The Miracle menu comes to Barrel Proof and nearly 200 bars across the nation. It features holiday-spiced variations on popular drinks like cosmopolitans and old fashioneds.

Ronica Dacula brings Piknik Street Filipino pop-up to Nola Nite Market outside New Orleans Ronica Dacula told Gambit about starting Piknik Street, introducing people to Filipino dishes and their plans at Nola Nite Market.

New this year is the Dancing Sugarplums, with gin, plum wine, limoncello, plum milk syrup and nutmeg. Returning on its menu is the Koala Lalala, combining blanco tequila, dry vermouth, apple liqueur, tamarind, lemon, eucalyptus bitters, mint and soda.

The Miracle menu also has a Secret Santa special, as well as naughty and nice shots.

The Miracle menu will be available at Barrel Proof on Nov. 18, and also is available at One Thirteen Restaurant in Hammond, The Station in Baton Rouge and Pamplona Tapas & Bar Restaurant in Lafayette.

At the Omni Royal Orleans, the Rib Room is offering New York bartender Julie Reiner's Blitzen Bar menu. The list of eight drinks includes the Blitzen, featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon with ginger-apple syrup and bitters. The Naughty or Spice combines Old Forester 86 Bourbon, Lustau Palo Cortado Sherry, pumpkin syrup, lemon juice and bitters.

In addition to the cocktails, there's a mocktail and hot chocolate, available with or without alcohol, and a short menu of holiday snacks. The Blitzen menu is available from Nov. 28 to Jan. 9, 2026.

Reiner co-owns the bars Clover Club, Milady's and Leyenda in New York City. She also wrote "The Craft Cocktail Party: Delicious Drinks for Every Occasion."
OpenAI is cleaning up comments from a top executive who endorsed a federal backstop for the AI startup's enormous research and development spending. She walked it back within hours, and soon CEO Sam Altman also chimed in.

"OpenAI is not seeking a government backstop for our infrastructure commitments," OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar said in a social media post on late Wednesday. "I used the word 'backstop' and it muddied the point."

Friar added that she had intended to say U.S. tech capabilities rests on the ability to expand industrial capacity with government and the private sector working in tandem.

The firm's efforts at damage control began after Friar expressed support for a government guarantee so AI firms like OpenAI can maintain their spending spree on chips and new data centers. Those remarks came at a tech conference organized by The Wall Street Journal.

Friar said there that a backstop "can really drop the cost of the financing, but also increase the loan to value, so the amount of debt that you can take on top of an equity portion."

When The Journal asked Friar whether she meant a federal backstop, Friar responded: "Exactly."

"I think the U.S. government in particular, has been incredibly forward leaning, has really understood that AI is almost a national strategic asset," Friar said. "That we really need to be thoughtful when we think about competitive competition with, for example, China."

Friar added that the company has consistently been given a seat at the White House to weigh in on AI-related issues, including a government guarantee. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It did provoke blowback from the White House. President Donald Trump's AI czar David Sacks quickly shut down the possibility of large-scale bailouts for AI firms.

"There will be no federal bailout for AI. The U.S. has at least 5 major frontier model companies," Sacks said in a Thursday social media. "If one fails, others will take its place."

OpenAI is now a firm with a valuation of $500 billion. The AI giant has inked $1.1 trillion in agreements with chipmaking companies and cloud computing firms to propel an almost unchecked rise. On Monday, OpenAI announced a $38 billion deal with Amazon to widen its cloud computing services over seven years.

"We believe that governments should not pick winners or losers, and that taxpayers should not bail out companies that make bad business decisions or otherwise lose in the market," Altman wrote in a lengthy social media post on Thursday. "If one company fails, other companies will do good work."
Hey Blake,

In what has to be one of my more interesting antique store finds, I came across a vintage can of Dixie Belle pure lard packaged by a business called the Dixie Packing Company in Arabi. What do you know about it?

Dear reader,

The Dixie Packing Company operated in St. Bernard Parish for more than 30 years, opening in 1933. Its meat packing plant and offices were located at 221 Mehle Ave. in Arabi near stockyards which operated there at the time.

A 1943 article in the New Orleans Item marked the companys 10th anniversary and quoted president Fred Dykhuizen, known as the genial Sausage King. He explained that when the company first started he employed only five persons. Now there are over 45 persons working for him.

In later years, the Dixie product line included beef, veal, chicken and sausage marketed under the Dixie Belle name. (Dykhuizen) keeps a sharp watch on the market and is a shrewd buyer, the Item wrote. An indication of his perspicacity can be seen from the fact that, in these times when there is an acute shortage of fresh meat (because of World War II), he was able to obtain a large quantity of turkey and chicken liver and gizzards and also chicken skins.

A 1950 New Orleans Item article explained that the product line had expanded to include pork products, smoked hams, bacon, frankfurters, cured meats, butter and eggs. Presumably your can of lard was a byproduct offered for sale as well.

A 1951 New Orleans States article mentioned that the excellent, modern plant had been remodeled to house large, newly installed smokehouses that meet with the highest standards in sanitary operating efficiency.

Ten years later, a Times-Picayune article explained that the company had become Klarer-Dixie and its line of Southern Star products included sausages, canned ham and sliced bacon. The plant was identified as the fourth largest producer of canned ham in the country.

It appears the company was dissolved and liquidated in 1964 and a post office building went up in its place. It is now vacant land.
(Reuters) -OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Friday doubled down on the company's ask for the U.S. to expand eligibility for a Chips Act tax credit, as the country accelerates efforts to secure its position as a global leader in artificial intelligence.

Altman's comment follows OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane's October 27 letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios seeking an extension of eligibility for the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC) to AI server production, AI data centers and grid components.

The AMIC is a U.S. federal tax incentive designed to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

"We think U.S. re-industrialization across the entire stack  fabs, turbines, transformers, steel, and much more  will help everyone in our industry, and other industries (including us)," Altman said in a post on X on Friday.

But the tax credit is "super different than loan guarantees to OpenAI", Altman said.

The company has spoken with the U.S. government about the possibility of federal loan guarantees to spur construction of chip factories in the U.S., but not data centers, Altman had said earlier this week.

OpenAI has committed to spend $1.4 trillion building computational resources over the next eight years, he had said.

Booming demand for AI models and products, including OpenAI's widely used ChatGPT, has prompted leading tech companies to unveil ambitious plans for building more data centers and developing advanced chips.

David Sacks, the White House AI and crypto czar, however, had said there would be no federal bailout for AI.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
Work stoppages have been announced at a leading Offaly company as members of staff are set to take industrial action.

SIPTU members in Carrolls Cuisine in Tullamore will commence a campaign of industrial action with two 12-hour work stoppages, on Sunday, November 16 and Monday, November 17 both commencing at 7.00am.

SIPTU says the industrial action is being taken following managements withdrawal from talks concerning pay and conditions at the meat processing plant.

SIPTU Manufacturing Divisional Organiser, Neil McGowan, said, workers in Carrolls Cuisine voted last month in favour of industrial and strike action but suspended planned action to allow for talks.

Union representatives met with management on Friday, October 31. At this meeting SIPTU representatives outlined a proposal based on ensuring financial stability at the company but also including pay improvements for workers and union recognition for the purposes of collective bargaining.

READ NEXT: Demolition work at large Offaly factory could pave way for major expansion 

Management asked for time to consider this proposal. Earlier this week, management informed the Union that it would not be prepared to engage any further on the outstanding matters. It is clear that management has chosen conflict with its workforce rather than compromise and agree a fair, negotiated settlement.

He added, this dispute fundamentally stems from a failure by the company to respect workers right to collectively bargain through their union. Ireland remains an outlier in Western Europe in terms of collective bargaining rights. Working people, like those in Carrolls, should not be left with no other option than taking industrial action to secure fair pay and union recognition.

SIPTU members will place pickets on all entrances to the Tullamore plant for the duration of the work stoppages.
FOLLOWING a university-wide recruitment process, Louise Molloy has been appointed Student Ambassador in St Patricks Pontifical University, Maynooth (SPPU).

Louise is a former student of Killina Presentation Secondary School, Offaly.

Ambassadors are a vital link for incoming students, assisting with orientation activities, providing campus tours and being on hand with advice and recommendations on how best to transition from second level into life at university.

The Student Ambassadors will also assist at university events throughout the year passing on their firsthand experiences of life at St Patricks Pontifical University.

READ NEXT: Race Day in memory of late Offaly jockey raises over 350,000 for Cancer Trials Ireland

On studying at SPPU, Louise Molloy said: Studying at St Patrick's Pontifical University has been nothing short of amazing. From my very first day I felt right at home, the small class sizes allowed me to make lifelong friendships.

"There's a real sense of community here, everyone knows each other and then the lecturers take genuine interest in how you're doing academically and in your overall growth. Studying both theology and history has deepened my understanding of both subjects and gives me a real appreciation for how they connect.

"You feel a real sense of warmth on campus especially in Pugin Hall where you meet and catch up with both lecturers and friends.

St Patricks Pontifical University is located in Maynooth. The town and campus are extensions of each other. Students enjoy the benefits of having all the amenities they need close at hand without the busyness of a large city, while still being very accessible to Dublin which is only 30 minutes away and served by excellent rail and road links.

St Patricks Maynooth opened its doors as an educational institution in 1795. In the intervening two centuries, it has established for itself an impressive reputation for scholarship and learning. Today, as a Pontifical University, St Patricks specialises in the study of theology and philosophy at both postgraduate and undergraduate level and related areas, in one of the most beautiful campuses in Ireland.

RAD NEXT: Over 2,500 farmers across Offaly to receive advance payments under environmental scheme

St Patricks Pontifical University attracts students from home and abroad from a wide variety of backgrounds and careers. Students who wish to add the study of Philosophy and/or Theology to their chosen career and gain a deeper insight into their role in shaping a better society and serving the common good. The Arts & Theology degree programme is run in partnership with MU affording students access to a wide range of arts and humanities subjects.

Students benefit from an inspirational learning environment with small class sizes, ensuring individualised attention. Graduates leave as well grounded, confident individuals skilled in communication, the ability to reason and debate and think critically.

Graduates go on to enjoy success in a variety of careers including teaching, marketing, business, communications, publishing, journalism, finance, social services, pastoral work, chaplaincy, public service, community development, religious education, and parish administration.

Further information is available on sppu.ie
PepsiCo unveils bold new look after 20 years | Image Credit: pepsico.com

PepsiCo, the company behind everything from Doritos to Gatorade, just hit refresh on its entire identity, and its nothing like what youd expect from the maker of one of the worlds most recognizable sodas.

The new look, revealed this week, is practically unrecognizable. It is the companys first full rebrand since 2001, and it signals a major shift in how PepsiCo wants the world to see it. Gone is the corporate logo that leaned heavily on Pepsis red-and-blue design. In its place is something far more abstract  and far more intentional.

The new logo features a lowercase p surrounded by colorful organic shapes. Each piece, according to PepsiCo, represents a different part of its business. A burnt yellow shape stands for food and grains. A light blue form nods to drinks and water. A green leaf represents sustainability and health. And a forest-green smile tucked below the p symbolizes its focus on consumers.

The tagline, Food. Drinks. Smile., ties it all together, written in a custom curvy typeface meant to feel more approachable and human.

The design isnt just a visual update, but its a statement. For decades, PepsiCos corporate identity was built around Pepsi itself. But today, PepsiCo is a $260 billion behemoth with over 500 brands under its wing. When the last logo launched in 2001, it had just 13.

This rebrand is PepsiCos way of saying its no longer just the company behind a cola. Its an entire ecosystem of snacks, beverages, and increasingly better-for-you products.

In the past few years, PepsiCo has been quietly reshaping its portfolio around health and wellness trends. It bought the grain-free chip brand Siete Foods for $1.2 billion, the prebiotic soda Poppi for $1.65 billion, and its preparing to roll out its own prebiotic cola this fall. Its also reformulating classic lines like Lays and Tostitos to remove artificial colors and flavors by the end of the year.

During the companys latest earnings call, CEO Ramon Laguarta pointed out that American consumers are far more health-aware than they were even five years ago. He said PepsiCo plans to ramp up protein beverages and focus on affordable serving sizes to appeal to shoppers with tighter budgets.

On the surface, the new identity might look like a collage of random blobs. But its doing something PepsiCos old branding couldnt, detaching the company from Pepsi itself.

Despite its global presence, only 21 percent of consumers can name another PepsiCo brand beyond Pepsi. That stat alone explains why the company wants to draw a hard line between the corporate name and the soda brand.
Kratom.

As the Mayo Clinic describes it: Kratom is a supplement that is sold as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever and remedy for the symptoms of quitting opioids, called withdrawal. But the truth about kratom is not so simple. And there are safety problems linked to its use.

The article continues: Kratom is an herbal extract that comes from the trees of an evergreen tree called Mitragyna speciosa. The tree grows in Southeast Asia. However, some kratom sellers add more of the active ingredient than kratom naturally has. Depending on the amount of active ingredient in the product, taking kratom can be harmful. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned people not to use kratom because of possible harm it can cause.

A key aspect of the kratom issue is something called 7-OH. It makes up a tiny portion of the kratom leaf--less than 1 percent--but can be, and is being, synthesized to a strength of many, many times its potency in the plant.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a report online in July titled: Preventing The Next Wave of the Opioid Epidemic: What You Need to Know About 7-OH. It states: 7-OH (formally known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine) is a powerful psychoactive compound that occurs naturally in very small amounts in the Kratom plant. But 7-OH is Engineered to be Addictive. It is a Potent Opioid by Design, is the heading of one page. Its power is radically expanded through a synthesization process.

This dangerous opioid is sitting on store shelves, making gas stations and convenience stores risky places where kids can purchase these drugs as easily as buying candy, says the report.

It continues: Enhanced or spiked kratom products may appear to be natural leaf, but actually contain as much as 500% more 7-OH than would be expected naturally.

It adds: 7-OH is 13x more potent than morphine.

Among articles about this is one published online by the University of Colorado in August headed What Is 7-OH, and Why Is It Being Targeted in Kratom Products? The subhead: An expert explains the synthetically derived part of the kratom leaf and its dangerous and addictive potential. The piece describes the surge of these high-potency [kratom] products loaded with 7-OH being sold in convenience stores and smoke shops.

Suffolk County, New York government has been a leader in taking on kratom.

In 2016, the Suffolk County Legislature passed a measure, authored by Legislator Steve Stern, and signed into law by the county executive, banning the sale of kratom in Suffolk to anyone under 21.

It declared: This legislature finds and determines that kratom affects the brain like an opiate and can be highly addictive.This legislature also finds that long-term use of kratom has significant negative health effects.Withdrawal symptoms are very similar to opiate withdrawal, including severe depression, anxiety, psychosis. This legislature further finds that overdoses of kratom are also dangerous, causing hallucinations, delusions, listlessness, tremors, aggression.

Penalties for those who sell, offer for sale or otherwise distribute kratom in the county of Suffolk to any person under the age of 21, says the law, shall be punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year's imprisonment.

In an interview, Stern, now a member of the New York State Assembly, a resident of Dix Hills on Long Island with a district including much of Huntington Town and northeastern Nassau County on Long Island, said Suffolk County was early on this.

Stern is pleased that this year the State Legislature passed a measure expanding through the state the Suffolk ban on the sale of kratom to those under 21. The bill is now on the desk of Governor Kathy Hochul. Also passed this year was a state measure requiring a warning label on kratom products.

The bill concerning sale is sponsored by Assemblymember John T. McDonald III of Cohoes and Senator Patricia Fahy of Albany. In a statement, they said kratom has surged in popularity in recent years, particularly among adolescents and young adults. In higher doses, the substance mimics opioids, with effects that include respiratory depression, seizures, liver toxicity and, in some cases, death.

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(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
On Sept. 28, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mobilized 200 Oregon National Guard members into federal service in Portland for 60 days to protect the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building amid nightly protests. The Guard troops were federalized but have not been allowed to be deployed. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Mark Graves/The Oregonian

A federal judge Friday issued a permanent injunction barring President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops from any state to Oregon, finding the president exceeded his authority.

Even giving great deference to the Presidents determination, the President did not have a lawful basis to federalize the National Guard, U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut ruled in a 106-page opinion.

Immerguts injunction follows a three-day trial she held last week and a brief, preliminary order she issued on Monday.

Fridays injunction offers a much more detailed examination of the law and conditions in Portland leading up to Trumps Sept. 27 authorization of Guard members to protect the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the South Waterfront neighborhood amid nightly protests.

She found that Trump failed to meet the two criteria he used to invoke federal code to mobilize the National Guard: there was no danger of a rebellion against U.S. government authority, Immergut ruled, and officers have not been thwarted from executing federal law.

While violent protests did occur in June, they quickly abated due to the efforts of law enforcement officers and have remained predominantly peaceful with only isolated and sporadic instances of relatively low-level violence," largely between protesters and counter-protesters, the judge wrote.

She also found that general federal agency staffing problems are minimally impeding ICEs enforcement of immigration law.

Immergut, who was appointed to the federal bench by Trump during his first term and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in July 2019, made clear that her ruling does not mean the president can never deploy the National Guard to Oregon or any other location if conditions on the ground justify the Guards intervention.

She also said she expects a higher court to decide the precise standard by which to determine the conditions that would satisfy sending military troops to the streets of American cities.

Immergut found Trumps mobilization of Guard members to the state violated both federal law and the 10th Amendment, which reserves powers to states that are not expressly given to the federal government in the U.S. Constitution.

This Court acknowledges that some citizens may support these deployments as a helpful military supplement to effectuate the Presidents immigration agenda, Immergut wrote.

But the nations founders embodied their profound fear and distrust of military power . . . in the Constitution and its Amendments, ... which has lived on through the decades as a traditional and strong resistance of Americans to any military intrusion into civilian affairs, her ruling said.

Immergut delved into historical traditions and concluded that when Congress enacted the Militia Act of 1792, it adopted a common sense understanding that calling up the militia would occur only when there was a failure of civil government to execute the laws of the U.S.

When Trump authorized the federalization of National Guard troops to Portland in late September, federal officers faced minimal interference, if any in their abilities to carry out federal laws, the judge wrote.

Immergut also found that the presidents mobilization of 200 California National Guard troops to Oregon and promised deployment of up to 400 Texas National Guard members to Oregon in early October was unlawful, ruling that those Guard members cannot enforce laws in other states that have no connection to the presidents initial justification for federalizing those soldiers.

The intrusion of out-of-state Guard members to Oregon represents an injury to Oregons sovereignty, the judge ruled.

Immergut allowed the status quo to continue, permitting the federalization of any state National Guard to remain in place but barring their deployment in Oregon. She only allowed the federalization of the Oregon National Guard to continue for another 14 days.

U.S. Department of Justice attorney Eric Hamilton signaled in court that the federal government would seek a hold, or stay, on the injunction while it appeals to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

He wrote in a post-trial brief that a permanent injunction would be an unwarranted drastic and extraordinary remedy, and told the judge that if she issued an injunction, she should limit it to only prevent the deployment of troops based on the presidents Sept. 27 authorization for Oregon and not bar future federal deployments.

President Trump has exercised his lawful authority to protect federal officers and assets, said Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson, in an email. President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities and we expect to be vindicated by a higher court."

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield called Immerguts decision a huge victory for Oregon, and Gov. Tina Kotek renewed her call for Trump to send all troops home now.

The courts are holding this administration accountable to the truth and the rule of law, Rayfield said in a statement.

Kotek said: This ruling, now the fourth of its kind, validates the facts on the ground. Oregon does not want or need military intervention, and President Trumps attempts to federalize the guard is a gross abuse of power.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said he expected the city and state will keep fighting in court to ensure public safety, protect civil rights, and stand up for our immigrant community.

Oregons U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden also applauded Immerguts ruling, describing it as a victory for Oregonians, for reality and the law.

Late September authorization

In a late September post on his Truth Social profile, Trump authorized all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and also promised Full Force, if necessary, at the request of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. He wrote that he was directing his defense secretary to have troops ready to protect any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa and other domestic terrorists.

The next day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo mobilizing 200 Oregon National Guard troops to serve under federal control in Portland for 60 days at Portlands ICE facility, the site of nightly protests since June.

Immergut granted an initial temporary restraining order on Oct. 4, blocking Oregon National Guard deployment to the city. Hours later, Hegseth mobilized 200 California National Guard to be deployed to Portland instead, and they arrived by air in Portland the next morning. Hegseth also called up another 200 Texas National Guard to be made available for deployments to Oregon and Illinois.

Immergut held an emergency hearing by phone on Oct. 5, a Sunday night, and granted a second broader temporary order that prevented Trump from sending National Guard from any state to Oregon under federal control.

The judge extended both temporary orders another 14 days. The initial order remains under appellate review. The broader one expired last Sunday night.

Lawyers for Oregon, California and Portland argued that the presidents authorization violated federal statute and the 10th Amendment, which protects a states sovereign interests. They urged the judge to permanently block the Trump administrations Sept. 28 memo and related orders to federalize and deploy any Guard troops to Portland.

The state of California joined Oregon and Portlands lawsuit after 200 California National Guard members were flown to Portland in an apparent attempt to get-around Immerguts initial temporary order that only blocked Oregon National Guard.

Just before trial last week, Immergut learned that the federal government had sent 9 Oregon National Guard members to the ICE facility at 11:35 a.m. on Oct. 4 and they stayed until they completed their shift at midnight, seven hours after she issued her first order at 4:27 p.m. that barred their presence at the building.

She said she was deeply troubled by their continued deployment in violation of her order. She wrote that she was skeptical of the federal governments explanation that it to took time to communicate her order through the chain of command to the Oregon Guard members, noting that the defense secretary had time to coordinate the transport of federalized California National Guardsmen from Los Angeles to Portland.

Immergut said she retains authority to find the government in contempt of her order, but will allow U.S. Justice Department lawyers to provide further explanation in court.

U.S. Department of Justice lawyers argued in trial that the district judge lacked authority to review Trumps assessment.

They also argued that judge must give a great deal of deference to the presidents determination that hes met at least two of the criteria required before he can federalize National Guard members under federal codes Title 10, Sec. 12406: that there was a danger of a rebellion against U.S. government authority, and regular officers have been unable to execute federal law.

They said that rebellion includes the violent resistance to federal enforcement of immigration law and pointed to the one night that Portland police declared a riot at the ICE facility on June 14.

But Immergut said in Fridays decision that Trump administration officials ignore the nature of the presidents power to federalize National Guard troops.

It is not simply another tool in the executives federal law enforcement toolbox that he may pull out at any time to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed. It is the wielding of an entirely different kind of power, the military power, of which the Founders always asserted and enforced the subordination . . . to the civil arm, the ruling said.

She also found the conditions in Portland leading up to Trumps federalization of troops in the city came nowhere near constituting a rebellion, which occurs when an organized group engaged in sustained, armed hostilities for the purpose of overtaking an instrumentality of government by unlawful or antidemocratic means, according to the decision.

The protesters outside the ICE facility were not organized nor were they collectively armed, she wrote.

Although passing references to Antifa ascribe ideology to a few protesters at the ICE facility, there is no evidence corroborating that ideology, or demonstrating leadership or differentiation among protesters based on this label," Immergut wrote.

The judge also dismissed federal officials arguments that protesters creating life-threatening dangers, or doxxing federal officers posed a threat of rebellion.

If a life-threatening danger to a federal officer alone created the risk of rebellion, then it would seem the President could call up the National Guard every day, Immergut wrote, adding that there was no evidence connecting a protester from outside the ICE facility to any doxxing posters circulated online.

She said federal officers, such as FBI and Homeland Security Investigation agents, encounter life-threatening dangers by trade.

Defendants overstate the degree of physical danger they faced at the ICE facility, Immergut wrote.

Protests have occasionally turned destructive, as on June 14, but have mostly remained mild. While Trump administration officials have portrayed them as regularly violent and threatening, Immergut found there was no credible evidence that protests grew beyond the control of law enforcement officers.

Portland police supervisors testified at trial that federal officers have used disparate and unnecessary force by firing tear gas, pepper balls and other less-lethal munitions against largely non-violent protesters after federal officers have pushed protesters away from obstructing the driveway.

They said the federal officers actions have inflamed tensions on the street, and said local police had spent nearly $900,000 in overtime costs between Oct. 1 and Oct. 20, shortly after Trumps authorization of troops, to staff and monitor the protests.

Supervisors from the Federal Protective Service, National Guard and immigration enforcement countered that Portland police have failed to respond to violence outside the building, prompting them to surge officers to the property in an around-the-clock operation dubbed, Operation Skip Jack Portland.

Citing the trial evidence, Immergut found just the opposite, that Portland police policies allowed local officers to be a helpful partner in addressing crime that occurred during the protests.

Now What

Kotek noted that the Oregon National Guard members who were called into federal service have been away from their family for 38 days and urged the president to allow them to return home.

Even if theres a hold placed on Immerguts decision, an 11-judge panel of the 9th Circuit already assigned to review her earlier temporary restraining order ordered that the status quo be maintained for now  meaning the Guard members could remain federalized but not deployed to the ICE building.

If the federal government seeks a stay, or hold, on Immerguts latest decision, its entirely up to the 9th Circuit to decide whether that request would be heard by a new three-judge panel of the court or the en banc group of 11 judges formed to review the legality of Immerguts first temporary restraining order, lawyers say.

Its almost impossible to know, said Jeff Feldman, a law professor and co-director of the Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic at the University of Washington School of Law. The normal process would be to assign a new panel, but this is not a normal case and the court has discretion as to how to handle it. I think we all have to stand by and see what the court does.

Meanwhile, the federal Justice Department earlier this week asked the appeals court to dismiss its appeal of Immerguts initial temporary restraining order.

The Justice Department indicated to the court that the state of Oregon objects to the dismissal of the federal governments appeal, which is not typical.

But Feldman said to consider the matter like this: Do you dismiss an appeal you think you are going to win? Flip the coin, would you oppose dismissal of the appeal if you thought you were going to lose?

He added, Given that the government is continuing its efforts to put military troops in U.S. cities, there would be value to obtaining a decision by the Ninth Circuit, which would provide guidance to the district courts and establish a helpful precedent.

Meanwhile, pending in the backdrop is an Illinois case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could directly impact Oregons legal challenge.

The Supreme Court is not anticipated to issue a ruling on whether to put an emergency hold on an Illinois federal judges temporary restraining order preventing the deployment of National Guard to Chicago until it receives additional briefs by Nov. 17.
Portland police say Andrew Andy Nguyen, 22, was the victim of a fatal shooting Oct. 25. Canva Stock Image

Portland police Saturday released the identity of the man who died after a shooting Oct. 25 in Portlands Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.

Andrew Andy Nguyen, 22, of Portland, died of homicide by gunshot wound according to the state medical examiner, the Portland Police Bureau said in a news release.

Officers responded to a reported shooting just before 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 near Southeast 142nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street, where they found Nguyen. He died at the hospital, police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting who has not already talked to to police is asked to email homicidetips@police.portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-0479 and reference case number 25-293532.
Alexander Warren, 36, was indicted in the 2022 killing of Jaquan Jenkins, officials said Nov. 7, 2025. Mark Graves

A Portland man already facing a murder charge in a 2023 slaying has been indicted in an unrelated killing that occurred a year earlier, court records show.

Alexander Warren, 36, was indicted this week in the Jan. 28, 2022, killing of Jaquan Jenkins in Portlands Old Town neighborhood. He faces charges of second-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm.

Police found Jenkins with a gunshot wound near Northwest 2nd Avenue and Couch Street just after 2 a.m., they said at the time. He was taken to the hospital but died of his injuries.

The owner of a nearby bar told The Oregonian/OregonLive that 26-year-old was shot by a man who pulled an AR-style rifle out of his vehicle and fired a single round after an argument escalated around 2:15 a.m. outside the Oregon Leather Co.

Warren has been in jail since August of last year, when he was arrested in connection with the May 24, 2023, killing of Jessie Marks, who was shot near Northeast Glisan Street and 55th Avenue. Warrens trial in that case is scheduled for March, according to court records.

The new indictment does not specify how police tied Warren to Jenkinss death or point to any motive for the alleged homicide.

Jenkins was among 101 homicide victims in Portland in a year that saw the most killings of any year in the citys history.
Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore speaks during his debate against Republican opponent George W. Bush in October 2000 at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. AFP via Getty Images

Today in history:

On Nov. 8, 2000, a statewide recount began in Florida, which emerged as critical in deciding the winner of the 2000 presidential election between Republican George W. Bush and Democratic Vice President Al Gore. The recount would officially end on Dec. 12 upon orders from the U.S. Supreme Court, delivering Floridas electoral votes and the presidency to Bush.

Also on this date:

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln won reelection as he defeated Democratic challenger George B. McClellan.

In 1889, Montana was admitted to the Union as the 41st state.

In 1923, Adolf Hitler launched his first attempt at seizing power in Germany with a failed coup in Munich that came to be known as the Beer-Hall Putsch.

In 1942, the Allies launched Operation Torch in World War II as U.S. and British forces landed in French North Africa.

In 1950, during the Korean War, the first air-to-air combat between jet warplanes took place as U.S. Air Force Lt. Russell J. Brown shot down a North Korean MiG-15.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy won the U.S. presidential election over Vice President Richard M. Nixon.

In 1974, a federal judge in Cleveland, citing insufficient evidence, dismissed charges against eight Ohio National Guardsmen accused of violating the civil rights of students killed or wounded in the 1970 Kent State shootings.

In 2012, Jared Lee Loughner was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the January 2011 shootings in Tucson, Arizona, that killed six people and wounded 13 others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, slammed into the central Philippines, leaving more than 7,300 people dead or missing, flattening villages and displacing more than 5 million.

In 2016, Republican Donald Trump was elected Americas 45th president, defeating Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton in an astonishing victory for a celebrity businessman and political novice.

In 2018, tens of thousands of people fled a fast-moving wildfire in Northern California that would become the states deadliest ever, killing 86 people and nearly destroying the community of Paradise.
BOSTON  The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administrations emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown, even though residents in some states already have received the funds.

A judge had given the Republican administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. But the administration asked an appeals court to suspend any court orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund, and instead allow it to continue with planned partial SNAP payments for the month.

After a Boston appeals court declined to immediately intervene, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an order late Friday pausing the requirement to distribute full SNAP payments until the appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause. Jackson handles emergency matters from Massachusetts.

Her order will remain in place until 48 hours after the appeals court rules, giving the administration time to return to the Supreme Court if the appeals court refuses to step in.

The food program serves about 1 in 8 Americans, mostly with lower incomes.

Officials in more than a half-dozen states confirmed that some SNAP recipients already were issued full November payments on Friday. But Jacksons order could prevent other states from initiating the payments.

Which states issued SNAP payments

In Wisconsin, more than $104 million of monthly food benefits became available at midnight on electronic cards for about 337,000 households, a spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said. The state was able to access the federal money so quickly by submitting a request to its electronic benefit card vendor to process the SNAP payments within hours of a Thursday court order to provide full benefits.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said state employees worked through the night to issue full November benefits to make sure every Oregon family relying on SNAP could buy groceries by Friday.

Hawaii had the information for Novembers monthly payments ready to go, so it could submit it quickly for processing after Thursdays court order  and before a higher court could potentially pause it, Joseph Campos II, deputy director of Hawaiis Department of Human Services, told The Associated Press.

We moved with haste once we verified everything, Campos said.

Trumps administration told the Supreme Court that the fast-acting states were trying to seize what they could of the agencys finite set of remaining funds, before any appeal could even be filed, and to the detriment of other States allotments.

Once those billions are out the door, there is no ready mechanism for the government to recover those funds, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in the court filing.

Officials in California, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington state also said they moved quickly to issue full SNAP benefits Friday, while other states said they expected full benefits to arrive over the weekend or early next week. Still others said they were waiting for further federal guidance.

Many SNAP recipients face uncertainty

The court wrangling prolonged weeks of uncertainty for Americans with lower incomes.

An individual can receive a monthly maximum food benefit of nearly $300 and a family of four up to nearly $1,000, although many receive less than that under a formula that takes into consideration their income.

For some SNAP participants, it remained unclear when they would receive their benefits.

Jasmen Youngbey of Newark, New Jersey, waited in line Friday at a food pantry in the states largest city. As a single mom attending college, Youngbey said she relies on SNAP to help feed her 7-month-old and 4-year-old sons. But she said her account balance was at $0.

Not everybody has cash to pull out and say, OK, Im going to go and get this, especially with the cost of food right now, she said.

Later Friday, Youngbey said, she received her monthly SNAP benefits.

The legal battle over SNAP takes another twist

Because of the federal government shutdown, the Trump administration originally had said SNAP benefits would not be available in November. However, two judges ruled last week that the administration could not skip Novembers benefits entirely because of the shutdown. One of those judges was U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr., who ordered the full payments Thursday.

In both cases, the judges ordered the government to use one emergency reserve fund containing more than $4.6 billion to pay for SNAP for November but gave it leeway to tap other money to make the full payments, which cost between $8.5 billion and $9 billion each month.

On Monday, the administration said it would not use additional money, saying it was up to Congress to appropriate the funds for the program and that the other money was needed to shore up other child hunger programs.

Thursdays federal court order rejected the Trump administrations decision to cover only 65% of the maximum monthly benefit, a decision that could have left some recipients getting nothing for this month.

In its court filings Friday, Trumps administration contended that the judge usurped both legislative and executive authority in ordering SNAP benefits to be fully funded.

This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers, Sauer told the Supreme Court.

States are taking different approaches to food aid

Some states said they stood ready to distribute SNAP money as quickly as possible.

Colorado and Massachusetts said SNAP participants could receive their full November payments as soon as Saturday. New York said access to full SNAP benefits should begin by Sunday. New Hampshire said full benefits should be available by this weekend. Arizona and Connecticut said full benefits should be accessible in the coming days.

Officials in North Carolina said they distributed partial SNAP payments Friday and full benefits could be available by this weekend. Officials in Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana and North Dakota also said they distributed partial November payments.

Amid the federal uncertainty, Delawares Democratic Gov. Matt Meyer said the state used its own funds Friday to provide the first of what could be a weekly relief payment to SNAP recipients.

--The Associated Press
Lawmakers convene in the Oregon Senate chamber on June 26. A handful of legislative aides related to their boss have quietly collected taxpayer-funded paychecks this year while infrequently being spotted in the state Capitol and leaving behind few traces of substantial work in records, The Oregonian/OregonLive has found. Allison Barr/The Oregonian

Six thousand dollars a month. Thats how much Gina Yunker was paid during this years legislative session while employed as a full-time aide of her husband, Republican Rep. Dwayne Yunker.

Its unclear how often she came to work in person. Several Republican lawmakers, legislative aides and lobbyists who work near Yunkers office told The Oregonian/OregonLive they didnt recall seeing her at the Capitol during this years five-month session.

Thats likely because Yunker is also a full-time fifth grade teacher at a private school near Grants Pass.

Yunker is one of at least five legislative aides related to their boss who have quietly collected taxpayer-funded paychecks this year while infrequently being spotted in the state Capitol and leaving behind few traces of substantial work in records, The Oregonian/OregonLive has found. Dwayne Yunker did not respond to an email or a phone call seeking comment and Gina Yunker did not respond to a voicemail left at a number listed under her name.

This inconspicuous practice has flown under the radar partly because legislative aides are subject to few oversight or transparency requirements that are common in other government jobs, such as performance reviews or attendance tracking, the newsroom found.

Oregon largely allows lawmakers to run offices and oversee staff however they see fit. There are virtually no policies to require tracking of what tasks legislative aides accomplish or oversight of where or how they spend time. The vast majority of the states 90 lawmakers dont list their aides on official websites.

To assess activity levels for aides employed by relatives, The Oregonian/OregonLive obtained salary and employment data, remote work agreements and three months of email logs and calendars. The newsroom interviewed more than 30 aides, lawmakers and lobbyists who were in the Capitol regularly during this years session to gauge which aides were frequently present or absent. Most requested anonymity to speak freely on the subject.

At least 17 legislators paid their spouse or child to work as an aide this year, employee records indicate. Fifteen of those lawmakers are Republicans; most represent rural areas.

Rep. Dwayne Yunker, a Republican from Grants Pass, sits in the Oregon House chamber in February 2024. His wife, Gina Yunker, has been paid $47,600 this year to work as a legislative assistant. Dave Killen / The Oregonian

Most of the aides regularly work long hours and are frequently seen in the Capitol. The newsroom reached out to the handful of lawmakers whose employed relatives were rarely or infrequently spotted, asking them to provide documentation of their aides work, a list of their responsibilities and general details of their work schedule.

To be sure, much of the work that aides do cant be easily detected through public records. Activities like daily phone calls, conversations over coffee and meetings with local elected officials and constituents dont always leave a paper trail.

Many aides also regularly conduct legislative business through their bosss email inbox and calendar, leaving their own email logs and calendars bare. That makes it hard to nail down what work they are doing.

The lack of oversight in state legislatures is intentional, said Ben Brunjes, an associate professor at the University of Washington who studies public management. He pointed out that lawmakers are held accountable by voters, who can decide for themselves if they approve of their elected officials employee practices.

But that high degree of autonomy and lack of basic accountability mechanisms leave room for legislative aides to be paid without clear evidence of work performed, advocates for open and transparent government say.

Lawmakers should have autonomy in running their offices, but they are using public dollars to represent their constituency, said Kate Titus, executive director of public interest group Common Cause Oregon. So theres an expectation (of) a level of accountability that they need to have back to the public in how they do so.

Little proof of work

At least 23 states ban lawmakers from hiring relatives, according to research from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Oregon does not.

Every legislative aide in Oregon has slightly different responsibilities, making it difficult to identify whether employees are doing sufficient work to justify their paychecks.

When the Legislature is in session, many aides work long days and weekends. Some respond to constituent emails, prepare newsletters and post to social media. Some keep offices tidy, others help craft complex policies. A few even drive their boss daily to and from the state Capitol.

That wide range of job responsibilities, combined with a lack of oversight, means theres no easy way to know where aides work or what tasks they are responsible for. Although remote work agreements outlining specific job responsibilities are technically required for aides who primarily work remotely, Legislative Human Resources Director Tracey Yee said her office does not actively track these agreements or enforce the policy.

Some lawmakers enforce their own accountability policies, such as maintaining weekly activity logs for aides or conducting informal performance reviews, but those vary by office and are entirely optional.

Most full-time aides earn significantly higher salaries than the lawmaker they work for. For example, while Sen. Fred Girod of Marion County earned a base pay of $37,000 in the fiscal year that ended in July 2024, his wife and staffer Lori Girod earned $107,000 in the same period. In the past, some lawmakers have cited their low pay as a reason to hire their spouse, essentially supplementing their own income.

Lawmakers were given $176,209 to spend on staffing and supplies for the 18-month period starting in July, although they dont have complete control over salaries. While legislators can hire whoever they want, individual aides salaries are set by the human resources office, which establishes pay based on education and experience.

For example, Rebecca Starr was paid about $2,700 a month as a part-time aide for her husband, Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr of Dundee, receiving about $27,000 for the year.

More than a dozen lawmakers, lobbyists and aides who interacted with Starrs office this session said they rarely or never saw her in the Capitol.

Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr of Yamhill County sits in the Oregon Senate on Jan. 13. Starr said his wife and staffer, Rebecca Starr, helps him manage his calendar and track constituent emails, among other tasks. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

She didnt send a single email from her own legislative email account over the 90-day period reviewed by the newsroom. That timeframe ended in late August and included the last five weeks of this years legislative session. In a similar time frame, Starr logged just one hour-long meeting on her calendar.

Meanwhile, state records show she was also employed at Avangrid Renewables, an energy company with an office in Portland.

Bruce Starr said his wife primarily worked remotely for much of this year. He described her role as behind the scenes, with duties including helping manage his calendar, tracking constituent emails and staying up to speed with news in his district.

We regularly review emails, discuss issues and coordinate tasks both during the day and after hours, Starr said. The work doesnt always happen between 9 and 5. It gets done when it needs to and shes always been dependable in that way.

Starr provided the newsroom with monthly spreadsheets detailing the days and hours worked and tasks completed by his wife for this year.

The spreadsheets show that Starr has worked a total of 73 days this year, including zero days during the session in April and May. The hours logged column for the days she worked is empty for all but three days in late September and early October when she logged 30 hours. In the majority of cases her tasks completed are listed as email, calendar, and less frequently, social media.

Rarely at the Capitol

Rebecca Starr isnt the only relative of a lawmaker whose records show little documented activity.

Yunker, the elementary school teacher and aide to her husband from Grants Pass, had similarly bare email and calendar records during the timeframe reviewed by the newsroom for late spring and early summer. She sent one email in July and logged one meeting in mid-June. Shes been paid $47,600 this year, in part because she was reclassified as a part-time employee after the session ended.

Yunker was employed full-time at New Hope Christian School in Josephine County during the 2024-25 school year, an administrative worker at the school confirmed this week.

Ryan McIntire, husband and chief of staff to Republican Rep. Emily McIntire of Eagle Point, was also rarely seen in the Capitol by six sources who said they interacted with that office or worked nearby during the session, including one who said they frequently visited McIntires office.

Email and calendar records offer little insight into the work activity of McIntire, who received about $69,000 this year as a part-time staffer. In the three-month period ending in late August reviewed by the newsroom, he sent eight messages from his email, all in a two-week period. In a similar time frame, he logged one hour-long meeting in his calendar.

Emily McIntires office didnt respond to an email or phone call requesting additional information. Ryan McIntire, who is listed in state records as the owner of a Pizza Schmizza in Central Point, didnt respond to a phone call seeking comment.

Gin Reschke, who was listed this year as the only legislative assistant employed by her husband, Republican Rep. Werner Reschke of southern Oregon, has been paid $93,000 this year. Her email and calendar records showed one meeting and four outgoing emails during the late spring and early summer period reviewed by the newsroom. Eight sources said they rarely or never saw her in the Capitol this year, although two said they interacted with her through texts or calls. She and her husband didnt respond to an email or phone calls seeking comment.

Mollie Javadi, wife and aide to Rep. Cyrus Javadi, a Tillamook lawmaker who recently switched from the Republican to Democratic Party, was also rarely seen in the Capitol during the session, several sources said. She has received roughly $76,000 this year.

Cyrus Javadi acknowledged that his wife was infrequently in the Capitol but said she regularly works long hours each week from home, managing his official social media accounts, scheduling meetings, interacting with constituents, regularly sending emails from his legislative account and occasionally working on policy.

Working remotely and on a flexible schedule allows her to balance her professional responsibilities with her family obligations, Javadi said. She is a longtime resident of Tillamook County and Clatskanie. Her deep knowledge of the district ... gives her a unique advantage in managing the workload that comes with representing such a large and diverse district.

Rep. Cyrus Javadi, a Democrat from Tillamook, pictured in January 2023. His wife, Mollie Javadi, has earned $76,000 this year while working as chief of staff. Dave Killen / The Oregonian

None of the employed relatives of lawmakers who were rarely seen in the Capitol this year have a remote work agreement on file, which is required of employees who primarily work remotely, according to the Legislative Human Resources office.

Calls for accountability

Several lawmakers, good government advocates and public management experts acknowledged that the lack of accountability mechanisms for legislative aides creates the risk of abuse. But most said they dont see a need for greater reform.

I would say that we should trust our duly elected lawmakers to set the rules that govern their behavior, to allow them to produce the best laws that they can, said Brunjes, the University of Washington professor. Unless we see a major trend of huge corruption, which I dont think youre seeing in Oregon, then we probably dont need to put more guardrails.

Some Democrats have pushed to prohibit lawmakers from hiring relatives, saying it would improve public transparency and accountability. But some lawmakers of both parties have long defended the practice, arguing that family members often bring a high level of trust and honesty to the role.

For some members, having their most trusted people involved in their service is crucial, said Ashley Kuenzi, spokesperson for the Oregon Senate Republicans. Its not something that can be judged as simply right or wrong.

Titus, the good government advocate, said family members can often serve as effective staffers. But she said lawmakers who choose to hire their spouses or children should be forthright with constituents about their decision and transparent about the work their relatives do.

Legal or not, appearances matter when you are a public servant, Titus said. Just because you can do something as a public official does not mean you should if it could be viewed as ethically questionable.

Spokespeople for Senate President Rob Wagner, a Lake Oswego Democrat, and House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer of McMinnville declined to comment or did not respond to a request for comment.

Jill Bakken, spokesperson for House Speaker Julie Fahey, a Eugene Democrat, said Fahey supports barring lawmakers from hiring their own relatives. She noted that Oregons legislative body has become more professionalized in recent years, and said prohibiting nepotism would continue that trend and strengthen public trust.

But theres no sign the practice will end any time soon. As House Majority Leader in 2023, Fahey introduced a bill that would have barred lawmakers from employing relatives. Early in that years months-long session, the bill was sent to the House Rules Committee, chaired by Fahey.

It never received a public hearing.
A few dozen protesters gathered outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland on Friday. Earlier in the day, a federal judge issued a permanent injunction barring President Donald Trump from deploying troops to Portland. Tatum Todd/Staff

A federal judge on Friday evening issued a permanent injunction barring President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops from any state to Oregon.

The ruling didnt change the atmosphere in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland, where a small group of protesters have gathered nightly.

Heres what we know.

Troops barred from Oregon

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut ruled Friday that Trump had exceeded his authority in ordering National Guard troops to Portland, finding that there was no danger of a rebellion and officers hadnt been thwarted from executing federal law.

Immerguts injunction follows a three-day trial she held last week.

Immergut, who was appointed to the federal bench by Trump during his first term and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in July 2019, made clear that her ruling does not mean the president can never deploy the National Guard to Oregon or any other location if conditions on the ground justify the Guards intervention.

She also said she expects a higher court to decide the precise standard by which to determine the conditions that would satisfy sending military troops to the streets of American cities.

Lawyers claim jails violating Oregon sanctuary law

U.S. Marshals are quietly using the Multnomah County jail to hold people in custody until they can be transferred for deportation proceedings, immigration rights groups claim.

The allegation  which would be a serious violation of Oregons Sanctuary Promise law, if proven true  hinges on the preexisting contract between the U.S. Marshals Service and the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office.

In a notice of possible litigation, attorneys with the nonprofit Oregon Law Center said federal marshals had booked at least three people in the countys two jails on the lone charge of illegal re-entry or because they were subject to an immigration detainer. The U.S. Marshals Service declined to comment.

Protesters react to court ruling

About 40 protesters, many donning inflatable costumes from the rack outside the Grays Landing apartment complex, and half a dozen counterprotesters peppered the streets around the ICE building around 7 p.m. Friday night.

Music blasted from speakers on a black SUV. Protesters shared cigarettes, exchanged pleasantries and danced to the music.

Down the street toward South Bond Avenue, counterprotesters got into a yelling match with a man, drawing a crowd of streamers and police. Recorded speeches from Charlie Kirk, the right-wing political activist who was recently assassinated, played from a speaker on the ground.

The gathering took place hours after Immerguts ruling.

Protester Adam Trojee, 40, had not yet heard about the ruling as they walked away from the ICE building at about 7 p.m., but they expressed cautious optimism after hearing the news.

I feel hopeful, but its hard for me to believe good news these days, said Trojee, who was dressed in an inflatable frog suit.

Trojee said they were hit with pepper balls from federal officers earlier Friday night, resulting in large welts on their legs. They said they believed the federal officers were abusing their power.

Theyre trying to make us fear using our First Amendment rights, Trojee said.

Carla Hinkle is familiar with the tactics of federal immigration enforcement.

Hinkle, a baker, said that the Wilsonville Elka Bees Cafe & Bakery where she supplies baked goods was raided by ICE Oct 22. Hinkle said two employees were detained. Shes been grappling with the unsettling event ever since, she said.

The courts ruling offered some relief that things were heading in the right direction, she told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

I never thought troops should be deployed against American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights, she said. I am absolutely elated that we got that ruling today. I really hope that Trump doesnt try to do it anyway and not comply with the court ruling.

Portland police made one arrest during the evening. Vernon Ragan, a 79-year-old Portland man also known as James Stone, was arrested on allegations of menacing and unlawful use of a weapon. Police said they seized a set of brass knuckles as evidence.

What were watching for today

The legal fight over troop deployment isnt over.

U.S. Department of Justice attorney Eric Hamilton signaled in court that the federal government would seek a hold, or stay, on Immerguts injunction while it appeals to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Meanwhile, pending in the backdrop is an Illinois case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could directly impact Oregons legal challenge.

The Supreme Court is not anticipated to issue a ruling on whether to put an emergency hold on an Illinois federal judges temporary restraining order preventing the deployment of National Guard to Chicago until it receives additional briefs by Nov. 17.

Want an afternoon update? The Oregonian/OregonLives new ICE Protests in Portland newsletter is delivered to thousands of subscribers at 3 p.m. daily. To join them, simply click here to opt in.
Victor Cruz poses for a photo with two of his grandkids in a family photo. Submitted

Victor Cruz-Gamez was released from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Tacoma Friday after being held for almost a month, according to a statement from Rep. Suzanne Bonamicis office.

Cruz-Gamez, a 55-year-old Hillsboro resident who owns a home remodeling business, was arrested by ICE agents on Oct. 14, family members said. He was released on a $3,000 bond Friday afternoon after an order from a federal district court judge.

ICE officers were apparently looking for another person named Victor Cruz with a history of drunk driving, according to Cruz-Gamezs daughter, Atziri Cruz.

Cruz-Gamez has legal work authorization and a pending visa claim, according to the statement from Bonamicis office.

Victor Cruz is an upstanding member of the Hillsboro community who never should have been detained by ICE, Bonamici said in the statement. Im grateful that his wrongful detention has come to an end and that he is reunited with his family.  It is unacceptable that ICE continues to terrorize communities and tear families apart. I will do everything I can to hold those responsible accountable."
NEW YORK (AP)  U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer signed a deal to purchase development-stage obesity drugmaker Metsera Inc., winning a bidding war against Novo Nordisk, the Danish drugmaker behind weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy.

Metsera, based in New York, has no products on the market, but it is developing oral and injectable treatments. That includes some potential treatments that could target lucrative fields for obesity and diabetes.

The deal comes as Pfizer is attempting to develop its own stake in that market, several months after ending development of a potential pill treatment for obesity.

In a statement issued Friday, Metsera said Pfizer will acquire the company for up to $86.25 per share, consisting of $65.60 per share in cash and a contingent value right entitling holders to additional payments of up to $20.65 per share in cash.

Metsera cited U.S. antitrust risks in Novos bid, saying in its statement that the board has determined Pfizers revised terms represent the best transaction for shareholders, both from the perspective of value and certainty of closing.

The deal comes three days after Novo Nordisk raised the stakes in its push to outbid Pfizer, saying Tuesday it would offer to pay as much as $10 billion for Metsera. That was higher than its previous bid of up to $9 billion which sparked a lawsuit from Pfizer.

Pfizer had also altered the offer it made in September of nearly $4.9 billion to provide more cash up front, Metsera had said.

New York-based Pfizer said in an email that it was happy with the terms of the deal, and expects to close the transaction shortly following the Metsera shareholder meeting on Nov. 13.

Novo Nordisk said Saturday it would not increase its offer and would leave the race to acquire Metsera.

Novo's proposed deal had involved paying $62.20 in cash for each Metsera share, up from its previous bid of $56.50. The Danish drugmaker planned to tack on a contingent value right payment of $24, another improvement from its previous bid, if certain development and regulatory milestones were met.
Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny in the Portland area. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

If youre thinking about heading out to the Frybread Fest in downtown Portlands Director Park today, there should be some gorgeous fall weather to enjoy along with the Indigenous food.

Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high around 60 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

There are some areas of patchy, dense fog to be careful in this morning. The fog should burn off by 10 a.m., but the weather service warns people to slow down and use low beam headlights if youre driving.

Sunday will be partly sunny and slightly warmer, with the high around 62 degrees.

The work week starts off with a 40% chance of rain Monday, but it should be dry for Veterans Day on Tuesday. It will be partly sunny with a high in the upper 50s.
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A lackluster earnings announcement from Portland General Electric Company (NYSE:POR) last week didn't sink the stock price. However, we believe that investors should be aware of some underlying factors which may be of concern.

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NYSE:POR Earnings and Revenue History November 8th 2025

In order to understand the potential for per share returns, it is essential to consider how much a company is diluting shareholders. As it happens, Portland General Electric issued 6.7% more new shares over the last year. As a result, its net income is now split between a greater number of shares. To celebrate net income while ignoring dilution is like rejoicing because you have a single slice of a larger pizza, but ignoring the fact that the pizza is now cut into many more slices. Check out Portland General Electric's historical EPS growth by clicking on this link.

How Is Dilution Impacting Portland General Electric's Earnings Per Share (EPS)?

Portland General Electric has improved its profit over the last three years, with an annualized gain of 22% in that time. In contrast, earnings per share were actually down by 0.04% per year, in the exact same period. Net profit actually dropped by 12% in the last year. Unfortunately for shareholders, though, the earnings per share result was even worse, declining 17%. Therefore, the dilution is having a noteworthy influence on shareholder returns.

If Portland General Electric's EPS can grow over time then that drastically improves the chances of the share price moving in the same direction. But on the other hand, we'd be far less excited to learn profit (but not EPS) was improving. For the ordinary retail shareholder, EPS is a great measure to check your hypothetical "share" of the company's profit.

That might leave you wondering what analysts are forecasting in terms of future profitability. Luckily, you can click here to see an interactive graph depicting future profitability, based on their estimates.

Our Take On Portland General Electric's Profit Performance

Over the last year Portland General Electric issued new shares and so, there's a noteworthy divergence between EPS and net income growth. Therefore, it seems possible to us that Portland General Electric's true underlying earnings power is actually less than its statutory profit. Sadly, its EPS was down over the last twelve months. At the end of the day, it's essential to consider more than just the factors above, if you want to understand the company properly. If you'd like to know more about Portland General Electric as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Portland General Electric (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about.
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OU Board of Regents will consider changes to the student rights and responsibilities code, naming the newly renovated chemical engineering lab and adding signage naming the Cherokee Nation outside of the Stephenson Cancer Center in Tulsa.

The meeting will be held Tuesday at 9 a.m. at OUs Health Campus in Oklahoma City. The meeting was previously scheduled for the OU Norman Campus.

Student rights and responsibilities code revisions

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The board will consider changes to the student rights and responsibilities code to include the definition of antisemitism in accordance with state law.

Oklahoma state law requires all institutions of higher education to integrate the state-adopted definition of antisemitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance into the student code of conduct.

According to the meeting agenda, the definition will be added to section two of the University of Oklahoma Student Rights and Responsibilities Code.

As defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions, and religious facilities," the amended code reads.

According to the code of conduct, the Institutional Equity Office investigates allegations of antisemitism using standards applicable to all allegations of discrimination or harassment based on race, color or national origin.

Chemical engineering lab

The board will consider renaming the newly renovated chemical engineering lab in the Sarkeys Annex to the Valero Energy Unit Ops Laboratory in honor of the Valero Energy Corporations financial contributions.

Valero Energy donated $2.42 million to fund the renovation of the chemical engineering lab, which will include:

 New flooring

 Paint and graphics on walls

 Lab infrastructure and equipment modernization

 A collaborative workspace with reconfigurable furniture

 Storefront windows along the east wall

This significant update will enhance the learning environment for faculty and students and showcase the chemical engineering program for corporate partners and recruiters and prospective students, the agenda reads.

Stephenson Cancer Center

The board will consider a request for signage at the Stephenson Cancer Center in Tulsa to honor the Cherokee Nation, which made an $8 million gift to the OU Foundation to go toward the center.

According to the agenda, the signage will acknowledge the Cherokee Nations vision in expanding healthcare and education access for Native Oklahomans. The sign will be placed outside the building and will read With the support of Cherokee Nation, the agenda states.

The Stephenson Cancer Center is Oklahomas only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center and was named the states top cancer care facility, according to its website. There are currently over 400 cancer research projects and clinical trials being held at the center.

This story was edited by Thomas Pablo. Gretchen Schultz and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
(Reuters) -Qcells, the U.S. solar manufacturing arm of Korea's Hanwha Solutions (009830.KS), said it would furlough 1,000 workers at its Georgia factories because shipments of components it needs from overseas are being routinely stalled by U.S. customs officials.

The announcement comes months after the company said some of its shipments of solar cells had been detained at U.S. ports under a 2021 law banning imports from China's Xinjiang region due to concerns about forced labor.

Qcells has committed to investing $2.5 billion to build a complete U.S. solar panel supply chain to compete with China. The company manufactures cells in Malaysia and South Korea that are imported to be assembled into panels. It is also ramping up its U.S. cell manufacturing in Cartersville, Georgia.

Qcells expects to resume full production in the coming weeks and months. Our commitment to building the entire solar supply chain in the United States remains," Qcells spokesperson Marta Stoepker said in a statement. "We will soon be back on track with the full force of our Georgia team delivering American-made energy to communities around the country.

The company's detained shipments have been clearing customs, Stoepker said, but the delays have forced the company to curtail production.

Qcells has implemented temporary reduced hours and furloughs for about half of its manufacturing employees at plants in Cartersville and Dalton, Georgia. It has also cut about 300 staffing agency workers.

(Reporting by Nichola Groom; editing by Diane Craft)
Ralph Lauren has reported a 40% jump in profit for the second quarter (Q2) of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26), with net income climbing to $207m from $148m a year earlier.

Diluted earnings per share increased to $3.32 from $2.31 a year previously.

On an adjusted basis, net income reached $237m, or $3.79 per diluted share, compared with $162m, or $2.54, in the same quarter of the previous year.

Group revenue rose 17% to $2bn on a reported basis and was up 14% at constant exchange rates.

The growth was broad-based, with double-digit gains across all regions, led by Asia and Europe, and a 13% increase in North America.

China sales were up more than 30% year-on-year, mirroring Q1 performance.

In North America, revenue advanced 13% to $832m.

Comparable store sales in the region rose 13%, including a 12% increase in bricks-and-mortar and a 15% rise in digital commerce.

Wholesale revenue in North America also grew 13%.

Europe delivered a 22% revenue increase to $688m on a reported basis and 15% in constant currency.

Retail comparable sales in Europe rose 10%, with bricks-and-mortar up 8% and digital commerce up 17%.

Wholesale revenue in the region increased by 26% reported and 18% in constant currency.

Asia revenue grew 17% to $446m reported and 16% in constant currency.

Comparable store sales in Asia increased 16%, including a 14% rise in physical stores and a 36% jump in digital commerce.

In Q2, gross profit reached $1.4bn, with gross margin at 68%, up 100 basis points year on year.

The company attributed margin expansion to average unit retail growth, a favourable product mix and lower cotton costs, which more than offset tariff and other product cost pressures.

Operating income was $246m, with an operating margin of 12.2% on a reported basis.

During the quarter, the company opened 38 new owned and partner locations and purchased its Newbury Street store in Boston in the US state of Massachusetts. Notable openings included Munich in Germany, Plano in Texas, Hangzhou in China and Nagoya in Japan.

For fiscal 2026, Ralph Lauren now expects revenue to increase between 5% and 7% in constant currency. It forecasts operating margin expansion of between 60 and 80 basis points in constant currency.

For Q3, the company projects revenue growth of mid-single digits in constant currency, with operating margin up 60 to 80 basis points in constant currency.

Capital expenditure for the full year is still expected to be around 4% to 5% of revenue.

Ralph Lauren president and CEO Patrice Louvet stated: "As we continue to navigate a highly dynamic global operating environment with agility, we are encouraged by our brand's continued momentum through the start of the important fall/holiday season, enabling us to once again raise our fiscal 2026 outlook."
A Harrisburg man was arrested in Dauphin County Thursday after police said he stole a vehicle in an armed carjacking before leading police on a high-speed chase across multiple counties.

Just before 11:20 p.m. Thursday, Lower Allen Township Police were notified of a gold Ford Escape stolen during an armed carjacking in York.

A few minutes later, the victim tracked the stolen car northbound on Interstate 83 near the Fishing Creek exit in Fairview Township. Officers from Lower Allen and New Cumberland then responded to the overpass at Carlisle Road to try and intercept the stolen car.

The stolen vehicle, driven by 23-year-old Terric M. Seay, did not pull over and continued along I-83 at speeds over 120 miles per hour, police said in an affidavit of probable cause.

Seay stayed on I-83, heading toward the Susquehanna River, while recklessly swerving through traffic, according to police.

After cutting across multiple lanes to try and exit I-83 at South 13th Street, Seay lost control of the Ford, skidding into a concrete median.

As officers commanded Seay to put his hands up, he got out of the car and tried to flee, running up the off-ramp and into the opposing lanes of traffic on South 13th Street before being tackled by police.

Police found a black Ruger handgun, with an extended magazine and a round in the chamber, on the ground just outside the vehicles driver door. Police said the handguns serial number was tampered with and unreadable.

Police in Cumberland and York counties charged Seay with multiple felony, misdemeanor and summary offenses stemming from the robbery and chase.

The charges in Cumberland County include receiving stolen property, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, evading arrest, resisting arrest, three firearms offenses and reckless driving.

In York County, Seay is charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, robbery  inflicting serious bodily injury, aggravated assault, three firearms offenses, simple assault, harassment, driving without a license and careless driving.

Seays court docket in York County says he was unable to post his $100,000 bail. However, the docket filed in Cumberland County shows he is being held in the Cumberland County Prison with his bail denied.

Seay has multiple previous felony convictions, including prohibited possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Court documents for the Cumberland County charges state the only way to protect the community was denying Seays bail, citing his previous conviction and labeling him a flight risk.

Seay has preliminary hearings scheduled for Nov. 20 in Cumberland County and Nov. 21 in York County.
The Milton Hershey School (MHS) and Milton Hershey School Trust opted to terminate a lease with a Derry Township food assistance program after failed payments left what would have been a 200,000 square-foot warehouse an unfinished shell.

Cocoa Packs, an organization that aims to battle food insecurity for children throughout central Pennsylvania, announced plans to build the warehouse in 2022.

Hershey Trust Company and Cocoa Packs plan to develop an approximately 40-acre tract of land June 20, 2025. Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com Sean Simmers

Those plans stopped suddenly earlier this year after Cocoa Packs failed to pay its construction firm, JEM Group, for months, according to a lien filed in a Dauphin County court.

The Hershey Trust Company previously told PennLive Cocoa Packs leases land from them, but the Trust is not involved with this construction project.

We respect and acknowledge the mission of Cocoa Packs and the valuable support it provides to the local community. We had hoped to reach a mutual resolution with the lease of this space; however, we must pursue further action since Cocoa Packs has not responded to our requests, a statement from the Milton Hershey School said.

The warehouse was being developed on about 40-acres of land near Route 322 and Waltonville Road. The new space was designed to accommodate the growing number of children using the food assistance program.

Cocoa Packs, nonprofit organization that provides supplemental food and other support to children in the area, broke ground last week on a new 20,000-square-foot facility in Derry Township. (Rendering provided)

The Milton Hershey Schools statement said the issue could not be resolved despite their best efforts.

Multiple efforts to resolve the issue have been unsuccessful. As fiduciaries of the Milton Hershey School Trust, we cannot subsidize external missions or assume financial obligations that fall outside the scope of our Deed of Trust, regardless of their merit, the statement said.

Cocoa Packs President and Founder Christine Drexler on Friday issued a letter to the MHS interim director of real estate and members of the MHS and Milton Hershey School Trust.

We are writing to respectfully request that the Milton Hershey School (MHS) and the Milton Hershey School Trust (MHST) reconsider the proposed termination of our lease. We deeply value our relationship with Milton Hershey and the opportunity to serve as part of this caring community, the letter said.

Drexler apologized for providing Cocoa Packs financial information after the requested deadline, noting the organization secured more than $2 million in commitments toward the new facility.

Cocoa Packs assists 1,765 children across Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster and Lebanon counties, many of whom are affected by the loss of funding for SNAP benefits.

We understand the concerns that led to your decision and are committed to addressing them promptly and effectively. Our plan includes raising the additional two million dollars necessary to complete our new building  ensuring that all services for children are brought together under one roof, Drexler said in the letter.

Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. We sincerely hope to continue our work together and remain part of the Hershey community we so proudly serve, the letter concluded.

On Friday, Cocoa Packs welcomed MHS students from Pine Hill as volunteers, according to a Facebook post.

They were amazing helpers and assembled an entire rack of packs. We continue to be grateful for our meaningful partnership in which we provide countless opportunities for volunteerism as well as enrolling lots of lovies who attend multiple Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning at no cost, the post said.

It is unclear what the MHS plans to do with the 40-acre property.
CARLISLE - The arc of history bent a little bit here Saturday, and hopefully for the good.

An assembly of Native American visitors, Dickinson College leaders and curious Carlislers assembled to bless ground that will someday play host to the new Jim Thorpe Center for the Futures of Native Peoples.

We should not just come build on this site here at Dickinson. We should speak to it first and explain our intentions, architect Johnpaul Jones wrote in a blessing presented at Saturdays ceremony.

We are making a pact with a living thing, giving it a new purpose. We ask the site not to be angry when we dig in it and remove earth. And thank it for its sacrifice.

Jones, the lead design consultant for the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. and himself of Native American descent, is part of the design team for the Thorpe Center.

The intention is the building will become a premier resource for cultural revitalization, intergenerational knowledge-sharing and indigenous-focused research from its perch on West High Street.

In that way, its leaders hope, they can balance the name Carlisle as a place historically identified with trauma and cultural erasure, with a present-day identity seen as clearly contributing to the well-being of Native Americans for generations to come.

About 20 tribal leaders and other Native Americans from across North America attended the blessing.

They included three granddaughters and one great-granddaughter of Thorpe, the most-celebrated of the many world-class athletes who passed through Carlisle and an icon in Native American history.

Mary Thorpe, a Thorpe granddaughter from Jones, Okla., said she is thrilled her ancestors name headlines the effort.

It showcases both his, and her peoples resilience, she believes.

Theres a lot of emotion that you go through coming up here (to Carlisle), you know? Mary Thorpe, 44, said.

Youre a survivor of children that were meant to be broken. You come back here and youre trying to heal some of that generational trauma so the next generation doesnt have to maybe fight as hard as we are still trying to today.

So its an honor and its a privilege to be standing here,

The backstory

For most of the last 150 years, Carlisle - as a place - has carried a reputation for trauma to Native Americans.

It is best-known to them as the place where the federal government set up the prototype for a system of boarding schools aimed at assimilating young tribe members into mainstream American culture.

And assimilation, by 19th Century standards, meant attempting the complete erasure of their native cultures.

At Carlisle alone, some 7,800 Native American students were housed at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School between between 1879 and 1918.

Its not an overstatement to say, that the boarding school system completely changed our communities forever, said Amanda Cheromiah, the executive director of Dickinsons existing Center for the Futures of Native Peoples.

But the new building, in a way, she and others noted, is a one-century-later celebration of survival.

The Thorpe Center will celebrate the culture the federal government once sought to erase through symposiums, art exhibits, ceremonial gatherings and ongoing research efforts.

Saturdays ground blessing, led by Perry Martinez, a tribal council member of the San Ildefonso Pueblo of New Mexico, was offered as way to start its journey correctly.

In many Native American traditions, the Earth is seen as a living entity with its own spirit. Blessing the ground, then, reaffirms humanitys place within a larger, interconnected web of life.

Construction is slated to begin in the summer of 2026.

As Jones put it, in his message for the day: Native American people who will use this new facility have traveled a difficult path. This will be a welcoming, healthy and good spirited place.

Mary Thorpe was a little more blunt.

It just shows that Pratt didnt succeed in killing the Indian, you know? she said after Saturdays prayers and chants subsided. Were still here.
There was a time in America when a big night out for a good steak dinner meant hitting up Sizzler.

But that time seems long ago now, and the once-popular chain has seen its numbers dwindle in recent years. Founded in 1958, Sizzler once had more than 700 locations across the country. It now has just 74.

And the road from 770-plus to 74 has not been pretty. Two bankruptcies  the first in 1996 and the second in 2000  have taken place on that journey, but Sizzler has somehow survived.

And now there is a plan for a comeback.

QSR Magazines Danny Klein recently spoke with Sizzlers Chief Growth Officer Robert Clark about the chains plan for a rebirth. Clark has been with Sizzler 41 years and has seen previous plans to revitalize the chain fail.

Our current leadership is much more focused on hey, lets take the best of Sizzler and lets make it even better, Clark told QSR.

So, whats the plan to make Sizzler a big-time player in the steak game again?

Well, per the QSR story, the chain focused on remodeling its stores and has seen positive results from that. That includes sales increases of around 47% in the remodeled locations. The chain is looking to continue making the updates.

We feel like we have a really great brand here, Clark told QSR. And our results have been very solid. We constantly pup up in pop culture. I think what were trying to do with the remodel is really stay relevant and have facilities and assets that meet our reputation. We understand that remodeling is probably the single biggest driver of guests in the restaurant. Its the most important thing I think we could do aside from a lot of other operational things were doing as well.

And, while the remodeling is key, getting back to its roots is also a major part of the plan.

Everything we did was trying to dig into what made Sizzler so great in the first place, Sizzler VP of Marketing Sasha Shennikov told QSR. Why we have some restaurants that have stood the test of time through different rebirths; why people keep coming back.
An early morning fire in Harrisburg injured five people Saturday after an electrical issue started on the second floor, fire officials said.

The blaze broke out on the 2100 block of Green Street just before 4:30 a.m., according to Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline.

Seven people were displaced. The five injured people were taken to the hospital with whats believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Enterline said multiple people had to be rescued from the structures roof after they tried to extinguish the flames but were forced to retreat.

The flames were contained to the homes second and third floors, with the first floor primarily damaged by water.

The American Red Cross is assisting those who are displaced as a result of the fire.
By State Rep. Greg Vitali

Canceling regulations to enter Pennsylvania in the Regional Green House Gas Initiative, also known as RGGI, is now under consideration in Commonwealth budget negotiations. Participation in RGGI is the most important thing Pennsylvania can do right now to combat climate change.

Gov. Josh Shipiro and Pennsylvania House Democratic leaders should refuse to support any legislation which cancels Pennsylvanias participation in RGGI.

Climate change is the most serious long-term threat to this planet. The year 2024 was the warmest year on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Hurricane Melissas devastation of Jamaca is the most recent example of how climate change can exacerbate storm damage.

Pennsylvania is the fourth largest carbon-dioxide-emitting U.S. state, and about 30% of Pennsylvanias total greenhouse gas emissions come from its electric power sector -- mainly coal and gas-fired power plants.

RGGI is a cap-and-trade program designed to reduce greenhouse emissions from the electric power sector. RGGI was established in 2009 and currently there are 10 participating Mid-Atlantic and New England states.

RGGI is described as a cap-and-trade program because a cap is put on a states overall power sector carbon dioxide emissions. This cap shrinks over time allowing fewer and fewer emissions. Electric power producers must purchase carbon emission allowances at RGGIs quarterly auctions or elsewhere. These allowances can be freely traded on the open market. Participating states invest the proceeds from these auctions in energy efficiency and clean energy.

RGGI has worked well. According to RGGI Inc., Since RGGIs inception, CO2 emissions from covered power plants in the region have declined 46% and RGGI allowance auctions have yielded more than $9 billion to power investment in the clean energy future of the participating states.

In 2020, then-Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order to develop regulations to place Pennsylvania in RGGI. Wolf used the regulatory process because of the political impossibility of doing so legislatively. Almost all Pennsylvania Republican legislators oppose RGGI.

Pennsylvanias RGGI regulations were finalized in 2022. These regulations were challenged in court by Republican legislative leaders, along with business and labor groups, on the basis that the regulations imposed a tax not authorized by the state legislature. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is expected to rule on this case soon.

Senate Republicans are now demanding a repeal of the RGGI regulations as a condition for agreeing to a budget (now about four months late). House Democrats are seriously considering this demand -- partly due to Gov. Shapiros lack of support for RGGI.

Since announcing his run for governor, Shapiro has never publicly endorsed Pennsylvanias entry into RGGI.

Last session, Shapiro unveiled his Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act legislation, called PACER (HB 2275). This legislation would have created sort of a Pennsylvania-only version of RGGI. The bill went nowhere. PACER has been introduced again this term as HB 503/SB 503. The legislation has zero chance of passage in the Senate.

The bottom line is that given the solid Republican control in the Senate and the tenuous Democratic control of the House, RGGI regulations are the only chance Pennsylvania has to meaningly address climate change at this time.

House Democratic leaders and the governor - if they are serious about addressing climate change - must reject Republican demands to cancel RGGI regulations.

State Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) is majority chairman of the Pennsylvania House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee.
Despite the promise of "blockchain" and distributed ledger technology, many of the most compelling offerings of the oft-praised technology have proven to be internet money (like Bitcoin), speculative trading behavior, and memecoins.

Still, for those who think of more than "crypto" or "bitcoin" when they hear the word "blockchain", a killer use case for decentralized technology isn't a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Some could even argue that the most compelling offerings are already here.

That's why investors perked up when a lesser-known "blockchain lender" specializing in home equity lines of credit (HELOC) loans tested the U.S. stock market in September. Figure Technologies fetched a $7.6 billion valuation in its opening trade, raising nearly a billion dollars. Weeks after the open, TheStreet sat down with CEO Mike Tannenbaum and CFO Macrina Kgil to better understand the opportunity.

But aside from its blockchain association, the nearly decade-old firm's use isn't just for aesthetics, buzzwords, or "blockchain for blockchain's sake" in Tannenbaum's words. Instead, Figure's management uses the technology to differentiate itself in the crowded home lending market.

"Figure as a concept is focused on the future of capital markets using blockchain technology," said Chief Executive Officer Michael Tannenbaum, who says the idea was born out of SoFi Technologies, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer, under Figure founder Mike Cagney. "We, at the time, identified the opportunity to use blockchain to improve the way that loans travel through the capital markets and increase the efficiency and way they're funded, traded, and originated."

That might sound complex, but many borrowers never see these layers of complexity. They simply go to Figure's website -- or one of its B2B partners that originate through Figure such as Guaranteed Rate, Houzz, or Credit Karma -- and apply for a HELOC to take equity out of their home.

This process is nothing new: millions of Americans have relied on HELOCs to pay for home improvements, consolidate debt, or pay for other expenses. But what makes Figure unique is what's happening under the hood. Funding the loans is capital on chain, plus blockchain technology which is accelerating the speed and alleviating the cost with which they can originate.

"We can do a mortgage for about $1,000, versus the industry average of $12,000," Tannenbaum said. "And we can do it in about five days, versus the industry average of 45."
A Spanish public research institute is facing unexpected challenges as it prepares to sell a long-forgotten Bitcoin stash now worth over $10 million, originally purchased for just $10,000 more than a decade ago.

The Institute of Technology and Renewable Energies (ITER), a public body overseen by the Tenerife Island Council, bought 97 Bitcoin in 2012 as part of an experimental blockchain research project.

At the time, Bitcoin traded at roughly $100 per coin. Thirteen years later, with Bitcoin hovering near $103,200, that modest research expense has turned into a multimillion-dollar windfall.

Can Spains Public Sector Sell Its Bitcoin Under MiCA?

According to the Spanish newspaper El Dia, the Tenerife council is finalizing plans to divest the holdings but faces major logistical and regulatory complications.

Most European banks still refuse to handle Bitcoin transactions, citing volatility and strict compliance requirements.

Juan Jose Martinez, Tenerifes councillor for innovation, said the council is coordinating with a Spanish financial institution authorized by both the Bank of Spain and the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) to manage the sale.

He said the transaction is expected to be completed in the coming months, with proceeds earmarked for reinvestment into ITERs scientific initiatives, including research in quantum technologies.

The 2012 purchase was never meant as an investment but as part of an experimental project to understand blockchain infrastructure, Martinez told El Dia.

At Bitcoins current market price, ITERs holdings are valued at more than $10 million, down from about $12 million in early October when Bitcoin briefly reached a record high near $126,000, according to CryptoNews data.

Source: CryptoNews

While the windfall represents an extraordinary return on a small research expenditure, turning those gains into cash is proving far more complex.

In Spain, financial institutions and exchanges face tight oversight under a web of national and EU-level regulations, including the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, anti-money laundering (AML) rules, and strict advertising standards.

MiCA, which becomes fully applicable across the EU by the end of 2024 with a transitional period through December 2025, requires all crypto-asset service providers to obtain licenses from the CNMV.

For ITER, a public institution, compliance also involves verifying the origin of funds and ensuring adherence to Spains anti-money laundering procedures, overseen by the financial intelligence unit SEPBLAC.

Financial institutions are especially cautious when handling crypto transactions from state-linked entities due to complex asset classification requirements.
By Hannah Lang

(Reuters) -Crypto giant Ripple supports the idea of a "skinny" Federal Reserve payments account for non-banks, which could still be a game changer while addressing banks' concerns over financial stability and competition risks, a top company executive said.

"I think it's an attractive idea, and I think it should give traditional banks some comfort," Stu Alderoty, the chief legal officer of Ripple, said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday.

Ripple in July said it had applied for a Fed "master account" which would allow it to plug directly into the U.S. central bank's payments infrastructure, rather than relying on intermediaries.

The Fed has long been wary of allowing lightly-regulated non-banks to access its plumbing, and banks have also opposed the idea, arguing it would create risks to the financial system.

In a potentially major change of policy, Fed Governor Christopher Waller last month said the central bank was exploring a "skinny" master account which would give firms access to Fed payments but not other key services and benefits, such as interest, overdrafts and access to its emergency lending window.

Despite those limitations, a "skinny" account, if granted, would still allow Ripple to quickly redeem reserves for its dollar-pegged stablecoin RLUSD, rather than relying on bank intermediaries, which slows down transactions and is more expensive.

"Thinking about that issue of redeemability, to be able to get in and out of Treasury or U.S. dollar assets quickly, the most efficient and transparent and quickest way to do that would be with access to a master account," Alderoty said.

Waller said the idea is just a prototype and could change.

"You're using it for a limited purpose, and you're not going to be using it for a broader purpose, which potentially could infringe upon the business of a traditional bank," Alderoty said.

It remains to be seen how banks will respond to the idea of a "skinny" Fed master account, and if the prototype goes far enough to address their longstanding concerns about non-banks accessing critical infrastructure for the financial system.

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in New York; editing by Michelle Price and Paul Simao)
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
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Royal Caribbean Cruises recently announced its 202728 Caribbean cruise lineup, unveiling year-round sailings from three Florida ports and expanded private destination offerings including new Royal Beach Clubs and the upcoming Perfect Day Mexico.

This move reinforces Royal Caribbean's focus on enhancing the guest experience and expanding premium offerings as it responds to changing consumer preferences within the cruise industry.

We'll assess how amplified sector-wide investor concern, sparked by a competitor's weak outlook, may influence Royal Caribbean's investment narrative.

Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Investment Narrative Recap

To be a Royal Caribbean shareholder, one must believe in the lasting appeal of cruise vacations, the effectiveness of expanding premium offerings, and the companys ability to manage costs amid consumer uncertainty. The latest lineup of Caribbean cruises supports the key growth catalyst by aiming to increase guest spend and loyalty, but recent sector-wide demand concerns, triggered by a competitors weak outlook, continue to be the primary short-term risk for share price performance. For now, this news does not materially alter the key risk and catalyst drivers.

Of the recent announcements, Royal Caribbeans guidance for net yields in the range of 3.5% to 4.0% for 2025 stands out as particularly relevant. Yield growth remains a core catalyst for the investment story, closely tied to how well the company captures demand and maintains pricing power in a competitive market. By targeting yield improvements amid an uncertain consumer environment, the company is doubling down on operational execution and efficiency as it approaches a critical period.

Yet contrasting the premium experience expansion, investors should be aware of ongoing concerns about...

Read the full narrative on Royal Caribbean Cruises (it's free!)

Royal Caribbean Cruises' outlook anticipates $22.4 billion in revenue and $5.9 billion in earnings by 2028. This implies 9.2% annual revenue growth and a $2.3 billion increase in earnings from the current $3.6 billion.

Uncover how Royal Caribbean Cruises' forecasts yield a $344.09 fair value, a 34% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

RCL Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025

Ten individual fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community for Royal Caribbean range between US$214 and US$440.34. While yield growth remains central to the company's narrative, the diversity in opinions shows how wider expectations can influence confidence in future performance.
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MARIETTA, GEORGIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 8, 2025 / The global automotive aftermarket gathered once again in Las Vegas for the annual industry event AAPEX 2025, held at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum. The show brought together leading manufacturers and brands from over 40 countries, presenting the latest technologies and innovations to buyers and professionals from more than 130 nations. The exhibition hall was bustling with crowds, and the negotiation areas were fully occupied.As a pioneer in intelligent vehicle diagnostics, ANCEL presented a comprehensive lineup of its latest and most representative products at Booth A6155, demonstrating its capabilities in vehicle diagnostic technology.Brand Foundation: Advancing the Industry Through Intelligent DiagnosticsFounded in 2013, ANCEL has been dedicated to making automotive maintenance more convenient, intelligent, and cost-effective. The brand gained global recognition through the success of its flagship model ANCEL AD310, establishing a professional and trustworthy international image. ANCEL's current product portfolio covers passenger cars, commercial trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicle types, while its diagnostic and maintenance equipment encompasses core product categories including full-system diagnostic scanners, code readers, transmission fluid exchange machines, smoke leak detectors, battery testers, and injector cleaning systems.Through its official website ( ancel.com) , major online platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, Wildberries, and TikTok, as well as a multi-channel distribution network, ANCEL serves millions of users worldwide with reliable and user-friendly automotive diagnostic tools that help identify and prevent potential vehicle issues early.AAPEX 2025: Product Launches and Comprehensive Portfolio PresentationAt AAPEX 2025, ANCEL presented multiple key products and new releases. Leveraging its strong R&D capabilities and comprehensive product portfolio, it demonstrated its technical expertise across automotive diagnostic and maintenance tools:Code Reader Series: Classic bestsellers such as AD310 and AD410 demonstrated ANCEL's focus on stable performance and accessibility for everyday diagnostics.Professional Diagnostic Series: Featured new DS series products including the DS600 BT and DS500 BT, offering full-system diagnostic coverage for professional technicians.Battery and Electrical Testing Tools: Products such as BA101, PB100, and PB600 highlighted ANCEL's capabilities in electrical system diagnostics.Motorcycle and Truck Diagnostics: Tools including MT700 PRO, V6 PRO HD, and HD8800 addressed diagnostic requirements for various vehicle types.Maintenance and Service Equipment: Devices such as the L400 and L5000 PRO smoke leak detectors, and the TC3000 PRO transmission fluid exchange machine, illustrated ANCEL's strategic expansion into full-chain automotive service solutions.Exhibition Highlights: Interactive Demonstrations and Technical EngagementThroughout the event, ANCEL's booth attracted significant attention with its clean, professional layout and live demonstrations. Company representatives showcased real-time diagnostic processes and data visualization features, allowing attendees to experience ANCEL tools in action. Service representatives from auto repair shops, independent technicians, and vehicle owners from around the world engaged in detailed discussions with the ANCEL team, maintaining consistent activity at the booth.Visitors also received branded notebooks and canvas bags, reinforcing ANCEL's presence and strengthening connections with industry partners.Future Outlook: Sustained Innovation and Global ExpansionAs vehicle electrification and intelligent technology accelerate globally, ANCEL plans continued investment in research and development, incorporating user feedback to enhance product functionality and user experience. In the future, ANCEL aims to further develop its global service network with technological innovation as its core focus. Whether supporting large-scale repair chains, assisting independent technicians with complex challenges, or enabling vehicle owners with professional-grade self-diagnosis tools, ANCEL intends to provide increasingly sophisticated diagnostic solutions."AAPEX provides an essential opportunity to engage with global partners and present our latest technological progress," said an ANCEL representative. "We remain committed to advancing intelligent automotive maintenance through continuous innovation and reliable diagnostic solutions." About ANCELANCEL is an international brand specializing in automotive diagnostic and maintenance tools. Its product range spans from basic OBD2 code readers to advanced full-system diagnostic scanners, electrical testing equipment, and other professional tools, suitable for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and additional vehicle types. ANCEL's tools are designed to meet the diverse needs of individual vehicle owners, independent technicians, and professional repair enterprises, enabling efficient vehicle diagnostics and routine maintenance.In global markets, ANCEL products are widely recognized for their stable performance and durability, with distribution in countries and regions such as the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, making them a trusted choice for both automotive users and professional service providers.For more information, please visit ancel.com Media ContactOrganization: ANCELContact Person Name: Chris ChenWebsite: https://www.ancel.com Email: chris.chen@ancel.com City: MariettaState: GACountry: United StatesSOURCE: ANCEL
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DUBLIN, IRELAND / ACCESS Newswire / November 8, 2025 / KPH Advisory Services Ltd , a specialist fixed-income advisory firm with over 35 years of experience, has outlined its five key investment principles at a time when market conditions are increasingly challenging and investor attention is turning towards safety, transparency, and reliable income generation.1. Preservation of Capital Comes FirstWith shifting interest-rate cycles and global uncertainty, KPH Advisory Services maintains that the protection of client capital is its foremost priority. Rather than chasing speculative returns, the firm focuses on disciplined, fixed-income strategies designed for long-term consistency and resilience.2. Rigorous Partner and Product SelectionKPH works exclusively with reputable, EU-regulated banking partners and investment institutions. Many of the firm's structured deposit and fixed-income products benefit from protection under the European Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS) - covering up to 100,000 for single accounts and 200,000 for joint accounts. This layer of protection reinforces the company's commitment to prudence and transparency.3. Transparent, Institutional-Grade Due DiligenceEvery investment offered through KPH undergoes a comprehensive review, including credit evaluation, issuer verification, and regulatory vetting. The firm applies the same rigorous standards expected by institutional investors, while ensuring every client receives a personal, relationship-based service.4. Tailored Income Solutions for Private and Institutional ClientsServing a selective client base that includes high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and corporate entities, KPH structures each investment to align with the client's goals, liquidity preferences, and risk appetite. Its boutique nature allows for the creation of bespoke income portfolios rather than one-size-fits-all products.5. Integrity, Stability, and Long-Term PartnershipKPH's core values-Integrity, Transparency, Stability, and Excellence-underpin every aspect of its advisory process. The firm's client relationships are built on trust, education, and consistent communication, allowing investors to make fully informed decisions with confidence."Over the past six months, we've seen investors become increasingly selective and focused on protection rather than speculation," said Sarah Donnelly, Client Relations Manager at KPH Advisory Services."Our role is to bring clarity and structure to that conversation-to guide clients toward solutions that combine dependable income with genuine safeguards. At KPH, we don't chase trends; we build lasting financial relationships founded on integrity and measurable performance." Looking AheadAs financial markets continue to evolve, KPH Advisory Services remains dedicated to helping investors achieve stability in uncertain times. Through ongoing partnerships with leading European banks and the continual refinement of its advisory framework, the firm continues to stand as a trusted name in fixed-income investing.About KPH Advisory ServicesFounded in 1989 and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Firm Ref: C5208), KPH Advisory Services provides fixed-income and structured-deposit solutions to high-net-worth clients, family offices, and institutions across Europe. Many of its offerings include protection under the European Deposit Guarantee Scheme.www.kphadvisoryservices.com Press Contact:Aoife Byrne (Media Relations Officer)KPH Advisory Services LtdFitzwilliam Hall, Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, Ireland media@ kphadvisoryservices.com SOURCE: KPH Advisory Services Ltd
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Naval Continuing Care Retirement Foundation, Inc. d/b/a Fleet LandingATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / November 7, 2025 / Naval Continuing Care Retirement Foundation, Inc. d/b/a Fleet Landing ("Fleet Landing"), takes privacy and security very seriously. As part of that commitment, we are writing to notify you of a data privacy incident involving personal information of certain patients and employees.What Happened: On September 12, 2024, we discovered suspicious activity on our network. Upon discovery, we took immediate action to secure our systems and we partnered with cyber incident response professionals to investigate the incident. After a thorough investigation, we learned that certain data was accessed or acquired from our network by an unauthorized actor between September 11, 2024 and September 12, 2024.We performed a detailed review of the contents of the impacted data to determine what data was impacted and to whom that information relates. After a thorough investigation, on September 11, 2025, we confirmed that certain personal information was contained in the impacted data set.What Information Was Involved: The information involved varied by individual but may have included individuals' names, Social Security numbers, driver's license or state ID numbers, passport numbers, financial account information, payment card information, dates of birth, biometric information, email and password information, medical information and health insurance information.Individuals whose information was involved were notified on November 4, 2025.What We Are Doing: Upon learning of the incident, we took immediate steps to address it, including securing our systems and taking parts of our network offline. We partnered with cyber incident response professionals and notified federal law enforcement.Additionally, we are offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services, free of charge, to individuals whose Social Security numbers were involved through Haystack, a global leader in risk mitigation and response. Should individuals have any questions or concerns, they may contact Fleet Landing' dedicated assistance line with HaystackID at 877-323-4120 (toll free).What Impacted Individuals Can Do: As a general matter, one should remain vigilant by reviewing credit reports, financial account statements, and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity and to detect errors. We also remind everyone that individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from the each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.Individuals can further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps to take to protect personal information by contacting the credit reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or state Attorneys General. The FTC also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. The FTC may be reached at 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261.For More Information: For any further information, please contact Fleet Landing's dedicated assistance line with HaystackID at 877-323-4120.Contact InformationJavier VijilPartnerJavier.Vijil@kennedyslaw.com SOURCE: Naval Continuing Care Retirement Foundation, Inc.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 8, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Avantor, Inc. ("Avantor" or the "Company") (NYSE:AVTR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Avantor and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 29, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Avantor securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On April 25, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing first quarter 2025 financial results, cut its guidance for 2025, and announced that Michael Stubblefield would be stepping down from his roles as President and Chief Executive Officer. Avantor's management attributed its weak performance and outlook to "the impact of increased competitive intensity." On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $2.57 per share, or 16.5%, to close at $12.93 per share on April 25, 2025.Then, on August 1, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing second quarter 2025 financial results, including a year-over-year decrease in net sales, and further reduced the Company's 2025 guidance-now projecting organic revenue growth of -2% to 0%. Avantor's management again attributed the Company's lackluster results and outlook to "increased competitive intensity" and further admitted that Avantor did not expect the competitive environment to materially improve in the remainder of 2025.On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $2.08 per share, or 15.48%, to close at $11.36 per share on August 1, 2025.Then, on October 29, 2025, Avantor reported weak third quarter 2025 financial results, including -5% organic revenue growth and a net loss of $712 million, which management primarily attributed to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $785 million. Avantor's management said that the impairment charge was necessary due in part to "competitive pressures" that had "meaningfully impacted" Avantor's margins and further disclosed that the Company had lost several large accounts.On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $3.50 per share, or 23.21%, to close at $11.58 per share on October 29, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 8, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against WPP Plc ("WPP" or the "Company") (NYSE:WPP). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether WPP and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 8, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired WPP securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On July 9, 2025, WPP published a trading update for the first half of 2025, advising investors that the Company had "seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed." The Company attributed its misfortune to both "continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated," at least in part due to "some distraction to the business" as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media.On this news, WPP's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $6.48 per ADR, or 18.09%, to close at $29.34 per ADR on July 9, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 8, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Molina Healthcare, Inc. ("Molina" or the "Company") (NYSE:MOH). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Molina and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 2, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Molina securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On July 7, 2025, Molina issued a press release announcing financial results for the second quarter of 2025 and slashing full year 2025 adjusted earnings per share guidance. The press release reported second quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of approximately $5.50 per share, which was "below . . . prior expectations" due to "medical cost pressures in all three lines of business." The Company also announced that it "expects these medical cost pressures to continue into the second half of the year" and cut guidance for expected adjusted earnings per share 10.2% at the midpoint, from "at least $24.50 per share" to a "range of $21.50 to $22.50 per share." The press release revealed Molina was experiencing a "short-term earnings pressure" from a "dislocation between premium rates and a medical cost trend which has recently accelerated." On this news, Molina's stock price fell $6.97 per share, or 2.9%, to close at $232.61 per share on July 7, 2025.Then, on July 23, 2025, Molina issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 and further slashing the Company's full-year 2025 earnings guidance. The press release revealed, in part, that the Company's "GAAP net income was $4.75 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease of 8% year over year;" and it "now expects its full year 2025 adjusted earnings to be no less than $19.00 per diluted share." This represented another 13.6% cut to guidance of earnings per share at the midpoint, from the cut to guidance announced less than two weeks earlier. Molina also cut its guidance for its full year 2025 GAAP net income 27% to $912 million. Molina attributed its results a full year outlook to a "challenging medical cost trend environment," including mere "utilization of behavioral health, pharmacy, and inpatient and outpatient services." The Company claimed that its guidance cut also reflected "new information gained in the quarterly closing process." On this news, Molina's stock price fell $32.03 per share, or 16.84%, to close at $158.22 per share on July 24, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 8, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Quanex Building Products Corporation ("Quanex" or the "Company") (NYSE:NX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Quanex and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until November 18, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Quanex securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On September 4, 2025, after the market closed, Quanex announced its financial results for the third quarter of its 2025 fiscal year. Quanex disclosed, among other things, that ongoing "operational issues related to the legacy Tyman window and door hardware business in Mexico" had "impacted results more than expected[.]" Quanex also disclosed that it was "adjusting for lower expected volumes and pushing oug the timing of when [it] expect[s] to realize procurement savings" from integration of the Tyman business. Then, on September 5, 2025, Quanex held an earnings call to discuss the quarter's financial results. During the call, Chief Executive Officer George Wilson explained that the operational challenges at Tyman "negatively impacted EBITDA in the Hardware Solutions segment by almost $5 million in the third quarter alone." Wilson explained that the issue had been "identified midyear" and described the systems used to "anticipate and plan for tooling repairs" as significantly deficient.On this news, Quanex's stock price fell $2.73 per share, or 13.06%, to close at $18.18 per share on September 5, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 8, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Fluor Corporation ("Fluor" or the "Company") (NYSE:FLR) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, and docketed under 25-cv-xxx, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Fluor securities between February 18, 2025 and July 31, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired Fluor securities during the Class Period, you have until November 14, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.[Click here for information about joining the class action]Fluor provides engineering, procurement, and construction ("EPC"), fabrication and modularization, and project management services worldwide. The Company operates through three segments: Urban Solutions, Energy Solutions, and Mission Solutions.Throughout 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, Fluor's Urban Solutions segment accounted for the largest portion of the Company's revenue and profit. The Urban Solutions segment offers EPC and project management services to the advanced technologies and manufacturing, life sciences, mining and metals, and infrastructure industries, as well as provides professional staffing services. The Company's infrastructure projects in this segment include work on, inter alia, the Gordie Howe International Bridge ("Gordie Howe"), as well as the Interstate 365 Lyndon B. Johnson ("I-635/LBJ") and Interstate 35E ("I-35") highways in Texas.In February 2025, Fluor provided financial guidance for the full year ("FY") of 2025, including adjusted EBITDA of $575 million to $675 million and adjusted earnings per share ("EPS") of $2.25 per share to $2.75 per share. Defendants reaffirmed the foregoing financial guidance in May 2025, notwithstanding their acknowledgement of the potential negative impacts of ongoing economic uncertainty on Fluor's business resulting from trade tensions and other market conditions. Contemporaneously, Defendants touted, inter alia, the purported health and stability of Fluor's and its customers' operations and the strength of the Company's risk mitigation strategy, both for itself and its clients.The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding Fluor's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) costs associated with the Gordie Howe, I-635/LBJ, and I-35 projects were growing because of, inter alia, subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays; (ii) the foregoing, as well as customer reduction in capital spending and client hesitation around economic uncertainty, was having, or was likely to have, a significant negative impact on the Company's business and financial results; (iv) accordingly, Fluor's financial guidance for FY 2025 was unreliable and/or unrealistic, the effectiveness of the Company's risk mitigation strategy was overstated, and the impact of economic uncertainty on the Company's business and financial results was understated; and (v) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.On August 1, 2025, Fluor issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter ("Q2") of 2025. Among other results, the press release reported Q2 non-GAAP EPS of $0.43, missing consensus estimates by $0.13, and revenue of $3.98 billion, representing a 5.9% year-over-year decline and missing consensus estimates by $570 million. Defendants blamed these disappointing results on, inter alia, growing costs in multiple infrastructure projects due to subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays, as well as reduced capital spending by customers. The same press release also provided a negatively revised financial outlook for FY 2025, guiding to adjusted EBITDA of $475 million to $525 million, down significantly from Defendants' prior guidance of $575 million to $675 million, and adjusted EPS of $1.95 per share to $2.15 per share, down significantly from Defendants' prior guidance of $2.25 per share to $2.75 per share, citing "client hesitation around economic uncertainty and its impact on new awards and project delays and results for the quarter[.]"The same day, Fluor hosted a conference call with investors and analysts to discuss the Company's Q2 2025 financial results. During that call, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Defendant James R. Breuer, disclosed that the infrastructure projects that had negatively impacted Fluor's Q2 2025 results were the Gordie Howe, I-635/LBJ, and I-35 projects.Following the foregoing disclosures, Fluor's stock price fell $15.35 per share, or 27.04%, to close at $41.42 per share on August 1, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has reacted to the US President Donald Trumps threat against the Nigerian government over alleged genocide against Christians.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Trump accused President Bola Tinubus administration of permitting the mass slaughter of Christians and threatened possible military action against Nigeria.

He also designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and suspended arms sales and technical support to the country.

The threat has drawn widespread attention, with stakeholders and concerned Nigerians urging Mr Tinubu to respond swiftly.

During Fridays November Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption Camp, Mr Adeboye advised Mr Tinubu and his government to handle the matter diplomatically.

He said: In my own quiet way, I had related to all the presidents around when this trouble started. You can only advise a commander-in-chief; you cant command him. Because if you command the commander-in-chief, then you become the commander of the commander-in-chief. That doesnt make sense. But I have tried. And God is my witness. Now, I am talking to you as if you were my children. If asked to make suggestions, I would say quietly to our government, move fast. Move diplomatically.

Move wisely. Please find a way to convince the President of America to delay his actions for about a hundred days and then come home. Tell our security chiefs, get rid of these terrorists. Within 90 days, or resign.

Now, I am sure that will sound familiar to those of you who have been following the situation in Nigeria. There was a president. Unfortunately, he is dead now. Some of you will remember. Who called the service chief together and said, I give you three months. Get rid of all these Boko Haram people or resign.

Not only terrorists but also sponsors

Furthermore, the 83-year-old clergyman urged Mr Tinubus administration not to wait until the United States launches an attack on Nigeria.

He added that the Presidents directive should extend beyond eliminating terrorists to include those who sponsor and support their activities.

That when giving orders to the service chief this time round, we should make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists, but they should eliminate their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be. When I say our leaders should move fast, move diplomatically, they have to move wisely. They must take note of the fact that if America were to attack us, China would not come to defend us. Russia will not come to protect us.

All the so-called world leaders will talk; they will condemn what America has done in the strongest of times. But thats all they will do. Thats all. Britain is not going to come and help us. No other foreign powers will come to our aid. This is not the time for joking. This is not the time for grammar. This is not the time for, I dont know, a simple word for semantics. This is not the time when you begin to argue, said the clergyman.

He stated that the Nigerian government should not claim that Muslims are also being killed.

More criticism

Mr Adeboye also criticised Mr Tinubus speech on national insecurity, which was delivered in October.

He noted, When I heard the speech, particularly that section about security, you can go and listen to it again. I heard him say, All is well now, that displaced people have returned to their villages. I almost said that the one who wrote that speech for my president does not like him. And if you want to say, what do you mean?

Somebody wrote it, but its the president who read it. Didnt he read it before he read it? If you put it that way, I would conclude that several people around my beloved in-law are not telling him the truth.

But thats alright, because I think the following day in the newspapers we read about a traditional ruler being killed, whether in Kwara State or Kogi State, while the wife was hiding somewhere in the house. It is not the time for apportioning blame. Our president inherited this problem. It started before him. And in any case, Im an applied mathematician. Im more interested in just getting the problem solved. Thats all.

He insisted that the newly appointed security chiefs act swiftly; they should be dismissed if they fail.

Buhari

Mr Adeboye also recalled the tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, highlighting the period when he instructed security chiefs to eliminate Boko Haram.

He revealed that he approached the late President privately, urging him to take decisive action after the security chiefs failed to implement the order within three months, as the relentless killings had become intolerable.

He said, Some of you will remember who called the service chiefs together and said, I give you three months, get rid of all these Boko Haram people or resign. Its not allowed to tell you who gave him that advice. He ran with that advice but didnt follow it through, because he gave the order as the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief, and the security operatives moved fast.

But three months went by, and the work was not done. So I went to see him. It wasnt unusual. This time, the press somehow learned that I visited him. Of course, they were not there when we talked. Unfortunately, like I said, hes not alive now. I would have asked you to go and ask him, Sir, why didnt you follow through? Because when three months passed and the work wasnt done, why didnt you proceed with your, are we going to call it a threat? I wont tell you the details, but one thing came out of that meeting.
Soybeans are trading with contracts steady to 6 cents higher on Friday morning. Futures were falling for much of the Thursday session with contracts closing 24 to 28 cents in the red. Open interest showed some longs exiting, down 10,834 contracts. There were another 36 deliveries issued overnight, taking the total to 1,506 for the month. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was 26 3/4 cents lower at $10.34. Soymeal futures were down $9.80 to $12.50 in the front months, with Soy Oil futures were 26 to 34 points lower.

COFCO, a Chinese state-owned entity, held a soybean procurement signing ceremony on Thursday morning, though no specifics were given on totals. China also reinstated eligibility for 3 US soybean export firms to ship beans to the country. Chinese customs data showed a total of 9.48 MMT of soybeans were imported during October, down from 12.87 MMT in September.

More News from Barchart

ANEC estimates the Brazilian soybean exports at 3.77 MMT for November, up 1.43 MMT from last year if realized. Trade ministry data showed official October exports at 6.73 MMT, up from 4.71 MMT from last year.

Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.91 3/4, down 28 cents, currently up 1  cents

Nearby Cash was $10.34, down 26 3/4 cents,

Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.07 1/2, down 26 3/4 cents, currently up 6 cents

Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.17 1/2, down 24 1/2 cents, currently up 5  cents

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Nigerien authorities to free journalists Ibro Chaibou, Youssouf Seriba, and Oumarou Abou Kane who were remanded in southern Nigers Kollo prison on November 3.

The three were initially arrested on October 30 and are accused of sending an invitation to a government news conference to an exile who worked for ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

On November 3, an investigating judge in the capital, Niamey, charged six journalists with disseminating data likely to disturb public order, a cybercrime with a penalty of up to five years in jail, CPJ was told by their lawyer, Boudal Effred Mouloul, as well as two people with knowledge of the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisals.

The six journalists, all with privately owned outlets, are:

Moussa Kaka, CEO, Radio Television Saraounia (RTS) group;

Chaibou, newsroom manager, RTS;

Seriba, publishing director, Les Echos du Niger news site;

Kane, owner, Le Herisson satirical newspaper;

Souleymane Oumarou Brah, publishing director, La Voix du Peuple newspaper; and,

Abdoul Aziz Ide, RTS news presenter.

Chaibou has been in detention since October 30, while the other five and an unnamed RTS driver were detained by Niamey judicial police, questioned, and released the same day, then rearrested on November 1.

On November 3, the driver was freed without charge, along with Kaka, Brah, and Aziz, who were placed under judicial supervision.

The instrumentalization of cybercrime laws for meaningless accusations provides further evidence of Nigerien authorities backsliding on press freedom, said Moussa Ngom, CPJs Francophone Africa representative. Authorities in Niger must release Ibro Chaibou, Youssouf Seriba, and Oumarou Abou Kane and drop the charges against all unjustly prosecuted journalists.

Last year, Nigers head of state, Abdourahamane Tchiani, who overthrew the democratically elected Bazoum presidency in 2023, increased the sentences for cybercrimes, which have since been used regularly to detain journalists.

On October 29, Hamid Amadou Ngade, a former communications adviser to Bazoum, published on Facebook a news conference invitation from the Solidarity Fund for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (FSSP), which was set up in 2023 to finance the states anti-terrorism fight. In the post, Ngade said that the government was going to officially announce mandatory deductions on salaries and mobile money transfers  which it did.

Ngade was one of several of the former presidents allies who were stripped of their nationality in 2024.

The two people with knowledge of the case told CPJ that Kaka  a veteran journalist and correspondent for Radio France Internationale (RFI) until it was banned in Niger  had received the invitation to the news conference and sent it to his colleague Chaibou, who shared it in a WhatsApp group with Seriba, Kane, and Brah, who are regular co-debaters on Saraounia TVs weekly Club de la presse show, which Chaibou hosts.

CPJs calls to request comment from the police, FSSP, and the Ministry of Communication went unanswered.
The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) says it has distributed over 320 million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and 450 million blisters of Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine and Amodiaquine (SPAQ) to children under five years since 2009.

The National Coordinator of NMEP, Nnenna Ogbulafor, made this known in Minna during the inauguration of the 2025 mass campaign for the distribution of the nets in Minna on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign is being conducted in collaboration with Global Fund, Catholic Relief Services, Malaria Consortium and Society for Family Health.

Ms Ogbulafor, represented by Mary Esema, Head of Integrated Vector Management at NMEP, said the interventions had significantly contributed to reducing malaria prevalence and under-five mortality rate across the country.

She said the ITN mass campaign, which began in 2009, and the introduction of SPAQ in 2013, had positioned Nigeria as a leader in malaria prevention efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.

These efforts reflect the federal governments commitment, alongside its partners, to protect vulnerable populations, especially children and pregnant women from malaria, she said.

She commended Niger State government for demonstrating strong leadership and commitment in the fight against malaria, noting that more than 11.4 million ITNs had been distributed in the state since 2009.

Earlier, the Director of Public Health, Ministry for Secondary Health, Ibrahim Idris, said the campaign is part of government continued efforts to reduce malaria burden to pre-elimination level in Niger.

Mr Idris said malaria remains one of the leading public health challenges in the state with a prevalence rate of 21 per cent, contributing significantly to the countrys 68 million annual cases.

He explained that about 3.2 million ITNs would be distributed to households, while over 1.5 million children would receive monthly doses of SPAQ to prevent malaria during the rainy season.

The goal of this integrated campaign is to ensure universal coverage and at least 80 per cent utilisation of treated nets in all communities, Mr Idris said.

Also speaking, Abdullahi Imam, Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Health, said the state government under Governor Umaru Bago had prioritised the health of residents, particularly women and children.

Mr Imam noted that the administration had provided an enabling environment for development partners to implement key health interventions, including the malaria campaign and Vitamin A distribution.

Also, Ayuba Apagu, State Programme Manager, Malaria Consortium, who spoke on behalf of the development partners, said the campaign was another milestone in the collective efforts to make Niger malaria-free.

Let every net hug be a barrier of protection and a promise of health for our children, we urge all residents to support this exercise and encourage those with e-token slips to collect their nets, he said.

The Chairman-elect of Chanchaga Local Government, Mustapha Jibrin, pledged the support of the council to ensure full compliance at the grassroots level.

Mr Jibrin urged residents to make good use of the nets, stressing that they were for sleeping, not for protecting farm products.

NAN reports that the ceremony also featured the decoration of Ibrahim Sale Majinyawa, Secretary to the Chanchaga Local Government, as Malaria Advocate of the council.

(NAN)
The crisis currently rocking PDP took a new dimension on Friday, as the acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Muhammed-led faction of the National Working Committee (NEC) sacked the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, over alleged loss of moral authority and political neutrality.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the newly-constituted BoT, following its inauguration by the factional NWC on Friday.

The new BoT members, at the meeting attended by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and other PDP leaders, also appointed Isah Dansidi to replace Ahmed Makarfi as the BoT Secretary.

Reading the communique of the newly constituted BoT, Mr Ohuabunwa said that the action became necessary because both Wabara and Makarfi publicly took sides in the current party crisis.

Mr Ohuabunwa, who is from Abia State, as Mr Wabara said that the actions of the immediate past BoT chairman and secretary were contrary to the role of mediation expected of the board, hence they could no longer continue to serve in their previous capacities.

Accordingly, the board unanimously approved the election of Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, who, like Sen. Wabara, hails from the South and Dansidi, who, like Makarfi, hails from the North, as chairman and secretary of the newly-constituted BoT, respectively, he said.

Mr Ohuabunwa said that the BoT would serve as the conscience and stabilising moral compass of the party, assuring that he would mediate among stakeholders to foster harmony and prevent divisive tendencies.

He commended the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, stopping the partys national convention earlier slated for 15 and 16 November in Ibadan.

The BoT directs all organs and officers of the party to ensure full and immediate compliance with the said judgment.

The board commends the judiciary for its courage and professionalism in upholding the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, the INEC Guidelines and the PDP Constitution, which remain the guiding instruments of our internal democracy, he said.

Mr Ohuabunwa also affirmed the BoTs support for the conduct of a credible, transparent, and inclusive national convention.

This, according to him, is, however, dependent on strict adherence to all the pre-convention processes, in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, the INEC Guidelines, the Partys Constitution, and the judicial pronouncement of the Federal High Court on 31 October.

The BoT emphasises that no process or organ of the party should act in contempt of court or outside constitutional provisions, as such actions would render subsequent outcomes null and void.

Furthermore, the BoT reaffirms that the judgment of the Federal High Court remains superior and weightier in law than the interim order of the Oyo State High Court.

In view of the fact that the Federal High Court judgment has been appealed, prudence and respect for judicial processes demand that the proposed national convention be postponed until the Court of Appeal delivers its decision, Mr Ohuabunwa said.

Factional chair charges BoT

Speaking earlier at the inauguration of the new BOT, the factional acting National Chairman, Mr Mohammed, described the inauguration of the new BoT as a turning point for the party.

He said that the reconstituted BoT marked a return to the PDPs founding values of justice, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law.

The previous BoT, led by Sen. Wabara, sadly lost the moral balance expected of that noble institution.

The credibility of that leadership became heavily questioned, and its continued role in national advisory matters became untenable.

As a result of this, the board that was meant to be the moral compass of our party became divided and ineffective, he said.

Mr Mohammed also accused the suspended National Chairman, Umar Damagum, of choosing convenience over constitution and loyalty over legality.

Instead of enforcing valid judicial pronouncements and respecting the authority of the courts, that administration often preferred to protect individuals who had clearly violated the rules of the party.

This dangerous trend weakened our moral standing and pushed our great party to a point of deep internal disillusionment, he said.

He said that the Federal High Court judgment was not an attack on the PDP but a wake-up call to restore the order and ideals that made the party the pride of African democracy.

Mr Mohammed urged the new BoT to act as the moral voice and conscience of the party, saying that it should not see their appointments as a reward for loyalty but out of a sacred trust.

The responsibility before you is enormous  to speak truth to power, to defend justice and to ensure that PDP remains a home for all Nigerians.

Your voices must be voices of unity, your advice must be rooted in fairness, and your actions must inspire confidence in our collective future, he said.

In his remarks, a PDP chieftain and former Governor of old Anambra, Jim Nwobodo, appealed to the new BoT leadership to heal divisions and reach out to aggrieved members.

Do all you can to bring about peace in our party. Many who left are willing to return if we open our doors, he said.

The elder statesman commended Mr Wike for his performance in Abuja, urging him to channel the same energy towards rebuilding the party.

If you put that same effort into this party, PDP will be the party to beat again, he said.

(NAN)
The Anambra Election Observation Hub, a coalition of civil society organisations monitoring the states 2025 governorship election, has commended the relatively peaceful conduct of the poll but expressed concern over widespread vote buying, low voter turnout and persistent logistical challenges.

In a joint statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, the hub stated that, despite early signs of improvement in election logistics and professionalism among officials, incidents of financial inducement of voters and procedural inconsistencies continue to undermine Nigerias democratic integrity.

The observation hub, comprising Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF), ElectHER, and TAF Africa, deployed 711 observers across the 21 local government areas of the state.

Each organisation monitored specific thematic areas, including election integrity, inclusivity, gender participation, media safety, and election security.

Peaceful but low turnout

The hub noted that voting across Anambra was largely peaceful, with election officials and security personnel demonstrating professionalism and adequate understanding of electoral procedures.

However, it reported low voter turnout in several LGAs, a situation it said reflected the voter apathy observed in the buildup to the election.

While it is too premature to provide exact turnout rates, preliminary observations from partners indicate low voter turnout across several LGAs, the statement noted, adding that the apathy appears to have manifested into low participation on election day.

Improved logistics, late start in some areas

The observers acknowledged a marked improvement in the deployment of election materials and personnel compared to previous elections.

By 7:30 a.m., INEC officials had arrived at 49 per cent of polling units, an improvement from 28 per cent in 2021 and 17 per cent in 2017, the observers noted, raising concerns that less than half were operational at the official start time.

Essential materials, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the Register of Voters, and voting cubicles, were available in nearly all polling units observed. Nonetheless, tools designed to enhance participation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were missing in some areas, with Form EC 40H and PWD Posters found in only 86 per cent and 84 per cent of polling units, respectively.

The observers also highlighted delays in some locations, such as Nnewi North (Wards 14) and Ogbolo Ward, Ihiala LGA, where accreditation and voting began between 10:30 a.m. and noon due to the late arrival of officials and security operatives.

Vote buying and other violations

The hub raised serious concerns over incidents of vote buying, saying party agents had adopted new and covert strategies to circumvent anti-corruption measures.

This newspaper reported that vote-buying and intimidation marred the exercise in some polling units.

Reports from Awka North, Orumba South, Oyi, Anambra East, Njikoka, and Onitsha North LGAs, according to the hub, revealed cases where agents recorded voters details for post-voting payments and deployed POS machines near polling units to facilitate cash transfers in exchange for votes.

These acts undermine the integrity of the election and reinforce the need for urgent enforcement of electoral laws to deter vote buying and selling, the hub emphasised in its statement.

The hub also lamented the absence of result sheets (Form EC8A) in Umudimogo Primary School 1, Ihiala LGA, which caused voters to halt accreditation. Other violations highlighted include underage voting in Orumba South LGA; violation of ballot secrecy in Orumba North, where voters displayed their marked ballots to party agents; and inconsistent application of election procedures by ad hoc officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Four polling units also recorded cases of hate speech and verbal attacks against women, while one incident of physical gender-based violence was observed.

Security presence and gaps

The report stated that the presence of security personnel from the Nigeria Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) contributed to maintaining a peaceful atmosphere.

In some units, like Polling Unit 10 in Orumba South LGA, officers ensured orderliness and prevented voter intimidation.

However, observers also documented security gaps, particularly in PU 014, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi LGA, where voting commenced without any security personnel present.

The coalition noted that such lapses expose polling units to potential disputes or intimidation and cast doubt on the claim that 55,000 security agents were deployed for the election.

Inclusion and accessibility

Regarding inclusion, the hub reported that 92.5 per cent of polling units had female INEC officials presiding over the voting, while 61.8 per cent had female security officers. But only a few polling units provided priority voting for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and the elderly.

For persons with disabilities, the group acknowledged INECs effort to deploy assistive forms but noted a gap between pre-election disability data and actual provisions at polling stations.

In Awka South, blind voters were unable to vote independently due to the absence of braille ballot guides and magnifying lenses, despite INECs earlier commitment.

Media freedom

The coalition reported only one case of interference with journalists, involving a Unizik FM reporter who faced mild obstruction while interviewing voters but was allowed to continue after clarification with security personnel.

Recommendations

The coalition urged INEC to enforce strict compliance with election guidelines, especially regarding the counting and electronic transmission of results via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

It also called on the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure the continuous presence of security operatives in all polling units, particularly in high-risk LGAs such as Ihiala and Idemili North.

The group further recommended that INEC strengthen disability data validation ahead of future elections, guarantee transparency at collation centres by allowing access to accredited party agents and observers, and maintain consistency in the application of voting and accreditation procedures.

While commending the efforts of INEC, security agencies, and the electorate, the hub urged all stakeholders to remain peaceful and vigilant as the polls transition to the counting and collation stages.

We commend the efforts of INEC, security agencies and the electorate thus far and urge all stakeholders to remain vigilant as polls come to an end and counting and collation processes begin, the hub concluded.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over a tanker loaded with 60,000 litres of petrol to officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Katsina State.

NCS said it seized the commodity as part of its ongoing clampdown on fuel smuggling under Operation Whirlwind.

The handover, on Thursday, followed the interception of the tanker along the Jibia Road in Katsina during a special patrol operation on 30 September.

According to the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Kola Oladejirepresented by the Commander for the Kano/Jigawa and Katsina axis, Assistant Comptroller S. I. Yahayathe tanker, with registration number KBT 226 XA, was apprehended for carrying fake documents and a forged manifest.

Mr Oladeji said the vehicle was suspected to be heading toward a border community for possible smuggling, describing the interception as part of Customs sustained efforts to protect Nigerias economic and energy security.

This handover underscores our determination to support national energy security and collaborate effectively with sister agencies like the NMDPRA, he said.

Together, we are sending a strong message that economic sabotage through fuel diversion will not be tolerated.

Receiving the seized tanker on behalf of the NMDPRA, the Katsina State Coordinator, represented by A. M. Mohammed, commended the Customs Service for its vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.

He said such synergy was crucial for ensuring compliance and accountability in the downstream petroleum sector.

We appreciate the proactive role of the Customs Service in intercepting illegal movements of petroleum products.

NMDPRA remains committed to ensuring proper monitoring and regulation of petroleum distribution, Mr. Mohammed said.

The seized tanker and its contents have since been transferred to the custody of NMDPRA for further regulatory action in line with established procedures.

The NCS reiterated its resolve to sustain the ongoing fight against smuggling, economic sabotage, and all actions undermining Nigerias fuel distribution network. The Service also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities that could aid enforcement efforts.

What is Operation Whirlwind?

Operation Whirlwind is a special task force established by the Nigeria Customs Service to combat the smuggling and diversion of petroleum products across Nigerias borders.

Launched in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the NMDPRA, the operation targets illegal bunkering, diversion, and hoarding of fuel to ensure products meant for domestic consumption remain within the country.

The initiative forms part of the federal governments broader strategy to strengthen energy security, curb revenue loss, and stabilise fuel availability across border communities.
The former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has attributed the widespread vote buying and selling reported in Anambra election to bad governance.

Mr Obi made the remarks on Saturday at Polling Unit 019, Agulu, in Anaocha Local Government Area after casting his vote at the ongoing Anambra governorship election.

He expressed concern over the scale of vote buying, which he said ranged between N15,000 and N30,000.

It is sad that bad governance is fueling vote buying and selling.

For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for N30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?

By selling your vote, you are selling no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome, Mr Obi said.

He urged journalists to collaborate in combating the menace.

Mr Obi, a Labour Party candidate in the 2023 presidential election, described the contestants in the election as his friends.

Whoever wins, let him serve the people.

Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty, he said.

Over two million voters are eligible to vote in the 5,720 polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.

Four of the 16 candidates contesting the election are widely regarded as the frontrunners.

They include the incumbent governor, Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); entrepreneur Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); former Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, George Moghalu, representing the Labour Party (LP); and businessman and economist John Chuma-Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

(NAN)
The(CDD-West Africa) has raised concerns over low competitiveness and fragility of key electoral institutions ahead of Saturdays governorship election in Anambra.

Dauda Garuba, the director of CDD expressed the worries at a pre-election news conference in Awka on Friday.

Mr Garuba who was represented by Seyi Awojulugbe, misinformation, disinformation and hate speech analyst, said the first off-cycle governorship election under Joash Amupitan, as INEC chairman, would be a test case.

The CDD boss said that INEC had taken steps to improve preparations, but confidence remains fragile as the continuous voter registration process exposed logistical gaps which must be urgently addressed.

He said though it was satisfactory that there were no fewer than 2,802,790 registered voters in the state with about 98.8 permanent voter cards collection according to INEC, translating it into a high voter turnout remained a cause for worry.

The body said it had deployed 178 trained and accredited observers across all 21 local government areas in Anambra, with a methodology targeting polling units with high volumes and a prior history of election-related issues.

This election is a decisive test of Nigerias democratic resilience, institutional credibility, and political competitiveness.

We have also deployed 57 grassroots monitors known as Soldiers of Mouth who will help in addressing information disorder incidents, corroborate fact-checks and help us monitor the ways that parties, politicians and even members of the public engage in disinformation.

Also, we have deployed 30 mandate protection observers who will spot and report any electoral irregularities to the relevant agencies, he said.

Mr Garuba said that a major concern in the Anambra governorship election was that the political parties have not demonstrated the capacity to mobilise and sensitise voters.

Crises in PDP, LP weaken electoral competitiveness

Mr Garuba decried the internal crisis within Nigerias major political parties at the moment, adding that it had weakened electoral competitiveness in the Anambra governorship election.

The main opposition parties in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, have been plagued by internal leadership crises, causing many of their leaders and members to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Security threats remain a major concern in Ihiala, Nnewi South, Orumba South, and border communities such as Lilu, Azia, and Amorka.

Weak oversight of vigilance groups and the long-standing violent environment contribute to a low risk of voter turnout. Security agencies must act professionally and protect voters without bias.

We call on INEC to maintain neutrality and ensure seamless electoral processes, such as the timely deployment of voting materials and smooth functioning of BVAS/IReV, Mr Garuba said.

The CDD-West Africa called on all actors to prioritise national interest, protect democratic integrity and ensure a peaceful, credible and inclusive election.

(NAN)
Residents of Osumenyi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday evening converged on the residence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, to express their support ahead of Saturdays gubernatorial election.

The gathering took place at Mr Ukachukwus house, located in the Chukwujekwu community of Osumenyi. The crowd comprised both young and elderly residents, many dressed in red and white shirts, and face caps bearing the APC logo and images of Mr Ukachukwu alongside his running mate, Uche Ekwunife.

When PREMIUM TIMES visited the area around 6:30 p.m., many attendees were seated, while others danced to native music playing within the compound. Several others stood outside, chatting and waiting as the event continued late into the evening.

The election will determine whether the incumbent governor, Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), will secure a second term or if a new administration will emerge in the state.

Residents who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES expressed optimism that Mr Ukachukwu would emerge victorious, basing their arguments on his past philanthropic gestures and close relationship with the people

Uchenna Figo, a 55-year-old man, described the APC candidate as a generous benefactor to many, noting that he personally received two 50kg bags of rice from him even before his emergence as the partys governorship candidate.

Ukachukwu used to help a lot. Hes one of the people I can rely on. I have collected one full bag of rice from Ukachukwu at the time he wasnt anything like. Ive collected it twice. If Ukachukwu gets there, Ill be covered in life; others will be covered, too, because Ukachukwu used to help people.

Ukachukwu is the only person I see who can help us. If he gets there, people will enjoy their lives. Hes not a selfish person. He has built houses for people, and he used to help people. When his mother was alive, he used to give people money whenever his mother instructed him to help people.

If God wants to help Nnewi South, Ukachukwu should be elected the next governor. Hes the best candidate. Im not here for money. Whether he gives me or not, Ill give him my vote because I believe that when he gets there, he will help me and my children. If he gets to power, hell definitely help people, he said.

Romanus Chimandubisi, chairman of the community where Mr Ukachukwus residence is located, confirmed that the residents gathered to show solidarity with the APC candidate ahead of the poll.

You dont need anybody to explain to you that by tomorrow were having the Anambra gubernatorial election and the owner of this place is one of the contestants, Nicholas Ukachukwu. That is why we are here to give our support in every aspect, he said.

On the security situation in Osumenyi and its environs, Mr Chimandubisi said the area is calm and peaceful.

Everything is going on accordingly, he added.

The community leader, however, expressed optimism that the APC candidate will win the election.

Nothing short of victory. We have worked for it and it is due for a long time, we believe in God that everything is equal. If the election goes on free and fair, I do not doubt that he will win, he added.

Orji Chukwu, a secondary school principal in Osumenyi, also told our reporter that the community remained peaceful on the eve of the poll.

I dont know about tomorrow because tomorrow owns itself. So, whatever we see tomorrow, well dance to the tune. Im not a security person, but with the look of things, everything is normal, people are walking around, nobody is harassing anybody. Theres peace in Osumenyi, he said.

Mr Chukwu added that he was at Mr Ukachukwus residence to show his support for the APC candidate.

We are in the house of Nicholas Ukachukwu, as you can see, almost the whole community in Nnewi South is in his house currently, and from the look of things, everybody wishes that he should be there because hes a philanthropist, hes someone who appreciates people a lot, hes the right person.

I believe that everybody wants him to be there, including me, so that he can change a lot of things happening in the government system. We believe that Ukachukwu is the best choice for Anambra State.
With a few hours to the Anambra governorship election, eligible voters across the 21 local government areas of the state are preparing to head to their polling units to elect a new governor.

From Awka, the state capital, to Nnewi North Local Government Area, PREMIUM TIMES observed a relatively calm and peaceful atmosphere on Friday, as residents moved about freely ahead of the poll scheduled for Saturday.

However, heavily armed police and security operatives have been deployed to strategic locations across the state. A helicopter was also sighted conducting aerial surveillance around Awka and its environs.

While many residents who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES expressed optimism about the exercise, they voiced hopes that the right candidate would emerge victorious at the end of voting.

Residents speak

Although some political analysts have projected an easy victory for the incumbent governor, Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), residents expressed mixed feelings about his chances at the polls.

I dont think it will be that easy for Mr Soludo to win the election. Many people, including myself, have benefited from his government. But we are worried that he might want to use his second term to amass wealth for himself, said Chijioke, a tricycle rider in Awka.

He, however, said he would still like to see Mr Soludo re-elected because of the positive reforms his administration has introduced for tricycle operators.

Before now, I bought tickets of between N500 and N1,000 daily before I could operate, but now I only have to make a N2,000 subscription to operate freely for a week. I have been making more money and spending less on tickets due to Mr Soludos policies, he said with excitement.

Mr Chijioke added that tricycles now have registered bar codes pasted on them, making theft more difficult since stolen tricycles can easily be tracked. According to him, this has boosted riders confidence to work more safely.

He, however, expressed concern that things might change if Mr Soludo secures a second term, as some fear he could focus on personal enrichment.

Several other residents shared similar concerns. However, many believe the governors incumbency advantage could give him a clear edge over his opponents.

In Nnewi North, some motorists and commercial motorcyclists expressed confidence in Mr Soludos administration.

Since he came on board, insecurity has reduced in our community (Ummudinkwa). It was not easy for us here. Several people were kidnapped before, but that has reduced significantly, said Chukwuemeka, a resident of the community.

He, however, said he remains undecided about whether to vote for Mr Soludo or the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, in Saturdays election.

As this reporter moved across Awka and Nnewi North, it was observed that residents were travelling to their respective communities in preparation for the election.

Similarly, it was observed that the billboards of all the other candidates in the election, alongside Mr Soludo, were conspicuously absent across major streets in the state capital. But Mr Soludos campaign billboards were carefully positioned at strategic locations.

At about 5:15 p.m., PREMIUM TIMES observed a heavy deployment of armed security personnel at the Nnewi Local Government Secretariat and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, where ad hoc officials had begun sorting and transporting election materials to designated Registration Area Centres (RACs) within the LGA.

Designated transport buses were seen being loaded with materials, while police vehicles and officers patrolled the premises.

Ad hoc staff, mostly serving corps members, were also seen being escorted to the INEC office to identify their respective duty locations.

CSOs speak

Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room expressed some degree of satisfaction with the relatively peaceful atmosphere in Anambra State.

This, the group said, is in contrast to the very tense situation under which the last governorship election was held in the state.

Situation Room believes that the state of anomaly was partly due to incessant and deliberate acts of misinformation and disinformation that permeated the state at the time, the group said.

Additionally, Situation Room anticipated that the perceived positive ambience would help drive voters to the polls to exercise their democratic franchise on Saturday, given that Anambra State continues to be among the states with the lowest rate of voter turnout.

Similarly, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), during its press conference on Friday, said INEC has taken steps to improve preparations, but that confidence remains fragile.

The CVR process exposed logistical gaps that must be urgently addressed. The judiciary also has a crucial responsibility; delayed rulings and uncertainty over candidate eligibility continue to damage public trust, the group lamented.

It said a major concern in the Anambra governorship election is that the political parties have not demonstrated the capacity to mobilise and sensitise voters.

The internal crisis within Nigerias major political parties at the moment has weakened electoral competitiveness in the Anambra governorship election, CDD noted.

The group explained that security threats remain a major concern in Ihiala, Nnewi South, Orumba South, and border communities such as Lilu, Azia, and Amorka.

Weak oversight of vigilante groups and the longstanding violent environment contribute to a low risk of voter turnout. Security agencies must act professionally and protect voters without bias, the CDD-West Africa noted.
The African Union Commission (AUC) has rejected allegations of Christian genocide made by the US against Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Friday, the AUC kicked against claims accusing the Nigerian government of complicity in the alleged targeted killing of Christians.

The commission identified that Nigeria was faced with complex security challenges, which affected citizens of all faiths, including violent extremist groups, banditry, communal violence, and resource-based conflicts.

It explained that the US narrative weaponises religion and oversimplifies Nigerias security challenges.

Conflating all violence with a single religious-target narrative may hinder effective solutions and destabilise communities, it said.

The commission described Nigeria as a valued member of the African Union, which has played a pivotal role in regional stability, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping efforts.

It also insisted on Nigerias sovereign right to manage its internal affairs in line with its Constitution and international obligations.

Any external engagement must respect Nigerias sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity, it said.

Last week, US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Nigeria and accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of allowing the mass slaughter of Christians.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Trump had also designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and suspended arms sales and technical support for the country.

Although the Nigerian government has denied the claims, Mr Trump insists on them, while his administration has proceeded to draw up contingency plans for a possible military action.

On this, the AU commission declared that it supported Nigerias repeated affirmation that its Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

The Commission supports Nigerias repeated affirmation that its Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief and that the Government rejects all forms of religious persecution.

The AUC remains ready to provide support through its peace and security architecture, capacity-building programs, and strategic partnership, it said.
Sir Jeremy Fleming, who ran the Government Communications Headquarters, is helping to set up AI Score, a company aiming to prevent sensitive data from being leaked - Yui Mok/PA

A group of former British spy chiefs have launched a company designed to protect corporate secrets from being read by artificial intelligence.

Sir Jeremy Fleming, who has experience running the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), is helping to set up a company called AI Score that aims to prevent sensitive data leaking to tech companies.

There are fears that chatbots such as ChatGPT could ingest and potentially repeat private company data when used in the workplace. AI Score provides software companies with the ability to install on their corporate networks to monitor employees using AI tools.

AI Score said it was already working with a large law firm, a consumer company, and a fintech business.

The startup has secured funding from Gallos, an investment firm run by former intelligence staff and advised by Sir Jeremy.

It will be run by Alex Harland, who was part of the founding team of the National Cyber Security Centre, GCHQs cyber defence arm. Sir Jeremy and Josh Burch, Galloss founder, will sit on the companys advisory board.

Gallos was set up in 2021 by Mr Burch, a former high-ranking national intelligence official, and Dean Jones, an armed forces veteran.

Its advisors include Sir Jeremy, who left GCHQ in 2023, Gaven Smith, the agencys former technology chief, and Tom Hurd, the former homeland security advisor.

AI Score has raised more than $1m in funding from angel investors and Gallos.

The corporate world havent yet absorbed the risks

MR Burch said: Weve seen, through our experience in intelligence and business, the dangers as well as the opportunities inherent in how organisations use AI. Large parts of the corporate world havent yet absorbed the risks theyre running.

Gallos said that four-fifths of corporate security bosses felt unable to keep tabs on how AI is being used across their workplaces.

AI Scores system can monitor what employees enter into chatbots, checking for trigger words and phrases that might suggest they are entering sensitive information, as well as which tools they are using.

Companies, including Samsung and Amazon, have warned staff about the use of AI tools after suspected cases of chatbots regurgitating confidential information entered into them by employees.

The Cabinet Office tells civil servants to never input information that is classified, sensitive or reveals the intent of Government into the bots.

AI Score is the second to be incubated by Gallos, which claims to benefit from deep connections at the highest levels of Government.

The group says it enjoys privileged access to unique deal flow and highly expert human capital thanks to our deep connectivity within the security establishment networks in the UK and US, especially.
The Governing Council of the University of Abuja, now renamed Yakubu Gowon University, has approved the appointment of Hakeem Fawehinmi as the new substantive vice-chancellor of the university.

The decision was taken at the Councils 80th Extraordinary Meeting held on Friday, 7 November, under the chairmanship of Olanrewaju Tejuoso, a senator.

The universitys acting director of information, Habib Yakoob, in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES said the appointment takes effect from 10 February 2026 for a single, non-renewable tenure of five years.

Mr Fawehinmi, a professor of Clinical Anatomy and Biomedical Anthropology, currently serves as the vice-chancellor of the Nigerian British University, Asa, Abia State.

His appointment comes after months of interim leadership at the institution, following controversies surrounding the appointment of the former VC, Aisha Maikudi.

In the meantime, the Council approved the extension of the tenure of the acting vice-chancellor, Mathew Adamu, until 10 February 2026. Mr Adamu was first appointed on 11 August 2025 by the federal government.

Profile of Hakeem Fawehinmi

Mr Fawehinmi, a professor, is a scholar of Clinical Anatomy and Biomedical Anthropology with decades of teaching, research, and administrative experience.

At the University of Port Harcourt, where he spent most of his academic career, he served in several leadership positions, including Head of the Department of Anatomy (20052009), Associate Dean (20102012), Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (20122014), and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (20162020).

He has also served on multiple statutory and ad hoc committees, gaining extensive experience in governance, academic planning, and institutional reform.

He is an active member of several professional associations and has served as President of the Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria (20142016) and Secretary-General of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State (19992000).

He is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland (FRAI) and the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria (FAMedS).

His academic footprint includes over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 37 conference abstracts indexed in leading research databases. He has participated in over 70 international conferences and training programmes across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

In 2014, he delivered the 111th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Port Harcourt, titled Different Tailors for the Same People; Same Surgeon for Different People.

Mr Fawehinmi has attracted several national and international research grants and holds a federal government patent for his design of the AMRG Anthropometry Chair, a tool for dimensional body measurement.

He has also been involved in establishing partnerships between universities and industries, both within and outside Nigeria.

As an external examiner and assessor, he has served several first and second-generation Nigerian universities and was cited in the 2021 Africa Scientist Rankings by the Alper-Doger Scientific Index.
Oluwakemi Adelagun, a reporter on the Health and Development desk at PREMIUM TIMES, has been selected among 14 journalists across Nigeria to participate in a special reporting fellowship on gender-responsive and accountable education in Oyo State.

The initiative, launched by DevReporting in partnership with Education as a Vaccine (EVA) and supported by the Malala Fund, aims to strengthen media coverage of girls education, education financing, and citizen participation in the sector.

According to a statement signed by DevReportings Programme Manager, Samson Ademola, the selected journalists were chosen from a pool of about 40 applicants.

Mr Ademola noted that the applicants submitted story pitches exploring transparency and accountability in education financing, gender-responsive planning and budgeting, barriers to girls education, and citizens role in education planning and monitoring.

This project focuses on investigating how funding, citizen participation, and gender policies contribute to learning outcomes and access to quality education, particularly for girls, the statement noted.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to promote girls enrolment, retention, and completion of secondary education in the state, where challenges around access and financing persist.

Selected journalists

Among those selected are Bilkis Abdulraheem of Radio Nigeria, Quadri Adejumo of Techparley Africa, Christiana Alabi-Akande of DevReporting, Funmi Ogundare of ThisDay, Oluseye Ojo of The Sun, Juliet Buna of Crest TV, Fatimah Hamid of Ripples Nigeria, Yomi Okanlawon of Business Metrics, and Gbenga Oyetola of Oyomind.

Others include Sodiq Mojibola of DevReporting, David Olatunji of Lagos Voice, Nchetachi Chukwuajah of The Radar, Adedokun Theophilus of African Angle, and PREMIUM TIMES Oluwakemi Adelagun.

Mr Ademola noted that several of the selected journalists are award-winning professionals with years of experience reporting on development issues for local and international media platforms.

Capacity building and story development

To support the delivery of impactful stories, DevReporting and EVA will hold a virtual briefing for the fellows to outline project objectives and reporting expectations.

Over a three-week period, the journalists will produce in-depth, evidence-based reports examining the challenges and opportunities in Oyo States education sector.

DevReporting will provide editorial and logistical support during the reporting phase to ensure the publication of high-quality stories that can inform public discourse and policy.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr Ademola said the project reflects DevReportings commitment to using journalism as a driver of social accountability.

The stories emerging from this project will serve as a tool to engage policymakers and other stakeholders in Oyo State on how to make education financing and planning more inclusive, equitable, and accountable.

DevReporting is a niche media platform dedicated to development reporting, while Education as a Vaccine (EVA) is a youth-focused non-profit organisation promoting gender equality and access to quality education, with support from the Malala Fund.
A 90-year-old man, Emmanuel Orodero, has called on the Nigerian authorities to safeguard and strengthen the countrys democracy.

Mr Orodero, a father of 11 and a shoemaker from Obino village in Osumenyi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, also urged citizens to remain patient with the government, expressing confidence that Nigeria will eventually become better.

He gave the advice shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 003, Ward 01, in Obino village, Osumenyi, Nnewi South LGA.

Although Mr Orodero could not communicate in English, one of the voters at the polling unit translated his responses to a PREMIUM TIMES reporter.

Nigerias democracy is important. The democracy were in is better than when we were in the military regime. Our people should have patience with the government, I believe that Nigeria will still be better, he said.

When asked why he turned out to vote despite his old age and reliance on crutches, Mr Orodero said he hoped that Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, would win the election.

I came outside to support my brother. If my brother wins the election, my community and everywhere will be better, there will be changes in our town, he added.
Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the ongoing Anambra governorship election, has cast his vote.

He voted at about 11:38 a.m., at Polling Unit 12, Ward 2, in Umudiala village, Osumenyi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

Shortly after voting, Mr Ukachukwu addressed journalists, accusing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of engaging in vote buying during the exercise.

Aside from the vote-buying allegations, he also complained of record glitches that he said were disenfranchising many voters.

He added that there were security challenges in different parts of the state, which he claimed were affecting the conduct of a free and fair election.

From what Ive been hearing from here and there, there have been glitches, small problems here and there, and there have been security challenges here and there, loudly.

There have been vote-buying and that has become the biggest menace that has actually witch-hunted this country to the point of a standstill.

From one or two places my people have visited, and here in my community, right now, there are many things going on here and there. It cant be just who, its about the party, APGA, of course, the candidate is known, he said.

Mr Ukachukwu urged security agencies to act immediately to curb the alleged vote-buying.

Security agencies should curb the vote buying.

He also expressed optimism about his chances in the election.

I believe that winning is still possible because the day is still young. INEC is doing its best.
A new report by SBM Intelligence has revealed that Nigerias health system remains critically fragile five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, with no state scoring even 30 per cent preparedness.

The report, titled The SBM Health Preparedness Index 2025, released this week by the geopolitical and socio-economic research firm, assessed the capacity of all 36 states to respond to health emergencies.

It found that Abia State ranked highest with 26.85 points, while Katsina (12.54), Kebbi (13.31), and Ebonyi (12.85) were among the lowest-performing states.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria, like most African countries struggled to contain infections and manage logistics due to inadequate testing capacity, limited hospital infrastructure, and a shortage of critical health workers and supplies.

The new report shows that those same systemic weaknesses persist today.

Nationwide system under pressure

The report highlights an overstretched healthcare workforce, with an average of 15,361 patients per doctor nationwide, far below the World Health Organisation (WHO) benchmark of one doctor per 1,000 people.

In comparison, Enugu, Edo, and Lagos have fewer than 3,200 patients per doctor, while northern states such as Bauchi and Zamfara have more than 43,000.

The report links this imbalance to the ongoing Japa Syndrome, which has seen thousands of Nigerian health professionals migrate abroad in search of better pay and working conditions.

It warns that the resulting workforce shortage is fuelling longer hospital queues, overworked doctors, and rising preventable deaths, particularly in rural areas.

Uneven health budgets

According to the report, budget performance remains inconsistent across states.

While Lagos leads nominally with N221 billion allocated to health, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kano each dedicate more than 15 per cent of their total state budgets to the sector, among the highest in the country.

Conversely, Akwa Ibom (4.3 per cent) and Imo (3.5 per cent) rank among the lowest, highlighting what the report describes as weak political commitment to public health.

Measured per capita, Abia ( N22,926) and Ogun (N21,051) stand out as the top spenders, while Adamawa and Imo allocate less than N4,500 per resident.

The report notes that political will, rather than resources, often determines health outcomes across Nigerian states.

Regional inequalities persist

The report indicate that Southern states dominate the top half of the preparedness rankings, benefiting from stronger investment and better access to healthcare professionals.

It however, shows that for the first time, a southern state, Ebonyi, fell into the bottom five, indicating that fragility is no longer confined to northern regions.

The report also noted that northern states face multiple health challenges, including poor infrastructure, high infant mortality, and large household sizes. It warned that without targeted investment, the disparities risk widening further.

Recommendations

The organisation urged governments to act on three key fronts, including halting the ongoing brain drain by improving conditions for health professionals, increasing transparency and equity in health budgeting and prioritise the establishment of a national framework to redistribute medical personnel and resources across states.

The report cautioned that without these reforms, Nigeria risks facing the next health crisis in the same vulnerable state it was during COVID-19.

SBM Intelligence is an Africa-focused geopolitical research and strategic communications consulting firm.

It provides political, social, economic, and market data, as well as big data analytics, to clients in government and business.

Since 2013, it has conducted research and offered data-driven solutions across Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, South Africa, the UK, France, and the US.
Several young boys and girls were observed among voters waiting to cast their ballots at Polling Unit 002, Ward 1, Akwaihedi Central School, Akwaihedi, in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Some of the suspected underage voters had Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in their hands, while many, mostly boys, kept theirs in their pockets.

Most of the suspected underage voters refused to speak with the reporter.

However, one of them, who identified herself as Chioma, said she was 17 years old. As the conversation progressed, she later claimed to be 18 years old.

When asked the month she turned 18, she replied, This year, and refused to provide further details.

As of the time of filing this report, some of the suspected underage voters had already cast their ballots, while many others were still standing in the queue.

Those who voted were seen approaching some adults nearby who recorded their names in a notebook, an action widely perceived as a form of vote-buying.

The minimum voting age in Nigeria is 18 years. Nevertheless, cases of underage participation have frequently been reported in Nigerias electoral process.
The Governor of Anambra State and candidate for All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has alleged that there is a plan to rig the ongoing governorship election in the state.

Mr Soludo stated this after casting his vote at Polling Unit 002, Umuezeadigo Street in Isuofia, Aguata LGA.

Although Mr Soludo did not mention individuals involved in the alleged plan, he said they are plotting to swap election results.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the election featured irregularities such as vote-buying and intimidation of party agents, as alleged by one of the major candidates in the election.

Mr Soludo, according to Channels TV, stated that some people have written results to swap during the collation process.

He alleged that the plotters held a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to aid the process.

We hear they have even had meetings with INEC not to upload the results so that they can have the opportunity to manipulate the results, he said.

However, Mr Soludo expressed confidence in the electoral system.

But we have confidence that the system will sort it all out, he said. Our people are vigilant, organised and united. We will follow the process from the polling unit to the coalition at the ward, and from the ward to local governments and to the state.

Once the system works, we do not doubt that we are gonna win the 21 local governments, he added.

Mr Soludo,, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is seeking reelection in the fiercely contested polls.

He is contesting for the seat against 15 other candidates, including Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), George Moghalu of the Labour Party and John Chuma-Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has said Nigeria must reload itself to rediscover its moral direction and rebuild its national identity, lamenting the decline in shared ideals and values in the country.

Mr Kukah, a reverend, spoke on Friday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, during the 60th birthday celebration and book launch of journalist and ARISE News anchor, Reuben Abati.

Delivering his keynote address titled Nigeria: Time to Reload, Mr Kukah said Nigeria had become a nation of disrupted dreams, where moral and intellectual standards that once guided public life have waned with time.

Introducing his remarks, the cleric said that despite the accomplishments of Mr Abati and other journalists, the medias professional standards have dropped over time.

When I checked the records, I discovered that actually people like him and a lot of other people in the media, somehow, and please dont get me wrong, the standards are falling, not due to lack of intellect, but due to age, he said.

The event, which also marked the public presentation of Mr Abatis three books: Portraits: People, Politics and Society; A Love Letter and Other Stories; and How Goodluck Jonathan Became President, was attended by dignitaries from politics, media, and academia.

Nigerias identity crisis

Reflecting on Nigerias identity crisis, Mr Kukah said the country had failed to build shared values that inspire unity.

Many of you are familiar with the poem by Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken. It is evident that because we are taking so long to get to our destination, and because the goalposts are always constantly shifting, we must ask ourselves what has happened with map-reading. Why have we ended up with a nation of such disrupted dreams? he said.

He compared Nigerias lack of national monuments with countries that had built identity through history and symbolism.

I went to Alexandria in Egypt and was shocked by what I saw. Everything there is tied to tourism; they dont have oil, yet everything works. I asked myself, if somebody came to Nigeria today, where would I take them? In other countries, tourists can visit the White House or the Elysee Palace, but in Nigeria, you cannot even see the Presidential Villa unless you are flying over it, and you could be shot down, he said.

According to him, The absence of such monuments reflects a deeper absence of national myths that help in nation building.

We need to reload because either we fired our shot wrongly, or the target moved, or something has gone wrong. How do we explain the over 60,000 abandoned projects across Nigeria? How do we explain the billions of dollars lost to illicit financial flows, as captured in Kofi Annans report?

He lamented that religion, which should inspire peace and unity, had instead become a cause of division and death.

We are victims and hostages in the womb of ethnicity and religion, things that should inspire us. Religion has become a subject of death. So, where did we get it wrong? Even the things we did right, we failed to consolidate, he said.

Moral foundations

Mr Kukah criticised Nigerias failure to uphold a shared sense of national heroism.

The cleric also attributed Nigerias political instability to its colonial foundation. Books such as The Harold Smith Story and A Fatherless People by Dele Ogun document how the British manipulated the political process and sidelined visionary leaders like Awolowo and Azikiwe because of their radical ideas, he said.

We are acting in a play we didnt write, a play full of plots we are unprepared to deal with, he added.

He concluded by urging Nigeria to reload its moral compass: We need to reload to ask ourselves what is happening, what we are doing, and what we can do differently. Until we establish a moral foundation and a unifying national myth, Nigeria will continue to move without direction.

Tributes to Abati

President Bola Tinubu, in a release issued yesterday, described Mr Abati as a public intellectual, author, columnist, law graduate, and broadcaster whose insightful articles and television analyses continue to enlighten and inspire.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, also praised Mr Abatis contributions to journalism, literature, and public service.

Mr Obasanjo urged him to move from progress to success, while Jonathan commended his intellect and storytelling, saying: These books will remain a reference point for anyone studying that period.

In his remarks, Mr Abati expressed gratitude to guests and dignitaries, describing the day as one of thanksgiving and reflection.

For me, today is both a day of thanksgiving and celebration, he said. Im grateful for life, friendship, and the opportunity to serve my country through the power of words.

He recalled his early days at Hints Magazine and The Guardian, saying: At The Guardian, you had to prove your worth; even professors took tests.

Mr Abati dedicated his books to those who inspired his work and noted his wife, Kikelomo Abati, also presented three of her own books at the event.

The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat; former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; Chairman, THISDAY and Arise Media Group, Nduka Obaigbena; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings; Executive Commissioner for Operations at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Louis Odion; and Publisher, The Guardian Newspaper, Dame Alex-Ibru.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has received international commendation and a 10 million pledge from the European Union for his leadership in combating malnutrition in northwest Nigeria.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, praised Governor Radda on Thursday at the High-Level Conference on Mobilising Against Malnutrition held in Abuja.

Thank you, Governor Radda, for convening us today. Your leadership is key. You unlock financing, ensure accountability, and drive action, Mr Fall said.

The UN coordinator disclosed that over three million Nigerian children under five suffer from severe acute malnutrition, with two million still awaiting life-saving support.

He revealed that the UN and partners have reached one million children with treatment but warned that every delay steals a childs future.

Mr Fall urged governors across the northwest to release funds, mobilise teams, and support staff in stabilisation centres, stressing that solutions are available and Nigeria already produces nutrition commodities.

Similarly, the EU pledged 10 million and promised to coordinate additional donations from the World Bank, World Food Programme, and international NGOs for Katsina and the entire northwest region.

Recall, in his opening remarks, Mr Radda acknowledged the malnutrition crisis and outlined the states comprehensive response, including agricultural revolutions for food security and anti-banditry operations to secure communities.

We have accepted there is a malnutrition crisis, and all efforts are towards addressing the menace head-on, the governor stated.

The Executive Secretary of Katsina Development Management Board, Mustapha Shehu, described the conference as a giant step towards holistic partnership in tackling malnutrition.

He noted that organisations made concrete commitments to support the state in food security, nutrition treatment, and health interventions.

In her closing remark, the Director-General of the Northwest Governors Forum, Maryam Yahaya, presented stark statistics from the 2024 Northwest Nutrition Survey, revealing that 16.6 per cent of children under five in Sokoto State suffer acute malnutrition, 11.6 per cent in Katsina, and 10.4 per cent in Zamfara.

She disclosed that 2.8 million children across the region need urgent nutrition support, representing a 40 per cent increase in two years.

In Katsina, half of all children are stuntedtoo short for their age, too undernourished to learn, too weak to thrive, she said.

The forum committed to rolling out the Northwest Nutrition Roadmap 20252028, a joint plan coordinating states, partners, and data under one framework.

The conference was jointly organised by Katsina State Government and Medecins Sans Frontieres, with support from the European Union, UNICEF Nigeria, and development partners.
The Civil Society Coalition on Peace, Security, and Conflict Resolution (CPSC-CR) has commended the administration of Governor Umar Namadi, for its tireless and strategic commitment to promoting peace, strengthening security architecture, and fostering unity among the people of Jigawa State.

The CPSC-CR president, Muhammad Musbahu Basirka, in a press conference in Dutse, said, The recent donation of operational vehicles and motorcycles to the Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force is a commendable step toward boosting the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies and improving security response across the state.

This action reflects the administrations proactive vision for safeguarding lives, property, and ensuring lasting peace.

Beyond logistics support, the Governor Namadi administration continues to demonstrate strong political will and collaboration with security agencies, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders to tackle violent extremism, curb cross-border criminality, and address the recurring farmersherders conflicts through dialogue, mediation, and sustainable peacebuilding programs, Mr Basirka said.

The CPSC-CR urged the Federal Government and sub-national authorities to strengthen community policing, deepen intelligence sharing, and prioritise preventive measures over reactive force.

READ MORE: Sardauna Foundation says Jigawa governor upholds ideals of late Northern Premier

It emphasised that sustainable peace requires collaboration among government institutions, civil society, traditional rulers, and the media.

The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with stakeholders nationwide to promote transparency, accountability, and peacebuilding efforts that can make Nigeria safer, more united, and more prosperous.

As a coalition committed to peacebuilding, transparency, and accountability, we call upon government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, the media, and community leaders to deepen collaboration and build trust in advancing peace, social cohesion, and inclusive governance across the state.

In conclusion, the Civil Society Coalition on Peace, Security, and Conflict Resolution (CPSC-CR) reiterates its unwavering support for the Governor Umar Namadi administration and its strategic vision of building a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Jigawa State. We reaffirm our commitment to continue partnering with the government, security agencies, and other stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability, and peace across all communities, Mr Basirka stated.
New Britain, Connecticut-based Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK) provides hand tools, power tools, outdoor products, related accessories, engineered fastening systems, and several other items and services. With a market cap of $10.8 billion, the company's operations span the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

The tools and accessories giant has significantly underperformed the broader market over the past year. SWK stock has plummeted 26.7% over the past 52 weeks and 16% on a YTD basis, compared to the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 13.4% gains over the past year and 14.3% returns in 2025.

More News from Barchart

Narrowing the focus, SWK has also underperformed the sector-focused Industrial Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLI) 7.9% gains over the past 52 weeks and 15.8% surge on a YTD basis.

www.barchart.com

Stanley Black & Deckers stock prices observed a marginal uptick in the trading session following the release of its mixed Q3 results on Nov. 4. The companys topline has remained under pressure due to declining sales volumes. In Q3, its volumes again dropped by 6%, which was offset by price gains and favorable currency movements. Overall, its net revenues came in at $3.8 billion, up 13 bps year-over-year and 35 bps below the Streets expectations.

Further, the company has been focused on improving efficiency and reducing costs, but its adjusted S&A expenses as a percentage of sales increased from 20.8% in the year-ago quarter to 21%. Nonetheless, its adjusted EPS grew from $1.22 in Q3 2024 to $1.43, surpassing the consensus estimates by 20.2%.

For the full fiscal 2025, ending in December, analysts expect SWK to deliver an adjusted EPS of $4.55, up 4.4% year-over-year. On a more positive note, the company has a solid earnings surprise history. It has surpassed the Streets bottom-line estimates in each of the past four quarters by notable margins.

Among the 17 analysts covering the SWK stock, the consensus rating is a Moderate Buy. Thats based on six Strong Buys, 10 Holds, and one Strong Sell.

www.barchart.com

This configuration has remained stable in recent months.

On Nov. 5, Wells Fargo (WFC) analyst Joseph O'Dea reiterated an Equal-Weight rating on SWK, but lowered the price target from $80 to $75.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, has directed troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) to prepare for what he called a decisive phase in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Nigerian North-east.

Addressing soldiers at the OPHK headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, the army chief said the Nigerian Army was entering a critical stage of the counter-insurgency campaign and that failure is not an option.

You have been training to defeat the terrorists disturbing the North-east. This time, you are going to do it differently. All combat enablers have been provided. New platforms have been introducedall to ensure your success, he said.

Mr Shaibu, a lieutenant-general, said the ongoing phase of the operation would be led by a new generation of soldiers, urging them to build on and surpass the achievements of earlier troops who fought in national and international missions.

The army chiefs message reflected both urgency and determination, as intelligence reports suggest that Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, though weakened, are regrouping around the Lake Chad axis and exploiting porous borders.

Military analysts warn that any delay in the planned offensive could reverse recent gains amid growing regional instability and increased extremist propaganda.

Mr Shaibu disclosed that experienced officers had been deployed to the theatre and that new equipment and technologies were now available to support troops.

He also assured the soldiers that their welfare remained a top priority. From improved ration and prompt payment of allowances to enhanced medical care, we will continue to improve on your well-being, he said.

The army chief added that investments were being made in accommodation and education for soldiers children, noting, We will ensure your children attend the best schoolsour command and Army childrens schools.

During his two-day operational visit to Maiduguri, the COAS also visited wounded soldiers at the 7 Division Medical Specialists Hospital, inspected repaired armoured vehicles and the Nigerian Army Aviation/TB2 Armed Drone Hangar, commissioned new transit accommodation for troops, and paid a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Borno.

The visit signals the armys intention to shift from a largely defensive posture to a sustained offensive aimed at dismantling remaining insurgent strongholds in Nigerias North-east.
Two communities in north-central Nigeria erupted in protest on Friday following overnight attacks that left at least six people dead and several others missing in Nasarawa and Benue states.

In Sarkin Noma, a farming settlement in the Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, youths blocked the LafiaMakurdi highway after suspected armed herders reportedly invaded their community, killing two men and abducting one elderly resident.

In neighbouring Benue State, commercial motorcycle riderspopularly known as okadashut down the town of Gboko in a similar outcry over the killing of four of their colleagues by gunmen who also stole their motorcycles.

The two incidents indicate deepening frustration in rural and semi-urban areas over rising insecurity and slow government response to recurrent attacks.

Nasarawa: Youths block highway after midnight killings

In Sarkin Noma, residents told reporters that the attackers stormed the village between 11:30 p.m. and midnight, shooting sporadically.

A youth leader, Ogu Iliya, told reporters that about fifty gunmen believed to be herders raided the area, killing two young men and abducting an elderly man whose whereabouts remain unknown.

This is about the twelfth attack on our community in recent times. We live in fear. Anyone who returns late from the market risks being kidnapped or killed, Mr Iliya said.

Angered by the killings, hundreds of youths carried the bodies of the victims to the LafiaMakurdi highway at dawn, using them to block the busy road. Vehicular movement was halted for hours as protesters demanded immediate intervention from the federal and state governments.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Nasarawa, Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident. He said the Commissioner of Police, Shettima Mohammed Jauro, had led a team of security personnel to the area to restore calm.

Benue: Okada riders shut down Gboko over killings

In Gboko, Benue States second-largest town, hundreds of okada riders also took to the streets to protest the overnight murder of four of their members by gunmen.

The attackers reportedly killed the riders, stole their motorcycles, and fled under the cover of darkness.

As early as 6 a.m., protesters gathered at major junctions across Gboko, chanting solidarity songs and lighting bonfires. The demonstration disrupted business activities, forcing many residents to stay indoors for fear of violence.

One of the protest leaders, who declined to be named, said the killings had become routine.

Every week we lose someone. They kill our members and take away their bikes. Some of us are graduates doing this work to survive. We cant keep quiet any longer, he said.

The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area, Torseer Yina, condemned the attack and appealed for calm. In a statement issued through his media aide, Jacob Ukpi, Mr Yina said he had convened an emergency security meeting to track down the killers.

He also condoled with the Benue Motorcycle Association and families of the victims, assuring them that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

The Benue Police spokesperson, Udeme Edet, told reporters that normalcy had returned to the town and that an investigation into the killings was underway.

Pattern of rural insecurity

Both protests mirror a worsening pattern of violent attacks on rural dwellers and informal workers across north-central Nigeria  communities trapped between banditry, farmer-herder conflict, and weak policing.

Security experts say that without improved intelligence sharing and stronger community policing, the region could continue to experience deadly reprisals and breakdown of trust in the authorities.

For residents like those in Sarkin Noma and Gboko, Fridays demonstrations were not just an outburst of anger, but a desperate cry for protection in regions where nightfall often signals danger.
As the people of Anambra State head to the polls on Saturday to elect their new governor, many residents of Anambra North say they expect a peaceful and credible process, citing improved security and visible government projects that, in their view, will shape voting decisions.

During a visit to Omagba community in Onitsha, PREMIUM TIMES spoke with several residents who shared their expectations ahead of the election.

Oga Chuma, a long-time resident of the area, expressed strong confidence in the conduct of the poll. According to him, elections in Anambra have historically been peaceful, and he believes this year will not be different.

The election will be free and fair. Election in Anambra is always fair, he said. Ive never seen security as an issue in any election in Anambra State. Insecurity was in the past. Even on sit-at-home days, if you put election, it will still go on peacefully. Parties now hold campaigns on Mondays, and it went peacefully.

For Mr Chuma, the performance of the incumbent governor, Charles Soludo, is a major consideration for voters in Omagba and other parts of Anambra North.

He gestured towards the road where he stood and said, This road Im standing on was done by Soludo. He did twelve roads in this locality. Twelve. So what do you expect? Naturally, people will vote for people who promise promise fulfilled. If you go around, you count it, twelve roads.

He also credited the governor for reclaiming an open field in the community that was allegedly being encroached upon.

What he did in this locality he helped us recover this field, he said, pointing to a space where residents sat under canopies. Somebody almost claimed this field. He came and helped recover it. Public space for everybody. If not, by now somebody would have fenced this place.

Although Mr Chuma maintained that personal preferences differ, he insisted that, based on performance, the governor stands a strong chance of winning.

Im not saying he is the best. Your best may not be my best. But for now, I believe, everything being equal, Soludo will win on merit, he said. We know how this road was before; we suffered. Soludo did not do it because of the election. He did it for us. He made us human beings.

Mr Chuma also referenced road works in Okpoko and Nzam, describing the latter as one of the most surprising transformations.

I went to Nzam last week Friday, I could not believe it. I went there twelve years ago and swore Id never go again. But I drove to Nzam on a tarred road, he said. Soludo is winning, let us be open to ourselves.

He added that Ifeanyi Ubah, the Anambra South senator, who recently died, would have been the only candidate capable of giving the incumbent a strong challenge.

The person who would have given Soludo the problem, unfortunately, died. Ifeanyi Ubah would have rattled him, he said. Many of those other candidates cannot win the local government elections. The APC person will try his best. But incumbency is a big factor in politics, and Soludo has done his best. He may not be perfect. Its easier to make promises.

Another resident, Chiemenam Ubah, told PREMIUM TIMES that many voters in Anambra North are more concerned about stability and continuity than political rhetoric.

Ms Ubah said she believes the conduct of the security agencies and the level of preparation by INEC have reassured residents.

She added that infrastructure projects, especially inner roads, have shaped public sentiment ahead of the poll.

In Omagba and other parts of Onitsha, the roads have changed. That is why many people are talking about performance, she said. Even if someone is not supporting Soludo, they will admit that he has touched places past governments ignored for years.

Ms Ubah cautioned, however, that voters still expect more.

People want continuity, but they also want improvement. Not everything has been done. Markets, drainage, and streetlights still need attention. Whoever wins must not relax, she said.
With less than 24 hours to the Anambra State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was still charging Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines late into Friday night at its Ogbaru Local Government Area office in Atani.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that a medium-sized yellow generator was running around 5:45 p.m. to supply power to dozens of BVAS devices, while party agents waited around the premises.

An agent of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, said the late-night activity suggested that the commission was not prepared earlier in the day.

When we came in the morning, it was obvious they were not ready, he said.

As of 7:30 p.m., several BVAS machines were still being powered. INEC officials declined to comment when approached by this newspaper for explanations on the late preparations.

Security presence around the Ogbaru council headquarters was heavy, with police officers and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed in anticipation of Saturdays poll.

Background of previous attack

A section of the Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat remains unrepaired months after it was burnt during an attack by gunmen in July 2024.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that armed men stormed the secretariat in the Atani community in the early hours of the morning, firing sporadically before setting several vehicles ablaze.

Residents said at least five vehicles  including two pickup trucks, two buses, and a tricycle truck  were destroyed, while one pickup truck was partially burnt. A video clip of the aftermath circulated widely on social media.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident at the time, noting that no lives were lost.

He said the gunmen, who arrived on motorcycles and another vehicle, were resisted by vigilante operatives before police reinforcements arrived.

A deputy commissioner of police later led a joint team of security agencies  including the army and navy  to the scene for an assessment, while operations to track down the attackers were launched.
Voting began early in several parts of Anambra State on Saturday as residents turned out to elect a new governor.

However, reports from different polling units showed that security personnel were missing in some areas, raising concerns about coordination and crowd control.

At Umunuko Central School, Ukpor Ward 1 in Nnewi South Local Government Area, election materials arrived on time, and party agents, especially those of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), were present.

The atmosphere became noisy and uncoordinated as groups of voters discussed which party to support. Polling officials at units 6, 7, and 8 said security men had been deployed but were not seen as of 9:14 a m

In Anaocha LGA, voting was underway at Peter Obis polling unit in Agulu Ward 2 (PU 019), though no security agent was on the ground. The Labour Partys presidential candidate in the 2023 election had not yet cast his vote as of 9:28 a.m.

A similar situation was observed in Orumba North LGA. At Central Primary School, Awa Ward 5 (PU 009), the presiding officer and assistants were on duty, and voting materials were in full view, but there was no security presence as of 8:42 a.m.

In Ndiukwueni Ward 13 (PU 008), polling had also been set up, but only two officials were sighted at 8:06 a m

In Aguata LGA, where Governor Charles Soludo is expected to vote, ad-hoc staff were ready at Isuofia Code 13 as early as 8:10 a.m. Voting was yet to commence at the time, and only voters were present, with no sign of security personnel.

More than two million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 5,720 polling units in the 21 local government areas of the state.

Sixteen candidates are contesting the governorship seat, with the race largely seen as a contest between incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Soludo, first elected in November 2021 and inaugurated in March 2022, is seeking a second and final term in office.

Despite the absence of security officers in some polling units, voting preparations and early participation appeared to be proceeding smoothly across much of the state.
Reports from parts of Anambra State indicate that vote-buying and disorder marred the ongoing governorship election in some areas.

At about 10:04 a.m., chaos erupted at Unity Primary School, Mgbago, Ward 13, Polling Unit 6, in Umeri, Anambra East Local Government Area. Party agents of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) allegedly disrupted the voting process.

Witnesses said the agents were seen with books and pens, writing down the names of voters who claimed to have voted for their parties. They were also accused of manipulating elderly voters who appeared confused about the process. According to observers, YPP agents shared N5,000 and portions of rice to voters who agreed to vote for them.

The Supervisory Presiding Officer at the polling unit attempted to restore order, but the agents reportedly ignored instructions. Both armed and unarmed security officers were present, yet the situation remained tense. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) agent at the unit was also accused of peeping into the voting area to confirm voters choices, a violation of electoral rules.

Earlier, at 9:43 a.m., voting was ongoing at Polling Units 007 and 008, Ward 8, in Onitsha North Local Government Area, located at Ezechima Primary School and St. Charles College.

The process was largely peaceful with tight security checks, but cases of vote buying were observed. An APGA agent was allegedly seen canvassing and quietly inducing voters with promises of N20,000 each for those who voted for the party. Many residents loitered around the polling centres, waiting to see which party would offer the highest payment.

At 9:55 a.m., in Ihiala Local Government Area, agents representing APGA at LiLu (Ward 18, Polling Units 01 and 07) were seen writing down names of voters after they cast their votes, a move observers say is part of the vote-buying process.

By 10:14 a.m., tension reportedly over money erupted at Ikenga Primary School 1, Polling Unit 020, Ward 17, Ufuma 1, Orumba North Local Government Area. People argued over the cash offered by party agents. Observers said the APGA agent in the unit was giving N5,000, while an agent in a neighbouring unit was offering N10,000. A woman loudly reported the discrepancy, prompting others to try to silence her because of the presence of journalist.

At Utah secondary school, units (5-8), Nnewi South, political thugs openly canvassed votes and assisted voters to put their ballot papers in the ballot box.
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has cast his ballot in the Anambra State governorship election.

Mr Obi, a former governor of the state, voted at Polling Unit 019, Agulu II, in Anaocha Local Government Area.

He spoke to journalists shortly after exercising his franchise.

He alleged that the election was marred by widespread vote buying.

Unfortunately, those who are the victims of bad governance seem to be fuelling it.

What you see is vote buying to the tune of N20,000, N30,000, and N50,000, Mr Obi said.
Pooled 48-week results from two Phase II studies show sustained antiviral responses and a favorable safety profile of AHB-137 in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients on NA therapy.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AusperBio Therapeutics, Inc. and Ausper Biopharma Co., Ltd. (together AusperBio), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced that 48-week data from its two ongoing Phase II studies of AHB-137 were presented in a late-breaking poster session at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) The Liver Meeting 2025, held November 711 in Washington D.C., USA.

The presentation featured pooled 48-week data from two multicenter, randomized Phase II studies (Phase IIa, NCT06115993; Phase IIb, NCT06550128) in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy.

AHB-137 treatment achieved robust and sustained antiviral responses 24 weeks after the end of treatment (Week 48), including complete response (HBsAg < 0.05 IU/mL and HBV DNA < LLOQ) and partial response (HBsAg < 10 IU/mL and HBV DNA < LLOQ). The 300 mg, 24-week regimen showed the highest response rates, with efficacy consistent across baseline HBsAg strata. AHB-137 was well tolerated, and no new safety signals were identified during the off-treatment phase. These results support the continued development of AHB-137 toward a functional cure for CHB.

The presentation details are as follows:

Publication Number: 5022 Date and Time: November 8, 2025, 8:00 am  5:00 pm ET Abstract Title: High Proportion of Participants Achieved Sustained Complete Response 24 Weeks After End of AHB-137 Treatment in HBeAg Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Participants on NA Therapy: Pooled Analysis of Two Phase 2 Studies in China Session: Saturday Late Breaking Posters ("5019-5025") Authors: Yanhua Ding, Xieer Liang, Yanhang Gao, Dachuan Cai, Xian Yu, Youwen Tan, Haibing Gao, Jidong Jia, Hong Ren, Chongyuan Xu, Shan Zhong, Zhihong Liu, Hong Ma, Wen Wang, Xingbei Zhou, Huaxi Ma, Yi Yang, Xinrui Wang, Fei Kong, Lidan Wang, Di Zhao, Xiao Qiu, Chen Yang, Yeming Pan, Hao Wang, Miao Wang, Chris Yang, Guofeng Cheng, Jinlin Hou, and Junqi Niu

The full scientific programme for The Liver Meeting 2025, as well as the abstracts, can be found at AASLD website.

About AHB-137

AHB-137 is a novel unconjugated antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) designed using AusperBio's proprietary Med-Oligo ASO technology platform. It is being developed as an investigational therapy aimed at achieving a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B. AHB-137 has demonstrated promising preclinical and clinical results, with key findings presented at major international conferences including EASL (2023, 2024, 2025), AASLD (2024), and APASL (2025). This novel dual-mechanism ASO has completed a global Phase I study and is currently being evaluated in multiple Phase II studies and a phase III trial in China. Supported by a coordinated global development strategy, AHB-137 is advancing toward its goal of delivering a potential functional cure for HBV infection.

About AusperBio.

AusperBio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with operations in the USA and China, dedicated to advancing oligonucleotide and targeted delivery technologies for transformative therapies, with an initial focus on achieving functional cure for chronic hepatitis B infection. The company has developed a proprietary Med-OligoTM ASO platform which has been shown to substantially enhance the current ASO therapeutics, through novel insights into ASO design. Combining efficient targeted delivery conjugation technologies, the modular Med-OligoTM Platform empowers ASO therapeutics to treat a broad range of diseases, including viral infections, metabolic conditions, genetic disorders, and immune diseases. For more information, visit www.ausperbio.com

Media Contact

Email: [email protected]

Investor Contact

Tel: 650-888-1756 (US)

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE AusperBio Therapeutics Inc.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Quanex To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired securities in Quanex between December 12, 2024 and September 5, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Quanex Building Products Corporation ("Quanex" or the "Company") (NYSE: NX) and reminds investors of the November 18, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

James (Josh) Wilson, Faruqi & Faruqi Senior Partner (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP)

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) the Company's procedures and policies regarding tooling and equipment maintenance in its Tyman Mexico facility were significantly "underinvested"; (2) as a result, the Company's tooling and equipment conditions had significantly degraded to near "catastrophic" levels; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company was likely to incur significant costs, "pushing out the timing" of expected benefits from the Tyman integration; (4) that Quanex had previously identified the foregoing issues; and (5) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On September 4, 2025, after the market closed, Quanex announced financial results for the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year. Among other things, the Company disclosed "operational issues related to the legacy Tyman window and door hardware business in Mexico that are ongoing" which "impacted results more than expected during the third quarter of 2025." Specifically, the Company reported a diluted EPS of ($6.04), compared to $0.77 in the prior year period and an adjusted EBIDTA of $70.30. The Company further disclosed that it was "adjusting for lower expected volumes and pushing out the timing of when [it] expect[s] to realize procurement savings" from the integration of the Tyman business.

Then, on September 5, 2025, the Company held an earnings call pursuant to the Company's third quarter 2025 financial results. During the earnings call, Chief Executive Officer, George Wilson ("Wilson") explained "operational challenges" in the Tyman facility in Mexico "negatively impacted EBITDA in the Hardware Solutions segment by almost $5 million in the third quarter alone." Wilson further explained that the issue was previously "identified midyear" as it got "deeper into the integration" with Tyman, and described how the systems used to "anticipate and plan for tooling repairs" were significantly deficient, indicating it was near "nonexistent." Wilson stated because Quanex was "underinvested" in "the tooling condition and the equipment condition" it "had to make some changes and fix some things before it was catastrophic."

On this news, Quanex's stock price fell $2.73, or 13.1%, to close at $18.18 per share on September 5, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume. The stock price continued to decline on the subsequent trading day, falling $1.98 or 10.9%, to close at $16.20 per share on September 8, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Quanex's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Quanex Building Products class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/NX or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP
Startups have never been able to offer the same sizable salaries as big tech companies. Now with companies like Meta and OpenAI willing to pay million-dollar salaries amid the AI race  the compensation divide has grown even larger.

Early-stage startups are not doomed though. If they develop a compensation strategy that is generous, fair, and flexible, they can offer competitive compensation packages and give themselves room to adjust their approach as they grow, according to founders and experts who were onstage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

Startups shouldnt try to compete with big tech companies anyway, Yin Wu, the co-founder and CEO of equity management software Pulley, said on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt in October. She added that a stable tech company and a startup dont generally attract the same potential candidates to begin with.

Startups should instead be as charitable as they can in their compensation packages, Wu said, regardless of their inability to match a big tech companys paycheck.

My pretty strong opinion when it comes to equity for a startup is that you should be more generous than what you think you should be, Wu said. I think it is unlikely, if the company is really successful, youre going to look back and say, man, I gave away too much equity of everyone that was at my company trying to make this company really successful.'

Randi Jakubowitz, the head of talent at 645 Ventures, agreed. Jakubowitz added that when a startup is looking to make a competitive offer, they should set clear goals for the person they are hiring to ensure that hire lives up to the compensation they are getting.

Make sure youre holding them accountable and make sure that you understand what the implications are from a vesting cliff standpoint, Jakubowitz said, regarding when employees gain control over their equity stakes. Thats where, if you dont move quickly if someones underperforming, thats equity that youll never get back if they are fully vested. Make sure that theres very clear accountability. 

The panelists also stressed that companies dont need to get their compensation and equity strategies set in stone from the start. Startups should instead ensure their approach is fair from the beginning, so even if they do want to change, they have the proper foundation to do so without setting themselves up for legal trouble or soured office politics.

For Wu, and her company Pulley, that meant setting standards around compensation packages. Wu said the company pays a set range for each role  regardless of where a potential employee is based  and consistently builds compensation packages with equity offerings in the 90th percentile.
Approved indication: KYGEVVI  (doxecitine and doxribtimine) powder for oral solution (2g/2g) is approved for the treatment of thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2d) in adults and pediatric patients with an age of symptom onset on or before 12 years. 1

KYGEVVI (doxecitine and doxribtimine) powder for oral solution (2g/2g) is approved for the treatment of thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2d) in adults and pediatric patients with an age of symptom onset on or before 12 years. Survival benefit: Treatment reduced the overall risk of death from the start of treatment by approximately 86% (95% CI: 61%, 96%). 1

Treatment reduced the overall risk of death from the start of treatment by approximately 86% (95% CI: 61%, 96%). Burden of disease: TK2d is an ultra-rare, life-threatening, genetic mitochondrial disease characterized by progressive and severe muscle weakness (myopathy).2

ATLANTA, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB (Euronext Brussels: UCB), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that KYGEVVI has been granted approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients living with thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2d), with an age of symptom onset on or before 12 years.1 It is the first and only approved treatment for these patients living with TK2d.

TK2d is an ultra-rare, life-threatening, genetic mitochondrial disease characterized by progressive (worsening over time) and severe muscle weakness (myopathy) with no approved treatment options beyond supportive care until now.2,3,4,5 It is often fatal, with those experiencing initial symptoms on or before the age of 12 years facing a high risk of premature death (often occurring within 3 years after symptom onset).6 It is estimated that the worldwide prevalence of TK2d is 1.64 [0.5, 3.1] cases per 1,000,000 people.7

"The approval of doxecitine and doxribtimine represents a pivotal moment for the TK2d community who previously had no FDA-approved treatment options for this rare genetic mitochondrial disease beyond supportive [palliative] care," said Donatello Crocetta, Chief Medical Officer at UCB. "We extend heartfelt thanks to the patients, families and friends, advocates, healthcare providers and dedicated clinical trial teams who have partnered with us on this important journey."

"It's hard to overstate the importance of this FDA approval for those diagnosed with TK2d. This is an ultra-rare disease community in dire need of treatment options. For too long, caregivers and their families have had to endure the burden of this disease," said Kristen Clifford, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation President and CEO. "Having the first-ever FDA-approved therapy for TK2d in this patient population not only meets a critical medical need - it represents something greater - hope for the future."

"I've been studying mitochondrial diseases for more than three decades and have witnessed firsthand the impact TK2d has on patients and their families. We have been waiting for an approved treatment for many years, and this approval marks a significant milestone in how we can support and manage this debilitating condition," said Dr. Michio Hirano, Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Supporting data

The KYGEVVI approval is supported by safety and efficacy data from one Phase 2 clinical study, two retrospective chart review studies, and an expanded access use program*.1,8,9,10,11 These studies included a total of 82 unique patients treated with KYGEVVI or pyrimidine nucleosides with an age of TK2d symptom onset 12 years. Efficacy was assessed by comparing overall survival in these pediatric and adult treated patients to an external control group of untreated patients who were matched to treated patients using age of TK2d symptom onset ( 2 years or >2 to  12 years).1 A total of 78 matched pairs were identified. The results showed that survival time from treatment start was improved; treatment reduced the overall risk of death from treatment start by approximately 86% (95% CI: 61%, 96%).1 Of the 78 treated patients included in the survival analysis, the median age of TK2d symptom onset was 1.5 years (range: 0.01 to 12 years).1 The median duration of treatment was 4 years (range: 1 day to 12 years) and the median dose received was 762 mg/kg/day (range: 260 to 800 mg/kg/day).1

The most common adverse reactions (incidence 5%) are diarrhea, abdominal pain (including abdominal pain upper), vomiting, alanine aminotransferase increased (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase increased (AST).1

A regulatory review of doxecitine and doxribtimine is currently underway by the EMA (European Medicines Agency), and further regulatory submissions are planned. KYGEVVI is currently not approved for use in any indication by any regulatory authority outside of the U.S. UCB expects KYGEVVI to be commercially available in the U.S. in Q1, 2026. To further its mission of equitable care, UCB will provide a personalized support program for KYGEVVI that places the needs of patients and caregivers at the forefront.

In the U.S., KYGEVVI received Orphan Drug, Breakthrough, Priority Review and Rare Pediatric Disease designations from the FDA.12,13 With this approval by FDA, UCB was awarded a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (RPDPRV) redeemable for a priority review for a future marketing application.

About KYGEVVI

KYGEVVI is a combination of doxecitine and doxribtimine, both pyrimidine nucleosides, indicated for the treatment of thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2d) in adults and pediatric patients with an age of symptom onset on or before 12 years.1 Administration of KYGEVVI is intended to incorporate the pyrimidine nucleosides, deoxycytidine and deoxythymidine, into skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA.1 This action restores mitochondrial DNA copy number in TK2d mutant mice.1

Important safety information for KYGEVVI1

Increase in Liver Transaminases

Elevated liver transaminase [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST)] levels were reported in patients treated with KYGEVVI. Obtain baseline liver transaminase (ALT, AST) and total bilirubin levels in patients prior to treatment initiation with KYGEVVI. If signs or symptoms consistent with liver injury are observed, interrupt treatment with KYGEVVI until liver transaminase (ALT, AST) and total bilirubin levels have either returned to baseline or stabilized at a new baseline value. Consider permanently discontinuing KYGEVVI if signs or symptoms consistent with liver injury persist or worsen. Monitor liver transaminases and total bilirubin levels yearly and as clinically indicated.

Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions

Diarrhea and vomiting leading to hospitalization, dose reduction, and permanent discontinuation were reported in patients treated with KYGEVVI. Based on the severity of the diarrhea and/or vomiting, reduce the dosage of KYGEVVI or interrupt treatment until diarrhea and/or vomiting improves or returns to baseline. Consider restarting KYGEVVI at the last tolerated dose, and increase the dose as tolerated. For persistent or recurring diarrhea and/or vomiting, consider discontinuing KYGEVVI permanently and provide supportive care with electrolyte repletion as clinically indicated.

Please see the full U.S Prescribing Information for additional information. Talk to your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment.

*The KYGEVVI approval is supported by safety and efficacy data from one Phase 2 clinical study (Trial 1, (NCT03845712), two retrospective chart review studies (Study 1 and Study 2, NCT03701568 and NCT05017818 respectively), and an expanded access use program (NCT06590493).

For more information about the trial visit: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03845712 (NCT03845712); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03701568 (NCT03701568); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05017818 (NCT05017818); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06590493 (NCT06590493).

For further information, contact UCB:

Global Communications

Nick Francis

T: +44 7769 307745

[email protected]

US Rare Diseases Communications

Daphne Teo

T: +1 770.880.7655

[email protected]

Corporate Communications, Media Relations

Laurent Schots

T +32.2.559.92.64

[email protected]

Investor Relations

Antje Witte

T +32.2.559.94.14

[email protected]

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 9 000 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of  6.1 billion in 2024. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news

Forward-looking statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "potential", "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will", "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of UCB, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this document.

Important factors that could result in such differences include but are not limited to: global spread and impacts of wars, pandemics and terrorism, the general geopolitical environment, climate change, changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms or within expected timing, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues, supply chain disruption and business continuity risks; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of UCB's information technology systems, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, competition from other products including biosimilars or disruptive technologies/business models, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in laws and/or rules pertaining to tax and duties or the administration of such laws and/or rules, and hiring, retention and compliance of employees. There is no guarantee that new product candidates will be discovered or identified in the pipeline, or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Movement from concept to commercial product is uncertain; preclinical results do not guarantee safety and efficacy of product candidates in humans. So far, the complexity of the human body cannot be reproduced in computer models, cell culture systems or animal models. The length of the timing to complete clinical trials and to get regulatory approval for product marketing has varied in the past and UCB expects similar unpredictability going forward. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to disputes between the partners or may prove to be not as safe, effective or commercially successful as UCB may have believed at the start of such partnership. UCB's efforts to acquire other products or companies and to integrate the operations of such acquired companies may not be as successful as UCB may have believed at the moment of acquisition. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products and/or devices after they are marketed. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of UCB's products that implicate an entire class of products may have a material adverse effect on sales of the entire class of affected products. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment, including pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement activities and outcomes. Finally, a breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UCB's data and systems.

Given these uncertainties, the public is cautioned not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this document, and do not reflect any potential impacts from the evolving event or risk as mentioned above as well as any other adversity, unless indicated otherwise. The company continues to follow the development diligently to assess the financial significance of these events, as the case may be, to UCB.

UCB expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this document, either to confirm the actual results or to report or reflect any change in its forward-looking statements with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless such statement is required pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.

References:

KYGEVVI U.S. Prescribing Information Berardo A, et al. Advances in Thymidine Kinase 2 Deficiency: Clinical Aspects, Translational Progress, and Emerging Therapies. J Neuromuscul Dis. 2022;9(2):225-235. Wang J, et al. eds. GeneReviews. [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Dominguez-Gonzalez C, et al. Late-onset thymidine kinase 2 deficiency: a review of 18 cases. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2019;14(1):100. National Institute of Health. TK2-related mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, myopathic form. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/tk2-related-mitochondrial-dna-depletion-syndrome-myopathic-form/#genes. Accessed October 2025. Hirano M, et al. The Disease Course of Untreated Patients with Thymidine Kinase 2 Deficiency (TK2d) Aged 12 Years at TK2d Symptom Onset: Findings from the Largest International TK2d Dataset. 2025 AAN. Ma Y. 2023 ISPOR Europe. EPH140. ClinicalTrials.gov.NCT03701568. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03701568. Accessed October 2025. ClinicalTrials.gov.NCT03845712. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03845712. Accessed October 2025. ClinicalTrials.gov.NCT05017818. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05017818. Accessed October 2025. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT06590493. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06590493. Accessed October 2025. U.S. FDA Orphan Drug Designations and Approvals.https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/detailedIndex.cfm?cfgridkey=532716. Accessed October 2025. UCB Press Release. https://www.ucb.com/newsroom/press-releases/article/on-growth-path-for-a-decade-plus-strong-launch-execution-driving-company-growth. Accessed October 2025.

2025 UCB, Inc., Smyrna, GA 30080. All rights reserved. US-MT-2500022

SOURCE UCB
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zinzino has signed an agreement with Mexico-based direct sales company Sanki to acquire the rights to the company's distributor database and associated customer register, inventory, and IP rights. In addition to the assets, 100% of the shares in Sanki's subsidiaries in Colombia and Peru are being acquired to accelerate the establishment processes and increase distribution power in those countries.

The acquisition of Sanki adds increased distribution power in combination with an innovative, trademarked product portfolio, tailored to be integrated into Zinzino's test-based product concept. The asset acquisition is also another strategically important step in Zinzino's growth plans, with a focus on improving personal health and well-being on a global level with innovative biotechnology and a groundbreaking product portfolio marketed through direct sales.

Sanki is a direct sales company in the health segment, operating in North America (USA and Mexico) and South America (Colombia and Peru). Its brand portfolio offers a range of innovative and patented products in the field of health and well-being. The business has a total annual turnover of approximately USD 12 million. The collaboration with Zinzino is expected to add growth through the synergies that arise in the joint networks, combined with the integration of Sanki's product portfolio into Zinzino's test-based product concept. Profitability through the transactions will thus be able to develop well by utilizing Zinzino's existing technical platform and organization. The partnership will also accelerate Zinzino's expansion in Peru and Colombia.

Upon completion on January 1, 2026, Zinzino shall pay a fixed purchase price of USD 8 million, of which USD 7 million shall be settled through newly issued Zinzino shares. The cash portion of the purchase price, USD 1 million, will be paid from the company's own cash reserves. In addition, additional purchase prices based on future sales development may be added, amounting to a maximum of USD 12 million. The additional purchase price shall be settled in full with newly issued Zinzino shares.

A visionary mindset, a tech-first perspective, test-based nutrition at the cellular level, and a strong position to capitalize on current trends will form the basis of the partnership with Sanki. Following the acquisitions of VMA Life in 2020, Enhanzz in 2022, Xelliss and ACN in 2024, and the asset acquisitions of Zurvita, Valentus, Ecosystem, Truvy, and Bode Pro in 2025, Zinzino has been looking for further investments to maintain its sustainable, profitable growth, strengthen its distribution power, expand into new markets, and leverage its product portfolio in new consumer areas.

"Individual advice and tailor-made solutions are the future, and not just in health and wellness," say Dag Bergheim Pettersen, CEO of Zinzino. Together with Alejandro Lopez Tello, CEO and co-founder of Sanki, we have many years of combined industry experience. We are delighted to have taken the next step and are now well equipped to drive the modern, personalized shopping experience forward through direct sales.

For more information, please contact:

Dag Bergheim Pettersen CEO Zinzino +47 (0) 932 25 700, [email protected]

Fredrik Nielsen CFO Zinzino +46 707 900 174, email: [email protected]

Images for free publication:

[email protected]

Certified Adviser:

DNB Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ.)

This information is information that Zinzino AB (publ.) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out above at 4 PM CET on November 8, 2025.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/zinzino/r/zinzino-ab--publ--zinzino-acquires-mexican-company-sanki-to-increase-distribution-capacity-in-north-,c4264022

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Zinzino
Kingfisher stock has seen its price target revised following recent analyst commentary. This revision reflects shifting perspectives based on a subtle increase in the discount rate as well as a significant slowdown in revenue growth. Stay tuned to discover how you can keep informed as expert views on Kingfisher continue to evolve in response to new market realities.

Stay updated as the Fair Value for Kingfisher shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Kingfisher.

What Wall Street Has Been Saying

Recent analyst commentary on Kingfisher stock highlights a range of opinions regarding the company's valuation, execution, and growth prospects. The following summarizes both bullish and bearish perspectives shared by major investment firms.

 Bullish Takeaways

JPMorgan, represented by analyst Georgina Johanan, has raised its price target for Kingfisher to 290 GBp from 260 GBp. This reflects some optimism about the company's outlook, even though the firm has maintained an Underweight rating.

The price target increase by JPMorgan suggests recognition of Kingfisher's capacity for stable execution and ongoing initiatives to sustain revenue growth. Analysts are attentive to Kingfisher's cost control measures and operational transparency as key factors driving valuation improvements.

Even among more neutral stances, analysts continue to highlight management's disciplined approach and Kingfisher's ability to adapt to market dynamics.

 Bearish Takeaways

Deutsche Bank analyst Adam Cochrane recently downgraded Kingfisher to Hold from Buy and lowered the price target to 280 GBp from 320 GBp. The rationale points to a more cautious stance on the UK consumer outlook, introducing potential near-term risks to growth momentum.

Analyst reservations remain centered on valuation concerns, with some experts noting that much of the potential upside may already be priced in given current market conditions.

Heightened caution regarding consumer sentiment and economic headwinds indicates that analysts are closely watching for signs that execution strength can counterbalance broader challenges for Kingfisher's near-term performance.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative!

LSE:KGF Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025

What's in the News
Rising Attacks and Institutional Discrimination Against Christians in Syria

A detailed field report by the Syriac Strategic Research Centre (SSRC) has documented what it calls a "pattern of escalating violations" against Syria's Christian population since the fall of the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The report, Protecting Syria's Religious and Ethnic Minorities: The Need for Urgent Action, was released at the end of October 2025 and records more than a dozen major incidents of violence, desecration, and systemic discrimination across the country.

According to the SSRC, the political upheaval that followed the regime's collapse left large parts of Syria fragmented among armed factions, creating a power vacuum that emboldened extremist groups and allowed sectarian violence to spread. The report describes a "climate of fear and impunity" in which attacks on churches, cemeteries, and Christian homes have become frequent, and where education and security institutions have begun to adopt discriminatory policies.

According to the report, churches and cemeteries have been repeatedly vandalized, crosses destroyed, and Christmas trees set on fire in several cities. The SSRC noted that in December 2024, gunmen attacked the Greek (Rum) Orthodox Archdiocese in Hemto (Hama), desecrated a cemetery, and destroyed religious icons. Around the same time, armed groups entered Christian districts of Holeb (Aleppo), forcing residents to comply with religious dress codes and segregate men and women in public spaces. Videos of militants burning crosses and denouncing Christians were widely shared on social media.

The report also documented the suicide bombing targeting the Mar Elias Church in Daramsuq (Damascus) on 22 June 2025, which claimed the lives of 29 worshippers and wounded 60 others. The attack, attributed by the government to the Islamic State (ISIS), is described as "a devastating blow to one of the few remaining active Christian congregations in the capital." Additional incidents include assassinations along the Latakia highway, kidnappings in Hmoth (Homs) province, and a series of arson attacks that forced families to flee from long-established Christian neighborhoods.

While the perpetrators often remain unidentified, the SRRC says evidence points to a mix of jihadist cells, opportunistic militias, and local authorities. Some groups, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now the de facto government of Syria, reportedly issued apologies or paid compensation after incidents, but the absence of transparent investigations or judicial accountability has left survivors without justice. "Impunity has become the rule, not the exception," the report states.

Beyond physical violence, the report highlights administrative and cultural pressures. It notes sweeping education reforms introduced in January 2025 that, according to community leaders, infuse religious language into public school curricula and marginalize Christian history and culture. Local Church figures interviewed by the SSRC said the new textbooks "risk institutionalizing discrimination and eroding the pluralistic identity of Syria."

The report details other forms of coercion, including the confiscation of homes and shops belonging to displaced Christians, the imposition of "taxes" or tributes by armed factions, and threats that forced families to abandon property. Leaflets calling for violence against Christians were found in multiple towns, and some security branches reportedly participated in arbitrary arrests or intimidation campaigns.

The SSRC concludes with a set of urgent recommendations directed at the United Nations, international NGOs, and regional actors. It calls for independent investigations into all documented violations, protection of churches and religious sites, emergency aid for displaced families, and sanctions on groups involved in sectarian attacks. The SSRC also urges reforms to reverse discriminatory education policies and to uphold constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.

The organization links the rise in sectarian incidents to the political vacuum left by the regime's collapse in December 2024, which it says allowed local armed groups to consolidate control and impose ideological agendas in previously mixed areas. "For Christian communities already diminished by years of conflict, the current escalation threatens their very survival," the report warns.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for mechanisms to monitor violence against religious minorities in Syria, but the SSRC's latest findings suggest that conditions have deteriorated sharply in 2025. The report closed with a stark appeal: "Without swift and coordinated international intervention, Syria risks losing one of its oldest and most integral communities."
Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) shareholders have seen the share price descend 13% over the month. On the bright side the share price is up over the last half decade. However we are not very impressed because the share price is only up 35%, less than the market return of 87%.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early.

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Over half a decade, Teledyne Technologies managed to grow its earnings per share at 11% a year. This EPS growth is higher than the 6% average annual increase in the share price. So it seems the market isn't so enthusiastic about the stock these days.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

NYSE:TDY Earnings Per Share Growth November 8th 2025

It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. This free interactive report on Teledyne Technologies' earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

A Different Perspective

Teledyne Technologies shareholders gained a total return of 4.9% during the year. But that was short of the market average. On the bright side, the longer term returns (running at about 6% a year, over half a decade) look better. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Teledyne Technologies that you should be aware of.

If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of undervalued small caps that insiders are buying.
On Monday, The Korea Economic Daily reported that Tesla reached a major supply agreement with Samsung SDI. The deal, valued at more than 3 trillion won (about $2.1 billion), will have the South Korean battery maker supplying cells to Tesla over a three-year period. The outlet, citing an unnamed source in the battery industry, noted that this marks the largest battery order ever for the South Korean firm.

Shares of the EV maker have gained 10% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. TSLA stock came under pressure earlier this week as Big Tech shares tumbled amid valuation concerns. News that Norways sovereign wealth fund, a major Tesla investor, rejected the proposed $1 trillion compensation package for CEO Elon Musk further added to the stocks decline. Still, the stock recovered most of those losses on Wednesday as dip buyers stepped in.

With a market cap of $1.48 trillion, Tesla is a prominent innovator dedicated to accelerating the global transition to sustainable energy. The Elon Musk-led powerhouse designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells high-performance fully electric vehicles, solar energy generation systems, and energy storage products. It also offers maintenance, installation, operation, charging, insurance, financial, and various other services related to its products. In addition, the company is increasingly focusing on products and services centered around AI, robotics, and automation.

For investors, the question now is what this development really means for TSLA stock. Will the deal reinforce Musks more than a car company narrative, or will it be overshadowed by ongoing concerns about Teslas core EV business? Lets break it down.

The deal marks another step in Teslas efforts to expand its energy business, which includes products like Megapack and Powerwall that store electricity for later use. With global demand for large-scale energy storage surging, Tesla appears to be positioning itself to capture a much larger share of this rapidly expanding market.

Tesla (TSLA) continues to make headlinesnot just for its electric vehicles, robotaxis, and robotics, but for its fast-growing energy business, one of the few bright spots in its latest earnings report. The company has reportedly reached a multi-billion-dollar supply agreement with South Korean battery manufacturer Samsung SDI, under which Samsung will provide battery cells to Tesla over the next three years.

Story Continues

You might assume that the agreement is related to Teslas electric vehicles. Not quite. This supply is reportedly intended for Teslas Energy Storage System (ESS) business, meaning the cells will be used in Megapack and potentially Powerwall products. ESSs are vital for storing electricity for later use, helping to stabilize power grids and balance fluctuations in energy demand.

The report highlighted that demand for ESS has been rising rapidly in North America, driven in large part by the wave of AI investments across many companies. With that, Tesla approached Samsung SDI to discuss a potential battery supply agreement. Its worth noting that the two companies have been in talks for years, with most speculation focusing on Samsung producing 4680 cellsthe cell format originally developed by Tesla. Although Samsung is expanding production of its own 46-series cells, the deal with Tesla appears to center exclusively on LFP cells for stationary energy storage applications.

The batteries will be produced at Samsung SDIs joint venture plant with Stellantis (STLA) in Indiana, which is currently under construction, according to the report. Samsung SDI has recently announced plans to utilize a portion of the plants EV lines to manufacture ESS cells, aiming for a capacity of 30 GWh by the end of next year.

When asked to comment on the reported deal with Tesla, Samsung SDI initially stated that nothing has been finalized yet, a standard response typically given before an agreement is officially confirmed. On Tuesday, Samsung SDI confirmed that it is in discussions to supply energy storage batteries to Tesla but reiterated that the deal and its details have not yet been finalized. According to industry sources, negotiations are in the advanced stages and are likely to be finalized within the next few weeks.

Diversifying Tesla's Battery Supply Is a High Priority

The deal with Samsung SDI comes on the heels of another major ESS battery deal Tesla signed this summer with fellow South Korean supplier LG Energy Solution for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. Currently, Tesla relies solely on cells from CATL and BYD (BYDDY) for its energy storage products. However, the company recently emphasized the need to diversify its supply chain in response to tariffs imposed on Chinese products. Notably, Tesla incurred about $400 million in tariff-related costs in Q3, divided between its automotive and energy segments. In April, Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja noted that U.S. tariffs had an outsized impact on the companys energy business.

Teslas energy storage division contributed roughly 12% of total revenue in Q3 and has been a rare bright spot amid challenges in its core EV business. Notably, the business is currently production-constrained, specifically in battery supply, yet it has still delivered impressive growth. In Q3, the energy division achieved record storage deployment levels, generating $3.4 billion in revenuea 44% year-over-year (YoY) increase. Tesla also introduced the Megablock energy storage product during the quarter, a pre-engineered, medium-voltage battery that combines four Megapack 3s. In addition, CEO Elon Musk noted that Tesla has ambitious plans for the MegaPack 4, which will be capable of delivering approximately 35 kilovolts directly, removing the need for a 35 kV substation.

What Do Analysts Expect for TSLA Stock?

Wall Street analysts remain split on Tesla, with TSLA stock carrying a consensus rating of Hold. Of the 42 analysts covering the stock, 14 give it a Strong Buy rating and two a Moderate Buy, while 17 suggest holding the stock and nine rate it a Strong Sell. TSLA stock currently trades at a premium to its average price target of $385.26 but still offers significant upside potential to the Street-high target of $600.

Putting it all together, the recent news of a potential partnership between Tesla and Samsung SDI is a positive development for Teslas energy division and, by extension, for the company as a whole. Essentially, there are two ways Tesla stands to benefit directly from this. If finalized, the deal would enhance Teslas ability to meet the growing global demand for utility-scale energy storage. In that case, the energy business would likely continue to grow at a solid pace, accounting for a larger share of Teslas total revenuefurther reinforcing Musks thesis that Tesla is far more than just a car company. The second benefit comes from reducing tariff-related costs by replacing cells sourced from CATL and BYD. This would ease pressure on the bottom line at a time when regulatory credit revenue is drying up, the core EV business is facing challenges, and the company is ramping up its investments in AI. However, its difficult to say whether this will have a meaningful impact on the stock, given that Tesla bulls remain primarily focused on AI, robotics, and self-driving technology.

www.barchart.com

On the date of publication, Oleksandr Pylypenko did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks during the unveiling of the new Tesla Model Y in Hawthorne in 2019. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images)

Tesla shareholders voted to approve a $1-trillion compensation plan for Chief Executive Elon Musk, a record-breaking package intended to help the world's richest person focus on the electric vehicle maker.

Shareholders broke into applause and began chanting Musk's name at the annual meeting Thursday, where it was announced that more than 75% of voters opted to support the pay plan.

Under the terms of the package, Musk will earn portions of Tesla shares incrementally if he reaches specific milestones related to company performance and valuation. Experts say Musk would still pocket billions of dollars even if he only meets a few of the targets.

The milestones increase over time up to an $8.5-trillion company valuation and also include product goals, such as delivering 20 million vehicles, deploying 1 million robotaxis for commercial operation and garnering 10 million full self-driving subscriptions. Musk stressed in the presentation after the meeting that he has big plans to build up to 1 million humanoid robots per year.

Read more: Elon Musk's latest Tesla pay package could make him the world's first trillionaire

The plan could eventually award Musk a 25% stake in Tesla. He currently owns about 13% of shares, making him the largest individual shareholder.

Less than a year ago, a Delaware judge repeatedly blocked a smaller pay proposal.

In a letter late last month, Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm urged shareholders to vote in support of the package, writing that Musk might step down from his position if it was not approved.

"The fundamental question for shareholders at this years Annual Meeting is simple," Denholm wrote on Oct. 27. "Do you want to retain Elon as Teslas CEO and motivate him to drive Tesla to become the leading provider of autonomous solutions and the most valuable company in the world?"

Some experts have said that Tesla's board is beholden to Musk and does not act independently. Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, the Delaware judge who twice struck down an earlier pay package for Musk in 2024, said the approval process for that package was "deeply flawed."

In her decision, McCormick wrote that Musk had exerted unfair influence over shareholders and that negotiations over his pay plan were not legitimate.

Read more: Elon Musk's multibillion-dollar pay package is rejected for a second time. What to know

Bart Naylor, an expert on corporate governance and shareholder rights with the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, said Tesla's board was pushing for the staggering pay plan "because Musk told them to."
Tesla shareholders have approved Elon Musks record-setting compensation package, a plan that could ultimately be worth up to $1 trillion in stock if Tesla achieves a series of aggressive targets over roughly the next decade. The vote took place at Teslas annual meeting in Austin on Thursday, November 6, 2025, and passed with support reported at over 75%.

The award is structured entirely in equity and pays out only if performance conditions are met. The packages gross headline value is about $1 trillion, while the net value - after excluding appreciation prior to the boards approval in early September - equates to roughly $878 billion under the plans accounting, with actual value fluctuating alongside Teslas share price.

Opposition from major investors and proxy advisers had mounted ahead of the vote, most prominently Norways sovereign wealth fund and the proxy firms Glass Lewis and ISS, on grounds including size, dilution, and governance. Despite this, shareholders approved the deal.

Under the plan, Musk earns stock in tranches as Tesla meets paired operational and valuation milestones. Each milestone pair awards 1% of Tesla stock, up to 12% if all goals are achieved. The company also tied eligibility to Musk remaining in a top leadership role.

What Musk must do:

Deliver 20 million vehicles cumulatively within the 10-year grant period.

Achieve 10 million active paid Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscriptions cumulatively by the end of the grant period.

Produce and deliver 1 million Optimus humanoid robots during the 10-year grant period.

Deploy 1 million robotaxis in commercial operation during the 10-year grant period.

Increase Teslas market capitalization in 12 stepwise tranches from $2 trillion to $8.5 trillion, with each tranche vesting only when both a market-cap threshold and a paired operational or profitability milestone are met.

Generate adjusted EBITDA/earnings of ~$400 billion in one year.

The approval was finalized at the November 6 meeting in Austin; in addition to the compensation vote, shareholders also backed moving to annual board elections and approved a proposal enabling investment in Musks AI startup xAI. Vesting of Musks award now depends entirely on Tesla hitting the milestones over time.

The shareholder endorsement underscores not only support of Musk but investor willingness to bet on Teslas shift beyond autos toward autonomy and robotics.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Elon Musk Image by Brian JasonShutterstock (1)

Tesla shareholders voted overwhelmingly to approve a pay package for CEO Elon Musk that could ultimately be worth as much as $1 trillion  potentially the largest executive pay award in human history.

Earlier this year, Musk explained to the public that the pay package wasnt as much about making big bucks as it was about him retaining control over Tesla.

Its not about compensation, but about me having enough influence over Tesla to ensure safety if we build millions of robots. If I can just get kicked out in the future by activist shareholder advisory firms who dont even own Tesla shares themselves, Im not comfortable with that future, Musk wrote on September 23.

About 75% of voters supported the trillion-dollar pay plan during Teslas annual meeting in Austin this week, demonstrating strong confidence in Musks leadership as the company continues to focus on advancing artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous driving technology.

The vote follows months of campaigning by Teslas board and legal challenges surrounding Musks past potential compensation agreements. Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm previously told investors the package was critical to keeping Musk focused on the companys long-term technology goals, as previously reported by DX.

According to a recent SEC filing, the plan awards Musk the opportunity to earn up to 423 million shares of the company if Tesla reaches an evaluation of $8.5 trillion by 2035. The pay structure for Musk ties payouts to a collection of performance milestones including the goal of producing 20 million vehicles per year, another of deploying 1 million autonomous robotaxis, as well as a goal to deliver 1 million Optimus humanoid robots to consumers.

For every $500 billion increase in Teslas market value, Musk would reportedly earn an additional 1% of the companys equity. If all targets are met, Musks ownership could climb from about 13% to nearly 29%.

In August, the board advanced a separate, interim plan worth roughly $29 billion, granting 96 million restricted stock units to keep Musk with the company through 2030. That move came after multiple Delaware court decisions nullified Musks original 2018 compensation package, valued at $56 billion at the time, despite shareholders having amended it to meet legal standards twice.

The new vote could have significant implications for Texas, where Tesla relocated its headquarters in 2021 and continues to expand its presence. The Gigafactory in Austin anchors a growing cluster of Musk-led business ventures, which includes a heavy focus on autonomous driving projects, such as their Robotaxi program.
In order to justify the effort of selecting individual stocks, it's worth striving to beat the returns from a market index fund. But its virtually certain that sometimes you will buy stocks that fall short of the market average returns. Unfortunately, that's been the case for longer term Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) shareholders, since the share price is down 56% in the last three years, falling well short of the market return of around 22%. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 12% in the last 90 days.

With the stock having lost 6.5% in the past week, it's worth taking a look at business performance and seeing if there's any red flags.

This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality.

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

During the three years that the share price fell, Spark New Zealand's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 15% each year. This reduction in EPS is slower than the 24% annual reduction in the share price. So it's likely that the EPS decline has disappointed the market, leaving investors hesitant to buy.

You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

NZSE:SPK Earnings Per Share Growth November 8th 2025

We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Spark New Zealand's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, Spark New Zealand's TSR for the last 3 years was -42%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

Spark New Zealand shareholders are down 15% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 9.5%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 5% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Spark New Zealand better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Spark New Zealand (1 can't be ignored) that you should be aware of.
A top U.S. housing executive has delivered a stark warning about the economy, sharply criticizing consumer attitudes and government policies that he says threaten affordability and homebuilding growth. Drawing a direct parallel between Americas fiscal habits and the problems facing homebuyers, Allan Merrill, CEO of $650 million homebuilder Beazer Homes, declared, We want things that we dont want to pay for as a country.

Speaking on a panel at ResiDay, a residential real estate conference hosted by ResiClub, Merrill talked to the outlets editor, Lance Lambert, about what he sees as a fundamental cowardice in American economic behavior. At the same time, he warned that Americas neglect of blue-collar trades poses a significant risk to the economy and the homebuilding sector. With immigration-related labor supply dwindling and front-end trades anxious for work due to declining new home starts, he pressed for more industry-led training and recruitment initiatives.

Mounting affordability crisis

In a candid interview, Merrill described 2025s housing market as disappointing and sluggish, despite strong jobs numbers and persistent consumer demand. Inventory built up as builders anticipated a strong spring, only to face tepid sales, particularly in major markets like Texas and Florida. Despite innovation in cost-cutting approachessuch as tackling mortgage rates, utility costs, and insurance premiumsaffordability remains severely constrained for most buyers. Merrill notes his firms efforts to save buyers $300 to $700 a month by optimizing costs, saying he thinks the market has to grind back  I think its a multi-year period of sort of trying to get back to a more normalized affordability environment.

Merrills most passionate remarks centered on government-imposed fees and permitting costs, especially in states like California, where pre-construction expenses can reach $140,000 per home. He called this a dangerous gamble, likening it to the nations ballooning deficits: We want things that we dont want to pay for right now, were going to let somebody else in the future pay for them. When I look at the fees that builders pay for new construction, its very much the same thing. Merrill accused local utility and government officials of lacking the courage to ask current users to bear infrastructure costs, instead shifting the burden onto new homebuyersultimately fueling the affordability crisis for future generations.

Acknowledging that he was going to sound a little curmudgeonly and that he didnt want to malign any particular municipalities, he raised the example of pulling a permit on a recent newbuild, single-family detached home in the Sacramento area. He claimed he had $138,000 in permits and fees before he could even start construction, and this is a municipality that complains about affordability in their neighborhood. Likening this attitude to the national fiscal situation, he said, I think weve been irresponsible.
Thursday, November 6, 2025



The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Morgan Stanley (MS), Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) and The Southern Co. (SO), as well as a micro-cap stock Aware, Inc. (AWRE). The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.



These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.



You can see all of todays research reports here >>>



Ahead of Wall Street



The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.



You can read today's AWS here >>> Pre-Markets Improve on Big Earnings Morning



Today's Featured Research Reports



Morgan Stanleys shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry over the year-to-date period (+34.4% vs. +33.3%). The companys focus on wealth and asset management operations, along with its strategic alliances and acquisitions, will aid the top line. Its deal to buy EquityZen will help it tap the rapidly growing private markets landscape.



The performance of the investment banking (IB) business will continue to be driven by a strong pipeline. The Zacks analyst project total revenues and IB fees to increase 11.7% and 12.8% in 2025, respectively. However, costs will remain elevated due to expansion efforts. The Zacks analyst projects total expenses to rise 9.1% in 2025.



While trading revenues have been increasing, growth in the same might become challenging in the future because of the volatile nature of the business. Yet, the companys efficient capital distributions reflect a solid balance sheet.



(You can read the full research report on Morgan Stanley here >>>)



Shares of Union Pacific have underperformed the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry over the year-to-date period (-3.1% vs. +2.4%). The company which recently inked a deal to buy Norfolk Southern, is suffering big time as e-commerce sales have normalized and consumer markets have softened.



Geopolitical uncertainty and high inflation continue to hurt consumer sentiment. Reduced fuel surcharge revenues, too, are a concern. Due to these headwinds, volumes are suffering. Operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) remains under pressure, mainly due to revenue woes. Given the soft freight market scenario, the revenue weakness is likely to persist.



To combat the revenue weakness, UNP is looking to cut costs. In the meantime, it continues to pay dividends. UNP is also active on the buyback front. Considering all these factors, investors are advised to wait for a better entry point. Our thesis is supported by the Neutral recommendation on the stock.



(You can read the full research report on Union Pacific here >>>)



Southern Companys shares have gained +13.7% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industrys gain of +22.6%. This company, a leading U.S. electric utility in the Southeast, offers a solid opportunity with its recession-proof model, substantial load pipeline, and investments in regulated utilities like natural gas and battery storage.



Southern Companys strategic contracts and protective tariff structures provide a stable earnings outlook, while its $76 billion capital plan supports growth through grid modernization. Management has signaled a potential upward revision in earnings growth by 2027.



However, Southern faces risks from its high leverage, which limits financial flexibility, and its cautious approach to nuclear energy may leave it behind peers. Also, regulatory challenges, economic slowdowns, and increasing competition from decentralized energy solutions pose threats. Therefore, the company warrants a cautious stance from investors.



(You can read the full research report on Southern Company here >>>)



Shares of Aware have gained +16.4% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Internet - Software and Services industrys gain of +34.4%. This microcap company with a market capitalization of $47.34 million operates in a growing global market for secure, standards-aligned biometric identity solutions, leveraging its Awareness platform and AwareID to capture demand across financial, government and enterprise sectors. Its SaaS-first strategy is gaining traction, with recurring revenue comprising 69.3% of total sales and solid subscription revenues.



Strong liquidity supports self-funded growth, while federal and enterprise contracts enhance visibility. Platform innovations enhance competitiveness. Yet license revenue remains volatile, recurring growth trails peers and cash burn persists amid higher fixed costs.



Leadership transitions and slow commercial conversion pose execution risks. The valuation suggests investors are pricing in limited near-term growth, offering potential upside if AWRE executes on its SaaS transition and profitability goals.



(You can read the full research report on Aware here >>>)



Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include NIKE, Inc. (NKE), Tractor Supply Co. (TSCO) and Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (CBOE).



Mark Vickery

Senior Editor



Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>
Sara Levines debut, the 2011 cult classic Treasure Island!!!, inspired an animal-loving Chicago bookseller to boycott one of her author events. They were, Levine explains via Zoom from her home office in Evanston, Ill., protesting because the protagonist kills a parrot.

Levine, 54, is dressed in a crisp white button-up, her wavy gray hair framing her bespectacled face. She leans into the camera as she recollects the unexpected response to her first novel. Im so lucky, she says. I still get fan mail from readers who loved Treasure Island!!!, and thats astonishing to me. But there were some people who would write on Goodreads, Dont read this book if you care about animals. So, I think there was a childish part of me that was like, You dont like what I did to that parrot? Wait till you see what I do to the dog in the next one. She laughs. Maybe I shouldnt say that.

The next one is Levines tragicomic sophomore novel, The Hitch, forthcoming from Roxane Gays eponymous imprint at Grove Atlantic in January 2026. Its myopically self-righteous narrator, Rose, is thrilled to spend a week taking care of her beloved six-year-old nephew, Nathan. But their time together is derailed when Roses menace of a Newfoundland kills a corgi at the dog park and Nathan subsequently claims that the corgis spirit has jumped into his body. As Rose becomes increasingly convinced of this possessioneven going so far as to consult an exorcistshe alienates her friends and family.

In conversation, as in her work, Levine comes across as equally cerebral and playful, combining an academics rigor about writing

on a craft level with an impish rebellious streak. Shes quick with both quips and cultural referencesfrom experimental Austrian writer Thomas Bernhard to Jerry Seinfeldand the corkboard wall behind her is a chaotic sprawl of note cards, scribblings, and hand-drawn illustrations pertaining to her next project. I cannot keep it all in here, she says, tapping the side of her head.

Levines detractors may be surprised to learn that shes also a vegan and a self-identified dog person. She shows the camera a framed photo of her family dog, Digby, and shares bittersweet memories of her first dog, Max, whom her parents took in when she was growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, the youngest of two siblings.

As a child, Levine dreamed of a life in the theater, an ambition she followed to Northwestern Universityonly, she says, to discover fiction halfway through college. What made her pivot? I think it was the sense of control, she says. Theater is wonderful, but its collaborative. You need so many other people to make a show. With fiction, theres a sense of agency. Its like being able to direct and cast and pick your settingswithout having to worry that the theater is going to go up in flames.

Levine went on to earn a PhD in literature at Brown University, where she discovered that, though she enjoyed reading scholarship, she did not actually want to write it. After completing the degree in 1998, she landed a teaching gig at the Iowa Writers Workshop and started work on Treasure Island!!!, about a woman who attempts to live her life based on values shes gleaned from the Stevenson classic. Then, in 2000, she jumped ship for the Art Institute of Chicago, where she teaches to this day.

She attributes Treasure Island!!!s long road from ideation to publication partly to the time it took to learn to be a maker instead of an academic: I basically had to unlearn the PhD education that I had been so keen to get, she says. She was simultaneously working on other projects, too, including her story collection Short Dark Oracles, which also published in 2011.

Only after Treasure Island!!! came out did Levine learn how divisive readers could find so-called unlikable female characters, a category into which that books narrator neatly slots. The discourse surprised her: Theres this long literary tradition of really unpleasant men, she says, and we dont have any problem with that.

Roxane Gay felt similarly, praising Treasure Island!!! in her essay Not Here to Make Friends: On the Importance of Unlikable Female Protagonists, which appears in Bad Feminist and which, Levine says, did me a tremendous service.

A longtime fan of Levines work, Gay, in her second year at the helm of her imprint, reached out to see what the author was working on. The answer was The Hitch, which Levine had been plugging away at for some time, though early drafts bore only glancing

resemblance to the finished version. I was initially trying to structure the narrative in a way that reflected the interdependence of microbial organisms, Levine says. And I feel like I was in that place for years before I realized that this technical dream I had was interfering with the emotional power of the story.

Also slowing her process was the fact that Levine only writes in brief intervals; when she started The Hitch, she aimed for just 90 minutes a day. I put a timer on it, she says. You need to know if youre gonna do something hard, that its gonna end. Even if Im doing well, I stop at 90 minutes, because Ive found its like diminishing returns: I can write myself into a place of dissatisfaction or lostness. I also never ask myself, Was it a good day? Instead I think, Did I show up?

She had plenty keeping her busy in the meantime, with teaching and raising her now-teenage daughter. Good books take a long time for me anyway, she says. But then on top of that theres trying to balance being a parent, a partner, a teacher, and a citizen of the world.

For The Hitch, once the idea for the demon corgi arose, Levine pivoted to researching the conventions of classic possession horror, a rabbit hole that led her from William Peter Blattys 1971 The Exorcist to Paul G. Tremblays 2015 Head Full of Ghosts. It was just like with Treasure Island!!!, where I had to really know adventure fiction in order to understand how to work against it, and how to do a feminist reading, she says. I found that a lot of possession stories are about good vs. evil, and I wanted to push against that easy binarism.

Instead, Levine uses the corgi possession both as a fount of humorRose thinks shes in The Exorcist, she says, and Nathan thinks hes in a Pixar movieand as the vessel for an elegant exploration of human connection and interdependence. I want my work to be funny, she explains. It wouldnt be successful to me if people werent laughing. But also, because I write over such a long period of time, theres got to be something else Im chasing through the forest of jokes. There has to be something deep and sincere that I take really seriously if Im going to spend that much time and care getting all the little strands to come together.

Theres also an intentional degree of ambiguity to the supernatural elements at play, due largely to the fact that Rosesanctimonious, boundaryless, and harshly judgmental of everyone around heris an unreliable narrator of her own life. There are details I included that are almost like a Rorschach test for the reader, Levine says. I was trying to create a multiplicity of readings without abdicating the writers job, which is to control the material.

With a twinkle in her eye, Levine confesses that she does have her own opinion about whether or not the possession is actually

happeningbut shes not telling.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that Levine grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, the oldest of two siblings. She grew up in Cleveland, the youngest of two siblings. It also stated she graduated from Brown in 1995; she graduated 1998. Additionally, it said that the character Nathan in The Hitch is 10 years old; he is six years old.
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This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Release Date: November 07, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd (BOM:532356) reported an 18.4% increase in revenues from operations, reaching over 3,300 crores.

The company's profitability improved significantly, with PBT rising to 32 crores from 11.5 crores in the previous period.

The distillery operations showed marked improvement, contributing positively to the company's overall performance.

The power transmission business secured a successful quarter, maintaining a strong order book and profitability.

The company has registered nine new OEM customers in its engineering business, indicating growth and expansion in its customer base.

Negative Points

The sugar business profitability was subdued due to the off-season period and no manufacturing operations during the quarter.

Gross debt increased to 505 crores from 383 crores a year ago, indicating a rise in financial liabilities.

The increase in the cost of sugar sold was not fully offset by higher sugar realization prices and sales volume.

The UP government's increase in SAP for sugar season 2025-26 puts pressure on the profitability of sugar producers in Uttar Pradesh.

The ethanol sales during the quarter were down by 6% due to supply disruptions, impacting the closing stock of alcohol.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide details on the ethanol production from maize and the margins achieved? A: We don't disclose specific volumes for maize versus rice ethanol. However, we are achieving higher margins than anticipated, approximately 30-50% higher than the a8 per liter you mentioned. (Respondent: Unidentified_3)

Q: With the total ethanol capacity at 2,300 crore liters, how does this affect your capacity utilization? A: Our capacity utilization depends on the proportion of maize used, as maize reduces capacity by 20%. We anticipate operating at 100% capacity utilization, maximizing maize usage due to attractive margins. (Respondent: Unidentified_3)

Q: What impact does the change in sugarcane variety have on sugar recovery and crushing volumes? A: Recovery is influenced by rainfall, disease, and pests. This year, conditions are favorable with less disease and pests, leading to positive recovery expectations. We anticipate a significant increase in sugarcane crushing due to improved variety and command area changes. (Respondent: Unidentified_3)
From the Heritage Collection

Includes 4-qt round oven and lid

Looped top handle

Curved side handles

Light-colored interior enamel resists staining and has an easy release of food

Even heat distribution; avoids hot spots that can burn your food

Retains heat: using lower level of heat keeps the food warmer longer when removed from energy source

Enameled cast-iron construction; requires no seasoning

Dishwasher-safe (hand washing recommended); oven-safe to 500F

Compatible with all cooktops

Measurements: Overall 11.9"L x 5.9"H x 10"W, weighs 9 lbs; Interior 7"L x 4"H; Exterior base 6"Diam; Top/side handles 1"

Made in France

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Calling all collectors and comfort-food foodies! This Heritage Collection 4-quart round oven has us all heart eyes and hungry bellies, recalling a time when aLe Creuset vessel (also known as a) wasone-and-done dish. It would simmer a showstopping pot roast with veggies; bathe chicken, carrots, and celery in salty broth (don't forget the pillowy dumplings!); and serve a warm apple brown betty to those sweet faces waiting at the table. Now? This vintage-inspired piece still knocks those soul-soothing meals out of the park -- along with all the new recipes you've accumulated from friends, family, and your social feeds! Think: artisan sourdough bread, mac and cheese with creative mix-ins, and braised short ribs that keep 'em coming back for seconds (and thirds).The secret? Le Creuset's enameled cast-iron that (still) requires no seasoning and delivers superior heat distribution, avoiding hot spots that can burn your food. The classic construction also offers heat retention that, after being removed from the oven or stove, keeps your delicious dishes warmer longer -- a win for those guests at the end of the buffet line.Speaking of buffet lines, this round oven is thefor the holiday hostess who loves cookware that looks as good as it cooks -- with a side of nostalgia. Or, how about the happy couple who crave the classics and a home-cooked meal? (Four quarts is the quintessential starter size!) But maybe, this retro redo is for y-o-u -- so that stuffing or casserole you've lovingly prepared is served up more beautifully than ever. From Le Creuset.
The Austrian Federal Railway, OBB, has begun operating freight services on its new Koralm Railway, which connects the cities of Graz and Klagenfurt.

The OBB Rail Cargo Group is transporting goods along the 130 kilometres of the new line.

On Tuesday (4 November), one of the first trains to run on the line was a single wagonload train operated by the OBB Rail Cargo Group.

At the Villach South shunting yard, wagons were assembled, and the train then hauled them along the new line to Graz.

On arrival, the wagons were separated at the shunting yard and were then distributed to their final destinations.

OBB starts freight transport on the new Koralm Railway // Credit: OBB

OBB sees the commissioning of the Koralm Railway as an important step forward for freight transport. The new freight route means that trains between Villach South and Graz will no longer need to detour via Knittelfeld, Leoben and Frohnleiten.

The new route is flat, which enables trains to carry heavier loads, up to an extra 250 to 280 tonnes per train. OBB expects shorter journey times and more efficient rotations will save up to 300,000 train kilometres per year.

The Koralm Railway will play a role in connecting Europe from north to south, as it integrates the southern axis into the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor. The Corridor is one of the continents most significant freight transport routes, connecting economic areas between the Baltic Sea and the Adriatic Sea.

OBB argues that the Koralm Railways usefulness will be enhanced by other major projects such as the Semmering Base Tunnel.

The Koralm Railway has been one of Europes most significant infrastructure projects, and began construction in 2001.

It has 130 kilometres of new track, around 50 kilometres of tunnels, more than 100 bridges and 23 stations and stops.

At its centre is the Koralm Tunnel, which is 33 kilometres long. To keep the numerous tunnels safe, OBB ordered firefighting trains specially designed to be effective in tunnel conditions.

OBB starts freight transport on the new Koralm Railway // Credit: OBB

On Sunday, 14 December 2025, the first passenger trains will run on the Koralm Railway. This will reduce travel time on the RJX from Graz to Klagenfurt from more than two hours to just 41 minutes.
Last week, the Massachusetts House unanimously passed a bipartisan literacy reform bill, 155-0, that would mandate the evidence-based, science of reading approach that has swept the country. The state, additionally, has a $35 million grant program called Literacy Launch that is dedicated to helping districts transition their curriculum to science-based literacy materials. After years of ineffective balanced literacy, a discredited approach to reading instruction that does not teach children how to sound out words, the Massachusetts vote is the latest sign that America is turning a new page on literacyand turning around the failures of the past few decades in the classroom by prioritizing the needs of students and teachers alike.

The Massachusetts legislature is usually quite friendly with teachers unions, so its telling that the vote came despite opposition from the Massachusetts Teachers Association. The unions president told WBUR, Bostons public radio station, that union members feared mandating phonics education would fail to address the needs of a very diverse student body."

Looking at the actual numbers, though, the most socioeconomically diverse schools are the ones that have seen the greatest drops in literacy. [Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System] scores among our youngest readers are falling, said House Speaker Ron Mariano, a former teacher himself. Between 2011 and 2024, the average fourth-grade reading scores fell by 11 percentage points. Among our most economically challenged districts, the decline has been greater.

This bill is not about telling the teachers how to do their job, he added. Indeed, its about ensuring that teaching colleges equip future teachers with the tools they need to succeed  and that current teachers have access to high-quality, evidence-based materials to support their work in the classroom.

In other words, by opposing this bill, what the union has opposed is one of the few top-down measures that can actually help teachers thrive, which is particularly alarming given the sheer amount of teacher turnover in the country as well as in the state. In the 2024-2025 school year, Massachusetts lost 10% of the teachers it had in the 2023-2024 school year, with the poorest districts hardest hit. A Boston Globe story from this spring highlighted high teacher turnover in schools that mostly educate students of color. The way schools are set up, its not the teachers fault, said one teacher who had previously taught in Boston Public Schools. The system has to be set up for you to be consistent.

In the foreword to Independent Womens report, Give Teachers a Break: Cutting Red Tape and Unleashing the Potential for Americas Great Teachers, former teacher and education reform advocate Beanie Geoghegan noted that teachers are done a disservice when they are not given proper guidance on effective pedagogical practices, making the job needlessly difficult for teachers and barring students from learning the material they should be able to.

As a starry-eyed new teacherI couldnt have anticipated the challenges I would encounter, she wrote. Although my college professors emphasized the importance of fostering a love of reading, I realized that none equipped me with the tools necessary to teach my students how to read effectivelyIf we genuinely want to improve education for American children, teachers must have the training, support, authority, and materials necessary to accomplish the monumental task.

Fortunately, literacy education is simple, even if getting kids to read is no small task: phonics works, and mandating phonics instruction, as 26 states and counting have, facilitates better teaching and better learning, allowing American education to escape its current death spiral. Equipped with a curriculum that actually works, teachers have a better experience teaching and are more inclined to stay in the profession, and students are less frustrated and benefit from the consistency of having good teachers at their schools.

That the Massachusetts House stood up unanimously, that too across partisan lines, to ensure that teachers teach effectively and that students learn effectively should be celebrated. And the teachers unions thankfully failed attempt at thwarting this success should be a sign that the opinions of union bosses can be as safely disregarded as balanced literacy.
The 2025 Pittsburgh mayoral election delivered a resounding message that most progressive activists would prefer to ignore. Corey OConnor, who defeated incumbent Ed Gainey in the Democratic primary, achieved high levels of off-year turnout and secured more than 80% of the vote against fedora-wearing perennial Republican candidate Tony Moreno. The margin represented a mandate for the moderate alternative to Gaineys gaffe-filled progressive tenure.

OConnors campaign centered on competence and pragmatism rather than transformative policy proposals. With many details yet to be worked out, he promised better basic services and fiscal responsibility, the bread-and-butter governance that matters to voters. The margin tells you everything: Pittsburgh voters wanted less ideology, more execution.

The same pattern emerged in Pennsylvanias Supreme Court retention elections, though the process itself warrants scrutiny. All three justices won retention by approximately 23 percentage points. Voters concerned about further right-wing incursions into areas like abortion access spent $9.8 million to rubber-stamp outcomes in a system that has seen only one justice lose retention since 1968. As I argued in the Post-Gazette, nonpartisan judicial retention represents the worst possible judicial selection method for ensuring accountability. It combines false democratic legitimacy with zero meaningful oversight, wasting money on predetermined outcomes while letting voters believe theyre exercising substantive choice  but voters stayed the course nevertheless.

Such centrist, status quo ante Trump results align with a broader trend across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Abigail Spanberger won Virginias gubernatorial race in a landslide, becoming the first Democrat to win by double digits since 1985. Her campaign focused on affordability and economic concerns, not progressive wish lists. Spanberger, a former CIA officer, built her political career on projecting competence and centrism in a competitive suburban district. She exported that formula statewide and won convincingly.

New Jersey elected Mikie Sherrill governor by 13 points, 56% to 43%. Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, ran on cutting waste and improving government efficiency while avoiding the culture war flashpoints that energize far-left radicals but alienate persuadable voters. Both women built credibility through professional backgrounds that signal school-superintendent seriousness rather than ideological fervor.

This represents a sharp contrast to New York City, where Zohran Mamdani became mayor and progressive activists celebrated a democratic socialist capturing Americas largest city. The celebration ignores the opponent. Mamdani faced Andrew Cuomo, a tarnished second-generation ex-governor running as an Independent after years of scandal and public disgrace (his jacked brother Chris, disgraced but less so, ought to have run in his stead), and Republican Curtis Sliwa, a legendary cat-loving vigilante and eccentric who never had a realistic path to victory in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly seven to one. Calling this a progressive mandate requires overlooking that Mamdani won because Democrats vote for Democrats in New York City, not because voters embraced his Democratic Socialists of America-lite platform.

Compare Mamdanis path to those of Spanberger and Sherrill. They won competitive states where Republicans remain viable, attracting persuadable voters and independents with campaigns focused on affordability and competence. Mamdani won a heavily Democratic city against damaged goods and the latest oddball Republican sacrificial lamb. These are not equivalent victories, and treating them as such distorts the actual story of 2025.

The progressive narrative holds that Democratic voters hunger for bold transformative change, that moderation represents timidity and capitulation to conservative framing. The 2025 results suggest otherwise. When given clear choices, voters in competitive environments picked the moderates who talked about making government work rather than revolutionizing society with peoples bodegas and free gender-affirming healthcare.

OConnors huge margin of victory in a city gradually delivering more Republican votes in national elections speaks louder than any progressives narrow win in a safe blue enclave.

Activists have spent the past decade arguing that Democrats lose when they abandon progressive principles and fail to offer a choice instead of an echo. Not so: Spanberger and Sherrill won by double digits while explicitly rejecting progressive orthodoxy. OConnor, the son of a former mayor, won in a landslide by positioning himself as the return-to-normalcy alternative to a progressive incumbent. Voters want to reward candidates who focus on practical governance over ideological purity.

OConnor, Spanberger, and Sherrill didnt promise to transform America or dismantle systems of oppression. They promised to fix roads, improve schools, cut costs, and make local and state government function even as the federal government remains closed for business. Voters responded enthusiastically and will now await the results. Progressives can celebrate Mamdanis New York City victory all they want, but the big story is what happened in Pittsburgh, Virginia, and New Jersey, where moderates again proved that day-in, day-out governance still sells.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the new transitional government in Damascus, is set to make a historic visit to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump on Monday. The state visit is a significant moment in the historically difficult relations between the two countries, marking a major shift from Washingtons adversarial relationship with former dictator Bashar al-Assad. While closer ties are welcome, the United States should avoid deeper military involvement in the conflict-scarred country, recognizing that economic and diplomatic tools are sufficient to achieve US interests in Syria, including the countrys successful transition to a functional state.

The al-Sharaa-Trump meeting comes nearly one year after the collapse of the decades-old Assad family regime, which saw the former jihadist leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)  formerly aligned with Al-Qaeda  shed his past and claim leadership over Syria. The Trump administration quickly moved, following support from key Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, to support the new transitional authority, lifting sanctions and offering international legitimacy to the new rulers.

In parallel, Washington has moved to lower its military footprint in the country. Since coming into office, the Trump administration has withdrawn an estimated 1,000 troops from Syria. Further, the Pentagon has drawn up plans to remove all troops in a bid to transfer responsibility to a new, unified Syrian government. The goal is to provide intelligence support to Damascus, which  alongside the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)  would take the lead on anti-ISIS missions as part of their duty to manage the countrys domestic security.

That approach is wise for multiple reasons. For one, Washington has no business in prolonging the US troop deployment in Syria and has never done so legally  namely with the US Congress passing an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). Multiple administrations have relied on the faulty legal argument that because ISIS stems from al-Qaeda, the former 2001 AUMF targeting the latter can be extended to the former. Simply put, the American people have not had a fair say in the deployment of US troops to a faraway country to fight ISIS.

The current US approach is also wise because ISIS is a shell of its former self, as the US Department of Defense continues to note in quarterly reports. Although many analysts claim the group can still conduct external attacks, the reality is that todays ISIS is largely a domestic terror organization in Syria consisting of fragmented sleeper cells conducting sporadic attacks on its opponents within the country. Any increase in attacks or capacity can be dealt with by the new Syrian state, especially considering the former HTS  as well as the SDF  proved highly capable of fighting and defeating the group.

If necessary, over the horizon support to a unified Syrian state will achieve the proper objective of keeping the group at bay, at worst, and fully defeating it, at best. The success of the state itself is a major component of that effort, however, which explains why Washington continues to mediate between Damascus and the SDF to unite under one banner  an issue still unachieved given deeply rooted mistrust between the parties. In this vein, the Trump administration is reportedly set to add Syria to the 80-plus member coalition to defeat ISIS, a major step in the fight against the group.

However, recent unconfirmed reports suggest that Washington may be looking to bolster its military presence in Syria, as progress on the troop drawdowns has stalled amid bouts of violence between Damascus and the SDF over the last year. That dynamic, coupled with concern about a slowly increasing number of ISIS attacks in recent months, has officials in the Trump administration concerned that the country could collapse  a concern Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted earlier this year.

If Rubios stated concerns remain relevant to the Syria file for this administration  and they likely do, given his dual role as secretary of state and national security advisor  these unconfirmed reports could carry weight. Those reports include rumors of a US deployment to a Syrian Army base in Damascus constituting a demilitarized zone, alongside reports that some military hardware may be moving from Iraq to Syria to bolster the anti-ISIS mission in the countrys northeast.

Given the lack of transparency around troop deployments across the Middle East, including and particularly in Syria, these reports should raise concerns. The United States should be focused on lowering its military presence in both Syria and the broader region. Deepening such deployments only puts US lives at greater risk while distracting from larger strategic concerns and costing a fortune.

While the Trump administration is wise to see the early stages of Syrias transition through, it does not need boots on the ground to do so. Washington carries the influence necessary to steer Damascus and the other regions key stakeholders in the conflict as it wishes. Trumps ability to recognize the value of strategic restraint in Syria ahead of Mondays meeting with the young Syrian president, and acting accordingly in talks with him, will go a long way for advancing US interests in the region.

Alexander Langlois is a Contributing Fellow at Defense Priorities.
In his hour of desperation, Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly pleaded with Russia to help defend his regime from military intervention.

The now-deposed dictator of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, once hoped for similar support as he spent his final days in Damascus last December watching Syrian rebels sweep through the country. So did Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Israel wiped out Irans top military brass ahead of U.S. strikes on key nuclear sites in June.

The Kremlins help never came for Assad nor Khameneiwho were left only with platitudes from Moscows foreign ministryand it wont be coming for Maduro in the event of American intervention.

A glimmer of false hope for Maduro came in the form of a Russian Il-76 cargo plane that landed in Caracas last Tuesday, amid quickly escalating U.S. pressure in the Caribbean. But even if this plane were filled to its 50-ton capacity with arms, it would amount to only a paltry fraction of the support from Moscow that Maduro has requested, despite the Russian Foreign Ministrys public signaling that Moscow supports the leadership of Venezuela in defending its national sovereignty.

The case of the Assad regime should put to rest any expectation of concerted Russian support for a Venezuela facing overthrow. For a decade, Russia invested vast resources in an attempt to protect the Assad regime from falling to the Syrian opposition. Russia joined the Assad regimes war against civilians in 2015, including a notorious hospital bombing campaign.

For their efforts, Moscow reaped considerable rewards. Russias expansion of its military footprint on the Syrian coast benefited both their operations in Ukraine and across Africa. Russia entrenched itself deeply, using Syria as a nexus for aspirations of far-reaching global influence.

Yet, Russia demonstrated little-to-no effort, beyond cursory airstrikes, to stop the rapid fall of the Assad regime in December. In fact, Moscow eagerly began attempting to negotiate with Syrias new leaders whose forces had been on the receiving end of Russian bombs just weeks prior.

Russia simply no longer has the capacity or commitment to comprehensively uphold its relationships with its allies and proxies as it pours its focus into its full-scale war against Ukraine. In a time of a serious regime security crisis, Maduro will certainly not benefit from Russian air support traveling across the Atlantic, nor will he enjoy the same Russian troop deployments to Venezuela that occurred during the countrys last political crisis in 2019.

Moscows reticence to defend Tehran as Irans top military brass and key nuclear facilities were attacked in June only further highlighted Russias growing unreliability.

Iran had vigorously supported Moscows war in Ukraine, including shipments of Shahed drones that have become a backbone of Russias tactical strategy. The two countries also signed a strategic partnership treaty just months before the Israeli campaign.

Rather than stepping up to defend its most key ally in the Middle East, Russias response to an Iran in crisis was verbal condemnations akin to thoughts and prayers.

Last week, Russia ratified a similar strategic partnership treaty with Venezuelaan agreement sure to be worth just as little as its Iranian predecessor.

While the Kremlin remains absorbed by its invasion of Ukraine, and mobilizes its monetary and human capital to do so, its alliances are especially vulnerable to crumbling from neglect. If there was ever a time for the U.S. to put pressure on Moscows most far-flung partnersit would be now.

Venezuelas economic cooperation with Russia, including a recently renewed surge in shipments of petroleum products crucial for Venezuelan oil production, continues even as Moscow becomes increasingly economically isolated. Maduros departure would mean the loss of a significant node of Russian influence in Americas backyard, leaving Moscow with Nicaragua and Cuba as its remaining key partners in the hemisphere.

As the U.S. turns the temperature up, Russia will be tempted to continue to posture in Venezuelas defense.

However, if American intervention shifts from strikes in the Caribbean to the Venezuelan homefront, Maduro is likely to find himself waiting for Russian help that will never arrive.

At best, he could hope for a one-way flight bound for Moscow and an apartment next door to Bashar al-Assad.
When the U.S. helped broker a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) earlier this year, it was hailed as a major step forward in a long-running conflict. However, since the initial success there has been skepticism as to whether the two countries will uphold the peace or agree on bilateral mineral cooperation guaranteed by the U.S.

It is becoming clear that a deal will not be reached until the root causes of the conflict, many of which emanate from Rwanda, have been resolved. These include poor governance, a lack of justice and respect for human rights, and a lack of social and economic inclusion. But suggesting this in Rwanda can be dangerous.

My family knows this from first-hand experience. My mother, Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, is an opposition leader in Rwanda. She was arrested on 19 June 2025, two weeks after publishing this opinion in the international media, which highlighted the need for inclusive dialogue between the Rwandan government and its citizens, including refugees in the DRC, exiles, and opposition groups. My mother made the compelling case that a reformed Rwanda would contribute to making eastern DRC a peaceful region where Rwanda, the DRC, and the U.S. could all engage in mutually beneficial mineral trade.

In response to this call for peaceful dialogue, government officials repeatedly and publicly accused her of genocide ideology on social media, with President Paul Kagame referring to her as a genocidaire and predicting that she would not have a good ending. Her arrest in June on charges of forming a criminal organization and inciting public disorder have no basis in law and are a clear example of political retribution.

Since my mothers arrest, she has been denied contact with her family and her international lawyers. The Rwanda Bar Association has refused to allow her Kenyan attorney to defend her. She has been denied bail and is being held separately from most other inmates. More than 120 days have passed with no fair process in sight.

This is not my mothers first experience being arbitrarily detained in Rwanda. In 2010, she was arrested shortly after declaring her intention to challenge President Kagame in the presidential election. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison following a sham trial that was widely condemned as politically motivated, and which the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights judged to have violated her rights to freedom of expression. She served eight years in prison, much of which was spent in solitary confinement. She was surprisingly released in 2018 by presidential order but with a major caveat  she was forbidden to leave Rwanda to visit her children, grandchildren and her seriously ill husband. My 10-year-old daughter, an American citizen who lives in Pennsylvania with her mother, keeps asking me when her grandmother will come to visit her. I wish I had an answer for her.

It is a nightmare to see my mother unjustly imprisoned once again. However, my family has taken hope from the international community's reaction to her recent arrest:

On June 24, Human Rights Watch condemned and described her arrest as the most recent example of the dangers of political opposition in Rwanda.

On July 17, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion wrote to the Rwandan authorities to note that Victoires arrest appeared to be in direct retribution for her political activities as an opposition leader.

On September 10, the European Parliament passed a resolution strongly condemning her arrest and calling for her immediate release.

Now, the United States, one of Rwandas most vital allies, could send a powerful message by joining this call for her release, either through Congress or the Administration.

The Rwandan government claims to want to make peace with its neighbors, and certainly it stands to gain respect and credibility with America and the rest of the international community by doing so. However, sustainable peace cannot be guaranteed by a government that silences all dissent and endangers the lives of its political opponents.

If the United States truly wants to bring peace to the African Great Lakes region, it should begin by using its influence to urge Rwanda to reform, first by immediately and unconditionally releasing my mother and all other political prisoners. This would be an important first step toward making Rwanda a true democracy that could be relied on to preserve peace in the region, rather than create violent conflict.

Remy Amahirwa is the son of Rwandan dissident and opposition leader Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza.
Instagram / Daisy Kent

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/07/2025



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Daisy Kent has shared the latest on her wedding plans with fiance Thor Herbst.Daisy announced her engagement to Thor in late October, and she's already putting a pen to paper when it comes to figuring out the details for her wedding day.Daisy revealed that the couple is hoping to marry in Minnesota, where she's from, or Utah, where the couple "rekindled" their love, in Winter 2026, according to BachelorNation.com.And Daisy recently took to her Instagram Stories to share more insight into what she's envisioning for her big day.During a Q&A session with her followers, Daisy revealed that she and Thor are choosing between two possible wedding venues."We've narrowed it down to two places! We need to decide," Daisy shared.Another fan asked alum if she's excited to plan her wedding."I'm honestly so excited!" Daisy replied, confirming that she's not dreading all the specifics and decisions."Once we decide on the venue, I can't wait to plan everything. I've always been so excited to get married since I was a little girl, so planning this is honestly my dream!"Daisy also said she's in the process of hiring a wedding planner to help her hammer out the details.In late October, Daisy reportedly said she imagines her wedding will be "on the bigger side" since she has a large family and a lot of friends."The other thing is, if we do it in Minnesota or Utah, either way people are going to have to travel for it. So we want a venue that's not insanely far from the airport and has a bunch of hotels around it," Daisy explained at the time."I never thought I wanted a winter wedding, but then my older sister had a winter wedding a few years ago and it was absolutely beautiful. So stunning and magical. My parents also got married in the middle of winter."Thor proposed marriage to Daisy in Tuscany, Italy during a romantic wine tasting.Daisy and Thor had built a home in Las Vegas and moved in together earlier this year."I moved to Vegas!" Daisy captioned a March Instagram video that showed her wearing a white robe and getting ready in the spacious bathroom of the house."Yes, me and Thor are now roommates, so we'll see how that goes."After finishing Joey Graziadei 's season in second place, Daisy rekindled a relationship with Thor, whom she had briefly dated about five years ago when they both attended San Diego State University.Daisy went public with her relationship in May 2024 by posting a photo with Thor on Instagram.Daisy shared that while she planned to go "back and forth" between Las Vegas and San Diego for "a little bit," Thor's place had become her permanent residence.Daisy also confirmed that she still traveled to Minnesota frequently to visit her family and friends and that she hopes to have a second home there eventually.Daisy told Kathy Swarts and Susan Noles on the "Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour" podcast in June 2024 that "it just clicks" with Thor and she's crazy about him "He is the most -- he is the kindest person I've ever met in my life, and he would do anything for anybody. He is just a very giving and loving person," Daisy gushed at the time.Daisy added how Thor showed respect for people and constantly uplifted her.But Daisy previously revealed that Thor had been the one to break up with her in college."But we just weren't at a place to have a relationship, and I think, at the time, we were both just very 'college.' We just wanted to have fun, so it was the best thing for both of us," Daisy said during a May 2024 episode of the "Scrubbing In with Becca Tilley & Tanya Rad" podcast.Thor apparently contacted Daisy after she had time to heal from her split with Joey. (Joey's Final Rose Ceremony had filmed in November 2023, although it didn't air until March 2024)."I was going through so much... It wasn't until after the show that we decided to try to give it a go," Daisy shared, before adding, "I had no idea he was still interested."At the time, Daisy said Thor wasn't exactly comfortable with being in the spotlight yet."He's very supportive of what I want to do and all of this too, but he never, ever thought this would happen. I'm sure when articles started coming out, it was shocking," Daisy noted.Although Daisy said she loved being on TV and had "the time of my life" on , she rejected ette role two weeks before : After the Final Rose aired in March 2024.Daisy -- who said she'd be open to a stint on Dancing with the Stars -- insisted that Thor had nothing to do with her decision to pass on ette.In fact, Daisy even said on an April 2024 episode of "The Squeeze" podcast that she was "relieved" to have turned down ette's 21st season, which later premiered in July 2024.After all, Daisy received a cochlear implant in 2023, and before that, she had battled undiagnosed Lyme disease for years and finally sought an aggressive treatment program in Germany."I knew they would take care of me, and they made that very evident that they would," Daisy revealed of ette producers on an April 2024 episode of "The Viall Files" podcast."But also, the fact you're hurting other people... I mean, there's usually what -- around 30 people? I can't send everyone home at once, you know what I mean? What if I didn't like them? I don't think I could actually sit there and kiss somebody [I didn't like]."Daisy insisted she had "thought really long and hard" about the opportunity before passing on it."I think I know when things are getting too much and when it would be too much for me... I just felt like it was important that I kind of take control over my life and the path I want to do," Daisy explained, adding, "It just didn't feel right."On 's Season 28 finale, Daisy and Kelsey Anderson were Joey's Final 2 bachelorettes in Tulum, Mexico.After both women met Joey's family and had a final date with him, Daisy predicted that she wasn't going to end up with Joey. She felt something was "off" and "missing" with Joey during their last date.Daisy shared her suspicions with Kelsey Anderson , and then the women drove to the Final Rose Ceremony in the same van.Daisy essentially beat Joey to the punch and broke up with him, and then Joey got engaged to Kelsey.Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
By Jeff Mason and Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions for using Russian oil and gas, a White House official said on Friday, after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban pressed his case for a reprieve during a friendly meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington.

Last month, Trump imposed Ukraine-related sanctions on Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft that carried the threat of further sanctions on entities in countries that buy oil from those firms.

Orban, a long-time Trump ally, met with Trump at the White House on Friday for their first bilateral meeting since the Republican returned to power and explained why his country needed to use Russian oil at a time when Trump has been pressing Europe to stop doing so.

Orban said the issue was vital for Hungary, which is a European country, and pledged to lay out "the consequences for the Hungarian people, and for the Hungarian economy, not to get oil and gas from Russia."

Trump, aiming to put pressure on Moscow to end its war with Ukraine, appeared sympathetic to Orban's position.

"We're looking at it, because it's very different for him to get the oil and gas from other areas," Trump said. "As you know, they don't have ... the advantage of having sea. It's a great country, it's a big country, but they don't have sea. They don't have the ports."

"But many European countries are buying oil and gas from Russia, and they have been for years," Trump added. "And I said, 'What's that all about?'"

The White House official noted that, in addition to the sanctions exemption, Hungary had committed to buying U.S. liquefied natural gas with contracts valued at some $600 million.

Hungary has maintained its reliance on Russian energy since the start of the 2022 conflict in Ukraine, prompting criticism from several European Union and NATO allies.

International Monetary Fund figures show Hungary relied on Russia for 74% of its gas and 86% of its oil in 2024, warning that an EU-wide cutoff of Russian natural gas alone could force output losses in Hungary exceeding 4% of GDP.

The two men also discussed Russia's war with Ukraine.

Trump said last month that he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Hungarian capital, but the meeting was put on hold after Russia rejected a ceasefire.

Trump on Friday said Russia simply did not want to stop fighting. "The basic dispute is they just don't want to stop yet. And I think they will," he said.
Fraud reported by banks declined in 2024-2025 to 23,953 as compared to 36,060 in the previous year though the amount involved jumped to Rs 36,014 crore from Rs 12,230 crore.

Kindly note that this illustration generated using ChatGPT has only been posted for representational purposes.

Frauds per transaction as detected by banks are rising from July of the current year after steady decline since the beginning of the year, said T Rabi Sankar, deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India on Friday.

"It's important to realise that in any system, there is some degree of fraud.

"If you look at frauds per number of transactions, we would see that compared to last year, from the beginning of the year, that incidence kept on reducing substantially until about July, when it again started rising up," Sankar said at the SBI Banking and Economics Conclave.

"So they might be cyclical.

"They might be going up and coming down, but we are hoping that with the digital infrastructure that we are creating, and the success that we are seeing -- we are seeing a success of more than 90 per cent at this stage -- we will be able to contain that," he added.

Fraud reported by banks declined in the financial year 2024-2025 (FY25) to 23,953 as compared to 36,060 in the previous year though the amount involved jumped to Rs 36,014 crore from Rs 12,230 crore.

The increase in the amount involved in the total frauds reported during 2024-2025 over 2023-2024 was mainly due to removal of fraud classification in 122 cases amounting to Rs 18,674 crore reported during previous financial years and reporting afresh during the current financial year after re-examination and ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court judgement dated March 27, 2023.

The deputy governor said it can be argued that banks found themselves at an inherent disadvantage compared to fintechs as they operate under a heavier regulatory framework, burdened by compliance requirements such as know your customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML), and other supervisory checks, which introduce friction and raise operating costs.

In a truly competitive market, banks might have sought to recover these additional costs from fintechs, but doing so could have slowed the pace of technological adoption, he noted.

Yet, even beyond these regulatory disadvantages, the fact remains that banks failed to recognise the transformative potential of UPI as early as fintechs did, he said.

Unlike fintechs, which quickly grasped the value of customer acquisition and data-driven insights, banks were constrained by their conservative structures and legacy mindset.

This limitation, rooted in the very nature of traditional banking, prevented them from fully appreciating the opportunities that digital platforms and data offered, the deputy governor said.

"It also has a disadvantage that banks have to bear the cost of regulation, both financially and in terms of the obligation to follow provincial processes.

"One corollary of this somewhat protected environment within which banks operate is that the innovation edge is blunted.

"This is probably one reason why banks did not fully appreciate the potential benefits of UPI as keenly as the fintech players did," he said.

Further, he highlighted that competitiveness in the financial sector may no longer hinge primarily on balance sheet strength, but rather on data capability and technological agility.

Banks, however, remain structurally vulnerable due to their monolithic IT systems, extensive branch networks, and high compliance costs.

As a result, mere incremental digitisation will not be enough to keep them competitive.

In this changing landscape, he said the strategic imperative for banks is clear: they must modernise their core infrastructure, making it more flexible, modular, and adaptive, to effectively compete with the rapidly evolving fintech ecosystem and prepare for the next wave of transformational technologies.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
Chinese airline China Eastern is set to begin its Delhi-Shanghai flight from Sunday, days after IndiGo's flight to Guangzhou from Kolkata, marking the resumption of the flight services between the two countries after a gap of five years.

Image used only for representation.

The China Eastern flight will leave Delhi at 8 pm and arrive in Shanghai early Monday.

It will leave Shanghai at 12:30 pm and reach Delhi by evening 6 pm. The flight will operate on alternate days.

India's Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, who plans to greet the passengers coming from Delhi by the China Eastern flight, said that the resumption of the flight services will usher in a new age of greater connectivity and encourage stronger people-to-people ties between India, the fastest growing economy, and the business hub of the eastern China Region led by Shanghai.

This will help to bring India closer to the fast-growing Eastern China Region, which also includes the AI hub of Hangzhou and trading hubs of Yiwu and Keqiao, the textile capital of China, he told PTI in Beijing.

IndiGo will begin its daily flights from Delhi to Guangzhou from November 10.

The airline has formally kicked off the resumption of flights on October 26, operating the Kolkata to Guangzhou flight.

The flight services between the two sides were suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They were not restored in view of the over-four-year border face-off in eastern Ladakh, which ended in October last year.

India-China relations plunged to their lowest point since the 1962 war following the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. After a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides withdrew their troops from several friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

In October last year, the two sides firmed up a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok, the last two friction points.

Days after the agreement was finalised, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Kazan in Russia and took a number of decisions to improve the ties.

In the last few months, the two sides have taken a series of measures to repair the ties, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and the resumption of flights.
An Indian-origin couple currently serving jail terms in Australia for enslaving a woman for eight years has been slapped with a fresh penalty and ordered to forfeit the proceeds from the sale of their home, police said.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Tumisu/Pixabay

Kandasamy Kannan, 61, and his wife, Kumuthini, 58, have had the 'proceeds of the sale of their home forfeited and ordered to pay AUD 140,000 (approx $90,874) in combined penalties to the state', the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a press release on Friday.

An Australian court in 2021 convicted Kannan and Kumuthini for enslaving a woman from India who had entered Australia on a tourist visa and sentenced them to six and eight years of imprisonment, respectively.

AFP's Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) restrained the couple's house in Mount Waverley in 2016 after they were charged with slavery offences, the release said.

The house was sold for AUD 1.4 million in 2016. After paying the mortgage and sale expenses, Kannan and Kumuthi's equity in the property of about AUD 475,000 was held by the Official Trustee and restrained before its forfeiture in 2022.

About AUD 485,000 was granted to the victim in 2023 as an ex gratia payment, the release said.

The CACT also sought pecuniary penalty orders against the offenders for benefits obtained from the crime. In October this year, the woman agreed to pay AUD 100,000, and the man agreed to pay AUD 40,000, in addition to the forfeited equity and accrued interest.

According to the case report uploaded on the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution (CDPP) website, the victim, who the jury concluded was the Kannans' slave, arrived in Melbourne from Tamil Nadu in 2007 on a one-month tourist visa.

Before the victim's departure, an oral agreement was made by the Kannans outlining the domestic services they expected her to provide at their Mount Waverley home.

The victim's travel costs and visa were organised and paid for by the Kannans, and upon arrival, they took her passport.

The victim lived at the Kannan family home for eight years, until she was taken to the hospital in 2015. During those years, she cared for the offenders' children and undertook a variety of household chores.

In July 2015, an emergency call was made requesting an ambulance to attend the home, where paramedics found the victim lying barely conscious in a pool of urine on the bathroom floor.

She was in a perilous state of health, weighed 40 kg and was suffering hypothermia, altered consciousness, urinary sepsis and untreated type 2 diabetes.

The Kannans gave false and conflicting accounts to medical staff and police about the victim's name, their relationship with her, the nature of her stay in Australia and the whereabouts of identifying documents such as her passport.

The conflicting accounts resulted in the matter being referred to the AFP's Human Trafficking team, and an investigation commenced shortly thereafter.

In August 2015, the victim's family in India, concerned about her welfare, contacted the Australian High Commission in India and the Indian High Commission in Canberra.

Subsequently, Victoria Police visited the Kannans' home to check on the welfare of the victim, who at that time had been admitted to hospital under a false name.

A search warrant was executed at the Kannans' home in October 2015, and the couple were arrested in September 2016.

During the trial, the victim told the court that she had been subjected to physical and verbal abuse and had been largely confined to the Kannans' house, including during their annual trips to India.

The victim also told the authorities that she had asked the Kannans to return her to India, but was refused. The victim's communication with her family was also limited and only allowed in the presence of the Kannans.
After a search spanning several days, the body of Ajit Chaudhary, a 22-year-old Indian student from Rajasthan's Alwar district, has been recovered from a dam near White River in Ufa city, Russia.

IMAGE: Ajit Chaudhary was pursuing MBBS course at Bashkir State Medical University in Russia's Ufa. Photograph: X

Ajit, a resident of Kafanwada village in Alwar and was pursuing MBBS course at Bashkir State Medical University in Ufa, had been missing since October 19, when he left his hostel and did not return. A day later, his clothes were found near the riverbank, prompting an extensive search operation.

Family members were informed about the recovery of his body on Thursday afternoon. Ajit's friends and fellow students in Russia confirmed his identity.

The local authorities have sent the body for post-mortem before initiating its repatriation to India, which could take up to two days, his uncle Narayan Chaudhary said.

According to family members, Ajit's parents had sold a part of their farmland to fund his medical studies abroad. His brother is preparing for competitive examinations in Alwar.

"Ajit went to Russia to pursue MBBS in December 2023. We got information from his friends there that his body was found on Thursday," Narayan Chaudhary said.

"We have been informed that the body has been kept in a mortuary for post-mortem. We request the Government of India to expedite the process of bringing his body back," he said.

Former Union Minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh expressed grief over the student's death, calling it "deeply distressing."

"The news of Ajit Singh Chaudhary's death is shocking. The young student from Kafanwada village went to Russia with great hope and effort by his family. His disappearance and now death under suspicious circumstances demand a serious investigation," Singh said in a post on X.

He urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Indian Embassy to ensure that the body is brought home immediately and that the circumstances of the death are thoroughly investigated.
It was with the help of British spy call intercepts that the Canadian authorities drew alleged links between India and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023, a new documentary released this week has claimed.

IMAGE: A man holds a poster with photographs of Khalistani terrorists Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh Panjwar, during a protest outside the Golden Temple, in Amritsar. Photograph: ANI Photo

'Inside the Deaths that Rocked India's Relations with the West' by 'Bloomberg Originals' reports that a British intelligence agency -- believed to be the UK's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), often referred to as the country's listening post -- intercepted calls that appeared to be discussing three targets.

Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh designated a terrorist by India in 2020 for Khalistani extremism, was allegedly among the names on the intelligence passed on to the Canadian authorities under the 'Five Eyes' intelligence sharing agreement between the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

In late July 2023, there was a 'breakthrough' in the Nijjar murder investigation case when the UK obtained 'relevant information', the video documentary claims.

The British intelligence would only be shared under strict conditions: hand-delivered to Ottawa and kept off electronic systems and only a handful of Canadian officials, pre-approved by London, could see it, it is claimed.

"The file was a summary of conversations intercepted by a British intelligence agency between individuals who analysts believe were working on behalf of the Indian government," the documentary claims.

"They had discussed three potential targets: Nijjar, (Avtar Singh) Khanda and (Gurpatwant Singh) Pannun. Later, there was an exchange about how Nijjar had been successfully eliminated," it alleges.

Khanda, a British Sikh pro-Khalistani activist, died in June 2023 at a hospital in the city of Birmingham in the West Midlands region of England.

He was terminally ill with blood cancer and despite allegations from some groups in the UK, the British authorities ruled there were 'no suspicious circumstances' surrounding the death. In the wake of the documentary, Sikh Federation UK said it has written to security minister Dan Jarvis to demand why the British government has intelligence from July 2023 that it has not shared or referred to 'when specifically asked by MPs representing the Sikh community'.

'We are particularly concerned about British intelligence held that is relevant to the mysterious death of Avtar Singh Khanda,' the letter reads.

Meanwhile, US-based Pannun, designated a terrorist by India for his Khalistani extremism, is interviewed in the Bloomberg documentary surrounded by armed bodyguards and claims to be in fear for his life. India has strongly rejected Canadian allegations as 'absurd and motivated' and a 'deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains'.

The issue triggered a massive diplomatic row when the then prime minister Justin Trudeau made a statement in the Canadian Parliament in 2023 that its security forces were 'actively pursuing credible allegations' linking Indian government agents to the murder of Nijjar in British Columbia.

In October 2024, India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa attempted to link them to the Nijjar case. India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats.

However, Liberal Party leader Carney's victory in the parliamentary election in April this year helped begin the process of resetting relations.

In June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on the margins of the G7 summit at Kananaskis in Canada.

In August, India and Canada appointed envoys to each other's capitals, signalling their efforts to repair ties.
The Winter session of Parliament will be held from December 1 to 19, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced on Saturday, in what the opposition has described as an 'unusually delayed' and truncated session.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

The three-week session will have 15 sittings in all and is expected to be stormy as it comes in the midst of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union territories, an exercise against which several opposition parties have raised objections.

The Monsoon session of Parliament also saw vociferous protests by several opposition parties over the SIR in Bihar that led to daily disruptions in Parliament.

'The Hon'ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji has approved the proposal of the Government to convene the #WinterSession of Parliament from 1st December 2025 to 19th December 2025 (subject to exigencies of Parliamentary business),' Rijiju said on X.

'Looking forward to a constructive and meaningful Session that strengthens our democracy and serves the aspirations of the people,' he said.

The tone for the Winter session will be set by the results of the Bihar assembly elections on November 14 where the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is locked in a stiff battle with the opposition Mahagathbandhan coalition.

Several opposition parties are also likely to seek answers from the government on repeated claims made by US President Donald Trump on helping end hostilities between India and Pakistan over trade, after India launched 'Operation Sindoor'.

Soon after the announcement of the session dates, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh hit out at the government, saying the session is 'unusually delayed and truncated'.

'It will be just 15 working days. What is the message being conveyed? Clearly the Government has no business to transact, no Bills to get passed, and no debates to be allowed,' Ramesh said in a post on X.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien alleged that the government has 'Parliament-Ophobia', describing it as a fear of facing the Parliament.

'PARLIAMENT-OPHOBIA. PM Narendra Modi and team continue to suffer from the acute condition called Parliament-ophobia, a morbid fear of facing Parliament.

'15-day Winter Session announced. Setting dubious records,' he said in a post on X.

Last year, the winter session of Parliament was held from November 25 to December 20.

The Election Commission has started phase two of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories, including in poll-bound states of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal.

Phase two of the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise began on November 4 with the enumeration state and will continue till December 4.

The EC will release the draft electoral rolls on December 9, and the final electoral rolls will be published on February 7.
How the UN's flagship climate summit lost its direction and what's at stake.

IMAGE: An aerial view of an area submerged in water amid heavy rainfall caused by cyclone Montha in Warangal, October 30, 2025. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

On the eve of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30), the United Nations-led global climate conference in Brazil, a veteran participant likened it to a "mela" -- a grand but "pointless" jamboree of over 40,000 people from across the world: Heads of State, diplomats, corporate chiefs, investment bankers, NGOs, activists, students, and protesters, all gathering under one roof for two weeks to discuss the warming of the planet -- a crisis that disproportionately hurts developing nations such as India.

To put it mildly, COP has lost its mojo and "needs to go back to its roots", said R R Rashmi, distinguished fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute and a long-time climate negotiator.

The urgency to find technological and financial solutions to contain global temperature rise within 1.5 Degree C above pre-industrial levels could not be greater, as over 150 nations prepare to assemble in Belem (often called Belem of Para, the capital and largest city of the state of Para in northern Brazil), bordering the Amazon, from November 10.

"Participation declined at COP29 in Baku, and attendance may fall further at COP30 if the agenda lacks a clear road map with milestones, timelines, and a balance between public and private finance to mobilise the $1.3 trillion needed for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage in developing countries," said Abhijeet Sinha, director -- ease of doing business, and principal advisor, Services Export Promotion Council, ministry of commerce.

A planet near the edge

Belem COP may be defined by three critical events. The world has reached its first climate tipping point, according to the Global Tipping Points Report 2025.

Authored by 160 scientists from 87 institutions across 23 countries, the report warns that warm-water coral reefs -- on which nearly a billion people and a quarter of all marine life depend -- are now passing their tipping point.

Global warming is perilously close to triggering other catastrophic shifts -- from melting ice sheets and the collapse of key ocean currents to Amazon rainforest dieback.

"This demands immediate, unprecedented action from leaders at COP30 and policymakers worldwide," said Tim Lenton, professor at the University of Exeter.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels reached a record high in 2024, fuelling extreme weather after global heating weakened natural land and ocean "sinks" that absorb CO2 , according to the UN's World Meteorological Organization.

The increase in global CO2 concentration was the highest single-year jump since records began in 1957.

The UN's State of Wildfires report found that extreme wildfires released over 8 billion tonnes of CO2 during the March 2024-February 2025 fire season -- more than twice India's annual emissions and covering an area larger than the country itself.

The last time the planet saw comparable CO2 levels was three to five million years ago, according to New Scientist magazine.

Methane and nitrous oxide -- the second and third most potent greenhouse gases -- also hit record highs.

Aggravating the situation, the Donald Trump administration scuttled plans by the UN's International Maritime Organization to make shipping the first global industry subject to carbon pricing.

Climate negotiators now fear that a fossil fuel-friendly, sceptical Trump administration could derail COP30.

From Berlin to Belem: A lost plot

The first COP meeting was held in Berlin in 1995 under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

"The COPs were always a serious platform for governments and experts to reach consensus on the way forward," said Rashmi, who led Indian delegations at several sessions.

"Participation was originally limited to governments and agencies with the technical and scientific capacity to understand the issues."

That changed in 2009 at the Copenhagen summit.

"It became a very political exercise," Rashmi said.

Initially, developed nations -- mainly the G20 -- drove the climate agenda, though obligations rested only with the G8, led by the US.

Around 2006-2007, Washington declared it would not participate in any future climate regime unless all major economies joined in.

The Europeans went further, seeking a legally binding commitment -- something the US resisted.

"They wanted developing nations to stand behind their commitments and report their actions. That's how the transparency provision was inserted, which didn't exist in the UNFCCC for developing countries," Rashmi said.

Copenhagen was a turning point for India and other developing nations.

Earlier, they had no obligation to take or report climate actions, nor to be held accountable.

Developed countries, however, faced international scrutiny.

The push was to get China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia to accept similar obligations.

India, China, and the G77 resisted. "We agreed to take national actions, but not to be bound by international obligations to reduce emissions," Rashmi said.

Eventually, in 2015 at COP21, both developed and developing countries signed the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change.

"The Paris Agreement had something for everyone," Rashmi said.

"It's legally binding, as the Europeans wanted, but it lets developing nations set their own targets in light of the global goal. It's not a top-down system."

Copenhagen also marked a dramatic shift in participation. Attendance swelled sixfold to 40,000 after European negotiators co-opted civil society to pressure developing nations, Rashmi recalled.

By COP28 in Dubai, the number had doubled again.

"This crowd of people is distracting governments from focusing on negotiations," Rashmi said.

"Though civil society adds momentum and pushes governments towards higher targets, it also dilutes the negotiating process."

For any real progress to be made, Rashmi added, the COP's structure itself needs revisiting -- to separate negotiations from implementation.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Assyrian Parties Coordinate Efforts in Northeast Syria

The Syriac Union Party today visited the office of the Suraya Democratic Party in Tel Tamr, Khabur River Valley, North and East Syria. The visiting delegation included members of the Syriac Union Party's Executive Committee Gabriel Shamoun and Simon Gerges. They were received by Madeleine Warda, Co-Chair of the Suraya Democratic Party, and several party members.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the current situation of the Assyrian people in Syria and specifically addressed the many problems they face in the Assyrian villages in the Khabur River Valley--in 2015, the terrorist organization Islamic State invaded the Khabur Genocide and killed, kidnapped, and displaced thousands of Assyrians. It remains one of the darkest and most tragic chapters in the recent history of the Assyrian people in Syria.

The disastrous consequences of the genocide are still felt by the decimated community to this day. The Syriac Union Party and Suraya Democratic Party emphasized the urgent need for coordination to resolve the problems and create appropriate conditions for the return of displaced people. Moreover, both sides stressed the importance of continued coordination and communication.
A deputy governor of the Bank of England (BOE) played down concerns the U.K. is slipping behind other jurisdictions in introducing regulatory regimes for stablecoins, saying the rules will be in effect "just as quickly as the U.S.," Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

"Our aim is to make sure that our regime is up and running, just as quickly as the U.S.," Sarah Breeden, the deputy governor for financial stability, said at a conference on Wednesday, according to the report.

The U.K. central bank is set to reveal its proposed stablecoin regulations on Nov. 10, with expectations that it will impose limits on holdings of 20,000 pounds ($26,000) on individuals and 10 million pounds on businesses.

The BOE drew the ire of many in the crypto industry when it was reported the central bank planned to limit the amount of stablecoins that individuals and businesses could own. Breeden described these plans as "less of an issue in practice than people might think."

She pointed to differences in the U.K. mortgage market compared with the U.S., where the GENIUS Act was signed into law by President Trump in July, as a reason for a limit on stablecoin holdings being necessary.

"People in the U.S. get their mortgages from Fannie and Freddie, and theyre funded in financial markets," Breeden said, referring to the Federal National Mortgage Association (known as Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (Freddie Mac). "People in the U.K. get their mortgages from commercial banks and so that need for limits as we transition to a world of stablecoins is one that is less pertinent to the U.S. regime."

The BOE did not respond to CoinDesk's request for further comment.


Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 16F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 16F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Peace talks in Istanbul between Pakistan and Afghanistan's hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers have ended with no deal, but a cease-fire between the neighboring countries will continue.

The Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, blamed the collapse of the talks on the Pakistani delegation's "irresponsible attitude and lack of cooperation."

Writing on X, Mujahid accused Islamabad of "showing no readiness to assume any responsibility for Afghanistan's security, or even for its own."

He added that the cease-fire "has not been violated by us so far, and it will continue to be observed."

Multiple rounds of talks brokered by Turkey and Qatar have been held in Istanbul since last month. The latest talks were held on November 6-7 and were led by Abdul Haq Wasiq, the Taliban intelligence chief, and Lieutenant General Asim Malik, head of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.

Earlier, Pakistani officials -- including Defense Minister Khawaja Asif -- also said the Istanbul talks failed, adding, "There are no plans for further negotiations."

Asif warned that if Afghanistan's territory is used to attack Pakistan, the cease-fire will end.

He had previously warned that failure to reach a deal could lead to "open war."

The latest round of Taliban-Pakistan talks in Istanbul faced problems from the outset; for example, an exchange of fire on November 6 in Spin Boldak between Taliban soldiers and Pakistani forces.

Although both sides accuse the other of starting the shooting, local reports say civilians in Spin Boldak suffered heavy losses.

At least five civilians, including four women, were killed there, and six others were wounded.

October's bloody clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban, in which at least 50 Afghan civilians were killed and about 450 wounded, were halted through Qatari and Turkish mediation, and the two sides announced a cease-fire.

Pakistan also confirmed the deaths of at least 23 soldiers and injuries to 29 others.

The violence erupted following explosions in Kabul on October 9 that the Taliban authorities blamed on Pakistan.

Once close allies with a 2,600kilometer shared border, the two sides have fallen out amid Islamabad's claims that Afghanistan shelters militant groups, including the Tehrike Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan alleges that the Taliban authorities are allowing the TTP to use Afghan territory as a training and logistics hub for attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban government denies the allegation.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his country has received an exemption from US sanctions on Russian energy purchases following talks with US President Donald Trump amid stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

"We have received full sanctions exemption for the TurkStream and Druzhba pipelines," Orban said at the press conference after his meeting with Trump at the White House on November 8.

Terms of the exemption remained unclear. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook the exemption was for an "indefinite" period. However, news agencies quoted White House officials as saying the exemption was time-limited to one year.

Trump earlier said he would consider a move, acknowledging the country's limited options for importing energy.

"We're looking at it, because it's very difficult for him to get oil and gas from other areas," Trump said as he hosted his longtime ally Orban.

Orban, who has often criticized Europe for taking what he called a "hard-line" stance on Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said Russian energy was "vital" for Hungary.

He added that Hungary's landlocked geographical position limits the country and forces it to buy Russian oil exports through the Druzhba pipeline, which runs across Ukrainian territory.

Cutting access would carry deep consequences for Hungarians, Orban said, adding the issue is not about politics.

"It's a physical reality because we don't have a port," he said.

During the meeting, Trump criticized other European countries for buying Russian energy, suggesting they are in a better position than Hungary, which neighbors war-torn Ukraine on its eastern border.

"Many of those countries don't have those problems and they buy a lot of oil and gas from Russia," he said.

US Sanctions On Russia

Prior to Orban's first visit to the White House in years, the two leaders, long united by ideology, found themselves on opposite sides of the policy fence when it came to imports of Russian oil.

Last month, the United States sanctioned Russia's two largest oil companies as Trump's frustration grew over Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to end the invasion of Ukraine.

RFE/RLs Hungarian Service reported that conversations with sources in the Hungarian government suggested they thought a deal on an exemption was likely following another European precedent -- a decision to temporarily exclude Rosnefts German subsidiary from sanctions.

The US sanctions on Russia's energy giants came after several unsuccessful rounds of negotiations between the United States and Russia, which at one point were expected to be discussed at a summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest.

Shortly after a conversation between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Trump said he was not going "to be wasting time" meeting with Putin if the Kremlin leader was not ready to make a deal to end his war on Ukraine.

Western media had largely reported that there has been little change in Russia's stance on ending the conflict since Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska in August, which didn't result in a cease-fire.

On November 8, Trump said he still didn't see Russia as willing to stop the fighting, though he still prefers Budapest as the venue for a peace summit once the conditions for such a meeting are met.

"The basic dispute with Russia is they don't want to stop war in Ukraine," Trump said.

Both Trump and Orban agreed that they see a possible end to the nearly four-year conflict in the "near" future, with the Hungarian leader, who has been Russia's biggest ally in the EU, saying he would present Trump with ideas on how to end the war.

In his remarks to the press on the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country would support a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest but only if it would bring peace closer.

Zelenskyy also claimed Ukraine would find a way to end Europe's Russian energy exports, saying it was a good sign "the United States are interested in this."

"Russia must lose from the war, and its greatest loss is when it cannot trade energy resources," he added.

With reporting by Reuters, CNN, and the BBC
A bus driver in Russia's Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk was investigated last month after he prayed at a bus terminal while passengers waited inside the vehicle.

The man, believed to be a Central Asian migrant, was cleared of any wrongdoing after it was found that he was on a break. But footage of him praying triggered online anger in Russia.

Some worshippers pray on the streets and sidewalks in Russia, which is home to millions of Muslims, including migrants from Central Asia. But the practice of street praying has provoked growing resentment in Russia as hostility and violence toward Muslim migrants surge.

Central Asian migrants have experienced intensified police raids, deportations, and mistreatment in Russia in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall in March 2024. Several Tajik citizens were arrested over their alleged involvement in the attack.

Critics say praying on sidewalks, in parking lots, or on public transport is inconsiderate and even provocative. But worshippers say there is a shortage of mosques in many parts of Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. Muslims also pray five times a day, including during working hours, making trips to mosques difficult.

In March, the authorities in Russia's Pacific port city of Vladivostok took disciplinary action against another bus driver after footage was posted on social media showing him praying in front of his vehicle.

"The driver was advised to seek alternative, more secluded locations for religious rites to avoid causing inconvenience to others," the Vladivostok municipal authorities were quoted as saying in a statement.

The issue of Muslim migrants praying in public spaces has been raised by senior Russian officials.

"While I'm not against Islamic prayers, I think it's pretty weird when someone on the subway rolls out a prayer mat or a minibus driver starts praying," said Valeriy Fadeev, head of Russia's presidential human rights council, an advisory body, during a visit to Uzbekistan in October.

The practice of street praying is a divisive issue even among Muslims.

Under Islam, worshippers can pray in places like parks, airports, or workplaces if they are clean, but they should choose a suitable spot that is not disruptive to others. There are specific places where prayers are discouraged, such as in graveyards and bathrooms.

Adham Haidarzoda, a prominent religious scholar in Tajikistan, told RFE/RL that Islam advises worshippers to "avoid praying on roads and in places where people walk and gather."

Migrants Fear Backlash

Valentina Chupik, a Russian rights activist, expressed concern that the growing scrutiny of Islamic religious practices could further stigmatize Central Asian migrants and fuel discrimination.

Chupik warned that online outrage over such incidents often spills into real-life hostility, reinforcing stereotypes and deepening social divides.

Central Asian migrants have said they fear that street praying could lead to a backlash.

Daler, a 34-year-old Tajik taxi driver who only gave his first name, said he has seen migrants praying in the streets or "near buildings or rubbish bins." Most of them, he said, are Tajik, Uzbek, or Kyrgyz taxi drivers who fear missing prayers if they wait until they get to a mosque.

"It draws attention and builds resentment toward migrants," Daler told RFE/RL. "I respect people's right to religious freedom, but I think we shouldn't add fuel to hostility toward migrants by praying where it inconveniences people."

The debate over public prayer is not limited to Russia.

In 2011, France banned prayers on the streets of Paris. Street praying became a political issue after far-right protests.

In Britain, the practice has also sparked controversy. In 2021, an Islamic call to prayer from London's Tower Bridge drew widespread criticism and online debate over migration, despite organizers having obtained official permission.
A Ukrainian drone strike has knocked the Lukoil-operated Volgograd refinery offline, halting one of Russias largest fuel processing hubs as Ukraine continues with its campaign to take advantage of Moscows downstream vulnerability to long-range attacks.

The Thursday attack, confirmed by regional authorities and company sources, ignited fires in the refinerys main crude distillation unit and hydrocracker, forcing a full suspension of operations pending assessment, according to Reuters.

The CDU-5 unit, which handles roughly 66,700 barrels per day, is responsible for the lions share of Volgograds 13.7 million-ton annual capacity, representing around 5% of Russias total refining throughput.

Located on the Volga River in southern Russia, the facility supplies domestic fuel markets and exports refined products through Black Sea terminals. Local officials reported one fatality and several injuries from falling debris after Ukrainian drones struck both industrial and residential areas across the Volgograd region. The same attack wave disrupted air traffic and sparked multiple fuel-storage fires.

Lukoil has not indicated a restart timeline, while emergency crews continue containment and repair work in a tense security situation.

Kyiv has intensified strikes on Russian oil assets in recent months, arguing that energy infrastructure is both a legitimate military target and an economic lever. Ukrainian officials say these operations have reduced Russian refining output by as much as 17% this year and indirectly lifted Western refinery margins by tightening product supply. That incident follows other recent attacks, including one in which Ukrainian drones set a Russian oil tanker ablaze near a Black Sea port, disrupting fuel flows and highlighting persistent logistical exposure.

The Volgograd outage also coincides with new U.S. sanctions forcing Lukoil to divest global holdings, including assets in Europe and Africa. Sanctions have curtailed the companys overseas operations and limited access to critical equipment and financial services, making it increasingly difficult to respond to domestic refinery disruptions from a spare capacity perspective.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the way to change Russian President Vladimir Putin's mind and bring him to the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine is to step up military aid to Kyiv.

Speaking in an interview with RFE/RL on November 7, Stoltenberg, who led the alliance for a decade before leaving in October 2024, said that despite "unprecedented" support some NATO countries are not doing all they should to support Kyiv.

While he said he would not name and shame, he acknowledged this is discussed among NATO allies internally.

His comments come amid stalled US-led diplomatic efforts to get Russia to agree to a cease-fire in Ukraine, where it launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Stoltenberg, who was NATO chief at the time the invasion was launched and is currently Norways finance minister, said Putin still believes he can win more on the battlefield than at the negotiating table, meaning his hand must be forced.

I don't think we can change Putin's mind. His aim is to control Ukraine. But I do think we can change Putin's calculus, he said.

And we can do that by stepping up, providing more military support to Ukraine, so Putin realizes that he will not win on the battlefield.

According to figures compiled by the Kiel Institute in Germany, NATO nations provided some 291 billion euros ($336 billion) of aid to Ukraine between January 2022 and August 2025.

This has included military supplies such as Patriot missile-defense systems, tanks, artillery, and fighter jets, as well as British and French Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles.

But there has been no new major US military aid package since Donald Trump began his second term as US president in January, and European countries have failed to pick up the slack.

We can always agree that its possible to do more, Stoltenberg said.

The problem is that not all allies do as much as they should. I will not name and shame, partly because I don't think that's the right approach. I know this is something which is discussed among NATO allies internally, he added.

Stoltenberg also stressed that since he took up his cabinet position in February this year, Norway had announced it would triple its level of aid to Ukraine to 7 billion euros ($8.1 billion) annually.

Hardly any other country, if any, provides more support to Ukraine measured against GDP per capita, he said.

The Threat Of China

While Ukraine is a key test of NATO resolve, Stoltenberg noted wider challenges facing the alliance -- above all China, the size of China, their economy, their technological advances.

Noting Chinas role as the main enabler of Russias war in Ukraine, through its economic support for Moscow, he said this wider context was a powerful driver keeping the NATO alliance united.

Questions are asked on both sides of the Atlantic [about] whether we will continue to stand together. But I believe that we will do so, he said, pointing to the combined economic strength of Europe and the United States and their shared global network of allies.

Washingtons role in Europes military defenses is fundamental. But Stoltenberg said mutual defense was not a one-way street.

Across the border from Norway, he said, we have the Kola Peninsula [in Russia] and that's where we have the highest concentration of nuclear weapons in the world: on submarines, strategic bombers, missilesaimed at the United States."

But of course, with Norwegian capabilities, with the capabilities of other European countries, we're able to follow the submarines, to follow the activities on the Russian side. And that makes the US safer, he said.

More US Troop Cuts In Europe?

Still, tensions within the alliance are well documented.

Since Trump reassumed office, he has increased the pressure on other member states to increase military budgets. This resulted in an agreement at the alliances summit in The Hague in June to raise defense spending in each country to 5 percent of economic output.

We were carrying much more than our fair share. It was quite unfair actually, Trump said at the time. But those new targets still need to be met.

Meanwhile, a Pentagon review is expected to lead to reductions in US forces in Europe as Washington continues its pivot to Asia. Last month, it emerged that the United States had decided to significantly cut its troops in Romania.

Stoltenberg would not be drawn on whether he expected further reductions.

But I still believe that we need to be prepared, he said, adding that as long as it were handled in a coordinated way Europe could deal with a diminished US presence.

And we have seen how European allies over the last years have really started to invest more in defense.

"What is important is that the US stays committed to the security guarantees," he said, referring to NATOs Article 5, under which an attack on one is considered an attack on all.

A strong NATO is good for Europe. For me, that's obvious, Stoltenberg added. But a strong NATO is also good for the United States.
Russia carried out a large, overnight combined strike using drones and missiles across multiple regions of Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials emphasizing that energy infrastructure and civilian facilities were key targets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on November 8 that more than 450 drones and 45 missiles of various types were launched, framing the strikes as aimed at normal life, residential buildings, energy facilities, and infrastructure.

"For every strike Moscow launches on our energy system in an attempt to hurt ordinary people before winter, there must be a sanctions response against the entire Russian energy sector without exceptions," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram, calling for dialing up the international pressure on the Kremlin.

Regional impacts included emergency power outages in the Poltava region under a special emergency outage schedule ordered by Ukrenergo, with Kremenchuk reporting a complete blackout and opening of "Points of Invincibility" -- temporary public hubs offering heat, power, Internet, water, and basic aid.

Kharkiv saw subway service suspended and disruptions to electricity and water; electric transport was replaced by buses, and warming centers were opened. Rail operations were reportedly significantly disrupted in the Poltava region.

Civilian damage included a Russian drone strike on a ninestory residential building in Dnipro that destroyed apartments on two floors, with at least three people reported killed.

"There must be a European decision on Russia's frozen assets, additional sanctions, support, and reinforcement of Ukraine's defense," Zelenskyy said.

Kyiv has urged the United States to supply longrange Tomahawk missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia as Moscow intensifies air attacks on Ukrainian cities, but President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled he is not prepared to approve such deliveries.

Moscow has warned Washington against sending Tomahawks, with Vladimir Putin calling the move a "completely new stage of escalation" in US-Russia relations.

Approaching the fourth year of the fullscale war, Ukraine argues that Tomahawks would degrade Russia's war effort by hitting oil and energy facilities far from the front.

In the meantime, Ukraine has conducted deep strikes on Russian energy sites using drones, which carry smaller warheads than US cruise missiles.
An overnight Russian air attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on November 8 killed one person as it struck the center of an apartment block, leaving at least 10 wounded. Fire and rescue teams helped get dozens of civilians, including two injured children, to safety.
Russian forces claim to have captured dozens of buildings in house-to-house fighting in Pokrovsk, as Ukraine's hold on the strategic frontline city grows more tenuous.

As Pokrovsk has become the fiercest area on Ukraine's front line this year, the fighting for the city now resembles some of the bloodiest and longest battles of the war, notably Bakhmut in 2023 and Avdiyivka in 2024.

A week ago, Ukraine vowed to launch an intensive defensive operation in the area, while Russian forces claimed to have encircled the Ukrainian troops defending the city.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the situation as "difficult," adding that about 314 Russian soldiers are embedded within the city's districts.

Video provided to RFE/RL by Ukraine's 7th Rapid Reaction Corps shows Russian soldiers in and around Pokrovsk being targeted by Ukrainian drones.

"The enemy's No. 1 goal is to occupy Pokrovsk as quickly as possible. This goal remains unchanged," Zelenskyy said on November 8.

Andriy Hnatov, Ukraine's chief of general staff of the armed forces, said Russian forces have infiltrated the southern outskirts of the city in an attempt to establish a foothold for further advances.

Ukrainian soldier Andriy confirmed to RFE/RL that Russian forces were advancing in the area, saying the Kremlin's efforts to capture the city continue despite growing number of casualties.

"They're using an incredible number of personnel. But again, dozens of Russians are being destroyed by the brigade every day," Andriy said.

"In the last four months, we've killed or wounded about 2,000 Russian soldiers," he added.

Attempting to storm Pokrovsk and neighboring Myrnohrad, Russian forces are trying to seize key roads leading deeper into the Donetsk region and to open a route toward the Dnipropetrovsk region.

While the future of the front line in Donetsk remains uncertain, Moscow appears to be achieving at least one of its objectives.

Through combined drone and missile strikes on the cities, Russia has been depopulating frontline areas, leaving its troops with a clearer path through largely abandoned towns with minimal civilian resistance.

As a result, most residents have fled Pokrovsk, the former industrial city of 60,000, which now lies largely in ruins.

However, some military analysts doubt Russia would be able to quickly capture the area and move on to neighboring cities.

Ukrainian military expert Oleksiy Hetman told RFE/RL that while the situation is growing difficult, Ukrainian forces still have strongholds prepared west of the city, which would allow them to repel further Russian assaults.

"No 'doors' or 'routes' to Slovyansk or Kramatorsk are being opened. That's nonsense spread by Russian propaganda," Hetman added.
By product category, Apparel revenues slipped 1.1% year over year to $936.5 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $907 million. Footwear revenues decreased 15.7% to $263.6 million, missing the consensus estimate of $267 million. Revenues from the Accessories category fell 2.8% to $113.1 million, beating the consensus estimate of $109 million. Meanwhile, Licensing revenues improved 16.9% to $29 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $25.3 million. Revenues from North America declined 8.3% to $791.5 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $775 million. Meanwhile, revenues from the international business rose 2% (down 1% on a currency-neutral basis) to $551 million. Within the international segment, revenues from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) increased 12.2% year over year to $317.7 million, beating the consensus estimate of $304 million. Revenues from the Asia-Pacific dropped 13.7% to $179.2 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $153.6 million. Latin America saw a 14.6% rise to $53.8 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $46.1 million.

Wholesale revenues fell 6.2% year over year to $775.1 million, while direct-to-consumer revenues dipped 2.2% to $538.1 million. Revenues from company-owned and operated stores were steady at 1%, whereas e-commerce revenues dropped 8% and accounted for 28% of the total direct-to-consumer business for the quarter.

The Baltimore, MD-based company reported adjusted earnings of four cents per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of three cents. The reported figure decreased from adjusted earnings of 30 cents per share in the year-ago period. Meanwhile, net revenues of $1,333.4 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,308 million but dipped 5% from the prior-year quarter. The metric declined 6% on a currency-neutral basis.

However, UAAs shares have fallen nearly 5% in pre-trading hours on soft outlook for fiscal 2026. Declines in revenues and earnings on a year-over-year basis further hurt investors sentiments. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has lost 30.5% in the past three months compared with the industrys decline of 11.9%.

Under Armour, Inc. UAA reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, wherein the top and bottom lines exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both metrics decreased year over year. Also, e-commerce revenues fell year over year. Management is encouraged to see signs in brand momentum across North America, which is a key milestone in the companys turnaround. Its strategic actions, operating model and go-to-market approach progress well.

Story Continues

Focus on UAAs Margins

Under Armour reported gross profit of $630.6 million, down 9.4% year over year. The companys gross margin contracted 250 basis points to 47.3% from the prior-year period. This was driven mainly by supply-chain woes stemming from higher tariffs and a less favorable channel and regional mix. These were somewhat offset by gains from foreign exchange and pricing.



Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses grew 9% year over year to $577.2 million, excluding roughly $4 million in transformation costs associated with the fiscal 2025 restructuring plan.



Adjusted operating income was $53.4 million, down from $166.1 million reported in the year-ago period.

Under Armour Financial Snapshot

UAA ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $396 million. In the reported quarter, using the net proceeds from issuing the Senior Notes due 2030, coupled with borrowings from its revolving credit facility and cash, Under Armour satisfied and discharged its $600 million Senior Notes due 2026. As of Sept. 30, 2025, UAA had $200 million in borrowings outstanding under a $1.1-billion revolving credit facility.



The company ended the quarter with long-term debt (net of current maturities) of $589.8 million and total stockholders' equity of $1.86 billion.



Under Armour repurchased $25 million of its Class C common stock in the reported quarter, retiring 5.2 million shares. As of quarter-end, it repurchased 18 million shares worth $115 million as part of a three-year, $500 million program approved by its board last May.



In May 2024, UAA unveiled a restructuring plan focused on improving its financial and operational efficiencies. The plan is estimated to cost up to $160 million, including up to $90 million likely to be cash-related and roughly $70 million anticipated as non-cash charges. By the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the plan had resulted in the company generating $103 million in restructuring and impairment charges and $44 million in other associated transformational expenses. Of the total $147 million spent to date, $82 million is cash-related and $65 million is non-cash-related. Management expects the remaining charges outlined in the revised restructuring plan will be recognized by fiscal 2026-end.

Sneak Peek Into UAAs 2026 Outlook

For fiscal 2026, revenues are projected to decline 4-5% year over year. This includes planned high-single-digit percentage decreases in North America and Asia-Pacific, and a high-single-digit percentage rise in EMEA.



Gross margin is likely to contract 190-210 bps, primarily owing to elevated U.S. tariffs, coupled with negative channel and regional mix. Favorable foreign currency exchange impacts, product mix and pricing are anticipated to partly offset these decreases.



SG&A expenses are likely to decline by a mid-teens percentage rate. Excluding transformation expenses associated with the company's fiscal 2025 Restructuring Plan as well as the prior year's litigation settlement expenses and impairment charges, adjusted SG&A is forecast to decline at a mid-single-digit rate, thanks to reduced marketing costs, restructuring savings and other cost-management efforts.



Operating income is forecasted to range from $19-$34 million, with adjusted operating income, excluding restructuring and transformation charges, estimated between $90 million and $105 million for fiscal 2026. Loss per share is envisioned to be between 15 cents and 17 cents, while adjusted earnings per share are anticipated to be in the range of 3-5 cents. UAA reported earnings per share of 31 cents in the prior fiscal year.

Key Picks in the Consumer Discretionary Space

Crocs CROX, which is a leading footwear company, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



CROX delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 14.3%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Crocs' current financial-year EPS indicates decline of 7.9% from the year-ago number.



Guess?, Inc. GES, which is a designer and marketer of casual apparel and accessories, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



GES delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 26.7%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GES current financial-year sales indicates growth of 8.5% from the year-ago number.



Ralph Lauren RL, which is a designer and manufacturer of apparel and accessories, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.



The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RLs current financial-year EPS is expected to rise 21.7% from the corresponding year-ago reported figure. RL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.5%, on average.

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(Corrects paragraph 1 of November 7 story to show that Volkswagen's China chief said the industry, not VW specifically, was receiving chips again)

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Carmakers have received their first deliveries of chips from Chinese-owned semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia after a supply outage, Volkswagen's China chief told German daily Handelsblatt.

The Dutch government had seized control of Nexperia, which is based in the Netherlands, on September 30 as part of a broader U.S.-Chinese trade war, and the Chinese government blocked exports of its products from October 4, leading to a shortage of Nexperia chips widely used by carmakers.

Nexperia on Thursday, however, welcomed news that, under a U.S.-China agreement, it will not be subject to U.S. export restrictions for one year. China has also said it will allow exports on a case-by-case basis.

"There have already been initial exports," Ralf Brandstaetter, Volkswagens board member for China, told Handelsblatt.

"After the agreement with the United States, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce reacted quickly and announced that it would grant short-term special permits."

How sustainably this system will function, he said, depends in particular on relations between the United States and China. While production in China by the carmaker is currently unaffected, the situation as a whole is creating uncertainty.

(Reporting by Philipp Krach; Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Louise Heavens)
A unique three-pronged health and well-being initiative has been launched for the county.

The initiative is the culmination of a collaboration between Roscommon County Council, Roscommon Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), the HSE and the countys Public Participation Network (PPN).

Three documents, the Roscommon Age Friendly Strategy 2025-2030, the Healthy Roscommon Well-Being Strategy 2025-2029 and the Community Resilience Toolkit were all launched last week, outlining a vision for the health and well-being of the countys citizens.

Healthy Roscommon Well-Being Strategy

The new Healthy Roscommon Well-Being Strategy is part of a national initiative launched as a response to the growing health challenges faced by the population, including rising rates of obesity, chronic diseases, and mental health issues.

The initiative focuses on promoting healthier lifestyles, enhancing the quality of health services, and encouraging community involvement in health-related activities. It is built on the recognition that health is influenced by multiple factors, including socioeconomic conditions, environment, and personal choices.

Healthy Ireland has four main goals - increasing the proportion of people who are healthy at all stages of life, reducing health inequalities, protecting the public from threats to health and wellbeing while creating an environment where every individual and sector of society can achieve a healthy Ireland.

Speaking at the launch of the document, chief executive of Roscommon County Council Shane Tiernan said the strategy echoed the high-level goals brought to the fore in our Local Economic Community Plan (LECP) and is in line with the National Healthy Ireland Framework and The Well - being Framework 2023.

Business manager, Health Services Executive and chairperson of the Health and Wellbeing Subcommittee Eamon Hannan explained that the Healthy Roscommon Community Wellbeing Strategy will ensure the implementation of the Healthy Ireland Framework and its objectives for the people of Roscommon.

Roscommon Healthy County coordinator Aisling Dunne said the strategy identifies four key themes to encompass all aspects of health wellbeing and contains associated actions, which will provide concrete steps to promote health and wellbeing, reduce health inequalities, and ensure that every individual in Roscommon can lead a life of dignity, respect, and opportunity".

Representatives of Roscommons Older Persons Council, Roscommon Public Participation Network (PPN)m and management and staff of Roscommon County Councils Health and Well-Being section pictured at the recent launch in Aras an Chontae. Pic: Gerrd O'Loughlin

Community Resilience Toolkit

The second policy launch, the Community Resilience Toolkit, is designed to help Roscommon communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from crisis events, drawing on unique local knowledge, shared values, and learning from evidence-based practices that have helped other communities across the world.

The toolkit is focused on supporting a wellbeing and psychological approach as core components of community resilience. It is designed to be a practical and usable guide for local groups, volunteers, and community leaders to organise, communicate, and care for one another in the face of challenge.

Members of the Older Peoples Council pictured at the launch of the Age Friendly Strategy. Pic: Gerard O'Loughlin

Age-Friendly Strategy

The third policy, Roscommons Age-Friendly Strategy, aims to foster a supportive and vibrant community for all residents, built on the principles of inclusivity, engagement, and empowerment. It seeks to ensure that older residents can live active, fulfilling lives within their local communities.

The overarching goal of the document is to make Roscommon an Age Friendly County with all agencies working together to promote and maintain the best possible health and well-being of older people and to make the county a great place to grow up and grow old in.

Roscommon County Council CE Shane Tiernan remarked that the strategy reflects the high level of commitment and focus to continue improving the lives of older people that has been established in the county over the last number of years.

The Roscommon Age Friendly Alliance Group, which I am chairperson of, is fully committed to this strategy and the actions it contains. It will seek to ensure that this strategy achieves measurable outcomes for older people that demonstrate improvements in their quality of life over the five-year period to 2030, said Mr Tiernan.
Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme, Vivo, Oppo, Motorola, and Google Pixel have started rolling out updates. File Photo

This flaw affects Android 13, 14, 15, and 16.

Android Users in India at Risk: Government Issues High Alert

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high alert for Android smartphone users in India after identifying a critical zero-click vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-48593.

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This flaw affects Android 13, 14, 15, and 16. It allows hackers to exploit devices remotely without any sort of user interaction. It is a huge concern for exposing personal data, chats, and system access. As per experts, this kind of zero-click exploit is rare and extremely dangerous because users dont need to tap or download anything for the potential threat.

Warning

According to CERT-In advisory CIVN-2025-0293, the vulnerability stems from improper input validation in Androids System component. If exploited, it could allow attackers to run malicious code, gain elevated privileges, or disrupt services.

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Googles November 2025 Security Bulletin confirms that no active exploitation has been detected yet, and it urges users to patch devices immediately. Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme, Vivo, Oppo, Motorola, and Google Pixel have started rolling out updates.

Users should check their devices patch level under

Settings  About Phone  Security Patch Level

and ensure that it reads November 1, 2025, or newer.

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Wider Cybersecurity Context

India is home to one of the worlds largest Android user bases. It has seen a steady rise in mobile cyber threats. Zero-click vulnerabilities like this one allow silent breaches that can lead to data theft, ransomware, or remote surveillance. Past campaigns, including the 2025 LANDFALL spyware incident, show how quickly unpatched devices can be exploited.

How to Stay Safe

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CERT-In and cyber security experts advise:

Regular Update: Install the November 2025 patch.



Avoid unofficial apps and third-party stores.



Enable Google Play Protect and automatic updates.



Use secure Wi-Fi or a trusted VPN.



Watch for warning signs like sudden battery drain or high data use.

This alert is a reminder that digital safety is a shared responsibility. Timely updates and cautious behaviour are the simplest measures against a fast-evolving cyber landscape.
India, the world's second-largest shrimp producer after Ecuador, exported 5 billion USD worth of frozen shrimp in FY 202425, with the U.S. buying nearly half. File Photo.

Farmers like Nardu Das, also from Nandigram, say the situation is dire.

India,World's Second Largest Shrimp Producer, Under Threat

In the coastal town of Nandigram, West Bengal, shrimp farmer Buddhadeb Pradhan has recultivated his pond within a few weeks of the previous harvest. Even when there is a high risk of disease that often comes with double-cropping, he feels that he has no choice.

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I am worried about the falling prices if I can recover my investment of a3 lakh, he said, as Indias once-thriving shrimp sector is facing the impact of steep U.S. tariffs imposed earlier this year.

U.S. President Donald Trump made this announcement in May; the farm price of shrimp has fallen from a300 to around a230 per kg**, which is far below the production cost of a275. With a 58.26% combined duty  including countervailing and anti-dumping charges  Indian exporters are losing ground fast.

India, the worlds second-largest shrimp producer after Ecuador, exported 5 billion USD worth of frozen shrimp in FY 202425, with the U.S. buying nearly half. But the new tariffs have shaken the foundation of an industry employing 10 million people across farms, hatcheries, and processing units.

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Farmers like Nardu Das, also from Nandigram, say the situation is dire. We borrow money and hope for good returns, but diseases and price crashes push us into poverty. Some farmers are losing everything.

Ravid Kumar Yellanki, president of the All India Shrimp Hatcheries Association, said that the crisis has also crippled Indias 550 hatcheries. Over half have stopped production. He further added that 78 billion shrimp seeds have been discarded in the past four months due to lack of demand.

Experts say structural flaws worsen the situation. India imports brood stock  mother shrimp flown in from the U.S.  but poor adaptation to Indian conditions often triggers disease. Weve urged the government to develop local brood stock for better-quality seeds, said IPR Mohan Raju, president of the Prawn Farmers Federation of India.

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Meanwhile, Ecuador has seized this opportunity, exporting over 1 million tonnes of shrimp to the U.S. in the first nine months of 2025  up 14 percent year-on-year  helped by lower costs and just a 15 percent tariff.

Aquaculture expert Manoj Sharma believes India must diversify now. Exporters have ignored the domestic market for too long. It has huge potential, he said. For farmers like Pradhan and Das, that shift will take time to happen.
The United Nations in India also congratulated Lucknow. It described this as a haven for food, from mouth-watering Galouti Kababs and Awadhi Biryani to Chaat, Golgappe, and Makhan Malai  enriched by centuries of tradition. File Photo

Lucknow was officially inducted into UNESCO's Creative Cities Network last month.

Lucknow Wins UNESCO Gastronomy Tag; CM Yogi Adityanath Proposes One District, One Cuisine



Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has come up with a new initiative, One District, One Cuisine, focused on taking the diverse flavours of the state to the international level. This announcement came after Lucknows inclusion in UNESCOs Creative Cities Network (UCCN) under the Gastronomy category  a recognition of the citys centuries-old culinary heritage.



Calling the UNESCO honour a moment of pride for all of Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath said it is a celebration of not just Lucknows food legacy but also the states rich and varied cuisine. Every district in this state keeps its culture, pride, and history alive with its unique taste, he said in a post on X.



The Chief Minister encourages citizens to participate in the culinary celebration online: Take a journey through the world of flavours around you or share photos and videos of your home-cooked dishes using #OneDistrictOneCuisine.



Adityanath listed several regional delicacies that reflect the states diversityfrom Lucknows chaat and Banarass malaio to Meeruts gajak, Bandas sohan halwa, Baghpats baalushahi, Agras petha, Mathuras peda, Moradabads dal, and Khurjas kurchhan. Each dish has a different taste and illustrious history, he added.



Lucknow-based author and storyteller Himanshu Bajpai welcomed this idea and said that this initiative will help lesser-known local foods gain wider recognition. Many dishes are made only in a particular district. They remain endemic to that region, and outsiders often dont know about them, he said. Once people embrace this idea, their popularity will naturally grow.



Lucknow was officially inducted into UNESCOs Creative Cities Network last month. It joined 58 new global members recognised by Director-General Audrey Azoulay on October 31. The network has 408 cities from over 100 countries now. This network is committed towards using creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development.



The United Nations in India also congratulated Lucknow. It described this as a haven for food, from mouth-watering Galouti Kababs and Awadhi Biryani to Chaat, Golgappe, and Makhan Malai  enriched by centuries of tradition.








Cu alte cuvinte, a multi-award-winning association

The "Bare Rroma" project, initiated by the "Cu Alte Cuvinte Association", received this year's Radio Romania Cultural Gala award in the Education category

Bare Rroma

Corina Cristea, 08.11.2025, 12:10

The Bare Rroma project, initiated by the Cu Alte Cuvinte Association, received this years Radio Romania Cultural Gala award in the Education category. Founded in 2016 by Gabriela Nenciu and Cris Pirvu, the Cu Alte Cuvinte Association set out to bring diversity to the childrens book market and took on an important role in promoting it by creating spaces where children and adults can openly discuss Roma culture and history, disability, neurodiversity, diverse families, gender stereotypes, and socio-economic challenges. A first step was the publication of the first book for teenagers with Roma characters, The Story of the Lost Kendama, which won the Romanian Writers Union Award in 2018. This was followed by The Ring with the Horses Head, the first illustrated history of the Roma for children, written by two Roma authors, and Bare Rroma (which in Romani means big/important people), the first series of illustrated books that brings the lives of Roma personalities to the forefront.

We spoke with Dora Cerin, project coordinator, about the beginnings and history of the association, which in just eight years has managed to change mindsets and facilitate the creation of numerous illustrated books.

Track :First of all, its a very beautiful process. There are 19 illustrated books, 13 of which feature Roma characters. Most of them are illustrated childrens books, mostly for children over 5 years old. However, we also have a book for teenagers, and we have somehow reached this area, the middle school cycle, thus addressing teachers who teach in those classes. But, as I said, most of the books are designed for kindergarten and primary school. At first, we had this approach, of having the books designed by experienced writers, who would come into contact with a community of children and be inspired by their stories and aspirations, and basically create a story inspired by reality. Then, in 2022, we changed our approach slightly, in the sense that we wanted to create a platform for young Roma authors, through which they could become writers. In this way, we also encouraged young Roma writers to make their debut. This project, Bare Rroma, which has already won several awards, relied on the fact that most of the writers were debutants. As for the selection process for Roma authors, we have an open call. At the last open call, for example, several young Roma applied and we finally selected eight future writers.

Now in its second edition, Bare rroma presents four stories featuring Roma heroes and heroines who serve as role models for us all. While the first edition featured four stories about two activists, an actor, and a musician, this second edition brings us stories about a soprano, an actress, a painter, and a sociologist. These are four books that challenge us to look beyond the stereotypes associated with Roma and discover people who are models of perseverance, talent, and generosity. The heroes and heroines were chosen by the eight young people who wrote the books, under the guidance of writer Iulia Iordan and journalist Delia Marinescu. Obviously, the project was also born out of a desire to integrate Roma children. Seven out of ten teachers say that their Roma students do not declare their ethnic identity, the main reasons being fear of discrimination and shame, according to the results of an online survey conducted by the Cu Alte Cuvinte association, with the support of several NGOs working in disadvantaged communities.

Here is Dora Cerin, project coordinator at the Cu Alte Cuvinte Association, with details about the Bare Rroma project:

It is our most beloved project, somewhat different from our previous projects, in which we facilitated the creation of storybooks. The idea for the project came from teachers, more specifically from a teacher who raised the issue that she was facing a lack of materials to present models of the Roma community to children, materials that were appropriate for their age. Thats how this idea was born, and it was very well received by teachers and the general public. Certainly, it was also the fact that through this initiative we went beyond the boundaries of an editorial project that simply proposes a story. The positive reception was also due to the fact that Roma authors were involved. It was also important that the books were based on interviews with the personalities featured in them. Many connections were made, and I can say that these meetings between the Roma authors and their heroes were very emotional. I would like to point out that the selection of these emblematic characters who appear in the books was never made by the association. It was made by the young people enrolled in the project, based on arguments, but the selection belongs to them. And the activities with the children in the class were much more interesting because some of the children already knew the heroes in the books and took them as role models.

Until now, the books published by the Cu Alte cuvinte team were mainly distributed to schools and libraries, but the association has now managed to bring to Romanian bookstores the first illustrated book for children over the age of four, written by a Roma author, Baris. De vorba cu ploaia (Baris. Talking to the Rain). Created by Alexandru Zamfir, a teacher and storyteller, and Daniela Olaru, an illustrator passionate about childrens art, the book perfectly combines story and illustration, encouraging young children to ask questions about cultural identity. (MI)
November 8, 2025 UPDATE (1)

A roundup of local and world news

November 8, 2025 UPDATE (1)

Vlad Palcu, 08.11.2025, 16:00

UNITED STATES  TROOPS IN ROMANIA

American troops will remain stationed in Romania, though some adjustments will be made in troop rotation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters.

The statement came after President Donald Trump was asked during a White House press briefing about reports of a partial withdrawal of US troops from Romania.

Nothing was uncoordinated with the White House. Everything is part of our vision for Europe. Troops will remain in Romania, but there will be some adjustments, Hegseth said, after being invited by President Trump to clarify the matter.

No, theyre not ignoring anything I say. What theyre doing is making changes, moving them around. Its the same number, the same total, but were relocating people, Trump explained. I like the Romanian people  I think theyre wonderful, he added, assuring that Relations with Romania are very good, and relations with Europe are very good.

SEIZED CONTRABAND

Over 180 million contraband cigarettes have been seized by Romanian authorities in the first ten months of this year, over three times the total amount confiscated in 2024, according to data provided by the Border Police.

The value of the confiscated goods is estimated to stand at over 170 million lei (approximately 34 million). The counties of Suceava (northeast), Constanta (southeast), and Timis (west) top the list of areas with the largest volumes of cigarette captures destined for illicit trafficking this year.

According to specialized research, the black market for cigarettes in Romania reached 12% of total consumption in July 2025, the highest level recorded in the past five years, before stabilizing at 9.6% in October, compared to an annual average of 9% in 2024.

The rise in this phenomenon is attributed to the intensification of trade flows following Romanias accession to the Schengen Area, free movement, significant price differences in tobacco products between neighboring countries, declining local purchasing power, and the repeated increases in taxation levels.
Sure, Buffett understands that a small handful of artificial intelligence-related technology stocks are almost single-handedly responsible for this steep valuation. He also knows it doesn't really matter. If and when these tickers stumble, their sell-offs are going to drag the rest of the market down with them. That's likely what he's waiting on, in fact, even if he's not explicitly saying as much.

So is the so-called Buffett Indicator comparing the total combined capitalization of all U.S.-listed stocks to the United States' gross domestic product (or GDP). As of the latest look, the former is roughly 120% above the latter, which is 70% above its long-term norm.

Numbers from FactSet tell some of the tale. That is, the S&P 500 's trailing price/earnings ratio is just under 29 right now, while its forward-looking price/earnings ratio is currently a little over 23. Both are at more-than-decade highs.

The most likely explanation is also the correct one. That is, while Warren Buffett usually isn't too worried about valuations (he's famously said, "It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price"), we're in a somewhat extraordinary situation. Namely, stocks as a whole are strangely expensive here .

What gives? Why is the usually bold Buffett willing to miss out on so much of this year's ongoing bullishness?

And yes, this is a hint you should take. There are three very specific ways you'll want to begin taking Buffett's clear lead, in fact, before the end of this year. But first things first.

It marks the fifth consecutive quarter that Berkshire's CEO, Warren Buffett, has opted to keep more than $300 billion on the sidelines rather than investing it in still-rising stocks, with this hoard being the biggest of those five quarters in question. For perspective, that's more than the sum total value of all the stocks that Berkshire Hathaway currently owns, and roughly one-third of Berkshire's current market value.

There's absolutely no denying it now -- there's a serious lack of attractive long-term investment opportunities. Per Berkshire Hathaway 's (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) recently released third-quarter numbers, the conglomerate is sitting on a whopping $381.6 billion worth of idle cash.

Following Buffetts lead here will require patience, but should prove worthwhile in the long run.

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You might want to consider taking his lead and making similar plans now, since making plans in the midst of a panic often leads to ill-advised decisions. If you don't know where to start, consider these three easy steps.

1. Start building your own cash hoard

First and foremost, you can take a cue from the Oracle of Omaha by doing precisely the same thing he's doing. That's amassing a huge pile of cash to put to work once the right opportunity appears. In other words, a major pullback.

This should be deliberate, too. That is to say, while you may be seeing your cash balance grow simply because you're selling some stocks and not yet replacing them with any new picks, that's not quite the right mindset.

You should be making a conscious point of building a sizable cash balance, specifically because you know a great buying opportunity is coming sooner or later. When you're thinking in these terms, you're less likely to put some cash into short-term investments that you may not actually want to wade into.

2. Make your long-term pick list now

Saving up some liquidity is only part of the equation, though. At the same time, now's the time to start thinking about the stocks you actually do want to own for the long haul.

You've likely got a list of names you're interested in already in the back of your mind, if not outright written down. Many of these may not be the sort of stocks you'd actually want to buy with a "forever" mindset, though -- the kind of holding that you own on faith that the underlying company will be able to thrive in a future you can't even see.

The perma-holdings you should earmark here and now are the stalwarts that have a long track record of success in good times and bad. Think Coca-Cola, American Express, and Apple, each of which is currently a Berkshire holding.

3. Start keeping tabs on the long-term chart of the S&P 500

Finally, start keeping a visual track of a long-term chart of the S&P 500. This typically isn't the kind of thing true buy-and-hold investors need to bother doing. Indeed, this practice is something most long-term investors might want to make a point of not doing, since it tempts you to try to time the market's ebbs and flows. (You can't -- at least, not consistently.)

That's not quite the point of doing it right now, though. Rather, the primary purpose of watching the S&P 500's long-term chart here is to help keep the market's enormous run-up since April -- and really, since the middle of 2022 -- in perspective. There's a good chance you'll want to dive back in too soon once the market finally starts to go through an overdue correction, if not an outright bear market. A chart will help you avoid falling into that trap.

Not an all-or-nothing matter

Now, don't read too much into the message. While Buffett's hesitance implies he sees some sort of serious repricing on the horizon, it's not like he's completely abandoning the market altogether. Berkshire Hathaway is still sitting on over $300 billion worth of equity holdings. You don't necessarily need to abandon all of your stocks, either. You should stick with your highest-quality long-term holdings, in fact, even knowing some of them could suffer a short-term setback in the foreseeable future.

Just don't be afraid to apply some of the Oracle of Omaha's obvious intuition to your investments as well. Berkshire's long-term market-beating track record speaks for itself.

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Dozens of cars lined up for groceries at Storehouse West on Wednesday.

RIO RANCHO  Its a s-  show, Storehouse West director Joe Mickelson said on another busy pantry day Nov. 5.

Dozens of cars, both parked and waiting in line at the pantry, could give people an idea of how the lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP, and other national issues are impacting the community.

Though partial benefits and state money are set to keep people afloat for a little while, the in-person experience is much less technical. People need food, and pantries are having a hard time keeping up, as was easy to see at Storehouse West.

Mickelson talked about the pantrys point of view.

It truly is (a s-  show). We didnt get our federal funding, he said.

Nationally, $500 million of SNAP money is on hold. For Storehouse West, according to Mickelson, that means they arent getting about $46,000.

He said the pantry got first notification in March that funds were frozen and shortly after realized they wouldnt get any funds.

We didnt get it, and we started seeing a big uptick in new families, he said.

On a normal day, Mickelson said the pantry signs up about 40 families per month. Since June, those numbers have doubled with 60-80 families signing up per month.

But thats not all. Mickelson started seeing reduced deliveries of food from Roadrunner Foodbank and other providers in July. Intakes are going up and food is going down, he said.

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We were on a Zoom (call) with Roadrunner Foodbank two weeks ago today, and since were part of the Feeding America, the TEFAB (Emergency Food Assistance Program), they basically said, Expect another 45% reduction, Mickelson said.

The pantry did get produce, baked goods and small canned goods, but that was it, he added.

Mickelson has also seen an increase of people who have been furloughed by the government coming to them for help and to help. He said he has volunteers that are getting a third of SNAP electronic benefit transfer, known as EBT, card money.

One thing he said people might not understand from the perspective of the pantries is the fact that they are spending money on resources and food.

Im spending money to buy food, he said.

Mickelson, who worked in advertising at the Observer before retiring, is used to not getting into the politics.

Nobody talks politics here, but now theyre talking, he said.

He added that he has never seen anything like what is happening now.

Despite the issues, people in the community have stepped up and have been supporting the pantry, including upcoming donations from the Rio Rancho Police Department and Rio Rancho Public Schools. They also received big donations from people in the community, a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield and more. The money from BCBS actually offset the funds the pantry lost from the federal cuts, he added.

Donations are the backbones, Mickelson said.

Though he tries to remain neutral during all of the turmoil, he couldnt help getting emotional about the situation.

My first couple weeks here, I didnt know I could handle it emotionally, and there are times I still feel it, he said with tears in his eyes. I think if youre human, and you see this and experience it, you cant help but get a little emotional.

Donations are being accepted at the pantry location at 1030 Veranda Road.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, center, greets House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, and other legislators before an Oct. 29 news conference in Albuquerque to announce the state would provide stopgap funding to cover SNAP benefits.

SANTA FE  For the second time in two months, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling legislators back to the Roundhouse for a special session prompted by federal funding concerns.

The Governors Office said Thursday the latest special session will take place Nov. 10, and will be limited to appropriating more state funding to pay for food assistance benefits for more than 460,000 state residents.

The move comes one week after Lujan Grisham announced the state would use $30 million in stopgap funding to cover the cost of SNAP benefits for a 10-day period.

We acted fast in October when the Trump administration abandoned New Mexican families, and now the Legislature is coming back to finish the job, Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

We are fortunate that several years of economic prosperity and sound fiscal management have enabled us to support New Mexicans in this time of need, the governor added. However, we will not be able to fund these state supplements forever. Republicans in Congress need to come back to the table to end the longest government shutdown in American history and get everyone back to work.

However, the governor will not be present for next weeks special session, as she recently left the state to attend a two-week United Nations climate change conference in Brazil.

With the governor out of the country until Nov. 18, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales will serve as acting governor during the special session, according to the Governors Office.

Lujan Grisham also called legislators back to Santa Fe for a two-day special session last month. That session ended with the Democratic-controlled Legislature approving bills aimed at helping rural hospitals and temporarily averting steep health care premium increases for some state residents.

Legislators also approved the $30 million in funding the governor used to foot the bill for keeping the SNAP benefits intact.

Democrats say theyll step up againLawmakers could approve up to $250 million in additional emergency funds during the latest special session, which is expected to last for just one day. That would make enough funding available to last until the start of a scheduled 30-day legislative session in January, several legislators said.

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Top-ranking Democratic lawmakers expressed support for the special session on Thursday, describing it as a necessary step.

The Legislature is ready to step up again to ensure our families have the food assistance they need, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said in a statement.

House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, blamed President Donald Trump for failing to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides food assistance to more than 20% of New Mexico residents during the ongoing shutdown.

While the federal government shutdown drags on, we are going to keep showing up to work, so we can protect our people from the chaos and cruelty coming out of Washington, D.C., Martinez said.

However, leading Republican legislators blamed New Mexicos two Democratic U.S. senators  Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan  for the states food assistance predicament. Heinrich and Lujan have joined most other Senate Democrats in staunchly opposing a GOP-backed plan to reopen the federal government.

We are being called into another special session because Senators Lujan and Heinrich are refusing to fund SNAP benefits for the neediest New Mexicans, said House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena.

I would much prefer the governor use her authority and influence to urge our Senate delegation to end this crisis by voting to reopen the federal government, Armstrong added. Instead, they are holding vulnerable New Mexicans hostage for political leverage.

Federal shutdown backdropThe federal government is 37 days into the longest shutdown in U.S. history because Congress has not passed annual appropriations bills to keep it funded.

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a temporary funding bill in September that would keep the government funded at the current level, but the bill has yet to make it through the Senate, where Democratic votes are needed to pass it.

Democrats are pushing for the temporary funding bill to address expiring health insurance subsidies. Without the subsidies, health insurance costs will go up for many Americans on Affordable Care Act plans.

After the programs annual appropriations ran out this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it could not legally use a roughly $5 billion contingency fund to keep SNAP funded in November, leaving 42 million Americans without food assistance. But two federal judges disagreed.

Judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled last week that the Trump administration must use the contingency fund to pay for SNAP benefits, and could use its ability to transfer other funds to fully cover November benefits  roughly $8 billion.

The Trump administration said earlier last week it would use just the contingency fund to partially pay for SNAP benefits and that the process could take weeks. In Rhode Island, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ruled Thursday that the administration must find money to fully fund November benefits.

But the Governors Office has said it plans to forge ahead with the state-level plan as the court cases play out.
Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, said Thursday that the company is creating a new research team aimed at expanding the capabilities of artificial intelligence.

Under Suleyman's leadership, the group, known as the MAI Superintelligence Team, will concentrate on creating sophisticated yet useful AI systems.

In contrast to developing abstract or limitless forms of superintelligence, Suleyman stressed in a blog post that the team's goal is to develop AI that is "grounded and controllable" in order to solve real-world issues.

The action is taken as big tech companies step up their efforts to hire the best AI researchers. While Google and Anthropic are still growing their AI research portfolios, Meta has invested billions in its rival Superintelligence Labs.

Before joining Microsoft last year, Suleyman, a co-founder of DeepMind, led the startup Inflection. He currently leads the AI division, which includes Bing and Copilot.

Although Microsoft has expanded by integrating from Google, Anthropic, and Inflection, it still relies on OpenAI for its core models.

With expert-level diagnostic capabilities and cutting-edge planning tools, the new team will focus on AI applications in education, healthcare, and renewable energy.

Amid growing investor concerns, Suleyman also emphasized the need for fiscal restraint, stating that Microsoft will not pursue superintelligence "at any cost."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP) India

[November, 2025]

The spectre of a nuclear Armageddon has become a constant companion of humanity since the huge criminal massacre in the closing days of WWII in August 1945 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After a relative pause with the end of the Cold War, this has again started looking more and more real and immediate. The Doomsday Clock  meant to indicate the immediacy of the final cataclysm  is now set at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been. The Clock, by the way, had moved as far back as 17 minutes to midnight in 1991 in the wake of the United States and the Soviet Union signing the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) and the ending of that earlier Cold War stasis. That was the safest in the entire 78-year history of the Doomsday Clock.

Alarmingly, in recent years The Clock has moved closer to the "Midnight" hour. On February 24, 2022 the day the invasion of Ukraine commenced, Putin, the Russian President in his public address had warned that anyone who tries to stand in our way must know that Russia will respond and that the consequences will be such as you have never seen in your entire history. This would be followed up with repeated, even less veiled, nuclear blackmail threats by him and his deputies. If the US remains the major culprit in its stationing of nuclear weapons outside its territorial borders in a host of allied countries, Russia has now joined it in becoming the second country to station nuclear weapons in another country, namely in Belarus. All the nuclear powers have been developing and testing improved delivery systems, most recently by Russia of its underwater Poseidon nuclear drone and of the Burevestnik nuclear powered nuclear-armed cruise missile.

However, on October 30, hours prior to his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the U.S. President Donald Trump escalated nuclear dangers even further by posting on social media, Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War [the Pentagon] to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. This announcement signals a reversal of decades of United States nuclear policy. The last explosive nuclear weapon test carried out by the United States was back in 1992. Other than North Korea, no country has tested nuclear weapons since the late 1990s, and the 1997 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) has been signed by 187 states.

The White House has not yet clarified whether there will at some time soon be a resumption of actual explosive testing or whether this announcement only refers to more general forms of non-explosive testing of its weapons systems. Either way, this announcement cannot but have a deeply de-stabilising effect globally, as the US for almost the whole of the nuclear age, has been the main pace-maker in respect of the nuclear arms race. If the US had earlier ratified the CTBT, China would have followed, Russia would not have withdrawn its ratification in November 2023 and other nuclear powers like India, Pakistan, even North Korea and Israel, would have been under tremendous global pressure to sign and ratify the CTBT. Should the US resume explosive testing (which will take some months to prepare) it will certainly prod its two main competitors, Russia and China to follow suit, and for India and Pakistan, which have not carried out such tests since 1998, to do the same.

With this in mind, the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP) India, unequivocally, and in the strongest terms, condemns the latest declaration of intent by the US President. It also calls upon the global public in general, and the civil society organisations fighting for universal nuclear disarmament and peace in particular, to raise their voices against this horrendous contemplated move.
Students can customize their MBA experience to suit their career goals by choosing from nine different concentrations, including a concentration in entrepreneurship. This concentration requires students to take a capstone course that covers every aspect of starting a business through real-life examples. Additional courses in topics like finance, negotiation, and venture capital help students develop their mindset as entrepreneurs and build up the skills they need to succeed. Poets&Quants named W. P. Carey as the top MBA program in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world for entrepreneurship.

If youre looking for an ever-evolving MBA program that thinks about entrepreneurship and innovation as a skillset, this is the place for you, says Hitendra Chaturvedi, professor of practice in the Department of Supply Chain Management, and co-director of the MS-EI program.

Through a curriculum designed for where the world is headed, the MBA program at W. P. Carey shapes students into transformative leaders. Whatever kind of career graduates decide to pursue, theyll leave with the knowledge and experience they need to thrive.

An MBA has always been a top option for enhancing leadership skills, often for those looking to make a career pivot or advance within their organization. But for entrepreneurs, this degree can give them the tools to be a strong leader and build their venture from the ground up.

Ive been able to be in classes and actually learn from people who have done it and had successful careers, which I think is amazing, says Kate Fitzgerald, a recent graduate of the MS-EI program.

As part of the most innovative university in the country, Arizona State Universitys W. P. Carey School of Business prides itself on nurturing students entrepreneurial mindsets. In programs such as the MBA and its concentration in entrepreneurship, and the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MS-EI), students learn from experienced business leaders and have the opportunity to put their ideas to the test.

Many assume that higher education isnt necessary to be a successful entrepreneur; in reality, graduate business school can make the path much easier and provide incredible opportunities. The entrepreneurial spirit and drive cant be taught, but what can be learned are the skills to make quicker, smarter decisions.

Launching a business venture is incredibly involved. Finding funding, developing a business strategy, conducting research, and building the right team are all crucial steps in taking an idea and turning it into a reality.

The ultimate goal of an entrepreneur is to take their best idea and transform it into a tangible, successful business. While the image of a plucky dreamer building a startup that grows into a million-dollar success is appealing, it doesnt quite capture the complexities of the process.

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The Full-time MBA program at W. P. Carey offers an additional benefit in the form of Executive Connections, a mentorship program that pairs students with accomplished professionals from all areas of business.

Current Full-time MBA student Gina Larson spoke highly of her first meeting with her mentor. Probably within five minutes [of meeting], I was telling Rick [Baer] about the business I was starting, and I said I was looking for someone to help us finish off our business plan. He was jumping out of his seat, saying, Even if we dont get paired together, please let me help.'

This is just another example of the strong community that surrounds W. P. Carey and all of its students, and how the benefits of business school stretch beyond coursework.

The MS-EI: An Innovative Program From W. P. Carey

One of the more recent programs W. P. Carey has launched is the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MS-EI), tailored for those with an entrepreneurial mindset.

In a studio environment, students work in teams to conceptualize and build ideas from the ground up. Its meant to foster design thinking and learning by doing, and failure is built in as a natural part of the process.

Ayesha Alkatheeri came to the MS-EI through a global partnership between ASU and Khalifa University, located in the United Arab Emirates. When describing her time in the program, she says, Its a learning experience. This is something that has been emphasized a lot throughout our program, by our mentors, by our professors, and all of our faculty.

The curriculum is well-rounded, with classes in supply chain, marketing, and finance  all taught through an entrepreneurial lens. Graduates can leave feeling confident in their general business knowledge, as well as their skills to begin their ventures.

From conception, to prototyping, to launching something completely novel  the skills learned here have real-world applications, says recent graduate Santino Sciullo.

Beyond The Classroom

At W. P. Carey, there are a vast number of resources and programs available outside the classroom for entrepreneurial students to get involved with and experiment with their business ideas. There are so many resources that you have available to you at ASU while having the personal experience of W. P. Carey, says MBA alumna Denise Napolitano.

The W. P. Carey Schools Center for Entrepreneurship and New Business Design is a hub for the ASU community to explore ideas for new ventures and innovative business solutions. One of its programs is the W. P. Carey Accelerator program, which pairs ASU-affiliated entrepreneurs  including students, faculty, and staff  with experienced mentors and investors for two semesters. Its designed to help those who are seeking high levels of investment to improve their ventures.

Another opportunity presented by the center is the New Venture Challenge, an annual competition for student entrepreneurs. Participants spend eight weeks developing business models, hearing from guest speakers, and working with mentors to improve their businesses, with the winning team receiving a significant financial investment.

Jeff Watkins won the New Venture Challenge while he was an MBA student with his company, Proper Pack, which provides sustainable alternatives to beer packaging. Of the experience and the benefits of participating, he says, This seed award has allowed Proper Pack to significantly grow. Weve invested in building automated packaging equipment, a wide array of new products and designs, and our first batch of inventory to pursue Arizona microbreweries.

The center also provides the chance for students to connect with alumni who are eager to share their experiences and advice with the next generation, such as MBA alumnus Brennan Lawson, who says, Its exciting for me to tap into the mindset of a young entrepreneur whos more interested in entrepreneurship than working at Intel or Amazon.

Students also get to work with other schools within ASU to gain cross-disciplinary experience and knowledge, as the center partners with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

A great idea cannot lead to a successful business venture on its own. An entrepreneur also needs the right mindset, skills, and community to succeed.

A graduate business education can prepare an aspiring entrepreneur for the realities of launching a business. At ASUs W. P. Carey School of Business, students find innovative educational programs, numerous resources, and a tight-knit community that wants to help them reach their goals.

Discover how a graduate business degree from W. P. Carey can help bring your venture to life.

The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is the largest business school in the United States, with more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students  and 130,000+ alumni around the world. There are more than 60 ways to earn a W. P. Carey degree, including our first-of-its-kind masters in AI in business. Entrepreneurship and innovation are key to our curriculum and your experience.

The post The Ways Business Graduate School Drives Entrepreneurship appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, released its Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Disciplined Value Fund third-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The S&P 500 Index recorded a return of +8.1% in the third quarter of 2025, closing the period near its all-time highs. Technology and communication services drove the broad large-cap market while small caps outperformed their large counterparts in the quarter. The fund outperformed the Russell 1000 Value Index in the quarter, returning 6.41% vs 5.33% for the index. Please review the funds top 5 holdings to gain insight into their key selections for 2025.

In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Disciplined Value Fund highlighted stocks such as Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C). Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is a diversified financial services holding company. The one-month return of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) was 7.37%, and its shares gained 46.95% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On November 6, 2025, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) stock closed at $100.85 per share, with a market capitalization of $180.451 billion.

Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Disciplined Value Fund stated the following regarding Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter:

"Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is one of the largest US banks by total assets. Investment in its IT, compliance and risk capabilities have pressured margins and returns over recent years, obscuring the banks strong core franchise. With these investments now largely complete we expect Citis expense to decline and its margins and returns to be more consistent with peers. Citigroup performed well in the quarter after reporting strong Q2 earnings. We continue to believe Citigroup is undervalued on our normal expectations and would still be attractive even if they do not fully achieve their expense and margin goals."

Bank7 Corp. (BSVN): One of the Top Dividend Challengers in 2025

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. According to our database, 102 hedge fund portfolios held Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) at the end of the second quarter, up from 96 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

In another article, we covered Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) and shared The FPA Crescent Fund's views on the company. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q3 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.
A research team led by University of Copenhagen scientists has described three new species of the tree toad genus Nectophrynoides from Tanzanias Eastern Arc Mountains.

The genus Nectophrynoides belongs to the family Bufonidae and, until now, consisted of 13 recognized species that are endemic to moist forests and grasslands in Tanzania.

Commonly called tree toads, members of Nectophrynoides exhibit viviparous reproduction, a trait that is extremely rare among frogs.

All species of Nectophrynoides are found in the Eastern Arc Mountains, except Nectophrynoides viviparus, which is also found in the adjacent Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

The three new species of frogs belong to an unusual group of African toads in the genus Nectophrynoides, said Dr. Christian Thrane from the University of Copenhagen and colleagues.

Instead of laying eggs that hatch into tadpoles, the female tree toads carry their offspring inside their bodies and give birth to fully formed, tiny toads.

This makes them among the very few amphibians in the world capable of internal fertilization and true live birth.

Its common knowledge that frogs grow from tadpoles  its one of the classic metamorphosis paradigms in biology, said Dr. Mark D. Scherz from the Natural History Museum Denmark.

But the nearly 8,000 frog species actually have a wide variety of reproductive modes, many of which dont closely resemble that famous story.

Only a handful of frog species from South America and Southeast Asia have developed similar strategies making these toads a rare case in the animal kingdom.

Live-bearing is exceptionally rare among frogs and toads, practiced by less than 1% of frogs species, making these new species exceptionally interesting, said Dr. H. Christoph Liedtke, a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council.

In the study, the authors for 257 specimens assigned to the Nectophrynoides viviparous complex.

Based on their results, they identified three new species: Nectophrynoides luhomeroensis, Nectophrynoides uhehe, and Nectophrynoides saliensis.

The description of three new species brings the number of known viviparous anurans to 20 species worldwide, of which 16 species belong to the genus Nectophrynoides, the researchers said.

The distinctive reproduction and biology that these bufonids exhibit highlight the potential functional loss, if these species go extinct.

The risk of losing these species and their contribution to functional diversity in amphibians should be reasons to increase conservation efforts in order to protect them.

More surveys are needed to fully understand the behavior and ecology of these remarkable arboreal viviparous bufonids.

The discovery is reported in a paper in the journal Vertebrate Zoology.

_____

C. Thrane et al. 2025. Museomics and integrative taxonomy reveal three new species of glandular viviparous tree toads (Nectophrynoides) in Tanzanias Eastern Arc Mountains (Anura: Bufonidae). Vertebrate Zoology 75: 459-485; doi: 10.3897/vz.75.e167008
A scientist at Florida International University (FIU) has created a revolutionary test that can detect small, hard-to-find hammerhead sharks without ever spotting them in the water -- a breakthrough that could help save species on the edge of extinction.

This innovative method identifies traces of the sharks' presence without catching or disturbing them. Acting like faint biological footprints left in the sea, it detects fragments of genetic material floating in the water to reveal where the sharks have been. In a recent study published in Frontiers in Marine Science, FIU marine biologist Diego Cardenosa, who works with FIU's Institute of Environment and the Global Forensic and Justice Center, demonstrated how the new test can help scientists locate and protect endangered shark species.

Tracking Elusive and Endangered Species

Smaller hammerhead species such as the scalloped bonnethead, scoophead, and Pacific bonnethead have been devastated by overfishing, leaving so few that researchers struggle to find or study them. Their habitats and movements remain poorly understood, making conservation difficult. Cardenosa's new environmental DNA (eDNA) technique could finally change that by helping scientists pinpoint where these critically endangered sharks still live.

"Just by screening different locations along their distribution range from Mexico to Northern Peru, we can identify high-priority areas where conservation resources might be needed," Cardenosa explained. "The short-term goal is to find these three species, as they're likely among the most critically endangered coastal sharks in the world."

Searching for the Last Refuges

Cardenosa believes these species were once common before decades of overfishing drastically reduced their populations. They now survive mostly in shallow, remote coastal regions that are difficult to monitor and where fishing regulations are weak. His research focuses on Colombia's Uramba/Bahia Malaga National Natural Park, one of the few places where these sharks might still be found.

"You can drop a hook and line there and, within 10 minutes, catch one or two of these species," he said. In most other places, sightings are nearly nonexistent. The scalloped bonnethead was last seen in Mexico in 1994, while the scoophead was last documented in 2007. In Honduras, one of these species was recently rediscovered after decades without a single record.

"That's how hard it is to find them," Cardenosa said. "It's on us if we want to act to protect them or if we just let them slip away."

Preserving a Piece of Evolutionary History

For Cardenosa, the mission is about more than conservation.

"A lot of these are some of the most derived or newest shark species on the evolutionary scale," he said. "If they disappear, we're also losing a piece of our planet's evolutionary history. Extinction is forever, and that's enough reason for me to do something."

A Powerful Tool for the Future of Marine Science

Cardenosa hopes his work will inspire greater awareness and appreciation for these often-overlooked sharks and demonstrate the power of environmental DNA.

"It's fascinating that you can take a simple water sample and know whether a species was there or not," he said.

By revealing where hammerheads still exist, this research helps guide conservation priorities and maximize the impact of protection efforts. Beyond hammerheads, the same water samples can hold genetic information about other marine life. Once collected, the DNA can be preserved in laboratories for years, allowing future scientists to study additional species that once swam through the same waters.
What Happened?

Shares of blood products company Haemonetics (NYSE:HAE). jumped 22.1% in the morning session after the company reported third-quarter results that surpassed analyst expectations and raised its full-year financial guidance.

The medical technology firm posted adjusted earnings of $1.27 per share on revenue of $327.3 million, with both figures comfortably beating Wall Street's forecasts. While total revenue declined 5.3% year-on-year, the company's organic revenue fell only 1.8%, which was significantly better than the 5.3% decline analysts had anticipated, signaling resilience in its core operations. Furthermore, Haemonetics demonstrated strong profitability and cash generation. Its operating margin expanded to 17.9% from 15% in the same quarter last year, and free cash flow was a robust $106.3 million. Bolstered by the strong performance, management lifted its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance to a midpoint of $4.90.

Is now the time to buy Haemonetics? Access our full analysis report here.

What Is The Market Telling Us

Haemoneticss shares are not very volatile and have only had 8 moves greater than 5% over the last year. Moves this big are rare for Haemonetics and indicate this news significantly impacted the markets perception of the business.

The previous big move we wrote about was 27 days ago when the stock dropped 2.5% on the news that worries over worsening trade relations with China were triggered by critical comments from President Donald Trump. The president's tone and the suggestion of canceling a meeting with President Xi caused a rapid sell-off in the market. The trade dispute flared up after China imposed export controls on rare earth minerals, which are critical components for high-tech manufacturing. The escalation of the trade war raises concerns about supply chain disruptions and increased costs for technology companies, which are heavily reliant on global trade, leading to a broad sell-off in the sector.

Haemonetics is down 16.9% since the beginning of the year, and at $65.13 per share, it is trading 30.2% below its 52-week high of $93.38 from November 2024. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Haemoneticss shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $661.92.

While Wall Street chases Nvidia at all-time highs, an under-the-radar semiconductor supplier is dominating a critical AI component these giants cant build without. Click here to access our full research report.
Key Points

The insurer beat on revenue in its third quarter, but fell well short of the analyst consensus on profitability.

This was caused mainly by the performance of its property and casualty line.

10 stocks we like better than Kemper 

Life and auto insurance underwriter Kemper (NYSE: KMPR) had a memorable Thursday on the stock exchange, but not positively. Investors sold out of the company following its latest earnings release, leaving the shares with a more than 14% loss in value. That was a notably steeper decrease than the S&P 500's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) 1.1% dip.

Bottom-line erosion

Kemper booked total revenue of nearly $1.24 billion in its third quarter, which was a 5% improvement over the same period of 2024. As is typical with insurers, much of this comprised earned premiums; these saw a 6% rise to $1.13 billion.

Image source: Getty Images.

The story on the bottom line was quite different. The company's net operating income not according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) decreased significantly, landing at $20.4 million ($0.33) per share from the year-ago $105 million.

That decline put non-GAAP (adjusted) net operating income well under the consensus analyst estimate, which was $1.33 per share. On a slightly happier note, Kemper beat the average pundit projection of $1.20 billion for total revenue.

The problem: Property and casualty

The main culprit for the bottom-line decline was the company's specialty property and casualty line. According to Kemper, this was caused chiefly by "higher adverse prior year development on bodily injury coverages within commercial automobile insurance, partially offset by growth in earned premiums from rate increases."

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Susan Griffin, an influential poet, playwright, and prolific feminist author "who pioneered a unique form of creative nonfiction, blending propulsive, poetic prose with history, memoir and myth in books like Woman and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her," died in late September at age 82, the New York Times reported. Griffin focused on the effects of a patriarchal Western belief system, exploring "how capitalism, science, religion and even the porn industry have subjugated the natural world to its detriment and ours, and how that subjugation is a gendered one."



Griffin was among those who contributed to the intellectual life of Berkeley, Calif., "through their writings, activism, bookstores (like Cody's Books, a hub for the counterculture and free-speech activists), and restaurants (Alice Waters's Chez Panisse, among others)," the Times noted.



She was one of the first poets published by Shameless Hussy Press. In 1975, Griffin won an Emmy Award for Voices, a play about the experiences of five women that was shown on public television and later staged around the world.



Griffin's book Woman and Nature (1978), however, "made her a feminist rock star," the Times wrote, adding that it focused on "the violence that men have perpetrated on the natural world, and on women, and how it would benefit the planet to rethink the more dangerous advances of modernity and technology."



She dedicated the book to her friend, the poet Adrienne Rich, who called it "perhaps the most extraordinary nonfiction work to have emerged from the matrix of contemporary female consciousness, a fusion of patriarchal science, ecology, female history and feminism, written by a poet who has created a new form for her vision."



Rebecca Solnit, the feminist author and activist, called Griffin "one of the senior public intellectuals of Berkeley.... I can't think of anyone else who brought that kind of poetics and visionary quality to writing about intensely political subjects."



Her other books include Rape: The Politics of Consciousness (1979), Pornography and Silence: Culture's Revenge Against Nature (1981), Unremembered Country: Poems (1987), A Chorus of Stones: The Private Life of War (1993), The Eros of Everyday Life: Essays on Ecology, Gender and Society (1995), Bending Home: Selected New Poems, 1967-1998 (1998), What Her Body Thought: A Journey into the Shadows (1999), The Book of the Courtesans: a Catalogue of Their Virtues (2001), and Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy: On Being an American Citizen (2008).



Poetry is "like music," Griffin told the Times in 2024. "It expresses things you haven't quite integrated into your rational mind. It's the cutting edge of social change. Things would come out in poetry that later could be articulated in policy or ideas."
Planes are seen at Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

The ongoing government shutdown is now forcing flight reductions at NYC-area airports, as air traffic controllers miss their second paycheck.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the reduction is necessary to keep passengers safe as some unpaid air traffic controllers call out of work to take on second jobs, causing ground delays.

According to CBS News, nearly 40 airports from coast to coast will be affected, including LaGuardia, JFK, Newark Liberty and Teterboro airports. United Airlines has already canceled at least 12 flights for the weekend at Newark Airport, the media outlet reported. Some carriers are offering full refunds for travelers who choose not to fly during the shutdown and are advising customers to sign up for alert notifications.

AAA Northeast advised passengers to check their airlines cancellation policies and consider alternatives.

If you have an option to take another form of transit, like a train or even want to think about doing a road trip, those are things that travelers might want to consider, said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast.
Dozens gather on Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners on Saturday with signs to advocate for Sara, who they said is a recent Port Richmond High School graduate allegedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro)

STATEN ISLAND, NY -- A few dozen protesters waving signs and American flags lined a stretch of Victory Boulevard outside the office of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis in Castleton Corners on Saturday.

The protesters said they were gathered to support Sara, a recent Port Richmond High School graduate allegedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, while working at a warehouse earlier this month. According to attendees, Sara now awaits a court hearing to fight for her right to remain in the United States and has had little to no contact with her family.

The protest was supported by Staten Island Action Coalition, a group of residents whose goal is to turn their concerns into effective actions and improve solidarity. (Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro)

The protest remained peaceful and was overseen by the NYPD, who set up barriers and guided the flow of traffic. (Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro)

Organizers urged those at the rally to call on Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in Congress, to defend the dignity and safety of the immigrant community.

After reading a speech Sara reportedly wrote about her time in school, a protestor, who asked that their name not be published, stated: She appreciates what this country gave to her. She expresses it so well. Shes so appreciative to her teachers and to America. Shes what everybody wants for their neighbor to be and it breaks my heart that this is what theyre going after. Theyre not just going after violent criminals.

Organizers urged those at the rally to call on Rep. Nicole Malliotakis to defend the dignity and safety of the immigrant community. (Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro)

Another attendee agreed, adding that Sara was an honors student in school and is a beloved neighbor.

Its especially personal when a neighbor or someone in your community is targeted ... were not going to tolerate that. That makes it that much more personal, said a protester, explaining they live near the alleged detainee but asked that their name not be used in this report. When its someone who hasnt done anything wrong, who you know is a good person, who you know is a young person. We want to sit in solidarity.

The protest was supported by Staten Island Action Coalition, a group of residents whose goal is to turn their concerns into effective actions and improve solidarity in the borough. Saturdays rally was one of many events the organization has held recently outside Malliotakis office.

We have demonstrated outside this office for months and months about this issue, said Laura McCarthy, one of the founders of the coalition. When we heard about this, we were horrified by the idea that a teenager would be taken in, because if anybody thought about your own teenage kid sitting in a cell with 15 other women with nothing but the clothes on her back, its horrifying.

Its especially personal when a neighbor or someone in your community is targeted ...," said a protestor. (Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro)

When we heard about this, we were horrified by the idea that a teenager would be taken in ...," said said Laura McCarthy, one of the founders of the Staten Island Action Coalition. (Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro)

The protest remained peaceful and was overseen by the NYPD, who set up barriers and guided the flow of traffic.

In response to the event, Taylor Weyeneth, Malliotakis chief of staff, issued the following statement:

This is the first our office is hearing about the case. We do not know the facts surrounding this detainment, and no one from the detained individuals family has contacted us about it.

Attendees could not confirm the students full name or details about her detainment.
A federal appeals court has reinstated defunct Yellow Corp.s $137-million-plus lawsuit against the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The decision overturns a previous dismissal by a lower court, allowing the former less-than-truckload carrier to pursue its breach-of-contract case.

A Wednesday decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit remanded the case back to a federal district court in Kansas. Yellow can now amend its complaint against the union, which it claims deliberately blocked a restructuring dubbed One Yellow, a plan the company aserts was required for its survival.

Running out of cash, Yellow sued the union in June 2023, saying the labor organization didnt have the authority to stop a proposed change of operations. Phase 2 of One Yellow would have allowed the company to merge its four LTL operating companies, consolidate terminals and alter work rules.

The union agreed to Phase 1 of the plan in 2022, which Yellow hailed as a success. Yellow, however, blamed the unions stonewalling of Phase 2 as the cause of its death spiral.

The suit alleged Sean OBrien, Teamsters general president, used the blockade as leverage to extract wage increases, and that he was willing to let the company fail as a show of strength ahead of labor negotiations with larger companies like UPS (NYSE: UPS).

The Teamsters called the claims unfounded and without merit, at the time of the suit. It accused Yellow of using the union as a scapegoat for the companys inevitable demise, according to the Wednesday filing. The union maintained that the proposed changes in Phase 2 violated the collective bargaining agreement.

Yellow closed its doors on July 30, 2023, a month after it filed the lawsuit, leaving 30,000 people, including 22,000 Teamsters, unemployed.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas dismissed the lawsuit in March 2024, siding with the unions argument that Yellow failed to follow the internal grievance procedures mandated by the National Master Freight Agreement before initiating legal action.

A three-judge panel ruled Wednesday that the district court erred by denying Yellows subsequent request to amend its complaint to include additional facts, which came to light during discovery. The appeals courts decision centered on the legal principle of repudiation, which exempts a party from exhausting grievance procedures if the other party has refused to participate.

The ruling cited allegations that the union categorically refused to support the change of operations, with OBrien publicly stating the Teamsters are done making concessions and would go after [Yellow] with everything weve got.
NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the Staten Island borough commander, along with other members of the NYPD visited Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tompkinsville on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Courtesy of the NYPD)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Island students at a local Catholic elementary school welcomed a new principal for a day, NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the Staten Island borough commander.

The boys and girls of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tompkinsville were treated to a very special visit by Eger and officers of the NYPD on Oct. 29. At the time, the men and women in blue brought out all the stops to make the day extra special for the students.

Were a school that has a lot of first responders and I knew that kids would love it, School Principal Tara Hynes, 56, said.

NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the Staten Island borough commander, along with other members of the NYPD visited Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tompkinsville on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Courtesy of the NYPD)

During the visit, children were invited to take a climb on a mobile rock wall and meet specialized units of the NYPD. Alongside some of the officers were their animal companions - including horses and K-9s - who were admired by the students.

Eger temporarily took the reins from Hynes, a New Dorp resident who has served as principal for 11 years. Hynes personally found the highlight of the day to be the borough commanders interactions with the children.

She was amazing, added Hynes. She visited every single classroom. Since we were two days before Halloween, she spoke to them about staying safe on Halloween. She had a lovely personality with the kids and, you know, they really warmed to her.

NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the Staten Island borough commander, along with other members of the NYPD visited Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tompkinsville on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Courtesy of the NYPD)

The idea was ultimately greenlit by Hynes, who was inspired to bring the principal for a day event to her school of over 300 students. Hynes has a connection with Community Affairs Bureau Youth Strategies Division Officer Gomez, who previously shared with her how the principal for a day idea had a positive influence when he was a boy. Together with Community Affairs Bureau Det. Aguilar, they were able to bring the idea to life at Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Eger used her authority as principal to make the declaration that there would be no homework that evening, a decision that the teachers abided by, according to Hynes.

Our Lady of Good Counsel has a very strong school community here and having those ties with the neighborhood community makes it even more special, Hynes explained. You know, we are very pro-police, pro-fire department, pro-military here and so no one needed to be convinced that the police are one of our greatest assets, but it was good to see the children being able to interact with the different policemen who were here and even with the chief.

NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the Staten Island borough commander, along with other members of the NYPD visited Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tompkinsville on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Courtesy of the NYPD)

NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the Staten Island borough commander, along with other members of the NYPD visited Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tompkinsville on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Courtesy of the NYPD)

NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the Staten Island borough commander, along with other members of the NYPD visited Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tompkinsville on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Courtesy of the NYPD)

NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the Staten Island borough commander, along with other members of the NYPD visited Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tompkinsville on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Courtesy of the NYPD)
A truck crosses over the double yellow lines on Arthur Kill Road to navigate around a tractor-trailer. Elected officials are voicing concerns about the effect that four new industrial projects will have on the already congested corridor. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Earlier this year, all three Staten Island councilmembers supported a bill that requires the NYC Department of Transportation to establish overnight parking areas for commercial vehicles in industrial business zones. Its a small-scale curbside solution, they say, for the illegal truck parking that has plagued the boroughs residential neighborhoods for decades  not an invitation for a massive truck freight station on an already overburdened street.

Ive made it clear that I strongly oppose the proposed truck stop  its the wrong project in the wrong place, noted Councilmember Frank Morano, a Republican who represents the South Shore, speaking of the plans for a commercial motor freight station at 4400 Arthur Kill Rd. in Charleston. This has nothing to do with the overnight truck parking bill I supported, which focused on small-scale, regulated curbside parking in existing industrial zones  not massive private truck depots in residential-adjacent areas.

Collaborative discussion needed

Councilmember David Carr, a Republican representing the Mid-Island, also clarified the difference between his vote and the truck stop proposal.

My office has done a lot of tow operations to get rid of the illegally parked trucks, but its a battle of attrition. The notion behind the bill we supported was to make it easier for trucks to park in places that make sense, and it required the DOT to examine on-street parking opportunities in industrial business zones  meaning the far West Shore, near Edward Curry Avenue, Gulf Avenue, and other non-residential areas, Carr said. This proposal on Arthur Kill Road is not in an Industrial Business Zone, its not on-street parking, its not meeting the mandate of the law. It actually has nothing to do with the law that we passed. We need to have a real collaborative discussion about how to extend parking opportunities to truckers, one without a negative impact to the area. This certainly isnt it.

In this file photo, two Amazon trucks struggle on one of Arthur Kill Road's curves. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)

Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, a Democrat representing the North Shore, defended her stance as well:

When I sponsored legislation to create curbside overnight truck parking in designated industrial zones, it was in response to the growing issue of illegal truck parking across Staten Island and especially in my district, she noted. The goal has always been to bring safety and organization to areas where truck activity already exists and finding a place where it makes sense contextually with the surrounding neighborhood.

And while the truck freight terminal is a private project thats not curbside and is located in an M1-1 or light industrial business zone, the developer, Arthur Englewood LLC, said that the DOT has expressed an interest in it, designating the site as a safe and legal alternative to overnight truck parking on residential streets.

DOT pilot program

The DOT has launched a pilot program to elect truck parking in designated industrial zones in three boroughs, Arthur Englewood noted in a business plan that was presented at a Community Board 3 meeting in September. With DOT being a main resource for commercial drivers, the designation will inform users of alternative solutions.

When asked if 4400 Arthur Kill Rd. was a property being considered for the pilot program, a DOT spokesperson noted that the DOT has identified an as-of-right facility on Arthur Kill Road as a potential site in NYC DOTs Overnight Commercial Vehicle Parking pilot.

And the DOT is not the only city agency eyeing Arthur Kill Road for development. According to an NYC Industrial Plan recently developed by the Department of City Planning in partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the two-lane thoroughfare plays an important role in how NYC can best support the development of a modern, growing and sustainable industrial economy.

In this photo taken in 2024, traffic is blocked by tractor-trailers on both sides of Arthur Kill Road in Charleston. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)

The EDC provided the Advance/SILive.com with its 75-page draft report that maps out the citys primary industrial areas  designated zones that support industrial and manufacturing businesses, and are characterized by large lots and access to transportation routes.

Intense competition

Portions of the North and West shores and a sizeable swath of Arthur Kill Road are illuminated in purple in one of the reports maps, indicating the areas availability for industrial use. According to the report, competition for these spaces is intense.

New York City has 28,500 acres of M zones, which allow for a wide range of industrial and more limited commercial activity  these zones make up 15% of the citys land area, the report noted. Despite the abundance, M zones are under-zoned generally and arent well-positioned to manage competing real estate pressures and the needs of the city. This misalignment means competition for industrial space is intense and only likely to increase.

A school bus crosses over the double yellow lines on Arthur Kill Road to navigate around a tractor-trailer. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)

Four massive projects  including the truck freight facility, are being planned along the strip  each within miles of each other and in different phases of completion. If development progresses according to plan, Arthur Kill Road will soon be home to two major warehouses, a Department of Transportation construction management site and the 16-acre truck freight facility.

The EDC noted that the projects the Advance/SILive.com has reported on are private developments that are not subject to city planning or approval, and the agencys Industrial Plan was written to better guide NYCs industrial policy.

One project after another

But elected officials are shining a light on the confluence of this development.

Whats happening along Arthur Kill Road is exactly what happens when City Hall allows overdevelopment without any real planning, Morano said. One project after another is being approved with no thought given to traffic, flooding, or quality of life  Im pushing for a formal industrial Business Improvement District along this corridor and exploring a Community Benefits Agreement to make sure any future industrial development contributes back to the neighborhood, instead of overwhelming it."

Hanks added:

Staten Island has historically carried a significant share of the citys industrial activity, and we see that across Staten Island. Many of these projects are built as-of-right, which means they dont require City Council review, and that highlights a broader challenge within our citys zoning  While there is a need for well-planned industrial facilities that support local jobs and citywide logistics, they must be appropriately located and balanced with the needs of nearby communities.

This story is part of series investigating the rapid industrial development of Arthur Kill Road. Do you live, work or operate a business near one of these facilities? Contact Jessica Jones-Gorman at jgorman@siadvance.com to voice your concerns or discuss community impact.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued several recalls over the past week. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File

Several consumer goods, food products and medications were recalled over the past week, including a popular ice cream bar due to an undeclared allergen.

Heres a look at various recalls that have been issued in the past week.

Popular ice cream bars are under recall for posing a serious health risk to some consumers, according to a recall notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Dreyers Grand Ice Cream Inc. is recalling a limited number of its Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars that may contain undeclared wheat. Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat can run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The products are sold in a six-count package with batch code LLA519501 and an expiration date of Jan. 31, 2027.

The affected product was shipped to two retail customers  Kroger and Giant Eagle  in nearly 30 states.

No other Haagen-Dazs products are affected by this recall.

There have been no illnesses or injuries related to this recall reported, to date.

We are recalling this product because it may contain products that contain wheat in packaging that does not reveal the presence of wheat on the label. Although our investigation is ongoing, we believe products containing wheat were repacked into the incorrect packaging at the beginning of a production run, stated the company.

Consumers with a wheat allergy or sensitivity who have purchased the recalled product are urged to not consume it and dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions can contact Dreyers Grand Ice Cream Inc. at dreyers@casupport.com.

More than 141,000 bottles of a common cholesterol medication distributed nationwide have been recalled, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The recall involves bottles of Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets sold in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. They were sold in 90-count, 500-count, and 1,000-count bottles with expiration dates as late as February 2027.

Ascend Laboratories, LLC initiated the recall due to failed dissolution specifications, which means the drugs may not dissolve properly in the body once swallowed.

The bottles of medication were distributed nationwide.

The recall was initiated on Sept. 19, and was classified to a Class II risk level on Oct. 10.

A Class II recall is a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

The recall remains ongoing, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration report.

A popular Milwaukee tool is under recall for a serious safety risk, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Nearly 91,000 Milwaukee Tool M18 FUELTM Top Handle Chainsaw with either a 12- or 14-inch bar are under a recall. The products brake may not activate  posing a laceration hazard, according to the CPSC.

There have been two reports of the chain brake not activating, including one injury involving a lacerated finger, the recall notice stated.

The recall involves the M18 FUEL Top Handle Chainsaw, catalog number 2826-20 with a serial break identified with A in the products serial number.

The catalog number can be found on the upper right portion of the products nameplate, while the serial number can be found on upper left portion of the nameplate. The serial break level is the fourth digit of the serial number.

This battery-operated chainsaw comes with either a 12- or 14-inch bar, which is intended for use with Milwaukees M18 batteries.

The product is sold either individually as a bare tool that includes a chain and bar cover and blade wrench, or as a kit that includes two M18 batteries, an M18 battery charger, a chain and bar cover and a blade wrench.

The product was sold at Home Depot and other home improvement stores and online at homedepot.com, and other distribution partners from March 2023 through September 2024. It was sold for about $350 (tool only), or $790 with batteries and charger.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chainsaw and contact Milwaukee Tool for a free repair. Consumers should register their product at service.milwaukeetool.com/support/eservice to receive a prepaid shipping label to return their product to Milwaukee Tool for repair.

Supreme LLC. is notifying customers of a voluntary recall initiated by its supplier, Moonlight Companies, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The recall affects white and yellow flesh peaches sold under the Supreme Produce brand in Kroger retail stores across several states, the department said in a press release issued on Nov.3.

The peaches were distributed between Sept. 16 and Oct. 29, and were sold in translucent plastic grab-n-go containers labeled as peach salsa 14oz, as well as individual pieces of fruit bearing PLU stickers or in multi-packs. Products labeled Washington and/or Organic are not included in the recall.

Consumers should check the Food and Drug Administrations website for a full list of the recalled salsa items.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may experience short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. In pregnant women, listeria infection can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.

No illnesses or consumer complaints have been reported to date for items purchased from Supreme. However, consumers are urged not to consume the recalled peaches. If the product is still in their refrigerators, it should be discarded immediately.

Consumers with health concerns should contact their physician. For further information, Moonlight Companies has set up a recall hotline at (855) 215-5017, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Harppa is recalling about 4,300 of its 5-in-1 convertible high chairs for babies and toddlers sold across the U.S. due to serious safety hazards that could result in injury or death.

According to a notice published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recalled high chairs violate the mandatory federal safety standard for high chairs. They were sold without the required attached restraint system, posing a significant fall risk. Additionally, the design creates an opening between the seat and tray where a childs head could become trapped, posing a deadly entrapment hazard.

While no injuries have been reported, the commission warns that the risks are severe. The recall, issued on Oct. 30, affects Harppa-branded 5-in-1 convertible high chairs with model number BHC001 and production batch number 202408, printed on a label on the back of the chair. The chairs feature a plastic seat frame, metal legs, a tray, cushioned seat insert, and a footrest. They convert into a toddler armchair, baby dining chair, and baby rocking chair, and were sold in green, pink and gray.

Consumers are urged to stop using the recalled high chairs immediately and contact Harppa for a replacement. To initiate the process, consumers should email recall@harppababy.com with their order number, order date, or a photo of the tracking label on the seatback. Once verified, Harppa will arrange for a replacement high chair to be delivered.

To ensure the recalled product is destroyed, consumers must disassemble the chair, cut the restraints and seat cover, and email photos of the destroyed parts to Harppa.

The high chairs were sold exclusively on Walmart.com between August 2024 and July 2025 for between $60 and $80. They were imported by Harppa, based in China.

Toyota has issued a safety recall for several vehicle models because of issues with the built-in cameras.

Over 1.02 million vehicles are affected by the recall, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Documents filed with the traffic safety agency state that a software error may cause the rearview cameras on affected vehicles to freeze or display a blank screen when shifted into reverse.

This issue can increase the risk of a crash while reversing, according to the recall documents.

The recall affects several of Toyotas most popular models, including vehicles sold under the manufacturers Lexus luxury brand.

Recalled makes and models include:

2023-2025 Lexus ES

2023-2025 Lexus ES Hybrid

2024-2025 Lexus GX

2024-2024 Lexus LC

2024-2025 Lexus LC Hybrid

2023-2025 Lexus LS

2023-2025 Lexus LS Hybrid

2022-2025 Lexus LX

2025 Lexus LX Hybrid

2022-2025 Lexus NX

2022-2025 Lexus NX Hybrid

2023 Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid

2023-2026 Lexus RX

2023-2025 Lexus RX Hybrid

2024-2026 Lexus RX Plug-in Hybrid

2023-2025 Lexus RZ

2024-2026 Lexus TX

2024-2026 Lexus TX Hybrid

2024-2026 Lexus TX Plug-in Hybrid

2023-2025 Subaru Solterra

2023-2025 Toyota BZ4X

2025-2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid

2023-2026 Toyota Crown

2025 Toyota Crown Signia

2024-2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

2024-2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

2023-2025 Toyota Highlander

2023-2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

2024-2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

2023-2025 Toyota Mirai

2023-2025 Toyota Prius

2025 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

2023-2024 Toyota Prius Prime

2023-2025 Toyota RAV4

2023-2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

2023-2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

2023-2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime

Owners will be contacted by Toyota to bring their vehicle into a dealership. Dealers will install an update for the parking assist software, free of charge.

Any Toyota owners can contact the companys customer service line at (800) 331-4331 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations safety hotline at (888) 327-4236 to see if they are affected by the recall.

Ford has issued a safety recall for its popular Bronco SUV due to a defect which could increase the risk of injuries during crashes.

Around 163,250 vehicles are affected by the recall, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Documents filed with the highway safety agency state that height adjust pivot bolts in the vehicles front seats may be loose or dislodged.

A seat with a loose or dislodged bolt might not restrain an occupant in the event of a crash. This could increase the likelihood of injuries, according to the recall announcement.

According to the manufacturer, Bronco owners should watch for front seats with squeaks, rattles or looseness.

Only Ford Bronco SUVs sold under model years 2021, 2022 and 2023 are affected by the recall.

Owners will be contacted by Ford to bring their vehicle into a dealership. There, dealers will replace the pivot links and bolts, free of charge.

The manufacturer will begin contacting vehicle owners by mail on Dec. 1.

Ford owners can also call the companys customer service line at (866) 436-7332 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations safety hotline at (888) 327-4236 to see if they are affected by the recall.
Lilith Lily Ashby, 2, the only child of Loriann and Charlie Ashby of Great Kills, was diagnosed with leukemia on Halloween. (Courtesy Loriann Ashby)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A GoFundMe campaign has been started for Lilith Lily Ashby, 2, the brave only child of Loriann and Charlie Ashby who is facing the fight of her life.

On Halloween, while other children were trick-or-treating and enjoying time with their family, little Lily, who lives in Great Kills with her parents, received a devastating diagnosis  leukemia.

This all started in early October, Charlie said. We were trying to figure out a cough Lily had for about a month. Her first doctor suspected whooping cough and prescribed antibiotics, and for a while, it seemed to work.

But when the cough came back, she developed a high fever and started shivering. We took her to a hospital in Pennsylvania near my mother-in-laws house  Lehigh Valley Childrens Emergency Room  and the staff there were absolutely incredible.

After an X-ray was taken, Lily was thought to have croup. Following treatment, her numbers improved, and she was sent home.

Then Halloween night came, Charlie continued. She had a fever of 104 and was shaking again. This time, when we brought her to the hospital, we asked them to run bloodwork  the only test that hadnt been done yet.

The first results came back so unusual that they thought it might be a mistake, so they ran it again. When the second test showed the same thing, we knew something was really wrong. Her white blood cell count was 470,000. Shortly after that, they diagnosed her with leukemia. We were devastated.

Lily is pictured with her parents Loriann and Charlie Ashby in July 2025. (Courtesy Loriann Ashby)

Immediately following were seemingly endless hospital visits, uncertainty, and unwavering hope for the little Staten Islander.

Lily is our double rainbow miracle baby, Loriann said, explaining she experienced two pregnancy losses before Lilys birth. Before Lily, I was told we had a very slim chance of conceiving. But she defeated the odds. She has always been a fighter, and we know she will face this battle with the same courage.

That fighting spirit is being tested once again as Lily, who turns 3 next month, begins treatment for leukemia.

We received the diagnosis that turned our world upside down, the family said in a statement. The road ahead includes ongoing treatments, long hospital stays, and moments of uncertainty. Yet we believe the resilience that brought Lily into our lives will carry her through.

Loriann is pregnant, due with her second child on Feb. 3.

Im not going to lie  its hard, she said. Im definitely neglecting myself trying to make sure shes okay. Im taking things day by day, but it gets overwhelming at times.

Charlie said he has been inspired by his daughters strength. Im so proud of my little girl, he said. So all things considered, Lily has been such an amazing fighter.

The amount of testing, procedures, and medication shes been through this past week would be difficult even for an adult, but shes stayed so positive through it all. Just yesterday, she had her Mediport put in for chemo, which was about an hour-and-a-half surgery. Today, although groggy, shes eating, laughing, and making sure we know what she wants to watch on TV. She is so brave, and I am so proud of her.

The Ashbys say they are preparing for a long road ahead, but remain hopeful for brighter days  especially with another baby on the way.

The next couple of years are going to be very rough for all of us, Charlie said. But I know in the end its all going to be worth it so we can grow together as a family  and so Lily can be a big sister."

The Ashbys said they hope to offset the growing costs of treatment, travel, and time away from work with the generosity of donors to the GoFundMe campaign.

Hopefully, it will help ease the growing burden of medical expenses, time away from work, travel for treatments, and the countless other costs that come with this journey, Loriann said. Every dollar helps us focus on what matters most  helping Lily heal and keeping our family strong beside her.

We want nothing more than for her to be healthy, strong, and ready to welcome her baby sister with open arms, she added.

Our family and friends have been an amazing village during this tough journey. Our greatest wish is for Lily to become cancer-free and to make this a thing of the past. We just want her happy, healthy, and thriving," said Lily's mother Loriann. (Courtesy Loriann Ashby)

Charlie also expressed gratitude for the pediatric team at Northwell University Hospital North, who have gone the extra mile in caring for Lily.

The staff there have been absolutely tremendous, he said. One instance that stood out was when Lily was in the pediatric ICU and had to have her IV dressings changed  something that can be uncomfortable even for adults. The doctors and nurses sang Disney songs to her to keep her calm, and she even sang along.

Another amazing gesture was when we got back to her room after surgery and found art on the wall that said, You are amazing, Lilith! That really made an impact.

Daily life for the Ashbys now revolves around Lilys care. Loriann, a dog walker, and Charlie, who builds scenery for film and television, said their schedules have shifted to focus on their daughters treatment and well-being.

Even in the midst of everything, Lily is still a bright, curious child, Loriann said. She loves visiting Pirate Park and Wolfes Pond Park. Shes a social butterfly who loves playing with other kids and exploring.

The family has found comfort in the support of friends, loved ones, and the kindness of strangers.

Our family and friends have been an amazing village during this tough journey, Loriann said. Our greatest wish is for Lily to become cancer-free and to make this a thing of the past. We just want her happy, healthy, and thriving.

Loriann, pictured here with Charlie and Lily, is pregnant, due with her second child on Feb. 3. (Courtesy Loriann Ashby)

For now, the deep bond Loriann shares with Lily is unbreakable.

Lily is definitely a mommys girl, Loriann said. I was told there was a slim chance I would be able to conceive, but I never gave up. I had two losses prior to Lily, and I know she was the same soul trying to get back to me.

Lily is the piece my heart had been waiting for. When she came, the storms quieted, the heartache dissolved, and love began to grow where loss once lived. My love for my daughter overflows. It fills every corner of my heart and spills into everything I do. My love for her is infinite.
A friend passed away, suddenly, recently. We had lost contact over the years but he was once a close friend. He was a good and righteous man, the kind you dont find a lot of lately.

As with the passing of our friends Guy and Joanne and Stan and Morty, I found myself wondering why him and why now. It seemed so unfair. There arent enough really good people in the world.

In September, the rumor once again went round the internet that the Rapture was coming. It didnt happen, as far as I could tell. One meme stated that it had happened, but no one was found worthy.

And then Joan conjectured (one of the reasons I love her) that it had happened and maybe we were all in hell and didnt realize it.

To further extrapolate, perhaps it has happened every time somebody has predicted it. And perhaps, each time, a good person was taken. That would answer the question why and why now.

Maybe its been happening, in increments, all along. Maybe Billy Joel is rightonly the good die young.

If Joans guess is accurate, then the rest of us are now living in a hell of our own device. It sure seems like it. Folks who question the existence of a kind and loving G-d often point to the many wars, the deaths of innocent children or the very young, the existence of plagues and diseases, mans inhumanity to other living beings. It would seem like they have a good argument.

Unless

Lets accept the hypothesis, for a moment, that those of us still here are, in fact, in hell. What do we do with that information?

I would suggest that, if we accept the fact that this is hell, that it compels us to make it as close to heaven as we can. I will again quote the ever-wise Wavy Gravy: Theres always a little bit of heaven in a disaster area.

If we are in hell, things cant possibly get any worse. Were all dammed for all time to spend the rest of eternity here. So, what do we do? Do we follow James Carvilles advice: Dont just stand theredo nothing! Or, do we take action?

Much has been made lately of politicians reluctance to face down key issues that affect us all: better gun regulations, womens health care, climate change, corruption in the government, mass shootings and assassinations and attempts at assassination. Why dont they do something, we all ask.

Their hands are tied. Whether its to corporate sponsors or the wishes of their constituents (although most people in America feel that gay marriage is acceptable, that wars are un-winnable, that disease and poverty should not exist anywhere in the world), tied to ideas that are no longer relevant in the current political climate. Folks stuck in their ways, unable or unwilling to budge.

It then falls to us to make the changes we see as necessary. If the Supreme Court decreed tomorrow that each of us had to give up 10% of our wealth to help the needy, would we object? Why wait for them? Personally I have run out of faith in SCOTUS, at least the male members who seem mired in their own pools of ancient beliefs.

If change is to come, it must come from us.

Ive said this beforethe rules are simple. Feed those who are hungry. Donate to a food pantry or food bank or your time at a soup kitchen. Clothe the naked. Donate items of clothing no longer used by you to a reputable charity.

Visit the imprisoned. This doesnt just mean those in correctional facilities. It means those homebound or in assisted living. It means those who no longer can venture out of their homes. Comfort the sorrowful. We have so many nowadays. Those who have lost a loved one, those whose relatives are in peril in another land. Those who have given up on the promise of America. Those whose loved ones have been ripped away from them by cruel and heartless thugs who refuse to show their faces or identify themselves in any way. And, welcome the stranger because, as we are reminded, we were all strangers once, whether we went to a new school, moved to a different neighborhood or emigrated to another country.

We may not be able to take away the source of their pain, but we can ease it with a kind word, a gesture of friendship, an act of love. Love means sacrifice. Sharing your time, your energy, your possessions or your gifts. The act of sharing shows someone that they are not alone.

We hear Thank you for coming at every funeral weve ever attended. What are we waiting for? We should be looking for opportunities to brighten somebodys day with a phone call or a visit or a letter.

Is this going to make hell any less endurable? Yes. Because part of the hell of hell is the feeling of isolation, separation, aloneness. If we can convince another person that they are not alone, that we hear and see them, then hell becomes less a place of isolation and more like an uncomfortable Air B&B. Sure, were stuck here. But, were not stuck here alone.

We can face the demons together. We can refuse to be separated by pain or grief. Our togetherness is a way of saying I love you.

And I love you turns any hell into heaven.

Hold those magnificent grey heads high.

Comments may be submitted to Talk To The Old Guy on Facebook.
New York City public school students have a great deal of time off from classes in November. (Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson)

Many New York City public school students wont be on campus for a full five-day week in November due to upcoming days off and half-days.

Students had their first day off this month on Tuesday, Nov. 4, for Election Day.

Also this past week, elementary school students had a half-day on Thursday, Nov. 6, for afternoon and evening parent-teacher conferences.

Next week, students will be off once again on Tuesday, Nov. 11, as schools are closed in observance of Veterans Day. The federal holiday is set aside each year to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military  in wartime or peacetime, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, students in middle schools and District 75 schools will have a half-day for parent-teacher conferences. The following week, on Friday, Nov. 21, students in high schools, K-12 schools, and 6-12 schools, will have a half-day for parent-teacher conferences.

Closing the rest of November is Thanksgiving recess from Nov. 27-28. The last day of school before this recess will be Wednesday, Nov. 26, with kids heading back to campus on Monday, Dec. 1.

Looking ahead, winter recess for all New York City public school students begins on Wednesday, Dec. 24. Students return from break in the new year, on Monday, Jan. 5.

The public school academic calendar includes some two dozen days off between the first day and the last day of classes.

The calendar gives time off every year for religious holidays like Good Friday, Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr, and week-long breaks for winter recess, mid-winter recess and spring recess, which include Christmas and Passover. Diwali has also been added recently as a public school holiday.

The school calendar also allows time off each year for Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples Day (Columbus Day), Election Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day and Juneteenth. Dates for parent-teacher conference days for elementary, middle schools and high schools are also posted in the calendar.

You can go here to view more important dates for the 2025-2026 public school academic year.
All students in New York City will have off on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day, Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City public and Catholic school students and staff will enjoy a day off next week for a holiday.

All students in New York City will have off on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day, according to school calendars for New York City public schools and Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York.

Veterans Day is set aside each year to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military  in wartime or peacetime, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Its intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served  not only those who died  have sacrificed and done their duty.

Students will return to school on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Both public and Catholic school students wont need to wait long for their next day off  which will be Nov. 27-28 for Thanksgiving recess.

Winter recess will begin for all students on Christmas Eve, or Dec. 24.

The public school academic calendar includes some two dozen days off between the first day and the last day of classes.

The calendar gives time off every year for religious holidays like Good Friday, Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr, and week-long breaks for winter recess, mid-winter recess and spring recess, which include Christmas and Passover. Diwali has also been added recently as a public school holiday.

The school calendar also allows time off each year for Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples Day (Columbus Day), Election Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day and Juneteenth. Dates for parent-teacher conference days for elementary, middle schools and high schools are also posted in the calendar.

You can go here to view more important dates for the 2025-2026 public school academic year.

The Archdiocese of New York Superintendent of Schools calendar for Catholic elementary school students on Staten Island also includes time off for religious and federal holidays.

Here are important dates for the 2025-2026 Catholic school academic year.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is speaking out against those threatening to defund New York City over the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor. This photo from Oct. 10, 2024, shows Malliotakis in the Advances Bloomfield office. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in Congress, is taking a stand against legislators who seek to withhold federal funds from New York City in the wake of the election of Zohran Mamdani.

The mayor-elect did not receive a mandate on Tuesday; nearly 50% of voters opposed his election and my constituents overwhelmingly rejected him and socialism, Malliotakis said in a statement to the Advance/SILive.com. Im going to fight Mamdanis radical policies, but Ill also push back on any attempt by my own party to punish our city. I love New York and will always fight for it and our hard-working taxpayers.

The comments come after Malliotakis spoke with Fox News Digital against the recent effort by Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican who represents Georgias first district, to strip the city of federal funding. On Friday, Carter introduced the Moving American Money Distant from Anti-National Interests Act, otherwise known as the MAMDANI Act.

The bill, which is only two pages, seeks to withhold federal taxpayer dollars to the city during the mayoralty of Mamdani.

The bill, in part, says the following:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during any period in which Zohran Mamdani is mayor of New York, New York  (1) any unobligated Federal funds available for New York, New York, for any purpose are hereby rescinded; and (2) no Federal funds may be obligated or expended for any purpose to New York, New York.

In United States of America, a nation built on freedom, taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund communism and antisemitism, said Carter. Georgians want nothing to do with Mamdanis radical beliefs, and their hard-earned money should not be wasted on programs that will bankrupt the financial capital of the world. If New Yorkers want communism, we should let them have their wish and not artificially prop them up with our successful capitalist system. Any New Yorker with common sense is welcome to move to the great, FREE state of Georgia.

This isnt the first time Malliotakis has defended the allocation of federal funds to the city when cuts were on the line.

Recently, I pushed back when the Department of Homeland Security attempted to strip $100 million for critical counterterrorism funds for the NYPD, she said. I immediately got President Trump involved and the decision was reversed within 48 hours.

Trump made the decision to reverse cuts in early October. The funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its Homeland Security Grant Program, goes toward law enforcement efforts ranging from intelligence operations to mass gathering security, to equipment purchases, as previously reported.

I am pleased to advise that I reversed the cuts made to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism for New York City and State, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. It was my Honor to do so. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT
This National Weather Service graphic shows the high temperatures forecast for New York City on Saturday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (National Weather Service)

Mild temperatures in the lower to mid-60s degrees are expected across Staten Island Saturday, with morning showers clearing and skies becoming mostly sunny. A northwest breeze of 10 to 15 mph will develop following the passage of a weak cold front, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain will return to Staten Island on Sunday as low pressure approaches from the Ohio Valley, with a secondary low developing near Long Island. The weather service indicated precipitation will likely develop Sunday afternoon as a warm front approaches from the south, followed by a cold frontal passage late Sunday night. Temperatures will remain above normal, with highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s degrees, according to the forecast.

Lingering showers are possible Monday morning before ending by afternoon. Temperatures will be closer to normal Monday, followed by a significant drop Monday night with lows in the mid-30s in New York City, according to the forecast. Wind chills are expected to be in the 20- to 25-degree range for the New York City metro area and immediate coast.

Tuesday will bring notably colder conditions with highs only in the 40s and brisk winds. The weather service forecasted west winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph on Tuesday, making it feel even colder.

Temperatures will moderate Wednesday and Thursday, returning closer to normal values before becoming slightly cooler by Friday, the weather service said. Much of the week should remain dry after Monday, with southwest to west winds gusting up to 25 to 30 mph Wednesday and Thursday.

(A draft of this story was generated using AI. It was reviewed, edited and approved by Advance/SILive.com staff.)
This photo taken on Oct. 20, 2025 shows equipment for the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline in Herat province, western Afghanistan. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

HERAT, Afghanistan, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Formally commenced its construction a year ago, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, designed to transfer the natural gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan, has been regarded by Afghans as a major development project that could benefit the impoverished post-war country economically.

"The project, which transports Turkmenistan gas to Pakistan and India, could serve as a viable source of energy for the western region of Afghanistan," local economic expert Rafiq Shahir told Xinhua in a recent interview.

After about three decades of suspension, work for the TAPI project began in September last year. So far, 14 km of gas pipeline has been installed in Afghanistan's Herat province, and the land for 100 km more has been cleared.

Afghanistan would earn nearly 500 million U.S. dollars for royalty or transit fee annually from the essential 1,814 km project if implemented, the expert believes.

"Implementation of the project would facilitate Afghans with access to cheaper energy, which is vital for the families' economy on one hand, and on the other hand, around 500 million U.S. dollars could be added to Afghanistan's budget annually by collecting transit fees," Shahir said.

Struggling to recover from decades of war, Afghanistan largely depends on imported energy as the country pays 280 million dollars annually for some 700 megawatts of electricity from the neighboring Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The post-war Afghanistan, according to the expert, needs a sustainable source of fuel and electricity, which are the main factors of development and progress in the country.

Echoing the expert, a resident of the Herat province, Asif Jahani, believed the TAPI project could help the war-torn country rebuild its economy.

"TAPI is one of those projects that Afghans had waited for years to see its completion," Jahani said with joy, saying it would create job opportunities for thousands of people.

Advocating for early implementation of TAPI, Mines and Petroleum Ministry Spokesman Humayun Afghan noted that the project would benefit the whole region, with Afghanistan in particular.

It will not only boost regional connectivity and economic activities, but also create job opportunities and provide natural gas at a lower price, he said. 

This photo taken on Oct. 20, 2025 shows equipment for the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline in Herat province, western Afghanistan. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)
Also, Trumps tariffs have been impacting the prices of goods. Moreover, a renewed tariff spat with China has further raised concerns among investors. These have been unsettling investors and stocks, fueling volatility.

The labor market has been shrinking for a while now, which has raised fears of the economy slipping into a recession. Investors over the past month have been deprived of any key economic data owing to the ongoing government shutdown, which is now the longest in U.S. history. Presently, investors are unable to assess the labor market situation and the latest inflation, which has painted a cloudy picture of the economys future.

Although Powell didnt rule out the possibility of a rare cut, he said that central bank officials have completely different views on how to proceed in December. The Feds latest rate cut was more to support a shrinking job market than inflation.

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point last week for the second time this year. The move was widely anticipated but the announcement failed to help stocks. Investors sentiment got dented after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell cast doubts over another rate cut this year.

Given the uncertainty, cautious investors looking for steady income and ways to protect their capital may consider holding or investing in dividend-paying stocks. Such stocks provide steady earnings through regular dividend payouts and can help mitigate the effects of market volatility. Four such stocks are CDW Corp. , California Resources Corp. , Exxon Mobil Corp. and Entergy Corp.

Wall Street had a rollercoaster ride over the past month. Major indexes hit fresh all-time closing highs multiple times but investors sentiment continues to be low. Dearth of economic data owing to the government shutdown, impact of President Donald Trumps tariffs and uncertainty over an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in December have left investors with a blurry picture of the economys future.

Chicago, IL  November 7, 2025  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include CDW Corp. CDW, California Resources Corp. CRC, Exxon Mobil Corp. XOM and Entergy Corp. ETR.

Story Continues

4 Stocks That Recently Declared Dividend Hikes

CDW Corporation

CDW Corp.offers discrete hardware and software products to integrated IT solutions businesses providing mobility, security, data center optimization, cloud computing, virtualization and collaboration services. CDW has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

On Nov. 4, CDW Corporation announced that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.63 a share on Dec. 10. CDW has a dividend yield of 1.76%. Over the past five years, CDW Corporation has increased its dividend six times, and its payout ratio presently sits at 26% of earnings. Check CDW Corporations dividend history here.

California Resources Corporation

California Resources Corp. is an exploration and production company as well as a producer of oil and natural gas principally in California. CRC has a Zacks Rank #3.

On Nov. 4, California Resources Corporation declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.41 a share on Dec. 15. CRC has a dividend yield of 3.32%. Over the past five years, California Resources Corporation has increased its dividend four times, and its payout ratio presently sits at 34% of earnings. Check California Resources Corporations dividend history here.

Exxon Mobil Corporation

Exxon Mobil Corp. has undergone a significant transformation, reshaping its business to adapt to evolving energy demands, financial discipline and environmental considerations. Traditionally reliant on oil and gas, XOM has streamlined operations and focused capital on high-return, low-cost projects. XOM carries a Zacks Rank #3.

On Oct. 31, Exxon Mobil announced that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $1.03 a share on Dec. 10. XOM has a dividend yield of 3.47%. Over the past five years, Exxon Mobil has increased its dividend five times, and its payout ratio presently sits at 57% of earnings. Check Exxon Mobils dividend history here.

Entergy Corporation

Entergy Corp. is primarily engaged in electric power production and retail distribution of power. ETR carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

On Oct. 31, Entergy Corporationannounced that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.64 a share on Dec. 1. ETR has a dividend yield of 2.49%. Over the past five years, Entergy Corporationhas increased its dividend six times, and its payout ratio presently sits at 59% of earnings. Check Entergy Corporationsdividend history here.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Its the role that has brought her the biggest accolade of her career, but when Australian actor Rose Byrne first read the screenplay for If I Had Legs Id Kick You, she had no idea how she could possibly play it. The script just read like fire, says Byrne. It was very funny and very refreshing and just hot  it was incendiary. And I was like, where does one begin with this character? Because thats my job, reverse-engineering back from who this woman is in this crisis. I was like, Who was she before this, and why is she responding like this?  The woman in question is Linda, a psychotherapist struggling to care for her seriously sick child while her husband is away. And the crisis shes facing is nothing short of existential. As her life spirals out of control, Linda begins to will herself out of being, hoping perhaps to be sucked into the massive hole that has mysteriously opened in the ceiling of her New York apartment, or to throw herself hopelessly and helplessly into the surf off the New Jersey coast until all her troubles are washed away forever. Its a picture of extreme despair, drawn from writer-director Mary Bronsteins own experience of caring for a seriously ill child. Byrne as Linda, a psychotherapist caring for a sick (and unseen) child in If I Had Legs Id Kick You. Credit: AP My daughter and I lived together as sort of demented roommates in a small motel room for eight months, and I had a full existential crisis, Bronstein, who has a masters in psychology as well as being an actor, writer and director, told me earlier this year when her movie opened the Melbourne International Film Festival. I was so focused on the situation at hand, which was everything to do with her, that I felt like I was disappearing, literally. Linda is an avatar for Bronstein, though a fictional and heightened one. But the emotions and anguish shes experiencing is something Byrne  who has two children with husband and fellow actor Bobby Cannavale (and a third from his first marriage)  can relate to, at least in the abstract.

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Parenting just is the biggest mirror to your own limitations and your own struggles and your capacity, or lack of capacity, she says. It is the most challenging role of a persons life  and fulfilling and rewarding and life-changing, and all of those extraordinary things. But Mary is really expressing some pretty radical behaviour in this that isnt generally seen. That behaviour includes Linda abandoning her child in her hotel room, where she is hooked up to a machine that drips nutrients into her wasting body, as she goes in search of alcohol and drugs. It also involves some pretty dubious choices in her role as therapist, and a desperate plea of her own therapist (played by Conan OBrien) to just tell me what to do. Its dark stuff, but its also very funny. Or at least some people (me included) think so. Byrne has seen it in the cinema a few times and, she says, its like a magic trick  it plays so differently to different audiences. At the New York Film Festival, it played like a comedy because people immediately understood the tone and the gallows humour of the film, and they allowed themselves to laugh very early on. But at the Berlin Film Festival, where she won the best actress award in February, it played very cerebral, very quiet, very serious. And in Toronto in September, she says, it played like a horror film.

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Theres no question Bronsteins take on motherhood is deliberately provocative. She is a polarising character, absolutely, Byrne says of Linda. Its the most fundamental role in the world, the mother, so this sort of behaviour is absolutely going to be challenging for people to see. Loading The film doesnt demand that viewers like Linda. But it does its best to make sure they understand her, and  to some degree at least  empathise with her. There are a couple of key tricks Bronstein employs to that end. One is to film Byrne in extreme close-up, with the camera often just 15 centimetres or so from her face. I could hear the camera going click-click-click, because it was film, says Byrne. On the first day, I was like, are you really going to get that close? But then it was cool. I mean, it was obviously confronting to see the film and realise, oh, God, you can see everything on my face. Thats the power of dissociation when youre performing, you think, no ones actually gonna see it that close. And then you see it! The other trick was to not show the sick daughter at all. If you see the child, your empathy is going to go with the child, not with Linda, Byrne observes. So shes taking that choice away from the audience and forcing you to reckon with this parent, with this woman. Obviously, I will defend the character  thats my job, to be the best lawyer I can be for the character  but I do think she kind of had to do what she did.

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Actors will often tell you that they always look for a way to empathise with the character they are playing, no matter how unlikeable or even villainous they might be. But when the character is based on a real person who just happens to be the writer and director too, well, the pressure to do that is really on. Luckily, the pair clicked as soon as they met. We are exactly the same age, we both have kids, she has a great sense of humour, and we hit it off, the Australian says. They started working together just as the Hollywood strikes began. And that meant they had plenty of time to work out how to approach the material. Writer-director Mary Bronstein with Rose Byrne at the films London premiere last month. Credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI We had a five- or six-week period where Id drop off my kids, shed drop her kids, and Id go over and wed sit at her kitchen table three or four days a week, Byrne says. We started at page one, scene one, word one, and just combed through every single thing. They traded what Byrne calls parenting war stories, and at one point, Bronstein even opened up the journals she had kept at the peak of her daughters illness (who, now 15, is fully recovered). It was heartbreaking, such an intimate thing to share with me, in her handwriting, just the simple day-to-day struggle she was going through, and the pressure she was under to help her daughter, Byrne says.

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The goal through that long rehearsal process, Bronstein adds, was to make Linda come alive as such a real person that if somebody was to walk by and hear us talk about her, they would just assume were gossiping about a friend. So by the time we get to set, theres just no choice Rose could make that would be wrong because we know this woman so well. For my money, they succeeded brilliantly: Byrnes performance is astonishing. And shes ably supported by a terrific cast that includes OBrien as Lindas therapist, Bronstein herself as a very judgmental doctor, fellow Australian Danielle Macdonald as a young mother struggling to care for her infant, rapper A$AP Rocky as a hotel worker whose attempts to befriend Linda are more or less brutally rebuffed, and Christian Slater in a delightful cameo. Conan OBrien plays Lindas therapist in the film. Credit: AP But, I wonder, how does Sydney-born Byrne, who has become one of Hollywoods most surprising and revered comedic actors, see the movie? Is it a comedy or is it a tragedy? I mean, Im always looking for a gag, you know what I mean, says Byrne, with just a hint of Groucho Marx in the delivery. In terms of performance, she adds, they come from the same place, though she thinks comedy is harder. You have to take it more seriously, she explains. If the stakes arent high, its never going to be funny. We can all agree on what is sad, but what is funny is far harder to agree on.

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This is acting as a key growth driver for the industry. With growing urbanization, the increasing requirement to ensure the safety and security of infrastructure at offices, factories and residential buildings is aiding industry participants. Also, with rising instances of hacking, the industry is seeing higher demand for Internet security products and services like firewalls, intrusion detection systems and intrusion prevention systems. Peoples preference for purchasing products through e-commerce platforms has also opened up opportunities for industry players.

Healthy Demand for Security and Safety Services: Growing instances of terrorism and criminal activities, coupled with concerns related to the ever-increasing fraudulent activities, are driving demand for security and safety services. To enhance the safety and surveillance of people or assets, governments, commercial operations, communities and other establishments across the world are rapidly deploying IP-based cameras.

Some of the companies provide solutions for the recovery of stolen vehicles, wireless communication devices, equipment for the safety of facility infrastructure and employees and products for detecting hazards. A few players provide a variety of services to automobile owners and insurance companies. The industry serves customers from various end markets, including manufacturing, electronics, hospitality, education, construction, telecommunications, aerospace and medical.

The Zacks Security and Safety Services industry comprises firms that provide sophisticated and interactive security solutions and related services, which are meant to be used for residential, commercial and institutional purposes. A few industry players develop electrical weapons for personal defense and military, federal, law enforcement and private security.

Enhanced research and development efforts, backed by government support, augur well for the industrys near-term prospects. Companies like ADT Inc. Technologies, Inc. , Napco Security Technologies, Inc. and Lakeland Industries, Inc. are a few industry participants that are expected to capitalize on the opportunities.

The Zacks Security and Safety Services industry is well-positioned to benefit from the solid demand for products and solutions, driven by growing awareness about the security and safety of people and infrastructure. Rising demand for cybersecurity products is also likely to aid the industrys growth.

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Other Favorable Trends: Increases in budgets and funds from governments have invited several big players to make significant investments in the research and development of advanced products and services. Government and law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada are directly working with industry participants to strengthen the security infrastructure of smart cities. This has been helping the industry players to come up with enhanced products and solutions, thereby catering to the needs of customers.

High Debt Levels: Industry participants constantly focus on innovation, product upgrades and the development of new products to cater to the changing customer needs and stay competitive, making steady investments necessary. While this augurs well for the industrys long-term growth, hefty investments in research and development often leave companies with highly leveraged balance sheets. The industrys long-term debt/capital ratio is currently 0.61, higher than 0.28 of the Zacks S&P 500 composite index.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects

The Zacks Security and Safety Services industry, housed within the broader Industrial Products sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #38. This rank places it in the top 16% of 243 Zacks industries.

The groups Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates robust near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.

The industrys positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-Ranked industries is a result of the solid earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are putting more faith in this group's earnings growth potential. The industrys earnings estimates for 2025 have increased 11.2% over the past year.

We will present a few stocks from the industry that you may want to consider for your portfolio. But before that, it is worth taking a look at the industrys shareholder returns and its current valuation first.

Industry Outperforms Sector & S&P 500

The Zacks Security and Safety Services industry has outperformed both the broader Industrial Products sector and the S&P 500 composite index in the past year.

Over this period, the industry has moved up 18.9% compared with the S&P 500 Indexs increase of 15.4% and against the sectors decline of 3.5%.

Industry's Current Valuation

On the basis of forward P/E (F12M), which is a commonly used multiple for valuing security and safety services stocks, the industry is currently trading at 18.64X compared with the S&P 500s and the sectors 23.37X and 19.61X, respectively.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 21.90X, as low as 14.08X and at the median of 17.28X.

4 Security and Safety Services Stocks to Keep a Tab On

Lakeland Industries: Based in Huntsville, AL, the company is engaged in providing industrial protective clothing and accessories, including firefighting and heat protective gear and chemical protective suits for the industrial and public protective clothing market. LAKE is benefiting from an increase in demand for the fire service product line. Also, significant contributions from the acquisitions of Veridian and LHD Group also bode well for it.

In the past 60 days, estimates for this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) companys earnings have increased more than 100% for fiscal 2026 (ending January 2026). Although shares of Lakeland Industries lost 18.8% in the past year, they rose 16.3% in the past six months. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Resideo Technologies: Based in Scottsdale, AZ, REZI is engaged in producing and offering home comfort, safety and security, and energy management products under brands including Resideo, Braukmann and First Alert. Resideo Technologies is gaining from strong demand for First Alert SC5 connected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Also, continued focus on product development and innovation bodes well for the company.



The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Resideo Technologies 2025 earnings has remained steady in the past 60 days. Shares of this Zacks Rank #1 company have surged around 89% in the past year.

NAPCO Security: Based in Amityville, NY, the company provides electronic security systems to commercial, industrial, residential, institutional and government customers. NAPCO Security is benefiting from solid growth in equipment revenues, driven by strong demand for door-locking products. Also, the companys focus on expanding recurring service revenues (RSR) is likely to be beneficial moving ahead.

In the past 60 days, estimates for NSSCs earnings have increased 4.4% for fiscal 2026 (ending June 2026). This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company has gained 16.2% in the past year.

ADT: Based in Boca Raton, FL, the company offers security and smart home solutions, including smart security cameras, burglar & life safety alarms and smart home automation systems to residential customers and small businesses. ADT is gaining from strength in the Monitoring and related services (M&S) business, driven by an increase in average prices. Also, the companys strategic initiatives, innovation and operational excellence bode well.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ADTs 2025 earnings has remained steady in the past 60 days. Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 4.6% in a year.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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Moving from Merrylands to Manly, fortifying the family home with bullet-proof glass and a safe room, installing a bodyguard across the road  these are some of the methods that gangsters across Sydney deploy to stay one step ahead of both the police and their enemies.

As drive-by shootings heat up again across the city, the Herald spoke to police, industry and underworld sources about the extreme lengths organised crime figures take in a world outside the laws protection.

A CCTV camera positioned outside the Sydney home of an organised crime figure. Credit: Janie Barrett

Deception is the first line of defence against underworld foes or police, said Detective Chief Superintendent Grant Taylor, who has been investigating Sydneys ganglands for two decades.

They dont necessarily stay in a place for a significant period of time, he said in a wide-ranging interview with this masthead.
Just over a year ago, girls private boarding school Frensham decided to ban smartphones in its junior high school, mandating the use of basic, old-school Nokia brick phones.

The switch was not without its teething problems as students, especially those in years 8 and 9, struggled for weeks to adjust to life without social media.

For year 8 student Lorelai Del Tufo, the biggest shift was losing daily access to Instagram messages and being unable to use FaceTime to call home. Texting takes a lot longer on a Nokia. I also miss having that downtime of listening to music, or watching a movie on my phone.

Frensham School boarding students (from left) Evi Gandhi, Hattie Snodgrass and Lorelai Del Tufo swapped their smartphones for Nokia bricks this year. Credit: Kate Geraghty

But the upside, she said, has been removing the temptation to sit alone after school, scrolling. Now she spends more time talking to friends instead.
This would include posting on social media about a dispute involving an ex-partner where their identity is apparent to people in their network, even without names. Dont be tempted to join separated parents pages. Legal expert Jodylee Bartal In a 2013 decision, a federal magistrate described a parenting dispute between a former couple as a form of tribal warfare and said the father and his family had waged a relentless battle against the mother for many years. The father faced potential criminal sanction over his Facebook posts. An unfortunate and increasing feature of modern litigation, particularly but not exclusively in family law, is the use of social media, the magistrate said. While it can be used for good, often it is used as a weapon, either by one or both of the parties ... It is a veritable Aladdins Cave which parties (and lawyers) readily and regularly explore for (invariably incriminating) evidence to be used in litigation. As a weapon, it has particularly insidious features.

Liking or sharing posts Bartal said she had acted for a woman whose former partner had liked and shared a purportedly funny meme online titled How to Kill Your Wife. This was particularly sinister because the woman had an intervention order against her ex, known as an apprehended violence order in NSW. Loading The woman reported the post as a breach of the order. The post was also used in evidence in a dispute over the division of property because courts can take into account the impact of family violence on a partners ability to contribute to the joint pool of assets as well as on their future needs. Among advice Bartal gives separated parents is: dont post disparaging comments [and] dont vent online and dont like negative comments made by others or post or like memes.

Dont be tempted to join separated parents pages. Some of that content, even if not posted by the client themselves, can be damaging by association, Bartal said. Posts about purchases In disputes over property and finances, Bartal said posting on social media about expensive holidays and purchases ... can be used in maintenance proceedings to demonstrate capacity to pay, or to justify a reduction of support. Justice Family Lawyers director Hayder Shkara said social media posts had been used as evidence in family law disputes for a long time. He had regularly seen Facebook posts, Snapchat videos, WhatsApp messages and images, Instagram stories and even comments forming part of the court record. In a property dispute, we had a matter where one party filmed themselves in a new car which led to an investigation into the source of those funds for the car, and increased the asset pool, meaning more money for the other party, Shkara said.

He said his advice was straightforward: Before posting, assume that it will one day be read by a judge in court, and never post about your case, the court, or about your ex-partner. Loading He said the imminent ban in Australia on children under 16 using social media was one of the areas to watch. Discussions have started between separated parents about the social media ban for children under 16. There are concerns about how parents will enforce such restrictions, especially when separated households have different views on social media, he said. I have also seen this year the first dispute about the authenticity of a photograph, with one party stating that it was AI-generated. I foresee this as a major issue as the authenticity of photographs and videos was previously never really challenged.

Safety risks Bartal said digital safety and privacy was also an important consideration in cases involving domestic violence. If a client is considering or planning a separation and there has been any domestic violence, I might suggest they check their phones, iPads and laptops for location sharing, and we go through how to turn this off, she said. She also suggested clients set up a new Apple ID, if they had Apple devices, because their old ID might allow text messages, phone calls, and voicemails to be seen and accessed across several devices. Making sure they sign out of email and social media accounts every time and change their passwords [is also important], she said.
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Jacqueline Maleys sensitive article on Priyas Bill, the loss of unborn children and parental leave rights, rightly criticises the remarkable (and for many women, offensive)  spectacle of men attempting to police matters that are the business of women, their partners and their doctors (Baby Priya brought compassion to the parliament. Then four men hijacked the debate, November 2). The (almost exclusively male) clergy has been doing this for centuries and persists today, particularly in this area. It is indeed offensive, but so far it has proven to be an intractable problem. Joyce, Hastie et al are merely handmaidens to this behaviour. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield

Baby Priyas mother holds a picture of her daughter. Credit: Getty Images

Jacqueline Maley treats this sensitive issue well. Unfortunately, the four male Coalition members who took on the role of the morality police showed no sensitivity or decorum. Apparently, the mindset that brought us robo-debt is alive and well in the dark recesses of the right. How do you judge the further damage wrought by their words and actions? Cheap political points that simply damage the credibility of those trying to score them. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

Think before you speak

Parnell McGuinness writes that politicians do sometimes get terrible advice from immature partisan hacks in their office (Sussan Ley must say sorry  and not just about T-shirtgate, November 2). There are obvious questions about employing immature people who give bad advice, but the answers are fairly simple; if someone, anyone, not just immature partisan hacks, gives you advice, think deeply before you open your mouth. Peter Butler, Wyongah

Sussan Ley is fast gaining a reputation for poor judgement. The Rudd and Joy Division T-shirt jibes went down like lead balloons. However, instead of learning from these gaffes, she went for the trifecta. She accused Labor of preventing her tour of the Tomago aluminium smelter, and is starting to sound paranoid. Her party is in disarray and her leadership under threat from Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor. She might as well quit now and let them take the blame for the inevitable drubbing in 2028. Graham Lum, North Rocks

Parnell, do I detect a mea culpa as you project your own much-needed apologies on to Sussan Leys need for a new approach? I have often disagreed with your defence of the Coalition, but this article is one of refreshingly impartial balance. Peter Kamenyitzky, Copacabana
The real estate sign on the front of the building promised a dream: Brand new apartments set to launch a chic new lifestyle.

For Mohammed Hussein, his familys new home was a dream. He bought a unit in the development at 71 Hill Road, Lurnea, near Liverpool, in mid-2022 for his wife and soon-to-be-born child.

It was just a beautiful two-bedroom unit, large size, big balcony, they had a rooftop, they had a full barbecue area going on so we could hold a function and things like that. [It was a] really nice, beautiful building, he said.

Mohammed Hussein bought an apartment in 2022 for his family. He hasnt been able to move in. Credit: Wolter Peeters

But then, in November of the same year, the newly built five-storey tower was hit with a prohibition order after a range of serious defects were identified. It meant Hussein and his family could not move into their apartment until rectification works were complete.
Police are also keen to speak to anyone who may have heard this gunshot, including any members of the public who may have been in the area at the time and believe they could be the person responsible. Although they were forewarned of the technical operation, the sound of shots and sight of renewed police road blocks was a grim reminder for residents still struggling to recover from the tragedy and desperately hoping for closure. Police have extensively searched dense bushland between the Buckland River and Mount Buffalo, but are now using firearm acoustic tests. Credit: Victoria Police They are trying to work out if that was a police pistol going off into Dezis person, or something else, one Porepunkah resident said. Just a day earlier, residents and businesses were relieved by the long-awaited return of a sense of normality to the Alpine region.

Loading Groups of visitors wearing homemade hats wandered from tourist parks to the Porepunkah Pub to celebrate Melbourne Cup Day, spilling into the streets in the first sign that the disastrous silence that has fallen on the area since the tragedy could be easing. But while Freeman remains unaccounted for, an uncertainty hangs over the region as it tries to move on but cant. Locals arent talking about it. Its not that they dont care, they do care, but they are probably just over it, Bright cafe owner Leanne Boyd said. Its a complicated situation. There is also movement back at the Rayner Track property where Freeman lived, with nearby residents reporting in early October that cars were passing in and out, though they did not recognise the vehicles or those driving them as having been in the area before the police murders.

Theres people back there. I wouldnt have a clue who any of them are, one resident said at that time. Nobody really wants to be involved because these people are obviously a bit nuts. The Rayner Track home on the property where the fatal shootings occurred. Credit: Joe Armao We havent had any problems with them, we havent had any contact with them. Nobody really knows them. Andrew and Rebecca Swift, who own the property, returned later, with their presence welcomed as a sign things might eventually get back to normal.

Loading Most of them seem to have come back. The same little cars that were there [before the murders] are back, another resident said. Andy [Swift] is a beaut bloke. Rebecca Swift is working at the Wild Thyme Cafe in Bright, and down the road at another eatery where Freemans teenage son, who had also been living at the Rayner Track property at the time of the shootings, has been hired as an apprentice chef to help him get back on his feet. Many locals have rallied around Freemans wife, Mali, and her children, drawing a clear line between them and the alleged actions of their husband and father.

Apart from him [Dezi], the rest are fine, said one Porepunkah resident supporting the family. Amalia Freeman pictured in 2022 with the three children she has with Dezi Freeman. With her car badly damaged during police searches and unable to return home to the bus that was the scene of the murders, Mali and her children struggled to find a place to live until supporters in the tight-knit towns stepped in. Friends have provided her a house in Bright, and a group is providing meals and organising social gatherings to support them. Now she has a small baby and no car. Fortunately, at the moment, people are bringing her food and things, one supporter said. She has lots of help because everyone loves her.

Fallen officers Vadim De Waart-Hottart and Neal Thompson. Residents are also continuing to mourn the loss of Thompson and De Waart-Hottart, and trying to balance the complex and overlapping relationships within their towns. Businesses are trying to cope with a huge economic loss and continued drop in tourist numbers, despite the reopening of the Mount Buffalo National Park. One Bright retailer, who asked not to be named because he was still battling the state government over its deplorable assistance package, said hed lost $70,000 and trade remained 25 per cent slower than normal years. Other hospitality businesses reported being up to 40 per cent down on normal trading. Loading

We are still in it, theres still trepidation to come here, the retailer said. Its like a bushfire, you dont bounce back for six months. But this was more frightening than a bushfire. This was very different. There were 400 police in town and Bearcats driving around town, and that is pretty frightening. Bright and District Chamber of Commerce president Marcus Warner said the regions recovery was slower than expected because some tourists didnt feel confident returning to the area. Eighteen Porepunkah businesses took up a first-round grant offer, but a second round of grants aimed at easing the longer-term impacts on the wider region have been much harder to come by.

The governments criteria required Alpine region businesses to prove they had suffered losses of more than $10,000 between August 26 and the end of September, and at least a 40 per cent drop in trading compared with the previous year. But because the 2024 snow season was one of the worst on record, businesses say that proving a significant drop in trade on that year alone has been almost impossible and want the government to base the losses on a wider comparison. We are asking them to revisit that. Unfortunately, at this stage, they have very strict criteria, and theyre not going to budge on it, Warner said. But that money is still available. If its not used and not taken up by those businesses, they will look to try to fairly redistribute that back through the community and back through the local economy in another way. Bright cafe owner Leanne Boyd says businesses in the Alpine region are still impacted by the Porepunkah police deaths. Credit: Jason South

Cherry Walk Cafe owner Boyd had been optimistic when the grants were first announced but, like many, she is disappointed with the reality and the prolonged empty streets. Boyds business has suffered a 29 per cent reduction and lost $20,000 in trading. Nearly nobody in Bright got that grant, she said. It was all talk. They had no intention of giving that grant to anybody or, if they did, they made it very difficult. A Victorian government spokesperson said 24 grants of $5000 each had so far been awarded under the $2.5 million support package. Six kilometres down the road, Porepunkah Pantry owner Jacob Hanna is thankful he was able to access the grant, and even more hopeful that the returning Cup weekend crowds were a sign that people would return to the region.

The grant was good, but it doesnt make up for eight weeks of losing $3000-$4000. And I know there are a couple of businesses that were really hurting during that period who I dont think were able to access the grant, Hanna said. On the weekend, it kind of felt like we were back to what a public holiday weekend should feel like. Things have been picking up, particularly when the weather is good. But the confused feelings and raw emotions of the Porepunkah tragedy lie shallow beneath the surface for many locals. A gate built by Dezi Freeman to keep people out of the Rayner Track property - complete with one obvious and another hidden security camera - which is now disabled and fastened with chains and padlocks. Credit: Grant McArthur

One reacted angrily when approached about how the area was recovering, claiming the media was trying to turn the incident into something else and shouting wild claims about the policemens deaths. Later that same day, another long-time local, whod known Freeman for many years, was at pains to state that such views were the minority. Loading People are angry at Dezi, hes the one who brought this on, he said. For those living near the Rayner Track property, this weeks gunshots were a disturbing reminder of what has happened, and of the loss of Thompson in particular, a respected local officer.
The Victorian coroner ruled the death was not preventable and made no recommendations. Scope said its review also did not identify any systemic failures. Choking deaths surge in residential care Johns death was not isolated. Choking-related deaths more than doubled across Victorias aged care and disability sectors last year, prompting the states health watchdog, Safer Care Victoria, to issue an urgent alert in September. It warned that choking had become an emerging quality and safety risk. Johns was among the choking deaths that formed part of that analysis. The alert followed a similar national warning from the federal aged care watchdog this June.

There were 17 choking deaths reported to the Victorian coroner in 2023. Last year, that number jumped to 38, according to the Department of Health. The deaths occurred in public and private facilities alike  in dining rooms, shared homes, and even hospital emergency departments. Common risks, identified in the Safer Care Victoria report, included residents given food or drink inconsistent with care plans, family members unknowingly providing unsafe meals, medications interfering with swallowing, and patients eating unsupervised or sitting incorrectly. The alert described fatal choking not as a series of freak accidents, but as predictable  the result of thinly stretched staff and poorly followed care plans. It warned that homes must establish systematic incident review processes after any choking event or near miss. While the spike in deaths triggered the new warning in Victoria, there are no nationally available statistics. A University of Technology Sydney review of coronial records nationally shows choking has been a persistent, preventable cause of death in residential care for years.

In January, an NDIS provider was hit with the largest penalty of its kind over the death of an intellectually disabled man who choked on a toasted salami and cheese sandwich. A known, long-running crisis Professor Bronwyn Hemsley is head of speech pathology at the University of Technology Sydney. She has spent two decades studying swallowing disorders, known as dysphagia, in people with disability in care. The latest warnings, she said, were all too familiar and should be a catalyst for immediate change. The same failures repeated year after year, Hemsley said. With each wave, people recommend similar things to resolve it. Without addressing the systemic issues, these premature deaths continue to rise. High staff turnover compounds the danger, with many finding mealtime plans difficult to follow, said Hemsley. In some homes, staff rely on bulky care folders few have time to read. Hemsley said the system needed to be simplified. A large folder is never going to be read by a new staff member before lunch, she said. Carers need real-time support to make sure people have enough time and help to eat safely.

Hemsley said long delays in speech pathology assessments, and a lack of structured prevention strategies, also compromised safety. If you go to hospital with a stroke, youll see a speech pathologist within 24 hours, she said. Some people in care wait weeks or months  all while theyre at risk of choking. The fear, the dread is with me all the time For some, the risk of choking is an ever-present part of life. Meredith Allan knows that fear first-hand. The former board member of the National Disability Insurance Agency developed dysphagia after neurosurgery in 1970 left her with an acquired brain injury. And in 2021, surgery to repair a fractured vertebra made eating more difficult. Meredith Allan at the retirement village where she lives. Allan has severe dysphagia and takes some of her meals via a feeding tube. Credit: Simon Schluter My swallowing was stuffed up, said Allan, whose condition went from moderate to severe dysphagia. In the days after surgery, it took Allan 14 swallows to drink a teaspoon of water.

Doctors offered little explanation. One told her bluntly she would have needed a feeding tube eventually. Now, Allan eats porridge and soup by mouth but receives her evening meal through a feeding tube  a reality she hates but has built into her life. She has choked multiple times over the years  on a roast potato, a banana, a small piece of meat. The fear, the dread is with me all the time. Its a fragile existence. Regulators say risks are known  and preventable New aged care standards introduced on November 1 include strict food rules, that the federal government envisages moving beyond meals provided towards meals that support dignity, nutrition, health and individual preferences.

The sectors watchdog agrees choking remains one of the sectors most under-recognised risks. Dr Mandy Callary, chief clinical adviser to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, said swallowing difficulties remain significant clinical risks for older people in aged care, and can lead to serious harm or death if not identified and managed appropriately. Aged Care Minister Sam Rae said the government had strengthened standards and boosted funding in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to enforce them. A texture-modified meal produced by The Pure Food Co. The nutrient-enriched meals are designed to be safer to eat, and to support the health, strength and dignity of people with swallowing difficulties. Credit: The Pure Food Co A spokesman for Victorian Ageing Minister Ingrid Stitt said Safer Care Victoria issued alerts to ensure emerging risks are identified early and acted on. Feeding the vulnerable, safely

While regulators grapple with prevention, some companies are trying to make safer eating possible. Among them is The Pure Food Co, which supplies texture-modified meals to more than 500 aged care homes across Australia. Co-chief executive Sam Bridgewater said the mission was personal: his stepfather, who developed jaw cancer 13 years ago, struggled to find safe, nutritious food. Loading He couldnt consume the nutrition he needed or the food he wanted, Bridgewater said. It came in little bottles of strawberry-flavoured milk things. Roughly 20 to 30 per cent of aged care residents require texture-modified meals, but the results are variable when homes attempt to blend and adapt food themselves.
Young people are more likely than their older counterparts to believe they could not be friends with people who hold differing political views, while just 65 per cent of Australians are confident in the countrys election results.

Thats according to a survey of 4000 Australians by McKinnon, conducted as part of its McKinnon Index: a measure of trust in leaders, effectiveness of governments, performance of institutions, and how and why Australians engage in politics and public debate.

The results show the share of Australians who believe they could not be friends with someone of differing political views falls the older they are. Credit: iStock

A clear majority of people thought they could still be friends with people whose political beliefs differ from their own.

Nearly three-quarters of Australians surveyed for the new index said they disagreed with the statement that they could not be friends with someone of differing political views, with nearly four in five  the highest share  of people aged over 65 disagreeing with the statement.
NSW Police and the state government are investigating how neo-Nazis were allowed to hold a rally against Jewish groups outside parliament on Saturday morning, after the group first notified police of their plans more than a week ago.

About 60 members of the National Socialist Network attended the rally, which began at 10am and included a large banner that read Abolish the Jewish Lobby.

A National Socialist Network rally held outside parliament. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said a notice of the NSNs intention to hold the rally  made by a known leader of the group, with the stated purpose of criticising Jewish organisations  was first lodged with Sydney City Local Area Command on October 28.

There was a communication error within the police force for which I did not personally know that todays protest was taking place, Lanyon said in a press conference called after the Herald sent questions to police and NSW Premier Chris Minns office.
Vivy Air took her earnings to almost $3m when winning the Five Diamonds  five days after racing in the Big Dance.

Reece Jones gave the ultra-tough mare a brilliant ride along the rails to edge out Transatlantic ($3.80fav) and Militarize ($4).

Ethan Brown wins on Vivy Air at Randwick. Credit: Getty Images

Vivy Air ran second to stablemate Gringotts at Randwick on Tuesday, and trainer Ciaron Maher was more than happy to run the five-year-old after she pulled up so well. A swim at the beach on Wednesday, then a couple of easy days around the stable, ensured Vivy Air was ready to run another cheeky race.

Mahers assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord praised the ride of Jones, who was given the nod after Andrew Adkins was suspended for his ride on Vivy Air at Randwick. The mares confidence and stepping up to 1800m were also a couple of positives.
When trying to figure out how much car insurance you need, there are many factors to consider. But overall, the right answer balances affordability and financial protection from the costs associated with an auto accident  including medical bills, property damage, and car repairs.

Heres how to decide on coverage, what the recommended car insurance coverage is, and everything else you should take into consideration.

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Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained

5 steps to determine how much car insurance you need

Your car insurance coverage should be generous enough to meet state requirements and protect your net worth. Additionally, you should consider how much cash you keep on hand and what you can afford to pay for premiums.

1. Figure out your net worth

Knowing your net worth helps you define appropriate liability coverage levels. Your net worth is the difference between the value of your assets  including your home, car, and bank accounts  and your debts.

Both your bodily injury liability coverage and your property damage liability limits should exceed your net worth. If they dont, youll want to increase them to bridge the gap.

Heres what your financial responsibility could look like if you didnt increase your liability limits: Lets say youre at fault in a car accident where multiple people are injured and their medical expenses top $100,000. If you only have minimum bodily injury insurance coverage, the insurance company would cover medical bills up to, say, $50,000, and youd be personally responsible for the remaining $50,000.

2. Know your minimum requirements

Dont get taken by surprise when it comes to the minimum car insurance requirements in your state . Some states require liability insurance only, while others have additional mandated coverages, such as uninsured motorist and personal injury protection. A local insurance agent can review the state requirements with you.

Minimum liability insurance requirements vary from state to state, but the most common usually looks like this:

$25,000 bodily injury per person

$50,000 bodily injury per car accident

$25,000 property damage per car accident

Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, or medical payments coverage.

Learn more: Best car insurance companies

If your car is financed, your lender will have additional requirements  usually at least comprehensive and collision. Failing to comply with lender requirements is typically a violation of your loan agreement. The lender can buy insurance and charge you for it or repossess the car if you dont meet the requirements on your own.

Read more: What happens if you dont have car insurance?

3. Determine your financial risk

Part of determining how much car insurance you need is knowing how comfortable you are with the risk of significant out-of-pocket expenses. Liability-only policies can be as cheap as $89 monthly, but they can leave you without help paying for damages to your car. Full coverage adds protections for your car when you are at fault and if the car is stolen. These policies provide far more coverage for about $60 more than liability insurance alone.

Learn more: Cheapest car insurance

4. Try an insurance coverage calculator

Some insurance companies offer coverage calculators to help you determine the amount of car insurance you need and estimate rates. These calculators typically ask about your state of residence, the vehicles you own, your driving record, and the value of your home or other assets.

5. Get at least three car insurance quotes

The Insurance Information Institute recommends getting at least three different auto insurance quotes to better understand your coverage options and car insurance costs.

Read more: Buying a car? Heres how to shop for insurance

Recommended car insurance coverage

Generally, its smart to carry more coverage than your state requires if you can afford it. That includes raising your liability limits high enough to protect your net worth and, as appropriate, adding more lines of coverage. Car accidents can be expensive, and upgrading your insurance can provide a lot of value, often at a reasonable price.

Here are the main types of auto insurance coverage you should consider and when it might make sense to pay a little more for protection on and off the road.

Collision coverage

Best for leased, financed, and new cars

Collision insurance covers damage to your car in the case of a motor vehicle accident. Collision coverage costs are affordable, so you should add it to your policy if you cant afford the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle. You will have a deductible on your collision insurance, which is an amount you pay before your insurance company funds any repairs.

Comprehensive coverage

Best for leased, financed, and new cars

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from weather, theft, vandalism, fire, and even animal strikes. Windshield replacement coverage is usually included in comprehensive and collision coverage. Comprehensive coverage is best for more expensive vehicles that you cant afford to repair or replace out-of-pocket. Keep in mind, youll also have a deductible on your comprehensive insurance.

Personal injury protection (PIP)

Best for no-fault states

Personal injury protection is required in some states as part of no-fault accident insurance . PIP coverage pays for medical expenses incurred by you or your passengers from an accident, regardless of who caused the crash. PIP can also pay for childcare costs, lost wages, funeral expenses, and rehabilitation related to the injuries.

Medical payments (MedPay) coverage

Best for those without health insurance

MedPay is an optional coverage available in some states that pays for medical bills. Even if you have good health insurance, MedPay can be a good idea if youre worried about paying out-of-pocket medical expenses or meeting your deductible after a car accident.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Best for everyone

Uninsured motorist insurance , or UIM, protects you, your passengers, and your vehicle if youre the victim in an accident caused by a driver without car insurance. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also cover hit-and-run claims.

Some states require drivers to protect themselves from damages and injuries caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists. According to the Insurance Research Council, one in seven drivers were uninsured and one in six drivers were underinsured in 2023. More than 28% of Mississippi drivers had no insurance and more than 49% of Colorado drivers had too little insurance.

Additional coverages to consider

Here are some less common types of car insurance coverage available from auto insurance companies that you may want to consider.

Gap insurance

If you bought a new car (or new to you car) or are leasing a car, your lender may require gap coverage . This type of insurance protects you (or the leasing company) in the event your vehicle is a total loss and the actual cash value the insurance pays doesnt meet your car loan obligations.

Rental reimbursement

Rental reimbursement coverage helps pay for a rental car if your vehicle is damaged in a covered claim. Its relatively inexpensive and can cover other costs besides a rental car, including rideshare services or public transportation costs.

Roadside assistance

Roadside assistance coverage provides a limited set of break-down services like towing, tire changes, and battery jumpstarts. Getting roadside assistance coverage as part of your insurance premium can pay off if you own an older car or have a long commute.

Classic car insurance

Classic car insurance policies recognize the intangibles that make older or collector vehicles valuable  typically far more valuable than the day they rolled off the showroom floor. For the insurance to remain affordable, however, classic car insurance may be more restrictive than standard auto insurance. For example, it wont cover the car if its used for regular transportation or is not securely stored.

Rideshare insurance

Personal car insurance doesnt cover driving for business use, including rideshare driving. Rideshare insurance helps bridge the gap between your personal coverage and the coverage provided by the rideshare companies.

This type of insurance is typically sold as an add-on to your personal car insurance policy, meaning you dont need a separate rideshare insurance policy.

What coverage limits should I have on my car insurance policy?

The right coverage limits depend on your situation and can vary wildly, but here is whats commonly recommended:

The cost of having these coverage limits will vary depending on several factors, including your driving history, vehicle make and model , and deductible . And keep in mind that some of these types of insurance arent available everywhere and have maximum and minimum coverage limits mandated by each state.

How much insurance do I need? FAQs

When is full coverage not worth it?

Full coverage auto insurance may not be worth it if your car is older and not worth much. If the annual added cost to maintain full coverage is 10% or more of your cars value, it may be time to reduce your coverage. You also dont need full coverage if you can afford to and are willing to replace your car after a wreck or if its stolen.

Which states don't require car insurance?

New Hampshire is the only state that doesnt require car insurance, unless you have certain convictions on your record like a DUI or reckless driving. You still must prove you have financial resources to cover an at-fault accident, however.

How much liability coverage do I need?

You need enough liability coverage to meet your state minimums and protect your net worth if you cause an accident that results in expensive damages and injuries. If the damages exceed your liability limits, the other driver can go after your home and bank accounts.

Read more: What is liability car insurance and how much do you need?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been sidelined by President Vladimir Putin after his failure to organise a summit with US President Donald Trump in Budapest, according to reports.

The Russian daily Kommersant, a privately owned pro-Kremlin outlet, said that Russias long-time foreign minister was deliberately absent from a key security council meeting earlier this week.

Kremlinologists are poring over what Sergey Lavrovs recent apparent absence could mean. Credit: AP

The 75-year-old will also no longer represent Moscow at the coming G20 summit, scheduled for November 22-23 in Johannesburg.

Dmitry Peskov, Putins spokesman, did not give any explanation for Lavrovs absence from the key summit, which will be attended instead by Maxim Oreshkin, Putins deputy chief of staff.
London: Ukraine is seeking more air defence systems to counter Russian attacks after its cities were pounded by hundreds of drones and missiles in recent days, putting energy networks at risk with the onset of winter.

Russian forces targeted Ukraine with 450 drones and 45 ballistic missiles on Friday and Saturday after days of heavy attacks, in what analysts have called a coercive punishment campaign.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, shown here with Patriot missiles last year, is seeking more air defence systems. Credit: Getty

At least three people were killed and a dozen wounded when a drone struck an apartment building in Dnipro, while electricity systems were hit in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is hoping to gain more Patriot missile defence systems from the US under a funding deal with the European Union, but the nightly attacks highlight the challenge of stopping swarms of drones with single missiles.
The Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) proudly announces its participation in the COPPPAL International Observers Delegation for the New York General Elections of 4th November 2025 hosted by SDA. This landmark event marks a historic moment, as BHRO joined distinguished representatives from across Latin America and the Caribbean to observe one of the most closely watched elections in recent U.S. history.

This is the first time in history that an international delegation has observed a New York General Election, showing the people of Bonaire how important the work of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization is bringing their voice to the global stage, and making international contacts in every field to help the development of Bonaire.

The 2025 New York mayoral race has drawn worldwide attention, featuring three major candidates representing distinct political visions:

Andrew Cuomo, former Governor of New York, running as an Independent - Zohran Mamdani, progressive Democratic candidate and State Assembly member - Curtis Sliwa, representing the Republican Party

The race was described as a defining moment for the citys political future, testing the balance between traditional power structures and emerging grassroots movements.

Following the official results confirming Zohran Mamdanis victory, New York has entered a period of political transformation and social reflection. His winmaking him the citys first Muslim and South Asian mayorhas been hailed by many as a triumph for diversity, equity, and progressive reform. However, it has also triggered widespread upheaval and debate across the citys political, business, and media landscapes.

Several establishment organizations and corporate leaders have voiced concern over Mamdanis ambitious platform, which includes rent freezes, free public transportation, universal childcare, and expanded social programs. Political analysts describe this as a political earthquake that challenges the dominance of traditional power brokers in New York.

Meanwhile, grassroots and minority communities have celebrated the outcome as a victory for inclusion and representation, seeing in Mamdanis leadership a reflection of Americas growing multicultural identity. Yet, his campaign and victory have also sparked divisive reactions, including Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric from far-right groups, and unease among moderate Democrats worried about the citys economic direction under his leadership.

For the Bonaire Human Rights Organization, this election and its aftermath represent more than a local political shiftit highlights global challenges surrounding equity, representation, and the right to self-determination. As BHRO continues to defend the rights of Bonaires people and other small territories, witnessing such democratic transitions reinforces the importance of inclusive governance and respect for human dignity in all societies.

BHROs participation as an accredited observer reflects Bonaires expanding presence on the international stage, symbolizing solidarity with representative democratic processes and human rights advocacy worldwide.
PHILIPSBURG:--- November 2025. Kadaster St. Maarten is moving forward with plans to establish a Cables and Lines Information Center (CLIC), a major step toward safer and more coordinated underground infrastructure management on the island.



The initiative follows recent discussions between Kadaster St. Maarten's Director, Benjamin Ortega, and senior representatives of Kadaster Netherlands, including Vincent Siegmund (Director, Operations, Services and Registration), Caroline Groot (Product Manager, KLIC), and Mathilde Molendijk (Program Manager, Caribbean Netherlands).



The meeting served as an introduction between both organisations management teams and focused on exchanging expertise on the Dutch KLIC system, which provides a secure national portal for digital information on cables and pipelines. Drawing on the Netherlands successful model and guided by international best practices such as the UKs National Underground Asset Register, Kadaster St. Maarten aims to implement a localised version of CLIC by 2026, in close collaboration with the Ministry of VROMI.



To formalize this cooperation, Kadaster St. Maarten and various relevant stakeholders are finalising a Memorandum of Understanding outlining shared objectives for CLICs establishment. The agreement designates Kadaster as the official registry authority for all underground infrastructure and as the custodian of the national Base Infrastructure Ma,p the islands single source of authoritative spatial data for planning, permitting, and development.



The CLIC initiative will allow all utility and infrastructure stakeholders to access accurate, up-to-date information before excavation, minimising damage risks and improving coordination across the island, said Mr. Ortega. This is an important step toward a more digital, sustainable, and data-driven land administration system for Sint Maarten.



The upcoming MOU also envisions enhancing data sharing between government departments, utilities, and key partners, paving the way for more integrated spatial planning and climate-resilient infrastructure management.



Further working sessions will continue into 2026 as Kadaster St. Maarten refines the systems governance model, technical framework, and stakeholder engagement strategy ahead of full implementation.
Press Release from Business Wire: OMRON Corporation



(AFP) Nov 08, 2025



KYOTO, Nov 8, 2025 (BSW) - OMRON (TOKYO: 6645) has announced its "Medium-Term Roadmap Shaping the Future 2nd Stage ("SF 2nd Stage")," covering from FY2026 to FY2030, on November 7, 2025 (JST). This Roadmap presents the Group's vision and growth strategies through 2030, which are disclosed on our corporate website.

Overview of the "Medium-Term Roadmap SF 2nd Stage"

Since April 2024, OMRON has been implementing a Structural Reform Program "NEXT 2025" aimed at rebuilding our foundation for profitability and growth. With the completion of this Program in September 2025, we have shifted into a growth phase and formulated a new Roadmap looking ahead to 2030.

This Roadmap identifies Business Portfolio Restructuring as a core strategy. We have defined Thirteen Focus Businesses to drive the Group's future growth. By accelerating our selection and concentration efforts, we aim to build a "distinctive" business portfolio that maximizes overall Group growth. Furthermore, to maximize the growth potential of our Focus Businesses, we will drive transformation decisively across three areas, "VALUE", "FRONT", and "Resource Allocation."

Building on the profit foundation established through Structural Reform Program, we will thoroughly enhance our business growth capabilities and aim to increase corporate value through sustainable, profit-driven growth.

Related Information

Medium-Term Roadmap SF 2nd Stage

About OMRON

OMRON Corporation, as a leading automation company centered on its unique "Sensing & Control + Think" technology, develops businesses in Factory Automation, Healthcare, Social systems, Device and module, and Data solutions that utilize a wide variety of data acquired through these businesses. Founded in 1933, OMRON now employs about 27,000 people worldwide, provides products and services in more than 130 countries, and contributes to the creation of a better society.Please visit the OMRON website for additional information.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251106248559/en/









Contact

Investor Relations DepartmentOMRON CorporationE-Mail: [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Israel receives remains of Gaza hostage: prime minister's office



Jerusalem, Nov 7 (AFP) Nov 07, 2025



Israel received from the Red Cross on Friday the remains of one the last six hostages held by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, according to the prime minister's office.

The Israeli military later confirmed that a coffin containing the deceased hostage's body had "crossed the border into the State of Israel" after being delivered by the Red Cross to the army and the Shin Bet security agency in Gaza.

It said the body was being sent to a forensic facility in Tel Aviv for identification.

Earlier in the day, Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, had said that it and the armed wing of Islamic Jihad would "hand over the body of one of the occupation's captives, which was found today in the city of Khan Yunis".

The handover took place under the terms of a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal that took effect in October

At the start of the truce, Hamas released all 20 surviving hostages seized during its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the Gaza war.

In exchange, Israel freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in its custody.

Of the 28 deceased hostages that Hamas agreed to hand over under the deal, it has so far returned 22 -- 19 Israelis, one Thai, one Nepali and one Tanzanian -- excluding the latest body.

The last six deceased hostages include five seized on October 7 -- four Israelis and one Thai -- as well as the remains of a soldier who died in combat in 2014 during a previous war in Gaza.

Israel has accused Hamas of dragging its feet in returning the bodies of deceased hostages, while the Palestinian group says the process is slow because many are buried beneath Gaza's rubble.
US judge rules Trump's Guard deployment to Portland 'unlawful'



Washington, Nov 8 (AFP) Nov 08, 2025



A US federal judge ruled Friday that Donald Trump's National Guard deployment to Portland, Oregon is "unlawful" and ordered it permanently blocked, a legal setback for the president's use of troops in the country's cities.

The Republican president has sent the National Guard to three Democratic-led cities this year -- Los Angeles, the capital Washington and Memphis -- but his efforts to deploy soldiers in Portland and Chicago have been tied up in the courts.

Trump has repeatedly called the Oregon city "war-ravaged" and riddled with violent crime to justify sending forces there.

But District Judge Karin Immergut -- a Trump nominee -- rejected the administration's claim that protests against an ongoing immigration crackdown amounted to a rebellion justifying the deployment of National Guard troops to Oregon.

"The President's unlawful federalization of the National Guard violates the Tenth Amendment, which 'reserves to the States' any powers not expressly delegated to the federal government in the Constitution," Immergut wrote.

"With respect to the deployment of any state's National Guard to Oregon," she concluded, "THIS PERMANENT INJUNCTION ORDER IS IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT."

The ruling supersedes Immergut's interim order that had temporarily blocked the deployment to Portland.

Authorities in California, which had strenuously opposed federalization of its National Guard forces to send to Oregon, hailed the decision as "a win for the rule of law, for the constitutional values that govern our democracy, and for the American people."

California Attorney General Rob Bonta added in a statement: "Once again, a court has firmly rejected the President's militarized vision for America's future."

Protests sparked by a spike in immigration raids have caused unrest in parts of the country, as Trump has pushed for a massive wave of deportations -- a hallmark of his 2024 presidential campaign.

But Immergut wrote there was no evidence of any large-scale violence, major damage to property, or actions by protesters that impeded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from performing their duties, and that conditions on the ground did not justify the use of emergency powers.

The Trump administration could appeal Friday's ruling, with the possibility that the case ultimately goes before the US Supreme Court.
News

Jean-Baptiste Kempf receives the European SFS Award 2025 at SFSCON

on: 2025-11-07

The FSFE and LUGBZ have recognized VLC president and core developer with this European award for his long-term dedication to the project. What began as a student initiative has, through his continuous effort, evolved into one of the most widely used media players, with billion of users worldwide.

Picture by NOI Techpark - Marco Parisi CC-BY-SA 4.0.

The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE), together with the Linux User Group BolzanoBozen (LUGBZ), is proud to recognize Jean-Baptiste Kempf with the European SFS Award 2025, in recognition of his outstanding and lasting contributions to the Free Software movement and his long-term dedication to the VLC project.

Born as a student project in 1996, this software has evolved into an essential, all-in-one media player that plays almost anything effortlessly. Originally a simple network streaming client, it has grown into a powerful universal media player that continues to evolve and impress.

For many people running non-free operating systems, it was the very first Free Software they ever installed. For many people running Free Software, it saved them from installing and booting into a proprietary operating system, declared Matthias Kirschner, president of the FSFE during the Award ceremony.

Jean-Baptiste Kempf joined the project as a student, and when it faced the risk of dying after the graduation of its original developers, he took the reins. With the help of other core developers, he transformed it into the indispensable media player we rely on today.

Over the years, Kempf has become not only the president of the VideoLAN non-profit but also one of the lead developers of VLC Media Player and the founder of VideoLabs. Its small, fast, friendly, and seems to "understand everything you throw at it. I have always thought of it as "the program that eats everything", said Raphael Barbieri, a member of LUGBZ, during the winners announcement.

"I am extremely honoured to receive the European SFS Award. The Free Software multimedia community is quite niche and unknown, but we work hard so that video content can be free, can be played and processed. The work done around the VideoLAN community has been tremendous, despite its little resources. I want to thank the whole VideoLAN and FFmpeg teams, who spend their time on those projects, often with little recognition", declares Jean-Baptiste Kemp .

The European SFS Award

The European SFS Award recognizes individuals whose work has made a significant and sustained difference in advancing Free Software across Europe. Since 2023 it is presented jointly by LUGBZ and the FSFE and honours those whose efforts strengthen software freedom, community building, and the ethical foundations of technology.

In previous years, the award was given to Frank Karlitschek (2023) for his leadership with Nextcloud, and posthumously to Bram Moolenaar (2024) for creating the Vim editor.

2025 Laudatio

Raphael: Theres a program most of us have used - on laptops, phones, tablets or desktops computers. It might have run on screens in supermarkets or shops. Its small, fast, friendly, and seems to "understand everything you throw at it". I have always thought of it as "the program that eats everything."

Matthias: This amazing software did not come from a giant technology company with a huge budget. It began more than twenty years ago - as a modest experiment by a few students at an engineering school. They wanted to solve a problem they identified. Nothing fancy - just a student project to tinker, experiment, share, and have fun. No one knew that those first lines of code written for network 2000 would one day reach billions of users.

Raphael: Like many student projects, it almost faded away when graduation came and the contributors had other priorities. But one young engineer, who had joined the group in 2000, refused to let it die. He reorganised the code, inspired new contributors, and slowly turned a university experiment into a world-class piece of software.

Matthias: He built a healthy community fostering the software. Hundreds of volunteers joined. They contributed by programming, testing, auditing, helping others, with translations, improving the design, or promoting the software. Thereby the community grew and people started using the software on every platform  GNU/Linux and other Unix like operating systems, Windows, Android, or MacOS and iOS. For many people running non-free operating systems, it was the very first Free Software they ever installed. For many people running Free Software, it saved them from installing and booting into a proprietary operating system.

Raphael: With this success our winner was offered tempting deals - big money, advertising, corporate buyouts. Every time, he gently said no. Because it was not about maximising profit. It was about maximising freedom for computer users.

Matthias: To protect that freedom, he later founded a non-profit organisation - so the software would always belong to its community. He also founded a company to support the technical side - keeping development professional while staying true to the values of software freedom. Under his leadership, the initiative has reached billions of downloads, maintained and added amazing features - all without losing its soul.

Raphael: And theres another thing this community is famous for - its sense of humour. Their symbol? A bright orange-and-white traffic cone. Legend has it that the original students used to collect these cones after late nights out. When it came time to pick a logo, they chose it proudly - a playful symbol of creativity, chaos, and collaboration.

Matthias: Nowadays, that little cone has become an icon you find on a huge amount of computers worldwide. At conferences their contributors wear the cones on their heads with pride as a clear sign of who they are and what they stand for.

Raphael: And the person behind it? Hes not just a brilliant engineer. Hes a leader, a mentor, and a true advocate for software freedom. In 2018, his contributions were honoured with the title of Chevalier de lOrdre National du Merite - the first Free Software developer ever to receive that distinction. Yes - a real knight of software freedom.

Matthias: His Holy Grail was not fame or fortune - its freedom: the freedom for billions of people to watch, listen, and share multimedia files without restrictions or surveillance. He has shown the world that integrity, community, and a bit of humour can change how we experience digital media.

Raphael: Today, we celebrate someone who has made it possible for all of us to enjoy open, universal access to media - and who continues to prove that Free Software is powerful, beautiful, and fun.

Matthias: It is our great pleasure to present the European SFS Award 2025 to the president of the VideoLAN non-profit, one of the lead developers of VLC media player, the founder of VideoLabs, the bearer of the traffic cone, and a true knight of Free Software....

Matthias & Raphael: Jean-Baptiste Kempf!
Kenyan prosecution welcomes detention of UK ex-soldier over woman's murder



Nairobi, Nov 8 (AFP) Nov 08, 2025



Kenya's prosecution service on Saturday welcomed the detention of a British ex-soldier accused of murdering a woman in the east African country more than a decade ago.

Robert James Purkiss, 38, was remanded in custody by a judge after being arrested on Thursday, Britain's National Crime Agency said in a statement.

Purkiss is wanted in Kenya on suspicion of killing 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in 2012, in a case that has caused diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

The body of the young mother was found in a septic tank two months after she reportedly went partying with British soldiers at a hotel in Nanyuki, a town in central Kenya where Britain has a permanent army garrison.

Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) welcomed the "significant development" in a statement on X, adding it was a result of an "extensive and coordinated effort" between the British and Kenyan authorities.

The ODPP "reiterates its unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for Agnes Wanjiru and her family, in collaboration with international partners, to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable", the statement added.

In September, a Nairobi High Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Purkiss, with local prosecutors saying extradition proceedings would be initiated to bring him before a Kenyan court.

Purkiss appeared in court on Friday, saying he did not consent to being extradited, the Press Association news agency reported.

The judge rejected his application for bail and ordered him to appear before the court again on November 14.
Press Release from Business Wire: Westinghouse Electric Company



(AFP) Nov 08, 2025



WASHINGTON, Nov 8, 2025 (BSW) - Westinghouse Electric Company and MVM Group signed a contract to ensure diversification of fuel supply in Hungary. This partnership brings to Paks Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) reliable supply with Westinghouse VVER fuel, manufactured in Europe. The Westinghouse VVER-440 fuel reload deliveries will start in 2028, subject to licensing activities.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251107682814/en/

Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel Senior Vice President Aziz Dag, left, and Karoly Matrai, CEO of the MVM Group, signed the Paks VVER-440 contract, Nov. 7, 2025.



"Our agreement with Westinghouse is a clear response to today's energy challenges and further strengthens the role of Hungary's leading base power plant in the domestic energy supply. This strategically important step will make the operation of Paks Nuclear Power Plant safer and more flexible. The diversified fuel procurement reduces external exposures and provides predictability and affordable energy for families and corporate customers," said Karoly Matrai, CEO of MVM Group.

"We look forward to delivering Westinghouse VVER fuel to Paks and to work with Hungary on its fuel diversification goals," said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel President. "With this contract, we now serve all VVER operators in Europe and Ukraine, helping them increase their security of supply."

Westinghouse has a proven track record as a trusted VVER-440 fuel supplier. The company delivered first fuel assemblies of this new fuel design to the Rivne NPP in Ukraine, followed by the first reload to Finland's Loviisa NPP. Earlier this year, a key milestone was reached with the first VVER-440 fuel reload deliveries to the Dukovany NPP in the Czech Republic. Our VVER-1000 fuel customers include Kozloduy NPP in Bulgaria, Khmelnytskyi, Rivne and South Ukraine plants in Ukraine, and Temelin NPP in the Czech Republic.

Westinghouse Electric Company is the future of energy, providing reliable, innovative nuclear technologies and services globally. Westinghouse pioneered commercial nuclear power, delivering the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957. The company has industrialized more nuclear reactors than any other company, with its technology forming the basis of half of the world's operating nuclear plants. More than 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251107682814/en/









Contact

[email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
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I am grateful that the whip has rightfully been restored and want to especially thank all those who have been so kind to me over the last few months, Ms Maskell added.
"So I let these people run past me, families, women, young lads. Finally they had all packed into the buffet car and the toilets and locked the doors, as you do, and so that was it for me.
It added that, in an audio recording from the cockpit, one of the pilots is then heard asking the other why he "cut off" the switches. The other pilot responds that he did not do so.
Blue Holes (Photo by Fish n Fins & Ocean Hunter Palau)



The siren song of the Pacific is calling - and for U.S. military personnel, its louder than reveille. Imagine swapping the grind of the base for the electric blue waters of Palau, where sharks patrol cathedral-like drop-offs, historic wrecks have transformed into thriving marine habitats, and luxury liveaboards serve gourmet meals between dives. Best of all? Palaus premier dive operators - Fish n Fins and Ocean Hunter Palau - are rolling out exclusive military discounts that turn bucket-list dreams into affordable reality.

Arch (Photo by Fish n Fins & Ocean Hunter Palau)



WHY PALAU? THE PACIFICS BEST-KEPT SECRET

Stationed in Guam, Japan, or Korea? Palau is practically in your backyard:

1.5-hour flight from Guam

4-5 hours from Japan/Korea

No jet lag, no long travel days - just pure paradise

Palaus credentials speak for themselves:

UNESCO World Heritage Site (Rock Islands jade lagoons)

Top 3 global dive destination

Planets first shark sanctuary (600,000 sq km protected)

Strategic U.S. ally with military installations

After months at Camp Fuji, even the chow halls jalapeno cheese spread loses its thrill. Palau? Its the perfect barracks antidote.

Wreck (Photo by Fish n Fins & Ocean Hunter Palau)



Wreck (Photo by Fish n Fins & Ocean Hunter Palau)



TOP 5 MUST-DIVE SITES

1. Iro Wreck - Palaus Sunken Titan

Just 15 minutes from Koror, the massive Iro wreck stands as one of Palaus most impressive underwater attractions - a 470-foot Japanese fleet oiler resting majestically in 120 feet of water. Unlike typical coral-covered wrecks, the Iro offers a different kind of spectacle: its towering forward gun platform (starting at just 25 feet) covered in delicate black coral growth, while schools of lagoon fish swirl around its intact superstructure. The wreck tells a dramatic war story - torpedo damage visible along the starboard bow, an engine room shattered by bombing, and bridge areas scorched by fire damage. While the deck at 85 feet is accessible to experienced divers, the Iro demands respect: its deep resting place and military history (including potential live ammunition) require careful buoyancy control and proper training. What makes this wreck extraordinary is how it combines history with mystery - why was this military vessel never given the traditional Maru suffix? As you glide past its massive fuel pipes, hatches, and twin gun platforms (one fore, one aft), youre not just diving a wreck - youre exploring an open-air museum where every detail reveals another chapter of Palaus WWII story.

2. Jake Seaplane - Palaus Underwater Aviation Museum

Just a five-minute boat ride from Koror, the Jake Seaplane wreck offers one of Palaus most accessible and fascinating dive experiences. Resting upright in 45 feet of crystal-clear water, this remarkably intact Aichi E13A Jake reconnaissance floatplane has transformed into a thriving artificial reef since its 1994 discovery. The wreck tells a silent story - its straight propellers suggesting an engine-off water landing, while the detached tail section and pontoon lie nearby, now blanketed in colorful corals. Perfect for both divers and snorkelers, the site dazzles with its combination of history and marine life: schools of tropical fish dart through the cockpit where radios and ammunition remain preserved, while octopuses and nudibranchs camouflage themselves against the planes coral-encrusted surfaces. With visibility often exceeding 60 feet and a maximum depth of just 45 feet, this underwater time capsule provides exceptional photographic opportunities while serving as a gentle reminder of Palaus WWII history - though we strongly caution against touching any remaining artifacts or ammunition for safety reasons. Its not just a dive site - its a living history lesson where nature has reclaimed this wartime relic in the most beautiful way possible.

3. Blue Corner - Palaus Ultimate Drift Dive Adventure

Just a 30-minute boat ride from Koror, Blue Corner delivers the most exhilarating drift dive in Micronesia - an underwater rollercoaster where sharks, barracuda, and Napoleon wrasse ride the currents like commuters on a rush-hour subway. This legendary site combines heart-pounding action with surreal beauty - as you hook into the reefs edge at about 60 feet, youll watch gray reef sharks patrol the drop-off while schools of trevally form silver tornadoes in the blue. The secret lies in the sites perfect L-shaped configuration - when the currents pumping, youll experience the famous Blue Corner express as it carries you past vibrant soft corals and gorgonian fans. While advanced divers love flying through the strong currents, even intermediate divers can enjoy the show during slack tide when the reefs resident turtles and eagle rays come out to play. What makes Blue Corner truly special is its ever-changing cast - one day its manta rays flying by, the next its a hunting ground for dogtooth tuna.

4. German Channel - Palaus Manta Ray Ballet

A 30-minute boat ride from Koror, this man-made channel (created in 1908) now hosts natures grandest performance. Descend to discover:

Manta ray cleaning stations where 16-foot wingspans glide overhead

Reef sharks patrolling the channel edges

Barracuda tornadoes swirling in the blue

Napoleon wrasse making guest appearances

Prime Time: November-March for guaranteed manta action

Weve seen 16 mantas on one dive  each visit is opening night!- Fish n Fins guest

5. Chandelier Cave

Chandelier Cave offers a completely different diving experience just 10 minutes from Koror by boat. This five-chamber cave system starts at 40 feet deep, featuring impressive stalactite formations that extend from the ceilings. Divers can surface inside air pockets within the cave, where bubbles collect against the ceiling in a unique visual effect. The mineral deposits on the stalactites sparkle when illuminated by dive lights, creating dramatic visuals. Youll spot marine life like shrimp, crabs, and occasionally mandarin fish among the formations. The final chamber requires removing your gear to access a dry area through a narrow passage.

Koror (Photo by Fish n Fins & Ocean Hunter Palau)



CONSERVATION - YOUR DIVE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Palau leads in ocean protection:

80% no-fishing marine sanctuary

$500k+ in illegal fishing intercepted annually

Eco-pledge stamped in visas

Worlds first Shark Sanctuary

Tourism funds our ranger patrols - every diver helps protect paradise.

Mantas (Photo by Fish n Fins & Ocean Hunter Palau)



YOUR PALAU DEPLOYMENT CHECKLIST

Pre-Deployment Essentials:

Flights: United from Guam (90 min)

Discounts: Military ID required

Permits: $50 Rock Islands (handled by operators)

Book Now:

Execute your mission:

1. Email Ocean Hunter

2. Contact Fish n Fins

3. Pack your fins and sense of wonder

Palau awaits, troops. Your CO approves this message.
Central Texas Food Bank volunteers load groceries into cars at a Nov. 4 distribution event at Nelson Field. A reader says Republicans in Congress are making the Democrats choose between food for the people or health care for the people in this battle over the nation's budget. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Feed hungry children

This year, the government has managed to find money for billionaire tax breaks, ostentatious ballrooms, weapons of war and private planes but somehow, we struggle to find $6 a day to feed hungry children.

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That says something about the priorities of Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz, and its not flattering.

According to independent foundations, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the most effective programs we have to reduce hunger and alleviate childhood poverty. It keeps children focused in school, helps parents bridge hard times and strengthens our communities.

Inaction by the GOP-led Congress during the government shutdown has jeopardized the funding of SNAP and the health of 1.7 million Texas children who rely on it.

Childhood hunger isnt partisan. Its not urban or rural, left or right. Lawmakers should stop using SNAP as a bargaining chip and start treating food as the basic necessity it is.

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Texas children deserve better.

Natasha Marwah, Austin

Its a GOP issue

The Republicans are making the Democrats choose between food for the people or health care for the people in this battle over the nations budget.

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I dont know what the right choice is, but whatever the Democrats choose, I hope the people recognize that the Republicans are responsible for it all.

If the Democrats were in charge, we would get SNAP, we would get subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans, we would get climate issues addressed, we would get taxes on the billionaires, we would get reasonable economic policies.

Republicans have gone off the rails.

Nancy Mossman, Austin

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Avery Salinas, 5, picks up groceries at a Central Texas Food Bank distribution event Nov. 4 at Nelson Field. The government shutdown has interrupted SNAP funding, increasing demand at food distribution sites across the city. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Country needs both

Tough days for us now! Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits for 40 million Americans ended Oct. 31. Thats 16 million children, plus seniors, veterans and people with disabilities who will not be able to buy food.

All because Washington politicians will not extend tax credits to help people better afford health insurance. Thankfully, a federal judge has ordered the release of emergency funds to restore SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

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SNAP helps families, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities access nutritious food. Similarly, vital tax credits make health care affordable, but congressional leaders have opted to shut down the government, jeopardizing millions and pushing many further into poverty.

Should political maneuvering take precedence over the basic needs of our citizens, or should it be tax cuts for the wealthiest?

We must urge Congress to restore SNAP funding and devise a bipartisan plan for health care access during the shutdown. The hunger crisis in America is a direct result of policymakers' choices.

It is time for us to make our voices heard. Reach out to Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz. We must urge them to fund SNAP, protect health care and end the shutdown

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Susan Lamb, Austin

Out of comfort zone

The pushback to Austin Independent School Districts proposed consolidation plan is rooted in privilege and highlights deep inequities in our community. Some parents seem unwilling to look beyond their own comfort, ignoring broader issues of fairness and access that affect other children.

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An Austin American-Statesman op-ed suggested Austin follow New Orleans open district model. As someone who lived there post-Katrina, I can say its not a model to emulate; many families were shut out entirely. Thats not choice; thats exclusion.

When parents say, I dont want my child going to a low performing school, they should ask what is driving that outcome.

Poverty, housing instability and food insecurity  not bad teaching  drive that outcome. What are we as Austinites doing about it?

Redistricting isnt easy, but its necessary. Austin must choose equity over comfort.

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Emma Sinnott, Austin

Gavino Fernandez expresses his opposition for Proposition Q during an Oct. 20 press conference held by a coalition of Austinites at Juan in a Million. With voters deciding to reject the tax rate hike, a reader says, "common sense has prevailed." Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Questions article timing

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I wonder why the Austin American-Statesman decided to publish its damning account of Austin City Hall spending so close to our Election Day. Was it a coincidence? I dont think so.

This fishing expedition was judge and jury all rolled up in an apparent guilty verdict. This is suspicious, especially after the Editorial Board recommended voting against Proposition Q.

If the paper was really interested in exposing the real grift we face, why didnt you go after those who are at the top of our state and federal government?

Art Klempner, Austin

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Common sense wins

The disconnect is instructive: 91% of the Austin City Council supported raising the property tax rate by 20%, but less than 37% of voters agreed to that proposed increase.

What can account for the dramatic split between Austinites and their elected representative? My best guess is common sense by the people and ideological hubris by all but one of their rulers.

Britains indomitable Margaret Thatcher pithily observed that the problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples money. Less succinctly, she asserted that there is no such thing as public money.

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Only taxpayers, with limited resources, can fund governments' demands for resources to meet unlimited wants. She concluded that higher taxes on the rich (in Austin, that means anyone who owns property) will simply encourage them to relocate, and we will be left with no wealth creation.

Common sense has prevailed.

Don Erler, Georgetown

Keep spirit of inquiry

Fifty-five years ago, I came from Italy to this country, this state and the University of Texas, searching for what my homeland and its academy could not give me: intellectual freedom. In Italy, the academic world was (and still partly is) hierarchical and authoritarian. Professors handed down knowledge to students expected only to absorb and repeat it. Debate was discouraged  even in my field of philosophy, a discipline born of dialogue.

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At UT, everything was different. As a graduate student, I was invited to question, argue and defend my ideas. It was a revelation. After earning my Ph.D. in comparative literature, I remained here to teach, determined to offer my students the same openness I had found.

For 45 years, my classroom was a space where every voice mattered. I urged students to approach difficult ideas with respect and curiosity  to test their own beliefs against others and, in doing so, to learn tolerance. As Luigi Pirandello wrote, understanding others helps us respect them. That, I believe, is the foundation of a civil society.

It saddens me to see the other now treated as a threat rather than an opportunity for connection. True education requires encountering different perspectives and cultures. If we lose that  if we narrow what can be studied or discussed  we risk losing not only the spirit of inquiry that defines a university, but also our hope for a more peaceful world.

Daniela Bini Carter, Emerita Professor of Italian Studies and Comparative Literature

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Remove AI barriers

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming business, with $500 billion in U.S. investment.

As large corporations benefit, however, Austin must ensure its small businesses arent left behind. Tailored AI adoption can help them compete, innovate and strengthen our local economy.

AI tools can streamline operations  from restaurant inventory to scheduling for solo practitioners  freeing time for creativity and customer service. Yet, many small businesses face barriers such as cost and limited technical know-how.

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By expanding AI education, mentorship and access through partnerships among policymakers, tech leaders and chambers of commerce, Austin can make innovation inclusive. Supporting small-business AI adoption will boost resilience while preserving the citys entrepreneurial spirit and cultural diversity.

Austin has the chance to be a national model for equitable AI adoption  proving that technology, when shared widely, can empower communities as well as corporations.

Marcel Nwaukwa, Austin

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Eyevinn Technologys Magnus Svensson Talks the Need for Modular Broadcast Tech Development at Streaming Media 2025

Media solution specialist Magnus Svensson of Eyevinn Technology discusses the companys role as an independent streaming media expertise firm and how it promotes its services, along with the shift toward AI-driven orchestration in this conversation with Streaming Media contributing editor Timothy Fore-Siglin at Streaming Media 2025.

Sharing Advancements and Developing Open Source

Fore-Siglin asks Svensson to introduce his company.

I work at a company called Eyevinn Technology, Svensson shares. Were an independent streaming media expertise company based in Sweden, in Stockholm. Were 26 employeesmainly developersbut a couple of us are working more with strategical technical advice and helping media companies across the world with technology advice and building tech stacks. He notes that the company started on the streaming and delivery side, and now were actually moving upwards the value chain, especially for live production, because thats where we see a lot of technology advancements are happening  at the moment.

Fore-Siglin wonders how such a small company attracts clients. Svensson points to two things: tech blogging to share information about advancements and open source development. As soon as we have an idea, or as soon as we want to try out a new concept, we do an open source component, he elaborates. We publish that, and people find us through GitHub and they want to talk to the people that create the component theyre doing. In addition, Eyevinn Technology has been working with broadcasters to do joint development on an open source component. So we share the cost, and the broadcasters get what they need, and we get an assignment to do open source. After Fore-Siglin wonders about the broadcasters locations, Svensson clarifies theyre primarily from the Nordics and Europe, but the U.S. and Canada as well.

Where the Industry Is Going

Fore-Siglin asks, Do I remember you used to [do]perhaps you still doa podcast called Game of Streams?

Svensson confirms he runs this as a blog series, where I try to sort of challenge the market a little bit and challenge the industry a little bit with my thoughts of where we should be and where were going.

Fore-Siglin builds on this: So give me an example of one or two of those things that we should be thinking about as an industry.

When I visited IBC, I saw a pretty big gap between what the vendors were trying to push and what the broadcasters and the media companies wanted to buy. They want to buy a flexible, component-based architecture where they can pick and choose the components that suit them best and build the orchestration themselves or the vendors are trying to do with a big bang box [that] solves everything. And thats the gap I see, Svensson notes. And with AI coming in now and the way you can do [things] with AI, I see that orchestration is no longer a product. Its code.

Fore-Siglin points out, It sort of goes back to the mentality of traditional broadcasters, whether they were one volt peak to peak or, say, IP delivery. Theyre used to modular systems. Something goes down, you pop a module out, you stick a new module in. So its interesting to hear you say that that mental shift in the vendor side hasnt necessarily happened.

Svensson acknowledges that they want to make that shift, but the legacy of how they make their money is holding them back. There are initiatives coming up now where Im working closely with the European Broadcasting Union, EBU, together with CBC and a few others in the North America with an architecture called DMF, Dynamic Media Facilities, which is a component-based architecture, containerized media functions, orchestrated by a shared storage and orchestration, he notes.

Join us December 9-11 and tune in for more great conversations at Streaming Media Connect! Registration is free and open now!

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Sneak Preview: AI and Live Streaming: Automation and Analytics at Streaming Media 2025 On Tuesday, October 7, SVTA's Bhavesh Upadhyaya will moderate the Streaming Media 2025 panel "AI and Live Streaming: Automation and Analytics." AI and machine learning are enabling new efficiencies in streaming workflows and taking live stream monitoring to new levels for those who know how to leverage them. Join this panel to see the cutting edge of real-time production workflows, automation, and predictive analytics. Challenges of Cloud Infrastructure for Live and VOD Migrating from a data center to a cloud infrastructure for video brings attendant challenges whether you're streaming your content live or delivering it via VOD (or both); here, experts from Eyevinn Technology, TAG Video Systems, American Public Television, and TV2 weigh in with their own experiences of cloud migration in this clip from Streaming Media West Connect 2021.

Companies and Suppliers Mentioned
NPAWs Bruno Giner Talks Insights-Driven Streaming at Streaming Media 2025

Bruno Giner, VP Sales, Global, at Nice People At Work (NPAW), discusses the importance of insights in streaming optimization and how NPAW works with its collaborators and partners to cultivate a data-driven and data-sharing culture across the streaming industry in this interview with Streaming Media contributing editor Timothy Fore-Siglin from Streaming Media 2025.

What NPAW Does

Giner explains that hes responsible for NPAWs digital experience intelligence vertical, which aims to unify the whole digital experience of the end users to support business decisions and automation and customer experience orchestration, using unification of these data points that we know about how users are behaving in any video platform. NPAW offers end-to-end data intelligence, including monitoring infrastructure, doing content delivery optimization, and tracking quality of experience.

Fore-Siglin notes, The company has been around for quite some time and obviously has made an impact in the industry. Enough so that you were on a panel this morning around thought leadership in the industry. He asks Giner to share his thought leadership standpoint.

NPAW started as a data provider and has a history of quality-of-experience solutions, Giner says. It evolved into insight, i.e., looking into how something happens and then why it happens based on the data-driven culture of the industry. Giner says the company now asks, How can we optimize using the data to optimize directly the end-user experience? AI supports this goal, which he calls very exciting to witness.

Fore-Siglin adds that NPAW started out using real user monitoring (RUM), which was great because it gave us a lot of information, but its also really hard to aggregate that into actionable items. Does the machine learning part/AI help with taking that data and turning it into action?

Absolutely, Giner says. The capacity for data processing has changed a lot, and NPAW is focused on tracking how many events are happening, how many actions and on asking, Hows the evolution of my x KPI? Giner explains, And that can be the engagement level of my users combining 10 different metrics on number of sessions per day, per month, whatever; a number of titles watched; level of engagement with different genres; all of that. Its very, very democratized and evolved at this point. So we can process a lot of metrics in real time.

He continues, Using AI or machine learning to process the insights, its the only way to get to real outcome. I mean, we cannot depend on human beings [to be] looking at dashboards and trying to draw decisions. So for us right now, its one very, very important step to try to invest on building agents that can  give [information] to the humans for processing; humans can make decisions that really are dependent on strategy, on creativity, and so on that only humans can make.

Standardization and Algorithms

Fore-Siglin addresses the importance of data standardization, noting that hes heard that AI can be used agentically to build dashboards that showcase data in a standard form, which ideally wed like to see the industry do as a whole. He notes that agentic AI can essentially build a dashboard thats customized just to what that customer is trying to figure out in their KPI and wonders what Giner thinks.

Giner says its natural to have as many dashboards as possible because analytics is an end goal for data intelligence. I mean, it doesnt help anyone, he concedes.

Fore-Siglin reiterates, It looks cool but it doesnt help.

It looks cool, [it] gives you visibility on whats happening, but what matters is what you do with that data. And at some point its not really needed, Giner adds. You need to have the KPIs, but we have examples that are very established, like personalization [and] personalized recommendations. Nobodys thinking like, Okay, whos this user? What should I offer to him?

He continues, The algorithm does it for you. And we are working right now for instance, in customer experience orchestration, where the algorithm is thinking, On which experience should I enroll to this new user that I have? He throws out other examples, including: a user watched these three titles, so which experience should I offer? Those decisions doesnt need to be reflected on a dashboard, and you dont need a person to think about it.

Fair enough, Fore-Siglin replies. I go on Facebook and Insta so infrequently, like twice a year, that there is no algorithm for me. So what I get a chance to see is the trend of what that agent is thinking should be offered to me. And its, sometimes its disconcerting, because it has nothing to do with me, but on other times its like 

How did you know I thinking about it? Giner laughs.

Fore-Siglin laughs too. Right, exactly.

The Start of CDNs

Fore-Siglin reminisces about the early days of the content delivery network (CDN) concept. But then there was the question of what is the actionable item for the CDN based on RUM versus what was the actionable item for the content owner? Where do we stand in that?

Giner notes that with a CDN, processes can be managed on the back end by a machine. So we can get the perceived quality of the end user. Is it really impacting their experience? [Thats] the first thing. And then, if it is, we can work on ways to improve it or put in delivery. The second thing is financials. How can I save money and optimize my content delivery? So we get, for instance, the capability to track the perceived quality, and chunk by chunk in the video, select the best CDN possible to deliver the next chunk, ... preload the next chunk, and so on. All of that is running in the back end. So by an algorithm that is managing that for you, you dont really know which CDN is being used. Of course, you define the logic and then what you see is that the end users experience just improved because you are acting before issues are happening, Giner explains.

The Right Quality at the Right Price

Fore-Siglin carries the financials piece forward to tie it to experience quality: In the telecom world, we had third-party billing. When you transferred across long-distance providers, it was  cost routing, is what we called it back then. If you have these multiple CDNs involved, how do you build the level of trust to them that we really are making a decision based on the quality of experience for the end user versus I want to use more of this CDN versus this CDN because of the cost models and stuff like that?

Giner says thats what NPAW controls, the perceived quality and the contextualized experience. Its what you were saying about social media for instance, and the algorithmsyou dont need to use it, he asserts. So we know that users similar to you, so theyre  liking this kind of experience. Its the same for the algorithm for the CDN selection for instance. We know that people in your area using our ISP, using our device, and so on, theyre having this kind of experience and we can predict where the issues will be and select the best option either for the best quality, or well, getting the best needed quality with the best price possible.

He restates it another way: So we dont need to have overkill in quality, we need to reach the level of quality that you want to deliver for the best price as possible.

Join us December 9-11 and tune in for more great conversations at Streaming Media Connect! Registration is free and open now!

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How to Reach and Recruit Gen Z Students Through Smarter Campaigns

Higher education marketers have turned the page on 2025 enrollment and are already setting their sights on the class of 2026. But this years recruitment cycle brings a set of realities that are impossible to ignore: a smaller pool of college-bound students, growing interest in skilled trades and alternative credentials, and a generation that refuses to be swayed by empty slogans.

Gen Z isnt just choosing a college; theyre choosing an investment in their future. They want to see the payoff, not the promise. For colleges and universities, that means rethinking how to communicate value, relevance, and belonging across every digital, audio, and video touchpoint.

Below are strategies to help higher education institutions connect with Gen Z students.

Messaging

Let students do the storytelling

Gen Z has a finely tuned radar for anything that feels produced. Highly scripted videos and brochure-style imagery dont reflect the world they live in or the social platforms they use. What they respond to instead are real moments, captured by real students.

Encouraging student creators to share their daily experiences (class projects, campus events, the vibe of a dorm) through online videos transforms marketing into peer-to-peer communication. Universities that build frameworks for student-led content with a light brand touch earn credibility faster than those relying on polished campaigns alone.

Talk about the value

This generation is coming of age amid rising rents, economic uncertainty, and anxiety about debt. Theyre pragmatic by necessity. To earn their trust, higher education leaders need to prove that enrollment leads to employability, not just a framed diploma.

That means emphasizing career pathways, internships, job placement rates, and partnerships with employers. When Gen Z sees data and stories that connect degrees to tangible outcomes, the message moves from marketing to something with meaning.

Make belonging visible

Gen Z looks for spaces where they feel represented and supported. They expect their school to take stands on issues that matter and show that diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are part of campus life.

Highlight student voices from different backgrounds. Show real examples of mental health support, mentoring programs, and community initiatives. Belonging shouldnt be a campaign theme. Its a proof point.

Expand your audience lens

Not every potential student fits the freshman in a dorm mold. A growing number of learners are pursuing flexible, part-time, or stackable programs that let them build credentials over time. Adult learners and transfer students represent an increasingly important segment that higher ed cant afford to overlook.

Tailoring campaigns to speak to this wider audienceemphasizing convenience, career advancement, and financial flexibilitycreates more opportunities to offset demographic decline in traditional-age students.

Channels

Dont ignore podcasts

Podcasts are a trusted channel for Gen Z, offering an alternative to the noise of traditional advertising. Many listen weekly, and the short-form podcast clips circulating on social platforms are often the entry point to longer engagement.

Consider leveraging your student ambassadors, alumni, or faculty as podcast guests or even building your own branded series focused on student success and career growth. Advertising within Gen Zrelevant podcasts is also a cost-effective way to reach them in an environment where theyre already paying attention.

Rethink how search works

For Gen Z, discovery starts in the social feed. Theyre watching TikToks about campus dining halls and scrolling Reddit for honest opinions long before they ever reach your website. Your digital footprint must meet them there.

That means thinking of social platforms as the new search engines. Coordinating with your digital media team to manage messaging and monitor virality is critical for brand protection. Make sure the first impression they find online matches the reality you want to convey.

The bottom line

Colleges and universities best positioned for 2026 are those willing to adapt their messaging and mindset. Gen Z wants to see proof, feel seen, and believe that a degree leads somewhere concrete. They are skeptical but not cynical; theyre simply demanding clarity in exchange for their investment.

By leading with honesty, demonstrating impact, and engaging beyond the traditional student archetype, colleges can connect with this generation in a way that drives both enrollment and long-term advocacy.

In short: dont sell a school. Sell a future.

[Editor's note: This is a contributed article from Brkthru. Streaming Media accepts vendor bylines based solely on their value to our readers.]

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Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. as seen on Oct. 17, 2018, shortly after it was hit by Hurricane Michael. (Sean Carnes/U.S. Air Force)



(Tribune News Service)  Many enlistees and their families stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida are being told to take down their Christmas decorations because its too soon for Santa.

Privatized housing residents at the base in the Florida panhandle were reminded this week that the conditions of their rental agreement prohibit holiday decor from being displayed more than 30 days before the event being celebrated, according to Task & Purpose.

If you currently have Yuletide decor present on the outside of your home, please remove it and reinstall it in accordance with your community guidelines listed below, said a notice from the landlord for all privatized housing on the base.

The notification from the Balfour Beatty Communities property management group included a rundown of community rules regarding festive decorations. An Air Force official reportedly confirmed the order was valid.

According to the rules, Christmas decorations can only be displayed the week after Thanksgiving and have to come down during the first week of the New Year.

An Air Force official assured Task & Purpose that the rules are specific to the private housing community at the Tyndall base and dont apply to private or public housing at other military bases.

Balfour Beatty Communities, which manages the property, said holiday decor guidelines help ensure neighborhoods remain neat, consistent and enjoyable for all residents.

The website of lifestyle guru Martha Stewart reported in September that it was once a general rule of thumb that Christmas decorations shouldnt be displayed before Thanksgiving, but thats no longer the consensus.

2025 New York Daily News.

Visit nydailynews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Col. Sean Heidgerken, commander of the 1st Theater Information Advantage Detachment, greets a soldier following the units activation ceremony at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, on Nov. 7, 2025. (Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes)



FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  The Army on Friday stood up a Pacific-based detachment tasked with countering disinformation and malign influence aimed at America and its allies and partners by adversaries.

The 1st Theater Information Advantage Detachment, headquartered at Fort Shafter in Hawaii, is the first of three such units the Army aims to stand up before the end of 2026.

The second is slated to be stood up this spring at Army Cyber Command, with the third expected to be activated next fall at U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

This detachment is the first of its kind, Col. Sean Heidgerken, the units commander, told reporters Thursday during a conference call. He was joined by Command Sgt. Maj. Avery Bennett.

Its a formation designed to maneuver within the information environment and maintain positions of advantage, Heidgerken said. Our mission is clear: to enable the United States Army Pacific to sense, understand, decide and act faster than any adversary, while strengthening cooperation with our allies and partners throughout the region.

The 65-soldier detachment consists of five teams specializing in areas of cyber intelligence, psychological operations, public affairs, electronic warfare, civil affairs and information operations, he said.

He described the activation of the detachment as our commitment to promoting transparency, countering malign influence and ensuring our friends and partners to rely on the truth.

The detachment is a departure from the Armys information warfare task forces in the past that were organized under special operations commands focused on, for example, operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Those were organized for a very specific mission with a sunset in mind and manned by personnel that rotated in for short periods from their home units, Heidgerken said.

The Army also conducted cyber and psychological operations through the 1st Information Operations Command for the past 23 years, but it was deactivated in May and its billets transferred to the three new information detachments.

That [command] was also an established unit, but because it wasnt forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific as we are, it really was a support function and wasnt designed to be a unit of action that is actually engaged in the day-to-day operations that are required in the information space, Heidgerken said.

The Army formed the detachments in recognition that disinformation and malign activities are not just challenges to be overcome during crisis or conflict, but throughout periods of competition, he said.

We cannot wait until a balloon goes up someplace to actually get after these activities, he said.

We want to make sure that were providing accurate things, truthful things, coordinated with partners, building resiliency and resistance to either malign activity or manipulative activity from an adversary.

When asked for a real-world example of such malign activities, Bennett pointed to Chinas machinations and claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea, where Beijing has used gray-zone conflict, coercion and financial entanglements to leverage its position.

So our job would be to go in and help our partners and allies in line with whatever their goals are for their sovereignty and ensuring that we can inoculate both their populations from things that an adversary might put out in the environment  whether it be through state-sponsored activities or any other state-sponsored corporations or agencies  and then ensuring that our allies and partners can be heard in the environment so that their sovereignty is protected, Bennett said.
Heat therapy is applied by Sgt. Rupert DeFreitas to PFC James H. Suitor of 15th Aviation Company, 1st Cavalry Division at the 121st Evacuation Hospital. The hospital receives and treats patients from hospitals and dispensaries throughout Korea. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)



This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Feb. 26, 1959. It is republished unedited in its original form.

ASCOM CITY, Korea  The sound of helicopter blades is often the only warning to medics of the 121st Evacuation Hospital that an emergency case is coming.

But the hospital and its busy, alert corps of doctors and technicians can save lives on short notice and perform experienced, skillful medical piecework toward mending illness or injury.

Its an Army counterpart of any big-city hospital found in Boston, Seattle, or Detroit.

Capt. Robert L. Williamson, the hospitals adjutant, said that it probably has the best facilities and the most capable staff of any hospital in or out of the States.

He added that most department heads are specialists who have taken board examinations or are board qualified, something that takes 15 to 20 years of study, training or practicing.

Applying weight on the neck of Specialist James L. Grik, Hq. Btry., I Corps, is Private First Class Martin T. J. Barnes, wardman at the 121st. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)

Hospital radiologist Capt. Stanley S. Friedman examines X-Ray plates of patients. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)

Outpatient service is one of the many functions of the 121st Evacuation Hospital in Korea. SP4 James D. Pierce (right) registers SP5 Ronald G. Williams, Eighth Army Aircraft Maintenance, ASCOM, for treatment. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)

Radiologist Stanley S. Friedman - according to the 121st hospital staff one of the few radiologists in the Far East - assists with the reading of X-ray plates for several hospitals in South Korea. Friedman and his department average about 3,000 X-rays a month themselves. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)

Big food wagons make the rounds of the 121st's wards as Sergeant First Class John H. Jackman (right), Headquarters Service Company, 802nd Engineer Battalion, receives his supper from Private First Class Kermit W. Tesch, wardman. A Korean mess attendant (left) assists. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)



Most all consultants to the Eight Army Surgeons Office are stationed here, he said.

But its only part of the big picture at the hospital, which takes patients from hospitals and dispensaries all over Korea. The 121st, commanded by Col. Arnold L. Ahnfeldt, has been the doorway to treatment and recovery for U.S. servicemen and Republic of Korea military personnel, Army and non-Army U.S. civilians and Korean nationals.

There are three fully equipped X-ray rooms and portable units that can be wheeled into wards. Capt. Stanley S. Friedman, whom hospital authorities claim as one of the few radiologists in the Far East, takes care of patients from other hospitals and reads and interprets X-ray plates sent to the hospital. The hospitals own average is about 3,000 X-rays a month.

We test blood, do bacteria smears, and supply whole blood not only for the 121st but for other hospitals, said Sgt. Melvin R. Smith, chief technician for the hospitals laboratory. We also have the only mobile blood unit in Korea.

A Van Slyke Apparatus, used to measure gases in the blood, was assembled by a doctor assigned to the hospital.

Theres a pharmacy and a physical therapy department where heat treatments, whirlpool baths and massages can be given to aid recovery.

The hospital can take care of about 400 patients at a time ad has morale facilities, such as a post exchange, a barber shop, movie theater and chapel for them. Gray Ladies and Red Cross volunteers entertain in the wards.

After treatment, a patient is either discharged or set to the 1st Medical Battalion in Seoul for further treatment or full recovery.
(Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)



Army Service Command (ASCOM) City, near Seoul, South Korea, February 1959: Radiologist Stanley S. Friedman  according to the 121st hospital staff one of the few radiologists in the Far East  assists with the reading of X-ray plates for several hospitals in South Korea. Friedman and his department average about 3,000 X-rays a month themselves.

The 121st Evacuation Hospital  commanded by Arnold L. Ahnfeldt  has been the doorway to treatment and recovery for U.S. servicemen and Republic of Korea military personnel, Army and non-Army U.S. civilians and Korean nationals. With its three fully equipped X-ray rooms and portable units, as well as a laboratory and mobile blood unit, the hospital and its staff take care not only of its own patients, but also of those from other hospitals.

Incidentally, todays World Radiography Day, the anniversary of Wilhelm Conrad Roentgens discovery of X-rays in 1895. So happy 130th anniversary to the X-ray! Roentgen was awarded the first Nobel prize in physics in 1901 for his discovery.

Pictured here is a scan of the original 1959 print created by Stars and Stripes Pacifics photo department to run in the print newspaper. The red marks indicate the crop lines. Only the middle part of the image would appear in the newspaper. As the vast majority of pre-1964 Stars and Stripes Pacific negatives and slides were unwittingly destroyed by poor temporary storage in 1963, the prints developed from the late 1940s through 1963 are the only images left of Stripes news photography from those decades  with the exception the negatives of some 190 pre-1964 photo assignment found recently. Stars and Stripes archives team is scanning these prints and negatives to ensure their preservation.

Read the original 1959 article and see all the prints we scanned here.

Looking for more of Stars and Stripes historic coverage? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019. (Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images/TNS)



(Tribune News Service)  Since 2020, China has undertaken a massive expansion of missile production facilities, strengthening its deterrence capabilities against the United States and consolidating its military role in the region.

An analysis conducted by CNN using satellite images, maps, and official documents revealed that over 60% of the 136 sites linked to missile production or the Chinese army - which also controls the nuclear arsenal - show signs of ongoing or completed expansion.

In total, the newly constructed areas - towers, bunkers, and structures related to arms development - occupy approximately two million square meters. China is positioning itself as a global superpower. We are in the early stages of a new arms race, explained William Alberque, arms control expert and former NATO director.

The facilities identified by the American broadcaster include factories, research centers, and military bases: 99 sites related to missile production, 65 of which have been expanded in the last five years, and 22 Rocket Force bases showing new developments.

The expansion continued unabated even after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an event that - according to analysts - prompted Beijing to accelerate its military programs.

The strengthening of the missile arsenal is part of Xi Jinpings strategy to transform the Chinas army into a world-class force. China increased its defense budget by 7.2% in 2024, reaching an official total of approximately 245 billion dollars, although actual expenditures could be much higher.

The new production capabilities also include medium-range missiles like the Df-26, dubbed by experts the Guam killer for its ability to strike American bases in the Pacific.

According to analysts cited by CNN, the missiles produced in the new facilities would be crucial in a potential military operation against Taiwan, with the aim of creating an interdiction bubble around Chinas coasts.

But while Beijing accelerates, Washington struggles to keep pace: the Pentagon faces supply shortages due to expenditures in the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. I believe a new Cold War is already underway - warned David Santoro, president of the Pacific Forum - The risk is that it could turn into a hot war.

2025 GMC S.A.P.A. di G. P. Marra.

Visit at adnkronos.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
MOCKSVILLE , N.C. (Tribune News Service)  History was being made in Tokyo Bay that day in September 1945, and Leo Sheek Bowden Jr. was slated to play a small role in the formal end of World War II.

Whether he knew it or not.

Bowden  Junior to his friends  was a gunner with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was scheduled to go on a mission to take photos.

The issue, though, was secrecy. Details about the ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Missouri were shared only on a need-to-know basis, and as a callow 19-year-old sergeant, Bowden didnt need to know.

There was an awful display of boats and airplanes, he said about the show of American power. The air was full of planes. We didnt think about (what was going on) that much.

We were just wanting to come home, you know?

More than 16 million Americans served in World War II. Some 418,500 were killed, nearly 672,000 wounded, and some 10 million, like Bowden, returned home as heroes between 1945 and 1947.

Some volunteered, others were drafted. Some saw heavy fighting in Europe and the Pacific. Others not so much.

The experience haunted some men for years after they returned home. Others left the memories in the past, stored away in the back of their minds as they got on with life.

They all did their bit, though. Whatever the nation asked, they gave.

It was just something we had to do, Bowden said. Youre supposed to stand up for what you think is right.

And thats why Bowden enlisted in an air cadet program at N.C. State. He wanted to be a pilot or a navigator. Maybe a bombardier.

But as luck would have it, he didnt get the chance. He and a couple of other cadets were dismissed from the program after one of them decided to refight the Civil War with some guys from Pennsylvania while training in Florida.

It was more like an argument, Bowden said, but enough to end officer training. We got shafted, he said. (The Air Corps) didnt need us anymore. They were looking for something to get people out.

Still, a contract is a contract.

Bowden went in as an enlisted man in January 1944, trained as a central fire control gunner and was assigned to a B-29 bomber bound for the Pacific in 1945.

By that time, U.S. forces were taking control of the sea and the air. Marines and soldiers on the ground were pushing the Japanese back toward their home island.

Bowden wasnt thinking about the big picture at that point. He was concerned about doing his job, whatever that might be.

He was initially assigned to a replacement crew in the 504th Bombardment Group on Tinian, an island in the Marianas near Guam. His pilot was injured in a training exercise, so Bowden wound up the odd man out on another replacement crew. He was assigned to work on a ground-based trainer with a civilian.

A near-miss accident caused him to reassess, however.

Hed been sitting in a tractor-trailer converted into a bus with his arm hanging over the side. Someone nearby said (or did) something that drew his attention and caused him to turn, seconds before the fuselage of a plane hit the area where his arm had been. I almost lost it, he said.

I thought about it all the time at lunch, so I went and told (commanders) that I came over on a combat crew and wanted to be on one.

Three days later, his request was granted.

Bowden flew 45 missions, including bombing runs early on in 1945, trips to mine the waters around mainland Japan later and historic photo operations at the end.

We had Japan bottled up, he said. I didnt realize it, but they were starving.

He did know  still does  that he was fortunate when compared to some of his peers. Bowden said by that point in the war, crews with the 504th were losing more men to mechanical failure and accidents than combat.

I had an easy time of it, he said. I fired my guns once in the combat theater. Saw one burst of flak. I never saw an enemy plane in the air.

Perhaps its due to a mischievous streak, a pronounced sense of humor or a soldiers natural inclination to notice military absurdities, but when asked about memories from his time in uniform, Bowden recalls oddities rather than historic moments.

Such as the time a USO dancer, whod been given a brief tour of his crews plane, was climbing down a ladder at the same time a buddy was climbing up. When we asked Pete about it, Bowden recalled, he just said, Pink panties is all I saw.

When it came time for his discharge, Bowden decided to look forward, not back. He took a few mementos home. He didnt save any old uniforms.

I missed out on a .45 (caliber pistol). I didnt sign a statement of charges, he said, referring to an agreement to pay for missing gear. The officers were celebrating the end of the war and shooting up in the air. (The Army) took all the guns up after that.

These days, Bowden doesnt give much attention to Veterans Day. He said he plans to attend a dinner at a local senior center to honor veterans, and thats about it.

Nor does he assign any special meaning to being among the last living members of the Greatest Generation.

Actuaries estimate that maybe 66,000 remain. Bowden said its a simple matter of genetics and good fortune.

I dont know if I made a difference or not, he said. We just did what we were supposed to do.

 2025 the News & Record (Greensboro, N.C.).

Visit www.news-record.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Homer, N.Y.  Deputies arrested a 20-year-old man Friday in connection with the murder of a Cortland County man who was found shot in his driveway last month.

Aaron T. Keem, of Dryden, was arrested on a Superior Court warrant charging him with second-degree murder in the death of Anthony T. Beecham, 53, according to a news release from the Cortland County Sheriffs Office.

Beecham was shot and killed on the morning of Oct. 8 in Homer, deputies said.

Around 3:22 a.m., police responded to Grove Street near Route 281 for a report of a person possibly in cardiac arrest.

Deputies found Beecham in a driveway with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

A dark-colored vehicle was seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed, deputies said.

Keem was taken into custody in the town of Dryden by members of the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office and Cortland County Sheriffs Office. He was arraigned through centralized arraignment process Friday evening and is being held at the Cortland County Correctional Facility.

The Cortland County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Village of Homer Police Department, New York State Police, Tompkins County Sheriffs Office, TLC, and the Cortland County Coroners Office.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have information is asked to contact the Cortland County Sheriffs Office or submit information to the Submit A Tip feature on the Cortland County Sheriffs Office website  cortlandcountysheriffny.gov.
Chinese filmmaker and artist Yi Zhou has made multiple allegations against actor Jeremy Renner, which include sending her unsolicited pornographic images and threatening to call ICE on her.

Zhou, who was romantically involved with the Marvel star, featured him in her recently released documentary, Chronicles of Disney, and upcoming AI-animated feature film, Stardust Future: Stars and Scars.

Last month, Zhou gave an exclusive interview to the Daily Mail where she confirmed her romance with Renner, who is 17 years her senior. The article also included multiple photos of them together, which Zhou provided.

Yi Zhou attends Hope The Mission and Los Angeles Mission Present Hope in The City Of Angels at BMO Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) Getty Images

The day after the article went live, Zhous Chronicles of Disney was released on Oct. 17. The documentary took an intimate look at the Walt Disney Company through the eyes of the artists and artisans who create its magic. Besides Renner, Oscar-winning costume designer Mark Bridges and makeup artist Bill Corso were also featured.

However, after the documentarys release, Zhou received some unexpected feedback. She claimed in a series of Instagram posts that she faced criticism from Renners fans who argued that the actor wasnt actually in the film and that his scenes were AI-generated.

Many Jeremy Renner fans have been attacking me and my team on all platforms, accusing [us] of using another persons body as if its [not] Jeremy in our documentary, she wrote in an Oct. 31 post. Refuting the AI allegations, Zhou shared a video of her and Renner driving together.

In a subsequent post, Zhou referred to this group as trolls, claiming their behavior towards her was graciously nasty. Zhou added: Hope the truth will prevail and these troll accounts will be closed. She included the hashtags #canceljeremyrenner, #closethetrollaccounts, and #stopmisinformation.

Then, on Nov. 3, Zhou began revealing the extent of her relationship with Renner  both professionally and romantically.

It is with deep regret, sadness, and disappointment that I am compelled to share a truth I have been holding inside for too long, she began a post.

I feel profound despair that a project created to uplift below-the-line artists and to celebrate the history of one of the worlds most beloved companies, Disney, has been damaged by online trolling and by the misconduct of Jeremy Renner, she claimed.

Zhou went on to say that her romantic relationship with Renner started after he sent her personal and intimate photographs of himself, adding, He convinced me of his sincerity, saying he had been single for a long time and open to a long-term relationship.

In a different post, she clarified that the explicit photos she received from Jenner were how she was introduced to him. She wrote the messages were unsolicited were sent to her via DM and WhatsApp in June 2025.

After having calls and text discussions, he allured me and sold me [hes] looking for a relation and of course seduced / flattered that he was a Hollywood star fantasizing and loving me so much I believed in him / the power of love, she wrote, adding that she then invited him to take part in her documentary and animated feature.

Zhou further claimed that Renner subsequently entered into written agreements with her Italian production company, Into the Sun films, granting signed consent for the use of his image, likeness, archival material, social-media content, and his foundation in their projects.

But after the documentarys release, Zhou claimed that Renner refused to make any public promotion and ignored her public and private pleas for support. She alleged that instead of supporting the project, Renner allowed false information to spread through fan accounts falsely claiming that the documentary was generated by AI and denying any personal relation or professional collaboration. The 37-year-old director pointed out that current regulations and California law mean Renner would have had to consent to any AI version of himself being used.

Zhou then claimed that when she privately confronted Renner about his behavior, he threatened to call immigration/ICE on me, an act that deeply shocked and frightened her.

She called this behavior unacceptable and emblematic of the imbalance of power in the industry, stating that the misinformation and intimidation have caused her personal and reputational harm while undermining the work of all the films contributors.

Renner has yet to respond to Zhous allegations.

Besides his role in Chronicles of Disney," he was also involved in Zhous soon-to-be-released Stardust Future, an animated film that explores the universes history through 2080. While the film was created entirely by AI, Renner lent his voice as narrator, as Variety reported. It will hit select theaters on Nov. 29, 2025.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A new top public defender has been named for the federal court that covers much of Upstate New York, including Syracuse.

Eric Schillinger will take over Dec. 1 as the federal public defender for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, which includes 32 counties in Upstate New York.

He was appointed to a four-year term by the appeals court that covers the Northern District, the Second Circuit, which is based in Manhattan.

Schillinger will succeed Lisa Peebles, who is retiring after a decades-long career. She joined the public defenders office in 1999 and has led it since 2010.

The public defenders office provides a lawyer to people who cannot afford one. The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires anyone charged with a crime to have a defense lawyer.

Schillinger graduated from SUNY Geneseo and Albany Law School. He has spent his career in the Capital District, including running his own firm, Schillinger & Associates, for 12 years. He joined the public defenders office last year.

Schillinger, 44, of Albany, said he plans to remain in Albany with his wife and children. He anticipates traveling frequently to the public defenders office in Syracuse. Peebles has been based in Syracuse.

Clients represented by the public defenders office are up against a team of prosecutors led by Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III.

Sarcone has attracted controversy since he was appointed as top prosecutor in March on an interim basis. A panel of judges declined to extend his tenure, but the Trump administration used a novel strategy to try to keep him in office.

The administration has used the strategy, which circumvents the U.S. Senate confirmation process, with other U.S. attorneys across the country. Judges have found it unlawful three times, disqualifying prosecutors in New Jersey, Nevada and Los Angeles.

Letitia James, the New York state attorney general, who is under investigation by Sarcones office, recently filed a motion challenging whether he is legally in his job. A downstate judge is reviewing that motion.

Schillinger said it is under active consideration for the public defenders office to file its own challenge. He declined to speak in further detail.

Many of the cases brought by Sarcones office have been related to immigration enforcement and child pornography.

Schillinger said it isnt unusual to see an increase or a decrease in the types of cases prosecutors decide to bring.

I think that were in a time where they have decided to focus on certain priorities, and the types of cases that are being made are certain types of cases now, he said. And there may be other cases that they decide to pursue at a later date.

Many criminal cases are resolved with a plea agreement, but some defendants decide to go to trial. In an unusual twist, two juries deadlocked earlier this year on whether to convict a Honduran woman of an immigration felony.

Schillinger said he has spoken with the two Syracuse-based public defenders who worked on that case. He enjoys bringing cases to trial, but said its up to the client to decide whether to do so.

You really do have to consider each client individually, he said. Id be happy to do whatever my client needs me to do for them.

While in law school, Schillinger tried his hand at practicing various kinds of law. He said he realized indigent defense was for him while doing an internship that had him in Rensselaer City Court.

There was a line of people who needed help, he said. Seeing the relief on their faces, and really helping them, was something that stuck with me.
Marcy, N.Y. - A Central New York prison chaplain fatally shot himself Friday morning at the Marcy Correctional Facility, State Police said.

Abdalla Hadian, 55, of Syracuse, died around 8:05 a.m. after he entered the administration building at the facility and shot himself with a gun he brought, according to a news release from State Police.

Some staff members at the facility witnessed the incident, according to a Facebook post from the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Hadian was pronounced dead at the facility, troopers said.

Hadian was an imam and employed by the NY prison system, according to state records.

He had recently returned to work following a medical leave, troopers said.

A handwritten note was found at the scene and is being translated as part of the ongoing investigation, police said.

The body was taken to the Onondaga County Medical Examiners Office for examination.
Georgia Tennant has contacted the police after receiving more death threats.

Georgia Tennant targeted with terrifying death threats

The 40-year-old actress  who is married to actor David Tennant, 54  took to Instagram Stories to share samples of messages where she was called a dirty w**** who deserved to die for good.

Other messages referred to her as the ex wife of David Tennant and branded her disgusting.

One message also shared coffin and knife emojis, along with the message: Die you dirty Georgia you are very sick.

She tagged the Metropolitan Police and Instagram in her posts.

Georgia revealed in September that she had been the subject of Facebook death threats by a stalker who offered a reward for her murder.

She shared an example of one of the threats on her Instagram page and tagged Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in the post.

The threat read: Whoever kills Georgia Tennant immediately will receive a reward from me.

And Georgia wrote: Just been sent this by a friend. Out of curiosity @facebook what would constitute a breach of community standards? @zuck.

The Daily Mail also found many more threatening posts towards Georgia.

One read: I mean it seriously soon there will be an obituary to read of a certain person.

Another one said: David Tennant and I are meant for each other we both belong together, and I will do everything to make David Tennant and I together.

Georgia Tennant must be killed.

A further post stated: All those in favour of killing Georgia Tennant, say yes.

Georgia married Dr Who star David in 2011 and the couple share son Ty, 23  Georgia's son from a previous relationship, whom David adopted  along with Olive, 14, Wilfred, 12, Doris, 10, and Birdie, five.
Over three days last week, four hunters in Upstate New York got lost while tracking deer and were rescued by New York State Department of Environmental forest rangers and other law enforcement personnel.

On the evening of Oct. 28, two 59-year-old hunters got lost in Dutton Ridge State Forest. A ranger patrolling nearby first found their vehicle, then found the lost hunters an hour later and assisted them out of the woods.

A 67-year-old hunter from Ancram got lost on the night of Oct. 29 in Lesser Wilderness State Forest. Using cell phone coordinates, rescuers located him in good health. His flashlight had died and his cell phone was almost dead.

Rangers suggest hikers and hunters bring light sources such as headlamps with extra batteries and not rely on phones for navigation and light. In the wilderness, cell phone batteries lose charge more quickly.

A 34-year-old hunter from Ticonderoga failed to make it out of the woods on Oct. 31, though he spoke with his hunting partner through the night. His family reported him missing the next day. Two rangers searched the area and found items belonging to the hunter. Meanwhile, the hunter made it to a home on Canfield Road. He refused medical attention but accepted a ride from a friend to the hospital due to cramping from dehydration and exhaustion.

Rangers helped conduct a prescribed burn of more than four acres at the Albany Pine Bush on Oct. 28, and 34 acres at Moreau Lake State Park on Oct. 29. Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife by preventing the spread of invasive species, and reducing the potential for wildfires. NYS DEC

The following reports are excerpted from DEC:

Rangers helped conduct a prescribed burn of more than four acres at the Albany Pine Bush on Oct. 28, and 34 acres at Moreau Lake State Park on Oct. 29. Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat by preventing the spread of invasive species, and reducing the potential for wildfires.

On the morning of Oct. 29 at 9:55 a.m., an unattended campfire spread out of control in the town of Naples near Clement Road. Two rangers and the Naples Fire Department got it under control by 3 p.m. The wildfire was declared out the next day.

A 57-year-old hiker hurt their knee below North Point at Artist Rock in the town of Hunter on Oct. 31. A ranger assisted the hiker back to North South Lake Campground.

Two anglers ran their boat aground in shallow water approximately 100 yards from shore in Black River Bay on the night of Nov. 1. A forest ranger joined local law enforcement and fire personnel in rescuing the anglers with an inflatable raft.
New York State is waiving the $25 fee for fishing licenses on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025. Its the sixth and last free fishing day this year and applies to both residents and nonresidents.

Fall is a great time of year to fish in New Yorks pristine waters while honoring a veteran in your life, Governor Hochul said.

The Department of Environmental Conservation also offers free and reduced fee fishing licenses for active-duty military members meeting certain criteria, and for resident veterans with a service-related disability.

While no license is required, all other freshwater fishing regulations remain in effect.

Free Fishing Day is more than a tradition, it is an invitation for our Veterans, Service Members, and their families to connect with the healing power of nature, build community, and enjoy the beauty of our great state, said NYS Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen.

DEC last weekend hosted its annual Healing Military Servicemembers and Veterans thru Fly Fishing weekend on the Salmon River for veterans and wounded service members. All 12 participants caught fish, including steelhead, coho, and some late-run Chinook salmon.

Spawning Pacific salmon are still migrating up many of NYs Great Lakes tributaries , along with steelhead and brown trout.

Trout fishing is a solid choice, as trout stream regulations are now catch and release, with only artificial lures allowed in inland streams through March 31.

The shore bite is hot on Oneida Lake, the states top walleye fishery. For up-to-date reports on whats biting in Western or Central New York, check out the Lake Erie and Western NY Fishing Hotline and the Central NY Fishing Hotline .

Cant find a spot near you? Visit DECs Places to Fish site for popular destinations statewide. Mapping tools to help you find boat launches, stream regulations, and are also available, like DECs Locator Interactive Map or the Tackle Box feature in the HuntFishNY mobile app to find a fishing spot near you with information on parking, boat launches, trout stream regulations, and more.

Send us your free fishing day pics!

If you, or someone you know, catches somethinganythingon Free Fishing Day, send us a pic and well make them famous.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  Over 69,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war so far, Gaza health officials said Saturday, as both sides completed the latest exchange of bodies under the terms of the tenuous ceasefire.

The latest jump in deaths occurred as more bodies are recovered from the rubble in the devastated strip since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10, and as previously unidentified bodies are identified. The toll also includes Palestinians killed by strikes since the truce took hold, which Israel says target remaining militants.

Israel on Saturday returned the remains of another 15 Palestinians to Gaza, according to hospital officials in the strip, a day after militants returned the remains of a hostage to Israel. He was identified as Lior Rudaeff, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s office. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Rudaeff was born in Argentina.

Bodies of unidentified Palestinians returned from Israel as part of the ceasefire deal are brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) AP

The exchanges are the central part of the ceasefires initial phase, which requires that Hamas return all hostage remains as quickly as possible. For each Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians.

The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the Palestinian militant group. It began with the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.

Also Saturday, Israeli settlers staged two attacks on Palestinian farmers, paramedics, activists and journalists in the occupied West Bank as settler violence reaches new highs in the territory.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump on Friday accused foreign-owned meat packers of driving up the price of beef in the U.S. and asked the Department of Justice to open an investigation.

The Republican president announced the move on social media days after his party suffered losses in key elections in which the winning Democratic candidates focused relentlessly on the publics concerns about the cost of living. But experts said its unlikely that an investigation would result in lower prices at grocery stores, and a trade group representing meat packers said theyre not to blame.

Trump did not present evidence for his claims, writing on social media that I have asked the DOJ to immediately begin an investigation into the Meat Packing Companies who are driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation.

He said he was taking the action to help ranchers, who were recently angered by his suggestion that the U.S. would buy Argentine beef to bring down stubbornly high prices for American consumers.

We will always protect our American Ranchers, and they are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices, and jeopardize the security of our Nations food supply, Trump said.

Why beef prices have climbed

Beef prices have soared to record levels in part after drought and years of low prices led to the smallest U.S. herd size in decades. Trumps tariffs on Brazil, a major beef exporter, have also curbed imports.

Meanwhile, demand for beef remains strong. Prices are high because consumers want to eat it, and theyre willing and able to pay for it, said Glynn Tonsor, who leads the Meat Demand Monitor at Kansas State University.

Tonsor said the ownership mix in the meat packing industry has not changed significantly in the past four years.

Concentration in the meat packing business has been a longtime concern for farmers and politicians on both sides of the aisle. Four major meatpacking companies dominate the beef market in the United States.

Theres no evidence to back up claims that the big packers have undue market power and use it to drive up beef prices, said Derrell Peel, an agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University.

The packing industry in this country has been investigated and researched for 50 years, and its been an issue for over a hundred years, at least, for some producers, Peel said, expressing skepticism that consumers or producers will benefit from the investigation Trump announced.

If the outcome is to break up the big packers, the outcome will be higher beef prices for consumers, and lower cattle prices for producers, Peel said.
Meta AI glasses represent a revolutionary leap in wearable technology, combining advanced computer vision and voice AI to transform how users perceive and interact with their surroundings.

These smart glasses integrate a suite of sensors and artificial intelligence capabilities, enabling them to see, hear, and interpret the world in real time with remarkable accuracy and utility. This blog explores the technological foundation of Meta AI glasses, their key features, and how they bring the future of augmented reality and AI-driven assistance to everyday life.

What Are Meta AI Glasses?

Meta AI glasses are cutting-edge smart eyewear developed by Meta in collaboration with Ray-Ban and Oakley, blending style with technology. These glasses incorporate AI processors, high-resolution in-lens displays, and an array of sensors to support hands-free interaction and contextual awareness.

The glasses leverage AI to assist users by recognizing objects, decoding spoken commands, and providing real-time information overlays, all seamlessly integrated into the user's field of vision and auditory experience.

How Does Computer Vision Work in Meta Glasses?

At the heart of Meta AI glasses lies advanced computer vision technology that enables the device to interpret visual data captured by its high-resolution cameras and sensors. The glasses feature a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera that streams live video at up to 3K resolution, allowing precise object recognition and spatial awareness.

This camera setup supports 3D hand tracking, enabling gesture controls and interaction without physical buttons. Computer vision algorithms identify objects, read text, detect faces, and analyze scenes, providing instant contextual feedback displayed on the glasses' in-lens display.

How Do Meta AI Glasses Understand Voice Commands?

Voice AI integration in Meta glasses enables natural, hands-free interaction through voice commands. Equipped with an array of six microphones, the glasses capture voice input clearly even in noisy environments, enabling advanced speech recognition and natural language processing.

Users can ask for real-time translations, control apps, and request information about objects they see ("What am I looking at?"), and communicate via messaging or voice-only calls. This voice AI technology creates an intuitive user experience, allowing effortless control and information retrieval.

What Sensors Help Meta Glasses See and Hear the World?

Beyond cameras and microphones, Meta AI glasses utilize several sensors to enhance environmental perception. Eye-tracking sensors detect where the user is looking, enabling context-sensitive responses and optimizing display focus.

An EMG wristband called the Meta Neural Band translates muscle movements into commands, enabling gesture-based control for discreet, intuitive interaction. The glasses also include ambient light sensors that automatically adjust display brightness, and open-ear speakers provide clear audio while maintaining awareness of surroundings.

How Does Meta AI Analyze Visual and Audio Data?

Meta AI glasses use multimodal artificial intelligence to process and combine visual, auditory, and textual data streams, delivering comprehensive situational awareness and real-time assistance. This AI uses advanced machine learning models trained on large datasets to identify objects, transcribe conversations, and generate contextual insights instantly.

For example, the AI can offer live captions, translate foreign languages on sight, and provide information about landmarks or products, all presented seamlessly on the in-lens display or via audio feedback.

What Can Users Do with Meta AI Glasses?

The practical applications of Meta AI glasses span diverse scenarios. They assist with navigation by overlaying directions, support real-time language translation for communication in different languages, and enable quick identification of items in stores or public spaces.

Users can manage calls and messages without pulling out their phones and access Meta AI-powered digital assistants to schedule appointments, check the weather, or get answers to queries verbally or visually. These features streamline daily tasks and enhance productivity, all while keeping users connected and aware.

Read more: Samsung Smartwatches Could Soon Detect Heart Failure Before Symptoms Show Thanks to AI

How Are Meta AI Glasses Designed for Daily Use?

Meta's 2025 Ray-Ban Display glasses combine classic Wayfarer style with futuristic technology. Weighing about 60 to 70 grams, they strike a balance between comfort and functionality. The 600600-pixel in-lens display offers a 20-degree field of view and adjustable brightness up to 5,000 nits, ensuring clear visibility indoors and outdoors.

Battery life supports up to 6 hours of continuous use, supplemented by a charging case that extends overall operation time. The glasses support prescription lenses and feature water resistance, making them suitable for everyday wear.

How Can Someone Get and Use Meta AI Glasses?

Meta AI glasses are currently available in select markets, with plans to expand to Canada, Europe, and other regions by early 2026. Users set up the glasses by pairing them with a smartphone app that manages device settings, updates, and AI customization. Interaction occurs through a combination of voice commands, neural band gestures, and ocular focus, creating a seamless augmented reality experience.

As the technology matures, further enhancements in AI capabilities, battery life, and personalization are expected, broadening the potential for smart glasses as a mainstream tech accessory.

In summary, Meta AI glasses use sophisticated computer vision and voice AI to observe, understand, and interact with the environment, merging real-world experiences with AI-powered digital augmentation. This wearable technology represents a new frontier in accessible, AI-driven assistance, transforming how users engage with information, communication, and their surroundings through elegantly designed smart eyewear.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the price range and availability of Meta AI glasses in 2025?

Meta AI glasses, such as the Meta Ray-Ban Display, launched in the U.S. on September 30, 2025, priced at $799. They are initially available through select retail stores and online, with international releases planned for 2026. Other Meta AI glasses models like the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 start at lower prices, around $379, and have broader regional availability.

2. How does the Meta Neural Band wrist controller work with the AI glasses?

The Neural Band wrist controller uses electromyography (EMG) sensors to detect subtle muscle movements in the user's wrist and hand. This allows for discreet, intuitive gesture-based navigation of the Meta AI glasses' interface, complementing voice and eye-tracking inputs. It enables actions like menu navigation and command activation without touching the glasses.

3. What kind of battery life can users expect from Meta AI glasses?

Meta AI glasses such as the Ray-Ban Display model typically offer about 6 hours of mixed-use battery life. Charges are supported through a portable charging case, allowing extended use throughout the day. Battery performance can vary depending on the intensity of AI processing and display usage.

4. Are Meta AI glasses water-resistant or suitable for active lifestyles?

Some Meta-branded glasses, like the Oakley Meta Vanguard, are designed for an active lifestyle and feature IP67 water resistance for durability during physical activities. However, other models like the Ray-Ban Meta and Ray-Ban Display glasses focus more on style and may offer limited water resistance, so they are best suited for everyday use with care.
An anonymous Rockstar Games employee has come forward with allegations that the studio's recent layoffs were not related to leaks, as officially stated, but were instead a calculated move to suppress union activity. The post, published on GTAForums and reportedly verified by a moderator, challenges the company's narrative and has reignited debate over labour rights in the gaming industry.

Layoffs and Official Denial

Rockstar Games, known for blockbuster franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, recently terminated between 30 and 40 employees. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain accused the studio of union-busting, to which Rockstar responded with a statement through a spokesperson, claiming the dismissals were due to leaked information shared on a public forum.

The anonymous employee disputes this, stating that the affected staff were caught off guard by HR. According to the post, employees were summoned 'for a quick chat' and handed termination letters citing misconduct related to Discord discussions. No evidence was reportedly provided, and those present were escorted out within minutes. Remote workers received brief phone calls and were told to expect the same letter.

Allegations of Union Suppression

The whistleblower claims that the Discord channel in question was used exclusively for internal discussions about working conditions and union organisingnot for leaking game content. All terminated employees were allegedly union members, including long-tenured leads, designers, programmers, and producers with clean records.

The timing of the layoffs, the employee argues, was deliberate. The union group had just reached the threshold required to begin formal negotiations for improved pay and working conditions. The sudden terminations, they say, were intended to derail that process and intimidate remaining staff.

Some of those dismissed were reportedly on sick leave, recovering from surgery, or on family leave, making the financial impact especially severe.

Rockstar Games developer speaks out this was confirmed to be a real developer via GTAFormus staff. Rockstar commited union busting they fired people that had more then 18 years of experience who are hard to replace

People who were fired were at important roles affecting deadlines pic.twitter.com/FrqeUg1gdx  Besk (@BeskInfinity) November 6, 2025

Community Response and Call to Action

The post concludes with a warning: if Rockstar faces no consequences, similar actions could occur again. The employee urges fans to support the dismissed workers by donating through the Action Network, a platform commonly used for labour solidarity efforts.

The allegations have sparked renewed scrutiny of Rockstar's internal practices and broader concerns about unionisation in the gaming industry. While the studio has not responded to the specific claims made in the forum post, the controversy continues to unfold.

Context: GTA VI Delay Adds Pressure

The timing of the layoffs coincides with Rockstar's announcement of a second delay for Grand Theft Auto VI, now scheduled for release on 19 November 2026. The delay has added fuel to speculation about internal instability and its potential impact on development.

As fans await further updates, the anonymous employee's claims have cast a shadow over one of the industry's most prominent studios, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the future of organised labour in the gaming industry.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
The U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has confirmed it was the target of a cybersecurity breach, believed to have been carried out by a suspected foreign hacker, raising concerns that sensitive government data and communications between congressional offices and CBO analysts may have been compromised.

CBO spokeswoman Caitlin Emma confirmed in a statement that the agency has identified the security incident, has taken immediate action to contain it, and has implemented additional monitoring and new security controls to further protect the agencys systems going forward.

She added, The incident is being investigated and work for the Congress continues. Like other government agencies and private sector entities, CBO occasionally faces threats to its network and continually monitors to address those threats.

Officials Warn Lawmakers To Be Cautious

The Washington Post first reported the breach, citing unnamed officials who said the intrusion was discovered only days ago. Lawmakers have been warned that emails and internal exchanges between congressional offices and CBO analysts may have been accessed, prompting some offices to temporarily suspend email exchanges with the CBO due to security concerns.

According to internal warnings, hackers may have gained access to emails, internal chat logs, and exchanges between CBO analysts and lawmakers, possibly revealing confidential discussions on pending legislation and economic projections.

CBOs Crucial Role In Lawmaking

The CBO, a small but powerful nonpartisan agency with around 275 employees, provides independent analysis to lawmakers on economic policy and the federal budget for nearly every bill considered by Congress.

Every bill taken up by Congress receives a CBO score that estimates how it would affect the national debt and spending. A breach could expose draft reports, economic models, or sensitive discussions between analysts and lawmakers.

China Reportedly Linked To Intrusion

While the CBO has not confirmed who was responsible, U.S. officials told CNN that Chinese state-backed hackers are suspected. The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., denied any role, saying Beijing consistently opposes and strictly combats all forms of cyberattacks.

This breach follows a string of high-profile cyber intrusions involving U.S. government agencies over the past year. In late 2024, hackers linked to the Chinese group Silk Typhoon infiltrated the U.S. Treasury Department and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

Part Of A Broader Cyber Threat Landscape

Cybersecurity experts say the CBO breach underscores the persistent vulnerability of federal institutions that manage sensitive economic and policy data.

As with other agencies, CBO occasionally faces threats to its network and continually monitors to address those threats, Emma noted.

For now, the full scope and impact of the intrusion remain under investigation, but the attack serves as another reminder of the escalating cyber battle between nations  and how even small federal offices can become targets in this growing digital battleground.
'Almost every day': Japan battles spike in bear attacks



Kita-Akita, Japan, Nov 8 (AFP) Nov 08, 2025



The sense of fear is palpable in parts of northern Japan, where some locals have fastened bells to their bags hoping the noise will keep bears away, while signs warn people to be on guard.

The animals have killed a record 13 across the country since April, with a steady flow of reports of bears entering homes, roaming near schools and rampaging in supermarkets.

"We hear news almost every day about people being attacked or injured," said 28-year-old Kakeru Matsuhashi, a traditional "Matagi" hunter, as he walked through a forest clutching a knife.

"It's becoming something that feels personal, and it's simply frightening," he added in the northern prefecture of Akita, an area hit by a series of attacks.

This year, the number of fatalities is double the previous record of 2023-24, with five months of the fiscal year still to go.

Data is patchy from certain regions, but in recent years, Japan has seen among the highest number of fatal attacks globally.

Keiji Minatoya, also from Akita, knows this too well -- a bear leapt from his garage, pinned him to the ground and sank its teeth into his face in 2023.

"I was thinking: 'This is how I die'", said 68-year-old Minatoya, who managed to escape and take refuge inside his home.

The government is now scrambling to deal with the surge in attacks, which scientists say is being driven by a fast-growing bear population combined with this year's bad acorn harvest, leaving some mountains "overcrowded" with hungry bears.

Troops have been deployed to provide logistical help for trapping and hunting bears, while riot police will be allowed to use rifles to shoot the animals, which can weigh half a tonne and outrun a human.

The victims include a 67-year-old man in Iwate, a region next to Akita, whose body was found outside his home, with animal bite marks and scars.

Hunters were called to the scene and shot a bear near the house.

Also in Iwate, a 60-year-old man is thought to have been attacked while cleaning an outdoor bath at a remote hot spring resort. His body was discovered in nearby woods.

Official data show the number of wounded is also on course to be a record, tallying over 100 people in the six months to September.



- 'Overcrowded' with bears -



A major issue is the expanding bear population, which is growing fast due to an abundance of food -- including acorns, deer and boars -- under the influence of a warming climate, experts say.

Japan's brown bear population has doubled in three decades, and now stands at around 12,000, while the number of Asian black bears has climbed on the country's main Honshu island, reaching 42,000, according to a recent government report.

Some mountains have become "overcrowded", according to Naoki Ohnishi, researcher at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute.

"Put simply, the size of the bear population has gone beyond the capacity of the mountains to hold them," he said.

Although rising temperatures have led to more frequent bumper crops of acorns, the nuts still produce good and bad harvests every two to five years as part of their normal crop cycle.

This year, as well as in 2023 -- the year Minatoya was attacked -- there is a poor supply.

While most bears still stay in the mountains, recent bad harvests have led some -- together with their cubs -- to wander into towns to look for food, said Shinsuke Koike, professor at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.

With exposure to humans, cubs in particular become less fearful and develop a taste for farmed produce and common fruits such as persimmon, Koike added.

Steady rural depopulation due to a chronically low birthrate and young people moving to cities has also reduced the human presence at the edges of forests and mountains, blurring the traditional boundaries between people and bears.

"Bear habitats inched closer to human habitats in 2023," Ohnishi said. "This year, they are coming a step further because they are starting from where they left off."



- 'Witnessing a disaster' -



Hajime Nakae, professor of emergency and critical medicine at the Akita University Hospital, said the frequent bear sightings made him feel like he was "living inside... a safari park for bears".

The doctor, who has treated bear injuries for three decades, explained the nature of wounds was changing as bears become less afraid of humans.

In encounters years ago, a startled bear may have struck a human in the face before fleeing but now "they charge at you from about 10 metres and then leap at you".

He said that without meaningful intervention he expected bear injuries to increase and spread to other parts of the nation, adding: "We are witnessing a disaster."

"Thorough culling" to reduce the number of bears is the only effective way to reduce the risk for local people, researcher Ohnishi said.

Last year, the government added bears to the list of animals subject to population control, reversing protection that had helped bears thrive.

But rural resources are stretched thin and the number of hunters is less than half of what it was in 1980.

As of 2020, the latest statistics available, there were around 220,000, mostly in their 60s or older.

Japan culled more than 9,000 bears in 2023-2024, and over 4,200 between April to September this year.

Akita has alone culled over 1,000 so far.

In the immediate future, Japan's worries should ease, if only temporarily.

Experts Koike and Ohnishi said hibernation patterns had not shifted and the bears would soon go to sleep for the winter.
Chinese ship scouts deep-ocean floor in South Pacific



, Nov 8 (AFP) Nov 08, 2025



A Chinese research vessel docked in the Cook Islands Saturday as it probed the Pacific nation's deep-sea mining potential, a fledgling industry of mounting interest to both Beijing and Washington.

The Da Yang Hao docked in the palm-shaded port of Avatiu on a "scientific research cruise" through the tropical archipelago, the Cook Islands' Seabed Minerals Authority said.

Huge areas of seabed around the Cook Islands are carpeted in polymetallic nodules, lumpy rocks studded with rare earths and critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese.

The Cook Islands -- which lays claim to one of the world's biggest deposits of polymetallic nodules -- signed a contentious deep-sea mining cooperation deal with China earlier this year.

"This cruise is about learning by doing," said Seabed Minerals Authority spokesman Edward Herman.

"Our team is actively participating in all activities to build our knowledge and capacity in marine research."

This included mapping the seabed with sonar arrays and dredging up sediment samples, said the authority.

Fringed by sparkling lagoons, South Pacific nation the Cook Islands has opened its vast ocean territory for deep-sea mining exploration.

With existing supplies of critical minerals heavily exposed to trade disputes, both the United States and China have this year ramped up interest in the highly contentious industry.

Critical minerals, such as cobalt and nickel, are in hot demand for electric vehicles, rechargeable batteries and advanced military technology.

The United States secured its own agreement to pursue deep-sea mining research with the Cook Islands in August.



- Deep-sea exploration -



AFP photos showed the near-100 metre (330 feet) Da Yang Hao vessel cutting through the Cook Islands' sleepy main harbour before docking on Saturday morning.

The ship was emblazoned with the logo of China's Ocean Mineral Resources Research Association, which is tasked with the exploration of seabed minerals.

Chinese research vessels have been accused of carrying out surveillance and other military activities under the auspices of scientific work.

Pacific island nation Palau, a staunch US ally in the region, in 2021 alleged that the Da Yang Hao had entered its exclusive economic zone without proper permissions.

The Da Yang Hao arrives in the Cook Islands less than one month after a deep-sea research voyage backed by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

While exploration for deep-sea mining is far advanced, no company or nation has started production on a commercial scale.

Critics fear deep-sea mining will smother marine life with waste and the noise of heavy machinery will disrupt oceanic migrations.

International regulators are still trying to thrash out environmental rules governing the industry.
Tehran to restrict water as Iran battles drought



Tehran, Nov 8 (AFP) Nov 08, 2025



Iran was laying plans on Saturday to cut off water supplies periodically to Tehran's 10-million-strong population as it battles its worst drought in many decades.

Rainfall in the capital has this year been at its lowest level in a century, local officials say, and half of Iran's provinces have not seen a drop fall in months.

Now, to save water, the government is planning water cuts in Tehran -- and several local news outlets have already reported pipes running dry overnight in some areas.

"This will help avoid waste even though it may cause inconvenience," Iran's Energy Minister Abbas Ali Abadi said on state television.

In a speech broadcast on Friday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian had warned that Tehran might have to be evacuated if no rain falls before the end of the year.

But he gave no details about how such a vast operation would be conducted.

Tehran nestles on the southern slopes of the Alborz mountains and has hot dry summers usually relieved by autumn rains and winter snowfall.



- Reservoirs run dry -



Tehran is by far the country's biggest city and its inhabitants use three million cubic metres of water per day, according to local media.

The main Amir Kabir dam on the Karaj river, one of five reservoirs serving the capital, is running dry and holds only 14 million cubic litres, according to Behzad Parsa, director general of the Tehran water company, cited by the official news agency IRNA.

During the same period last year, the reservoir held 86 million cubic metres, he added, but now it only has enough to maintain supplies to the Tehran region for less than two weeks.

On Saturday, state television broadcast images of several dams, serving the central city of Isfahan and Tabriz in the northwest, showing significantly lower water levels compared to previous years.

Hassan Hosseini, the deputy Iran's second-largest city Mashhad, told IRNA agency on Thursday that night-time water cuts were being considered to address the water shortage.

And over the summer on July and August, two public holidays were declared in Tehran to save water and energy, at a time when power outages were almost daily during the intense heatwave.
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Britney Spears has returned to Instagram less than a week after deleting her account following a public dispute over her ex-husband Kevin Federlines memoir.

The Toxic pop star, 43, announced her return by posting a screenshot of herself from a short video showing her stood by a closet wearing lingerie and boots.

In the posts caption, Spears wrote: So much has happened this year, its crazy ... I try to live within my means and the book, Draw the Circle is an incredible perspective. Get your ballerina, circle, and own your boundaries.

She continued: Its incredibly strict and somewhat of a form of prayer but with so many endless possibilities in life, its important to do you and keep it simple. I know there is a confusing side too. The devil is in the details but we can get to that later.

Draw the Circle is a 2012 book by pastor Mark Batterson that challenges readers to pray for 40 consecutive days.

Spears had initially deactivated her Instagram account Sunday following the publication of Federlines memoir.

open image in gallery Britney Spears has returned to Instagram after temporarily deleting her account when ex Kevin Federline released his memoir. ( Instagram/Britney Spears )

In the book, You Thought You Knew, Federline accused Spears of troubling behavior as a parent, such as watching their then-teenage sons sleep with a knife in her hand.

In response, Spearss representative called Federlines narrative sensationalism in a statement to The Independent.

Prior to the books publication, Spears made a series of posts that drew concern for the star, whose conservatorship was terminated in 2021 amid a fan-driven Free Britney movement.

According to People magazine, a video Spears shared on October 7 showed her with bruises on her arms and bandages wrapped around her hands and wrists. In the caption, Spears said shed taken a fall down the stairs and mentioned that her two sons were returning to Hawaii, where they live with their father, Federline, 47.

In a more recent post, she wrote that she felt like her wings were taken away and brain damage happened to me while under her 13-year conservatorship.

Since the conservatorship ended, Spears has regularly displayed erratic behavior on social media and has previously deleted her account before reactivating it weeks later.

open image in gallery Federline and Spears were married from 2004 to 2007 and share two children ( AP )

On October 15, she shared a statement on X calling out the white lies in Federlines book.

The constant gaslighting from ex-husband [sic] is extremely hurtful and exhausting, she wrote, before also criticizing her sons Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19.

I have always pleaded and screamed to have a life with my boys. Relationships with teenage boys is complex. I have felt demoralized by this situation and have always asked and almost begged for them to be a part of my life. Sadly, they have always witnessed the lack of respect shown by own father for me.

They need to take responsibility for themselves. With one son only seeing me for 45 min in the past 5 years and the other with only 4 visits in the past 5 years. I have pride too. From now on I will let them know when I am available, she wrote.

Federline and Spears were married from 2004 to 2007. Federline was granted primary custody of their children in 2008 after Spears was placed under a conservatorship following her public mental health breakdown.

In the years that followed, Spears worked to regain more time with her children and, in 2019, was granted 30 percent custodial rights while Federline retained 70 percent.

Spears has never confirmed nor denied that she lives with mental illness, and has denied ever being addicted to drugs or alcohol. She has, though, written repeatedly of experiencing long-term trauma as a result of her family and the conservatorship she was placed under for 13 years.
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A tearful Alex Kingston opened up about the condition that made dancing the paso doble difficult during Saturday nights episode of Strictly Come Dancing.

The Doctor Who and ER actor, 62, told host Claudia Winkleman that she is numerically dyslexic and has therefore struggled to dance to music without lyrics.

Kingston and her dance partner Johannes Radebe performed to Amparito Roca by Jamie Texidor, a traditional paso doble track without lyrics.

The judges noted that she seemed considerably less confident than she has in previous weeks, with Motsi Mabuse noting that this marked the first time that Ive felt a little bit of insecurity from you.

She also suggested that the performance lacked spatial awareness and fire, while Craig Revel Horwood went a step further and branded it a little bit middle of the road.

When Kingston headed up to the Clauditorium for her post-routine interview with Winkleman, she revealed that she struggles with numerical dyslexia, or dyscalculia.

According to the NHS, dyscalculia is a persistent difficulty in understanding numbers. It is thought to impact one in 20 people.

open image in gallery Kingston admitted that dancing to a track without lyrics had proved problematic ( BBC )

The thing is, I'm numerically dyslexic so I can't count, Kingston said. And that's quite difficult.

Winkleman reminded her that as a contestant, she is not supposed to love every dance, prompting Kingston to reveal that performing without lyrics had been a struggle.

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But I should love this one because it's drama, she said. But I'm used to dancing to lyrics and I didn't know that I can't do that.

Winkleman encouraged the rest of the contestants and professional dancers to comfort Kingston, prompting praise on Twitter/X.

open image in gallery Kingston and Johannes Radebe picked up 30 points ( BBC )

Claudia really is the perfect presenter and her moment comforting Alex demonstrates this so clearly  shell be a real loss to the show, one fan wrote.

Watching Claudia and the rest try to cheer Alex up in the Clauditorium on Strictly was so sweet omg, another agreed.

Kingston received 30 points, leaving her in the lower half of the leaderboard after a high-scoring episode that saw Vicky Pattison receive her first perfect 10s from the judges.
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Pete Davidson has named the one person who could convince him to return to Saturday Night Live.

The 31-year-old comedian joined the long-running sketch show in 2014 and became a breakout star before departing in 2022.

Since leaving SNL, Davidson has created and starred in a number of semi-autobiographical films and television shows including 2020s The King of Staten Island and 2023s Bupkis.

He was most recently seen in the action comedy The Pickup, alongside Eddie Murphy and Keke Palmer.

However the star, who was just 20 when he was first hired by SNL, hasnt ruled out returning to the sketch show that launched his career.

Pete Davidson appearing on Saturday Night Live ( YouTube )

Speaking to People, Davidson said that he would be open to a return if creator Lorne Michaels asked him. I'd do anything for Lorne, he explained.

Davidson came back to host SNL after he left the main cast, and told the publication: I had a great time hosting last time, and anytime you get that call, it's an honor and a privilege.

He added: Its always relevant, it's a hot show. People look forward to it, and the cast is great.

The comedian went on to say that he credits Michaels with launching his career. "I owe that guy my life, said Davidson. He jump-started everything. So I'd do anything for Lorne, and he knows that.

Last year, Davidson revealed what he spent his very first SNL paycheck on.

Asked by New York magazine what his biggest splurge was on, Davidson shot back: Do you guys know what they pay us? Its, like, three grand an episode. So, I think I got dinner.

Despite Davidsons sharing that cast members only make $3,000 per episode, reports over the years have claimed that each cast members pay is based on how many seasons theyve worked on the show.

According to Cosmopolitan, first-year cast members make more than double Davidsons reported price with $7,000 per episode, totaling $140,000 for a 20-episode season.

Those who appear for a second season earn an extra $1,000 per episode. After a cast member has been on the show for five seasons, they reportedly earn $15,000 per episode.

Davidson was one of many comedians who faced criticism after appearing at the first ever Riyadh Comedy Festival last month.

Comedians were allegedly required to sign a contract, which was widely circulated on social media, and included stipulations that they not make fun of religions or the Saudi royal family.

Human Rights Watch described the Riyadh Comedy Festival as Saudi Arabias latest attempt to deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations.

Davidson defended his decision to appear, telling podcaster Theo Von that he agreed to the performance after seeing the amount he was being paid.
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Shay Mitchell is being accused of sending the wrong message about societal beauty standards after launching a skincare line for children.

The 38-year-old actor announced Thursday the debut of her company, Rini, which sells hydrating face and eye masks for kids. In the caption of her Instagram post, she said her company wasnt about beauty or self-care, but it was instead about teaching our kids that taking care of themselves can be fun, gentle, and safe.

Kids are naturally curious and instead of ignoring that, we can embrace it, the mother of two daughters  Atlas, six, and Rome, three, whom she shares with partner Matte Babel  wrote in the caption. She urged that Rini products can be trusted by parents and lead to sweet moments that bring us closer.

However, fans of the Pretty Little Liars alum are fuming over the perceived message Mitchells products are sending to young children.

Absolutely missed the mark. Children dont need skincare! one wrote, while another added: I'm deeply disappointed. Why are we projecting beauty standards onto children now?

open image in gallery Shay Mitchell accused of absolutely missing the mark with new skincare company for kids ( Getty Images )

I really hope this is just like bathing and sunscreen. Last thing we need is little kids getting more obsessed with unnecessary skincare, a third commented.

What kind of message is this sending to young girls? Four-year-olds do not need skincare, a fourth agreed.

Some people also accused Rini of trying to be an innovative business in the wellness and beauty market.

Were living in capitalisms final boss level where a childs unblemished face is just another untapped market. Sell a calming face mask so they can relax from what, exactly? Snack time? Existing? one commented on Mitchells post.

Even if the intention is good, kids really dont need skincare. Its just another business move dressed up as something cute or innovative. Let them be kids. Not mini consumers, another wrote.

According to a press release from Rini, all of its products undergo clinical testing and toxicity risk assessments, which are facilitated by a dedicated regulatory team and pediatric toxicologist.

open image in gallery Rinis Hydrating Hydrogel Facial Mask for children ( rini )

The Independent has contacted representatives for Mitchell and Rini for comment.

Mitchells latest business endeavor comes amid the ongoing Sephora kids trend, where tweens and young teens rush to the makeup store to get the latest adult beauty products trending on social media.

Usually, beauty brands fight for the attention of Gen Alpha  people born between 2010 and 2024. But children as young as seven sharing their own skincare routines on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. In fact, skincare routines are one of the biggest trends on TikTok, where there are more than 20 million get ready with me (GRWM) tutorials under hashtag grwm.

The Sephora Kids trend has sparked a heated debate online over the years, with some claiming its harmless fun for children and teens to test out these makeup products.

However, young skin could be too new and delicate for aggressive adult skincare products and could result in breakouts or irritations on kids skin, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic. The adult products could also make childrens skin extra vulnerable to the sun.
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The family of a cleaner killed attempting to enter the wrong home by accident are pleading for her killer to be brought to justice but its possible the homicide may not lead to criminal charges.

On Wednesday, 32-year-old Maria Florinda Rios Perez was killed after mistakenly trying to enter the wrong home to begin her cleaning job in Whitestown, Indiana. She was shot in the head through a door and died in her husbands arms.

Over $100,000 has already been raised via two separate GoFundMe pages for Perezs family who say they want the person responsible for her death to be brought to justice.

What I need now is for there to be justice because he took her life I dont believe thats human, her husband Mauricio Velazquez told WRTV. Hes an animal Now, I am father and mother for my children, for my daughters and hes happy at home.

In an update on the case Whitestown Police Department said the Boone County Coroners Office had determined that the manner of Perezs death was homicide. But such a ruling may not lead to criminal charges.

open image in gallery On Wednesday, 32-year-old Maria Florinda Rios Perez was killed after mistakenly trying to enter the wrong home to begin her cleaning job in Whitestown, Indiana. She was shot in the head through a door and died in her husbands arms ( AP via WRTV )

According to the department, the term homicide in this incident is a medical classification indicating that one human being caused the death of another. This designation does not imply criminal intent or legal culpability, and it should not be interpreted as a criminal finding, the department wrote online.

The individual responsible for killing has not been named by police who stated that it would be both inappropriate and potentially dangerous to disclose that information. Perezs case has been referred to the Boone County Prosecutor.

Reached by phone Friday evening, a spokesperson from the office told The Independent that no decision on charges had yet been made, and declined to comment further. The Independent also sent an email follow-up seeking clarification.

It is possible that no further charges may be brought due to the strength and extended protections of Indianas stand-your-ground laws.

open image in gallery What I need now is for there to be justice because he took her life I dont believe thats human, her husband Mauricio Velazquez told WRTV ( AP via WRTV )

Among the provisions is that a person is justified in using deadly force against someone if they have a reasonable belief that force is required to prevent the unlawful entry of the defendant's home or curtilage (the area around their home), according to Purdue Global Law School.

"When it comes to a dwelling, individuals can use reasonable force, including deadly force, against another person," Boone County prosecutor Kent Eastwood told NBC News.

"They have no duty to retreat, that's in the law. That person who uses that force has to reasonably believe that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate an unlawful entry or attack on the person's dwelling."

Perez had been trying to enter the residence with a key meant for a different home. Her husband said he had double-checked the address  they had been given the wrong one.

open image in gallery Perez had been trying to enter the residence with a key meant for a different home. Her husband said he had double-checked the address  they had been given the wrong one ( WTHR )

Eastwood told The Associated Press that bringing charges would not be easy and that he will have to pore over investigators' findings to understand what happened in the moments leading up to the shooting.

You need to understand all the details so you can understand what happened and what is reasonable, Eastwood said. One of the hardest things today in this world is to agree on what's reasonable. As a prosecutor, those are things we have to grapple with.

On a fundraising page, which is intended to hire a lawyer and help repatriate Perezs body to Guatemala, her brother Rudy Rojas described the late mother-of-four as a devoted mother, loving wife, and beautiful soul whose light will never fade.

Its so unjust. She was only trying to bring home the daily bread to support her family, Rios told NBC News in Spanish. She wasnt threatening.
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Human remains, found in the desert near Las Vegas 50 years ago, have been identified as a Canadian woman who may have been killed by the mob.

The remains belonged to Anna Sylvia Just, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced Friday, after the identification was made using DNA provided by her sister.

Just, who was living in Henderson, Nevada, and working as stenographer in the late Sixties, was originally from Calgary, Alberta.

She went missing in 1968. At the time, items belonging to Just, including her suitcase and a purse with her ID in it, were discovered in the desert outside of Henderson, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Police learned during their 1968 investigation that she was already the subject of a missing persons report filed in Calgary, 8 News reports.

At the time, police investigating the young womans disappearance learned that she was an acquaintance of Thomas Hanley, who had served as the head of the now-defunct American Federation of Casino and Gaming Employees and the Gaming and Office Employee Union.

The remains of Anna Sylvia Just, who disappeared in 1968, were identified this week. The Clark County coroner ruled her death a homicide ( NamUs database )

Hanley had ties to the Chicago mob, according to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Special Collections and Archives, and had previously been accused of murder.

According to police, Just had asked Hanley for money.

In 1970, children playing in the desert found human remains in a shallow grave. The Clark County coroner's office determined the individual had died as the result of a homicide as there was a depressed fracture in the recovered skull. But they were unable to identify the remains for the next 50 years.

In 2024, police in Calgary collected DNA evidence from Just's sister, which was used to establish a connection. Las Vegas cold case investigators were subsequently able to determine that the remains belonged to Just.

Before Justs disappearance, Hanley had been accused of killing Ralph Alsup, a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 525, but the charges were subsequently dropped in 1969 with the judge citing an absence of evidence, according to the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement.

A man named Alphonse Bass who had been scheduled to testify against Hanley in the murder trial, suffered severe burns in a house fire that same year, which ultimately led to his death.

Investigators eventually determined that the fire had been set intentionally. Police identified Hanley as a suspect but those charges were also dropped. Bass's killing was never solved.

In 1977, Hanley and his son, Andrew Garamby Hanley, pleaded guilty to the murder of Al Bramlet, head of the Culinary Union in Las Vegas.

Hanley died in police custody in 1979, aged 63.
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Four people were killed by an alleged street racer who lost control of their car during a police chase in Ybor City, Florida.

Shortly after midnight Saturday, police spotted two vehicles racing, according to Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaws and Tampa Fox 35. Officers began tracking the alleged racers, one of which eventually drove on I-275 Southbound, where the Florida Highway Patrol joined the chase.

The authorities chased the vehicle to Nebraska Avenue and Palm Avenue, where the officers attempted a pit maneuver, but were unable to stop the car.

Sergeant Steve Gaskins of the Florida Highway Patrol said during a press conference that troopers stopped the chase once the driver entered Ybor City,

The driver, identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, allegedly then sped down 7th Avenue before crashing into a group of 15 people congregating outside a bar named Bradley's.

The patio area outside of Bradley's on 7th in Ybor City, Florida. An alleged street racer who was being pursued by police lost control of his car and crashed into 15 people outside of the bar, killing four. ( Google Maps )

Three of the pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene, and a fourth victim died at a nearby hospital, according to Fox35 Orlando. Eleven other people at the scene were injured by the crash, including one person in critical condition, according to ABC 7.

All of the victims are adults.

Sampson, who is originally from Denver, was arrested at the scene.

"This morning we had a tragic incident where at least four victims senselessly lost their lives and eleven others were injured as a result of a careless, reckless driver," Bercaw told reporters after the incident.

He said that Sampson will be charged with vehicular homicide, and that the Florida Highway Patrol is committed to seeking justice for those killed in the crash.

NBC 8 reports that Sampson was cited for speeding in Hillborough County, Florida, less than two months ago. According to the complaint, Sampson was allegedly driving at 99 miles per hour on Interstate 75, where the speed limit is 70 miles per hour.

The highway patrol is leading the investigation and said in a statement on Saturday that more charges may be on the way for Sampson.
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A teen charged with murdering his 17-year-old girlfriend's grandmother in Texas will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Uriah Urick, 18, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal shooting of 61-year-old Tammy King earlier this year. He was found guilty of capital murder Friday. Jurors spent about three-and-a-half hours deliberating, according to The Galveston Daily News.

The victim's granddaughter and Urick's girlfriend, Tara King, has also been charged in the murder and is still awaiting trial.

During Urick's trial, his defense attorney, Bill Agnew, admitted that Urick was involved in Tammy's death, but attempted to undermine the state's robbery charge. Proving that a murder occurred concurrently with a homicide is a key component of a capital murder charge under Texas law.

He asked the jury to convict Urick on murder instead of capital murder, and described Urick and Tara as two naive, drug-influenced teenagers chasing independence, not money.

This was not a crime of greed, Agnew said. It was a misguided attempt to be adults.

Uriah Urick (left) with his girlfriend Tara King. Urick has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole for the February 2025 murder of Taras grandmother, Tammy King ( Galveston County Sheriff's Office )

The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution.

On Thursday, February 6, Tammy was found dead in her home by her boyfriend, who told police that the home had been "ransacked." He noted that guns from a safe in Tammy's bedroom were missing.

Investigators later found that thousands of dollars of the woman's money had been transferred from her bank account to her granddaughter's Cash App account, court documents revealed. Further records show that Tara allegedly tried two larger transfers  one for $5,000 and another for $20,000  but they were both unsuccessful.

Detectives also determined that an "unknown person" had linked their account to Tammy's Cash App account.

The transfers led investigators to become suspicious of Tara and her boyfriend, Urick. Authorities interviewed Urick's mother, who reportedly said he was suffering from mental illnesses, had a history of self-harm, and had been violent to his family members.

When asked if she believed he had the capacity to carry out a murder, she reportedly told police that he did. She also said that Tara "hated" her grandmother because she wouldn't let Urick stay overnight at their home.

On February 7, police tried to find Urick at home, but he was not there. His mother told them that she'd been calling and texting him, but he told her to stop calling and not to go looking for him.

Detectives gained access to Urick's bank account thanks to his mother. They learned that he had received numerous Cash App transactions from Tara on February 5.

The young couple went on the run, offering people money for shelter. They also allegedly tried to sell the guns taken from Tammy's safe.

One woman who said she had an interaction with the couple said Tara offered to pay her for a ride, and that she admitted to killing her grandmother because she was angry and high on meth at the time, according to court records.

Three days after Tammy's body was discovered, Tara and Urick were arrested in Laredo, Texas, with the assistance of the Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force.

Tara's trial is set to begin in January. If convicted, she will also receive an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Ron Faucheux: What the British people really think of their royal family
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the November 9 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories . A wardrobe may not be the most obvious place for a moment of surprise and delight in a renovation, but for Greg Natale, a Sydney-based interior designer and self-confessed maximalist, thats precisely why it works. It transformed a practical space, Natale says of the sculptural wall carvings inside the dressing room of his latest project, a New York City townhouse. Natale is a proponent of the more is more school of design, which, after the dominance of quiet luxury for several years, is making a resounding return. Beige, whether it be walls or sofas, is being replaced with colour as protest, and clutter has become synonymous with comfort, as the pendulum swings away from early 2000s minimalism and pared-back uniformity towards personality, complexity, warmth and identity. Just looking at photos of Natales New York project is an immersive experience. Think riotous wallpapers, a Matisse-inspired de Gournay patchwork mural in the narrow hallway and colour-drenched walls throughout. And, of course, the aforementioned wardrobe. Richly veined stone panels set against clay-pink walls and ceiling, with a high-gloss pink island anchoring the room, might have been statement enough, he explains. The effect was already maximalist and almost theatrical, but carving the panels into sculptural shapes elevated the space further, echoing the Sputnik-style pendant light and surrealist vintage bedhead in the main bedroom, as well as the abstract marble mural in the main shower. The kitchen in the New York Townhouse, designed by Greg Natale. A bedroom in the New York Townhouse. When working with his clients, who own both an art school and art gallery (located on the same property as their home), Natales goal was to create a dialogue between the wardrobe with the spaces it adjoins, while infusing the homes boundary-pushing design with a deeply personal touch.

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It felt fitting to make strong artistic statements throughout this home, he says. If we had held back instead of leaning in, the home would have lost its vibrancy and individuality. Shannon Shlom and Dominique Brammah, co-founders of Sydney-based design practice Duet, agree that maximalism offers a poignant manifestation of humans desire to look forward and backward at the same time. We are nostalgic by nature; our memories shape us, says Shlom. Yet at the same time, we are always projecting into the future, imagining what could be. That duality is especially important in peoples homes. They need to feel grounded and familiar, yet open to evolution. Natales NYC townhouse project. The almost theatrical wardrobe. This approach is also championed by global design stars such as Kelly Wearstler, Martin Brudnizki and Australian Catherine Martin, as well as Natale and the Australian doyenne of maximalism, Anna Spiro, who is known for her seemingly effortless overlay and manipulation of pattern, colour, texture and furniture. Martin, an Oscar-winning costume and production designer and the wife of director Baz Luhrmann, says: Both interior design and production design are fundamentally about expressing a narrative through space and atmosphere. Thats where the drama comes from: not from spectacle, but from storytelling, memory, and emotional resonance.

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Martin and Luhrmanns joint projects are celebrated for their sumptuous and unapologetically bold aesthetic. Their recent work on the interiors of New York bar Monsieur underscores Martins point, centring its concept on a mysterious character invented by the pair, a fictitious veteran of Manhattans East Village who carries with him relics from his many lives. Using this base, Luhrmann and Martin layered the bars interior with mythological objects, symbols and lavish materials that aim to tell Monsieurs story in a poetic and surrealist way. The interiors of New York bar Monsieur. Natale employs the same strategy, albeit for a predominantly residential clientele. Maximalism, like any interior style, works best when a strong narrative anchors it, he says. Every inclusion, whether that is a reference, a texture or a layer needs to connect back to the story youre trying to tell. That story often begins with the home and the client: What is the architectural language of the house? What resonates personally with the people who live there? In Australia, he is often asked to reimagine Federation-style homes. In those projects, we draw on that heritage but pair it with contemporary and modern elements, creating a dialogue between past and present, he says. Its about curating histories in a way that feels both cohesive and alive, so the room tells a story that is authentic to its setting and its owners. Catherine Martin (with husband Baz Luhrmann): Maximalism needs a story to anchor it. Credit: Getty Images With an abundance of elements in the mix, its the designers with a genuine understanding and appreciation of different eras in design who produce interiors with depth, meaning and a sense of cohesion. Still, at what point does a maximalist approach start to feel overdone? When does abundance descend into chaos? Martin says drama needs to come from intention and specificity and not mere excess. I think viewers  whether on screen or in real life  instinctively recognise abundance thats driven by care and intention. When detail and richness are the result of thoughtful storytelling, it resonates. It invites people into a world that feels lived-in, considered, and full of narrative possibility.

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Says Swedish-born Brudnizki: Im not interested in pastiche or decoration for decorations sake. Instead, we look for threads that connect a project to its surroundings. From there, we layer in references from different periods or cultures that support that narrative. When done right, the result feels rich and considered rather than random. A project that exemplifies Brudnizkis philosophy is the Broadwick Soho hotel in London, which opened in late 2023. Everything [in the hotel] ties back to the story of Soho; the artists, the music, the grit and glamour, Brudnizki explains. The same could be said of Spiros Melbourne home, where seemingly disparate textures, patterns, hues and forms could easily have read as a hodgepodge. Yet somehow they translate into a balanced whole. Take the pink sitting room: a sofa upholstered in Jasper Fabrics floral Nathalie Bouquet Summer, a red-chequered ottoman, an armchair covered in a Michael Smith Dutch Stripe fabric, numerous artworks and an 18th-century Irish chandelier sit among vintage objects, accessories and collectibles to splendid effect. Even Spiros kitchen design pulls off an unthinkable colour combo  lemon yellow and aubergine, offset by a mint rangehood, the latter adorned with multicoloured antique plates. The bedroom of Anna Spiros Melbourne home. Credit: Martina Gemmola A living room in Anna Spiros Melbourne home. Credit: Martina Gemmola I do feel that there is a breaking point, and too much clash can look garish, unsophisticated and sometimes cheap, she says. I always strive to create rooms that look interesting and sit outside the box, but luxury and quality sit at the core of what I do. A room scheme is like a puzzle  all the different shaped pieces must fit together to create a perfect whole. If one element is off, then that piece wont fit in the puzzle and the whole room wont sing.

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Almost nine in 10 (89 per cent) said their pain impacted their mental health. The most common conditions causing unmanaged pain were menstrual, hormonal (40 per cent), endometriosis (26 per cent) and musculoskeletal problems (26 per cent). Loading Lack of adequate training in womens health issues, medical models and guidelines that overlooked sex and gender differences, and a historical lack of inclusion of women in clinical trials and research were identified as contributing factors to womens experiences in the health system. Nearly all those who contributed to the inquiry via surveys, submissions, focus groups and public forums had sought help for their pain, but nearly three-quarters said they had encountered widespread dismissal by healthcare professionals. The inquiry is personal for the premier, who has described the isolating effect of monthly pelvic pain on her as a girl. Earlier this year, she said she was wild with rage when a Melbourne radio host said on air that endometriosis was made up.

The condition affects 14 per cent of Australian women by the age of 44, and many report pain bad enough to regularly stop them doing daily activities, or at worst to cause them to vomit or pass out. Inquiry co-chair Fi Macrae, a consumer advocate and founder of online community Private Parts, is also an endometriosis sufferer. As the inquiry kicked off in early 2024, she described doctors responding to her intense pain with suggestions she take mood stabilisers. Fi Macrae, consumer advocate and founder of an online community that discusses womens health issues, co-chaired the Inquiry into Womens Pain. Credit: Jason South If someone presents in vomiting amounts of pain to an emergency department, the go-to shouldnt be antidepressants. It should be: What is happening? Whats the root of this problem? Macrae told The Age. Research studies have shown women receive less pain medication after surgery than men, and women are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants or sedatives.

Macrae, who is also currently travelling, is not alone in having had serious pain brushed off: The report notes that 71 per cent of respondents report being ignored, dismissed or having their pain minimised by healthcare professionals. Being dismissed is the most common challenge experienced by women and girls seeking help for their pain. Loading Women reported being told there was nothing wrong with them, that their pain was all in their heads or that they were exaggerating. When advocating for their daughters health, some parents told us they were reprimanded for supposedly making their children paranoid about their health, the authors noted. The inquiry found the reality to be that chronic pain disproportionately affects women and that women experience gender bias in the health system. Healthcare professionals were also surveyed and recognised womens adverse experiences in the system compared with mens. There is almost an expectation that a woman should be able to handle being in severe pain when the opposite is expected for male patients, one noted.

That clinician agreed with the reports overall finding that there needs to be more education during medical training about the causes of pain in women and education that their pain is valid. Loading Another clinician said: I wish that I had been better equipped with knowledge to help those who I feel I failed. The peak body representing Australias 18,000 medical students made a submission to the inquiry stating a survey of their membership showed education on gender-based pain management is unsatisfactory. The inquiry report described unmet healthcare needs, gaps in research and presentation, gender bias in healthcare [and] barriers across communities as key issues, and made 27 action recommendations. A womens pain action plan will be developed in the next six months.

One measure, suggested at the outset by obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Nisha Khot  now president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists  is the provision of the instant pain-killing inhaler the green whistle for women having IUDs inserted at all 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs. Khot introduced a trial of the green whistle, Penthrox, which contains the analgesic methoxyflurane for women having IUDs inserted or removed at Frankston Hospital, and said it was popular. An IUD, or intrauterine device, is a form of contraception inserted into the uterus, and is considered among the best forms of contraception due to its 99 per cent effectiveness rate, long-lasting effectiveness and its set-and-forget nature. Dr Nisha Khot says a trial of the pain-killing green whistle at Frankston Hospital for women getting IUDs has been popular. Credit: Justin McManus But due to word-of-mouth about the pain of having IUDs inserted, Khot has said uptake is low because women fear the pain. They are missing out on the best and most reliable method of contraception, she has said.
In April, US right-wing broadcaster-turned-influencer Tucker Carlson invited onto his podcast Matt Walsh, a commentator and podcaster from the right-wing manosphere, whose particular focus is campaigning against trans rights. Chatting with Carlson, Walsh remarked that the definition of conservatism  it has no definition, I think. Walsh said conservatism was a word that no longer meant anything because it had been used and abused and overused. When you tell me that someone is conservative, that doesnt tell me a lot about them, he told Carlson. I dont know what you mean. Carlson went a step further. He said that labelling someone conservative generally means Im not going to like them. Theyre going to be some kind of fraud on the internet  thats my gut reaction, so discredited has the word become. As a term, and as a tradition, conservatism has become confusing. In the United States, it is no longer associated with the Republican Party.

In the United Kingdom, support for the once-great Conservative Party has been hollowed out by the rampaging populists of Nigel Farages Reform UK, which commands 27 per cent voter support (according to the latest YouGov poll taken last week). The Tories (and Labour, which is in government) come a distant joint-second on 17 per cent of the vote. Loading In the Australian context, the Liberal Party  the traditional home of our conservatives  also seems confused about what conservatism means. Or perhaps its something slightly different  that members of the Liberal Party are fully comfortable with their conservative identity, but they are unable to communicate to the voting public what it means, and why we should support it in a contemporary context. As Victorian Liberal senator Jane Hume noted on the Herald and Ages Inside Politics podcast this week, the Labor Party is good at celebrating its historical heroes, even those with a mixed legacy. The recent commemorations of the 1975 Dismissal are a good example. In launching Troy Bramstons biography of Gough Whitlam, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was able to laud Whitlams legacy of reform without identifying the contemporary ALP too closely with numerous failures of Whitlams government.

Anthony Albanese signing copies of Troy Bramstons biography of Gough Whitlam at the launch. Credit: Steven Siewert The Liberals seem less comfortable enunciating what traditional Australian conservative values mean in the contemporary context. Homeownership, especially for young people, seems to be the lowest-hanging fruit. The importance of homeownership is a bedrock of conservatism. It brings financial and psychological security, which in turn provides the stability to start a family. Loading The issue is a direct link to Robert Menzies, a totemic part of the Australian Dream, and a problem which the Albanese government has not just failed to improve, but arguably made worse. Just one idea that might capture voter attention: the Liberal Party could easily wedge Labor with a proposal to wind back negative gearing benefits for property investors who take advantage of it for multiple properties. But no one within the Liberal party room seems brave enough to attempt anything so sensible.

The Liberal party room seems set to topple leader Sussan Ley, later if not sooner. Again, no one within the party room has enough imagination, or enough team spirit, to borrow from one of conservatisms greatest heroines to bolster Leys position. Margaret Thatcher stared down sexism and snobbery to become a Tory titan. She made a virtue of her gender, deliberately positioning herself as a sturdy, sensible and no-nonsense woman who was here to clean up the economic and social messes of Britain in the 1970s. Margaret Thatcher. Credit: Hulton Archive As her biographer Charles Moore notes: She loved to say, The cocks may crow, but the hen lays the eggs; she being the hen. Thatcher allowed ageing industries  that is, coal mining  to fail (and largely dismissed the human suffering that ensued); she identified the threat of global warming and moved Britain towards plural energy sources, including renewables. She projected strength.

Just imagine how much President Trump would love to be called the Iron Man. By anyone. Thatcher has many critics, and for just reasons. But she knew what she was, and so did voters. Until the Liberal party room works out what conservatism means to it, and how to communicate that to the Australian public, it will struggle to do anything much more than haphazardly fight off populism. Or worse, give over to it. Jacqueline Maley is a columnist and author.
A family with young children fought off fierce competition to nab the keys to a neat East Lindfield home for $4,236,000, sparing it from demolition.

Among seven registered bidders  five of whom took part  were prospective buyers who intended to raze the double-brick 19 Pleasant Avenue and construct a new property.

But both the buyers and underbidders  also a family  liked the three-bedroom house as it stands, said Jessica Cao, an agent at Ray White Upper North Shore.

It was one of 1534 auctions scheduled in Sydney this week, including the bumper spring weekend. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 68.4 per cent from 904 reported results throughout the week, while 206 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate.
Russia has dramatically increased the range of its Soviet-era glide bombs by strapping jet engines to the weapons.

The evolution will probably put further strain on Ukraines stretched air defences at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to convince US President Donald Trump he is winning the war.

An SU-34 drops a glide bomb over Ukrainian positions in an image released by the Russian Defence Ministry last year. Credit: AP

In recent months Ukrainian war bloggers have shared images purporting to be the bombs, known as KABs, fitted with Chinese-made turbojet engines.

Previously the Soviet-era bombs, fitted with wings and GPS kits, could achieve a range of up to 80 kilometres when dropped from Russian SU-34 jets near the front lines.
Colonial-era jewels made in France The Louvre provides scant information about how the gems in the French crown jewels  showcased in the Apollo Gallery until the theft  were originally extracted. For example, the Louvres own catalogue describes the stolen diadem of Queen Marie-Amelie as set with Ceylon sapphires in their natural, unheated state, bordered with diamonds in gold. It says nothing about who mined them, how they moved, or under what terms they were taken. Provenance isnt always a neutral ledger in Western museums. They sometimes avoid spotlighting uncomfortable acquisition histories, Smith said, adding that the lack of clarity about the gems origins is probably no accident. An Interpol photo of the jewels stolen from the Louvre in the October 19 heist. Credit: AP

The museum did not respond to requests for comment. The stolen tiaras, necklaces and brooches were crafted in Paris by elite ateliers and once belonged to 19th-century figures such as Marie-Amelie, Queen Hortense, and the wives of two Napoleons, Empress Marie-Louise of Austria and Empress Eugenie. Their raw materials, however, moved through imperial networks that converted global labour, resources and even slavery into European prestige, experts say. Loading Pascal Blanchard, a historian of Frances colonial past, draws a line between craftsmanship and supply. The jewels were made in France by French artisans, he said, but many stones came via colonial circuits and were products of colonial production. They were traded under the legal conditions  of the time, ones shaped by empires that siphoned wealth from Africa, Asia and South America. Some French critics press the point further. They argue that national outcry over loss should sit beside the history of how imperial France acquired the stones that court jewellers later set in gold.

India and the British Crowns Koh-i-Noor India is waging the best-known battle over a single colonial-era treasure  the Koh-i-Noor diamond. India has repeatedly pressed the UK to return the mythologised 106-carat jewel, now set in the Queen Mothers crown at the Tower of London. It likely originated in Indias Golconda diamond belt  much like the Louvres dazzling Regent diamond, one that was also legally acquired in imperial times and spared by the October 19 robbers. The Koh-i-Noor diamond is the centrepiece of the British Crown. Credit: AP The Koh-i-Noor passed from court to court before landing in British hands, where it is hailed in London as a lawful imperial gift and denounced in India as a prize taken under the shadow of conquest. A 2017 petition to Indias Supreme Court seeking its return was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds, but the political and moral dispute endures.

France is not Britain, and the Koh-i-Noor is not the Louvres story. But it frames the questions increasingly applied to 19th-century acquisitions: not only was it bought? but who had the power to sell? On that measure, experts say, even jewels made in France can be considered products of colonial extraction. The Louvre case lands in a world already primed by other fights. Greece presses Britain to reunite the Parthenon Marbles. Egypt campaigns for the Rosetta Stone in London and the Nefertiti bust in Berlin. France has acted haltingly on restitutions France has moved  narrowly. President Emmanuel Macrons pledge to return parts of Africas heritage produced a law enabling the return of 26 royal treasures to Benin and items to Senegal. Madagascar recovered the crown of Queen Ranavalona III through a specific process. Critics argue that restitution is structurally blocked: French law prohibits the removal of state-held objects unless parliament makes a special exception, and risk-averse museums keep the rest behind glass.

Tell the honest and complete story. Open the windows, not for thieves, but for fresh air. Jos van Beurden, Dutch restitution specialist They also say that under former Louvre chief Jean-Luc Martinez, the museums narrow definition of what counts as looted  and its demand for near-legal levels of proof  created a chilling effect on restitution claims, even as the museum publicly praised transparency. (The Louvre says it follows the law and academic standards.) Asking museum visitors to marvel at artefacts like the French crown jewels without understanding their social history is dishonest, says Erin Thompson, an art-crime scholar in New York. A decolonised approach, they argue, would name the origin of such stones, describe how the trade worked, identify who profited and who paid, and share authorship with the origin communities. Egyptian archaeologist Monica Hanna calls the contradiction glaring. Loading

Yes, the irony is profound, she said of the outcry over last months Louvre theft, and its central to the conversation about restitution. She expects the heist will trigger action on restitutions across Western museums and fuel debate about transparency. At a minimum, Hanna and other experts say, whats needed from museums are stronger words: plain-spoken labels and wall texts that acknowledge where objects came from, how they moved, and at whose expense. It would mean publishing what is known, admitting what isnt, and inviting contested histories into the gallery  even when they cloud the shine. Some offer a practical path. Tell the honest and complete story, said Dutch restitution specialist Jos van Beurden. Open the windows, not for thieves, but for fresh air. AP
Bhopal sees clear weather with 11C of low, 5C below normal





Staff Reporter :

A noticeable drop in temperatures was felt across the State over the past 24 hours. Minimum temperatures fell by 2.5 to 3.8C in several divisions including Rewa, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Sagar, Chambal, Gwalior, and Narmadapuram. The chill was more pronounced in the central and northern parts of the state, where both day and night temperatures remained below normal.

Daytime temperatures showed little overall change but stayed 3 to 4C below normal in Bhopal, Indore, Chambal, and Gwalior divisions, and 2 to 3C below in Ujjain and Sagar. Rajgarh recorded the coldest night in the state at 9C, while Narmadapuram witnessed the warmest day with 33.4C.

Other cities like Indore (10.3C), Bhopal (11C), Datia (11.1C), and Gwalior (11.3C) also woke up to cool mornings. Among daytime readings, the lowest maximum temperatures were reported from Raisen (26.2C), Pachmarhi (26.4C), and Betul (26.5C), while the highest were seen in Narmadapuram (33.4C) and Barwani (32.4C). According to the India Meteorological

Department, two upper air cyclonic circulations, one over the east-central and adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal, and another over north Haryana and nearby regions, continue to influence the weather. Despite their presence, dry conditions are likely to persist across Madhya Pradesh.

A further fall of 23C in minimum temperatures is expected, especially in the eastern parts of the state. The State capital experienced a cool and clear day, with the mercury settling at a maximum of 28.4C, about 3C below normal, and a minimum of 11C, around 5C below the usual level. The sky remained mainly clear, and no rainfall was recorded. Morning humidity was at

64%, with light winds blowing at 810 km/h, adding to the pleasant chill. Mainly clear skies are expected, with daytime temperatures around 28C and the night minimum near 11C. Winds will remain light to moderate. The prevailing dry and cool conditions are favourable for land preparation and sowing of rabi crops such as wheat, gram, lentil, pea, linseed, and mustard. Farmers are advised to treat seeds with fungicides and biofertilisers before sowing, monitor standing crops for pest attacks, and store harvested produce in dry, ventilated areas to prevent fungal growth.
One Bar, One Vote: Supreme Court directs petitioners to go back to HC





Staff Reporter :

In the case related to the One Bar One Vote policy that has been made mandatory for the upcoming High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Nagpur elections, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday made it clear that the petitioners must first seek relief from the High Court itself.

The Supreme Court said that if the order passed by the High Court is only an interlocutory or interim order, then parties cannot directly come to the Supreme Court at that stage. They must go back before the High Court and argue their case again there, especially if they feel they were not heard fully. A Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi recorded this position in a short but important order while hearing the matter. The Supreme Court passed the following order: Permission to file special leave petitions was granted. The court said it had heard senior counsel for the petitioners at considerable length.

The Supreme Court stated that since the impugned order was interlocutory in nature, and because the petitioners were complaining that they were not heard by the High Court, the Supreme Court would not entertain the special leave petitions at this stage. The Bench therefore declined to interfere and dismissed the petitions, with liberty to approach the High Court for proper relief.

This order is important because the Supreme Court has placed emphasis on judicial hierarchy and has clearly stated that where the High Court has passed only an interim or in-between order, parties must first go back to the High Court before rushing to the Supreme Court. Only after the High Court passes a final or substantial order, the Supreme Court may consider intervention.

Earlier, on October 16, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, through Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas, passed an order related to the upcoming High Court Bar Association (HCBA) elections in Nagpur. The High Court directed that any lawyer who wishes to vote in the HCBA elections must submit a written undertaking, clearly stating that they will vote only in the HCBA election and not in the election of any other Bar Association. This rule is part of the One Bar, One Vote policy.

The undertaking will remain valid for three years. Based on these undertakings, the voters list will be prepared. The Election Committee has also been allowed to extend the election schedule by 15 days to complete this process. Violation of this rule will invite strict action. If a lawyer casts vote in more than one association, a show-cause notice will be issued, and if the reply is unsatisfactory or not submitted within seven days, that lawyers HCBA membership will be permanently cancelled.

Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Mohan Sudame has already filed a petition in the High Court seeking full enforcement of One Bar, One Vote. Responding to this, District Lawyers Association President Adv Roshan Bagde, Secretary Adv Manish Randive, former President Adv Kamal Satuja, Family Court Lawyers Association President Adv Ramnath Sen, and Secretary Adv Vasanti Rinke have filed mediation applications.
Pilot not to be blamed for AI plane crash





NEW DELHI :

THE Supreme Court on Friday said no one blamed the chief pilot of the Air India Dreamliner for the June 12 crash, which claimed 260 lives, and asked his 91-year-old father not to carry any emotional burden.

There is no insinuation against him even in the preliminary report, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said, emphasising that if necessary, the court will clarify that the pilot is not to be blamed for the unfortunate plane crash. The top court issued notice to the Centre and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on a plea of Pushkaraj Sabharwal, the father of deceased pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal.

Pushkaraj Sabharwal and the Federation of Indian Pilots have moved the Supreme Court for a court-monitored inquiry headed by a former apex court judge into the crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad. First of all, it was an unfortunate plane crash and secondly, you should not carry a burden on yourself that your son is being blamed. The pilot is not to be blamed for the plane crash. It was an accident, the bench told senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for Pushkaraj Sabharwal.

No one in the county believes that it was the fault of the pilot, it said. Sankaranarayanan said it all started after US publication Wall Street Journal put out a news report pointing to errors on the part of the pilot that led to the plane crash and citing unnamed Government sources. The bench said, It was a nasty reporting only to blame India. We are not bothered by foreign media reports. No one in the country believes that it was the fault of the pilot.
Raj Bhavan celebrates with mass singing





To commemorate 150 years of Indias National Song Vande Mataram, a mass singing event was organised on Friday at Raj Bhavan, Raipur. The Governor, Ramen Deka, graced the occasion with his presence. The ceremony was broadcast live from

New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the historic celebration. Officials and staff at Raj Bhavan watched the live telecast and joined in the collective rendition of Vande Mataram in unison. Held at Chhattisgarh Mandapam in Raj Bhavan, the programme resonated with patriotic fervor and devotion toward the motherland. Governors Secretary Dr C R Prasanna, along with other officers and employees, attended the event.
Winter sets in as mercury dips to 14.60C





Staff Reporter :

Jabalpur woke up to a chilly morning on Friday as minimum temperature dropped to 14.6 degrees Celsius, marking the beginning of a clear winter chill across the region. While days remain sunny and warm, evenings and early mornings have started turning cold, forcing residents to pull out light woollens.

According to the weather department, northern Indias hilly regions have started receiving snowfall, leading to a fall in temperatures across Madhya Pradesh. The chill is expected to intensify over the next 24 to 48 hours as cold winds from the north continue to sweep through the state. Spokesman of weather department informed that the sky will remain clear for the next four to five days,

with both day and night temperatures likely to dip further. He said that during the last week of October, moisture from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea had raised humidity and daytime temperatures, but now the state has fully entered its winter phase.Reports of snowfall from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have further contributed to the cold wave. Gulmarg in Baramulla has turned into a white wonderland, while Badrinath and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand are blanketed in snow.

In Himachals Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Kullu districts, fresh snowfall has been recorded. Due to these conditions, several districts in Madhya Pradesh have seen a drop of up to 5 degrees Celsius in temperature. The weather department said a western disturbance and a cyclonic circulation are active in northern India. Although their direct impact will not be felt in the state, the merging of these systems could further intensify the cold in coming days. In Jabalpur and neighbouring districts, the mercury is expected to slide steadily, signaling that winter has arrived early this November.
Lucas Bravo has been cast alongside Emma Roberts in the forthcoming rom-com A Murder Uncorked.

Lucas Bravo has joined Emma Roberts in A Murder Uncorked

Directed by Ari Sandel and produced by Vincent Newman, the script comes from the same scribe as Legally Blonde and The Ugly Truth, Karen McCullah.

Emily in Paris heartthrob, Bravo, will portray "the handsome Derek, who has recently inherited a prestigious Napa Valley winery and meets Nikki [Roberts], a recently fired TV actress working as a waitress in a restaurant he is dining at. With sparks immediately flying, Derek offers Nikki a dream job working at the winery. But when a murder rocks the winery, the police suspect Derek and it is up to he and Nikki to find the real murderer and keep their budding romance alive.

Production is due to start in 2026.

The picture is based on the seven-book murder mystery romance by author Michele Scott.

Newman said: "Michele's books are a hugely entertaining blend of romance, comedy and mystery that are appealing to a worldwide audience of all ages. A Murder Uncorked is the first film in what we envision as a franchise."

Sandel added: "I couldn't be more thrilled about the opportunity to work with Emma and to create this love letter to both Napa Valley wine country and the murder mystery genre while doing it with comedic flair that makes this is a fun and entertaining ride."

Meanwhile, Roberts previously expressed hope that she would get to play Britney Spears in a biopic about the pop star.

The American Horror Story star was thought to be in the running to portray the Toxic hitmaker in an upcoming movie and said it would be a dream come true if she did land the part.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan, she said: "I mean, its my true dream to play Britney Spears. Its a rumour, but I hope maybe itll come true. I mean, I remember I locked myself in my room and listened to In the Zone and said, I cannot leave this room until I memorise every word.'"
When I started medical school, I imagined long nights memorizing anatomy, shadowing physicians, and, eventually, walking hospital hallways in a white coat, trying to solve the intricate puzzles that patients carry in their bodies.

What I didnt expect was that some of the most important lessons wouldnt come from a professor or a textbook but from conversations about algorithms, data, and machines that learn.

Artificial intelligence felt distant at first, something for Silicon Valley engineers or science fiction. But that changed quickly. In lectures and labs, I started noticing subtle but growing references to AI: diagnostic tools that read imaging scans better than most residents, chatbots that triage symptoms faster than a busy ER, predictive models that could flag patients at high risk before their vitals said anything was wrong.

It was exciting, and a little unsettling. I chose medicine because I wanted to connect with people. Where did that fit in a future shaped by machines?

But as I learned more, I saw something different. AI isnt replacing human care; its redefining how we deliver it. Its asking us not to abandon our humanity, but to focus it where it matters most.

When an algorithm helps detect a rare condition earlier than any of us could, thats not losing the human touch; thats giving someone time they might not have had. When AI handles routine notes or finds patterns in lab data, its freeing up a tired doctor to look a patient in the eye and truly listen.

As a student, I dont just want to learn how to treat illness. I want to learn how to work with these tools, to become fluent not only in physiology but in digital fluency. Because the future of medicine wont be about humans versus machines. Itll be about humans and machines, together, doing what each does best.

Still, the questions arent easy. What happens when an algorithm makes the wrong call? Whos accountable? How do we ensure these technologies reflect, not amplify, the biases already present in health care?

These are not questions to be answered in a coding lab. These are ethical, human questions. And thats where we, as students, come in.

Our generation will inherit a medical landscape shaped by technology more than ever before. Well need to be more than clinicians; well need to be translators between data and empathy, between code and compassion. Well need to advocate for tools that help, challenge the ones that dont, and always, always keep the patient at the center.

Some days, I still find it strange to imagine medicine as something powered by algorithms. But then I think of the time saved, the insights gained, the lives spared. I think about being the kind of doctor who knows how to use these tools not to replace care, but to enhance it.

The white coat still means something. But now, it hangs alongside something else: the realization that stethoscopes and software, warmth and machine learning, can coexist. And when they do, when we balance humanity with innovation, we just might become the kind of doctors this future needs.

Kelly Dorea Franca is a medical student.
Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The oil and gas producer reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $0.08, Zacks reports. The firm had revenue of $6.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.81 billion. Canadian Natural Resources had a net margin of 19.00% and a return on equity of 19.67%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.97 earnings per share.

Canadian Natural Resources Stock Performance

CNQ traded up $0.12 during trading on Friday, hitting $31.61. 8,389,425 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,550,933. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $31.61 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $31.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.21 and a beta of 0.96. Canadian Natural Resources has a 1-year low of $24.65 and a 1-year high of $34.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

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Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.5875 per share. This represents a $2.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.4%. This is an increase from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. Canadian Natural Resourcess payout ratio is presently 60.64%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canadian Natural Resources

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CNQ. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 47.3% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,644 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 528 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in Canadian Natural Resources by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 61,892 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,943,000 after buying an additional 734 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Canadian Natural Resources by 5.8% in the 3rd quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 17,085 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $546,000 after buying an additional 935 shares during the period. Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners Ltd. raised its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners Ltd. now owns 39,122 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,244,000 after buying an additional 994 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Snowden Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 60,559 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,927,000 after acquiring an additional 1,621 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.03% of the companys stock.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research report on Friday, August 8th. National Bankshares reissued a sector perform rating on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Canadian Natural Resources to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Zacks Research raised shares of Canadian Natural Resources from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, TD Securities restated a buy rating on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Canadian Natural Resources presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $62.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Canadian Natural Resources

Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

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European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:ERE.UN  Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at CIBC from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report issued on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports.

A number of other research firms have also weighed in on ERE.UN. TD Securities lowered their price objective on shares of European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$2.75 to C$1.25 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$2.45 to C$1.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Scotiabank cut their price target on shares of European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$2.85 to C$1.25 in a report on Friday, October 17th. Raymond James Financial lowered European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from C$3.00 to C$2.75 in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Finally, Cormark cut their target price on European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$2.90 to C$1.60 in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$1.52.

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Get Our Latest Report on ERE.UN

European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Performance

About European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust

European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust stock traded up C$0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching C$1.09. 290,638 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 265,613. The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$1.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$2.20. European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust has a twelve month low of C$0.98 and a twelve month high of C$3.99. The firm has a market cap of C$101.50 million, a PE ratio of -1.71 and a beta of 1.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 256.06, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.27.

(Get Free Report)

European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust  ERES is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. ERESs REIT units are listed on the TSX under the symbol ERE.UN. ERES is Canadas only European-focused multi-residential REIT, with a current initial focus on investing in high-quality multi-residential real estate properties in the Netherlands.

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Geo Group (NYSE:GEO  Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by equities research analysts at Jones Trading from $50.00 to $37.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Jones Tradings price objective indicates a potential upside of 144.61% from the stocks current price.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on GEO. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Geo Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Geo Group in a report on Friday, October 31st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Geo Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $35.40.

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Geo Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:GEO traded down $0.28 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $15.13. The stock had a trading volume of 2,755,931 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,902,185. Geo Group has a 1 year low of $14.27 and a 1 year high of $36.46. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $19.33 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $23.32. The company has a market capitalization of $2.14 billion, a PE ratio of 23.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07.

Geo Group (NYSE:GEO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, September 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter. Geo Group had a return on equity of 7.26% and a net margin of 3.69%.The business had revenue of $565.42 million during the quarter. Geo Group has set its FY22 guidance at $2.40-2.46 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Geo Group will post 0.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Geo Group declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, August 6th that allows the company to buyback $300.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the real estate investment trust to purchase up to 8.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Geo Group

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Geo Group by 2.0% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,922,108 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $117,884,000 after acquiring an additional 98,739 shares during the last quarter. Continental General Insurance Co. raised its stake in Geo Group by 919.8% in the 2nd quarter. Continental General Insurance Co. now owns 3,904,474 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $93,512,000 after purchasing an additional 3,521,589 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Geo Group by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,259,307 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $78,076,000 after purchasing an additional 108,106 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of Geo Group by 312.7% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,608,619 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $76,198,000 after purchasing an additional 1,976,544 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of Geo Group by 2.1% during the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,554,420 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $45,405,000 after buying an additional 32,060 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.10% of the companys stock.

About Geo Group

(Get Free Report)

The GEO Group, Inc (NYSE: GEO) engages in ownership, leasing, and management of secure facilities, processing centers, and community-based reentry facilities in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. The company also provides secure facility management services, including the provision of security, administrative, rehabilitation, education, and food services; reentry services, such as temporary housing, programming, employment assistance, and other services; electronic monitoring and supervision services; and transportation services; as well as designs, constructs, and finances new facilities through projects.

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Pembina Pipeline (NYSE:PBA  Get Free Report) (TSE:PPL) released its earnings results on Thursday. The pipeline company reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.45 by ($0.14), Zacks reports. The firm had revenue of $911.47 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.42 billion. Pembina Pipeline had a return on equity of 12.27% and a net margin of 23.24%.The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.60 EPS.

Pembina Pipeline Stock Down 2.8%

PBA traded down $1.05 on Friday, hitting $37.12. The company had a trading volume of 2,197,973 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,350,531. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $37.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.43 and a beta of 0.75. Pembina Pipeline has a 52-week low of $34.13 and a 52-week high of $43.44.

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Pembina Pipeline Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $0.71 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.7%. Pembina Pipelines dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 96.71%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on PBA. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Pembina Pipeline from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating on shares of Pembina Pipeline in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Pembina Pipeline from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Pembina Pipeline in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of Pembina Pipeline in a research report on Monday, August 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Pembina Pipeline presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

View Our Latest Analysis on PBA

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pembina Pipeline

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. State of Wyoming purchased a new stake in Pembina Pipeline in the second quarter worth $58,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pembina Pipeline during the 2nd quarter valued at $104,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its position in shares of Pembina Pipeline by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 693,031 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $26,027,000 after buying an additional 8,829 shares during the period. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new position in shares of Pembina Pipeline in the 2nd quarter worth about $52,514,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in shares of Pembina Pipeline by 1,071,200.0% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 10,713 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $402,000 after acquiring an additional 10,712 shares in the last quarter. 55.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Pembina Pipeline Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Pembina Pipeline Corporation provides energy transportation and midstream services. It operates through three segments: Pipelines, Facilities, and Marketing & New Ventures. The Pipelines segment operates conventional, oil sands and heavy oil, and transmission assets with a transportation capacity of 2.9 millions of barrels of oil equivalent per day, the ground storage capacity of 10 millions of barrels, and rail terminalling capacity of approximately 105 thousands of barrels of oil equivalent per day serving markets and basins across North America.

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Royce Global Value Trust, Inc. (NYSE:RGT  Get Free Report) insider Charles Royce sold 2,533 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.44, for a total value of $31,510.52. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 680,350 shares in the company, valued at $8,463,554. This trade represents a 0.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.

Royce Global Value Trust Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE RGT traded down $0.07 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $12.44. 18,570 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,740. The companys 50 day moving average is $12.89 and its 200 day moving average is $12.17. Royce Global Value Trust, Inc. has a one year low of $9.00 and a one year high of $13.28.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Royce Global Value Trust

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in RGT. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Royce Global Value Trust by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 39,025 shares of the companys stock worth $410,000 after buying an additional 1,898 shares during the last quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Royce Global Value Trust by 27.3% in the 1st quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 112,439 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,181,000 after acquiring an additional 24,144 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC grew its position in Royce Global Value Trust by 111.1% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC now owns 57,324 shares of the companys stock worth $602,000 after acquiring an additional 30,166 shares in the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its position in Royce Global Value Trust by 57.6% in the first quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 57,169 shares of the companys stock worth $600,000 after acquiring an additional 20,904 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC increased its stake in Royce Global Value Trust by 3.2% during the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 99,163 shares of the companys stock worth $1,041,000 after acquiring an additional 3,064 shares during the last quarter.

About Royce Global Value Trust

Royce Global Value Trust, Inc was a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Royce & Associates, LLC. It invests in the public equity markets across the globe. The fund spreads its investments across diversified sectors. It invests in value oriented stocks of small-cap and micro-cap companies.

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PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd. acquired a new stake in Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 40,400 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $8,596,000. Capital One Financial makes up approximately 2.9% of PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 330.1% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 13,587 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,423,000 after purchasing an additional 10,428 shares in the last quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Capital One Financial by 13.3% in the first quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 1,521 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $273,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Capital One Financial in the first quarter valued at approximately $261,000. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 54.6% during the 1st quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,628 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,726,000 after buying an additional 3,400 shares during the period. Finally, Banque Pictet & Cie SA purchased a new position in shares of Capital One Financial during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $381,000. 89.84% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on COF. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $248.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Capital One Financial from $225.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 25th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Capital One Financial in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on Capital One Financial from $258.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic upgraded Capital One Financial to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $261.63.

Capital One Financial Stock Performance

COF opened at $217.83 on Friday. Capital One Financial Corporation has a twelve month low of $143.22 and a twelve month high of $232.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $139.31 billion, a PE ratio of 91.91, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The firms 50-day moving average price is $219.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $209.43.

Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $5.95 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $15.46 billion for the quarter. Capital One Financial had a net margin of 2.24% and a return on equity of 10.94%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Capital One Financial Corporation will post 15.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Capital One Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. This is an increase from Capital One Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Capital One Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 101.27%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Neal Blinde sold 43,200 shares of Capital One Financial stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $221.83, for a total transaction of $9,583,056.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 73,020 shares in the company, valued at $16,198,026.60. The trade was a 37.17% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, General Counsel Matthew W. Cooper sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $219.41, for a total transaction of $438,820.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel directly owned 96,486 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,169,993.26. This represents a 2.03% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 259,842 shares of company stock valued at $57,857,467 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock.

Capital One Financial Company Profile

(Free Report)

Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking.

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Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID acquired a new position in shares of Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:ITEQ  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm acquired 953 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $54,000.

Separately, Glassman Wealth Services bought a new position in Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $212,000.

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Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF Trading Up 1.5%

Shares of Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF stock opened at $57.41 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $57.93 and a 200-day moving average of $55.09. Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF has a 1-year low of $42.92 and a 1-year high of $60.05. The company has a market cap of $100.47 million, a PE ratio of 29.66 and a beta of 1.00.

About Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF

The BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the BlueStar Israel Global Technology index. The fund tracks an index composed of Israeli technology companies listed globally. ITEQ was launched on Nov 2, 2015 and is managed by BlueStar.

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Magellan Asset Management Ltd reduced its position in shares of Allete, Inc. (NYSE:ALE  Free Report) by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 41,448 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,052 shares during the period. Magellan Asset Management Ltd owned about 0.07% of Allete worth $2,656,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of ALE. Cannon Global Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Allete by 152.2% during the second quarter. Cannon Global Investment Management LLC now owns 22,700 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,454,000 after purchasing an additional 13,700 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Allete by 1.9% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 188,500 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $12,384,000 after purchasing an additional 3,585 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Allete by 37.8% in the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 40,204 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,641,000 after purchasing an additional 11,019 shares in the last quarter. Alpine Associates Management Inc. increased its stake in Allete by 8.6% during the 1st quarter. Alpine Associates Management Inc. now owns 416,847 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $27,387,000 after buying an additional 33,000 shares during the period. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. purchased a new stake in Allete during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $489,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.55% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on ALE shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Allete in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered Allete from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold.

Allete Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:ALE opened at $67.43 on Friday. Allete, Inc. has a 52 week low of $62.38 and a 52 week high of $67.51. The companys 50 day moving average is $65.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $65.41. The company has a market cap of $3.92 billion, a PE ratio of 21.27 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57.

Allete (NYSE:ALE  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.46 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by ($0.34). The firm had revenue of $375.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $434.90 million. Allete had a return on equity of 5.71% and a net margin of 11.98%.

Allete Company Profile

(Free Report)

ALLETE, Inc operates as an energy company. The company operates through Regulated Operations, ALLETE Clean Energy, and Corporate and Other segments. It generates electricity from coal-fired, biomass co-fired / natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. In addition, the company provides regulated utility electric services in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers, and 10,000 water customers, as well as regulated utility electric services in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 150,000 retail customers and 14 non-affiliated municipal customers.

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American Realty Investors (NYSE:ARL  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The financial services provider reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $12.84 million for the quarter. American Realty Investors had a negative net margin of 24.74% and a negative return on equity of 1.86%.

American Realty Investors Price Performance

Shares of ARL stock traded down $0.44 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $16.15. The stock had a trading volume of 778 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,982. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $16.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $14.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $260.77 million, a PE ratio of -22.12 and a beta of 0.80. American Realty Investors has a 12 month low of $9.43 and a 12 month high of $18.00. The company has a current ratio of 6.31, a quick ratio of 6.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

An institutional investor recently raised its position in American Realty Investors stock. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in American Realty Investors, Inc. (NYSE:ARL  Free Report) by 44.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,825 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 876 shares during the quarter. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in American Realty Investors were worth $31,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of American Realty Investors in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Sell.

View Our Latest Report on ARL

American Realty Investors Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

American Realty Investors, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, owns, and manages multifamily and commercial real estate properties in the Southern United States. It operates through two segments, Residential and Commercial. The company leases apartment units to residents; and office, industrial, and retail space to various for-profit businesses, as well as local, state, and federal agencies.

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CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ  Get Free Report) and Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classification (OTCMKTS:BVRDF  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and profitability.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares CBIZ and Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classifications revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio CBIZ $2.68 billion 1.08 $41.04 million $1.52 34.96 Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classification $6.75 billion 2.19 $616.15 million N/A N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classification has higher revenue and earnings than CBIZ.

87.4% of CBIZ shares are held by institutional investors. 5.0% of CBIZ shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for CBIZ and Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classification, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CBIZ 1 0 1 0 2.00 Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classification 0 1 0 0 2.00

Volatility and Risk

CBIZ has a beta of 0.9, suggesting that its share price is 10% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classification has a beta of 0.79, suggesting that its share price is 21% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares CBIZ and Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classifications net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CBIZ 3.89% 14.02% 5.76% Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classification N/A N/A N/A

Summary

CBIZ beats Bureau Veritas Registre International De Classification on 7 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About CBIZ

(Get Free Report)

CBIZ, Inc. provides financial, insurance, and advisory services in the United States and Canada. It operates through Financial Services, Benefits and Insurance Services, and National Practices segments. The Financial Services segment offers accounting and tax, financial advisory, valuation, risk and advisory, and government healthcare consulting services. The Benefits and Insurance Services provides employee benefits consulting, payroll/human capital management, property and casualty insurance, and retirement and investment services. The National Practices segment offers information technology managed networking and hardware, and health care consulting services. The company primarily serves small and medium-sized businesses, as well as individuals, governmental entities, and not-for-profit enterprises. CBIZ, Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Independence, Ohio.

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Bureau Veritas SA provides laboratory testing, inspection, and certification services. It operates through six segments: Marine & Offshore; Agri-Food & Commodities; Buildings & Infrastructure; Industry; Certification; and Consumer Products. The company engages in inspecting, analyzing, auditing, and certifying the products, assets, and management systems of its clients in relation to regulatory or self-imposed standards, as well as issues compliance reports. It also provides laboratory and on-site testing services for manufacturing and process industries; inspection services for products, services, assets, and installations, as well as various services designed to control quality, verify quantity, and meet regulatory requirements; and certification services for management systems, products, and people. The company serves automotive and transportation, building and infrastructure, chemicals, commodities and agriculture, consumer products and retail, food, marine and offshore, oil and gas, and power and utilities industries, as well as financial services and public sectors. It operates in approximately 140 countries through a network of offices and laboratories. Bureau Veritas SA was founded in 1828 and is headquartered in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

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Internal medicine physician Robert C. Smith discusses his article Why medicine needs a second Flexner Report. In this episode, Robert explores how modern medical education has fallen behind the science it was built on, leaving todays physicians unprepared to address mental health, chronic disease, and prevention. He examines how the historical mind-body split continues to shape curricula and care delivery, calling for a new nationwide investigationakin to Abraham Flexners 1910 reportto ensure medicine once again aligns with the most current scientific understanding. Viewers will gain insight into how reforming physician training could restore medicines scientific integrity, improve health outcomes, and reduce the staggering costs of inefficiency.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome back Robert C. Smith, internal medicine physician. His latest article is Why medicine needs a second Flexner report. Robert, welcome back to the show.

Robert C. Smith: Kevin, thanks for having me. I enjoy talking with you.

Kevin Pho: All right, so lets jump right into your latest KevinMD article. Just give us some context. For those who arent familiar with medical education, just define what was the Flexner Report?

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Robert C. Smith: Sure. The Flexner Report came about, it was published in 1910, but the investigation began in the late 1800s. At the time, the American Medical Association, which was the main force in medical education, was concerned that there were some 155 medical schools back then. The AMA was concerned that they were not teaching what we all today understand as clinical pathological correlation. Rather, they were concerned that the medical schools were continuing to teach the old four humors theory of disease.

Basically, that means there were four humors: black bile, yellow bile, blood, and phlegm. This dates to the time of Hippocrates in the fifth century BC, so were talking about two and a half millennia for this four humors theory. The idea was that an imbalance of these four humors led to disease, or was the disease, and it led to symptoms.

Back in the middle of the 1700s, clinical pathological correlation had been discovered in pathology. That had permeated throughout Europe and became the main focus of teaching, but it had not permeated yet into medical schools in the U.S. except for Johns Hopkins. With the Hopkins model of clinical pathological correlation, the AMA was concerned that all medical schools should be teaching clinical pathological correlation, not the four humors. If you remember, in the four humors, if they were out of balance, that was disease. They put them back in balance by doing bloodletting, putting leeches on to rebalance the humors.

Well, that sets the stage. The American Medical Association commissioned the Carnegie Foundation to investigate to determine if this was in fact the case. That began back in the mid-1800s. There was a several-year study. Back at that time, Flexner, who was head of this, and his team had to literally go out to all the medical schools and investigate what they were doing, talk with people, look at records, and the like.

After they did that, and again through all 155 medical schools, came the Flexner Report in 1910, which said in effect that these schools were continuing to teach the four humors theory and were blatantly non-scientific. They also were not requiring any prior education to get into medical schools. The medical schools only lasted one year, and it was all lectures. The doctors would then simply find a practitioner to preceptor with, and they would then go into practice.

The AMA not only insisted that the Hopkins model of clinical correlation be adopted, but that training with actual patients by trained faculty be implemented and the school be increased first to two years, and then later they got it up to four years, much of what you and I have today, Kevin. With that, there was this dramatic change in the way medicine was practiced, and this was an absolute revolution in what took place.

But that was the original Flexner report. It rooted out unscientific practices and insisted that modern medical education follow them. They closed something close to one hundred, I think it was about ninety-three schools were closed. The remainder were required to make the changes that Ive just described.

Kevin Pho: Your article calls for a second Flexner report. For those who didnt get a chance to read your article, tell us what its about.

Robert C. Smith: Sure. What has happened is back at the time of Flexner, over a hundred years ago, the most scientific approach to medicine in the medical schools was clinical pathological correlation focused on physical diseases. Thats what the AMA wanted instituted and successfully did.

What has happened then is that model that we have today in medical education has persisted, and it was highly successful. Theres no question about that. Clinical pathological correlation in this isolated focus on physical disease was successful. In the last century, life survival doubled, from 40 years in 1900 to nearly 80 by the end of this century. So it worked, but it largely was clearing out surgical problems, acute medical problems, epidemics, and the like. Thats why they had the vast increase in life survival.

But come the end of the last century and now into this century, medicines population has changed. Its no longer acute surgical and epidemic diseases. Rather, it is mental illness, which is now the most common health condition in the U.S. Its chronic diseases. Its prevention. New problems arose, but medicine still adhered to isolated clinical pathological correlation focused just on physical diseases. They excluded the psychological and social.

If you exclude the psychological and the social, youre obviously ignoring mental illness in your training, and in fact, thats the case. Mental health training in medical schools is no different now than it was at the time of the Flexner report. 2 percent is the maximum amount of time devoted to mental health across four years of medical school and three to five years of residency. This is what accounts for the mental health crisis today.

The second problem with this isolated focus on physical disease is medicines forte: physical disease. We just said how successful. But with chronic disease, the excluded psychological and social factors must be included to treat it. Heres an example.

Chronic physical diseases are prevalent today. Something like 85 percent of people over 65 have a chronic physical disease. Half of them have two or more chronic physical diseases. The psychological and social factors that medicine ignores are crucial in this respect: these chronic diseases have comorbid mental disorders in 17 percent of the cases. Thats some 30 million Americans.

The comorbid mental disorder has to be treated if the physical disease is to get better, but we dont do it. Only 12 percent of these comorbid mental disorders ever get treated, and thats why untrained people like you and me, Kevin, weve not been trained in this. Its not our fault. We simply havent been trained.

Heres another way in which excluding psychosocial factors jeopardizes care in chronic physical diseases: We do not train our doctors in so-called lifestyle factors. Cigarette smoking, alcohol use, overweight, not exercising, stress. All of these are psychosocial factors that cause most chronic physical diseases. 80 percent of heart disease, strokes, and diabetes are caused by these factors and thereby are preventable, but we dont teach that.

When a patient comes in, say theyve got diabetes, theyre in heart failure, theyre smoking, theyre overweight and not exercising, and so on. Doctors do no more with them than say, Well, you ought to lose weight and quit smoking. Doctors are not taught the labor-intensive and difficult-to-learn motivational interviewing skills required to treat this, and accordingly, very little happens.

Lets take this idea a little bit further. 80 percent of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes can be prevented. 40 percent of cancers can be prevented if we address these psychosocial factors, but medicine doesnt do that. If you go back and take this person sitting in your office right now, theyve got diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, maybe have some vision trouble from it. Theyve maybe had a heart attack, maybe had a stroke, and are disabled. Theyre retiring now. Theyre 65 years old, but theyve got all this medical morbidity.

Thats not a happy retirement. They spend most of their retirement going to the doctor. Don Berwick has raised this issue. Why dont we have our patients have a happy, healthy retirement, so they dont have any of these things when they retire? Medicine could do that by going back 40 years earlier in that persons life and preventing these things from ever happening or interdicting them once they have begun. These diseases, 80 percent are preventable, but medicine doesnt do it.

Kevin Pho: Now if you were in charge of the Flexner report or the revision of the Flexner report, what kind of changes specifically would you make?

Robert C. Smith: The Flexner report would do exactly what the one in 1910 did. You would form an independent commission. It could be a presidential commission, congressional commission, National Academy of Medicine, Carnegie Foundation, somebody independent of medical education. They would simply investigate medical education for their current practices with the goal of: Are they training competent physicians to care for the most common health conditions today, mental health and chronic physical diseases? Number two, this links back to the original Flexner report: Are they teaching the most scientific approach today? They will be found wanting on both counts.

Now a comment on whats scientific. This clinical pathological correlation focused on physical disease was the most scientific approach back in the 1900s. What has happened, and again, all sciences back at that time were reductionistic like that. Medicine focused just on physical diseases and excluded psychological and social, but so did mathematics, physics, ecology, etc. They all were reductionistic. That was necessary back when modern science began. It was in an embryonic state, so you focused just on one part.

But come the 1900s, all sciences changed from a reductionistic focus to a so-called systems view. This means that you look at all parts of the problem and their interactions like this, rather than just one part like medicine does. Medicine is the only science among all sciences that continues to practice in a reductionistic way, and youve already heard of the downsides from this.

This new Flexner report will find medicines current practices are non-scientific, and they are producing clinicians who are not competent to manage the most common health condition they will find and who are also jeopardizing the care of their chronic physical disease patients.

I would add another thing they will probably notice. In a $5 trillion annual health care expenditure that the U.S. has, think of what could happen if we prevented 80 percent of all heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes, and 40 percent of all cancers. Youd save two to $3 trillion a year. Thats $20 to $30 trillion in ten years. This is how the deficit is addressed. This is how you provide health care for everyone free of charge.

This commission is crucial to getting a change right now. The public does not know how derelict medicine is. They assume their mental health care and chronic physical care are good because of their past successes. But medicine has not kept up conceptually. It has failed to adopt a systems approach. Thats the basic problem.

The public will hear this from this federal commission. They will become enraged and inflamed, as they rightly should be, and will insist on change. The first part of that change will be to change medical education so that theyre teaching psychosocial as well as biomedical disease issues in parallel and how they integrate. But it will go more than that. This commission, a federal commission, will now supervise all medical care. This includes not just medical education, but how it is practiced and how it is researched. That will be a brand new way we must go.

Kevin Pho: All right, so were talking to Robert Smith, internal medicine physician. His article is Why medicine needs a second Flexner report. Robert, lets end with some takeaway messages you want to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Robert C. Smith: Yes, lets be hopeful about this. Things have changed in the past. The automobile industry was derelict. Along comes Ralph Nader. Unsafe at Any Speed is his book. He blew the whistle, as it were, on the automobile industry. They had seat belts but wouldnt put them in cars, even though they knew they worked, because it would cost too much, and a host of other problems. His book came out, inflamed the public, and we had the Traffic Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which is why we now have all these protections in automobiles, including seat belts.

Rachel Carsons book came out and informed a previously uninformed public about the chemical industry. DDT was in our drinking water. They werent cleaning up after themselves. Her book, Silent Spring, came out, inflamed the public. Youve got to have an informed public. It inflamed the public, and they then insisted their politicians do something, which is the Environmental Protection Agency we have today. Thats why we dont drink DDT in our water and have a thousand and one other protections. My book hopes to do that.

If you are interested in doing something right now, go to my website. It is RobertCSmithMD.com. Dont forget the MD; its too common a name otherwise. RobertCSmithMD.com. When you click on that, you immediately see something that says Act now. Click on that. Up comes a page with the email addresses of the president, the attorney general, the National Academy of Medicine, your congressperson, and your senator. Below that is a sample letter. Plug that sample letter into the email and send it. It is recommending a federal commission of the sort I have just described that will investigate medicine.

Thats the leverage point we need now. The public must become informed about this, and so that, in my opinion, is hopeful. Theres light at the end of the tunnel, but its going to take some work.

Kevin Pho: Robert, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming back on the show.

Robert C. Smith: Oh, thanks for having me, Kevin. I really appreciate talking with you.
Rothschild Redb downgraded shares of ASM International (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning,Zacks.com reports.

ASMIY has been the subject of several other research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of ASM International from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, ASM International currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $561.00.

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ASM International Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of ASMIY stock traded down $4.29 during trading on Friday, reaching $622.00. 4,890 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,697. The firms 50-day moving average is $591.34 and its 200 day moving average is $559.84. The company has a market capitalization of $30.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.42 and a beta of 1.96. ASM International has a 1 year low of $372.61 and a 1 year high of $661.33.

ASM International (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $4.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.74 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $932.68 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $814.93 million. ASM International had a net margin of 24.50% and a return on equity of 22.23%. ASM International has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that ASM International will post 14.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ASM International Company Profile

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ASM International NV, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices in Europe, the United States, and Asia. The companys products include wafer processing deposition systems for atomic layer deposition (ALD), epitaxy, silicon carbide, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), and vertical furnace systems, including low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), diffusion, and oxidation products, as well as provides spare parts and support services.

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Atmus Filtration Technologies (NYSE:ATMU  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2025 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 2.500-2.650 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 2.570. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.7 billion-$1.7 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.7 billion.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on ATMU shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies from $42.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Atmus Filtration Technologies from $41.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmus Filtration Technologies presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $45.60.

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Atmus Filtration Technologies Trading Up 2.9%

Shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies stock traded up $1.37 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $47.88. The company had a trading volume of 1,851,112 shares, compared to its average volume of 769,852. Atmus Filtration Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $30.94 and a fifty-two week high of $51.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 2.15 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $45.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $40.42. The firm has a market cap of $3.93 billion, a PE ratio of 21.19, a P/E/G ratio of 5.55 and a beta of 1.62.

Atmus Filtration Technologies (NYSE:ATMU  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.08. Atmus Filtration Technologies had a net margin of 11.22% and a return on equity of 83.23%. The company had revenue of $447.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $415.02 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.61 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. Atmus Filtration Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.500-2.650 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Atmus Filtration Technologies will post 2.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmus Filtration Technologies Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 26th were paid a $0.055 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 26th. This is a positive change from Atmus Filtration Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. This represents a $0.22 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. Atmus Filtration Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.73%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 49,874 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,832,000 after purchasing an additional 2,176 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC raised its holdings in Atmus Filtration Technologies by 17.5% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 219,639 shares of the companys stock worth $8,067,000 after buying an additional 32,727 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its position in Atmus Filtration Technologies by 143.1% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 700 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 412 shares during the last quarter. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in Atmus Filtration Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at $283,000. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its position in shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 159,638 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,864,000 after purchasing an additional 3,419 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 32.73% of the companys stock.

Atmus Filtration Technologies Company Profile

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Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc designs, manufactures, and sells filtration products under the Fleetguard brand name in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and internationally. The company offers fuel filters, lube filters, air filters, crankcase ventilation, hydraulic filters, coolants, and fuel additives, as well as other chemicals; and fuel water separators and other filtration systems to original equipment manufacturers, dealers/distributors, and end-users.

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Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Get Free Report) had its target price cut by investment analysts at Barclays from $46.00 to $45.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an underweight rating on the stock. Barclayss target price points to a potential downside of 2.73% from the companys current price.

A number of other research analysts also recently weighed in on TAP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Wednesday. They issued a neutral rating and a $49.00 price objective for the company. Roth Capital restated a buy rating and issued a $65.00 price target (down previously from $67.00) on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Molson Coors Beverage from $55.00 to $53.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Molson Coors Beverage from $51.00 to $49.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC cut their price objective on Molson Coors Beverage from $58.00 to $54.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $54.56.

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Molson Coors Beverage Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE TAP traded up $2.18 during trading on Thursday, reaching $46.27. 4,323,844 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,485,240. The stock has a market cap of $9.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.13, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.65. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $46.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $50.07. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Molson Coors Beverage has a 12-month low of $42.94 and a 12-month high of $64.66.

Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.67 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.72 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.02 billion. Molson Coors Beverage had a return on equity of 8.61% and a net margin of 7.81%. Molson Coors Beverage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.360-5.360 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Molson Coors Beverage will post 6.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Molson Coors Beverage

In other Molson Coors Beverage news, Director David S. Coors bought 2,245 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $44.47 per share, with a total value of $99,835.15. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 30,586 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,360,159.42. This trade represents a 7.92% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.71% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Twin Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 0.7% in the first quarter. Twin Capital Management Inc. now owns 24,791 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,509,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 32.9% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 800 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC raised its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 5,757 shares of the companys stock valued at $277,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the period. Callan Family Office LLC raised its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Callan Family Office LLC now owns 4,426 shares of the companys stock valued at $269,000 after buying an additional 209 shares during the period. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 64.2% in the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 565 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 221 shares during the last quarter. 78.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile

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Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, spirits and energy, and ready to drink beverages.

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UnitedHealth Group, Intuitive Surgical, Hims & Hers Health, Globus Medical, Johnson & Johnson, Tempus AI, and Medtronic are the seven Healthcare stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Healthcare stocks are shares of companies that operate in the medical and health-related industriesincluding pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, hospitals and clinics, health insurers, and other healthcare services. Investors view them as a sector driven by long-term demand (aging populations, innovation in treatments) but subject to unique risks such as regulatory approval, patent cliffs, and high R&D costs, often showing defensive behavior in economic downturns. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Healthcare stocks within the last several days.

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UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of and access to minimally invasive care in the United States and internationally. The company offers the da Vinci Surgical System that enables complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach; and Ion endoluminal system, which extends its commercial offerings beyond surgery into diagnostic procedures enabling minimally invasive biopsies in the lung.

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Hims & Hers Health (HIMS)

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. operates a telehealth consultation platform. It connects consumers to healthcare professionals, enabling them to access medical care for mental health, sexual health, dermatology and primary care. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

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Globus Medical (GMED)

Globus Medical, Inc., a medical device company, develops and commercializes healthcare solutions for patients with musculoskeletal disorders in the United States and internationally. The company offers spine products, such as traditional fusion implants comprising pedicle screw and rod systems, plating systems, intervertebral spacers, and corpectomy devices for treating degenerative and congenital conditions, deformity, tumors, and trauma injuries; treatment options for motion preservation technologies that consist of dynamic stabilization, total disc replacement, and interspinous distraction devices; interventional solutions to treat vertebral compression fractures; and regenerative biologic products comprising of allografts and synthetic alternatives.

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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension.

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Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

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Medtronic (MDT)

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

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Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas (NYSE:LND  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported ($0.11) EPS for the quarter, Zacks reports. Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas had a return on equity of 6.47% and a net margin of 11.99%.

Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas Price Performance

NYSE:LND traded down $0.06 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $3.66. The companys stock had a trading volume of 81,070 shares, compared to its average volume of 37,465. Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas has a twelve month low of $3.49 and a twelve month high of $4.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.79 and a quick ratio of 0.94. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $3.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.79. The company has a market capitalization of $375.30 million, a P/E ratio of 14.62 and a beta of 0.51.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Itau BBA Securities downgraded shares of Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Reduce.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas stock. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas (NYSE:LND  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 9,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $37,000. 1.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas

(Get Free Report)

BrasilAgro  Companhia Brasileira de Propriedades Agricolas engages in the acquisition, development, exploration, and sale of rural properties suitable for agricultural activities in Brazil and internationally. It operates through six segments: Real Estate, Grains, Sugarcane, livestock, Cotton, and Other.

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Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP  Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) released its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The utilities provider reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.86 by ($0.42), Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.05 billion. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a net margin of 1.54% and a return on equity of 1.15%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.76 EPS.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Trading Up 2.5%

Shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners stock traded up $0.85 on Friday, hitting $35.19. 586,853 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 524,224. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $32.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $32.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has a 52 week low of $25.72 and a 52 week high of $35.64. The company has a market cap of $16.31 billion, a PE ratio of 703.86 and a beta of 1.14.

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Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.9%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3,440.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BIP has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $40.00 target price on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Finally, National Bankshares set a $35.00 target price on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $40.43.

View Our Latest Analysis on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BIP. Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 44,700 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,494,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming grew its position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 12.6% during the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 3,649 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $122,000 after buying an additional 407 shares in the last quarter. Visionary Wealth Advisors increased its stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 9.6% during the second quarter. Visionary Wealth Advisors now owns 11,371 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $381,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth raised its holdings in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 8.5% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 24,734 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $737,000 after acquiring an additional 1,931 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 11,333.3% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,430 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $115,000 after acquiring an additional 3,400 shares in the last quarter. 57.92% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. owns and operates utilities, transport, midstream, and data businesses in North and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company's Utilities segment operates approximately 2,900 km of electricity transmission lines; 4,200 km of natural gas pipelines; 8.1 million electricity and natural gas connections; and 0.6 million long-term contracted sub-metering services.

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PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd. raised its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 81.2% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 80,540 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 36,100 shares during the quarter. Canadian Pacific Kansas City comprises about 2.2% of PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd.s holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $6,386,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 59.5% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 16,984,351 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,192,471,000 after acquiring an additional 6,337,312 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 70.4% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,299,753 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $652,936,000 after purchasing an additional 3,842,866 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp acquired a new stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $126,928,000. Causeway Capital Management LLC raised its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 11.5% in the first quarter. Causeway Capital Management LLC now owns 17,208,788 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,207,605,000 after purchasing an additional 1,778,984 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 47.7% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 4,541,610 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $318,775,000 after purchasing an additional 1,465,689 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.20% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on CP shares. Jefferies Financial Group set a $90.00 price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Thursday, October 30th. National Bankshares reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $90.00 to $88.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $91.69.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CP opened at $70.90 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The company has a market cap of $63.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.08. The stocks 50-day moving average is $74.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $76.82. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 1-year low of $66.49 and a 1-year high of $83.65.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (NYSE:CP  Get Free Report) (TSE:CP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The transportation company reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.81 by ($0.01). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 28.41% and a return on equity of 8.79%. The company had revenue of $2.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.71 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.99 EPS. Analysts forecast that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a $0.228 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. This is a boost from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is currently 20.12%.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Profile

(Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

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Magellan Asset Management Ltd raised its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 3.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,900,917 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 162,872 shares during the quarter. Chipotle Mexican Grill accounts for about 3.1% of Magellan Asset Management Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Magellan Asset Management Ltd owned 0.37% of Chipotle Mexican Grill worth $275,186,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CMG. Saudi Central Bank bought a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 1248 Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter worth $28,000. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Activest Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 109.3% during the second quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 517 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.30% of the companys stock.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Up 0.0%

NYSE CMG opened at $30.56 on Friday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 12 month low of $30.02 and a 12 month high of $66.74. The stock has a market cap of $40.98 billion, a PE ratio of 27.05, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.98. The stocks 50 day moving average is $39.24 and its 200 day moving average is $46.09.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.29. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.04% and a return on equity of 44.32%. The firm had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.06 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.27 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of analysts have recently commented on CMG shares. UBS Group set a $45.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Zacks Research lowered shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating and set a $40.00 price target (down from $60.00) on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $49.81.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Chipotle Mexican Grill

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH  Free Report) had its price target reduced by Barclays from $101.00 to $99.00 in a report released on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have an underweight rating on the stock.

CHH has been the topic of a number of other reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Choice Hotels International in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Bank of America cut Choice Hotels International from a buy rating to an underperform rating and set a $110.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Monday, September 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $99.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $144.00 to $136.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Finally, UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $149.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $125.38.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on Choice Hotels International

Choice Hotels International Trading Down 1.9%

CHH stock traded down $1.88 on Friday, hitting $98.50. 758,093 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 447,536. Choice Hotels International has a 1-year low of $90.97 and a 1-year high of $157.86. The stock has a market cap of $4.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.15, a P/E/G ratio of 6.60 and a beta of 0.84. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $104.86 and a 200-day moving average of $119.25.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $2.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.18 by ($0.08). The business had revenue of $447.34 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $419.75 million. Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 575.73% and a net margin of 19.52%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.23 EPS. Choice Hotels International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.820-7.050 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Choice Hotels International will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 1st were given a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 1st. Choice Hotels Internationals dividend payout ratio is 14.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Pring Turner Capital Group Inc. increased its stake in Choice Hotels International by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Pring Turner Capital Group Inc. now owns 8,723 shares of the companys stock valued at $933,000 after buying an additional 297 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D grew its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 21.6% during the 3rd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 17,737 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,896,000 after acquiring an additional 3,146 shares in the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International during the 3rd quarter valued at $509,000. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 1.3% in the third quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 82,168 shares of the companys stock worth $8,785,000 after acquiring an additional 1,023 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the third quarter worth $531,000. 65.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Choice Hotels International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Choice Hotels International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel franchisor in the United States and internationally. It operates through Hotel Franchising & Management and Corporate & Other segments. The company franchises lodging properties under the brand names of Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, Sleep Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Studios, WoodSpring Suites, Everhome Suites, Cambria Hotels, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Individuals, and Radisson Collection.

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Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Thursday. The utilities provider reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.41, Zacks reports. Chunghwa Telecom had a net margin of 16.27% and a return on equity of 9.72%. The company had revenue of $1.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.93 billion.

Chunghwa Telecom Stock Performance

Shares of Chunghwa Telecom stock traded up $0.44 during trading on Friday, hitting $42.33. 165,345 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 129,215. The stock has a market capitalization of $32.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.66 and a beta of 0.28. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $43.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $43.90. Chunghwa Telecom has a 52-week low of $36.61 and a 52-week high of $47.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.15.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chunghwa Telecom

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. MML Investors Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 5.7% in the second quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 11,615 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $541,000 after buying an additional 630 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Chunghwa Telecom in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $53,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 664.1% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 4,195 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $195,000 after purchasing an additional 3,646 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 14.2% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 43,434 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,024,000 after purchasing an additional 5,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC acquired a new position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom in the 2nd quarter valued at $291,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.11% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Chunghwa Telecom in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold.

Read Our Latest Analysis on CHT

Chunghwa Telecom Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services in Taiwan and internationally. It operates through Consumer Business, Enterprise Business, International Business, and Others segments. The company offers local, domestic long distance, and international long distance fixed-line telephone services; mobile services such as prepaid and postpaid plans; broadband plans; and internet and data services.

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My son Gideon is almost 12 years old. He is funny in that sharp, unexpected way that catches you off-guard. He is deeply expressive and full of life. He gives love and joy more freely than most kids his age. He is curious and social. He is healthy, and I am grateful for it. We are endlessly proud of who he is.

And, our family constantly walks the edge of breaking under the weight of his care.

When Gideon was born with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), our lives instantly reordered around his medical needs. He lives with more than 42 coded medical diagnoses. Cerebral palsy. Epilepsy. Deafblindness. They have accumulated over time. He has type 1 diabetes (a bonus diagnosis not related to his congenital infection). Gideon requires 24/7 medical support, which is provided by my husband and I, except for the hours when he is at school. When Gideon is not at school, we sometimes have home health nursing. But home- and community-based nurses are hard to find, hard to keep, and underpaid.

Sometimes, my husband and I feel more like coworkers keeping a household running, rather than partners building a life together. In the long stretches when we dont have breaks from caregiving, our jobs become our breaks. Outside of the work week, we use each other as respite. Which means we rarely get time together, alone.

Before Gideon was born, we had built our lives in Vermont. Within six months of his diagnosis, we realized that the services Gideon needed simply didnt exist. Not in our state. Not in my home country of Canada. To keep Gideon safe, we uprooted everything we knew and moved across the country to Arizona, where we discovered Ryan House, a pediatric respite care home that changed everything.

For families like ours, respite care is not a luxury. Its not a nice-to-have. Its life-saving.

Respite care for caregivers isnt about taking a break. Its about surviving the work of love.

Too often in medicine, clinicians underestimate the energy it takes to sustain caregiving. Even good clinicians, the ones who see our child in the exam room as a whole person beyond his diagnoses, often dont acknowledge the 24-hour cycles of vigilance, seizure monitoring, suctioning, feeding, insulin management and care coordination that happen between visits. For some families, surveillance extends to behavioral interventions as well as medical safety.

All of that exceptional care falls to parents.

Behind every medically complex child is a family system running on exhaustion. Parents become full-time case managers, nurses, and advocates, while also trying to hold down jobs, nurture siblings, and maintain relationships.

When clinicians truly understand respite, they begin to see caregiving not as a static situation, but as a longitudinal human experience.

The health of the caregiver is inseparable from the health of the patient.

Why respite care matters for the clinician-patient relationship

ADVERTISEMENT

Respite care centers, like Ryan House in Phoenix, are not hospitals. They are homes filled with laughter, wheelchairs, and medical equipment, adaptive playgrounds, family photos, music, holiday celebrations, and joy. Nurses there know my son not just by diagnosis but by personality. They celebrate him, and in doing so, they make it possible for our entire family to recover our breath.

For clinicians, this means something profound: supporting respite is part of caring for the patient. When you ask about caregiver well-being, when you know where respite resources exist, when you normalize their use, you are practicing medicine at its most humane level.

Caregivers who are supported are better able to follow treatment plans. They communicate more clearly. They experience fewer crises. Their children are safer, and their relationships and mental health are stronger.

Its a simple truth: when caregivers are cared for, the whole system functions better.

The gap in care and the opportunity

Today, fewer than ten childrens respite homes exist in the U.S. In a country with one million medically complex children, thats a devastating statistic.

For perspective: the U.K., with a population one-fifth the size of the U.S., has developed 54 community-based childrens respite and palliative care homes. Based on population, the U.S. would need over 250 to provide equitable access.

This is where organizations like Childrens Respite Homes of America (CRHA) are stepping in to raise awareness and create models for replication. Theyre working to ensure that every family of a medically fragile child has access to a safe, welcoming environment where their child can be cared for, and where caregivers can rest, recover, and continue to parent.

A call to clinicians

November is National Family Caregivers Month.

If you are a clinician caring for a child with complex needs, I urge you to see respite not as an extra but as part of your treatment plan. Ask your patients families:

Do you have respite care?

How are you caring for yourself?

What would make it easier for you to keep doing this safely?

Your curiosity and compassion are not small things. They can change how a family functions. And whether they stay together under the strain of care.

Take the time now to find out more and join the movement to strengthen respite care efforts through Childrens Respite Homes of America and the National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes.

The future of medicine depends on rehumanizing care.

That means recognizing that healing happens in families, not just in bodies.

Kathleen Muldoon is a certified coach dedicated to empowering authenticity and humanity in health care. She is a professor in the College of Graduate Studies at Midwestern University  Glendale, where she pioneered innovative courses such as humanity in medicine, medical improv, and narrative medicine. An award-winning educator, Dr. Muldoon was named the 2023 National Educator of the Year by the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. Her personal experiences with disability sparked a deep interest in communication science and public health. She has delivered over 200 seminars and workshops globally and serves on academic and state committees advocating for patient- and professional-centered care. Dr. Muldoon is co-founder of Stop CMV AZ/Alto CMV AZ, fostering partnerships among health care providers, caregivers, and vulnerable communities. Her expertise has been featured on NPR, USA Today, and multiple podcasts. She shares insights and resources through Linktree, Instagram, Substack, and LinkedIn, and her academic work includes a featured publication in The Anatomical Record.
PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd. cut its holdings in shares of Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH  Free Report) by 0.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 192,900 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 740 shares during the quarter. CRH comprises 6.0% of PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd.s holdings in CRH were worth $17,708,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ninety One UK Ltd raised its holdings in CRH by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 3,143,490 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $288,572,000 after acquiring an additional 364,319 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of CRH in the first quarter valued at approximately $744,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its stake in shares of CRH by 100.2% during the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 452,776 shares of the construction companys stock worth $39,318,000 after purchasing an additional 226,602 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in CRH by 43.2% during the 1st quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 10,303,788 shares of the construction companys stock worth $906,424,000 after purchasing an additional 3,108,416 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Pension Service boosted its stake in CRH by 8.6% in the 1st quarter. National Pension Service now owns 2,154,053 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $189,492,000 after purchasing an additional 170,702 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.50% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

CRH has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley set a $134.00 price target on shares of CRH in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on CRH in a research note on Friday, October 24th. They set an overweight rating on the stock. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on CRH from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of CRH in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on CRH from $152.00 to $150.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, CRH has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $127.43.

CRH Trading Down 1.5%

Shares of CRH stock opened at $113.01 on Friday. Crh Plc has a 1 year low of $76.75 and a 1 year high of $121.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.02 billion, a PE ratio of 23.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.32. The firms 50 day moving average is $115.75 and its 200 day moving average is $103.61.

CRH (NYSE:CRH  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The construction company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.27. The company had revenue of $11.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.15 billion. CRH had a return on equity of 15.68% and a net margin of 9.09%.CRHs revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.97 EPS. CRH has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.490-5.720 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Crh Plc will post 5.47 earnings per share for the current year.

CRH Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. CRHs dividend payout ratio is 22.11%.

CRH Profile

(Free Report)

CRH plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides building materials solutions in Ireland and internationally. It operates through four segments: Americas Materials Solutions, Americas Building Solutions, Europe Materials Solutions, and Europe Building Solutions. The company provides solutions for the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure and commercial and residential buildings; and produces and sells aggregates, cement, readymixed concrete, and asphalt, as well as provides paving and construction services.

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Deluxe (NYSE:DLX  Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Saturday.

A number of other research firms have also commented on DLX. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Deluxe in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Deluxe in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $23.00.

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Deluxe Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:DLX traded down $0.09 during trading on Friday, reaching $20.66. The stock had a trading volume of 505,752 shares, compared to its average volume of 360,145. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $19.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $17.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24. Deluxe has a 52 week low of $13.61 and a 52 week high of $24.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $927.46 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.02, a P/E/G ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.47.

Deluxe (NYSE:DLX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 23rd. The business services provider reported $1.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $454.49 million during the quarter. Deluxe had a net margin of 2.75% and a return on equity of 21.12%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Deluxe will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Deluxe

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of Deluxe during the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Deluxe during the second quarter worth $31,000. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its holdings in Deluxe by 110.6% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 3,089 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 1,622 shares during the period. Quarry LP increased its holdings in Deluxe by 105.8% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 3,685 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 1,894 shares during the period. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Deluxe by 11.2% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 7,874 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $124,000 after buying an additional 790 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.90% of the companys stock.

Deluxe Company Profile

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Deluxe Corporation provides technology-enabled solutions to enterprises, small businesses, and financial institutions in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It operates through Merchant Services, B2B Payments, Data Solutions, and Print segments. The Merchant Services offers credit and debit card authorization and payment systems, as well as processing services primarily to small and medium-sized retail and service businesses.

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Bank of America upgraded shares of DigitalOcean (NYSE:DOCN  Free Report) from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Thursday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have $60.00 price objective on the stock, up from their prior price objective of $34.00.

DOCN has been the subject of a number of other reports. UBS Group started coverage on DigitalOcean in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. They set a neutral rating and a $40.00 price target for the company. Stifel Nicolaus set a $36.00 target price on DigitalOcean in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on shares of DigitalOcean from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of DigitalOcean in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on DigitalOcean from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $47.73.

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DigitalOcean Trading Up 5.1%

NYSE:DOCN traded up $2.40 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $49.48. The stock had a trading volume of 3,660,506 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,038,990. DigitalOcean has a twelve month low of $25.45 and a twelve month high of $49.62. The company has a market capitalization of $4.50 billion, a PE ratio of 19.95, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 1.78. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $37.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.35.

DigitalOcean (NYSE:DOCN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $229.63 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $226.55 million. DigitalOcean had a net margin of 29.15% and a negative return on equity of 92.51%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.52 EPS. DigitalOcean has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.350-0.400 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 2.000-2.050 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that DigitalOcean will post 1.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Bratin Saha sold 13,010 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.87, for a total transaction of $414,628.70. Following the sale, the insider owned 269,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,587,849.55. This trade represents a 4.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.96% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On DigitalOcean

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of DOCN. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of DigitalOcean by 25.5% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 215,483 shares of the companys stock worth $6,038,000 after purchasing an additional 43,732 shares in the last quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of DigitalOcean by 28.6% during the 1st quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,987,177 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,352,000 after buying an additional 441,535 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in DigitalOcean during the 1st quarter worth approximately $5,737,000. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in DigitalOcean in the 1st quarter worth approximately $265,000. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new stake in DigitalOcean in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,041,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.77% of the companys stock.

DigitalOcean Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates a cloud computing platform in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The companys platform provides on-demand infrastructure and platform tools for developers, start-ups, and small and growing digital businesses. It also offers infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) solutions comprising compute and storage services, as well as networking projects, including Cloud Firewalls software, Managed Load Balancers software, and Virtual Private Cloud (VPC).

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EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, November 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be given a dividend of 1.02 per share by the energy exploration company on Friday, January 30th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th.

EOG Resources has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.3%per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 8 years. EOG Resources has a dividend payout ratio of 38.7% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect EOG Resources to earn $11.54 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $4.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 35.4%.

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EOG Resources Price Performance

NYSE EOG opened at $105.19 on Friday. EOG Resources has a 52 week low of $102.52 and a 52 week high of $138.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.79, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The stock has a market cap of $57.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $112.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $115.57.

Institutional Trading of EOG Resources

EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy exploration company reported $2.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $5.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.48 billion. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 20.51% and a net margin of 25.25%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.89 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that EOG Resources will post 11.47 EPS for the current year.

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 73.9% in the 1st quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 2,561 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $328,000 after acquiring an additional 1,088 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 2.3% during the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 124,578 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $15,976,000 after purchasing an additional 2,859 shares during the last quarter. Processus Wealth & Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of EOG Resources by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Processus Wealth & Capital Management LLC now owns 11,231 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,440,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the period. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in EOG Resources by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 14,468 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,855,000 after purchasing an additional 492 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Xponance Inc. raised its holdings in EOG Resources by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 74,532 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $9,558,000 after buying an additional 404 shares during the period. 89.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

EOG Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Gates Industrial (NYSE:GTES  Free Report) had its target price cut by UBS Group from $30.00 to $29.00 in a research note published on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Gates Industrial from $35.00 to $33.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Gates Industrial from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on shares of Gates Industrial from $29.00 to $26.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a $28.00 price objective (up from $26.00) on shares of Gates Industrial in a report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Gates Industrial from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 4th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $27.55.

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Gates Industrial Trading Up 2.8%

Shares of GTES stock traded up $0.59 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $22.12. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,670,657 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,315,325. The company has a current ratio of 3.52, a quick ratio of 2.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Gates Industrial has a one year low of $14.70 and a one year high of $26.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.31 and a beta of 1.25. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $24.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $23.43.

Gates Industrial (NYSE:GTES  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.38 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $855.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $860.95 million. Gates Industrial had a net margin of 6.93% and a return on equity of 10.38%. Gates Industrials quarterly revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.33 earnings per share. Gates Industrial has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.480-1.520 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Gates Industrial will post 1.36 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Gates Industrial

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of GTES. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in Gates Industrial by 133.2% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 1,166 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 666 shares in the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Gates Industrial during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Gates Industrial by 5,123.7% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 1,985 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 1,947 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in Gates Industrial in the third quarter worth $51,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP increased its position in Gates Industrial by 43.0% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,096 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 630 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.50% of the companys stock.

About Gates Industrial

(Get Free Report)

Gates Industrial Corporation PLC designs and manufactures power transmission equipment. Its products serves harsh and hazardous industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and energy, to everyday consumer applications such as printers, power washers, automatic doors and vacuum cleaners and virtually every form of transportation.

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Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as $3.63 and last traded at $3.5910, with a volume of 4497324 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $3.60.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on GGB shares. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Gerdau from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Gerdau in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $3.80.

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Gerdau Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $7.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.29, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $3.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $3.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 2.89.

Gerdau (NYSE:GGB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.11 by ($0.01). Gerdau had a return on equity of 6.51% and a net margin of 4.81%.The firm had revenue of $3.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.81 billion. Equities research analysts predict that Gerdau S.A. will post 0.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Gerdau Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be issued a $0.0521 dividend. This is a boost from Gerdaus previous quarterly dividend of $0.02. This represents a $0.21 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 12th. Gerdaus dividend payout ratio is 70.37%.

Institutional Trading of Gerdau

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Gerdau by 80.4% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 85,205 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $242,000 after buying an additional 37,969 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in Gerdau by 147.9% in the 1st quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 392,274 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,114,000 after acquiring an additional 234,015 shares during the period. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in Gerdau during the first quarter valued at about $737,000. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Gerdau during the first quarter worth about $30,134,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC boosted its position in Gerdau by 48.2% during the first quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 391,728 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,113,000 after purchasing an additional 127,319 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 1.49% of the companys stock.

Gerdau Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Gerdau SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a steel producer company. The company operates through Brazil Business, North America Business, South America Business, and Special Steel Business segments. It also provides semi-finished products, including billets, blooms, and slabs; common long rolled products, such as rebars, wire rods, merchant bars, light shapes, and profiles to the construction and manufacturing industries; drawn products comprising barbed and barbless fence wires, galvanized wires, fences, concrete reinforcing wire mesh, nails, and clamps for manufacturing, construction, and agricultural industries; and special steel products used in auto parts, light and heavy vehicles, and agricultural machinery, as well as in the oil and gas, wind energy, machinery and equipment, mining and rail, and other markets.

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Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC  Free Report) by 27.7% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 30,892 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 6,708 shares during the quarter. Metis Global Partners LLCs holdings in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico were worth $7,093,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CWM LLC raised its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 41.5% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 174 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 680.0% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 195 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $54,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 24.9% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 596 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $137,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new position in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico in the second quarter worth $204,000. 11.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Price Performance

NYSE PAC opened at $215.49 on Friday. Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. has a 12 month low of $168.62 and a 12 month high of $259.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.21, a current ratio of 2.01 and a quick ratio of 2.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.89 billion, a PE ratio of 20.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.13. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $232.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $229.63.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico ( NYSE:PAC Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The transportation company reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by ($0.10). Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico had a return on equity of 42.07% and a net margin of 25.27%.The firm had revenue of $520.69 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.04 billion. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. will post 10 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on PAC shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 2nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $210.00.

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Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Profile

(Free Report)

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, holds concessions to develop, operate, and manage airports in Mexico and Jamaica. The company operates twelve international airports in Guadalajara and Tijuana areas, Mexico; and two international airports in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD  Free Report) by 23.1% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 6,957 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,091 shares during the period. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc.s holdings in Boyd Gaming were worth $544,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Boyd Gaming by 13.3% in the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,048,706 shares of the companys stock valued at $69,036,000 after acquiring an additional 122,822 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Boyd Gaming by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 983,823 shares of the companys stock worth $64,765,000 after purchasing an additional 8,850 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in Boyd Gaming by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 692,496 shares of the companys stock worth $45,587,000 after purchasing an additional 7,400 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 14.2% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 682,518 shares of the companys stock worth $44,930,000 after purchasing an additional 85,087 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Boyd Gaming by 7.5% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 641,104 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,204,000 after purchasing an additional 44,558 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.81% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on BYD shares. Barclays upped their price target on Boyd Gaming from $73.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, July 18th. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of Boyd Gaming in a research note on Monday, September 8th. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Boyd Gaming from $89.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Boyd Gaming in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Susquehanna lowered shares of Boyd Gaming from a positive rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the company from $76.00 to $86.00 in a research report on Friday, July 11th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $90.08.

Boyd Gaming Stock Up 1.5%

BYD stock opened at $81.26 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $6.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $83.30 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $79.97. Boyd Gaming Corporation has a 1-year low of $58.94 and a 1-year high of $88.49.

Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 11th. The company reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $707.32 million during the quarter. Boyd Gaming had a return on equity of 41.97% and a net margin of 46.02%. Analysts expect that Boyd Gaming Corporation will post 6.52 EPS for the current year.

Boyd Gaming Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th were issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 15th. Boyd Gamings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3.15%.

Insider Activity at Boyd Gaming

In related news, Director William R. Boyd sold 9,774 shares of Boyd Gaming stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.61, for a total value of $797,656.14. Following the sale, the director owned 15,188 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,239,492.68. The trade was a 39.16% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Josh Hirsberg sold 40,035 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.41, for a total value of $3,419,389.35. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 420,185 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $35,888,000.85. This trade represents a 8.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 353,035 shares of company stock worth $29,941,690. Insiders own 27.94% of the companys stock.

Boyd Gaming Company Profile

(Free Report)

Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The company operates through Las Vegas Locals, Downtown Las Vegas, Midwest & South, and Online segments.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) and West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST  Get Free Report) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Becton, Dickinson and Company and West Pharmaceutical Services net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Becton, Dickinson and Company 7.51% 16.23% 7.46% West Pharmaceutical Services 16.29% 18.16% 13.45%

Dividends

Becton, Dickinson and Company pays an annual dividend of $4.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. West Pharmaceutical Services pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Becton, Dickinson and Company pays out 74.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. West Pharmaceutical Services pays out 13.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Becton, Dickinson and Company has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years. Becton, Dickinson and Company is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Becton, Dickinson and Company 0 9 3 0 2.25 West Pharmaceutical Services 0 4 9 2 2.87

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Becton, Dickinson and Company and West Pharmaceutical Services, as provided by MarketBeat.

Becton, Dickinson and Company presently has a consensus target price of $203.50, indicating a potential upside of 14.40%. West Pharmaceutical Services has a consensus target price of $349.20, indicating a potential upside of 29.16%. Given West Pharmaceutical Services stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe West Pharmaceutical Services is more favorable than Becton, Dickinson and Company.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Becton, Dickinson and Company and West Pharmaceutical Servicess top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Becton, Dickinson and Company $21.39 billion 2.38 $1.71 billion $5.56 31.99 West Pharmaceutical Services $3.02 billion 6.45 $492.70 million $6.75 40.05

Becton, Dickinson and Company has higher revenue and earnings than West Pharmaceutical Services. Becton, Dickinson and Company is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than West Pharmaceutical Services, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

87.0% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.9% of West Pharmaceutical Services shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of West Pharmaceutical Services shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Risk & Volatility

Becton, Dickinson and Company has a beta of 0.25, suggesting that its share price is 75% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, West Pharmaceutical Services has a beta of 1.08, suggesting that its share price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

West Pharmaceutical Services beats Becton, Dickinson and Company on 14 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Becton, Dickinson and Company

(Get Free Report)

Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional. The BD Medical segment provides peripheral intravenous (IV) and advanced peripheral catheters, central lines, acute dialysis catheters, vascular access technology, vascular care and preparation products, needle-free IV connectors and extensions sets, closed-system drug transfer devices, hazardous drug detections, hypodermic syringes and needles, anesthesia needles and trays, enteral syringes, and sharps disposal systems; IV medication safety and infusion therapy delivery systems, medication compounding workflow systems, automated medication dispensing and supply management systems, and medication inventory optimization and tracking systems; and prefillable drug delivery systems. The BD Life Sciences segment offers specimen and blood collection products; automated blood and tuberculosis culturing, molecular testing, microorganism identification and drug susceptibility, and liquid-based cytology systems, as well as rapid diagnostic assays, microbiology laboratory automation products, and plated media products; and fluorescence-activated cell sorters and analyzers, antibodies and kits, reagent systems, and solutions for single-cell gene expression analysis, as well as clinical oncology, immunological, and transplantation diagnostic/monitoring reagents and analyzers. The BD Interventional segment provides hernia and soft tissue repair, biological and bioresorbable grafts, biosurgery, and other surgical products; surgical infection prevention; peripheral intervention products; and urology and critical care products. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

About West Pharmaceutical Services

(Get Free Report)

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products. The Proprietary Products segment offers stoppers and seals for injectable packaging systems; syringe and cartridge components, including custom solutions for the needs of injectable drug applications, as well as administration systems that enhance the safe delivery of drugs through advanced reconstitution, mixing, and transfer technologies; and films, coatings, washing, and vision inspection and sterilization processes and services to enhance the quality of packaging components. This segment also provides drug containment solutions, including Crystal Zenith, a cyclic olefin polymer in the form of vials, syringes, and cartridges; and self-injection devices; and a range of integrated solutions, including analytical lab services, pre-approval primary packaging support and engineering development, regulatory expertise, and after-sales technical support. This segment serves biologic, generic, and pharmaceutical drug companies. The Contract-Manufactured Products segment is involved in the design, manufacture, and automated assembly of devices used in surgical, diagnostic, ophthalmic, injectable, and other drug delivery systems, as well as consumer products. The company serves pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and medical device companies. It sells and distributes its products through its sales force and distribution network, contract sales agents, and regional distributors. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania.

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Insider and Institutional Ownership

41.7% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are held by institutional investors. 11.8% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares YaSheng Group and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets YaSheng Group N/A N/A N/A YaSheng Group Competitors -408.17% -60.47% -17.85%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares YaSheng Group and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio YaSheng Group $18.59 million $5.31 million 1.55 YaSheng Group Competitors $32.64 billion $118.42 million 5.52

Volatility & Risk

YaSheng Groups competitors have higher revenue and earnings than YaSheng Group. YaSheng Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

YaSheng Group has a beta of 0.67, meaning that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, YaSheng Groups competitors have a beta of 0.81, meaning that their average stock price is 19% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

YaSheng Group competitors beat YaSheng Group on 6 of the 9 factors compared.

YaSheng Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

YaSheng Group, through its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets farming and sideline products; chemical materials and products; textiles; construction materials; and livestock and poultry products primarily in the People's Republic of China. It cultivates, processes, markets, and distributes various food and agro-byproducts. The company's products include cotton, corns, barley, wheat, flax, and alfalfa; vegetables comprising onions, potatoes, beet, and peas; fruits, including apples, pears, and apricots; specialty crops consisting of hops, wolfberries, cumin, hemp, and liquorices; seeds, such as black melon, sunflower, corn, hemp, and flax seeds; and eggs. It also provides construction materials, such as cement; and designs, develops, and markets new technologies related to agriculture and genetic biology. The company sells its products to food processors, supermarkets, and wholesale stores through distributors, as well as to direct customers. YaSheng Group exports its products. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Lanzhou, the People's Republic of China. As of December 31, 2015, YaSheng Group is a subsidiary of Gansu Yasheng Salt Chemical Industrial Group, Ltd.

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Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc (OTCMKTS:HTKKY  Get Free Report)s share price fell 2.2% on Friday . The stock traded as low as $53.89 and last traded at $53.89. 100 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 0% from the average session volume of 100 shares. The stock had previously closed at $55.10.

Hitachi Kokusai Electric Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $53.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.89.

About Hitachi Kokusai Electric

(Get Free Report)

Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc provides video and wireless network, and eco-and thin film processing solutions in Japan, the United States, Taiwan, Korea, other Asian countries, Europe, and internationally. The company offers wireless communications and information systems, such as infrastructure for mobile telecommunications, disaster-preventive administration radio systems, radio systems for transportation, land mobile radio communication products, and wireless broadband systems.

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Wedbush Securities Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM  Free Report) by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 60,516 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 1,551 shares during the period. International Business Machines comprises about 0.6% of Wedbush Securities Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Wedbush Securities Inc.s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $17,839,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Family CFO Inc bought a new position in International Business Machines in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. SSA Swiss Advisors AG acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Dagco Inc. bought a new stake in shares of International Business Machines in the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Silicon Valley Capital Partners boosted its position in International Business Machines by 322.6% during the 1st quarter. Silicon Valley Capital Partners now owns 131 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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International Business Machines Stock Down 1.9%

IBM stock opened at $306.64 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $279.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $268.83. The company has a market capitalization of $286.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.33 and a beta of 0.71. International Business Machines Corporation has a 52 week low of $204.07 and a 52 week high of $319.35. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97.

International Business Machines Announces Dividend

International Business Machines ( NYSE:IBM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.45 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $16.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.10 billion. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 37.76% and a net margin of 12.09%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.30 earnings per share. International Business Machines has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, analysts forecast that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th will be issued a dividend of $1.68 per share. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. International Business Machiness payout ratio is presently 80.38%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on IBM shares. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on International Business Machines from $310.00 to $295.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Erste Group Bank downgraded shares of International Business Machines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $300.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $244.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, July 24th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Monday, September 15th. They set a market perform rating and a $280.00 target price for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $288.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on IBM

About International Business Machines

(Free Report)

International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing segments. The Software segment offers a hybrid cloud and AI platforms that allows clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate.

Further Reading

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International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (TSE:ITH  Get Free Report) (NYSE:THM) passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$2.44 and traded as low as C$2.31. International Tower Hill Mines shares last traded at C$2.36, with a volume of 9,115 shares.

International Tower Hill Mines Stock Up 0.4%

The stock has a market capitalization of C$490.61 million, a P/E ratio of -118.00 and a beta of 1.35. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$2.44 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$1.73.

International Tower Hill Mines Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd is a mining company. It is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. The company holds interests in an advanced stage exploration project namely the Livengood Gold Project. It is located approximately 70 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska in the Tolovana mining district within the Tintina gold belt.

Further Reading

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Keystone Financial Services lessened its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM  Free Report) by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 25,693 shares of the companys stock after selling 881 shares during the period. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF accounts for approximately 2.1% of Keystone Financial Services portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Keystone Financial Services holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $6,175,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 140.3% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 149 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 262.2% in the second quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 163 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 45.0% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 216 shares of the companys stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hilltop National Bank purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the second quarter valued at $55,000.

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iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Up 18.8%

MTUM opened at $248.19 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $18.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.67 and a beta of 1.02. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $252.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $239.75. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a 52 week low of $168.49 and a 52 week high of $240.99.

iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years.

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JinkoSolar Holding Company Limited (NYSE:JKS  Get Free Report) was up 11.2% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $27.20 and last traded at $27.55. Approximately 468,528 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 36% from the average daily volume of 729,072 shares. The stock had previously closed at $24.77.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on JinkoSolar from $15.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of JinkoSolar from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of JinkoSolar in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, JinkoSolar currently has a consensus rating of Strong Sell and a consensus price target of $28.99.

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JinkoSolar Stock Down 1.3%

Institutional Investors Weigh In On JinkoSolar

The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $24.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $22.04. The company has a market cap of $1.46 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.62 and a beta of 0.60.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of JinkoSolar by 15.3% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,418,425 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $26,439,000 after purchasing an additional 187,930 shares in the last quarter. Greenwoods Asset Management Hong Kong Ltd. raised its holdings in JinkoSolar by 37.0% during the first quarter. Greenwoods Asset Management Hong Kong Ltd. now owns 780,933 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $14,557,000 after buying an additional 211,000 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of JinkoSolar by 41.2% in the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 387,834 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $7,220,000 after buying an additional 113,187 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its holdings in shares of JinkoSolar by 23.1% during the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 126,175 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,351,000 after buying an additional 23,652 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of JinkoSolar during the first quarter valued at about $2,349,000. Institutional investors own 35.82% of the companys stock.

About JinkoSolar

(Get Free Report)

JinkoSolar Holding Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, production, and marketing of photovoltaic products. The company offers solar modules, silicon wafers, solar cells, recovered silicon materials, and silicon ingots. It also provides solar system integration services; solar power generation and solar system EPC services; and energy storage system, as well as undertakes solar power projects.

Further Reading

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KCM Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 5.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 146,946 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 7,164 shares during the period. KCM Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $19,986,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 51,719 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $5,850,000 after purchasing an additional 4,755 shares during the period. CFO4Life Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 6.4% during the first quarter. CFO4Life Group LLC now owns 2,207 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $293,000 after buying an additional 132 shares during the last quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the first quarter valued at approximately $223,000. Round Rock Advisors LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the first quarter valued at approximately $201,000. Finally, Alps Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 108,360 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $14,374,000 after acquiring an additional 3,629 shares during the period. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of ABT opened at $126.28 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $130.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $131.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.82. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $110.86 and a twelve month high of $141.23. The firm has a market cap of $219.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.82, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.68.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. The business had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.40 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.78%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.21 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th will be issued a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 29.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on ABT. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Mizuho increased their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $127.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $147.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.00.

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About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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LeGrand (OTCMKTS:LGRDY  Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.23 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.28 by ($0.05), Zacks reports. LeGrand had a net margin of 17.13% and a return on equity of 16.31%. The business had revenue of $2.61 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.62 billion.

LeGrand Stock Performance

Shares of LGRDY stock traded up $0.44 on Friday, reaching $30.21. The stock had a trading volume of 58,525 shares, compared to its average volume of 135,223. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a current ratio of 1.94. LeGrand has a 1 year low of $18.85 and a 1 year high of $34.83. The stock has a market cap of $39.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.00 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.62.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of LeGrand in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut LeGrand from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of LeGrand in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Kepler Capital Markets cut LeGrand from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised LeGrand from a moderate sell rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Sunday, October 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

About LeGrand

(Get Free Report)

Legrand SA, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and sells electrical and digital building infrastructures in Europe, North and Central America, and internationally. The company offers energy distribution, protection, and management solutions, such as electric vehicle charging, residential and small commercial panels, switchboards and power cabinets, and UPS devices; and wiring devices, connected home and building control solutions, and guestroom solutions, as well as back, junction, DCL, and floor boxes.

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Leidos (NYSE:LDOS  Free Report) had its price target upped by Bank of America from $200.00 to $235.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. Bank of America currently has a buy rating on the aerospace companys stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $230.00 target price on shares of Leidos in a research note on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Leidos from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $185.00 to $205.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $220.00 price objective (up from $200.00) on shares of Leidos in a report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Leidos in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Leidos from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $199.23.

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Leidos Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of LDOS traded up $2.13 on Friday, hitting $196.89. 605,651 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 795,328. Leidos has a 1 year low of $123.62 and a 1 year high of $205.77. The stocks 50 day moving average is $187.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $169.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94.

Leidos (NYSE:LDOS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The aerospace company reported $3.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.44. Leidos had a return on equity of 33.02% and a net margin of 8.11%.The company had revenue of $4.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.28 billion. Leidos has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.450-11.75 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Leidos will post 10.62 earnings per share for the current year.

Leidos Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. This is a boost from Leidoss previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Leidoss payout ratio is 16.04%.

Insider Activity at Leidos

In other Leidos news, Director Gregory R. Dahlberg sold 952 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $177.43, for a total value of $168,913.36. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 21,068 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,738,095.24. This trade represents a 4.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Gary Stephen May sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.05, for a total value of $356,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 10,137 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,804,892.85. The trade was a 16.48% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 15,449 shares of company stock worth $2,751,229. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Leidos by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,528,630 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $556,677,000 after purchasing an additional 111,813 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its stake in shares of Leidos by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 2,909,142 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $460,203,000 after buying an additional 103,321 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its position in shares of Leidos by 29.8% during the first quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,336,222 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $315,250,000 after buying an additional 536,452 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Leidos by 10.0% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,877,020 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $253,262,000 after buying an additional 170,263 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Leidos in the second quarter valued at $261,501,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.12% of the companys stock.

About Leidos

(Get Free Report)

Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health segments. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S.

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Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Veeva Systems Inc. (NYSE:VEEV  Free Report) by 423.8% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 841,303 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 680,702 shares during the period. Veeva Systems makes up 0.9% of Los Angeles Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Los Angeles Capital Management LLCs holdings in Veeva Systems were worth $242,278,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of VEEV. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Veeva Systems during the first quarter worth $299,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale grew its position in Veeva Systems by 32.2% during the 1st quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 68,414 shares of the technology companys stock worth $15,956,000 after acquiring an additional 16,672 shares during the last quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group acquired a new position in Veeva Systems in the 1st quarter worth about $262,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Veeva Systems by 25.4% in the first quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 24,238 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $5,614,000 after purchasing an additional 4,914 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Veeva Systems by 4.2% during the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 78,416 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $18,164,000 after purchasing an additional 3,194 shares in the last quarter. 88.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Veeva Systems Trading Up 1.4%

NYSE:VEEV opened at $295.23 on Friday. Veeva Systems Inc. has a 12 month low of $201.54 and a 12 month high of $310.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.62, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $286.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $274.85.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Veeva Systems ( NYSE:VEEV Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 27th. The technology company reported $1.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by ($0.64). The firm had revenue of $789.08 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $768.49 million. Veeva Systems had a return on equity of 13.72% and a net margin of 27.29%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.62 earnings per share. Veeva Systems has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.940-1.950 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 7.780-7.780 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Veeva Systems Inc. will post 4.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of Veeva Systems from $325.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and issued a $340.00 price objective (up from $310.00) on shares of Veeva Systems in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Wall Street Zen lowered Veeva Systems from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Barclays lifted their price objective on Veeva Systems from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, TD Cowen raised shares of Veeva Systems from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the company from $297.00 to $380.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $307.58.

View Our Latest Analysis on Veeva Systems

Insider Buying and Selling at Veeva Systems

In related news, insider Eleni Nitsa Zuppas sold 6,000 shares of Veeva Systems stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $306.62, for a total transaction of $1,839,720.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 25,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,765,151.50. The trade was a 19.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Jonathan Faddis sold 14,595 shares of Veeva Systems stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $4,378,500.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 8,588 shares in the company, valued at $2,576,400. This represents a 62.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 24,665 shares of company stock worth $7,438,000. Insiders own 10.30% of the companys stock.

Veeva Systems Profile

(Free Report)

Veeva Systems Inc provides cloud-based software for the life sciences industry. It offers Veeva Commercial Cloud, a suite of software and analytics solutions, such as Veeva customer relationship management (CRM) that enable customer-facing employees at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; Veeva Vault PromoMats, an end-to-end content and digital asset management solution; Veeva Vault Medical that provides source of medical content across multiple channels and geographies; Veeva Crossix, an analytics platform for pharmaceutical brands; Veeva OpenData, a customer reference data solution; Veeva Link, a data application that allows link to generate real-time intelligence; and Veeva Compass includes de-identified and longitudinal patient data for the United States.

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Los Angeles Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 32.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,185,390 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,054,507 shares during the period. Charles Schwab accounts for about 0.7% of Los Angeles Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Los Angeles Capital Management LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $199,395,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in SCHW. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 148,395,252 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,616,380,000 after buying an additional 19,817,022 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 12.3% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 82,048,984 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,422,795,000 after acquiring an additional 8,954,248 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 10.8% during the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 17,440,301 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,365,227,000 after acquiring an additional 1,700,384 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 16.0% in the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 17,115,759 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,339,822,000 after purchasing an additional 2,355,309 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in Charles Schwab by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 15,586,450 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,220,107,000 after purchasing an additional 743,906 shares during the period. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 6,144 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.81, for a total value of $594,800.64. Following the transaction, the insider owned 11,923 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,154,265.63. This represents a 34.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total value of $299,122.65. Following the sale, the insider owned 34,778 shares in the company, valued at $3,245,830.74. The trade was a 8.44% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 65,866 shares of company stock worth $6,370,897 in the last ninety days. 6.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SCHW has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Zacks Research cut Charles Schwab from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $119.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $99.00 price target on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $102.00 price objective on Charles Schwab and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $106.45.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on SCHW

Charles Schwab Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SCHW opened at $95.33 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.55. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $65.88 and a fifty-two week high of $99.59. The stock has a market cap of $173.05 billion, a PE ratio of 22.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.02. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $94.03 and a 200-day moving average of $91.76.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.06. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.26% and a net margin of 35.93%.The business had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.93 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.71 EPS. The firms revenue was up 26.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Charles Schwab announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $20.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to purchase up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 25.29%.

About Charles Schwab

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Los Angeles Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP  Free Report) by 19.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 417,702 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 100,356 shares during the quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.19% of Targa Resources worth $72,714,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in Targa Resources by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,584,275 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $5,529,820,000 after acquiring an additional 423,667 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in Targa Resources by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,790,955 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $2,764,673,000 after buying an additional 962,631 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Targa Resources by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,565,960 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $915,338,000 after purchasing an additional 139,780 shares in the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC lifted its position in Targa Resources by 64.0% in the 1st quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 3,614,307 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $724,560,000 after acquiring an additional 1,410,747 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in Targa Resources by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,834,418 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $568,217,000 after purchasing an additional 77,999 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.13% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TRGP has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Targa Resources from $205.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Targa Resources in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $205.00 price target (up from $198.00) on shares of Targa Resources in a report on Friday, August 8th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Targa Resources from $212.00 to $207.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Targa Resources from $214.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $209.50.

Targa Resources Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of TRGP opened at $171.81 on Friday. Targa Resources, Inc. has a twelve month low of $144.14 and a twelve month high of $218.51. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.30, a PEG ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.16. The firms 50-day moving average is $161.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $164.76.

Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The pipeline company reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.22 by ($0.02). Targa Resources had a return on equity of 43.35% and a net margin of 8.99%.The firm had revenue of $4.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.70 billion. On average, research analysts predict that Targa Resources, Inc. will post 8.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Targa Resources Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 31st will be paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 31st. Targa Resourcess payout ratio is 53.19%.

Targa Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

Targa Resources Corp., together with its subsidiary, Targa Resources Partners LP, owns, operates, acquires, and develops a portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets in North America. It operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Logistics and Transportation. The company is involved in gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and selling natural gas; storing, fractionating, treating, transporting, and selling natural gas liquids (NGL) and NGL products, including services to liquefied petroleum gas exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, purchasing, and selling crude oil.

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Magellan Asset Management Ltd lessened its holdings in shares of OGE Energy Corporation (NYSE:OGE  Free Report) by 1.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 132,897 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,999 shares during the period. Magellan Asset Management Ltd owned 0.07% of OGE Energy worth $5,898,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of OGE Energy by 427.0% in the second quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 780 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 632 shares during the period. First Command Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of OGE Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new position in shares of OGE Energy in the first quarter valued at $42,000. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its holdings in OGE Energy by 725.5% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 908 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 798 shares during the period. Finally, Tompkins Financial Corp lifted its holdings in OGE Energy by 42.9% during the 2nd quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 1,000 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. 71.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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OGE Energy Price Performance

OGE opened at $44.29 on Friday. OGE Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $39.41 and a fifty-two week high of $47.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.78. The firm has a market cap of $8.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.79, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.60. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $45.11 and a 200 day moving average of $44.79.

OGE Energy Increases Dividend

OGE Energy ( NYSE:OGE Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The utilities provider reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.02). OGE Energy had a net margin of 15.28% and a return on equity of 10.86%. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.04 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.09 EPS. The firms revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. OGE Energy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.210-2.330 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that OGE Energy Corporation will post 2.27 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 6th were paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. This is a positive change from OGE Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 6th. OGE Energys payout ratio is currently 68.27%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

OGE has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Mizuho raised their price objective on OGE Energy from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of OGE Energy from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of OGE Energy from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays raised their price target on shares of OGE Energy from $47.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of OGE Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, September 7th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $48.75.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on OGE Energy

OGE Energy Profile

(Free Report)

OGE Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy services provider in the United States. The company generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric energy. In addition, it provides retail electric service to approximately 896,000 customers, which covers a service area of approximately 30,000 square miles in Oklahoma and western Arkansas; and owns and operates coal-fired, natural gas-fired, wind-powered, and solar-powered generating assets.

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Prospera Financial Services Inc grew its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 164.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 28,339 shares of the credit services providers stock after acquiring an additional 17,635 shares during the quarter. Prospera Financial Services Incs holdings in Mastercard were worth $15,939,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 0.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 77,544,675 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $42,503,787,000 after purchasing an additional 365,537 shares in the last quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC acquired a new position in Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth $11,421,213,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in Mastercard by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 20,096,979 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $11,015,557,000 after buying an additional 907,184 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 38.6% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,526,118 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $7,413,936,000 after acquiring an additional 3,765,378 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the first quarter valued at about $4,238,764,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on MA shares. KeyCorp reissued an overweight rating and issued a $665.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Mastercard from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $645.00 to $654.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $690.00 to $700.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Tigress Financial raised their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $685.00 to $730.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $649.26.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of MA opened at $551.98 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $572.24 and a 200-day moving average of $568.95. The company has a market cap of $499.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.16. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $465.59 and a 1 year high of $601.77.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.31 by $0.07. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.93% and a return on equity of 200.01%. The firm had revenue of $8.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.53 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.89 EPS. Mastercards quarterly revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 9th were issued a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 9th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is 19.44%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO J. Mehra Sachin sold 17,263 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $591.00, for a total value of $10,202,433.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 31,234 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,459,294. This represents a 35.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.

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McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) had its target price cut by Barclays from $362.00 to $358.00 in a research report report published on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the fast-food giants stock.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and issued a $325.00 price target on shares of McDonalds in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of McDonalds in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on McDonalds from $350.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded McDonalds from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $345.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Melius assumed coverage on McDonalds in a research report on Monday, July 14th. They set a sell rating and a $250.00 price objective for the company. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $323.91.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MCD

McDonalds Stock Performance

MCD stock traded up $1.30 on Thursday, reaching $299.71. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,247,828 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,452,741. The firm has a market cap of $213.88 billion, a PE ratio of 25.68, a PEG ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.50. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $304.67 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $305.20. McDonalds has a 12-month low of $276.53 and a 12-month high of $326.32.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.33 by ($0.11). McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 225.52% and a net margin of 32.21%.The company had revenue of $7.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.23 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that McDonalds will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McDonalds Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. This is an increase from McDonaldss previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. McDonaldss payout ratio is 63.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling at McDonalds

In other news, CMO Edith Morgan Flatley sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total transaction of $315,000.00. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 6,858 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,160,270. This trade represents a 12.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Jonathan Banner sold 1,000 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.00, for a total transaction of $310,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 99 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,690. This trade represents a 90.99% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 15,134 shares of company stock worth $4,570,716. Insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On McDonalds

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. boosted its position in McDonalds by 142.9% in the second quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. now owns 85 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of McDonalds in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. HFM Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of McDonalds in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Nova Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of McDonalds in the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Evergreen Private Wealth LLC grew its position in McDonalds by 162.5% during the third quarter. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC now owns 84 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

McDonalds Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

McDonalds Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K.

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Metis Global Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 7.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 99,130 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 6,601 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $9,103,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Equitable Trust Co. raised its stake in shares of Southern by 24.7% during the 2nd quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 34,527 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,171,000 after buying an additional 6,843 shares during the period. Klein Pavlis & Peasley Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Southern during the second quarter worth $2,352,000. Investors Research Corp lifted its holdings in Southern by 1,982.6% during the second quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 5,623 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $516,000 after purchasing an additional 5,353 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Southern by 35.8% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 116,059 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $10,672,000 after buying an additional 30,618 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Freestone Capital Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in Southern in the 2nd quarter worth about $6,369,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.10% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on SO shares. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Southern to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Scotiabank reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $99.00 price target on shares of Southern in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Southern in a research note on Monday, October 6th. They issued an in-line rating and a $103.00 price objective for the company. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Southern in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. They set a buy rating and a $112.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Cowen began coverage on shares of Southern in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued a buy rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $99.56.

Southern Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of SO opened at $91.39 on Friday. Southern Company has a 52-week low of $80.46 and a 52-week high of $100.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $94.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $92.50. The company has a market capitalization of $100.63 billion, a PE ratio of 23.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.45.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The utilities provider reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.09. Southern had a net margin of 15.10% and a return on equity of 12.09%. The firm had revenue of $7.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.39 earnings per share. Southerns quarterly revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Southern Company will post 4.29 EPS for the current year.

Southern Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be given a dividend of $0.74 per share. This represents a $2.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. Southerns payout ratio is presently 73.27%.

Southern Profile

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 7.3% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 2,574,758 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 174,765 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in RTX were worth $375,966,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in RTX. PFS Partners LLC grew its holdings in RTX by 101.1% in the 2nd quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 177 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of RTX during the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of RTX during the first quarter worth about $40,000. Briaud Financial Planning Inc grew its stake in shares of RTX by 25.4% in the second quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 321 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of RTX in the second quarter worth about $47,000. 86.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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RTX Trading Up 1.1%

NYSE RTX opened at $177.01 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $237.33 billion, a PE ratio of 36.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.64. The stocks 50 day moving average is $164.99 and its 200 day moving average is $151.11. RTX Corporation has a twelve month low of $112.27 and a twelve month high of $181.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58.

RTX Dividend Announcement

RTX ( NYSE:RTX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.29. RTX had a return on equity of 13.28% and a net margin of 7.67%.The business had revenue of $22.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.26 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.45 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. RTX has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.100-6.200 EPS. Research analysts forecast that RTX Corporation will post 6.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. RTXs payout ratio is presently 55.85%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Neil G. Mitchill, Jr. sold 4,849 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.15, for a total value of $873,547.35. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 59,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,729,013.40. The trade was a 7.53% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Shane G. Eddy sold 25,968 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $159.79, for a total value of $4,149,426.72. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 38,471 shares of company stock worth $6,210,875. 0.15% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Susquehanna upped their price target on RTX from $175.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of RTX in a report on Friday, October 31st. Wall Street Zen raised RTX from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of RTX from $157.00 to $181.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a $195.00 price objective on shares of RTX in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $178.47.

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RTX Company Profile

(Free Report)

RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations.

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Modera Wealth Management LLC raised its position in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:JNK  Free Report) by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 28,503 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 744 shares during the period. Modera Wealth Management LLCs holdings in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF were worth $2,773,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Assetmark Inc. increased its stake in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 5,066,020 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $492,772,000 after buying an additional 309,551 shares during the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 10.7% during the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 3,723,655 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $354,458,000 after acquiring an additional 360,678 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,019,563 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $98,591,000 after buying an additional 31,039 shares in the last quarter. Toews Corp ADV acquired a new stake in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $51,699,000. Finally, Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC acquired a new stake in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $45,947,000. 87.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSEARCA:JNK opened at $96.76 on Friday. SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $90.40 and a 12 month high of $98.24. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $97.45 and a 200-day moving average of $96.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.10 billion, a PE ratio of 19.96 and a beta of 0.42.

SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF Profile

SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond ETF, seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index (the Index). The Index includes publicly issued United States dollar denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bonds that have a remaining maturity of at least one year, regardless of optionality, are rated high-yield using the middle rating of Moodys, S&P, and Fitch, respectively, and have $600 million or more of outstanding face value.

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Modera Wealth Management LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN  Free Report) by 10.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 43,995 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 5,184 shares during the quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Global Payments were worth $3,521,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Pzena Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Global Payments by 32.6% during the second quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 11,050,253 shares of the business services providers stock worth $884,462,000 after purchasing an additional 2,716,156 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Global Payments during the first quarter worth about $94,107,000. Amundi boosted its position in shares of Global Payments by 77.5% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 2,001,585 shares of the business services providers stock worth $186,107,000 after acquiring an additional 874,175 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its holdings in shares of Global Payments by 346.9% in the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 912,667 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $89,368,000 after purchasing an additional 708,451 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in Global Payments in the first quarter valued at about $66,441,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.76% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on GPN. B. Riley reissued a buy rating on shares of Global Payments in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Citigroup raised shares of Global Payments to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Global Payments from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Global Payments from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Global Payments from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and fourteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Global Payments has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $104.10.

Global Payments Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:GPN opened at $75.96 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.95. Global Payments Inc. has a 52 week low of $65.93 and a 52 week high of $120.00. The firm has a market cap of $18.43 billion, a PE ratio of 13.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.95. The firms fifty day moving average is $84.93 and its 200-day moving average is $81.81.

Global Payments (NYSE:GPN  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The business services provider reported $3.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.23 by $0.03. Global Payments had a return on equity of 12.47% and a net margin of 15.07%.The business had revenue of $2.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.41 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.08 EPS. Global Payments has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.600-6.666 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Global Payments Inc. will post 11.89 earnings per share for the current year.

Global Payments Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. Global Paymentss dividend payout ratio is currently 14.04%.

Global Payments Profile

(Free Report)

Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through two segments, Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services.

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Shares of New Zealand Energy Corp. (CVE:NZ  Get Free Report) traded down 21.1% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as C$0.35 and last traded at C$0.36. 186,715 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 653% from the average session volume of 24,786 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.45.

New Zealand Energy Trading Down 16.7%

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$0.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$0.28. The company has a current ratio of 3.36, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 41.83. The company has a market capitalization of C$8.63 million, a PE ratio of -0.39 and a beta of 4.58.

About New Zealand Energy

(Get Free Report)

New Zealand Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in New Zealand. It holds interests in three petroleum mining licenses, one petroleum mining permit, and one petroleum exploration permit. The company has interests in TWN Petroleum Mining Licenses comprising Waihapa/Ngaere, and Tariki; Copper Moki petroleum mining permit; and Eltham Petroleum exploration permit.

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NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The company reported ($0.03) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02) by ($0.01), Zacks reports.

NexGen Energy Stock Up 4.0%

Shares of NYSE NXE traded up $0.33 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $8.46. The stock had a trading volume of 7,501,754 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,496,042. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $8.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $7.17. The company has a market capitalization of $5.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -33.82 and a beta of 1.44. NexGen Energy has a 1-year low of $3.91 and a 1-year high of $9.95.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of NexGen Energy from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of NexGen Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of NexGen Energy in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, TD Securities reiterated a buy rating on shares of NexGen Energy in a report on Friday, August 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, NexGen Energy has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NexGen Energy

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NXE. Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new position in shares of NexGen Energy during the second quarter worth about $76,000. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in shares of NexGen Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $165,000. Sender Co & Partners Inc. acquired a new position in NexGen Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $180,000. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its holdings in NexGen Energy by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 28,015 shares of the companys stock worth $194,000 after acquiring an additional 1,817 shares during the period. Finally, Nomura Holdings Inc. grew its position in NexGen Energy by 120.3% in the second quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. now owns 30,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 16,677 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.43% of the companys stock.

NexGen Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

NexGen Energy Ltd., an exploration and development stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation and development of uranium properties in Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Rook I project that consists of 32 contiguous mineral claims totaling an area of 35,065 hectares located in the southwestern Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan.

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NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:NBY  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Friday. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.22) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.21) by ($0.01), FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $0.52 million during the quarter.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals stock traded down $0.01 on Friday, hitting $1.06. 163,616 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,185,460. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $1.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.02. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals has a 12-month low of $0.46 and a 12-month high of $4.44. The company has a market cap of $6.37 million, a PE ratio of -0.11 and a beta of 0.62.

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NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 1st were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 3,791.0%.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc develops and sells eyecare and wound care products in the United States and internationally. It offers Avenova Spray, a solution for removing foreign materials, including microorganisms and debris from skin around the eye, such as the eyelid; Avenova Eye Health Support antioxidant-rich oral supplements; Avenova Lubricating Eye Drops for instant relief; NovaWipes by Avenova; Avenova WarmEye Compress to soothe the eyes; and the i-Chek by Avenova to monitor physical eyelid health.

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Oldfield Partners LLP lessened its holdings in Buenaventura Mining Company Inc. (NYSE:BVN  Free Report) by 18.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 404,721 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 93,299 shares during the quarter. Buenaventura Mining makes up approximately 2.3% of Oldfield Partners LLPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Oldfield Partners LLP owned 0.16% of Buenaventura Mining worth $6,646,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Buenaventura Mining in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Brooklyn Investment Group grew its stake in shares of Buenaventura Mining by 1,363.9% in the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,947 shares of the mining companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,814 shares during the last quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. acquired a new stake in Buenaventura Mining in the first quarter valued at $36,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Buenaventura Mining in the first quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers bought a new position in Buenaventura Mining during the 1st quarter worth $157,000.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on BVN shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Buenaventura Mining in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised Buenaventura Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Buenaventura Mining from $27.00 to $27.50 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Buenaventura Mining from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $27.50.

Buenaventura Mining Trading Up 3.2%

Shares of BVN stock opened at $22.40 on Friday. Buenaventura Mining Company Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $11.50 and a fifty-two week high of $26.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 2.31 and a current ratio of 2.54. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $22.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $18.55. The company has a market cap of $5.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.37 and a beta of 0.26.

Buenaventura Mining (NYSE:BVN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The mining company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $431.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $355.57 million. Buenaventura Mining had a net margin of 38.38% and a return on equity of 9.47%. Research analysts forecast that Buenaventura Mining Company Inc. will post 1.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Buenaventura Mining Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be given a $0.1446 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 19th. Buenaventura Minings payout ratio is presently 16.47%.

Buenaventura Mining Company Profile

(Free Report)

Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA. engages in the exploration, development, construction, and operation of mineral processing business. The company explores for gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper metals. It operates operating mining units, including Tambomayo located in the Caylloma province, Orcopampa Unit located in the province of Castilla, Uchucchacua located in province of Oyon, Julcani located in province of Angaraes, Peru, as well as San Gabrie located in the province of General Sanchez Cerro, in the Moquegua region.

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Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC  Free Report) by 98.9% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 18,500 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 9,200 shares during the period. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLCs holdings in Omnicom Group were worth $1,331,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Omnicom Group by 17,506.1% in the 1st quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 2,744,080 shares of the business services providers stock worth $227,512,000 after buying an additional 2,728,494 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in shares of Omnicom Group by 20.2% in the first quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 7,178,226 shares of the business services providers stock worth $595,147,000 after acquiring an additional 1,205,165 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in Omnicom Group by 44.5% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,896,270 shares of the business services providers stock worth $323,040,000 after purchasing an additional 1,199,725 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Omnicom Group by 1,836.5% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,086,752 shares of the business services providers stock worth $89,114,000 after purchasing an additional 1,030,633 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Omnicom Group by 42.7% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,965,974 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $245,909,000 after buying an additional 887,415 shares during the period. 91.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on OMC. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Omnicom Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $78.00 to $91.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Omnicom Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Omnicom Group from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $96.57.

Omnicom Group Stock Up 1.8%

Shares of NYSE OMC opened at $74.30 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $14.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.97, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.94. Omnicom Group Inc. has a 1 year low of $68.37 and a 1 year high of $105.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.92. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $77.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $75.16.

Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The business services provider reported $2.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.17 by $0.07. Omnicom Group had a return on equity of 33.30% and a net margin of 8.31%.The company had revenue of $4.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.03 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Omnicom Group Inc. will post 8.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Omnicom Group

(Free Report)

Omnicom Group Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers advertising, marketing, and corporate communications services. It provides a range of services in the areas of advertising and media, precision marketing, commerce and branding, experiential, execution and support, public relations, and healthcare.

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Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC reduced its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 21.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 31,008 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 8,400 shares during the quarter. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLCs holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $1,435,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. REAP Financial Group LLC raised its position in Bristol Myers Squibb by 202.8% during the second quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 639 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 428 shares in the last quarter. Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb in the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC grew its position in Bristol Myers Squibb by 66.0% in the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 581 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter worth $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.41% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BMY. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday. Dbs Bank raised Bristol Myers Squibb to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Monday. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Daiwa America lowered shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and fifteen have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $57.23.

Insider Activity at Bristol Myers Squibb

In other news, EVP David V. Elkins sold 56,000 shares of Bristol Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.33, for a total transaction of $2,650,480.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 167,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,922,048.07. This trade represents a 25.07% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of Bristol Myers Squibb stock opened at $46.74 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $95.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.85, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.33. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 1 year low of $42.52 and a 1 year high of $63.33. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $45.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $46.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54.

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.11. Bristol Myers Squibb had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 80.04%. The company had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.75 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.80 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current year.

Bristol Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were issued a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.3%. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is 83.78%.

Bristol Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 30.4% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 60,769 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 14,170 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trusts holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,473,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer in the first quarter worth about $27,000. Curio Wealth LLC boosted its position in Pfizer by 36,600.0% in the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 1,101 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 1,098 shares during the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in Pfizer in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new position in Pfizer during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Pfizer during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $26.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $28.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating and set a $30.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a report on Friday, October 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $28.18.

Pfizer Trading Down 1.6%

Shares of PFE stock opened at $24.45 on Friday. Pfizer Inc. has a 1-year low of $20.92 and a 1-year high of $27.69. The company has a market cap of $138.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.00, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $24.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.35.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $16.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.94 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 16.84% and a return on equity of 21.42%. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.150 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. Pfizers payout ratio is presently 100.00%.

Pfizer Company Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ  Free Report) (TSE:CCO) by 12.2% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 22,950 shares of the basic materials companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares during the period. PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd.s holdings in Cameco were worth $1,707,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CCJ. Manchester Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Cameco by 100.0% during the first quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 600 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Dagco Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Cameco during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cameco during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Trust Co. of Vermont grew its stake in Cameco by 1,029.4% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 384 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hilltop National Bank bought a new position in Cameco in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. 70.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Cameco Stock Up 2.3%

NYSE CCJ opened at $92.30 on Friday. Cameco Corporation has a twelve month low of $35.00 and a twelve month high of $110.15. The stock has a market cap of $40.19 billion, a PE ratio of 106.09 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $86.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $73.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 2.96.

Cameco Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 25.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This is a boost from Camecos previous annual dividend of $0.12. Camecos payout ratio is 13.95%.

A number of research firms have weighed in on CCJ. UBS Group set a $102.00 target price on shares of Cameco in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. TD Securities reiterated a buy rating on shares of Cameco in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Wall Street Zen cut Cameco from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Cameco from $95.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Cameco in a research report on Friday, August 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $102.61.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CCJ

Cameco Company Profile

(Free Report)

Cameco Corporation provides uranium for the generation of electricity. It operates through Uranium, Fuel Services, Westinghouse segments. The Uranium segment is involved in the exploration for, mining, and milling, purchase, and sale of uranium concentrate. The Fuel Services segment engages in the refining, conversion, and fabrication of uranium concentrate, as well as the purchase and sale of conversion services.

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Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT  Free Report) by 42.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 6,446,407 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,929,377 shares during the quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLCs holdings in Wipro were worth $19,468,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of WIT. Vest Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wipro during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Hamilton Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Wipro in the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Haven Private LLC bought a new stake in shares of Wipro in the second quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group acquired a new stake in Wipro during the second quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Hoxton Planning & Management LLC bought a new position in Wipro during the 1st quarter worth $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.36% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on WIT shares. CLSA downgraded Wipro from an outperform rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Wipro in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Wipro presently has an average rating of Reduce.

Wipro Stock Performance

Shares of WIT stock opened at $2.59 on Friday. Wipro Limited has a fifty-two week low of $2.55 and a fifty-two week high of $3.79. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $2.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.82. The company has a market cap of $27.07 billion, a PE ratio of 17.23, a P/E/G ratio of 16.16 and a beta of 1.02.

Wipro (NYSE:WIT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The information technology services provider reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $2.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $224.40 billion. Wipro had a return on equity of 15.80% and a net margin of 15.06%. On average, equities analysts predict that Wipro Limited will post 0.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Wipro

(Free Report)

Wipro Limited operates as an information technology (IT), consulting, and business process services company worldwide. It operates through IT Services and IT Products segments. The IT Services segment offers IT and IT-enabled services, including digital strategy advisory, customer-centric design, technology and IT consulting, custom application design, development, re-engineering and maintenance, systems integration, package implementation, cloud and infrastructure, business process, cloud, mobility and analytics, research and development, and hardware and software design services to enterprises.

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Penserra Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 5.1% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 148,076 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,939 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $21,621,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in RTX during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $916,739,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of RTX by 28.0% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 6,385,201 shares of the companys stock worth $845,784,000 after acquiring an additional 1,394,918 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of RTX by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 119,836,487 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,873,541,000 after acquiring an additional 1,357,328 shares during the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of RTX by 1,178.2% during the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,212,353 shares of the companys stock valued at $160,588,000 after acquiring an additional 1,117,506 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI purchased a new position in shares of RTX in the first quarter valued at $130,194,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.50% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

RTX has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of RTX from $175.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on shares of RTX from $157.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $170.00 target price (up from $165.00) on shares of RTX in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $195.00 price target on shares of RTX in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on RTX from $145.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, RTX presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $178.47.

RTX Price Performance

RTX stock opened at $177.01 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $237.33 billion, a PE ratio of 36.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.64. RTX Corporation has a 12 month low of $112.27 and a 12 month high of $181.31. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $164.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $151.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58.

RTX (NYSE:RTX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.29. RTX had a net margin of 7.67% and a return on equity of 13.28%. The business had revenue of $22.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.26 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.45 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. RTX has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.100-6.200 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that RTX Corporation will post 6.11 earnings per share for the current year.

RTX Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. RTXs payout ratio is presently 55.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling at RTX

In other RTX news, EVP Neil G. Mitchill, Jr. sold 4,849 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.15, for a total value of $873,547.35. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 59,556 shares in the company, valued at $10,729,013.40. This trade represents a 7.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Troy D. Brunk sold 7,654 shares of RTX stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.20, for a total value of $1,187,900.80. Following the sale, the insider owned 16,442 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,551,798.40. This trade represents a 31.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 38,471 shares of company stock valued at $6,210,875 in the last quarter. 0.15% of the stock is owned by insiders.

RTX Profile

(Free Report)

RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations.

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Prospera Financial Services Inc cut its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Free Report) by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 89,142 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,100 shares during the quarter. Prospera Financial Services Incs holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $13,628,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Clark Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 51.6% during the 2nd quarter. Clark Asset Management LLC now owns 8,884 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,357,000 after purchasing an additional 3,025 shares during the last quarter. Apexium Financial LP grew its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 10.7% in the first quarter. Apexium Financial LP now owns 23,989 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,978,000 after purchasing an additional 2,310 shares in the last quarter. Avanza Fonder AB boosted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 2.9% in the second quarter. Avanza Fonder AB now owns 234,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,842,000 after acquiring an additional 6,566 shares during the period. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 7.0% during the 1st quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 73,350 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,164,000 after acquiring an additional 4,816 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Klingman & Associates LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 13.4% during the 1st quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 16,984 shares of the companys stock worth $2,817,000 after acquiring an additional 2,005 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.55% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Jennifer L. Taubert sold 56,471 shares of Johnson & Johnson stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.81, for a total transaction of $10,041,108.51. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 178,013 shares in the company, valued at $31,652,491.53. The trade was a 24.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.16% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on JNJ. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Johnson & Johnson from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Guggenheim upgraded Johnson & Johnson from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $167.00 to $206.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. UBS Group raised their price target on Johnson & Johnson from $190.00 to $214.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Johnson Rice set a $190.00 target price on Johnson & Johnson and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Johnson & Johnson has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $199.05.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:JNJ opened at $186.50 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $184.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $168.63. The stock has a market cap of $449.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.38. Johnson & Johnson has a fifty-two week low of $140.68 and a fifty-two week high of $194.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 30th. The company reported $2.26 EPS for the quarter. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 32.73% and a net margin of 27.26%.The business had revenue of $24.02 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 25th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 25th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. Johnson & Johnsons payout ratio is presently 50.19%.

Johnson & Johnson Profile

(Free Report)

Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension.

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Rightmove plc (LON:RMV  Get Free Report) fell 12.5% on Saturday . The company traded as low as GBX 474.50 and last traded at GBX 573.69. 24,167,318 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 367% from the average session volume of 5,171,865 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 655.40.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently issued reports on RMV. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Rightmove in a report on Friday, October 10th. Berenberg Bank increased their price target on shares of Rightmove from GBX 795 to GBX 850 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 815 price objective on shares of Rightmove in a report on Monday, July 28th. Peel Hunt reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 885 target price on shares of Rightmove in a research note on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Rightmove from GBX 750 to GBX 805 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Rightmove currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 796.40.

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Rightmove Price Performance

About Rightmove

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 697.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 744.35. The company has a market capitalization of 4.40 billion, a PE ratio of 22.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 2.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.15.

(Get Free Report)

Rightmove plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates online digital property advertising and information portals in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates through Agency, New Homes, and Other segments. The Agency segment provides property resale and letting advertising services on its platforms.

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Rio2 Limited (OTCMKTS:RIOFF  Get Free Report) shares were up 0.3% on Friday . The stock traded as high as C$1.56 and last traded at C$1.55. Approximately 473,375 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 53% from the average daily volume of 310,264 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$1.55.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Rio2 in a research note on Friday, October 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on RIOFF

Rio2 Stock Performance

About Rio2

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$1.40 and a 200 day moving average price of C$1.13.

(Get Free Report)

Rio2 Limited engages in the exploration, development, and mining of mineral properties in Canada, Peru, Bahamas, and Chile. It holds a 100% in the Fenix Gold Project covering an area of approximately 16,050 hectares located in Chile. The company was incorporated in 1990 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Installed Building Products (NYSE:IBP  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $184.00 to $203.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an underperform rating on the construction companys stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective suggests a potential downside of 21.11% from the companys current price.

IBP has been the topic of several other research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Installed Building Products in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Vertical Research initiated coverage on Installed Building Products in a research note on Monday, October 20th. They set a sell rating for the company. Danske lowered Installed Building Products from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $252.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. DA Davidson lowered shares of Installed Building Products from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their target price for the company from $225.00 to $252.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Installed Building Products from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, November 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $224.45.

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Installed Building Products Trading Up 2.1%

IBP opened at $257.32 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.31, a current ratio of 2.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27. Installed Building Products has a 52 week low of $150.83 and a 52 week high of $280.00. The stock has a market cap of $7.03 billion, a PE ratio of 28.62 and a beta of 1.81. The business has a 50 day moving average of $256.12 and a 200-day moving average of $215.48.

Installed Building Products (NYSE:IBP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The construction company reported $3.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.69 by $0.49. The business had revenue of $778.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $751.98 million. Installed Building Products had a net margin of 8.45% and a return on equity of 60.27%. The businesss revenue was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.85 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Installed Building Products will post 10.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Installed Building Products

In related news, CAO Todd R. Fry sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $257.27, for a total value of $128,635.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 6,822 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,755,095.94. This represents a 6.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, COO Brad A. Wheeler sold 3,186 shares of Installed Building Products stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.29, for a total value of $877,073.94. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 8,736 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,404,933.44. This represents a 26.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 11,655 shares of company stock valued at $3,123,578. Company insiders own 16.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Installed Building Products

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Installed Building Products by 1.3% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,671,315 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $458,024,000 after buying an additional 34,512 shares during the last quarter. Eminence Capital LP increased its stake in Installed Building Products by 48.5% during the 2nd quarter. Eminence Capital LP now owns 945,101 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $170,421,000 after buying an additional 308,717 shares during the period. Timucuan Asset Management Inc. FL lifted its stake in shares of Installed Building Products by 73.2% in the 2nd quarter. Timucuan Asset Management Inc. FL now owns 866,577 shares of the construction companys stock worth $156,261,000 after acquiring an additional 366,250 shares during the period. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. boosted its stake in Installed Building Products by 11.9% during the 2nd quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 593,496 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $107,019,000 after purchasing an additional 63,315 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Giverny Capital Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Installed Building Products by 1.3% in the second quarter. Giverny Capital Inc. now owns 514,459 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $92,767,000 after buying an additional 6,386 shares during the period. 99.61% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Installed Building Products Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Installed Building Products, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation of insulation, waterproofing, fire-stopping, fireproofing, garage doors, rain gutters, window blinds, shower doors, closet shelving and mirrors, and other products in the United States. It operates through Installation, Distribution, and Manufacturing operation segments.

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RWA Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:NYF  Free Report) by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 353,480 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 3,318 shares during the period. RWA Wealth Partners LLC owned approximately 2.08% of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF worth $18,430,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of NYF. W.G. Shaheen & Associates DBA Whitney & Co raised its holdings in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 2.0% during the second quarter. W.G. Shaheen & Associates DBA Whitney & Co now owns 11,544 shares of the companys stock valued at $602,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 8.8% in the first quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 3,712 shares of the companys stock valued at $195,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the period. Flagstar Advisors Inc. boosted its position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 2.7% in the second quarter. Flagstar Advisors Inc. now owns 16,085 shares of the companys stock worth $839,000 after purchasing an additional 421 shares during the last quarter. Boston Standard Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 8.3% in the second quarter. Boston Standard Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,895 shares of the companys stock worth $360,000 after purchasing an additional 528 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 10.1% during the 1st quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 7,866 shares of the companys stock valued at $414,000 after purchasing an additional 721 shares during the period.

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iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:NYF opened at $53.62 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $53.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.47. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $50.04 and a twelve month high of $54.30.

About iShares New York Muni Bond ETF

iShares New York AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF, formerly iShares S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series 2016 IndexTM (the Index).

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State of Michigan Retirement System trimmed its position in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO  Free Report) by 10.0% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 4,500 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 500 shares during the period. State of Michigan Retirement Systems holdings in Bio-Rad Laboratories were worth $1,086,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BIO. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its position in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 3,633.3% during the second quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 112 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories by 260.0% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 144 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories by 89.8% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 167 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories by 64.1% during the 1st quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 356 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $87,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.24% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from $265.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Bio-Rad Laboratories from $387.00 to $409.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $358.50.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Trading Down 0.5%

NYSE BIO opened at $305.07 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $8.26 billion, a P/E ratio of -12.55 and a beta of 1.04. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $300.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $267.45. The company has a current ratio of 5.12, a quick ratio of 3.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. has a 52 week low of $211.43 and a 52 week high of $373.69.

Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE:BIO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The medical research company reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.30 by ($0.04). Bio-Rad Laboratories had a positive return on equity of 4.18% and a negative net margin of 26.43%.The firm had revenue of $653.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $651.30 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.01 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .5% on a year-over-year basis. Bio-Rad Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. will post 10.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc manufactures and distributes life science research and clinical diagnostic products in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through two segments, Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics. The company develops, manufactures, and markets instruments, systems, reagents, and consumables to separate, purify, characterize, and quantitate biological materials such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids for proteomics, genomics, biopharmaceutical production, cellular biology, and food safety markets.

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Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its position in STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE:STM  Free Report) by 3.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 647,080 shares of the semiconductor producers stock after acquiring an additional 24,321 shares during the quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLCs holdings in STMicroelectronics were worth $19,677,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Modera Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in STMicroelectronics by 18.4% during the second quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 158,879 shares of the semiconductor producers stock valued at $4,832,000 after purchasing an additional 24,642 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in shares of STMicroelectronics by 10.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 150,170 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $4,567,000 after buying an additional 13,874 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of STMicroelectronics by 16,098.1% in the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 59,933 shares of the semiconductor producers stock valued at $1,823,000 after buying an additional 59,563 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position in shares of STMicroelectronics by 7.9% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 93,800 shares of the semiconductor producers stock valued at $2,852,000 after buying an additional 6,886 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Whalen Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in STMicroelectronics during the second quarter worth about $213,000. 5.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

STM has been the subject of a number of research reports. Craig Hallum downgraded STMicroelectronics from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $28.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings downgraded STMicroelectronics from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on STMicroelectronics from $27.00 to $25.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 24th. BNP Paribas raised STMicroelectronics from a hold rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their target price on STMicroelectronics from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, STMicroelectronics currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $31.19.

STMicroelectronics Stock Down 0.5%

STM opened at $23.52 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $27.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $27.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 3.22 and a quick ratio of 2.28. The stock has a market cap of $21.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.54, a P/E/G ratio of 4.59 and a beta of 1.67. STMicroelectronics N.V. has a 12 month low of $17.25 and a 12 month high of $33.47.

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The semiconductor producer reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.19 billion during the quarter. STMicroelectronics had a return on equity of 4.06% and a net margin of 4.55%. As a group, research analysts predict that STMicroelectronics N.V. will post 0.85 earnings per share for the current year.

STMicroelectronics Profile

(Free Report)

STMicroelectronics N.V., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through Automotive and Discrete Group; Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group; and Microcontrollers and Digital ICs Group segments.

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Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc. trimmed its holdings in Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:VUG  Free Report) by 14.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,233 shares of the companys stock after selling 527 shares during the quarter. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc.s holdings in Vanguard Growth ETF were worth $1,417,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Allianz SE acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Growth ETF during the first quarter valued at about $29,000. Hager Investment Management Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vanguard Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Costello Asset Management INC bought a new stake in shares of Vanguard Growth ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Biltmore Family Office LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000.

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Vanguard Growth ETF Stock Performance

Shares of Vanguard Growth ETF stock opened at $484.48 on Friday. Vanguard Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $316.14 and a twelve month high of $505.38. The firm has a market cap of $196.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.22 and a beta of 1.17. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $480.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $446.05.

About Vanguard Growth ETF

Vanguard Growth Index Fund, formerly Vanguard Growth ETF, is an exchange-traded share class of Vanguard Growth Index Fund, which employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the MSCI US Prime Market Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a diversified index of growth stocks of large United States companies.

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Titan Global Capital Management USA LLC lifted its position in shares of Denison Mine Corp (NYSEAMERICAN:DNN  Free Report) (TSE:DML) by 15.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,961,719 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 264,181 shares during the quarter. Titan Global Capital Management USA LLC owned about 0.22% of Denison Mine worth $3,570,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Canton Hathaway LLC bought a new position in Denison Mine during the 2nd quarter worth $75,000. Advisory Alpha LLC bought a new stake in shares of Denison Mine in the 2nd quarter valued at about $40,000. Brookwood Investment Group LLC grew its position in shares of Denison Mine by 321.7% in the 2nd quarter. Brookwood Investment Group LLC now owns 71,215 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $130,000 after buying an additional 54,328 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Denison Mine by 29.4% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 55,962 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $102,000 after buying an additional 12,705 shares during the period. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its position in shares of Denison Mine by 7,904.4% during the second quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 58,512 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $106,000 after acquiring an additional 57,781 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 36.74% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

DNN has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Securities restated a buy rating on shares of Denison Mine in a research report on Monday, August 11th. National Bankshares reissued an outperform rating on shares of Denison Mine in a research note on Monday, August 18th. Desjardins raised shares of Denison Mine to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 18th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Denison Mine in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of Denison Mine in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy.

Denison Mine Stock Performance

DNN stock opened at $2.55 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $2.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.13. Denison Mine Corp has a fifty-two week low of $1.08 and a fifty-two week high of $3.42. The firm has a market cap of $2.29 billion, a PE ratio of -42.50 and a beta of 1.32.

Denison Mine Profile

(Free Report)

Denison Mines Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of uranium bearing properties in Canada. Its flagship project is the Wheeler River uranium project covering an area of approximately 300,000 hectares located in the Athabasca Basin region in northern Saskatchewan. The company was formerly known as International Uranium Corporation and changed its name to Denison Mines Corp.

Further Reading

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Celsius, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian Natural Resources, Canadian Solar, Canadian National Railway, TC Energy, and Bank Of Montreal are the seven Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are equity securities representing ownership in companies incorporated in Canada or primarily operating there, typically listed on Canadian exchanges such as the Toronto Stock Exchange or TSX Venture Exchange. Their prices and returns depend on company performance and Canada-specific factors like the Canadian dollar, commodity prices, and domestic economic and regulatory conditions. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days.

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Celsius (CELH)

Celsius Holdings, Inc. develops, processes, markets, distributes, and sells functional energy drinks and liquid supplements in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company offers CELSIUS, a fitness drink or supplement designed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat; various flavors and carbonated and non-carbonated functional energy drinks under the CELSIUS Originals and Vibe name, as well as functional energy drink under the CELSIUS Essentials and CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder names; and CELSIUS ready-to drink products.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CP

Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

Read Our Latest Research Report on CNQ

Canadian Solar (CSIQ)

Canadian Solar Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides solar energy and battery energy storage products and solutions in in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy. The CSI Solar segment designs, develops, and manufactures solar ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and other solar power and battery storage products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CSIQ

Canadian National Railway (CNI)

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CNI

TC Energy (TRP)

TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,600 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TRP

Bank Of Montreal (BMO)

Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BMO

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TransAlta Co. (TSE:TA  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TAC) shares fell 16.5% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as C$19.13 and last traded at C$19.87. 1,814,128 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 4% from the average session volume of 1,736,289 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$23.80.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

TA has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Desjardins boosted their price objective on TransAlta from C$16.50 to C$21.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of TransAlta from C$23.00 to C$27.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. National Bankshares lifted their price objective on shares of TransAlta from C$16.00 to C$17.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. ATB Capital boosted their target price on shares of TransAlta from C$18.00 to C$20.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, TD Securities decreased their price target on shares of TransAlta from C$27.00 to C$26.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$22.89.

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TransAlta Price Performance

About TransAlta

The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 229.66. The company has a market capitalization of C$6.45 billion, a PE ratio of -40.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.07 and a beta of 0.74. The firms 50 day simple moving average is C$20.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$16.84.

(Get Free Report)

TransAlta is an independent power producer based in Alberta, Canada. The company operates a diverse and growing fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia consisting of hydro, wind, solar, battery storage, gas and energy transition facilities. The majority of the companys revenues are derived from the sale of generation capacity, electricity, thermal energy, environmental attributes, and byproducts of power generation.

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Trinity Bank NA (OTCMKTS:TYBT  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The company reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, Zacks reports.

Trinity Bank NA Stock Down 4.7%

Shares of OTCMKTS:TYBT traded down $4.99 on Friday, reaching $101.01. 200 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 240. Trinity Bank NA has a fifty-two week low of $83.00 and a fifty-two week high of $106.00. The businesss 50-day moving average is $92.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $89.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $109.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.93 and a beta of -0.02.

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Trinity Bank NA Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.0%. Trinity Bank NAs payout ratio is 25.61%.

About Trinity Bank NA

Trinity Bank, N.A. provides personal and business banking products and services in Texas. It provides personal and business deposits, such as checking and money market accounts; treasury tax and loan deposits; mobile deposits; certificates of deposit; and automobile, secured/unsecured, home improvement, lots and interim construction, installment/term, equipment, and real estate loans, as well as revolving lines of credit.

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Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by equities researchers at UBS Group from $82.00 to $98.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the utilities providers stock. UBS Groups price target indicates a potential upside of 4.67% from the companys previous close.

SRE has been the topic of a number of other reports. BTIG Research upgraded Sempra Energy to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $99.00 price target on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and issued a $80.00 price objective (up from $70.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sempra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Sempra Energy from $86.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Sempra Energy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $95.42.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on SRE

Sempra Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SRE opened at $93.63 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 0.48 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.62, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.68. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $88.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $81.32. Sempra Energy has a 12 month low of $61.90 and a 12 month high of $95.77.

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $3.15 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. Sempra Energy had a net margin of 20.28% and a return on equity of 8.42%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.89 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Sempra Energy will post 4.76 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Alexander Lisa Larroque sold 4,322 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.55, for a total transaction of $400,001.10. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 11,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,048,128.75. This represents a 27.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Kevin C. Sagara sold 14,433 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.50, for a total transaction of $1,291,753.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,042 shares of the companys stock, valued at $93,259. This trade represents a 93.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 52,733 shares of company stock valued at $4,541,791 in the last 90 days. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SRE. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Sempra Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Sempra Energy by 51.2% during the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 375 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Pingora Partners LLC grew its holdings in Sempra Energy by 48.3% in the 1st quarter. Pingora Partners LLC now owns 430 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 245.1% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 421 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 299 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 230.8% in the 2nd quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 430 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. 89.65% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Sempra Energy

(Get Free Report)

Sempra operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Sempra California, Sempra Texas Utilities, and Sempra Infrastructure. The Sempra California segment provides electric services; and natural gas services to San Diego County.

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Van Cleef Asset Management Inc decreased its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 10.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,246 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,439 shares during the period. Van Cleef Asset Management Incs holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $567,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. increased its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. now owns 8,063 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $492,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Exchange Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 0.4% during the second quarter. Exchange Capital Management Inc. now owns 54,893 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,541,000 after buying an additional 220 shares during the period. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI grew its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 0.3% during the second quarter. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI now owns 78,105 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,615,000 after buying an additional 224 shares in the last quarter. Richwood Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Bristol Myers Squibb by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Richwood Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,303 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $616,000 after buying an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lipe & Dalton raised its position in Bristol Myers Squibb by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Lipe & Dalton now owns 56,999 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,476,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BMY shares. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $42.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Bristol Myers Squibb to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and fifteen have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bristol Myers Squibb currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $57.23.

Bristol Myers Squibb Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of BMY opened at $46.74 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.25 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $46.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a one year low of $42.52 and a one year high of $63.33. The company has a market cap of $95.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.85, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.33.

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.11. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 80.04% and a net margin of 10.58%.The firm had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.75 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.80 EPS. The companys revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.3%. Bristol Myers Squibbs payout ratio is presently 83.78%.

Insider Activity at Bristol Myers Squibb

In other news, EVP David V. Elkins sold 56,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.33, for a total value of $2,650,480.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 167,379 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,922,048.07. This trade represents a 25.07% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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ZEGA Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ  Free Report) by 27.4% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 3,002 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 645 shares during the period. ZEGA Investments LLCs holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF were worth $267,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D increased its stake in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 87.5% in the first quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 8,598,869 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $778,542,000 after purchasing an additional 4,013,382 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 458.2% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 3,252,481 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $294,480,000 after acquiring an additional 2,669,771 shares during the period. Empower Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 17.5% during the first quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 13,858,639 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,254,761,000 after purchasing an additional 2,064,842 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 33.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,696,203 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $425,194,000 after buying an additional 1,178,304 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citigroup Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 1,384.8% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 879,620 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $79,641,000 after buying an additional 820,378 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.03% of the companys stock.

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Vanguard Real Estate ETF Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of NYSEARCA VNQ opened at $90.23 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $90.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $90.06. The company has a market capitalization of $34.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.58 and a beta of 1.03. Vanguard Real Estate ETF has a twelve month low of $76.92 and a twelve month high of $99.20.

Vanguard Real Estate ETF Company Profile

Vanguard REIT ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund invests in stocks issued by real estate investment trusts (REITs), companies that purchase office buildings, hotels, and other real property. It tracks the return of the MSCI US RIT Index, a gauge of real estate stocks. The Vanguard Group, Inc provides investment advisory services to the Fund.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. raised its holdings in Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL  Free Report) by 134.9% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 43,740 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 25,118 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in Welltower were worth $6,724,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of WELL. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Welltower in the first quarter worth $762,204,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Welltower by 41.6% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 8,923,852 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,367,226,000 after purchasing an additional 2,622,384 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Welltower by 14.0% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 21,289,684 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,261,792,000 after purchasing an additional 2,614,562 shares in the last quarter. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC grew its stake in shares of Welltower by 55.6% in the 1st quarter. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC now owns 3,013,247 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $461,660,000 after buying an additional 1,076,293 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in Welltower by 65.2% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 2,648,557 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $399,314,000 after buying an additional 1,045,507 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.80% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on WELL. UBS Group set a $203.00 price target on Welltower in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on Welltower from $175.00 to $183.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. KeyCorp lifted their price target on shares of Welltower from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Welltower from $185.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Welltower from $181.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $187.93.

Welltower Price Performance

WELL opened at $190.53 on Friday. Welltower Inc. has a 1 year low of $123.11 and a 1 year high of $190.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 5.47 and a quick ratio of 4.19. The company has a market capitalization of $130.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 131.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.92. The firms fifty day moving average price is $173.59 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $162.01.

Welltower (NYSE:WELL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.34 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.04. Welltower had a net margin of 9.69% and a return on equity of 2.71%. The company had revenue of $2.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.11 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 30.7% on a year-over-year basis. Welltower has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.240-5.300 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Welltower Inc. will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Welltower Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 11th will be given a dividend of $0.74 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. This represents a $2.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.6%. Welltowers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 204.14%.

Welltower Company Profile

(Free Report)

Welltower Inc (NYSE:WELL), a real estate investment trust (REIT) and S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. Welltower invests with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers and health systems to fund the real estate infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve peoples wellness and overall health care experience.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. trimmed its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 25.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,102 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 3,072 shares during the period. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $6,442,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 617,504.5% in the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 29,058,291 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $20,566,005,000 after acquiring an additional 29,053,586 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter valued at $897,185,000. Ninety One UK Ltd bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $408,780,000. Amundi increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 13.6% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 1,891,260 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $967,193,000 after purchasing an additional 225,993 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 15.6% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,604,472 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $874,318,000 after buying an additional 216,556 shares in the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $750.51, for a total transaction of $6,754,590.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 106,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,755,196.68. This represents a 7.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.55% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently weighed in on GS shares. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. They issued a market perform rating and a $785.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $700.00 to $765.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. BNP Paribas Exane upped their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $685.00 to $775.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $785.00 to $855.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $779.50.

Get Our Latest Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:GS opened at $786.03 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $235.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.41. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $439.38 and a 12-month high of $825.25. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $778.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $700.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.23.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 13.18%.The company had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $8.40 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be paid a dividend of $4.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.50%.

About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Vipshop (NYSE:VIPS  Get Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating in a note issued to investors on Saturday.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on VIPS. Bank of America cut their price target on Vipshop from $17.80 to $17.30 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 18th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Vipshop in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research cut shares of Vipshop from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Vipshop from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $18.33.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on VIPS

Vipshop Stock Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vipshop

Shares of VIPS traded up $0.38 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $18.66. 2,137,136 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,296,460. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $18.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.57 billion, a PE ratio of 10.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.83. Vipshop has a 1-year low of $12.14 and a 1-year high of $21.08.

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of Vipshop in the third quarter worth about $1,492,000. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its position in shares of Vipshop by 16.6% in the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 28,879 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $567,000 after acquiring an additional 4,111 shares in the last quarter. Todd Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Vipshop by 36.9% in the 3rd quarter. Todd Asset Management LLC now owns 2,615,109 shares of the technology companys stock worth $51,361,000 after purchasing an additional 705,188 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Vipshop by 39.5% during the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 9,892 shares of the technology companys stock worth $194,000 after purchasing an additional 2,801 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ABN Amro Investment Solutions acquired a new stake in Vipshop during the 3rd quarter valued at $207,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 48.82% of the companys stock.

Vipshop Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Vipshop Holdings Limited operates online platforms in the People's Republic of China. It operates in Vip.com, Shan Shan Outlets, and Others segments. The company offers womenswear, menswear, sportswear and sporting goods, shoes and bags, accessories, baby and children products, skincare and cosmetics, home goods and other lifestyle products, and supermarket products.

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O-I Glass (NYSE:OI  Get Free Report) had its target price raised by stock analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $14.00 to $15.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the industrial products companys stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price target points to a potential upside of 16.50% from the stocks current price.

OI has been the subject of a number of other reports. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of O-I Glass from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 13th. UBS Group restated a buy rating and set a $19.00 price target (up previously from $17.00) on shares of O-I Glass in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Bank of America reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $17.00 price objective (up from $15.00) on shares of O-I Glass in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of O-I Glass in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded O-I Glass from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $16.67.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on O-I Glass

O-I Glass Stock Performance

Shares of OI opened at $12.88 on Thursday. O-I Glass has a 12-month low of $9.23 and a 12-month high of $16.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.58. The company has a market cap of $1.98 billion, a PE ratio of -7.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.22 and a beta of 0.89. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $12.52 and a 200-day moving average price of $13.28.

O-I Glass (NYSE:OI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 1st. The industrial products company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter. O-I Glass had a negative net margin of 3.95% and a positive return on equity of 13.70%. The company had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts forecast that O-I Glass will post 1.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of O-I Glass

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of OI. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of O-I Glass by 3.7% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,349,218 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $250,959,000 after purchasing an additional 691,989 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D raised its holdings in O-I Glass by 14.4% during the 3rd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 163,369 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,119,000 after buying an additional 20,576 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its position in O-I Glass by 29.1% during the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 680,559 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $8,827,000 after buying an additional 153,199 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its holdings in O-I Glass by 7.1% in the 3rd quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 83,223 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,079,000 after acquiring an additional 5,482 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bryce Point Capital LLC bought a new stake in O-I Glass in the 3rd quarter worth $533,000. Institutional investors own 97.24% of the companys stock.

O-I Glass Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

O-I Glass, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of glass containers to food and beverage manufacturers primarily in the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company produces glass containers for alcoholic beverages, including beer, flavored malt beverages, spirits, and wine.

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WESCAP Management Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUC  Free Report) by 63.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 80,576 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 31,156 shares during the period. WESCAP Management Group Inc.s holdings in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund were worth $834,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 1,634,966 shares of the companys stock worth $17,510,000 after buying an additional 44,484 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 13.0% during the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 649,202 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,953,000 after acquiring an additional 74,932 shares during the period. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 53.8% in the first quarter. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. now owns 466,259 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,994,000 after purchasing an additional 163,192 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 27.3% in the first quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 237,076 shares of the companys stock worth $2,539,000 after purchasing an additional 50,900 shares during the period. Finally, Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 8.4% during the 1st quarter. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. now owns 233,897 shares of the companys stock worth $2,505,000 after purchasing an additional 18,204 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 30.99% of the companys stock.

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BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MUC opened at $10.82 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $10.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.45. BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. has a twelve month low of $9.97 and a twelve month high of $11.47.

BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Dividend Announcement

BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Company Profile

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a $0.0535 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 5.9%.

(Free Report)

BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in a portfolio of long-term investment-grade municipal obligations, the interest on which is exempt from Federal and California income taxes.

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Western Alaska Minerals Corp. (CVE:WAM  Get Free Report) shares rose 6.3% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as C$0.86 and last traded at C$0.84. Approximately 365,920 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 231% from the average daily volume of 110,491 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.79.

Western Alaska Minerals Stock Up 6.3%

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$1.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$0.93. The company has a market cap of C$72.24 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.50 and a beta of 1.90.

About Western Alaska Minerals

(Get Free Report)

Western Alaska Minerals Corp. engages in the acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral properties in the United States. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, molybdenum, copper, lead, and zinc deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Round Top Property that consists of 92 state mineral claims located in the Mount McKinley and Nulato mining districts of Alaska; the Honker Property that consists of 24 state mineral claims located in the Mount McKinley mining district of Alaska; and the Illinois Creek Mine Project covering a total area of approximately 73,000 acres located in Alaska.

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Whitecap Resources Inc. (OTCMKTS:SPGYF  Get Free Report) crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $6.79 and traded as low as $6.68. Whitecap Resources shares last traded at $6.79, with a volume of 1,253,043 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Desjardins raised shares of Whitecap Resources from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on SPGYF

Whitecap Resources Stock Performance

About Whitecap Resources

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $6.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $6.60.

(Get Free Report)

Whitecap Resources Inc, an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company's primary areas of focus of its development programs are in Northern Alberta and British Columbia, Central Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:FLJP  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 9,663 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $311,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWM LLC bought a new position in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF by 31.6% in the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 2,246 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,000 after acquiring an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $109,000. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in Franklin FTSE Japan ETF by 151.2% during the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 4,658 shares of the companys stock worth $137,000 after acquiring an additional 2,804 shares during the period. Finally, Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA purchased a new position in Franklin FTSE Japan ETF in the first quarter worth $202,000.

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Franklin FTSE Japan ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:FLJP opened at $35.67 on Friday. Franklin FTSE Japan ETF has a 1 year low of $25.77 and a 1 year high of $35.97. The company has a market capitalization of $2.48 billion, a PE ratio of 14.28 and a beta of 0.65. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $34.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $32.94.

Franklin FTSE Japan ETF Company Profile

The Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (FLJP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Japan RIC Capped index. The fund tracks a market-cap-selected and -weighted index of Japanese equities. FLJP was launched on Nov 2, 2017 and is managed by Franklin Templeton.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FLJP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:FLJP  Free Report).

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Dr Chiru awarded research project by ICAI

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IMPHAL, Nov 7 : Dr Partakson Romun Chiru, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Dhanamanjuri University, has been awarded an Open Challenge Research Project Grant by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), one of the most prestigious and premier professional institutions in the country.

As per a release issued by the Department of Commerce, DM University, the significant achievement marked a moment of pride for the University and the Department, reflecting Dr Chirus commitment to advancing academic research and contributing to the nation's knowledge economy.

Dr Chiru expressed profound gratitude to Prof W Chandbabu Singh, Vice-Chancellor of DM University, for his invaluable mentorship, constant encouragement, and support that guided him toward securing this prestigious research opportunity.

The University community also extended its heartiest congratulations to Dr Chiru and conveyed its best wishes for the successful completion and submission of his research project.
Projecting the next CMs face Priority is a roadmap

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Leaving aside the question of whether the return of a popular Government would make the situation better or not, it is significant to note that this is the first time that an MLA has publicly announced the name of a colleague as the leader to be backed. Lourembam Rameshwar, MLA from Keirao AC, needs no introduction to the people of Manipur in as much as where he stands, as far as the leadership question within the BJP legislators is concerned, but this is the first time that he has publicly gone ahead and announced that Speaker Th Satyabarta would be projected as the leader of the BJP MLAs. Meaning the man from Yaiskul AC would be backed as the Chief Minister, if and when the occasion demands it. This much is clear, but what is not clear is the stand of the other BJP MLAs. Do the other BJP MLAs back the stand of L Rameshwar or not ? Will the BJP Central leadership accept the public proclamation of an MLA ? Only time will tell, but important to remember that the BJP did not project anyone as the Chief Minister candidate in the 2017 Assembly election. The same approach was adopted in the 2022 Assembly polls. However this time there is no election and the question of projecting anyone as the CM candidate does not arise, but the projection of Satyabarta as the leader of the BJP MLAs, could mean so many things. In one statement, the Keirao AC MLA has made it clear that in the Speaker there is someone who can be projected as the next CM. Why this was not done so earlier has not been answered but it could mean the demand for the return of a popular Government has been given a renewed thrust with a BJP MLA being projected as the man to take on the hot seat. It could have just been an occasion, but at the same venue where the MLA publicly named Th Satyabarta as the man to be the next CM, the Speaker himself announced that some Central BJP leaders are expected to visit Manipur this month itself and this is something which would not have missed the eyes of the keen observers. Central leaders in town and convey to them that an MLA has been projected as the next CM and things seem to fall in place. No one knows how things will proceed in the coming days, but it should be clear that the demand to reinstall the popularly elected Government is growing louder. Top this with the open statement that if such a Government is not installed within November, then it would be better to go in for fresh elections and one can get a better understanding of the under current within the legislature wing of the State BJP. The longer the PR administration continues, the bleaker the prospects of the BJP in the next Assembly elections is another line that has been maintained and surely this is something which would not have missed the attention of the Central BJP leaders.

The equation spelt out is clear. Reinstate the popularly elected Government as soon as possible and give time to the BJP MLAs to go to the voters before 2027 so that the prospects of the saffron party can be maintained. This is the line that is clearly visible in the call for the return of a popular Government but the all important question has never ever been addressed and this is what is hard to miss. Okay let the popularly elected Government return, but what are the steps being mulled to take Manipur closer to the understanding of normalcy ? Remember the popularly elected Government was in power when May 3, 2023 came and it was there till February 13, 2025. Will the return of a popular Government help to address some of the pressing issues, issues which have paralysed Manipur since the evening of May 3, 2023 ? Has any roadmap to normalcy been charted out ? Will the return of a popular Government be able to exert the right pressure on New Delhi to help take Manipur to the road of normalcy ? The very fact that voices of opposition to the proposal to hold the Sangai Festival this year is growing louder is more than evident that normalcy is still a far cry away. Have the political leaders and the MLAs put their head together to ensure some semblance of normalcy ? None of these questions have been addressed to while raising the demand for the return of a popular Government and this says something significant. Or will just the return of a popular Government help take Manipur closer to the understanding of normalcy or will it be a question of going back to the pre-February 13, 2025 days ? These questions need to be asked.
Ryan Reynolds is working on a remake of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.

Ryan Reynolds working on Thunderbolt and Lightfoot remake

The 49-year-old actor has joined forces with Amazon MGM for a new production of the 1974 action comedy which starred Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges.

Reynolds is set to star in the film and produce through his Maximum Effort production company, according to The Hollywood Reporter

Reynolds will also collaborate with writers Enzo Mileti and Scott Wilson on the script, while Deadpool Wolverine editor Shane Reid is set to direct.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot was the directorial debut of Michael Cimino. Eastwood starred as John Thunderbolt Doherty, a bank robber disguised as a preacher who was almost killed before being unintentionally rescued by a young car thief named Lightfoot (Bridges), who partnered with him in a series of thefts.

Bridges earned an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor for his performance in the film, which was also written by Cimino.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that Reynolds will star in Netflix's live action Eloise movie, alongside newcomer Mae Schenk.

The pair are teaming up for the streaming giant's upcoming adaptation of author Kay Thompson and illustrator Hilary Knight's beloved children's book focused on a mischievous girl on the "tippy-top floor" of New York City's Plaza hotel.

Hannah Minghella, Head of Feature Animation and Family Film at Netflix, said in a statement: "Eloise has been beloved for generations, from when she was first published in the 1950s through to today, when no family trip to New York City is complete without a stop at The Plaza.

Gilmore Girls' Amy Sherman-Palladino will direct the film, having penned the script with Hannah Marks and Linda Woolverton.

Reynolds' role has been described as an "original villainous character", while Schenk will make her feature debut as the titular Eloise.
Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6)

Today

A few snow showers scattered about the area this evening, otherwise a good deal of clouds. Low 13F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

A few snow showers scattered about the area this evening, otherwise a good deal of clouds. Low 13F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
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You may think your home is safe once the outlet covers are in, the baby gates are locked and the sharp corners are padded, but some of the biggest dangers to babies and toddlers aren't the ones parents can see.

They're hiding in everyday toys, remotes and baby gear most families use every day.

Even the most prepared parents may not realize the hazards that live in their homes, said Emmy Sasala, trauma prevention coordinator at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

"The overarching theme, especially with infants and toddlers, is active supervision," she added in a news release. "Parents may rely on cameras, or even if they're in the room, they may be distracted by their phone or other activities."

Sasala said five everyday items are responsible for many preventable injuries in young kids:

Batteries

About 2,800 children a year are treated in ERs after swallowing button batteries, according to the National Safety Council. These small, coin-shaped batteries can cause severe internal burns in as little as two hours.

They're commonly found in key fobs, remote controls, musical greeting cards, AirTags and toys, and many battery compartments are not secured with screws.

Sensory toys

Water beads, fidget toys and other sensory items can help learning and development, but small parts and magnets pose choking risks.

"There are benefits to sensory toys, but they can be a potential choking hazard. Does it have small parts? Does it have magnets? Is it really made for your child's age group?" Sasala said.

Toys that belong to older siblings

Small building sets, craft beads, earrings and other tiny objects easily end up on the floor, and oftentimes into younger siblings' mouths.

Sasala suggested keeping older kid toys in a separate play space and putting everything away right after using them, especially during the holidays when new toys arrive.

High chairs and baby swings

High chairs and swings are safe only when used as directed. Many parents skip the straps once babies look steady, but falls can happen in seconds. And although swings may soothe infants to sleep, Sasala stressed that babies should always be moved to a flat, empty sleep surface.

Walkers

While seemingly convenient, walkers can give babies access to hazards parents thought were out of reach, such as hot stoves, cords, poisonous plants and stairs.

Sasala recommended stationary activity centers instead, which allow movement and interaction without letting babies roll into danger.

More information: The National Safety Council has more on childproofing your home.

 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Equity markets ended this week in the red, with the benchmark BSE Sensex closing down about 1 per cent. But, investors have been lapping up shares of public sector banks. Shares of Indias largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), hit a life high of Rs 971.15 on November 6. Other state-owned lenders like Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank and Union Bank also hit 52-week highs this month.

A key reason behind this renewed optimism among stock market investors towards PSU banks has been their strong earnings growth in the July-September quarter.

SBI, for instance, reported a 10 per cent year-on-year rise in quarterly profit at Rs 20,160 crore in the second quarter, while net interest income (NII) rose 3 per cent to Rs 42,985 crore. Overall, state-owned banks reported a record cumulative profit of Rs 49,456 crore in the July-September quarter, up 9 per cent from a year ago.

According to an analysis by CareEdge Ratings, PSBs reported a 3.6 per cent YoY rise in pre-provision operating profit, outperforming private sector banks. This, the credit ratings agency said, was supported by selective gains in treasury income from the sale of bank shares and NSDL listing gains, as well as overall controlled operating expenses across PSBs. Barring this impact, the pre-provision operating profit may have fallen around 2.5 per cent, it said.

NSDL had gone public in August and several banks had sold some of their shares held in Indias largest depository.

PSU banks outperform private lenders

Net interest margins across the banking sector have been under pressure, as yields have declined due to transmission of rate cuts, whereas deposit repricing is still underway; this timing mismatch between loan yields and deposit costs continued to weigh on spreads, according to the CAREEdge analysts.

However, the total income growth of PSU lenders has been better than that of private banks. While interest income for scheduled commercial banks rose 4.1 per cent, interest income for PSBs was up 7.3 per cent, alongside credit growth of 14.5 per cent, aided by retail and MSME segments, while other income benefited from selective treasury gains, according to the analysts.

Asset quality of PSBs has also been improving. SBI, for instance, reported gross NPA of 1.73 per cent in the July-September quarter, which was lower than the 1.83 per cent reported in April-June. Bullish on strong earnings prospects, several analysts this week raised their earnings estimates and price targets on SBI.

SBI delivered yet another robust print, demonstrating strong earnings resilience, much better than peers. The discussion here on will be centred on NIM outcomeSBI has thus far managed it better than expectations and levers to sustain 1 per cent plus ROA (return on assets), as credit cost outcomes start to normalise, even as SBI seems to be holding well, thus far, according to Prakhar Agarwal, banking analyst at Elara Securities.

Reports indicate that foreign institutional investors have raised their stakes in most public sector lenders in the September quarter. This renewed interest among investors, perhaps also comes from speculation that the government could lift the foreign ownership cap in PSU banks to 49 per cent from the current 20 per cent. If such a move were to happen, it could potentially drive billions of dollars in flows into PSU Banks.

Another reason behind renewed investor optimism towards PSBs has also been the talk that the government was planning to consolidate the sector further, in a bid to create large lenders. There has been chatter of late that four PSU banks could be merged. While there is no confirmation or exact timeline for this yet, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed this week that work was underway for the consolidation of state-owned banks. She said that the centre was also discussing with the Reserve Bank on developing large banks.

Driven by the investor interest in the sector, the BSE PSU Banks index has surged over 21 per cent in the past three months, significantly outperforming the broader Sensex, which is up 3.2 per cent in the same period.
After years of steady ascent, a sudden turbulence has caught Indias air travel industry unawares. For three months in a row, the number of passengers flying in the country has shown a decline.

That is no good news for the worlds third biggest aviation market in general, and in particular, to its marquee airliners who have placed orders for new aircraftIndiGo alone has a backlog of nearly 1,000 planes with Airbus.

As per DGCA figures, domestic air traffic declined a sizeable 2.9 per cent in July, then again a drop of 1.4 per cent in August and further fell 2.9 per cent in September.

To put it more succinctly, year-on-year growth, which was as high as 12 per cent in the first half of this year, has now dropped to as low as 1.9 per cent by the second half of the year.

This would make this the worst statistics in Indian aviation since the initial days in 2021-22, when air traffic had just about resumed after the lockdowns. It flies dramatically in the face of the persistent growth witnessed over the past three years or so.

What happened?

On the passenger side, reasons have been attributed to a series of extraordinary incidents this summerthe India-Pakistan clashes in May, which included bloody air battles, use of missiles and drones and the blocking of airspace of both countries dampened sentiments. Closely following this was the June 12 Air India crash in Gujarat, where a London-bound Dreamliner crashed on take-off from Ahmedabad airport, killing 260 people, including 19 on the ground. Industry belief is that this led to further shrinking of bookings, particularly impacting the peak summer schedules. Ongoing geopolitical and operational headwinds warrant close monitoring for potential downside risks, was what ICRA said in a recent report.

On the business side, too, things havent exactly been hunky dory, despite the gung-ho growth figures otherwise touted around. Though aviation fuel (ATF) prices have been lower year-on-year this financial year, they did go up by 3.3 per cent last month. This could be worrisome, not just for the increase, but also for the decline in the value of the rupee. According to ICRA, Fuel costs account for 30-40 per cent of airlines operating expenses, including aircraft lease payments. Further, 35-50 per cent of operating expenses, fuel expenses, and a significant share of aircraft and engine maintenance expenses are denominated in dollar terms. Also, some airlines have foreign currency debt. Although domestic airlines benefit from a partial natural hedge through earnings from international operations, they have net payables in foreign currency.

The consultancy has estimated that the net losses of Indias commercial carriers would balloon to more than Rs 10,000 crore by the end of this financial year.

Supply chain issues have also been a bother to airliners. While it had existential outcomes in the case of Go Air which ceased operations in the summer of 2023, other airlines too have been struggling with engine issues and not getting replacements on timeIndiGo, for example, had to put out of operation as many as 70 aircraft in the summer of 2024, though the situation is reported to have improved to just 40 aircraft out of business now. What all this means is not only fewer planes to operate, resulting in a reduction of services, but also higher operating costs for the airlines since they often lease planes at high costs to cover up the deficiency at least in high-frequency routes.

Silver lining

But there is a silver lining. Despite the decrease in numbers, the outlook for the industry still remains bright, keeping in mind two factors: one, the months of decline are traditionally lean monsoon months, when schools reopen and business activity also is not on the upswing, and hence the decline is not much of a bother.

Secondly, Octobers passenger figures do show an uptick of 6.3 per cent. While this was expected, being the peak festive month locally, the proof of the pudding will be the figures of the rest of the high season, November and December, and whether the figures stay out of the red in these months, too.
Like many other days, on November 2 too, the US President Donald Trump made an explosive claim. This time saying that Pakistan  besides Russia, China, and North Korea  was conducting nuclear tests secretly.

Trump said in an interview: Russia's testing and China's testing, but they dont talk about it. Were an open society. Were different. We talk about it And certainly North Koreas been testing. Pakistans been testing

ALSO READ | After Trump's N-test remark, India says 'illegal nuclear activities' in line with Pakistan's history

The statement came after Trump ordered the US Department of War on October 30 to start testing nuclear weapons immediately. Over the decades, many countries have developed non-explosive techniques of testing like sub-critical testing and computer simulations.

While making a case for the US to resume nuke testing, the US Presidents statement has set the cat among the pigeons, with a brewing debate in India about whether India too needs to resume its nuclear testing.

On November 10, Indias Foreign Ministry, stating that India has always drawn the attention of the world to these aspects of Pakistans record, said: Clandestine and illegal nuclear activities are in keeping with Pakistans history that is centred around decades of smuggling, export control violations, secret partnerships, AQ Khan network, and further proliferation.

A declared nuclear weapons power, Indias nuclear strategy is principally based on a credible minimum nuclear deterrence. It has two pillars  a voluntary and unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing since May 1998 and a no first use (NFU) stand with an assured second strike capability, meaning that nuclear weapons will be used only in retaliation to a nuke attack.

ALSO READ | If Indira Gandhi approved strike on Pakistani nuke facilities, a lot of problems would be solved: Ex-CIA officer



What is interesting and significant is that the nuclear restraint is a self-declared policy and not one that is obligated by a treaty. Nor is India a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) on the ground that the CTBT is discriminatory and instead supports universal, non-discriminatory, and a process of verifiable disarmament.

India stands to gain on several fronts if it resumes testing.

It will be able to better acknowledge the changes that have taken place on the geo-strategic front. Trumps charge of Pakistan testing its nukes will also be addressed.

New tests would yield a body of critical data which, besides providing for validation, will be a force multiplier for its modern weaponry and platforms which have undergone lots of improvement and enhancements since 1998.

Enhanced nuclear weaponry will be of much deterrence value vis-a-vis Chinas growing capabilities. In other words, the deterrence value will increase.

But there would be negative fallouts too.

For one, the looming possibility of a regional nuclear arms race will be stronger.

Collaboration with the US, especially after the 2008 Indo-US Civilian Nuclear deal was signed, will significantly decrease.

The positioning of India as a responsible nuclear power will suffer a big dent.

While pundits slug it over whether India needs to discard its moratorium, it is an opportune time for India to sit back and re-examine and review its nuclear doctrine and to hedge against any future developments.
The Philippine Marine Corps  the country's rapid deployment force specialising in naval warfare and amphibious operations  on Friday marked its 75th anniversary by unveiling its first BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile battery before the world.

ALSO READ | After Philippines, another country to soon acquire India's BrahMos missiles?

The Indian long-range ballistic missiles were showcased in a video presentation that was included in the ceremony to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the Philippines' elite force. Manila has reportedly decided to station the country's first Philippine BrahMos battery in Western Luzon, which is part of the largest island in the Philippines. The Marines Coastal Defense Regiments Shore-based Anti-Ship Missile Battalion will be in charge of its operations, local media reports said.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

First look of the #Philippine Marine Corps unveils its major strategic asset  the #BrahMos Missile Battery. A landmark moment in Indo-Pacific defence cooperation as Indias BrahMos reaches the Philippines, enhancing regional deterrence and maritime security.  #BrahMos pic.twitter.com/mCgh88NqSH  Manish Prasad (@manishindiatv) November 7, 2025

Quoting the Coastal Defense Regiment, USNI News said that each BrahMos battery with the Marine Corps is equipped with two mobile autonomous launchers, one radar vehicle, a missile reloader, and a command and control truck.

Three batteries of the Indian supersonic anti-ship missiles were procured in 2022 in a $375 million deal. While it was not officially declared where the other two batteries will be placed, reports claimed that it was safe to assume the Northern Luzon-based 4th Marine Brigade will entrust one with the Coastal Defense Regiment at its base in Ilocos Norte.

ALSO READ | After Brahmos missile buy, Philippines eyes Indias Tejas fighter

Why Philippines buy BrahMos?

The Philippines approached New Delhi for BrahMos as a part of its $7.2 billion project to acquire 50 batteries of multi-launch rocket systems, shore-based missile systems, and anti-ship missiles, which it found essential to modernise its troops, USNI News said. The purchases are part of the country's large-scale $35 billion Re-Horizon 3 military modernisation programme.

According to procurement documents, the Philippines is eyeing the potential procurement of around 50 batteries of multi-launch rocket systems, shore-based missile systems, and anti-ship missiles. Combined, these projects amount to $7.2 billion and represent one-fifth of Manilas upcoming $35 billion Re-Horizon 3 military modernisation program. It was in April that India delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.
Malayalam actress Gouri G Kishan, who addressed a Tamil YouTuber's inappropriate question about her weight, has issued a statement standing up for herself and others facing similar situations, expressing gratitude for challenging this sexist behavior.

Gouri thanked the Nadigar Sangam, AMMA Association, Chennai Press Club, public, and media organizations for their support. She wrote, "During a press conference earlier this week, an unexpectedly tense exchange with a YouTube vlogger brought attention to a broader issue. It is vital to reflect on the artist-media dynamic we want to encourage."

She added that it's a challenge for public figures like her to elude scrutiny, as its an unavoidable part of the profession. She wishes the questions were about her work instead of her appearance. "As a public figure, I understand that scrutiny is part of my profession. However, comments or questions - direct or indirect - that target a person's body or appearance are inappropriate in any context."

She also wondered whether male actors get asked such questions in the same aggressive tone. "I hope this will be a reminder to anyone who has felt this way that we are allowed to speak up. We are allowed to express our discomfort, question when wronged, and work towards stopping this cycle," she concluded.

In an earlier statement to Manorama News, Gouri said, What power does the man have to ask me to lose weight and comment on my weight? Does he know my medical history, gut-related issues, and hormonal issues? Even if I didn't have any of these, each person has a different body type. If it doesn't affect my work, why should anyone make it a problem? No one will ask a man this question. They asked the hero about the film. I don't understand why such bullying and harassment is being normalised. No one asked the man (the YouTube vlogger) to cool down. They asked me to be quiet. I asked them to let me speak. This is unbelievable, ridiculous.

The incident

During a press meet for her upcoming film, a YouTube vlogger asked Gouri's co-star Aditya Madhavan how much she weighed for a scene that required him to lift her. Gouri immediately responded that the question was disrespectful and demanded an apology. In a now-viral video, the man continued to defend himself despite Gouri calling him out.

Speaking in Tamil, she asked him, How does my weight concern you in any way. How does it matter and be relevant to the film? My weight is my choice, and it does not concern my talent. I can only speak through my films, and I am working hard. I have chosen characters that are career-oriented.

Instead of allowing her to complete, attempts to pacify her came from some corners, which she also addressed. I have a point to make here, and everyone is silencing me.

Fans and fellow actors praised Gouri for the way she dealt with the issue. Netizens said that her reply was a much-needed pushback against sexism in the Tamil film industry.


This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Fortov, right, returns a Nobel prize medal which was sold at auction to a Russian businessman, to U.S. Nobel laureate, biologist James Watson in the Russian Academy of Sciences, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Credit: AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File

On a foggy Saturday morning in 1953, a tall, skinny 24-year-old man fiddled with shapes he had cut out of cardboard. They represented fragments of a DNA molecule, and young James Watson was trying to figure how they fit together in a way that let DNA do its job as the stuff of genes.

Suddenly, he realized that they joined together to form the "rungs" of a long, twisted ladder, a shape better known nowadays as a double helix.

His first reaction: "It's so beautiful."

But it was more than that. Discovering the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, was a breakthrough that would help open the way to a revolution in medicine, biology and other fields as diverse as crime-fighting, genealogy and ethics.

Watson died Thursday, according to his former research lab. The Chicago-born scientist was 97 years old. His career was marked by significant achievements, including his role in mapping the human genome. However, his legacy is complicated by controversial remarks on race, which led to his condemnation and loss of honorary titles.

Figuring out the double helix "goes down as one of the three most important discoveries in the history of biology," alongside Charles Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection and Gregor Mendel's fundamental laws of genetics, said Bruce Stillman, president of the Cold Spring Harbor lab, on Friday.

Watson shared the Nobel Prize with collaborator Francis Crick and scientist Maurice Wilkins. They were aided by X-ray research by colleague Rosalind Franklin and her graduate student Raymond Gosling. Watson was later criticized for a disparaging portrayal of Franklin in his book "The Double Helix," and today she is considered a prominent example of a female scientist whose contributions were overlooked.

U.S. biologist James Watson, who shared a Nobel prize for helping discover the double-helix shape of the DNA molecule, poses for a portrait at an exhibition in Berlin on Monday, Oct. 11, 2004. Credit: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File

Both of his Nobel co-winners, Crick and Wilkins, died in 2004. Franklin died in 1958.

Their discovery instantly suggested how hereditary information is stored and how a cell duplicates its DNA before dividing so that each resulting cell inherits a copy. The duplication begins with the two strands of DNA pulling apart like a zipper.

"Francis Crick and I made the discovery of the century, that was pretty clear," Watson once said. He also wrote: "There was no way we could have foreseen the explosive impact of the double helix on science and society."

Among non-scientists, the double helix has become an instantly recognized symbol of science. And for researchers, it helped open the door to more recent developments such as tinkering with the genetic makeup of living things, treating disease by inserting genes into patients, identifying human remains and criminal suspects from DNA samples and tracing family trees.

That in turn has raised a host of ethical questions, such as whether we should be altering a person's genome in a way that is transmitted to one's offspring.

Watson's initial motivation for supporting the gene project was personal: His son Rufus had been hospitalized with a possible diagnosis of schizophrenia, and Watson figured that knowing the complete makeup of DNA would be crucial for understanding that disease, maybe in time to help his son.

Watson never made another lab finding as big as the double helix. But in the decades that followed, he wrote influential textbooks and a best-selling memoir, picked out bright young scientists and helped them. And he used his prestige and contacts to influence science policy.

U.S. Nobel laureate, biologist James Watson speaks at the Russian Academy of Sciences, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Credit: AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File

Following the discovery, Watson spent two years at the California Institute of Technology, then joined the faculty at Harvard in 1955. Before leaving Harvard in 1976, he essentially created the university's molecular biology program, scientist Mark Ptashne recalled in a 1999 interview. Watson became director of the Cold Spring Harbor lab in 1968, its president in 1994 and its chancellor 10 years later.

From 1988 to 1992, he directed the federal effort to identify the detailed makeup of human DNA. He created the project's huge investment in ethics research by simply announcing it at a news conference. He later said it was "probably the wisest thing I've done over the past decade."

Yet he gained unwelcome attention in 2007 when the Sunday Times Magazine of London quoted him as saying he was "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa" because "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ourswhere all the testing says not really." He said that while he hopes everyone is equal, "people who have to deal with Black employees find this is not true."

He apologized, but after an international furor he was suspended from his job as chancellor of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York. He retired a week later. He had served in various leadership jobs there for nearly 40 years.

"I only wish that Jim's views on society and humanity could have matched his brilliant scientific insights." Dr. Francis Collins, then-director of the National Institutes of Health, said in 2019.

In a television documentary that year, Watson was asked if his views had changed. "No, not at all," he said.

In response, the Cold Spring Harbor lab revoked several honorary titles it had given Watson, saying his statements were "reprehensible" and "unsupported by science."

His 2007 remarks on race were not the first time Watson struck a nerve with his comments. In a speech in 2000, he suggested that sex drive is related to skin color. And earlier he told a newspaper that if a gene governing sexuality were found and could be detected in the womb, a woman who didn't want to have a gay child should be allowed to have an abortion.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Months before the crucial assembly elections in Assam, the first one under chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the painful memory of a 42-year-old massacre is set to be revived.

The Assam government will table the report of the Tiwari Commission during the assembly session beginning on November 25, bringing to light a document kept out of public view for more than four decades. The move comes ahead of state elections due in MarchApril 2026, which will be held along with the West Bengal polls, the two states where migration, illegal infiltrators, and the citizenship issue play a polarising role.

The Nellie massacre of February 18, 1983, was the deadliest episode that marked the agitation against illegal Bangladeshi migrants. Over several hours, mobs attacked villages in and around Nellie in Morigaon district. The official toll was over 1,800 deaths, mostly Bengali-origin Muslims, but unofficial estimates placed the number more than double that figure.

Ironically, no one was ever punished for this horrific crime, but the memory of the massacre had lingered on in the public consciousness.

In July 1983, the Congress government led by Hiteswar Saikia set up a Commission of Enquiry on Assam Disturbances under retired IAS officer Tribhuvan Prasad Tiwari. The commission was asked to examine the circumstances leading to violence, the administrative lapses, and ways to prevent its recurrence. Though the commission submitted a 600-page report in May 1984, no government tabled it. One, it could have revived a polarising debate, and another crucial element was that the government did not have in its possession a signed copy.

After the state cabinet under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cleared the proposal to table the report in the winter session, Sarma said that copies with signatures were verified after state officials engaged with those who worked on it, and forensic tests were conducted. He said the government was satisfied the document is genuine and that a bold step must be taken to put it in the public domain.

Sarma, who will go to the polls with his five-year record, had taken an assertive position on the issue of illegal migrants with a strong Hindutva stance. His opponents, particularly from the Congress, charged that he was resurrecting a painful past in order to divert attention from the emotive issue of musician Zubeen Gargs death.

Though the jury is still out, how far the report will help expose those responsible for the heinous crime is unclear. As the incident happened during the Congress regime, the reports contentious issue may get raked up during the polls, whose reverberations will be felt in the neighbouring West Bengal also, where a special intensive revision of electoral rolls is set to take place, thus bringing into question the issue of illegal Bangladeshi migrants.

The successive Congress, AGP, and BJP governments avoided releasing the findings, though parts of the report were available informally.

The timing places the BJP in a position to revisit the history of the agitation before the election. Illegal migration, citizenship, and the status of Bengali-origin Muslims remain divisive themes in Assams electoral politics, where polarisation along ethnic and religious lines has played a recurrent role since the 1980s.

The victims of violence hardly receive state support. However, the protesters, particularly those from the All Assam Student Union, who had been carrying out protests against the illegal migrant members and died during the anti-foreigners movement, were recognised as martyrs and given financial compensation. The AASU protest was against the inclusion of migrants in the electoral rolls.

For the first time, however, an official document linked to the massacre will enter the Assembly record, and public domain, and thus available for research and interpretation.

Moreover, the violence had taken place during the assembly polls in 1983, after which the Congress government came to power. Now, 42 years later, the issue is likely to be raised again in the 2026 assembly elections.
It has come to light that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawars son, Parth Pawar, and his firm, Amedea Enterprises LLP, will have to pay double stamp duty, which adds up to Rs 42 crore, to cancel his transaction in the controversial land sale case in Mundhwa, Pune.

Earlier, the deputy CM had announced that the sale deed executed by his sons firm for a government-owned land in Pune has been canceled. However, the Registrars office of the Department of Registration and Stamps has now clarified the that the stamp duty exemption which was granted earlier to the company is no longer applicable.

The office informed Digvijay Amarsinh Patil, a cousin and partner of Parth Pawar in the enterprise, that they must pay the earlier 7 per cent stamp duty. The reason was that the exemption was sought earlier by claiming that a data centre was to be built on the land. The cancellation deed now submitted showed that the IT park plan has been dropped, it noted.

In the 7 per cent, 5 per cent goes under the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1 percent to Local Body Tax, and 1 percent is Metro Cess.

An additional 7 percent stamp duty will also have to be paid to execute the cancellation deed, officials from the department said.

Joint Inspector General of Stamps and Registration, Rajendra Muthe, told PTI, "However, during the scrutiny, it was revealed that an exemption can not be given to such a proposal and hence, the firm will have to pay an earlier stamp duty that is 7 per cent and an additional 7 per cent to execute the cancellation deed," he said.

The department said, "If Amedea Company wants to hand over the land back to the original owner, Sheetal Tejwani, it is mandatory to pay the full stamp duty. That is, even if the transaction is canceled, it will have to be re-transacted, and an expense of Rs 21 crore will have to be incurred for that."

A copy of the letter also said that the deed will only be canceleld after the stamp duty is paid.

On Thursday, a sale deed of Rs 40 crore of government-owned land in Mundhwa to Amadea Enterprises came under scanner after it required clearances. Opposition leaders alleged that the total market value of the land was Rs 1,800 crore.

After a complaint was filed by the Inspector General of Registrar's office, officers registered an FIR aaginst Digvijay Patil, Shital Tejwani (who represented the 272 'owners' of the land through a power of attorney), and sub-registrar R B Taru for alleged misappropriation and cheating. The firm had allegedly waived off the 7 per cent stamp duty by colluding with R B Taru, who executed the deal at the sub-registrar's office.

A 7 per cent stamp duty for the Rs 300 crore deal comes to Rs 21 crore.

Ajit Pawar claimed that his son was unaware that the land which was purchased belonged to the Mumbai state goverment.
Footage from the Delhis Indira Gandhi International airport CCTV cameras showed that Jordan Joseph Peter Fitz Patrick, the British National who is now being hunted by police officials, slipped past the immigration e-visa area, exited the terminal, and went toward Delhi. An investigation is currently underway to trace the man and to find out how the man managed to leave the airport without completing immigration procedures. He has now been on the run for 10 days.

Immigration officials and CISF found that the passenger had fled the immigration area on the morning of October 29. The CCTV footage showed Patrick scaling the flap gate at the immigration e-visa counter and exiting the airport from the arrival gate along with other passengers around 7.30 am. He was further seen going towards the city side, an officer said.

Patrick had arrived in Delhi from Bangkok on October 28 and was supposed to take a connecting flight to Delhi on the same day. However, officials said that Patrick reached the airport late and missed his flight. Instead of staying at the airport, he just walked out of the terminal. Deputy commissioner of police Vichitra Veer said that a case has been registered and that police teams are trying to find the man with the help of technical and human intelligence. He also said that the airline staff who were present at the airport during his arrival were questioned.

A Central Industrial Security Force CISF official also clarified that the arrival terminal falls under the jurisdiction of the immigration bureau and the customs. "CISF personnel do not operate inside the arrival terminal. Our deployment is limited to the terminal entry and exit points. The management inside the arrival terminal is handled by other government agencies."

Multiple teams from the Delhi police, including the special cell and crime branch, the Bureau of Immigration, the CISF, the Intelligence Bureau, and other agencies, are looking for the British man

Investigators have also searched nearby hotels around the airport for Patrick.
Proponents of intensive agriculture argue that the current agricultural system in India will continue to support food security by increasing production over time. However, scientific data on several critical determinants of agricultural performance do not support this optimism.

There is mounting evidence of declining soil health and groundwater resources, as well as a reduction in fertiliser efficacy. These deteriorating trendsexacerbated by climate changeclearly indicate that grain production of staples (rice and wheat, for example) may decline drastically in the next decade, while food demand grows at a rate of 2-3 per cent every year.

There is no credible scientific evidence that current business-as-usual intensive agriculture can ensure India's food security. This jeopardises not only the income and livelihood of millions of farmers, but could also impair food security in the future.

There is, therefore, an urgent need to identify, evaluate and highlight sustainable and responsible agricultural systems, which are often shrouded by the dominant intensive agricultural system.

Farmer-led initiatives supported by modern agro-ecological principles and techniques have demonstrated how such alternative systems can double farmers' productivity and incomes, while judiciously utilising natural resources. Such sustainable agricultural systems are often referred to as natural or regenerative farming.

Approximately 2-3 million farmers in India practise such agricultural systems, but they comprise less than 5 per cent of the total number of farmers in India.

While these farmers are practising sustainable farming systems, such as avoiding agrochemicals, most are small and marginal farmers who primarily produce for subsistence, rather than market surplus. To attract the larger surplus-producing farmers and corporates, we need country-wide rigorous and scientific evidence, without which scaling up sustainable farming systems to the national level and mainstreaming it may not be possible.

The discussion based on such scientific evidence should not be restricted to farmland alone. We need to develop a public narrative on the viability and superior characteristics of regenerative agriculture by broadening the discussion among citizens to raise awareness at both the local and national levels about the benefits of regenerative agriculture.

These benefits include climate resilience, improved health of both farmers and consumers, environmental sustainability, and social inclusivity. Such a public narrative, based on rigorous scientific evidence, will also help generate a consensus among producers, consumers, and the broader society for a paradigm shift in Indian agriculture.

A pan-India study is required to critically and comprehensively examine both intensive and natural or regenerative farming, and to build credible scientific evidence on productivity, farm incomes, soil health, biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, energy, nutritional aspects, and various social and health-related indicators.

Such scientific evidence can help guide policy in the right direction to improve areas where intensive agriculture can be enhanced, and also expand and support natural or regenerative farming practices where they show promising results. Farmers need to be included in designing such studies that can provide transparent evidence for making informed choices about the practices they can implement on their farms.

This will also help reduce the unnecessary burden on subsidies for fertilisers and other agricultural inputs, including electricity and water. Knowledge-intensive agroecology-based agriculture is required to redesign agriculture in India.

The savings from reduced subsidies for chemical fertilisers as a result of switching to regenerative practices can provide sufficient resources to support this shift from subsidy-based, intensive agriculture to agriculture that follows all the tenets of regenerative farming.

Productivity is the most critical indicator in India's prevalent intensive agriculture systems and worldwide. Any farming system that can work well for farmers must be comparable in terms of productivity, income, and nutritional density and diversity.

Such systems are being evaluated in some parts of India, such as the community-managed natural farming (CNF) system in Andhra Pradesh. A recent report indicates that under this system, the average yield increase ranges from 7.8 per cent to 25.9 per cent for prime crops, including paddy, maize, groundnut, finger millet, and chilli.

While yields improved, their input costs fell significantly. These two key parameters resulted in a significant improvement in the gross income by 28.3 per cent. In addition, farmers working on nearby industrial farms had a loss (on average) of 189 working days as compared to 121 working days by CNF farmers, due to various illnesses.

While such evidence is promising, it is geographically limited. It is noteworthy that the intensive agricultural systems are not typically evaluated based on their nutritional, environmental, biodiversity, or health impacts. Therefore, they often escape the scrutiny that they warrant.

In addition to these positive social, economic, and health impacts, natural or regenerative farming has the potential to sequester carbon and avoid greenhouse gas emissions far higher than those of industrial agricultural systems.

Agriculture accounts for about 16 per cent of India's total greenhouse gas emissionsat approximately 421 million tonnes annually. Out of a total of 178 million hectares of agricultural land, at a modest rate of 2.5 tonnes per hectare of carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions avoidance, Indian agriculture can offset its entire emissions. This can be a win-win situation for farmers, consumers and all stakeholders. A clear pathway to net-zero agriculture in India can be established by adopting regenerative farming on a large scale.

India has 15 agroclimatic zones that vary in soil types, climate, practices, and cultures. Thus, a comprehensive scientific study is needed to test such sustainable agricultural systems and compare them with intensive agricultural systems throughout India, generating credible and extensive scientific evidence.

Large-scale evidence will help address the concerns of policymakers and farmers, and provide transparent information to consumers about the nutritional and environmental benefits of sustainable, regenerative farming practices.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the apex body for coordinating agricultural education and research in India, should also play a leading role in improving the education and research required to develop new agroecological knowledge-based agricultural systems. Similarly, there is a need to increase investment in the sustainable agriculture programme, including net-zero agriculture initiatives.

Such investments, accompanied by a comprehensive research programme and a state-of-the-art nationwide evaluation, will help identify and adopt regenerative farming practices.

This can help find a viable alternative to the currently dominant and unsustainable industrial farming systems.

Scaling up natural and regenerative farming across India will ensure its food, nutritional, and ecological security. It will also significantly contribute to our national commitment to attaining net-zero status by 2070.

Dr Harpinder Sandhu is a transdisciplinary researcher and ecological economist at Federation University Australia; Dr Rajiv Kumar is Chair of the Pahle India Foundation and former Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog.
Amid the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections, a meeting between RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadavs estranged elder son Tej Pratap Yadav and BJP MP Ravi Kishan at Patna airport on Friday has set tongues wagging in political circles.

Tej Pratap, the Hasanpur MLA who was expelled from the RJD earlier this year, is contesting as an independent in the Mahua constituency, where polling was held in the first phase on November 6.

The former state minister has also floated a new outfit, Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), following his expulsion over a controversy over his personal life.

Tej Prataps encounter with Ravi Kishan at the airport has now sparked speculation that he is getting closer to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) camp.

Asked if he would join hands with the BJP, Tej Pratap said: I will be with anyone who removes unemployment.

#WATCH Patna | Jan Shakti Janata Dal national president and candidate from Mahua assembly constituency, Tej Pratap Yadav says, "I met Ravi Kishan for the first time... He is a devotee of God, and we are also devotees..."



He added, "I said from the beginning that I am with pic.twitter.com/ymbDJ2E6X6  ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2025

"It is just that I am meeting Ravi Kishan for the first time. Of course, he and I are on the same page when it comes to our devotion to Lord Shiva. Both of us wear the 'tika' on our foreheads, he said.

Ravi Kishan, an actor-turned-politician, was more candid in his response as he said Tej Prataps entry into the NDA is not unlikely.

Anything can happen. BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi keep doors open for all devotees of Bholenath, who are devoted to selfless service and not in politics because of a personal agenda, he said.

#WATCH | Patna | BJP MP Ravi Kishan says, "...He (Tej Pratap Yadav) is a man with a kind heart... A devotee of Bholenath... BJP keeps its heart open for all those people whose aim is service..." pic.twitter.com/GsNXcaaO0d  ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2025

Tej Prataps decision to contest as an independent has posed a major challenge to the RJD in Mahua, which was, otherwise, a party stronghold.

He had won from Mahua in 2015 as an RJD candidate. In the 2020 polls, he chose to contest from the Hasanpur constituency in the Samastipur district and beat two-time sitting JD(U) MLA Raj Kumar Ray by 21,139 votes.

This time, he is facing RJD candidate and sitting MLA Mukesh Kumar Raushan and LJPs Sanjay Singh in Mahua.

In the first phase, voting was held in 121 constituencies across 18 states on Thursday. The remining seats will go to polls on November 11, with the counting set to take place on November 14.
The Election Commission of India (ECI), once hailed as the worlds most powerful guardian of democracy, now faces a growing crisis of credibility. The fresh allegations of 'vote chori' and manipulation of electoral rolls have again raised questions about whether the Commissions internal mechanisms to investigate such claims are robust or merely procedural.

Every time the allegations of electoral malpractice arise, be it missing names on voter lists, malfunctioning of EVMs, or manipulation of voter databases, the poll panel issues statements, orders enquiries, and cites its internal safeguards.

The Congress has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of orchestrating a large-scale 'vote chori' in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, claiming around 25 lakh bogus votes were cast. They included 5.2 lakh duplicate entries, 93,000 invalid addresses and 19.26 lakh bulk voters, said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

The Opposition party has said it will press for an independent investigation, while the Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the claims as unfounded.

How the Election Commission investigates itself

The ECs standard response to a complaint begins with an internal fact-finding exercise. Reports are sought from Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) in the states concerned and from District Election Officers (DEOs) on the ground. If discrepancies are found, the matter may be referred to the technical division of the Commission or to the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)the two public sector units that manufacture Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

There is no statutory provision mandating an external or judicial review of alleged electoral irregularities. Nor is there an independent audit body with authority to access voter databases or the source code of EVMs.

The trust deficit

Public faith in the Election Commission has traditionally rested on its perceived impartiality. But with political parties increasingly accusing it of bias and opacity, the trust deficit is widening. The Commission often invokes the constitutional guarantee of independence under Article 324, yet that independence must be matched by transparency.

In 2019 and 2024, the EC faced similar allegations, from missing names in electoral rolls to reports of duplicate voter IDs. While the Commission ordered verification drives and dismissed claims of tampering, it rarely made detailed findings public.

Need for institutional reform

Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has repeatedly suggested that the Election Commission create a permanent, independent technical oversight committee to audit EVMs, voter data, and complaints related to electoral integrity.

Legal experts also point to the absence of any clear appellate mechanism. Complaints about electoral misconduct are usually filed before the EC, but if the complainant is dissatisfied, there is no statutory appeal except moving the courts. In practice, this means long delays and procedural hurdles.

A call for transparency

Ultimately, the question is not only about technical safeguards but also about perception. With elections becoming more contested and polarised, even the hint of bias or concealment can erode legitimacy.

The ECs internal systems, its control room monitoring, randomisation of polling staff, and layered verification of EVMs are sound in design. But without independent validation and full public disclosure of findings, their credibility remains in question.

As the new allegations of vote chori intensify, the Commission stands at a crossroads; it can either rely on its closed internal probes or open its processes to public scrutiny. The latter might invite criticism, but it could also restore the one thing the EC needs the most todaythe peoples trust.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office issued arrest warrants yesterday against 37 Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

The decision follows an investigation which concluded that Israeli officials bore criminal responsibility for what were described as systematic acts of genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The warrants also name the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, which was stopped by Israeli forces last month. Other prominent names on the list include Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir and Navy Commander David Saar Salama.

Istanbul's Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and officials like Yoav Gallant and Herzi Halevi, accusing them of 'genocide' in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/wLQahUXZol  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 7, 2025

As those named in the warrant are not in Turkey, the Istanbul Criminal Court of Peace approved their detention warrants under Articles 76 and 77 of the Turkish Penal Code, which cover genocide and crimes against humanity. The prosecutors office said the investigation was continuing with precision and in a multifaceted manner".

What is the case about?

The case stems from a complaint by the Istanbul Bar Association, which urged prosecutors to hold Israeli officials accountable for atrocities in Gaza.

The Associations chair, Yasin Samli, told Turkish media that the decision marked a significant moment in the pursuit of international justice, and emphasised that under Turkish law, genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes carry no statute of limitations.

Turkish prosecutors blame Israel for events such as the October 17, 2023 attack on the Al Ahli Baptist Hospital (which killed 500 people) and the bombing of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in March 2024.

Turkish officials allege that Israeli operations in Gaza since October 2023 resulted in the deaths of around 70,000 people, mostly women and children, and left more than 170,000 injured before a ceasefire brokered by the US took effect last month.

The prosecutors office said these acts were carried out systematically and amounted to genocide and crimes against humanity under both Turkish and international law.

Israel's response

Israel condemned the move, describing the warrants as a political stunt rather than a legal measure.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Ankara of using its judiciary as a political instrument, claiming the Turkish system had long ceased to operate independently.

Former Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman argued that the warrants demonstrated why Turkey should not play any role in Gazas post-war stabilisation.

Turkey's justification behind the case

The Turkish government, however, maintains that its actions are consistent with international law. Ankara has been increasingly vocal in supporting efforts to hold Israel accountable through international institutions, having joined South Africas case against Israel at the International Court of Justice last year.

Hamas welcomed the Istanbul courts decision, calling it a commendable step that reflected Turkeys commitment to justice, humanity, and solidarity with Palestinians. It also urged other nations to pursue similar legal action against Israeli leaders accused of war crimes.

The Istanbul Bar Association played a prominent role in initiating the process, having filed complaints not only with Turkish prosecutors, but also with the International Criminal Court and the United Nations Human Rights Office.

Samli condemned what he described as Israels continued campaign of violence despite ceasefire agreements, and cited specific cases as evidence of systematic brutality.

He also argued that Israels actions had created instability far beyond Gaza, pointing to attacks attributed to Israeli forces in Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, Iran, Qatar, Yemen, Iraq, Malta, and Egypt in the past two years.

Israel and the International Criminal Court

Turkeys decision follows similar developments at the international level.

In November last year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The Turkish warrants have claimed jurisdiction under domestic law to prosecute genocide wherever it occurs.

Legal experts in Turkey have noted that the case reflects Ankaras broader assertion of universal jurisdiction over grave international crimes.

Turkish law allows courts to prosecute such offences even when committed outside national borders, provided the acts constitute violations of humanity recognised under international law.
On 11 November 2025, Iraq is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections, the sixth since the post-2003 political transition. The fact that free and fair elections have become a norm for Iraqis to choose their representatives and form a government is significant, given the country's experience and the broader trend in the Middle East. That Iraqis have been able to develop and stick to a representative political process since the fall of Saddam Hussein is a notable achievement. However, challenges persist regarding political stability, particularly in government formation, which has become an increasingly contentious task. For example, in the wake of the fifth general elections, held on 10 October 2021, the Iraqi parliamentarians took 382 days to form a government. Finally, after much wrangling and tussling, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a former Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, emerged as a consensus figure and was appointed Minister on 27 October 2022. Notably, since 2003, the Iraqi parliament has, on average, taken 203 days to form a government after parliamentary elections.

Going by the current state of affairs in Iraq, the 11 November elections are unlikely to buck the trend. In fact, there is a serious diffusion among political groups. There are 31 alliances comprising 38 political parties that are in the fray, with a total of 7,768 candidates contesting the 329 seats. Notably, only about 3,000 candidates had contested the 2021 elections. Among the most important parties are groups backed by the powerful Iran-backed Shiite Coordination Framework (SCF) and armed umbrella organization Popular Mobilization Unit (PMU). These include Nouri al-Malikis State of Law, Hadi al-Amiris Fatah Alliance, Ammar al-Hakims Hikmah Movement, Haider al-Abadis Nasr Bloc, and Qais al-Khazalis Asaib Ahl al-Haq.

A major Shiite group, which has strong popular support among the grassroots of poor urban voters, the Sadrist Movement, led by Moqtada al-Sadr, however, is boycotting the 2025 elections. The Sadrist bloc has emerged as the largest in the 2021 elections, but it had resigned en masse from parliament in protest against changes to the electoral laws in July 2023, as the new laws were allegedly designed to benefit the Iran-backed established political parties. However, many of the Sadrist dissidents are contesting the election as independents and might still make a difference in the newly elected parliament.

Besides, there are Sunni blocs, including the Takaddum Front, led by the powerful former speaker of parliament, Mohammed al-Halboushi; the Azm Front, led by Muthanna al-Samarrai; and the Sovereignty Alliance, led by Khamis al-Khanjar. In the Kurdish region, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), led by Masoud Barzani and Bafel Talabani, respectively, have traditionally vied for the political space. These Sunni and Kurdish parties have conventionally aligned with Shiite groups to form a government in Baghdad. However, since differences have emerged among the SCF, the formation of the government might become even more challenging. The incumbent prime minister, Shia al-Sudani, who the SCF initially installed, has strived to become autonomous of their influence, and in the quest to emerge as a major force, has floated his own coalition along with some other leaders.

In the run-up to the elections, the electoral changes brought in March 2023 have emerged as a major contentious issue. The changes to the electoral framework have effectively reinstatedthe pre-2020 electoral system, raising hopes among established parties to regain lost ground. During the 2021 elections, following changes to the party-list system introduced earlier, smaller and new parties gained a significant number of seats. The 2023 changes, which bring back the party-list system, are likely to undo the gains made by the Sadrists and new and small parties led by the leaders of the 2019 Tishreen movement. In effect, this would give the Iran-backed SCF and PMU a greater say in the formation of the government.

If the SCF and PMU-supported parties gain a greater number of seats in parliament, the Islamic Republic will likely be able to exert influence and ensure that the government in Baghdad remains aligned with Iran. The extraordinary Iranian influence on Iraqi politics has been a significant challenge for the past two decades, and many Iraqi leaders, including the former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and the populist Moqtada al-Sadr, have been sidelined due to their efforts to emerge from Tehrans shadows.

Prime Minister Sudani, despite being chosen as the leader of the ruling coalition by the Iran-backed parties, has also been trying to gain greater autonomy, albeit with limited success. The regional situation since the 7 October attacks has made it all the more important for Sudani to reduce Iranian influence, but these risks losing power. Hence, finding a balance between autonomy and external pressures would be a major challenge for the new government in Baghdad.

Notwithstanding the political wrangling, two larger issues have emerged with serious implications for Iraq's future. Firstly, the parties that emerged from the 2019 Tishreen movement, with demands focusing on better governance and the end of sectarian politics, are facing an existential challenge. Suppose these demands, which have support among a cross-section of Iraqi youth, comprising nearly 60 percent of the population, continue to be ignored. In that case, it is likely to create discontent and, in turn, increase popular unrest.

Secondly, there is a serious question about declining electoral participation. The voter turnout in parliamentary elections has consistently declined, dropping from 79 percent in 2005 to 43 percent in 2021. In the 2025 elections, the turnout is likely to drop further, given the boycott call by the Sadrists and the disenchantment among young voters. This is even more concerning given that only 21 million of the estimated 30 million eligible voters have registered to vote, which means nearly nine million have not registered. That is, the actual voting percentage would be even lower than the expected turnout, which is already expected to be low.

The actual situation would become clearer only after the elections on November 11, but if recent trends are any indication, Iraq is heading towards another political impasse. If it happens, this will paralyze governance and create further unrest among the masses. It is time for Iraqi politicians and parties to think long and hard about the future and find a way to continue on the path of democratization without compromising on good governance and public participation. If ignored, chronic political dysfunction can lead to serious unrest that threatens the nascent democratization trend.

The author is an Associate Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK
Another suspected racially-charged attack targeting an Indian family was reported from Northern Irelands Londonderry County on Friday. A car belonging to a family from Kerala was set on fire around 2 a.m.

The Northern Ireland Police confirmed that the car was completely torched in the incident. The arson also damaged a telephone pole and the fence of the family's residence in the Irish Green Street area of Limavady, a media report said. The police stated that an investigation into the incident is underway, and efforts are on to collect CCTV and mobile footage of the incident in the hope of a breakthrough.

In a similar attack targeting Indians, all the four tyres of a family's car were punctured last week, Manorama Online said in a report. In the light of repeated offences, WhatsApp groups of Malayali communities have advised their members to be vigilant. The message claimed that while it has not been confirmed as an attack against immigrants, similar issues are being reported in several parts of the country, and caution wouldn't hurt.

DUP Councillor Aaron Callan has come forward to condemn the incident. He reportedly stated that such acts of violence have no place in their society and that those who commit them will be brought to justice. He added that Limavady is a welcoming city for everyone and that its residents stand united against racial and sectarian violence.

Meanwhile, there are reports that racial attacks have been increasing recently in various centres across Londonderry County. Earlier reports had claimed that Indian youths in Coleraine were attacked while out for dinner. In the first week of last month, a group of youths unleashed an attack on a middle-aged Indian man at Belfast City Hospital railway station, Manorama Online said in a report. It is understood that the victim was a kidney patient who had undergone surgery. He faced a brutal attack on Donegal Road when he arrived for medical treatment. Although the police registered a case and investigated this incident, details regarding the progress were not available, the report added.

A 12-year-old was arrested in connection with a racially-charged incident on Donegal Road recently after a commercial establishment was attacked and robbed. Over five racially motivated assaults were carried out in the area in recent times, a news report said.
Five Indian nationals who worked for a local electrification project were abducted in Mali by gunmen, officials said on Saturday. The men were kidnapped near Kobri, situated in the western part of the country, a security source confirmed.

The abduction took place on Thursday as armed men intercepted the workers' convoy.

We confirm the kidnapping of five Indian nationals, a company representative told AFP. The official also said that the rest of the Indian employees of the firm were evacuated to the Bamako, the capital region.

No group in the country has claimed responsibility for the abduction yet.

The West African country reels from mounting unrest due to extremist violence from jihadist organisations that have been linked to the Al-Qaeda and ISIS-linked terror groups. Mali is under military rule following a series of coups.

The Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin or JNIM (the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims), an Al-Qaeda Al-Qaeda-linked group, recently enforced a fuel blockade in recent months in the country by sealing off all major highways used by tanker transport for fuel, worsening the economic crisis in the country.

Kidnapping of foreign nationals is not unheard of in the country. In July 2025, three Indians were reportedly kidnapped after an al-Qaeda-affiliated group launched coordinated attacks on military and government installations.

In September, JNIM fighters had abducted two Emirati citizens and an Iranian near Bamako. They were released after a ransom of USD 50 million was reportedly paid.

The JNIM has been expanding from the countrys north to the centre and across borders into Burkina Faso and Niger. They have also held a month-long siege on Bamako. The capital has come to a standstill as fuel supplies have dwindled.

Breaking: France urges its citizens to leave Mali as soon as possible via air travel, citing heightened jihadist fuel-blockade and security threats.



Follow: @globaltrendsX pic.twitter.com/mNTpSrZtvt  Global Trends X (@globaltrendsX) November 7, 2025

The United States and the United Kingdom are among the many countries that have advised their citizens to leave Mali.
The Supreme Court words may have been comforting  a two-judge bench said on Friday that nobody in the country believes it was the pilots fault  but for Sumeet Sabharwals 91-year-old father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, even this may not be enough.

Sumeet was the pilot-in-command of the ill-fated Air India Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad during take-off on June 12, killing 260 on board.

Residents and neighbours at Jal Vayu Vihar in Powai are concerned about the nonagenarians health, since they have seen him struggle after his sons tragic death. We had tried to meet and talk to him, said the secretary of Jal Vayu VIhar.

But he doesnt open the door and has told us that hes not comfortable speaking with anyone. He didnt even speak to the lawyers, the secretary of Jal Vayu Vihar told Mumbai Mirror.

Another resident pointed to the relentless online trolling that the Sabharwal family faced after the catastrophe as one of the reasons for the fathers reluctance to open up to anyone. Pushkaraj uncle is quite distressed due to the online trolling. People had commented about Sumeet uncles divorce and even his appearance. Everyone had held him guilty, while in real life he was a kind-hearted and jolly man. The Sabharwal family is scared to talking to anyone because of the media trial, he said.

The Sabharwal family had moved the Supreme Court to counter the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accidents Investigation Board (AAIB) on July 12, which had referenced human error as the reason behind the crash. The petitioners in SC called the report flawed. The report has also been slammed by forums representing pilots.

The petitioners have demanded a fair and independent probe into the tragedy by a panel of aviation experts headed by a retired judge, as they feel the preliminary report by the AAIB is biased. Sabharwal was represented by Advocate Gopal Sankaranayan, who questioned why with the AAIB has not released the entire transcript of the conversations between the two pilots. AAIB admits to have the entire recorded conversations of the pilots in the cockpit, but they have not released the transcript, he told the court.

At Jal Vayu Vihar, security guard Sharad Tupe revealed that the senior Sabharwal had reportedly denied the compensation he was offered by the authorities. He largely keeps to himself, stepping out only to visit the temple in the residential complex. On some days, his daughter comes to stay with him, he added.

One of Sumeet Sabharwals friends said that the father has seen a ray of hope in what the Supreme Court has said. He is doing well but hasnt spoken much to anyone, he said. The SC today will hear the matter next on November 10.

The Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA) was optimistic after Fridays court hearing. Its a positive sign that the SC has agreed to listen and has asked for the centres response on the petitioners demands, but the truth lies in the investigation. We are quite hopeful that the outcome will be positive. an ALPA spokesperson said.

The Powai police station is in touch with Sabharwal. We often visit the residence of senior citizens who live alone. Sabharwal is in touch with us and is doing well. However, he is not in a position to talk about the incident, a senior Powai police officer said.


Bangladesh Police made as many as 45 arrests  all individuals allegedly linked to the banned Awami League (AL) and its affiliates  after they conducted a procession on the DhakaChattogram Highway in the Burichang area of Cumilla on Friday afternoon, media reports from Dhaka said. Most participants covered their faces to conceal their identities but were identified and arrested in follow-up raids.

The Awami League leaders and sympathisers were picked up after multiple raids across different parts of the district on Friday night. They were produced before the court on Saturday for charges including anti-State activities, Bangladeshi media reports said.

ALSO READ | Sheikh Hasinas World Exclusive to THE WEEK: I have faced down unelected politicians before

Authorities in Comilla arrested 45 Awami League activists for organizing a sudden rally during raids across multiple areas of the district on Friday night.#Bangladesh #Protests pic.twitter.com/fjkKI7xtzg  ChittagongChronicles (@Chittagong_0) November 8, 2025

Kalakchua area of Burichang along the DhakaChattogram highway witnessed a procession by the Awami League workers around 1:30 p.m. on Friday. The administration, led by the District Detective Branch (DB), immediately took necessary action to ensure the supporters of the banned political party were held, Prothom Alo said in a report. A video that later went viral on the internet claimed that the procession was organised by the Cumilla South District Chhatra League, the report added.

The Detective Branch worked in close quarters with local police stations in the area to arrest the participants, who now face charges including engaging in anti-state activities, disrupting public safety, and creating public fear, the news report said.

The probe team also claimed that Metropolitan Awami League president A.K.M. Bahauddin Bahar, who is currently abroad, sent funds to his cadres on the ground to organise "anti-government activities." A part of the sum was used to recruit participants who were brought from different parts of Cumilla to join the short procession.

THE WEEK World Exclusive: Bangladesh now ruled by unaccountable elite paying lip service to democracy, writes Sheikh Hasina



Awami League's activities were officially "suspended" by Bangladesh's interim government following the student-led uprising in August 2024 that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States would skip the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit in South Africa, adding that no US government representatives would attend it.

Emphasising that the decision was due to concerns about how the country treats its white farmers, Trump, on his social media platform, described the decision to host the G20 in South Africa as "a total disgrace", and highlighted the alleged mistreatment of Afrikaners, including violence, deaths, and the seizure of their land and farms.

Trump had previously confirmed he would not participate in the annual gathering of leaders from major global economies. Vice President J.D. Vance was expected to attend as his replacement. However, an anonymous source close to Vance's schedule revealed to AP that he would also no longer be travelling to the summit.

The Trump administration has been criticising the South African government for the alleged persecution and attacks against minority white Afrikaner farmers. When the US limited annual refugee admissions to 7,500, the administration suggested that many of these spots would be for white South Africans, asserting they faced discrimination and violence in their home country.

In response, the South African government expressed surprise at these discrimination claims. It argued that white citizens generally enjoy a much higher standard of living than Black residents, even over three decades after the end of apartheid, the system of white minority rule.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he informed Trump directly that reports about discrimination and persecution against Afrikaners are entirely false.

Despite these denials, the US administration has continued to voice its criticism of the South African government. Earlier this week, during an economic address in Miami, Trump suggested that South Africa should be removed from the G20 entirely.

Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also skipped a G20 meeting for foreign ministers, saying the meeting's agenda prioritised topics like diversity, inclusion, and climate change initiatives.
From the Padma to the Ganga, Bangladeshs ties with India are bound by the shared geography of its largest land boundary. Their destinies have long flowed together beyond cartographic lines, shaped by a common linguistic and cultural heritage, a shared agro-ecology and an inclusive, open social fabric that cannot be judged by a few strains in the relationship. The strain in the Delhi-Dhaka bond came with Sheikh Hasinas journey into exile in India after the student-led protests in Bangladesh last year. This winter, Hasina, 78, the former prime minister and daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahmanrevered as the father of the nationfinds herself in an ironic twist. She is tasked with breathing new life into her party, the Awami League, while rebuilding trust with the people to lift her country out of its current uncertainty and return it to an elected leadership.

The state must serve the people, Hasina agrees. As a young politician in the early 1980s, I set out to understand the needs of our people and learn about the realities and hardships they faced first-hand, Hasina tells THE WEEK. A young Hasina had just come out of forced exile in New Delhi in 1981 after her father and most of her family were assassinated in a military coup in 1975. But when she returned to her country as the leader of the Awami League, she emerged as one of the key figures in the pro-democracy movement to end the military rule in 1991, along with Begum Khaleda Zia, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Overall, our country was moving in the right direction, says Hasina. Most of the credit for this goes to ordinary Bangladeshis, not to politicians.

As prime minister, Hasina focused on peoples needs as much as security measures. She signed the Ganga Water Treaty with India in 1996 and the peace treaty on the Chittagong Hill Tract in 1997 to ease long-drawn tensions. But political violence, populist policies and corruption were seeping in, although these were dismissed as signs of a maturing democracy. The Awami League lost the elections in 2001.

The turn of the century brought the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami alliance to power. Between 2001 and 2006, Indias primary quarrel with the alliance was cross-border insurgency, as arms and militants slipped under cover and rebel groups like ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) used Bangladeshi territory for training, securing weapons and launching attacks on Indian security forces. The flashpoint came in 2004 with the Chittagong arms haul, when ten truckloads of sophisticated weapons were intercepted at the Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited jetty. Subsequent probes showed the arms were destined for insurgent groups like ULFA, making New Delhi further anxious about its eastern neighbour.

While the BNP-led government officially denied complicity, its reluctance in intelligence sharing and the refusal to sign an extradition treaty with India created suspicion. Khaleda was at the helm, but her son Tarique Rahman, who was rising in influence at the time, became the face of the anti-India policy during that period. For India, securing its volatile northeast against insurgent groups has always been a primary strategic concern. With the BNP in power, the relationship was driven by a security-first strategy where other issues like trade, water-sharing and connectivity took a back seat.

An era of constructivist diplomacy began after the landslide victory of the Awami League in 2008 and the return of Sheikh Hasina. The Awami League government cracked down on anti-India insurgent groups, dismantled their camps and handed over key ULFA leaders like Anup Chetia. Security cooperation became the key to opening doors to trade, infrastructure loans and energy cooperation, drawing people of both countries closer. The Land Boundary Agreement of 2015 brought relief to thousands, and Hasina was able to make Dhaka a priority for New Delhi once again. However, at home and abroad, she was criticised for conducting controversial elections in 2014, 2018 and 2024, which were boycotted by the opposition.

But while this political affinity deepened bilateral ties, it also limited Indias strategic flexibility. New Delhis total alignment with the Awami League proved to be a cardinal mistake, as it prioritised ties with a single party over a durable state-to-state understanding. Says Asif bin Ali, Atlanta-based geopolitical analyst and doctoral fellow at Georgia State University, The Awami Leagues 17 years in power allowed certain power centres to ride roughshod over other institutions, losing checks and balances to strong-arm tactics.

Hasina says mistakes were sometimes made in the government. The transition from a more traditional way of life was hard for many. Some public officials were dishonest. There were instances of injustice.

In July 2024, when students took to the streets, they were supported by the masses, and later, by political parties like the Jamaat and the BNP, leading to the ouster of the Hasina government. There was no time for relief or rapprochement as people took over Ganabhaban (the prime ministers residence), and Hasina was flown out to safety in a chopper. The rage spilled blood of ordinary citizens, and a UN fact-finding report estimates that up to 1,400 people were killed during the crackdown on mass protests between July 1 and August 15, 2024, with children accounting for roughly 1213 per cent of the deaths. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk says senior figures of the Awami League government were aware of and were involved in the brutal, systematic repression of the protests. However, the Awami League has denied these accusations.

Fresh start: Tarique Rahman, the BNPs prime minister face, has adopted a liberal, pragmatic approach | AFP

Today, there are shrill demands by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus for Hasina to return to her country and face the verdict handed down by Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal for atrocities and crimes against people during the Awami League regime. It was not just the massacre of hundreds of civilians during three harrowing weeks in July and August last year. Hasinas regime had long perfected the machinery of repressionover more than a decade, it oversaw a pattern of enforced disappearances, custodial killings and arbitrary detentions, meticulously documented by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances, says Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor, International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh. Hasinas trial would thus not be an act of vengeance against a fallen autocrat, but a necessary step toward justice and accountability, an affirmation that no ruler stands above the law, and a safeguard to ensure that future generations of Bangladeshis are spared such brutality.

For New Delhi, it is a tightrope walk, as the challenge is not only keeping Hasina on its soil, but also giving a vote of confidence to the people of Bangladesh that when they elect their new leader, it will make room for a Padma-Ganga meeting once again. Bangladesh has always approached converting challenges into opportunities. It aspires for a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood where all can prosper, upholding universal values while also protecting our interests, says M. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India.

India is facing a tough test because of the political uncertainty in Dhaka, a possible revival of far-right Islamist networks and the delicate question of who will lead Bangladesh next. Will New Delhi allow security needs to shape foreign policy, or will it play a constructivist role built on cultural and ideological affinity? The answer lies in the lessons both New Delhi and Dhaka choose to learn from the past.

The BNPs relationship with Jamaat-e-Islami has altered dramatically in the past 25 years. Sources say old lessons have distanced Tarique, the BNPs prime ministerial face, from controversial networks and surrounded him with a new generation of advisers who are liberal and pragmatic. In recent public statements on Bangladeshs neighbourhood policy, Tarique has adopted a constructivist, rationalist stance, signalling a shift away from a narrowly realist foreign policy.

Some in Dhakas civil society argue that New Delhi must re-evaluate its perception of Tarique and engage with the BNP leadership without blinkers of the past. With the Jamaat expected to stand in opposition to the BNP in the elections in Bangladesh next year, it opens a window for India to engage with a more moderate BNP, says Ali.

There are some unresolved issues that should be tackled fast, says Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the BNP chairpersons foreign affairs advisory committee. As the ICT trial is going on, improvement in bilateral relations will depend on how the Hasina question will be addressed by India. If Hasina is sent back by the Indian government to Bangladesh, it could be the beginning of a good relationship between the two countries, he says. It is also time India should think about establishing working relations with the new government formed after the elections. India is our biggest neighbour and the BNP wants to have a working relationship based on mutual respect and non-interference in domestic politics, he says.

Changing face: Women walk past anti-Hasina graffiti in Dhaka | Salil Bera

The BNPs contribution to the country goes back to its founder Ziaur Rahman, a freedom fighter, who may have taken the reins as a military strongman, but transitioned the country towards a multi-party system. The engagement with the BNP becomes critical at a time when the Awami League has been slapped by an interim ban and the Jamaat is learnt to be consolidating influence within the interim government and bureaucracy.

Months ago, what seemed like a limited rapprochement between Dhaka and Islamabad gained unexpected traction, with Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence establishing links with young activists and far-right extremist groups, according to Indian security sources. Election is the only solution for Bangladesh as there are forces which may like to delay elections and bring chaos, says Ali.

With elections expected early next year, political fault lines are sharpening the divide in Dhaka. At the same time, efforts of an inclusive vote that accommodates independents and smaller parties, even if mainstream Awami League candidates face restrictions, are also gaining steam. A section argues that Awami-aligned figures who cannot contest under their banners might contest under other banners or independently, such as the Jatiya Party, to maintain representation in parliament. Politics abhors a vacuum; if a flag cant fly, its followers will carry the vote under another colour, says Ali.

The silver lining is the maturity, at least among mainstream parties like the BNP and the Awami League, that only an elected government can restore stability. No matter how good or bad the interim government is, elections are essential, says Faisal Mahmud, press minister at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Only then can the culture of accountability begin.

There are signs that the Awami League itself is preparing for change. There is speculation about Hasina contemplating a power transition to her son and daughter and rebranding the party to regain international legitimacy. But there is no official word from the Awami League on it. As one phase fades, new opportunities emerge, says Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of Power and Participation Research Centre, Dhaka. Twenty-five years ago, SAARC was a more active reality, but today regionalism has taken a back seat. The focus is more on bilateral relationships rather than broad regional frameworks, says Rahman. Therefore, it is incumbent upon New Delhi and Dhaka to resolve the disappointments and trust deficits stemming from past political shifts and move ahead.

Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Dovals recent remarks emphasising good governance as a lesson for the neighbourhood have signalled the first change towards a more realistic assessment of the challenges. Our two nations can reimagine bilateral and regional cooperation, not as a legacy of the past, but as a strategic necessity, for our collective good and resilience, says Hamidullah.

However, given the fact that Hasina is staying in India, the appetite for major strides in new forms of engagement will have to be developed. The starting points can be issues like water sharing, Bangladeshs grievances regarding unfair dealsespecially in the power sectorhandling of the Rohingya issue, cross-border firing incidents and other matters that will take time and political sensitivity to process.

As Bangladesh navigates the transition to an elected government amid a fragile economy, it will be a tightrope walk for India as its nuanced approach will be watched closely.What remains to be seen is whether Delhi and Dhaka succeed in liberating their friendship from political anxieties.
Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) Director Bertram Scott sold 217 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total value of $38,317.86. Following the sale, the director directly owned 35,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,324,389.28. The trade was a 0.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BDX traded up $0.49 during trading on Friday, reaching $177.88. The stock had a trading volume of 3,068,583 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,454,233. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $187.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $182.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52 week low of $162.29 and a 52 week high of $251.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $50.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.25.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 16.23%. The business had revenue of $5.32 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Becton, Dickinson and Company

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be given a $1.05 dividend. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 74.82%.

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 15.4% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 32,308,749 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $5,565,182,000 after buying an additional 4,305,947 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the second quarter worth about $653,377,000. First Eagle Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 59.2% in the second quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 8,786,190 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,513,421,000 after acquiring an additional 3,268,478 shares during the period. GQG Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth about $689,833,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 24.4% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 8,514,446 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,466,613,000 after purchasing an additional 1,670,590 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.97% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on BDX. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $196.00 to $197.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $203.50.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional.

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nVent Electric PLC (NYSE:NVT  Get Free Report) CAO Randolph Wacker sold 5,000 shares of nVent Electric stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.08, for a total value of $550,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 26,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,906,112. The trade was a 15.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

nVent Electric Stock Performance

Shares of nVent Electric stock traded up $0.94 on Friday, reaching $110.91. 1,745,464 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,133,967. The firm has a market cap of $17.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.40. nVent Electric PLC has a 1-year low of $41.71 and a 1-year high of $117.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. The companys 50-day moving average is $98.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $81.84.

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nVent Electric (NYSE:NVT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.03. nVent Electric had a return on equity of 14.29% and a net margin of 16.83%.The business had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.63 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 34.8% compared to the same quarter last year. nVent Electric has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.870-0.890 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 3.310-3.330 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that nVent Electric PLC will post 3.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

nVent Electric Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 7th. Investors of record on Friday, October 17th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 17th. nVent Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.04%.

A number of research firms have issued reports on NVT. Roth Capital reissued a buy rating and set a $130.00 target price (up from $115.00) on shares of nVent Electric in a research note on Monday. Citigroup boosted their price objective on nVent Electric from $114.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on nVent Electric from $111.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of nVent Electric in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, KeyCorp increased their price target on nVent Electric from $103.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, nVent Electric has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $121.14.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On nVent Electric

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NVT. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of nVent Electric in the first quarter valued at $229,615,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in nVent Electric in the second quarter worth about $234,290,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in nVent Electric by 146.0% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,195,543 shares of the companys stock worth $234,074,000 after acquiring an additional 1,896,749 shares in the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in nVent Electric by 29.5% in the 2nd quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 3,113,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $228,096,000 after acquiring an additional 709,464 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Champlain Investment Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of nVent Electric by 26.8% during the 2nd quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC now owns 2,260,240 shares of the companys stock valued at $165,563,000 after purchasing an additional 477,135 shares in the last quarter. 90.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About nVent Electric

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nVent Electric plc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, markets, installs, and services electrical connection and protection solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Enclosures, Electrical & Fastening Solutions, and Thermal Management.

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goeasy (TSE:GSY  Get Free Report) had its price target lowered by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$194.00 to C$156.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective would indicate a potential upside of 20.50% from the stocks current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. TD Securities boosted their price objective on goeasy from C$205.00 to C$210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Scotiabank raised shares of goeasy from a hold rating to an outperform rating and set a C$225.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, October 16th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of goeasy from C$232.00 to C$226.00 in a report on Thursday. Raymond James Financial reduced their price target on goeasy from C$226.00 to C$208.00 in a research report on Thursday. Finally, National Bankshares dropped their price objective on goeasy from C$265.00 to C$245.00 in a report on Thursday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$206.88.

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goeasy Stock Performance

goeasy Company Profile

TSE GSY traded down C$4.80 on Friday, hitting C$129.46. 330,928 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 75,209. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 287.63, a quick ratio of 28.46 and a current ratio of 82.04. The businesss fifty day moving average is C$179.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$173.35. goeasy has a 12 month low of C$127.60 and a 12 month high of C$216.50. The firm has a market capitalization of C$2.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.79, a PEG ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.92.

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goeasy Ltd provides financial services to own furniture, electronics, computers, and appliances. It offers merchandise leasing of household furnishings, appliances, and home electronic products to consumers under weekly or monthly leasing agreements. The company also offers unsecured installment loans to consumers.

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Enerflex (TSE:EFX  Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by equities researchers at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$15.00 to C$17.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price target would suggest a potential downside of 9.62% from the companys current price.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. ATB Capital upped their target price on Enerflex from C$19.50 to C$23.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. TD Securities upped their price objective on Enerflex from C$19.00 to C$23.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Desjardins lifted their target price on Enerflex from C$14.50 to C$17.50 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Enerflex from C$18.00 to C$20.00 in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Raymond James Financial increased their price target on shares of Enerflex from C$20.00 to C$24.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$19.86.

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Enerflex Stock Down 0.4%

Enerflex Company Profile

EFX stock traded down C$0.08 during trading on Friday, reaching C$18.81. The stock had a trading volume of 638,623 shares, compared to its average volume of 481,200. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 81.27. The company has a market capitalization of C$2.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.09 and a beta of 2.28. Enerflex has a one year low of C$8.74 and a one year high of C$19.40. The companys 50 day moving average is C$15.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$12.47.

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Enerflex Ltd engineers, designs, manufactures and provides aftermarket support for equipment, systems, and turnkey facilities used to process and move natural gas from the wellhead to the pipeline. The companys focus is gas compression, where it offers a range of applications and gas inlet streams, from low-horsepower/low-pressure applications such as a coal seam gas and solution gas vapor recovery units to high-horsepower, centralized field, or processing plant compression.

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Holley (NYSE:HLLY  Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by equities researchers at Telsey Advisory Group from $3.50 to $5.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Telsey Advisory Groups price objective indicates a potential upside of 35.69% from the companys previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Holley from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on Holley from $5.00 to $6.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Holley in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial raised their price objective on shares of Holley from $2.25 to $3.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Benchmark raised shares of Holley from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $4.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $4.20.

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Holley Price Performance

Shares of HLLY stock traded up $0.96 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $3.69. 20,795,978 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 683,879. The companys 50 day moving average price is $3.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.65. The company has a market cap of $444.04 million, a P/E ratio of -14.17 and a beta of 1.36. Holley has a 12 month low of $1.60 and a 12 month high of $4.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 2.93.

Holley (NYSE:HLLY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.01). Holley had a negative net margin of 5.12% and a positive return on equity of 5.81%. The company had revenue of $138.37 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $132.36 million. Holley has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Holley will post 0.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director David S. Lobel sold 2,100,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.63, for a total value of $5,523,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 24,654,834 shares in the company, valued at approximately $64,842,213.42. This represents a 7.85% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.92% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Holley

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of HLLY. Cerity Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Holley in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Holley by 994.4% during the first quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,536 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 15,025 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in Holley in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP lifted its position in Holley by 103.4% in the 2nd quarter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP now owns 22,607 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 11,494 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Holley during the 2nd quarter valued at $47,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 39.70% of the companys stock.

About Holley

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Holley Inc operates as designer, manufacturer, and marketer of automotive aftermarket products for car and truck enthusiasts in the United States, Canada, Europe, and China. Its products span various automotive platforms and sells across multiple channels. The company's performance automotive products include carburetors, fuel pumps, fuel injection systems, nitrous oxide injection systems, superchargers, exhaust headers, mufflers, distributors, ignition components, engine tuners, automotive performance plumbing products; and exhaust products, as well as shifters, converters, transmission kits, transmissions, tuners, and automotive software.

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American Biltrite (OTCMKTS:ABLT  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Friday. The company reported ($38.94) earnings per share for the quarter, Zacks reports. American Biltrite had a negative return on equity of 28.92% and a negative net margin of 3.66%.

American Biltrite Price Performance

American Biltrite stock remained flat at $78.00 during trading on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $75.65 and its 200 day moving average price is $78.31. The firm has a market cap of $2.50 million, a PE ratio of -0.38 and a beta of -0.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 1.19. American Biltrite has a 52 week low of $70.05 and a 52 week high of $140.00.

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American Biltrite Company Profile

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American Biltrite Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides tape, jewelry, flooring, and rubber products worldwide. The company produces and offers pressure sensitive tapes, films, and protective sheeting under the American Biltrite and Ideal brands, which are used in various markets, such as automotive and transportation; construction; shoe/footwear; graphic arts, print, and signage; and various other industrial and consumer applications.

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Rahul Bhattacharyas Railsong (Bloomsbury), launched yesterday, runs on twin engines. One follows Charu Chitol, a railwaywoman whose story unfolds from her childhood days in railway quarters to her later years as a professional, shaped by both compromise and hard-won insight. The other is the Indian Railways, an institution so omnipresent it becomes character, chorus and country at once. For Bhattacharya, the system is a perfect metaphor for the gargantuan project that is India, in all its complexities, in all its almost unimaginable numbers and diversity, challenges and cleavages.

A life measured in departures and arrivals

The novel begins in the late 1950s in Bhombalpur, a railway town of whistles, timetables and iron breath, where Charus father serves as foreman. From there, the tracks run to Bombay, where Charu joins the Railways and rises to Welfare Inspector, travelling across the country to investigate employees claims. What emerges is a multilingual portrait of a nation. Bambaiyya Hindi, Bangla, Gujarati, Marathi, Dakhni and Indian English jostle on the page in what Bhattacharya calls this symphony of emotional and cultural expressionthat can sometimes be a cacophony as well.

History as weather

Set against the waning years of the Nehruvian dream  when state planning and public-sector idealism still defined Indias middle class  Railsong moves toward 5 December 1992, the eve of the Babri Masjid demolition and BR Ambedkars birth anniversary. Along the way, Bhattacharya threads through two of independent Indias most convulsive episodes: the nationwide rail strike of 1974, one of the largest industrial actions in history, and the 197577 Emergency, when civil liberties were suspended. These events appear not as historical tableaux but as atmospheric pressures, shaping Charu Chitols working days and her private reckonings. The success of fiction is finally the emotional truth of it, Bhattacharya says  and Railsong finds that truth in the small, exact textures of life: a young womans cramped quarters, the shock of her first period, the menace of a reporting trip in North Indias badlands, the knot of duty and desire that never quite loosens.

Tracks as human circuitry

The storys authority lies in its command of the Railways inner life: circulars, rule books, designations and the unrecorded rituals that never make a file. Bhattacharya spent more than a decade travelling through railway towns, speaking to stationmasters, retirees and personnel officers  the backend of the backend, where Charu starts her career. In the process he became a spiritual employee of the Indian Railways personnel department, learning how paperwork breathes and how lives bend to its rhythms. One of Charus bosses, Rulemaster Chitnis, gives the bureaucracy its bleak poetry: Life and File, two spellings of the same word depending on your side of the tablefor one person the file is his life, for the other a life is just a file.

The reporting yields a thickly peopled book in which clerks dream and officials worry about school fees. What I tried to convey is the railways as a human network, not just an infrastructural network, Bhattacharya says. The idea is that you and I are connected. That your story is in some measure my story and vice versa Through the railways there is this kind of metaphoric link

of people which spreads across

the country.

A song in an older key

The novels final terminus is Bombay, the city most structurally married to rail. Even the phrase super dense crush load reads like a bodily sensation. Charus Bombay is made of exact routes and rooms: the disorientation of stepping out of Victoria Terminus, the everyday beat of the Harbour Line, womens hostels that function as moving sanctuaries, a marital home in a Gujarati chawl where walls are thin and opinions thick. Cosmopolitanism here is practice.

The title of his book nods to Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyays Pather Panchali  Song of the Road  and, by extension, to Satyajit Rays films. Railsong tunes that inheritance to post-Independence frequencies, listening closely to how class, caste and religion arrange a life and how a life resists the arrangement. Bhattacharya frames the project as a question of stamina and openness: how one can negotiate [society] while also exposing yourself to its humbling complexities. It measures history in kitchen wages, transfer orders and monsoon leaks. Bhattacharyas closing claim is unabashedly musical: the Indian Railways, whose railsong plucks at our souls no less musically than sitar strings.

Railsong is finally a novel of connection  of a woman to her work, of a city to its lines, of a nation to its institutions. In Charus patient circuits, Bhattacharya finds the emotional truth he trusts most, and a country still learning to

travel together.


Oracle Power plc (LON:ORCP  Get Free Report) rose 12.2% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as GBX 0.06 and last traded at GBX 0.05. Approximately 749,263,000 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 220% from the average daily volume of 234,307,891 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.04.

Oracle Power Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of 7.23 million, a PE ratio of -23.00 and a beta of 1.44. The firms 50 day simple moving average is GBX 0.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 0.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.98, a current ratio of 3.74 and a quick ratio of 5.67.

About Oracle Power

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Oracle Power Plc (AIM: ORCP) is an international project developer in the natural resources and energy sectors. The Company is currently committed to two areas of focus: Western Australia, home to two of Oracles highly prospective gold projects, and Pakistan, where it is working to establish one of the largest hydrogen production facilities in the region.

Located in the wind corridor in Jhimpir, Pakistan, The Green Hydrogen project is being developed on a fast-track basis thanks to the joint venture (JV) formed between Oracle and His Highness Shaikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum (through his wholly owned company, Kaheel Energy Limited).

The JV intends to support the global transition to a carbon neutral future through establishing Pakistan as one of the main Green Hydrogen players in the region, to meet global demand for clean hydrogen forecasted to be 660 million metric tons in 2050.

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Tokyo Electron (OTCMKTS:TOELY  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 3.611-3.611 for the period. The company issued revenue guidance of $16.1 billion-$16.1 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $15.8 billion.

Tokyo Electron Stock Performance

Tokyo Electron stock traded up $0.61 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $107.00. The stock had a trading volume of 111,126 shares, compared to its average volume of 154,649. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $90.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $84.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.16 and a beta of 1.93. Tokyo Electron has a 1-year low of $58.17 and a 1-year high of $114.53.

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Tokyo Electron (OTCMKTS:TOELY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.03. Tokyo Electron had a net margin of 21.74% and a return on equity of 29.10%. The firm had revenue of $4.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.06 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Tokyo Electron will post 3.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Tokyo Electron from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Sell.

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Tokyo Electron Company Profile

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Tokyo Electron Limited, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) production equipment in Japan, Europe, North America, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and internationally. The company offers coaters/developers, etch systems, surface preparation systems, deposition systems, test systems, wafer bonders/debonders, wafer edge trimming, SiC epitaxial CVD systems, gas cluster ion beam system, and cleaning systems.

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Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Free Report) had its target price boosted by HC Wainwright from $12.50 to $16.50 in a research report report published on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. HC Wainwright currently has a buy rating on the basic materials companys stock. HC Wainwright also issued estimates for Hecla Minings FY2025 earnings at $0.34 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $0.51 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on HL. CIBC lifted their price objective on Hecla Mining from $12.50 to $15.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Hecla Mining from $6.00 to $6.50 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Hecla Mining in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Roth Capital set a $8.75 target price on shares of Hecla Mining and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Hecla Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $9.32.

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Hecla Mining Price Performance

Shares of HL stock traded up $0.31 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $13.86. 19,508,746 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 22,024,551. Hecla Mining has a fifty-two week low of $4.46 and a fifty-two week high of $15.44. The firm has a market cap of $9.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 86.63 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.99, a current ratio of 2.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $11.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $8.06.

Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $0.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by $0.01. Hecla Mining had a net margin of 9.55% and a return on equity of 5.51%. The company had revenue of $409.54 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $315.60 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.03 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 67.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Hecla Mining will post 0.21 EPS for the current year.

Hecla Mining Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 24th will be given a $0.0038 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 24th. This represents a $0.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.1%. Hecla Minings payout ratio is currently 3.23%.

Insider Activity at Hecla Mining

In related news, VP Stuart Maurice Absolom sold 14,472 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.29, for a total transaction of $163,388.88. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 73,200 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $826,428. This trade represents a 16.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.62% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Hecla Mining

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in HL. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new position in shares of Hecla Mining in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in Hecla Mining by 2,390.0% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 2,490 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 2,390 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its stake in shares of Hecla Mining by 29.9% in the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 4,023 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 926 shares in the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining during the third quarter worth $49,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining in the second quarter valued at $25,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.01% of the companys stock.

Hecla Mining Company Profile

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Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:MLM  Free Report) had its price target decreased by Wells Fargo & Company from $620.00 to $610.00 in a report published on Thursday,Benzinga reports. Wells Fargo & Company currently has an equal weight rating on the construction companys stock.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on MLM. Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $700.00 price objective on shares of Martin Marietta Materials in a research note on Monday, August 4th. DA Davidson boosted their price target on shares of Martin Marietta Materials from $625.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Martin Marietta Materials from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Martin Marietta Materials from $609.00 to $637.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $525.00 target price (up previously from $515.00) on shares of Martin Marietta Materials in a report on Friday, August 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $632.88.

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Martin Marietta Materials Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MLM traded up $1.76 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $610.09. 358,543 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 451,458. Martin Marietta Materials has a twelve month low of $441.95 and a twelve month high of $665.18. The firm has a market cap of $36.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.84, a PEG ratio of 5.57 and a beta of 1.06. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $621.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $582.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 2.35 and a quick ratio of 1.21.

Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:MLM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The construction company reported $5.97 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.62 by ($0.65). Martin Marietta Materials had a net margin of 16.47% and a return on equity of 11.88%. The business had revenue of $1.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.06 billion. Martin Marietta Materials has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Martin Marietta Materials will post 19.53 EPS for the current year.

Martin Marietta Materials Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd were given a dividend of $0.83 per share. This is a boost from Martin Marietta Materialss previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Martin Marietta Materialss payout ratio is currently 17.50%.

Institutional Trading of Martin Marietta Materials

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Martin Marietta Materials during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Martin Marietta Materials during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in Martin Marietta Materials during the first quarter valued at $30,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Martin Marietta Materials in the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its position in Martin Marietta Materials by 62.2% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 60 shares of the construction companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.04% of the companys stock.

Martin Marietta Materials Company Profile

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Martin Marietta Materials, Inc, a natural resource-based building materials company, supplies aggregates and heavy-side building materials to the construction industry in the United States and internationally. It offers crushed stone, sand, and gravel products; ready mixed concrete and asphalt; paving products and services; and Portland and specialty cement for use in the infrastructure projects, and nonresidential and residential construction markets, as well as in the railroad, agricultural, utility, and environmental industries.

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Shares of Cinemark Holdings Inc (NYSE:CNK  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Wednesday following a dividend announcement from the company. The stock had previously closed at $26.75, but opened at $29.01. Cinemark shares last traded at $28.2280, with a volume of 664,649 shares changing hands.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a $0.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. This is a boost from Cinemarks previous quarterly dividend of $0.08. Cinemarks payout ratio is currently 17.49%.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and issued a $33.00 price objective (down from $36.00) on shares of Cinemark in a report on Monday, August 4th. Zacks Research raised Cinemark from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $35.00 price objective on shares of Cinemark in a research report on Wednesday. Wedbush raised Cinemark from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the stock from $32.00 to $37.00 in a research report on Friday, July 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Cinemark from $35.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $35.30.

Cinemark Stock Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average is $27.19 and its 200-day moving average is $28.79. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.32. The stock has a market cap of $3.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.58, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.69.

Cinemark (NYSE:CNK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.04). Cinemark had a return on equity of 59.16% and a net margin of 9.13%.The business had revenue of $857.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $851.47 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.19 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Cinemark Holdings Inc will post 1.93 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Cinemark

In other news, EVP Melissa Thomas sold 7,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.17, for a total transaction of $181,224.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 203,768 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,128,840.56. This trade represents a 3.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cinemark

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Cinemark by 12.9% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,346,856 shares of the companys stock valued at $232,643,000 after purchasing an additional 1,066,225 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Cinemark by 758.9% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 4,497,305 shares of the companys stock valued at $135,729,000 after acquiring an additional 3,973,689 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of Cinemark by 106.9% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 2,589,372 shares of the companys stock worth $78,147,000 after acquiring an additional 1,338,153 shares during the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC increased its holdings in shares of Cinemark by 119.9% in the 2nd quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 2,180,513 shares of the companys stock worth $65,808,000 after acquiring an additional 1,188,709 shares during the period. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its position in Cinemark by 18.7% in the 2nd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 2,012,913 shares of the companys stock valued at $60,750,000 after purchasing an additional 316,476 shares during the last quarter.

About Cinemark

(Get Free Report)

Cinemark Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the motion picture exhibition business. As of February 16, 2024, it operated 501 theatres with 5,719 screens in 42 states and 13 countries in South and Central America. Cinemark Holdings, Inc was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

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Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (NYSE:ZETA  Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $16.70, but opened at $18.82. Zeta Global shares last traded at $18.8970, with a volume of 6,354,595 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on ZETA. DA Davidson reissued a buy rating and set a $27.00 price target on shares of Zeta Global in a research report on Wednesday. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Zeta Global from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and issued a $25.00 target price on shares of Zeta Global in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Zeta Global from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $23.00 target price on shares of Zeta Global in a research report on Thursday. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Zeta Global presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $29.08.

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Zeta Global Stock Down 0.4%

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $19.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 3.25 and a current ratio of 3.01.

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. William Blair Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Zeta Global by 37.3% in the second quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 1,247,870 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,330,000 after purchasing an additional 339,247 shares during the period. Summit Creek Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Zeta Global by 33.6% during the first quarter. Summit Creek Advisors LLC now owns 1,047,677 shares of the companys stock worth $14,206,000 after buying an additional 263,451 shares in the last quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Zeta Global in the 2nd quarter valued at about $276,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd lifted its position in shares of Zeta Global by 127.1% during the 2nd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 98,881 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,532,000 after buying an additional 55,343 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in Zeta Global during the first quarter valued at $360,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.75% of the companys stock.

Zeta Global Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Zeta Global Holdings Corp. operates an omnichannel data-driven cloud platform that provides enterprises with consumer intelligence and marketing automation software in the United States and internationally. The companys Zeta Marketing Platform analyzes billions of structured and unstructured data points to predict consumer intent by leveraging sophisticated machine learning algorithms and the industrys opted-in data set for omnichannel marketing; and Consumer Data platform ingests, analyzes, and distills disparate data points to generate a single view of a consumer, encompassing identity, profile characteristics, behaviors, and purchase intent.

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Adyen N.V. Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:ADYEY  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 1,317,650 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 69% from the previous sessions volume of 777,884 shares.The stock last traded at $16.15 and had previously closed at $16.07.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on ADYEY. Monness Crespi & Hardt reiterated a buy rating on shares of Adyen in a report on Friday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Adyen in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. They issued an overweight rating for the company. Wolfe Research lowered Adyen from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating on shares of Adyen in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Adyen in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Adyen presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

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Adyen Price Performance

Adyen Company Profile

The companys 50-day simple moving average is $16.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $17.38.

(Get Free Report)

Adyen N.V. operates a payments platform in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, the Asia Pacific, Latin America. The company's platform integrates payments stack that include gateway, risk management, processing, issuing, acquiring, and settlement services. It offers a back-end infrastructure for authorizing.

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Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Madison County Financial and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Madison County Financial $29.54 million $3.82 million 26.21 Madison County Financial Competitors $614.10 million $154.64 million 14.07

Madison County Financials rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Madison County Financial. Madison County Financial is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

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Dividends

Madison County Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. Madison County Financial pays out 35.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BANKS  SOUTHEAST companies pay a dividend yield of 2.1% and pay out 24.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Madison County Financial lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Risk and Volatility

50.4% of shares of all BANKS  SOUTHEAST companies are owned by institutional investors. 16.9% of Madison County Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 12.5% of shares of all BANKS  SOUTHEAST companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Madison County Financial has a beta of 0.08, suggesting that its stock price is 92% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Madison County Financials rivals have a beta of 0.63, suggesting that their average stock price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Madison County Financial and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Madison County Financial N/A N/A N/A Madison County Financial Competitors 16.47% 9.97% 1.05%

Summary

Madison County Financial rivals beat Madison County Financial on 9 of the 11 factors compared.

About Madison County Financial

(Get Free Report)

Madison County Financial, Inc. operates as the holding company for Madison County Bank that provides banking and financial services to individual and corporate customers in Nebraska, the United States. It offers checking, money market savings, savings, and individual retirement accounts; certificates of deposit; credit and debit cards; home loans; and consumer loans, including home equity lines of credit, second mortgage, home improvement, recreational vehicle, personal, and overdraft protection loans, as well as loans for automobiles, trucks, and vans. The company also provides agricultural real estate, machinery and equipment, livestock and crop, and operating loans; and commercial real estate, construction, investment property, and working capital loans, as well as equipment financing services. In addition, it offers online and mobile banking, and merchant services. The company was formerly known as Madison County Holding Company and changed its name to Madison County Financial, Inc. in October 2012. Madison County Financial, Inc. was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Madison, Nebraska.

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Dynatrace (NYSE:DT  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.03, Briefing.com reports. Dynatrace had a return on equity of 9.24% and a net margin of 27.33%.The firm had revenue of $493.85 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $487.33 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.37 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Dynatrace updated its Q3 2026 guidance to 0.400-0.420 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance to 1.620-1.640 EPS.

Dynatrace Price Performance

DT traded up $1.12 on Friday, hitting $47.18. 4,422,720 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,956,400. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.86, a PEG ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.85. The business has a 50-day moving average of $49.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $50.78. Dynatrace has a 12 month low of $39.30 and a 12 month high of $63.00.

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Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Dan Zugelder sold 7,503 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $375,150.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 1,420 shares of the companys stock, valued at $71,000. This trade represents a 84.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Daniel S. Yates sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.89, for a total value of $99,780.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 22,555 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,125,268.95. This trade represents a 8.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 10,602 shares of company stock worth $529,579. Corporate insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Dynatrace

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of DT. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new stake in Dynatrace in the second quarter worth $567,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new position in shares of Dynatrace in the second quarter worth about $458,000. Ion Asset Management Ltd. grew its holdings in Dynatrace by 15.4% during the 2nd quarter. Ion Asset Management Ltd. now owns 300,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,563,000 after buying an additional 40,000 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of Dynatrace by 43.3% in the second quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 11,226 shares of the companys stock worth $620,000 after buying an additional 3,392 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in Dynatrace by 24.0% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 10,815 shares of the companys stock valued at $597,000 after purchasing an additional 2,091 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.28% of the companys stock.

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Dynatrace in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. They issued an overweight rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their price target on shares of Dynatrace from $57.00 to $51.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Dynatrace from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Dynatrace in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Dynatrace from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Dynatrace currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.27.

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About Dynatrace

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Dynatrace, Inc provides a security platform for multicloud environments in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation.

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IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones (NYSE:IRS  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The financial services provider reported $1.42 EPS for the quarter, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $97.35 million for the quarter. IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones had a return on equity of 12.00% and a net margin of 36.40%.

IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:IRS traded up $0.56 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $15.01. 178,982 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 201,206. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $14.12. IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones has a 1 year low of $10.61 and a 1 year high of $17.67. The company has a market cap of $1.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.31 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.88 and a current ratio of 2.17.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

IRS has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, September 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

Institutional Trading of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones during the first quarter worth about $4,209,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones by 200.7% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 339,549 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,730,000 after buying an additional 226,617 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones by 220.5% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 166,710 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,322,000 after buying an additional 114,687 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership purchased a new stake in IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $315,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones during the second quarter valued at approximately $249,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.46% of the companys stock.

IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the diversified real estate activities in Argentina. It operates through five segments: Shopping Malls, Offices, Hotels, Sales and Developments, and Others. The company is involved in the acquisition, development, and operation of shopping malls, office buildings, and other non-shopping mall properties primarily for rental purposes.

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The California Supreme Court rejected a First Amendment challenge to a state law that protects the rights of gay and transgender people in nursing homes and forbids employees of those sites from using the wrong pronouns to address a resident or coworker.

The ruling, handed down Thursday, holds that violations of the LGBT Long-Term Care Residents Bill of Rights are not protected by the First Amendment because they relate to codes of conduct in what is effectively both a workplace and a home.

The pronouns provision constitutes a regulation of discriminatory conduct that incidentally affects speech, the court ruled.

The opinion reversed an appeals court ruling that held provisions in the 2017 law relating to patient pronouns and names could impede an employees freedom of speech. Five justices signed onto the main opinion; two signed onto a concurrence. There were no dissents.

All individuals deserve to live free from harmful, disrespectful rhetoric that attacks their sense of self, especially when receiving care necessary for their continued well-being, Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a written statement commending the ruling. State law prohibits discrimination and harassment in the workplace. I am glad that the California Supreme Court agrees with us on the importance of these protections and has affirmed their constitutionality.

The group challenging the law, Taking Offense, asserted in its lawsuit that the provision mandating long-term care facilities use peoples chosen pronouns amounts to criminalizing and compelling speech content.

Taking Offense described itself in court documents as a group opposing efforts to coerce society to accept transgender fiction that a person can be whatever sex/gender s/he thinks s/he is, or chooses to be.

The court ruled that the LGBT Long-Term Care Residents Bill of Rights will be violated when willful and repeated misgendering has occurred in the presence of a resident, the resident hears or sees the misgendering, and the resident is harmed because the resident perceives that conduct to be abusive.

The LGBT Long-Term Care Residents Bill of Rights is enforced by a section of Californias Health and Safety Code. Penalties can range from civil fines to criminal misdemeanor prosecutions  the potential for criminal penalties was a major element of Taking Offenses argument. The courts decision noted that other protections for long-term care facility residents have long carried both civil and criminal penalties.

It seems apparent that the Legislature does not intend for such criminal penalties to be imposed except as a last resort, in the most egregious circumstances, wrote the decisions author, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero.

The opinion made comparisons to other free speech decisions with similar elements, such as the 1995 U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that the the Irish-American Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Group of Boston could not force St. Patricks Day parade organizers to include them.

By contrast, the present case does not involve any analogous creative product or expressive association, Guerrero wrote, concluding that the California law is instead regulating peoples conduct.

___

This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

By NIGEL DUARA/CalMatters

CalMatters
Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $4.85 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.36 by $1.49, Zacks reports. Toyota Motor had a return on equity of 11.63% and a net margin of 8.77%.The firm had revenue of $80.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $79.06 billion. Toyota Motor updated its FY 2026 guidance to 15.249-15.249 EPS.

Toyota Motor Stock Performance

TM stock traded down $0.92 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $202.02. The stock had a trading volume of 340,497 shares, compared to its average volume of 385,914. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $198.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $188.99. Toyota Motor has a fifty-two week low of $155.00 and a fifty-two week high of $211.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $272.20 billion, a PE ratio of 9.74 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.11.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Toyota Motor

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Merit Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in Toyota Motor by 5.9% during the third quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the companys stock worth $500,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new stake in Toyota Motor in the second quarter valued at approximately $562,000. Evergreen Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Toyota Motor by 7.7% in the second quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 9,551 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,645,000 after buying an additional 684 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC lifted its position in shares of Toyota Motor by 93.2% in the second quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 510 shares of the companys stock valued at $88,000 after buying an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 85.7% during the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 44,133 shares of the companys stock worth $7,602,000 after acquiring an additional 20,369 shares during the period. 1.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Toyota Motor from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Toyota Motor from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Toyota Motor from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, August 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Toyota Motor in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Toyota Motor currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Toyota Motor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Toyota Motor Corporation designs, manufactures, assembles, and sells passenger vehicles, minivans and commercial vehicles, and related parts and accessories in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East. It operates in Automotive, Financial Services, and All Other segments.

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Corpay (NYSE:CPAY  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $5.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.63 by $0.07, FiscalAI reports. Corpay had a net margin of 25.17% and a return on equity of 39.13%. The firm had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.16 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.00 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. Corpay updated its Q4 2025 guidance to 4.600-4.800 EPS.

Corpay Stock Performance

Shares of CPAY stock traded down $1.85 during trading on Friday, reaching $276.15. 643,009 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 500,449. The firms fifty day moving average price is $291.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $315.48. Corpay has a twelve month low of $252.84 and a twelve month high of $400.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.50 billion, a PE ratio of 18.76, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Corpay from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Corpay from $360.00 to $356.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 11th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Corpay from $340.00 to $315.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Corpay from $336.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Corpay in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Corpay has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $379.71.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd raised its holdings in Corpay by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 3,855,589 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,279,362,000 after acquiring an additional 124,368 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Corpay by 1,237.5% in the second quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 68,482 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,724,000 after purchasing an additional 63,362 shares during the last quarter. Meridiem Capital Partners LP increased its stake in shares of Corpay by 229.3% during the second quarter. Meridiem Capital Partners LP now owns 88,466 shares of the companys stock worth $29,355,000 after purchasing an additional 61,598 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its holdings in Corpay by 40.6% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 184,545 shares of the companys stock worth $61,236,000 after purchasing an additional 53,316 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in Corpay by 8.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 349,318 shares of the companys stock worth $115,911,000 after purchasing an additional 26,688 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.84% of the companys stock.

About Corpay

(Get Free Report)

Corpay, Inc operates as a payments company that helps businesses and consumers manage vehicle-related expenses, lodging expenses, and corporate payments in the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers vehicle payment solutions, which include fuel, tolls, parking, fleet maintenance, and long-haul transportation services, as well as prepaid food and transportation vouchers and cards.

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Shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMD  Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . 222,939 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 162% from the previous sessions volume of 85,187 shares.The stock last traded at $40.1350 and had previously closed at $39.91.

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $817.68 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.46 and a beta of 0.81. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $40.04 and a 200 day moving average of $38.74.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of JHMD. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 449.7% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 96,092 shares of the companys stock worth $3,684,000 after purchasing an additional 78,612 shares during the period. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new position in John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF in the second quarter valued at about $293,000. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 1.7% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 17,660 shares of the companys stock valued at $617,000 after acquiring an additional 288 shares during the period. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 36.6% in the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 17,936 shares of the companys stock worth $627,000 after acquiring an additional 4,810 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Institute for Wealth Management LLC. raised its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 1.6% during the second quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. now owns 22,668 shares of the companys stock worth $868,000 after purchasing an additional 365 shares during the period.

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Company Profile

The John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (JHMD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of stocks from developed markets ex-US and Canada, covering 85% of the market capitalization. Holdings are weighted based on fundamental and technical factors JHMD was launched on Dec 15, 2016 and is managed by John Hancock.

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Shares of TIM S.A. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:TIMB  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday after Barclays raised their price target on the stock from $21.00 to $23.50. Barclays currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. TIM traded as high as $23.69 and last traded at $23.61, with a volume of 148397 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.74.

TIMB has been the topic of a number of other reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of TIM from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, September 20th. Hsbc Global Res raised TIM from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Scotiabank reissued a sector perform rating and set a $23.60 price target on shares of TIM in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on TIM from $22.00 to $24.50 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of TIM in a report on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $23.10.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

TIM Price Performance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. boosted its position in shares of TIM by 10.8% in the second quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 3,482,294 shares of the companys stock worth $70,029,000 after buying an additional 339,384 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in TIM by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,056,805 shares of the companys stock worth $16,539,000 after acquiring an additional 47,130 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in TIM by 9.4% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 448,722 shares of the companys stock worth $10,015,000 after acquiring an additional 38,649 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in TIM by 26.4% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 445,578 shares of the companys stock worth $8,961,000 after acquiring an additional 93,179 shares during the period. Finally, Assetmark Inc. grew its position in TIM by 1.0% in the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 384,034 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,572,000 after acquiring an additional 3,876 shares in the last quarter.

The company has a market cap of $11.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.73, a P/E/G ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 0.62. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $21.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

TIM (NYSE:TIMB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.21 billion. TIM had a net margin of 13.91% and a return on equity of 13.99%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that TIM S.A. Sponsored ADR will post 1.34 EPS for the current year.

TIM Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.1888 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 3rd. TIMs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.07%.

TIM Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TIM SA, a telecommunications company, provides mobile voice, data, and broadband services in Brazil. The company offers in mobile, landline, long-distance, and data transmission services. It also offers fixed ultra-broadband, fixed ultraband broadband, and digital content services. The company serves individuals and corporates, as well as small, medium, and large companies.

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Shares of iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:EUMV  Get Free Report) dropped 0.1% on Friday . The company traded as low as $25.89 and last traded at $25.90. Approximately 74,000 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 299% from the average daily volume of 18,565 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.92.

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Europe ETF Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $25.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $25.90.

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Peel Hunt reissued their hold rating on shares of J D Wetherspoon (LON:JDW  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning,Digital Look reports. Peel Hunt currently has a GBX 700 price objective on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on J D Wetherspoon from GBX 450 to GBX 490 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Friday, July 11th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of J D Wetherspoon in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, J D Wetherspoon has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of GBX 595.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on JDW

J D Wetherspoon Price Performance

LON:JDW opened at GBX 628.50 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 659.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 707.63. J D Wetherspoon has a 12 month low of GBX 526 and a 12 month high of GBX 814.50. The firm has a market cap of 662.48 million, a P/E ratio of 11.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.39 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 283.19.

J D Wetherspoon (LON:JDW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 3rd. The company reported GBX 50.80 earnings per share for the quarter. J D Wetherspoon had a net margin of 2.40% and a return on equity of 12.66%. On average, analysts expect that J D Wetherspoon will post 52.8508772 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at J D Wetherspoon

In other J D Wetherspoon news, insider Harry Morley purchased 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 8th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 624 per share, with a total value of 46,800. In the last quarter, insiders have purchased 7,610 shares of company stock worth $4,755,376. 28.39% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

J D Wetherspoon Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

J D Wetherspoon owns and operates pubs and hotels throughout the UK and Ireland. The company aims to provide customers with good-quality food and drinks, served by well-trained and friendly staff, at reasonable prices.

The pubs are individually designed, and the company aims to maintain them in excellent condition.

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ProShares UltraShort Gold (NYSEARCA:GLL  Free Report) shares are set to reverse split before the market opens on Thursday, November 20th. The 1-2 reverse split was recently announced. The number of shares owned by shareholders will be adjusted after the closing bell on Wednesday, November 19th.

ProShares UltraShort Gold Stock Performance

NYSEARCA GLL opened at $15.18 on Friday. ProShares UltraShort Gold has a one year low of $12.80 and a one year high of $36.90. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $16.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is $20.05.

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Institutional Trading of ProShares UltraShort Gold

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Signaturefd LLC acquired a new position in ProShares UltraShort Gold during the 2nd quarter worth about $56,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new stake in ProShares UltraShort Gold in the 2nd quarter valued at about $809,000. Two Sigma Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of ProShares UltraShort Gold in the second quarter worth about $336,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of ProShares UltraShort Gold by 55,280.0% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 8,307 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $185,000 after purchasing an additional 8,292 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in shares of ProShares UltraShort Gold during the second quarter worth approximately $55,000.

ProShares UltraShort Gold Company Profile

ProShares UltraShort Gold (the Fund) seeks daily investment results that correspond to twice (200%) the inverse (opposite) of the daily performance of gold bullion as measured by the United States dollar p.m. fixing price for delivery in London. The Fund will not directly or physically hold the underlying gold, but instead, will seek exposure to gold through the use of financial instruments, whose value is based on the underlying price of gold to pursue their investment objective.

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Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the eighteen brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eleven have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $45.6667.

Several brokerages have issued reports on ALLY. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Ally Financial from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Ally Financial from $59.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Cowen raised Ally Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Ally Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Ally Financial from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their target price for the company from $37.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd.

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Ally Financial Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of ALLY opened at $39.24 on Wednesday. Ally Financial has a twelve month low of $29.52 and a twelve month high of $44.83. The company has a market cap of $12.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.64, a P/E/G ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $40.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $38.33.

Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter. Ally Financial had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 9.96%. As a group, analysts expect that Ally Financial will post 3.57 EPS for the current year.

Ally Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 31st will be given a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 31st. Ally Financials payout ratio is 72.29%.

Insider Activity at Ally Financial

In other news, insider Kathleen L. Patterson sold 29,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.86, for a total transaction of $1,184,940.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 100,203 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,094,294.58. This trade represents a 22.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ally Financial in the 1st quarter worth $1,998,000. Private Trust Co. NA raised its holdings in shares of Ally Financial by 125.7% in the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 914 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 509 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in Ally Financial in the first quarter worth about $1,462,000. Mutual Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Ally Financial by 11.1% during the 1st quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 15,451 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $563,000 after acquiring an additional 1,540 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its position in Ally Financial by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 633,005 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $23,086,000 after purchasing an additional 3,039 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 88.76% of the companys stock.

Ally Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ally Financial Inc, a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda. The company operates through Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations segments.

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Bensler LLC lowered its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,424 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 275 shares during the period. Bensler LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $1,818,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 211.1% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 120 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the first quarter worth $29,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the first quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Proathlete Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the second quarter worth $30,000.

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iShares Russell 2000 ETF Price Performance

Shares of IWM opened at $241.61 on Friday. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a one year low of $171.73 and a one year high of $252.77. The company has a market cap of $66.91 billion, a PE ratio of 17.69 and a beta of 1.13. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $242.70 and a 200-day moving average of $224.24.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index.

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Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC grew its position in The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK  Free Report) by 21.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 13,270 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 2,329 shares during the quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLCs holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $1,209,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the first quarter valued at $773,627,000. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd bought a new position in Bank of New York Mellon during the first quarter valued at $92,502,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 26.3% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,053,744 shares of the banks stock worth $423,858,000 after buying an additional 1,052,145 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 257.6% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,236,255 shares of the banks stock worth $103,685,000 after buying an additional 890,593 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 37.7% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,244,204 shares of the banks stock worth $266,349,000 after buying an additional 887,361 shares during the last quarter. 85.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Bank of New York Mellon Stock Up 1.1%

NYSE:BK opened at $109.66 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $76.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.13. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has a twelve month low of $70.46 and a twelve month high of $110.87. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $107.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $97.84.

Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend

Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 26th. The bank reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a net margin of 12.86% and a return on equity of 14.03%. The company had revenue of $4.38 billion for the quarter. Analysts anticipate that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will post 6.96 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 27th were given a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 27th. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.59%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BK has been the subject of several recent research reports. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $118.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $101.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $91.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Citigroup increased their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $92.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Bank of New York Mellon from a buy (b+) rating to a buy (a-) rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $111.29.

Read Our Latest Report on BK

Bank of New York Mellon Profile

(Free Report)

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics.

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LONDON (AP)  A former British soldier said Friday that he would fight extradition to Kenya where he faces charges of murder in the death of a woman whose decomposed body was found in a septic tank 13 years ago.

Robert James Purkiss, 38, appeared in Westminster Magistrates Court to contest his transfer to Kenya, where he is charged in the killing of Agnes Wanjiru, who was last seen leaving a hotel bar with British soldiers in the town of Nanyuki, near a British army training ground.

British soldiers on leave had been drinking heavily on March 31, 2012, at a hotel where they were known to pay local women for sex, Prosecutor Joel Smith said.

Wanjiru, 21, had left her baby daughter with a friend that night and said she was going to hustle for her daughter, Smith said.

She was never seen alive again, Smith said.

Smith said Purkiss confessed to other soldiers that he killed Wanjiru.

One soldier, who had been drinking that night, said he saw Purkiss crying.

When he was asked why, the defendant said Ive killed her, Smith said.

Purkiss did not enter a plea but shook his head as the prosecutor described the evidence against him.

Defense lawyer David Josse said Purkiss, who is self-employed and works from the home he shares with his wife and two children, vehemently denies the murder charge.

Smith said Purkiss told another colleague that it was sex that went wrong and led a soldier to the septic tank to view the body.

A postmortem examination concluded that Wanjiru may have been alive when she was dumped in the tank, Smith said.

Wanjirus family has been seeking justice for years and their representative met with British Defense Secretary John Healey, who pledged his support after the Nairobi court in September ordered the arrest of Purkiss, who was not publicly named at the time.

District Judge Briony Clarke rejected a request to release Purkiss. He was remanded to custody until a Nov. 14 bail hearing.

By BRIAN MELLEY

Associated Press
Strategic Financial Services Inc. trimmed its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Free Report) by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 26,520 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 535 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. makes up approximately 0.4% of Strategic Financial Services Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 25th largest holding. Strategic Financial Services Inc.s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $7,688,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of JPM. Florida Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 62.5% during the 1st quarter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC now owns 9,863 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,416,000 after buying an additional 3,792 shares in the last quarter. Mosaic Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Mosaic Financial Group LLC now owns 9,296 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,280,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the period. Morse Asset Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 19.5% in the first quarter. Morse Asset Management Inc now owns 2,569 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $630,000 after acquiring an additional 420 shares in the last quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 11.1% in the first quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 15,648 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,838,000 after buying an additional 1,561 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Woodward Diversified Capital LLC increased its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 3.4% during the first quarter. Woodward Diversified Capital LLC now owns 8,032 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,970,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. 71.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

In related news, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total value of $301,314.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 58,479 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,240,769.68. The trade was a 1.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Linda Bammann sold 9,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.94, for a total value of $2,830,430.00. Following the sale, the director owned 82,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $24,492,753.58. This trade represents a 10.36% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.47% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Up 0.3%

JPM stock opened at $314.30 on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a fifty-two week low of $202.16 and a fifty-two week high of $318.01. The company has a market capitalization of $864.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.14. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $306.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $286.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.86.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.83 by $0.24. The firm had revenue of $46.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $44.42 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.18% and a net margin of 20.90%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.37 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Monday, October 6th were issued a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 6th. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio is 29.72%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on JPM. DZ Bank restated a neutral rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Phillip Securities downgraded JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup boosted their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $330.00 to $354.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $326.38.

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About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate.

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JBG SMITH Properties (NYSE:JBGS  Get Free Report) and Piedmont Realty Trust (NYSE:PDM  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares JBG SMITH Properties and Piedmont Realty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets JBG SMITH Properties -30.57% -10.41% -3.28% Piedmont Realty Trust -12.44% -4.51% -1.75%

Dividends

JBG SMITH Properties pays an annual dividend of $0.70 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Piedmont Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.1%. JBG SMITH Properties pays out -34.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Piedmont Realty Trust pays out -87.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Piedmont Realty Trust has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Piedmont Realty Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Risk and Volatility

98.5% of JBG SMITH Properties shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 84.5% of Piedmont Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.4% of JBG SMITH Properties shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Piedmont Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

JBG SMITH Properties has a beta of 1.31, meaning that its stock price is 31% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Piedmont Realty Trust has a beta of 1.48, meaning that its stock price is 48% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares JBG SMITH Properties and Piedmont Realty Trusts gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio JBG SMITH Properties $547.31 million 2.02 -$143.53 million ($2.05) -9.12 Piedmont Realty Trust $565.37 million 1.82 -$79.06 million ($0.57) -14.48

Piedmont Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than JBG SMITH Properties. Piedmont Realty Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than JBG SMITH Properties, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for JBG SMITH Properties and Piedmont Realty Trust, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score JBG SMITH Properties 3 0 0 0 1.00 Piedmont Realty Trust 1 3 1 0 2.00

JBG SMITH Properties presently has a consensus price target of $17.67, suggesting a potential downside of 5.56%. Piedmont Realty Trust has a consensus price target of $8.67, suggesting a potential upside of 4.99%. Given Piedmont Realty Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Piedmont Realty Trust is more favorable than JBG SMITH Properties.

Summary

Piedmont Realty Trust beats JBG SMITH Properties on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About JBG SMITH Properties

(Get Free Report)

JBG SMITH Properties is a real estate investment trust, which engages in owning, operating, investing in, and developing a portfolio of mixed-use properties. It operates through the following segments: Multifamily, Commercial, and Other. The Multifamily segment refers to the commercial buildings with public areas, retail spaces, and walkable streets. The Commercial segment rents to federal government tenants. The Other segment relates to development assets, corporate entities, land assets for which are the ground lessor and the elimination of inter-segment activity. The company was founded on October 27, 2016, and is headquartered in Bethesda, MD.

About Piedmont Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (also referred to herein as "Piedmont" or the "Company") (NYSE: PDM) is an owner, manager, developer, redeveloper and operator of high-quality, Class A office properties located primarily in major U.S. Sunbelt markets. The Company is a fully-integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") with local management offices in each of its markets and is investment-grade rated by Standard & Poor's and Moody's. The Company was designated an Energy Star Partner of the Year for 2021, 2022 and 2023, and it was the only office REIT headquartered in the Southeast to receive those designations. Approximately 85% of the Company's square footage is Energy Star certified and nearly 70% is LEED certified. Piedmont is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

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Soltis Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 25.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,461 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 507 shares during the quarter. Soltis Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $294,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of EOG. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in EOG Resources during the 1st quarter valued at $451,908,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 6.5% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 19,380,866 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $2,485,402,000 after buying an additional 1,188,552 shares in the last quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of EOG Resources during the first quarter valued at about $81,752,000. LSV Asset Management increased its position in shares of EOG Resources by 290.5% during the first quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 687,446 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $88,158,000 after acquiring an additional 511,418 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of EOG Resources in the 1st quarter worth about $52,273,000. 89.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

EOG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on EOG Resources from $141.00 to $136.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Melius started coverage on EOG Resources in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a buy rating and a $173.00 target price on the stock. Scotiabank reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $130.00 price target on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Friday, September 26th. Mizuho lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $140.00 to $133.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Argus downgraded shares of EOG Resources from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, August 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and fifteen have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $140.76.

EOG Resources Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EOG opened at $105.19 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average is $112.35 and its 200 day moving average is $115.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a current ratio of 1.79. The company has a market capitalization of $57.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.72. EOG Resources, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $102.52 and a fifty-two week high of $138.18.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The energy exploration company reported $2.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $5.85 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.48 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 25.25% and a return on equity of 20.51%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.89 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.47 earnings per share for the current year.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th will be issued a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is 39.65%.

EOG Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG  Get Free Report) CFO Praveer Melwani sold 16,092 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.17, for a total transaction of $775,151.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 1,637,450 shares of the companys stock, valued at $78,875,966.50. The trade was a 0.97% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

Figma Trading Down 4.1%

FIG opened at $44.11 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $55.46. Figma, Inc. has a twelve month low of $43.00 and a twelve month high of $142.92.

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Figma (NYSE:FIG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($1.56) by $1.66. The firm had revenue of $274.17 million during the quarter. The firms quarterly revenue was up 38.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.04 EPS. Figma has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Figma

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. bought a new position in shares of Figma during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. acquired a new position in Figma during the third quarter worth $39,000. Tripletail Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Figma in the third quarter valued at $53,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC bought a new position in Figma in the third quarter valued at $57,000. Finally, North Star Investment Management Corp. acquired a new stake in Figma in the 3rd quarter valued at $62,000.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on FIG shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Figma to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Figma from $80.00 to $70.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Figma from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on shares of Figma from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Figma in a research report on Monday, August 25th. They set a peer perform rating for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Figma has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.86.

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Figma Company Profile

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Figma is where teams come together to turn ideas into the worlds best digital products and experiences. Every day, billions of people around the world use apps, websites, and other digital experiences that are made in Figma. Theyre looking up directions on Google Maps; requesting rides with Uber; checking in for flights on JetBlue; streaming shows on Netflix; learning languages with Duolingo; asking questions of Claude; connecting on LinkedIn; buying goods on Mercado Libre; or booking stays and experiences with Airbnb.

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Malaga Cove Capital LLC boosted its position in Kilroy Realty Corporation (NYSE:KRC  Free Report) by 59.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,045 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 4,496 shares during the quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLCs holdings in Kilroy Realty were worth $413,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. American National Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of Kilroy Realty in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Kilroy Realty by 200.0% in the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 755 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 1,510 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in Kilroy Realty by 192.1% in the first quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 964 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 634 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. bought a new position in Kilroy Realty in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in Kilroy Realty by 46.0% during the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,694 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 534 shares in the last quarter. 94.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Kilroy Realty Price Performance

KRC stock opened at $43.44 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.03 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $42.09 and a 200-day moving average price of $37.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 2.35 and a current ratio of 2.56. Kilroy Realty Corporation has a 52-week low of $27.07 and a 52-week high of $45.03.

Kilroy Realty Dividend Announcement

Kilroy Realty ( NYSE:KRC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $279.74 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $271.24 million. Kilroy Realty had a return on equity of 5.75% and a net margin of 28.68%.Kilroy Realtys quarterly revenue was down 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.17 earnings per share. Kilroy Realty has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.180-4.240 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Kilroy Realty Corporation will post 4 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a dividend of $0.54 per share. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. Kilroy Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 79.70%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Merryl Elizabeth Werber sold 6,250 shares of Kilroy Realty stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.28, for a total value of $239,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 26,435 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,011,931.80. The trade was a 19.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 2.49% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Kilroy Realty from $42.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Monday, September 8th. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Kilroy Realty from $43.00 to $35.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating and set a $44.00 price target (down from $46.00) on shares of Kilroy Realty in a report on Friday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Kilroy Realty from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $33.00 to $45.00 in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Kilroy Realty from $33.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Kilroy Realty presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $41.17.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on KRC

About Kilroy Realty

(Free Report)

Kilroy Realty Corporation (NYSE: KRC, the company, Kilroy) is a leading U.S. landlord and developer, with operations in San Diego, Greater Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Seattle and Austin. The company has earned global recognition for sustainability, building operations, innovation and design.

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Endeavour Mining plc (OTCMKTS:EDVMF  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $40.58 and traded as low as $38.97. Endeavour Mining shares last traded at $39.53, with a volume of 7,609 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Endeavour Mining in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. CIBC reissued a neutral rating on shares of Endeavour Mining in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Endeavour Mining in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Endeavour Mining in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Endeavour Mining Stock Down 0.6%

Endeavour Mining Announces Dividend

The companys 50 day moving average price is $40.58 and its 200 day moving average price is $34.16.

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 29th were issued a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 26th. This represents a yield of 325.0%.

Endeavour Mining Company Profile

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Endeavour Mining plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a gold mining company in West Africa. It primarily holds a portfolio of projects in Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali. The company is based in London, the United Kingdom.

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Jersey Electricity plc (LON:JEL  Get Free Report) passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 471.73 and traded as low as GBX 470. Jersey Electricity shares last traded at GBX 477, with a volume of 10 shares trading hands.

Jersey Electricity Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 2.81, a quick ratio of 2.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.96. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 471.73 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 462.69. The company has a market capitalization of 146.15 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.43 and a beta of 0.18.

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Insider Activity at Jersey Electricity

In related news, insider Elisabeth Iceton sold 1,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 465, for a total value of 7,905. Insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock.

About Jersey Electricity

Jersey Electricity plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and supply of electricity in Jersey. The company provides energy solutions for domestic and commercial customers looking to switch from fossil-fuel-based energy to clean and low-carbon electricity; and electric heating and hot water, electric transport, outdoor and indoor lighting, electric commercial kitchens, air conditioning, renewable energy, and CosyCare maintenance solutions.

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Volta Finance Limited (LON:VTA  Get Free Report) passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 6.84 and traded as low as GBX 6.75. Volta Finance shares last traded at GBX 6.76, with a volume of 1 shares changing hands.

Volta Finance Stock Up 0.1%

The company has a market capitalization of 247.28 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.50 and a beta of 0.87. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 6.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 6.67.

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Volta Finance Company Profile

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Volta Finance Limited (the Company or Volta) is a closed-ended limited liability company registered in Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) with registered number 45747.

Voltas investment objectives are to seek to preserve capital across the credit cycle and to provide a stable stream of income to its Shareholders through dividends that it expects to distribute on a quarterly basis.

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KCM Investment Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 93,776 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,285 shares during the period. KCM Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $8,556,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of SCHW. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab during the second quarter worth $25,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new position in Charles Schwab during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Hoese & Co LLP lifted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 131.6% in the 2nd quarter. Hoese & Co LLP now owns 352 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 97.9% in the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 386 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 191 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.38% of the companys stock.

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Charles Schwab Stock Up 1.2%

Charles Schwab stock opened at $95.33 on Friday. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $65.88 and a fifty-two week high of $99.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $173.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.02. The stocks fifty day moving average is $94.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $91.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.55.

Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.93 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.26% and a net margin of 35.93%.The businesss revenue was up 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.71 EPS. Analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Thursday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $20.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is 25.29%.

Insider Activity

In other news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 50,016 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.00, for a total transaction of $4,851,552.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total value of $299,122.65. Following the transaction, the insider owned 34,778 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,245,830.74. This represents a 8.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 65,866 shares of company stock worth $6,370,897 over the last ninety days. 6.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on SCHW shares. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Charles Schwab from $119.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Charles Schwab from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and issued a $99.00 price target on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Charles Schwab from $114.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $106.45.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Charles Schwab

About Charles Schwab

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Penserra Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (NYSEARCA:XCEM  Free Report) by 52.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,319,497 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 453,037 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC owned 3.88% of Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF worth $45,100,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF in the second quarter valued at about $45,000. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $66,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC grew its stake in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF by 378.4% in the 1st quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 2,904 shares of the companys stock valued at $86,000 after buying an additional 2,297 shares during the last quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $87,000. Finally, Smithfield Trust Co raised its holdings in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF by 21.9% in the 1st quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 5,575 shares of the companys stock valued at $166,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period.

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Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF Trading Down 0.2%

Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF stock opened at $37.90 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.14 and a beta of 0.84. Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF has a 12 month low of $26.44 and a 12 month high of $39.14. The stocks 50 day moving average is $36.84 and its 200-day moving average is $34.45.

Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF Company Profile

The Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index that provides broad equity exposure to emerging markets excluding China. XCEM was launched on Sep 2, 2015 and is managed by Columbia.

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KATHMANDU, Nov 8: Nepal Gen Z Front has urged the government to make arrangements for voting in the upcoming election, scheduled for March 5, 2026, based on the data available in the National ID system.

The Front stated that eligible voters who have already provided their biometric details for the National ID scheme should be allowed to vote by verifying their information directly at the polling centres. This, it said, would make the voting process more convenient for eligible voters and help prevent fraud.

Related story Desperate search for missing girls as nearly 80 dead in Texas f...

In a press statement issued by Front Coordinator Rakshya Bam on Friday, the organization called on the Election Commission and the government to ensure the voting rights of all eligible citizens in the upcoming election. The Election Commission has been collecting voter registrations in preparation for the March 5 election.

According to Coordinator Bam, the requirement for citizens to visit district headquarters to submit their biometric details has discouraged many eligible voters from obtaining their voter ID cards.

The Election Commission has set November 16 as the deadline for voter registration. So far, only 136,000 new voters have been added to the list.

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Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 555,824 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $20,432,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC owned 0.33% of iShares China Large-Cap ETF at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Berbice Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF during the first quarter worth $29,000. ORG Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $54,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 22.2% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,650 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares China Large-Cap ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA FXI opened at $39.94 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $40.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $37.93. The company has a market capitalization of $6.75 billion, a PE ratio of 10.78 and a beta of 0.28. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a 12-month low of $28.41 and a 12-month high of $42.00.

About iShares China Large-Cap ETF

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE China 25 Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds portfolio of sectors include Financials, Telecommunication, Oil & gas, Technology and Consumer goods.

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Tabor Asset Management LP acquired a new position in Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 24,399 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,475,000. Whirlpool comprises 1.7% of Tabor Asset Management LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Cheviot Value Management LLC purchased a new position in Whirlpool in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Ransom Advisory Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Whirlpool during the 1st quarter worth $38,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 77.2% during the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 560 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 244 shares during the last quarter. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Whirlpool in the second quarter worth $51,000. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC increased its stake in Whirlpool by 80.6% in the second quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 511 shares of the companys stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. 90.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on WHR shares. Bank of America reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $70.00 price objective (down from $100.00) on shares of Whirlpool in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Zacks Research raised Whirlpool from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Whirlpool from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Whirlpool from $107.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Loop Capital reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $88.00 price objective on shares of Whirlpool in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $86.43.

Whirlpool Price Performance

Shares of Whirlpool stock opened at $67.63 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.33, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.46. Whirlpool Corporation has a one year low of $67.15 and a one year high of $135.49. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $79.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $85.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.80 billion, a P/E ratio of -20.13 and a beta of 1.18.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.68. Whirlpool had a positive return on equity of 19.49% and a negative net margin of 1.18%.The firm had revenue of $4.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.92 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.43 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Whirlpool has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Analysts forecast that Whirlpool Corporation will post 9.52 EPS for the current year.

Whirlpool Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be issued a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. Whirlpools dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -107.14%.

Whirlpool Company Profile

(Free Report)

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.

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Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI  Free Report) (TSE:TRI) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 3,248 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $653,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. TD Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 3.0% in the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 5,681,469 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,140,208,000 after acquiring an additional 166,977 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,476,600 shares of the business services providers stock worth $945,069,000 after acquiring an additional 94,758 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 2,537,660 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $437,985,000 after purchasing an additional 44,898 shares during the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,665,117 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $287,699,000 after purchasing an additional 17,223 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 36.1% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,588,508 shares of the business services providers stock worth $274,462,000 after purchasing an additional 421,279 shares during the last quarter. 17.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Thomson Reuters Stock Performance

Shares of TRI stock opened at $137.57 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $160.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $180.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 1.02. Thomson Reuters Co. has a 1 year low of $136.28 and a 1 year high of $218.42. The firm has a market cap of $61.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.13, a PEG ratio of 5.67 and a beta of 0.74.

Thomson Reuters Dividend Announcement

Thomson Reuters ( NYSE:TRI Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRI) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The business services provider reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $1.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 14.62% and a net margin of 30.45%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.80 EPS. Thomson Reuters has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Analysts predict that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.89 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th will be issued a $0.595 dividend. This represents a $2.38 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 18th. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio is presently 61.18%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on TRI shares. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Thomson Reuters from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $187.00 to $212.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on Thomson Reuters from $208.00 to $182.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Morgan Stanley set a $172.00 price objective on Thomson Reuters in a report on Tuesday. Huber Research raised Thomson Reuters to an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $186.00 target price on Thomson Reuters and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Thomson Reuters has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $195.27.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on TRI

Thomson Reuters Profile

(Free Report)

Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. grew its position in Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 41.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,450 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 4,845 shares during the quarter. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc.s holdings in Newmont were worth $958,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Newmont in the 1st quarter worth approximately $306,507,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Newmont by 4,203.5% in the first quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 5,376,551 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $259,580,000 after purchasing an additional 5,251,616 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in shares of Newmont by 1,502.5% in the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 4,692,606 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $273,391,000 after buying an additional 4,399,778 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec grew its holdings in shares of Newmont by 1,074.8% during the first quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 2,411,264 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $116,416,000 after buying an additional 2,206,017 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its position in Newmont by 2,003.7% during the second quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 1,581,171 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $92,119,000 after buying an additional 1,506,010 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.85% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,080 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.96, for a total transaction of $168,396.80. Following the transaction, the director owned 34,789 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,816,517.44. This represents a 5.64% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.34, for a total value of $406,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 279,923 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,768,936.82. This trade represents a 1.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 11,237 shares of company stock worth $906,799. Corporate insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Newmont Trading Up 1.0%

NYSE:NEM opened at $83.39 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $91.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.95, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 0.33. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $83.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 2.04. Newmont Corporation has a 52 week low of $36.86 and a 52 week high of $98.58.

Newmont (NYSE:NEM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The basic materials company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.44. Newmont had a net margin of 33.42% and a return on equity of 20.35%. The company had revenue of $5.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.14 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.81 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 20.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Newmont Corporation will post 3.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Newmont Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 22nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 26th. Newmonts dividend payout ratio is presently 15.53%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Newmont from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, November 2nd. BNP Paribas cut shares of Newmont from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, September 4th. BNP Paribas Exane boosted their price objective on shares of Newmont from $66.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. CIBC set a $112.00 price objective on shares of Newmont and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Scotiabank raised shares of Newmont from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and lifted their target price for the company from $71.50 to $114.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $86.92.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Newmont

Newmont Profile

(Free Report)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana.

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Metis Global Partners LLC lessened its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 21.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 281,476 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 76,183 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $6,823,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Drystone LLC increased its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 1.2% in the second quarter. Drystone LLC now owns 164,612 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,990,000 after acquiring an additional 1,924 shares in the last quarter. Chancellor Financial Group WB LP raised its holdings in Pfizer by 11.2% during the 2nd quarter. Chancellor Financial Group WB LP now owns 11,287 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $274,000 after buying an additional 1,139 shares during the period. Aspect Partners LLC lifted its stake in Pfizer by 132.4% in the second quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 1,806 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 1,029 shares in the last quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in Pfizer in the second quarter valued at approximately $216,000. Finally, Zevin Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 6.1% in the second quarter. Zevin Asset Management LLC now owns 17,102 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $415,000 after buying an additional 980 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Pfizer Price Performance

NYSE:PFE opened at $24.45 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Pfizer Inc. has a 12-month low of $20.92 and a 12-month high of $27.69. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $24.74 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $24.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $138.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.54.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $16.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.94 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 21.42% and a net margin of 16.84%. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.150 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. Pfizers payout ratio is currently 100.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $28.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Citigroup lifted their target price on Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $30.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Pfizer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, September 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $28.18.

Read Our Latest Report on Pfizer

About Pfizer

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Metis Global Partners LLC raised its position in Extra Space Storage Inc (NYSE:EXR  Free Report) by 21.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 42,805 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 7,520 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLCs holdings in Extra Space Storage were worth $6,311,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of EXR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 205.7% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,094,555 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $608,001,000 after acquiring an additional 2,755,265 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage in the first quarter valued at approximately $257,917,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 570.3% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,124,206 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $166,180,000 after buying an additional 956,500 shares in the last quarter. Resolution Capital Ltd grew its stake in Extra Space Storage by 259.1% in the 1st quarter. Resolution Capital Ltd now owns 902,157 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $133,961,000 after acquiring an additional 650,957 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 18.7% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,056,384 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $453,843,000 after acquiring an additional 480,642 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.11% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $166.00 to $162.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Wall Street Zen lowered Extra Space Storage from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. Evercore ISI reaffirmed a cautious rating on shares of Extra Space Storage in a research note on Monday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $146.00 target price (down from $169.00) on shares of Extra Space Storage in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Extra Space Storage currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $148.36.

Extra Space Storage Price Performance

Extra Space Storage stock opened at $133.30 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 0.29. The company has a market capitalization of $28.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 1.14. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $142.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $145.00. Extra Space Storage Inc has a 1 year low of $121.03 and a 1 year high of $175.57.

Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.06 by $0.02. Extra Space Storage had a return on equity of 6.53% and a net margin of 28.40%.The business had revenue of $838.53 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $736.26 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.07 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. Extra Space Storage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.120-8.20 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Extra Space Storage Inc will post 8.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Extra Space Storage Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th were paid a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 15th. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.9%. Extra Space Storages dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 144.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Extra Space Storage

In related news, CEO Joseph D. Margolis sold 7,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.41, for a total transaction of $1,060,575.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 19,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,794,261.60. This represents a 27.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.36% of the companys stock.

Extra Space Storage Company Profile

(Free Report)

Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,714 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.6 million units and approximately 283.0 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands.

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KCM Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,280 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 314 shares during the quarter. KCM Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $4,891,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its position in Travelers Companies by 700.0% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 96 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. bought a new position in shares of Travelers Companies during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co lifted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 122.2% during the 2nd quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 100 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Travelers Companies by 200.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Finally, Flaharty Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Travelers Companies in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors own 82.45% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

TRV has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Zacks Research raised shares of Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays set a $313.00 price objective on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Monday, September 15th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Citigroup started coverage on Travelers Companies in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a neutral rating and a $291.00 price target for the company. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $291.31.

Travelers Companies Stock Performance

NYSE:TRV opened at $279.52 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $274.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $268.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.35 billion, a PE ratio of 10.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $230.23 and a twelve month high of $287.95.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.01 by $2.13. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 20.28% and a net margin of 12.14%.The firm had revenue of $11.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.15 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $5.24 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be given a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 17.30%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Mojgan M. Lefebvre sold 16,820 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.54, for a total transaction of $4,668,222.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.25, for a total value of $6,956,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 26,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,493,829. The trade was a 48.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 50,392 shares of company stock valued at $13,945,170. 1.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Travelers Companies

(Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

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Stokes Family Office LLC increased its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 54,623 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,428 shares during the period. Stokes Family Office LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,203,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 4.5% during the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,816 shares of the companys stock valued at $224,000 after acquiring an additional 166 shares during the period. Jacobi Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Altria Group by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC now owns 26,335 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,581,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the period. Bar Harbor Wealth Management grew its position in Altria Group by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bar Harbor Wealth Management now owns 5,656 shares of the companys stock worth $332,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the last quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% in the second quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC now owns 11,172 shares of the companys stock valued at $655,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the period. Finally, Wealth Alliance LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.9% during the first quarter. Wealth Alliance LLC now owns 9,452 shares of the companys stock valued at $567,000 after buying an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on MO shares. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus set a $72.00 price objective on Altria Group in a report on Thursday, August 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $62.33.

Altria Group Stock Performance

NYSE:MO opened at $58.02 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $97.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.22, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.51. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $64.16 and its 200 day moving average price is $61.84. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $50.08 and a 52 week high of $68.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.01. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 295.26% and a net margin of 37.24%.The company had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.31 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.38 EPS. The firms revenue was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th were issued a $1.06 dividend. This is a boost from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 15th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.3%. Altria Groups payout ratio is 80.92%.

Altria Group announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, October 30th that allows the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

About Altria Group

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

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MMCAP International Inc. SPC increased its holdings in NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE  Free Report) by 91.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,006,125 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 956,118 shares during the quarter. NexGen Energy accounts for 1.8% of MMCAP International Inc. SPCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. MMCAP International Inc. SPC owned 0.35% of NexGen Energy worth $13,923,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of NXE. L1 Capital Pty Ltd lifted its stake in shares of NexGen Energy by 11.8% in the 1st quarter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd now owns 30,644,505 shares of the companys stock valued at $137,372,000 after acquiring an additional 3,226,055 shares during the last quarter. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of NexGen Energy by 249.5% in the first quarter. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,153,080 shares of the companys stock worth $18,635,000 after purchasing an additional 2,964,900 shares during the last quarter. Anson Funds Management LP purchased a new position in shares of NexGen Energy in the first quarter worth $7,846,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda bought a new stake in NexGen Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $4,665,000. Finally, Old West Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in NexGen Energy by 94.4% during the 1st quarter. Old West Investment Management LLC now owns 1,953,753 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,772,000 after buying an additional 948,773 shares during the last quarter. 42.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on NXE shares. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of NexGen Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Securities reissued a buy rating on shares of NexGen Energy in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of NexGen Energy in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded NexGen Energy from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

NexGen Energy Stock Performance

NexGen Energy stock opened at $8.46 on Friday. NexGen Energy has a fifty-two week low of $3.91 and a fifty-two week high of $9.95. The stock has a market cap of $5.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -33.82 and a beta of 1.44. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $8.63 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $7.19.

NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported ($0.03) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by ($0.01). On average, analysts predict that NexGen Energy will post -0.05 earnings per share for the current year.

NexGen Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

NexGen Energy Ltd., an exploration and development stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation and development of uranium properties in Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Rook I project that consists of 32 contiguous mineral claims totaling an area of 35,065 hectares located in the southwestern Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan.

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Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the twenty-three brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $588.9412.

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $650.00 to $730.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. UBS Group upped their target price on Caterpillar from $506.00 to $581.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday. DA Davidson lifted their price target on Caterpillar from $408.00 to $569.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $612.00 to $680.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $350.00 to $380.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CAT

Insider Buying and Selling at Caterpillar

Institutional Trading of Caterpillar

In other news, Director David Maclennan acquired 300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $568.86 per share, with a total value of $170,658.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 7,947 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,520,730.42. This represents a 3.92% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, CAO William E. Schaupp sold 1,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $572.22, for a total value of $686,664.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 1,323 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $757,047.06. This represents a 47.56% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 71,823 shares of company stock valued at $34,477,790. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CAT. Trivium Point Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 132.9% in the second quarter. Trivium Point Advisory LLC now owns 1,926 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $748,000 after acquiring an additional 1,099 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its stake in Caterpillar by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 78,947 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $26,037,000 after purchasing an additional 7,125 shares during the period. Palmer Knight Co purchased a new stake in Caterpillar during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $5,884,000. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Caterpillar by 11.2% during the second quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 14,315 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,557,000 after buying an additional 1,440 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ransom Advisory Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Caterpillar in the first quarter worth $427,000. 70.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Caterpillar Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of CAT opened at $562.82 on Wednesday. Caterpillar has a twelve month low of $267.30 and a twelve month high of $596.21. The stock has a market cap of $263.67 billion, a PE ratio of 28.89, a P/E/G ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 1.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $491.77 and its 200-day moving average price is $417.84.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The industrial products company reported $4.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.52 by $0.43. Caterpillar had a net margin of 14.34% and a return on equity of 47.16%. The business had revenue of $17.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $5.17 EPS. Caterpillars revenue was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Caterpillar will post 19.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Monday, October 20th will be given a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, October 20th. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. Caterpillars payout ratio is 31.01%.

Caterpillar Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Caterpillar Inc manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in worldwide. Its Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, compactors, road reclaimers, forestry machines, cold planers, material handlers, track-type tractors, excavators, telehandlers, motor graders, and pipelayers; compact track, wheel, track-type, backhoe, and skid steer loaders; and related parts and tools.

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Princess Beatrice has been given a new role by King Charles after he stripped her father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, of his royal titles.

Princess Beatrice has landed a new role as her dad loses it all

The 37-year-old royal - whose mother is Sarah Ferguson - will act as Deputy Patron of The Outward Bound Trust.

Her uncle, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, is a Royal Patron of the outdoor education charity.

Andrew was also previously a Royal Patron until 2019.

While speaking to The Mirror at an event in London this week, where she was officially sworn into her new role, Beatrice - who was a trustee of the organisation for six years - said: "I feel incredibly inspired and grateful to have met so many young people like Sadie and Leo through the years that I've been a part of Outward Bound. They show us that anything is possible when you put your mind to it, and that what Outward Bound does, works.

"Working with The Duke of Edinburgh, we aim to continue the 80+ years of evidence which shows that adventure can build resilience, confidence and kindness in young people."

Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of Outward Bound Trust, commented: "With The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice working alongside us, we're embarking on a new chapter.

"One where every young person has the chance to test their limits, build confidence and discover that anything is possible. Their support reflects a shared belief that adventure changes lives."

Beatrice landing the new role comes as Andrew, formerly Duke of York, was urged by the UK government to travel to the United States to answer questions about his long-standing friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Communities secretary Steve Reed told LBC Radio on Friday (07.11.25) the former prince should assist a congressional inquiry examining Epsteins network after he was this week stripped of his royal titles by his brother, the king, over his links to the late paedophile financier.

Mr Reed said: Any individual who can help with an investigation of that gravity should go and help if they can. Hes a private individual, its up to him, but I think people should do what they can to try to help.

The remarks came after members of the US House Oversight Committee wrote to Andrew, 65, requesting a transcribed interview as part of their investigation into Epsteins sex trafficking operations.

The committee said it had discovered financial records containing notations such as massage for Andrew that raise serious questions.

In the letter, signed by 16 members of Congress and sent on Thursday (06.11.25), the committee said: We write to seek your co-operation in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reforms investigation into Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking operations.

The committee is seeking to uncover the identities of Mr Epsteins co-conspirators and enablers and to understand the full extent of his criminal operations.

Well-documented allegations against you, along with your long-standing friendship with Mr Epstein, indicate that you may possess knowledge of his activities relevant to our investigation. In the interest of justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, we request that you co-operate with the committees investigation by sitting for a transcribed interview with the Committee.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed the view that Andrew should consider assisting the inquiry.

Speaking to broadcasters during the Cop30 summit in Brazil, he said: Well, in the end, its a matter for him personally. My view, and this is not about the individual case, more broadly, is that anybody who has relevant information should always be willing to give it to whatever inquiries need that information.

But the individual decision is a matter for him.

The congressional request followed King Charles decision to strip his brother of his HRH style and prince title, effectively ending Andrews public role.

He and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, were also told to move out of their home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor.

The move came after the release of the memoir Nobodys Girl by Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide 41 years after she accused Andrew of having sex with her when she was 17 and being trafficked by Epstein and his madam and fixer Ghislaine Maxwell.

Andrew has consistently denied all allegations made against him.
KATHMANDU, Nov 7: Deputy General Secretary of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Janardan Sharma is set to visit the Election Commission (EC) to claim the partys name and its election symbol.

According to a leader close to Sharma, he decided to take this step after Pushpa Kamal Dahal attempted to dissolve the Maoist Centre. As the partys deputy general secretary, Sharma believes he has the legitimate authority to assert his claim over the name and symbol.

Related story EC asks UML and Maoist Center to come up with new name and elec...

Earlier, when Maoist Centre Coordinator Dahal decided to merge into the Nepali Communist Party, Sharma refused to join and chose to stay outside the merger.

Sharma has long urged Dahal, the then-chairperson of the Maoist Centre, to step down and hand over leadership to the new generation. Instead, Dahal brought in leaders over 70 years oldincluding Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal, Bamdev Gautam, and Prem Bahadur Singheffectively diluting the Maoist ideology within the party.

Arguing that Maoism has been dissolved, Sharma, along with fellow leader Ram Karki, is now heading to the EC with the intention of restructuring the Maoist Centre.

Meanwhile, on Friday morning, a meeting was held between Netra Bikram Chand (Biplav), Sharma, and Ghanshyam Bhusal, General Secretary of the Unified Socialist, at Biplavs residence in Harisiddhi.
LuxExperience B.V. (NYSE:LUXE  Get Free Report) and Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C (NYSE:BWMX  Get Free Report) are both small-cap retail/wholesale companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings and risk.

Profitability

This table compares LuxExperience B.V. and Betterware de Mexico SAPI de Cs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets LuxExperience B.V. 45.47% 90.47% 54.10% Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C 7.23% 102.61% 11.58%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares LuxExperience B.V. and Betterware de Mexico SAPI de Cs gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio LuxExperience B.V. $1.37 billion 0.55 $620.57 million $4.89 1.80 Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C $773.60 million 0.69 $39.07 million $1.40 10.28

LuxExperience B.V. has higher revenue and earnings than Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C. LuxExperience B.V. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

10.1% of LuxExperience B.V. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 12.7% of Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C shares are held by institutional investors. 1.9% of LuxExperience B.V. shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Volatility and Risk

LuxExperience B.V. has a beta of 1.1, suggesting that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C has a beta of 1.24, suggesting that its stock price is 24% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for LuxExperience B.V. and Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score LuxExperience B.V. 1 0 0 0 1.00 Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C 1 1 0 0 1.50

About LuxExperience B.V.

(Get Free Report)

MYT Netherlands Parent B.V., through its subsidiary, Mytheresa Group GmbH, operates a luxury e-commerce platform for fashion consumers in Germany, the United States, the rest of Europe, and internationally. The company sells clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, and fine jewelry through online and retail stores. It serves high-income luxury consumers. The company was founded in 1987 and is based in Munich, Germany.

About Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C

(Get Free Report)

Betterware de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. operates as a direct-to-consumer company in Mexico. The company focuses on the home organization segment with a product portfolio, including home solutions, kitchen and food preservation, technology and mobility, and other categories. It serves approximately 3 million households through distributors and associates in approximately 800 communities throughout Mexico. The company was formerly known as Betterware de Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V. Betterware de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. was founded in 1995 and is based in Zapopan, Mexico. Betterware de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. is a subsidiary of Campalier, S.A. de C.V.

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Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF (NYSEARCA:MMKT  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Thursday, November 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be paid a dividend of 0.0742 per share on Monday, November 10th. This represents a dividend yield of 385.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th.

Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSEARCA MMKT opened at $100.22 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $100.24 and its 200-day moving average is $100.23. Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF has a 1-year low of $99.82 and a 1-year high of $100.60.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MMKT. Townsquare Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $631,000. Uniting Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $602,000. Red Tortoise LLC acquired a new position in Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF during the 1st quarter worth $1,622,000. Finally, Hummer Financial Advisory Services Inc bought a new position in shares of Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF in the third quarter worth $301,000.

Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF Company Profile

The Texas Capital Government Money Market ETF (MMKT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is actively managed, investing in US government money market instruments, particularly overnight repurchase agreements with short-term maturities. The fund aims to balance income, liquidity, and capital preservation.

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European Lithium Limited (ASX:EUR  Get Free Report) insider Michael Carter sold 3,500,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of A$0.20, for a total transaction of A$700,000.00.

Michael Carter also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, November 4th, Michael Carter bought 5,335,298 shares of European Lithium stock. The stock was bought at an average price of A$0.08 per share, with a total value of A$426,823.84.

European Lithium Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 32.44, a current ratio of 0.15 and a quick ratio of 44.45. The company has a market capitalization of $75.54 million, a P/E ratio of -0.35 and a beta of 1.79.

European Lithium Company Profile

European Lithium Limited explores for and develops lithium deposits in Austria and Australia. The company focuses on the development of the Wolfsberg lithium project that consists of various original and overlapping exploration licenses, and a mining license covering various mining areas located in Carinthia.

Further Reading

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Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lowered its holdings in Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP  Free Report) by 19.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 417,702 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 100,356 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLCs holdings in Targa Resources were worth $72,714,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its position in Targa Resources by 578.9% during the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 129 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Disciplina Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Targa Resources during the 1st quarter valued at about $46,000. Hilltop National Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Targa Resources in the second quarter worth approximately $63,000. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in Targa Resources by 57.1% during the second quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 476 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wolff Wiese Magana LLC increased its stake in Targa Resources by 61.0% in the 2nd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 483 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $84,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. 92.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Targa Resources Stock Up 1.1%

NYSE:TRGP opened at $171.81 on Friday. Targa Resources, Inc. has a twelve month low of $144.14 and a twelve month high of $218.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.93. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $161.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $164.76.

Targa Resources Dividend Announcement

Targa Resources ( NYSE:TRGP Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The pipeline company reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.22 by ($0.02). Targa Resources had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 43.35%. The company had revenue of $4.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.70 billion. Equities research analysts expect that Targa Resources, Inc. will post 8.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Friday, October 31st will be given a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 31st. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. Targa Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.19%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

TRGP has been the topic of a number of research reports. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Targa Resources from $185.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Cfra Research upgraded Targa Resources to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and set a $205.00 price objective (up previously from $198.00) on shares of Targa Resources in a report on Friday, August 8th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $213.00 price target on Targa Resources in a research note on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Targa Resources from $214.00 to $215.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $209.50.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on TRGP

Targa Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

Targa Resources Corp., together with its subsidiary, Targa Resources Partners LP, owns, operates, acquires, and develops a portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets in North America. It operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Logistics and Transportation. The company is involved in gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and selling natural gas; storing, fractionating, treating, transporting, and selling natural gas liquids (NGL) and NGL products, including services to liquefied petroleum gas exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, purchasing, and selling crude oil.

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Wedbush Securities Inc. trimmed its stake in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) by 9.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 34,192 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 3,485 shares during the period. Wedbush Securities Inc.s holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $4,192,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Dell Technologies by 84.7% in the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 218 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division purchased a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in Dell Technologies by 96.9% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 254 shares of the technology companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Cheviot Value Management LLC acquired a new position in Dell Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.37% of the companys stock.

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Dell Technologies Stock Down 1.8%

Shares of DELL opened at $146.44 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $98.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.02. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 52-week low of $66.25 and a 52-week high of $168.08. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $142.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $126.83.

Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

Dell Technologies ( NYSE:DELL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 5th. The technology company reported $1.68 earnings per share for the quarter. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.73% and a negative return on equity of 236.21%. The company had revenue of $26.43 billion for the quarter. Dell Technologies has set its FY24 guidance at $6.10-6.50 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 21st were paid a $0.525 dividend. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 21st. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 30.88%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on DELL. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Dell Technologies from $130.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI set a $180.00 target price on Dell Technologies and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Dell Technologies in a research report on Friday, August 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Dell Technologies presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $162.80.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Dell Technologies

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 824,999 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.98, for a total transaction of $112,183,364.02. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 565,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.32, for a total value of $74,760,800.00. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 4,587,755 shares of company stock worth $649,644,973. Corporate insiders own 42.00% of the companys stock.

Dell Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

Further Reading

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Ethernity Networks Ltd. (LON:ENET  Get Free Report) shares fell 16.7% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 0.01 and last traded at GBX 0.01. 60,824,008 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 57% from the average session volume of 141,314,688 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.01.

Ethernity Networks Stock Performance

The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 0.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 0.02. The firm has a market cap of 70,000.00, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.01 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.00, a current ratio of 0.42 and a quick ratio of 1.37.

Ethernity Networks Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ethernity Networks Ltd. provides technology solutions for telecom, mobile, security, and data center markets in Asia, Europe, Israel, and the United States. The company develops and delivers data processing technology and solutions for carrier Ethernet switching. It provides ENET flow processors for telco/cloud network; ACE-NIC40 SmartNIC, an open flow enabled software acceleration NIC; ACE-NIC50 SmartNIC, which offers 10/25G Ethernet connectivity and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) acceleration; and ACE-NIC100 SmartNIC that provides flexible 10/25/40/100G Ethernet connectivity and programmable FPGA acceleration.

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Shares of Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (CVE:PGE  Get Free Report) dropped 20% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as C$0.24 and last traded at C$0.26. Approximately 6,188,757 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 1,416% from the average daily volume of 408,184 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.33.

Stillwater Critical Minerals Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$0.39 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.28. The firm has a market capitalization of C$97.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.00 and a beta of 1.70.

Stillwater Critical Minerals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company explores for gold, palladium, nickel, cobalt, and copper deposits, as well as platinum group metals. Its flagship project is the Stillwater West project, which comprises 763 claims covering an area of approximately 61 square kilometers located in Stillwater District, Montana.

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Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET  Free Report) by 58.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,630,943 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 602,937 shares during the quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.13% of Arista Networks worth $166,862,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new position in Arista Networks during the first quarter worth $33,000. REAP Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 108.0% in the second quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 337 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Costello Asset Management INC lifted its position in Arista Networks by 51.3% during the first quarter. Costello Asset Management INC now owns 454 shares of the technology companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. eCIO Inc. bought a new position in Arista Networks during the first quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Solstein Capital LLC increased its stake in Arista Networks by 493.8% during the 2nd quarter. Solstein Capital LLC now owns 380 shares of the technology companys stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 316 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.47% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

ANET has been the topic of several analyst reports. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price objective on shares of Arista Networks from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and set a $183.00 price objective (up from $179.00) on shares of Arista Networks in a research note on Wednesday. Wolfe Research upped their price objective on shares of Arista Networks from $160.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Morgan Stanley set a $171.00 target price on shares of Arista Networks and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Erste Group Bank upgraded Arista Networks from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Nineteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Arista Networks currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $164.31.

Arista Networks Trading Up 0.4%

NYSE ANET opened at $134.62 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $146.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $119.41. The stock has a market cap of $169.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.95, a P/E/G ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 1.48. Arista Networks, Inc. has a 12 month low of $59.43 and a 12 month high of $164.94.

Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $2.31 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.26 billion. Arista Networks had a net margin of 40.90% and a return on equity of 31.05%. Arista Networkss revenue for the quarter was up 27.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.40 EPS. Arista Networks has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Arista Networks, Inc. will post 2.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Arista Networks

In other news, CEO Jayshree Ullal sold 1,247,688 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.53, for a total value of $185,319,098.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 5,383,207 shares in the company, valued at $799,567,735.71. The trade was a 18.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Charles H. Giancarlo sold 58,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.42, for a total value of $8,608,360.00. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 2,009,040 shares of company stock valued at $294,365,034. 3.39% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Arista Networks Company Profile

(Free Report)

Arista Networks, Inc engages in the development, marketing, and sale of data-driven, client to cloud networking solutions for data center, campus, and routing environments in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. Its cloud networking solutions consist of Extensible Operating System (EOS), a publish-subscribe state-sharing networking operating system offered in combination with a set of network applications.

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Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD  Free Report) by 20.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 299,137 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 51,655 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC owned 0.11% of General Dynamics worth $87,246,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Quarry LP increased its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 783.3% during the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 106 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 94 shares during the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of General Dynamics by 64.7% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 112 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of General Dynamics during the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of General Dynamics in the second quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Nova Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in General Dynamics during the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. 86.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at General Dynamics

In other General Dynamics news, Director Mark Malcolm sold 3,220 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.45, for a total transaction of $1,060,829.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 10,186 shares in the company, valued at $3,355,777.70. This trade represents a 24.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Christopher J. Brady sold 8,150 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $321.18, for a total value of $2,617,617.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 22,818 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,328,685.24. This trade represents a 26.32% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 159,370 shares of company stock valued at $50,143,516. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

General Dynamics Trading Up 1.8%

Shares of NYSE:GD opened at $346.58 on Friday. General Dynamics Corporation has a 1-year low of $239.20 and a 1-year high of $360.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $93.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.46, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.40. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $334.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $306.90.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.69 by $0.19. General Dynamics had a return on equity of 18.27% and a net margin of 8.18%.The company had revenue of $12.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.49 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.35 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. General Dynamics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.300-15.35 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Corporation will post 14.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

GD has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays raised their price objective on General Dynamics from $285.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Morgan Stanley set a $385.00 target price on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Melius Research upgraded General Dynamics to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $400.00 target price on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $370.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $350.89.

Read Our Latest Analysis on General Dynamics

About General Dynamics

(Free Report)

General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services.

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Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC reduced its position in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 70.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,450 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 33,900 shares during the quarter. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $1,318,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc. boosted its stake in Charles Schwab by 40.4% in the second quarter. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc. now owns 4,297 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $392,000 after buying an additional 1,236 shares in the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its position in Charles Schwab by 2,210.3% in the 2nd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 2,703 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $245,000 after purchasing an additional 2,586 shares during the period. Kinsale Capital Group Inc. lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 9.1% in the second quarter. Kinsale Capital Group Inc. now owns 131,021 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,954,000 after purchasing an additional 10,905 shares during the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 18,285 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,668,000 after acquiring an additional 2,121 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC now owns 5,489 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $501,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 84.38% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have commented on SCHW. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Charles Schwab from $129.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $99.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $102.00 target price on Charles Schwab and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $106.45.

Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab

In other Charles Schwab news, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total transaction of $299,122.65. Following the transaction, the insider owned 34,778 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,245,830.74. The trade was a 8.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 50,016 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.00, for a total value of $4,851,552.00. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 65,866 shares of company stock valued at $6,370,897. 6.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Charles Schwab Stock Up 1.2%

SCHW stock opened at $95.33 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $173.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $94.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $91.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a 12 month low of $65.88 and a 12 month high of $99.59.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.06. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 35.93% and a return on equity of 21.26%. The company had revenue of $6.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.71 earnings per share. Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was up 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.29%.

Charles Schwab announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback plan on Thursday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $20.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to reacquire up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

About Charles Schwab

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Kathmandu, Nov 8: A retired Joint Secretary of the Office of Nepal Trust, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, has been arrested on charges of fraud and criminal breach of trust. He has been identified as Lekh Bahadur Karki (66), a resident of Bharatpur metropolis15, Chitwan.

According to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Karki was found to have leased land owned by the Nepal Trust in Kathmandu with malicious intent, thereby causing harm to the Trust. Senior Superintendent of Police Shiva Kumar Shrestha of the CIB confirmed Karkis arrest.

Related story Former Nepal Trust Secretary Karki arrested in land lease case

The lease agreement was signed on May 28, 2027 BS. Karki is currently under investigation in connection with the same case.

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Prospera Financial Services Inc grew its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF  Free Report) by 244.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 105,008 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 74,499 shares during the quarter. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF comprises about 0.8% of Prospera Financial Services Incs investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding. Prospera Financial Services Incs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $44,601,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC boosted its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 722,329.3% during the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 17,851,227 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $7,579,274,000 after purchasing an additional 17,848,756 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 0.7% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,688,217 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,498,319,000 after buying an additional 68,243 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 1.4% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,285,390 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,244,071,000 after buying an additional 70,645 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 5,109,809 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,845,101,000 after buying an additional 208,598 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 3,280,071 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,184,401,000 after buying an additional 133,621 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.33% of the companys stock.

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iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:IWF opened at $471.43 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $122.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.43 and a beta of 1.13. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 1 year low of $308.67 and a 1 year high of $493.00. The business has a fifty day moving average of $467.84 and a 200-day moving average of $433.02.

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth.

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Wedbush Securities Inc. cut its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 6.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,253 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 597 shares during the period. Wedbush Securities Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $5,841,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of GS. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd bought a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,800.0% during the 2nd quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 38 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 46.9% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 72 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC grew its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 45.9% in the second quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 54 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at The Goldman Sachs Group

In related news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $750.51, for a total value of $6,754,590.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 106,268 shares in the company, valued at $79,755,196.68. This represents a 7.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE:GS opened at $786.03 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $235.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.97, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.23. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $439.38 and a 12 month high of $825.25. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $778.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $700.04.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 13.18%.The company had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $8.40 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be paid a $4.00 dividend. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.50%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a neutral rating and set a $750.00 price target (up from $625.00) on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $854.00 to $828.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Zacks Research lowered shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. JMP Securities reiterated a market perform rating and set a $600.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Monday, July 14th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $779.50.

View Our Latest Report on GS

The Goldman Sachs Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 6.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,586,496 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after purchasing an additional 168,042 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned approximately 0.23% of TJX Companies worth $319,460,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of TJX. TCTC Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 210.1% in the 1st quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 214 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in TJX Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 121.1% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares during the period. Finally, Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of TJX Companies by 99.3% during the first quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 299 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and set a $155.00 price target (up previously from $150.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $140.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on TJX Companies from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Wall Street Zen raised TJX Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, August 23rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $145.00 to $152.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $149.00.

TJX Companies Price Performance

TJX Companies stock opened at $144.59 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $160.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $112.10 and a one year high of $146.46. The business has a fifty day moving average of $141.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $132.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 1.17.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 20th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.01 by $0.09. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.59% and a return on equity of 58.63%. The business had revenue of $14.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.96 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. TJX Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.520-4.570 EPS. Q3 2026 guidance at 1.170-1.190 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be issued a $0.425 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 38.72%.

TJX Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Robert Half (NYSE:RHI  Get Free Report) and HAYS (OTCMKTS:HAYPY  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and valuation.

Dividends

Robert Half pays an annual dividend of $2.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 9.0%. HAYS pays an annual dividend of $0.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Robert Half pays out 153.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Robert Half has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years. Robert Half is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Robert Half and HAYSs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Robert Half $5.46 billion 0.49 $251.60 million $1.54 17.09 HAYS $8.55 billion 0.15 -$10.09 million N/A N/A

Robert Half has higher earnings, but lower revenue than HAYS.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

92.4% of Robert Half shares are held by institutional investors. 3.1% of Robert Half shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Robert Half and HAYSs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Robert Half 2.85% 11.76% 5.54% HAYS N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Robert Half and HAYS, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Robert Half 3 6 1 0 1.80 HAYS 0 1 0 1 3.00

Robert Half currently has a consensus target price of $38.25, indicating a potential upside of 45.31%. Given Robert Halfs higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Robert Half is more favorable than HAYS.

Risk and Volatility

Robert Half has a beta of 1.01, meaning that its share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, HAYS has a beta of 0.46, meaning that its share price is 54% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Robert Half beats HAYS on 12 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Robert Half

(Get Free Report)

Robert Half Inc. provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti segments. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support. This segment markets its services to clients and employment candidates through both national and local advertising activities, including radio, digital advertising, job boards, alliance partners, and events. The Permanent Placement Talent Solutions segment engages in the placement of full-time accounting, finance, and tax and accounting operations personnel. The Protiviti segment offers consulting services in the areas of internal audit, technology consulting, risk, and compliance consulting. It offers it services under the Robert Half brand name. The company was formerly known as Robert Half International Inc. and changed its name to Robert Half Inc. in July 2023. Robert Half Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California.

About HAYS

(Get Free Report)

Hays plc engages in the provision of recruitment services in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company provides qualified, professional, and skilled recruitment in permanent, temporary, and contractor formats to public and private sectors. It offers its recruitment services in the specialisms, such as technology, accountancy and finance, engineering, construction and property, office support, life sciences, sales and marketing, and others. Hays plc was founded in 1968 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

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Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO  Free Report) had its price objective cut by Piper Sandler from $39.00 to $38.00 in a report issued on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on VNO. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Vornado Realty Trust from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Vornado Realty Trust in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Vornado Realty Trust from $42.00 to $40.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 25th. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on Vornado Realty Trust from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH initiated coverage on Vornado Realty Trust in a research note on Monday, October 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $48.00 target price on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Vornado Realty Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $39.33.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on Vornado Realty Trust

Vornado Realty Trust Stock Up 4.4%

NYSE:VNO traded up $1.56 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $37.18. The company had a trading volume of 1,785,274 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,500,433. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.20, a PEG ratio of 4.57 and a beta of 1.57. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $39.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $38.74. Vornado Realty Trust has a 12-month low of $29.68 and a 12-month high of $46.63. The company has a current ratio of 6.82, a quick ratio of 6.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.02. Vornado Realty Trust had a net margin of 48.49% and a return on equity of 19.64%. The company had revenue of $453.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $435.19 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.52 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Vornado Realty Trust will post 2.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Haim Chera sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.64, for a total value of $1,189,200.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 8.42% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VNO. Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in shares of Vornado Realty Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $876,000. Mutual Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Vornado Realty Trust during the first quarter worth $201,000. State of Michigan Retirement System grew its holdings in Vornado Realty Trust by 1.0% in the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 39,700 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,469,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its position in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 0.7% in the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 908,545 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,607,000 after buying an additional 6,678 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 46,500 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,720,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. 90.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Vornado Realty Trust

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Vornado Realty Trust is a fully  integrated equity real estate investment trust.

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Northern Oil and Gas (NYSE:NOG  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.21, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $556.64 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $528.36 million. Northern Oil and Gas had a return on equity of 22.12% and a net margin of 23.62%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 26.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.40 earnings per share.

Northern Oil and Gas Stock Up 5.4%

Northern Oil and Gas stock traded up $1.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $21.59. 3,433,859 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,884,432. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market cap of $2.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 1.48. The business has a fifty day moving average of $23.91 and a 200 day moving average of $26.18. Northern Oil and Gas has a 12-month low of $19.88 and a 12-month high of $44.31.

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Northern Oil and Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 30th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.3%. Northern Oil and Gass dividend payout ratio is currently 29.70%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Northern Oil and Gas

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its position in Northern Oil and Gas by 6.4% during the second quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 334,935 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,495,000 after purchasing an additional 20,045 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in shares of Northern Oil and Gas by 14.1% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 12,074 shares of the companys stock valued at $342,000 after buying an additional 1,491 shares during the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Northern Oil and Gas in the 2nd quarter valued at about $277,000. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury grew its position in shares of Northern Oil and Gas by 28.5% in the 2nd quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury now owns 28,667 shares of the companys stock worth $813,000 after buying an additional 6,357 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in shares of Northern Oil and Gas by 36.8% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 19,767 shares of the companys stock worth $560,000 after buying an additional 5,322 shares during the last quarter. 98.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Several research firms recently commented on NOG. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Northern Oil and Gas in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Northern Oil and Gas from $32.00 to $28.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Northern Oil and Gas from $32.00 to $28.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating and set a $26.00 price objective (down from $27.00) on shares of Northern Oil and Gas in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Piper Sandler reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $25.00 target price (down from $31.00) on shares of Northern Oil and Gas in a research report on Monday, August 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Northern Oil and Gas has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $33.00.

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Northern Oil and Gas Company Profile

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Northern Oil and Gas, Inc, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas properties in the United States. It primarily holds interests in the Williston Basin, the Appalachian Basin, and the Permian Basin in the United States.

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Klaviyo (NYSE:KVYO  Get Free Report)s stock had its overweight rating restated by analysts at Piper Sandler in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They presently have a $45.00 target price on the stock, down from their previous target price of $50.00. Piper Sandlers target price suggests a potential upside of 47.97% from the stocks previous close.

KVYO has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald dropped their price objective on Klaviyo from $48.00 to $40.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup raised shares of Klaviyo from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $40.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Klaviyo from $44.00 to $39.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 26th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Klaviyo from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Klaviyo in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. They set an overweight rating and a $40.00 target price on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $43.00.

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Klaviyo Stock Up 5.6%

Shares of Klaviyo stock traded up $1.61 during trading on Thursday, hitting $30.41. 6,609,831 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,125,963. Klaviyo has a fifty-two week low of $23.44 and a fifty-two week high of $49.55. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $28.73 and a 200 day moving average price of $31.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -126.71 and a beta of 1.26.

Klaviyo (NYSE:KVYO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 25th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter. Klaviyo had a negative return on equity of 1.00% and a negative net margin of 5.70%.The company had revenue of $293.12 million during the quarter. Analysts predict that Klaviyo will post 0.04 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Klaviyo

In other news, CFO Amanda Whalen sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, October 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.03, for a total transaction of $375,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 481,719 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,057,426.57. The trade was a 3.02% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, President Stephen Eric Rowland sold 7,105 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.35, for a total value of $173,006.75. Following the sale, the president owned 431,516 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,507,414.60. The trade was a 1.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 5,741,781 shares of company stock valued at $180,719,288 in the last quarter. Insiders own 49.92% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Klaviyo

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. M&G PLC purchased a new stake in Klaviyo during the third quarter valued at about $1,201,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Klaviyo by 19.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,787,728 shares of the companys stock worth $354,092,000 after purchasing an additional 2,059,550 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Klaviyo by 12.7% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,907,831 shares of the companys stock worth $52,828,000 after purchasing an additional 214,977 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D increased its position in Klaviyo by 19.0% during the 3rd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 66,512 shares of the companys stock worth $1,842,000 after purchasing an additional 10,624 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Sector Pension Investment Board purchased a new position in Klaviyo in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,403,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 45.43% of the companys stock.

About Klaviyo

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Klaviyo, Inc, a technology company, provides a software-as-a-service platform in the United States, other Americas, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers Klaviyo, a cloud-native platform for data store, segmentation engine, campaigns and flows, and messaging infrastructure.

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Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated their outperform rating on shares of RS Group (LON:RS1  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Friday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 810 target price on the stock.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of RS Group from GBX 800 to GBX 700 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday. Shore Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of RS Group in a research report on Thursday. Berenberg Bank decreased their price objective on shares of RS Group from GBX 700 to GBX 670 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 700 target price on shares of RS Group in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, RS Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 732.

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RS Group Stock Down 1.8%

Shares of LON:RS1 traded down GBX 11 on Friday, hitting GBX 584. 1,047,801 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,600,458. RS Group has a 1-year low of GBX 476.80 and a 1-year high of GBX 772. The company has a market capitalization of 2.74 billion, a PE ratio of 17.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 47.26, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 2.01. The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 563.88 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 563.92.

RS Group (LON:RS1  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported GBX 17.60 earnings per share for the quarter. RS Group had a return on equity of 12.99% and a net margin of 6.24%.

RS Group Company Profile

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RS Group plc is a global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably.

We operate in 36 markets, stock over 800,000 technical and specialist products and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers.

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UBS Group reiterated their buy rating on shares of DCC (LON:DCC  Free Report) in a report issued on Friday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 7,500 price objective on the stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 6,700 price target on shares of DCC in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 5,500 target price on shares of DCC in a report on Friday, July 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 6,225.

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DCC Trading Down 1.0%

About DCC

Shares of LON:DCC traded down GBX 50 during midday trading on Friday, reaching GBX 4,720. 178,434 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 572,319. The stock has a market cap of 4.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.64, a P/E/G ratio of 4.37 and a beta of 0.74. DCC has a fifty-two week low of GBX 4,452 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 5,865. The firms 50 day simple moving average is GBX 4,821.39 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 4,768.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 77.99, a current ratio of 1.31 and a quick ratio of 0.89.

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DCC plc is a leading international sales, marketing and support services group operating in 22 countries, supplying products and services used by millions of people every day. Headquartered in Dublin, the Group operates across three sectors: energy, healthcare and technology, employing over 16,000 people.

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Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE:TNK  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $61.88 and last traded at $61.2060, with a volume of 67813 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $61.00.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on TNK shares. Zacks Research raised Teekay Tankers from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of Teekay Tankers to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Teekay Tankers from $66.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Teekay Tankers in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Teekay Tankers from $53.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $58.67.

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Teekay Tankers Trading Down 0.4%

The firm has a market capitalization of $2.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.76 and a beta of -0.11. The businesss fifty day moving average is $53.94 and its 200 day moving average is $47.85.

Teekay Tankers (NYSE:TNK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The shipping company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $115.21 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $133.65 million. Teekay Tankers had a net margin of 32.87% and a return on equity of 10.81%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 16.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.23 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Teekay Tankers Ltd. will post 7.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Teekay Tankers Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 10th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. Teekay Tankerss payout ratio is currently 11.11%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Teekay Tankers

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of Teekay Tankers by 13.0% in the second quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 2,084 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $87,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the period. Martingale Asset Management L P grew its stake in shares of Teekay Tankers by 0.4% in the first quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 64,789 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $2,479,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Unison Advisors LLC increased its position in Teekay Tankers by 2.8% during the third quarter. Unison Advisors LLC now owns 13,212 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $668,000 after acquiring an additional 357 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its stake in Teekay Tankers by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 15,978 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $667,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Teekay Tankers by 77.0% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 906 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 394 shares during the period. 52.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Teekay Tankers Company Profile

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Teekay Tankers Ltd. provides crude oil and other marine transportation services to oil industries in Bermuda and internationally. The company offers voyage and time charter services; offshore ship-to-ship transfer services of commodities primarily crude oil and refined oil products; and tanker commercial and technical management services.

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Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC raised its position in Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) by 2,877.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,578 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after buying an additional 1,525 shares during the quarter. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLCs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $169,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. 1248 Management LLC bought a new position in Boston Scientific in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd bought a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 90.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 252 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group bought a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the second quarter worth $37,000. Institutional investors own 89.07% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 50,000 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.47, for a total value of $4,923,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 178,342 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,561,336.74. The trade was a 21.90% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ellen M. Zane sold 12,891 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.28, for a total value of $1,266,927.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 24,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,371,889.52. This trade represents a 34.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 175,782 shares of company stock worth $17,742,314 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on BSX shares. BTIG Research reissued a buy rating and set a $132.00 price objective on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $124.00 price objective on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Oppenheimer upgraded Boston Scientific from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $118.00 to $125.00 in a report on Monday, September 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Boston Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $123.77.

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Boston Scientific Trading Up 1.0%

BSX opened at $100.05 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $148.26 billion, a PE ratio of 53.50, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.58. The business has a 50 day moving average of $100.09 and a 200-day moving average of $102.45. Boston Scientific Corporation has a 52 week low of $85.98 and a 52 week high of $109.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 19.74% and a net margin of 14.43%.The firm had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.63 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. Boston Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.020-3.040 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.770-0.790 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Boston Scientific Profile

(Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system.

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Wedbush Securities Inc. cut its stake in Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Free Report) by 13.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 26,234 shares of the CRM providers stock after selling 4,103 shares during the period. Wedbush Securities Inc.s holdings in Salesforce were worth $7,154,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Rovin Capital UT ADV boosted its stake in Salesforce by 80.5% during the 2nd quarter. Rovin Capital UT ADV now owns 2,206 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $602,000 after purchasing an additional 984 shares during the period. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. increased its stake in Salesforce by 24.4% in the second quarter. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. now owns 85,341 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $23,272,000 after purchasing an additional 16,715 shares during the period. Nvwm LLC raised its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 1.8% in the second quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 6,105 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $1,630,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Salesforce by 3.0% during the second quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,266 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $618,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Finally, First Eagle Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 35.7% during the second quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 3,215,329 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $876,788,000 after buying an additional 845,389 shares during the last quarter. 80.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Salesforce

In other news, Director David Blair Kirk bought 3,400 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 9th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $254.66 per share, for a total transaction of $865,844.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 3,824 shares in the company, valued at $973,819.84. The trade was a 801.89% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Marc Benioff sold 2,250 shares of Salesforce stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $241.50, for a total transaction of $543,375.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 11,911,571 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,876,644,396.50. The trade was a 0.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 74,372 shares of company stock worth $18,317,866. 3.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Salesforce Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE CRM opened at $239.92 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $228.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.19. Salesforce Inc. has a 52 week low of $226.48 and a 52 week high of $369.00. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $247.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $258.16. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, September 3rd. The CRM provider reported $2.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.78 by $0.13. Salesforce had a net margin of 16.87% and a return on equity of 13.27%. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.14 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.56 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Salesforce has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.330-11.370 EPS. Q3 2026 guidance at 2.840-2.860 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Salesforce Inc. will post 7.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Salesforce Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 17th were given a dividend of $0.416 per share. This represents a $1.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 17th. Salesforces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CRM has been the subject of several analyst reports. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price objective on Salesforce from $350.00 to $300.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. UBS Group cut their price target on Salesforce from $300.00 to $260.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 18th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $430.00 price target on shares of Salesforce in a report on Friday, October 17th. DA Davidson reissued a neutral rating and issued a $225.00 price objective on shares of Salesforce in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $325.00 to $300.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Twenty-five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $325.23.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CRM

About Salesforce

(Free Report)

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and artificial intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer support at scale.

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Modera Wealth Management LLC cut its position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 59.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 14,217 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 21,080 shares during the period. Modera Wealth Management LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $4,435,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bayforest Capital Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 685.7% during the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 55 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 416.7% in the first quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 62 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 80.9% during the second quarter. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc now owns 123 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Kentucky Trust Co boosted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 53.8% in the 2nd quarter. Kentucky Trust Co now owns 143 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, Nova Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 339.1% in the 1st quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. now owns 101 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.86% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on UNH. Leerink Partners set a $410.00 target price on UnitedHealth Group and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $325.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Bank of America lifted their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $350.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $440.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Eighteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $397.12.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

NYSE:UNH opened at $324.29 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $293.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.93, a P/E/G ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.47. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12-month low of $234.60 and a 12-month high of $630.73. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $345.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $323.37.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.87 by $0.05. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 19.23% and a net margin of 4.04%.The business had revenue of $113.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $113.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $7.15 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be issued a $2.21 dividend. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 46.14%.

UnitedHealth Group Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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SouthState Bank (NYSE:SSB  Get Free Report) and Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends and earnings.

Volatility and Risk

SouthState Bank has a beta of 0.77, indicating that its stock price is 23% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.89, indicating that its stock price is 11% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares SouthState Bank and Equity Bancshares net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SouthState Bank 20.25% 10.70% 1.42% Equity Bancshares 5.01% 12.13% 1.39%

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SouthState Bank $2.39 billion 3.68 $534.78 million $7.27 12.06 Equity Bancshares $192.21 million 4.11 $62.62 million $1.20 34.28

This table compares SouthState Bank and Equity Bancsharess gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

SouthState Bank has higher revenue and earnings than Equity Bancshares. SouthState Bank is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Equity Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

SouthState Bank pays an annual dividend of $2.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. SouthState Bank pays out 33.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Equity Bancshares pays out 60.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. SouthState Bank has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years. SouthState Bank is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

89.8% of SouthState Bank shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 1.7% of SouthState Bank shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 6.6% of Equity Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for SouthState Bank and Equity Bancshares, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SouthState Bank 0 2 11 2 3.00 Equity Bancshares 0 0 1 2 3.67

SouthState Bank currently has a consensus target price of $114.92, suggesting a potential upside of 31.04%. Given SouthState Banks higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe SouthState Bank is more favorable than Equity Bancshares.

Summary

SouthState Bank beats Equity Bancshares on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About SouthState Bank

(Get Free Report)

SouthState Corporation operates as the bank holding company for SouthState Bank, National Association that provides a range of banking services and products to individuals and companies. It accepts checking accounts, savings deposits, interest-bearing transaction accounts, certificates of deposits, money market accounts, and other time deposits. The company also offers commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans, commercial, and industrial loans, as well as consumer loans, including auto, boat, and personal installment loans. In addition, it provides debit card, mobile and funds transfer products, and treasury management services comprising merchant, automated clearing house, lock-box, remote deposit capture, and other treasury services. Further, the company offers safe deposit boxes, bank money orders, wire transfer, brokerage services, and alternative investment products, including annuities, mutual funds, and trust and asset management services; and credit cards, letters of credit, and home equity lines of credit. As of December 31, 2021, it served customers through 281 branches in Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. SouthState Corporation also serves its customers through online, mobile, and telephone banking platforms. The company was formerly known as First Financial Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to SouthState Corporation in July 2013. SouthState Corporation was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida.

About Equity Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Equity Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Equity Bank that provides a range of banking, mortgage banking, and financial services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. Its loan products include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate-backed, commercial lines of credit, working capital, term, equipment financing, acquisition, expansion and development, borrowing base, real estate construction, homebuilder, agricultural, government guaranteed, and other loan products to national and regional companies, restaurant franchisees, hoteliers, real estate developers, manufacturing and industrial companies, agribusiness companies, and other businesses. The companys loan products also comprise various consumer loans to individuals and professionals, including residential real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection, and letters of credit. It also provides debit cards; online banking solutions, such as access to account balances, online transfers, online bill payment, and electronic delivery of customer statements; mobile banking solutions comprising remote check deposits with mobile bill pay; ATMs; and treasury management, wire transfer, automated clearing house, and stop payment services. In addition, the company offers cash management deposit products, such as lockbox, remote deposit capture, positive pay, reverse positive pay, account reconciliation services, zero balance accounts, and sweep accounts, as well as banking services through telephone, mail, and personal appointments. As of December 31, 2021, it operated a network of 69 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.

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Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 8.8% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 62,144 shares of the payment services companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,045 shares during the quarter. Prospera Financial Services Incs holdings in American Express were worth $19,827,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Briaud Financial Planning Inc purchased a new position in American Express during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Solstein Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the second quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of American Express in the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the companys stock.

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American Express Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of AXP stock opened at $368.90 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $339.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $313.93. American Express Company has a 12-month low of $220.43 and a 12-month high of $370.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The firm has a market cap of $254.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27.

American Express Dividend Announcement

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $18.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.03 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%.American Expresss revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.49 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 10th will be paid a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 10th. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is 22.01%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AXP has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $395.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on American Express from $375.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on American Express from $330.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded American Express from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on American Express from $343.00 to $355.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Express has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $332.65.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on American Express

Insider Activity at American Express

In other news, insider Denise Pickett sold 5,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.73, for a total value of $1,753,650.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 7,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,709,739.98. The trade was a 39.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total value of $18,010,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer directly owned 85,577 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,825,691.17. This trade represents a 36.88% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 193,292 shares of company stock worth $65,363,878 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

American Express Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.

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Black Hills Corporation (NYSE:BKH  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $66.91 and last traded at $66.5450, with a volume of 182585 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $64.75.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America raised Black Hills from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $57.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Black Hills in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Scotiabank upgraded Black Hills from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $66.00 to $81.00 in a research note on Friday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $71.00.

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Read Our Latest Report on Black Hills

Black Hills Trading Up 2.8%

The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $61.62 and a 200 day simple moving average of $59.51. The company has a market cap of $5.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.54, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.76.

Black Hills (NYSE:BKH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.45. Black Hills had a return on equity of 7.81% and a net margin of 12.68%.The firm had revenue of $430.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $439.96 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.35 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Black Hills has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.000-4.20 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Black Hills Corporation will post 4.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Black Hills Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a $0.676 dividend. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. Black Hillss dividend payout ratio is 68.18%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. IMA Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Black Hills during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Clearstead Trust LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Black Hills in the first quarter worth about $30,000. Spire Wealth Management grew its holdings in Black Hills by 4,115.4% during the second quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 548 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 535 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. acquired a new stake in Black Hills during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in Black Hills by 132.3% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 576 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. 86.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Black Hills

(Get Free Report)

Black Hills Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company in the United States. The company operates in two segments: Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities. The Electric Utilities segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 222,000 electric utility customers in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and owns and operates 1,394 megawatts of generation capacity and 9,106 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines.

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Wedbush Securities Inc. lowered its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,081 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 335 shares during the quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $4,095,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of TSM. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 55.6% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 17,306,108 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,872,814,000 after purchasing an additional 6,180,445 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 19.1% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 12,350,239 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,050,141,000 after buying an additional 1,984,835 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 26.7% in the 2nd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 12,046,792 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,728,478,000 after buying an additional 2,537,760 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC increased its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 10,058,659 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,299,108,000 after buying an additional 324,615 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 31.5% during the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 8,864,014 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,471,426,000 after buying an additional 2,121,758 shares during the period. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on TSM shares. Wall Street Zen cut Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $371.67.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:TSM opened at $286.56 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.37, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stock has a market cap of $1.49 trillion, a PE ratio of 29.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $279.96 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $237.07. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 1-year low of $134.25 and a 1-year high of $311.37.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 36.06%. The company had revenue of $32.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $951.89 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.94 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be given a dividend of $0.8348 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 11th. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is 26.97%.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 8.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,203,645 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 339,091 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned about 0.20% of NextEra Energy worth $291,817,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. GQG Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 58.4% in the first quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 17,236,502 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,221,896,000 after acquiring an additional 6,352,798 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in NextEra Energy by 20.7% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 16,446,413 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,165,748,000 after purchasing an additional 2,815,629 shares during the period. Amundi increased its holdings in NextEra Energy by 27.8% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 12,200,990 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $878,447,000 after purchasing an additional 2,657,438 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in NextEra Energy by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 207,322,418 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $14,697,086,000 after purchasing an additional 2,025,193 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners boosted its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 55.3% in the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 5,300,839 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $374,639,000 after buying an additional 1,886,999 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.72% of the companys stock.

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NextEra Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NEE stock opened at $83.92 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $78.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $73.95. The firm has a market cap of $174.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.72, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.69. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 1 year low of $61.72 and a 1 year high of $87.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 0.55.

NextEra Energy Announces Dividend

NextEra Energy ( NYSE:NEE Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $7.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.13 billion. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 12.42% and a net margin of 24.72%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.03 EPS. Analysts predict that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.68 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.5665 per share. This represents a $2.27 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. NextEra Energys dividend payout ratio is 71.97%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group restated a buy rating and set a $96.00 target price (up from $84.00) on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. HSBC dropped their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $88.00 to $86.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 11th. Citigroup restated a buy rating and issued a $96.00 price objective (up from $84.00) on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Melius started coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a buy rating and a $77.00 target price for the company. Finally, BTIG Research reissued a buy rating on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Monday, October 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $90.22.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on NEE

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Charles E. Sieving sold 11,336 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, October 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total value of $906,880.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 167,481 shares in the company, valued at $13,398,480. This trade represents a 6.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael Dunne sold 10,000 shares of NextEra Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.79, for a total value of $707,900.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 62,064 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,393,510.56. This represents a 13.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 23,028 shares of company stock worth $1,738,973. 0.18% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About NextEra Energy

(Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear,natural gas, and other clean energy. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets.

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ZEGA Investments LLC cut its holdings in shares of Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER  Free Report) by 75.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,850 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after selling 14,865 shares during the period. ZEGA Investments LLCs holdings in Uber Technologies were worth $453,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Hilltop National Bank bought a new position in Uber Technologies in the second quarter worth $96,000. American Capital Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of Uber Technologies by 47.8% in the 2nd quarter. American Capital Advisory LLC now owns 13,006 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $1,213,000 after buying an additional 4,204 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 50.2% in the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 548,051 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $51,133,000 after acquiring an additional 183,085 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in Uber Technologies by 805.4% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 102,706 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $7,483,000 after acquiring an additional 91,362 shares during the period. Finally, Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH grew its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 42.7% in the second quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 759,077 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $70,822,000 after acquiring an additional 226,960 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.24% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Uber Technologies in a report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Uber Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on Uber Technologies from $113.00 to $106.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. DA Davidson boosted their price objective on Uber Technologies from $102.00 to $108.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Uber Technologies from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $108.26.

Insider Activity

In other Uber Technologies news, SVP Nikki Krishnamurthy sold 11,571 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.74, for a total transaction of $1,061,523.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 416,222 shares in the company, valued at $38,184,206.28. The trade was a 2.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sold 300,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.37, for a total value of $28,611,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 1,132,544 shares in the company, valued at approximately $108,010,721.28. The trade was a 20.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 604,946 shares of company stock worth $58,950,116 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 3.84% of the companys stock.

Uber Technologies Price Performance

Shares of Uber Technologies stock opened at $92.03 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $59.33 and a 12 month high of $101.99. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $95.46 and a 200 day moving average of $91.09. The firm has a market cap of $191.21 billion, a PE ratio of 11.83 and a beta of 1.46.

Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The ride-sharing company reported $3.11 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $2.44. The firm had revenue of $13.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.25 billion. Uber Technologies had a return on equity of 68.17% and a net margin of 33.54%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.20 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 2.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Uber Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services.

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SoundHound AI, Tempus AI, and BigBear.ai are the three Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that develop, sell, or heavily use AI technologiesranging from AI software and models to specialized chips, data platforms, and cloud servicesor that derive a significant portion of their value from AI-driven products and services. For investors, these stocks offer targeted exposure to the potential growth and productivity gains from AI adoption but often carry higher valuations, concentration risk, greater volatility, and regulatory or execution uncertainties compared with broader-market holdings. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days.

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SoundHound AI (SOUN)

SoundHound AI, Inc. develops independent voice artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enables businesses across automotive, TV, and IoT, and to customer service industries to deliver high-quality conversational experiences to their customers. Its products include Houndify platform that offers a suite of Houndify tools to help brands build conversational voice assistants, such as Application Programming Interfaces (API) for text and voice queries, support for custom commands, extensive library of content domains, inclusive software development kit platforms, collaboration capabilities, diagnostic tools, and built-in analytics; SoundHound Chat AI that integrates with knowledge domains, pulling real-time data like weather, sports, stocks, flight status, and restaurants; and SoundHound Smart Answering is built to offer customer establishments custom AI-powered voice assistant.

Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TEM

BigBear.ai (BBAI)

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. provides artificial intelligence-powered decision intelligence solutions. It offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions. The company also provides data ingestion, data enrichment, data processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and predictive visualization solutions and services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BBAI

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Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Get Free Report) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Thursday . 44,913 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 125% from the previous sessions volume of 19,941 shares.The stock last traded at $0.8757 and had previously closed at $0.90.

Hong Kong & China Gas Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $0.85 and a 200-day moving average of $0.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63.

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Hong Kong & China Gas Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 22nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 3rd were given a $0.0123 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a yield of 411.0%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

About Hong Kong & China Gas

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Hong Kong & China Gas stock. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Hong Kong & China Gas Co. ( OTCMKTS:HOKCY Free Report ) by 26.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 131,441 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 27,860 shares during the quarter. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Hong Kong & China Gas were worth $107,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(Get Free Report)

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, produces, distributes, and markets gas, water supply and energy services in Hong Kong and Mainland China. It is involved in the provision of smart energy, piped city-gas, upstream and midstream projects, water supply and wastewater treatment, urban waste resource utilization, and natural gas filling stations, as well as new energy exploration and utilization activities.

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Internet Initiative Japan (OTCMKTS:IIJIY  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The communications equipment provider reported $0.48 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.08, Zacks reports. Internet Initiative Japan had a return on equity of 14.55% and a net margin of 6.32%.The business had revenue of $555.81 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $528.83 million.

Internet Initiative Japan Price Performance

Shares of Internet Initiative Japan stock remained flat at $35.68 during midday trading on Friday. The company had a trading volume of 2 shares, compared to its average volume of 754. The firm has a market cap of $3.27 billion, a PE ratio of 23.47 and a beta of 1.06. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $36.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $37.17. Internet Initiative Japan has a 52 week low of $32.10 and a 52 week high of $44.71.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on IIJIY. Wall Street Zen downgraded Internet Initiative Japan from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, July 20th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Internet Initiative Japan from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Strong Buy.

Internet Initiative Japan Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Internet Initiative Japan Inc provides Internet connectivity, WAN, outsourcing, systems integration, and network-related equipment sales services in Japan. It operates through two segments, Network Services and Systems Integration Business, and ATM Operation Business. The company offers mobile communication and remote access/telework services; WAN/network services, including SDN, multi-cloud network, closed connection, internet VPN, SEIL, remote access, wireless LAN, and GIGA-school; leased line and broadband services; IIJ DNS platform, and domain name registration and maintenance services; IIJ access ID management, dial-up access, and IIJ IPv6 fiber access services; and security solutions for IIJ managed firewall, DDoS protection, and managed IPS/IDS services.

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Sweetgreen (NYSE:SG  Free Report) had its price objective cut by Wells Fargo & Company from $13.00 to $10.00 in a report published on Friday,Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock.

SG has been the topic of several other research reports. Zacks Research lowered Sweetgreen from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Sweetgreen from a buy rating to a sell rating and set a $5.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Friday. William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Sweetgreen in a research report on Friday. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Sweetgreen from $12.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Finally, Bank of America restated a neutral rating and set a $9.50 price objective (down previously from $18.00) on shares of Sweetgreen in a report on Monday, October 6th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Sweetgreen has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $12.04.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on SG

Sweetgreen Stock Down 7.9%

SG stock traded down $0.50 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $5.76. The companys stock had a trading volume of 20,769,705 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,969,859. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $7.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.63. Sweetgreen has a 52 week low of $5.20 and a 52 week high of $45.12. The stock has a market cap of $680.31 million, a PE ratio of -5.93 and a beta of 1.94.

Sweetgreen (NYSE:SG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.18) by ($0.13). Sweetgreen had a negative net margin of 16.55% and a negative return on equity of 25.06%. The company had revenue of $172.39 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $179.29 million. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.18) EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sweetgreen has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Sweetgreen will post -0.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Sweetgreen

In other Sweetgreen news, CFO Mitch Reback sold 11,530 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.19, for a total transaction of $105,960.70. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 322,891 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,967,368.29. This trade represents a 3.45% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 19.78% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sweetgreen

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc acquired a new stake in shares of Sweetgreen in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Sweetgreen by 98.2% during the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,129 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,055 shares during the last quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ grew its position in Sweetgreen by 312.3% in the second quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 2,808 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 2,127 shares in the last quarter. Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych grew its position in Sweetgreen by 70.8% in the first quarter. Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych now owns 4,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $103,000 after purchasing an additional 1,700 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC increased its stake in Sweetgreen by 1,150.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 5,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 4,600 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.75% of the companys stock.

About Sweetgreen

(Get Free Report)

Sweetgreen, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates fast food restaurants serving healthy foods at scale in the United States. The company also accepts orders through its online and mobile ordering platforms, as well as sells gift cards that do not have an expiration date and can be redeemed. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by Royal Bank Of Canada from $211.00 to $202.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the medical instruments suppliers stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Argus lifted their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a report on Monday, September 15th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $196.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $203.27.

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Get Our Latest Stock Report on Becton, Dickinson and Company

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance

BDX stock traded up $0.49 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $177.88. 3,068,583 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,454,233. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1-year low of $162.29 and a 1-year high of $251.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $50.99 billion, a PE ratio of 31.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.25. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $186.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $182.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 16.23% and a net margin of 7.51%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be issued a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. This is a boost from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. Becton, Dickinson and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 71.36%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total transaction of $38,317.86. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 35,816 shares in the company, valued at $6,324,389.28. This represents a 0.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.50, for a total value of $171,937.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 22,226 shares in the company, valued at $4,167,375. This trade represents a 3.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 1,249 shares of company stock valued at $231,358 in the last three months. 0.36% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Becton, Dickinson and Company

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. raised its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 256.8% in the third quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 132 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 285.3% in the third quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 131 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Saudi Central Bank bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 474.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 155 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 128 shares during the period. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 341.4% during the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.97% of the companys stock.

About Becton, Dickinson and Company

(Get Free Report)

Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional.

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Evertec (NYSE:EVTC  Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Thursday. The business services provider reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.89 by $0.03, Briefing.com reports. The company had revenue of $227.93 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $224.68 million. Evertec had a return on equity of 36.67% and a net margin of 15.56%.Evertecs revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.86 EPS. Evertec updated its FY 2025 guidance to 3.560-3.620 EPS.

Evertec Price Performance

Shares of EVTC stock traded down $0.88 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $27.21. The stock had a trading volume of 914,745 shares, compared to its average volume of 334,427. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 2.20 and a quick ratio of 2.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.83, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.91. Evertec has a one year low of $26.78 and a one year high of $38.56. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $31.99 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.38.

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Evertec Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 3rd. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Evertecs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on EVTC. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $43.00 target price (up from $42.00) on shares of Evertec in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Evertec in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Evertec from $35.00 to $34.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Zacks Research lowered Evertec from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Evertec in a report on Thursday, July 17th. They set a hold rating and a $35.00 price target on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Evertec has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $37.60.

Read Our Latest Report on Evertec

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. California State Teachers Retirement System raised its stake in Evertec by 0.7% during the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 59,159 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,133,000 after purchasing an additional 417 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Evertec by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 33,598 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,211,000 after buying an additional 567 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Evertec by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 86,721 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $3,189,000 after acquiring an additional 846 shares during the last quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury increased its stake in Evertec by 3.6% during the second quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury now owns 34,005 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,226,000 after acquiring an additional 1,167 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in Evertec by 3.3% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 37,915 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,394,000 after purchasing an additional 1,222 shares during the period. 96.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Evertec

(Get Free Report)

EVERTEC, Inc engages in transaction processing business and financial technology in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company operates through four segments: Payment Services  Puerto Rico & Caribbean; Latin America Payments and Solutions; Merchant Acquiring; and Business Solutions. It provides merchant acquiring services, which enable point of sales and e-commerce merchants to accept and process electronic methods of payment, such as debit, credit, prepaid, and electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.

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Advanced Info Service Public (OTCMKTS:AVIFY  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The technology company reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.11 by $0.02, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.69 billion. Advanced Info Service Public had a return on equity of 42.28% and a net margin of 17.92%.

Advanced Info Service Public Trading Up 5.6%

AVIFY traded up $0.54 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.26. 842 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,373. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.13. Advanced Info Service Public has a 52-week low of $7.17 and a 52-week high of $10.61. The company has a market capitalization of $30.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.00 and a beta of 0.26.

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Advanced Info Service Public Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 21st were given a dividend of $0.149 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 20th. This represents a yield of 292.0%. Advanced Info Service Publics dividend payout ratio is currently 76.32%.

Advanced Info Service Public Company Profile

Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited, together its subsidiaries, provides communication products and services primarily in Thailand. It is involved in the operation of cellular telephone networks, networks, and telecommunication and internet services. The company also distributes handsets; cash cards and electronic payment services; and internet equipment.

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Sylvamo (NYSE:SLVM  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Friday. The company reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.57 by ($0.13), Zacks reports. The firm had revenue of $846.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $840.32 million. Sylvamo had a return on equity of 23.99% and a net margin of 6.11%.Sylvamos revenue was down 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.44 EPS.

Sylvamo Stock Up 0.2%

NYSE SLVM traded up $0.07 during trading on Friday, reaching $43.15. 932,723 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 319,990. Sylvamo has a 12-month low of $37.51 and a 12-month high of $98.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market cap of $1.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.25 and a beta of 0.96. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $43.16 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $48.59.

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Sylvamo Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.2%. Sylvamos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 34.42%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on SLVM. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $49.00 target price on Sylvamo and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Sylvamo in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Sylvamo to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Sylvamo currently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $56.50.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Sylvamo

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sylvamo

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in Sylvamo by 22.6% during the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 39,193 shares of the companys stock worth $1,964,000 after buying an additional 7,227 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its holdings in shares of Sylvamo by 99.2% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 65,795 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,295,000 after acquiring an additional 32,766 shares during the period. Wasatch Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Sylvamo by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 837,221 shares of the companys stock worth $41,945,000 after acquiring an additional 58,449 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Sylvamo by 26.0% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 429,783 shares of the companys stock worth $21,532,000 after purchasing an additional 88,562 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in Sylvamo during the second quarter valued at about $15,030,000. 91.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sylvamo Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sylvamo Corporation produces and markets uncoated freesheet for cutsize, offset paper, and pulp in Latin America, Europe, and North America. The company operates through Europe, Latin America, and North America segments. The Europe segment offers copy, tinted, and colored laser printing paper under REY Adagio and Pro-Design brands; and graphic and high-speed inkjet printing papers under the brand Jetstar; as well as produces uncoated freesheet papers.

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Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina (NYSE:LOMA  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.06 by ($0.11), Zacks reports. Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina had a return on equity of 4.34% and a net margin of 5.67%.The business had revenue of $135.15 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $221.70 million.

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Price Performance

Shares of LOMA traded up $0.09 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $10.82. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,059,208 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,035,965. The companys 50 day moving average is $8.45 and its 200 day moving average is $10.42. The stock has a market cap of $1.26 billion, a PE ratio of 34.92 and a beta of 1.04. Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina has a 12-month low of $7.04 and a 12-month high of $14.17.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LOMA has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $14.80.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Engineers Gate Manager LP increased its position in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 35.3% during the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 24,773 shares of the companys stock worth $272,000 after purchasing an additional 6,463 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 5.1% during the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 31,336 shares of the companys stock worth $344,000 after buying an additional 1,524 shares during the period. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its stake in Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 53.8% in the second quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 141,765 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,555,000 after buying an additional 49,567 shares during the last quarter. 19.32% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cement and its derivatives in Argentina. The company operates through Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime; Concrete; Railroad; Aggregates; and Others segments. It offers masonry cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, concrete, and lime to wholesale distributors, concrete producers, industrial customers, and others for use in the construction.

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Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Friday. The closed-end fund reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.10, Briefing.com reports. The company had revenue of $1.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.17 billion. Franklin Resources had a net margin of 3.73% and a return on equity of 8.76%. Franklin Resourcess quarterly revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.59 EPS.

Franklin Resources Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BEN traded down $1.01 on Friday, reaching $22.25. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,809,815 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,459,417. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $23.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of $23.23. Franklin Resources has a 52-week low of $16.25 and a 52-week high of $26.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a current ratio of 1.55. The company has a market cap of $11.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.62, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.49.

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Franklin Resources Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.8%. Franklin Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 250.98%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on BEN shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Franklin Resources in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Franklin Resources in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. They issued an outperform rating and a $26.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of Franklin Resources from $25.00 to $23.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $23.00 to $20.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Franklin Resources presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $24.27.

View Our Latest Analysis on Franklin Resources

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BEN. Holocene Advisors LP bought a new stake in Franklin Resources during the second quarter worth approximately $51,384,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Franklin Resources by 41.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,637,376 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $39,051,000 after purchasing an additional 481,980 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. increased its position in shares of Franklin Resources by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 841,164 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $20,062,000 after purchasing an additional 18,920 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its holdings in Franklin Resources by 94.1% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 693,549 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $16,541,000 after buying an additional 336,286 shares during the period. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its position in Franklin Resources by 52.2% in the second quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 509,171 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $12,144,000 after buying an additional 174,579 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.56% of the companys stock.

About Franklin Resources

(Get Free Report)

Franklin Resources, Inc is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides its services to individuals, institutions, pension plans, trusts, and partnerships. It launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and multi-asset mutual funds through its subsidiaries.

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Joe Duffy, ex-Liveline show host, was on The Late Late Show recently to give a heart-warming message and words of wisdom to his new replacement.

Kieran Cuddihyn is set to take Joe Duffy's seat as host of RTE's Liveline following his retirement earlier this year.

In a surprise call on the show, Joe Duffy gave a final message to his replacement that pleasantly surprised Kieran ahead of the start of his new career.

Joe Duffy said: "Kieran...don't talk to Joe now just listen to Joe....will you please just listen to Joe....remember the first 27 years are the hardest...

"If the phone isn't ringing you're doing something wrong and if it is ringing you're doing something really wrong!

"You are brilliant...I've heard great feedback already from my ex-colleague's in RTE about your enthusiasm, your ability, your intelligence and by the way your good looks and that is just from the fellas....the women think you are gorgeous as well...

"So best of look auld pal you will be brilliant and in the great tradition of Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, Marian....the great great broadcasters break a leg auld pal.....break a leg!".

READ NEXT: Morning chaos on Ireland AM as viewers in bits after presenter's hilarious live blunder

Kiernan with a proud smile on his face commented afterwards, "that is so nice....it's amazing...moments like that they are surreal".

You can watch the clip in the video below.
Concrete steps urged on Nexperia as Dutch set to visit

An employee works with a wafer on a production line of Nexperia's plant in Hamburg, Germany. File photo: Reuters

The Ministry of Commerce on Saturday called on the Netherlands to put forward constructive plans and take concrete actions to restore the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain.



The call came as China agreed to a request by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to send personnel to China for consultations, according to the ministry.



A spokesperson made these remarks when asked to comment on the statement concerning the issue of the semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia, an overseas subsidiary of Chinese company Wingtech, released on Thursday by Vincent Karremans, Dutch minister of economic affairs.



China has noted the statement, the official in Beijing said, adding that to date, China has not seen any practical action taken by the Dutch side to stop infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and restore the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain.



In a responsible attitude towards the stability and security of the global semiconductor supply chain, the ministry said, China announced on November 1 that it would grant export exemptions to eligible enterprises.



The spokesperson emphasized that the Dutch side is the source of, and bears responsibility for, the current disruption in the global semiconductor supply chain.



China hopes that the Dutch side's statement will not remain mere rhetoric, the official said.



The Netherlands should put forward substantive and constructive proposals and take practical actions to effectively restore the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain at its source, the spokesperson added.



The Dutch side should stop using administrative means to intervene and meddle in the internal affairs of enterprises and it should promote an early resolution of the Nexperia issue, the spokesperson said.



The call came after auto executives in Europe said Nexperia had resumed some shipments of its vital chips, prompting Germany to welcome signs of de-escalation in a fight for control of the company that has rattled the car industry.



Nexperia makes billions of simple but ubiquitous chips for cars and other electronics. Supply of those chips has been snarled amid a broader Sino-US trade war.



"The de-escalation and continuation of negotiations between the Netherlands and China are very welcome at this point," said a spokesperson for the economy ministry in Germany, Europe's biggest car manufacturer.



The ministry remains hopeful that "short-term individual permits will quickly reach the industry", allowing Nexperia's chip shipments to resume, the spokesperson added. (Xinhua/Reuters)
Big picture context . . .

The administration has asked a federal appeals court for an emergency pause on a judge's order to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The President seems to want the court/appeal process to play out . . .

Afternoon update . . .

The Trump administration said in a memo to states Friday that it is working to comply with a federal court order requiring full November food Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments.

Meanwhile . . .

"More than 700 Kansas City seniors have lost access to daily meal delivery services after KC Shepherds Center cut its food assistance program by more than half due to funding reductions.



"The nonprofit now serves 500 seniors, down from 1,200, after losing 25% of its funding this year because of federal and SNAP cuts, said Janet Baker, executive director of KC Shepherds Center."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
This passage provides some background on a violent working-class tragedy in an otherwise peaceful Kansas City metro retail enclave . . .

"Around 3 p.m. Thursday, North Kansas City police were called to the CVS on the corner of Swift Street and Armour Road on reports of a shooting. They arrived and found the victim shot to death behind the checkout counter.



"Police identified the victim as 42-year-old Rusty Donovan.



"Antonio Serrano, arrested at the scene, is charged in Donovan's death.



"Serrano recently separated from a woman who worked at the store. She was living with Donovan at the time of the murder."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

North Kansas City police say 1 person dead after shooting at CVS A suspect is in custody after a deadly shooting in North Kansas City.

North Kansas City businesses react to CVS employee murder linked to workplace relationship Customers were dismayed Friday to find a 24-hour CVS pharmacy closed after the shooting death of a store employee.

CVS worker killed in North Kansas City shooting, suspect charged Rusty A. Donovan, a 42-year-old CVS employee, was killed in a shooting at the CVS located at 1914 Swift Street in North Kansas City, Missouri

Developing . . .
Police report aftermath of a tragedy this week . . .

"When police arrived, they located a gunshot victim, later identified as 42-year-old Rusty Donovan, deceased behind the checkout counter.



"They took a suspect, later identified as Antonio Serrano, 29, into custody without further incident.



"As detectives processed the scene, they reviewed surveillance footage showing Serrano enter the store and immediately walk over to the checkout counter, and point a handgun toward a female employee. The video then shows Serrano point the handgun toward Donovan and appears to open fire.



"The video shows that as Donovan attempted to escape, Serrano leaned over the counter and fired additional shots at Donovan."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Court documents: Suspect allegedly shot CVS employee 8 times before asking witness to call 911 Court documents released Friday painted a gruesome scene late Thursday afternoon inside a CVS Pharmacy in North Kansas City.

CVS worker killed in North Kansas City shooting, suspect charged Rusty A. Donovan, a 42-year-old CVS employee, was killed in a shooting at the CVS located at 1914 Swift Street in North Kansas City, Missouri

Developing . . .
Today we notice east side aftermath and more evidence that a slight drop in crime shouldn't sgnal any "solution" for local violence.

Here's info the police have shared with media . . .

Homicide 39th and Chestnut

This morning, just before 11AM, officers were dispatched to the area of E 39th St. and Chestnut Ave. on a reported shooting.



Officers responded and began canvassing the area for any victims. Officers located an adult male victim lying on the sidewalk unresponsive and suffering from gunshot trauma. EMS immediately responded and declared the victim deceased.



Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel have responded to the scene to begin gathering evidence and collecting witness statements. A subject of interest has not been identified and no one is in custody. This incident is being investigated as a homicide and is ongoing at this time.



If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information, they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.

#########

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Man's body found shot to death on sidewalk in east Kansas City It happened near East 39th and Chestnut Avenue in KC, MO.

Kansas City police investigating homicide at 39th and Chestnut The Kansas City Police Department said it's investigating a homicide Friday morning at E. 39th Street and Chestnut Avenue.

Developing . . .
And so . . . The latest chapter in the saga of canceling JoCo votes that consistently support Rep. Sharice Davids . . .

Here's a conservative rivalry that might be more important than so many people forced to pay attention to the giggling rants of Tucker Carlson . . .

Check-it . . .

"Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican campaigning for state insurance commissioner, removed at least three House Republicans from committee chairmanships for declining to sign a petition allowing a special session of the Kansas Legislature to consider President Donald Trump's request to redraw the state's U.S. House district boundaries to improve odds of defeating Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the November 2026 election."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Developing . . .
This simple equation is a big part of the global market economy and seems to be transforming the centuries old idea of the nation-state . . .

Less people = Less money.

Sorry but that's a capitalistic axiom that doesn't care about nationalistic, populist politics.

Meanwhile . . .

Let's not deny that crackdowns on trans people in Missouri have garnered OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROM THE ELECTORATE . . .

The result, according to this survey . . . LGBT people want out.

Again . . . Another contradictory thought just to prove that TKC is a child of divorce and doesn't believe in much of anything . . .

LGBTQ+ people moving away is a feature and not a bug when it comes to some supporters of policy targeting this population.

Check-it . . .

Analysis by the Movement Advancement Project estimates that around $362 million to $879 million in household income has left the state, a number that is expected to increase.



The estimate is based on a survey conducted by MAP in collaboration with The Trevor Project, a mental health nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth. Their research shows that among LGBTQ+-identifying people ages 13 to 24, around 39% have considered moving to a different state and 4% have already moved because of policies targeting gay and transgender people.



There is good reason to suspect this 4% estimate may be even higher in Missouri, the report says.



More bad news for people who like earning money by trading goods & services . . .



A separate study conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality and released in 2024 found 47% of transgender people have thought about moving to a different state because of discriminatory state laws, and 5% had completed a move for that reason.



Missouri is one of 10 states highlighted in the study as having a higher proportion of respondents moving away.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Developing . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 9. National Flag Day in Azerbaijan is celebrated on November 9, following a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on November 17, 2009.

The Azerbaijani tricolor was first adopted as the national flag on November 9, 1918, during a meeting of the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), which lasted until May 1920.

After Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan declared the tricolor, featuring an eight-pointed star and crescent, as the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 5.

In November 2009, an amendment was made to Article 105 of the Labor Code, designating November 9 as National Flag Day and a non-working holiday.

The "State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan" law provides a detailed description of the flag.

The flag symbolizes the sovereignty of Azerbaijan and consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width: a blue stripe on top, followed by a red one, and a green stripe at the bottom. In the middle of the red stripe, on both sides of the flag, there is a white crescent and an eight-pointed star.

On September 1, 2010, President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the National Flag Square in Baku. The decree to create the square was signed on November 17, 2007.

To note, the flag weighs over 500 kilograms, with a width of 36 meters and a length of 72 meters, making it one of the largest flags in the world.

At the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, a Museum of the State Flag was established at the square to further honor the flag's significance.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have today visited the Alley of Honors and the Alley of Martyrs on November 8, 2020, Trend reports.

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva first paid respect to national leader Heydar Aliyev at the Alley of Honors.

President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the tomb of national leader Heydar Aliyev.

The state anthem of Azerbaijan was played.

The head of state and his wife also paid tribute to prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.

They also put flowers at the graves of state figure Aziz Aliyev and physician, scientist Tamerlan Aliyev.

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva then visited the Alley of Martyrs. The head of state and the first lady commemorated Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country`s independence and territorial integrity, and put flowers at their graves.

President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

The state anthem of Azerbaijan was played.

The head of state addressed the nation at the Alley of Martyrs.

Address of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev to the nation:

- Dear fellow countrymen, dear sisters and brothers!

It is with great pride that I declare that the city of Shusha has been liberated from occupation! Shusha is ours! Karabakh is ours! I heartily congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion. I heartily congratulate all the people of Shusha.

Shusha, which was under occupation for 28 and a half years, has been liberated! Shusha is free now! We have returned to Shusha! We have won this historic victory on the battlefield. 8 November 2020 will forever remain in the history of Azerbaijan. This history will live forever. This is the day of our glorious victory! We have won this victory on the battlefield, not at the negotiating table. I have said many times that, despite all the statements, there are military solutions to this conflict, the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and we are proving it on the battlefield today. Nearly 30 years of meaningless negotiations did not bring us any closer to the result. Our ancient historical lands had been under occupation for almost 30 years. In the process of negotiations, the Armenian side simply wanted to gain time, strengthen the status quo and perpetuate it. Over the years, signals sent to Azerbaijan from various power centers were repeatedly urging us to put up with the situation. However, showing determination, courage and political will, we did not go for any agreement that did not meet the interests of the Azerbaijani people. I have repeatedly stated from all international forums that the restoration of our lands and territorial integrity is our main task, and we are fulfilling this task. Negotiations did not yield any results. They were just trying to fool us, they were just trying to freeze the issue. We have won this victory on the battlefield, we have won this victory by giving martyrs. May God have mercy on all our martyrs! I ask God's mercy for all our martyrs who died in the first Karabakh war and the second Karabakh war - the Patriotic war as we call it. I wish God's healing to our wounded compatriots. We are liberating our lands from occupiers at the cost of the lives and blood of our people, soldiers and officers. We are expelling the occupiers from our lands and we will expel them!

Shusha was under occupation for 28 and a half years. Shusha has a special place in the history of Azerbaijan. This is our ancient and historical city. For centuries, Azerbaijanis have lived, built and created in Shusha. Shusha is a pearl not only of Azerbaijan but also of the entire Caucasus. However, by occupying Shusha, the hated enemy dealt a great blow to our cultural heritage, destroyed our historical sites, destroyed our mosques and insulted us. We have now returned to Shusha. We will restore all our historical sites, all our mosques, and a call to prayer will be heard in Shusha again after 28 years. A few years ago, at the opening of a mosque built on my instructions in the Jojuq Marjanly settlement which was liberated from occupation after the April 2016 fighting, I stated that this mosque was similar to the Shusha mosque. It is of the same size and architectural style. I said that one day we would restore our mosques destroyed by Armenian vandals in Shusha, and that day is coming. Today, the Azerbaijani flag is flying in Shusha. Today, all the people of Azerbaijan are proud to welcome this good news.

We are gathering strength in a focused manner, tirelessly, despite all the pressures. We are building up economic power. If we did not have economic power, it would not be possible to achieve this victory. First of all, economic independence had to be secured and was secured. Today, Azerbaijan is not economically dependent on anyone, on any country or international financial institution. This independence has allowed us the opportunity to develop our country and strengthen our army at the same time. We buy all the military equipment and weapons needed for our Army from foreign markets. If we didn't have economic opportunities, how could we get them? I think that by pursuing a successful policy within the country, we have created a unique model of development for the world. Our internal solidarity, national unity and common cause gave us additional strength, did not allow some hated foreign circles to implement their ugly plans in respect of Azerbaijan. However, there were such plans, there were such attempts. We have repulsed these attempts by showing political resolve and unity, we have defended our pride as a people, as a nation, we have defended our independent choice, and we have proved that no-one can or will interfere in our work. Without this unity and national solidarity, we would never have been able to liberate our lands from occupiers. The main goal of the smear campaign, the campaign of libel and defamation against us over the years was to remove us from our main task, to distance us, to drown us in internal problems and to keep the occupied territories in the hands of the occupiers forever. Strong political will and the unity of the people and government overthrew these plans.

The third key factor in our victory is our success at the international level. We have proved to the whole world that Karabakh has always been the land of Azerbaijan. We have proved that the Azerbaijani people have lived in these lands for centuries. We have proved that the Armenian population was settled to these lands only 200 years ago, how it was resettled and for what purpose. We presented it all to the world community, with evidence and facts. We have proved that Nagorno-Karabakh is historical and ancient land of Azerbaijan, and this issue must be resolved on the basis of the norms and principles of international law. All of the world's leading organizations, all international organizations have adopted fair resolutions and decisions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Four resolutions of the UN Security Council, resolutions of the UN General Assembly, resolutions of the Non-Aligned Movement, resolutions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, resolutions of the European Parliament and other international organizations unequivocally recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. This gave us additional strength. If we had not done that, the processes surrounding the conflict today could cause us great problems. Over the years, we have been able to establish relations with many countries on the basis of sincere, businesslike and mutual respect. Many countries consider Azerbaijan a strategic partner, and this expression is already reflected in international documents. We have been able to establish relations with all neighboring countries on the basis of sincere friendship, mutual respect and mutual trust. If we had not done that, a completely different process could have taken place around the conflict today.

When Shusha was occupied, our main problems were that we did not have an army and the leadership could not fulfill its duties. At the international level, Azerbaijan had strained relations with almost all countries. We were almost isolated. But today we have isolated Armenia. Our transnational projects have created a completely new landscape in the region. We have redesigned the energy and transport maps of the region. The projects implemented on our initiative meet the interests not only of our people, but also the interests of many countries, including the countries of the region. We have both bilateral and trilateral cooperation formats with neighboring countries. All this has greatly strengthened Azerbaijan's international authority. Without these achievements, the problem could remain frozen.

Finally and, first of all, army building. During these 17 years, the key part of my work has been devoted to army building, to strengthening our army, to equipping our army with the most modern weaponry. It was not an easy task either. Material resources alone are not enough to buy these weapons. At the same time, diplomatic and political efforts must be made, and we have achieved all this. Today, Azerbaijan provides for its military needs from many countries. At the same time, the defense industry has been created in Azerbaijan on my initiative. We meet the needs of our army largely through domestic production. Azerbaijan produces more than 1,000 types of military products, including the most modern ones. This is our activity  building the army, solving the material and housing problems of our servicemen, solving the problems of the retired servicemen, providing them with apartments, improving the working conditions of our servicemen. We have rebuilt almost all our military camps and military bases, and they meet the highest standards. Of course, first of all, there is combat capability. The ability to fight has increased. Repeated military parades on Azadlig Square have shown the world our strength.

Increasing combat capability is a key factor in army building. We use modern weapons, we use technology and we destroy enemy equipment, but it is Azerbaijani soldiers who liberate our lands, it is Azerbaijani officers who liberate them. They are the ones who chase the enemy with a flag and a weapon in their hands, soldiers who destroy the enemy. Long live our soldiers!

We have created such an army! We said to the occupiers, we said to them, put an end to the occupation before it is too late. Therefore, our policy was unequivocal at all times. We have said that if the issue is not resolved peacefully, we will resolve the issue militarily. I have said this many times. Therefore, I have been criticized by some countries. I said to them: weren't our lands occupied by military means? Has Armenia occupied our lands peacefully? Every country has the right to self-defense. This right is given to us by the UN Charter. I said that if I see that the talks are completely ineffective, we will be left with no other option. Let everyone know this  the enemy, its supporters and the mediators involved in this matter. I have always kept my word. I did what I told the Azerbaijani people. I kept my word on this issue and we are already celebrating the Victory.

Since 27 September, more than 200 cities, villages and settlements have been liberated, including the city of Fuzuli, which has been completely destroyed. The hated enemy did not leave a single safe building there. Jabrayil is completely destroyed. Gubadli, Zangilan are completely destroyed. Villages, cities. Hadrut settlement, Sugovushan settlement and the city of Shusha today.

Our victory march continues. There are still occupied lands and the fighting still continues. If the Armenian leadership does not respond to my demand, we will go to the end. No-one can stop us. There is no force in the world that can stop us. Armenia has already admitted its bitter defeat, has humiliated itself and insulted its people. The Armenian leadership now seeks help, military assistance, weapons and equipment from other countries. Where is your invincible army now? We have destroyed it. All their words, all their statements were a myth, a lie. The invincible army is the Azerbaijani Army! We showed this on the battlefield, expelled the enemy from the lands on our own. Billions of dollars have been spent over 30 years, fortifications have been built, engineering facilities have been built. But we have destroyed them all  at the cost of our spirit, strength and unity!

I want to say again that our victory march continues. Enemy forces must be withdrawn from all occupied territories. This is our demand. International norms and principles, decisions and resolutions of international organizations require exactly that.

Dear sisters and brothers, today I give this good news to my native people here in the Alley of Martyrs. This is not accidental. This is natural. Today, I bow once again to the souls of our martyrs. Today I declare that the blood of our martyrs does not remain unavenged. The blood of the victims of Armenian atrocities, the victims of Khojaly, does not remain unavenged. We took our revenge on the battlefield. We have never fought against civilians, we didnt do it this time either. Although the hated enemy has killed 93 and wounded more than 400 civilians with cowardly fire. But I said no, we are Azerbaijanis! We will take our revenge on the battlefield! We have destroyed their army, we have destroyed their equipment, we are destroying and will destroy. We will drive out the enemy!

Today, I also visited the grave of great leader Heydar Aliyev and paid my respects. I said in my heart, I am happy to have fulfilled my father's will. We have liberated Shusha! This is a great victory! The souls of our martyrs and the Great Leader are happy today! Congratulations, Azerbaijan! Congratulations, Azerbaijanis of the world!

These days I receive thousands of letters from Azerbaijanis around the world, from people living in Azerbaijan. I get thousands of letters every day. I just regret that I can't read them all. There is simply not enough time. What wonderful words, what great support! Today we prove to the whole world that we are a great nation, we are a proud nation! We are an invincible people! We show the enemy's place on the battlefield!

These days, I have repeatedly appealed to the people of Azerbaijan and showed my fist to the enemy. I said that this is not such a fist. This is an iron fist. We will crush the head of the enemy with this iron fist! At the same time, this fist is a symbol of our unity. Today, the people of Azerbaijan are as united as this fist! It will always be the case! This unity will last forever! This unity will allow us to fulfill all our responsibilities in the future. For all these years  for 17 years  I have felt the support of the Azerbaijani people. I have seen your trust, your kind attitude to me. It gives me strength. This is invaluable support for my policy. I have always assured the people of Azerbaijan that I will serve my homeland and my people with dignity and loyalty. I am glad that I have kept my word. As always, I have kept my word.

Giving this good news to the people of Azerbaijan on this historic day is perhaps one of the happiest days of my life.

Dear Shusha, you are free!

Dear Shusha, we are back!

Dear Shusha, we will revive you!

Shusha is ours! Karabakh is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva has shared a post on her official Instagram page on the occasion of the liberation of Shusha.

Trend presents the post:

"All our people are indescribably proud and happy at these moments! Shusha has been liberated from occupation! I extend my sincere congratulations to all our compatriots on this occasion!

After years of grief, longing and tragic events, historical justice is being restored! Today's heroism of a generation of heroes defending our homeland and liberating the ancient lands of Azerbaijan from occupation will forever go down in the history of Azerbaijan, will forever remain in the memory of all of us!

The liberation of every inch of Azerbaijani lands is being made possible thanks to the heroism and courage of our brave soldiers, their endurance and determination to win! May God have mercy on our martyrs who died for the motherland!

Dear brothers and sisters!

We have returned our Shusha! I once again congratulate all of you on this significant historic event.

May the unity of the people and the President, the guarantor of all our successes, achievements and victories, be strengthened day by day! Today, this unity allows Azerbaijan the opportunity to demonstrate its strength! Thanks to national solidarity, trust, confidence and support of the people, our President is able to successfully cope with all complex issues! May Almighty God protect our army, our people, our Motherland and our President! Shusha is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!"
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. On the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Korea, a solemn event dedicated to November 8 - Victory Day - was held in Seoul, Trend reports.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Ramin Hasanov noted that Azerbaijan's glorious victory in the 44-day Patriotic War not only put an end to historical injustice against our country but also paved the way for peace in the region. He stressed that the occupation and impunity, which the international community had turned a blind eye to for more than 30 years, as well as violations of international law, were eliminated solely thanks to the firm will and heroism of the Azerbaijani people. The ambassador honored the memory of the martyrs and wished the veterans a speedy recovery, stressing that thousands of Azerbaijanis had given their lives on this path.

The diplomat noted that 2025 has been declared the Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty in Azerbaijan, emphasizing that thanks to the victory achieved in the Patriotic War, the country has ensured its territorial integrity and created conditions for the full restoration of its sovereignty throughout its territory.

The ambassador noted that after the end of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, our country and the entire region entered a new stage. Speaking about the progress of the peace talks, the diplomat highlighted the results achieved during the historic visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Washington and touched upon other issues on the peace agenda, including the mine problem, the fate of missing compatriots, and the need to restore the rights of the Western Azerbaijan community.

Furthermore, the ambassador spoke about the restoration of territories destroyed during the occupation, noting the significant progress made in this direction, and reported that more than 50,000 former internally displaced persons have already returned to their native lands as part of the Great Return program.

In addition, the diplomat mentioned the celebration in Azerbaijan of the 140th anniversary of the birth of the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibayli, emphasizing the symbolism of Victory Day being associated with the liberation of the great musician's hometown - Shusha - the musical capital of Azerbaijan.

Afterwards, a video dedicated to Victory Day was screened. The event continued with a concert program, in which a musical group of Korean performers presented works of Azerbaijani and world music, including famous compositions by Uzeyir Hajibayli. Guests were presented with printed materials about Azerbaijan.

The event was attended by representatives of government agencies, political, economic, scientific, and cultural circles of Korea, journalists, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Azerbaijani diaspora, and students.
Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Victory Monument in Baku and participated in the inauguration of the Victory Museum, Trend reports.

President Ilham Aliyev placed a wreath in front of the Victory Monument and paid tribute to the martyrs.

First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva placed flower bouquets in front of the monument.

The head of state and the First Lady then attended the opening of the Victory Museum.

The Victory Museum was established in accordance with President Ilham Aliyev's Order of December 2020 on the creation of a Patriotic War Memorial Complex and Victory Museum in Baku, to showcase the unparalleled heroism of the Azerbaijani people in the Patriotic War and the glorious Victory achieved, as well as to immortalize the dear memory of our martyrs.

The museum's exposition was developed based on international experience and existing global museum concepts, incorporating the latest technologies. Eight exhibition halls were created: Karabakh and East Zangezur. Story of Centuries, Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict. Historical Overview, 44-Day Patriotic War. Iron Fist Operation, Glorious Victory. Liberation of Shusha, Path of Heroes, Karabakh is Azerbaijan!, Restoration of State Sovereignty. 20.09.2023, Karabakh and East Zangezur. Revival.

Presented facts, photo and video materials, interactive displays, and exhibits and models specially prepared for the museum convey comprehensive information about the conflict, the course of the 44-day Patriotic War, and the restoration of state sovereignty as a result of the glorious Victory, while allowing visitors to relive these events.

At the museum entrance, the Iron Fist installationsymbol of the historic Victoryand thoughts from the speech of Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Ilham Aliyev are featured. On the wall surrounding the museum, the names of our heroic martyrs from the 44-day Patriotic War are engraved as a sign of respect. The flowing water along the wall symbolizes that our martyrs, through their heroism, achieved immortality and live eternally in our hearts. In the exhibition halls, the names of martyrs fallen in Karabakh before and after Victory Day are displayed.

The first hall, Karabakh and East Zangezur. Story of Centuries, presents the natural beauty of Karabakhthe cradle of Azerbaijani cultureand its architectural richness. Book installations on the walls provide extensive information on National Leader Heydar Aliyev's contributions to the region's socio-economic development.

Interactive books in the center allow close acquaintance with Karabakh's nature, literary heritage, music, and folk art, while conveying information about prominent figures who left marks in statehood, military, literature, and arts.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict. Historical Overview hall reflects painful and unforgettable pages of the Karabakh conflict, including its chronology, the consistent policy of the National Leader and the head of state leading to liberation of territories, and the peace process. The hall provides extensive information on refugees and internally displaced persons, conflict victims, as well as monuments, mosques, and national heritage damaged by Armenians during the occupation..

An installation dedicated to buildings destroyed and settlements razed during occupationa ruined house with a tree rising from its remnantssymbolizes life's revival.

The third hall, 44-Day Patriotic War. Iron Fist Operation, reflects the heroic struggle for liberation of Azerbaijani lands. Central LED monitors with AI-generated videos immerse visitors in the 44 days of battles, presenting combat operations, military achievements, and Armenian armed forces' attacks on civilians. Holographic screens display modern military equipment in 3D. Interactive maps sequentially show stages of operations in liberated territories. This hall features flags of Azerbaijani Armed Forces branches with exceptional merits in the Victory, models of special forces, and several Decrees and Orders of the President related to the Patriotic War and Victory.

The fourth hall, Glorious Victory. Liberation of Shusha, presents the operation holding special place in Azerbaijani military history, executed with unparalleled tactical skill. Special forces liberated Shusha without heavy artillery, displaying great heroism. A central Shusha model reflects the battlefield; interactive monitors allow sequential tracking of the operation and key tactical moments. Another monitor shows monuments destroyed in the city during the war. The screen displays the emotional journey of the glorious Victory path, reflecting Shusha's liberation and the valor of Azerbaijani soldiers.

The Path of Heroes hall, dedicated to the bravery, dedication, and indomitable will of Azerbaijani soldiers and officers, allows visitors to feel the spirit of the struggle. Samples of orders and medals awarded to Patriotic War heroes are exhibited. The corridor-like Path of Heroes leads to the next hall symbolizing national unity and victory joy.

The next hall, Karabakh is Azerbaijan!, reflects Victory Day  turned into a national holiday  and nationwide joy. At the center is a Murano glass installation of the Kharibulbul flower, symbol of the glorious Victory and Karabakh's revival. Bright lights and colors create a festive atmosphere; visual effects enhance feelings of joy and pride. Large screens show proud and joyful moments ending 30 years of longing.

The seventh hall, Restoration of State Sovereignty. 20.09.2023, is dedicated to restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty. A map installation demonstrates complete liberation of Karabakh and East Zangezur, marking a new era in Azerbaijani history.

The final hall, Karabakh and East Zangezur. Revival, focuses on Karabakh's restoration and future development. A central installation conveys messages about Karabakh's bright future in the voices of our heroic martyrs' children. Three illuminated passages reflect restoration, ecotourism, and development, showcasing region rebuilding activities. Models of culture, education, and infrastructure projects are presented in each. Interactive screens animate Karabakh's natural beauty and ongoing restoration. This space expresses Karabakh's revival, sustainable development, and confidence in the future.

At the exhibition exit, the Talking Photos section features photos reflecting the Victory's story and spirit. A memory book is provided for guests.

The museum also includes an Auditorium hall, library, and cafe. The Auditorium is intended for seminars, conferences, and public events. The library presents books and research materials on Azerbaijani history, cultural heritage, the past Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, and Karabakh's restoration and development. In the future, materials on each martyr and documentaries about Patriotic War heroes will be added to the museum's database.

The Victory Museum, surrounding Victory Park, and Victory Arch at the park entrance preserve the 44-day Patriotic War etched in Azerbaijani history, the glorious Victory, and the dear memory of heroic martyrs, reviving this proud history in every visitor's memory.

The Victory Museum will be open to visitors starting November 9.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. A military parade dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War was held in Baku, Trend reports.

The parade was commanded by the First Deputy Minister of Defense - Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, holder of the "Victory" and "Karabakh" orders.

Today, Azerbaijan celebrates November 8 - Victory Day.

According to the decree "On the Establishment of Victory Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan," signed by President Ilham Aliyev on December 3, 2020, Victory Day is celebrated annually in Azerbaijan on November 8.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan provided support to Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani people, and the Azerbaijani Army from the first hours of the Second Karabakh War, President Ilham Aliyev said during his speech at the military parade dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War, Trend reports.

His political and moral support gave us strength and inspired us, the head of state added.
Armenia is once again in the midst of a historical and political storm following remarks by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev: "It is enough to look at early-20th-century maps published by Tsarist Russia to see that the overwhelming majority of toponyms in what is now Armenia are of Azerbaijani origin. There was no lake Sevan on those maps. There is Lake Goycha on those maps, along with all other Azerbaijani historical toponyms we use. We did not compile those maps for anyone to say that we are committing fraud".

Following statements by the Armenian Parliament Speaker and others, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also weighed in. According to Pashinyan, "On the map being referenced, the area labeled as Armenia is indeed called Armenia, and Azerbaijan is not mentioned at all. How should this be interpreted?" He dismissed the debate as meaningless, arguing that if one relied on maps from earlier eras, it could be concluded that neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan existed. Pashinyan also stated: "Who said these are Azerbaijani names? They are Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Mongolian, Russian. But what difference does that make? None."

It is a notable, and positive, step that Pashinyan has moved away from arguments of the type: "These lands belonged to us during the times of the Arsacids and Bagratids, so they must belong to us today". Yet historical falsifications continue to have consequences, especially when one considers that erasing Azerbaijani toponyms from maps was part of a broader, politically charged campaign that began after Armenian resettlement in the Caucasus - a topic often avoided in Armenia.

Maps are complicated. One can draw and label anything. Recently, Armenian cartographers presented a "10th-century map" showing Armenia, but not Azerbaijan, without noting that it also depicted the Mingachevir Reservoir, which was built in 1953. German maps from the 18th-19th centuries show Georgian kingdoms and Azerbaijani khanates, including Georgia and Azerbaijan, but Armenia is absent. Russian military maps drawn immediately after the Treaty of Turkmenchay, covering lands of modern Armenia, contain no Armenian toponyms - only Turkic ones.

Claiming that these names are Persian, Arabic, Mongolian, or Russian rather than Azerbaijani is an old tactic of Armenian polemicists in historical debates: to divert attention from the core issue and get lost in details, for example, whether the "Blue Mosque" in Yerevan is Persian, Azerbaijani, or "Turkmen". How names like Goycha, Sofulu, Istisu, or Garakilsya could be Mongolian or Russian is likely only clear to Armenian geographers.

But the question is not trivial. First, it does not matter whether these names are Arabic, Mongolian, or something else - they are not Armenian. Second, why were these names erased from maps, and not in ancient times, but in the 20th century, during Stalins era?

The erasure did not stop at maps. Bulldozers soon followed ink and pencil. In Armenia, historical urban architecture of Turkic and Muslim origin was systematically destroyed. At the start of the 20th century, Russian scholars, concerned about the state of the Yerevan Fortress, petitioned Tsar Nicholas II: "Russia appears barbaric in the eyes of the East! Funds are urgently needed to restore the fortress!" The Tsar supported the idea, but World War I, the revolution, and the abdication prevented action.

By the mid-20th century, the fortress was demolished, along with the Khans palace - one of the regions most beautiful - and six of seven mosques, plus residential buildings. The city was leveled and rebuilt in Soviet-era styles, which were labeled "Armenian". The destruction continued into the 1960s and 1970s.

Armenia effectively became an open-air museum of vandalism. This was not the end: by the mid-1980s, ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis in Armenia began. Hundreds of thousands have been prevented from returning to their homes to this day.

While the current Armenian authorities may not be held directly responsible for the historical destruction of Armenian cities, this does not justify attempts to propagate cartographic falsifications that initially laid the groundwork for ethnic cleansing, first of maps, then of architecture, and finally of people.

Fuad Akhundov

political analyst
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Dear Ilham Heydar oglu,

I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of your country's remarkable holiday - Victory Day.

This milestone date holds a special place in the history of modern Azerbaijan, testifying to the unshakable will of the people of Azerbaijan to justice, peace and unity, and their strong commitment to the principles of sovereignty and independence.

Thanks to your wise and far-sighted leadership, nationwide support for the strategic course you have been pursuing, Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity in accordance with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, and has opened a new chapter of sustainable and creative prosperity in the annals of statehood.

Your policy aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus has rightfully gained wide support from the international community. Because this policy creates favourable conditions for the long-term cooperation, mutual trust and sustainable development of the entire region.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to note with great pleasure the dynamic development of the strategic partnership and alliance between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. I hail your outstanding personal contribution to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the spirit of friendship and good-neighborliness.

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, taking this opportunity, I wish you inexhaustible energy, and new achievements for the welfare of the fraternal people of Azerbaijan,'' the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8 Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Diaspora marked the 5th anniversary of the country's victory in Karabakh with a solemn ceremony at its headquarters in Baku, the committee told Trend.

The event, titled Our Victory across the World, brought together government officials, members of the public and media, families of fallen soldiers, and representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora.

The ceremony opened with the national anthem and a moment of silence honoring those who lost their lives defending the countrys territorial integrity.

The first speech was delivered by Nigar Aliyeva, daughter of the martyred Lieutenant Colonel Anar Aliyev, who expressed the pride she felt on the 5th anniversary of Victory and said her fathers spirit would be at peace knowing how far the nation had come.

The victory of the valiant Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh under the leadership of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev stands as the brightest chapter in our nations history, said Fuad Muradov, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora.

This triumph has become a source of immense pride for Azerbaijanis worldwide, inspiring greater unity and determination to share our just cause with the international community, he added.

Muradov highlighted the active engagement of Azerbaijani communities abroad during both the war and post-war periods, noting that dozens of events and major campaigns are being organized across various countries to mark the fifth anniversary of the victory. He emphasized that the diasporas efforts remain in full harmony with the political course of the Azerbaijani state.

Deputy Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, public figure, Doctor of Philology, Professor, and full member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Rafael Huseynov, described the victory in the Patriotic War as a celebration of the nations moral strength and the restoration of historical justice.

Speakers, including Second Karabakh War participant Captain Mahur Hamidov, Peoples Artists Fakhreddin Manafov and Yalchin Adigozalov, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Professor at the Institute of History named after A.A. Bakikhanov, Mais Emrahov, Chairperson of the Zafar Public Union Sevinj Orucova, and Nick Noulis, author of My Journey to Karabakh and long-time resident of Azerbaijan, called Victory Day a symbol of national unity and solidarity between the state and the people. They also emphasized the exemplary role of martyr families and veterans in Azerbaijani society.

During the event, a video presentation titled Our Victory across the World was screened, featuring excerpts from speeches by the head of state, activities of Azerbaijani communities abroad during and after the war, and congratulatory messages from prominent diaspora representatives. A documentary film titled Letter to a Martyr was also shown.

As part of the event, gifts were presented to the children of martyrs on behalf of the Azerbaijani diaspora, and information was shared about the ongoing material support provided to martyr families.

The Committee, together with the Fund for Support to Azerbaijani Diaspora (FSAD) and Azerbaijani communities abroad, consistently keeps martyr families at the center of attention, offering both moral and material assistance and engaging martyr children in various committee-led initiatives.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on November 8, Victory Day, the Turkish MFA's publication on X said, Trend reports.

We congratulate the Azerbaijani people on the fifth anniversary of the victory achieved with determination and heroism, and we honor with respect and compassion the memory of all the heroes who gave their lives for their homeland, the post reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. I am proud to have fought for my homeland, Elchin Aliyev, a veteran from the Masalli district, told Trend during the November 8 - Victory Day celebrations.

Aliyev stated that at the onset of the Patriotic War in 2020, he was serving in the Beylagan district and participated in the battles from the very first days.

I left for military service from Masalli. On September 26, 2020, we were sent toward the Fuzuli direction, and the next day, the war started. I took part in the battles for Hadrut and Shusha. I was wounded in those battles but did not retreat. I was only eighteen at the time, but fighting for the homeland was above everything else, he said.

The young veteran emphasized that Victory Day is a symbol of pride and triumph for the Azerbaijani people.

Victory Day is a great historic date and an unforgettable feeling. It is not only a day of pride for Azerbaijan but for the entire Turkic world. I am deeply grateful to the heroic personnel of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, especially to the Commander-in-Chief, our martyrs, comrades-in-arms, and fellow veterans who gave us the joy of this victory. Taking part in the Patriotic War and contributing, even in a small way, to this glorious triumph fills me with endless pride, Aliyev added.

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Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the grave of National Leader Heydar Aliyev at the Alley of Honors on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War, Trend reports.

President Ilham Aliyev placed a wreath at the tomb of the National Leader and paid tribute to him.

First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva then commemorated the National Leader.

The head of state and the First Lady honored the memory of renowned ophthalmologist-scientist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva, by placing flower bouquets on her grave.

The memories of prominent statesman Aziz Aliyev and Professor Tamerlan Aliyev were also commemorated.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Alley of Martyrs, Trend reports.

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva paid tribute to the cherished memory of the heroic sons of the Motherland who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Azerbaijan's freedom, independence, and territorial integrity.

The head of state placed a wreath in front of the Eternal Flame monument.

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva viewed a panorama of the capital, Baku, which was preparing for the military parade dedicated to the Victory in the Patriotic War.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. The equipment displayed at the military parade is proof of the development of Azerbaijani Army, Major Elshan Musayev, an officer of the Ministry of Defense, told Trend on the sidelines of the parade dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the victory in the Second Karabakh War.

"Victory Day has been celebrated for the 5th year now. I also had a part in this Victory Day and was a participant in the Second Karabakh War. On this occasion, I congratulate all our soldiers and officers, especially the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

I wish them long life and good health. May God grant our nation and state more such victories. I ask God to have mercy on our martyrs, I wish our veterans patience, and martyr families and relatives patience," the major emphasized.

Musayev also spoke about his participation in the 44-day war.

"War isn't easy. War never passes without losses and martyrs. As someone who participated in the battles, I can say that we knew these difficulties in advance. But we went this way and swore an oath to liberate the homeland. I thank our president, who gave us this task. We fulfilled this task with dignity. It's good that we liberated our lands," he explained.

The officer added that the Azerbaijani Army duly fulfilled all its obligations in the 44-day war.

"Today, new military equipment, weapons, and equipment are being demonstrated in our army. All this shows the strength and power of our army. Like every army, we have our own strategy and capabilities. As a participant in the war, I personally witnessed how selflessly our servicemen fought," he concluded.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. The Second Karabakh War globally showed the Azerbaijani Army's ability to perfectly carry out any combat operation, Reserve Captain Ramil Badalov told Trend on the occasion of November 8Victory Day.

He noted that Victory is of unparalleled importance for both the people and the army.

Badalov said that he participated in the April battles, the Second Karabakh War, and subsequent anti-terrorist operations.

"I participated in the April battles, the 44-day Second Karabakh War, as well as anti-terrorist measures. Today, we celebrate the fifth anniversary of our victory and are proud of it. We are glad that we were able to bring this joy of victory to our people. This was our sacred duty, and we coped with this task with dignity," he pointed out.

According to him, the successes achieved in the Second Karabakh War once again showed that the Azerbaijani Army is one of the strongest and most professional armies in the world.

"The whole world saw that the Azerbaijani Army can perfectly carry out any combat operation. We proved this especially in the battles of Shusha. Those battles were considered an unthinkable operation for the armies of many countries. We climbed the rocks with our bare hands, destroyed the enemy, and liberated the city. This was the peak of both heroism and national spirit," Badalov recalled.

The reserve officer congratulated the entire Azerbaijani people, including the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and the personnel of the Armed Forces on Victory Day.

"I'm grateful to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the architect of this victory, and to all the heroic officers and soldiers of our Army. At the same time, I ask God to have mercy on my martyred brothers who sacrificed their lives to achieve this victory. I bow before their souls," he said.

Badalov emphasized that November 8Victory Dayis a symbol of honor and unity not only for Azerbaijan but also for the entire Turkic world.

"Victory Day is a history written with the unity of our people, the power of our state, and the blood of our brave sons. This victory will be remembered with pride for generations to come," he concluded.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. The victory in the Second Karabakh War symbolizes the unity and reunification of Azerbaijan, a German tourist who came to Azerbaijan told Trend on the occasion of November 8Victory Day.

"I came from Germany and am currently staying in Baku because my daughter lives here. That's why I had the opportunity to celebrate this special day here," the tourist said.

He emphasized that today is a very important day for Azerbaijan.

"It has been five years since Azerbaijan won the Karabakh war, and these lands have returned to their ownersthe Azerbaijanis. This symbolizes the unity and reunification of all of Azerbaijan. This victory and policy of Azerbaijan are also highly appreciated internationally. War is never a good thing, but today there is peace. Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan, and there is no more war. People are not dying; this is the greatest achievement.

I see many people here today in a festive mood. They have gathered with joy and pride on this dayVictory Day. This holiday is a very important day for both the Azerbaijani people and the state. It is also a symbol of peace, unity, and victory," the tourist noted.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. On Victory Day, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and a group of servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army visited the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and Martyrs, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement, Trend reports.

The leadership of the Ministry laid flowers at the monument to the Great Leader in the Alley of Honor, paying tribute to his bright memory. The grave of the prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva was also visited, and flowers were laid in her honor.

Subsequently, the servicemen who arrived at the Alley of Martyrs laid flowers at the graves of the Heroes who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland, as well as at the Eternal Flame monument.

The leadership and personnel of the Defense Ministry visited the Military Memorial Cemetery.

At the ceremony, the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed by the military orchestra, the memory of the Martyrs was honored with a minute of silence, and flowers were laid on their graves in tribute to their eternal memory.

The Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, held a meeting with Martyrs families and inquired about their concerns.

The families of the Martyrs expressed their gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, as well as to the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for shown attention and care.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. Being here in Azerbaijan on this national day fills me with great pride, Asm Gungor, a Turkish tourist, told Trend during the November 8 - Victory Day celebration in Baku.

Gungor reflected on his experience and impressions on Victory Day.

Being here in Azerbaijan on this national day fills me with great pride. Happy Victory Day! I wish our nation always lives in unity and harmony, and I send my best wishes for health and happiness to everyone on this joyful day, he said.

He also highlighted the unique brotherly ties between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, referencing the famous saying of National Leader Heydar Aliyev:

We are one nation, two states. I believe we are not only brothers but a people united by the same roots and shared spiritual values. Sometimes distance may exist in brotherhood, but there is a deeper connection and greater value in being true to ourselves, he added.

Turkish tourist concluded by expressing his belief in the enduring unity of Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

Today is a very meaningful day for both Azerbaijan and Turkiye. I hope this bond and brotherhood will last forever, he said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. Baku marked the 5th anniversary of Azerbaijans Patriotic War victory with a large-scale military parade, introducing a new branch of unmanned systems troops, Trend reports.

The parade formation was led by Colonel Adem Huseynov, a recipient of the For Service to the Fatherland order.

To note, the first military parade celebrating the Victory in the Patriotic War was held in 2020, while the 2023 parade took place in Khankendi.
Photo: Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of Victory Day, events were held at Azerbaijans foreign representations and offices of military attaches accredited in those countries, the Ministry of Defense told Trend.

First at the events, attended by employees of foreign embassies, heads of diplomatic missions and military attaches, representatives of defense ministries, and other guests, the memory of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland, was honored with a minute of silence.

The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed.

Speakers highlighted the significance of the historic victory achieved by the Azerbaijan Army in the 44-day Patriotic War under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.

They spoke about the heroism of the Azerbaijani people, the bravery of the servicemen, and the historic achievements in protecting the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the country.

During the events, documentary films and videos dedicated to the Patriotic War were shown.

In the end, various musical performances and literary-artistic compositions presented at the events were met with great interest by the participants.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. In a significant step to bolster European security, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a 300 million euros loan to the Government of Lithuania to finance investments in military infrastructure, Trend reports.

The loan represents a major milestone in reinforcing the European Unions eastern border, where Lithuania plays a crucial role in NATOs collective defense and rapid-response capabilities.

The financing will help Lithuania enhance its defense readiness through targeted investments in several key areas. These include harbor boats for piloting and towing, medical transport and equipment, and new infrastructure for residential, administrative, training, transport, and logistics purposes. The upgrades will directly support the Lithuanian Armed Forces and help the country meet its commitments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

This operation is part of a wider 500 million euros investment package approved by the EIB to strengthen Lithuanias defense infrastructure. It complements a 540 million euros loan granted earlier this year for the development of the NATO military base in Rudninkai, bringing the EIB Groups total support for Lithuanias defense investments to over 1 billion euros in 2025.

Within just a year, the EIB has provided over one billion euros in support for Lithuanias defense investments. These investments are vital for strengthening our national defense and contributing to Europes collective security. We value this partnership with the European Investment Bank, which has demonstrated its ability to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of member states, said Kristupas Vaitiekunas, Lithuanias Minister of Finance.

The EIB loan, which carries a 25-year maturity, will co-finance Lithuanias 20242030 defense investment plan.

This agreement reflects the EIBs evolving role in supporting EU member states on the eastern border. Lithuania has shown leadership in strengthening Europes collective security and resilience. We are proud to support its efforts to invest in defense infrastructure that benefits both national and European stability, said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer, who oversees operations in Lithuania.

The EIB Group is on track to more than triple its investments in security and defense this year to an all-time high, committing over 3.5 percent of its annual lending to projects that enhance Europes deterrence capabilities. Earlier this year, the Bank expanded its mandate to include investments dedicated solely to military uses, signaling a significant strategic shift.

The Group currently manages a pipeline of around 30 flagship defense and security projects across the EU, focusing on key priorities such as border and critical infrastructure protection, military mobility, industrial capacity strengthening, and innovation in strategic technologies. It is also facilitating access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises within the security and defense supply chain and investing in dedicated venture capital funds that support Europes growing defense technology ecosystem.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. Azerbaijan exported non-oil products worth $52.8 million to Uzbekistan from January through September 2025.

Data obtained by Trend from the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan indicates that this represents an increase of $24.9 million, nearly doubling compared to the same period last year ($27.9 million).

The largest shares of Azerbaijans non-oil and gas exports went to Russia (33.2 percent), Turkiye (16.5 percent), Switzerland (9.4 percent), Georgia (9.2 percent), Ukraine (5.6 percent), the United Arab Emirates (3 percent), Kazakhstan (2.7 percent), Belarus (2.1 percent), Uzbekistan (2 percent), Turkmenistan (1.9 percent), and other countries (14.6 percent).

To note, Azerbaijan's non-oil product exports reached a substantial valuation of $2.65 billion across various markets from January through September 2025. This signifies a valuation uptick of $184 million, translating to a 7.5 percent enhancement relative to the corresponding timeframe in 2024.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 8. A Turkmenistan-U.S. Business Forum was held as part of President Serdar Berdimuhamedovs visit to the United States, the president's office said, Trend reports.

An exhibition of Turkmen products was presented to showcase the countrys export potential and progress in economic diversification. The U.S. side highlighted the quality of Turkmen food, textile, and medical products.

Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in industry, energy, investment, high technology, and digitalization. Participants underlined the shared commitment to deepen business ties and broaden the involvement of U.S. companies in projects in Turkmenistan.

Special attention was given to the activities of the TurkmenistanU.S. Business Council and prospects for partnership in renewable energy and infrastructure modernization. Bilateral meetings also explored specific areas for mutually beneficial projects.

The event brought together representatives of government agencies and business circles from both countries, along with major companies such as John Deere, GE, SpaceX, and Oppenheimer Holdings, as well as international financial institutions.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 8. Uzbektelecom JSC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HPE Networking, Trend reports via the Uzbek Ministry of Digital Technologies.

The agreement was concluded within the framework of the official visit of the Ministrys delegation to the United States, headed by Minister Sherzod Shermatov and accompanied by representatives of Uzbektelecom JSC.

In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, the parties agreed to cooperate on the automation of data processing, the deployment of service cores, and the implementation of pilot initiatives utilizing UZTELECOMs existing infrastructure.

During the discussions, the sides explored opportunities to broaden cooperation in the areas of artificial intelligence, big data, and digital transformation, alongside the advancement of modern telecommunications infrastructure. Special emphasis was placed on the exchange of expertise in developing resilient and intelligent network systems designed to support Uzbekistans nationwide digitalization efforts.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE, NYSE: HPE), founded in 2015 after the split of Hewlett-Packard, is a global technology company headquartered in Houston, Texas. HPE specializes in AI, cloud, and networking solutions that drive digital transformation. Its HPE Networking division develops intelligent and secure network infrastructures for enterprises worldwide.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, November 8. The U.S. Department of State announced a series of commercial deals with Tajikistan worth over $3 billion, Trend reports.

As President Donald Trump and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met on November 6, they agreed to deepen commercial ties, boost innovation, and support sustainable economic growth.

The agreements span several key sectors, including aviation, critical minerals, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and consumer goods.

As such, in aviation, Tajikistan announced plans to purchase Boeing aircraft and aviation support systems valued at $3.2 billion. The deal is expected to support more than 11,000 American jobs and reflects confidence in U.S. aerospace technology.

In the mining and agriculture sectors, Tajikistan signed a $32.5 million agreement with Transparent Earth to provide technical assistance and remote sensing capabilities.

Tajikistan also established partnerships with Starlink to advance digital modernization through trusted digital infrastructure, expanding internet connectivity and access.

In the field of artificial intelligence, collaborations were announced between Perplexity AI and Zypl AI to deploy the worlds first agent-based AI browser for government use  a move that will strengthen Tajikistans capacity for innovation and AI-driven policymaking. Additionally, SuperMicro, Cerebris, and Zypl AI will develop AI infrastructure for data centers in Tajikistan, powered by the countrys 1 GW hydropower commitment, positioning it as a regional hub for high-speed AI services.

The deals also include a $9 million investment by Coca-Cola to expand its operations in Dushanbe, which will further increase the presence of U.S. products and services in Tajikistans market.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 8. Uzbekistans Temir Yul Kargo JSC and Pakistans IRT Chamber will cooperate on the development of a new transport corridor connecting PakistanChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistanNorthern countries, Trend reports.

The initiative follows the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between the two sides, aimed at expanding freight transportation and strengthening trade and economic relations across the region.

Under the agreement, the parties will also collaborate in the following areas:

 Expanding multimodal cargo transportation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan;

 Establishing an additional route PakistanTajikistanUzbekistanNorthern countries and beyond;

 Increasing trade turnover through higher export, import, and transit volumes;

 Developing transport infrastructure in both countries;

 Creating joint mechanisms for multimodal, monomodal, and intermodal transport.

This strategic partnership holds significant importance not only for Uzbekistan and Pakistan but for the wider region as well. It will facilitate the opening of new transport routes connecting Central and South Asia, provide access to seaports, and enhance the competitiveness of the international freight network.

Both parties also agreed to continue implementing joint transport and logistics projects, introduce advanced technologies, and further strengthen regional economic cooperation.

The new UzbekistanPakistan transport initiative builds on ongoing regional connectivity efforts. In July 2025, the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan met in Kabul and signed a framework intergovernmental agreement to prepare a feasibility study for the UzbekistanAfghanistanPakistan Trans-Afghan Railway Project.

The planned 573-kilometer route will connect Termez (Uzbekistan) with Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar (Afghanistan), extending to Kharlachi (Pakistan). Once operational, it is expected to handle up to 20 million tonnes of freight annually, reducing transport costs and transit times while strengthening connectivity between Central and South Asia.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. Georgias Committee on International Relations reviewed two documents for ratification, including a credit agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the BatumiSarpi road project, the Georgian Parliament said, Trend reports.

First Deputy Finance Minister Georgi Kakauridze said Georgia will secure a loan of 306.5 million lari ($113.3 million) to fund the construction of the final section of the Batumi bypass - an 11-kilometer, two-lane highway connecting Batumi to Sarpi.

The loan carries a 25-year term, including a six-year grace period, and the project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2031.

According to Kakauridze, the project aims to improve connectivity in the region, facilitate trade, and support economic development along Georgias Black Sea coast.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 8. During his visit to the United States, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with Bill Huizenga, Chair of the U.S. House Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, and his deputy, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, the president's office said, Trend reports.

The meeting focused on prospects for strengthening cooperation and reaffirmed the mutual interest in deepening friendly relations between the two countries.

President Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of Turkmenistans engagement with the United States across political, economic, and humanitarian spheres. He highlighted the significance of the C5+1 format, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, describing it as an effective platform for dialogue on security, energy, and climate issues.

The president also underscored the role of parliamentary exchanges, recalling previous visits by U.S. congressmen to Ashgabat, and expressed confidence that expanding inter-parliamentary cooperation would further enhance mutual understanding.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides exchanged best wishes and reaffirmed their intention to continue broadening bilateral cooperation.
A mass culling of venomous cane toads has reportedly taken place before the I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! stars arrive at camp.

Venomous toads have increased in numbers in the I'm A Celeb jungle

The ITV jungle show returns to screens on November 16, and as final preparations are made, the Australian jungle was invaded by at least 38,000 poisonous amphibians.

An insider told The Mirror: The celebrities are always given a strict talk about what wildlife to avoid when they are in the camp, but it is quite easy to brush past one of these toads and get slime on your hands or people might think they are cute frogs and try to stroke them.

Touching them could make the celebrities poorly and even land them in the hospital.

The environmental group Watergum has been busy killing the toads, which can also be a risk to other animals.

Numbers are up drastically on last year, when just under 5,000 of the creatures were culled.

A Watergum spokesperson told the outlet: The cane toad population has completely exploded in Australia because they are invasive species with no natural predators.

They are toxic at every life stage and poison Australian native wildlife like birds, quolls and native frogs, causing declines and local extinctions. They have a voracious appetite and they can lay up to 35,000 eggs at a time.

This year's lineup is said to include the likes of Ruby Wax, Kelly Brook, Lisa Riley, Shona McGarty, Alex Scott, and Jack Osbourne.

The famous faces could come across a whole variety of creepy crawlies during their time Down Under, including 14 species of snake.
Cornell University announced Friday that it has reached a $60 million agreement with the Trump administration to settle longstanding federal probes and unlock blocked research funds.

Under the agreement, Cornell will pay $30 million directly to the U.S. government and allocate another $30 million toward research directed at U.S. farmers. In return, the administration will restore more than $250 million in federal research funding that had been frozen pending investigation. The university has also agreed to comply with the administration's interpretation of civil-rights laws, including how campuses respond to issues of antisemitism, racial discrimination, and transgender policies.

A statement by Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said the deal "revives that partnership, while affirming the university's commitment to academic freedom, independence, and institutional autonomy."

Earlier this year, the Trump administration froze significant funding for Cornell due to concerns over civil-rights compliance and campus climate. Cornell and other elite universities were under scrutiny for how they managed student protests, allegations of antisemitism, and their admissions and diversity practices. With key research grants stalled, Cornell faced increasing financial pressure, including internal budget cuts and hiring freezes.

The restoration of funding will relieve fiscal pressure and allow stalled or delayed research projects to resume. However, the deal carries oversight and policy concessions, which may raise concerns among faculty, students, and alumni about institutional autonomy. The agreement also highlights the growing role of federal oversight in campus civil-rights and speech issues, with potential implications for how other universities negotiate with the federal government in the future.

Key questions remain about how strictly the administration will enforce compliance, how the concessions may affect Cornell's admissions, diversity, and campus-climate policies, and how faculty, students, donors, and trustees will respond to the trade-offs involved in recovering funding.

Originally published on IBTimes
Rome mayor lists aims achieved and projects for the future in his fourth Report to the City.

Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri on Friday delivered his fourth Report to the City, an annual update on achievements, future plans and challenges in the Italian capital.

During his speech, which lasted about one hour and 45 minutes, the centre-left mayor outlined a long list of objectives completed over the past year, including the flagship Piazza Pia underpass  built for the Vaticans Jubilee Year  and the reconstruction of the Ponte di Ferro bridge which was destroyed by fire in 2021.

Among those present in the auditoriums packed Sala Sinopoli were representatives of trade unions and business groups, as well as Roman actor Carlo Verdone, who on 17 November will become 'mayor of Rome' for one day.

Torre dei Conti

Gualtieri, elected in 2021, began his address at the Auditorium Parco della Musica with a minute's silence for Octav Stroici, the 66-year-old Romanian worker who died due to the partial collapse of the Torre dei Conti on Monday.

Superintendency technicians are seeking to identify the work required to make the 13th-century tower safe, the mayor said, adding that the city will do everything possible so that families and businesses can return as soon as possible to the homes and premises they had to evacuate.

Gualtieri said the fact that the city had to wait for PNRR funds (Italy's recovery and resilience plan) to start the essential structural consolidation works, despite the fact that the tower has been unusable since 2007, however, leaves a bad taste in the mouth, and tells us that the culture of protection and continuous maintenance of our archaeological heritage still has to make great progress in our country.

Public transport

"The two new jewel-like stations on the new Metro C line: Colosseo and Porta Metronia, are ready to open, Gaultieri said, noting that a press preview scheduled this week had been postponed due to the citys mourning for Octav Stroici.

Gualtieri, 59, revealed that those passing through the new Metro C station at the Colosseum will be able to see the remains of a private Roman residence.

He also demanded with utmost firmness that the Meloni government reverse immediately a 50 million cut to the Metro C, as outlined in the 2026 budget.

In relation to the tram network - currently out of service - Gualtieri said the city was ready for a historic turning point, with the first of 121 new trams arriving next month and works underway on the new Togliatti tramway.

Waste-to-energy plant

Work is continuing towards the construction of a giant waste-to-energy incinerator, to tackle the citys rubbish disposal, on a 10-hectare site in an industrial area of Santa Palomba to the south of Rome.

The plant will process 600,000 tons of non-recyclable waste per year, produce energy for 200,000 families, recover precious metals, and use technologies that guarantee emissions well below European limits, Gualtieri stated, adding that the city has signed an agreement with the Italian Railways to allow waste to be transported by train.

Social housing

Gualtieri said his administration has set itself the goal of building 32,000 social housing units in the coming years, in a massive effort to be carried out in collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Crime

After expressing thanks for the solidarity shown to him following recent threats, Gualtieri said: "I can assure you that we will never back down. Together with the authorities, police, magistrates, local communities, honest entrepreneurs and a multitude of associations, we will drive the mafia out of Rome.

Culture

Gualtieri said that the city was moving forward with the redevelopment of Piazza Augusto Imperatore, along with the new archaeological walk, with work on the first section of Via dei Fori Imperiali set to begin this month.

Teatro Valle, long closed after a lengthy occupation and currently under restoration, will open next autumn and will be one of Rome's most admirable symbols of cultural regeneration, Gualtieri said.

"We want to build a new economy of beauty and creativity around culture, one that will generate quality employment, especially in the suburbs," the mayor added, citing projects such as the Teatro dell'Opera dance and choir school in Tor Marancia.

Tourism

"The push for investment [in tourism] is generating record employment figures  Gualtieri said  In 2024, employment increased by 118,000 compared to 2021, the best figure in the last 10 years. The key issue remains: increasing the quality and stability of jobs, wages and security. The Jubilee leaves us a legacy of collaboration between institutions, unions and employers' associations that represents a key to the future."

Swimming in the Tiber

We must think big for our Tiber, Gualtieri said, renewing a commitment to making the river suitable for swimming and navigation, describing it an ambitious but achievable goal.

Stadiums

Gualtieri is optimistic about the construction of the new stadiums for AS Roma and Lazio: "The Roma stadium in Pietralata is a major project that we want to complement with the restoration of the Flaminio stadium and a new home for Lazio, with whom there is open dialogue.

'Fake news' about trees

The mayor hailed a real leap forward in terms of greenery maintenance in Rome: Since 2024, weeding and mowing of roadside areas has been entrusted to [waste collection agency] AMA, and as many as 100 teams of three operators are operational every day.

Gualtieri hit out at the fake news about trees being chopped down all over the city, saying the numbers speak for themselves.

In 2020, Rome allocated just 6.7 million to greenery; today, those resources have increased more than tenfold. Inspections and pruning are now ten times higher than in the past, and obviously no healthy or curable tree is cut down because Rome respects and loves trees."

International press

Gualtieri also looked at Rome through the eyes of the international media.

"Rome was a national disgrace, with photos of piles of rubbish shared on websites all over the world. La grande bruttezza  the mayor said  In three years, we have achieved a lot. Our reputation has changed, and foreign newspapers are back talking about the beauty of Rome."

Photo Roberto Gualtieri X
I always assumed farming was something you were born into. Certainly, all the farmers I know, knew they would be farmers before they knew how to write their own names. Farming was something atavistic, pre-ordained, and most importantly, something you inherited, not something you chose.

I didnt realise how wrong I was until I met Clotilde Kiely.

Clotilde Kiely came to Waterford from France in 2001 when she was 20 years old. She does not come from a farming background. In fact, she grew up in a city and was the daughter of two scientists.

She came to Ireland to learn English and ended up working with a horse trainer. She worked in various businesses in Waterford city, including Dawn Meats, she fell in love and married a local butcher, Pat Kiely (whose shop is still on Micheal Street). She had children and settled into her life.

But never gave up on her dream of becoming a farmer.

It seems an odd dream, but for Ms Kiely, and other small food producers it is akin to a vocation.

She said: Despite the luxury, despite all the other cool things you can do, at the core of everybody is this need for food.

In 2016, her mother passed away, leaving her with an inheritance. She decided it was time to take the risk.

Giving my kids good, local food in season became really important.

Beginning with a poultry farm and then transitioning to vegetables, Comeragh Mountain Farm was born.

Ms Kiely sells her vegetables at the farmers markets in Dungarvan and Tramore. Various restaurants in West Waterford buy from them also.

She doesn't mind that it is a small operation.

We are not in competition with supermarkets in that we offer a completely different product: our produce is high quality, nutrient rich and locally grown.

Ms Kiely's produce is grown in a living soil, making it rich in microbiome.

Besides, large-scale producers have their own problems.

They have a lot of volume to sell and they can only sell it to supermarkets. The supermarket could have four different producers all trying to sell their large quantities of one crop, so the supermarket can slash the price of the food.

Its very hard to get rid of three hundred heads of broccoli in one week.

Supermarkets are not paying the true cost of the vegetable.

Being French has definitely influenced the way Clotilde thinks about food.

Its not that the French are better or the Irish are bad, it's about the history of our countries. We had the time and leisure in France to develop the way we would make our food according to our landscape. In Ireland, with historical hardship, that was never possible.

Although it might seem that food providence is becoming more popular in Ireland in recent years, Clotilde pointed out that, thirty years ago, everything was local".

Theres more and more awareness but we still cater for a minority. Most people are interested in convenience than in food," she said.

According to Ms Kiely, small local producers are contributing to Ireland's 'food sovereignty'. This is the idea that each country should be able to feed itself without relying on imports.

Ms Kiely summed it up well when she asked: Whats the point in buying potatoes from Spain?

We should focus on feeding localities.

The global food production system produces poor-quality food.

For Christmas, they will have seasonal, local vegetable boxes available for collection in Dungarvan and Tramore. They also do farm tours where you can actually see how local food is produced. To organise these, you can email Clotilde at comeraghmountainpoultry@gmail.com
The General Manager of Waterford Airport, Mr. Aidan Power, revealed key details into the long-awaited airport development this week.

He spoke in depth about where the airport investment is at currently, what construction works will be done, timelines for completion and where flights will be going.

The meeting

In July of this year, a meeting was held with the Minister for Transport.

At the meeting, the Department came to the conclusion that a business case was needed, which would further delay the process of advancing the airport by about 12 months.

Speaking for the first time publicly about this meeting, Mr. Power said this week: That was disappointing to the Airport Board and to the investors. It created difficulty for the Airport Board insofar as there is a deficit there, and to stay financially in the operation for that period of time was a difficult proposition.

Following this meeting, The Comer brothers, who two years ago had committed 12 million to the airport, decided to pull out of their investment plans.

The Comer brothers werent too happy with the outcome of the meeting, because it was a further delay," Mr. Power said.

They informed William bolster, whos the conduit were dealing with in regards to investment, that they were leaving the pitch and werent prepared to wait any longer. They were out.

Mr. Power outlined that following the departure of the Comer Brothers, William Bolster, the largest shareholder of Waterford Airport, approached the board with a new proposal, which was the now approved 30 million offer from an unnamed American investor.

What are the next steps?

Mr. Power said the next steps will be an AGM with airport shareholders, which he says is likely to take place near the end of this month.

If that is successful, then there would be a contract signing prior to year end, he said.

If contacts are signed, construction work can commence in the first quarter of 2026.

Work will take nine to twelve months to complete.

What works will be carried out?

The airport is shovel ready.

Its runway is currently 1,400 metres by 30 metres, and so it will have to be extended on both ends and widened on both sides to achieve the necessary dimensions for the desired aircraft.

It is anticipated that the airport will facilitate Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 type planes, which are used for short to medium haul flights. Ryanair for example uses Boeing 737 aircraft almost exclusively.

The airports taxiways, which are the long paths that aircraft travel along to get to or return from the runway, will have to reformed, widened and restructured, as will the airports aprons, which is the area of the airport where aircraft are parked, loaded, unloaded and maintained.

The airfield lighting will also have to be restructured and upgraded as will aviation security.

"The terminal building will likely get minor upgrades," Mr. Power said.

Every time I mention the building Im getting a slightly glazed overlook, he added.

As we move from the runway in towards the building, the money will be used up quite quickly, and so I suspect the building as it sits today will get some small extensions and a facelift perhaps and maybe be revisited at a later date.

Following the completion of construction works, the airport will need to be recertified by the Irish Aviation Authority to ensure it meets safety standards.

When will flights be?

The target is to commence flights in the summer of 2027.

Where can you fly to?

The extended runway should offer better route opportunities than what the airport could previously handle.

The UK market is the initial jump, and holiday destinations, and then we can build on that, Mr. Power said.

Were not under any illusions that itll be a slow burner. Well get back into markets we were in before, establish ourselves, and then move from there.

The opportunities we have because of the aircraft type will be a lot better than where we were before when we were restricted to 1hr 30m flights.

Why the airport can work?

The airport ceased operations in 2016, after the now defunct airline VLM discontinued its Waterford routes.

VLM used to service London, Luton and Birmingham routes from Waterford, using a small Fokker 50 aircraft. The airport struggled due to the limited length of the runway, which could only accommodate these types of smaller aircrafts.

The approved runway extension and infrastructure upgrades will enable improved commercial passenger services and allow larger planes to fly in and out of the airport.

Mr. Power said that it will also give people the opportunity to access price points that we wouldnt have been able to offer before".

We were previously restricted to turboprop aircraft and they always came with a premium. So the whole idea of this is to level the playing field, to get the upside of convenience and the upside of cost," he said.

Of course, this is the new norm. Were all to a certain degree, Ryanair-ised. People prefer to fly by jets, they prefer the price point of flying by jets and they prefer the timelines associated with jets.

So this brings a lot to the table that up to now we werent in a position to do.

Mr. Power added that road infrastructure surrounding the airport and the wider south east region has improved since the airport closed in 2016, which will also work in the ventures favour.

Years ago we might have said that we serve the southeast, but the old road structure wasnt the best, so it might have been a slogan we used but Im not sure if we were actually able to deliver on that," he said.

But now thats a lot different, youve got good access into Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary."

(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne has said his department will provide any funding to make sure those sleeping on the street in Waterford City have a bed this winter.

The minister was speaking to the press after the official opening of An Garran, a 50-home estate, in Tramore.

When asked by the Waterford News and Star if the Department of Housing intended to introduce interim measures for people sleeping on the city streets this winter, the Minister said they would do whatever was needed.

Nobody should be sleeping on the streets. The Department of Housing will provide any funding that is necessary to ensure that people are not sleeping on the streets and we have.

But the local authorities and also working with our partners, the NGOs, the charities, to ensure that people have that bed that they need to not be sleeping on the streets.

And we will ensure that they are available, and people feel safe and secure going into those beds. That is crucial, said Minister Browne.

EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION

The Waterford News and Star also asked the minister if he was concerned about the rising county number of adults in emergency accommodation.

The September Monthly Homelessness Report showed 121 adults in emergency accommodation in Waterford.

An analysis by this paper reported that this was the highest since February 2018, when 123 people were in emergency accommodation.

The Minister said he is concerned about the figure across the country, but delivery is the answer.

I am concerned about homelessness right across the country and Waterford is an important part of that.

The solution to homelessness is supply supply supply. Waterford really is actually one of the best local authorities in terms of delivering the housing solution, social homes, affordable homes and private homes and facilitating the delivery of those private homes.

I think the acceleration of delivery we are going to see will resolve the emergency accommodation situation where people are in homelessness or having to go into emergency accommodation rather than having the homes they need, said Minister Browne.

Minister for Local Government and Planning John Cummins said in response that specific funding has been ringfenced for families and people at risk of homelessness.

He cited a recent funding allocation of 1.5 million to support families in long-term emergency accommodation.

The number of families and homeless children in Waterford is not reported as part of the departments monthly report.

However, the funding referenced by Minister Cummins was given to the eight local authorities in the country with the most families in long-term emergency accommodation.

Minister Cummins also pointed out that 8 million has been allocated to the Tenant in Situ Scheme nationally.

That is a programme the government has put together to try and prevent homelessness and help people exit from homelessness.

So there are numbers in homelessness at any given time, but there are constantly people moving in and out of that as well.

But of course we need to do more, and behind every statistic is an individual or a family, said Minister Cummins.

Government Chief Whip and Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler commended Waterford City and County Council for their work with homeless families.

They always prioritise families with children. They always make sure they hold back houses every single week and there is somewhere for the families for children to go.

Obviously, we have a lot of homeless adults and they are dependent more on emergency accommodation, but when it comes to families, they are prioritized. I just want to say that, said Minister Butler.
It is easy to forget that Waterford Airport is not only a major development for the Deise, but also for the wider south east region.

Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary and Wexford have all shown a vested interest in the progression of the airport, and their show of support over the years has been paramount to getting the development to where it is.

It is hoped that the airport could be fully operational in 2027.

This week, General Manager of the Airport, Mr. Aidan Power, paid tribute to Waterford's neighbours for their years of support.

He said: "There was a lot of representation made to the Department and with Ministers along the way, trying to get the point across that this was a regional ask.

"There's been a lot of support and it's great to see. Sometimes you can feel like youre out there fighting the battle and looking around you theres not too many people there, but in fairness to Kilkenny, Wexford, Carlow and Tipperary have all been in the mix trying to push it and get it over the line."

Speaking this week, Kilkenny based councillors expressed their delight at seeing the funding in place for the airport.

Cllr Pat Dunphy said: "I think it would be fantastic for the south east and I really have to compliment the work that the airport put in and for sticking with it over the years. It would have been very easy to leave it there when things looked difficult."

Cllr Fidelis Doherty added: "It seems like the heavy lifting has been done and it has come a long way. It will be great for the regional area in terms of infrastructure and connectivity. For most people, when they talk about going to airports they think about the nightmare of getting there, so it will be very accessible now.

"The summer of 2027 wont be so far away."

(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)
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Eating outFood Find one of 2025s best new bars hidden in an Edward Street basement From the brains behind Frogs Hollow and Alice comes another distinctive CBD boozer. Matt Shea November 7, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Rituals and execution. Peter Hollands will talk in detail about it. Rituals that people can engage with, he says. So things like the beer crates: when one runs out and we fill a new one, were going to carry it around the room and offer people more beers. Or the citrus press to make our own citrus water. Shaman opened this week beneath the old Metro Arts building in the CBD. Markus Ravik These are the rituals at Shaman, Hollands long-awaited bar slotted beneath the old Metro Arts building at 109 Edward Street. But, he says, theyre not meant to be burdensome. Hollands already has a knack for this with other bars he co-owns. At Frogs Hollow Saloon on Charlotte Street, its honky-tonk. At Alice, just off Elizabeth, its 80s rock and pop culture. At the Alliance in Spring Hill, its Queensland cultural throwbacks. At all of them, though, its never overbearing or constrictive.

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Related Article After three decades, an inner-west institution is reborn Theres nothing to make your experience more onerous, he says. The themes dont get in the way of just coming in and having a drink. If you want to engage, you can. And then the theme can be really unique because its not forcing anyone into a pigeonhole. The theme at Shaman is rum and tequila  theres about 150 of them combined on the back bar  with a little bit of Carlos Santana thrown in for good measure. Hollands was intending to open the bar in late July but approvals pushed the process back and meant he wound up doing much of the build himself. Shaman comes from the brains behind Frogs Hollow and Alice. Markus Ravik

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Ive burned myself out but I got the result I wanted, he says. Its exactly what I envisioned. The bar occupies a basement space beneath the heritage-listed building. You enter down the old carriageway on the left of the building before descending downstairs and entering through a heavy timber door. You enter Shaman via the old carriageway on the left of 109 Edward Street. Markus Ravik Inside, the buildings heavy original timber beams frame an intimate space with a semi-octagonal bar on one side of the venue and matching low-set octagonal tables on the other. Sealed original archways feature a variety of framed photography, the space lit by vintage petal lights (theres also a framed, signed copy of Santanas album Abraxas, which kicked off the original idea for the bar). It takes a moment to realise its a deceptively simple fit-out, the detail in the precisely set lighting and Santana-esque (in the broadest possible sense) music selection.

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For drinks, Shaman focuses on rum and tequila. Markus Ravik Your eyes tend to be drawn the bar, where seasoned vets Tim Pope (ex-Par Bar in Melbourne) and Ed Quatermass (Maker, Death & Taxes et al) are in charge of a tight drinks list that features three house-takes on the staples  a daiquiri, a margarita prepped with house-made triple sec, and an old-fashioned; a rotating list of old-school, more obscure classics; and a third section thats designed to celebrate forgotten retro gems (a bracing pina colada currently features). Theres a short list of mostly South American wines, and just one beer, Estrella, bottles of which sit iced up behind the bar in the afore mentioned crates. Shaman joins high-profile neighbours such as Exhibition and Dr Gimlette at 109 Edward Street. Markus Ravik Drinks are served either over the bar or at the table  its your choice.

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Theres no structure that forces anyone to do anything they dont want to do, Hollands says. Theres no [venue] police telling you, you need to be seated. We have table service, but well just come over if you havent already approached the bar. The vibe, the vision  the look, the feel  we have to maintain. Thats the brand. But our offering we can be dynamic. Were always ready to try to be flexible and give people what they want. Open daily 3pm-12am 109 Edward Street, Brisbane instagram.com/shamanbne

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For subscribers Matt Shea is Food and Culture Editor at Brisbane Times. He is a former editor and editor-at-large at Broadsheet Brisbane, and has written for Escape, Qantas Magazine, the Guardian, Jetstar Magazine and SilverKris, among many others.
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NationalFeminism Opinion Fifty years ago, I wrote a bestseller about sexism in Australia. So, whats changed? Anne Summers Columnist November 8, 2025  2:00am

November 8, 2025  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 43 View all comments

When the subversive and iconoclastic ideas of womens liberation began infiltrating Australia in the late 1960s and early 70s, women like me were thrilled. We eagerly absorbed these notions of rebellion. We were glad, grateful even, to have a counterweight to the dull mantras of femininity that, we were told, were the only path to respectability (i.e. a good husband) for women in Australia. International Womens Day march in Melbourne, 1975. Growing up, most of we womens libbers, as the press patronisingly referred to us, were taught there were two types of girls  good and bad  and that it was our obligation to avoid being bad so as not to ruin ourselves for marriage and motherhood. NAA Coming out of the radicalism and sexual revolution of the 60s, wed left respectability way behind  although our mothers mostly had trouble grappling with that. We craved something more and womens liberation seemed to be providing the answers. There was just one problem. The books and pamphlets and magazines that we so passionately embraced from the United States and from the UK told stories about women in those countries and while we could identify with them in general, they did not deal with our own cultural and social experiences. We wanted to understand more about the specifics of Australian sexism (or, male chauvinism as we called it then). Why was mateship seemingly the dominant ideology in our society? One that explicitly excluded women from so many areas of society and denied them agency in determining their own lives. Why were marriage and motherhood the only options dangled in front of us?

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Growing up, most of we womens libbers, as the press patronisingly referred to us, were taught there were two types of girls  good and bad  and that it was our obligation to avoid being bad so as not to ruin ourselves for marriage and motherhood. In 1972, I gamely set out on the task of trying to understand the unique shape of Australia sexism. Other Western societies imposed a similar Madonna/whore dichotomy on women, but somehow in Australia it seemed especially oppressive. Australian women had not only had to be good themselves, but they were responsible for enforcing  policing, if you like  their childrens and even their husbands conduct. This was often known as nagging, an irritating trait yet one a great many women seemed to adopt with relish, because it carried a certain status: her undisputed right to be the moral guardian of her family. In 1972, I gamely set out on the task of trying to understand the unique shape of Australia sexism through examining our history and current cultural mores, trying to establish where our particular forms of female oppression might have come from. I spent most of the first year in the Mitchell Library manuscript room, and it was there that I cracked the code, as it were. I found military diaries from the First Fleet that described the female convicts as damned whores, and official documents that described the need to use women to alter the wild colonial society that characterised the early decades of the British invasion.

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The various editions of Damned Whores and Gods Police, which has sold more than 100,000 copies. They wanted a country based on wives, not whores. I literally jumped for joy and made most un-library-like noises when I first came across Caroline Chisholm, the champion of female immigration. Chisholms 1847 pamphlet making the case for the mass importation of respectable women from Britain described how churches, schoolmasters and books could never do the job of Gods police  wives and little children  good and virtuous women. Damned Whores and Gods Police was published on November 5, 1975, but all these decades later I still have women approach me and say the book changed their lives. (Less often these days am I approached by angry men telling me it ruined theirs!) These women saw the world, and their place in it, differently after reading my account of how these stereotypes had been used to keep Australian women confined to narrow and stifling roles. It gave them the courage to throw off these shackles and make their own life choices. And how different Australia is today. We can choose our paths with far less penalty or censure. We can marry or not, have children when and if we want to and, most life-changing of all, we can enjoy the independence, pride and satisfaction that comes from having a job and an income. While no one would say we were perfect and that there are not still huge challenges to be confronted  the domestic violence emergency being the one that currently preoccupies me  we cannot ignore what has changed. Almost 70 per cent of women are in employment, many more women than men now graduate from university, women comprise 50 per cent of federal parliament and are a majority of federal cabinet. We have a woman governor-general (our second), several women state governors and have had a woman chief justice of the High Court and prime minister. Currently, the economy is mostly run by women who are now in charge of the federal Treasury, the Reserve Bank and the Productivity Commission. We could not even imagine such things back in 1975.

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Dr Anne Summers: We need to pick up the pace. But men still have the power. We suffer from a gender pay gap, glass ceilings and glass cliffs. We cant deny that misogyny is still with us and is perhaps worse than it ever was. There is definitely a backlash, with too many men seeing womens success as undermining their status rather than as a plus for everyone. I am often asked if the stereotypes are still with us and I think they are. Women have changed but not all of us and not enough. Some women still cling to a contemporary version of Gods Police  think Yummy Mummies and Trad Wives. Perhaps they see their domestic dominance as a vestige of power that, if surrendered, will leave them totally impotent. We still have conflicts between working and so-called non-working women, with mothers attacked for using childcare or failing to attend tuckshop duty. Women are still slut-shamed (think Nicole Kidman just recently) and blamed for their own sexual assaults. On balance, we are far better off then we used to be, but its taken half a century. We probably need to pick up the pace. Anne Summers is a writer and journalist who is currently Professor of Domestic and Family Violence at the Business School at UTS.
From left, Chloe Hooper, Sarah Krasnostein and Helen Garner. Wed been hanging out for her to step into the limelight, says Garner of the moment Erin Patterson entered the witness box.

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This story is part of the November 8 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories .

It became the most famous lunch in Australia. In July 2023, in the sleepy town of Leongatha, just over 100 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, Erin Patterson made beef Wellington for her estranged husband Simon Pattersons elderly parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt and uncle, Heather and Ian Wilkinson. Simon Patterson declined her invitation to lunch. Less than a week later, three of her guests were dead and the fourth was in a coma. All had been poisoned with death cap mushrooms. In April this year, Erin Patterson was tried for murder and attempted murder. The trial took place in Morwell, 60 kilometres from Leongatha, and lasted more than two months. It not only riveted the country but became an international sensation. Journalists, writers, podcasters and TV crews swarmed the Latrobe Valley Law Courts, two hours from Melbourne. Three friends, respected writers Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein, were surprised to find their idle interest in this case firming into real journalistic curiosity. The trial had already started when they decided to drive to Morwell together and record their conversations. Months later, they had scores of hours on tape, the raw material for a book. The Mushroom Tapes tells the story of what they saw and thought and said to each other as the trial of Erin Patterson moved inexorably to its conclusion. Here, the writers reveal the conversation they shared on the first day that Patterson took a seat in the witness box. Erin Patterson, photographed in April ahead of her trial for murder and attempted murder. When Helen Garner heard her speak, she says she felt impressed: She struck me as an educated woman ... somebody who was composed. AAP Monday, June 2, 2025 When prosecutor Nanette Rogers closed the Crown case, Pattersons barrister, Colin Mandy stood up. Your Honour, the defence will call Erin Patterson.

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Helen: Nobody knew it was going to happen. When it was announced that she would take the stand, there was a loud gasp. People cried out. At last, at last! The judge called a break of 15 minutes so everyone could get their shit together. I saw a spot on the bench just inside the door of the courtroom, where you can hear but you cant see anything. I lowered my arse onto it, and the woman next to me said, Oh no, my sisters going to sit there. So I pushed further in and found the very last spot and grabbed it. I couldnt see the jury, except for one old man at the end of the back row. But I thought, Im not moving again. And Im glad I didnt, because the tipstaff was really throwing his weight around. There was a kind of tension in the room, and I was over on one side, so I didnt see her being brought out of the dock. But all of a sudden, boom, there she was, just sitting there in the witness box. Everybody was straining at their own leash not to turn and stare. The drawing of her that they run in the newspaper is brutal. It makes her look villainous. Actually, she looks small. She was sitting there quietly, she was self-possessed, while everyone else in the room was breathless. Wed been hanging out for her to step into the limelight. Sarah and Chloe watched Erin on a big screen in a Melbourne Supreme Court media room. Now were on the phone together. Sarah: What was it like? The Mushroom Tapes: Conversations on a Triple Murder Trial authors, Helen Garner, Sarah Krasnostein and Chloe Hooper. Peter Tarasiuk Helen: At first I felt impressed by her. She struck me as an educated woman, well and calmly spoken, somebody who was composed. She seemed a very familiar type of person, and she was dealt with very delicately by her counsel. I bet his junior, a young woman with an obviously first-rate mind, had a lot to do with that. He was asking her things like, How did you feel about yourself around the time leading up to the lunch? How did you feel about yourself? That doesnt sound like a mans question to me. Erin answered slowly and thoughtfully. To me, shes mysterious, even though, on one level, she is recognisable. I could imagine talking with her, having an interesting conversation. She seemed like a person of seriousness and intelligence, and yet, at the same time, she was depicting her marriage and her life in a way that was so familiar I sort of couldnt get near it. Its hard to describe this. I think a lot of people in the room were having very complex feelings. When we came out, we were all exhausted. The tension of being there and listening to her speak was almost unbearable. Its just that everyone longs to know whats inside her head. Sarah: Did you find yourself at any point getting angry?

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Helen: No, not at all. No. This was the time that I felt the most for her. I want to say something else about the way she told her life story. It was a standard modern story of a marriage that wasnt very good. There was a lot of restlessness and unhappiness in it, in her, and she gave an account of it that was almost generic. I thought, god, just about everyone I know could tell that story. I could tell that story. She sighed a lot. She sighed the sort of sighs that you give when someone asks you a question youve already answered, and youre thinking, Do I really have to go through this again? Can I really drag this out of myself once more? Related Article Exclusive

Mushroom trial Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson files appeal against conviction She had a special way of talking. She spoke with a conversational tone and volume, as if she was talking to us and it was going to be a conversation. She wasnt grandly stating things, and she wasnt milking it for drama. She spoke quite bluntly about herself  not moral things or ethical things  physical things, you know, her unhappiness at having put on a lot of weight and how she decided she was going to have gastric-band surgery. And she had these little head movements that went with what she was saying. When she was serious, she would nod and then shake her head. Now that Im talking about it, Im starting to think that it was a very, very skilful performance. And yet I never felt that she was laying it on. It was a mysterious day and rather upsetting. Chloe: We could see you in the courtroom with all the family sitting behind you. Helen: She spoke lovingly about her mother-in-law. With her first baby, she had a very traumatic and difficult birth, a great suffering for her and for the baby. At this point Erin and Simon were living in Western Australia. Don and Gail came to stay with them to help with the baby. Mr Mandy asked her, And how did you feel about having them there in the house? She said, I was really glad they were there. Gail was very patient and gentle with me. She taught me how to interpret his cries. I thought that was a beautiful expression  to interpret his cries. Gail had earned her trust. Don and Gail Patterson. As Sarah Krasnostein notes, Erins parents-in-law became a source of emotional support given she was estranged from her own parents. Chloe: But not knowing how to interpret other peoples needs or pain  thats striking, isnt it?

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Helen: When she said that, I glanced up at the jury. The only one of them I could see was breathing fast, the lines on his face seemed to get deeper. I thought, hes either about to have a heart attack, poor fellow, or hes almost crying listening to her. The marriage went pear-shaped pretty early on. Theyd been living in Perth but, when the baby was only a few months old, they went on a huge trip, taking the baby, around Australia in a Nissan Patrol. She said twice, We came down through the guts of the country. I got the impression that she enjoyed travelling, but that she got sick of it after a while and wanted to stop. She said, I wanted to have babies, but he wanted to keep travelling. Simon had previously testified that Erin had left him and the baby in Townsville and flown home. Simon drove, with their son, the 4000 kilometres back to Perth. This was their first separation. Erin lived with the baby in a small cottage while Simon lived in a caravan nearby. They had some sessions of marriage counselling, and reunited. Erin said the biggest issue in their marriage was poor communication. Erins estranged husband, Simon Patterson. AAPIMAGE Sarah: Her story is a legal instrument. Its impression management; its purpose is to sway the jury. So its highly selective. Its a perfectly serviceable tale about our early life. But then you start looking at it, and its full of holes. This upwelling of emotion around the love she felt for her mother-in-law, as if she couldnt have killed her, when everything else that were learning seems to show the love that she once felt for them is the reason she killed them. She has this hypersensitivity about not belonging, not being included. She cant stay in one place for any sustained period of time, not in any job or study or relationship. She cant persist in any one thing despite having every resource, intellectual and financial, at her disposal. And so, yeah, I was very suspicious of that. She does this thing where every so often shell pause and her eyes will flare. Theres just too much of the whites around her eyes. And this jutting forward of her head. Its like this wall of energy with these flared eyes. Its unsettling. Watching her so closely today, on that huge screen in the Supreme Court media room, I noticed that the first time she responded  when Mandy asked her age  with 50, her eyes flared and Mandy faltered slightly. Theres some force sheeting off her. There is something there that I did not expect after sitting in the same room as her all these weeks. Chloe: Her love story is also a horror story. It was moving, being catapulted back to a part of her life that was sweet: Erin described becoming friends with Simon and his group of friends and going camping with them most weekends, and them slowly getting to know each other. She was trying to convert him to atheism, and then one weekend Simon took her to his uncles church. And hanging in the church there was a banner that read, Faith, Hope and Love. Ian was giving a sermon on love, quoting St John. God is love and he who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him. And then Erin was offered communion. She claims the service had a profound impact on her: I had what at best can be described as, like a spiritual experience. Id been approaching religion as an intellectual exercise up until that point. Does that make sense? Is it rational? But I had what I would call a religious experience there and it quite overwhelmed me. Presumably Don and Gail, her future parents-in-law, were present that day, along with Ian and Heather. Erins spiritual experience is a key moment in the love story. But then, theres the horror story, especially if youre a family member now watching the woman who came into your church and allegedly poisoned it.

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Ian Wilkinson. You cant help feeling very warmly towards Ian, Helen Garner says. Jason South Sarah: Its devastating. Every point in the story has that duality. Chloe: Somethings always underneath. Sarah: For me, the most difficult thing today was when she was talking about the house that they had built, and she said, I saw it as my final house. The final house  where the children would grow up and where they could come back and stay however long they want and bring their children. And then she said, And I would grow old there, or so I thought. Now its a crime scene. Chloe: People talk about a forever home, but this was the final house for her parents-in-law, who were having the kind of life she supposedly pictured for herself. Sarah: We talked in our earliest conversations about what it actually means to abide. What adaptations and sacrifices you have to make in order to abide for the long haul in any situation or relationship. Erin was estranged from her parents, so Don and Gail became even more important for the practical and emotional support they gave. Love betrayed is often the motive for extreme rage. I almost find it more incriminating the more she talks about this well of deep feeling she had for them, because this rage about rejection hovers at the edges.

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Im not just going to stand here and scream and yell and say, The worlds unfair, Sussan Ley says of lifes challenges. My approach has always been, OK, so whats next?

After the Liberal Partys worst ever election result, Sussan Ley took on the hardest job in politics as party leader. Six months on, shes struggling, not only with policy and personality divisions, but with what on earth the party stands for in 2025.

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This story is part of the November 8 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories .

On the day Sussan Ley was elected Liberal Party leader, her friend Judy Brewer sent her a text. Ley had impressed Brewer since the moment she walked into her economics class at La Trobe University in Wodonga in around 1991, aged 30, a baby in a basket beside her. I dont think I ever had another student who brought a baby to class, and I thought, Wow, good on you.  Brewer went on to marry the late Tim Fischer, the former National Party leader who held the enormous NSW federal rural seat of Farrer before retiring in 2001. And it was in that year that Ley, by then a married farmer with three children, won the seat from the Nationals by a couple of hundred votes, astonishing everyone, including her own party. When Ley became leader, Brewer wanted her to know how proud she was of her, sending her a text to the effect of: This is in itself a wonderful thing. Even if its as far as it goes, it will be a huge achievement. As far as it goes. Leys election as the first female leader of a party forged in 1944 by Robert Menzies shouldnt be a big deal in 2025, but because the party is so male-dominated, it is. Of the 34 parliamentarians representing the party and the associated Queensland Liberal National Party in the lower house, just seven are women. Some Liberals have struggled to get used to a female leader, particularly a feminist with an empathetic persona. Shes no Iron Lady Maggie Thatcher (thank goodness, say some; what a pity, say others). The truth is the Liberal Party is very conservative and no one has ever imagined what our first female leader would look like, says NSW MP Alex Hawke, Leys key factional supporter. Was she, 10 years ago, considered as a leader? No, but only because there was no woman being [seriously] considered. To take the helm after the worst defeat in the partys history  rejected by just about every demographic, bar male Boomers and those who own their home outright, and riven by irreconcilable differences, as one Liberal put it  has a streak of the crazy-brave. There was no honeymoon for Ley, forced to patch up the Coalition after the Nationals threatened a split just days after the election and at a time when her mother, Angela, was dying. Sussan Ley and Ted OBrien after being elected as Liberal Party leader and deputy in May. James Brickwood In the six months since, Leys leadership has never settled. She has made some unforced, slightly odd, missteps, but mostly they have had little to do with her, and everything to do with internal brawling and a crisis of party purpose. Two ambitious shadow ministers, leadership aspirant Andrew Hastie and conservative darling Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price  unconvinced by Leys conviction that the partys future must be through the sensible centre  shuffled to the backbench to speak their minds. The National Party, with little interest in winning city seats the Liberals must appeal to, abandoned net zero emissions targets early this month and all the tensions within the Liberals bubbled over. With her leadership being questioned  Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson claimed Ley was losing support among her colleagues  she has summoned MPs back to Canberra on Wednesday to resolve the partys position on net zero by 2050. This will be pivotal for her leadership but, more importantly, for the party and its prospects as an effective opposition to a dominant government. Some contemplate whether the party could collapse, not over net zero, but because the most successful federal political party in Australian history isnt sure any more what it is, who its for.

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No one in the Liberal Party should rationally want to be leader at this time, says Victorian Senator James Paterson, who did not vote for Ley in May as leader but, as shadow finance spokesman, is a member of her leadership team. She has accepted the burden and responsibility of leading us at a very difficult time, and she deserves a lot of credit for that. I dont normally feel sorry for politicians, but I watch Ley, 63, over several weeks and wonder how she does it, always showing up with a high-wattage smile, wispy blonde hair blowing in the wind, peppered with questions about tumult in her own party. Her leadership was greeted with scepticism even as it was announced. At her first press conference on May 13, it was suggested that she was a transitional leader, and was asked whether she would last the term. One hundred per cent, she said with a determined nod. I will be here in three years. I ask what drives her, and she thinks for a few seconds. I dont like the word resilience, its overused these days, she says. Persistence is what I call it. Long-time Liberal Party strategist and former adviser Tony Barry observes the self-destruction. He says Ley is doing her best to stabilise the party despite the efforts of self-harm by some in the joint party room. Six months in, its too early to judge her. The truth of it is, we crashed the station wagon into a brick wall and threw the car keys [to Ley]: There you go, baby, its all yours.  Barry believes its got to the point where there has to be a fight for the heart and soul of the Liberal Party. Hes not the only one who thinks so. Ley embodies that fight for now, a fight thats not going well. Its a test of whether she will wobble in her determination to make the party electable again, especially in the cities, or whether she will be derailed by her own shortcomings and a roaring minority who look to the anti-immigration populist Nigel Farage in the UK as inspiration for a revival of right-wing politics in Australia. Labor-lite, they call her, in a world where moderate is an insult. Alex Hawke says Ley is up for it ... shes underestimated in terms of her experience and her depth and her ruthlessness as a politician. Underneath Leys personal fate are questions about what modern Australia  as Ley refers to it  actually is in 2025 and whether harder-right conservatism, on the march overseas, will take hold here. Its frustratingly hard to get Ley to address these questions beyond generalities. I ask her about what a tough job she has and she looks surprised. Oh, no, no, she says. Its a privilege to do. Its a privilege to be the leader of the party. We are in her electoral office in the NSW border town of Albury, just a few minutes from where she watched the huge loss on election night. If I had a conversation with the people who didnt support us and I introduced it as, What is liberalism, conservatism?, I dont think they would have the slightest interest in that, but its an intellectual conversation that is probably worth having. Leys tenure has been dogged by speculation about the leadership ambitions of others, such as West Australian MP and hypermasculine former SAS captain Andrew Hastie, although his disruptive style has annoyed many MPs. Hastie spectacularly quit the Coalition front bench to speak his mind on issues such as immigration and climate change. The less provocative Angus Taylor, who Ley narrowly defeated to become leader after the election, is a contender, as is Deputy Liberal leader Ted OBrien.

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Andrew Hastie (left) and Angus Taylor speak in the House of Representatives. Alex Ellinghausen Ley is either unconcerned, or is feigning it. Differences of opinion are not differences in values, she insists. I accept theres a variety of views in my party room, and Im very relaxed about what people say privately and publicly. I am sceptical, so she offers an analogy. Youve got the Christmas lunch. Everyone comes to the big table in the backyard. Everyone has different views. Everyone disagrees vigorously and agrees furiously about a whole range of things, but you touch our family or the principles we stand for as a family and youre in trouble. Ive watched the Labor Party. They sing from the same song sheet, they stay in their lane. And that is not good for public policy or public debate. It is true that members of defeated parties often vent personal and policy frustrations, although this family barbecue is a doozy of hurling sausages and storming off. And it is also true that defeated parties can revive rather quickly and hand-wringing about existential challenges can be tiresome. One thing Ley is given credit for is having a more consultative approach than previous leader Peter Dutton in the shadow cabinet room and in developing policy. A reason for the public disagreements is that, as Paterson explains, some people feel like they were passengers in the last term or held their tongue or didnt speak up, and they regret that. There was a facade of unity because they thought they could defeat Labor after a single term, and they were wrong. Ley strides from her electoral office in Albury, on the north bank of the Murray River, towards an outdoor table for lunch. She wears a white jacket, blue button-down shirt and black jeans, the epitome of smart country casual. The only hint of quirkiness is her signature gold aeroplane earrings that remind her of her passion. How are the local shops going, I ask, struggling to keep up with her as we walk along Dean Street. Terrible, she says, adding that small businesses are closing because people havent got enough money to spend. Ley has been vegetarian at different stages of her life since her frugal teenage years, but today orders a salmon salad, and can I have a small almond flat white in a takeaway cup and can you make it extra, extra hot? After lunch, we take off to the Albury airport to see the single-engine Cessna 182 she bought last year. She tosses off her town pumps for boots  I wouldnt be seen dead on an airfield with these flimsy shoes  and proceeds to single-handedly push open the heavy hangar doors and drag the plane out. The 2007 four-seater is the ute of the skies, she says with pride, a workhorse she bought to help her get around her electorate, an area as large as Greece. Her two uncles were killed in World War II, which led her to read childrens adventure books about flying. That led to just amazement about the craft of the aeroplane, what it could achieve, how it was built, who invented it, and what it was like to fly, and that sort of ignited the passion. It taught her something about life, too: discipline and focus, and how to fight for what she wants  qualities she needs now.

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Sussan Ley with the single-engine Cessna 182 she bought last year. Gay Alcorn Ley has held the seat of Farrer for nearly 25 years, through nine elections and seven PMs, starting with John Howard. Before politics, she lived a rollicking, girls-own-adventure story, not without hardship and struggle. Shes been broke, shes been a cleaner, worn Vinnies clothes to save money for flying lessons, got up at 4am to cook breakfast for shearers, studied for degrees part-time and sat across from a bank manager threatening to close her farm. Shes had to fight for everything shes got, says NSW Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic. She hasnt grown up in the way that some people in the party room have, with opportunity and affluence. Her adventurous streak must have been inherited from her globe-trotting parents, Edgar and Angela Braybrooks, English people who loathed England. Before they met, they travelled independently to Australia in the 1950s, her father working as a crocodile hunter in the Northern Territory and her mother as a midwife on Thursday Island. Ley was born in Nigeria, and as a small child moved with her parents and brother John to Qatar, then Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, because her father was advising the sheikhs who were setting up what would become the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, he was also a British spy. Ley got a scholarship to an English boarding school before the family moved to Australia in 1974 when Ley was 13. They settled in Canberra, where Edgar worked for the Australian Federal Police. Ley says her toughness came from her mother and her focus on the future from her father. As a young woman, she was obsessed with becoming a pilot but found commercial airlines resistant to women in the front of the plane. But she still took lessons, paying for them by working part-time jobs, including as a cleaner in a department store. While she worked as an air-traffic controller in Melbourne and Sydney for a time, she was determined to fly. At one point she thought shed do crop dusting, but the crop-dusting trainers said, No, Im not going to teach you  the chemicals will affect your unborn children.  So she trained to be an aerial stock musterer, and it wasnt easy: lurching around in a small plane close to the ground made her airsick. She got her licence, and was offered a job on a sheep farm in Thargomindah, 1000 kilometres west of Brisbane. She packed up her 1969 Holden to drive the two days to get there. Thats how Ley frames life challenges, then and now. Im not just going to stand here and scream and yell and say, The worlds unfair,  she says. My approach has always been, OK, so whats next? Lets work out a way around this. Ill show them. Ill do mustering, and Ill show them. She doesnt worry about criticism because her mother always told her that its none of your business what people think of you. Ley is determined to show them. Since the 2025 election, she has been methodical. Shes set up a conventional review of what went wrong on May 3 and a longer-term probe, headed by Queensland Senator James McGrath, for a deeper look at the existential issues we face. That will include how its state and territory divisions, with their own constitutions and power over preselections of candidates, can lift anaemic membership numbers and begin to look vaguely like the Australian population. All policies bar a couple  including a commitment to raise defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP  are up for review.

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Then theres a short, sharp working group into energy policy, led by spokesman Dan Tehan, formed to tackle the bitter issue of whether to dump the net zero emissions target by 2050, a target then prime minister Scott Morrison signed up to in 2021. Already, Ley has rejected the Labor governments reduction target of between 62 and 70 per cent by 2035 as too costly and unachievable. For some, the 2050 target  25 years away  is the defining issue of principle, a signal of whether the Liberals understand the diabolical challenge of climate change, or believe serious action and economic prosperity are incompatible. Net zero by 2050 is not arbitrary - it is the international target that climate scientists say offers the world the best chance to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. If the Liberal meeting next week resolves the policy, it will be an uneasy resolution if the party is perceived to be only half-heartedly committed to the challenge of climate change. The pressure Ley faces is not really about her. Its about what modern Australia is. Ley pitches the Liberal economic traditions of smaller government, lower taxes, lower spending, private sector-led growth and productivity, and a tightly targeted welfare system. Its an economic program, and she frames issues such as climate change and immigration as economic, not cultural, challenges. She has no problem with Welcome to Country acknowledgements. She doesnt prioritise interviews with conservative Sky presenters who champion Hastie and Price; one called her Malcolm Turnbull in a skirt (a devastating insult to the Sky audience). She turned up at the National Press Club in Canberra, a venue Dutton shunned. An alternative Liberal vision, embodied for now by Hastie, argues that the party must stand for moral and social values alongside an economic agenda. He warns of the repudiation of Christian, Western values and wrote after the assassination of American right-wing activist Charlie Kirk that the radical left are evil and will use violence to win. Lets stop pretending they act in good faith. There was a hint of Trump in that. He rejects climate alarmism, championing the advantages of coal and gas. In terms of his partys future, Hastie told the ABCs Four Corners program just after the election that theres no reason to think that we wont disappear over time if we dont get our act together. Thats how serious this challenge is for the Liberal Party. John Roskam, a party member for 37 years and unashamedly conservative, says the more thoughtful ones [in the party] are thinking, Well, you know, what is this thing called the Liberal Party? ... Regardless of whether it will or wont, maybe the party should split.  James Paterson says it need not be an existential crisis, but it could be existential depending on how we respond to it. Paterson is one of the few Liberals who can speak of the partys challenges beyond platitudes. In a speech last month, he put the case that the economic and the cultural werent incompatible, but essential to the partys success. Labor would win any spending war, and without cultural issues of identity, such as the importance of the flag and national unity, we would be left with a soulless, hollow party which spoke to only the narrowest material aspirations of Australians. Marginal voices arguing that the party should split must remain marginal, Paterson says. Nigel Farages approach in the UK was not suitable as a model because, crucially, Australia has compulsory voting, which means the Liberals must appeal to swinging voters, not just the base. It was time, Paterson said, to call time on the apology tour and get on with it. To date, Ley has not made such a defining speech, and the party is not getting on with it.

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Exclusive NationalInvestigations Mind-boggling: Whistleblower reveals how global bikie boss won Nauru security deal Nick McKenzie and Cameron Houston November 8, 2025  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

A former Australian soldier recruited to support a controversial Albanese government deportation plan is demanding answers after discovering a bikie gang had infiltrated the critical border security operation. Oisin Donohoe revealed, in an interview with this masthead and 60 Minutes, how the Finks bikie gang had won a key taxpayer-funded contract to provide security on Nauru to former immigration detainees set to be deported from Australia and that his efforts to report it to the government had been ignored. Oisin Donohoe, an ex-soldier who was appalled when he found out the government-funded security firm he signed up for was run by bikies. Steven Siewert Donohoe was one of several former Australian military and law enforcement officials recruited as part of the secretive privately run taxpayer-funded security operation, which deployed its first group of officers from Brisbane last Thursday. Rather than fly to Nauru with his new colleagues, Donohoe instead chose to publicly reveal how Finks gang members, led by the groups feared international president, Ali Bilal, along with Bilals bikie associates, are part of the security operation launched to help the Albanese and Nauruan governments manage the so-called NZYQ cohort.

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The Albanese government struck a deal to deport the cohort to the tiny Pacific island in Australias latest use of Nauru as a border security outpost. They are convicted criminals who could not be sent to their country of origin nor kept in indefinite detention following a High Court ruling. Ali Bilal, who changed his name by deed poll to Tony Soprano. It was pretty confronting to know that an outlaw motorcycle group was running a company that had got a government contract, said Donohoe, who had served almost five years as a rifleman in the Australian Army. He described it as mind-boggling that bikies could be part of a contract to oversee quite a significant national security item on the agenda. Donohoe said he strongly believed the Albanese government had chosen to turn a blind eye to bikie involvement to preserve its offshore detention regime and its relationship with Nauru.

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The Nauru governments support is critical not only to the detention regime but also in keeping Beijing at bay in the South Pacific. Editor's pick Immigration Labors totally bonkers deportation deal will give Nauru $2.5 billion in 30 years I dont think theres any way possible that [federal government agencies] didnt know, Donohoe said, while also revealing how he had repeatedly contacted federal agencies and politicians about the bikie infiltration. Ive complained to the ATO, Ive complained to ASIC, the AFP, pretty much anyone thats high up enough that will potentially listen, but through time Ive found out that theyre happy to ignore me. Donohoe said he had also personally contacted a number of government, opposition and crossbench politicians with his concerns.

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The fact that Ive had zero response from any of the ministers that Ive contacted suggests that theyre more than happy to sweep it under the rug, and then the very next week hand over $2.5 billion to the Nauru government, he said referencing a 30-year deal struck in September in which Australia will pay $408 million in up-front costs to set up the scheme. The only response Ive had so far has been from the office of Jacqui Lambie, who said that they would put questions to parliament. A Finks gathering outside Parliament House in Canberra. Donohoe discovered the Finks were involved in the Nauru security operation earlier this year when he was recruited by a firm called Safe Hands, before this masthead reported on concerns about the gangs role there in August. The company won a contract supplying Australian security personnel in Nauru to manage the NZYQ detainees after arrival from Australia.

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After being hired, Donohoe began to field orders on an encrypted communications platform from the son of Bilal, the worldwide leader of the Finks. Editor's pick Exclusive

Investigations Leader of Australian bikie gang strikes deal to provide security on Nauru Donohoe uncovered further evidence, including an encrypted platform message sent by Bilal himself in March in which the bikie boss appeared to be secretly overseeing the recruitment and deployment of the so-called quick reaction team (QRT) on Nauru. I still expect daily reports abd (sic) will try b available for our 4 calls, Bilal said in the March 25 message in which he also appears to appoint managers under his control to run the Nauru operation. Plz direct all works / Naru and the staff we hired.

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Another senior manager running the team is Tim Jones, a bikie gang associate who owns the ACT property where Bilal resides and who has managed businesses on behalf of Bilal. The Finks infiltration of the Nauru contract involves at least two Canberra-based companies under the apparent ultimate control of Bilal and Jones, via opaque corporate structures and suspected company fronts. It appears the firms are to be paid by Nauruan corporate entities hired by the Nauruan government, but ultimately paid for with Australian taxpayer funds given to the Pacific island in return for its accepting the NZYQ detainees. Donohoe said he was told by Bilals associates in the encrypted group chats, which included Bilal as a member under the name of fictional TV gangster Tony Soprano, that the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Home Affairs would assist with the deployment. AFP is now in direct contact with Nauru Airlines ... AFP has confirmed that they will provide a formal start date through Home Affairs once their internal logistics are finalised, Donohoe was told in an April 9 message.

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The revelations come after Labor commissioned former spy chief Dennis Richardson two years ago to advise on how to prevent suspected criminal entities from infiltrating the large taxpayer-funded offshore detention contracts on Nauru. While the Albanese government says the Home Affairs-controlled offshore processing regime is separate from its deal with Nauru to accept the NZYQ detainees, both schemes are possible only because Australia has promised billions of dollars to Nauru to solve Canberras immigration problem. Nauruan President David Adeang and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the announcement of a treaty in December. Alex Ellinghausen In his report, Richardson urges the Home Affairs Department to strengthen its due diligence systems after revelations by this masthead that now-former offshore detention service providers had made suspected bribe payments to allegedly corrupt Pacific island officials, as well as a business with links to the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang. The report did not examine the Safe Hands arrangements. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke declined an interview request and did not answer questions relating to the governments role in the contracts.

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In a one-sentence statement, he said he had full confidence in the relevant agencies. Donohoe called on the government to conduct a public inquiry into the latest scandal. If no ones gonna step up and actually hold [the bikie-linked firms and those enabling them] accountable, then theyll be allowed to continue their operations, Donohoe said. It needs to be called out once and for all. Because I do not want to see my government continue to hand over money without doing their proper checks. The revelations also raise questions for Nauru President David Adeang, who recently inked the NZYQ deal with Burke.

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Ali Bilal, who changed his name by deed poll to Tony Soprano. A confidential source with deep knowledge of the Nauruan private security operation linked to the Finks said gang associate Tim Jones claimed to have had personal dealings with Adeang and was angling to be appointed a special adviser to the Nauruan government. The involvement of Finks-linked personnel on Nauru could give the bikie gang a new hub to run its operations, three sources with knowledge of the gang or the Nauru security operation said. Adeang has a history of suspected corruption. Australian security agencies have told the federal government he might have pocketed alleged kickbacks paid by companies subcontracted to run Australias offshore processing regime on Nauru in 2020. Adeang has also been suspected of using Australian banks to launder funds meant to be used to run offshore processing, according to intelligence briefings shared with federal government agencies and senior ministers.

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The detainees to be deported to Nauru have been deemed by the federal government to be too dangerous or unsavoury to remain in Australia. Donohoe has also launched legal action against the Safe Hands Group, alleging he was unlawfully treated as an employee and, in legal filings, he says the firm has associations with OMCG-linked individuals (Ali Bilal, Timothy Jones) and other members of the Nauru project, including Bilals family and friends/ other known gang members. Mr Ali Bilal himself disguising himself on this project as Tony Soprano speaks for itself. The Nauru project itself raises grave concerns of corrupt conduct and fraud against the Australian government. This operation was never a genuine employment initiative  it was designed to defraud the Commonwealth by exploiting Australias multimillion-dollar aid commitment to Nauru. Safe Hands is contesting the case at the commission.

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A Home Affairs Department spokeswoman said in a statement that Safe Hands was not involved in the offshore processing contracts it oversaw, which were separate from the NZYQ arrangement. Australias offshore processing policy has involved sending asylum seekers to the Nauru detention centre since 2001. About 100 detainees are held in the facility. Tim Jones, who has managed businesses on behalf of Ali Bilal and owns ACT property where Bilal lives. The department did not answer questions about whether it was appropriate for an organisation like the Finks to be involved in the NZYQ system. In a statement, the AFP said it was aware of the allegations about the involvement of the Finks but that it had no involvement in private security arrangements in Nauru.

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Jones, who did not respond to requests for comment, was previously employed by Safe Hands Group as a general manager until about 2022, according to a now-deleted LinkedIn profile. A source who had extensive dealings with the Finks, speaking anonymously out of fear of repercussions, told this masthead that Jones was a close associate of the Finks and Bilal. The source also said they had been party to discussions involving Bilal, which related to the Nauru deal and showed Bilal was running Safe Hands via proxies. Branden Jones (bottom left) at a Finks get-together. His son, Branden Jones, 26, is an associate of the Finks who became a director of Safe Hands 002 Pty Ltd in August 2023, before the company was placed into liquidation last year owing almost $894,000 in outstanding tax lodgments to the Australian Taxation Office.

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Safe Hands Group Pty Ltd was registered in February 2023, before assets and clients were transferred between the two companies in an alleged case of phoenixing. The consulate-general of Nauru and the Nauru high commission did not respond to questions. Phone calls to the Nauru parliament were not returned. Bilal also did not respond to questions, but he has previously denied his involvement with the Finks and Rebels bikie gangs. However, police made submissions in the ACT Supreme Court, the ACT Magistrates Court and the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission, claiming the 53-year-old was a senior figure in the ACT chapter of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang. Detective Sergeant Owen Patterson, of the anti-bikie taskforce Nemesis, said in court in April that Bilal was previously a leader of the ACT Rebels but that members patched over to the Finks in 2023 and that Bilal was believed to have been appointed world president of the gang. In 2022, Bilal was sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty to five charges relating to using a carriage service to harass or threaten, after his conversations were captured by telephone intercepts. Bilal changed his name by deed poll to Tony Soprano in 2002 before changing it back several years later.

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The November 8 edition

There is a particular fascination which arises when ordinary people do extraordinary things. This was never more evident than with the publics reaction to the mushroom murders. This phrase became the conversational shorthand used to refer to the case of Erin Patterson, a woman who was accused of murder after three people died and another ended up in a coma following a lunch at her country home, where she served them a meal of beef Wellington laced with highly poisonous death cap mushrooms. Pattersons possible motivations dominated discussion around the world as we collectively tried to make sense of her actions, especially during her trial, where a jury ultimately found her guilty of murder and attempted murder. A trio of Australias most respected authors  Helen Garner, Sarah Krasnostein and Chloe Hooper  joined forces during the court case to explore this for a new book. In todays issue, we have an extract which captures their observations of Patterson and their attempt to understand how a middle-aged mother of two became one of the nations most talked-about women.  Melissa Stevens, editor
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Exclusive NationalVictoriaRacing integrity The violent criminal, the billionaires son, the $20k payment and the Melbourne Cup-winning horse Cameron Houston and Danny Russell November 8, 2025  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Prominent Victorian thoroughbred owner Nick Williams paid $20,000 to a violent criminal and former stable hand who repeatedly demanded money he claimed he was owed for helping to prepare 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient. Williams, the son of seven-time Melbourne Cup-winning horse owner and property developer Lloyd Williams, provided evidence of the payment in response to questions from The Age about a conversation he had with former Macedon Lodge employee Mark Dosen at Flemington Racecourse in 2023. Thoroughbred owner Nick Williams speaks to former Macedon Lodge employee Mark Dosen in front of The Grandstand at Flemington Racecourse in 2023. Footage sent to The Age shows Nick Williams leaning on a rail in front of Flemingtons mounting yard and chatting with Dosen in the shadow of The Grandstand. Speaking through his lawyer, Nick Williams claimed Dosen threatened him and his family during the conversation before the covert recording commenced. The 4-minute meeting took place in full view of the public. It begins and ends with the men shaking hands. The lawyer said his client was in 2024 approached by Dosen again and stood over in relation to money Dosen believed he was owed for his role in the preparation of champion gelding Efficient, which won the 2007 Melbourne Cup. Williams believed Dosen had already been paid what he was entitled to as a stable hand, according to his lawyer, Nathan Kuperholz. He described Dosens behaviour as menacing in regard to his repeated demands for the $20,000 payment.

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Dosen has a string of convictions for blackmail, arson, kidnapping, fraud, aggravated burglary and recklessly causing injury and has spent almost a decade in jail. He was imprisoned in 2018 over a 2016 incident in which he similarly demanded a $20,000 payment from the former Macedon Lodge vet who sacked him in 2009. The lawyer said Dosen had not disclosed previous criminal convictions when he began working for the prominent racing family. People with a criminal history and an association with the horse racing industry are sometimes banned from racecourses in Victoria via exclusion orders issued by Victoria Police. Similar orders apply to casinos. A Victoria Police spokeswoman would not comment on whether Dosen had been banned over his extensive criminal history, citing privacy issues, and it is not clear whether he is on such a list. Mark Dosen with Efficient after the horse won the 2007 Melbourne Cup. Paul Rovere Separately, people can also be banned or warned off racetracks by Racing Victoria, the industry regulator. Their attendance is policed by race clubs, security and integrity officials. RV confirmed Dosen was not on that list. The Victoria Racing Club, which runs the Flemington racecourse, referred The Age to Racing Victoria for comment. Nick Williams lawyer said his client had notified police of his interactions with Dosen, including his plan to pay him. It is not clear whether police took any action as a result of those complaints and Williams lawyer did not respond to a specific question about when the police complaint was made.

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Mark Dosen celebrates Efficients victory at Flemington in 2007. Paul Rovere A Victoria Police spokeswoman said she was unable to locate an official report on Williams payment of money to Dosen, based on the details available. Given the circumstances outlined, we would certainly encourage that person to come forward and make a report to police, the spokeswoman said. In a text message exchange supplied by Kuperholz, Nick Williams tells Dosen he will pay him the money. I would pay you this money on the basis that you or anyone on your behalf agree to not contact, intimidate and/or threaten my employees both past and present, family and myself at anytime [sic], the message from December 17, 2024 read. Dosen then asked for $50,000 before agreeing to the earlier offer and Williams sent him a receipt confirming the bank transfer of $20,000.

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The Age attempted to contact Dosen. Attempts were also made to contact the vet he attacked in 2016, but he did not respond and The Age has chosen not to name him. Dosen broke into the home of the vet and whipped him with a belt, punched him in front of his wife and young daughter and threatened to kill the man unless he handed over $20,000. He then abducted him and drove him to a bank, claiming he (Dosen) had helped train Efficient and was entitled to a share of its winnings, County Court judge Paul Grant was told at the trial. After his arrest and while on remand, Dosen sent a letter to the vet attempting to blackmail him into changing his statement, threatening his family would be hurt. The Age approached Nick Williams in person and with written questions, but all responses were provided by his lawyer. Follow-up questions and attempts to clarify information about police reports were met with legal threats. Nick Williams with mother Suzie and trainer Graeme Rogerson after their horse Efficient won the 2007 Melbourne Cup. Vince Caligiuri.

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Kuperholz accused this masthead of relying on the words and conduct of a serial criminal offender who continues to adopt repeated standover and blackmail tactics. Frankly, my clients consider your repeated approaches as an impertinence, a total invasion of their privacy and outlandish, Kuperholz wrote. Efficients victory in the 2007 Melbourne Cup was breathtaking. The grey gelding flashed home out wide with a withering run to mow down leader Purple Moon on the line, handing Lloyd Williams his third Melbourne Cup. The elder Williams won again with other horses in 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2020. Efficient won the 2007 Melbourne Cup. Wayne Taylor

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Efficient had won the VRC Derby the year before but had been disappointing since, failing to run a place in his next six starts leading up to the Melbourne Cup. He started at odds of about 20-1. Lloyd Williams supervised all facets of the training business, down to the hands-on preparation of his individual horses. He employed a succession of private trainers at Macedon Lodge  Graeme Rogerson, John Sadler, Robert Hickmott and Liam Howley  but they were rarely permitted to speak to media outlets before or after races. New Zealander Rogerson is listed as Efficients trainer on the Melbourne Cup honour roll. Macedon Lodge is the elite private training complex formerly owned by Lloyd Williams. It is set among rolling hills at Macedon, about a 45-minute drive north-west of Melbourne off the Calder Freeway.

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The Williams family stopped training from the property in 2019, farming their horses out to public trainers, and sold it for a reported $20 million in 2022 to pub baron Bruce Dixon. In a 2009 Sky Racing interview, Nick Williams denied his father had imposed a media ban on their staff. But he said Macedon Lodge had a corporate structure in place that meant all communications were handled by the Williamses and not the trainer or jockeys. Lloyd Williams speaks and if he is not available then Nick Williams speaks, he said. Nick Williams has publicly spoken of wild celebrations with Melbourne music promoter Michael Gudinski after horses they co-owned won the coveted Melbourne Cup. Victoria Police has the power to exclude people from the states race tracks, including Flemington. Getty Images

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Williams and Gudinski, who grew up next to Caulfield racecourse, shared ownership in three Melbourne Cup-winning horses  Almandin in 2016, Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020. Another horse that Gudinski owned with the Williamses, called Homesman, won the Australian Cup at Flemington five days after Gudinskis death in March 2021. Lloyd Williams is held in awe in racing circles for his ability to source horses capable of winning the Melbourne Cup and is known for his friendship with business tycoon and fearless gambler the late Kerry Packer. The pair owned a number of horses together, including 1987 Sydney Cup winner Major Drive and 1993 VRC Derby winner Mahogany, and were famous for landing million-dollar betting plunges. Williams now owns horses with Packers son, James, including stayer Point King, which runs in Williams navy and white silks. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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PoliticsFederalVale Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson dies aged 76 Anthony Segaert and Millie Muroi Updated November 8, 2025  11:08am ,first published November 8, 2025  7:56am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Graham Richo Richardson, the longtime former Labor senator, party powerbroker and media commentator, has died at 76. After weeks of ill health with influenza and pneumonia, and years of struggle with cancer, the political titan died at 3.50am on Saturday, his family said. Famed Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson has died. Ben Appleton The news was announced by 2GB Breakfast host Ben Fordham, who spoke with Richardsons wife, Amanda, and son DArcy, early on Saturday. Richardson served as a NSW senator in federal parliament between 1983 and 1994. He was, at the time, the youngest elected senator, aged 33 when he first arrived in parliament.

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Gallery Gallery icon 18 images Vale A life in pictures  Graham Richardson He was a cabinet minister under prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, variously as minister for social security, transport and communications, health and the environment. After leaving politics he became a political commentator. He appeared on Channel Sevens election night coverage for years, and since 2011 hosted Richo, an evening commentary program on Sky News. He also led Richo + Jones, a joint program with former broadcaster Alan Jones. The outspoken Labor veteran had battled cancer for years but remained active in the media until as late as September this year. In 2016, he underwent a marathon 18-hour surgery to remove several organs, during which his heart stopped several times. I wasnt sure if this was a vengeful God getting even with me for all the evil deeds that Id done over the years, Richardson remembered in an interview at the time.

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Fiercely loyal Leading tributes on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the powerbroker knew he was not without his faults but he was loyal without being overly sentimental. He himself would say he wasnt perfect. He was a larger-than-life character and he was someone who always lifted up the spirits of a room where he was, Albanese told ABC Radio Sydney. He was someone who was fiercely loyal to those people around him, and in return he inspired, I think, a great deal of affection. Graham Richardson during the Australian Labor Party conference at Sydney Town Hall in 1992. Bruce Milton Miller Albanese, who said he spoke to Richardson now and then, said the Labor loyalist was a great lunch companion and was supportive of Albaneses leadership. He was always worth returning the call.

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Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the labour movement had lost one of its giants. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Richardson dragged the entire landscape with him when he moved, with a lasting legacy as environment minister in saving the Daintree Rainforest and the Wet Tropics. Many people in public life are described as a force of nature, Burke said in a statement. Richo was a full tectonic plate. His policy legacy went beyond the making and unmaking of leaders. Senator Graham Richardson (left) and Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1990. Peter Morris Burke said that the title of Richardsons book Whatever It Takes would lead many to conclude everything was about power for the former politician but he had greater motivations.

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I saw, up close, a fiercely loyal man try to drive a better health system and invest his capital before he left parliament in obtaining what was, back then, the largest-ever investment in Indigenous health, Burke said. Ill miss his support, humour, his counsel and his occasional insistence on a very long lunch. Related Article CBD Inside former Labor powerbroker Graham Richardsons 75th birthday lunch Treasurer Jim Chalmers remembered him as a fearsome political animal  but also kind and generous. Richos legacy was to attach power to purpose, to harness his immense influence in the service of his country, its people and, in time, its environment, he said. He was a peerless political animal; fearsome as a practitioner but kind and generous in his semi-retirement. NSW Premier Chris Minns singled out his work as environment minister, when he helped secure protection and world heritage listing of the Daintree Rainforest and Kakadu National Park.

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Former prime minister Scott Morrison said he and Richardson struck up an unlikely friendship during the 2010 election, and former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg agreed that Richardson was not afraid to make friends across the aisle. Liberal MP Tim Wilson described him as always encouraging with his honesty. Former NSW Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet said: He was passionately Labor but always generous with his advice and support because above all he wanted to make NSW a better place. Amanda Vanstone, a former Liberal MP who replaced Richardson as the countrys youngest senator, recalled his Shakespearean antics when bogong moths infiltrated the new Parliament House and were being barbecued by the lights, crying: Let the bogongs be gone! Fordham recounted on Saturday morning: When he had his big health challenge, he said to his wife Amanda, Im going to live til I see DArcy finish exams and his HSC. DArcy did his last HSC exam on Thursday ... and Richo died this morning. Get alerts on breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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InspirationSouth Africa Opinion Here to see animals, it was the plants that blew my mind Kerry van der Jagt Travel writer November 8, 2025  2:00am

November 8, 2025  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Like many travellers to South Africa Im here for the big things  the Big Five safari animals, sprawling wine estates, towering mountains  so when our guide Sompila explains that the Capes characteristic fynbos vegetation is part of the worlds smallest floral kingdom I barely raise an eyebrow. After all, Ive joined the tour with the promise of adventure. Pocket-sized plant kingdoms, not so much. Photo: Jamie Brown But on our first day on Cape Towns Table Mountain a new appreciation begins to bloom. Under Sompilas guidance I learn that the UNESCO-listed Cape Floral Kingdom isnt just the smallest, but also the richest of the worlds six floral kingdoms. Despite its size  a mere tuft on South Africas south-western tip  it has the greatest non-tropical concentration of higher plants than anywhere in the world. Now that is big news. Before coming here I didnt know my fynbos from my rooibos, but the minute Sompila gives us free time I leap onto one of the ranger-led nature walks, bouncing from proteas to mountain daisies like a rock hyrax. Im tickled to discover that fynbos is an old Dutch word for fine bush, a perfect descriptor for these smallish plants that range from low-lying shrubs and delicate orchards, to succulents and sunbushes. As a biology student at university, I studied zoology, drawn to animals red in tooth and claw. In comparison botany seemed too predictable, too constrained. A little nerdy even.

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Until I stepped inside this floral kingdom. With the eagerness of an explorer I make notes about the fabulous fynbos five - Proteaceae, Ericaceae, Restionaceae, Asteraceae and Geophytes. Words that whisper of rogue plants evolving, adapting, thriving and surviving, all sketched in my notepad with a dedication that would make Charles Darwin proud. Its a budding shift, but my transition to the green side has begun. The UNESCO-listed Cape Floral Kingdom isnt just the smallest, but also the richest of the worlds six floral kingdoms. iStock A day tour to Cape Point Nature Reserve brings me nose to spike with a Protea lepidocarpodendron, one of the monarchs of the fynbos, while the Cape of Good Hope delivers a swathe of red Ericas, their petals bursting like fireworks. Forged by fire, fynbos is the Capes great illusionist; unremarkable from a distance, but up close it blazes like a thousand shooting stars. The facts are mind-blowing  9000 species in just 90,000 square-kilometres, making it even more rich and varied than the Amazon rainforest. And of these, almost 70 per cent are found nowhere else in the world. Forget the science, surely such a hot spot can only have come about by alchemy.

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The magic continues during a coastal hike, when two baboons saunter across my path like lords surveying their kingdom. These natural-born foragers play an important role in the ecology of the fynbos, helping to spread seeds and regulate plant growth. In days to come, well see monkeys and baboons in Kruger National Park, but the sight of this royal pair, their hooked tails waving like flags above the heath, is the story Ill tell for years. Related Article South Africa Dramatic peninsula is home to one of the worlds most scenic drives Our final stop at Boulders Beach on the way back to Cape Town brings animal antics of the African penguin kind. Critically endangered, this colony of 3000 birds relies on the dense fynbos for nesting and shelter. Its dusk as they come ashore, waddling through the undergrowth to feed their chicks beneath a low canopy of hardy leaves. With my new fynbos-tinted glasses firmly in place, I can better see that big things do come in small packages. If travel has one superpower, its the ability to transform us in the most surprising of ways. The writer was a guest of Inspiring Vacations. See inspiringvacations.com

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InspirationBeach and island holidays The luxury fortress hotel transforming Thailands notorious party city Eryk Bagshaw November 9, 2025  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 8 View all comments

Its Friday night in Pattaya, and the go-go clubs are heaving. A charred crocodile is being carved. The guy wearing a python looks tired. So does the Siberian eagle owl being forced to pose for photos with tourists. Nearby, the live sex shows are in full swing: $25 with a free drink. Along the beach, dozens of people are facing away from the ocean. I wonder why no one is looking at the water. Then I see potential clients walking between them on the promenade, inquiring about prices for the night and the nationalities on offer. For six decades, Pattaya has grappled with its reputation as a gulf of sex and sleaze. First, it was US Marines on respite during the Vietnam War. Then it was the heavy and sweaty set from Australia and the UK. Today, its new money from India and Russia. Pattayas red-light Walking Street. Bloomberg Now Pattaya wants to rebrand itself as a lifestyle destination. A new resort is betting big it can do just that.

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The Standard, famous for its eccentric luxury hotels in New York, London and Ibiza, has just opened one of its biggest projects in Pattaya Na Jomtien, two hours from Bangkok. We dont want you to leave, my hotel guide tells me with a trademark Thai smile as I check in. Its a White Lotus welcome to a fortress 20 minutes from the infamous red-light district. The pearly white gates are designed to keep guests in and Pattayas reputation locked out. The Standard Hotel in Pattaya Na Jomtien was designed by Thai firm Onion. Visuwat Sudthitanakorn Thai architects Onion have designed a brutalist enclave wrapped in white walls that curve around the blue sky in this monument to minimalist excess.

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There are 161 rooms, from $315 a night for a standard king to $1500 a night for the deluxe one-bedroom suite with an ocean view and a private pool. There is room for hundreds of guests to frolic through the beachfront resort, which has two restaurants, an ergonomic kids club and an adults-only social spa, but when I arrive in mid-October, Im one of only a dozen here to preview the hotel a week before it officially opens to the public. A drone is flying through the beachside restaurant, the windows are still being sealed, and my companions, travel influencers from Asia and Europe, are armed with selfie sticks and a catalogue of Instagram pirouettes (perfect, at the sixth time of asking). Poolside at The Standard Hotel in Pattaya Na Jomtien. Visuwat Sudthitanakorn Its beautiful, amusing and a bit eerie. But there is no doubt its got potential.

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The hotel is targeting mostly affluent Thai tourists looking for a weekend escape, and one of its strongest drawcards is its location: it is only a two-hour drive from central Bangkok or 1 hours from Suvarnabhumi Airport. For international visitors, its the kind of place you could whiz off to for a couple of days after a quick visit to Bangkok without having to jump on another plane. In return, you wont get a white sandy beach or crystal clear water. But you will get spectacular beach sunsets, a decent kite-surfing scene and an emerging beach bar hub along the Na Jomtien waterfront. The deluxe suite at The Standard Hotel in Pattaya Na Jomtien. Visuwat Sudthitanakorn The deluxe one-bedroom suite where I am staying is stocked with knickknacks, a lip lamp, speckled tiles, an elaborate hand-painted headboard, and a kettle that tells you when its reached exactly 96 degrees. Theres space. A lot of space. Its got a bathroom thats bigger than my living room and a private pool.

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My typical mid-morning routine is to swim in my pool, then swim in the resort pool, then swim in my pool again just because I can. Usually, this ritual finishes by 1pm, which means its club sandwich time, a form of nutrition that, like gozleme at a festival, is only acceptable at a resort. Its a tad under-seasoned, but Ill forgive that because there are spicy prawn cakes and a burnt orange spritz on the side. It zaps. The private pool in the deluxe one-bedroom suite. Visuwat Sudthitanakorn Fortunately, the club sandwich is my only flirtation with typical resort food. The dinner menu at Sereia is unashamedly Thai, and not average hotel Thai, but proper punch in the face coastal Thai that is not mucking around with just pad Thai, pad see ew or satay. The kaeng kua pu-nim with lump crab meat in a rich red curry with wild betel leaf is transcendent. Youll struggle with the heady flavours of Sereia if you have a more delicate palate, but because The Standard is really catering to the well-heeled Bangkok set, its a risk the hotel can afford to take.

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As the sun goes down over the gulf, the beach bar is the place to be. Here, muted orange finishes on the umbrellas and chairs wrap around the pool and the ocean. Im less interested in the tequila sunset on offer and more interested in a cold Singha beer with ice and a fermented Isaan sausage. My kingdom for a Sydney beachside purveyor of Thai fermented sausages and beer. The Standard Hotel in Pattaya Na Jomtien. After dark, the beach bar transforms into Esme, a Mexican-Thai fusion restaurant that is still a work in progress. The Standard has hedged its bets on a more diverse offering, but it pulls back on the spice so much that after Sereias flavour explosion, you feel like something punchy is missing. The resort insists it has everything a holiday could need, but I want to explore. So apart from my Friday night excursion, I take myself down the road to Preecha Seafood, an enormous restaurant in a shed on the beach, filled with families having their weekend lunches. Theres no air-conditioning, or fans, because a gentle sea breeze keeps this local institution cool. Its one of those classic Thai venues where vibes are high and the prices low. A storm passes through, clearing the air of its humid sweat. The rain thrashes so deafeningly on the roof that its hard to hear the waiter. Its a spectacle for the non-monsoonal among us, but few locals look up from their plates piled with pepper crabs, clams and lobsters as the wall of water surrounds them.

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Bingo. Im back in the Asia that I used to know. The contrast between Preecha, The Standard and even the sordid spectacle of Pattayas red-light district explains why Thailand does tourism so well. From designer hotels to the street stall next door. Everything works (except for the traffic). The people are warm, happy and hospitable. If anything, Thailand might be too focused on tourism to the detriment of its own economy. The Standard is betting thats not going to change any time soon. The Standard has now invested in not one but three major hotels in Thailand. Further down the peninsula, it has another beachfront resort in Hua Hin. In Bangkok, its Asia flagship towers above the Silom district in the CBD. There are 155 rooms from $300 to $600 a night, capped off by the highest restaurant in Thailand, Ojo, and a lift that takes you there that makes you feel like you are on the set of Tron. The Standard in Bangkok. Visuwat Sudthitanakorn

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Ojo is my second Mexican-Thai fusion in two days, and Im beginning to sense a bit of a theme. Whats the deal? Down the rabbit hole I go. My deep scroll over dinner reveals that Spanish colonialists brought chilli to Asia from the Americas via the Philippines in the 16th century. When chillies arrived in Thailand, they made a joyous union with coriander and limes. All three are essential to Mexican and Thai cuisine. Its a marriage that makes sense and is becoming increasingly popular (if you want to go a step further, Id recommend Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh in trendy Watthana by Michelin-starred chef Gaggan Anand, which adds Indian to the fusion mix). The Mexican-Thai bone marrow at Ojo. Visuwat Sudthitanakorn Ojo is the capstone of the space-age retro glam skyscraper overlooking the Chao Phraya River, which houses The Standard in Bangkok. Its filled with attentive staff who bring out course after course for me to sample. Because I dont usually review hotels, I wolf down the first five courses, not realising another five are to come. The bone marrow with lime somehow manages to be unbelievably decadent, fresh and punchy. I am a balloon by the time the quail comes out.

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I retire to one of The Standards spacious corner king rooms. The hotel is a mix of art deco and Asian pop art. I wouldnt call it kid-friendly, but its vibrant and quirky. The lobby is not a lobby. Its a living room. There are co-working spaces, and the rooms are filled with sculptures and craft beer. Bonus points for the Japanese toilets. If you know, you know. The Standard Grill at The Standard in Bangkok. Visuwat Sudthitanakorn This breed of hotels is high on style, low on buffets. Its a holiday that feels personalised, even if it is mass-produced. Wes Anderson might shudder at the corporatisation of his aesthetic, but its giving the legacy brands of the Marriott, Hilton and Sofitel a run for their money as Millennials catch up to Baby Boomers as the worlds biggest spending travellers. Fortunately for their bottom lines, the parent companies of each are also behind the boutique brands. Hotel giant Accor, which owns the Sofitel, also owns the 25hours Hotels line, Marriott owns the Autograph brand, and Hyatt owns The Standard. They are smart investments in a market that is increasingly delivering a curated experience for the masses.

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Heck, Ill take an Isaan sausage with a seaside beer in a Pattaya Instagram fortress any day. THE DETAILS STAY

The Standard, Pattaya Na Jomtien has 161 rooms and suites from $315 a night. The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon has 155 rooms, including balcony suites and penthouses. Rooms from $300 a night. See standardhotels.com FLY

Qantas and Thai Airways fly daily to Bangkok. The Standard, Pattaya Na Jomtien, is two hours from the Bangkok CBD and 1 hours from Suvarnabhumi Airport, depending on the traffic. See qantas.com/en-au The writer travelled as a guest of The Standard.

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It took just one night for Europe to be suddenly reminded of its total exposure to airborne malice, forcing leaders to step up work on their defences.

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A single night of calculated mayhem left at least 20,000 passengers in chaos when a small number of drones flew over Copenhagen airport and forced authorities to ground dozens of flights. The chaos came to Oslo airport soon afterwards, and then to smaller airfields. Within days, there were drones over military bases in Denmark and Norway. Europe was suddenly reminded of its total exposure to airborne malice. The chronic disruption in September forced national leaders to step up their work on drone defences. The European Union quickly updated its defence plans to pledge more spending on systems that could intercept drones and force them to the ground. Leaders even talked about a drone wall to stop attacks. But none of that helped Brussels Airport this week when it had to ground flights on Tuesday and Thursday after drones were seen around the runway, which it shares with the Melsbroek military air base. Nor Swedens second-largest airport, Gothenburg-Landvetter, which halted traffic on Thursday and launched a sabotage investigation. Nor Liege Airport in Belgium, which stopped flights briefly on Friday morning. Week after week, the drones keep coming  and authorities are struggling to stop them. Amsterdam was targeted in September, Munich in October. The events force urgent questions about the cost and capacity of new technologies that can protect people and essential infrastructure. Some of the answers come from Australia. No civilian airport in the world, to my knowledge, has a fully deployed counter-drone system, says Oleg Vornik, the chief executive of DroneShield, a company based in Sydney that exports systems to stop drones. He knows of many projects under way, and his company is part of the work at airports and other sites, but he does not describe these systems as full defences. Not yet, at least. Another Australian company, Electro Optical Systems (EOS), is making drone defences in Canberra and exporting them at a rapid rate. Its chief executive, Andreas Schwer, is watching what happens in Europe because he expects it to keep happening. Like many others, he sees drones as an emerging hybrid threat from hostile nations. Passengers look at a departure board after cancellations and delays following the latest drone incursion, this time over Brussels Airport this week. AP

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Those kind of threat scenarios are extremely hard to defeat, he says. Why? Because those kinds of drones can be launched from anywhere. In the case of Copenhagen, it looks like they were launched from a vessel close by. They fly 30 or 40 kilometres, they do the mission over a few hours, and then they can return to the vessel and nobody knows where they came from. We have to expect this to happen more frequently in the future. The timing points everyone to a natural suspect. Russian drones flew over Poland two weeks before the Copenhagen incidents, in a startling move that led NATO to scramble fighter jets to shoot them down. At least one Russian drone flew over Romania. These were military alerts directly linked to the war in Ukraine, but Western military officials do not regard them as accidental incursions. After all, three MiG fighters also flew over Estonia. The overwhelming belief is that Russia is testing Western defences. And it has help from allies: the drones that bombard Ukraine use motors and electronics made in China, based on designs from Iran, and sometimes using explosives from North Korea. There is even speculation that North Korean labourers will work at Russian factories to help increase drone production. At the same time, Chinese ships have sailed from Russia and been accused of dragging anchors in the Baltic to cut major communication cables on the sea floor, disrupting phone and internet traffic. Cyberattacks are routinely sourced to Russia, China and North Korea. The hybrid threats are increasing. The danger, in other words, is not limited to Europe. The drone arms race is global. Liberal democracies are waking up to the need to work together. This is galling for those who could see the way such cheap consumer technology  small motors, propellers and frames  could be exploited for such costly disruption. The really astonishing thing in all of these drone shutdowns at airports is that weve known about this problem for a decade, says Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House in London and a director of the Conflict Studies Research Centre. His most recent book, Who Will Defend Europe?, examines the threat from Russia.

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These major European airports dont have the means to mitigate, or sometimes even detect, the drone incursions, he says. Loading Its an astonishing lapse in security, so of course there are going to be more attacks. Its not just Russia that recognises that this is a major vulnerability for Europe, where they can cause enormous amounts of disruption for very little investment. Also, youll have any number of local idiots cottoning on because they enjoy the drama. It would be wrong to say that nothing was done. Gatwick Airport, near London, grounded hundreds of flights seven years ago after drone sightings over two days, in what police called a malicious attack. Australian authorities acted soon afterwards to tighten controls at airfields. Even so, it is clear that stronger defences will be needed. A mobile radar installation deployed on the Danish coast following a string of unidentifed drone incursions in September. AP More radio frequency (RF) systems, for instance, could detect drones in and near airports and other essential services. In a white paper released last month, DroneShield and consulting firm SRI Group called this the foundational layer for defence. RF sensors can identify the presence of drones by detecting control links, telemetry transmissions, or video feeds, often providing early warning before the drone becomes visible or enters restricted airspace, they said.

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The next layer of defence uses RF systems to jam a drone and force it to the ground. But these systems may not be enough, so there is a case for using radar and optical systems to detect intrusions. A no drone sign outside the perimeter of Brussels Airport after more drone activity this week. AP When it comes to taking down a drone, the equipment seems lifted from a sci-fi movie. One of the DroneShield products, called the DroneGun, looks like a handgun at one end and a chunky black tube at the other. Once hit with the radio waves, the drone should fall to the ground or return to its base. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war NATO raises alert over Russian jets. Trump says shoot them down The systems from EOS include the Slinger, which looks a little like one of the swivelling cannons from Star Wars. It can be fitted to the back of a vehicle and includes radar and a 30mm cannon to hit drones with ammunition. Another product, the Apollo, uses light waves. The company says the laser weapon can kill 20 drones a minute over a range of up to three kilometres. Hundreds of companies are now working in this field, some of them producing drones and some making the defences. The Department of Defence chose 11 Australian suppliers last year to develop uncrewed aerial systems, and some companies are enjoying surging sales and soaring share prices. DroneShield increased its sales to $92.9 million in the three months to September 30, up from $7.8 million in the same period last year. Its share price shot up at the time of the September airport disruptions and then fell back, but the stock is nonetheless five times higher than it was at the start of the year. The company is now worth $3.6 billion.

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EOS recently announced an order for its Apollo laser weapons from a NATO member state, which it will not name, worth $125 million over the next three years. The companys revenue has been lumpy, partly due to corporate restructures, but its market value has climbed to $1.2 billion. Its share price has risen fivefold over the year to date. Loading The stocks are up because the entire industry is surging. There are no guarantees that the Australian companies will ride the global boom to success; anyone who remembers the tech booms of the past will know that failure comes with the territory. Will this make Australians safer? Unfortunately, nobody is promising an electronic shield that can stop every drone. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke about a drone wall in September, in a sign of the urgency around the work to build defences against Russian incursions. In the weeks since then, however, the language has changed because the European Unions defences are unlikely to be so concrete. European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius also used the drone wall phrase in October but quickly switched to a new term: the European Drone Defence Initiative, which will put billions of euros into new defences. These are meant to be operating in part by the end of next year and in full by 2030. This is much broader than protecting airports because the NATO and EU member states have to take into account direct military threats from Russia.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Army Purchase Organisation (APO), Directorate General of Supply and Transport (DGST), Indian Army, Ministry of Defence (MoD), to enable real-time verification of Unique Document Identification Numbers (UDINs) through an Application Programming Interface (API). The integration will be embedded within the vendor registration process of the APO, marking a major step toward enhancing transparency, authenticity, and efficiency in procurement and verification processes within the Indian Army's administrative framework. "The UDIN initiative has been a landmark in promoting authenticity and curbing malpractices in document certification. This collaboration with the Indian Army marks another milestone in extending the benefits of technology-driven transparency to key national institutions," said Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI. Under the MoU, the DGST, Indian Army (MoD), will integrate ICAI's UDIN system through an API to enable real-time verification of CA-certified documents submitted by vendors. The move will strengthen the vendor registration process within the APO. UDIN, or Unique Document Identification Number, is a system-generated number used by professional bodies to ensure the authenticity of documents. For example, ICAI uses it to curb malpractices and verify that documents like certificates and audit reports are indeed certified by a full-time practising Chartered Accountant. The system is designed to automate document authentication, minimise manual errors, and reduce the risk of fraud, ensuring greater reliability in financial and procurement documentation. According to the ICAI, since its inception, the UDIN system has emerged as a powerful tool to uphold integrity and trust in financial reporting. As of now, approximately 9.72 crore UDINs have been generated by Chartered Accountants across India, underscoring its extensive adoption within the profession. Moreover, over 3.2 crore UDINs have been verified and validated by regulators, government authorities, and other stakeholders--reflecting the growing confidence in UDIN as a robust mechanism for ensuring document authenticity. (ANI)
PNN New Delhi [India], November 8: The Swadeshi Rashtriya Gaudhan Summit 2025 witnessed a deeply emotional and historic moment today as the Rashtriya Gaudhan Mahasangh paid tribute to cow protectors from across the country who sacrificed their lives in the service of the cow, the Swadeshi movement, and environmental preservation. The day holds special significance as November 7, 2006 marks the founding of the Rashtriya Gaudhan Mahasangh as an "idealistic non-violent movement." Since then, the day has been observed every year as "Gaubalidan Smriti Diwas" (Martyrs' Memorial Day) and the Foundation Day of the Mahasangh. The program commenced at 9 a.m. with Vedic chanting, havan (ritual offering), and gau poojan (cow worship). This was followed by two minutes of silence to honor all the cow protectors. The gathering included representatives from Gaushalas, farmer organizations, environmentalists, youth volunteers, and social activists from across India, all of whom reaffirmed their collective commitment to cow welfare and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vijay Khurana, National Convener and Chief Spokesperson of Rashtriya Gaudhan Mahasangh, said, "The cow is not just at the heart of our culture but is also the backbone of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Those who sacrificed their lives for cow protection are the eternal symbols of this ideology. The Rashtriya Gaudhan Mahasangh will continue to work tirelessly to fulfill their vision." He announced that in the coming years, November 7 will be observed nationwide as "Gau Seva Sankalp Diwas" (Cow Service Commitment Day), during which schools, panchayats, and Gaushalas will organize cow welfare and environmental awareness campaigns. A symposium on the topic "Cow Economy and the Future" was also held on the occasion, where experts highlighted that if the 9.5 lakh tonnes of cow dung produced annually by India's 22,000 Gaushalas were utilized scientifically, the nation could prevent the felling of approximately 50 million trees each year. Furthermore, the production of organic fertilizers, biogas, natural pesticides, and Panchgavya-based medicines has the potential to create millions of employment opportunities in rural India. The event also honored 25 volunteers for their remarkable contribution to cow welfare. The tribute ceremony concluded with the national anthem and the collective chant of "Gau Mataram." Swadeshi Rashtriya Gaudhan Summit 2025 -- A Five-Day Movement Toward Self-Reliant India This program forms an integral part of the six-day Swadeshi Rashtriya Gaudhan Summit 2025, being held from November 5 to 10, 2025, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, India Gate Circle, New Delhi. The central theme of the summit is -- "Atmanirbhar Bharat through the BioE3 Policy - Environment, Economy, and Employment." According to Mr. Vijay Khurana, the BioE3 Policy provides a practical framework for achieving sustainable growth in India. "Our goal is to ensure that Gaudhan (cow wealth) is not confined to service alone but becomes a means of balance between livelihood, environment, and economy," he said. Over 600 stalls have been set up at the venue, showcasing Panchgavya products, organic farming solutions, green energy innovations, and eco-friendly technologies. The summit has become a vibrant platform for farmers, Gaushala operators, scientists, and entrepreneurs to engage in dialogue, innovation, and collaboration. During its two-decade journey, the Rashtriya Gaudhan Mahasangh has made remarkable progress in spreading the concept of a cow-based sustainable economy- * In 2006, India had around 9,500 Gaushalas, which has now grown to over 22,000.* The cow population has increased from 95 million to 220 million.* Thousands of farmers have transitioned from chemical farming to cow-based organic agriculture.Speaking on the ongoing summit, Mr. Vijay Khurana added, "This is not merely a cultural or religious initiative but a national movement leading India toward sustainability and self-reliance. The cow is the soul of India -- and until Gaudhan becomes part of our economic framework, the dream of a truly self-reliant nation will remain incomplete." The Swadeshi Rashtriya Gaudhan Summit 2025 continues till November 10. Venue: Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, India Gate Circle, New DelhiTime: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM About Rashtriya Godhan Mahasangh An Idealistic Non-Violent Movement dedicated to the welfare of cows and the promotion of cow-based sustainable innovations. Triple E: Environment, Economy, and Employment at the Core. At the heart of this summit lies the Triple E philosophy-focusing on Environment, Economy, and Employment, driving a powerful movement that blends tradition with innovation. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
HT Syndication New Delhi [India], November 8: Today marks the launch of In Good Hands -- a new YouTube podcast channel (also called #InGoodHands) created to demystify healthcare for everyday Indians. The channel will publish expert-led, easy-to-understand conversations on health, wellness, diagnostics, technology, cost and access to care -- presented in a warm, non-technical style that puts people first. The channel was formally launched at a special event held at IILM University, Greater Noida, in the presence of Padma Bhushan Dr. T.S. Kler, Chairman Pan Max & HOD - BLK-Max Heart & Vascular Institute, New Delhi, who delivered an inspiring keynote address on "Why India's Young Adults Face Rising Cardiac Risks." The program began with a welcome note by Dr. Taruna Gautam, Vice Chancellor, IILM University, followed by an introductory address by Mr. Vishal Salhotra, Founding Partner of In Good Hands. The event also featured an engaging Q&A session with students, campus interactions on heart health, and the official on-stage announcement of the In Good Hands YouTube channel launch. The day concluded with felicitation of key contributors and a warm vote of thanks to all dignitaries and partners for supporting this important health awareness initiative. In Good Hands is aimed at anyone who seeks reliable health information without medical jargon: parents, caregivers, young adults making healthcare decisions for the first time, and older adults navigating chronic conditions. Each episode pairs experienced clinicians and health technologists with seasoned media professionals so complex medical topics are explained simply, empathetically and with clear, actionable takeaways. "We started In Good Hands because we believe clear health information changes outcomes," said the channel's founding editorial team. "People deserve accurate, practical answers -- not fear or confusion -- and that's what every episode will deliver." What makes In Good Hands different? Plain-language conversations: Medical experts explain conditions, diagnostics and treatments in everyday language -- no jargon, just useful answers. Format diversity: Long-form interviews for in-depth understanding, short explainer clips for quick learning, and bite-sized reels for social sharing and immediate takeaways. Accessibility-first production: Episodes will include clear summaries, visual explainers and practical cost / access information to help viewers make informed, local choices. Fact-first editorial process: Medical content undergoes expert validation so recommendations are evidence-based and responsibly presented. Audience-centred approach: Each episode addresses real questions people ask -- from "what to expect at a diagnosis" to "how to find affordable care nearby." The team behind the channel In Good Hands is driven by a core editorial and creative team of journalists and media professionals working alongside medical experts. The team includes experienced health journalist Sweta Ranjan, whose background in broadcast and digital storytelling shapes the channel's editorial voice. Joining the editorial leadership are media & production professionals and strategic communications specialists (including Waqar Ahmed, Vishal Salhotra and Rupesh Mishra), who together handle programming, partnerships and audience outreach. The combined experience of journalists and creatives ensures each episode is both authoritative and engaging. Formats & planned content (overview) Rather than focus on a single series, In Good Hands will run a range of formats across health topics: Expert Conversations: 30-50 minute podcasts with senior clinicians and technologists explaining a medical topic end-to-end. Quick Explainers: 5-10 minute videos that break down symptoms, tests and treatment options. Patient Stories & Case Files: Real-world journeys that spotlight lived experiences, affordability and decision points. Technology Spotlights: Short features on accessible medical devices, telemedicine and diagnostics changing care in India. Community Clinics: Episodes exploring local access, public health initiatives and how viewers can navigate services in their city or town. For Indian media: why does this matter now? India needs reliable, relatable health communication more than ever. With health tech adoption rising and health information circulating rapidly online, In Good Hands aims to be a compact, trustworthy source that Indian newsrooms and health communicators can point their audiences to -- especially when medical topics are complex or controversial. The channel's production approach and editorial checks make it well-suited for repurposing by TV, digital publishers and radio. Availability & where to watch? Episodes are now available on the In Good Hands YouTube channel. The team will release a regular schedule of episodes and short-form clips designed for easy sharing across social platforms. Media enquiries & partnerships For press interviews, partnership requests or episode access, please contact: Press Office -- In Good Hands Email: connect.ighinfo@gmail.com. Phone: +91-9811921043 (Please use the contact above for interview requests with the editorial team and subject-matter experts.) About In Good Hands In Good Hands (#InGoodHands) is a media initiative focused on making healthcare information accessible, accurate and actionable for Indian audiences. It brings together journalists, creative producers and medical experts to explain health topics in clear language and to highlight practical pathways to diagnosis, treatment and care. Editorial note: This press release is a promotable draft prepared for Indian media distribution. Specific episode details and guest lists will be shared under separate advisories. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by HT Syndication. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
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Westport Civic Trust will host a talk by Conall OCuinn on Tuesday, November 11th, at 8pm in the Plaza Hotel in Westport. Admission is free to members, otherwise 5 on the night.

Conall OCuinn, former Jesuit who lives in Westport, offers an illustrated retrospective on his time in Africa where he worked in three countries, Zambia, Cotes dIvoire, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He reflects on aspects of the history of colonialism as he experienced it in these countries - from the 1885 Berlin Conference, which carved Africa up among the Western colonising countries, with no African input whatsoever. The colonisation of the Congo basin, which is the size of Western Europe, led to a brutal regime under King Leopold of Belgium. Roger Casement exposed its injustices which resulted in a partial reform.

Conall will talk about his time in Lubumbashi, former Elizabethville, where he encountered traces of the Irish United Nations peace-keeping mission in the region attempting to suppress the secession of the Katanga region from the newly independent Congo. Later while living in Kinshasa, a city of five million people on the banks of the Congo River, he witnessed the last days of the Mobutu dictatorship, just before the city was taken over by a boy army led by warlord and later president Laurent Kabila I.

In his presentation, Conall will reflect on what it was like coming from a country that had a long experience of being colonised to a continent that is still emerging from colonisation. Africa since the days of independence in the early 1960s has undergone recurring coups, often dictated by the politics of the Cold War, where the proxy civil wars between countries were fought by the Eastern and Western superpowers. And during all this time those arbitrary borders set down by Berlin Conference continue to generate wars and disputes to this day.

Conalls GP father moved often with his family - from Aranmore Island in Donegal, to Carna in Connemara, Athenry and finally to Dublin in 1973. He studied biochemistry in UCD, philosophy in Munich, theology in Dublin, and anthropology in Abidjan, West Africa. He has also worked in Chicago, New York and Boston. He now lives with his wife, Mary, in Westport. As a result of his travels, Conall speaks English, Irish, German, French, and some Tonga (a major language of Zambia).
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 8: This year, Hettich's presence at Acetech is nothing short of magic. The German brand is captivating visitors with its magical interior solutions, standing out as an Associate Partner across the exhibition. At the heart of this year's showcase is the SpinLines family, proudly presenting its latest star innovation - RoomSpin. RoomSpin is a choreographed interior system that transforms entire spaces within seconds; rotating room modules to create dynamic, flexible environments. Engineered with a turning and swivelling mechanism, it seamlessly choreographs movement and reconfigures spaces with remarkable fluidity. This innovation empowers designers, architects, and furniture makers with new freedom to plan layouts with unparalleled efficiency and creativity. Alongside RoomSpin, other members of the SpinLines family - FurnSpin and ComfortSpin - are also on display. Taking the concept of Magical Motion even further, Hettich's Table Extension fittings are drawing significant attention. Ideated and Made in India, the KA Table Extension System is delivering effortless expansion for dining and conference tables through synchronised telescopic runners that operate smoothly without brakes. A dedicated display is also featuring Hettich's wide range of Linear Drawer Systems, reaffirming the brand's award-winning reputation as design trends continue shifting toward clean, architectural lines. Alongside these highlights, several of Hettich's other German-engineered innovations are also on display, including sliding solutions, architectural door hardware, and built-in kitchen appliances. The Magic Light series features across all exhibits, accentuating the furniture displays and enhancing the overall immersive experience. Commenting on the participation, Mr. Andre Eckholt, Managing Director at Hettich India, says: "We are excited to welcome you to our booth at Acetech, where we are Transforming Spaces through Magical Motion. At the centre of this year's showcase is RoomSpin, our showstopper making its debut in India and ready to Spinnovate your space. Additionally, our other innovations like the Table Extension and Linear Drawer System further highlight our commitment to redefining modern interiors. We cordially invite you to step into a world of award-winning design and German innovations." You can visit the Hettich booth at Hall No. 1, Stall C 1-2, NESCO, Goregaon, from 6th to 9th November. About Hettich: Hettich is a 137-year-old, family-owned German lifestyle brand, being one of the world's largest manufacturers of Furniture Fittings with a global turnover exceeding 1.5 billion euros. In India, Hettich started operations at the dawn of the new millennium and within a short span of time gained an undisputed leadership position in the Indian furniture fittings industry on the back of its heavy investments in manufacturing capability & sustained brand building. Hettich's product portfolio comprises a repertoire of Furniture Fittings & Door Hardware made with cutting-edge German quality complemented by Wire Products, Aluminum Profiles, Shelving Systems, Built-in Appliances and Furniture Lights, thereby providing magical interior solutions for all residential and commercial spaces. It is the recipient of 'Best Brands 2022, 2023 & 2024' by the Economic Times and the 'Most Trusted Brands of India 2023, 2024 & 2025' by Marksmen Daily recognitions for its unwavering customer trust and strong brand equity. It has also been certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for fostering an employee-centric culture. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2817821/Hettich_India.jpgLogo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2437651/5611026/Hettich_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Bollywood actor Shraddha Kapoor is all set to join the chaotic world of Disney's 'Zootopia 2', stepping in as the beloved Judy Hopps. As announced by Walt Disney Studios India, the actor will extend her voice for the Hindi version of 'Zootopia 2, promising to bring her distinct charm and cuteness in the upcoming sequel. Announcing the news, Disney India took to their social media and shared an adorable poster of Zootopia 2 featuring Shraddha and Judy. The actor also shared the same on Instagram. "Bohot jyada excited to join the #Zootopia2 family, as the voice of THE AMAZING Judy Hopps in Hindi - She is feisty, courageous, enthu cutlet aur cute toh hai hi.. bachpan se.. Aaj aa raha hai aapke liye ek anokha surprise. Stay Tuned!!" the 'Stree' star wrote in the caption. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQx-fmzCEM1/ Expressing delight over Shraddha Kapoor's inclusion, the makers believe she would make the character of Judy even more cute and enthusiastic, in addition to her feisty, courageous, and energetic personality. Earlier this year, the trailer of 'Zootopia 2' was unveiled, bringing the sequel after nine long years. The trailer once again offered a glimpse into the hateful yet funny relationship between Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Judy Hopps is an ambitious rabbit in the Zootopia Police Department, while Nick Wilde is a sly fox who excels at conning people. The new trailer of the film explores their relationship as they are paired together to solve a case that involves a snake as a major suspect. https://youtu.be/BjkIOU5PhyQ?si=ZfXqDOTkaoSRJcIU The two-minute twenty-one-second trailer begins with a therapy session for the pairs who have difficulty adjusting to each other. Unlike the first, the second instalment is expected to explore a love relationship between the two, as shown in the trailer. ' The video also explores the ever-lively environment of Zootopia as the chase for the snake goes on in the background. Directed by Jared Bush and Bryon Howard, 'Zootopia 2' is set to hit theatres on November 28, 2025. (ANI)
Editing federal employees emails to blame Democrats for shutdown violated their First Amendment rights, judge says
The announcement of five days of strikes from November 14 by resident doctors in England marks a new stage in the confrontation between National Health Service (NHS) workers and the Starmer government.

The months-long talks between the British Medical Association (BMA) and Health Secretary Wes Streeting broke down this week exposing what these negotiations always werean attempt to buy time, dissipate rank-and-file anger, and stall further action after the five-day strike in July. The union sat on a live strike mandate for months, allowing momentum to ebb while Streeting repeatedly declared that there is no new money for doctors pay or training.

Resident doctors picket at Queen Alexandra Hospital Portsmouth in July

This follows an overwhelming 97 percent vote by first-year resident doctors (F1s) for strike action over unemployment and collapsing conditions in addition to the existing strike mandate of 90 percent over pay restoration.

The BMA has narrowed its demands to as little as 1 an hour, retreating from full pay restoration to a drawn-out, multi-year path that accepts the framework of austerity. Even this token demand provoked hysterical opposition from Streeting and the Labour government, fearful that any concession before the November 26 budget would be read by the financial markets as weakness. Streeting has resorted to open threats, warning that even his token non-pay offers would be withdrawn if the strike went ahead. Resident doctors pay remains 20 percent lower in real terms than in 2008 and more than 20,000 doctors have been locked out of specialty training this year alone. Streetings 10-year NHS reform planbased on public-private partnerships and efficiency savingsis a blueprint for deeper outsourcing and cuts.

NHS FightBackestablished by the Socialist Equality Partyhas issued a statement calling for the resident doctors action to become the spearhead of a unified fightback of the 1.4 million NHS workforce: opposing the attempted sellout by the BMA and all the other health union leaders blocking action against de facto pay cuts and backdoor privatisation. This is the basis of the NHS FightBack Zoom meeting on November 18 Defeat Starmer-Streeting budget cuts and privatisation! For a united fightback by NHS workers!

To build for this meeting and encourage the widest discussion the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) is publishing the following interview with a resident doctor (RD) about the issues posed in their upcoming strike.

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WSWS: What is the mood among resident doctors, and how has the breakdown of the talks affected how doctors view the government and the BMA leadership?

RD: The vote for strike action for pay and training posts represents our deep frustration and disillusionment. It takes place after two and a half year of struggle for pay restoration, during which resident doctorswho make up around half of all doctors in the NHShave already taken nearly 50 days of strike action.

We feel a profound sense of betrayal and exhaustion, not only toward the government but also toward the BMA leadership that has allowed this dispute to drag on for months on end. The breakdown in negotiations has reinforced widespread distrust in the government, which is accelerating the austerity measures of successive Labour and Tory governments and the privatisation of the NHS.

Streeting has pledged to wage war on us, so the recent ballot where 97 percent of first year doctors voted to strike demonstrates the strong determination amongst doctors to fight back.

WSWS: What is day-to-day life like as a new doctor?

RD: Day to day life as a new doctor is tough. I am contracted to work an average of 47 hours a week, including 7.15 hours of out of hour shifts. Its entirely normal to work overtime, every day, on top of this. Shockingly, my contract stipulates that I can be made to work up to 72 hours in a single week. I often feel I dont have time to have a break. This constant fatigue is not safe for us, or our patients.

Chronic staff shortages are overwhelming. I heard that in my hospital, doctors work below minimum staffing levels for more than half the time. On one occasion, there were no doctors scheduled on my ward at all, so a colleague was called in from their day off. On an average day though, we still have to stay extra to ensure the essential aspects of patient care are met.

We are meant to be learning from our seniors, but their own workloads often prevent them from teaching or supervising. This is unsurprising considering the findings of the BMJ [British Medical Journal] that: in some parts of the NHS, as many as 1 in 3 consultant posts lie vacant.

On my ward, there is only one regular consultant for 30 patients, the other being a locum. We didnt have a registrar (doctor in specialty training) until September, and even now, with only one, juniors are frequently left to run the ward alone. My F1 colleagues and I have had to manage acutely unwell patients, end-of-life care, and complex dischargesoften for the first timewith little to no support.

Night shifts are particularly unsafe. One first year doctor can be responsible for five wards, including those with complex sick patients such as those with stroke or heart attacks. An F2 (second year resident doctor) or above, then covers all the other medical wards. There is only one medical registrar to look to for help.

These conditions stretch everyone beyond capacity and inevitably compromise patient safety. The impact on patient care is heartbreaking. In early September  even before the pressures of winter  I saw patients lined along corridors in the emergency department, left without dignified care. One patient had soiled herself because no staff were available to help her to the toilet, and it was hours before anyone could attend to her.

Having worked across other hospitals as a medical student, and hearing my colleagues experiences, I can see these issues arent isolated to my hospital or my profession. Chronic understaffing, burnout, and intolerable working conditions are the case throughout the NHS workforce.

WSWS: Before the F1 doctors ballot, Streeting threatened resident doctors that he would withdraw even minimal non-pay offers if industrial action proceeds. How have doctors reacted?

RD: The government treats us with contempt. Streeting wrote to F1s to try to stop us striking, by shifting blame to previous governments for the bottlenecks in training places, whilst offering no credible solutions of his own. His 10-year health plan offers only 1,000 additional training places over the next three years, despite over 20,000 doctors have been locked out of training this year alone.

Streetings rhetoric has repeatedly singled doctors out as holding the NHS to ransom. It is all healthcare workers who have been held to ransom by years of austerity.

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, July 3, 2025 [Photo by House of Commons/Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Streetings real aims are clear when examining the details of his 10 year plan. It paves the way for further privatisation, workforce contraction, and developing public private partnerships for neighbourhood health centres. While claiming there is no new money for doctors or workforce growth, his plan opens doors for more private providers to fill the gaps.

The UK is severely under-doctored per head of population, compared to comparable countries. Yet while successive governments have expanded medical school places, they have failed to increase training posts and consultant/GP jobs in proportion. From 2016 to 2024, applications for specialty training programmes rose by 174 percent, but training posts increased by only 6.4 percent.

Streetings plan effectively locks doctors out of a career while outsourcing NHS services to private companies. His plan doesnt rebuild the health service, but restructures it along market lines, where a debilitated NHS becomes increasingly reliant on private providers.

WSWS: The BMA sat on a strike mandate for months. What message does this send to the government and other workers?

RD: The BMAs handling of the pay dispute has been disappointing. From the outset, the government made clear there would be no additional funding for resident doctors, yet the BMA continued to engage in talks with Streeting. We had a strike mandate from way back in the summer, but they wasted this momentum.

They could have utilised the strength of the July strikes to organise further strikes. They could have rallied doctors in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They could have built solidarity across the wider NHS workforce. Instead of escalating action when public support and doctor engagement were high, the BMA delayed for monthsallowing the movement to lose energy.

After 13 rounds of strikes, doctors still remain 21 percent worse off than 2008.

WSWS: What do you make of Streeting claims that other NHS workers are working constructively with the government as opposed to resident doctors?

RD: Doctors are not only striking for themselves, but for the future of the NHS, including all its staff and patients.

Streeting admits that the NHS is in critical condition, but what he omits is that the NHS has been deprived of billions of pounds by successive governments. The NHS would have received an additional 423 billion if the average growth in spending continued since 2009.

This systematic underfunding has gone hand in hand with a wider attack on the NHSacceleration of privatisation, creation of subsidiary companies that worsen pay and conditions, and shrinking the workforce. This government has only fuelled this drive, pressing ahead with outsourcing a million NHS treatments annually to private providers and axing 12,000 jobs with the dissolution of NHS England. In our hospital, the whole of the pathology department has been outsourced to a private provider this year, and hundreds of administrative staff have been made redundant.

Restoring pay for resident doctors would cost just 1.73 billion, but its clear that the governments priorities lie elsewhere. Starmer is pledging to increase military spending by at least 13.4 billion more a year, and hand out billions in tax relief to big businesses.

Healthcare staff are on the frontline and are seeing the implementation of this plan, which is why we are striking. Nurses, midwives and paramedics have already clearly rejected the de facto pay cut for this year of 3.6 percent, the problem is that their union leaders made the ballots consultative and non-binding and are blocking any fight against Streeting.

WSWS: Many doctors believe pay erosion, unemployment, and unsafe working conditions are deliberate tools to drive staff out of the NHS and expand private provision. Is this the case?

RD: Yes, that seems like the unfortunate reality, a deliberate strategy to push doctors out of the NHS and open the door to greater privatisation.

Only a few months into being a doctor, I already find myself questioning whether I can continue this profession long-term. Many of my colleagues are making plans to work less than full-time, work in private healthcare, work abroad, or leave medicine completely. A report by the General Medical Council found that a third of doctors are looking to leave the UK medical profession! There are even doctors driving for Uber or working in bars and it shows the desperation across the workforce. The Lancet warned that the way this is going, by 2048 there could be as many as 11,000 consultant doctor posts unfilled.

WSWS: Streeting has repeatedly lied that the strikes are not supported by resident doctors and questioned their legitimacy even though the mandates surpass the threshold of anti-strike laws, what do you think about these threats to justify a further clampdown?

RD: Withholding NHS workers right to strike would mark a complete overturn of basic democratic rights. It sets a dangerous precedent for further sweeping dictatorial measures against those who speak out.

The Tories have already prepared this legislation and [leader] Kemi Badenoch said she would ban industrial action by doctors. Streetings rhetoric is turning further and further towards this. He described our recent action in July as needless and damaging, and has not engaged with any of our demands.

WSWS: What can be done to protect the NHS as a publicly owned, publicly funded service?

RD: The approach from the government offers no solution for resident doctors, the wider NHS workforce, or the public who depend on NHS services. Labour is focussing on appeasing the markets, and allowing private profit in the NHS, we have to make our focus the defence of our healthcare system. The BMA has shown it offers no alternative and I fully support a rank and file organisation of doctors and among all NHS colleagues so that we take up this fight as a unified force.

The immense threats were facing require a counteractionone that the BMA has failed to build. We have to demand that the billions that are wasted on war and private profit be redirected to fund the public health service.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has issued a show-cause notice to its state spokesperson from Pune, Rupali Patil Thombre, over her remarks made in the media against the Chairperson of the State Women's Commission and NCP's women's wing president, Rupali Chakankar. In the notice, signed by NCP State Organisation General Secretary Sanjay Khodke, who termed Thombre's statements as a violation of party discipline. The communication directed her to submit an explanation within seven days, failing to do so, disciplinary action would be initiated against her. The notice stated, "While holding the responsibility of the position of State Spokesperson of the Nationalist Congress Party, you have made statements in the media regarding the Chairperson of the State Women's Commission and the President of the Party's Women's Wing, which amounts to a breach of party discipline. Therefore, you are hereby directed to submit an explanation to the State Office within seven (7) days as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against you. Failing to do so will result in appropriate further action being initiated against you." The development comes after Rupali Patil Thombre, along with several women's organisations, staged a protest in Pune against the State Women's Commission over the alleged suicide case of a woman doctor from Satara district. Thombre had accused the Commission and its Chairperson, Rupali Chakankar, of inaction in the matter and demanded Chakankar's resignation. Reacting to the notice, Thombre posted a response on Facebook late Friday night, stating that the time given by the party for her explanation was "extremely short" and that she would provide a detailed clarification. "Tonight, the party has sought an explanation regarding the remarks made about the Chairperson of the Women's Commission, who is known for delivering justice to women across the world. I will be giving a detailed clarification covering everything--from the issue of personal interests to the Hagawane case and the character assassination of our late sister, the woman doctor from Satara who committed suicide," she wrote. Thombre further questioned, "But really, what explanation should be given about those who defamed the character of the deceased sister?" (ANI)
A central plank of the Trump administrations economic policy agenda has been the imposition of sweeping tariffs against friend and foe alike, especially after the unveiling of the all-embracing reciprocal tariffs on April 2.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, April 2, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein]

According to Trump, his officials and acolytes, the revenue they bring will reduce the US budget deficit, its record debt, fund tax cuts for the corporations and the wealthy, create jobs and lift wages and in general create the conditions for a new golden age for American capitalism.

Trump has continually boasted of the hundreds of billions of dollars flowing into the coffers of the US, reversing the previous situation in which it has been ripped off by the rest of the world.

But in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the administration, was singing a very different tune. The occasion was the appeal by the Trump regime to the court to have rulings by two lower courts that the reciprocal tariffs, imposed or threatened by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977, are illegal.

Sauer submitted that revenue raising was not the primary purpose of the tariffs.

These are regulatory tariffs. They are not revenue-raising tariffs. The fact that they raise revenue is only incidental. The tariffs would be most effective so to speak if, if no person ever paid them, he said.

The reason for the switch was an attempt to get round the legal argument that Trump exceeded his powers to act under the IEEPA because it makes no mention of tariffs or any of the synonyms such as duties, taxes or imposts.

The thrust of Sauers argument was that the reciprocal tariffs were not about revenue but were part of the conduct of foreign policy and therefore fell under the presidents authority.

If the threat of imposing those tariffs gets China and our other trading partners across the world to change their behaviours in a way that addresses this, then thats the most effective use of this policy, he said.

The switch of argument by Sauer during hearingin its initial submission the administration said if it were forced to repay the tariffs it would cause economic devastationis another example of the capacity of the Trump regime to argue black is white today and the reverse tomorrow.

But there was an element of truth in Sauers remarks.

The issue is not the revenue the tariffs produce but the way they can be used to achieve foreign policy objectives, above all in the economic war against China. This involves not only measures aimed directly against Beijing, but also at breaking the economic and trade ties that a multitude of countries have with China, particularly in Southeast Asia.

This is made clear from a paper prepared last week by international trade expert Simon Evenett in which he made a detailed examination of the agreementsmore akin to Mafia-style diktatsbetween the US and Malaysia and Cambodia at the end of last month.

Both contain what is referred to as poison pill provisions, which provides for retaliatory action by the US if either country enters a pact or signs an agreement with another country or group of countries which Washington deems to be against its economic and national security interests.

Poison pill stipulations, that is, restrictions on relations with third countries are not new. The first Trump administration included them in the 2018 agreement with Mexico and Canada. But they covered relations with a non-market economy (essentially meaning China) and involved a series of procedures before being invoked.

Seven years on such provisions have been dispensed with. The deal with Malaysia states that it will be revoked if it enters any agreement that jeopardises essential US interests. The language is slightly different with regard to Cambodia, referring to any agreement with a third party which poses a material threat to economic or national security of the US.

In the case of Malaysia, Evenett explained in his paper, that the provision establishes direct termination with explicit tariff reversion as the remedy. The United States may terminate this Agreement and reimpose the reciprocal tariff rate set for in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025.

In other words, reductions in tariffs by the US from their initial high levels will end and the devastating impact of the April 2 measures unleashed.

In the case of Cambodia, which sends around 42 percent of its exports to the US, the wording is slightly different and does not directly refer to the April 2 order. But there can be no doubt that the impost of 49 percent set out in that announcement is hanging over it like a sword of Damocles.

Evenett pointed to the implications of the latest poison pill provisions.

Because the term essential US interests remains undefined in the agreement text, he wrote, the United States retains the unilateral interpretive power to determine which countries and which agreements pose such threats.

And the groundwork is being laid for an extension of these measures.

The inclusion of poison pill provisions in the Malaysia and Cambodia agreements creates precedent that may affect US negotiations with other countries. If poison pills become standard US practice, countries negotiating future US agreements face increased pressure to accept similar provisions.

In the longer-term, he noted, poison pill provisions transform trade agreements from purely trade agreements into tools for managing partner countries broader foreign economic policy orientation.

That is true, but it is putting it somewhat mildly. In essence what the Trump regime is seeking to establish is a kind of economic dictatorship, in which, under the threat of economic devastation being unleashed against them, countries seeking trade deals with the US are to be reduced to a 21st century version of semi-colonial status.

In the immediate situation, as Evenett pointed out, the poison pill provisions are aimed at ending the hedging strategies employed by a number of countries as they seek to navigate the deepening economic war launched by the US against Chinapledging support for the US role in supposedly providing security for the region while maintaining their vital economic links with China.

The tactic was on display as the agreements imposed on Malaysia and Cambodia were being signed.

China and members of ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations) signed a protocol to upgrade the China ASEAN free trade area which Chinese premier Li Qiang said demonstrated the shared commitment to firmly support multilateralism and free trade in the face of severe challenges to the international economic and trade system.

The US, however, is determined to break these connections. As Evenett remarked to the Financial Times, the US is out to try and reshape the factory Asia [which has seen greater economic ties with China] that has developed over recent decades.

Another move in the same direction is the push by the US to have a 40 percent transhipment tariff applied to what it considers are primarily Chinese-made goods, but which are sent to the US from south-east Asia countries.

The recent summit talks between Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping were greeted with sighs of relief that a truce in the economic war had been reachedat least for a year. In fact, as the poison pills signed into two major agreements reveal, it is intensifying.
Less than two weeks after an unexplained explosion claimed two lives, the mines owner is rapidly proceeding towards fully reopening the site.

In the early hours of October 28, two miners were killed and a third injured at Endeavor Mine, 40 kilometres north of Cobar in far west New South Wales (NSW).

Endeavor mine, Cobar, NSW

An initial investigation by the NSW Resources Regulator appears to indicate that the deaths of 59-year-old Ambrose Patrick McMullen and 24-year-old Holly Clarke, and injury to 24-year-old Mackenzie Stirling, were caused by the premature detonation of a ballistic disc explosive.

But this leaves many questions unanswered. The explosives are widely used, and generally thought to be extremely safe. Multiple failsafes are built into the equipment and its use follows well-known safety procedures.

Multiple investigations are underway, by the NSW Police, NSW Resources Regulator and the company itself. The regulator, which is responsible for workplace health and safety issues in the mining sector, told the World Socialist Web Site it would not release preliminary findings from its investigation until late November.

The regulators initial report, published late last week, warned that it may have to ban the ballistic discs, and recommended that mines use alternative methods.

Amid this uncertainty, the mines owner, Polymetals Resources Ltd, called almost immediately for a staged return to work. The WSWS warned that, while Polymetals claimed last week that only exploratory drilling, processing and electrical work would be resuming, the announcement was a clear statement of intent to proceed with a full reopening as soon as possible.

That warning has been quickly confirmed. On Thursday, the company issued a statement to investors and the financial markets, making clear that the return to work is proceeding far more swiftly than previously indicated.

Polymetals said, Rostered mining, maintenance and processing employees have returned to dayshift and will transition to continuous shift during the coming weeks.

The company further explains, The area where the incident occurred remains under a statutory non-entry notice and the Company is working with the Resources Regulator to manage access to the area as necessary. There are no other restrictions to the recommencement of operations.

The statement goes on to say that blasting activities will resume after the company completes a rigorous review of its Safety Management System relating to the handling and use of explosives at the mine.

These comments are an indictment, not just of the company, but of the NSW Resources Regulator and the whole workplace health and safety framework.

Less than two weeks ago, two workers were killed and another injured in an incident that has not been explained and which everyone involved agrees should never have happened. But, besides the temporary cordoning off of one section of the mineand even this can be accessed as necessaryno other restrictions have been imposed.

The decision to reopen and recommence the use of explosives has been left entirely in the hands of the company!

What do the unions have to say about workers being herded back into a possible death trap? Not a single word. Since their initial phoney professions of concern, and vows to get to the bottom of this in the hours and days following the tragedy, the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) and Australian Workers Union (AWU) have not said a thing.

The silence of the union bureaucracy is a tacit endorsement of the reopening and the subordination of workers safety to corporate profits. But their complicity is not an isolated occurrence. These organisations have much more blood on their hands, having presided for decades over unsafe conditions and deaths in the mines, which still average 10 each year in Australia.

The immediate motivation for Polymetals rapid resumption is to placate the financial markets. On October 31, following the lifting of a three-day halt on its share trading, 26 percent was wiped from the value of its shares, reflecting market concerns of a protracted or permanent closure. The companys response was its initial return-to-work announcement, although there was no explanation of the cause of the explosion.

However, to fully understand the urgency with which Polymetals is herding workers back, it is necessary to take a closer look at the company that operates the Endeavor silver, zinc and lead mine.

Polymetals Resources Ltd was founded in 2020, with an initial public offering (IPO) on the Australian Stock Exchange in June 2021. At this stage, the plan for the company was very different from what now exists. Cobar and Endeavor were not remotely on the horizon.

Until early 2023, the companys presentations were solely focused on West Africa, where Polymetals had begun exploratory drilling in March 2020.

As late as October 2022, the company was still telling prospective investors it saw opportunity for significant gold discovery in Guinea, through its Alahine and Mansala exploration licences in the resource-rich Siguiri Basin. Then, half the companys executive leadership were West African nationals, based in Guinea.

But when these licences expired, the company was stuck, with no visible timeframe to renewal, as a result of a September 2021 US and French-backed military coup.

Polymetals was thus compelled to rapidly pivot. By April 2023, all mention of West Africa was struck from its investor presentations. Instead, Polymetals proclaimed it had begun negotiations to acquire the Endeavor mine, which had been shut down in 2020 after 38 years of continuous operation.

A key component of the plan was that Polymetals had secured a commitment from rights holder Metalla to restructure the mines royalty arrangement. Years earlier, the previous owner of the mine, CBH Holdings, had agreed to a deal in which it had to hand over all the mines silver revenue in perpetuity, in exchange for $50 million it needed for urgent repairs to the mine. Foregoing the income from silver, leaving only that of zinc and lead had been a major contributor to the mines closure in 2020. Polymetals reported it had achieved a much more favourable 4 percent royalty on net smelter returns.

In a November 2024 video, a Polymetals representative said the company had carried out geotechnical test drilling to demonstrate whether we can use other mining methods which can accelerate the mining rate and reduce costs and that, the further we drill this thing the better it gets.

He said, over the 18 months from last November, he expected the mine to generate in excess of $120 million of free cash, which would allow us to repay our debt and start spitting some dividends back to shareholders.

But production did not start as early as Polymetals had hoped, with continuous production only beginning in June. To get this far, it had been necessary to secure a loan against future receipts through Ocean Partners. By July, the company estimated that it had less than six months of funding left, and had to raise a further $15 million through the issuance of shares.

Moreover, the global market price of silver hit an all-time high midway through last month, which was cause for celebration for Polymetals, one of the few Australian companies to produce it. This makes it the worst possible time for the company to be shut down until an investigation can conclusively determine what caused the Endeavor tragedy and what must be done to stop it happening again.

The swift resumption of work at Endeavor is thus an existential issue for Polymetals, a relatively small company that is all in on the financial success of this mine. But it is also, literally, a life and death question for workers, who are the ones who risk paying the ultimate price if last weeks disaster is repeated.

Mining workers cannot afford to entrust their lives to their employers, who are compelled under capitalism to operate on the basis of totally different priorities: returning ever-growing profits to shareholders, whatever the cost to workers.

Neither can the so-called safety regulator be trusted to make sure those who go to work also come home. It has given the go-ahead for this reopening, despite publicly voicing major concerns over the explosives used. The same goes for the unions, which have washed their hands of the whole thing.

This means workers need to take matters into their own hands. A rank-and-file committee of Endeavor workers should be established as the means for workers themselves to oversee the investigation and determine when and if it is safe to return. They must insist that workers receive full pay throughout the investigation, so no-one is forced to choose between providing for their family and coming home safely.

Through such a committee, Endeavor workers can make a powerful appeal for support from their counterparts in other mines, in Cobar and throughout the industry. Until the cause of last weeks tragedy is conclusively determined and rectified, miners everywhere could be in danger.
Protesters picket near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regional field office, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Burlington, Massachusetts. [AP Photo/Charles Krupa]

Federal immigration agents descended in force on a car wash in the Allston area of Boston on the morning of Tuesday, November 4. Witnesses described over a dozen vehicles surrounding the business, with one worker saying they counted 17 vehicles. The car wash manager characterized the raid as a gross overreaction. Why bring in an armored vehicle? he asked. What are we, terrorists?

The militarized operation is the latest and most brazen offensive in the Trump administrations escalating war on the working class in the Boston area. The raid occurred around 9:30 a.m. while the car wash was open. As agents surrounded the business and blocked entrances, they told customers in their cars to leave. Nine workers were seized.

As of Wednesday, none of the nine workers have been identified or released. Coworkers and immigration advocates have confirmed that several of them held legal status, and valid work permits when they were detained. According to US Rep. Ayanna Pressley, all of them were documented.

Local resident Janet England, protested against the immigration raid outside the car wash the following day, holding signs that read: Trump uses his his ICE goons against innocent immigrants, this must stop! and ICE, hands off our neighbors.

In an interview with WCVB 5 on the kidnapping, England, referring to ICE said, This is exactly what they do. They go to Home Depot, to places where people work hard. These are innocent people, no due process, this is anti-American, this is fascism.

Amanda Eisenhour, a volunteer with LUCE, a community network that monitors immigration enforcement, said she had met with family members of the workers. Eisenhour told the Boston Globe, Were hearing that theyre pressuring some people into signing paperwork, explaining, Theyre pressuring some people into trying to self-deport. Theyre throwing everything at the wall, I would say, to try and get people to make decisions that are not good for them.

Eisenhour said agents prevented workers from retrieving documents like work permits from their lockers, but instead just took them. She added, We cant say what every single persons exact status was, but certainly some people had documents and were not allowed to show them.

Car wash companies have seen an increase in the types of raids, like the one in Allston, because they are known to employ Latino workers. In Connecticut, several raids were made across the state. Last month, eight people were taken into custody during a raid at a car wash in Hamden, while others were seized in the towns of and Newington.

Car wash companies are also targeted because workers are working outdoors. Eisenhour said that the nine detained were the ones outside the car wash when the raid occurred. She said the immigration agents did not enter the car wash building and none of the workers inside were arrested.

They dont want to deal with getting any kind of warrant or permission to go inside, so they target people who are outside, Eisenhour told the Globe. Thats why car washes across the country have become a new targetbecause their employees are largely outdoors, so theyre much easier to target.

In September this year the Supreme Court legalized racial profiling when it ruled that agents may racially profile individuals suspected of being in the country without legal status. This allows race and other criteria to be used as a pretext for detention.

As the militarized workplace raids increase, there is concern across Massachusetts for what has been called a school-to-deportation pipeline, which relies on the seamless integration of local and federal police power to terrorize immigrant communities. This was tragically shown by the case of Arthur Berto, a 13-year-old boy from Everett, who was arrested at a bus stop outside his school by Everett police and later seized by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Everett police are the subject of demands for a state probe as the police transferred custody of the boy directly to ICE, rather than releasing him.

He was immediately transferred to the Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester, Virginia, hundreds of miles from his family, where he remains after a remote hearing on Zoom in mid-October denied his bond.

Despite official denials and hollow promises from local politicians, a systemic integration of government agencies facilitates the targeting of immigrant children and their families. Mechanisms seamlessly connect local law enforcement and schools to federal immigration authorities.

The school-to-deportation pipeline functions through a simple but chilling process. When a minor is arrested and fingerprinted by local police, that information is uploaded to a national FBI database. ICE has direct access to this database, which effectively flags the youth for federal action, turning a local police encounter into the first step toward deportation.

As in Arthur Bertos case, a Chelsea teenager was arrested for fighting at school in May. His father rushed to the school, and within minutes both the father and son were seized by ICE. The 15-year-old, originally from Honduras, was sent to an immigration detention center in Texas while his father was held at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts. The father has a pending asylum case and was released in June. The Globe reports that it is unclear if the son remains detained, while another Chelsea High School student accused in the fight was sent to a detention center in California.

Local officials routinely insist that police do not hand people over to ICE, as with Everett Mayor DeMaria who insisted that his police force did not hold the teenager [Berto] for ICE. Yet he was forced to admit that federal agents appeared after police entered his fingerprints into a national database. Similarly, Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez said that police would never call immigration on anyone, a meaningless pledge when the automatic sharing of database information renders such a call unnecessary.

Michael Bradley of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association claims that federal immigration is not in our purview to enforce, and that local police cant interfere with their operations.

In practice, local law enforcement acts as a feeder system for the federal deportation apparatus. Advocates at Lawyers for Civil Rights have called for statewide legislation that would exempt minors fingerprint information from the database.

The ICE crackdown in the state extends far beyond individual arrests. Its strategic aim is to cultivate a pervasive atmosphere of terror that is disrupting communities, with public schools at the epicenter of the crisis.

The quantifiable impact on education is staggering. The Chelsea Public Schools district has lost approximately 350 students this year, marking the largest drop in enrollment in a decade. The enrollment drop has created a potential budget shortfall of $6.6 million, which one school committee member called catastrophic. Enrollment of newcomers, or students new to the US, has plummeted by 74 percent.

Facing this federal assault, the local political establishment, dominated by the Democratic Party, has offered nothing but empty gestures. Their sanctuary city policies provide an illusion of protection while doing nothing to halt the underlying state machinery of repression. This failure is not a matter of incompetence but is rooted in the Democratic Partys fundamental role: to manage the capitalist state and contain social opposition, not to lead a genuine fight in defense of immigrants.

The teachers unions, which are beholden to the Democrats, issue condemnations against ICE arrests of school pupils but has done nothing to mobilize workers against the assault on immigrants or any of the Trump administrations attacks. Nothing has been done to mobilize the 117,000 members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) or the 25,000 members of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts (AFT MA).

The terror raid on the Allston car wash, the persecution of students in Everett and Chelsea, and the deepening crisis in the regions public schools are not separate issues. They are interconnected expressions of a calculated ruling class policy aimed at the entire working class.

The strategic objective of this policy is to terrorize and atomize the most vulnerable workers, drive a wedge between immigrant and native-born workers, and suppress the development of a unified class struggle against the austerity agenda of the oligarchs.

The defense of immigrant workers and their families is the responsibility of the entire working class. It cannot be entrusted to the Democratic or Republican parties, or any other agency of the capitalist state. The only way forward is through the independent political mobilization of all workersimmigrant and native-bornunited in a common struggle against the capitalist system, which is the root cause of war, dictatorship and the vicious persecution of immigrants.
Aidan Tavor, center, directs traffic as volunteers help load vehicles during a food distribution at the San Antonio Food Bank for SNAP recipients and other households affected by the federal shutdown, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in San Antonio. [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

The longest government shutdown in United States history continued Friday. The Trump administration doubled down on its hunger policy aimed starving 42 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients as part of an ongoing war on the working class, aimed at shifting the entire burden of the crisis of capitalism onto workers and their families.

In major cities and small towns across the United States, home to the most billionaires in the world, workers and their families are lining up to receive emergency food rations. From Philadelphia to San Antonio and Seattle, workers, retirees and students are queuing up at churches, mosques, synagogues and community centers for food.

While the administration claims there is no money for food stamps, it is spending millions of dollars a day on war and repression. On Thursday night, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced yet another war crime in the Caribbean, a lethal kinetic strike in international waters that killed three so-called narco-terrorists without charges, trial or any pretense of due process.

A boat moments before it was struck by the US military in the Caribbean, November 6, 2025. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, boasted that three people were killed in the latest war crime committed by the US government.

The US government has billions of dollars to deploy thousands of troops to menace Latin American governments and murder boaters, but the Trump administration is arguing in court against funding SNAP, the largest anti-hunger program in the US.

On Friday, a federal judge rejected the Trump administrations appeal to stay a previous injunction that required the administration to fully fund the SNAP program.

Following Fridays ruling, Trumps Justice Department immediately filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court. Late Friday evening, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, appointed by President Joe Biden, temporarily blocked the lower courts order requiring the Trump administration to resume full SNAP payments.

In its appeal Friday before the District Court, Justice Department lawyers argued that the injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers.

The claim is laughable. Trump himself has shredded the supposed separation of powers and the Constitution. In the last 10 months, the administration has waged undeclared wars across the Caribbean and Pacific, illegally bombed Iran, imposed tariffs and taxes by decree without congressional approval, and, through manufactured national emergencies, unilaterally deployed military and federal forces in major cities to detain and deport immigrants and harass and kidnap workers and students.

Less than a week after Trump hosted a Great Gatsby-themed party at Mar-a-Lago, government lawyers argued in court that funds are not available to finance both school lunch programs and SNAP recipients, many of whom are children. The Justice Departments brief argues that fulfilling the courts order would force USDA (US Department of Agriculture) to permanently impair the Child Nutrition Programs to the tune of $4 billion and insists that the equities and public interest cut strongly in favor of a stay.

The administration complains that the court tarred USDAs decision as arbitrary and capricious by pointing to President Trumps public comments warning that SNAP benefits would not be available unless Congress reopens the government. According to the brief, the President was simply stating the facts.

In reality, Trumps statements and the governments legal reasoning expose a conscious effort to use hunger as a political weapon. The appeal warns ominously that if funds are transferred to provide food assistance, there is no guarantee that Congress will replenish theman explicit acknowledgment that the administration and its allies in Congress intend to let the programs collapse. The appeal states:

[T]his Court should allow USDA to continue with the partial payment and not compel the agency to transfer billions of dollars from another safety-net program with no certainty of their replenishment.

The same government that has showered Wall Street and major corporations with subsidies, financed continuous war, slashed taxes for the rich and diverted funds during the government shutdown to pay the military and the immigration Gestapo, now declares that feeding the poor would impair the public interest.

As food insecurity mounts, the shutdown is wreaking havoc on transportation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has ordered airlines to reduce flights by up to 10 percent across 40 airports, including nearly every major US hub, to conserve funds and cope with short-staffed air traffic centers. Air traffic controllers and other airport workers have missed at least two paychecks since the shutdown began on October 1. Hundreds of flights were canceled Friday, adding to the chaos.

The situation in the control towers has become desperate. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told CNN:

Were seeing air traffic controllers resign. We didnt see that in 2019. We are 400 less controllers today than we were in the 2019 shutdown. And now theyve been stretched so thin for so long, with so much pressure on their backs, that theyre actually resigning from the profession.

He added that the shutdown has made it impossible for many controllers to live:

Especially our new employees that are just training or starting out in this career... theyre calling their employer and saying, I have no gas today. I cannot pay for my child care. Can I bring my children to work? These are real situations.  Theyre already racking up their credit cards, are taking out every loan that they can.

Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, told MSNBC that the situation is urgent and that workers are reaching a breaking point. She said:

They are heroes, but theyre humans, and humans will break at a certain point when they can no longer put a tank of gas in their car, when they can no longer get a meal to eat, when they can no longer buy their own insulin to take care of themselves or their families.

Nelson and Daniels, like the rest of the trade union bureaucrats, offered no path of struggle. Rather than calling for strike action by airline and airport workers to demand full funding for social programs that benefit the working class and the resignation and imprisonment of the criminals responsible for starving children and withholding paychecks, Nelson pleaded with Congress to pass a continuing resolution and reopen the government. This is the demand of the Republican Party, with increasing support from Democratic senators, which leaves all political power in the hands of the same corrupt political establishment that is imposing the shutdown.

The Democratic Partys response has been entirely within the framework of Trumps austerity program. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer proposed reopening the government in exchange for a one-year extension of Obamacare subsidies.

Democrats are ready to clear the way to quickly pass a government funding bill that includes health-care affordability, Schumer said, calling it an extension of current lawsomething we do all the time around here.

Republicans immediately rejected the offer. Senator John Thune, the Republican Majority Leader, called the plan a nonstarter. Senator Lindsey Graham denounced it as political terrorism.

Thune indicated that senators would remain in Washington over the weekend to continue negotiations. Trump, furious at any delay, demanded that the filibuster be abolished so Republicans could force through a funding bill without Democratic votes.

The United States Senate should not leave town until they have a Deal to end the Democrat Shutdown. If they cant reach a Deal, the Republicans should terminate the Filibuster, IMMEDIATELY, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform Friday.

The shutdown crisis is not simply a temporary impasse but a manifestation of the global breakdown of capitalism. The ruling class can no longer resolve its contradictions through normal democratic procedures.

Hunger and unemployment are not the result of mismanagement but of class policy. The fight to end the shutdown cannot be entrusted to the Democrats or to the union bureaucracy but requires the independent mobilization of workers in every industry against the entire capitalist system.
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Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, claps as Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk prepares to depart after speaking at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show, on Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

Elon Musk, the worlds richest man with a net worth of $461 billion, has been awarded by Tesla with a $1 trillion pay package over 10 years, putting the CEO on course to becoming the worlds first trillionaire.

This agreement would place Musks annual compensation at approximately $50 million per hour, or 3 million times higher than the starting wage at a Tesla factory of $18 per hour.

In 1987, it was widely seen as a scandal when financier Michael R. Milken, the junk bond king who was later convicted of securities fraud, received $500 million in a single year. Under Musks pay deal, the Tesla CEO will be making nearly that amount every single day.

The fact that Teslas shareholders approved Musks unprecedented pay package the very week that the Trump administration cut off food stamp spending for tens of millions of people, and as millions of federal workers went unpaid amid a government shutdown, starkly expresses the fact that the enrichment of Musk and his fellow oligarchs takes place through the impoverishment and immiseration of the working class.

Musks pay package, which eclipses the pay of any chief executive officer in world history by an order of magnitude, passed with the public support of major US financial institutions, including Charles Schwab Corporation and Morgan Stanley. The yes vote of 75 percent means that, behind the scenes, it is likely that most of Teslas major shareholders, including Vanguard Group, BlackRock and Goldman Sachs, supported the pay package as well.

Their intent is clear: A new baseline will be set for the compensation of corporate executives and, more broadly, the financial oligarchy. Musk, once crowned the first trillionaire, will be the first of many, to be followed by the multi-trillionaires.

In order for Musk to achieve this payout, Tesla must deliver 20 million vehicles, put in place 1 million robotaxies, sell 1 million humanoid robots, and grow its valuation from $1.5 trillion to $8.5 trillion. The only way to achieve these milestones will be through a massive intensification of the exploitation of the working class: both directly in Tesla factories and through the slashing of social spending and the injection of the resulting savings into the financial markets.

Thus, the awarding of Musks pay package is, at the same time, a declaration of intent by the ruling class to massively impoverish the working class through layoffs, austerity and the destruction of social programs.

The rise of Musks wealth embodies the vast enrichment of Americas financial elite. His net worth, which stood at $33 billion in March 2020, has since surged to $469 billion, a 14-fold increase. During this time, the 10 richest individuals in America had their wealth increase six-fold.

Musks wealth is built on a series of financial bubbles, each bigger than the last, and propped up by government bailouts and subsidies. Tesla, the source of most of Musks wealth, embodies this speculative mania. Last year, Tesla made just $5 billion in profit, and its global sales, revenue and profits are either stagnant or declining. Despite this, its stock share price has doubled since April.

With a market capitalization of nearly $1.4 trillion, Tesla accounts for 90 percent of the market value of the US auto industry, though it sells just 12 percent of the US auto industrys vehicles. While it has a market capitalization 20 times greater than General Motors, it sells just one-quarter as many vehicles globally.

To the extent that investors buy and hold Teslas shares, it is as a vehicle for speculation: not because they believe it will realistically sell more cars in the future, but because they believe its stock will increase in value.

But this is the case with the entire US stock market, which is in the midst of a massive bubble in technology stocks, whose valuations have no connection to the social impactsignificant though it may beof artificial intelligence and robotics.

Tesla accounts for just part of Musks fortune. Musk owns substantial shares in the private company SpaceX, a vast portion of whose revenues come directly through the Department of Defense. Musk has been one of the leading beneficiaries of the wars of American imperialism.

SpaceX is widely regarded as the largest defense contractor in the world. It operates Starshield, a network of nearly 200 satellites used by the US military and its allies, and which the Trump administration is working to weaponize with missiles and directed energy weapons.

SpaceX likewise operates Starlink, the worlds largest satellite internet network, which has received millions of dollars in Pentagon contracts, including to provide networking for US/NATO proxy troops in Ukraine.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that SpaceX is set to receive a $2 billion contract to build missile tracking satellites under the Trump administrations Golden Dome missile defense project.

In the final analysis, Musk sits atop a paper fortune, whose connection to underlying economic activity is largely a cover. It is, in the classic definition of a Ponzi scheme, indistinguishable from a normal business as long as the money flowing in exceeds the money flowing out.

It is this social reality that explains Musks fascist politics. Musk's constant promotion of antisemitic dog whistles, embodied in his Nazi salute at the inauguration of Donald Trump, expresses the character of the capitalist oligarchy as a whole.

The Trump administrations escalating conspiracy to establish a presidential dictatorship expresses the interests of this oligarchy, which is waging a war on the working class, slashing social spendingspearheaded by Musk during his tenure as the head of Trumps Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The main targets are all basic social programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

This frontal assault on the social rights of the working class is accompanied by an ever more direct fusion of the state, the oligarchy and the military. President Donald Trump, himself a billionaire, assembled the leading figures of the US financial oligarchy at his inauguration. At a White House meeting in September, Trump and the oligarchsincluding Bill Gates (Microsoft); Tim Cook (Apple), Sundar Pichai (Google) and otherspledged mutual fealty, with Trump declaring his support for expanding the technology bubble while the technology oligarchs praised his administration.

The scene at the White House, followed just weeks later by a gathering of the same oligarchs with Trump and the British Monarchy at Windsor Castle, underscored the observation of Vladimir Lenin in his 1916 work, Imperialism: The difference between the democratic-republican and the reactionary-monarchist imperialist bourgeoisie is obliterated precisely because they are both rotting alive.

The determination by the financial oligarchy to defend its wealth, privilege and power through the impoverishment of the working class and the assault on democratic rights will inevitably lead to the growth of resistance by the working class.

But this resistance must be armed with a clear understanding of its tasks. There can be no return to a normal capitalism. Any reduction in the rate of exploitation of the working class will lead to a total collapse of the financial bubble and is therefore completely and totally impermissible for the capitalist class. The financial elite, and all of its vast apparatus of repression and subversion, will fight tooth and nail to defend its wealth and social privileges.

In the late 1850s, American society faced what William Henry Seward called an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces, which meant that the United States had to become either entirely a slaveholding nation or entirely a free-labor nation.

Today, there is a similar irrepressible conflictbetween capital, which is determined to destroy democratic forms of rule, and the working class, which is the vast majority of society, in the US and internationally.

This conflict can be resolved only through the expropriation of the oligarchy. The wealth hoarded by the billionaires must be seized and the major corporations, banks and industriesthose that determine the conditions of social lifeplaced under public ownership and democratic workers control. Only in this way can the immense productive capacities of modern society be freed from the parasitic grip of the capitalist class and used to abolish poverty, inequality and war.

Such a transformation will not come through appeals to the morality of the rich or tinkering around the edges of capitalist society. It requires the conscious, organized intervention of the working class itselfthe building of a mass, independent movement of workers in every industry, city and country. The working class must mobilize its collective power on an international scale.

The fight against inequality, austerity and dictatorship is, necessarily, a struggle for socialismthe reorganization of economic life on the basis of human need, not private profit.
Dozens of bodies laid out in the Penha favela of northern Rio de Janeiro following the October 28 massacre [Photo: Tomaz Silva /Agencia Brasil]

On Wednesday, the US government sent a letter to Rio de Janeiros Security Secretariat congratulating it on the barbaric police massacre of 117 civilians committed a week ago.

It is with deep regret that we express our most sincere condolences for the tragic loss of the four police officers who fell in the line of duty during the recent Operation Containment in Complexo do Alemao, states the letter signed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of Donald Trumps administration.

These words echo the criminal statement of Rio de Janeiros fascistic governor, Claudio Castro (Liberal Party  PL) one day after the deadliest police operation in Brazilian history: Yesterday, the only victims were the police officers.

The imperialists in Washington concluded their tribute to the tireless work of the states security forces by affirming their willingness to provide any support that may be necessary.

The letter, which provocatively clashed with the position of the federal government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Workers Party - PT), represents a new US imperialist intervention in Brazils internal affairs.

Trumps support of the barbaric crimes committed by the Castro government was an open challenge to the position adopted by President Lula, who the day before had publicly criticized and questioned the legality of the murderous police operation.

In his first public criticism of the Rio de Janeiro massacre, Lula declared Tuesday that the judges decision [authorizing the operation] was for an arrest warrant. There was no mass killing order, yet there was mass killing.

People may consider it a success, but from the standpoint of state action, I think it was disastrous, Lula concluded.

More than a diplomatic provocation, the letter issued Wednesday is one of several indications of Washingtons direct participation in the preparation of the massacre in Rio de Janeiro and in using it to further an ongoing fascist conspiracy in Brazil.

On Monday, the PT leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Lindbergh Farias, filed a request for an inquiry against Governor Claudio Castro for leaking confidential Brazilian reports to the United States government.

The complaint highlights that in May, Castro made an official trip to the United States where he held meetings with representatives of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and publicly announced the intention to establish a cooperation agreement... [with] the DEA, aimed at strengthening the fight against trafficking and criminal factions.

In the context of his trip to the US:

It was reported that the governor forwarded a report and formal request to the North American government for Comando Vermelho and other factions to be classified as narcoterrorist organizations, under the argument that such groups threaten international security.

Castro and Rio de Janeiro police authorities have repeatedly referred to the victims of last weeks operation as narcoterrorists. This operation has very little to do with public security, the governor stated, adding, it is a war.

The operation was conducted as a blood-soaked political spectacle amidst the efforts by Brazils official political oppositionled by Castro and former president Jair Bolsonaros fascistic Liberal Partyto approve a bill that expands the definition of terrorism to encompass common criminal organizations such as Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC).

The bill is an expansion of the reactionary Anti-Terrorism Law approved in 2016 under PT President Dilma Rousseffs administration. It was introduced in Congress in March and was expedited in May, at the same time Castro was visiting the US.

On October 30, two days after the police operation, a delegation of far-right governors traveled to Rio de Janeiro with the declared purpose of launching an initiative for interstate coordination of repressive operations. Politically, the governors conference was a platform to promote the efforts to rebrand CV and PCC as terrorist organizations.

This campaign is being promoted in coordination with fascistic political forces not just in Brazil, but throughout South America.

On October 28 and 30, respectively, Argentina and Paraguay branded CV and PCC as international terrorist organizations. The governments of both countries, which border southern Brazil, act as agents of Trumps geopolitical agenda in the region.

The government of fascist President Javier Milei, on October 20, signed an anti-terrorism agreement and a training accord with the FBI, aimed at fully subordinating the repressive apparatus of the Argentine state to US imperialism.

The Paraguayan government, in turn, is mobilizing massive military forces in the triple border area with Brazil and Argentina, where President Santiago Pena announced his intention to create an anti-terrorist center with agents trained by the FBI.

The legal redefinition of terrorism in Brazil obeys the same infamous geopolitical agenda of the War on Narcoterrorism which is the cover for a massive escalation of US imperialist aggression against Latin America.

The designation of Nicolas Maduros government as narcoterrorist is the pretext adopted by Trump to foment a war for regime change against Venezuela.

The largest United States aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is sailing toward the Caribbean Sea, where a naval armada and 10,000 sailors and marines are already mobilized. While daily striking small vessels, murdering nearly 70 civilians, in the countrys vicinity, Trump openly speaks of a military invasion of Venezuela and CIA operations to decapitate the Maduro government.

The US may not be ready to invade Brazil with F-35 fighters and warships, as suggested by Eduardo Bolsonaro, or to bomb fishing boats in Rios Guanabara Bay, as his brother, Flavio Bolsonaro, advocated. But the hysteria about narcoterrorism being promoted by Brazilian fascists portends unprecedented interventions by Washington.

This narrative aims to establish a de facto state of war in the country to justify the abolition of democratic rights and the normalization of the violence witnessed in the Rio de Janeiro recent massacre against the working class as a whole.

Through the campaign against narcoterrorism, the same forces that promoted the coup attempt of January 8, 2023 are continuing their fascist conspiracy and actively preparing its second act. Trumps dictatorial offensive in the United States is both their inspiration and their political base of support.

The ominous implications of Washingtons recent intervention into the situation in Rio de Janeiro become even clearer when considering the deep crisis of Claudio Castros government, facing imminent threat of being removed from office.

Castro is being prosecuted by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) for diverting 500 million reais (around US$ 100 million) for hiring 45,000 irregular employees during the 2022 elections with the transparent aim of buying his reelection. On Tuesday, presiding Justice Isabel Gallotti voted for the removal from office of both Castro and vice-governor Rodrigo Bacellar and an eight-year ban on their running for public office.

The question that lingers is: what will Trumps reaction be to Castros possible removal?

In August, Trump declared a national emergency against Brazil, imposing 50 percent tariffs and drastic sanctions on Brazilian authorities. The measures were justified by accusing Brazil of abolishing democracy with the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro (from the same party as Castro), who was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison for his attempted coup detat.

Will Castros eventual conviction be seized as a pretext for an aggressive resumption of intervention in Brazilian politics in the wake of the countrys 2026 presidential elections?

The immense dangers posed to the Brazilian working class in the current situation are exacerbated by the criminal policy promoted by the Lula government and the PT.

On October 26, Lula met with Donald Trump for the first time during a conference in Malaysia. The Brazilian president offered his collaboration in pursuing US imperialisms objectives in Venezuela and lavished praise on the White Houses would-be Fuhrer.

I am convinced that in a few days we will have a definitive solution between the United States and Brazil, Lula declared shortly after the meeting. I return to Brazil satisfied and certain that everything will work out for the Brazilian people, added the president, who actually arrived in the country moments after the police massacre in Rio de Janeiro.

Neither the tariffs nor the imperialist provocations ceased with the meeting between Lula and Trump on Sunday, the WSWS wrote in an article denouncing Lulas conscious efforts to disarm the working class in the face of the growing threat of fascism and imperialist aggression.

It is urgent for the Brazilian working class to break with the PT and its pseudo-left backers and build an independent political leadership to fight imperialism and fascism through the methods of the international socialist revolution.
Striking healthcare workers at Allina Health

More than 600 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners carried out a one-day strike November 5 across 61 clinics operated by Allina Health in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It is believed the strike that saw picket lines in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro region was the largest strike of doctors and advanced practice providers in the United States.

Workers first unionized in 2023 by joining the Doctors Council-SEIU. They are opposed to deteriorating working conditions, unsafe staffing ratios. Four clinics closed last week, and another is scheduled to be shuttered in January of 2026.

Allinas 61 clinics and their primary care providers are separate from workers at its system of 12 hospitals. In terms of pay, the clinic workers have fallen behind hospital workers. And a curious issue has arose relating to nurse practitioners.

This mirrors national attacks on healthcare, with understaffing and overwork dominating almost every major healthcare facility in America. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is cutting hundreds of billions from Medicaid and allowing tax credits to expire for private Obamacare plans, which could end up leading to 4 million people losing coverage.

Allina Healths current offer will reduce wages by an average of 5 percent, with some providers affected by wage reductions that will be much higher. The company has refused to incorporate its healthcare corporate benefits package into the contract proposal where it would ensure steady coverage throughout the duration of the contract. Instead, it wants to retain the ability to alter coverage at managements whim. Allina has also refused to come to terms over sick leave and retirement benefits.

Matt Hoffman, a medical doctor at Allina Health Vadnais Heights Clinic and a member of the negotiating team, summed up the results of the final bargaining session on November 3. If we accepted what was on the table, we would be facing decreased pay, worse benefits, and no help with staffing shortages or burnout.

Another doctor told the WSWS at a rally outside Allinas administrative headquarters in Minneapolis, Primary care is the whole base of the pyramid for the medical system. ... They want to ignore us. They keep cutting funding to us. They dont provide adequate staffing for us. They keep piling unpaid tasks on top of what we already do. Were working many hours beyond the regular part of the day that they pay us for.

People are not getting home for dinner, their kids games, or if they do, theyre logging back in after 9:00 p.m., and theyre charting their patients until 11:00 p.m. and then theyre back at it right away the next morning before clinic. Its like a treadmill.

It doesnt matter that we went through 11-plus years of training. Its like they know whats best for our patients, and we dont. It feels like were on an assembly line in a factory.

When asked about the role of health insurance corporations, she replied, Dont even get me started about that. And theres pharmaceutical companies that are raking in the cash as well. There are so many problems. Its the whole system that is in crisis.

One of the issues that the primary care providers are seeking to resolve is Allinas use of the non-compete clause that staff must agree to upon being hired. A doctor on the picket line at Allinas Coon Rapids Clinic in a northern Twin Cities suburb explained what non-compete clauses are to the WSWS:

A non-compete clause comes into play when you decide that you need to work somewhere else. You cannot take a job within a certain distance of your previous job.  Its to prevent your patients from following you to your new job. And legally you cant tell your patients where youre going or what youre doing. It interrupts peoples care.

The state government of Minnesota outlawed new non-competes. However, the non-competes that were previously in existence are allowed to remain in place. And in our negotiations Allina is refusing to let them go away. Even if we sign a collective contract with Allina, the old non-competes from our previous individual contracts remain in place.

Another doctor explained, We took a pay cut during the pandemic. Since then, weve had a very, very tiny pay increase, maybe in the 1 to 2 percent range. And in the present negotiations, what theyre currently offering us is a pay cut.

After the pandemic, we found out that the compensation of our CEO, Lisa Shannon, went up 29 percent in one year. The following year, it went up 17 percent. Her current compensation is over $3 million.

The amount that our doctors are paid, proportionate to the cost of living, is so much lower than what it was for doctors in the 1970s or 80s. Now when people are going to medical school and deciding what kind of specialty they will go into, theyre choosing not to enter primary care because they know they are not going to be able to pay their loans off until they are 50 years old. I didnt pay my loans off until age 45. The new doctors are going way further into debt. And their income-to-debt ratio is much worse than mine.

Primary care is starting to die. People are leaving. Theyre either changing careers, or theyre retiring way earlier. Doctors used to work until they were 65, 70 or 75 years old because it was a profession. And now people are retiring at 50 because they just cant take it anymore. And all that skill is being lost.

Combined with the closure of clinics and the transfer of patients to other facilities, the result is unsafe staffing ratios and the endangerment of patients.

An Allina management statement on the negotiations commented,  the unions request for significant compensation increases and extreme benefits proposals are simply not realistic or sustainable.

What is really not sustainable is subordinating public health to profit. The worlds top 12 billionaires, including Elon Musk and Amazons Jeff Bezos, have a combined net worth of $2 trillion. Bezos and Musks combined wealth of $741 billion is equal to the total wealth owned by the poorest 12 percent of the American populationsome 41 million people. And this wealth is the product of the labor of workers all over the world.

What stands in the way is the labor bureaucracy which segregates the working class into separate locals, dispersing the workers collective power into isolated struggles, that can more easily be worn down and defeated by the corporations. In reality, there is the potential for a powerful nationwide movement, as shown by the ongoing strike in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and recent strikes by tens of thousands of healthcare workers in California.

Standing behind Allina CEO Lisa Shannon is an array of corporate interests who profit off of healthcare, as well as companies who want to shrink the cost of healthcare for their own workforce in order to increase their bottom line. They are dead set against any concessions to the Allina primary care providers that would certainly spark the struggle of this section of healthcare workers across the country.

Workers need a strategy based on mobilizing the power of the working class independently in a fight against the capitalist ruling elite. To ensure workers retain initiative and to prepare for an expanded struggle, healthcare workers should form rank-and-file committees, separate from the union apparatus. Allina primary care workers should reach out to all healthcare workers, as well as embattled federal workers and Minneapolis public school educators, who are currently in deadlocked negotiations.

A network of rank-and-file committees, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), should be organized in every workplace uniting the entire working class in order to coordinate the struggle to secure living standards, safe working conditions and the right to decent healthcare for all. Ultimately, the healthcare industry should be transformed into a public utility under the control of the working class.
In a move to significantly increase its militarization and preparations for war, South Korea intends to construct its own nuclear-powered submarines. US President Trump gave his support for the plan during his summit last week with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.

US President Donald Trump poses for a photo with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during a dinner event in Gyeongju, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein]

The acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines is a highly provocative move not only due to the vessels capabilities in warfare, but also in regards to possession of the nuclear fuel required, which is weapons-grade, highly enriched uranium. To date, only countries that also possess nuclear weapons have built nuclear-powered vessels.

To obtain the uranium necessary, Lee Jae-myung on October 29 requested Trump make a decision to allow us to receive fuel for nuclear-propelled submarines. Under a 2015 pact with the US, South Korea is banned from enriching uranium beyond 20 percent, and this only for research purposes. Lee also asked that restrictions on Seouls ability to enrich uranium or reprocess spent nuclear fuel be eased.

The following day, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, Our Military Alliance is stronger than ever before and, based on that, I have given [South Korea] approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble diesel powered submarines that they have now.

At least some of the submarines will be built in the US, at the Hanhwa Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, according to Trump, though it currently lacks the necessary facilities. The shipyard is owned by South Koreas Hanhwa Ocean, which is expected to play a central role in Trumps Make American Shipbuilding Great Again program, in which South Korea will help train, construct and modernize US shipyards.

The exact details of the plan or how South Korea will obtain the enriched uranium for the fuel have yet to be elaborated. However, Seoul plans to build at minimum four nuclear-powered submarines within the next ten years, though experts have questioned the feasibility of this. The South Korean navy is calling for vessels of 5,000 tons or higher, which would have ten or more vertical launching system (VLS) tubes to fire missiles. Currently, the largest submarine in the fleet is 3,600 tons.

Lee tried to downplay his governments request while also making clear this is in line with Washingtons build up to war with China. Lee claimed, We are not proposing to build submarines armed with nuclear weapons; rather, diesel submarines have inferior submerged endurance, which limits our ability to track North Korean or Chinese submarines.

Lee stated that South Koreas possession of a nuclear-powered submarine fleet would ease the burden on US forces. This is taking place largely behind the backs of the population while Lee came to office in June falsely posturing as an opponent of war.

South Korea has long sought nuclear-powered submarines. The vessels have several advantages over conventional diesel engines, which include greater speeds, having a practically unlimited range, and remaining submerged for far longer periods.

South Koreas Defense Minister An Gyu-baek stated on Wednesday that the submarines should be built domestically. He told a National Assembly defense committee, We have accumulated technologies and studied know-how over the past 30 years on nuclear-powered submarines, so I think it is reasonable [to build them in South Korea].

This raises a number of questions. Constructing nuclear-powered vessels is not banned by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which South Korea became a party to in 1975. However, obtaining the highly enriched uranium necessary to power the vessels is also a major step towards building a nuclear weapon. Even if the US provides the fuel without Seouls involvement in the enrichment process, it signifies a further chipping away at restrictions on the latters nuclear weapon ambitions.

Producing nuclear energy or weapons requires the uranium-235 isotope. In nature, more than 99 percent of uranium ore is uranium-238 with uranium-235 making up only 0.72 percent. The ore must be enriched to isolate the latter. In civilian power plants, this nuclear material is enriched to only three to five percent. As the level of enrichment rises, the ability to increase to higher levels becomes easier.

That Seoul might build nuclear weapons is not out of the question. In the 1970s under dictator Park Chung-hee, South Korea initiated a nuclear weapons program, which the US attempted to force Seoul to shut down through a treaty when it was discovered, a precursor to the 2015 deal. Though Seoul agreed publicly, its nuclear experiments continued for decades in secret under both right-wing and Democratic Party governments.

More recently, in January 2023, former president Yoon Suk-yeol declared that South Korea would consider developing its own nuclear weapons. This led in April of that year to the establishment of the so-called Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), modeled on a similar body in NATO dealing with nuclear matters. The NCG gives Seoul a greater say in planning the use of nuclear weapons as well as training in their use.

As a result, the targets of US imperialism like China and Russia will have no choice but to consider that Seoul is pursuing a nuclear weapon in secret or could do so in the future. It also exposes the hypocrisy of Washington and Seoul in regards to North Korea, and the claims that the two allies are working to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

Other countries in the region are also pursuing the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. Australia plans to acquire the vessels through the AUKUS alliance, which includes the US and the United Kingdom. In Japan, the coalition deal of the new far-right government in Tokyo between the Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai calls for, among other remilitarization demands, developing submarines with next-generation propulsion systems, a euphemism for nuclear-powered.

This will be compounded by the fact that Trump also announced last week just prior to a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to resume nuclear weapon testing for the first time since Washington imposed a unilateral ban in 1992. All of this will only further increase tensions and a nuclear arms race in the Indo-Pacific.
The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) and the Socialist Equality Party (US) are holding an online public meeting on Sunday, November 16 at 3pm US Eastern Time. Register here to attend.

Mass layoffs are sweeping the United States. More than 1.1 million job cuts have been announced by major corporations this year alonean escalation of the ruling classs offensive against the working class.

UPS has eliminated thousands of jobs, including entire shifts of pilots and warehouse workers. Amazon continues its firings across logistics and tech. The auto companies are carrying out mass layoffs in response to slumping sales and tariffs.

The government shutdown, having now lasted more than a month, is deliberate economic blackmail aimed at starving workers and dismantling social programs. For want of $8 billion in food stamps, 42 million Americans are left to starve. Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has a new pay package to make him the worlds first trillionaire. Congress claims there is no money to feed the hungry, yet it allocates endless trillions for war, Wall Street and corporate bailouts.

Behind these policies stands the dictatorship of the financial oligarchy. The ruling elite is looting society, destroying jobs and public services and preparing an authoritarian regime under Trump to enforce its program. The same profit system that casts aside millions of workers is responsible for the mounting toll of industrial explosions, plane crashes and other disasters.

The Socialist Equality Party and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) are holding this online public meeting to discuss the way forward. The working class must organize independently through rank-and-file committees in every workplace and community, linking struggles across industries against layoffs, austerity and war.

The trillions hoarded by the billionaires must be expropriated and used to meet social needs: secure, well-paid jobs for all, healthcare, housing, education, and the eradication of hunger and poverty. These demands can be achieved only through the fight for workers power.

Register today to take part in this critical discussion.
Striking postal workers picketing in Ottawa September 29

Daniel Berkley is a postal worker and leading member of the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee. To contact the PWRFC, email canadapostworkersrfc@gmail.com or fill out the form at the end of this article.

Several media reports indicate that the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is close to reaching a sell-out agreement with Canada Post that would enforce sweeping attacks on our jobs and working conditions.

A new round of bargaining commenced on Monday, November 3, with CUPW releasing a statement that praised the assistance offered by a government-appointed mediator and proclaimed the union bureaucracys readiness to overcome the disagreements between the parties and secure ratifiable collective agreements at the bargaining table.

In a separate release, the union politely asked the pro-big business Liberal government, which has given its full backing to plans to eliminate two-thirds of the 55,000-strong workforce at Canada Post, to ensure that any decisions are made with Union input. To secure its place at the table and protect its anti-worker corporatist ties with management and the government, CUPW is prepared to assist in the dismantling of the post office as a public service and the transformation of the fraction of the membership that remains into Amazon-style gig workers.

The latest developments pose urgent tasks for postal workers, and in fact all workers throughout the public sector across Canada. Former central banker and current Prime Minister Mark Carney has made it clear that his Liberal government views the destruction of Canada Post in its current form as a testing ground for the types of attacks the ruling class plans to mount against all workers to intensify worker-exploitation, further swell the fortunes of the financial oligarchy and make Canadian imperialism war-ready.

Postal workers must therefore immediately assert their independent class interests in opposition to the union bureaucracy as it seeks to serve as co-managers in the imposition of job cuts and the gutting of worker rights. To do this, we need our own organizations, rank-and-file committees controlled by us and at every postal sorting-plant, depot and stationto broaden our struggle to other sections of workers and turn it into a political mass movement against capitalist austerity.

At every turn, the CUPW leadership has intervened to confine us to the state-rigged, pro-employer collective bargaining system. This is a key component of the union bureaucracys strategy to systematically block all efforts to mobilize the Canadian and international working class in support of us. This policy of isolating our strike has been backed up by the entire trade union bureaucracy, led by the Canadian Labour Congress and Unifor, which are key partners of the very Liberal government that is spearheading the onslaught on us.

This fact was summed up by CUPWs response to Tuesdays federal budget, which increases military spending by over $80 billion over the next five years and contains plans to eliminate at least 40,000 public sector jobs. The CUPW leadership hailed Carney for pledging to protect cherished public services like universal health care and blandly offered, without proposing a single concrete action, our support and solidarity to fellow workers impacted by the governments plans to slash public sector jobs, services and social supports.

When the Liberal government unilaterally banned our strike last December, CUPW President Jan Simpson and the National Executive Board helped enforce the back-to-work order; and claimed the governments Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) presented an opportunity to have our voices heard. Every postal worker could immediately see that the IIC was rigged in favour of management, and it predictably produced a blueprint for the destruction of tens of thousands of full-time jobs and an expansion of the use of AI technology to boost workers already punishing workloads and corporate profits, instead of exploiting new technological capabilities to make our jobs easier with no loss of pay.

The union is hoping our memories are short, because the government and the corporation are drawing directly on the IICs findings to attack us!

A record of sabotage

CUPW has already shutdown our second national strike in less than a year and this time without the government even needing to issue a back-to-work order. The only reason Canada Posts operations were again shut down through strike action was because rank-and-file postal workers walked off the job spontaneously in response to Transformation Minister Joel Lightbounds September 25 announcement that the government was ordering management to immediately implement all of the IICs proposals to radically restructure Canada Post at workers expense.

Two weeks laterand once again without giving the rank and file any sayCUPW arbitrarily deescalated the strike to feckless rotating walkouts, which generally take place in tiny rural locations or impact only a fraction of mail deliveries, such as unaddressed admail.

Many postal workers, having experienced the repeated betrayals of the CUPW leadership, dont see a protracted strike, waged in isolation and as a traditional collective bargaining struggle, as a solution.

Postal workers picketing outside the Albert Jackson Processing Centre, in east end Toronto, during last fall's month-long strike. When the Liberal government illegalized it, using a trumped-up "reinterpretation" of an obscure section of the Canada Labour Code, the CUPW leadership unilaterally ordered workers to submit to the back-to-work order despite mass rank-and-file sentiment for defiance.

The reality is, were rank-and-file postal workers to take the leadership of the struggle into our own hands and make a national strike the spearhead of an industrial and political counter-offensive of the working class, we would rally mass support in Canada and internationally. This is because we are fighting over issues of vital importance to all workers:

*the defence of public services and the jobs and rights of the workers who administer them;

*the defence of the right to strike

*workers control over AI and other new technologies to ensure they are used to improve public services and workers lives, not maximize profits, increase surveillance of the workplace, and build more lethal weapons of war.

But at every point CUPW, the CLC and their NDP allies do everything to ensure our strike is isolated, and work to corral workers into making futile appeals to the government to change course, thus ensuring our sacrifice on the picketlines accomplishes nothing.

During the 2-week national strike in late September-early October, Canada Post workers set up pickets at Purolator, a 91 percent-owned subsidiary of the Crown corporation. But the CUPW did nothing to encourage workers at Purolator, who work on worse terms than we do, to join our national strike. It was just another way for CUPW to have us let off steam and express our anger over a clear conflict of interest. Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger is on the board of directors of both corporations.

Purolator continues to soak up extra work made available by our strike, and the same is true of other logistics companies operating in Canada. These are the workers who most directly share a stake in our struggle, and these are the workers who should be first in line when we make appeals to join us in a broad working class counter-offensive.

When it comes to protecting and augmenting big business profits at the expense of workers, the interests of Canada Post and the Liberal government are one and the same.

Yet CUPW continues to try to claim the government has been duped by management into attacking us; just as they have claimed for years that workers could defend their interests by supporting the big business Liberals over the Conservatives. To this dayeven as the Liberals impose the agenda of Pierre Poilievre and his far-right ConservativesCUPW and the CLC promote the lie that the big business Liberals are the lesser-evil, if not a progressive ally.

The Carney government is demanding our employer quickly implement technologies and policies to cut tens of thousands of jobs, leaving whoever is left to pick up the slack. And what is CUPWs response? That we should send strongly-worded letters of protest or call our MP. These proposed actions are designed to divert the energy of postal workers into harmless channels, while at the same time propping up a widely unpopular Liberal government as it attacks all workers to pay for war and enriching Canadas oligarchs.

For a mass movement of workers against capitalist austerity and war

A real counteroffensive would make our strike the catalyst of a broader mobilization of all workers, public and private sector alike, against social inequality, and in defense of all public services, the right to strike, and workers control over the use of new technologies.

Postal workers, and Canadian workers in general, have waited in vain for the union bureaucracies, led by the CLC, to come to our defence. Over the past four decades, the union bureaucracy has emerged as an arm of management and the state with a central role in ramming through one round of concessions after another on workers. In lockstep with the CLC, the CUPW leadership acts to subordinate the interests of postal workers to the interests of the Canadian ruling class.

The interests of these multi-millionaires and billionaires are hostile to our interests. Prime Minister Carney has made clear his intentionscut public services to fund the obscene profits and war appetite of the ruling elite.

Yet the CUPW officialdom is trying to gaslight us into believing that the interests of the big-business Liberal government align with our own. All we need to do is send more emails.

There is enormous opposition to the current state of affairs, but this opposition must be organized and infused with a socialist perspective! Without workers, nothing gets done. What is required is for us to transform our strike into a broader movement mobilizing the social power of the working class as a whole.

Our current struggle is part of intensifying working class opposition across Canada and internationally to the present social and political setup, characterized as it is by glaring social inequality, the destruction of public services and worker rights, an explosion of militarism and war, and a turn by the ruling class to dictatorial forms of rule. This opposition is expressed by the continued expansion of strike activity this year in Canada and the mass No Kings protests against Trumps drive to establish a fascist dictatorship in the United States. This political reality cuts through the CUPWs attempt to persuade postal workers that were fighting an isolated struggle on our own.

The key is understanding that for workers to assert their class interests, we must break free of the corporatist trade union apparatuses, build new rank-and-file organizations under our control, and wage a political class struggle. The Liberal government has declared war on postal workers, and we must in turn wage a class war on them, by developing mass working class resistance against Carneys program of austerity and investment and developing a mass movement for workers power.

The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC), aligned with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), will not direct workers justified anger towards hopeless appeals to a government on the offensive against us. In its August statement, the PWRFC argued that our strike must become the launching pad for a renewed fight based on an entirely new strategy against capitalist austerity and war This requires the organization of a nation-wide fight against the Carney governments austerity program and the corporate restructuring of Canada Post.

Fill out the form below to receive the PWRFC newsletter and join the fight to take the struggle against Canada Post, the Liberal government and corporate Canada into our own hands, and develop a movement for workers power.
A wanted cow smuggler, identified as Siraj Jabbar Khan Ali Meo, resident of Bahin Palwal, with a reward of Rs 25,000, was injured during a police encounter near the Haryana-Rajasthan border under the Kosi area of Mathura on Saturday morning, as per the police. DSP Bhushan Verma confirmed, "Today at 9 am, at the interstate border of Haryana and Rajasthan at Chowki Kamar under Thana Kosi area, information was given that a cow smuggler was roaming around." DSP Verma further underlined that the accused was injured during a police encounter. When the police team attempted to arrest him, he opened fire on the officials. The team fired back in self-defense, resulting in a leg injury. "When the police team went to nab him, he opened fire and tried to escape. The police fired in self-defense, injuring him in his leg," he said. A motorcycle, a pistol, and two live cartridges have been recovered from him. The accused was wanted since 2016. "He was wanted for cow smuggling since 2016. There was a reward of Rs 25,000 for him. A motorcycle, a pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from him. Upon interrogation, he admitted that he had been wanted in this incident since 2016. He has been referred to the district hospital for treatment," the DSP added. Meanwhile, the BSF and Punjab Police in a series of coordinated and intelligence-based operations successfully foiled criminal activities in Punjab's border districts of Gurdaspur and Firozpur, leading to the arrest of one smuggler and the recovery of arms and ammunition on November 1. The BSF troops, in collaboration with the Punjab Police, apprehended an Indian smuggler from near Dana Mandi in Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur. The accused is a resident of Kahlanwali village. A pistol with six live rounds has been recovered from his possession. In another operation, the BSF received credible intel about miscreants planning to carry out criminal activities at the border area of village Maboke in Firozpur. Although the swift action by the BSF personnel led to the failure of their plans. The officials recovered 16 live rounds and a kirpan (sword) from the site. (ANI)
According to Variety, Paramount Skydance, the media conglomerate headed by David Ellison, maintains a list of talent it will not work with because they are deemed to be overtly antisemitic. By antisemitic, Paramount executives mean opposition to Zionist criminality and the ongoing Gaza genocide.

Larry Ellison, chairman of Oracle Corporation, center, speaks as President Donald Trump, left, and Masayoshi Son, SoftBank Group CEO, listen in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington [AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson]

Ellison is the son of Larry Ellison, multi-billionaire arch-Zionist, close friend of war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu and supporter of Donald Trump.

A civil war is raging in the film, television and music fields between artists opposed to the mass murder in Gaza, as well as Trumps fascist policies, and the upper echelons of studio executives and owners.

The Paramount case is a particularly stark example. In September, thousands of writer-directors, actors and other film industry workers signed a pledge not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutionsincluding festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companiesthat are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.

The organizers of the protest, Film Workers for Palestine, pointed out that the individuals involved included Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy, Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Cesar, Goya, and Peabody Award winners. Actors Emma Stone, Olivia Colman, Ayo Edebiri, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, Joaquin Phoenix, Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, as well as writer-directors Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay, Asif Kapadia, Emma Seligman, Boots Riley, Adam McKay and Joshua Oppenheimer were among the signatories, whose total number has now reached almost 8,000.

Paramount was the only major studio to brazenly reject this appeal out of hand, defending Israel and its military operations, albeit using duplicitous language. Its statement sanctimoniously proclaimed that Paramount believed in the power of storytelling to connect and inspire people, promote mutual understanding, and preserve the moments, ideas, and events that shape the world we share.

A group of workers calling themselves Paramount Employees of Conscience denounced the Ellison-Paramount statement, cutting through the high-flown verbiage and bluntly informing studio executives in an open letter that you are aligning yourselves with systems of apartheid, occupation and what countless international organizations have recognized as a genocide in Gaza and of the Palestinian people.

The blacklist reported by Variety is the answer of the Ellisons to the widespread opposition to Zionism and its crimes in Hollywood, including among many Jewish performers, writers and directors.

In addition to eliminating thousands of jobs, Paramount Skydance has set about shifting its television network, CBS, further to the right. It named right-wing, pro-Zionist Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News. The Ellisons, as Truthout explained, also appointed Kenneth Weinstein, former head of the conservative Hudson Institute think tank, as CBSs new ombudsman, a position they agreed to fill as part of the [Paramount-Skydance] mergers approval.

Paramount Skydance is now attempting to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, which would create one of the largest media firms in the world and would also undoubtedly include a massive tranche of layoffs, as a union of the two conglomerates would reduce corporate overhead and would consolidate functions across studios, TV and streaming operations. (Variety)

Larry Ellison is involved in the proposed new American version of TikTok through his company Oracle, which would manage the platforms US user data and algorithm. He is a key investor in the pending deal.

All in all, Ellison is a piece of work, an appalling product of the transformation of American politics and media into the playground of the super-rich.

In addition to his strong financial and political support for Trump, Ellison is one of the biggest contributors to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), the US-based outfit that raises tens of millions of dollars for the Zionist killing machine. In one of the most widely publicized events associated with the FIDF, a Beverly Hills gala raised $53.8 million in 2017. According to the Times of Israel,

The largest single gift in FIDFs history was announced at the [2017] event as $16.6 million from Oracle Co-Founder, Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison. His donation will support the construction of well-being facilities on a new training campus for the IDFs coed infantry units.

Ellison told the benefit,

Through all of the perilous times since Israels founding, we have called on the brave men and women of the IDF to defend our home. In my mind, there is no greater honor than supporting some of the bravest people in the world, and I thank FIDF for allowing us to celebrate and support these soldiers year after year.

The IDF, through bombing, murder and torture, the killing or wounding of some 200,000 dead or wounded Palestinians, has been responsible over the past two years for some of the most horrendous crimes since the Nazis.

With great appropriateness, the FIDF is now embroiled in a sordid financial scandal, again according to the Times of Israel,

over allegations of financial mismanagement, cronyism, and a toxic workplace culture. The crisis at Friends of the Israel Defense Forces centers on the groups chairman, Morey Levovitz, who is accused of consolidating power, awarding contracts to associates without oversight, and authorizing lavish spending that some insiders say betrays donors trust.

Just International further notes that

Ellison has worked tirelessly to advance Israels political project. Among his closest personal friends is Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he vacationed on his private island in Hawaii. Ellison was so impressed and confident in the Israeli prime minister that he offered him a seat on his companys board, replete with a salary of $450,000.

Moreover, Truthout reports that

Ellison maneuvered to push Israeli billionaire Arnon Milchan to allow Milchans star attorney to represent Netanyahu in one of his corruption cases. Milchan was hesitant but he relented after pressure from Ellison, ... Ellison is also mentioned in two of Netanyahus corruption cases. ... Ellison is also a backer of former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and has given or pledged at least $348 million to Blairs Institute for Global Change. Blair could be part of Trumps Board of Peace in Gaza if the current ceasefire deal holds.

One could go on

The open declaration by Paramount that it has launched a blacklist of anti-genocide actors and others should be viewed as a declaration of war by the oligarchy against freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

No return to McCarthyism! The stranglehold over film and television by reactionary parasites like the Ellisons needs to be answered by the growth of consciously socialist opposition in Hollywood and elsewhere. These giant firms need to be expropriated and turned into publicly owned entities, democratically controlled by the artists and workers who create everything of value.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]

On November 3, the New York Times posted an extensive video interview with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on its The Opinions website. Conducted by Times editor David Leonhardt, the interview afforded Sanders yet another opportunity to posture as an opponent of oligarchy and authoritarianism, while never uttering the word capitalism or, for that matter, socialism.

What, however, made this interview particularly significant was Sanders concentration on promoting a nationalist perspective. He and his interlocutor Leonhardt insistently sought to associate opposition to social inequality and the interests of the working class with economic nationalism and the defense of the US nation state.

Nothing could more clearly expose the deeply reactionary role of Sanders and his pseudo-left supporters than their attempt to divert the growing opposition of the working class to Donald Trump and the corporate oligarchy along nationalist lines. In his 1933 essay Nationalism and Economic Life, Leon Trotsky explained that in the 20th century, world economy and the international division of labor had come to dominate over the national economy. Hence, the politics and ideology of nationalism played an essentially reactionary role. The foundation of the socialist politics of the working class was internationalism.

Trotsky wrote:

The growth of world exchange took place parallel with the formation of national economies. The tendency of this developmentfor advanced countries at any ratefound its expression in the shift of the center of gravity from the domestic to the foreign market. The 19th century was marked by the fusion of the nations fate with the fate of its economic life; but the basic tendency of our century is the growing contradiction between the nation and economic life.

He continued:

Attempts to save economic life by inoculating it with virus from the corpse of nationalism result in blood poisoning which bears the name of fascism.

In his recent interview with The Economist, fascist conspirator and adviser to Trump Steve Bannon said the White House had a plan for Trump to retain power in a third presidential term, in violation of the US Constitution. He called his politics populist, nationalist and noted that he borrowed many of his positions and much of his rhetoric from Bernie Sanders.

Sanders reactionary nationalism emerges clearly in his New York Times interview. Early on in the discussion, Sanders claims the Democratic Party was the party of the working class, but that in the 1970s it began to abandon the working class. He says:

No, what I think is if you talked to working class people during that period, as I did, if you talked to the union movement during that period, as I did, you said, Guys, do you think its a great idea that we have a free trade agreement with China. No worker in America thought that was a good idea. The corporate world thought it was a good idea. The Washington Post thought it was a great idea. I dont know what the New York Times thought, but every one of us who talked to unions, talked to workers, understood that the result of that would be the collapse of manufacturing in America, the loss of millions of good-paying jobs because corporations understood, if I could pay people 30 cents an hour in China, why the hell am I going to pay a worker in America a living wage? We understood that.

The Democratic Party was never a party of the working class. In the 19th century it was the party of the slavocracy until it was defeated in the Civil War. For the rest of that century and for most of the 20th century it was the party of Jim Crow segregation and lynch law in the South. It was and remains one of the two parties of capitalism and imperialism. That was so even during its brief periods of social reform in the 1930s and 1960s, when Democratic administrations, besieged by working class struggles and haunted by the specter of the Russian Revolution and the threat of revolution at home, enacted measures such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Highly significant, however, is the fact that to prove the Democrats abandoned the working class, Sanders invokes the nostrums of economic nationalism. He argues that the Democrats turned against the workers when they supported free trade with China. (In point of fact, the US and China have never signed a free trade agreement. In 1999, the two countries entered into a bilateral agreement that paved the way for Chinas entry into the World Trade Organization and granted China Normal Trade Relations status with the US).

In other words, according to Sanders, American workers should consider workers in China (and Canada, Mexico, Europe and elsewhere) not as class allies in the struggle against capitalism, but as enemies in a zero-sum struggle for jobs and wages. They should also, in accordance with this perspective, line up behind their ruling class in economic and future military warfare against American imperialisms rival powers around the world.

Further on, Leonhardt plays a clip from a previous interview with Sanders conducted by Ezra Klein, in which Sanders declares: Open borders. Thats a Koch brothers proposal. I mean, thats a right-wing proposal which says essentially there is no United States.

In response to the clip, Sanders tells Leonhardt, Look, there are people who want cheap labor coming into this country to lower wages, no question about it.

Like all opportunists, Sanders speaks out of both sides of his mouth. At one point in the interview, he criticizes Trump for scapegoating undocumented immigrants, saying, So Trump is clearly doing outrageous things that deny people their civil rights and that violate their basic humanity

But in the next breath he says:

Well, what I do think in terms of the Biden administration, so long as we have nation states like the United States of America and Canada and Mexico, you have borders. And if you dont have any borders, then in a sense you dont have a nation state. And Biden tried to make some progress at the end of his tenure. You saw the pictures in Texas of just all kinds of undocumented people and that does not resonate. And its not right. We need to have an immigration policy, but you also need to have strong borders, period.

Last month, Sanders was interviewed on the podcast of Tim Dillon, a Trump supporter who has conducted interviews with Steve Bannon, JD Vance, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and other fascists. Sanders praised Trumps border policy, saying he has done better than Biden:

So has historically the United States done well under Democrats and Republicans protecting the border? The answer is no. Trump did a better job. I dont like Trump, you know, but we should have a secure border and it aint that hard to do. Biden didnt do it.

In the same interview, Sanders repeated his position that Israel has a right to defend itself, and reiterated his support for the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine.

At the conclusion of the New York Times interview, Leonhardt asks, Is there a version of progressive patriotism that can counter right-wing nationalism?

Sanders replies, Good question.

Leonhardt goes on to ask, I dont know if you think of yourself as a patriot?

Sanders then says:

AbsolutelySo you want a nationalism? You want a patriotic nationalism? Thats what it is. People fought and died not just in the Civil War and the Revolutionary War. World War II died to defend democracy. And we need a government and an economy that works for all of us, not just a handful of wealthy campaign donors. Thats your nationalism.

Sanders is not entirely uneducated politically. He knows enough about history and socialism, from his early years when he claimed to be influenced by Marxism and supported the Cuban Revolution, to understand that World War II was, in essence, a conflict between imperialist powers. While the Stalinists (as Sanders knows full well) cynically sought, in the interests of the Soviet bureaucracy, to promote the war as a struggle for democracy, the Roosevelt administration waged the war to secure the global interests of Wall Street and American corporations.

Strikes by workers, and the coal miners in particular, against brutal exploitation were met with state repression. The US Trotskyists who exposed the imperialist interests of the ruling class were sent to prison. In the aftermath of the war, a ferocious witchhunt was unleashed against the left, and socialists were ruthlessly purged from the trade unions in order to eliminate domestic opposition to the violent international operations of the CIA and military-industrial complex.

Sanders promotion of nationalist populism is duplicated by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and other pseudo-left organizations, which express the interests of privileged sections of the middle class. Last month, following the massive No Kings demonstrations across the US, Jacobin, the unofficial organ of the DSA, published an article by Meagan Day headlined Patriotism Against Authoritarianism.

Genuine socialism is grounded, from Marx and Engels to Lenin, Trotsky and the International Committee of the Fourth International today, on internationalism. Workers of the world unite! remains the rallying cry of the class conscious working class. It is the foundation for a struggle today against oligarchy, fascism and war.
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Asia

India: Assam National Health Mission workers strike for permanent jobs and entitlements

Thousands of National Health Mission (NHM) workers held a three-day statewide strike in Assam on Monday demanding permanent jobs and equal pay for equal work. They held sit-down protests in several cities, including Nalbari and Tezpur, raising slogans like provide pay scale and accept our demands. Health services were severely affected during the strike with doctors at some clinics unavailable.

The All Assam Health and Technical Welfare Association and NHM-Assam, a forum of over 20,000 NHM workers, coordinated the strike, saying that their future was uncertain given the governments indifference towards the demand for permanent jobs.

Other demands were for gratuity and pension benefits, jobs for their family in case of death at work, uniform leave policies and two years of parental leave. They also demanded that NHM workers be transferred directly into the health departments new vacancies.

Tea estate workers in Assam strike for pay and festival bonus

Hundreds of tea estate workers in Cachar district, Assam went on indefinite strike at the Arcuttipore and Chappanahall estates on October 31, demanding outstanding wages and festival bonus. Workers said they would intensify their struggle if demands were not met before the local festival of Chath Puja. One worker said, we could forego the bonus, but not our wages.

Andhra Pradesh construction workers strike again for overdue wages

About 34 contract building workers at the Statue of Social Justice (Ambedkar Smriti Vanam) in Vijayawada, stopped work and protested in front of the site on October 31 to demand 9 months of unpaid wages. The workers previously walked off the job on October 4 over the same issue.

Kerala: ASHA unions call end to 265-day statewide strike with demands unmet

The Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association, affiliated with the Socialist Unity Centre of India-Communist Union, ordered 26,000 striking members back to work on November 1, ending a 265-day strike with none of workers long-pending demands resolved.

The poorly paid ASHA (community health) workers, who receive very few entitlements, held out against threats of sackings from the government and frequent attacks by police on their sit-down protest at Thiruvananthapuram. Some workers went on a hunger strike, while others shaved their heads.

Workers were demanding that their monthly wage be increased from a meagre 7,000 rupees ($US80) to about 21,000 rupees, plus an increased pension and withdrawal of the compulsory retirement age of 62.

Workers were forced to accept a meagre 1,000 rupee ($US11.30) pay increase and herded back to work with none of their other demands being met.

Tamil Nadu fishermen in Ramanathapuram demand relief funds

Fishermen in Ramanathapuram held a protest on November 4 demanding relief and saving funds during the lean fishing season. The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said more than 6,900 fishermen were in need of relief funds.

The desperate fishermen and their families had been excluded from the national relief funds during the lean season. They received no income due to fishing bans during the cyclone periods. Their only support has to come from the government.

Punjab: Electricity workers protest privatisation

Outsourced contract workers from the power distribution company Powercom demonstrated at Phagwara against privatisation, exploitation by contractors and for permanent jobs on November 1. The action was part of a wider campaign by members of the Powercom and Transco Theka Mulazam Union, which included a protest march in Ludhiana on October 28.

The union alleged that the present state government had promised to cancel its privatisation policy and make all outsourced contract workers permanent, but after three years, no workers had been made permanent. Workers want the privatisation policy cancelled, all workers to be directly included in the department, a minimum living wage, guaranteed permanent jobs and pensions for accident victims.

Assam plantation workers and students protest transfer of land to Oil India Limited

On October 31, about 700 plantation workers and students protested at Dibrugarh against the Sathyanarayan tea estate managements decision to transfer almost 20 bighas (124 acres) of land to Oil India Limited (OIL). Workers said the land transfer would affect their livelihood. The protest was organised by the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam.

Bangladeshi community health care workers demand unpaid salaries and permanent jobs

Around 100 community health care providers continued their demonstration for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, demanding payment of 16 months of unpaid salaries and permanent employment. They rallied outside the Community Clinic Health Support Trust office at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Medical Research Council in Dhaka, chanting slogans. On two previous occasions, the government has falsely assured the workers they would be paid.

A protester, holding her 5-month-old daughter, spent the entire day on the premises. She said My baby is suffering from fever but I have no choice but to bring her with me. Living without salary for 16 months is almost impossible. Another protester said 662 employees joined community clinics in March 2023 and received regular salaries until June last year, but have not been paid since.

Bangladesh: Chittagong Port workers protest privatisation

Hundreds of port workers staged a hunger strike on November 1 to protest the Yunus governments decision to lease the state-owned Chattogram Ports New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Laldia Char to foreign operators. They demanded that the government withdraw plans to lease any other asset at the port to local or foreign companies.

The government had planned to lease the NCT to UAE-based operator DP World and the Laldia Char to Danish-based Maersk. On September 14, thousands of Chattogram port workers held a street protest over the issue.

The protest was organised by the WorkersEmployees Unity Council, representing 16 national tradeunion centres.

Bangladeshi journalists rally across the country with 39 demands

On November 1, The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) held protests across the country with multiple demands aimed at ensuring press freedom and journalists' welfare. A rally was held in front of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.

Key demands were for the immediate implementation of the ninth wage board and formation of the tenth, along with a unified wage board for print, electronic, online and multimedia journalists, and enforcement of the No Wage Board, No Media policy to ensure fair pay and benefits. Another demand was for the formulation of a journalist protection policy and establishment of a separate labour court for journalists.

Other demands were for two weekly holidays in line with other sectors, the end to harassment, intimidation and killing of journalists with speedy trials for all past murder cases including that of Sagar-Runi, abolition of all anti-media laws and guarantees for editorial and institutional independence of media houses, fair wages for district correspondentsmany of whom work without paysafeguards against arbitrary dismissal, inclusion of journalists in state policymaking and ensuring that no intelligence agency interferes in media operations.

On August 7, journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin was killed with machete blows after filming armed men chasing a young man in Gazipur. The day before, reporter Anwar Hossain was seriously injured by brick blows in the same city, while investigating cases of extortion. According to the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, 13 journalists have been killed in Bangladesh since 1992.

Pakistan International Airlines engineers strike over safety and pay

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) engineers stopped work on Monday, forcing the cancellation of more than 55 flights affecting Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports. The Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) said its members would not return to work until the airlines CEO changed his attitude toward their concerns.

A media report said the engineers havent received a raise in eight years and the airline is facing a serious shortage of spare parts. It alleged that the engineers have been coerced to clear aircraft for flights in breach of aviation rules.

SAEP said the engineers had been wearing black armbands for almost two-and-a-half months to press their demands, but the airlines management refused to enter negotiations.

The Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act is in force at the national airline, which makes strikes or walkouts illegal. PIAs management ordered strict action against the engineers and accused them of trying to sabotage the airlines privatisation.

The government is in the final stage of selling a majority stake in the airline, a key condition of Pakistans $US7 billion International Monetary Fund bailout, which requires the government to offload loss-making state-owned enterprises.

Australia

Infrabuild steel mill workers in Victoria continue rolling strikes for new enterprise agreement

About 100 workers at the Infrabuild steel mill in Laverton, Melbourne are maintaining rolling 12 and 24-hour stoppages, which started on October 24. They held a 24-hour stoppage on Wednesday, their third since action began.

The Australian Workers Union (AWU) has allowed negotiations for a new enterprise agreement to be drawn out since 2021, amid concerns over safety failures and falling real wages. The union said it finally called the strike after workers reached their limit.

The companys last offer was rejected by workers as substandard. Workers want the new agreement to include a wage rise that reflects the true cost-of-living increase and addresses their concerns over safety and job security.

InfraBuilds Laverton plant processes recycled scrap metal into steel products. The company claims its Laverton site is the biggest such operation in Australia.

Keolis Downer bus drivers in Newcastle apply work bans for improved pay offer

More than 200 bus drivers from Keolis Downer-Hunter, who service Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, put in place low-level work bans on Monday. They threatened to carry out 12- and/or 24-hour strikes by the end of November if the company fails to return to the negotiation table with an improved offer on wages, safety and working conditions.

The bans include sounding the bus horn when leaving and entering the depot, not driving buses with less than a full tank of fuel and not operating a bus without a first-aid kit on board. Drivers are maintaining action they put place in April, when they turned off their Opal card readers (fare collecting machines) giving commuters free travel.

The latest action by the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) members is part of a protracted enterprise bargaining process. It followed 24-hour stoppages in April and September.

Workers are demanding 8 percent per annum pay increases over three years, improved safety, at least 72 hours notice for changes to drivers shifts and no reduction in conditions. The company has offered a 10 percent total pay increase over three years, with an additional 6 percent over three years for employees in the Trainee Year 1 classification.

The state government awarded the French firm Keolis Downer a 10-year contract to provide bus commuter services in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas in 2016. Workers are calling for the operation of the bus service to be returned to the government. Drivers have begun wearing red berets which state French government gets paid, our bus is delayed.

Healthscope nurses and midwives in Victoria take action over stalled wage negotiations

Over 2,500 Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) members at 12 Healthscope facilities in Victoria began industrial action on October 28 over stalled pay rise negotiations. The limited action includes wearing campaign T-shirts, as well as bans on redeployment, overtime, working outside ordinary hours and some administrative work.

The ANMF claims Healthscopes offer would leave wages about 10 percent behind those in the public sector by the end of 2027. The union is seeking pay rises starting from July 2025 of 4.24 percent, 3.5 percent in October 2025, 4 percent in July 2026 and 5 percent in July 2027, while the company has offered just 11.75 percent over four years.

The union alleged that Healthscope is refusing to finalise the enterprise agreement if a new salary packaging clause (which would result in nurses and midwives receiving only a fraction of any benefit) is not included in the enterprise deal.

Healthscope, with 37 facilities nationwide and in debt for $1.6 billion, wants employees to support the creation of a not-for-profit entityPurposeCoas a means of keeping as many of its facilities within the one organisation as possible. If accepted, Healthscope will receive up to 90 percent of staff salary packaging benefits to support operational costs, including servicing corporate debt.

The ANMF claimed that Healthscopes rejection of its wage claim means that rates of pay will remain behind all comparable employers in Victoria, including St Vincents Private Hospitals, St John of God and Epworth, all of which provide the full benefit of salary packaging.

Queensland government trades workers strike for 36-hour week

Hundreds of state public sector trades workers from QHealth, QBuild and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) walked off job sites for 24 hours on Tuesday and held rallies in major Queensland cities, including outside state parliament in Brisbane, to demand a 36-hour week. The action followed a series of ad hoc stoppages at all departments following their 24-hour statewide strike on September 1.

The workers are represented by four unionsthe Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Construction Forestry Maritime Employees Union, Electrical Trades Union and the Plumbers Unionwho say a 36-hour week would bring them into line with white-collar public servants.

Curtin University educators strike for better pay and conditions

On Wednesday, National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members from Curtin University in Western Australia stopped work for over an hour and attended a lunchtime rally on the universitys Perth campus as part of their campaign for better pay and conditions in a new enterprise agreement. Their current agreement covering over 800 workers expired on June 30.

The NTEU said that after 11 meetings management put forward a proposed agreement that does not adequately address members demands, which includes a 20 percent wage increase over four years, action on workload, improved workplace flexibility, job security, casual conversion and strengthening fixed term contract regulations.

The union accused university management of running the university like a corporation and at the expense of education. It claimed that at least half the teaching workload falls on casuals, with no commitment from management to make them permanent. One educator complained that as a casual he has no office and no phone if students want to contact him.

South Australian public health nurses and midwives protest

On October 30, thousands of public sector nurses and midwives rallied in front of South Australias parliament house in Adelaide, to protest the Malinauskas Labor governments latest pay offer.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) said that if the disgraceful 13 percent pay rise offer over four years was accepted, South Australian nurses would remain the lowest paid in Australia.

According to the ANMF, their members low wages are a major reason for the states poor workforce recruitment and retention rate. It claimed that health worker shortages are driving rising exploitation and excessive overtime, leading to exhaustion and burnout.

Queensland health professionals begin industrial action for better conditions and safe staffing

About 2,000 public sector health professionals and clinical assistants across Queensland began industrial action on Friday in their fight for reduced workload, better conditions and safer staffing levels. The workers are represented by the United Workers Union (UWU) and include medical imaging staff, radiographers, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine scientists, pharmacists and oral health professionals.

The low-level action, which will take place at worksites around the state, includes providing business cards to patients asking them to support workers by signing an open letter to the health minister, writing messages of protest on windows, doors and notice boards and bans on work that does not impact urgent patient care.

The decision to take action followed 10 months of failed negotiations with the state Liberal government over its proposed unacceptable enterprise agreement, which included an 8 percent pay rise over three years in return for cuts to existing attraction and retention allowances. The union claimed that the proposed agreement would see some workers lose up to $30,000 in take home pay.

Conciliation talks between the UWU and the government began in the Queensland Industrial Relations court on Friday. The UWU threatened that members would continue to escalate industrial action until the government recognised their value with a reasonable offer.

Tasmanian public sector health and community services workers escalate industrial action

The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), covering workers in Tasmanias public hospitals, community health and ambulance service, announced new limited industrial action measures on October 29. These include bans on administrative tasks, cleaning, answering phones, collecting blood samples and linen services. The union says its bans will impact revenue collection and force management to step in to cover some tasks.

The action is part of a wider campaign of public sector workers, including teachers, health workers, firefighters, child safety workers, park rangers and others, who stopped work for up to four hours over several days across Tasmania last week to attend rallies in opposition to the state Liberal governments latest proposed pay rise offer.

The action included members of the HACSU, Australian Education Union (AEU) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU). It followed six months of cancelled meetings, after which the government proposed a one-year agreement with a 3 percent pay rise and no improvement in conditions, to be followed by further negotiations.

The HACSU wants a three-year agreement that includes wage parity with other Australian states, safe workloads and proper staffing. The Rockliff government has cancelled bargaining with all unions and maintains its offer is fair and affordable.
In a major breakthrough, the Amritsar Rural Police arrested two individuals in connection with the brutal murder of Italy-based NRI Malkit Singh at Raja Sansi in Amritsar. The arrested individuals have been identified as Bikramjit Singh alias Bikram and Karan. According to police, Bikramjit Singh is associated with the banned terrorist organisation Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and has a long criminal history, including cases registered under the Explosives Act, Attempt to Murder, and the Arms Act. Notably, he was also involved in the 2018 grenade attack on a religious congregation at Raja Sansi. In a post on X, the Director General of Punjab Police, Gaurav Yadav, wrote, "In a major breakthrough, Amritsar Rural Police arrests two accused -- Bikramjit Singh @ Bikram and Karan -- involved in the brutal murder of #Italy-based Malkit Singh at Raja Sansi, #Amritsar." "The arrested accused Bikramjit Singh is associated with the terrorist organisation Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and has a criminal history with cases registered under the Explosives Act, Attempt to Murder, and Arms Act. He was also involved in the 2018 grenade attack on a religious place at Raja Sansi," the post added. Preliminary investigations revealed that Bikramjit acted on the directions of his foreign handlers, who instructed him to procure illegal weapons from across the border to execute sensational crimes in Punjab. During the arrests, police also recovered a cache of arms, including four pistols and one revolver, one PX5 foreign-made .30 caliber pistol, another .30 caliber pistol, one .45 caliber foreign-made pistol, one .32 caliber pistol, a revolver, and several live cartridges from the possession. The social media post reads, "Preliminary investigation reveals that, on the directions of his foreign-handlers, Bikramjit procured illegal weapons from across the border to carry out sensational crimes in #Punjab. Recovery: Four pistols and one revolver -- one PX5 foreign-made .30 caliber pistol, one .30 caliber pistol, one .45 caliber foreign-made pistol, one .32 caliber pistol, one revolver, and live cartridges." "Further investigation is underway to expose the full nexus, including the backward and forward linkages of the network. @PunjabPoliceInd reiterates its commitment to dismantling organised crime and terror networks to safeguard #Punjab," it added. Further investigation is underway in the case. (ANI)
Air India flight AI129, which was scheduled to depart from Mumbai for London at 6:30 AM, has been delayed on Saturday. According to a statement from Air India, the flight will now take off at 1:00 PM due to technical difficulties. Passengers have been provided with refreshments while they wait. The flight remains at Mumbai airport, and a passenger on board reported that they were initially informed that boarding would be delayed by half an hour. Ultimately, boarding began at 6:00 AM instead of the originally scheduled time of 5:20 AM. After boarding, all passengers remained seated for approximately one to one and a half hours before an announcement was made indicating that they would need to deplane due to technical issues. Subsequently, passengers were informed that the flight would take off at 12:00 PM. Many passengers had not slept the previous night to catch the early morning flight and are now facing considerable difficulties due to the delay. Earlier, at least 100 flights were delayed on Friday morning at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, according to Delhi Airport. Passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates. In a post on X, Delhi Airport shared, "Due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, flight operations at IGIA are experiencing delays. Their team is actively working with all stakeholders, including DIAL, to resolve it at the earliest." Several airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, issued advisories, alerting passengers to possible delays due to disruptions in flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital. In a post on X, Air India said, "A technical issue with the ATC system in Delhi is impacting flight operations across all airlines, leading to delays and longer wait times at the airport and onboard aircraft. We regret the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen disruption, which is beyond our control, and appreciate your patience." "Our cabin crew and on-ground staff at the airport are extending immediate assistance to reduce passenger inconvenience. We request that you check your flight status before heading to the airport," the post read. (ANI)
West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her government of shielding Bangladeshi infiltrators for vote bank politics. He said that around 540 km of the border remains unfenced due to the state's refusal to provide land to the BSF for permanent fencing. Speaking to the reporters in Kolkata, Suvendu Adhikari said, "The ground reality is that the infiltrators, especially the Bangladeshi Muslims, are coming through the West Bengal border because for a 540 km area, there is no fencing. The Mamata Banerjee government is not providing adequate land to the BSF for permanent fencing..." Adhikari said that lakhs of infiltrators are entering the state and said they should be "detected, deleted, and deported." "Lakhs of Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators who are not Indian are coming. Mamata Banerjee and her government are protecting them... Due to the vote bank politics, Mamata Banerjee and her police are protecting them. We want to detect, delete, and deport them," he said. Earlier on Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dismissed any claims that she had accepted the enumeration form for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), stating that she would refrain from doing so unless every person in Bengal had filled out the form. Banerjee is opposed to the ongoing SIR in West Bengal and 11 other states, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using the exercise to insert fake votes in the electoral roll. "Until every person in Bengal is filling the form, I myself have not filled any form and will not. Various media and newspapers have published that 'I came out of the residence and received an enumeration form from BLO with my own hands! ' This news is totally false, confusing and purposeful propaganda," Banerjee said in a post on Facebook. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar earlier stated that the poll body will conduct the second phase of the SIR in the following states: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. (ANI)
Nia Sanchez, who previously won Miss USA in 2014, has weighed in on the Miss Universe scandal surrounding reigning Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch.

She spoke out, and Im very proud of her, Sanchez, 35, said on the Thursday, November 6, episode of her Hold My Crown podcast. A lot of these women are in their 20s and, while you are very empowered, it is a little bit scary from my perspective. I wanted to win Miss Universe, I wasnt there to ruffle feathers.

She continued, I just wanted to do my very best. I imagine, if I were in her shoes, I would know I need to speak out and say something  but also be nervous and not want to hurt my chances of winning or doing well in the competition.

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During the recent Miss Universe sash ceremony, Bosch, 25, allegedly had a tense altercation with Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil, who seemingly called the model a dumb head.

The Valleys Nia Sanchez Offers Support to Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt Following Resignation

We respect you, just as you should respect us, Bosch replied. Im here representing my country, and its not my fault you have problems with my organization.

In response, Itsaragrisil, 60, told Bosch that she needed to listen before arguing with him. Bosch subsequently left the venue followed by several other contestants in solidarity.

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Im glad she spoke up and made it clear that she was not trying to disrespect the Thai people or the Thai culture, Sanchez said. Theres a lot of cultural differences where you could see that as a big form of disrespect  and it was just that specific person she had an issue with. It wasnt even her, [it was that] He has an issue with my organization, and Im trying to do my best to represent my country.

According to The Valley star, Bosch shouldnt be punished for her comments and following the guidelines of her organization.

Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Controversy: Everything You Need to Know About Their Resignations

Im glad that she did decide to speak to the fans, Sanchezs podcast guest, former Miss California Meagan Tandy, noted on Thursday. You dont know what narrative he would have put out there cause the girls dont speak Thai. I think this was her opportunity to say, Hey, before he says X, Y, Z, this is what happened. I commend her for that, and Im glad that she had the support of so many girls because that could be very lonesome if you were there by yourself.

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Sanchez further theorized that the alteration likely caused a tough situation for the rest of the Miss Universe hopefuls.

I do hope that they do a lot better moving forward, Sanchez said, reflecting on her days competing in the pageant. I feel like everyone involved [in the organization] had respect for women. I dont know Nawats heart, but the way he was speaking to her  I dont feel like he has respect for women. Maybe you see it as a way to make a lot of money?

The Biggest Beauty Pageant Scandals and Controversies of All Time: Fatima Boschs Viral Moment and More

She concluded, I think the baseline needs to be respecting and empowering women, and when that is not happening, something needs to change and change immediately.

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As for Itsaragrisil, he has since apologized for insulting Bosch.

I am human. I didnt want to do anything like that, Itsaragrisil said during a Wednesday, November 5, press conference. I want to take this opportunity to say something about something thats happened. Because I am a human, I think you must understand the pressure is a lot, I am a human sometimes. I cannot control. By the way, I have not intend to hurt anyone.
Jennifer Anistons romance with Jim Curtis is getting all the more serious. In fact, insiders claim Aniston is trying, in her own way, to potentially patch things up with Curtis and his son.

Curtis and his ex-wife, Rachel Napolitano, first met back in 1999 when she worked as a cocktail waitress in the West Village. They married in 2003 and welcomed a son named Aidan, whos now a teenager, but the pair split up soon after welcoming him. Hes allegedly not close with his son, per Page Six, but he does follow him on Instagram.

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Now, insiders told Closer Online UK that shes been trying to help. Jens been incredibly understanding about Jims situation with his son and has offered to do anything she can to help, the insider said. Shes not pushing herself into their dynamic though, she knows how delicate it is and shes very respectful. The last thing she wants to do is force anything so shes leaving the ball in Jims court.

Jennifer Aniston at "The Morning Show" Official Emmy FYC Event at Paramount Studios on June 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

For those who dont know, Aniston and Curtis were introduced by mutual friends at an undisclosed time, and by the summer of 2025, their relationship had become more public. In fact, in June 2025, rumors started swirling that Aniston and Curtis, were dating after being spotted together in Northern California. In July, they were photographed again while with friends in Mallorca, Spain; and after her friends reportedly gave the romance a thumbs up, its only gotten more and more public.

In fact, earlier this week, Aniston and Curtis made their Instagram debut when she posted a PDA pic of them with the caption reading, Happy birthday my love Cherished .

Before you go, click here to see celebrity couples with significant age differences.



Josh Duhamel & Audra Mari

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If the crown fits.

Miss Universe executive Nawat Itsaragrisil has been dismissed from this years pageant following his shocking confrontation with Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch earlier this week.

Raul Rocha, the president of Miss Universe, announced the decision as well as several additional sanctions against Itsaragrisil, 60, in a subtitled video shared to social media.

Miss Universe executive Nawat Itsaragrisil has been dismissed from this years pageant. @nawat.tv/Instagram

Raul Rocha, the president of Miss Universe, announced the decision as well as several additional sanctions against Itsaragrisil. Miss Universe/Instagram

I have restricted Nawats participation in the events that are part of the 74th Miss Universe competition, limiting it as much as possible or eliminating it entirely, Rocha said in Spanish on the organizations official Instagram page.

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Rocha went on to express his great indignation towards Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fatima Bosch whom Itsaragrisil humiliated, insulted, and showed lack of respect to.

I will not allow the values of respect and dignity of women to be violated, the Miss Universe president added. Nawat, you need to stop.

Rocha condemned Itsaragrisil for how he treated Miss Mexico on Nov. 4, 2025. Miss Universe/Instagram

The pageants sash presentation has since been postponed to avoid any interaction with Itsaragrisil.

Rocha also urged Miss Universe Organization CEO Mario Bucaro to take over speaking on behalf of the pageant, and suggested legal action may be taken as a result of the malicious acts committed by Nawat.

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The 2025 Miss Universe pageant made headlines when Itsaragrisil, then still serving as executive director of the organization, berated Bosch during the annual sashing ceremony on Tuesday.

Itsaragrisil berated Bosch during a pre-pageant event on Nov. 4, 2025. @fatimaboschfdz/Instagram

Bosch is representing Mexico this year in the 2025 Miss Universe pageant. @fatimaboschfdz/Instagram

Itsaragrisil called Mexicos delegate out for not participating in a sponsorship shoot, and the entire exchange was caught on video and live-streamed on the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page.

Mexico, where are you? the Thai businessman asked before Bosch spoke up. I heard youre not going to support everything about Thailand. Is that true?

The pairs back-and-forth lasted for nearly five minutes, at which Itsaragrisil called Bosch a dummy.

Itsaragrisil during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 13, 2025. NARONG SANGNAK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

I still keep talking to everybody, why you still stand up to talk to me, he questioned Miss Mexico.

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Because I have a voice, Bosch fired back. You are not respecting me as a woman.

The already tense situation escalated further when Itsaragrisil ordered security to remove Bosch from the room. In response, more than a dozen other Miss Universe participants walked out of the pre-pageant event in solidarity with Bosch.

More than a dozen Miss Universe contestants walked out of the pre-pageant event in solidarity with Bosch after she was escorted away by security. Miss Universe Thailand

Sit down, Itsaragrisil demanded as the contestants fled the room. If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down.

The now-dismissed pageant exec apologized for making those who saw the surprising video uncomfortable in an Instagram post.

I invested and tried my best to make this event fair to everyone but its hard to control because the daily events of being posted makes it harder for him to reach the miss, he wrote less than 24 hours after the incident with Miss Mexico.

Itsaragrisil later apologized for making those who saw the surprising video uncomfortable. @nawat.tv/Instagram

Sorry universe fans I can only do this because my patience has a limit, he added. Sorry again if I make anyone uncomfortable watching.

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Itsaragrisil apologized further during a Miss Universe press conference on Wednesday.

I am human. I didnt want to do anything like that, he said through tears.

Itsaragrisil apologized further and cried during a Miss Universe press conference on Nov. 5, 2025. Miss Universe Thailand

I had not [intended] to harm anyone because I respect all of you, Itsaragrisil cried while addressing reporters in a separate video. I am so sorry it happened. First, I have to apologize to the delegates. If anyone was affected and not comfortable with what happened, I am so sorry.

The 2025 Miss Universe pageant, meanwhile, is still set to kick off in Thailand on Nov. 21.
Simone Biles is getting candid about her cosmetic procedures  and shes not afraid to set the record straight.

Ive had three plastic surgeries, the 28-year-old Olympian revealed in an October 30 TikTok video. And two of them you would never be able to tell. In the caption, she teased fans with take your guesses.

Among the flood of theories in the comments, Biles later confirmed the truth. Shes had a breast augmentation, a lower blepharoplasty (a lower eyelid surgery), and earlobe surgery.

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Referring to her breast implants with a cherries emoji, Biles explained, Lower bleph because I had THE WORST eye bags & ear lobe  my earring got ripped out when I was younger.

This isnt the first time the gymnast has hinted at her procedures.

According to US Weekly, last month, the 28-year old appeared to confirm her breast augmentation by posting a playful Instagram Story of herself doing a flip on a trampoline outside her new home, writing, First flip  in a year  at the new house  with new [cherries emoji].

Back in July, fans speculated about a possible boob job after Biles shared a swimsuit photo from her vacation in Belize with husband Jonathan Owens.

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In the picture, she wore a gold and black Fenty bikini  prompting one follower to comment, U got them done?

Biles has long been vocal about rejecting unrealistic beauty expectations. I dont know why others feel as though they can define your own beauty based on their standards, she wrote in a 2020 Twitter post.

Today, I say I am done competing vs. beauty standards and the toxic culture of trolling when others feel as though their expectations are not met because nobody should tell you or I what beauty should or should not look like.
Prince Harrys Los Angeles Dodgers hat made so many headlines he had to apologize for it.

Firstly, I would like to apologize to Canada for wearing it, Harry, 41, quipped while chatting with Canadas CTV News on Thursday, November 6. Secondly, I was under duress.

The Duke of Sussex explained that there wasnt much choice for him when it came to hatgate  as he called it.

I was invited to the L.A. Dodgers box or the dugout by the owner himself, he added. So, I was doing what I thought was the polite thing to do."

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Surprise Fans at Vancouver Canucks Game

Harry and wife Meghan Markle were photographed at Dodger Stadium on October 28 to watch Game 4 of the World Series between the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.

During Thursdays interview, Harry could be seen putting on a Blue Jays cap and made a promise to the people of Toronto.

"I'm going to wear this from now on to make sure I don't make any more of those mistakes," he added, noting that he did root for the Blue Jays for the rest of the World Series games. (The Dodgers won the World Series for the second year in a row following Game 7 on Saturday, November 1.)

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Harry further noted that he donned the Dodgers hat for a more practical reason as well.

"When you're missing a lot of hair on top and you're sitting under flood lights, you'll take any hat that's available," he joked. Im very sorry to the Canadian public. Im devastated that the Blue Jays lost, but go Jays.

Harrys disappointment in the Blue Jays loss was apparent when Meghan, 44, posted a video on social media of her celebrating the Dodgers win. He kissed his wife in celebration for her teams success, but he didnt seem thrilled.

Meghans bestie Kelly McKee Zajfen appeared to dig the knife deeper over Torontos loss when posting her own social media video of the two women cheering for the Dodgers.

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Best game ever! Sorry H your team didnt win, but mine diiiiiiid, Zajfen wrote via Instagram Stories on Sunday, November 2.

Why is a former royal family member a Blue Jays fan, one might ask? Well, Harry has a long history with Canada. The dukes personal connection to the country stems back to his time serving alongside the Canadian Armed Forces while deployed in Afghanistan during his time in the military. (Harry also hosted the Invictus Games in Vancouver earlier this year.)

Meghan Markle Says Canada Feels Like Home During Unplanned Speech at Invictus Games Opening

Harry also praised his love for Toronto on Thursday, thanking Canada for bringing him Meghan. The couple spent time in Toronto during the early days of their romance while Meghan was filming Suits.

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"This city will always mean a great deal to me," he said during the True Patriot Love Foundation National Tribute Dinner. "You provided a wife for me and you hosted the Invictus Games in 2017, touchstones in my life both professionally and personally."

Harry is currently in Canada for a trip to honor veterans for Remembrance Day. He denied the visit was a dig at brother Prince William, who is traveling to Brazil at the same time.

Because Harry is not afforded the same level of security and protection as other working members of the Royal Family, his outings need to be announced closer-to the events, a spokesperson for Team Sussex shared earlier this week.

The events were planned nearly a year ago. The date of the main event, the dinner, is set by the charity, not Prince Harry, the statement continued. He cant choose to move those dates. We are always guided  as to when we can announce trips like this, by the advice given to us by his private security advisers and the events security team.
Cedars films have won major prizes at international film festivals, including Cannes and the Berlinale.

Joseph Cedar, one of Israels most acclaimed filmmakers, will direct screen legends Meryl Streep and Sigourney Weaver in an upcoming film to be called Useful Idiots, according to a report on the website, Deadline.com

Two of Cedars movies  Beaufort and Footnote  received Academy Award nominations for Best International Feature.

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His most recent film, Norman, was set in the US and Israel and starred Richard Gere.

Six years ago, he co-created the HBO miniseries Our Boys, about the killing of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, an Arab boy, by Jewish extremists as an act of revenge for the murders of three Jewish teens by Hamas in 2014.

Cedars films have won major prizes at international film festivals, including Cannes and the Berlinale. He was born in New York and moved to Israel as a child with his parents. Initially, he specialized in films about the Modern Orthodox community, in which he grew up.

Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. (credit: Courtesy of Yes/Barry Wetcher)

Useful Idiots, which Cedar wrote with 60 Minutes producer Shachar Bar-On, tells the story of a veteran reporter, to be played by Streep, who covers New Yorks high-end real-estate market.

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Tired of writing fawning portraits of wealthy buyers, she starts investigating the sale of a multi-million-dollar penthouse to a mystery buyer. Her search for the buyer leads her to an oligarch involved in all kinds of corruption and crime, and she is determined to get to the bottom of the story, even as she realizes she and her family may be in danger.

The film will be produced by Fifth Season, with Closer Medias Zhang Xin and Jonathan King (Spotlight, Roma), Bruce Cohen (Silver Linings Playbook, American Beauty), and William Horberg. Black Bear will present the movie at the American Film Market.

Sigourney Weaver in Political Animals. (credit: COURTESY OF YES)

Streep, Weaver take center stage

Three-time Oscar winner Streep is currently appearing in the comedy series, Only Murders in the Building, and is filming The Devil Wears Prada 2, reprising her role as a regal, demanding fashion magazine editor said to be based on Anna Wintour of Vogue. Streep has been nominated for 21 Oscars, more than anyone else, and early in her career, won an Emmy for appearing in the series, Holocaust.

Weaver, a three-time Oscar nominee, will appear this December in James Camerons Avatar: Fire and Ash. She has made a mark in the Alien and Ghostbusters franchises, as well as series dramas such as Gorillas in the Mist and The Year of Living Dangerously.

Streep and Weaver attended the Yale School of Drama together, but this is the first time they have been cast in a movie together.
The Rambo franchise is set to return as Jalmari Helander prepares to explore the origins of Sylvester Stallones John Rambo in a new prequel film. In a recent interview, the director revealed that the upcoming installment will take a different and lighter approach than the previous two films.

Jalmari Helander says new Rambo film will be more adventurous than previous movies

The Sisu director has recently opened up about his vision for the upcoming Rambo prequel, revealing that the film will take a more adventurous approach.

In a recent interview with Dexerto, Jalmari Helander discussed his plans for the project, which will explore John Rambos early years during the Vietnam War. Talking about the shift in tone, he said, It wont be as dark as the last two Rambos, referencing Rambo (2008) and Rambo: Last Blood (2019).

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Both of the previous movies focused on Sylvester Stallones character, John Rambos brutal missions in Burma and Mexico, respectively. Helander added, Its going to be a little more adventurous, and I hope to inspire a new generation of 10-year-olds to go into the forest to play Rambo. Lets see how that goes.

The new film will serve as a prequel, focusing on the events that shaped the character before the story of Rambo: First Blood (1982). The new film will explore John Rambos early years. Moreover, it will delve into his experiences during the Vietnam War and the events that shaped one of cinemas most memorable action heroes.

In October, Jalmari Helander confirmed to the outlet that he was preparing for production, noting that he will travel to Bangkok for hard prep. The filming will reportedly begin in January 2026. Meanwhile, as per the publication, the prequel will reportedly star Noah Centineo as a young John Rambo, with final negotiations currently underway.

While there is no confirmed release date for the prequel yet, Helanders recent comments have sparked excitement amongst fans.

Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.net.

The post Rambo Prequel Will Differ From Last 2 Sylvester Stallone Films This Way appeared first on Mandatory.
In a major operation to dismantle terror support networks, Budgam Police of Jammu and Kashmir launched a district-wide crackdown on Jammu and Kashmir residents operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (JKNOP). According to an official release, acting on specific intelligence inputs, multiple Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) were conducted in the Khansahib, Beerwah, and Budgam areas, targeting individuals involved in facilitating, funding, and promoting terrorist activities at the behest of their relatives based across the border. Several relatives and associates of active JKNOP members were booked under relevant legal provisions for their continued involvement in anti-national activities, including providing logistical support, spreading propaganda and aiding recruitment. Digital devices and incriminating material were also seized during the raids. Budgam Police reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the district, asserting that operations against terror networks and their support structures will continue until they are completely dismantled. Meanwhile, in a major operation aimed at dismantling the ecosystem of terror and subversive activities in the district, Kulgam Police on Saturday launched a massive crackdown on J-K Nationals Operating from Pakistan/Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Acting on specific intelligence inputs, multiple Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) were carried out in several parts of the district, targeting individuals involved in facilitating, funding, and promoting terror activities at the behest of their relatives currently based across the border. During the operation, several relatives and associates of active JKNOP members were arrested under relevant provisions of law for their continued involvement in anti-national activities, including logistical support, propaganda distribution, and aiding recruitment. Digital devices and incriminating materials were also seized during the raids. Kulgam Police has reiterated its commitment to uphold peace and security in the district, stating that operations against the terror support network will continue to ensure its complete dismantling. Earlier, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the general area of Chhatru in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said. (ANI)
Its been almost a decade since The Night Manager first premiered, but Tom Hiddleston is finally back as the man who will not explode, as he describes himself in the teaser trailer. The long-gestating second season will premiere January 11 on Prime Video, and sees Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston) tangling with dangerous new characters in Colombia.

Olivia Colman also returns for the new season, in addition to new characters like Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva) and business woman Roxana Bolanos (Camila Morrone), who reluctantly helps him infiltrate Teddys Colombian arms operation, per a synopsis (via Deadline). Once in Colombia, Pine is plunged deep into a deadly plot involving arms and training of a guerrilla army. As allegiances splinter, Pine races to expose a conspiracy designed to destabilise a nation. And with betrayal at every turn, he must decide whose trust he needs to earn and how far hes willing to go before its too late.

The original Night Manager was based on the novel of the same name by John le Carre. When the BBC announced the second season, the shows writer and creator said in a statement, I did not tread lightly into extending The Night Manager beyond the original book, but an idea came to me a couple of years ago which felt truthful to that unique world of dark corners and shady identities. No one marries the suspense of espionage with a deep exploration of the human soul quite like le Carre. I hope that in some way we can pay homage to his uneasy genius in this new exploration.

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Similarly, Hiddleston explained in 2024 to Variety (via DigitalSpy), We took the time to try and get the story right. Principally, [author] John le Carre seemed so happy with our adaptation the first time and that was such a relief. So if we were to go again we needed to find the right story. He added that what hes really excited by is eight or nine years have passed since the first season and these characters have been alive in the world in the last eight or nine years, and hopefully our show will reflect that. So Jonathan Pinele Carre calls him the close observerhas been alive in the world, and he will be eight or nine years older, just as I am.

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Are you considering moving to a new state in America? Or just curious where is cheaper to live across the nation? We're taking a look into the world of state income taxes to reveal where your hard-earned money gets drained the most annually.

Don't panic  high taxes don't always equal a bad quality of life. Some states offer amazing public services or picturesque scenery in exchange. But if you're focused on keeping more of your hard-earned money in your pocket, understanding state income tax and the various rates within each region is essential.

Think of this list  based on 2024 research by the Tax Foundation  as your map to sidestepping financial surprises. Whether you're job hunting, researching retirement spots, or just geeking out about taxes, let's consider the states where your paycheck shrinks the fastest.

1. California - The Golden State's Tax Bite

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Top Marginal Tax Rate (additional tax paid for every additional dollar earned as income): 13.3%

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Why So High? California boasts everything from beaches to mountains, PLUS a hefty state budget to fund extensive social services and a large population. That translates to needing serious tax revenue. To add insult to injury, even if you move away, California can aggressively pursue "departure taxes" for years after you leave, up to 10!

2. Hawaii - Paradise Comes at a Price

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 11%

Why So High? Island living means higher costs to import many goods. Plus, tourism is huge, but infrastructure for that and a geographically spread-out population costs money... which gets passed along. Residents end up subsidizing the very things that make Hawaii so appealing to visitors.

3. New York - Where Even Millionaires Feel the Pinch

Photo Credit: duha127 at Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 10.9%

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Why So High? New York, especially NYC, has astronomically high living costs. Their progressive tax structure means higher earners pay significantly more to fund things like public transportation and schools within a densely populated state. This creates a unique situation where some wealthy residents actually pay a higher effective tax rate than they would in states with a seemingly higher top percentage, due to how those brackets work.

4. New Jersey - Not Just Famous for Boardwalks

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 10.75%

Why So High? Its proximity to both Philadelphia and NYC translates to high housing prices and cost of living. Plus, they need serious revenue to fund those famed beaches and boardwalks! High property taxes contribute to the overall financial pressure many New Jersey residents feel.

5. Oregon - Surprising Tax Structure in the Pacific Northwest

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 9.9%

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Why So High? While Oregon lacks a sales tax, its income tax is high and kicks in at lower income levels than many states. They use that revenue to fund outdoor preservation and relatively generous social programs. This means even middle-income earners feel the pinch, not just the very wealthy.

6. Minnesota - Winter Wonderland and Tax?

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 9.85%

Why So High? Scandinavian heritage led to a focus on social programs, requiring high taxes to fund. Harsh winters also mean more money is spent on infrastructure like snow removal, contributing to the need for higher revenue. It's a trade-off: great public services come with a significant cost.

7. Iowa - More Than Just Cornfields

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 8.98%

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Why So High? A recent income tax cut plan is slowly phasing in, so that rate is deceivingly high for now. A relatively low population spread across a wide area means the cost of services is shouldered by fewer taxpayers. Lower density means things like roads and power lines cost more to maintain per person compared to a highly urbanized state.

8. Vermont - Charming, But With Steep Taxes

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 8.95%

Why So High? Vermont's small population means fewer people to fund everything. Focus on social programs and a high cost of living (especially in those picture-perfect towns) necessitate higher taxes. Vermont attracts retirees, but healthcare needs for an older population also put significant demand on their budget.

9. District of Columbia - City Living = City Taxes

Photo Credit: ingus.kruklitis.gmail.com at Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 8.95%

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Why So High? Urban areas are expensive to run. While technically not a state, D.C. functions as one, taxing at a comparable level to fund city services for residents and a massive commuter population who put wear and tear on the system but don't pay those same taxes.

10. Wisconsin - Cheeseheads Pay a Price

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 7.65%

Why So High? A strong public sector union presence influences pay and benefits for government workers. That requires funding, passed along to taxpayers. And those snowy winters aren't cheap to deal with!

11. Maine - Lobster Rolls and Lodging Taxes

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 7.15%

Why So High? Heavy reliance on tourism means a significant chunk of their tax revenue comes from things like a hefty tax on lodging, not just resident income taxes. This somewhat softens the blow for permanent residents, but if you're in the hospitality industry, those taxes make doing business more expensive.

12. South Carolina - Surprise, the South CAN Be Expensive

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 7%

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Why So High? This state has historically low taxes, BUT that's changing as popular areas see costs soar due to an influx of new residents. Revenue hasn't caught up, meaning they play a bit of catch-up, raising taxes to maintain services within a growing population.

13. Connecticut - Proximity to NYC Has a Cost

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 6.99%

Why So High? Many high-earning commuters in New York City call Connecticut home but don't pay NYC income taxes. This, plus high housing costs in wealthy suburbs, drives their need for significant revenue despite a mid-range percentage.

14. Idaho - Scenic, But Spendy to Live

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 6.925%

Why So High? This number looks deceptively high because that top bracket kicks in at a surprisingly low-income level. Low property taxes somewhat offset this, but many middle-class Idaho residents find themselves paying at nearly the highest rate.

15. Nebraska - It's Not All Farmland

Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Top Marginal Tax Rate: 6.84%

Why So High? Focusing on funding education means high property taxes and income taxes play a balancing act. Cities like Omaha have higher living costs than the rural image implies, making taxes hit harder.
You dont need a millionaires bank account or to be bathing in bitcoin to enjoy luxury travel experiences. With smart planning and the right destination, savvy budget travelers can indulge in high-end vacations that offer stunning scenery, rich culture and upscale amenities  without putting you in the poor house.

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For You: 9 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week)

Here are four cheap luxury travel destinations where middle-class travelers can feel like royalty.

Hoi An, Vietnam: Luxury on a Budget in Southeast Asia

Hoi An is one of the top budget-friendly travel destinations in Asia, known for its lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, and the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town. Located in central Vietnam, it offers a blend of history, culture and beachside relaxation.

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Travel experts recommend prioritizing the unique experiences of Vietnam, including visiting temples, shopping at local markets, affordable spa retreats and having a custom suit tailored by local designers. The hospitality in Vietnam is exceptional, offering luxury at incredible value.

Budget luxury vacation packages start at $363 per person for accommodations at a small luxury hotel in the city center, to experience Hoi Ans markets, culture and nightlife. Visit popular attractions like Chua Cau, Tan, Ky House, and the Quan Cong Temple. Guided tours of the city start as low as $39.24 per person.

Explore More: Im a Travel Expert: 3 Cheap Destinations Baby Boomers Are Heading To

Tanzania: Exotic African Adventures Without the Price Tag

Consider visiting mainland Tanzania to experience the breathtaking tropical adventures of the nearby island of Zanzibar at a budget-friendly price. Not only do you have the waves of the Indian Ocean to bask in, but you can also get an affordable all-inclusive package to fit your finances, whatever your budget.

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In fact, according to Expedia, packages can start tempting you at just $1,128. Boutique hotels and lesser-known resorts across Tanzania provide luxury amenities at a fraction of the cost compared to Kenya or South Africa.

Vieste, Italy: Hidden Gem on the Italian Coast

Skip the crowds in Rome and Venice and head to Vieste, a charming coastal town on the Gargano Peninsula. Known for its dramatic cliffs and sea caves to explore, Vieste offers a luxury European vacation without the higher price tag.

To stretch your middle-class income further, youre likely to find reduced prices and better availability in October, November and December. Vieste is accessible via the Bari Airport, with flights from major European cities costing $100 round-trip on budget airlines. From Bari, car rentals start at $30 per day.

Cozumel, Mexico: Caribbean Luxury for Less

Cozumel is a top destination for affordable Caribbean vacations, offering all-inclusive resorts, scuba diving and private catamaran tours at prices lower than nearby hotspots like Cancun or Tulum.

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According to Silvia Lupone, travel expert and owner of Stingray Villa in Cozumel, visitors can choose from all-inclusive resorts that offer scuba diving, water tours and meals for about 30% less than what they would have paid if they were booked separately.

Flights to Cancun are available at a reasonable price and riding the ferry to Cozumel only makes it better, Lupone said. Getting around on private catamaran tours in Cozumel and enjoying yourself at the Punta Sur Eco Beach Park are great experiences that dont cost you a fortune.

Kerra Bolton contributed to the reporting for this article.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Affordable Travel Destinations That Make the Middle Class Feel Rich
African safaris have seen a huge uptick of American travelers, and well-known destinations like Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve or the Serengeti in Tanzania can feel touristy. If youre hoping to avoid crowds, make sure to choose lodges or camps that are deep in the parks, far from entry points and main roads. It's also a good idea to travel during shoulder seasons and, when possible, to choose private concessions and conservancies, which host fewer people and offer more exclusivity.

The most important consideration is choosing the right destination. Lesser-known regions offer experiences that are just as magical, minus the crowds. As a travel advisor with over a decade of experience planning trips to Africa, here are my top five picks.

1. Lower Zambezi, Zambia

Lolebezi Guests fishing in the Zambezi River at Lolebezi. Guests fishing in the Zambezi River at Lolebezi.

The Lower Zambezi region of Zambia offers an old-school safari experience: tented camps surrounded by untouched wilderness, with large concentrations of game like elephants, and easy access adventurous activities.

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Lower Zambezi is the birthplace of the walking safari, where you can get out of the vehicle and track wildlife on foot. You can also take a canoe along the beautiful Zambezi River to view wildlife. For anglers, fishing for tigerfish in the river is particularly excellent in October.

Dulini Anabezi offers private plunge pools and viewing decks overlooking the river and floodplains. At Lolebezi, which is tucked along the Zambezi River and known for leopard sightings, guests can pick between luxury suites and villas.

2. Southern Tanzania

Jabali Ridge A look into a cozy guest room at Jabali Ridge. A look into a cozy guest room at Jabali Ridge.

Most safarigoers have heard of the Serengetibut Southern Tanzania flies under the radar despite being a game-viewing paradise. This more remote region may take more effort to reach, but you'll be rewarded with plenty of intimate wildlife encounters.

The vast and wild Nyerere National Park is a great place for walking safaris, and it's also home to a third of the world's wild dog population. If youre looking for elephants, lions, and buffalo, head to Ruaha National Park. Stay at Kigelia Camp Ruaha, a simple but elegant camp perfectly situated in an area with a high concentration of wildlife. Or, for a luxury seven-room stay with panoramic views, try Ikuka Safari Camp. Wherever you stay, aim to travel in June or October for dry weather and fewer crowds.

3. Akagera, Rwanda

Wilderness Magashi One of Wilderness Magashi's luxurious bedrooms. One of Wilderness Magashi's luxurious bedrooms.

Aside from its beauty, what makes Rwandas Akagera National Park special is its backstory. Poaching and human conflict had decimated the wildlife until a huge regenerative conservation project restored the animal population back to its former glory. The park is an excellent place to see the Big Five, especially leopards and rhinos.

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A lack of tourists makes for exceptional game drives; sometimes, your vehicle seems like the only one in the park. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the park's headquarters and see its conservation mission firsthand, and add on gorilla trekking for the perfect Rwanda itinerary.

Nestled on the banks of Lake Ihema is Ruzizi Tented Lodge, an eco-lodge featuring local artisan designs and a variety of safari options, including night drives and boat excursions. Wilderness Magashi Camp is another top stay that supports conservation and sustainability.

4. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Duba Plains Camp Duba Plain's Camp offers popular boat safari's for guests. Duba Plain's Camp offers popular boat safari's for guests.

Once upon a time, Botswana was the undisputed champion of the crowd-free safari. Now, even some areas of the magical Okavango Delta have become busy. To avoid this, I recommend going during the shoulder season, May or September, and staying on a private concessionsome camps have entire islands to themselves.

Botswana is famous for its mokoro excursions: on these traditional dugout canoes, you can get exceptionally close to wildlife like crocodiles. Boating safaris and guided bush walks are also very popular herelook out for elephants, wild dogs, and lions.

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Wilderness Mombo is a remote lodge on a private concession in the Moremi Game Reserve, renowned for its game-viewing and luxurious accommodations. Duba Plains Camp, also located on a private concession, offers five 1920s-inspired suites that open right onto the floodplains.

5. Northern Kenya

In Kenya, the farther north you travel, the wilder it gets. And while the wildlife density might be slightly lower compared to that of the well-known Masai Mara, the spectacular scenery and culture found in places like Laikipia, Samburu, and the Matthews Mountain Range more than make up for it. In Samburu, for instance, travelers can learn about the Samburu people and their unique traditions and practices, as well as spot the rare special fivethe Grevy zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and beisa oryx.

Helicopter safaris in northern Kenya offer an extraordinary way to reach remote areas, including Lake Turkana. Meanwhile, the community-owned Reteti Elephant Sanctuary offers a meaningful conservation experience.

Stay at ranch-style lodge Ol Malo for a blend of exploration and culture, or family-owned Lewa House in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for a unique stay with striking views.

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Elizabeth Gordon is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in Kenya and Zambia trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Gordon by contacting her at elizabeth@extraordinaryjourneys.com.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Croatia's magical coast is made for wild adventures and dramatic storytelling. Its rugged Adriatic coastline is a tangle of sheer cliffs, tiny bays, rocky inlets, and tiny islands, with fascinating sights and exciting experiences hidden around every corner. It is easy to imagine it as a land of myth, legend, and tall tales, from its position on the fringes of Greek and Roman antiquity to its status as a lawless, renegade hiding spot, caught between the doges of Venice, the Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian emperors, and the sultans of Ottoman Turkey.

The big names of the Croatian coast  Hvar and Dubrovnik  are world-famous, but there are countless hidden gems just waiting to be discovered by eager adventurers. One such town is Omis, a gorgeous port town with a fascinating history steeped in pirate lore and surrounded by some of the best of Croatia's natural beauty. Omis lies southeast of the seriously underrated city of Split at the mouth of the River Cetina, and hidden behind the island of Brac, the home of Zlatni Rat, Croatia's Caribbean-like Golden Horn beach. The mouth of the river forms a natural harbor that played a significant role in the town's history. Omis is about 25 miles from Split Airport, a drive that takes just over an hour by car or taxi, and about two hours by bus.

Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth

Dashing corsair forts and historic churches in Omis

Aerial view of Omis and the Cetina River canyon - Cristina Arias/Getty Images

The remarkable history of Omis revolves around the Corsairs of Almissa, pirates who used the town as a base for raids up and down the surrounding coastline, as well as exacting tolls on ships passing through the channel between Omis and Brac. Some histories make reference to pirate activity in and out of Omis as far back as Greek and Roman times, but the height of their power was in the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries. The Corsairs of Almissa owed their success to specially designed boats known as sagittas (arrows), which were able to navigate the shallower waters of the River Cetina and hide upstream, protected by the surrounding mountains.

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The most obvious symbol of a piratical past in Omis is the Mirabella Fortress. Built in the 13th century, it was the stronghold of the pirates of Omis, doubling up as a watchtower and defensive fortification. Exploring the fortress lets you walk in the footsteps of history, and offers spectacular views over the sea and out to Brac. The Starigrad Fortress is also worth a look, further out of town on top of a nearby mountain. This was built later, after the pirates had been rooted out by an alliance between Venice and the Papacy.

Alongside these stark, brutal monuments, Omis has plenty of more peaceful, historic charm. The town itself is picturesque, a cluster of traditional stone houses nestled in the shadow of the surrounding hills. It is filled with a surprising number of beautiful religious buildings, including an 18th-century Franciscan monastery, the 16th-century Church of the Holy Spirit, and the sixth-century Church of St Euphemia.

The best of Croatia's great outdoors

Aerial view of the Cetina River and mountainous background - Dreamer4787/Getty Images

Omis is a wonderful destination for fans of the great outdoors and a showcase of some of the best landscapes and scenery that Croatia has to offer. The Cetina River is one of the most beautiful places in Croatia and an amazing route for boat and paddle expeditions, offering spectacular canyons and gentle rapids, surrounded by lush, forested hills, as well as a few secluded riverside restaurants that are perfect for a mid-expedition lunch.

The surrounding backcountry offers incredible hiking routes, with a brilliant network of trails taking on the peaks of the Mosor and Biokovo Mountains. The out-and-back route from Borak to Kula offers unbelievable views over the channel and across Brac Island, while Leopold Mandic's Educational Path offers something a little different, with the chance to explore the local wildlife, flora, and geological features along the way. Slightly further afield, there are several coastal routes that start and end at Dugi Rat.

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For beach lovers, Omis is a dream. Boasting some of Croatia's most beautiful stretches of sand, the town is ideal for a beach holiday or as a base for exploring the many hidden coves and bays just a stone's throw away. Velika Plaza (Great Beach), Golubinka, and Ravnice are beautiful public beaches within easy walking distance of the old town center, while Artina, Sumpetar, and Ruskamen are perfect for anyone looking for seclusion and secrecy, surrounded by pine forest and impressive cliffs.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.

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Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

A homebuyer in North Carolina was left baffled after their real estate agent told them they couldnt attend their own home inspection. The agent claimed buyers were only allowed to show up for the last 30 minutes for a brief recap.

Weve been under contract multiple times for homes in the past (albeit in a different state) and have never had issues with this, the person wrote in a recent Reddit post. Is this a thing? Are we missing something?

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Buyers Push Back Against Agent-Selected Inspectors

The post quickly took off, with hundreds of Reddit users jumping in to say the situation felt off, if not downright shady. Many emphasized that not only is it standard for buyers to attend inspections, but choosing your own inspector is essential.

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Do not pay for your realtors random inspector. Get your own and be present, one person commented.

Another added, Your realtors hand-picked inspector and your best interests are directly misaligned. You want someone independent that you directly hire.

The original poster agreed, saying things had been moving so fast that they'd let some red flags slide, but no more. They updated the post to say they declined the agent's inspector and planned to shop around for their own.

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Plenty of users shared that a good inspector is a vital part of the process, not just to uncover hidden issues, but to teach buyers about the home.

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Our inspector heard we were first-time homebuyers and refused to do it if we were not present, one person shared. He went beyond just inspecting and explained a bunch of things (showed us where the water main shut off was, where the gas main was, etc). A good inspector is worth their weight in gold.

While some agents and inspectors noted that buyers following an inspector around can slow things down, most agreed it's still the buyer's call.

The inspector needs to do his job without the buyer supervising that process, one commenter wrote. Once the inspection is done, the inspector will review the findings with the buyer.

See Also: Arrived Home's Private Credit Funds has historically paid an annualized dividend yield of 8.1%*, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum.

But others pushed back hard on the idea that buyers shouldn't be present at all.

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I've been there for all my inspections. Sounds very fishy, one person wrote. Another said bluntly, Fire your realtor immediately. This is incredibly shady.

Some in the industry also chimed in. A longtime agent wrote, This is your due diligence. The buyer hires the inspector. The buyer is allowed to attend. As a matter of fact, the buyer is encouraged to attend.

Even inspectors weighed in. One said, Not having any say in your inspector is absolutely incorrect. We work for you, not the agent.

Ultimately, the advice was consistent: this is the buyers inspection, and they get to decide who conducts it and whether they attend. Anything less is a red flag.

Read Next: The ChatGPT of Marketing' Just Opened a $0.81/Share Round  10,000+ Investors Are Already In

Image: Shutterstock

This article A Confused Homebuyer Says Their Realtor Banned Them From The Home Inspection. They're AskingWhen Did That Become Normal? originally appeared on Benzinga.com
Not every house on the block can say it was the home of a future president.

In the quiet, leafy pocket of Jamaica Estates in Queens, a Tudor-style house once occupied by Donald J. Trump as a toddler  until he was 4 years old  is hitting the market for $2.3 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The five-bedroom residence was built in 1940 by his father and developer Fred Trump, and it served as the familys first base in the neighborhood before they moved to a larger place nearby.

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The house, in recent years, has had an odd history.

The Tudor-style Jamaica Estates house where Donald Trump spent his early childhood is hitting the market again for $2.3 million after an extensive eight-month renovation. Stephen Yang

The renovated home occupies over 3,400 square feet. Allyson Lubow

The updated foyer. Allyson Lubow

The home was built in 1940 by his father, Fred Trump. Facebook/Donald J. Trump

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After years of neglect and a burst pipe that left the interior full of mold, the property was sold in February for $835,000 to developer Tommy Lin, The Post previously reported.

Lin gutted the place down to the studs, restoring it during an eight-month renovation.

There was no water in the house, no power, Lin told the Journal. It was not livable.

The structures original brick and stucco facade remains, but nearly everything inside was rebuilt.

The five-bedroom home has changed hands multiple times, including a high-profile flip on Inauguration Day 2017 and a brief stint as a Trump-themed Airbnb. Paramount Realty USA

The updated living space. Allyson Lubow

After the property fell into severe disrepair, developer Tommy Lin purchased it for $835,000 and gutted the mold-damaged interior while preserving the exterior. Paramount Realty USA

The renovated kitchen. Allyson Lubow

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Lin says his purchase wasnt about politics. Instead, hes betting that the homes history and ZIP code will resonate with buyers.

Jamaica Estates is one of Queens more established and expensive enclaves, with recent listings regularly breaking the $3 million mark.

A six-bedroom home in the neighborhood sold for about $4 million earlier this year. Homes under $1 million are increasingly rare, according to listing agent Jevon Gratineau of Brown Harris Stevens.

This is not the first time the property has drawn speculation-driven attention.

On the night of the 2016 presidential election, Manhattan investor Michael Davis bought the home for $1.39 million just hours before the final results came in. He wagered that, if Trump won, the houses value would surge. He was correct: on Inauguration Day in 2017, he sold it to a buyer from China for $2.14 million.

Donald Trump with his father, Fred Trump. WireImage

Lin invested roughly $500,000 into modern upgrades and is now banking on the homes presidential provenance and the neighborhoods strong luxury market to attract buyers, as Jamaica Estates continues to see sales in the multi-million-dollar range. Paramount Realty USA

The renovated dining room. Allyson Lubow

A bonus room. Allyson Lubow

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Davis later leased the home back for $4,000 a month and briefly turned it into an Airbnb, outfitting it with Trump-themed decor and memorabilia.

The only thing to read in the house was The Art of the Deal, he said, recalling the staging.

At one point, a plaque claimed the bedroom had likely been the site of Trumps conception. The Airbnb was booked almost indefinitely, Davis said, until a rental to Oxfam during the U.N. General Assembly drew attention to the refugee crisis and effectively ended the arrangement.

I thought Id make 100 grand. I did not think that I would make millions of dollars on this. That was not on my bingo card, he said. He still keeps a custom bobblehead of the house on his desk as a souvenir.

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When the short-term rental experiment ended, the property sat unused and quickly deteriorated.

The former sun room. Paramount Realty USA

The updated sun room. Allyson Lubow

The former bedroom before its renovation. Paramount Realty USA

One of five updated bedrooms. Allyson Lubow

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By the time Lin acquired it this year, the basement had been overtaken by mold from a burst pipe, and the roof needed replacement.

It also became overrun with about 20 to 30 stray cats.

A beautiful house was left abandoned and no one took care of it for all this time, a peeved neighbor who requested anonymity previously told The Post. No one occupied it, no one used it and it was left as an eyesore and we, the community, had to take care of it.

One of five updated bathrooms. Allyson Lubow

The backyard. Allyson Lubow

Lin estimates he put about $500,000 into the renovation, bringing his total cost above $1.3 million.

The finished home spans about 2,500 square feet above grade, plus nearly 1,000 square feet in the basement, arranged over four levels.

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A sunroom off the kitchen looks out onto the backyard, and an old wood stove believed to be original remains in one corner. Lin incorporated updated touches such as smart entry hardware and smart toilets.

The Trump Organization did not respond to a request for comment.
For retirees dreaming of life in Europe with a Mediterranean climate, welcoming culture, and budget-friendly living in a safe environment, Albania is an under-the-radar gem worth considering. Set along the Adriatic and Ionian seas, the Balkan country offers olive-lined coastlines, Alpine-style mountains, and historic towns. Albania has long been dubbed "Europe's last hidden gem" and offers stunning scenery at a cost that rivals popular retirement spots like Mexico.

Albania's cost of living is among its biggest attractions. When it comes to everyday expenses, Albania and Mexico are surprisingly similar. Prices for groceries and dining out in Albania are only slightly higher on average. Expect to pay about $2.24 for a liter of milk, $3.91 for a dozen eggs, and roughly $50 for a three-course meal for two at a midrange restaurant. However, rent is often much cheaper in cities like Tirana, known as Europe's funkiest capital city. A one-bedroom apartment there can start around $200 to $400 per month, which is 27% lower than in Mexico City. That means retirees can enjoy seaside views and fresh Mediterranean cuisine without stretching their budget.

Read more: Rick Steves Says To Always Do These Things Before Traveling

Safety, ease of living, and visa perks for foreigners living in Albania

Coastal city of Saranda, with boats docked on the blue waters, and buildings on hills in the background - Andrew Mayovskyy/Shutterstock

U.S. citizens can stay in Albania visa-free for up to 12 months, and renewals are straightforward. Plus, foreign pensions are either lightly taxed or tax-free, making fixed-income living easier to manage. The nation also scores well for safety. While petty theft can happen, as it can anywhere, crime rates are generally low, and locals are known for being friendly. Additionally, Albania's public infrastructure keeps improving, with new highways and airport upgrades connecting major cities and coastal areas. Add in ferry routes to Italy and Greece, and it's clear why more retirees see Albania as both affordable and livable.

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According to the Affordable Retirement Abroad, many retirees live comfortably in Albania on $1,300 to $1,900 per month, including rent and healthcare. Private clinics in major cities offer quality services at lower costs compared with the U.S. Beyond the savings, retirees are drawn to Albania because of its variety of experiences, from wandering the charming "stone city" of Gjirokaster to exploring the Albanian Riviera's beaches without the crowds. Albania offers an affordable European lifestyle where retirees can still enjoy a social life, modern amenities, and nature's beauty.

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Read the original article on Islands.
Like many big cities, French city culture thrives on a balance of leisure and speed, allowing for the successful cohabitation of casual tourists and busy locals. Nowhere is this more evident than on public transportation, with newcomers trying to figure out where to go while a rushing river of commuters zoom past. In this hectic situation, nothing will get you a side-eye faster than not keeping to the right side if you are standing still on an escalator.

Parisian public transport operator RATP explains that the rule was first imposed by the London underground transportation system in 1911, and then spread to other major cities. The RATP issues reminders of this point of etiquette all along your travels via loudspeaker announcements, signs, and even with a hint of humor on TikTok, in an effort to keep the 12 million passengers per day flowing smoothly. If you are standing, stay on the right side of the escalators to let those who wish to pass you walk on the left.

While locals may be more forgiving in other settings, the rule applies just the same all over France, to any escalator, in department stores, offices, or public buildings. By extension to the same principle, never suddenly stop at the end of the escalator. If you're unsure of which way to go, step off the escalator fully and skitter to the side so you can pause to check directions without blocking the way. Nothing irritates more than a sudden standstill at the end of an escalator. The same applies to flat "trottoirs roulants" (moving walkways). If you hear "pardon" behind you, try to scooch a little tighter to the right  it's a polite way of signaling that you're breaking the code.

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Read more: Why Tourists Need To Be Cautious Of The Clothing They Pack On A Trip To Europe

Other transportation etiquette tips that will spare you irritated looks

People riding an escalator in a tunnel. - Henry Saint John/Shutterstock

Several other little gestures that may seem small, if taken together, will show your consideration for social etiquette norms in France, and keep your travel experience smooth. For starters, have your ticket or pass ready before you get to the turnstiles. Fumbling at the last minute while a line builds up behind you is stressful, and is something tourists should never do while visiting. Redditor u/ParisTravelGuide recommends standing to the side of doors before boarding the metro, trams, or buses, so that you let passengers exit first before attempting to step inside. Trying to push your way through while people are still descending is a guaranteed way to annoy locals.

The Redditor also recommends lifting the fold-down jump seats on trains during rush hour. These temporary seats are convenient when there is enough room for everyone, but when the train gets packed, standing passengers expect them to be tucked away so more people can fit comfortably. If you don't, it will be seen as inconsiderate and may raise some French eyebrows. Likewise, keeping your phone quiet is appreciated, as French people generally keep their voices down on public transportation. Talking loudly on your phone  or worse, using speaker mode  stands out immediately and can earn you glares from fellow riders.

Be mindful that you are sharing the space with people with disabilities. On the same subReddit, u/Alixana527 adds, "[if] you see a double set of raised lines, they are not an invitation to park your suitcase, stroller, or self between them!" The lines are an aid for visually-impaired travelers, so be sure not to block them. Finally, watch your bags, especially backpacks. Swing them in front of you on crowded trains. This not only avoids bumping unintentionally into someone, but it also helps protect against pickpockets.

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Read the original article on Explore.
In the sweltering heat of summer, a lakeside vacation is a favorite pastime of many. Home to more than 900 lakes, with almost 300 in the picturesque Lakes Region alone, New Hampshire no doubt entices many a tourist for waterfront fun. Whether it's sunbathing on the beach, diving into the refreshing depths, or heading out on a scenic stroll, New Hampshire's glistening stretches of water offer unforgettable memories. Travelers looking to cool off should stop by Pittsburg, New Hampshire's largest town situated in the heart of beautiful lakes, rivers, and forests, or drive a few hours south to Bristol, called the gateway to Newfound Lake. But aside from attracting swimmers and boaters on holiday, New Hampshire's pristine lakes are not just the habitat of cuddly critters like river otters and beavers, but also slithering snakes  some venomous, some not.

You might think snakes only slither around dense woodlands, but some of New Hampshire's most popular, touristy lakes are a magnet for snakes to dive for food and sun themselves on shoreline rocks. Around 11 species of snakes inhabit New Hampshire's waterways, but only one of these species, the timber rattlesnake, is venomous. Other commonly spotted species are relatively harmless water snakes, brown snakes, and garter snakes, which tend to prowl the waters in search of a tasty meal. While it's a natural instinct to feel frightened upon spotting a snake while exploring, understanding their natural behaviors is important for protecting both yourself and the snake populations. Being aware of common snake colorations and patterns will also help you identify whether you're dealing with a deadly rattlesnake or a harmless brown snake. If you're planning a summer vacation in New Hampshire, here are five lakes where keeping an eye out for slithery serpents will ensure a fun (and safe) day out.

Read more: The 5 Most Alligator-Filled Destinations In All Of Florida

Pawtuckaway Lake

woodland scenery at Pawtuckaway Lake - Thanh.tastic/Shutterstock

A stone's throw from Nottingham, and roughly 45 minutes by car from Concord, the state capital, Pawtuckaway Lake is a huge draw for visitors. Situated within Pawtuckaway State Park, one of the largest in New Hampshire, you'll find densely wooded shorelines where hiking the trails and refreshing swims await. A large beach area offers ample space for sunbathing, while wildlife enthusiasts can explore the vast marshlands to spot beavers, deer, and great blue herons. But this abundance of tangled underbrush also makes excellent hiding spots for snakes.

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The most commonly spotted species at Pawtuckaway Lake are the northern water snake, and the deadly timber rattlesnake. A fully grown northern water snake can reach lengths of more than 4 feet, but their varying shades of brown or gray scales easily provides camouflage amidst the watery landscape. Though northern water snakes aren't venomous, their dark coloring, mottled by black or brown bands, means they are often mistaken for the venomous timber rattlesnake. To be safe, you should always give any snake you encounter here a wide berth.

The northern water snake enjoys hunting for fish and frogs in standing water, so if you're venturing down into the Pawtuckaway Lake marshes, be sure to look carefully before taking your next step. Meanwhile, a timber rattlesnake's bite packs enough venom to kill a human, so you should be especially vigilant. Anyone kayaking or boating on the water should also check the shallows are clear before launching. Bites are rare, however, and timber rattlesnakes are actually rather shy compared to other rattlesnake species. What's more, they are critically endangered, so an encounter is highly unlikely, though you should still keep a sharp eye on any densely wooded areas near the water's edge, and always listen for any rattling if you're out hiking.

Squam Lake

sunset on Squam Lake - Photomax 79/Shutterstock

Stretching across the picturesque Lakes Region is Squam Lake, New Hampshire's golden pond with scenery and seclusion. Featured as the backdrop of the 1980s romantic drama, "On Golden Pond", this once-hidden gem has transformed into a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounded by the slopes of the White Mountains rising up in the distance, visitors can enjoy all manner of waterfront excitement, from sailing through the pristine waters to lounging on the sandy beaches. Thick woodlands and grassy swamps are popular with hikers, but make sure to be aware of the snake populations here. Species to look out for are northern water snakes, garter snakes, and brown snakes.

Sometimes reaching up to 4 feet long is the garter snake, one of New Hampshire's most commonly sighted species. Garter snakes can be distinguished by their unique pattern of three light-colored vertical stripes against a darker body, though their colors can vary drastically. While normally dark green with yellowish stripes, they have been known to range in hue from black, brown, or gray, with stripes ranging from blue, orange, or green. And while garter snakes are mostly harmless, a bite could still be unpleasant, as they produce a mild venom that can cause some swelling and bruising comparable to a bee sting.

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Often found around both wetlands and woodlands, garter snakes tend to shelter beneath fallen logs and rocks, and they may strike if they feel threatened. Pay attention to where you step, especially if you're wading by the shore, preparing to launch paddle boards, or hiking the swamps and trails. Meanwhile, an appearance by the timber rattlesnake is rare, though you should always still be on the lookout. Most snakes around Squam Lake aren't a threat to humans, but it never hurts to be vigilant.

Ossipee Lake

sunset on Ossipee Lake - NEKVT/Shutterstock

Also in the Lakes Region, just a 40-minute drive from Squam Lake is Ossipee Lake, popular with fishermen for its abundant stock of rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. A public boat launch with rentals means you can spend the day out on the water, while the surrounding woodlands hide scenic hiking trails through the mountain slopes. While otters, black bears, and moose can sometimes be spotted amidst the trees, this shady habitat also attracts slithery inhabitants like the northern water snake and the eastern milk snake.

The eastern milk snake is thankfully nonvenomous, and easily distinguished from other species by its vibrant pattern. They have smooth scales in a base color of either gray or brown, mottled by large reddish blotches across the back and a checkerboard pattern on the belly. Milk snakes are drawn to a variety of habitats, from swamps and marshes to the fringes of woodlands and lakeshores, and often take cover beneath logs or stones.

Though not a danger to humans, an encounter with a milk snake might still be unpleasant for some, so always keep an eye on your surroundings. Hikers venturing through Ossipee Lake's various mountain trails should be vigilant while passing through the thick underbrush. In fact, many milk snakes are mistaken for timber rattlesnakes and thus killed out of fear, which could potentially lead to a decline in their population. Make sure to remain calm and back away slowly if you encounter a snake in your path while on a hike. If you're walking around the docks or boat launches near the shoreline, watch where you step as both water snakes and milk snakes could be sheltering there. Being alert and respectful of Ossipee Lake's local wildlife will ensure everyone a more pleasant experience.

Lake Winnipesaukee

boats on the water at Lake Winnipesaukee - Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Just southeast of Squam Lake are the glistening shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire. Tucked against the foothills of the White Mountains, the lake's dazzling, spring-fed water is a summer haven for boaters toting their fishing poles, not to mention sunbathers looking for a sandy spot to lounge. Miles of hiking trails skirt the lakeshore, meandering through dense woodlands and marshy ponds. The lake's surface is dotted with forested islands waiting to be explored, while yearly events like the Timberman Triathlon and an ice fishing derby attract regular crowds. If you're in the area, make sure to watch out for northern water snakes and eastern milk snakes.

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Being cold-blooded creatures, you will likely spot the northern water snake soaking up the sun on rocks near the shoreline. Since they feed on fish, tadpoles, and amphibians, they can also be found slithering near the water in search of food. When threatened, the northern water snake tends to flatten its body and has been known to bite, harmless though it may be. If you're exploring Lake Winnipesaukee's vast hiking trails and islands, it might be prudent to carry a stick with you to prod the underbrush before walking through. Try to avoid disturbing any thick vegetation near the shoreline, and pay close attention to dark, flat rocks near the water, particularly on sunny days.

Wildlife enthusiasts might even be thrilled to chance upon a milk snake, since their vivid pattern sets them apart from their fellows. They also prefer to burrow below ground or take cover beneath rocks, so a sighting is rare. The milk snake has even been known to shake its tail in mimicry of a rattlesnake if it feels threatened. Though they are completely harmless, always remain at a distance.

Chocorua Lake

autumn foliage at Chocorua Lake - pisaphotography/Shutterstock

Barely a 20-minute drive north of Ossipee Lake, not far from the town of Tamworth is Chocorua Lake. The shores are blanketed with lush forests, and Mount Chocorua rises in the distance, offering fantastic views. Despite the lake's smaller size compared to other behemoths in the Lakes Region, visitors are drawn to Chocorua's quiet, untouched shores for boating and swimming, while wooded trails nearby offer thrilling hikes. Canoeing and kayaking is also popular. Separating the south end of Chocorua Lake with the smaller Little Lake is Narrows Bridge, a favorite spot for photographing the sweeping views. Visitors should be aware that they are sharing this spectacular landscape with the ever-present northern water snake, along with eastern garter snakes and brown snakes.

Brown snakes are rather petite, reaching only a maximum of 20 inches, and pose no threat to humans. Their coloration can range from light to dark brown, speckled with a uniform pattern of darker spots running the length of their body and a whitish belly. Mainly preying on earthworms and slugs, brown snakes will likely be found along Chocorua Lake's forested shorelines and brushy trails. Northern water snakes have also been known to bask on the rocks near the shallows, while eastern garter snakes will likely be sheltering in the underbrush.

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Hikers heading out to Hammond Trailhead north of the lake should steer clear of any thickly wooded patches, and swimmers should check between rocks while wading along the shoreline. If you're planning to camp by the lake, find as clear a spot as possible, away from any tangled vegetation. Remember that these snakes generally prefer to avoid humans anyway, and are mostly harmless. Respecting the wildlife who share the landscape with you is the best way to enjoy an unforgettable getaway in New Hampshire's scenic lakes.

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Read the original article on Islands.
Ahead of the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, the youth political organisation Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) took a dig at the Mahagathbandhan alliance with a cartoon on Saturday. In the cartoon, RJD leader and Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav is depicted pointing a gun, demanding the position of Chief Minister in Bihar. This cartoon was accompanied by a caption which alleged that RJD has forced Congress to surrender the CM position. "RJD has held a gun to Congress' temple and forced them to surrender the CM position," wrote BJYM. Affirming the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory in the Bihar elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated his "katta" jibe at the Mahagathbandhan, declaring, "Nahi chahiye Katta sarkaar, phir ek baar NDA sarkaar." Addressing a massive rally in Sitamarhi, PM Modi praised the high voter turnout in the first phase of polling, saying it had delivered a "65-volt shock" to those who represented "jungle raj". "Bihar has done wonders in the first phase of voting. In the first phase, the jungle raj folks have been dealt a 65-volt shock. Everywhere, the discussion is that Bihar's youth have chosen development, have chosen NDA. Bihar's sisters and daughters have also ensured NDA's record victory," said PM Modi. Hitting out at the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Prime Minister alleged that the party wants to make small children "rangdaar", which is justified by their election campaign. "What the RJD people want to do for the children of Bihar is clearly evident in the election campaigns of their leaders. Just listen to the songs of these jungle raj people and their slogans. You will shudder at what they think, what they say. On RJD platforms, innocent children are being made to say that they want to become "rangdar" (criminals)," he said. The Prime Minister asserted that the children of Bihar would not become "rangdaar" but would instead become engineers, doctors, advocates, or judges in the court. Following the conclusion of his rally in Sitamarhi, the Prime Minister will head to Bettiah to attend another election event. The first phase of the Bihar elections, which saw a record voter turnout of 65.08 per cent, marked the highest polling percentage in the state's history. The first phase of polling in Bihar concluded recently, with elections for 122 seats scheduled on November 11 for the second phase. The results of the Bihar Assembly elections are slated to be announced on November 14. (ANI)
If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em! In Connecticut, an interesting new culinary trend is turning an environmental mess into a local opportunity, Fox 61 reported.

Across restaurants and markets, chefs are now serving the European green crab  one of Long Island Sound's most aggressive invasive species  in an effort to restore balance to coastal ecosystems while delighting diners with a surprising new flavor.

The invasive European green crab, introduced to the region more than a century ago, has long wreaked havoc on its marine habitats. These tiny but destructive crustaceans outcompete native species for food, destroy eelgrass beds, and have few natural predators.

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For years, controlling the crab's population proved nearly impossible  until a recent policy shift allowed restaurants to serve the species without a bait license. Now, chefs such as Zach Redin of To the Gills in Oakville are turning the problem into a delicious solution.

"They have this super-rich intense crab flavor. It's unbelievable how little effort there is to make it taste like crab," Redin told Fox 61. His restaurant uses it to make flavorful seafood stock.

Beyond culinary innovation, this movement helps reduce pressure on native blue crabs and encourages consumers to engage directly in ecological stewardship  simply by eating adventurously. "It's part of eating the whole ecosystem," Redin added. "We're using what's already there rather than overfishing other species."

And it's not just about this species; many Connecticut restaurants have made a name for themselves by prioritizing invasives on the menu. In an article for Mad, writer Anna Lipin reported on a culinary road trip to many of these institutions, declaring that their creativity has formed "a whole new subset of local tastes," describing the menus as "unthreatening, palatable, but most importantly, delicious."

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Efforts like these demonstrate how coastal communities can pitch in to respond to environmental threats while supporting their most critical local economies, such as fishing and tourism. By adding invasive species to their menus, restaurants are essentially creating a new industry  supporting fishermen who harvest invasives rather than just killing them, adding a new product to the market, and raising public awareness on the value of ecological balance.

While eating green crabs may not eradicate the species, each meal represents a step toward a cleaner, healthier coast  and a more sustainable food system. The "eat the invaders" movement is proving that restoring balance can start with something as simple as what's on your plate.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
It's certainly no exaggeration to say that right now, in this economy, simply getting a job interview feels like pulling teeth. The endless LinkedIn scrolling, the hundreds of cover letters...all for a job you're probably overqualified for and labor you'll be underpaid for. We're in the bad place, I think!

NBC

But, do you want to know what the final nail in the coffin here is? Sometimes you do all that, coordinate the perfect professional outfit, and prep your heart out for an interview you worked your butt off to get...only to immediately realize it was all a massive waste of your time and talent. A hot minute ago, I asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to share their interview horror stories so foul, they literally walked out. Here are 29 of the very worst stories they shared:

Stories have also been sourced from this similar Reddit thread by u/JimmySaulGene.

1. "I had an interview where the dude was literally like, 'We said $30 on the posting because that's what we used to pay, but we've realized that with the economy as it is, we can get great applicants anyway, so we're only paying $15. If you don't take it, someone else will, but you can work up to the normal wage in five years or so if the economy improves.'"

tanya

2. "I interviewed for a hostess position at a top restaurant in Manhattan. The chef was very well known and had several restaurants across the world. He was conducting the interview himself, which I found unusual, but I went along with it. The first thing he did was tell me to 'let down my hair' from its bun because 'presentation is everything' and I'd be the face of the restaurant. Then he asked me to show him my boobs. WTF? When I just stared at him, wondering if I'd really heard him correctly, he doubled down by repeating that 'presentation is everything' and he wants all his girls to be beautiful and hot."

lunallee212

3. "I showed up and the woman at the front desk greeted me while I waited for the interview. I introduced myself and handed her my resume. Once I got into the actual interview, I saw that she had taped a bright pink note to my resume that read, 'Has the personality of a rock.'"

"How she determined that from our brief introductory exchange was beyond me at the time. The interviewer saw my facial expression when I saw the note. I thanked him for his time and left."

 u/Aggravating-Lychee27

Related: People Are Sharing The "Poor Person" Habits They Will Never, Ever Stop Doing, No Matter How Rich They Get, And I'm In Awe

4. "I was interviewing for a management position running a mail room. It was something Id done twice before, and all the standard questions were asked. I felt like it was going well, but then he suddenly said to me, 'Im hearing a lot of 'I' from you. Im concerned, because we are about the team, and not the individual here.' What the hell? Its a job interview, and youre concerned that I am answering questions you have asked specifically about me, with answers that address your questions about me?"

"I dont even remember how I responded, but I knew I didnt want to deal with his stupid semantic word and mind games, which I was sure Id only seen the surface of, so I steered us right into concluding the interview and left. I also made a subtle show of taking back the copies of my resume that Id brought with me."

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 u/ArmyOfDog

Apple TV+ / Courtesy Everett Collection

5. "I showed up to my interview, and the manager practically bragged about how the job offered no breaks for an 810 hour shift, and if there was a food break, it would be five minutes max at a hip-height table with no chairs. She said that youd be fired if you sat down for even 30 seconds.

"I'm more than capable of doing that. I did that every day at my last job. But when you brag about how your employees are so overworked that they dont get breaks or an option to rest their legs, it tells me all I need to know about how little you value them."

u/Balrog229

6. "A few years ago, I was interviewing with a hospital for an admin position. We decided over email that the interview time was 1 p.m. The day of the interview, the same person called me at 10 a.m., pissed that I wasn't there. When I referenced our email, she got all annoyed and asked if I could come in right now. I hadn't even gotten out of bed yet that day! I said I couldn't, and we still met at 1 p.m., but she was clearly annoyed at me for her mistake. IDK why I went to the interview after that first phone call, TBH. That should've been red flag number one."

caaklemm

7. "In 1990, I had an interview with a natural cosmetics store. I was well groomed and clean but never got the interview. The manager refused and threw me out of the shop for having acne. She said, 'We don't have people with spots working here. Staff here look clean!'"

jborrett793

8. "I had an interview at a youth crisis shelter. I was super interested, and the first interview went well. They scheduled me for a second one where I'd be 'shadowing' a worker in one of the emergency placement shelters. I showed up, and the woman from my first interview walked me in and said she'd be back soon. I sat down and got to know the kids there a bit, played some card games, asked the staff on duty some questions about the job. Several hours had gone by, and she never came back. I kept asking if someone could contact the front office for me and get ahold of the interviewer, but they kept brushing me off."

"I was there so long, a shift change happened. Because they didnt give me any sort of visitor pass, the next set of staff thought I was a teen living there! It was a high-security shelter, and nobody believed that I wasnt a resident. I was there for six hours in total. When I finally got someone to call the office, the original woman thought I had been let out and left after an hour. She called me for a third interview, but I just let the phone ring."

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toriwarrior

NBC

9. "I was at my third and final interview for a tech company. The first two went well, and they wanted me to join the company, so I was told this last one with the head of the office was just a formality. It started well  we walked to the cafeteria, grabbed a couple of coffees, and with some small talk, we learned we knew some of the same people. When we got back to his office, he looked at my file and said, 'It says here youre looking for [certain salary].' I said yes and explained its really close to market for someone with my skills and experience. He looked at me and said, 'I dont think youre worth it.'"

"I said, 'Excuse me?' He repeated it. I laughed, grabbed my bag, stood up, thanked him for his time, and walked out."

u/weirdkid71

Related: "What The Fk Did You Expect"  A MAGA Mom On SNAP Is Going Viral For Her Post Blasting Her Family For Refusing To Lend Her Grocery Money

10. "I once showed up for a job interview in a suit and tie after answering a newspaper ad for a 'warehouse worker.' Instead of a job interview at the warehouse, they had me get into some truck with one of the employees, who then drove me a few hours away, pulled over in some random neighborhood, and explained to me that the job was going door-to-door trying to sell cuts of meat to people, unsolicited."

"I told him this was not the job that they had advertised, and if he didn't bring me back home immediately, I was going to call the police and report a kidnapping. I was brought back to my car, but I was not paid for the several hours of my wasted time."

u/ThumpyDumpkins

11. "I applied for a job as a cookie decorator at a popular cookie and cake bakery in my hometown. I sent in my resume and a portfolio of all my art, and the woman was so impressed, she called me in for an interview right away. Now, I'm mixed  Im Afro-Cuban and Italian. I have ear gauges, tattoos, and dreadlocks. I understand that not everyone is OK with hiring people who look like me, but this was something different. I showed up to the interview, she looked me up and down, and she then pointed out all of the things about me that she would never accept in an employee."

"She said my hair made me look like a 'feral child' who had never seen a brush or a shower. She said that the fact that I thought my tattoos were OK proved that I wasn't fit for this or any job. She criticized my makeup and said my ear gauges were 'the most repulsive thing' she'd ever seen and that she didn't want her customers 'vomiting on the food' because of how disgusting my appearance was.

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"I was only 16 years old, and the whole experience really fucked up my self-esteem and confidence for a while. Eventually I just left."

Mmmermzeep

12. "I once went to a job interview at a large welding shop in the middle of a rainstorm. After talking to the interviewer for 30 or so minutes, he walked me out to the shop floor to take a welding test. The machine we went to was in decent condition, but was literally sitting in a puddle of water. The welding table's legs were rusty and not grounded well, and also in said puddle. Over half the shop was flooded. I turned around and said, 'No, thank you,' then proceeded to walk out the door. My life is worth more than $20 an hour."

 u/Alpha_Hellhound

NBC

13. "Owner to me: 'Youre not a feminist, are you? Because (ha ha) none of us are!'"

tuffyrama

14. "I was applying for a teaching job. My job at the time was at a school for people with disabilities, and this new school was a school for children gifted in a particular field. I was headhunted when one of my students from my current school was accepted to the new school. The woman interviewing asked why I wanted to work there, so I explained the above (including the student with a disability). With the most disgusted look on her face, she said, 'We dont have students like that here.' I should point out that Im also disabled. This was not going to work out, obviously!"

 u/Nixie9

15. "I applied for a software developer position for an online retailer. The second round of interviews was a cultural fit interview with HR. I assumed it would be a one-on-one interview, but instead it was a room of about 20 people applying for any position from legal to finance. They asked us to stand up, curl into a ball, and pretend we were flowers opening. I honestly thought it was some kind of prank, but then I saw everybody around me doing it. I just thanked them for the opportunity and left."

 u/neolabaque

Related: "It's Like A Freaking Hell Loop": People Are Revealing Normal '90s And '00s Things Are Considered A Luxury Now

16. "I had an interview at this office, and I wasn't informed about the evidently very strict building security prior to arriving. The front door was practically unmarked and required a card to get in, but there was no intercom. The elevator required a card as well, but the stairs didn't. HOWEVER, no one informed me that the stairwells are locked from the outside, meaning I was locked in the stairwell with no way to get out.

"I called the recruiter over and over, and even called the front desk, but they just kept putting me on hold instead of sending someone to let me in at the correct floor. I ended up getting a call from the recruiter while STILL STUCK IN THE STAIRWELL telling me they would not be going forward with the interview because I was late.

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I almost screamed, and asked her as calmly as I could manage if she had gotten any of the messages I left for her letting her know I was presently stuck in the stairwell with no way to get out. She said she hadn't, and said it was too late anyway because they had gone with another candidate. She almost hung up before I could yell (probably too loudly), "THEN CAN SOMEONE PLEASE COME FREE ME FROM THE STAIRWELL SO I CAN LEAVE??"

They sent security to get me, and I was treated like a criminal as I was led from the building. I have never been so confused, humiliated, and angry in my entire life. I left them a scathing review on Glassdoor."

u/SnowMiser26

---

First We Feast

17. "When I interviewed for residency positions, I did one-month-long rotations at my top-choice hospitals to see if Id be a good fit. The last week of one of my rotations, I was supposed to meet with the two program directors. I met with one in the morning, and he asked some personal questions, like if I was planning on getting married or having kids. He probably wasn't supposed to ask these things, but I answered honestly and said no to both. I felt like it was going well  I was being myself, cracked a few jokes. Well, later that day I went to knock on the other program director's office door for our meeting, and I heard her and the other director talking. He was talking about my interview, mocking my answers and calling me a freak."

"I still interviewed with her and made it through the rest of the week, but I really wish Id been brave enough to say something."

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marmalady

18. "I had two companies interview me in the same week. As I was pulling up to an interview at the second company (which I was less excited about), I got a call from the other place saying I'd gotten the job. YAY! I figured I would follow through and tell the interviewer that I had accepted another position, thank you, etc. I wasn't even fully seated before she berated me for what I was wearing (black pants, white blouse, black cardigan). Then said she only did this interview out of courtesy for my friend who referred me, and that I wouldn't be getting the job. I smugly told her that it was OK, I got hired elsewhere. Why this shocked her, no idea. What a bitch."

witchyribbon84

19. "I had an interview at a job that didn't have an address. They proceeded to give me very complicated instructions, like, 'Turn left when you see the green building.' I got lost multiple times getting there and ended up being over an hour late. During the interview, I asked how they got mail delivered, and they said they didn't receive mail. When I walked out of the building after the obviously failed interview, I looked around and found their building number on the side of the building behind some bushes. I still wonder to this day if I failed some strange interview test."

hammerb123

20. "I had an interview during which the job's hours were revealed to me, and they were all over the place: 102 on Monday, 14 on Tuesday, 49 on Wednesday, etc. I told the interviewer that the job wasn't for me, and she started CRYING! She told me tearfully that she and her team were so impressed with my CV and that they'd been trying to fill the job for months. I awkwardly thanked her for her time as she tearfully led me out of the building."

aaronh18

Milan Markovic / Getty Images

21. "Once, a security guard made me walk away before I even got in the building for an interview. I followed the instructions I was sent by the hiring manager, which said to park in the designated guest spaces. The security guard came charging out of the building, yelling that I couldn't park there. When I raised my voice just to try and get him to listen, he started yelling at me for yelling at him. When I told him that I was instructed to park there, he called the hiring manager and started yelling at them about how Id been yelling at him. Partway through that phone call, I thought, Nah, fuck this, got back in the car, and drove off."

"The hiring manager called me to apologize and asked if Id come back. I politely declined, saying I wanted nothing to do with that security guard again."

 u/FumbleMyEndzone

22. When I was maybe 20, I applied for a bartending job. The job interview went pretty well, until the owner of the bar asked if I had a boyfriend. I was so confused as to why this would be an issue. As a gay woman, I tend to feel unsafe in situations regarding my sexuality (especially in a basement of a bar), so I said yes. The owner then asked me more invasive questions, like when was the last time I had sex, what kind of sex did I like, and how old I was when I lost my virginity. I tried to leave, but the owner stood between me and the only exit. He didn't let me leave until I told him I'd call the police."

"After this, I have always recorded my job interviews. I have thankfully never had an issue like this again, and every interview since, I've always interviewed in an open area."

lunaed

Related: 18 Tales Of People Being So Ridiculously Cheap, That I'm Actually Impressed By Their Dedication

23. "When I was in the teaching credential program at my college, we had to go on 'mock' interviews at a real school district where we could potentially be offered a job if the staff liked us enough. Understandably, I was very nervous  I stuttered several times and didnt do my best overall. But instead of the teachers/principals who interviewed me being understanding or sympathetic because I was in training, they laughed in my face. It was horrible, and I left feeling completely dejected and decided that teaching was not for me after all."

Cats4EverBoysWhatever

24. "In the our interview, the owner of a bar told me never to approach him with a problem, because I wouldn't like how he fixed it."

 u/DeftTrack81

Bravo

25. "I applied for a register position at Pizza Hut. I specifically told them during my two interviews that I cannot be a delivery driver due to my car being unreliable, and they said that was fine. I got the job, came in for training on the first day; the very first thing they did was sit me down in a chair and start up a training video on delivery driving. I asked them if I could skip it since Im only working the register/in the kitchen, and the manager told me that every position is also a delivery driver. I walked out right then and there, and got paid for the one hour of training."

 u/Turnbob73

26. "I worked as a permanent software developer for six years after university before I decided to quit and do contract work instead. I put myself out there and found a three-month contract role and was due to start in a week's time. In the meantime, I was approached by a recruiter offering me an interview for a permanent role. I declined it and explained my situation, but the recruiter came back and said the company was really interested in me and might be able to offer me contract work in three months when I was back on the market."

"The next day, I dressed up all smart and drove an hour through traffic to go to the interview at their office. The first question was about my availability, and I explained that I started my contract job next week. Then, they asked why I came in to interview for this permanent job, and explained that they've never used contractors. I left. The contract role I'd already secured paid almost as much in three months as this job did in a year, but the recruiter thought if he could just trick me into going to the interview, that I'd change my mind and take his shitty role instead."

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u/geoffs3310

27. "I finished up four hours of interviews in their offices when I asked my final question to the three senior software engineers in front of me: 'Do you enjoy working here?' I was one of the three people they were looking for to replace them. They were unhappy."

 u/mahade

28. "I made it to the third interview for a large company. In the first two, they told me what my role would be, my base pay, and commission, and explained that they were so excited to have me on board because of my experience. I sat down for the third interview, and they said they were prepared to offer me the job right now, and even had the paperwork ready since this morning. BUT THEN they said they'd already hired someone for that role, and proceeded to offer another job where the pay was less than half what they were already offering me prior, and was a lot more work."

"Basically, I went from being offered a management job to just being asked to train new employees and be a cashier for $10 per hour, without guaranteed hours.

I'd previously told them I'd been worried I was wasting their time because I was uncertain if I was sold on the job, but after this it was clear that they were the ones wasting my time instead. I stood up, said no thank you, and left. About an hour later, I got a phone call asking for a fourth interview. They called almost every day for two weeks asking me to come back and talk to the owner."

 u/EmbalmMeDaddy

29. And finally, "I sat down with the owner, and the first thing he said was, 'I don't hire people with beards.' I said, 'OK,' got up, and walked out."

 u/lookssharp

Also in Work & Money: A Woman Moved To A Blue State For The First Time And Is Calling Out The "Stark Differences" Between Living In A Republican Vs. Democrat-Leaning Area

Also in Work & Money: Women Not Dyeing Their Hair, Hot People Working Minimum Wage Jobs, And 13 Other Recession Indicators

Also in Work & Money: People Are Sharing The Dirty, Little Industry Secrets They Think The General Public Deserves To Know, And It's Wildly Informative

Read it on BuzzFeed.com
Not all those who wander are lost.  J.R.R. Tolkien

Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood.  William Penn

In the past three weeks, Ive had at least four folks ask me about my niece Bailey Cook. From the day of her birth to just a few years ago, Bailey was a regular character in my weekly column.

I told one of the Bailey-curious that she is an adult now and doesnt really do cute and funny stuff. But thats not really fair  actually, shes done some pretty cool things since I last wrote about her.

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The summer of 2017, while a student at Rhodes College in Memphis, Bailey was part of an archaeological dig in Greece. The following spring, while a junior at Rhodes, Bailey flew to Thailand for her Maymester. From Thailand, Bailey returned to Greece, working as her archaeology professors research assistant on another dig. She was in charge of flying a drone.

She graduated from Rhodes in 2020, but COVID kept her from having a traditional graduation. Instead, she donned her cap and gown, and we celebrated her at home in Huntsville, Alabama.

She was not home for long before she left for graduate school at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. She returned to the United States with a masters degree, but not before doing a little traveling to London, Norway, Germany, Prague, Austria, Budapest, Hungary and the Netherlands  to name a few.

I heard little from the traveling Bailey, who has the ability to be articulate  when the mood strikes her.

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Theres a messaging app that allows FFOB (family, friends of Bailey) to send and receive messages, but the key is remembering the time differences.

I sent her a message or two, and got a little grouchy after receiving no response. Then Id remember, it was the wee hours of the morning where Bailey was.

She was doing really cool things in places Ive never been so, obviously, I asked questions.

What did you do fun today?

Her response could be anything from a smiley face emoji to a bit of todays shorthand that I rarely understand, like idk (I dont know).

Or sometimes a yes or no query elicited a meh or bruh or some odd-looking bits of punctuation that strung together looked like a person shrugging.

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Translation, please, Bailey.

Her dad asked her how the food was in Thailand. Baileys answer: Tis good.

While visiting a mountain temple in Thailand, Bailey took a tumble and cut her chin. Several days later I asked about her wound. Mmmmmmmmmm.

Thats the same response she gave when her mama asked her to tell us something interesting you have seen or done or learned. Mmmmmmmmmm.

All these years later, Ive still not found the meaning of the repetitive consonants.

One of the last things Bailey did before leaving Thailand triggered enough joy she wrote two complete sentences but without appropriately placed apostrophes or periods: Im going to an elephant sanctuary park thing Im so excited.

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While she was in Greece, my questions revolved around food. Have you had a gyro: Every day at lunch. Or baklava? Not yet. Spanakopita? Yes.

Even when the traveling Bailey returned to Huntsville, she still shared little about her amazing experiences. The stories came slowly, over a period of time.

These days, Bailey is living in Nashville and working at Vanderbilt University. She did use words when I asked what her job title is: She is administrative manager and financial unit manager in Economics Communication Studies and Public Policies Studies.

Ive asked what her job entails, but her answer, once again? Mmmmmmmmmmmm.

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So, I just depend on my sister, Baileys mama to fill me in on any pertinent details.

By the way, Baileys birthday was Thursday. That little early-comer who weighed in at a little more than 2 pounds when she burst into the world 28 years ago.

Happy birthday, Bailey.
If you're born and raised a Georgia peach, you can probably tell if someone is a local or a visitor based on the nicknames they give each city. Atlanta has a few; although, not all of them are well-liked by those who live in town. Whether you're walking down the Beltline  a network of trails, eateries, and parks  or you're strolling through the suburbs, the sentiment is pretty much the same throughout: Do not call the city "Hot'lanta." To be frank, there's really no other reason other than the fact that residents think it's cringe and outdated. Locals sounded off in a seven-year-old Reddit thread, but in the last year, an Atlanta resident wrote a piece in the Traveler stating that the general position has not changed.

According to Atlanta magazine, it originated from a writer who lived in Tennessee. In the late 1950s, the writer wrote a column using the nickname, and it spread like wildfire  even the Allman Brother's Band named a song after it. You might think this would add appeal to the name, right? Wrong. Atlanta magazine explains that unless you really want to see a local shudder in disgust, avoid the word. After all, if there is anything you must know about the Southern U.S., they are pretty protective of where they're from, so it's best not to cross that line.

Read more: These Are The Most Dangerous Cities In America For 2025 (And Why You Might Want To Avoid Them), According To Research

Nicknames approved by Atlanta locals

Locals walking and biking in Atlanta - Bluiz60/Getty Images

As soon as you walk out of the world's busiest airport (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport), you might see slogans with adorable nicknames as a way to show affection to the city. If you see "Hot'lanta," it's a good guess the copywriter for that brand isn't a native. However, there are nicknames that locals adore. As someone who lived not too far away, in Augusta, I met plenty of people from the capital city that referred to it as "The A." Redditors also agree, and some add "ATL" to the list.

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Usher, a proud Atlanta resident, has consistently referred to his home city as "A-Town," and even released a song "A-Town Girl" in 2024 with Latto, so it's safe to say that "A-Town" is still considered to be cool. Beyond Usher and Latto's stamp of approval, Atlanta's identity shows up in TV series', food culture, and sports. The city has a big impact in the U.S., and has made it's mark in pop culture globally ... the locals just want to make sure the visitors aren't ruining their reputation!

Want to learn about residential areas in Atlanta? Check out one of its best neighborhoods with upscale shopping, rich history, and a vibrant nightlife.

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Read the original article on Islands.
While crowds continue to flock to Italy's over touristed coastlines and France's packed chateaux, savvy travelers are quietly discovering Portugal's extraordinary blend of affordability, authenticity, and year-round appeal. This Atlantic nation has emerged from its Iberian neighbor's shadow to become Europe's most compelling alternative destination.

Recent tourism data reveals Portugal's meteoric rise: international arrivals have surged 40% compared to pre-pandemic levels, yet the country maintains an unhurried charm that's vanishing elsewhere in Europe. The secret is out among those in the know, but Portugal's diverse regions still offer genuine discovery opportunities for travelers seeking experiences beyond the typical European circuit.

The Perfect Storm of Affordability

Portugal delivers exceptional value that makes other Western European destinations seem overpriced by comparison. Quality meals in Lisbon cost half of what you'd pay in Barcelona, while boutique accommodations in Porto rival luxury properties in Paris at a fraction of the price.

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Wine enthusiasts particularly benefit from this value proposition. Portugal produces world-class wines that remain remarkably affordable even in restaurants, with excellent bottles available for 15-25 that would cost 50-80 in neighboring countries. The country's diverse wine regions, from the Douro Valley's terraced vineyards to Alentejo's rolling hills, offer tastings and tours at prices that make Napa Valley seem astronomical.

Lisbon's Renaissance

The capital has undergone a remarkable transformation, balancing preservation with innovation in ways that cities like Amsterdam and Prague struggle to achieve. Lisbon's historic trams still navigate steep cobblestone streets, but they now connect revitalized neighborhoods where traditional azulejo tiles complement cutting-edge galleries and rooftop bars.

The city's food scene has exploded beyond traditional pasteis de nata, though these custard tarts remain essential eating. Michelin-starred chefs are reimagining Portuguese cuisine, creating sophisticated interpretations of bacalhau and caldeirada alongside innovative plant-based offerings that attract younger travelers.

Time Out Market represents this evolution perfectly, transforming from a traditional municipal market into a curated food hall featuring both time-honored vendors and contemporary concepts. The result is an authentic local experience that never feels manufactured for tourists.

Porto's Authentic Appeal

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

While Lisbon attracts headlines, Porto maintains an authenticity that's increasingly rare in major European cities. The UNESCO-listed Ribeira district remains a living neighborhood where residents hang laundry from medieval windows and local taverns serve francesinha sandwiches to workers rather than tour groups.

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The city's azulejo tradition reaches artistic heights at Sao Bento Station, where 20,000 hand-painted tiles chronicle Portuguese history. Unlike tourist attractions elsewhere that feel preserved in amber, these tiles continue daily life as commuters rush past scenes of ancient battles and rural life.

Porto's wine lodges across the Douro River offer port tastings with views that rival anything in Tuscany, yet without the crowds or inflated prices that plague Italian wine regions. Many lodges still operate as working facilities rather than tourist attractions, providing genuine insights into production methods unchanged for centuries.

The Undiscovered Regions

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Beyond the major cities, Portugal's regions offer experiences that would be heavily marketed tourist draws anywhere else in Europe. The Azores archipelago provides volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and crater lakes that rival Iceland's attractions while maintaining peaceful solitude and accessible pricing.

Obidos remains one of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns, completely enclosed by 12th-century walls yet refreshingly uncommercialized. During summer, the town hosts a medieval festival that feels authentic rather than manufactured, with locals participating alongside visitors in period celebrations.

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The Algarve's reputation for package tourism overshadows hidden gems like Tavira's Roman bridges and salt flats, or the dramatic cliffs of Sagres where Henry the Navigator planned expeditions that changed world history. These locations offer the Mediterranean climate that draws millions to the Spanish coast, with significantly fewer crowds and lower prices.

Culinary Renaissance

Portugal's food scene extends far beyond the seafood for which it's known. The country's position at the crossroads of European, African, and Atlantic influences created a unique cuisine that's finally receiving international recognition.

Innovative chefs are elevating traditional ingredients like piri-piri peppers, black pork from Alentejo, and sea beans from coastal regions into sophisticated preparations that compete with anything in Copenhagen or San Sebastian. Yet traditional tasca taverns continue serving hearty portions of cozido stew and grilled sardines at prices that make fine dining accessible to budget travelers.

The country's pastry traditions extend well beyond pasteis de nata to include regional specialties like Aveiro's ovos moles and Sintra's travesseiros that remain largely unknown outside Portugal, providing genuine culinary discoveries for curious travelers.

Year-Round Appeal

Portugal's climate advantage becomes increasingly valuable as climate change makes traditional Mediterranean summers uncomfortably hot. The Atlantic's moderating influence keeps Portuguese summers pleasant while providing mild winters that make off-season travel attractive.

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This climate supports diverse activities across seasons. Summer brings perfect beach conditions and outdoor festivals, while autumn offers harvest experiences in wine regions and comfortable temperatures for city exploration. Even winter provides surfing opportunities along the Atlantic coast and cozy wine cellars for tastings.

Infrastructure and Accessibility

Image Credit: Depositphotos

Recent infrastructure improvements have enhanced Portugal's appeal without diminishing its character. High-speed rail connections link major cities efficiently, while improved airports facilitate international access. Yet development has been carefully managed to preserve historical centers and natural landscapes.

The country's compact size allows diverse experiences within short distances. Travelers can experience Lisbon's urban energy, medieval Obidos' charm, and Douro Valley's wine country within a single week, using efficient transportation networks that make Italy's overcrowded trains seem antiquated.

The Timing Factor

Portugal's current moment parallels Spain's emergence in the 1980s or Croatia's discovery in the early 2000s  prices remain reasonable, authenticity intact, but international awareness is rapidly growing. Major hotel chains and cruise lines are increasing Portuguese operations, suggesting the window for discovering an uncommercialized Portugal may be closing.

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Smart travelers are booking Portuguese experiences now, before the country joins the ranks of overpriced, overcrowded European destinations. The infrastructure exists to handle growth, but the intimate scale and affordable pricing that make Portugal special may not survive mass tourism's arrival.

Looking Forward

Portugal represents what thoughtful tourism development can achieve, preserving authenticity while improving visitor experiences. The country offers everything that draws travelers to Europe's most famous destinations, delivered with warmth and value that's becoming rare elsewhere on the continent.

For travelers seeking genuine discoveries rather than Instagram recreations, Portugal provides the perfect European experience: rich history, exceptional food and wine, stunning landscapes, and welcoming culture, all at prices that allow extended exploration rather than rushed weekend breaks.

The question isn't whether Portugal will join Europe's over touristed destinations  it's whether you'll experience its current magic before the crowds inevitably arrive.
This past August, Punjab, India experienced the worst flooding from monsoon rains in the area in over four decades  precipitating a statewide crisis that submerged 1,400 villages in 13 districts. At least 51 people were killed and approximately 400,000 displaced.

With communities still reeling from the natural disaster, the last thing the people of Punjab are doing is acting like a victim, says Jaskaran Sandhu, an Indo-Canadian civil lawyer who is also on the board of the World Sikh Organization (WSO), the predominant religion of the northwestern Indian state.

The destruction and the death toll was significantly mitigated by grassroots forces, he tells Yahoo Canada from his law office in Calgary. There has also been humanitarian aid and support from the diaspora in Canada and around the world.

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While critics have slammed the Indian government for slow  or lack thereof  responses to the disaster, Canadian Sikhs have helped raise millions to help rebuild amid the historic flood across Punjab province.

Indian army personnel rescue flood-affected residents and their dog on a boat across the engorged Beas river at Baoopur village in Kapurthala district in India's Punjab state on August 30, 2025. (Photo by Shammi MEHRA / AFP) (Photo by SHAMMI MEHRA/AFP via Getty Images)

An ambulance makes its way through the flooded waters of the Beas river at Baoopur village in the Kapurthala district of India's Punjab state on August 29, 2025. (Photo by Shammi MEHRA / AFP) (Photo by SHAMMI MEHRA/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Local residents, along with their dog, use a boat to evacuate through the flooded waters of the Beas river at Baoopur village in the Kapurthala district of India's Punjab state on August 29, 2025. (Photo by Shammi MEHRA / AFP) (Photo by SHAMMI MEHRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Lawyer and community journalist: 'Floods should radicalize Punjab'

Sandhu, also a community journalist and co-founder of Baaz News, a media outlet covering issues of the Sikh and Punjabi diaspora, wrote an article, entitled The Floods Should Radicalize Punjab: Punjab cannot keep sacrificing itself for an ungrateful country, in which he called out Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis lack of response to the crisis for weeks.

It was left to Sikh institutions, Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), and ordinary Punjabis to mobilize, he wrote. Once again, we have been forced to save ourselves while the worlds so-called largest democracy look[ed] away.

Despite a lack of initiative from the government, Punjab did not succumb to a victimhood mentality, he continued. There has been no looting, no violence, no collapse of social trust  This is a high-trust society in action.

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What irked many Punjabis  in Punjab and around the world  was how Modi was quick to post about the earthquakes in Afghanistan to his social media channels at the beginning of September. The sentiment for a foreign countrys natural disaster woes before his own sparked many to call out his apparent lack of care and concern for Punjab.

What about Punjab? Punjab is flooded. Not a single word for Punjab. People are losing lives, houses, fields, livestock, responded one X user.

Punjabis' perception is that 'government is distant and uncaring about them as a people'

But why was the response so slow for a crisis in the state of his own country?

Modi and the BJP government [Bharat Janata Party  the countrys Hindu nationalist political party] are not the type to stay silent on things, Sandhu says. As Punjab is battered by the worst flood in decades  and which have brought about an unprecedented level of damage  it lends itself to the very real perception by Punjabis that the central government is distant and uncaring about them as a people.

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Punjab has a long history of feeling like a second-class state in its own country.

The region feels like it ranks last for a number of reasons: Being a national minority is one of them.

Its one of only four states that doesnt have a Hindu majority, Sandhu says. Punjab also has a history of voting against the BJP, so theres no incentive for the central government to care about us.

But when the need is reversed, like when there is a conflict between India and Pakistan, Punjab, as a border state to Pakistan, has to suffer decisions it has no control over. Many Punjabis feel that it makes no sense to continue to sacrifice themselves for an ungrateful government.

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This disillusionment with Delhi, Indias capital, has often incited separatist notions. For this reason, India treats Punjab like an existential threat that needs to be constantly stamped out.

There is also distrust in the state government. Bhagwant Mann has been inept at addressing and working on resolving the destruction that has taken place since the floods, Sandhu says, referring to Punjabs chief minister (equivalent to a Canadian province's premier).

Their drive right now is to ask for donations for state coffers so that they can provide humanitarian support and rebuilding efforts. But the communitys response has been, Were already going through grassroots organizations and have been mobilizing ourselves and getting donations directly through Sikh aid organizations and temples, so why would we need to wait on you? The criticism is that the state government hasnt really done anything to advocate for Punjab.

From bad to worse: 'Central government has played a big role in the floods'

Of course, it could be because the state government is beholden to the Modi government. But there is also a bigger picture issue at play as to why the PM was particularly silent about the floods, at least in the beginning, Sandhu believes.

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The central government has played a big role in the floods, he says. The nature in which Punjabs dams and canals are being managed is a major problem. Heavy rainfall is one thing, but the way in which the water has been released out of the dam was optimized for the maximum amount of damage. The water was released in a way that made it very difficult  impossible even  to manage the outflow.

Sandhu says to make matters worse, the canal that feeds Punjabs waters to neighbouring states like Rajasthan, were shut as well. So those floodwaters didnt have anywhere to escape; it just pooled in Punjab. The frustration for Punjab is Youve built these canals where you extract water, depleting Punjabs water tables and the riparian rights, and you refuse to negotiate and work with Punjab on the main sticking point. That point involves water rights in Punjab and drier states like Rajasthan trying to extract water with the help of the central government.

But when theres a flood and we need to mitigate floodwaters, everyone shuts those canals down. In good times youre extracting water, and in bad times youre shutting those canals down so that theres no outflow.

Sandhu thinks thats the bigger problem here. The central government has mismanaged the water release of the dams and theyve mismanaged canal operations. This is a natural disaster that the government has an immense role in manufacturing  whether by incompetence or a lack of care. Modi and the BJP are unable to address that legitimate critique in any meaningful way, he continues. So they have chosen silence.

Aid from government nowhere near enough

On Sept. 9, the prime minister did a flyover of Punjab to conduct an aerial survey to assess the damage. He also visited the city of Gurdaspur to interact with flood victims. The central government also announced 1,600 Crore in financial aid, but critics say its nowhere near enough to compensate for damages and rebuild.

The central government has mismanaged the water release of the dams and theyve mismanaged canal operations.

The immediate, most pressing concern for Punjabis continues to be solving the problems at hand, says Sandhu. Its repairing infrastructure that is water-bogged; its fixing tractors and getting equipment so that farmers can tend to the fields again. Its also removing sand silt that got washed onto agricultural land, making it difficult to cultivate. And of course, its getting homes livable again.

Sikhs in Canada respond: 'The real story is a community story'

The reaction from Sikhs in Canada as well as around the world has been to immediately raise funds and support everyone back home. Sikhs in Canada are very well-connected to Punjab: We all have family and friends and sometimes even land back home, Sandhu says. Punjabi-Canadian radio stations have raised millions for example, as have Gurdwaras [Sikh temples].

Sikhs in Canada are very well-connected to Punjab: We all have family and friends and sometimes even land back home.

REDFM, Canadas largest South Asian media network with radio stations in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, ran a live on-air radiothon this past September to help raise funds.

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It started early in the morning and went well into the evening  about 12 hours of continuous broadcasting, says program director Pooja Sekhon. Throughout the day, we had hosts sharing stories, and volunteers were taking live calls from people making donations. It was emotional, energetic, and really moving to see the momentum building as the day went on.

The result: $2.2 million were raised as a coordinated effort across the three cities.

Each city brought its own energy, its own set of callers, and local businesses who got involved, Sekhon adds. The funds have been directed to SAF International, a registered Canadian charitable organization that works closely with partner organizations in Punjab.

Together, theyll be collaborating on rebuilding efforts in the affected communities.

Sandhu believes that what we have witnessed in the aftermath of the Punjab floods is a deep reflection of how much Punjabis do right as a community.

The real story is a community story.
A 100-year-old Second World War veteran who helped liberate Belgium from Nazi occupation has died days before Remembrance Sunday.

Len Brereton, who was born in Chiswick, west London, also fought in France and Germany as part of 3 Royal Tank Regiment, which he joined in 1943 at the age of 18.

Brereton had in recent years been reunited with members of a Belgian family he stayed with in the town of Popergine in late 1944.

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Residents in Popergine have paid tribute to the soldier  the last known survivor from the wartime tank regiment  saying he was a remarkable gentleman.

After landing in France eight days after D-Day in June 1944, the teenage Brereton was part of multiple operations as Allied forces pushed towards Germany.

Len Brereton struck up a friendship with a Belgian family with whom he was reunited in the years before his death

He was part of several major battles in the final years of the war, including driving the lead tank to the Belsen concentration camp prior to its liberation.

In November 1944, he and his regiment made it to the West Flanders region, where they had to wait several weeks to collect their new Comet tanks from Brussels.

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It was during his time in Popergine that Brereton struck up a friendship with the Lemahieu family  Robert and Anna and their two children, Nelly, then 10, and Jose, eight  who were hosting him and Don Branche, a fellow soldier.

Brereton recalled it had been perishingly cold, but he and his colleague were warmly welcomed as if they were one of the family.

He said: The family were so very kind, making us meals even though they were not obliged to and taking us to places of interest, for example, the First World War cemetery. The children, Nelly and Jose, were also brilliant  really well-behaved and good fun.

Wartime friends reunited in 2021

After the war, Brereton fell out of touch with the family, and members of both families were unsuccessful in their attempts to renew contact.

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But a social media post in 2021 by Cass, Breretons daughter, finally reconnected him with the Lemahieus.

Nelly made the trip over from Belgium in 2023 to see him at his home in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. She was accompanied by Fleur and Jocelin, the two children of Jose, who had died in the intervening years.

At the time, Brereton said it was absolutely brilliant to be reunited with Nelly after almost 80 years, while she said it was like a fairytale to meet him again.

The veteran also said he had been surprised and touched by the gifts and messages he received from the people of Popergine, thanking him for his service and his role in ensuring their freedom.

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Fleur and Jocelin remembered their father recounting stories of Brereton as they grew up, and recalled how he kept a framed memento of the soldier with the family in his study.

Representatives of Talbot House posted a photograph of the cross they put up in memory of Mr Brereton at the Guards Chapel in London

After his death on Thursday, Talbot House  a historic building in Popergine which was used as a soldiers club and is now a museum and guest house  paid tribute to Brereton, who was the last surviving Second World War veteran associated with it.

Tonight, Talboutousians gathered at the Guards Chapel for a Remembrance Concert. The Grenadiers played and our Talbot House sang, the museum said on a Facebook post.

When the Last Post was played, we all thought of him. The end of an era. Thank you for liberating Talbot House. Thank you for your service. We will remember you.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The government shutdown has left thousands of New Englanders facing a gap in food assistance, and as the weather gets colder, theres concern about the shutdowns impact on winter heating assistance programs.

Rhode Island

12 News reached out to Rhode Island Governor Dan McKees office, which said that people who are currently enrolled in the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, commonly referred to as LIHEAP, have not been impacted.

However, the state is putting LIHEAPs emergency deliveries of home heating oil or pellets on pause until December, when theyll be funded with the states rollover funds from last winter.

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Filling the gap during an unprecedented emergency is something that the United Way of Rhode Island prepares for all year long.

You give us a call, and were there around the clock and speak over 200 languages, so were accessible, said Kyle Bennett, who works for the agency. He told 12 News the volume of calls to the United Way of Rhode Islands 211 hotline has increased by 44% in the last 24 days.

[Callers are] worried about their benefits, Bennett said. They are more worried about the traditional services and access to them that theyre not sure will happen if the government remains closed.

RELATED: Demand at local food pantries goes up as government shutdown continues

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Bennett said that this time of year, the hotline typically sees an increase in calls about heating assistance, mostly from people wanting to know if the programs that operated in the past will continue.

One such program is the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, which Bennett explained is funded in part through the generosity of ratepayers.

Rhode Islanders who receive a bill from Rhode Island Energy have an opportunity to send a cash or check donation in with a little yellow envelope, he said. And every year, the envelopes come and they return to United Way, and we add them to the Good Neighbor Energy Fund.

Bennett said the Good Neighbor Energy Fund is typically used to help residents experiencing a hardship who are just above the income threshold for LIHEAP.

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The programs run in partnership with one another, but not necessarily in overlapping fashion, Bennett said.

The United Way of Rhode Island is inviting residents who want to help to donate directly to the Good Neighbor Energy Fund.

Massachusetts

Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healeys administration warned that almost $160 million in federal funding for its Home Energy Access Program (HEAP) would not be released during the government shutdown.

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities shared that it will be using the $13 million in HEAP funding remaining from the previous year to support households with heating emergencies in the short term. These include not having any heat, receiving a termination notice, having less than 1/8 tank of oil, or having less than three days supply of other deliverable fuels.

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Our message to people experiencing a heating emergency right now is to continue to apply for assistance  we will do everything we can to keep our families warm, Healey said.

During the 2024-2025 season, 159,000 Massachusetts households relied on HEAP to help heat their homes, according to the EOHLC. Of those households, 54% were seniors on a fixed income and 11% had children under the age of 6.

Last year, the HEAP program helped tens of thousands of senior citizens and families with young children heat their homes in the wintertime. However, the federal government shutdown puts this critical safety-net program at risk, Ed Augustus, the states Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, told 12 News in a statement. We urge Congress and the President to quickly act to fund the federal government so we can continue to serve Massachusetts residents who struggle with high heating costs.

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Twenty people, including 14 current and former law enforcement officers, have each entered a plea of not guilty to charges in a drug trafficking scheme spanning across multiple counties in the Mississippi Delta region of Mississippi and Tennessee.

Two Mississippi sheriffs, Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston and Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams, were among those arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In addition to the two sheriffs, those charged include: Brandon Addison, Javery Howard, Truron Grayson, Sean Williams, Dexture Franklin, Wendell Johnson, Marcus Nolan, Aasahn Roach, Jeremy Sallis, Torio Chaz Wiseman, Pierre Lakes, Derrik Wallace, Marquivious Bankhead, Chaka Gaines, Martavis Moore, Jamario Sanford, Marvin Flowers and Dequarian Smith. All were charged with drug distribution.

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Of the 20 individuals charged, 19 are accused of illegally carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

During this yearslong investigation, officers allegedly took bribes to allow or facilitate the transport of drugs. Some bribes were as large as $20,000 and $37,000. Federal authorities announced the indictments last week.

According to indictments, law enforcement officers provided armed escort services on multiple occasions to an FBI agent posing as a member of a Mexican drug cartel.

The indictments allege the officers understood they were helping to transport 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of cocaine through Mississippi Delta counties along U.S. Highway 61 and into Memphis. Some of the officers also provided escort services to protect the transportation of drug proceeds, according to the indictments.

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Federal officials said the investigation began when people who had been arrested complained about having to pay bribes to various individuals.

"It's just a monumental betrayal of public trust," U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner said at an Oct. 30 news conference.

Charges against two people  Amber Holmes and Tyquana Rucker  who were initially named in the indictments, were dropped/dismissed.

According to court records, all of those accused have waived their appearance for an arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to all counts against them. Below is a list of those arrested and the number of counts each face as well as their employment locations at the time of the alleged crimes:

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Multiple arrests in JSU homicide: Two years after Jaylen Burns murder, 4 suspects arrested in Jackson State student's death

One lengthy indictment shows:

Brandon Addison  employed first with Hollandale Police Dept. and later with Humphreys Co. Sheriff's Office, faces 10 counts Javery Howard  employed first with Metcalf Police Dept. and later with Hollandale Police Dept., faces 12 counts Milton Gaston  employed as Washington County Sheriff, faces 3 counts Truron Grayson  employed with Humphreys Co. Sheriff's Office, faces 8 counts Bruce Williams  employed as the Humphreys County Sheriff, faces 3 counts Sean Williams  employed with Yazoo City Police Dept., faces 8 counts Dexture Franklin  employed with Washington Co. Sheriff's Office, faces 8 counts Wendell Johnson  employed with Bolivar Co. Sheriff's Office, faces 6 counts Marcus Nolan  faces 4 counts Aasahn Roach  faces 4 counts Jeremy Sallis  faces 4 counts Torio Chaz Wiseman  faces 4 counts Pierre Lakes  faces 2 counts Derrik Wallace  faces 2 counts

Another indictment shows:

Jamario Sanford  employed with Greenwood Police Dept., faces 3 counts Marvin Flowers  employed with the Sunflower Co. Sherriff's Office, faces 3 counts

A scheduling order filed in court records state trials for both Sanford and Flowers are set for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15, 2025, in Greenville before District Judge Debra M. Brown.

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A motion to continue the trial for Sanford was filed, but no order had been filed by a judge at the time of this publication.

Other indictments, filed separately from each other, show:

Martavis Moore  employed with Greenville Police Dept., faces two counts Moore faces two counts in connection with protecting the transport of illegal narcotics through Greenville. In exchange, he allegedly received $5,000 in bribe money.

A scheduling order filed in court records state trial for Moore is set for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15, 2025, in Greenville before District Judge Debra M. Brown. Marquavious Bankhead  employed with Mississippi Highway Patrol, faces one count Bankhead allegedly was hired by a former State Trooper, to ensure "the road was clear of MHP Interdiction Units" and others as cartel members were traveling through Greenwood and surrounding areas. He received a $5,000 bribe for his efforts.

A scheduling order filed in court records state trial for Moore is set for 9:40 a.m. Dec. 15, 2025, in Oxford before Senior Judge Michael P. Mills. Chaka Gaines  employed with Greenville Police Dept., faces two counts Gaines allegedly received $5,000 to protect FBI agents posing as cartel members when they passed through Greenville.

A scheduling order filed in court records state trial for Gaines is set for 9:40 a.m. Dec. 15, 2025, in Oxford before Senior Judge Michael P. Mills. Dequarian Smith  employed with Humphreys Co. Sheriff's Office and the Isola Police Dept., faces one count Smith allegedly received a $500 to protect drug runners in LeFlore, Sunflower and Washington counties.

A scheduling order filed in court records state trial for Smith is set for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 22, 2025, in Greenville before District Judge Debra M. Brown.

Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS sheriffs, several officers plead not guilty in FBI drug case
As new technologies and vices emerge, societal concerns such as food safety (like the conditions revealed in Upton Sinclair's The Jungle ), environmental protections (from chemicals like PFAS ), and even morality (such as during the U.S.'s prohibition era ) can encourage the development of new regulations and laws. Often, at the time, these things seem like a completely normal part of life until people begin to realize just how detrimental they can be.

George Rinhart / Corbis via Getty Images

(Of course, as in the case of prohibition, these laws are also sometimes repealed!)

Recently, user tiredassbaker posed the question over on Reddit, "What will someday be illegal after we finally understand how bad for us it is?" Here are 27 of the most interesting things that are currently part of our everyday lives that folks believe will one day be outlawed:

1. "Kids using social media."

Matt Cardy / Getty Images

Admirable-Sea-8100

"Social media would be fine for kids if it weren't for the algorithms that dictate what they see. For example, Facebook from 15 years ago, when you were mostly shown posts from people you had as friends in chronological order, was a great way to keep in contact with everyone. Facebook now, where you are lucky to see a single post from people on your friends list, and instead have tons of AI slop, paid content, and propaganda shoveled in front of you, is unhealthy for you at best."

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Emu1981

2. "A lot of AI will eventually be made illegal or highly regulated, but probably not in our lifetimes. We will suffer the consequences of unregulated AI with deep fakes and fake videos for a long time before there is a political movement to put it down."

The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

WhySoConspirious

Related: People Are Sharing Their Wildest Vegas Experiences And These 41 Stories Will Make Your Jaw Drop To The Floor

3. "Corporate campaign contributions."

UCG / UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

aredd007

"The crazy part is that corporations are, generally, owned by individuals, who already can contribute to their interests. A corporation then contributing more is literally double-counting."

Swimming-Tax-6087

"Corporate campaign contributions are just 'corruption' with extra paperwork!"

No_Concept_6855

4. "Unpaid internships disguised as 'opportunities.'"

Marco VDM / Getty Images

bomerwrong

5. "Why is it legal for investment firms to buy up single-family homes ? All that does is push up the price for one of the most basic necessities: housing."

Tim Boyle / Getty Images

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paradockers

"There should be a big fat tax on all property that isn't being used as a standard residence by the owner, with some (limited number and scope) businesses excluded."

exoriparian

6. "Tanning beds. It's basically a cancer administering device that also cooks the outside layer of your skin."

Donald Miralle / Getty Images

supervillaindsgnr

"Tanning beds have been illegal in Australia since 2015."

TheDeterminedBadger

7. "Ads for medicine on TV. People will be like, 'Yeah, that kinda sounds like me.' Then they want to go get on a medication they dont actually need."

Commercial Archivist / Via youtube.com

SpartanKilo

"We already knew that a long time ago, but corporate lobbying got the laws changed back in the 1980s."

fordag

8. "Stock trading politicians."

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Fockelot

"I remember looking at my partner one day being like, 'Wait, if you're involved in any kind of lawmaking that can impact stocks, how can you be allowed to trade stocks?' Their response was 'yep.'"

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huge-gold-ak47

9. "Tying health insurance to employment, where medical debt is the biggest source of bankruptcy in the US."

LordHenriVoton / Getty Images

sg16k

"Medical debt also shouldn't be a thing."

iamthe0ther0ne

Related: Everyone Is Acting Like An A-Hole Lately, So Here Are 50 Photos Of Absolutely Infuriating People

10. "Kids' beauty pageants."

Lisa Wiltse / Corbis via Getty Images

buhbye750

"I work at a theater, and have run spotlight for more than a few pageants. The amount (particularly, the lack of) clothing these 5-10 year old girls have on on stage, dancing to oftentimes questionable music... the pressure of these competitions alone is dangerous, but the borderline sexualization of them is depraved. I don't understand how parents stomach it, much less encourage it."

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AurFerrous

"I did them as a child, and I hated them. I was so happy when I had to give my title to the next girl. It was so much work and none of it was fun."

fckinsleepless

11. "The supplement industry being unregulated."

Fcafotodigital / Getty Images

kp1794

12. "Non-anesthetized gynecological procedures. If they were cutting tissue out of a man's penis, I guarantee they at least get a local."

Tempura / Getty Images

tiredassbaker

"This! I just had a polyp removed from inside my cervix three weeks ago for a biopsy. They twisted it off and yanked it to remove it. No anesthesia of any kind. I almost fainted from the pain."

Brainyviolet

13. "Predatory student loan interest."

Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images

No_Spring_1090

14. "A five-day work week, I hope. A four-day work week has already been proven to be beneficial to employees' health and the employer/company, since productivity and morale go up."

Miniseries / Getty Images

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Ayde-Aitch-Dee

Related: 42 Horrifically Self-Absorbed, Entitled, And Just Plain Rude People Who Proved We're In An Epidemic Of Selfishness Right Now

15. "Factory farming."

Naphtalina / Getty Images

Alert-Switch1179

"It is the single biggest polluter on Earth if you count in the whole line of production involved (which many statistics unfortunately don't)."

bookface5

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

wombatgeneral

"I work as a forensic toxicologist, and we just recently added mitragynine (the active compound in kratom) to our urine assays because our clients are starting to request it more and more. Its becoming more popular recently, and at high dosages, it can cause respiratory failure. Its a very dont-fucking-do-this kind of drug and is especially dangerous the more you concentrate it. Eventually, the purity/volume you can buy at any damn gas station WILL literally kill you just like heroin. We will definitely see its legality come into the spotlight in our lifetimes."

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CleanHippy_07

17. "Gerrymandering."

NurPhoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Fomentor

18. "Sports gambling!"

Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images

noeffinkings

"Id settle for making it illegal to advertise it."

Figgy_Puddin_Taine

19. "Allowing private equity firms to buy hospitals/healthcare systems and sell them off for parts . Hopefully."

UCG / UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Muscle-Cars-1970

20. "Having dental insurance and eye insurance separate from medical insurance. We already know that all three have major interactions with each other."

Skynesher / Getty Images

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Famous_Stop2794

21. "Climbing Mt. Everest."

Picture Alliance / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Golemo

Related: "Had I Just Held My Pee In, I'd Be The One Currently In A Coffin:" 21 People Who  By The Skin Of Their Teeth  Survived Nearly Fatal Situations

22. "Parents posting children under 14 on the internet with the intent of making them online celebrities. 'Kidfluencing' is child abuse."

Iryna Olkhova / Getty Images

falafelville

23. "Burning coal to produce electricity."

Joe Sohm/Visions Of America / Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

ES_Legman

24. "Disposable 'fast fashion.'"

RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP via Getty Images

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sardonically-amused

25. "Probably all the wild data-harvesting apps do to us. It feels normal now, but one day, people are going to be like 'Wait, why did we let companies track every move we made?' I definitely think thatll end up illegal once everyone realizes how bad it is."

MTStock Studio / Getty Images

BraveMarionberry9984

26. "Lifetime career in politics or the judiciary."

Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

mc_stever

27. And finally, "The production of plastics that don't biodegrade. We have the audacity to snicker at our ancestors for eating off of lead plates when we all literally have our brains full of forever chemicals and shards of garbage."

NurPhoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Particular-Scholar70

Now I gotta know  what do you think will be illegal in the future? Let us know in the comments. And if you'd like to remain anonymous, you can use the form below.

Also in Internet Finds: 43 People Who Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really (And I Mean Really) Failed

Also in Internet Finds: 50 People Who Came Up With The Greatest "Life Hacks" Of All Time

Also in Internet Finds: People In HR Revealed Truly Unhinged Reasons Employees Got Fired, And My Jaw Is On The Floor

Read it on BuzzFeed.com
According to PRO Defence of Rajasthan, this idea was conceptualised by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, Army commander, Sapta Shakti Command. The seminar aims to foster synergy among the Armed Forces, civil administration, industry, and academia to evolve a unified framework for national security.

PRO Defence adds that the event will feature four thematic sessions focusing on the strategic imperatives of WoNA, partnerships for collaboration, information operations, and state-level frameworks for addressing future conflicts, with Rajasthan serving as a case study.

Eminent speakers, including senior military officers, diplomats, civil servants, and strategic experts, will deliberate on emerging multi-domain threats and innovative defence strategies aligned with 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and 'Atmanirbharta'.

The seminar aims to generate valuable insights and strengthen the collective national approach to security in an increasingly complex and dynamic global environment. (ANI)
Four people are dead and 11 more are wounded, including one seriously, after a car crashed into a bar in Tampa, Florida early Saturday morning.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw says the departments air service was monitoring a reckless driver on the interstate when he sped off.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Around 12:45 a.m., officers and Florida Highway Patrol spotted the vehicle and began chasing it.

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Eventually, the driver lost control and crashed into a business, hitting more than a dozen people who were outside.

WFTS identified that business as Bradleys on 7th, a popular gay bar.

Police say three people died at the scene and a fourth died at the hospital.

Of the 11 injured victims, one is hospitalized in critical condition and eight others are listed as stable. Two victims had minor injuries and declined treatment.

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What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted, said Chief Bercaw. Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger. The Tampa Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families.

Police say before the chase, the car had been spotted street racing.

The driver was identified as Silas Sampson, 22.

None of the victims identities have been released.

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Four people are dead, and nearly a dozen were hurt after a car crashed into a bar during a police chase in Florida.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The crash happened in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa.

Around 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, Tampa police were monitoring a vehicle driving recklessly on I-275.

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The driver continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed.

The same vehicle was spotted street racing earlier in the night, according to Tampa police.

Around 12:45 a.m., police began to chase the vehicle and attempted an unsuccessful PIT maneuver as the driver continued at a high rate of speed.

Police stopped the chase.

The driver continued to speed, lost control, and crashed into a business, hitting more than a dozen people who were outside.

Three people died at the scene, a fourth victim died at the hospital, Tampa police said.

A fifth victim is in critical condition. Eight additional victims are being treated at hospitals and are stable.

All victims are adults.

The suspect was detained on scene and has been identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson.

We will continue to follow this story.

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Police in Wilmington are investigating a shooting that left five people injured Friday night, just one block from the city's police headquarters.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. in the 400 block of East 4th Street.

According to Wilmington Police, officers responded around 10:06 p.m. and located five gunshot victims. Among those shot were a 35-year-old woman, a 28-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man, a 56-year-old man, and a 60-year-old man. All were transported to Christiana Hospital in stable condition.

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Authorities have not released details about the circumstances of the shooting or any suspects. The incident remains under investigation, and police say additional information will be released when available.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Wilmington police.
Fontana authorities have arrested four men believed to be part of a South American organized crime group following an investigation into a vehicle burglary and related thefts across Southern California, officials said.

The case began on Oct. 11, when a woman withdrew $80,000 in cash from a bank in Fontana. Detectives say the victim was followed to a secondary location in the city, where her car was burglarized and the money stolen.

Investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Departments Fontana Station, working closely with the Fontana Police Department, identified four suspects: Braham Jul Avila Gomez, 28; Eddy Bogota Garzon, 42; Claudio Fernando Mena, 44; and Jose Fernando Pinto Ramirez, 32.

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Authorities said the suspects were members of a South American Theft Group specializing in organized crime. During the investigation, law enforcement observed the group conducting physical and electronic surveillance of potential victims and employing counter-surveillance techniques to avoid detection.

Braham Jul Avila Gomez, 28, a Colombian national, is accused of participating in a sophisticated vehicle theft ring in Southern California. (SBSD) Eddy Bogota Garzon, 42, a Colombian national, is charged in connection with organized theft and burglary activities across the region. (SBSD) Claudio Fernando Mena, 44, a Colombian national, faces charges for his alleged role in a South American theft group operating in California. (SBSD) Jose Fernando Pinto Ramirez, 32, a Colombian national, was arrested for his involvement in a coordinated car burglary and theft conspiracy. (SBSD)

Felony assault charges filed against former police officer following school incident

On Nov. 6, search warrants were served at the suspects residences, yielding evidence linking them to the Fontana vehicle burglary and a conspiracy to commit additional crimes, including residential burglaries. All four were arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center.

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The investigation is ongoing, and authorities believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department is urging anyone with information about related crimes to contact the Fontana Sheriffs Station at (909) 356-6767. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or submit tips online.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A 65-year-old man has died in Nevada after falling 100 feet off the edge of the Grand Canyon, rescue officials have said.

Officers from the Mohave County Sheriff's Office received a call to assist a technical recovery at Guano Point, on the West Rim of the canyon, at around 2 p.m. local time Thursday.

They discovered that the man, who has not been identified publicly, had slipped and fallen over the side and into the canyon.

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Search and Rescue personnel responded and located the man about 130 feet down on a scree pile, the Sheriffs office said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 65-year-old man has died in Nevada after falling 100 feet off the edge of the Grand Canyon, rescue officials have said (Mohave County Sheriff's Office)

Officers from the Mohave County Sheriff's Office received a call to assist a technical recovery at Guano Point, on the West Rim of the canyon, at around 2 p.m. local time Thursday (Mohave County Sheriff's Office)

Technical rope technicians set up a lowering and raising system using ropes to recover the man before transporting his body to the Mohave County Medical Examiner's Office.

Photos shared by the Sheriffs office showed the dramatic recovery operations.

The sheriffs office also thanked the Hualapai Tribal Police Department, Hualapai Nation Fire, Grand Canyon West Security for their assistance.

Photos shared by the Sheriffs office showed the dramatic recovery operations (Mohave County Sheriff's Office)

Our condolences are with his family. Please respect their privacy during this time, a statement said.

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The Independent has reached out to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office for any further information on the incident.

Guano Point is known to offer some of the most dramatic views of the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, featuring the remnants of a historic tram used by historic workers to mine the canyon and Highpoint Hike a railingless trail.

The tragic incident occurred not long after a Colorado man found dead in his vehicle drove over the rim of the popular South Kaibab hiking trail in the canyon.

Technical rope technicians set up a lowering and raising system using ropes to recover the man before transporting his body to the Mohave County Medical Examiner's Office (Mohave County Sheriff's Office)

The Grand Canyon National Park Service (NPS) said that park rangers responded to the scene about 300 feet below the rim in a statement.

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The drivers body was transported out by helicopter before being transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiners Office.

In July, a 67-year-old man died while hiking in the Grand Canyon, according to the NPS, as the region faced punishing extreme heat.
DANVILLE  An adult male was rescued by Danville Firefighters during a fire at a two-story residence late Thursday night.

According to a release from the Danville Fire Department, crews responded to a reported structure fire at 601 N. Beard Street at approximately 10:43 p.m. on Thursday.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a fully involved detached garage fire with flames extending into the residence and threatening a nearby garage structure.

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While firefighters worked at extinguishing the fire, occupants, who had fled the home, advised firefighters that everyone was out. However, while performing a walk around the structure, the incident commander spotted a flashlight moving on the second story.

Firefighters from Engine 1 were ordered to perform a rescue. Crews from Station 1 placed a ground ladder to the second-story window, entered the home and rescued an adult male. The victim was treated on scene by Arrow Ambulance personnel and released. No firefighter injuries were reported.

Crews remained on scene until 12:51 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Danville Fire Department Fire Investigation Team and the Illinois State Fire Marshals Office.

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Chief Aaron Marcott praised the coordinated efforts of all responders:

This was a well-coordinated operation that directly resulted in a life being saved. The professionalism and teamwork of our firefighters reflect the training and commitment they bring to every call.

The Danville Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Danville Police Department, Arrow Ambulance, and Ameren Illinois.

Anyone with information about this fire is encouraged to contact Captain Ryan Allison at (217) 431-2350.
Afghanistans Taliban rulers have blamed Pakistan for a lack of results after mediated talks by Qatar and Turkiye in Istanbul, but have insisted a previously agreed ceasefire will hold despite recent clashes between the two neighbouring countries.

The end of the talks on Friday without any resolution came shortly after the Taliban said several Afghan civilians were killed and others were wounded in clashes along the border with Pakistan.

Two days of talks were conducted in good faith, with the Taliban expecting Islamabad to present realistic and implementable demands to reach a fundamental solution, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement published on social media on Saturday morning.

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During the talks, the Pakistani side attempted to refer all responsibilities regarding its security to the Afghan government, while at the same time it did not demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistans security or its own.

Mujahid claimed that Pakistan exhibited irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude which meant that there was no outcome from the talks.

At a news conference later on, the spokesman stressed that the ceasefire has not been violated by the Taliban, and will continue to be observed.

Pakistans government did not immediately react to the statement.

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But Pakistan had on Friday also confirmed that the talks were at a deadlock, and no real progress was made as a ceasefire brokered by Qatar remained intact.

Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad will not support any steps by the Taliban government that are not in the interest of the Afghan people or neighbouring countries.

Pakistan maintains that Taliban authorities have failed to honour pledges made with the international community under a 2021 Doha peace accord to combat terrorism.

Pakistan believes that the authorities in Kabul are harbouring armed groups, particularly the Pakistan Taliban (Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan or TTP), which has mounted dozens of deadly attacks across Pakistan. The country has launched a series of deadly air attacks inside Afghanistan in response, and there were explosions in Kabul last month that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan.

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The Taliban denies sheltering the TTP group, and claims it remains committed to mutual security.

Mujahid said the Taliban will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory against another country, nor will it permit any country to use its territory to take actions against or support actions that undermine Afghanistans national sovereignty, independence, or security.

He said the people of Pakistan are friends and brothers, but Kabul will firmly defend against any aggression.

Islamabad has also thanked mediators Qatar and Turkiye for their assistance, but has emphasised that all necessary measures will be taken to protect Pakistans people and its sovereignty.

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During fighting that started in early October, 50 civilians were killed and 447 wounded on the Afghan side of the border, according to the United Nations. Explosions in Kabul killed at least five people.

The Pakistani army said 23 of its soldiers were killed in attacks by the Taliban and 29 others wounded, but has not mentioned civilian casualties.




Twas about two months before Christmas, when all through the base, privatized housing residents got a message that their Yuletide decorations were out of place.

The message, which was sent to troops and their families assigned to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, was posted earlier this week on the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page.

While driving [through] the neighborhoods yesterday, it was noticed that Christmas decorations have already begun to appear within the community, the message said. All holiday decorations should be reflective in their respective months and not any sooner than 30 days before the given holiday. If you currently have Yuletide decor present on the outside of your home, please remove it and reinstall it in accordance with your community guidelines listed below.

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Air Force Capt. Justin Davidson-Beebe, the public affairs chief at Tyndall, confirmed that the message came from Balfour Beatty Communities, the landlord for all privatized housing on the base.

They are enforcing the community standards outlined in the legally binding lease agreement all residents voluntarily sign, Davidson-Beebe told Task & Purpose on Thursday.

Those standards specify that winter decorations can be displayed starting the week after Thanksgiving until the first week of the New Year, Davidson-Beebe said.

Santa Claus poses for a photo during Tyndall Air Force Bases holiday tree lighting event at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 4, 2024. Air Force photo by Jennifer Jensen.

These guidelines are not part of a broader Air Force policy, Davidson-Beebe said. Since community standards are set by the privatized housing management company at some installations, standards may vary from base to base.

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He also said the standards for holiday decorations comply with the Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights, which Congress created as part of the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization to address longstanding problems with privatized housing.

Although the Defense Department unveiled the Tenant Bill of Rights in 2020, privatized housing companies still wield enormous power over service members and their families, and many military families are unaware of their housing rights.

A spokesperson for Balfour Beatty Communities confirmed to Task & Purpose that the companys community guidelines include a standard policy that decorations are allowed to be displayed 30 days before a holiday.

While this is not a Department of Defense policy, it is common practice across rental communities and homeowners associations to help ensure neighborhoods remain neat, consistent, and enjoyable for all residents, the spokesperson said. Most residents appreciate clear, reasonable guidelines so that the community remains a pleasant place to live and celebrate.

In short, even though Starbucks may have broken out its holiday cups, the airmen and families living in privatized housing will have to wait a few more weeks before hanging the Christmas lights with care in the hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  Alabamas members of Congress are speaking out about the government shutdown.

We are now on day 38 of the government shutdown, and Alabama Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives disagree on how to get the government back up and running.

Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL) said the Senate needs Democrats to join Republicans in order to open the government. He supports President Donald Trumps suggestion of using the nuclear option. That means ending the filibuster and making the decision a simple majority vote.

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No way it can be blamed on us, said Congressman Moore. We are literally passing a C-R that the Democrats have already voted for under the Biden administration, and again this year in May. And so, for them to blame the Republicans- its simply not a real issue, its really a false flag.

But, on the other side of the aisle, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) said Republicans are to blame for the shutdown.

The Next 10 Years: New venues add to Magic Citys draw for arts, entertainment

We know that we cannot pass a budget unless its bipartisan. So, lets sit at the table, and lets negotiate a bipartisan agreement that will reopen government, that will protect healthcare, that will fully fund SNAP and other important programs, she said.

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Sewell said Republicans should vote to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.

I know that my Republican colleagues have been trying to get rid of it, said Sewell. But we have a problem in America when it comes to healthcare and the skyrocketing cost of healthcare.

Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) said Republicans are willing to discuss healthcare after opening the government.

This is not a partisan bill. This is not anything for Democrats, not for Republicans. Its not anything for anyone except just opening the government, he said. We have passed in the House. Were just waiting on the Senate to vote for it.

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According to The Hill, the Senate chamber is expected to work through the weekend.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
A European lawmaker for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) has defended his party's plans for a trip to Russia against fierce criticism from mainstream parties.

Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Hans Neuhoff told the Handelsblatt business newspaper in comments published on Saturday that the accusations that he was too close to the Russian government from two conservative politicians were "unqualified."

The criticism came from the general secretary of the Christian Social Union (CSU), Martin Huber, and a foreign policy politician from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Roderich Kiesewetter. The sister parties form Germany's conservative bloc.

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"I am travelling to a congress organized by the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the topic of perspectives of relations between EU countries and BRICS countries, and I will also be giving a lecture there," explained Neuhoff.

Participants from the entire spectrum of BRICS countries and several EU countries are expected at the congress, according to Neuhoff. "Conservative bloc politicians who think we should ignore BRICS have understood nothing about geopolitics. They are leading Germany and Europe into isolation, not into a prosperous future," Neuhoff said.

The abbreviation BRICS stands for the initial five members of the group of emerging industrial nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The criticism specifically concerns a planned trip by Steffen Kotre and Rainer Rothfuss, both AfD members of the German lower house of parliament, or Bundestag, Saxony's AfD state leader Jorg Urban and MEP Neuhoff to a political science conference in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The symposium is organized by the Institute of Europe and organizers from the Kremlin party United Russia. The event was held for the first time last year.
The NTPC Bongaigaon celebrated the organisation's 51st Raising Day, marking the Golden Jubilee of NTPC Limited, with great enthusiasm and pride at its Administrative Building, a release from the Ministry of Power said. The celebration brought together employees, their families and members of the local community through a series of events that highlighted the company's spirit of unity, progress, and sustainability. The programme began with the unfurling of the NTPC flag by Arnab Maitra, Head of Project, NTPC Bongaigaon, and the release of colourful NTPC-themed balloons to commemorate the milestone. In his address, Maitra highlighted NTPC's remarkable journey from its inception in 1975 at Singrauli to becoming India's largest integrated power producer, with an installed capacity exceeding 84 GW, including joint ventures and subsidiaries. He commended NTPC Bongaigaon's contribution of 750 MW towards ensuring an uninterrupted 24/7 power supply to the North Eastern region, maintaining an impressive Declared Capacity (DC) of 98.61 per cent. He also reaffirmed the company's strong focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and environmental sustainability while expressing gratitude to all stakeholders for their continued support. The event was attended by Anurag Gupta, GM (O&M), LN Meitei, Commandant, CISF, Kasturi Maitra, President, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club, along with senior officials, departmental representatives, members of employees' unions and associations, and office bearers of the Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club. As part of the celebrations, six employees were honoured with the Power Excel Awards for their exemplary performance and dedication. Four employees designated as Master Trainers under the Government of India's Rashtriya KarmYogi Training Programme were also felicitated for their contributions to learning and development within the organisation. The celebration featured a special rendition of "Vande Mataram" by employees, marking 150 years of the iconic patriotic song. The performance added a deep sense of pride and reverence to the occasion, connecting NTPC's Golden Jubilee with the nation's enduring cultural legacy. Earlier in the day, a Walkathon was organised within the NTPC township, engaging employees and their families in a spirit of togetherness and fitness. A mass plantation drive was also conducted under the coordination of the Environment Monitoring Group (EMG) Department, during which over 2,000 saplings were planted, reinforcing NTPC's commitment to green and sustainable initiatives. Established on November 7, 1975, NTPC has been at the forefront of India's power sector transformation for five decades. Today, it stands as the nation's leading energy major, committed to generating reliable, affordable, and sustainable power. With a vision to achieve 150 GW of capacity by 2032, NTPC continues to expand its operations across thermal, gas, hydro, nuclear, and renewable energy sources, driving the nation towards a greener and more energy-secure future. (ANI)
More American homeowners are looking to move south next year.

Nearly half of the top 25 cities on movers radars were concentrated in the American South and Southwest, according to a new study by Move Buddha. The moving technology company surveyed search data from 2019 through 2025 to forecast the countrys most sought-after locales in 2026.

One Southern city easily proved the most popular, while other US hotspots fell to the wayside.

This Appalachian City is projected to surpass Savannah in popularity among American movers. Yuan Yue  stock.adobe.com

Knoxville, situated at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, has enjoyed a popular streak in recent years. jonbilous  stock.adobe.com

Vancouver, Washington tied with Tulsa for next years second-most popular metro among movers. Nate Hovee  stock.adobe.com

Brokers in Knoxville, Tennessee have a lot to look forward to next year.

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Knoxville, situated at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, maintained its popular streak among homebuyers this year, trailing Savannah, Georgia in movers search queries.

The mid-sized Appalachian city may just usurp Savannah in 2026, with 1.61 newcomers predicted to move in for every one local headed out.

Tulsa, Oklahoma and Vancouver,Washington tied for second place. A five-year spike in mover interest could bring Tulsa waves of new residents in the new year, putting it neck-and-neck with the increasingly popular Portland suburb of Vancouver.

American college towns are increasingly attractive to prospective homebuyers. James Rice  stock.adobe.com

Austins housing market is expected to lose some of its edge in 2026. David  stock.adobe.com

Mid-sized, university-anchored towns, particularly in Southern and Southwestern regions, dominated the rankings. These up-and-coming cities offer homeowners a youthful, thriving cultural scene and steady job markets.

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Despite its college town status, however, former hotspot Austin, Texas documented a 40% decline in mover interest since 2019. Move Buddha predicted the Lonestar city will average move outflow than in-moves in 2026.

The capital citys recent housing boom flipped the script on its competitive real estate market, paving the way for major discounts for renters and buyers alike.

St. Paul, Minnesota numbered among Midwestern cities expected to see a glut of moving trucks next year. andreykr  stock.adobe.com

Up in the Midwest, comeback kid St. Paul, Minnesota racked up 122% growth in mover interest since 2019  the highest in the country, according to the study.

Interest in Minnesota moves outpaced both Milwaukee and Chicago, both of which enjoyed more than 40% spikes in move-related searches over the past five years.

The bright lights of New York City will always attract newcomers, but the analysis documented a nearly 28% decline in interest since 2019. Still, the Big Apple is expected to welcome 1.12 moving vans onto its jam-packed streets for every one van headed out in 2026.
CNN analyst Cari Champion was floored on Saturday to find she actually agreed with pro-Trump radio host Arthur Aidala on the current government shutdown.

On CNNs Table for Five on Saturday, Aidala called for both Republicans and Democrats to set their political differences aside to fund the federal government. The call came amid federal employees missing paychecks and looming questions about funding for federal assistance programs like SNAP.

I wonder if both sides would take off their little Democratic pin and their little Republican pin and say, you know what, I am Im an American and these are the people who I serve and theyre hungry they are they are literally hungry and so Im gonna put aside and Trump and this but and lets just fix it and lets feed lets feet our American citizens, Aidala, a criminal defense attorney and Trump ally who was reportedly considered for Brooklyn U.S. Attorney, argued.

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Arthur, I dont know if I have a fever or what. This is the first time Ive ever agreed with you on this show. Thank goodness. I agree with all of that, a surprised Champion responded, making both laugh.

She also blasted both sides of the aisle for what she argued are simple bad optics for everyone.

Champion said:

Youre so right. And even what makes it even more scary is how tone deaf this administration appears  and Im referring to the president. You know, its like ballrooms over baby food. Like, what are we talking about here? Why are we showing bathrooms? Whats really going on? Most Americans, I read, maybe can afford to miss one paycheck. I dont know how many Americans could do that when I was growing up. If it was paycheck to paycheck, literally, so you miss one, now were at two. This administration has repurposed funds, billions of dollars, and given them to certain folks that actually feed his agenda. And Im all like, wait, why dont you want to give these people money? Tell me again how this helps your agenda. And this is also for the Democrats. I understand youre gonna present a bill and you think that youre taking a moral high ground, but nobody wins at the end of the day. Nobody.

Republicans and Democrats remain in a standstill as the shutdown has dragged on more than a month. Democrats are demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies to be part of a continuing resolution to fund the government, but Republicans have refused to budge.

Watch above via CNN.

The post Anti-Trump CNN Analyst Floored as She Agrees with Trump Fan on Shutdown first appeared on Mediaite.
The Second District Court of Appeals has made its ruling regarding the future of a Sheetz location in Centerville.

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In a court ruling obtained by News Center 7, the appeals court affirmed the original decision made in the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. This means the Centerville City Commission needs to accept the recommendations of the Centerville Planning Commission, which approved the plan for the site on Far Hills Avenue.

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The location is the current site of Elsas restaurant.

TRENDING STORIES:

As previously reported, the city appealed the decision in January, claiming the current ruling challenges the citys ability to enforce the standards of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and and safeguard the interests of its residents, institutions and businesses.

News Center 7 reached out to the City of Centerville about the ruling. They released the following statement:

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The City of Centerville is disappointed by the recent decision from the Second District Court of Appeals. This case has never been about a single development: it has always been about protecting the Citys right to make responsible land use decisions that reflect the values and priorities of our community. City Council carefully and unanimously determined that this proposal was not consistent with the surrounding properties or with Centervilles long-established development standards. City Councils functions vary but include serving in both administrative and quasi-judicial capacities. This case was clearly about the critical administrative role of the Centerville City Council, and we continue to strongly believe that local elected officials, those most familiar with the needs and character of their community, should retain the authority to make these important planning and zoning decisions. The City is currently reviewing the Courts decision and evaluating all available options moving forward.

There are still questions about the sale of alcohol on the site. An ordinance banning alcohol sales for off-site consumption at the location was previously approved by voters. Its currently unknown if that will hinder the development or if Sheetz is seeking any type of legal action or other method to challenge the ordinance passed, or if theyll continue with the site without carry-out alcohol sales.

I dont understand why the city is getting involved in it. Its more money for the city, Denise Foster said.

But others living in the area did not want Sheetz as their neighbor; they even voted on an ordinance where Sheetz could not sell alcohol.

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This entire Far Hills area is just as congested as can be, Max McGill of Centerville said.

McGill said he thinks a gas station the size of Sheetz could do more harm than good.

Traffic would negate any benefit we would get from having them here, he said.

News Center 7 has reached out to the lawyer representing Sheetz and Elsas about the ruling. We were told they would have more to say next week.

Well update this story as we learn more.

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The Roman intaglio stone depicting two cupids picking grapes. | Credit: Elaine Vallack

Excavations at a Roman fort in England north of Hadrian's Wall have revealed a unique engraved gemstone depicting a grape-harvesting scene from Roman mythology  imagery that's rarely found in northern Europe.

The red stone was likely originally set in a signet ring and used by a Roman man as his personal correspondence stamp, Bob Jackson of the Redesdale Archaeology Group , who has overseen multiple digs at the site, said in a statement . The design is "thought to be unique in Britain and northern Europe," excavation director Richard Carlton , an archaeologist at Newcastle University, said in the statement.

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Researchers recently wrapped up the fifth season of excavation at Bremenium , a Roman fort in Northumberland, about 24 miles (39 kilometers) north of Hadrian's Wall . Originally constructed in the late first century A.D., Bremenium was important for military operations in Scotland and for warning the Romans about attacks from the north. After Hadrian's Wall was completed in A.D. 128, Bremenium became a key communications outpost.

Since 2021, archaeological excavation has focused on the structures outside the main fort, which were built and rebuilt several times between the late first and third centuries. Researchers also discovered a rare lime kiln in a previous excavation at Bremenium. It was likely used to produce quicklime  the basis for mortar, plaster and concrete  to construct the fort's ramparts, or defensive walls.

"The results in 2025 add to those made in previous years by confirming the presence of the inner enclosure wall," Carlton said. "Numerous pottery and other items indicate the original buildings were infilled, probably in the third century, with later buildings and yard surfaces."

Archaeologists uncovered stone structures in the annex to Bremenium Fort, which is north of Hadrian's Wall in the U.K. | Credit: Elaine Vallack

Among the artifacts uncovered this year were examples of Roman pottery from across the Roman Empire , including an amphora, or clay jug, that was made in northern Spain to transport olive oil to Bremenium, according to the statement. The archaeologists also found a lead sling bullet from a Roman soldier's kit, a votive oil lamp, a lead seal for official documents, several brooches and two engraved gems called intaglios.

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The larger intaglio depicts two winged Cupid figures picking grapes from a tree. There is a goat-like creature next to them, stretching itself up on its hind legs. The unusual intaglio is rare for northern Europe, according to Carlton, but it's similar to ones found in northern Italy and Croatia.

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"It seems likely that the gem reflects the likely origin of the wearer, who may have come from the Mediterranean," Carlton told the BBC .

"This year's finds are exceptional in both quantity and quality," Jackson said. "The range of pottery and metalwork, especially the amphora and the intact brooches, offer new insights into trade, craftsmanship, and daily life at Bremenium."

The researchers plan to return to Bremenium next year for further excavations at the fort.



Editor's note: This story was updated at 12:15 p.m. ET on Nov. 7 to correct the word "northeastern" to "northern" in a quote.

Roman Britain quiz: What do you know about the Empire's conquest of the British Isles?
A semi-truck driver is facing first-degree manslaughter charges after two Oklahoma college students were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 in March.

In the evening hours of March 21, Emmaleigh Arnold, 21, and Aiden Martin, 22, were riding westbound in a black Kia Forte on the interstate. The vehicle had come to a stop because of a long line of traffic from a lane closure and ongoing construction around mile marker 182.

The two young adults were then killed after their vehicle was struck from behind by a white Freightliner semi-truck.

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The driver of the semi, Carolyn Marie Melendez, 64, told responding Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers that she had been reaching for a water bottle on the floorboard, according to a probable cause affidavit.

She "failed to devote her full time and attention to the roadway, posted construction warning signs, and the traffic conditions," troopers wrote in the affidavit.

Later that month, investigators reviewed dash camera footage, including from the semi-truck Melendez was driving, which showed the truck hitting the Kia at full speed. One more occupant of the Kia Forte and at least two more motorists in cars that had stopped ahead of it also were injured in the collision.

More: Oklahoma troopers, ICE arrest 73 undocumented immigrants in Operation Guardian crackdown

An SUV branded with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is parked outside the Robert R. Lester Training Center in northeast Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

Charges of manslaughter were filed on Nov. 4 in Pottawatomie County, and a warrant has been issued for Melendez's arrest. Court records listed Melendez's address as Glendale, Arizona. Filings did not show an attorney for Melendez in the manslaughter case.

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Assistant District Attorney Adam Kallsnick, in a statement Nov. 5, said that "while tragic, the collision was entirely avoidable," but could not comment further, adding that the case was just in the initial stages of criminal proceedings.

"(Melendez) is presumed innocent of the charges and has a right to due process within the court system," Kallsnick's statement read. "Once she is arrested on the warrant, those proceedings will begin. I am confident that when all of the facts and evidence are presented in court, justice will be obtained on behalf of Aiden and Emmaliegh and their loved ones."

More: Oklahoma's Busy Roads: Understanding Risks and Responses to Multi-Vehicle Accidents

The Pottawatomie County Courthouse stands at 325 N Broadway Ave, Shawnee, OK. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Parents of the two victims have also filed a civil suit against Melendez and the transportation companies involved in her employment, pursuing punitive damages and alleging gross negligence and wrongful death.

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"As a direct and proximate cause of the negligence of Melendez and her employer Pamma, Martin and Arnold died in a horrifying manner," lawyers with the Watts and Watts firm wrote. "Aiden Martin and Emmaleigh Arnold had their entire lives ahead of them. At the time of their senseless deaths, they were proud students at the University of Oklahoma."

In a court-filed response to the suit, Joseph Farris, an attorney for Pamma Transportation Inc., admitted some of the facts of the case but denied accusations of the company's "negligent entrustment" of Melendez. He did not return requests for comment Friday.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Woman wanted in manslaughter case after crash kills two OU students
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark.  A couple already accused of keeping a 15-year-old boy locked in a bathroom while starving and naked are now facing a deep list of new criminal charges after being arrested in Mansfield, Arkansas, on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Jaclyn Barnett faces 40 new charges in Arkansas:

10 counts of rape

10 counts of second-degree sexual assault

10 counts of sexual indecency

10 counts of false imprisonment with risk of injury

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In addition, Daniel Wright is charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment with the risk of injury in the first degree.

The pair were due for trial next week on their original case, which is detailed below. They were out on bond prior to their arrest this week. There are no court dockets that indicate the two were violating their bond conditions.

They are currently in jail on $1 million bonds. The details behind their new charges have been sealed by the court.

CASE BACKGROUND

Barnett and Wright were originally charged a year ago after authorities discovered a naked 15-year-old boy locked in a bathroom in their home, leading to authorities filing more than 100 charges of false imprisonment against the pair.

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The original cases court documents filed in Baxter County, Arkansas, allege that Barnett and Wright kept the teen locked in the bathroom of the master bedroom in their apartment, with no clothing and only a pallet to sleep on.

Police got involved on Nov. 2, 2024, when a downstairs neighbor at the familys apartment complex called 911 reporting cries coming from another unit, court documents say.

Two other children were at the home but first told officers they did not know who could be in the bathroom.

Upon further questioning, they led an officer to the room where he found that door held closed by a ratchet strap.

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After releasing the strap, the boy was let out and told police his mother had locked him in the room on Friday night with no clothes and only a pallet to sleep on.

The boy, who was described as low-functioning and small for his age, told police he was only let out to go to school and only got to eat at school, court documents say.

How 29 abuse calls stacked up against parents before Mountain Home police intervened

When interviewed by police, Barnett and Wright said they had no idea the child was locked in the bathroom and that the other children must have been responsible.

When officers asked the other children to operate the ratchet strap, they could not perform the task, court documents say.

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Last year, the pair were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, permitting the abuse of a minor and 112 counts of false imprisonment.

Those counts of false imprisonment are based on the number of days officials believe the boy was let out of the room to attend school and locked up again upon returning home.

The affidavit also states that 29 hotline cases of mistreatment have been opened involving the boy since 2013.

Calls from mandated reporters included failure to provide food, failure to provide essential needs and extreme or repeated cruelty.

What to do if you suspect child abuse

If you have concerns a child is at risk of child abuse, there are steps you can take in addition to calling a child abuse hotline.

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The Child Advocacy Center suggests also filing a police report. If you dont have evidence for a report, you can request that police conduct a check of the childs well-being, according to previous Ozarks First coverage.

Reporters note: The original version of this article stated they were arrested in Mansfield, Missouri, rather than the corrected location of Mansfield, Arkansas. The reporter regrets this error.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The attorney for murder suspect Austin Drummond is fighting a Lake County judges order to move him to a state prison while he awaits trial.

Drummonds attorney, Drew Farmer, filed a motion arguing the transfer is illegal, since Tenn. law only allows convicted inmates to be held in a penitentiary.

Austin Drummond will be moved to TDOC prison ahead of trial

Farmer says sending Drummond to the Tennessee Department of Correction before trial adds an unfair stigma of guilt and violates his clients right to be presumed innocent.

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Hes now asking the court for permission to appeal that transfer before the trial begins.

Drummond is accused of murdering four people and abandoning a baby in a case that sparked a statewide manhunt.

The judge granted a motion, over the defenses objection, to transfer Drummond to a Tennessee Department of Corrections prison pending his trial due to his behavior in jail.

Lake Countys sheriff told the court his jail just doesnt have the appropriate facilities to house a prisoner like Drummond.

Whats inside Austin Drummonds 400+ page TDOC file

The location of the prison where he will be housed was not disclosed.

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Drummond is due in court in November.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Authorities in Bangladesh found 50 illegally smuggled turtles at an indoor play center where staff had decorated the animals' shells with cartoon characters before offering them to kids, The Business Standard reported.

What happened?

The Forest Department's Wildlife Crime Control Unit raided the Disney Plus Indoor Playground in Dhaka on October 9 and confiscated several red-eared slider turtles. The business had brought in the animals from China without the required permits and offered them to kids for 600 taka (about $5) each. Staff had applied colorful designs to the shells to appeal to young customers.

Wildlife Inspector Abdullah As Sadique called attention to the dangers these animals pose. "The red-eared slider is an invasive species that competes with native turtles for food and habitat, posing a serious threat to local biodiversity," he said.

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Red-eared sliders come from North America and face bans in multiple countries. When people release them into rivers and ponds, these turtles reproduce at high rates, displacing native species that belong in those habitats.

Why is animal trafficking concerning?

Smuggling invasive animals poses a threat to Bangladesh's aquatic habitats. These foreign turtles consume the same food as native species and dominate their habitats, potentially wiping out turtle populations that have lived in those rivers and ponds for generations.

This problem affects more than turtles alone. When invasive animals dominate a habitat, they disrupt the relationships that other plants and animals need. For people in Bangladesh, this means losing natural pest control and seeing waterway health decline. Well-functioning habitats provide cleaner water and support fishing communities that depend on species already present.

What's being done about animal trafficking?

The Wildlife Crime Control Unit plans to prosecute the playground for breaking wildlife protection and smuggling regulations. Officials have asked pet shops and residents to stop buying or keeping invasive animals and to contact the Bangladesh Forest Department right away if they spot illegal wildlife sales.

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To help protect species in your area, skip exotic pets that might be invasive and encourage friends and family members to do the same. Research any animal before you bring it home to verify it's legal and won't harm your region. Contact your area wildlife officials if you see unusual animals offered at pet stores or markets.

Do you think all new homes should use heat pump technology? Definitely Let each state decide Let homeowners decide No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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Your car may be the worst at protecting your data, but now the parts website you shop at might be just as bad. AutoZone, the company best known for catchy jingles, having the best snacks, and selling car parts, turned out to be tracking folks on its website without the proper consent  as alleged by a recent class action lawsuit in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Sure, Tesla may be spying on its drivers, but that's almost expected at this point. What does a car parts company need from someone searching for a 1996 Toyota Tacoma 2.7-liter water pump gasket that it doesn't already know? Need part, search for part, buy part. It's a simple transaction that reminds me of the donut receipt joke by Mitch Hedberg  why complicate things?

AutoZone has agreed to terms of a $1.23 million settlement while explicitly reminding everyone that this doesn't mean they're guilty. Though legally accurate, c'mon man. The suit uses tons of great legalese like "contemporaneously intercept," but what it all means for anyone affected is a $20 cash benefit.

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Read more: Here Are The Worst Car Myths

Here's the catch

A macro of the AutoZone.com website on the screen of a laptop. - agustin.photo/Shutterstock

The class action lawsuit claims that AutoZone.com was using a session replay technology that basically tracks every movement on their website. In practice, this data is analyzed by folks with marketing degrees to optimize the online experience. In theory, this is a massive breach of privacy  at least how folks in the Keystone State see it. All this on the heels of hackers gaining access to thousands of AutoZone's user data back in 2023. Yikes.

The users knew they were on AutoZone's website, sure. They probably blindly accepted the cookie policy and whatever-the-heck else it said. However, Pennsylvania's Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act (WESCA) sets a stringent all-party consent requirement. Where they say AutoZone got it wrong was not disclosing its third-party vendors for these session replay services who also had access to the data. Just like Al Capone, you may have been wiretapped, at least according to PA law.

Before you run to claim your $20, there's a massive catch. The settlement only applies to folks who were not members of the AutoZone Rewards program at the time of purchase. The only logical reason is that AutoZone's lawyers successfully argued that by signing up for the Rewards program they had already clicked "I Agree" on a Terms of Service agreement. Buried in the fine print was, almost certainly, the consent to be monitored. Your loyalty is not to be rewarded  sorry about it.

Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox, and add us as a preferred search source on Google.

Read the original article on Jalopnik.
The Trump administration has released enough federal money so that New Hampshire can keep offering through the end of this month benefits during the federal government shutdown to the 13,000 on the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced Thursday.

Ayotte: Fed grants came through to extend WIC through Nov.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced the Trump administration has given the state enough federal money to continue providing nutritional benefits through the end of this month to the 13,000 on the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. On Wednesday, the states $2 million contingency plan kicked off for the New Hampshire Food Bank to provide free food for the next five weeks to those on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). President Trump announced he would release partial funding of SNAP during the federal government shutdown but it could take weeks to process those benefits. Here, Pam Saidla of Manchester volunteered with George Denoncourt of Candia (left) and Phil Moreau of Goffstown at the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester during November 2023.

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New Hampshires benefits had been set to run out Nov. 10.

Anticipating that deadline, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) had announced pause dates for food benefits and services at the local agencies that support the program.

Ayotte said she spoke with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently to advocate for this funding.

Im pleased we were able to secure critical WIC funding through the end of the month to help moms and children in our state access food, formula, and other important needs, Ayotte said in a statement.

I personally advocated for this funding with Secretary Rollins so we can help moms and children in need. My office and DHHS are monitoring the status of partial payments for SNAP benefits and will work to ensure those payments are sent to Granite Staters as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Washington must get the federal government open, so we have no further disruption to programs that serve our most vulnerable.

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Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver said these benefits are a lifeline as they not only provide infant formula but also nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to community resources for women and their young families.

This additional funding will ensure New Hampshire WIC families have continued access to food benefits and the dedicated staff at local agencies who connect participants with vital WIC services and resources, Weaver said.

The agency is awaiting guidance on when the state will be able to receive partial funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that President Donald Trump announced earlier this week after two federal judges ordered he use a SNAP contingency budget to continue providing food to the roughly 75,000 residents who receive it here.

Some administration officials have said it could take weeks to process those payments.

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In the meantime, on Wednesday the states $2 million partnership with the New Hampshire Food Bank began to offer free food to SNAP recipients at 15 different locations in six regions across the state.

For further updates on both programs, Weaver urged residents to visit the website the agency created for this purpose.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to set up a defence corridor in Bihar and warned that if terrorists attack in the future, their bullets will be met with shells. He said that these shells will be manufactured on Indian soil and will be fired at Pakistan. Addressing a public rally in Katihar, Amit Shah said, "PM Modi has decided to build a defence corridor within Bihar. If terrorists do anything in the future, their bullets will be answered with shells. Those shells will be made on our land and will be fired on Pakistan." Shah further launched a scathing attack, saying the Congress and RJD work only for their families, stating that neither Lalu Yadav's son nor Sonia Gandhi's son will become chief minister or prime minister, as Nitish Kumar is the chief minister in Patna and Narendra Modi is the prime minister. "They (Congress-RJD) only worked for their children. Lalu Yadav wants his son to be the CM, and Sonia Gandhi wants her son to be the Prime Minister. I want to tell both of them that neither Lalu's son nor Sonia's son will be the CM nor the PM. Because in Patna, Nitish Kumar is in the CM's chair and in Delhi, PM Modi is the Prime Minister. There is no other vacancy for anyone," he said. Earlier in the day, affirming the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory in the Bihar elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his "katta" jibe at the Mahagathbandhan, declaring, "Nahi chahiye Katta sarkaar, phir ek baar NDA sarkaar." Addressing a massive rally in Sitamarhi, PM Modi described the atmosphere as "heart-touching" and said it reflected people's clear support for the NDA. "The atmosphere we are witnessing in Sitamarhi today is heart-touching. This atmosphere is also conveying the message that we don't want a Katta government, once again an NDA government," PM Modi said. The first phase of polling in Bihar concluded recently, with elections for 122 seats scheduled on November 11 for the second phase. The results of the Bihar Assembly elections are slated to be announced on November 14. (ANI)
WASHINGTON  The Senate will reconvene for some rare weekend work to continue negotiations on reopening the government, although its not yet clear if lawmakers will make enough progress to vote on ending the shutdown before next week.

The Senate adjourned late Friday evening after failing to pass a bill to pay federal workers, a proposal that received overwhelming Democratic opposition over concerns it would be unevenly applied by the Trump administration.

Lawmakers did not vote on a package to reopen the government and advance some full-year spending bills despite initial plans to do so  sending congressional leaders back to the drawing board on how to end the party-line stalemate.

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The Senate will return to session on Saturday at noon for debate, although its not clear if votes will be scheduled that day.

A path toward reopening the government seemed to be on the horizon when senators met earlier this week, but that progress slowly began to unravel after Democrats notched major electoral wins on Tuesday night. Those victories were proof that Democrats message is working, they argued, meaning the party must continue pressing their GOP colleagues for deeper concessions.

Senate Democrats unveiled a counterproposal on Friday afternoon, throwing an unexpected curveball to Republican negotiators who expected a vote on their package as early as Friday.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., laid out the framework on the Senate floor, demanding Republicans include a one-year extension of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies to the spending package to reopen the government. R

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epublicans have previously offered a separate vote on the subsidies but have rejected including it in the larger package over arguments it is unrelated to regular government spending.

Its a nonstarter, it just is, Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said on Friday, telling the Deseret News he believes progress backslid in recent days. It doesnt feel like theres any negotiations. We came to the negotiations asking for nothing. So how do you negotiate? This is Backwards Day. Everybody changed the rules.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, similarly rejected the proposal, accusing Democrats of seeking help from Republicans in the majority to fix a health care system they created to use as political leverage.

What do they want to use that leverage for? They want to use it so as to paper over the failures, the abject failures of Obamacare, Lee said in a floor vote on Friday. This law that has succeeded in doing exactly one thing: enriching large health insurance companies while making all Americans poorer.

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Republicans held a closed-door meeting to discuss the counterproposal on Friday afternoon, with several emerging calling the idea absolutely absurd, a joke, and unserious.

Bipartisan talks continued throughout the day on Friday and they are expected to drag through the weekend. Negotiators are closing in on a new date to extend government spending, with that timeline expected to last until the end of January, according to Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are considering a proposal of their own to counter Democrats demands on health care, although details of such a framework are not yet finalized. Several GOP lawmakers have different ideas, Mullin said, but it could take weeks before something is drafted.

Were not going to continue for a year to load up insurance companies with taxpayer dollars to get an inferior outcome, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who will help lead those talks, said on Friday. Were not going to continue (Obamacare as-is) for one day with my vote, much less one year.

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Senate Democrats, for their part, consider their offer to be somewhat reasonable  if not just a new starting point for bipartisan negotiations.

I thought we made a pretty fair offer, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who has been pushing party leadership to demand deeper concessions, told reporters on Friday. Theres a lot of people in our party who want to do a multiyear extension. Obviously, theres a lot of people who think we shouldnt be asking just for ACA subsidies. So we made a really simple, really scaled-down offer that could get the government up and operating and would be good for them politically.

The backslide has left several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle disillusioned, especially as the shutdown enters its seventh week with no clear path forward. Some are even warning the worst is yet to come.

Were gonna be in a shutdown for a while, guys. I mean, its just very simple. Everybody can rant and rave and cuss and discuss, but were gonna be in a shutdown, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told reporters. Were back to square one.
Bakersfield teacher files wrongful arrest claim after being accused of child sex crime

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A teacher with the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District was arrested in April on suspicion of committing a child sex crime. Last month, she filed a claim against the city of Bakersfield, saying she was arrested for a crime she didnt commit.

Kimberly Gardiner Tull, 45, was arrested April 2 on suspicion of engaging in lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

Tull was falsely and wrongfully arrested for false allegations involving her 7-year-old son, according to a claim filed Oct. 1. The claim said Tull was looking to seek over $20,000 for damages and losses.

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Hundreds grieve their loved ones at Crime Victims Rights March and Memorial Dedication Thursday

The investigation was returned to Bakersfield police two days after Tulls arrest with no charges filed due to a lack of evidence, the Kern County District Attorneys Office spokesperson Joseph Kinzel told 17 News.

BPD spokesperson Sally Selby confirmed the case has been closed.

On the morning of April 2, Tull saw a mark or bruise on her youngest sons neck and asked what happened, but her son said he didnt know or remember anything. She asked if it hurt and he said it didnt, saying he wanted to go to school, the claim said.

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Tull dropped off her sons  ages 10 and 7  at Old River Elementary School before going to work at Leo B. Hart Elementary School.

That afternoon, Tull went to Old River to pick up her children and was met by the principal who took her into the school office, according to the claim.

Tull was told she was being brought in to speak with police.

Three officers questioned Tull about the mark at the school, saying they believed it was a hickey because her son allegedly said Tull kissed him on the neck. She was arrested after over two hours of being questioned, the claim said.

According to the filing, Tull suffered severe trauma and damage to her personal and professional life after the arrest.

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The claim said Tull lost her teaching position and began seeing mental health professionals for anxiety, depression, panic attacks and other psychological and emotional issues.

She received numerous threats via social media and had her address and photos of her sons posted online, the claim said. Friends and family living out of state contacted Tull after seeing news coverage about her arrest.

Tulls two children were removed from her home and only returned May 28, according to the filing.

Tull was a special day class teacher and mild/moderate education specialist for PBVUSD and had been teaching for the school district since August of 2012, the claim said.

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The claim was rejected by the city Oct. 30.

Joe Conroy, spokesperson for the city of Bakersfield, said the city does not comment on filed claims.

17 News reached out to the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District for comment and information about Tulls employment status, but has not received a response as of Friday evening.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.
A 45-year-old Dublin man was in court on Friday facing charges related to breaking into a sorority house at UC Berkeley and watching women shower.

"This was a terrifying set of events. This happened Halloween night, early Nov. 1 morning," says Officer Byron White with the Berkeley Police Department.

Officer White says Berkeley police got a call around 6 a.m. of a suspicious man inside a UC Berkeley sorority house - Alpha Chi Omega.

INTERACTIVE: Neighborhood Safety Tracker

The man is identified as 45-year-old Courtney Alford. Police say Alford fled using a side door.

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"One woman recounted how she woke up in the middle of the night, in her room, and other roommates, and there was this man inside there. A man that she doesn't know," says White.

Officer White suggests that because it was a busy Halloween night on Greek Row at Cal, it is possible that security in and out of the house was relaxed. He says surveillance video indicates a man who looks like Alford was in and out of the house for at least three hours.

"We know, at least, at one point, he went into the shower room. And watching the women as they shower. He had also taken some underwear from a room," says White.

There are no reports of any physical injuries to the women at the house.

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White says police used surveillance footage to ID Alford-and Flock technology to identify his car. Alford was arrested on Wednesday in Castro Valley.

"We later were able to do a search warrant on his home in Dublin, where we found over 900 rounds of ammunition. High-capacity magazines. And also, parts to an assault rifle," says White.

Alford was in court on Friday, facing 11 counts, including burglary, peeking while loitering, invasion of privacy, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Court documents show Alford was also charged in another case of a felony lewd act on a minor last year. That case is ongoing. Alford has four other priors dating back to 1999.

In a statement to ABC7 News, a representative with UC Berkeley's Student Affairs confirmed the incident, stating: "Our Student Affairs team is aware, in contact with the organization, and offering support resources."

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
The BBC has been accused of ignoring a second memo alleging bias in its reporting of Israels war in Gaza.

Sir Vernon Bogdanor, the author of the memo and a constitutional expert, has called on Tim Davie to resign with immediate effect as director-general of the BBC.

The eminent academic, a former professor of government at the University of Oxford, said the broadcaster had ignored internal reports that had made allegations of distortion and bias in its journalism.

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Mr Davie has faced growing criticism in the wake of a leak to The Telegraph of an 8,000-word letter sent to members of the BBC board by Michael Prescott, a former standards adviser to the corporation.

The letter detailed bias in its reporting of the Gaza war as well as the doctoring of a speech by Donald Trump.

The emergence of Sir Vernons memo will fuel the crisis at the corporation and comes after Mr Trumps official spokeswoman branded it 100 per cent fake news.

Karoline Leavitt condemned the doctoring of the presidents speech and said British taxpayers were being forced to foot the bill for a leftist propaganda machine.

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Ms Leavitt told The Telegraph: Every time I travel to the United Kingdom with President Trump and am forced to watch the BBC in our hotel rooms, it ruins my day listening to their blatant propaganda and lies about the president of the United States and all that hes doing to make America better and the world a safer place.

Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, has also suggested Mr Davie quit his post.

Several high-profile figures have now said Tim Davie should consider his position - Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Mr Johnson said on Friday that he would no longer be paying the licence fee and suggested that reporters should camp outside the BBC bosss home.

A few days of that and Davie should eventually emerge from his foxhole, and when he does, he should either give a convincing explanation for the Left-wing bias at the BBC, or else resign in favour of someone who will stop the rot, he said.

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Unless he does so I am simply going to stop paying my licence fee and suggest you do the same.

Sir Vernon accused the BBC of inaccurate reporting on both its mainstream channel and its Arabic service and detailed a number of examples in the memo handed over to the corporations head of news.

The academic, who is a professor of government at Kings College, London, questioned the BBCs refusal to label Hamas a terrorist organisation and the wrongful blaming of Israel for an explosion at a Gaza hospital shortly after the October 7 attacks.

He also highlighted a BBC report that accused Israel of carrying out summary executions which it later retracted and its acceptance of the Hamas-run health ministrys death toll, which he said published suspiciously precise figures. He urged the BBC to distinguish how many amongst the casualties are combatants from Hamas.

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b'

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Sir Vernon, who is also a former member of the international advisory council of the Israel Democracy Institute, met twice with Richard Burgess, the director of BBC news content, in May 2024 where he handed over his memo outlining his concerns.

He forwarded his memo to The Telegraph in the wake of the disclosure of Mr Prescotts dossier.

Sir Vernon told The Telegraph: In my view, Tim Davie should immediately resign and the Government should institute an inquiry into the organisation of BBC news the leaders of the BBC seem to have ignored internal reports pointing out distortion and bias.

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He said that on the reporting of the war in the Middle East, it is not only the Arabic service which has been inaccurate, as was documented in Mr Prescotts report, but also mainstream BBC news.

The BBC said it issued Sir Vernon with a reply, but he insisted that nothing happened in the wake of his meeting with Mr Burgess, adding: So the outcome is that many [BBC viewers] believe Israel committed genocide and deliberately caused a famine, two accusations which are at least debatable.

Nigel Farage also commented on the crisis engulfing the broadcaster on Friday, saying he would be raising concerns with Mr Davie in a face-face meeting next week.

I will be meeting Tim Davie in the next few days at which I will be expressing my grave concern over the levels of institutional bias as revealed by these reports, he said.

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I will ask him why we should be paying an increased licence fee  rumoured to be 181  to receive this level of indoctrination.

I want to know whether he accepts what is going on and make genuine changes, or will it just be swept under the carpet?

Sir John Whittingdale, the former culture secretary, said Mr Davies future was hanging in the balance

There needs to be an immediate inquiry and whoever is directly responsible should go. Tim Davies position is certainly in question, he said.

In order to restore confidence, he needs to react and be seen to be reacting and I havent seen that.

Liz Truss, the former prime minister, said: The Telegraphs work over recent days has exposed the damning truth about the BBC: it has been captured by the woke, globalist Left which despises Britain and everything that made us great.

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The BBC shares a large part of the blame for why this country is a mess. I have come to the conclusion that the organisation is unreformable and needs to be put out of its misery.

A BBC spokesman said: We take feedback on our output seriously and meet a range of people and organisations to discuss their points of view. This includes Sir Vernon Bogdanor, with whom we had a constructive meeting in May 2024.

The BBC is fully committed to covering the conflict impartially and has produced powerful coverage from the region. Where mistakes have been made or errors have occurred we have transparently acknowledged them.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Some of the best images weve seen so far of the German Luftwaffes PEGASUS signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft reveal key details of the unique airframe adaptations made to the Bombardier Global 6000 bizjet platform its based on. The photos were shared with TWZ by @CorreaPhtgphy, who captured them earlier this year, in Abilene, Texas.

The aircraft, the first of three for the Luftwaffe, made its first flight from Bombardiers facility in Wichita, Kansas, on October 23, 2024. Initial flight testing is underway in Wichita, with the work being conducted by pilots from the Bombardier Flight Test Center (BFTC).

The first of three PEGASUS SIGINT jets for the Luftwaffe, seen at Abilene, Texas. @CorreaPhtgphy

The centerpiece of the PEGASUS (which stands for Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System) is the Kaltron Integral SIGINT suite from the Hensoldt company. The first PEGASUS initially took to the air without this mission suite, integration of which is being led by Lufthansa Technik Defense, together with Hensoldt and Bombardier Defense.

However, the aircraft already has the various green-colored fairings associated with the PEGASUS sensors. On each side of the fuselage is an oval-shaped fairing, while below the fuselage is a larger fairing with two distinct bulges, fore and aft. Additionally, smaller green areas atop the tailfin and below the wings suggest further antennas may be located here, too.

A close-up of the main antenna arrays on PEGASUS. @CorreaPhtgphy

According to Hensoldt, Kaltron Integral will be a comprehensive strategic asset for wide-area reconnaissance, mastering the challenges posed by todays electromagnetic spectrum. It will be able to hoover up electromagnetic intelligence from hostile radar emitters (ELINT) as well as enemy communications (COMINT). Electromagnetic emissions will be collected with exceptional accuracy [and] high sensitivity over frequencies ranging from below 30 MHz to 40 GHz.

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Aided by the Global 6000s relatively high-altitude flight profile, the Kaltron Integral sensors will be able to detect emissions at ranges up to 250 miles, the manufacturer says. This provides the aircraft with a significant standoff capability, helping keep the jet and its onboard operators further away from enemy air defense systems. Still, line-of-sight restricts even the best sensors and enemy air defenses are only going to have longer and longer reach as time goes on.

A schematic illustration of the Kaltron Integral in a bizjet airframe, with a different antenna configuration to that found on PEGASUS. Hensoldt

On the jet, the operators job is intended to be made easier through the use of machine learning and AI algorithms. These should help filter through intercepted emissions, prioritizing them, and speeding up the decision-making process. The end result will bring together intelligence gathered from a variety of different platforms in a rapidly updated electromagnetic order of battle.

The origins of the PEGASUS program lie in plans to supersede the German Navys former Breguet Atlantic SIGINT aircraft with a more modern platform. The last SIGINT-configured Atlantic, an aircraft type that was mainly used to roam around the Baltic Sea, was retired in 2010.

A German Navy Breguet Atlantic. Bundeswehr

The original plan was to replace the Atlantic SIGINT with an adaptation of the Global Hawk drone, the RQ-4E Euro Hawk. Five of these drones were planned to be fielded, each equipped with an Airbus-developed SIGINT system known as ISIS.

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European aviation authorities repeatedly refused to certify the RQ-4E to fly over the continent. This, combined with major cost overruns and long delays, saw the program abandoned in 2013, after one of the drones had been flown. Plans to sell the one-off aircraft to Canada collapsed, and the RQ-4E is now set to become a very costly museum exhibit.

The first RQ-4E Euro Hawk. Northrop Grumman

For a brief time, the German Ministry of Defense looked at buying another Global Hawk derivative, the U.S. Navys MQ-4C Triton, which was developed from the outset for civil certification.

That plan was also abandoned, and the German Armed Forces now pin their hopes on the PEGASUS, an all-new crewed SIGINT platform.

At one point, the Luftwaffe had expected to get its hands on its first RQ-4E under the Euro Hawk program in 2012.

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Finally, in 2021, Hensoldt was awarded the contract to supply its Kaltron Integral system for three PEGASUS jets, with the first of these aircraft now under flight test.

Once flight tests with the SIGINT suite are completed, further integration work will take place in Hamburg, Germany. Here, Lufthansa Technik Defense will also be in charge of certification.

Already, there are signs that Germany might increase its PEGASUS order to help meet a growing demand for airborne SIGINT products.

Speaking to the media last year, Jurgen Halder, vice-president of airborne SIGINT at Hensoldt, said: If you look at the current geopolitical situation, even though any [one] aircraft can persistently monitor a vast area, there are unfortunately too many hot spots globally. So, we expect an additional rise [in aircraft numbers] to be coming eventually.

A close-up of the nose of the PEGASUS. @CorreaPhtgphy

Halder continued: Discussions are starting in a very early phase, but its apparent that three aircraft are not sufficient, especially if you consider that the Euro Hawk program had already included much higher numbers of aircraft.

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For now, the first three German PEGASUS aircraft are due to be delivered between 2026 and 2028, and to become operational in 2027.

Germany can also look forward to expanding its airborne intelligence-gathering capabilities with the arrival of the first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. While these eight aircraft will be primarily used for anti-submarine warfare, they can also act in an electronic intelligence collection role, with their standard electronic support measures (ESM) suite able to detect and geolocate enemy air defenses and monitor its overall electronic order of battles. Furthermore, the P-8 lends itself to modifications, such as the host for a secretive radar system, the AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor, or AAS, although this has never been exported.

The first of eight P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the German Navy arrives at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport today, November 7. Bundeswehr/Christoph Kassette

For now, Germanys PEGASUS further underlines how the Global 6000 series is becoming one of the most popular choices for military special missions adaptations. In September of this year, South Korea confirmed its choice of the Global 6500 as the platform for its new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, as you can read about here. Meanwhile, GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, based on Global 6000 platforms, have been ordered by Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.

Concept artwork of the future South Korean AEW&C aircraft, based on a Global 6500 airframe. L3Harris

The military success of the Global 6000 series reflects the growing importance of business-jet-type aircraft for ISTAR missions. Platforms like these are becoming increasingly cost-effective, thanks in no small part to steady improvements in jet engine technology, and their popularity has been proven out by the U.S. Air Force, which opted for a Global 6000-based solution for its E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program.

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The U.S. Army, meanwhile, has ordered a Global 6500-based solution for its ME-11B High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES), which will be the services next-generation intelligence-gathering aircraft. These modified bizjets will have extensive sensor suites that include the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System-2B (ASARS-2B) and could have the ability to launch drones.

The first Global 6500 delivered to the U.S. Army for the HADES program. Bombardier

Nevertheless, with all these crewed, bizjet-based ISTAR platforms, there remain very real reservations about their survivability and even their utility during a conflict, especially during the types of high-end warfare that could be fought in the future against a near-peer adversary. Even when provided with external protection, the survivability of these aircraft in more contested airspace is very questionable. At the same time, while new sensors certainly offer improved capabilities, such aircraft may very well have to get within range of longer-range air defense systems to gather useful intelligence.

Overall, growing tensions in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, and the increasing likelihood of NATO nations and their allies having to face peer- or near-peer adversaries in future contingencies, mean that there is a particular appetite for platforms that can help keep track of hostile electromagnetic orders of battle and enemy communications. With that in mind, the Global 6000 series and similar bizjet-based solutions, look set to find other customers in the special missions realm in the years to come.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Former President Joe Biden, speaking to Democrats in Nebraska, criticized current President Donald Trump's administration for focusing on "billionaires and millionaires," rather than working for "the American people."

Biden, 82, spoke to the 2025 Ben Nelson Annual Gala in Omaha, Nebraska, an event to honor the state's former governor and senator, on Friday night, Nov. 7. He used the occasion to condemn Trump's policies, demolition of the East Wing of the White House, and the ongoing government shutdown, now in its sixth week.

The former president also celebrated Democratic victories during elections held earlier in the week. "The Democratic Party is back. That is not hyperbole," Biden said. "The fact is that we had a great night in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, New York City, Georgia, Mississippi, even in Mississippi. Look, the American people are sending a message. They're sending a message, message to Trump and to his crowd."

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The message, Biden said: "Mr. President, we don't work for you. You work for us, not just billionaires and millionaires."

"You better get the damn government open," Biden said.

Omaha resides in an important Democratic blue district within a traditionally red state  Nebraska assigns its electors using a proportional system, unlike most states  where in the 2024 presidential election Vice President Kamala Harris won 54.4% of the vote, with then-former President Trump getting 44.2%. State-wide, Trump won 59.6% of the vote.

Trump vs. Mamdami: President threatens to punish NYC. Will he arrest new mayor and block funds?

Biden calls Trump administration's SNAP policy 'immoral'

During Biden's nearly half-hour speech, he also referenced his administration's efforts to combat child hunger and ability to get more Americans signed up for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

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"Now we have a president who is deliberately making hunger worse for Americans. Today in the United States of America, one in five children," Biden said, raising his voice. "One in five children go to bed hungry every night. . It is a disgrace. It's immoral. It's wrong, simply wrong."

About Trump's Great Gatsby-themed Halloween party, Biden said, "you can't make this stuff up."

After Trump was elected, Biden said he knew "Trump was going to take a wrecking ball to the country, but I had no idea, I have to admit, I didn't know it was going to be an actual wrecking ball," he said, alluding to the East Wing demolition. "It's a perfect symbol of his presidency. Trump is taking a wrecking ball, not only to the people's house, but to the Constitution, to the rule of law, to our very democracy."

Former U.S. President Joe Biden waves before departing the Edward Kennedy Institute on October 26, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award.

Beau Biden 'should have been president, not me,' Biden says

Biden spoke about the importance of cancer research, which is among the areas hit by Trump administration budget cuts. "We made cancer research a priority, and now Trump is cutting government funding for cancer research," he said. "Folks, I know what cancer research means. Cancer hits every family. It hit my family hard."

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His son, Beau Biden, who died in 2015, two years after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, "should have been the president, not me," Biden said. Beau Biden, who was aged 46 at his death, was a two-term Delaware attorney general who planned to run for governor.

Biden himself recently began getting radiation treatment for an "aggressive" form of prostate cancer and wore a bandage on his head  as reported by several media outlets. "When I finish this round of treatment, you get to ring that bell, at the end of a year of treatment. Well, I thank God for the doctors and nurses and the incredible breakthroughs we're making in cancer research," the former president said. "Now Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care and making it more expensive for virtually everyone."

Cuts will result in the closure of 300 rural hospitals across the U.S.,. including two in Nebraska, he said.

While the country is in "a very, very dark moment," Biden said, "something special happened just last Tuesday" in the elections.

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Calling Democratic gains "a good start," Biden said, "We can't give up.  "We're the only nation on Earth that has emerged from every single crisis we faced stronger than when we entered that crisis. Every single one. Mark my words, we'll emerge stronger from this crisis as well. The American experiment is not gonna end on our watch."

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden criticizes Trump administration in Nebraska speech
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  Joe Biden slowly but steadily walked onto the stage in Omaha on Friday. As he did, 800 people in the downtown Hilton ballroom rose to their feet cheering.

Did you see the results Tuesday? he asked, igniting another round of cheers as he listed Democratic victories from governorships in New Jersey and Virginia to the mayoral seat in New York to a redistricting decision in California.

It was a joyful return to the political stage for the former president, whose party's effort to remain in the White House was rejected just over a year ago. Biden called for a political comeback, though not for himself, but to an audience hungry for a fight.

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You know what it feels like to be outnumbered, he told Democrats in Nebraska, where Republicans have carried the state in every presidential election since 1968. But every election, you put up the yard signs and you make your voices heard. The country needs you badly."

It was the kind of pep talk that sells in a place where Democrats lose statewide but have staged winning races for the Omaha area's 2nd District electoral vote, elected a Democratic mayor for the first time since 2009 and feel energized about capturing the 2nd District seat in 2026.

Biden heaped on the encouragement, but returned repeatedly to his view of his lone term's high points, curbing COVID-19 and beginning the economic recovery from the epidemic.

He didn't touch the difficulties he had last year, nor the year of debate Democrats have engaged in over how they lost the presidency to Republican Donald Trump.

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In the summer of 2024, Biden waited more than three weeks from his disastrous debate performance in June with Trump, prompting panic among Democrats, before announcing in July he would not seek another term, and then endorsing then-Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor on the ticket.

Harris had written in a book published in September that she and others in Biden's orbit should have been more aggressive in encouraging him to consider stepping aside sooner.

The closest Biden came to acknowledging the difficult decision was an oblique joke.

I have the dubious distinction. I'm the youngest ever man elected to the U.S. Senate and I'm the oldest damn president, he playfully rued.

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Although Biden's delivery was quiet but upbeat, he at times garbled his words and was sometimes so quiet he was inaudible from the amplified podium. Yet he would come charging back with fiery attacks on the Trump administration and calls for action.

What we have to do is repair our faults, and that's what we began to do on Tuesday, he shouted.

Tuesday's victories, a boon to Democrats across the country, were a timely lift for Biden.

But he also benefited from an atmosphere of respect.

Earlier in the program, he remained seated but beamed when the audience stood after Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, also a guest at the fundraiser, hailed him for a lifetime of service to our country.

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He was a president who governed not for red states, not for blue states but for the entire United States, said Beshear.

Throughout Biden's 30-minute remarks, the audience rose cheering. He returned to well-worn campaign themes promoting the middle class, equality and the nation's responsibility as an example to other nations.

He called them principles we've never walked away from. Straining to punctuate by raising his voice, he said, We're not going to walk away from them now.

It was Biden's second public appearance in the past week, and second since completing a round of radiation therapy treatment in October for the aggressive form of prostate cancer he was diagnosed with after leaving office. He said nothing of his health, and when he mentioned cancer it was not about his own. It was about his late son Beau, who died in 2015.

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It was the first purely political appearance for Biden since Labor Day 2024, when he appeared with Harris for a labor event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a full two months before the Nov. 5, 2024, election.

If his decision making about the 2024 race were in question in the audience Friday, it seemed a distant memory as he wrapped his speech.

Thank you, Joe! Thank you, Joe! they chatted as he left the stage.
BELEM, Brazil (AP)  Being falsely accused of setting fire in the Amazon with funds from an Oscar-winning actor eventually became a blessing in disguise for Caetano Scannavino, the coordinator of a nonprofit organization in the heart of the rainforest.

Brazil's then President Jair Bolsonaro falsely claimed in November 2019 that actor Leonardo DiCaprio had funded nonprofit groups that he alleged were partly responsible for setting the fires. The accusation, though false, created risks for Scannavino and his work promoting sustainable development and citizens' rights in a region along the Tapajos River popular with tourists for its blend of rainforest and beaches.

Four of Scannavino's friends who volunteered as forest firefighters were jailed for two days and then prosecuted as alleged perpetrators of fires in the region, only to be cleared later. Police scrolled through documents of Scannavinos Saude e Alegria nonprofit for weeks. Scannavino received anonymous threats, and his car was set on fire.

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DiCaprio takes notice

But Bolsonaro's comments helped DiCaprio take notice of Scannavino's work and decide to sponsor his work through Re:wild, a nonprofit conservation group that the actor helped found. Their partnership has already lasted five years, the Brazilian activist said.

When the accusations emerged, DiCaprio came out to say he was not funding us, but added we deserved his support after he saw our work, Scannavino told The Associated Press in a phone interview. I've never been with him or spoken to him. But he gives us support, uses his social media to show what this partnership does.

The 59-year-old Scannavino became the coordinator of Saude e Alegria, or Health and Happiness, in 1988 to promote integrated and sustainable community development in Para state, whose capital Belem will host the United Nations' Conference of the Parties, or COP30, next week. Scannavino arrived in Belem on Tuesday from Santarem, the city where the initiative is based, after a two-day boat ride that featured broadcasts with journalists, activists and climate experts.

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Local products hub

The project started as a health care initiative, but it has since grown to work with rural communities to improve their quality of life and exercise of citizenship.

One project sponsored by DiCaprio's institute is the Forest Economy EcoCenter in Santarem, which serves as a hub for processing, storage and commercialization of products made by locals. Organizers said the facility enhances the economic viability of sustainable practices in the region.

The hub was opened a year ago, and is also supported by the governments of Brazil, Germany and Norway, all contributors of the Amazon Fund, a Brazilian initiative that pays for anti-deforestation and sustainable development efforts.

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Scannavino said that the initiative cost about 5 million Brazilian reais ($938,000), mostly paid for by the Amazon Fund.

Those first few days after Bolsonaro's accusation were terrible. People insulted us and our families on the streets, the firefighters had to leave. But then a surprising thing happened, Scannavino said.

Usually people get away from you if such a big target appears on your back. It was the opposite with us. Eventually the accusations went away, the firefighters were released, and people were curious about us  including DiCaprio, he added.

Meet the moment

In an Instagram post this week, DiCaprio said the world leaders gathering in Brazil must ensure that those defending nature have the resources they need. He said Re:wild is pledging more money to protecting forests.

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I urge leaders to unite and meet the moment, he said. Our future depends on it.

The AP emailed Re:wild seeking further comment on its work with Scannavino and at COP30.

Scannavino, who left the Brazilian metropolis Sao Paulo for the Amazon more than 37 years ago, said that DiCaprio and other backers of his nonprofit also came in support because he chose to show Bolsonaro he was working with the support of local police and armed forces instead of trying to score political points.

The former president was recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for a coup attempt in 2023 after losing his reelection bid.

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Our critics are specialists in hatred, and since that incident we chose to be polite, provide evidence we worked with all stakeholders, everyone who mattered in the region. We refused to leave our local communities without due health care assistance just because of an absurd accusation, Scannavino said.

Many awards and acknowledgments later, Scannavino is expected to meet with Re:wild officials and perhaps DiCaprio himself at COP30.

Scannavino said that he nearly met DiCaprio about 20 years ago while setting up for a photo exhibition in New York. He said that the team preparing the photo exhibition didn't recognize the actor under a cap and complained that he was getting in the way, so he left.

Shortly later our producer raced to tell me that was Leonardo DiCaprio," Scannavino said. "I told her to run after him and get him back. She caught him on his bike a few blocks away. He thanked her, but had to leave.

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"I hope that the next encounter is a very different one, so we can thank him duly, he added.

___

Follow APs Latin America coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Delaware Opportunities has launched its Holiday Cheer campaign to bring an assortment gifts and stocking stuffers to children and seniors in the community this season.

Jennifer Smith, the communications and resource development coordinator at Delaware Opportunities, said the campaign is brand new this year. It was set up to specifically collect donations for two programs the organization runs during the holidays  Toys for Joy and Share the Care.

This will bring our holiday efforts under one umbrella and encourages community giving through both monetary and in-kind donations, Smith said. Our goal is to raise enough funds to ensure that every child who applies receives a meaningful gift and to provide the flexibility to fill any last-minute gaps in toys or items as the holidays approach.

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Toys for Joy, formerly known in the area as Toys for Tots, gives any child in the county one toy and one stocking stuffer. There are no financial guidelines for the program, Smith said. As long as a parent signs up for the program for their child, they will receive the gifts.

Last year, Toys for Joy served 724 children from 277 families in the county, Smith said. Delaware Opportunities has helped to coordinate the program since 2018.

Share the Care is a program for local senior citizens to whom Delaware Opportunities plans to deliver stockings with smaller treats like socks, candy or crossword puzzle books. About 230 seniors in the program will receive stockings this year.

These would be given out to seniors who are part of the Senior Dining Program. Smith said in the past, the organization has done gifts like blankets for seniors, but this year they wanted to switch it up a bit.

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People can donate directly to the cheer campaign or to Delaware Opportunities generally, Smith said. If a general donation is made, it would be applied to wherever it is needed most within its programs. If somebody wants to donate to a specific program, like the food pantry, or to the cheer campaign, they can specify that.

Serving a range of ages from newborns to 18, Toys for Joy collects a variety of items, from dolls to trucks to candy. Staff spends a day at Walmart, Smith said, where they do most of the shopping for the program, dividing up the work by age.

Were getting pretty good at trying to figure out what we need to get, Smith said.

The week of Dec. 8, Smith said, typically marks Toys for Joy week. Toys for Joy distribution, where families come into the Hamden location to pick up the toys, is on Dec. 11 with a snow date Dec. 12.

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Individuals can donate money to the program or drop off the toys either at its Hamden location on state Route 10 or at other locations that have yet to be determined. Delaware Opportunities also is accepting donations for Share the Care through its drive in the lobby. Items like hats, gloves, scarves, lotion, calendars and stamps, among others, can be donated.

With SNAP benefits still remaining uncertain amid the ongoing government shutdown after they were expected to freeze Nov. 1, Smith said it is essential to donate to causes like this.

Everyone struggles, and when I say everyone I am talking about people that work hard every day to make a living, to put their kids through day care, Smith said. People are panicked right now with food prices in general, and it could be your fellow coworker. You dont know who is struggling. Its so important to donate now to things like this.

Delaware Opportunities shared a food resource guide on its Facebook page, providing different links to free meal sites.

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Reactions to both Toys for Joy and Share the Care has been rewarding to see throughout the years, Smith said.

I hope with our campaign this year, we will be able to give the same amount to more people, Smith said. I just hope it grows from there. We are hoping to do a lot of fundraising over the next couple of years to be able to provide what we can.

Smith said she was unsure when the Share the Care stockings will be dispersed with the senior meal drivers. There is no application for the program, as only the people signed up for its senior meals in the county will get the stockings with their food delivery.

To be included in Toys for Joy, an individual must sign up by Monday, Dec. 1. Applications are available on the Delaware Opportunities Facebook page. Anybody who signs up will receive a confirmation letter.
Bristol Community College will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15, at the Bristol Fall River Campus, 777 Elsbree St.

The event is free and all are invited, according to a community announcement.

Attendees can explore academic programs, get assistance with admissions and financial aid applications, and engage with the faculty, staff and students to learn more about the Bristol community. Register at www.bristolcc.edu/openhouse.

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At the event, attendees can also learn more about the MassEducate and MassReconnect programs, which allow eligible Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelors degree to attend Bristol Community College for free.

For more information, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/openhouse or call 774-357-2947.

For more than 50 years, Bristol has served as a leading resource for education and workforce development in the region including locations in Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and online.

The college offers more than 130 career and transfer programs, along with flexible online offerings that lead to an associate degree, a career-ready certificate, or the ability to transfer to baccalaureate colleges throughout the state and country. The college is one of the largest employers in the region and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment with a rich diversity of beliefs, cultures, languages, abilities and lifestyles.

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This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Bristol Community College to host open house Nov. 15
Spirit Airlines has reached new agreements with its pilots and flight attendants, a move that could help the budget carrier avoid deeper cost cuts as it works through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring.

The airline announced on Friday that it had reached agreements in principle with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), both representing Spirit's employees.

These tentative deals include contract changes and cost-saving measures designed to stabilize the airline's finances while keeping its operations running smoothly.

According to Spirit, both agreements still need to be ratified by the unions and approved by the court handling the company's bankruptcy case.

The deals are expected to generate enough annual savings to meet the airline's financial targets for its next round of funding under its debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing.

Spirit also said that its senior leadership team will take salary reductions matching or exceeding the percentage of cuts agreed to by pilots once the deals are finalized.

According to AviaciOnline, the airline stated that these actions reflect a "shared commitment" to rebuilding the company.

"These agreements reflect the shared commitment of our team members and principal labor unions in securing a successful future for Spirit," said Dave Davis, Spirit's president and CEO.

"We're grateful to our pilots and flight attendants for their professionalism, resilience, and unwavering dedication to safety and our guests as we work to build a stronger airline."

Spirit Airlines is urgently negotiating $100 million in labor concessions with pilot and flight attendant unions to unlock the next tranche of its $475 million bankruptcy loan. The low-cost carrier must reach at least one tentative agreement with a union by Thursday to access pic.twitter.com/k80h7v7hbq  Flightdrama (@flightdrama) November 7, 2025

Rising Costs Push Spirit Airlines to Slash Jobs

Earlier this year, the Florida-based carrier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time.

The move followed months of financial strain caused by rising fuel prices, lower travel demand, and competition from other low-cost airlines.

As part of its restructuring, Spirit has been cutting costs by reducing staff, dropping routes, and scaling back operations.

The company recently confirmed the elimination of about 150 salaried jobs and announced plans to discontinue service at five airports, including Milwaukee and Phoenix, Reuters reported.

The new labor agreements mark a turning point for the airline, which has been under pressure to prove its ability to survive bankruptcy and maintain flight schedules without major disruptions.

The airline said it remains focused on protecting jobs, maintaining safety, and improving its financial performance.

Spirit continues to post updates on its dedicated restructuring website, www.spiritrestructuring.com, where it shares documents and progress reports related to its ongoing Chapter 11 process.

Originally published on vcpost.com
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal on Saturday expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will register a decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections. Khandelwal asserted that the people of the state want a government focused on development rather than a "katta" government. Speaking to ANI, Khandelwal said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar has witnessed consistent progress across various sectors and that the electorate will once again choose the path of stability and growth. "...Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, Bihar is today moving rapidly forward with a cycle of development. Certainly, the people of Bihar do not want a 'katta' government, the public wants a government that works, therefore the NDA government is going to win with a large majority..." he said. Earlier in the day, affirming the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory in the Bihar elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his "katta" jibe at the Mahagathbandhan, declaring, "Nahi chahiye Katta sarkaar, phir ek baar NDA sarkaar." Addressing a massive rally in Sitamarhi, PM Modi described the atmosphere as "heart-touching" and said it reflected people's clear support for the NDA. "The atmosphere we are witnessing in Sitamarhi today is heart-touching. This atmosphere is also conveying the message that - We don't want a Katta government, once again an NDA government," PM Modi said. PM Modi praised the high voter turnout in the first phase of polling, saying it had delivered a "65-volt shock" to those who represented "jungle raj." "Bihar has done wonders in the first phase of voting. In the first phase, the jungle raj folks have been dealt a 65-volt shock. Everywhere, the discussion is that Bihar's youth have chosen development and have chosen the NDA. Bihar's sisters and daughters have also ensured NDA's record victory," the Prime Minister added. The first phase of polling in Bihar concluded recently, with elections for 122 seats scheduled on November 11 for the second phase. The results of the Bihar Assembly elections are slated to be announced on November 14. (ANI)
The U.K. Royal Navy flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, is now carrying 24 F-35B fighters  the largest number of the jets to go aboard either of the U.K.s two aircraft carriers, or any ship, for that matter. All 24 of the jets are British, a significant achievement for the British F-35 force, which has long faced questions about the feasibility of deploying a meaningful number of the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jets at sea, without U.S. Marine Corps aircraft making up the numbers.

Jets, jets and more jets  



The largest number of UK F-35B Lightning jets ever assembled on either of the #RoyalNavys new aircraft carriers has been deployed to the Mediterranean for a major allied exercise with @HMSPWLS.#CSG25



Read more: https://t.co/ubeGf3t2Pbpic.twitter.com/xLaFPTMn7d  Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) November 6, 2025

The Royal Navy announced today that the 24 British F-35Bs were aboard HMS Prince of Wales for planned multinational maneuvers in the Mediterranean, called Exercise Falcon Strike. The service has not so far published photos showing all the jets on deck, instead posting imagery from Operation Highmast, the eight-month cruise that took the carrier to the Indo-Pacific region.

HMS Prince of Wales entered the Mediterranean, via the Suez Canal, around a week ago. Six additional British F-35Bs embarked in the carrier once it had arrived in the Med, flying from their base at RAF Marham in England.

A pair of F-35Bs landing on board HMS Prince of Wales during Operation Highmast in May 2025. Crown Copyright

As part of the U.K. Carrier Strike Group, the conventionally powered HMS Prince of Wales is accompanied by the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, the Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, the replenishment tanker RFA Tidespring, and several allied ships. A Royal Navy Astute class nuclear-powered attack submarine is normally also part of the Carrier Strike Group.

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For Exercise Falcon Strike, the U.K. Carrier Strike Group is joined by the Italian frigate Luigi Rizzo, as well as Norwegian warships, for what are Italian Navy-led air and maritime maneuvers.

Allied Air Forces are in  for #FalconStrike2025 

More than 1,000 personnel & 50+ aircraft from      train together.



Hosted by  @ItalianAirForce, the exercise integrates 4th & 5th gen aircraft, ACE & LVC training



 Read more: https://t.co/ga9EtU7USqpic.twitter.com/CXyURcdxW3  NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) November 7, 2025

Commodore James Blackmore, commander of the U.K. Carrier Strike Group, said that Falcon Strike is a real demonstration of the warfighting readiness of the group.

The British F-35Bs on the carrier are from the two frontline units, the Royal Air Forces No. 617 Squadron and the Royal Navys 809 Naval Air Squadron, as well as from the training unit, No. 207 Squadron, RAF, which serves as the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).

Well done to everyone at Marham for making this happen. Whilst it did require the rather unprecedented deployment of the OCU to achieve a totemic milestone, it has readily demonstrated that our Carriers can be reinforced anywhere in the NATO region in a matter of hours. https://t.co/eIWNIyKkLX  Greg Bagwell (@gregbagwell) November 7, 2025

Its notable that, in the past, larger F-35B complements on U.K. carriers were assisted by detaching U.S. Marine Corps aircraft during these cruises.

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For example, in 2021, HMS Queen Elizabeth deployed with a Marine Corps-augmented air wing. On that occasion, eight F-35Bs from No. 617 Squadron were joined by 10 from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, the long. This total is still smaller than the current F-35B complement for Exercise Falcon Strike.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B operates from HMS Queen Elizabeth during the U.K. Carrier Strike Group 21 deployment. Crown Copyright POPhot Jay Allen

The number of F-35Bs now on HMS Prince of Wales is also bigger than has been deployed aboard any amphibious assault ship by the Marine Corps. Back in 2022, the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) hosted 20 of the jets during a test of the Lightning Carrier concept. This is based upon essentially turning a big-deck Gator Navy amphibious assault ship into a light aircraft carrier, packed with F-35Bs.

The biggest carrier embarkation involving fifth-generation fighters also makes an interesting parallel with developments in China, which is now also flying the J-35 stealth fighter, as well as fixed-wing airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft from its latest flattop, the Fujian. Elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan is meanwhile preparing for regular F-35B operations aboard its two amphibious assault ships that have been modified to become STOVL carriers.

A J-35 launches from the Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian. PLAN

Having a larger number of F-35Bs on board the British carrier means that HMS Prince of Wales can contribute more to Falcon Strike, which also involves air assets from France, Greece, Italy, and the United States.

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More importantly, a carrier deployment with 24 British F-35Bs is a major requirement for the declaration of full operating capability for the U.K. Carrier Strike capability, once planned for 2023, then delayed to the end of this year. A 24-aircraft total is the minimum required for this declaration, with the Queen Elizabeth class having the capacity to embark more jets, if required.

The move toward full operating capability is also welcome, considering recent criticism of the British F-35 program.

Last week, the U.K.s Public Accounts Committee released its latest report on the program. Among others, this highlighted the effects of a lack of overall investment in the program. According to the report, cost-cutting measures have had an adverse impact on the F-35Bs capability, availability to fly, and value for money.

"If [the F-35] is to be wielded in the manner in which it deserves, the MoD must root out the short-termism, complacency and miscalculation in the programme identified in our report."  @Clifton_BrownG



We've published a new report, read more  https://t.co/UXb9aLn0dspic.twitter.com/H1VgWQjXR1  Public Accounts Committee (@CommonsPAC) October 31, 2025

The number of British F-35Bs that will ultimately be available to the Royal Navys two carriers has long been a matter of intense debate.

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To date, the United Kingdom has only placed firm orders for 48 F-35Bs. The previous Conservative government confirmed it was negotiating to buy another 27 F-35Bs for delivery by 2033. However, this batch of 27 jets will now be divided between F-35As (12) and F-35Bs (15). The conventional takeoff and landing F-35A offers a number of advantages, including being cheaper, possessing a bigger weapons bay, having a nuclear capability, and improved performance in many scenarios. However, it cannot embark on a carrier.

Most analysts consider that many more than 48 F-35Bs would be required to meet the ambition of 24 jets available for the baseline Carrier Strike mission, across two carriers, as opposed to just one. Considering training and other demands, a figure of 60-70 jets is generally thought to be reasonable. It is for this reason that U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs have been relied upon to make up the required aircraft numbers during carrier cruises.

Officially, at least, the U.K. Ministry of Defense says that it still expects to procure 138 F-35s over the lifetime of the program. However, this total now includes at least 12 F-35As. Having a smaller pool of F-35Bs will also put more strain on the fleet of STOVL jets that are required for missions aboard the carriers.

"The new fast jets will be based at RAF Marham, with the Government expected to procure 138 F35s over the lifetime of the programme." Everything else aside, this is about as clear a commitment to the UK's full programme of record as you're ever going to get  Gareth Jennings (@GarethJennings3) June 25, 2025

Whatever the final F-35B numbers, the Royal Navy is increasingly looking to the potential of uncrewed aircraft to bolster its carrier air wings. The Royal Navy hopes that a combination of drones and long-range weapons will help to make a more balanced hybrid carrier air wing, as you can read about here.

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In 2023, the Royal Navy revealed details of its plan to fit its two carriers with assisted launch systems and recovery gear, enabling operations by a variety of fixed-wing uncrewed aircraft and, potentially, also conventional takeoff and landing crewed types.

We are looking to move from STOVL to STOL, then to STOBAR [short takeoff but arrested recovery], and then to CATOBAR [catapult assisted takeoff but arrested recovery], Col. Phil Kelly, the Royal Navys Head of Carrier Strike and Maritime Aviation, told the Combined Naval Event conference in 2023. We are looking at a demonstrable progression that spreads out the financial cost and incrementally improves capability.

A General Atomics rendering of a catapult-equipped HMS Prince of Wales with a Gambit-series drone ready to launch. The rendering also depicts an air wing that includes carrier-capable MQ-9B drones fitted with a STOL kit, as well as F-35Bs. GA-ASI

By the time a British carrier makes its next scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific, planned for 2029, the Ministry of Defense hopes that it will include some kind of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). This aspiration was laid out by First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins earlier this year, when he said he wanted to launch the first jet-powered collaborative platform drone as a concept demonstrator off a Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier before the end of 2026.

Nevertheless, for the foreseeable future, the F-35B remains the cornerstone of the carrier air wings strike capability. Putting the largest number of the stealth jets on a Royal Navy carrier is a visible demonstration of the aircrafts central role and underscores the British F-35Bs progress, despite lingering concerns over final aircraft numbers and other criticisms of the program.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
A former British soldier allegedly told a colleague the 2012 murder of a Kenyan woman who was found in a septic tank was sex that went wrong, a court has heard.

Robert James Purkiss, 38, told Westminster Magistrates Court he does not consent to his extradition to the African nation, after the Kenyan director of public prosecutions said he was wanted for the alleged brutal murder of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru.

A hearing on Friday was told that a colleague of Purkiss saw him crying outside the Lions Court Hotel at the time of the alleged murder, and when asked why he was crying, said: Ive killed her.

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The court also heard that in 2018, Purkiss had allegedly responded with a smiling face emoji after a colleague posted a picture of himself outside the Lions Court Hotel in the town of Nanyuki with the comment if you know you know, while also referencing the septic tank.

An inquest in 2018 concluded Ms Wanjiru was murdered by British soldiers after she was discovered near a British Army base, two months after she disappeared.

An inquest in 2018 concluded Agnes Wanjiru was murdered by British soldiers (Family handout/PA)

David Josse KC, for Purkiss, said the former soldier vehemently denies murder and has received Ministry of Defence funding to help pay for his defence.

Home Office barrister Joel Smith KC told the court Purkiss was a soldier who was stationed in Kenya for a six-week training exercise at the time of the alleged murder.

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Mr Smith said: There is evidence that when the soldiers were given time off, they would go into town, drink heavily, and they would pay local women for sex.

He said some of the soldiers left their base and went drinking in the town on the night of March 31 2012.

They were drinking heavily. Many of them, including this defendant, ended up in the Lions Court Hotel, Mr Smith said.

He continued to say Ms Wanjiru was last seen leaving the hotel with a soldier.

Mr Smith said: Ms Wanjiru and two of her friends went into Nanyuki town.

She had left her baby daughter with a friend, and they ended up at the Lions Court Hotel where they met a number of soldiers.

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The last time Ms Wanjiru was seen alive, she was leaving the hotel with a soldier.

As she left, she told a friend in her local language that she was going to hustle for her daughter.

As Ive said, she was never seen alive again.

Mr Smith said Ms Wanjirus body was found two months later in a septic tank and it was significantly decomposed.

He told the court: She didnt return home the next day to pick up her daughter.

Robert James Purkiss shook his head in the dock as the allegation against him was set out (PA)

Her friends started to look for her, and on April 2 she was reported missing to the police.

A couple of months later, on June 5, in the grounds within the hotel, they found her body decomposing in a septic tank.

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Mr Smith said the body was significantly decomposed and a post-mortem examination identified a 2cm stab wound to the lower abdomen and a collapsed lung.

Mr Smith said inquiries had uncovered confessions made by Purkiss to fellow soldiers about the incident in Kenya.

Addressing what one soldier had said, the lawyer told the court: (He) told military police he had been in Kenya, that he and others had snuck out to go drinking at the Lions Court Hotel and that he had seen this defendant.

Mr Smith said the soldier spoke of seeing Purkiss cry.

He said: When he was asked why, the defendant said Ive killed her.

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Mr Smith said a post-mortem examination concluded Ms Wanjiru might have been alive when placed in the septic tank.

Purkiss, who was wearing a patterned short-sleeved shirt, shook his head in the dock as Mr Smith set out the allegation against him.

The Home Office lawyer said that in the following days, there were rumours on camp that the defendant had killed someone.

In an alleged confession, Purkiss is said to have told a colleague it was sex that went wrong.

Mr Smith said Purkiss had also allegedly shown a fellow soldier a body in a septic tank.

He told the court: He then went to show the witness a septic tank, in which was the body of a woman.

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(The soldier) said he returned to the bar and told all the soldiers, but they didnt believe him because they were drunk.

Two other soldiers have told military police that they recall (the soldier) mentioning that confession that night.

Mr Smith added that there were also reports of other soldiers who deny hearing reports of that confession.

The Home Office lawyer also told the court of Facebook messages in 2018 that were shared between former members of the Duke of Lancasters Regiment.

One of the soldiers posted a picture of himself outside the Lions Court Hotel with the comment: If you know you know, the court heard.

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The soldier also referenced the septic tank, Mr Smith said.

The court heard Purkiss sent a smiling face emoji in response, and when a group member asked him do you get choked up?, he replied: Come to think of it I have had a sore throat today.

Purkiss was remanded into custody and will next appear at the same court via video link on November 14 for a further bail application hearing.
Nov. 8A group of criminal defense attorneys currently representing indigent federal defendants in New Mexico  without pay  is refusing to take on new cases until Congress solves the budget "crisis."

In a letter to Chief U.S. District Judge Kenneth Gonzales of New Mexico, more than 50 lawyers, interpreters, paralegals and others who represent federal criminal defendants under the Criminal Justice Act said they will continue to work on their currently assigned cases. But they say they can't accept new appointments from the judiciary because of the "untenable strain" caused by the lack of funding.

"The goal is not to make the court's job difficult," said Albuquerque lawyer Ryan J. Villa, New Mexico's CJA counsel representative. "It's to get Congress' attention."

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Congress intentionally underfunded CJA attorneys last budget year, so the funding ran out in July, said the letter. The lawyers and their contractors were waiting for past due payments for their work when the government shut down Oct. 1.

Even if the government reopens, Congress has proposed to underfund CJA again in fiscal year 2026 by $494 million below the requested amount, Villa said in his letter.

CJA lawyers nationwide represent about 40% of indigent federal defendants, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Federal Public Defender's office handles the remaining 60%, but has a hiring freeze, Villa said. Federal defenders, who represent indigent defendants, also are not getting paid.

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Villa said not all CJA attorneys in the state signed onto the letter, but across the country, others representing federal defendants are also declining new cases.

Federal prosecutors elsewhere have argued that federal judges can force CJA attorneys to take criminal cases without pay, but it's unclear what will happen in New Mexico.

Gonzales, in a statement to the Journal on Thursday, said "It remains critically important that Defender Services be fully funded as soon as possible so that federal criminal cases can proceed in an orderly manner. This is very true in federal courts, like our court in New Mexico, that are located along the U.S.-Mexico border where we have a high volume of defendants and an equally high need for competent attorneys."

"The list of attorneys on the letter to our Court not only is long but also includes a wealth of experience and expertise, in criminal immigration, complex drug trafficking, child sex abuse, Indian County, and in death penalty cases," Gonzales said.

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The lawyers' letter states that as officers of the court, they are bound to provide effective representation to indigent defendants.

"The more CJA cases we take on, the more harm we risk doing to our existing CJA clients because that means more time spent on other work for income streams and less time available to our indigent clients."

At the same time, Villa told the Journal, "We don't want people sitting in jail indefinitely because they don't have a lawyer or denied their speedy trial rights."

CJA lawyers rely on expert witnesses, interpreters, investigators and others for the defense of indigent clients, the letter adds, but those individuals "have been forced to seek work elsewhere and have begun to decline taking CJA cases. Without their assistance, counsel cannot effectively represent their clients."

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In mid-October, U.S. District Court Judge David Urias of Albuquerque agreed to delay a death penalty case after defense attorneys for Labar Tsethlikai, 52, contended their client's constitutional rights were impacted by "the failure of the United States to fund his defense."

Tsethlikai, who was arrested in April 2024, is in federal custody awaiting trial on federal charges of murder, kidnapping, kidnapping resulting in death, serious assault and aggravated sexual abuse related to an alleged pattern of predatory and sexual violence.

"We are fearful of providing an inadequate defense and depriving a man of his Constitutional rights in a literal life or death situation," wrote defense attorney Hadley Brown last week. "The United States is trying to kill Mr. Tsethlikai. They are simultaneously asking the Court to ignore the fact that his Defense is not fully funded."

The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico asked the judge to deny the defense request for a stay of the proceedings, contending it was merely a tactic to "delay justice."

Urias wrote in a ruling that "the right to a defense is one of the bedrock principles of this country, and the shutdown has unquestionably impeded Defendant's right to counsel in this case."
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul finally departed on a commercial flight on Saturday for an EU-Latin America summit in Colombia set to be dominated by thorny trade issues - but initially he had to overcome logistical headwinds.

The minister was compelled to take a commercial flight from Hamburg to Bogota due to a defect on the government aircraft - a military Airbus A350 - which was supposed to take him.

There was a problem with the de-icing system, a spokesman for the German Air Force, or Luftwaffe, said on Saturday, adding that the necessary spare parts have now been ordered.

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Wadephul is to represent Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the meeting.

Regional opportunities

On Sunday, Wadephul is to meet his European and Latin American counterparts in the Caribbean coastal city of Santa Marta for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit.

His aim at the talks is to deepen cooperation with the region, in an effort to safeguard against US President Donald Trump's protectionist tariff policy and dependence on China for rare earth elements.

"Our opportunities for cooperation are huge, we just have to seize and use them," Wadephul said before take-off.

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He highlighted issues ranging from the diversification of supply chains to cooperation in the extraction and processing of important raw materials, as well as digital technologies and skilled workers.

Rare earths are found in consumer goods such as smartphones and television screens, as well as in electric car engines, semiconductors and turbines.

Free trade

Strong partnerships already exist with many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Wadephul noted.

A key topic in Colombia will be the trade agreement being negotiated with Mercosur states, the minister said, with a view to concluding it swiftly and breathing life into the deal, akin to similar agreements with Chile, Mexico and other regional partners.

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The agreements could strengthen supply chains and resilience and stimulate growth, according to Germany's top diplomat.

Negotiations on the agreement between the European Union and the four Mercosur countries - Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay - have been ongoing since 1999.

According to the European Commission, it would create the world's largest free trade area of its kind, with more than 700 million inhabitants, as well as sending a signal in response to Trump's tariffs.

Tariffs and trade barriers between the EU and Mercosur countries are to be largely dismantled under the deal.

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On Sunday, Wadephul planned to travel on from Colombia to Bolivia for talks with the newly elected government. Bolivia is considered rich in raw materials and is an important supplier of lithium, which is essential for battery production.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the minister is scheduled to attend a meeting in Canada with his counterparts from the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 38-year-old business owner has been arrested and is facing charges in an alleged construction scam, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said.

On Thursday, Nov. 6, detectives from the Sheriffs Office arrested 38-year-old Esli Abraham Escobar-Luevano following an investigation into fraudulent business practices, according to the Sheriffs Office.



The investigation began after a victim reported hiring Summit Landscape to build a custom

metal fence. After receiving an initial deposit, the contractor repeatedly delayed the start of

the project, citing scheduling and equipment issues, the Sheriffs Office said.

Despite numerous attempts by the victim to contact the contractor, no work was ever started, and no refund was issued, the Sheriffs Office said.



Through the course of the investigation, detectives identified the contractor as Escobar-Luevano, owner of Summit Landscape. Detectives also discovered that Escobar-Luevano had an active warrant for theft of property under $2,500. An additional warrant for theft of property under $2,500 was obtained.



Escobar-Luevano was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a total bond of $4,500.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
As Gov. Gavin Newsom prepares to take Californias climate story to the world stage at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, state environmental leaders hope his global message of resilience and action will echo just as ambitiously back home.

The governors trip comes as California faces increasing climate pressures, from worsening droughts and extreme heat to the rising costs of energy and water  and for many following those challenges, the trip is both a chance to reaffirm their hopes for state-level progress and a mirror for the criticisms that continue to shadow Newsoms climate record.

Newsom has consistently aligned himself with the view that Californias government is at the forefront of addressing climate change, especially in the absence of active leadership from the U.S. federal government in climate discussions.

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In a press release Thursday, the state celebrated a major 3% drop in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 ahead of COP30, driven largely by the growth of clean transportation. The report noted that Californias economy has grown at the same time by more than 80% since 2000 even as emissions have fallen by over 20%, adding Newsoms statement that in California, we know that a healthy, clean climate and thriving economy arent zero-sum games. We can excel at both.

But even as the governor touts the states climate achievements, his broader agenda faces friction on two fronts  from federal rollbacks that legally challenge Californias own state-level green authority, and from questions over his own commitment to phasing out fossil fuels.

Gavin Newsoms green agenda faces tests at home

Sierra Club California director Miguel Miguel said that while the Governors boldness to lead at COP30 is necessary, his recent backing for an oil and gas measure has undermined years of progress toward clean energy and echoed the same drill, baby, drill approach long promoted by the Trump administration.

The federal administration loves to say drill, baby, drill. Governor Newsom said the same thing with SB 237, Miguel said, citing legislation the governor signed earlier this year that eased restrictions on oil and gas operations in California.

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When Newsom signed the bill in September, environmental groups called Newsoms approval a deep betrayal of Californians trust and values, condemned what they described as backroom deals crafted without public input,  a disappointing large shift from the states recent climate progress.

Its really hard for this year to say we did a good job on it  rather, we were responding a lot to what the federal administration was doing, as many other states and cities were doing too, Miguel said, adding some of those state responses which rolled back clean energy approach are going to have big consequences.

Newsom is expected to be in Brazil from Nov. 9 to 15, according to his office. He will begin the trip in Sao Paulo, where he is scheduled to speak with business leaders and investors at a Milken Institute event before traveling to Belem for COP30, according to a press release. At COP30, he is expected to deliver remarks, meet with climate leaders including Christiana Figueres, the architect of the Paris Agreement and discuss clean energy and conservation partnerships.

Calls for investment in climate resilience

Fresh off his redistricting victory earlier this week, Newsom said he would refocus his attention on shoring up the states climate bonafides, a sharp contrast from the White House, which declined this week to send a delegation to Brazil.

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As the President of the United States turns his back on people and the planet, California is inking global partnerships focused on creating jobs and cutting toxic pollution, Newsom said Thursday in a press release. The economic winners of the 21st century are those who build the clean energy future. Were doing that right now  and showing the world that climate action means jobs, clean air, and lower costs.

Newsom, who earlier this year was named co-chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a group of governors mitigating climate change, sent some of his top advisers to Brazil ahead of his arrival, like National Resources Agency head Wade Crowfoot, who during an online presentation Wednesday criticized the federal governments decision not to attend the conference and stressed the importance of showing the world that America is still in this fight and were moving forward.

The delegation also includes newly appointed Air Resources Board chair Lauren Sanchez, Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari, Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross and Public Utilities Commission President Alice Reynolds.

Were gladthat Governor Newsom is showing his commitment to Californias leadership on climate solutions by going to Brazil, because there are so many common sense solutions that overwhelming majorities of our state are enthusiastic about, said Sam Trezona, wildlife conservation associate at Environment California.

Humans co-existing with wildlife

While praising California for leading the way in constructing wildlife crossings such as the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, Trezona emphasized that stronger investments are still needed to help humans coexist with shrinking wildlife populations and their habitats.

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Roadkill is, as UC Davis researchers have described it, a preventable natural disaster that costs Californians more than $200 million each year and kills thousands of animals annually. And though Caltrans has identified over 100 sites where wildlife crossings could reduce the toll, most of them remain unfunded.

We know that in part, because of climate change, more wildlife are at risk of going extinct now than ever, and solutions like wildlife crossings to reconnect wildlife can help address thatwhat we need is investment to create wildlife crossing networks across the state, Trezona added.

Folsom Lakes surface elevation was at 370.7 feet on Oct. 20, 2021, the lowest level since December 2015. California begins the new water year under continued threat from the new normal of swinging between major storms and long, dry periods, a pattern widely considered linked to climate change, the California Department of Water Resources warned.

Climate change and Californias water systems

Meanwhile, James Peifer, executive director of Regional Water Authority and Sacramento Groundwater Authority, said recent extreme weather patterns show how climate change is reshaping Californias water systems. Noting that the state has seen both record droughts and severe storms during Newsoms tenure, he urged the state to use Climate Bond funds to move long-planned resilience projects off paper and into action.

The California Department of Water Resources warned in October that California begins the new water year under continued threat from the new normal of swinging between major storms and long, dry periods, a pattern widely considered linked to climate change.

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One of the biggest opportunities is to move projects from planned to built. Thats why were hopeful the Administration will move quickly to release Climate Bond funding approved by voters in 2024, Peifer said, referring to the $10 billion Climate Resilience Bond California voters approved in 2024 to fund drought, flood, wildfire, and other climate resilience projects  much of which has yet to be allocated as the state works out its distribution plan.

With that support, our region can tackle flood, fire, and drought challenges with projects that provide multiple benefits for communities and the environment, Peifer continued.
Never one to keep his political opinions to himself, District Attorney Dan Dow recently reposted an incendiary message on X from an alleged anti-Islamic hate group  his first mistake.

Then he tried to dodge responsibility for the repost  one of two he shared that linked New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to the 9/11 terror attacks  by smugly pointing to a disclaimer at the top of his page: Retweets are not endorsements.

When Tribune reporter Chloe Jones continued to press him on why he was connecting Mamdani to the worst terror attack on American soil in history, he offered this sanctimonious but flimsy excuse: I am a United States Army veteran who has served over 32 years and have had 4 tours overseas. I remember like it was yesterday our nation being attacked by Islamic extremists on 9/11/2001. I love this country and I do not in any way share the same views as the 33-year-old socialist Zohran Mandami (sic).

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We dont buy it.

Posting a get-out-of-jail-free disclaimer at the top of your own social media page does not absolve you of responsibility for spreading blatantly racist messaging there. Nor does hiding behind your military career.

We should not have to say this, but there is no way Mamdani had anything to do with 9/11.

He was not quite 10 years old when this act of terrorism occurred. He was a child who had recently moved to New York City from Kampala, Uganda, where he was born. The terrorists were from the Middle East.

Read more at: https://www.sanluisobispo.com/article312799236.html#storylink=cpy

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SLO County DA shares posts linking New Yorks first Muslim mayor to 9/11 attacks

We also should not have to say this: Plastering images of 9/11 over the election victory of an upstanding immigrant citizen, who by all intents and purposes is trying to live the American dream, is clearly bigotry based on his Muslim religion, not his progressive politics or his self-identification as a democratic socialist

Would a candidate who shared Bernie Sanders beliefs  and also his skin color  get the same 9/11 treatment?

In addition, the post shared by Dow implies that the problem isnt only Mamdani; it also accuses his supporters of participating in a heinous plot to destroy New York City, as this particular detail shows:

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... To see New York  my city  stand in this moment, where someone like Zohran Mamdani could even be elected  My God, New York, what have you done?

Dow reposted a message from the RAIR Foundation. What is that?

The post was written by Amy Mekelburg, founder of the RAIR (Rise Align Ignite Reclaim) Foundation, which has been identified as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Its website is filled with ominous warnings about a Muslim takeover of the United States.

Lets be very clear: Islam has no place in a free America, Mekelburg wrote in an essay. No ideology that seeks our destruction deserves dignity  and no one who clings to it should expect America to bend.

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Its denouncements of Mamdani are especially virulent:

The mask comes off .... Mamdani elected NYC mayor, quotes Socialists while Jihadis gloat, is one headline., and in at least one opinion piece, the writer referred to Muslims as infidels.

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow reposted an X post linking the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York Citys first Muslim mayor to the 9/11 attacks that killed 2,606 people at the World Trade Center.

Bigotry is to be expected from extremists like Mekelburg.

But we would not expect her voice to be amplified by an elected district attorney who has a duty to treat every one of his SLO County constituents fairly, regardless of religion.

When he debases himself by carrying water for an ugly, anti-Islamic organization, Dow erodes confidence in his obectivity and the basic trust we have in him to do his job.

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And its not just hate from the RAIR Foundation that Dow reposted.

He shared this from Elon Musk: Remember to vote tomorrow in New York! Bear in mind that a vote for Curtis (the Republican candidate) is really a vote for Mumdumi or whatever his name is.

And this from poster Eric Metaxas: Its hard to believe that 24 years after 9/11, New York City is on the brink of voting in a Uganda-born Islamist mayor who campaigned last week with an unindicted co-conspirator in the first World Trade Center terrorist attack that killed six New Yorkers. (Imam Siraj Wahhaj appeared on a list of possible co-conspirators in the 1993 attack, but was never charged.)

Dow gave that particular post a 100% emoji.

Allegations of rigging the Prop. 50 election

For Dow, this is nothing new.

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He often shares his political and religious views on social media, on radio shows and in speeches, whether its to quote a passage of scripture, to lobby for the defeat of the Proposition 50 redistricting measure or to urge voters to support gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco, the far-right sheriff of Riverside County.

In the run-up to the Prop. 50 election, Dow shared a post on X that accused Gov. Gavin Newsom of rigging the election by manipulating ballot envelopes to allow no votes to be viewed through a hole, so Democrats can identify them and throw them away.

Way to instill faith in the voting system, Dan  the same system that declared you the victor in two separate elections.

Of course, Dow is not alone among district attorneys who take political positions. For instance, he was one of 30 California DAs who opposed Prop. 50.

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But does he really have to drift so far out of his lane as to weigh in on a mayors race on the other side of the country?

We arent trying to stifle his right to free speech  district attorneys do not give that up when theyre elected  but its not too much to expect someone elected to a nonpartisan office to exercise some judgment before hitting repost on social media.

If our district attorney truly wants the people of San Luis Obispo County to believe that he offers justice for all, he should focus on what he does best  prosecuting criminals and supporting victims  and leave opinionizing and proselytizing to the pundits and preachers.

Especially when that opinionizing and proselytizing transitions into racism and fearmongering.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified where Zohran Mamdani was at the time of the 9/11 attacks. He was 9 years old and living in New York City.
The fight over SNAP benefits continues. Friday afternoon, a federal appeals panel ordered the White House to fully fund payments for the month of November.

But the Trump Administration has now asked the Supreme Court to intervene.

RELATED: Supreme Court justice temporarily pauses order requiring Trump administration to fully fund SNAP

The USDA is already sending out that money to people in at least nine states, including California.

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Some Bay Area residents have already received their full SNAP payments. It comes in addition to money provided by the City of San Francisco through a public-private partnership with the Crankstart Foundation.

"I get food from the SF Marin Food Bank on a weekly basis, but it doesn't cover everything," said Troy Brunet from San Francisco.

Brunet visits the San Francisco Marin Food Bank once a week.

"Living with HIV and AIDS, and a deterioration of the bone, I need to have healthy food," Brunet said.

Brunet typically gets $83 a month from CalFresh.

That money had been cut because of the government shutdown, and a standoff over SNAP.

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"I know quite a few people who are trying their best to figure it out right now," Brunet said.

Late Friday, Brunet learned that he got his full SNAP payment.

The San Francisco Human Services Agency posted on its website: "Following lawsuits filed by California and other states, California CalFresh recipients are beginning to see the immediate restoration of their full benefits on their EBT cards."

California was one of more than 22 other states that filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the "unlawful refusal to fund SNAP/CalFresh benefits" due to the government shutdown.

"California will continue fighting to ensure that our families can access the food they need and deserve," read a statement from Gov. Gavin Newsom. "The court rightly shut down the Trump administration's attempt to use the well-being of American citizens as pawns in their sick political game. As President Trump continues to create harm through self-inflicted wounds on our country, we will keep protecting Americans who are caught in the crossfire. I am pleased at the court ruling and that those food benefits are now beginning to flow back to California families."

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The reinstated SNAP payment comes after a one-time debit card payment Brunet and other San Francisco SNAP recipients just received from the city.

Brunet says he's grateful for the extra support from San Francisco and Crankstart.

"I actually got $200, which was like 'wow!'," said Brunet about the emergency aid.

Brunet is one of the nearly 112,000 San Franciscans who count on SNAP benefits from the federal government.

The ABC News Data Team learned that in San Francisco, that's almost 10% of households, with a large percentage of them living in the Bayview zip code of 94124.

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"We're no. 3 in the city, in terms of people who receive SNAP benefits," said SF Supervisor Shamann Walton.

Walton represents Bayview. He said the SF/Crankstart benefits -- a total of $18 million -- are a significant boost for many residents.

"We've been hearing from a lot of people who have started receiving their benefits, and of course, they're grateful. But it's still devastating because we're still in this position," said Supervisor Walton.

Brunet says he's relieved and grateful his SNAP payments have been fully reinstated for November. But he's still concerned about what comes next. He wonders if this is a one-time payment meant to appease recipients or if he'll be going through the uncertainty again next month.

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More than 5 million people rely on SNAP benefits across California. Some organizations are calling on Newsom to backfill SNAP funding.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





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Anxiety grows for travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport as nationwide flight reductions spark delays and cancellations.

Friday marked the start of the FAA's mandated flight reductions, affecting 40 airports nationwide, including Charlotte Douglas International.

The FAA has said the reduction is meant to make the skies safer as the government shutdown continues and as the agency experiences air traffic control staffing issues.

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A 4% reduction in flights began Friday and will increase gradually, reaching 10% by next Friday.

Stearline and James Rucker are waiting for a flight home to Minneapolis on Friday after coming to Charlotte for a wedding.

They got to the airport as soon as they could on Friday after hearing about the flight reductions.

"They cut the flights. We said that's a terrible thing to do when you got people all in limbo," said S. Rucker.

They're worried about missing important appointments if their flight gets cancelled.

Click here to see a map of the affected airports.

"I have a doctor's appointment that I have to be at on Monday," said J. Rucker. "And otherwise I would have to call and cancel that."

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American Airlines tells ABC11 it cancelled at least 18 out of 588 departures on Friday in Charlotte, roughly 3% of the airline's departures.

American Airlines is the dominant carrier and operates roughly 90% of departure flights at Charlotte.

Nick Souter is traveling to Arizona for a bachelor party, and says one of his friends already had his flight cancelled.

"Got his flight canceled (in Denver)," he said. "Not sure what airline he was on, but he ended up getting a last-second booking."

Travelers tell ABC11 News they're worried about how many more flights could get cancelled if the reduction continues.

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"Until I'm on the plane on Monday, I'm not going to be that confident that everything's going to be smooth," said Souter.

SEE ALSO | Traveler rights to airline refunds amid government shutdown delays, cancellations

As a reminder, flight reductions are not impacting international flights.

Airlines are warning passengers to arrive at least two hours in advance of their domestic flights as the reductions and staffing issues linger.

Download the ABC11 News App to see more stories like this.
Hundreds of people were forced to make other plans at Atlantas airport Friday on the first day of government-ordered flight reductions.

At least 87 flights were canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by 6 p.m., with hundreds more delayed.

One man whose Frontier Airlines flight was canceled, Joseph Fuller, told Channel 2s Audrey Washington that he has cancer and needs to get home.

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We have to be back in Syracuse because my husband has cancer, and he has an appointment Monday morning, said his wife, Yvonne Fuller.

Hundreds of travelers faced disruptions as the Federal Aviation Administration implemented flight reductions due to staffing issues.

The FAA began reducing flights by 4% on the first day of the government-ordered cutbacks. The federal agency said the reductions are a result of staffing shortages among air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown.

If we dont get this government shutdown ended, the number of controllers that are simply not going to be able to show up to work is going to skyrocket, said aviation expert John Nance.

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The FAA projects that flight reductions could increase to 10% by next Friday if the government shutdown continues. This has raised concerns among travelers, especially during the busy holiday season.

First-time flyer Michael Page shared his worries about the situation, describing it as pretty sad.

Some airlines are offering refunds for canceled flights and suggest that passengers purchase backup tickets on other carriers. However, for travelers like the Fullers, driving is not an option due to health issues.

If we could drive I wouldve driven here and driven home, Yvonne Fuller said.

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Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday expressed confidence in the people's verdict in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections, dismissing the BJP's claims and slogans as baseless. "We have faith in the people. We know where they get their data and figures from. Earlier as well, they gave a slogan of 400 paar and whatnot. But we have faith only in the people. People will do justice and decide what's best for them," he said when asked about NDA's confidence of winning 160 plus seats in the Bihar assembly election. Targeting the NDA's 'jungleraj' narrative, the Congress chief questioned the ruling alliance's failure to address law and order issues and infiltration during their long tenure. "Jungle Raj and all these things are old issues. Why did they not end jungleraj in 20 years? Why didn't the push out infiltrators? This is a failure of the central government and the state government. I want to call out their double-engine government for this failure," he added. Earlier in the Purnea rally today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah predicted that the NDA would secure over 160 seats in the 243-member assembly. Shah has been campaigning extensively across Bihar, addressing rallies and roadshows, and emphasising the NDA's achievements in infrastructure development, law and order, and social welfare. Shah has criticised the opposition, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, alleging they are more concerned about their own family members than the people of Bihar. He has also warned voters against the return of "jungle raj" under RJD rule, citing instances of violence, kidnapping, and extortion during their previous tenure. The NDA's campaign focuses on development, security, and regional pride, with Shah highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's leadership. Meanwhile, the first phase of the Bihar elections, which saw a record voter turnout of 65.08 per cent, marked the highest polling percentage in the state's history. The first phase of polling in Bihar concluded recently, with elections for 122 seats scheduled on November 11 for the second phase. The results of the Bihar Assembly elections are slated to be announced on November 14. (ANI)
A laboratory in Canton was evacuated following a liquid nitrogen leak, Friday morning.

The Canton Fire Department and the Massachusetts Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division (Hazmat) responded to the leak at an industrial park on Dan Road, shortly after 10 a.m.

People inside the building evacuated prior to the departments arrival, officials say.

The cause of the leak was determined to be a malfunctioning relief valve on a 60-gallon tank, according to the Canton Fire Department.

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Crews say they moved the tank to the rear of the buildings parking lot and emptied it. A chemical truck then removed the tank.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection was notified of the incident, but environmental damage was determined to be minimal since the Earths atmosphere already contains roughly 78 percent nitrogen, according to the Canton Fire Department.

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Hundreds of people arrived at an east Orange County food distribution site that was the first in a series of pre-Thanksgiving giveaways in Central Florida.

The first people arrived almost three hours early, citing the uncertainty of SNAP benefits and rising prices that were making it hard to put dinner on the table.

The event, organized by Commissioner Maribel Gomez-Cordero and Congressman Maxwell Frost, had the capacity to feed 350 families. Marketing was targeted at SNAP recipients and federal workers, though all were welcome.

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Boxes from the Second Harvest Food Bank were distributed, while nonprofit leaders said searches on their Food Finder website were up 300%.

Another distribution is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday at West Orange High School.

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History has often been unkind to women in American society, and recent years have seen that tactic grow at alarming speed. Monday, Nov. 10, the National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan (NCJW|MI) will address the challenge with its 2025 Fall Focus event, The Erasure of Women, A Call to Action.

Frederique Irwin, president and CEO of the National Womens History Museum, will be featured as keynote speaker at the 7-9 p.m. event held at Farmington Hills Adat Shalom Synagogue.

The erasure of women that were seeing today is particularly upsetting, said Irwin, on top of the erasure/omission of women and their stories that has existed for years. From early childhood education, we know that only 15% of whats taught is even about womens history or accomplishments. If you ask yourself what is the consequence of removing omitting womens history or womens stories from the narrative, the consequence is that young girls and boys in school start to tell themselves, or assume, that it must be because theyre secondary, or maybe they werent very important. That thought, unfortunately, stays with them, evolves and follows them over the course of their education, their career and their life.

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The way it shows up in the long-term today is through this gender parity gap that we continue to have in the United States. And the gender parity gap is measured by the World Economic Forum in Switzerland; every year, they look globally at how far women are, in each country, from equal representation. According to them, in the United States, we are still at least 100 years away from equal representation. And if were 100 years away from that, then as a country, were doing ourselves a great disservice.

Irwin said many people are very surprised to learn that.

About a year ago, she said, we ran a Harris survey and asked, How many years away do you think the United States is from equal representation of women? It was astounding, because more than 75% of the respondents assumed women were already equal and fully represented. We realized that we needed an education campaign, so we started one called She is not a footnote. And neither are you. Its meant to be a little bit tongue-in-cheek; we want to begin to contribute to educating people about women have done and the fact that they were not footnotes  in many cases, they were part of the whole story.

But we didnt want to do it with anger; this environment is not conducive for more anger. So we wanted to do it with a sense of humor. We started creating a couple of short films. One of them, for example, is called WTF, by the National Womens History Museum: Where are the females? Its about women in STEM.

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Irwin encouraged everyone  not just women  to get involved.

The call to action is to get involved in whatever way works for you. It might just be doing your part and telling stories to those around you about the women in your life or youve known or you work with. Just help us increase the volume of stories we tell. If you love this campaign, host a small salon. Were doing a big, grassroots effort. Get involved as an alliance member. Or, if you think this matters but you dont have time, support the cost so we can do more of what were doing, because the truth is were not federally funded. Were privately funded, and so is the National Womens History Museum.

Were one of the only national organizations that is  and has been for almost 30 years  documenting, capturing, sharing and educating the public about womens history. And because of whats happening around us and the erasure of some of these stories, we feel like we have to move faster than ever.

Irma Glaser, Fall Focus co-chair, said it was important for Michiganders to understand the present pushback on womens efforts for accomplishment, while acknowledging so many past womens achievements.

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Frederique Irwin will expose us to the alarming impact on the future of women's rights, something we should all be concerned about, and provide us with an opportunity to discuss possible solutions and the next steps we can take, she said.

And what of men? How can they ally and align themselves with this campaign?

Most of the men I know are all in  they understand it, Irwin said. They have sisters, wives, moms, etc., who have done things, are highly capable, and its never occurred to them that perhaps part of why society just assumes we should have a male president, for instance, is because of what weve all been culturally fed. Allyship, honestly, just looks like curiosity and a desire to learn more. Understand that were not here to be mad, were just here to absorb more of what none of us are taught.

NCJW|MI president Amy Zeskind agreed.

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Life applies to men, as well, Zeskind said. Were not all just passengers here in this world. You can clearly see that things are changing, and its important for all of us to be advocates.

Honoring a community leader

At Mondays event, former NCJW|MI board member Jeannie Weiner will be presented with the organizations Advocacy Award. Weiner was a dedicated advocate for Soviet Jews in the 1980s, becoming the Chairman of the Soviet Jewry Committee in Detroit. She was President of the Jewish Community Council (later known as JCRC), from 1991-1994. She has been on the boards of Jewish Family Service, the Anti-Defamation League and Hillel of Metro Detroit and was a founding member of the Arab Jewish Friends organization. She is currently on the board of governors of Jewish Federation of Detroit, an advisory member of Womens Philanthropy, and a trustee with Jewish Womens Foundation. Weiner is the immediate past president of Jewish Historical Society of Michigan where she works to preserve the history of Michigans Jewish communities and describes herself as an ambassador for Detroit and southeast Michigan.

The Erasure of Women, A Call to Action

Monday, Nov. 10

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7- 9 p.m.

Adat Shalom Synagogue

29901 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills

Tickets $18 (students free with school ID)

Pre-registration only  no walk-ins

Register and purchase at ncjwmi.org or call 248-355-3300 ext. 0

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: CEO of National Women's History Museum to speak Monday in metro Detroit
China is demanding more significant concessions from the government of the Netherlands in the chip crisis involving the Dutch company Nexperia.

The Netherlands has not yet taken any noticeable measures to prevent the violation of rights and interests of Chinese firms and to restore the stability of global supply chains, the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said on Saturday.

The authority was responding to a question about an online post by acting Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans, from Thursday.

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"Given the constructive nature of our talks with the Chinese authorities, the Netherlands trusts that the supply of chips from China to Europe and the rest of the world will reach Nexperia's customers over the coming days," Karremans posted on the social media platform X.

China's Ministry of Commerce demanded that the Netherlands' portrayal should not remain just words but should lead to constructive plans as soon as possible.

The Hague should also stop interfering in company matters through administrative means, it said.

Beijing has agreed to a request by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to send representatives to China for consultations, it further stated.

Cause of the dispute

The background of the conflict is the decision by the Dutch government on September 30 to place Nexperia under state control due to concerns about the Chinese parent company Wingtech. Shortly thereafter, Beijing imposed export restrictions on certain Nexperia chips, which has also affected European car manufacturers.

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Nexperia primarily produces standard chips used in large quantities in the automotive industry and electronic devices.

Beijing had previously announced that it would allow exceptions for Nexperia exports under certain conditions. Some companies have already reported receiving approvals.
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An artist's concept depicting the near-Earth orbital debris field, based on real data from the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office. | Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

China recently reached out to NASA over a maneuver to prevent a possible collision between satellites, a space sustainability official said, marking a first for space traffic management.

"For years, if we had a conjunction , we would send a note to the Chinese saying, 'We think we're going to run into you. You hold still, we'll maneuver around you,'" Alvin Drew, director for NASA Space Sustainability, said during a plenary session at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 2.

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A big shift had come a day earlier, Drew revealed. "Just yesterday, we had a bit of a celebration because, for the first time, the Chinese National Space Agency reached out to us and said, 'We see a conjunction amongst our satellites. We recommend you hold still. We'll do the maneuver.' And that's the first time that's ever happened," Drew said.

The move by the China National Space Administration ( CNSA ) comes as both the United States, notably through SpaceX's commercial Starlink constellation, and China, in the shape of the Guowang and Thousand Sails megaconstellations, are rapidly increasing the number of satellites they have in orbit. This means an increasing need for satellite operators to coordinate to limit the chances of collisions between satellites and prevent events that cause new clouds of space debris .

The development also indirectly suggests that China's space situational awareness, or understanding what is going on in orbit at any moment, has reached the level of being able to flag conjunctions and begin to coordinate with other operators.

China noted this as a priority in a 2022 space white paper that outlined its ambitions for the period 2021 to 2026. The country also recently stated that it is working on capabilities to remove junk from space .

Contact between CNSA and NASA is generally limited by the so-called Wolf Amendment, which prevents most bilateral interaction between NASA and Chinese state entities.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Colombian national made his first appearance in federal court for his alleged role in a multi-state burglary ring.

Derinson Martinez-Grandas, 34, is accused of conspiring with six others and burglarizing homes in Oregon and Washington. All of them are believed to be Colombian nationals.

They carried out the thefts by travelling from state-to-state and staying in Airbnbs to surveil and perform reconnaissance on their targets, who were all Asian business owners.

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Oregon taxpayers will see a $1.4B kicker in 2026. How much will you get?

This multi-state operation deliberately targeted hardworking families and struck at the very core of personal safety  the victims own homes  instilling fear throughout multiple communities, U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford said in a press release.

A designer handbag recovered in a search of the suspects Airbnb (U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Oregon)

According to court documents, Martinez-Grandas and his crew are accused of burglarizing a home in Auburn, Washington on Oct. 3, followed by another in Eugene, Oregon on Oct. 6. They also hit another home in Salem, Oregon on Oct. 9.

The group allegedly employed signal jamming technology, perimeter countersurveillance and seven-way calls when carrying out the burglaries. Once inside the homes, they took large amounts of currency, jewelry, designer handbags and more.

Currency recovered in a search of the suspects Airbnb (U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Oregon)

The victims in Washington estimated their total losses, including damaged property, was about $4,000. In Eugene, the burglary victims put their losses between $3,000 and $5,000. Meanwhile, the victims in Salem said they lost more than $50,000.

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Before that, the group had traveled through Nevada, Idaho and Washington in four separate vehicles all with California license plates.

In a search of the groups short-term rental in Eugene, investigators recovered money and goods believed to belong to the victims, travel documentation, as well as evidence of money wires and shipments to Colombia.

Need help paying bills? Portland Water Bureau reminds customers of assistance programs

According to court documents, they also found evidence of the conspiracy on each of the members devices, including coordinates and surveillance communications.

A judge ordered Martinez-Grandas remain in custody pending further court proceedings.

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Co-conspirator William Estiven Rodriguez-Gaviria, 26, also made a first appearance in federal court in Arizona. He was also ordered to remain in custody pending further court proceedings.

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro escalated an ongoing feud with President Donald Trump at a pre-meeting of the COP30 climate summit yesterday, criticizing his counterpart for his stance on immigration, military action in Gaza and Venezuela, and the environment.

In a speech to some 30 world leaders, the South American president accused Trump of being against mankind by not attending the summit and later compared the White Houses immigration policy to that of the Nazis.

The Colombian presidents comments are the latest in a nearly year-long feud with Trump, which came to a head last month when the U.S. added Petro and members of his inner circle to a list of sanctioned individuals. The move, which barred the leader from the United States and froze his assets, followed White House allegations that Petro is an illegal drug dealer, a claim for which the administration has not provided evidence.

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Today, Mr. Trump is literally against mankind. By not coming here, he proves it, said Petro, noting the presidents absence at the summit on climate change, which Trump has described as the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.

While Petro was not alone in criticizing the White Houses climate skepticism  Brazils Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Chiles Gabriel Boric did the same  he proceeded to address other pressure points between himself and Trump.

The White House continues these anti-immigrant policies, modeled on those of the Nazis and carried out against our peoples in the United States, the Colombian president said.

He also condemned Washingtons bombing campaign against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, which have killed nearly 70 people since September.

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The same missiles that fall on the children of Gaza are now falling on poor young people who are not drug traffickers, but employees of drug traffickers or sometimes fishermen, Petro said.

His claim that a U.S. boat strike murdered innocent Colombian fishermen drew Trumps ire in October and led the White House to add Petro, his wife, son, and right-hand man to the sanctions list.

Not only has the move imposed financial constraints on the Colombian leader, but his official duties abroad have been affected, with multiple airports refusing to refuel his presidential plane due to the sanctions.

Petro clearly has a bone to pick with Trump. He feels personally offended by Trump and has been saying so, Sergio Guzman, director at Colombia Risk Analysis, a security think tank, told the Miami Herald.

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The analyst added that, following the sanctions, Petro has little to lose by antagonizing Trump.

But Petros behavior may risk harming Colombia  during the spat over the boat bombings, Trump announced an end to all aid to the country, threatening security goals and counter-narcotics efforts.

While Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified the aid would continue, the U.S. could still punish Colombia for its presidents actions.

Trump has made no secret of the fact that he is interested in seeing an ideological shift in Colombia back towards the right, said Elizabeth Dickinson, deputy director for Latin America at the International Crisis Group. I do think the U.S. has shown that they will use the media that they have available to send that message very clearly to Colombian voters.

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While Petro may have nothing to lose personally, his collision course with Trump could still complicate vital U.S. assistance to Colombia.

The spat is also affecting the countrys diplomatic relations, with several leaders, including Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Friedrich Merz, dropping out of a meeting in Colombia later this week between Latin American and European nations.

Everybody smells the blood in the water, Guzman said.
Officials on Friday said a man being escorted out of Loretto Hospital in the Austin neighborhood stole an idle Cicero ambulance, leading Chicago police on a rush hour pursuit that ended in a crash.

Security led the unidentified man out of the hospital at 645 S. Central Avenue around 4 p.m., when the man jumped into the drivers seat and fled with a Cicero paramedic still inside, according to a statement from Cicero police.

The paramedic inside leapt from the ambulance about two blocks away, while another paramedic who was with the ambulance quickly dialed 911, officials said.

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Several Chicago police vehicles trailed the ambulance for several blocks. In a statement Friday night, Chicago police said an officer discharged their firearm in the direction of the offender during the incident, but that no one was struck by gunfire.

The pursuit ended with the ambulance striking multiple vehicles and a marked CPD vehicle near the intersection of Cicero and Chicago avenues, police said. WMAQ-TV captured the pursuit and showed a large number of officers tackling the driver, who had run from the drivers seat.

The alleged thief was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.

Three police officers were taken to area hospitals and treated for various injuries, while four victims were also taken to area hospitals for minor injuries from the collisions.

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The Civilian Office for Police Accountability, the police watchdog agency, said they were investigating the case because gunshots were fired.

Cicero officials said they did not yet have possession of the ambulance, as it is part of a crime scene being processed by Chicago police.
Janata Dal (United) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday acknowledged that women and Gen Z voters will play a crucial role in deciding the government in Bihar. In an interview with ANI, Jha said that Gen Z (mostly first-time voters) were against family politics and parties (either in Bihar or Delhi) comprising family members. He asserted that the socialist parties, except Nitish Kumar's JD(U), have all become "family parties". "Largely yes. Women have a major role to play in the elections. Gen Z will also play a crucial role, as they are opposed to family politics - whether that party in Delhi or Bihar. They are against parties that involve entire families, including sisters, brothers, and mothers. Nitish Kumar also has family, but he never allowed or gave a ticket to his family members," Jha said while answering a question on whether women and Gen Z voters remain a deciding factor in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls. "JD(U) remains the only party that focuses on socialism. Rest all parties, which were socialists, are now family parties," he added. Taking a dig at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav, the JD(U) MP said that the promises to provide a government job to an individual in each family were not to be trusted. Addressing the concerns of Gen Z over rising unemployment, Jha said that the Nitish Kumar government will establish industries if it comes to power again. He blamed the previous RJD-led government for the "lack of necessary infrastructure" in establishing industries. "Any economist can explain this. You can say anything; nobody will trust you. Job and unemployment issues persist across the country and the world. In Bihar, Nitish Kumar has addressed it. If we come again, we will set up industries. We were unable to establish it due to historical reasons and the lack of necessary infrastructure to support industries here. We have the centre to support it now," the Rajya Sabha said. "They just want to come to power, by hook or crook. All these (promises) show desperation to come to power. This is the reality. The public also understands this," he added. Reacting to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks alleging land allotment to Adani groups, Jha dismissed the remarks and said that there can be no response to "such logic". Taking a swipe at Gandhi, he stated that Congress should have contested the polls on the issue of 'Vote Chori' and Special Intensive Revision (SIR). "Factories are established by the Japanese, (south) Koreans. There's no response to such logic. He (Rahul Gandhi) had taken out his 16-day yatra against 'Vote Chori' from here only. He is nowhere to be found now. He is not even talking about SIR. He should have contested the elections on the issue of Vote Chori. People would have taught them a lesson," Jha said. On being asked whether Gen Z believes in the allegations of Vote Chori levelled by Rahul Gandhi, the Rajya Sabha MP said, "You will see the results (to the assembly elections). People from Bihar have seen the track record of the current government." Jha further criticised the previous RJD-led government, saying that people understand those who point fingers at the Nitish Kumar government remain responsible for "ruining Bihar". "We (Biharis) were seen as second-rate citizens, and it happened because of them (opposition), when they were in power. The people understand that those pointing fingers now were the ones who ruined Bihar for 15 years," he said. When asked about him being a BJP man in the JD (U), Jha responded, "Nitish (Kumar) ji has given me this space. He has made me. One associates and interacts with everyone. However, Nitish ji has trusted me and given me responsibility." (ANI)
From rising seas to raging floods, global leaders in Belem are confronting the human cost of climate change  and the chance to chart a fairer future.

Against the backdrop of the Amazon rainforest and a sense of urgency in the air, world leaders and delegates from across the globe have arrived in Belem for the 30th United Nations Climate Conference (Cop30).

The mood is a mix of searing warnings, cautious optimism and a touch of hope that this time, real progress might finally take root.

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Before Mondays official opening, representatives from the worlds most climate-vulnerable nations took centre stage, sharing vivid accounts of life on the front line of a warming planet. From deadly floods in Kenya to rising seas in the Marshall Islands, the message was clear: the world is running out of time, but not out of solutions.

Haitian diplomat Smith Augustin described the devastation left by Hurricane Melissa, which recently tore through his country. The hurricanes and the heavy rain devastated my country, he said. Developing countries, and especially the small island states, are the least responsible for climate change.

Kenyas Vice President Kithure Kindiki spoke of rescuers still searching for people missing after catastrophic landslides. A once-in-a-century cycle of droughts alternating with floods has now become common, he said.

From the Pacific, Kalani Kaneko, foreign minister of the Marshall Islands, painted an all-too-familiar picture: Now the sea rises, the coral dies and the fish stock leaves our shores for cooler waters.

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Officials warned that it is becoming almost impossible to keep global warming below the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal set by the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Last year was the hottest on record, and scientists say every fraction of a degree makes extreme weather worse.

It will be much harder to ignore the Caribbean now, said Racquel Moses, director of the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator. The very way that we live depends on these negotiations going according to plan.

Brazil launches global fund to reward protection of rainforests

Navigating the path to a greener future

While Belem is buzzing, some notable absences have cast long shadows. US President Donald Trump, who continues to call climate change a hoax, boycotted the summit entirely.

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His decision prompted a sharp rebuke from Maina Vakafua Talia, Tuvalus environment minister, who called Washingtons withdrawal from the Paris Agreement a shameful disregard for the rest of the world.

Yet other nations have stepped up. Chinas Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang pledged to accelerate the green transition in all areas, citing massive investment in renewable energy.

Although China remains the worlds biggest carbon emitter, Ding insisted it honours its commitments.

Indias envoy Dinesh Bahata said renewables now make up half of Indias energy capacity. While developing countries take decisive climate action, he argued, developed countries fall short.

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The African Unions Mahmoud Ali Youssouf was equally direct: We do not ask for charity, but for climate justice.

Despite the heated rhetoric, Belem has already seen glimmers of progress. Two initiatives  one to protect forests and another to harmonise carbon markets  have gained traction.

Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva unveiled a new rainforest protection fund designed to reward developing countries for preserving forests. On the first day alone, it attracted $5.5 billion in pledges from Norway, France and Indonesia, with Germany promising a considerable contribution. The aim is to grow the fund into a $125 billion lifeline for the worlds rainforests.

Finlands President Alexander Stubb called the effort a turn of the tide moment. This is happening because of financing, because of innovation, he said. Its a good idea  and it works.

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Meanwhile, Brazil and the European Union announced plans to partner with China and others on a global carbon market, uniting fragmented emissions trading systems into a single framework. If successful, it would create strong economic incentives for countries and companies to cut emissions  something climate negotiators have pursued for years.

Amazon: How climate change is impacting indigenous communities

Indigenous voices at the heart of the talks

This years COP, held in the heart of the Amazon, is also the most inclusive yet. More than 3,000 Indigenous delegates are expected to take part  a dramatic increase from just 170 at last years summit in Azerbaijan.

This time, world leaders are coming to us, said Olivia Bisa, a leader of Perus Chapra nation. We need to be in the room, not right outside of it.

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But not everyone is convinced by Brazils green credentials. Indigenous groups have staged protests against new oil projects and infrastructure plans that threaten their lands. On Friday, hundreds climbed cargo boats on the Tapajos River to denounce a proposed railway through Indigenous territory.

This is our message to the leaders of the world, said Marilia Sena of the Tupinamba nation. Weve been here for centuries, caring for the forest and the river.

As Cop30 gathers pace, there is a sense that something could finally shift  that amid the anger and exhaustion, the worlds climate story might yet find a hopeful outcome.

(with newswires)




The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five men from Connecticut and Rhode Island Thursday who had taken to a lifeboat after their sailboat foundered hundreds of miles off Cape Hatteras.

The sailboat, "Magic Bus," had departed from Stonington and was headed to Bahamas, a Coast Guard spokesperson said.

The Coast Guard's command center in North Carolina received a distress call from the crew reporting the boat was taking on water and that the five people aboard were abandoning ship into a life raft, the guard said in a news release. The vessel was located nearly 300 miles offshore from Cape Hatteras, the Coast Guard said.

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The Coast Guard said it diverted a cutter and launched a HC-130 Hercules airplane and Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in North Carolina.

The airplane located the life raft and was able to communicate with the man and confirm everyone was "in good condition," the Coast Guard said.

All five eventually were rescued from the life raft by the Jayhawk helicopter crew.

Video provided by the Coast Guard showed one of the men being pulled into the helicopter from a rescue basket. The Coast Guard said all five of the men were in "good health."

It was not immediately clear how many of the men were from Connecticut and how many were from Rhode Island.

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Because of the long distance offshore, the Coast Guard helicopter had to use an aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, for refueling, the Coast Guard said.

The five men were brought to the Coast Guard air station, the agency said.

This article originally published at CT residents rescued from sinking Bahamas-bound sailboat that departed from Stonington.
DICKSON, Tenn. (WKRN)  Strong winds, rain and hail have been rolling through Middle Tennessee Friday afternoon.

FAA issues ground stop at Nashville International Airport due to weather

At about 3:50 p.m. Friday, those winds knocked a tree into the backside of a Dickson home. According to News 2s partners at WDKN, no one was injured as a result of the fallen tree.

(Courtesy: Dickson County Emergency Management Agency) (Source: WDKN) (Courtesy: Dickson County Emergency Management Agency) (Courtesy: WDKN) (Courtesy: Dickson County Emergency Management Agency)

News 2s partners also reported large power outages in the area. Trees have fallen along Highway 48N as well. White Bluffs police chief also told News 2 there were multiple reports of trees down in the community.

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Dickson County is not the one to face severe weather. Cheatham County 911 officials posted several alerts indicating trees blocking roadways. Specifically, they mentioned a down tree at mile marker 187 of Interstate 40 West. Trees were also reported to block the area near 1685 Craggie Hope Road. They also reported flooding near 460 South Harpeth Road.

The Wilson County Emergency Management Agency posted that because of a potential for severe weather in the area, the Wilson County Storm Shelter has opened.

(Courtesy: Wilson County Emergency Management Agency)

Pets are allowed at the shelter as they have some crates available, though they ask anyone with dogs, to  at minimum  bring a leash.

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The Putnam County Emergency Management Agency provided the following safe place shelters. You can call 931-528-7575 with any questions:

Monterey First Baptist Church at 106 N. Chestnut Street in Monterey, TN. Pets allowed.

Putnam County Library at 50 E. Broad Street in Cookeville, TN. Pets allowed.

Sycamore Church of Christ at 1144 Crescent Drive in Cookeville, TN. Pets allowed.

Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app.

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Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Friday she is not under investigation by the Justice Department following conflicting reports about a probe into a trip she took to Qatar.

The New York Times reported Thursday that Bowser was being investigated over the Qatari government spending just over $61,000 to bring the mayor and her staff to a conference in Doha in 2023.

Axios later reported that a Department of Justice (DOJ) source said Bowser was not under investigation.

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Axios is reporting that Im not under investigation. So make your question complete, Bowser said when asked about the matter at an unrelated press conference.

I am not under investigation. I have not been contacted by any federal officials about investigating me, she said.

Bowser also said that her office and circle of employees has not been contacted by the justice Department nor received any subpoenas.

We havent been contacted at all, she said. I have checked [with] our lawyers, and we have a regular kind of chain of who talks to who, and we have not been contacted, not related to me or to anybody else, as Im aware and I have no explanation from federal officials about what happened.

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The Times reported that the investigation was being led the U.S. Attorney for the D.C., a somewhat unusual arrangement, as DOJs Public Integrity Section would typically conduct investigations into corruption by elected officials. That section, however, has been gutted between firings and resignations.

However, the subject of an investigation may not always have insight into a probe still in its early stages.

Bowser has navigated contentious issues with the Trump administration but is generally seen as having a positive relationship with the White House. The Justice Department in recent weeks however, has brought charges against Trump foes including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).

Other Trump officials also have connections with the Qatari government. President Trump agreed to accept a $200 million jet from the country to replace the aging Air Force One.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi previously lobbied for Qatar, while FBI Director Kash Patel also faced scrutiny over his past work for the country.

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As the federal government shutdown continues to disrupt food assistance programs, Delaware lawmakers and community partners are stepping in to help thousands of families facing food insecurity.

Nearly 120,000 Delaware residents rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. With federal funding in limbo, local organizations are scrambling to fill the gap. In response, Sen. Darius Brown and House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown partnered with the YMCA of Delaware, the Smart Food Foundation, r4 Technologies and Sharing Excess to host two food distribution events on Nov. 6.

Held at the Walnut Street YMCA in Wilmington and the Bear-Glasgow YMCA, the events distributed fresh produce and other nutritious foods to families in need. The effort is part of a growing statewide initiative to address food insecurity during Delawares declared State of Emergency.

Access to food is a right

During a press conference at the Walnut Street YMCA, lawmakers and community leaders called for continued collaboration between government nonprofits and the private sector.

Delaware Sen. Darius Brown and House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown stand at the podium during press conference held before a free food distribution on Nov. 6, 2025.

Access to food is a right, it is not a privilege, Brown said. When we enter periods of crisis, it is imperative that we band together as a community to help one another and ensure no child, no senior citizen, and no working parent goes hungry.

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Minor-Brown echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that the effects of the shutdown will linger even after federal operations resume and highlighting efforts underway to ease the impact.

We're working every day to ensure that Delawareans have food access," Minor-Brown said. "We're working to support our farmers. We're working to support our grocers and to make sure that no child in this state goes to bed hungry,

A FULFILLING HOLIDAY: Aldi's $40 Thanksgiving meal deal is back on the table. Here's what's inside

She added that the event was about more than distributing food  it was about community: "Were saying that we see you, we value you.

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Lawmakers also thanked r4 Technologies, an artificial intelligence company, for donating 10,000 pounds of fresh food that might otherwise have gone to waste.

There is enough food, if we can align industry and government to make that possible," said David Bradley, executive vice president of r4 Technologies. "And thats our mission.

The companys AI platform identifies surplus food sources and redirects them to reach families in need. The companys Smart Food Program, developed in collaboration with Delaware officials, connects consumers and retailers through a mobile app.

What happens to 40% of food produced in the US

Bradley, a guest speaker at the press conference, explained how the company is leveraging AI technology to reduce food waste and improve fresh food access.

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A PLACE TO CALL HOME: New $229,000 income-based homes and apartments in Wilmington give buyers, renters options

Forty percent of the food that's produced in this country goes to waste somewhere in the supply chain, Bradley said. Millions of pounds of otherwise perfectly edible chicken and produce end up as waste when they could have gone to a Meals on Wheels kitchen or to a retailer through a program like ours.

Bradley emphasized that the ongoing government shutdown has intensified the nations long-standing challenges around equitable food distribution. What was once a persistent issue, he said, has now escalated into an urgent crisis underscoring the need for innovation and stronger coordination between private industry and public policy.

David Bradley, executive vice president at r4 Technologies, was a guest speaker at a food giveaway at the Walnut Street YMCA in Wilmington on Nov. 6, 2025. The company's Smart Food program diverts food in the supply chain from being wasted. The company donated 10,000 lbs of food for the event.

Founded by the same team behind Priceline, r4 Technologies built a network that sources surplus food and makes it available at low prices through a mobile app to people relying on government assistance.

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"The Smart Food program actually operates under the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP," Bradley said.

Announced in July 2024, the Smart Food program grew out of the Biden-Harris' White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. The initiative is a public-private partnership between the State of Delaware and technology leaders, making Delaware the first state to pilot the app. The program is designed to help families hit hardest by economic challenges stretch their SNAP benefits and put more food on the table.

To share your community news and activities with our audience, join Delaware Voices Uplifted on Facebook. Nonprofits, community groups and service providers are welcome to submit their information to be added to our Community Resources Map. Contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: r4 Technologies donates 10,000 pounds of food to Delaware distribution
In a bold push to flip Tennessee's deeply Republican 7th District, national heavyweights rallied behind Democratic Congressional nominee Aftyn Behn, seizing momentum from the Nov. 4 elections in what could be the nation's only red-to-blue House flip this year.

On Nov. 8, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stood on the back of a pickup truck in the parking lot at Charlotte Park Elementary School in Nashville and fired up a crowd of 85 canvassers to energize voters.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin speaks to a crowd of about 85 canvassers knocking doors for Democratic Congressional nominee Aftyn Behn at Charlotte Park Elementary School on Nov. 8, 2025.

"Anyone who's within 16 points right now is within striking distance," Martin told the crowd. "And Aftyn is not only within striking distance, she's on the verge of making this happen with all your help."

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Behn, a Nashville Democrat, will face Republican Matt Van Epps in the general election on Dec. 2 to fill the empty seat left by U.S. Rep. Mark Green in what will be the last election of this year.

Redrawn in 2021, the 7th District includes Clarksville and parts of North and West Nashville and stretches down to the Alabama border.

"You've got someone in Aftyn Behn who knows  as a social worker, as a community organizer, as a rep  someone who understands the struggle of average everyday Tennesseans; people who want hope, people who need a champion," Martin told the crowd.

Democratic Congressional nominee Aftyn Behn launches a door knocking event with DNC Chair Ken Martin at Charlotte Park Elementary School on Nov. 8, 2025.

The outcome could shift the balance of power in the U.S. House, where Republicans currently cling to a narrow six-seat majority.

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Some of the reddest parts of the area right now are really in jeopardy," Martin told The Tennessean. "What we saw on Tuesday night is even amongst the hardcore base of Trump supporters, they weren't enthusiastic about showing up and voting. Democrats are energized and motivated and ready to take this country back."

But it won't be easy.

Even with new support from national Democrat circles, the numbers dont lie: Tennessees 7th Congressional district is considered safely Republican. U.S. Rep. Mark Green was re-elected by a 22-point margin last year.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin launches a canvass event with 7th Congressional District Aftyn Behn at Charlotte Park Elementary School in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2025.

Tennessee Republicans have increased attention on the candidate since Tuesday, Nov. 4, calling Behn radical for campaigning with U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, and claiming that Behn wants to go back to Soviet-era policies.

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On Nov. 7, Behn and Crockett held a joint townhall at Watson Grove Baptist Church in Nashville. Crockett had been scheduled to appear in person but was unable to do so amid nationwide air traffic delays and cancellations. Attendees were still fired up.

If November 4 was a preview of things to come, I cannot wait to see what's going to happen in less than 30 days, right there in Tennessee, Crockett told the crowd in church pews via teleconference from her shoe closet.

The crowd roared.

Weve been called a longshot, but Ill tell you what: Tennessee loves a longshot, Behn said at the townhall. We can turn this safe red seat into the most competitive seat in America.

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Tennessee Democrats have been organizing and canvassing in the 7th District for months seeking to energize a Democratic base left behind by partisan gerrymandering in 2021. Organizers are fueled by down-ballot victories for Democrats this week.

Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Rachel Campbell said she's seeing increasing traction in the Volunteer State.

When you look at like what happened in Virginia, where every single county moved to the left, that's what we're looking at happening here right now, Campbell said. That energy is wonderful nationally, and it really helps us build an energy and a fire here.

Democrats double down on Tennessee and the South

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already been engaged on next years 5th Congressional District race for months.

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The National Party is starting to realize that we lost the South, and without the South, there's no future. So they're organizing again, and we're all excited about it, Campbell said. Things are changing.

Saturday was Martins second trip to Tennessee this year, and third as party chair. He was last in Nashville in July to headline the state Democratic partys annual fundraiser.

The fact that we have had national surrogates in this state for the first time in years shows that the National Party and national Democrats care about what's happening right here in Tennessee," Campbell said.

National Democrat Party strategists are working on the long game. With population shifts toward the U.S. South  Tennessee is one of the most moved-to states in the country  electoral votes will move too.

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"When we go into the reapportionment in 2032, states like Tennessee and other states in the South are going to gain a lot of power," Martin said. "States in the North, like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island and California and the West will all lose electoral votes and congressional power down to places like Tennessee."

Martin said having a strong presence in Tennessee is important not just for the 7th District race, but as part of a foundation to be competitive across the South.

"You have to skate to where the puck will be, not where the puck is. Why does Tennessee matter? It matters because in just seven years, this is going to be the new center of power for national politics. The next presidential race in 2032 will run through the South," Martin said.

Democratic Congressional nominee Aftyn Behn speaks at a townhall with U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett at Watson Grove Baptist Church in Nashville on Nov. 7.

Crockett said voters need to believe and do the work.

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I remember a time in which no one thought that Georgia had an opportunity to not only elect one Democratic senator, but two, Crockett told The Tennessean after the townhall. It is my hope that after Tuesday, the rest of the country feels a similar way towards Tennessee.

7th Congressional District nominee Aftyn Behn trains first-time canvassers on how to interact with voters at Charlotte Park Elementary School in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2025.

Campbell said Behns experience as an organizer contributed to a revitalization thats already been underway within the state party over the last couple of years.

For the first time in years, we have all 95 of our county parties organized because that momentum is already happening. It was happening long before Tuesday, Campbell said.

Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, kicks off a day of canvassing in Dickson with the Dickson County Democratic Party and volunteers on Nov. 1, 2025.

Being able to sit through an election where it's like, Oh, my God, we can win. We can do this thing.' That was really like edifying to my spirit and my soul, and it gives me a lot of hope for where we're going to go moving forward, she added.

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National Democrats are also weighing in on Behns opponent, Matt Van Epps, who on Nov. 6 was endorsed by fellow Tennessee Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles.

Matt Van Epps accused Behn of being even more radical than New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee officials rebutted with a press release on Nov. 7 stating Van Epps endorsement" was "from man under federal investigation. Ogles phone was seized by the FBI last year in an investigation he believed to be of his campaign finance filings.

Behn highlights health care costs

Behn joined U.S. Sens. Amy Klobachar of Minnesota and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island for a press conference to raise awareness of the impact of expiring COVID-19-era health insurance tax credits for Tennesseans on Nov. 6.

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Congress has been in a stalemate over the enhanced tax subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year. Costs are projected to spike when they expire, making coverage unaffordable for as many as 200,000 Tennesseans, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Sycamore Institute.

Tennesseans' enrollment in Marketplace health insurance policies has tripled since enhanced subsidies became available in 2020, according to the Sycamore analysis. About 212,000 Tennesseans had marketplace plans in 2021, and today, about 643,000 Tennesseans buy health insurance through Marketplace.

Tennessee State Representative Aftyn Behn speaks to members of the audience before the start of a Democratic Party forum for candidates running for the 7th Congressional District special election at the Fairview Recreation Center in Fairview on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

I have a lot of working musicians that rely on the ACA in Nashville and would not be able to have health care without it, Behn said.

In Davidson County, health insurance premiums could surge dramatically if federal subsidies expire, Behn said, adding that increases could be as high as 281%, from $498 to $1,800 a month for some family plans.

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Behn highlighted the urgency by sharing a story from a Republican voter in Clarksville who, faced with unaffordable coverage, said he might vote Democrat for the first time.

This isnt about politics, she said he told her. This is about survival.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Democrats race to turn red seat blue in Tenn.'s 7th District showdown
The Senate chambers at the Washington state Capitol. (Legislative Support Services)

Eight Democratic state lawmakers in Washington retained their seats in this weeks election, with a ninth on the cusp of winning.

State Rep. Edwin Obras inched closer to success Friday in the tightest House contest. Sen. Deb Krishnadasan declared victory a day earlier in the years most expensive duel among a stack of special elections for legislative seats.

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Obras led Kevin Schilling, a fellow Democrat, by a margin of 50.6% to 47.7% in the 33rd Legislative District. More votes will be counted in the days ahead. Located south of Seattle, the district includes Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, SeaTac and much of Kent.

Competing in his first general election, Obras trailed Schilling, the mayor of Burien, in early rounds of ballot counting. But the SeaTac lawmaker edged in front by 205 votes Thursday and increased his lead to 641 in Fridays count.

If the trends continue and Edwin is victorious, congratulations to him, Schilling said Friday.

Meanwhile, Krishnadasan, of Gig Harbor, beat Republican state Rep. Michelle Caldier in the 26th District that covers part of Kitsap and Pierce counties. Caldier, who is in her sixth term in the House, conceded Thursday.

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Im excited to continue working together in the year ahead to deliver practical, bipartisan solutions that make life more affordable, strengthen our schools, and protect access to quality health care, Krishnadasan said in a statement.

This was the closest-watched legislative race of the year and, as of Election Day, had attracted roughly $4 million in combined spending by candidates and outside interest groups. Nearly one-third of those dollars were spent by independent committees opposing Krishnadasan.

Her win means Democrats will hold their 30-19 seat advantage in the state Senate heading into 2026.

The voters have spoken. While Im disappointed in the outcome, Im incredibly grateful for everyone who stood with me in this campaign to bring balance back to Olympia, Caldier, a Gig Harbor resident, wrote in a statement.

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In King County, Sen. Victoria Hunt defeated Republican Chad Magendanz of Issaquah, a former state lawmaker. This was the other contest GOP leaders viewed as an opportunity to slim Democrats advantage in the Senate.

Hunt, also of Issaquah, was elected to the state House last year and appointed to the Senate following the unexpected death of Sen. Bill Ramos in April. The district covers Issaquah, Black Diamond, Covington, and part of Snoqualmie.

Im honored to have defended this seat and continue in the footsteps of my mentor and beloved friend of so many, Hunt wrote on Facebook.

Also in King County, Sen. Vandana Slatter, of Bellevue, easily overcame the challenge of a fellow Democrat, state Rep. Amy Walen of Kirkland, in the 48th District. The two previously served together in the House. Walen was the races moderate, Slatter more progressive.

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The foundation of this win is community and this community showed up, Slatter posted on social media. We faced well-funded opposition, but we had something far more powerful: you.

This contest, like the all-Democrat match-up in the 33rd District, vented the philosophical tensions between the partys progressive and centrist forces. A political committee, whose donors include campaign arms of House and Senate Democrats and labor unions, spent money opposing Walen and Schilling.

Unfortunately, this election didnt go our way, Walen wrote on Facebook. She pledged to keep pushing for policies she campaigned on  increasing affordable housing, improving access to health care and making communities safer.

Like Caldier, shell continue serving in the House.

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While I didnt win this election, I still have another year in my term, she wrote.

Five other Democrats in safe western Washington seats sailed to re-election.

Rep. Janice Zahn, D-Bellevue, trounced Republican John Whitney of Bellevue in the 41st District and Rep. Osman Salahuddin, D-Redmond, captured more than twice as many votes as Republican Dennis Ellis of Redmond in the 48th District.

State Sens. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, and Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, as well as Rep. Brianna Thomas, D-West Seattle, ran unopposed.
Nov. 8When it comes to supporting veterans, few Illinois cities do it quite like Dixon.

In 2025, the city of Dixon earned designations as a POW/MIA and Purple Heart city based on its efforts to actively honor U.S. service members.

"We are one of few cities that have both designations. The dual designation is quite rare," Veterans Memorial Park Commission Chairman Mike Mills told Shaw Local.

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The first city to receive both designations was Manchester, Missouri, in 2019, according to manchestermo.gov.

For Dixon, its first accomplishment was receiving the POW/MIA designation. At the March 3 City Council meeting, Mayor Glen Hughes read the proclamation.

"That one was pretty near and dear to our heart," Mills said.

He credited Butch Pfeifer and Al Wikoff, two of the original commission members, with doing the leg work needed to receive it.

The designation, given by the Jefferson Barracks POW/MIA Museum in Missouri, is reserved for communities that actively honor U.S. service members who were captured or declared missing in action during conflicts.

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"This honor is not just a reflection of our community's efforts, but [also] a testament to the unwavering dedication of each individual that's worked tirelessly to honor our veterans. The designation serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by our brave service members and the importance of ensuring their legacies live on," Mills said.

Through members of "local veterans organizations, community leaders and the volunteers ... we have built a community that values the sacrifices of our heroes and fosters pride among our residents," Mills said.

What qualified the city for this designation stems from Veterans Memorial Park  its monument honoring POW/MIA service members, the annual POW/MIA Christmas ceremony, and explaining to younger generations "the significance of honoring the people that have given the greatest sacrifice there possibly can be," Mills said.

During the summer months, members of the commission are at the park from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays to welcome visitors and provide educational tours, Mills said.

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"Visitors come in from all across the country," Mills said. "[For those with children], we'll get an American flag for each kid. We tell people the story of how the park came about and the designations that we've just got."

This designation "comes with a responsibility," Mills said.

"We must continue our efforts to educate future generations about the importance of honoring our veterans and those who are missing in action, or those we have lost. Together, we will ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten," Mills said.

As for the Purple Heart designation, that accomplishment was solidified at the Aug. 18 Dixon City Council meeting when Hughes read the proclamation. That day, Dixon became the 41st Purple Heart City in Illinois.

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"The Purple Heart medal symbolizes sacrifice. It serves as a reminder that freedom comes at a price  one that has been paid with courage, devotion and often profound personal loss to every Purple Heart recipient; your service, your strength, your sacrifice are etched not only in the history of our nation, but now into the very identity of our city," Mills said.

The designation, from the Military Order of the Purple Heart, is given to cities, counties and other entities that show a commitment to honoring and supporting Purple Heart recipients.

A major qualifying factor for that designation was the Purple Heart monument at the park, Mills said.

During the City Council meeting, Hughes also noted the city's commitment to honoring veterans through the park along with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 540.

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For both designations, the park also will hold charitable drives throughout the year and has put up signage provided by the museums, Mills said.

"It's all about remembering the service  honoring the past and educating the future," Mills said.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin will travel to Tennessee on Saturday to campaign for congressional candidate Aftyn Behn, who is running in a deep red district in a December special election  a sign of Democratic bullishness coming off of positive election results Tuesday.

The campaign trip, shared first with NBC News, comes ahead of the Dec. 2 special election to fill Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, which was left vacant after GOP Rep. Mark Green resigned earlier this year.

In an interview with NBC News, Martin said that Behn has an excellent shot to win, despite the district being solid red in the past. Last year, Green beat his Democratic challenger by more than 20 points, and President Donald Trump carried the district by a similar margin.

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Special elections can be different, and Democrats have frequently outperformed the 2024 presidential election results in state legislative and congressional specials in 2025  though only rarely by the margins Behn would need, according to data collected by The Downballot, a left-leaning political site.

Behn, a Democratic state representative, is facing off against Republican nominee Matt Van Epps, a former state official who won Trumps endorsement in the primary. The district comprises deep red counties, but also parts of Nashville and the citys surroundings, which are blue.

Martin will hold a canvass launch event in Nashville, where he will also knock on doors, the DNC shared. Special elections typically have lower voter turnout and he emphasized mobilizing voters.

"Special elections are really interesting affairs because you really don't know who's going to show up," he said. "And so I've seen us win elections in very deep red districts, and I've seen us in special elections lose elections in deep blue districts."

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Reached for comment on Martins plans, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Reilly Richardson said that "Democrats are so desperate theyll burn cash in a district redder than a Tennessee sunset just to distract from Aftyn Behns radical agenda. While they waste resources chasing a fantasy, Matt Van Epps is laser-focused on fighting for families, securing the border, and unleashing American energy."

Martin said during the interview that "special elections really aren't about the partisan lean or partisan makeup of a district."

"It's about whose supporters are more enthusiastic," he added. "And right now, what we've seen across the country is that Democrats are very enthusiastic right now to show up and vote, and Republicans aren't."

That raises the question of whether having the national Democratic Party show up in the district might mobilize Republicans.

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Asked whether it would be helpful for the DNC chair to campaign in a district this red, Martin said that Tuesdays elections demonstrated "that we can compete everywhere.

I said when I ran for this job that when you organize everywhere, you can win anywhere, and we just fundamentally believe that, he said.

Tennessee state Rep. Aftyn Behn speaks to reporters in Nashville in 2024. (Nicole Hester / The Tennessean / Imagn file)

Martin said that Behn was "focused on a message around affordability," which was also a dominant theme of the elections in Virginia and New Jersey.

"People who put their faith and trust in Donald Trump are feeling very disillusioned right now, and she is offering them a positive message about how their lives could be different and improved with her in power," he said.

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The trip comes after Democrats swept Tuesday's elections in Virginia and New Jersey. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris won both states in 2024, though by smaller margins than past Democratic presidential nominees, and the state elections this fall were viewed as important signals about both parties' political standing.

"Our focus is going to be on offering the antidote to this administration, which is a hopeful, joyful, optimistic vision on how we can actually help people afford their lives and get ahead," Martin said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Indian Army's Southern Command is participating in a series of tri-service exercises under the overarching framework of Exercise TRISHUL to validate full-spectrum land-sea-air integration, embodying the mantra of JAI - Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation in action. Reflecting the Armed Forces' expanding multi-domain capabilities and focus on self-reliance in defence, Exercise TRISHUL commenced with mission-focused validations to strengthen integrated readiness across multiple domains. Covering electronic warfare, cyber, drone and counter-drone operations, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, as well as Air Defence Control and Reporting, the exercises reaffirm tri-service preparedness to dominate both virtual and physical domains through seamless land, sea, and air integration for coordinated joint fires. In the Thar Desert, Southern Command formations are undertaking intense integrated manoeuvres through Exercises MaruJwala and Akhand Prahaar to validate combined arms operations, mobility, and joint fire integration under realistic conditions. The training will culminate in a mega combat exercise validating precision targeting and multi-domain coordination, reaffirming the Army's commitment to transformation through rigorous training and operational validation. A joint exercise in the Kutch Sector, involving the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and BSF, is rehearsing integrated operational capability in close coordination with the civil administration, reflecting the Military-Civil Fusion approach to integrated national security. The final phase of Exercise TRISHUL will culminate in a Joint Amphibious Exercise off the Saurashtra Coast, featuring beach landing operations by the Amphibious Forces of the Southern Command. The exercise will validate full-spectrum land, sea, and air integration and underscore the Indian Armed Forces' ability to project power and synergy across multiple domains. Exercise TRISHUL stands as a testament to the Armed Forces' commitment to Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation. It also serves as a testbed for the Indian Army's Decade of Transformation initiative, built around five pillars -- Jointness and Integration, Force Restructuring, Modernisation and Tech Infusion, Improving Systems and Processes, and Enhancing Human Resource Skills - to adapt to the changing character of warfare. The Indian Army reaffirmed its commitment to continuous evolution and remains a Future-Ready Force capable of meeting emerging challenges across the full spectrum of conflict. (ANI)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The man who crashed his pickup truck into a Providence home Thursday night has been cited for refusing to submit a chemical test, according to authorities.

Investigators believe 53-year-old Ricahrd Carlino was driving down Avon Street when his truck left the roadway, crashed through a fence and hit the side of a house on Buffalo Court.

(Kayla Fish/WPRI-TV)

Carlinos truck then caught fire and the flames spread to the house.

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The two residents who were inside the home at the time of the crash were not injured, but their home sustained significant damage from the crash and subsequent fire.

Carlino, whose drivers license is expired, was brought to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment where he later refused chemical testing, according to police.

Court records indicate Carlino was also cited for failing to use reasonable and prudent speed and a laned roadway violation.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Authorities are investigating a newly surfaced video that suggests a woman who hit and killed a man while driving in the Chicago suburb of Zion, Illinois, on Monday night was livestreaming on TikTok at the time of the crash.

The video in question was reportedly taken by a user in Zion, and it shows a woman behind the wheel of a car reacting to a loud thud by saying, Fuck, fuck, fuck  I just hit somebody.

According to the Lake and McHenry County Scanner, which first reported on the video, the Zion police department investigations commander, Lt Paul Kehrli, said drugs and alcohol were not suspected of being factors in Mondays crash, and the driver involved  a 43-year-old woman  remained at the scene to speak with authorities.

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Related: Gruesome videos: social media pushes distressing news to children, experts say

The Lake county states attorneys office told the Scanner on Friday afternoon that the agency had been made aware of the video but could not comment further because of a pending investigation. The office stopped short of indicating exactly who made the agency aware of the video.

Studies through the years have attributed cellphone use while driving to an increase in the potential for serious crashes  or worse.

A screen recording of a TikTok live video streamed on Monday was then published on the social media app on Friday morning, and it showed user Tea_Tyme_3 speaking at her phone before a loud thud. The live stream was quickly disconnected after the thud prompted her to curse, a child to ask what happened and someone else to ask the driver if she was OK.

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The user, it has been reported, has since changed her name and made her account private, deleting the biography section in which she had previously described being in Zion, Illinois.

A thread on the Reddit platform separately was started by a user who described seeing the video when it was livestreamed and wondering whether something deadly had happened. News stories later confirmed that users worst fears, as the user put it.

It feels like I accidentally witnessed the moment someones life was taken and now I cant stop thinking about the victim, and how avoidable it was, the user said. I just keep replaying that sound in my head.

The user also said the person driving while on TikTok wasnt paying attention to the road because she was reading comments and grinning at her phone.

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A man died because she wanted attention from a livestream, the Reddit user also wrote.

Mondays crash occurred at about 5.30pm, police said. Darren Lucas, 59, of nearby Beach Park, was unresponsive after being hit, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital emergency room from blunt force injuries inflicted on him by the crash, the local coroners office said in a statement.

Lucass son-in-law, Chris King, told the Lake and McHenry County Scanner that news of the video made his family hold our loss tighter to our hearts.

We  will continue to pray for what the driver must be going through, King reportedly said. We are trying to find our ways to live, without someone we cherished so much.




HARTFORD - One contentious ballot question that this year's local elections failed to settle is what is a reasonable amount of time for early in-person voting in Connecticut.

More than 190,000 early birds flocked to pre-election polling locations for the two weeks of advance voting between Oct. 20 and Nov. 2 to cast their ballots for hundreds of municipal offices before Election Day 2025 on Nov. 4, according to preliminary unofficial figures.

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The 17th most populous town of Stratford had 5,380 voters cast early in-person ballots to lead the state, while the third smallest town of Colebrook nestled in the Northwest Hills on the Massachusetts border had just 43 early votes cast, according to provisional figures.

The number of early voters in Stratford ranged from 226 on Oct. 26 to 615 on the final day of early voting on the Sunday before Election Day, according to the unofficial count. The high in Colebrook was eight on Oct. 22, and not a single early in-person ballot was cast on Oct. 26.

The disparities between the many small towns in Connecticut and the bigger communities is reviving debate on when to start and conclude early in-person voting following the second election cycle that voters had this voting option.

One prevailing school of thought is that it is too soon for the state legislature and Gov. Ned Lamont to consider shortening the current two-week period adopted for general elections in 2023, or even lengthening the early voting window.

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"Let's give it some more time," Lamont said, summing up this outlook.

This is also the view of Laura Smits, co-president of the Connecticut League of Women Voters.

"I don't think we've had enough time to make a decision about that. I think we need a couple more years to figure out if this is too much or too little," Smits said.

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas said the presidential and municipal elections have provided valuable practical experience with early voting, but she also believes now is too soon to contemplate major changes to early voting.

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"Let's see how it plays out in Connecticut," she said.

But many of the registrars of voters responsible for conducting elections continue to believe two weeks is too long, said Barbara Richardson Crouch, the Republican registrar for Sprague and president of the Registrar of Voters Association of Connecticut.

A recent ROVAC survey found registrars favor a maximum of 10 days of early voting. This is the length of time that the association recommended two years ago when the early voting law was being adopted. It is also what Thomas advocated in 2023. Richardson Crouch said some registrars believe seven days would be sufficient.

State law authorizes 14 days of early in-person voting for general elections, seven days for primary contests, and four days each for special elections and presidential preference primaries. Referendums are excluded.

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Currently, 47 states and the District of Columbia allow some form of early voting option to all voters, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The only the states of Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire do not offer early in-person voting.

Early voting periods range in length from three to 46 days, and the average is 20 days, according to NCSL. There are 25 states, including Connecticut, that require some weekend early voting.

In 2023, the legislature's Government Administration and Elections Committee heard testimony on three bills that proposed to authorize 10, 14 or 18 days of in-person early voting in Connecticut. Back then, Connecticut Council of Small Towns recommended just five days of early voting, citing costs and challenges in staffing elections. Republican legislators proposed to allow three days of early voting within a five-day period before a general election.

Common Cause Connecticut, the state AARP chapter and the Connecticut AFL-CIO advocated for 14 days of early voting. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, one of the most influential leaders and fundraisers of the Connecticut Democratic Party, made the case for a minimum of 14-days of early voting. The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut proposed a minimum of two weeks.

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Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves and Ben Proto, the state chairmen of the Democratic and Republican parties, have opposing views on changing the early voting periods.

For now, Alves said he favors leaving the early voting law alone. Like Lamont, he also believes it is premature to be making changes to the early voting period. He was re-elected Tuesday with 64% of the mayoral vote. Some 2,725 of the nearly 15,800 Danbury voters who turned out cast early-in person ballots.

"I think people are jumping to conclusions to say it is too much or two little," Alves said. "We don't have enough data points."

Proto said he believes the early voting law should be revised before the 2026 elections for governor, U.S. Congress, and the General Assembly. He proposed staggering early voting periods based on the type of election.

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"For a presidential year election, it's longer. For a gubernatorial year election, it's a little shorter than presidential. For a municipal election, it's much shorter than a gubernatorial," Proto said.

He said the current two weeks for local elections is too long, particularly for small towns.

In general elections, Richardson Crouch, the ROVAC president, said small towns with few early voters have to pay to staff polling locations eight hours days on 12 days of the two weeks of early voting and 12 hours on two days. Her town of Sprague had 381 early voters, according to unofficial results.

"One day we had zero people come in. We still have to pay to be staffed. You have no way of knowing," Richardson Crouch said.

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The current state budget provided $2 million for the secretary of the state's office for administering early voting and distributing grants to towns and cities. Individual grants ranged from $5,000 for 14 small towns to $41,795 for the second most populous city of Stamford, according to the state comptroller's office.

Richardson Crouch said the $5,000 grant that Sprague received fell $2,600 short of $7,600 cost to the Eastern Connecticut town of nearly 2,950 people and 970 registered voters.

Richardson Crouch said the preliminary indications based on the last two election cycles are that early voting has had little effect on overall turnout.

"The issue is, what was the goal of it? Was the goal to give people more opportunity? Was the goal to give people a longer time to vote and not use absentee ballots? I always say, what is your hypothesis? If this was to drive new voters, I don't think it did," she said.

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The last day of early voting on Nov. 2 was the busiest across Connecticut, according to the unofficial results. Nearly 21,240 early ballots were cast that final Sunday of early voting, and the next highest total was 20,620 ballots on the third to last day of early voting on Oct. 31.

The weekend of Oct. 25 and 26 saw the lowest numbers. There were approximately 6,310 early votes cast on the Saturday of that weekend and 4,760 on that Sunday.

Registered Democratic and unaffiliated voters cast far more early votes than registered Republican voters, according to the unofficial numbers. Some 93,700 Democratic voters and close to 55,480 unaffiliated voters voted in person ahead of Election Day, compared to 41,800 Republican voters.

Proto, the state GOP chairman, attributed the lower Republican numbers to the preference of Republican voters for voting in person on Election Day.

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Thomas said the secretary of the state's office will be contacting local election officials to gather information on their experiences with early voting and other aspects of 2025 elections to inform any recommendations to the legislature in its 2026 session regarding changes to elections.

This article originally published at Early voting in CT saw thousands of voters but does the process need to change?.
Nov. 7AIKEN  The four City Council members elected Nov. 4 will be sworn in at the council's Nov. 24 meeting, City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh said Nov. 6 after the results were certified by the city's Municipal Election Commission.

Michael Loftus, chair of the Aiken Municipal Election Commission, said four provisional ballots were added to the election's totals, but the final result remains the same.

Lessie Price was reelected, and Peter Messina, Barbara Morgan and Braylen Waldo were elected to replace Ed Girardeau, Andrea Gregory and Ed Woltz, each of whom announced in the summer that they weren't seeking reelection.

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Bedenbaugh said one vote was added to Price's total and three votes were added to Morgan's total.

Price, a council member since 1987, ran unopposed in District 2. A Democrat, she received 268 votes. Four voters wrote in other candidates.

In District 4, Messina, a Republican, received 674 votes to Democrat Jacob Ellis's 341, winning the district with 66% of the vote.

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who voted for me in the City Council election. I am truly honored by the public's trust in electing me to serve," Messina said.

"I look forward to working collaboratively with my fellow council members to address key priorities such as improving infrastructure and planning thoughtfully for our city's future growth," he said. "Together, we can ensure Aiken continues to thrive while preserving the distinct character that makes our community so special."

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"I emailed Pete last night and congratulated him and told him I look forward to working with him and the rest of the council on Aiken issues," Ellis said Nov. 5.

"I knew it was going to be a hard-fought race in the Southside District 4, but like I said from the beginning, win or lose I'm going to be back Monday night at city council, fighting for not only District 4 but for all of Aiken to prevent overgrowth on the Southside, smart growth for other areas of Aiken and accountability between city council and the voters because city council works for us, the citizens," he said.

In District 5, Waldo, a Democrat, beat Republican Kent Cubbage by 12 votes, 362 to 350. Cubbage received 48.88% of the vote and Waldo received 50.56%.

In a Nov. 6 press release, the Aiken County Democratic Party called Waldo's win "historic." At 27, he is the youngest person and "only the fourth Black man to serve on the Council," the release said.

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"I could not be more proud of the commitment, energy and values our candidates brought to this race," said Christina Cue, chair of the Aiken County Democratic Party.

"Our candidates stepped forward to serve Aiken County with a vision of leading our communities to greatness  by building bridges, not barriers," she said.

"Together, we made history by offering voters a clear and hopeful alternative in leadership. Aiken County is ready for fresh, new leadership, and we're ready to deliver the change our community deserve," Cue said.

In District 6, Morgan, a Republican, received 65.2% of the vote, beating Democrat Lisa Smith, who received 34.17%, 468 to 245.

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"I want to thank all who supported and encourage me, those who voted for me in the election and all the people in District 6 that I will be honored to represent on City Council," Morgan said.

"I also want to thank you all involved in the process, the poll workers, the poll watchers, the election commission, and all the people involved in allowing the opportunity to vote," she said.

"I'm looking forward to working hand-in-hand with neighbors and businesses and local leaders to bring about some needed change in City Hall," Morgan said. "My priorities are updating infrastructure, modernizing zoning so that growth fits Aiken's character, and bringing transparency and trust back to City Hall."

"We have work to do, but I'm confident if we work together, we can accomplish many things for the benefit of this place that we love and are proud to call home," she said.

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"I definitely want to say thank you for all the support from the Democratic Party and the community, and I want to say that it was a huge learning experience," Smith said. "We went out and canvassed, and we went to 575 houses and spoke to hundreds of people."

"I learned so much about District 6 and the people who live there and what they need and what they want, and I'm sorry that I can't help them get there, but it was great to learn all that," she said.

She said she doesn't intend to run for Aiken City Council again.

"Congratulations to all the winners. I'm hopeful about the future," Smith said.

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The city council's next meeting is Nov. 10.

South Carolina's Code of Laws gives aggrieved parties 10 days to file notice of appeal of decisions by municipal election commissions.

"The notice of appeal shall act as a stay of further proceedings pending the appeal," reads Section 5-15-140.

At the council's Nov. 24 meeting, the current council will consider the minutes from its Nov. 10 meeting and approval of the municipal election.

Then Price, Messina, Morgan and Waldo will be sworn in by City Clerk Sara Ridout and Girardeau, Gregory and Woltz will be replaced at the council table by the new council members.

"Then they'll get to the business of the city," Bedenbaugh said.




This summer, dozens of state and federal wildlife agents arrived in a remote mountain basin, about an hour north of Lake Tahoe, with an unusual mission: to scare off the rising number of wolves.

The first-of-its-kind strike team shot bean bags at the predators. It rushed them with all-terrain vehicles. It buzzed them with drones, often blasting loud AC/DC music.

The wildlife officials didn't want to hurt the endangered carnivores - there are only an estimated 50 to 70 gray wolves in California. They just wanted to keep them off the sprawling ranches of California's Sierra Valley, where they have killed scores of cattle.

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But nearly four months later and with more than 18,000 staff hours logged, the state-run crackdown on wolves in this pocket of Plumas and Sierra counties wrapped up with little success. Almost every morning brought the sight of another dead cow.

Ace, a border collie, watches cows feed at the Tipton family ranch in Sierraville (Sierra County). The family ranch is on of many in the region that has ben attacked by wolves. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)





In a sudden shift in policy, which is now being widely debated, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife broke from its strict adherence to non-lethal wolf deterrence and began killing the animals. State wildlife officials have now killed four wolves in Sierra Valley, and they continue to search for at least two more, which they plan to capture and ship to wildlife sanctuaries.

They say it's the only way to keep the predators from eating cows.

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While many wildlife experts agree that killing wolves is sometimes necessary, the state's actions are drawing criticism from all corners. Conservation groups say the killings could have been avoided with better deterrence measures. Ranchers say the slayings should have come sooner. The state also has been chided for missteps: wildlife officials, for example, mistakenly shot and killed a juvenile wolf, thinking it was an adult.

At the heart of the backlash is an enduring tension about the place for wolves in modern-day California. The apex predator was wiped out of the state by hunters and trappers a century ago, only to begin returning last decade. While the comeback is an ecological marvel, California today is not the wilderness it once was, and conflict between wolves and people has predictably emerged.

With the state now opening the door to killing wolves, those on all sides of the issue are waiting to see how the practice evolves. Will there be more lethal actions in Sierra Valley? Will the tactics extend to other parts of the state? And what will this mean for the future of the canine in California, where wolf recovery remains fragile?

"Even though we've had these animals for a while now, they were in places where there was much less pressure to figure out a management paradigm," said Arthur Middleton, professor of wildlife management at UC Berkeley, who has been studying the carnivores and consulting with state officials. "People are living with wolves and wolves are living with people. That's why we're talking about what mix of tools we're going to use now."

Joe Tipton and his son, Chesley, feed cattle on the family ranch in Sierraville (Sierra County). Their ranch has lost 10 calves to wolves. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)





The question of policy is urgent. With three adult wolves dead in Sierra Valley, the area's dominant pack, called the Beyem Seyo pack, is essentially gone, leaving a vacuum to fill. Any of three nearby packs, or their members, could move in, and attacks on cattle could resume. Also, ranchers in other parts of the state have been demanding lethal intervention.

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"Personally, I think if there was a wolf or two in California it would be OK," said Annie Tipton, who runs a ranch in Sierraville, a small outpost on the southern edge of Sierra Valley. "But we're not Yellowstone National Park. We're not in a place with an abundance of prey. It's unfair to the wolves. It's unfair to the agriculturalists."

State and federal endangered species laws prohibit people from shooting wolves, even when they eat livestock. While ranchers generally oppose the protections, state and federal wildlife managers say the re-establishment of wolves depends on them. The laws provide exemptions for government agencies.

Officials at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have said that nonlethal management remains their preference, but they've offered few details about when they will and won't kill wolves going forward.

In a statement provided to the Chronicle, the agency said, "As the gray wolf population in California continues to grow, CDFW staff will focus on utilizing the best available science, a strong understanding of wolf biology, and successful adaptive wildlife management practices to ensure both gray wolves and California's communities can thrive together."

These wolves are smart as hell'

A gray wolf from the Beyem Seyo pack is photographed in Northern California in January. (Axel Hunnicutt/California Department of Fish and Wildlife)





The vast, sparsely populated meadows and marshes of Sierra Valley, where thousands of cows are brought to pasture between spring and fall, provide easy pickings for wolves. The carnivores generally stayed in the forested mountains during the day, then descended upon the open range to feed at night.

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Ranchers often used lights, electrified fences, dogs and watchmen to try to keep the predators at bay but reported limited success.

Outcry from the ranchers, alongside a handful of rural counties that have declared emergencies because of wolves, put pressure on the state to do something. Wolves had already attacked dozens of cattle in Sierra Valley during the first few months of this year's grazing season.

Then came the strike force in early June.

State officials hoped the blitz of heavy-handed "hazing" measures would help drive the animals out - and keep them from coming back.

Each day, 18 wardens and technicians with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, sometimes joined by staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, began rotating in and out of around-the-clock shifts. They patrolled for wolves on nearly 20 ranches and tried to run them off.

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The operation, which cost the state an estimated $1.4 million, proved challenging. Across such a large area, the wolves were too hard to find and keep away, according to numerous people involved with the initiative.

Although state wildlife officials have trapped several wolves and fitted them with tracking collars over the years, including members of the Beyem Seyo pack, most wolves aren't collared. Also, those with collars can go undetected because of dead zones and delays in transmitting locations. Sometimes, they simply move so quickly that they're hard to catch up to.

The wolves, mostly the Beyem Seyo pack, often attacked in places where the strike team wasn't present or at times when it wasn't around. Some even appeared to figure out when the staff were changing shifts, one person said, and timed their kills accordingly.

At one point, instead of trying to drive the wolves away, state officials tried to wean them off beef, by offering them roadkill, mostly deer. That didn't work either.

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"We were losing cattle (almost) every night with the strike force," said Paul Roen, a rancher in the valley, who also works as a supervisor in Sierra County. "There just weren't enough people here to effect change. These wolves are smart as hell. They figured things out quickly."

Witnessing one attack on a calf during the state's intervention, Roen recounted, "They tore it in pieces in 30 seconds."

A drone campaign

Paul Roen drives on his ranch in Sierra Valley. Wolves that had been attacking cattle in the area have been killed by state wildlife officials. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)





Roen and his brother, who run a ranching business together, have lost 42 cattle to wolves, they say, though not all have been confirmed by state or federal officials.

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A dead cow typically sets a rancher back a few thousand dollars. More worrisome, many say, is the stress that herds experience when the carnivore is present. This can cause weight loss and infertility in cows and lead to a much bigger financial hit.

The hazing campaign, according to ranchers, showed promise on at least one front: drones.

For five weeks, a crew led by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, based in Oregon, flew as many as four drones with thermal imaging cameras nightly, each nudging wolves along with various noises.

"The wolves start running and they keep running," said Lori McCurdy, a master's student at Utah State University who has been evaluating drone deterrence work in California and elsewhere.

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The USDA-led crew typically broadcasted one of four pre-recorded audio clips on the flights: fireworks, gunshots, AC/DC's hard-rock anthem "Thunderstruck" and a heated conversation between actress Scarlett Johansson and actor Adam Driver, from the movie "Marriage Story."

The movie soundtrack, McCurdy said, appeared to be the most effective: "It's the human voice, essentially, that scares them. Wolves have feared humans as long as we've known them."

While the drones consistently repelled the wolves, the ultimate goal was to push the animals someplace else - for good - preferably a spot where they can feed on their natural prey of elk and deer.

This didn't happen in Sierra Valley.

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In total this year, the area has counted more than 90 confirmed or probable livestock kills by wolves, nearly double the number killed across the entire state last year, according to the UC Cooperative Extension program. State officials say it's the most wolf attacks at any spot in California and likely anywhere in the West.

About 60 of the kills occurred while the strike team was present between Jun. 9 and Sept. 30. Ranchers say the real number of dead, accounting for unconfirmed kills, is much higher.

A secret plan

The plan to kill wolves, state officials would later say, came with the realization that the hazing campaign had failed to break the Beyem Seyo's taste for beef.

The unexpected decision followed years of insistence by state officials that the wolf population was too small for lethal controls. Until this fall, California was the only state with wolves that hadn't pursued a kill.

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State wildlife managers kept the policy shift quiet. They feared pushback and even legal challenges, which could have threatened their plan: to first capture the Beyem Seyo pack's five or six juveniles and move them to wildlife care facilities, then wipe out the pack's three adults.

After getting consent from the federal government, state officials set out in mid-September to capture the juveniles.The roughly 6-month-old wolves would struggle to survive on their own, and they don't have tracking collars, which makes them tough to find if a collared adult isn't around. But state wildlife officials couldn't find the juveniles, and after two weeks of searching, they shifted their attention to the older wolves.

On Sept. 26, wildlife officials spotted what they thought was an adult wolf during a helicopter flight. They fired a shot and hit their target.

But the dead wolf turned out to be a juvenile, a mistake that officials say was due to the young wolf's similarity, in size and color, to the Beyem Seyo pack's breeding male. Two other juveniles were found dead, likely of natural causes. The search for the others, which officials say may be two or three, continues.

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Even after the shooting, state officials remained mum about their actions. Rumors about sharpshooters taking to the sky were never confirmed. Officials responded vaguely to inquiries from the Chronicle about what was happening in Sierra Valley, saying that their strike team had been largely successful with its non-lethal tactics.

Following the accidental killing, wildlife officials changed tactics. They decided to use tranquilizer guns to subdue the adults, then follow up with lethal injections. On Oct. 14, the breeding male was darted and euthanized. The next day, the breeding female and another adult female were similarly put down.

In a press release that disclosed the kills, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham said the choice to take up lethal action "was not made lightly nor was it easy."

The decision, the agency said, came after determining that the Beyem Seyo pack's habituation to cattle as a food source was a threat to "both livestock and the ecological integrity of wolf recovery."

Harassed into non-existence? '

Rick Roberti brings calves into a chute to prepare them for winter transfer to lower-elevation pastures, with vaccinations and branding, at his ranch in Sierra Valley. Area ranchers have come to fear the return of wolves. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)





Not everyone in cattle country welcomed the killings.

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Environmentalists in the small towns of the northern Sierra, including many Bay Area transplants drawn to the region's raw splendor, had celebrated the arrival of wolves. Some are now calling for an end to efforts to remove them.

"The wolves are being harassed into non-existence," said Josh Hart, with the nonprofit Feather River Action! , who addressed the Plumas County Board of Supervisors this week in Quincy. "If wolves cannot survive even in one of California's most wild areas, what chance do they have in our state?"

State and national conservation groups also are weighing in.

"We don't support killing wolves as a means to resolve livestock conflicts," said Amaroq Weiss, a biologist and senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, adding that wolves are still a "long way" from recovery.

While state officials and ranchers have said that the unprecedented number of attacks on cows justifies lethal action, wildlife supporters say the large toll was a result of earlier inaction. They believe the state and cattle producers should have anticipated wolves coming to Sierra Valley and been prepared to fend them off.

The wolf advocates urge more comprehensive non-lethal measures: for example, quickly removing livestock carcasses and bone piles that draw predators to the ranches and adopting more innovative cattle practices, such as training cows to herd up as a defense mechanism. Some also say that drone tactics can be improved for better hazing.

Beyond taking measures in the field, wildlife experts support expanding the state's compensation fund for ranchers, which provides money for deterrence work, such as fencing, as well as reimbursement for lost cows.

Boosting deer and elk populations, by restoring natural habitats, is a longer-term strategy that many think could reduce the carnivore's interest in cattle.

One of the biggest concerns that Weiss has about the recent wolf killings, beyond diluting the wolf population, is that they'll fuel public perception that the animal is a problem. This, she says, could lead to premature rollbacks in protections.

The number of cows killed by wolves in the state, even with the spike in Sierra Valley, remains just a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of beef cows in California. This year is the first with more than 100 confirmed or probable kills statewide. Many more cattle die of non-predator issues, which include weather, injuries and poor health.

The wolf attacks, though, tend to be concentrated in specific areas, such as Sierra Valley, creating big problems for a small number of people.

Annie Tipton, left, and her husband, Joe, prepare to spread feed for their horses at their ranch in Sierraville (Sierra County). The couple slept in the fields for several months, guarding their cattle. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)





Tipton, in Sierraville, like other local ranchers, isn't happy to see the wolves die, but she's relieved.

She and her husband, Joe, are still exhausted from sleeping in their fields for several months, guarding their cattle, at least until the Beyem Seyo pack was severed. Tipton teaches third grade during the day, so the all-nighters were especially hard. On top of that, there's the financial blow of losing 10 calves to wolves.

"This is really different than just your normal cost of business," Tipton said. "It's just not sustainable for ranchers."

The couple, who took over Tipton's grandfather's cattle operation six years ago, knew they had signed up for a challenge, with mountain lions and bears, and droughts and wildfires, Tipton said. But they hadn't anticipated the surge in wolf attacks.

Now that she's catching up on sleep, she says she hopes the wolves don't return to Sierra Valley anytime soon.

"We're all animal lovers," Tipton said. "It's what we do for a living. It's nothing against the wolves. We just don't think we will be protected from this animal."

This article originally published at These endangered predators have finally returned. Should California be killing them?.
Karl Bushby has been walking across the world for 27 years. On Nov. 1, 1998, he set off from Punta Arenas in Chile. Nearly three decades later, he is back in Europe and on the final leg of his incredible journey. With just months to go, he has hit a logistical roadblock -- crossing the English Channel.

When he set out on his journey, he established two rules for himself: He would only return home when the walk was complete, and he would use no form of transportation. Since then, he has crossed the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama and the Bering Strait to Siberia. He then spent years trying to cross Russia before heading into Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.

Earlier this year, he hit a huge milestone. He crossed Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge, officially crossing back into Europe. Since August, he has walked across Turkey and Bulgaria, and is now picking his way across Romania, but has hit a logistical snag.

His Goliath Expedition has been plagued by logistical nightmares, including visa issues, war zones, and a lack of funding. The latest issue is crossing the English Channel. Using his own rules, he cannot sail across it, so the most obvious way for a man who has been walking for 27 years is to walk through the Channel Tunnel. This is strictly forbidden. He had hoped to secure special permission to walk the 4.8m wide service tunnel used by maintenance crews, but so far, he has failed to get that clearance.

No response

His support team has made multiple attempts to contact Channel Tunnel officials, to no avail. They have not responded to his requests.

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"It would be pretty miserable if it was a no. Even the Russians let me through [their country], despite world tensions, Bushby told the BBC.

If they continue to ignore his requests or do not grant him permission to cross using the service tunnel, Bushby only has one option left -- to swim the Channel. Last year, he and Angela Maxwell swam across the Caspian Sea. Again, this was not his original plan, but unable to cross from Turkmenistan into Iran, he needed to backtrack along his route to Uzbekistan, cross the Kyzylkum desert, and then swim to Azerbaijan.

The 288km swim took the pair, plus the two young Azerbaijani swimmers who joined them, 27 days. On becoming one of the first people to make the crossing, Bushby commented, Im definitely not a swimmer, nor do I like swimming.

His feelings have not changed. He commented recently, "If I have to swim across, I obviously will. But it will be colder than the Caspian."

There is still time for Bushby to get the permission he is looking for. He still has to cross Hungary, Austria, Germany, and France before reaching the Channel, but the complete lack of response so far is not promising.
FOND DU LAC  Envision Greater Fond du Lac recently received the Community Partnership Award from the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance for its Project G.R.I.L.L. initiative, according to a community announcement.

The program, which stands for Growing Readiness in Learning and Leading, is a hands-on educational experience designed to introduce high school students to career opportunities in manufacturing and skilled trades within the greater Fond du Lac area.

Students from area high schools team up with local manufacturers to design and build functional grills, learning all aspects of taking a product from concept to production.

(Center Front) Emily Waisanen, Workforce Programming Specialist at Envision Greater Fond du Lac, proudly accepted Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Manufacturing Alliances Community Partnership Award on behalf of Envision.

The award was presented at the 14th annual Excellence in Manufacturing/K-12 Partnerships Awards held Oct. 28 at Resch Expo in Green Bay.

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The Awards dinner is a celebration of the strong partnerships that have formed between manufacturers and education, said Ann Franz, NEW Manufacturing Alliances executive director.

The event highlighted the best manufacturing and education collaborations throughout northeast Wisconsin.

Emily Waisanen, workforce programming specialist at Envision Greater Fond du Lac, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

For more information about Envision Greater Fond du Lac and Project G.R.I.L.L., visit envisiongreaterfdl.com.

This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac students build grills, win big for manufacturing
A technical meeting between the European Commission and Belgium on Friday 7 November did not make a breakthrough on how to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.

Source: Euronews, citing its sources; European Pravda

Details: Sources in the Belgian government told Euronews that their concern is growing over the lack of alternative proposals from the European Commission on deploying the frozen assets for Ukraine's financing. One source said that it is essential that "every possible approach is examined with rigour and transparency, to ensure the best solution", adding they had not yet seen such options.

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The same source said that Belgium is "not yet frustrated" by the absence of other proposals from the Commission, "but the clock is ticking and we remain constructive".

Another Euronews source said that the EU still hopes to reach an agreement with Belgium, while acknowledging that time is short.

The Commission put forward a plan that allows EU governments to channel up to 185 billion  the bulk of Russia's sovereign assets currently frozen in Europe  to Ukraine without confiscating them. Approval however has stalled over Belgian concerns, as most of these assets are held on its territory.

EU officials said that the question of using Russia's frozen assets to finance support for Ukraine remains on the agenda, with a final decision due in December 2025.

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Background: The EU stated earlier that the issue of using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine remains on the agenda, and a final decision will be made in December 2025.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
**Related Video Above: 3 dogs euthanized in Mentor after child, mom attacked by one of them

DONCASTER, United Kingdom (WJW)  A man was arrested after a dog he is suspected of owning reportedly attacked a small child at a park in England this week.

First testimony on new bill that tightens rules on so-called puppy mills

The South Yorkshire police were called to a Mexborough park on Nov. 6 for reports of an attack on a 5-year-old boy. Upon arrival they found the child with serious injuries to his face and ears. The dog was seized by authorities and a 29-year-old man was taken into custody for suspicion of owning a dog dangerously out of control, according to police.

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The dog was reportedly off of its leash when it came up to the child, who was there with his mother, and started biting.

The boy was taken to the hospital after what police described as every parents nightmare. They said they believe the attack could leave lasting scarring on the boys face.

Ive killed 2 people: Sussex man murdered 2, then took their kids to McDonalds

This incident should never happen and could have be avoided by responsible ownership, inspector Steve Usher said in a statement.

The dog, described as a bull breed, is currently in police custody but the man has been released on bail. An investigation is continuing.

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Police asked pet owners to be mindful and to remember the following list of things to keep these kinds of tragedies from occurring:

 Walk your dog on a leash while out in public

 Beware of other dogs while out walking

 Ensure your dog is microchipped and wearing a collar

 Understand your dogs behavior and tailor your routes

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and powerful, experts are noticing a concerning trend in high-risk communities. Across the globe, insurance companies are dropping coverage of areas deemed too risky for resilience investments.

What's happening?

Insurance Business reported that the current resilience finance framework could lead some urban areas to be deemed "uninsurable" in the near future. In a simplified sense, resilience finance is the provision of financial resources to individuals or communities to help them recover more quickly after a disaster.

Insurance Business cited a new report from the Resilient Cities Network and Tokio Marine Group titled Under Pressure, Overdue: The Portfolio Approach and Financing Cities for Resilience. In the analysis, the researchers explain how the aftermath of extreme weather events is causing premiums to skyrocket. For many homeowners, insurance has become so expensive that it's no longer affordable.

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This trend has created what the report calls a protection gap  the "difference between total climate-related losses and what insurers cover," per Insurance Business. Since backing high-risk areas is becoming risky for insurers, companies are increasing prices or dropping coverage altogether.

Why is the new report important?

The new report from the Resilient Cities Network and Tokio Marine Group underscores the need for insurance companies to adapt their strategies to better account for the growing risk of extreme weather events.

As countries continue to rely on dirty energy sources, they emit harmful gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating the planet's overheating and contributing to extreme weather events. This, in turn, leaves certain communities, such as coastal areas and drought-prone regions, especially vulnerable to more powerful storms and therefore more expensive insurance coverage.

What's being done about the impact of extreme weather on insurance?

Experts are emphasizing the need for the insurance industry to change to better reflect the climate crisis. Tokio Marine Group CEO Brad Irick told Insurance Business that "the industry's role must extend beyond claims payouts to proactive risk partnership."

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From a global perspective, countries need to prioritize renewable energy sources to reduce the amount of heat-trapping gases emitted by dirty energy sources. On an individual level, you can make small lifestyle changes to help reduce your environmental footprint and mitigate the impact of extreme weather. Some of these changes include eliminating single-use plastics, shopping secondhand, and opting for public transportation.

Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Absolutely No Depends on the upgrade I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Haryana Police has launched an aggressive statewide drive titled "Operation Trackdown", sending a strong message of zero tolerance towards crime. The campaign, which began on November 5 and will continue till November 20, has already yielded remarkable results. Within the first two days, fifty-six most-wanted criminals have been arrested, along with 602 other accused persons across the state. On the very first day of the operation, thirty-two criminals were apprehended. The following day, another twenty-four notorious offenders were taken into custody, along with 252 others facing various charges. Police also opened nine new history sheets to update criminal records and expedite bail cancellations of repeat offenders. Under the leadership of Director General Of Police Haryana or DGP Haryana OP Singh, the campaign is being executed through a well-coordinated strategy at the police station, district, and state levels. Each police station has identified its top five most-wanted criminals, while district-level teams are targeting the top ten offenders in their respective jurisdictions. The State Task Force (STF) has drawn up a list of twenty of the most dangerous criminals in Haryana, with focused action already underway. To strengthen police-public collaboration, the IG Crime has made his personal mobile number (90342-90495) public, encouraging citizens to share information about criminal activity confidentially and help the force in its mission. In addition to state efforts, Haryana Police has coordinated with police departments in Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chandigarh. Joint raids, border monitoring, and execution of pending warrants are being carried out in collaboration with these neighbouring states. The campaign sends out a clear message that the objective is not just making arrests, but also dismantling criminal networks, cancelling bail, confiscating assets, and preventing future crimes. The success of the first two days underscores that Haryana has indeed become a state with "No Place to Hide" for criminals. (ANI)
Explorer Colin OBrady is surrounded by duffel bags and dozens of neatly labeled bags of dried ramen while sitting down for a virtual interview from his Airbnb in southern Chile. Thats because the 40-year-old explorer is about to set off on what he says is his most ambitious expedition yet.

OBrady will embark on a 110-day, 1,780-mile crossing of one of the most remote places on Earth  the Ross Ice Shelf, a frozen expanse at the edge of Antarctica.

It was pretty funny going through Chilean customs with 14 bags full of protein powder, OBrady told NBC News on Oct. 31 as he gestured behind him. They were like, What the heck is this?

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If successful, OBrady would become the first person to cross the entire continent, from ice shelf to ice shelf, solo and unsupported. That means no resupplies, no kites and no dogs. It will just be OBrady, a 500-pound sled and the endless white horizon.

Hes calling the expedition Further, which he hopes to begin this weekend.

Im really curious if I can go back and push myself not just farther in distance  but in a spiritual context  mind, body, soul, he said days before he set off. And to me, theres no better proving ground for that than Antarctica.

Twice as far, twice as dangerous

This is OBradys sixth time on the southernmost continent, and his most perilous trip yet. In 2018, he became the first person to cross the landmass of Antarctica alone and unsupported, a 932-mile journey chronicled in his New York Times bestselling memoir The Impossible First. This time, hes attempting nearly double that distance, roughly 1,800 miles across both the Ross and Filchner ice shelves, plus the landmass in between.

In 2018, Collin O'Brady became the first person to cross the landmass of Antarctica alone and unsupported, a 932-mile journey chronicled in his New York Times bestselling memoir The Impossible First. (Colin O'Brady)

The route has the same starting point Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen used in 1911, when he became the first to reach the South Pole. OBrady will trace that history and then go far beyond it. Once he passes the 932-mile mark, every step he takes will be farther than any human has ever gone solo and unsupported on the continent.

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But he knows how dangerous it will be to try and break this record.

A couple years ago  I fell into a crevasse unroped and probably should have died. I was very fortunate to survive that crevasse fall and Im going to have to go over similar terrain. So theres no doubt about it that theres real consequences, real threats, he said. You know, when youre minus-40 degrees and your tent were to blow away, youre in the middle of Antarctica without shelter or any really immediate hope of rescue.

O'Brady's expeditions also come with the peril of public scrutiny. A 2020 National Geographic article accused him of embellishing and exaggerating key details in "The Impossible First." He strenuously denied the allegations at the time and called for National Geographic to retract the article, which the outlet has not done.

Asked on Friday if his new Antarctic attempt was an effort to silence those sorts of skeptics, he said, "The direct answer to your question is no, it has nothing to do with that."

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"I remain super proud of what I accomplished in 2018 becoming the first person in history to cross the landmass of Antarctica, solo, unsupported (no reapplies), and fully human powered," O'Brady said in an email.

A record and a reckoning

OBradys sled will weigh about 500 pounds when he starts. Nearly 400 of those pounds will be food and fuel. Enough for 110 days of travel, but barely sufficient to keep up with the 10,000 calories he expects to burn daily. Im starting this expedition at 205 pounds, he says. By the end, Ill probably be down 60 or 70 pounds. Ive gained all this weight just to survive.

Colin OBrady trains with a weighted sled. OBradys sled will weigh about 500 pounds when he starts his upcoming expedition. (Ali Rogers)

Hell wear the same clothes every day, live on dehydrated meals and melt snow for water with a small gas stove.

I have no change of clothes. I only have one pair of underwear that Im putting on at the beginning, and theyll still be on my body come to other side of the continent, he said. Its not pretty out there.

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And yet despite the hardship  or maybe because of it  OBrady says he finds peace in the isolation.

Last time I was there, I pretty much deleted all my music and podcasts. I spent 95% of the time in complete silence, he said.

At first its very uncomfortable to be that alone, he added. Theres also nothing to see on this endless white landscape.

OBrady said its like standing inside the belly of the pingpong ball.

Its also the Antarctic summer, he said. What it means in the Antarctic summer is that its 24 hours of daylight. So its like high-noon daylight the entire time, but oftentimes  probably maybe 30% to 40% of the time  the clouds come in and you cant see anything. Im just navigating off a compass ... no way to see where youre going, even a few steps in front of you.

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Hell share updates through a Starlink Mini, a portable satellite unit that will allow him to transmit about one photo or message a day for his team to post to social media. Netflix is also following his journey for an upcoming documentary, directed by Academy Award winner James Reed (My Octopus Teacher).

Theyve basically been living with me these last few months, OBrady said. But once that plane takes off, its just me and the ice.

Training for the unknown

To prepare, OBrady created what he dubbed Love Camp, a seven-week training experience at an expansive oceanfront home in Oregon.

I thought, well, what if instead of going alone into a training camp like a monk and just training hard, what if I did the opposite of that? What if I created an environment where I brought in all my friends, my family, my mentors, spiritual teachers, he said.

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I had 60 different people come and stay with me in my house. Every morning wed wake up and meditate together, OBrady said. They would come on the beach and train with me. We would laugh, wed play, we danced every single morning to the same song before getting started. We created these rituals. And theres rituals now when Im thinking about being alone on the ice.

Colin OBrady and friends meditate together at Love Camp, a seven-week training experience at an expansive oceanfront home in Oregon. (Ali Rogers)

OBradys small expedition team based in Chile and the U.S. includes his partner, Maryellis, who offers love and support from a heart center place, and longtime collaborators Gary Hand and Ali Rogers, who manage logistics, communication and media updates.

A legacy of risk

OBrady isnt naive about the dangers. British explorer Henry Worsley died in 2016 attempting a similar crossing. In a statement to NBC News, Worsleys son Max said, My mother, sister, and I wish Colin every success on this remarkable challenge. May the weather be favourable and, above all, may he stay safe and healthy throughout. We will be following along, and wish you the very best of luck, Colin!

When OBrady learned that Worsleys family had wished him luck on this expedition, he grew emotional. If it hadnt been for him, Im not sure Id be making this crossing. Hes been a huge inspiration, he said. So to hear that from his family and have their blessing means the world to me.

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If something goes wrong, OBrady does carry a satellite phone. A company called Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions would handle any emergency response. The company declined to comment on "private client travel arrangements."

Rescue, O'Brady cautions, is far from guaranteed.

If theres storms, no aircraft  even a ski aircraft  can land until the storm has cleared, he said. So if you call and you say, Hey, Im in the middle of the storm and my tent blew away, its not like they can come and get you.  It could be days, weeks until somebodys there.

But it isnt the fear of death that keeps him up at night.

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Im definitely afraid of dying. Im not trying to take some crazy risk or something like that. But when I really put my head on the pillow at night, what Im more afraid of is not fully living.

From fire to freedom

OBradys life story began with a very different kind of survival. In 2008, at 23, he decided to travel the world after graduating from Yale. While in Thailand, he was in a flaming jump-rope accident that left a quarter of his body burned so badly that doctors told him he might never walk again.

But OBrady turned tragedy into triumph after his mother told him to set a goal. He set his sights on competing in a triathlon. Eighteen months later, he not only walked again, but OBrady won the Chicago Triathlon.

The doctors told me I may never walk again normally, he said. And thats with me every step of the way. You know, when Im out there in the middle of Antarctica and the storms are raging, I still have this place I can go to in my mind and its like, Yeah, but youre on your feet.

The father and the explorer

Now, as a father to 2 1/2-year-old Banks, OBrady said his motivations have evolved.

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I have real things to live for  friends, family, community, my son, he said.

Colin OBrady and his 2 1/2-year-old son, Banks OBrady, at Love Camp. (Ali Rogers)

When Banks is older and watches the Netflix documentary, OBrady hopes hell take away a simple message. It doesnt matter to me if Banks wants to climb mountains or walk across Antarctica.  I hope he looks at [the documentary and] goes like, Wow, my dad dreamed big. What does that mean in my young life, and how can I go after things that Im passionate about?

That connection extends to the planet itself

OBrady said standing alone at the bottom of the world is awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Its like the full human emotion all wrapped up in one. ... It has literally brought me to my knees.

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What keeps bringing me back is its basically like virgin Earth, he said. Its like Earth before any humans ever touched it. Still, 99 % of Antarctica has never seen a human footprint, and thats what makes it so special.  Im not leaving anything behind. I treat the landscape with a high level of respect.

Colin OBrady during his 2018 expedition when he became the first person to cross the landmass of Antarctica alone and unsupported. (Colin O'Brady)

As he prepared to embark on his latest journey, OBrady smiled.

A couple of days ago when I was flying out of Portland to come down here, I actually went back and drove past my childhood home, which is a very modest home, he said. And just to think about where this all started and where I am now, Im really proud of that.

As human beings, were sitting on reservoirs of untapped potential to achieve extraordinary things, OBrady said. No matter where you come from, no matter what your background is, keep dreaming, keep chipping away, and keep having that zest for creating in life. Its amazing what you can get to.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com




A San Francisco private school with a popular Mandarin immersion program informed staff and families it will close at the end of the school year, blindsiding parents who were unaware of any talk of shutting the site.

Angry parents immediately launched a petition drive Thursday to stop the closure of the Stratford Schools' 14th Avenue campus in the Richmond District and work with city officials to "address lease negotiations and permitting challenges."

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"This news - delivered without warning or prior community engagement - has shocked and dismayed families and staff alike," said Hilary Ong, in the petition she started. "Many of us have made life-changing decisions based on our commitment to this school: purchasing homes in the Richmond District, enduring long commutes, and investing years of loyalty and tuition in the Stratford educational model."

The school's website included no mention of the closure Friday. Instead, it announced an expansion of its elementary school Mandarin immersion program.

School officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Stratford School, which started in 1999 in the back of a Danville church, is now a chain of more than 30 campuses offering preschool through high school education across California to more than 9,000 students.

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Stratford has four sites in San Francisco.

Tuition at the 14th Avenue campus ranges from just under $25,000 for 10-month preschool or prekindergarten to $31,000 for the elementary school Mandarin immersion program.

Founded by a former educator, the schools are now operated by Campbell-based Spring Education Group, "majority-owned by investment funds administered by Primavera Holdings Limited, an investment firm owned by Chinese persons and principally based in Hong Kong with operations in the United States, China and Singapore," according to the Stratford's website.

The 14th Avenue school petition, signed by nearly 300 people as of Friday morning, called on the corporate owners to meet with families to discuss the reasons for the closure and possible alternatives. They also demanded clear transition plans for students and staff as well as continuity of the Mandarin immersion program at another San Francisco site if the 14th avenue campus is ultimately closed.

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"This community deserves honesty, respect, and genuine problem-solving - not a corporate email and quiet withdrawal," according to the petition. "The lack of transparency and accountability has deeply eroded trust, but we believe it is not too late for Stratford to demonstrate integrity and leadership by engaging with families and finding a solution together."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This article originally published at S.F. families stunned by decision to close private school owned by Chinese investors.
Travelers braced for flight cancellations and reductions as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said more cuts  potentially rising to 15% or even 20% of all scheduled flights  could be on the way if the record-breaking government shutdown continues.

Scores of cancellations spread across the country as airlines implemented Duffy's order to reduce traffic. Southwest Airlines announced it would cancel 100 flights on Friday.

Just weeks ahead of the busy holiday travel season, flight operations were reduced by 4% at 40 major U.S. airports starting Friday, with the cuts gradually increasing to 10% over a week, Duffy announced.

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First SNAP. Now flight cuts. Pressure mounts on Congress to end shutdown

Duffy said the cuts were a proactive safety measure as the shutdown puts "strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers," and controllers go without pay.

Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. Travelers arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A TSA agent directs people as they wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A screen shows United Airlines 2619 landing at Chicago International Airport O'Hare, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 6, 2025. Air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A crew member walks at the airport, as air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A person walks at the airport, as air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A passenger stands by a screen showing delayed flights due to the government shutdown, at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 6, 2025. Travelers arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open 1 of 10 Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.

Given the increasing pressures on controllers, Duffy on Friday said as many as 15% or even 20% of flights could be cut in the coming days.

Here's what to know as the cuts go into effect:

'Significant delays' at Reagan National Airport

People walk through the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on November 7, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. The FAA announced it will reduce flights by 10 percent at 40 major airports nationwide, amid air traffic control staffing shortages resulting from the federal government shutdown.

Reagan National Airport outside Washington, DC, warned passengers to cancellations and delays in a social media post.

"We are expecting significant delays and cancellations through this evening due to air traffic reductions," the airport posted on X. "Customers with flight reservations are urged to monitor their flight status closely with their airline."

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Reagan National sees an average of 70,000 passengers a day.

SNAP benefits could soon return, as Senate shutdown vote looks doubtful. Live updates

How the shutdown is affecting flight safety

In a Nov. 7 interview with Breitbart News, Duffy said that, behind the scenes, there have been warning signs of an air traffic control system under increasing stress.

Fewer controllers coming to work. Planes getting uncomfortably close in the air and on the ground. Pilot complaints about air traffic tower response times.

Airlines cancelled flights at 40 major airports after the government imposed an unprecedented cut to air travel, citing air traffic control safety during a record-setting government shutdown, Nov. 7, 2025.

Air traffic controllers received one partial paycheck last month, he said, then a flat zero paycheck two weeks later. If the shutdown continues, next weeks paycheck will be zero again.

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That has put enormous financial pressure on especially the younger controllers, who may not have the savings needed to keep up with rent, bills or car payments, Duffy said.

Some have made the decision to not come to work and to take a second job, he said. That has put a lot of pressure on the air traffic control system.

The Federal Aviation Administration safety team flagged another stress factor, Duffy said: a loss of separation in the air and on the ground between planes. The number of incursions in the safe spacing between aircraft has risen, he said.

At the same time, the FAA has fielded an increasing number of complaints from pilots who are reporting that individual air traffic controllers have been less responsive than usual or appear more stressed, Duffy said.

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We looked at the data, and the numbers are going in the wrong direction, he said.

--Lauren Villagran

'I shouldn't be here': Cancellations upend travel plans

Carey Driscoll found herself in Indianapolis unexpectedly Friday morning while trying to make it home to Northern Kentucky, just outside Cincinnati.

"I shouldn't be here," she told IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Travelers arrive at departures Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis.

When Driscoll's Chicago to Cincinnati flight of her two-leg trip home from Fort Lauderdale was canceled by American Airlines, the former travel advisor savvily found a flight out of Miami to Indianapolis.

"I was worried I was going to have to spend 12 hours in Chicago-O'Hare and then maybe get home," she said. "So I changed it."

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After landing in Indianapolis, Driscoll worked on a laptop, waiting for her mother-in-law to pick her up to start the two-hour journey back to Northern Kentucky.

--Alysa Guffey, Indianapolis Star

Southwest cancels over 100 flights at 34 airports

Southwest Airlines canceled 100 flights on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, after U.S. Department of Transportation, due to the ongoing government shutdown, imposed a 10% cutback on flight capacity at selected airports.

Southwest Airlines said it was cutting more than 100 flights on Friday with dozens more being canceled on Saturday due to air traffic restrictions issued during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The airline slashed about 120 flights across 34 airports on Friday, Southwest released in a statement to USA TODAY.

The low-cost, Dallas-based carrier said it expects cancellations to impact less than 100 flights on Saturday, and that "the vast majority" of customers' flights "will not be disrupted."

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--Natalie Neysa Alund and James Powel

More: Southwest cancels over 100 flights at 34 airports due to FAA reductions

Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A traveler sits in front of departure display screens showing a small number of cancellations of flights at Denver International Airport on Nov. 9. 2025. People enjoy the weather at the closed National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, on Oct. 20, 2025. The US government shutdown dragged into a third week, with Congress gridlocked in a clash over spending and no resolution in sight to a crisis that has already cost thousands of jobs. A child peers into the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, which closed after the prior years funding it was using to remain open temporarily, ran out during the continuing U.S. government shutdown in Washington, D.C., Oct. 12, 2025. The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC is closed to visitors temporarily as the U.S. federal government shutdown drags on, along with other Smithsonian Museums on Oct. 13, 2025. The Smithsonian Institution drew on funds from the prior year to stay open for 11 days after the shutdown began on Oct. 1. Visitors to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum find its doors are closed due to the continuing U.S. government shutdown in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13, 2025. The U.S. Capitol behind construction sandbags in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 8, 2025, the eighth day of the federal government shutdown. A woman walks past a sign indicating the Smithsonian's National Gallery of Art is closed as the federal government continues its shutdown Oct. 6, 2025, in Washington, DC. A view of North Capitol Street and the U.S. Capitol's rotunda as the federal government continues its shutdown on Oct. 6, 2025, in Washington, DC. The Cades Cove Visitor Center,Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Blount County, Tenn., reopened during the government shutdown thanks to a group of local and state leaders. Oct. 4, 2025. A man is reflected on the window door to the entrance of the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park Visitor Center in New Bedford, Mass., as he crosses William Street. The tape hides hours of operation due to the center being closed due to government shutdown. (L-R) A group of friends and family traveling on a road trip, Harriett Green of Milford, New Jersey, Eveyn Hauck of Bangor, Pennsylvania, Colleen Abahazy of Easton, Pennsylvania, and Sharon Reuss of Easton, Pennsylvania, look through the locked gate to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine on Oct. 3, 2025 in Baltimore, Md. The fort is closed due to the government shutdown that began early Wednesday after Congress failed to reach a funding deal. People visit the Smithsonian National Zoo as the US government is shut down for the second day on October 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Efforts to swiftly end the US government shutdown collapsed October 1, 2025 as Democrats in Congress went home without resolving an acrimonious funding stand-off with President Donald Trump and the White House threatened public sector jobs. Smithsonian institutions receive federal funding and shut down during a federal government. The Smithsonian, a federal government entity, says on its website that it will use money from the last fiscal years budget to stay open at least through Monday, Oct. 6. A would-be visitor looks into the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum which is closed, on the first day of a partial U.S. government shutdown, in Boston, Mass. on Oct.1, 2025. The United States Capitol seen on the morning of the first day of the federal government shutdown on Oct.1, 2025 after President Donald Trump and congressional leaders failed to reach a funding compromise. Tinker Air Force Base is pictured in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. The base employs thousands of civilian employees and is the largest employer in the city's metro area. Many will be impacted by the shutdown. People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. The United States Park Service place a notice on the visitors entry door notifying of the closing of the Washington Monument to visitors on the first day of the federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025. Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working. A man walks past Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site which is closed on the first day of a partial U.S. government shutdown in New York City, New York, October 1, 2025. Travelers pass through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening at Hollywood Burbank Airport during the first day of a partial U.S. government shutdown in Burbank, California, October 1, 2025. The United States Courthouse in White Plains, N.Y. remained open Oct. 1, 2025 even with the shutdown of the federal goverment. The United States Capitol Rotunda and the United States Capitol closed to tours on the first day of the federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025 after President Donald Trump and congressional leaders failed to reach a funding compromise. A U.S. Park Service employee cleans up trash on the National Mall on the first day of the government shutdown on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC. A child tries to look inside the visitor center of the Washington Monument, which is closed because of a partial government shutdown, in Washington, D.C., October 1, 2025. Tourists stand outside the entrance to the Capitol Visitors Center, which is closed due to the federal government shut down, on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) sits on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Library of Congress is closed to visitors during the federal government shut down on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC. Visitors look through the window of the closed U.S. Botanical Gardens during the federal government shut down on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC. A worker locks the gate to the entrance of Everglades National Park Shark Valley due to the government shutdown on October 1, 2025, in Everglades National Park, Florida. The park will remain open to visitors, but with minimal staffing. The U.S. government shut down at midnight, with President Donald Trump and Democrats blaming each other for failing to reach an agreement. The Internal Revenue Office in White Plains, N.Y. remained open Oct. 1, 2025 even with the shutdown of the federal goverment. The Social Security office in White Plains, N.Y. remained open Oct. 1, 2025 even with the shutdown of the federal goverment. A person walks by the African Burial Ground National Monument Visitor Center, which is closed on the first day of a partial U.S. government shutdown, in New York City, October 1, 2025. People look up at the Washington Monument ticket office window with a notice of closure following the United States Park Service placing a note on the ticket office window notifying of the closing of the Washington Monument to visitors on the first day of the federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025. A man walks across the otherwise empty U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, closed to the public on the first day of a partial U.S. government shutdown, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., October 1, 2025. A Park Closed sign in the driveway for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, N.Y. on October 1, 2025. All of the facilities on site are closed, but the grounds are currently open to the public, however there are no rest rooms, nor will trash be collected. Denise McGregor peers through a window to catch a glimpse inside the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, on Oct. 1, 2025. Due to the shutdown the building was closed. Stones River National Battlefield, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. is currently closed on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, due to a partial government shutdown. A sign referring to the federal government shutdown is hung on the door on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025 at the Natural Resources Conservation Service Office in Oklahoma City. A sign indicating that the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is closed due to a lapse in federal appropriations on October 1, 2025. A Park Closed sign in the driveway for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum on October 1, 2025. All of the facilities on site are closed, but the grounds are currently open to the public, however there are no rest rooms, nor will trash be collected. See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open 1 of 41 Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.

Airlines still have a bottom line

Airlines will not simply cancel 10% of flights at random. They will likely target routes based on revenue, passenger rebooking options, and aircraft and crew routing, explained Ahmed Abdelghany, associate dean for research at the David B. OMaley College of Business in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

People travel through Indianapolis International Airport on Nov. 7, 2025. The FAA will be reducing flights by 10 percent in 40 major airports around the country amid air traffic control staffing shortages due to the federal government shutdown.

"All these airlines have shareholders and their job as managers is to maximize revenue and margin and profit to the airline sales and keep your airline stock up," Michael Taylor, senior travel advisor at JD Power told USA TODAY. "So theyre going to start first at looking  if you want 10% reduction in number of aircraft, well then we will cut those markets out that were not going to make the most money."

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Both Abdelghany and Taylor agree that airlines have a myriad of factors to consider like crew and aircraft placement, but revenue is an important part of the equation. International flights, for the most part, are higher ticket items for airlines.

A Delta Airlines flight lands at Logan International Airport, as airlines cancelled flights at 40 major airports after the government imposed an unprecedented cut to air travel, citing air traffic control safety concerns during the setting government shutdown, in Boston, Massachusetts, Nov. 7, 2025.

"It wont seem to travelers that theres any rhyme or reason to it at all. Itll seem random, but whats really driving it is someone in corporate headquarters saying, OK, you want the number of aircraft lowered? Fine. Ive got to keep my revenue high. Im going to take out the ones I dont make any money on. Its as simple as that, Taylor added.

--Josh Rivera

Travel flowing smoothly at Washington, DC airport

Other than the hordes of television cameras and reporters milling about  and a visit from Transportation Secretary Duffy  travel at Reagan National Airport outside Washington, DC, chugged on as normal Friday morning.

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The website Flight Aware listed 35 cancellations at the airport Friday. But as of 10:30 a.m., electronic displays by airport check-in counters showed only four cancelled morning and early afternoon flights. The cancellations were spread across four different airline and destinations.

More: Trump administration appeals order to pay full November SNAP food benefits

Nov 7, 2025; Arlington, VA, USA; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy walking through the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Transportation Secretary Duffy announced that 40 major airports will see a 10% cut in flights, starting the morning of Nov. 7.

Most travelers USA TODAY spoke to at the airport said they didnt notice anything out of the usual. TSA lines moved swiftly and airport personnel seemed to be handling the flow of Friday traffic.

Vanita Todker, 39, sat outside an airport Starbucks after arriving from Los Angeles. She was in town with the Prakriti Dance Company for a weekend performance at the Jewish Community Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

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Asked about whether she experienced any travel disruptions, Todker said LA traffic.

A traveler waits with her luggage at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.

Calvin Tenney, 22, landed in DC from Detroit, Michigan to celebrate a family members birthday. Others flying in from San Diego for the celebrations had been impacted by the FAA cuts and had to rebook their flights to make it in time.

--Karissa Waddick

Air traffic controllers being used as political pawns, union leader says

Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, speaks next to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy during a press conference on the impact of the ongoing federal government shutdown on air travel, at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, U.S. in October 28, 2025.

National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels said financial problems are mounting for the workers he represents, and called on elected leaders to quit using us as the political pawn and waiting to see how long we can last.

Daniels told CNN in a Nov. 7 interview said the air traffic control system was fragile even before the shutdown began, and is now experiencing additional stress. Controllers have to be "perfect" at work, and financial concerns make it harder to concentrate, he said.

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We are always being used as a political pawn during a government shutdown, Daniels said. We are the rope in a tug of war game.

--Zac Anderson

'Open the damn government': Duffy tells angry travelers to call their senators

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has a message for Democrats criticizing his move to cut flights: Open the damn government.

Nov 7, 2025; Arlington, VA, USA; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy records a video message to a phone while walking through the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Transportation Secretary Duffy announced that 40 major airports will see a 10% cut in flights, starting the morning of Nov. 7.

Duffy, in a Friday interview with Breitbart News Network, said hes heard criticism that the decision to cut flights is political, as the Trump administration spars with Democrats about the government shutdown.

Duffy denied any political motivation. At the same time, he encouraged travelers angry about flight disruptions to engage with political leaders to end the shutdown.

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I would say, look at the votes in the Senate and see who voted to open the government and who voted to shut it down, and then Id call those senators who voted to shut it down, Duffy said. Thats where the blame lies.

Zac Anderson

First SNAP. Now flight cuts. Pressure mounts on Congress to end shutdown

Handful of flights canceled at Denver airport

At Denver International Airport, the departures board showed a handful of canceled flights for the day, mostly to smaller destinations like nearby Colorado Springs or Lincoln, Nebraska.

High school friends and Minnesota natives Cecelia Wilde, Lara Freeburg and Kinsey Greene reunited at the airport for a weekend trip visiting Greene at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

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Wilde said her Sun Country flight from Minnesota went smoothly, as did Freeburgs United flight from Bozeman, Montana. Both travelers said their airlines have communicated clearly about the potential for flight problems, and they were more focused on the fun weekend ahead.

If Im stuck here for a little while, oh well, said Freeburg, 21, a senior at Montana State.

Greene said the only flight disruption shes heard of was for one of her roommates, whose flight to Detroit was canceled but immediately rebooked by United.

They just sent her a text saying it was canceled but it was rebooked and no further actions was needed, Greene said. So thats good.

In a statement, United officials said about half of all affected customers have been automatically rebooked on flights, leaving within four hours of their original departure time.

Trevor Hughes

'Were ready to drive,' Chicago traveler says

The worries began for Scott Wolf and Madeleine Nicholson on Thursday when they first learned about the cuts to airport staffing and, of course, Wolfs father began texting.

Odds getting a little better, read a text message from dad Wolf showed USA TODAY at OHare International Airport in Chicago on Friday.

Wolf is the oldest of four siblings and the last of his sisters is getting married Saturday in New York.

We cant miss that, said Wolf, 34. Were ready to drive if its canceled.

Hes giving a speech, were both walking in the wedding, said Nicholson, 31, And I really dont want to drive to New York.

O'Hare's Terminal 3 appeared calm at about 9:30 and the married couple felt hopeful they would arrive in time for the rehearsal dinner.

They're set to return to Chicago on Sunday and hope the trip will go smoothly.

Why dont we end it today, that way we can get home on time, said Wolf said about the government shutdown.

Otherwise, said Nicholson, Thanksgivings going to be a slaughter.

Michael Loria

More cuts to air travel capacity could come soon, Duffy says

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Breitbart News if the shutdown continues, flights will be cut further in the coming days.

The response is to take pressure out of the system, Duffy said. Im trying to minimize the risk through this government shutdown.

Some air traffic controllers have taken second jobs to make ends meet, as they go more than a month without a paycheck. Given the pressures on controllers, Duffy said as much as 15% of flights could be cut in the coming days if the shutdown continues.

Lauren Villagran

Transportation secretary says cuts based on 'concerning' data

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CBS News that federal officials made the decision to cut flights based on data about air traffic controllers that was concerning.

Pressed during the Nov. 7 interview to reveal more about the data that sparked concerns, Duffy said he would share more about it with Congress and the airlines later.

But right now its about making the right decisions at the right time to keep people safe, Duffy said, adding later that his biggest safety concern is controller fatigue amid the ongoing government shutdown, which has required controllers to work without pay.

Rep. Rick Larsen, the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said in a statement this week that the Federal Aviation Administrations decision to cut 10% of flights at 40 airports starting Nov. 7 is a dramatic and unprecedented step that demands more transparency."The FAA must immediately share any safety risk assessment and related data that this decision is predicated on with Congress, Larsen wrote.

Asked about those comments, Duffy said if people want to question us, I would throw it back at them. Open up the government.

Zac Anderson

Transportation Secretary Duffy heckled at DC airport

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stopped by Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside of Washington, DC, Friday morning to talk with travelers and TSA workers.Some travelers yelled at Duffy as he exited the airport, telling him to get people back to work and push harder for an end to the government shutdown.Duffy called on Democrats to end the shutdown and defended the decision to cut flights.We've relied on the experts at the FAA on the safety team to give us this advice, he said. Its the right decision.

Karissa Waddick

How flight cuts could impact international travelers

At least three major carriers  United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines  have said international flights will not be reduced, but that doesnt mean those travelers are off scot-free.

Many travelers have to make domestic connections before or after long-haul flights, and aviation experts have told USA TODAY connecting passengers may face fewer options and longer layovers amid Federal Aviation Administration-directed cuts.

Eve Chen

Airlines required to give refunds for cancellations

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Brian Bedford said in a statement that airlines would be required to issue full refunds but would not be required to cover secondary costs  the standard procedure when flight cancellations are not the carrier's fault.

Federal rules entitle airline passengers to a full refund if their flight is canceled or significantly delayed and they choose not to rebook.

Some airlines are also offering waivers that allow travelers to change their flights without paying change fees or fare differences. Major carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, have waivers in place related to the flight reduction.

N'dea Yancey-Bragg

Flight affected by the shutdown? Here's what you can do, and what you're owed.

Not just targeted airports to see issues

It's not just travelers at the 40 airports on the list that could see issues.

There's going to be extensive disruption across the entire nations air transportation system, said Henry Harteveldt, and airline industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, an independent travel analytics firm. And the consequences could last longer than the shutdown.

Passengers on connecting flights and crew members who would otherwise have continued on to other flights will also feel the ripple effect, experts told USA TODAY.

For an airline to be told by the government they've got 36 or so hours to start dismembering their carefully built flight schedules doesn't give airlines a lot of time, Harteveldt said.

Read more on what to expect.

Eve Chen

Airlines start announcing cuts

Airlines have begun releasing their planned cancellations for the first few days of operations reductions.

United, Delta, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines on Thursday began canceling limited numbers of Friday flights in anticipation of the reduction plans. Alaska said it was working to ensure "smaller and remote communities ... reliant on air travel" would be protected and said in a statement posted on X that most cancellations would be on routes with a higher frequency of flights, "allowing most guests to be reaccommodated with as little disruption as possible."

Delta Airlines said it would cancel 170 flights on Friday. The airline usually operates about 5,000 flights per day, it said.

United said it would cut 4% of Friday's flights, which would total fewer than 200 cancellations nationwide as it operates about 4,500 flights each day. It has also released its schedules for Saturday and Sunday and urged travelers to check their flight statuses online or through its app. Even if your flight isn't canceled, you can get a refund for your trip if you don't want to fly, the company said.

How do I check if my flight is canceled?

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that 40 major airports will see a 10% cut in flights, starting the morning of Nov. 7. The FAA capacity reductions at airports will ramp up from 4% to 10% over a series of days, the FAA said.

Travelers shouldnt wait until theyre already at the airport to learn whether theyre affected. The most important step, experts say, is to monitor your flight early and often.

Start by downloading your airlines mobile app and turning on push and text notifications. Economist Hayley Berg from the travel booking company Hopper says travelers should be checking days in advance  not just the night before.

If you have a flight scheduled or youre scheduling one, sign up for text message notifications or sign up for alerts from the airline on the app on your phone, Berg said. A couple of days before your flight, just check in. Make sure that there havent been any changes that havent been communicated to you yet.

Many airlines also offer a Wheres My Plane? feature in their apps. This lets you see whether the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight has arrived, is delayed en route, or hasnt departed yet from its previous airport  an early signal of trouble.

Josh Rivera

Even space launches are impacted by shutdown cuts

In addition to a 10% reduction in flights across 40 of the busiest airports, commercial space launches will also be given a curfew as of Monday, Nov 10.

"It is hereby ordered that, beginning at 6:00 a.m. EST on November 10, 2025, and until this Order is cancelled, Commercial space launches and reentries will only be permitted between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time," a Nov. 6 emergency order from the FAA states.

This comes at a time when Florida is nearing a record launch year. Some launches, such as Blue Origin's launch of the NASA ESCAPADE mission set for Sunday or a mission to the ISS, must go on time to send the spacecraft on the correct trajectory.

It remains to be seen how this will impact upcoming space launches.

Brooke Edwards, Florida Today

Which airports are impacted by the cuts?

The FAA has selected the following airports for the gradual increase in cancellations:

ANC  Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

ATL  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

BOS  Boston Logan International Airport

BWI  Baltimore/Washington International Airport

CLT  Charlotte Douglas International Airport

CVG  Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

DAL  Dallas Love Field

DCA  Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

DEN  Denver International Airport

DFW  Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

DTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

EWR  Newark Liberty International Airport

FLL  Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport

HNL  Honolulu International Airport

HOU  William P. Hobby Airport

IAD  Washington Dulles International Airport

IAH  George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport

IND  Indianapolis International Airport

JFK  New York John F. Kennedy International Airport

LAS  Las Vegas McCarran International Airport

LAX  Los Angeles International Airport

LGA  New York LaGuardia Airport

MCO  Orlando International Airport

MDW  Chicago Midway International Airport

MEM  Memphis International Airport

MIA  Miami International Airport

MSP  MinneapolisSt. Paul International Airport

OAK  Oakland International Airport

ONT  Ontario International Airport

ORD  Chicago OHare International Airport

PDX  Portland International Airport

PHL  Philadelphia International Airport

PHX  Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

SAN  San Diego International Airport

SDF  Louisville International Airport

SEA  SeattleTacoma International Airport

SFO  San Francisco International Airport

SLC  Salt Lake City International Airport

TEB  Teterboro Airport

TPA  Tampa International Airport

What to do if your flight gets delayed or canceled

If your flight is canceled, Scott Keyes, founder of Going, recommended using the airlines' mobile app to rebook as soon as possible. If passengers need to speak with someone by phone, Keyes suggested calling one of the carriers international lines.

"The best thing travelers can do is to be as proactive as possible switching to a new flight, Keyes told USA TODAY. When a flight gets canceled, all of a sudden hundreds of passengers need new itineraries. There may only be a handful of seats left on the best flights, and it's a first-come, first-(served) endeavor.

If your flight is canceled for any reason, including a shortage of air traffic controllers, youre entitled to a full refund if you choose not to fly on alternative itineraries offered by your airline. The same goes for significant delays or changes.

Contributing: Nathan Diller, Kathryn Palmer and Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: More flights could be cut if shutdown drags on. Recap
As American travelers on Nov. 8 entered second day of government-mandated flight cancellations, a looming warning of growing cuts has many on edge over the fate of their return flights and upcoming holiday plans.

Some disruptions and delays were reported during the first day of cuts, but the outlook for the coming days is less certain as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has signaled flight cancellations will likely grow if the government shutdown continues.

As Scott Wolf and his wife Madeleine Nicholson prepared to board their Nov. 7 flight out of Chicago that would get them to New York in plenty of time for his sister's rehearsal dinner and wedding, the couple worried about getting home on Nov. 9 and what might happen during the upcoming holiday.

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"Why dont we end it today, that way we can get home on time?" Wolf said of the shutdown.

Airlines announced hundreds of flight reductions on the first day of the cuts, and airports warned of long waits and delays. Travelers shared with the USA TODAY Network their worries about getting stranded or missing important events due to the cuts. In one case on Nov. 7, a woman ended up in a different airport a couple hours from her original destination when her original flight was canceled and she rebooked a different route home.

The first round of 4% cuts at 40 airports across the United States started Nov. 7, and is set to increase to 6% by Nov. 11, 8% by Nov. 13 and 10% by Nov. 14, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy originally announced.

But Duffy said on Nov. 7 that number could rise to 15% or even 20% of all scheduled flights as the record-breaking government shutdown stretches on and air traffic controllers work without pay, adding "strain" to the system.

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The good news for weekend travelers is that cuts will be fewer over the weekend, with flight volumes generally decreasing on the weekends.

Here's what to know as the airline disruptions enter their second day:

Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. Travelers arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A TSA agent directs people as they wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A screen shows United Airlines 2619 landing at Chicago International Airport O'Hare, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 6, 2025. Air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A crew member walks at the airport, as air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A person walks at the airport, as air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A passenger stands by a screen showing delayed flights due to the government shutdown, at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 6, 2025. Travelers arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open 1 of 10 Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.

WHEN WILL THE SHUTDOWN END? Here's what needs to happen.

John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York moving smoothly

On Nov. 8 at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International, one of the affected airports, security moved relatively smoothly at Terminal 5, which houses JetBlue Airlines.

Just after 4:20 p.m. ET, two boards showed over 50 departures, with six canceled flights. Another board, listing 27 arrivals, had about six canceled flights.

The terminal, on a holiday weekend, appeared noticeably more empty than usual.

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At 4:30 p.m. ET, there were a total of 94 cancellations at John F Kennedy International Airport, according to FlightAware data.

 Eduardo Cuevas

How many flights have been canceled?

Over 1,000 flights have been canceled across the United States on the second day the FAA limited flight capacity at 40 major airports.

As of about 2:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 8, FlightAware data showed 1,012 cancellations for flights "within, into, or out of the United States today."

For context, some winter storms can result in thousands of cancellations.

While not all of the delayed and canceled flights were caused by the FAA-mandated cuts, airlines have reported cutting hundreds of flights due to the order. Read more.

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 Eduardo Cuevas

Are international flights affected?

The flight cuts do not require airlines to cancel any international flights, Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Brian Bedford said.

However, airlines can choose to make changes to their international flights if they want, they said. International flights are generally higher ticket items for airlines, and experts say their bottom lines will help drive decisions on which flights to cut.

United, Southwest and Delta airlines have all said their international flights won't see reductions. Still, international travelers could face trouble if they have domestic connecting flights that get canceled or delayed.

Why is the government shutdown disrupting flights?

Thousands of federal workers have been sent home amid the government shutdown. Those whose jobs are deemed essential  including many air traffic controllers  are still at work without pay.

People take the escalator to their flights at Denver International Airport on November 8, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. The FAA has targeted 40 "high-volume" airports, including Denver International Airport, for flight cuts amid the government shutdown.

The FAA says, after reviewing data over the past month, that the "system is stressed," according to an emergency order. Since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, delays and "unpredictable staffing shortages" are "driving fatigue" and "risk is further increasing."

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Flying today? Here's your guide to traveling during shutdown flight cuts.

We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely, Bedford said.

-Cybele Mayes-Osterman

Cuts begin just weeks before Thanksgiving travel

As she waited for a friend to pick her up curbside at the Denver airport Nov. 7, Frontier passenger Merry Katherine Burnett, 57, said her morning flight from Tampa went off without a hitch apart from a long security line. But she's growing concerned about Thanksgiving plans; her three adult children are supposed to fly into North Carolina via Charlotte, which is on the list of airports for mandatory flight reductions.

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"For me, if I end up staying an extra day, it's not a big deal. But I do worry about holiday travel," she said. "And I worry about families that maybe don't have the resources to stay another day somewhere."

If the government doesn't reopen and flight schedules become restored in time, "Thanksgiving's going to be a slaughter," said Nicholson at O'Hare airport.

-Trevor Hughes, Michael Loria, Karissa Waddick and Josh Rivera

IN PHOTOS: Here's the scene at airports as FAA flight cuts ramp up

'Completely in panic'

April and Jeff Weihe, of Louisville, were flying out of the city's airport on the morning of Nov. 7 for a vacation to Iceland theyve been planning for more than a year.

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The couple was already nervous about flying during the shutdown, a concern only amplified by the recent FAA order.

People walk to the security checkpoint at Denver International Airport on November 8, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. The FAA has targeted 40 "high-volume" airports, including Denver International Airport, for flight cuts amid the government shutdown.

This whole week, we've been completely in panic, like, Oh, my gosh, are we actually going to make it? April Weihe said.

People walk through Denver International Airport on November 8, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. The FAA has targeted 40 "high-volume" airports, including Denver International Airport, for flight cuts amid the government shutdown.

The husband and wife had made contingency plans, including driving up to Chicago to make their connecting flight, or, if all else failed, taking a backup road trip to Asheville, North Carolina.

But, as of midday Nov. 7, they were on their way to cross off a bucket list goal  seeing the northern lights.

-Matthew Glowicki, the Louisville Courier Journal

Airlines have canceled hundreds of flights so far

Airlines canceled hundreds of flights on Nov. 7, the first day of the flight reduction order and plan for more cancellations through the weekend. The cuts on Nov. 7 began at 6 a.m. ET and totaled about 700 flights from the four largest carriers: American, Delta, Southwest and United.

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American told Reuters it canceled 220 flights on Nov. 7, which affected 12,000 passengers. The airline re-routed a majority of them within a few hours, it said.

Southwest Airlines said it cut more than 100 flights at 34 airports Nov. 7 and would be cutting dozens more Nov. 8, but expected the cuts on day two to impact fewer than 100 flights, adding that "the vast majority" of customers' flights "will not be disrupted."

Delta Airlines said it canceled about 170 flights on Nov. 7. The airline usually operates about 5,000 flights per day, it said.

In California alone, over 120 flights were canceled and nearly 400 were delayed on Nov. 7, reported the Palm Springs Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network.

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'We're ready to drive': For flyers, smooth sailing so far amid FAA flight cancellations, but holiday worries mount

Marjorie Taylor Greene opts for a train amid flight cuts

GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she took the train instead of a flight from Washington to her home state of Georgia because of "flight delays and cancellations" as the government shutdown disrupts hundreds of flights and snarls travelers' plans.

"Due to flight delays and cancellations, I took the Amtrak train from DC to Georgia," Greene posted to X alongside a video of "the morning views of my north Georgia mountains."

-Cybele Mayes-Osterman

If your flight is cut, you are entitled to a refund

Duffy and Bedford said airlines would be required to issue full refunds but would not be required to cover secondary costs  the standard procedure when flight cancellations are not the carrier's fault.

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Federal rules entitle airline passengers to a full refund if their flight is canceled or significantly delayed and they choose not to rebook.

A sign outside the Denver International Airport thanks their federal employees on November 8, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. The FAA has targeted 40 "high-volume" airports, including Denver International Airport, for flight cuts amid the government shutdown.

Some airlines are also offering waivers that allow travelers to change their flights without paying change fees or fare differences. Major carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, have waivers in place related to the flight reduction.

 N'dea Yancey-Bragg

'I shouldn't be here': Cancellations upend travel plans

Carey Driscoll found herself in Indianapolis unexpectedly the morning of Nov. 7 while trying to make it home to Northern Kentucky, just outside Cincinnati.

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"I shouldn't be here," she told IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network.

When Driscoll's Chicago to Cincinnati flight of her two-leg trip home from Fort Lauderdale was canceled by American Airlines, the former travel advisor savvily found a flight out of Miami to Indianapolis.

"I was worried I was going to have to spend 12 hours in Chicago-O'Hare and then maybe get home," she said. "So I changed it."

After landing in Indianapolis, Driscoll worked on a laptop, waiting for her mother-in-law to pick her up to start the two-hour journey back to Northern Kentucky.

-Alysa Guffey, Indianapolis Star

Which airports are impacted by the cuts?

The FAA has selected the following airports for the gradual increase in cancellations:

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ANC  Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

ATL  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

BOS  Boston Logan International Airport

BWI  Baltimore/Washington International Airport

CLT  Charlotte Douglas International Airport

CVG  Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

DAL  Dallas Love Field

DCA  Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

DEN  Denver International Airport

DFW  Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

DTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

EWR  Newark Liberty International Airport

FLL  Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport

HNL  Honolulu International Airport

HOU  William P. Hobby Airport

IAD  Washington Dulles International Airport

IAH  George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport

IND  Indianapolis International Airport

JFK  New York John F. Kennedy International Airport

LAS  Las Vegas McCarran International Airport

LAX  Los Angeles International Airport

LGA  New York LaGuardia Airport

MCO  Orlando International Airport

MDW  Chicago Midway International Airport

MEM  Memphis International Airport

MIA  Miami International Airport

MSP  MinneapolisSt. Paul International Airport

OAK  Oakland International Airport

ONT  Ontario International Airport

ORD  Chicago OHare International Airport

PDX  Portland International Airport

PHL  Philadelphia International Airport

PHX  Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

SAN  San Diego International Airport

SDF  Louisville International Airport

SEA  SeattleTacoma International Airport

SFO  San Francisco International Airport

SLC  Salt Lake City International Airport

TEB  Teterboro Airport

TPA  Tampa International Airport

Contributing: Marc Ramirez, N'dea Yancey-Bragg, Eve Chen, Kathleen Wong, Karissa Waddick and Zac Anderson, USA TODAY; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FAA flight cancellations updates. Travelers 'in panic' as cuts loom.
Did New York City's Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, his team or any credible media outlets announce that the incoming city administration plans to convert Trump Tower into a homeless shelter? No, that's not true: Lead Stories did not find a confirmation supporting the existence of such a plan on the pages officially affiliated with Mamdani. No credible media outlets reported the story, either.

The claim appeared in a post (archived here) published on X on November 6, 2025. It opened:

 BREAKING -- Mamdani Plans To Convert Trump Tower into Homeless Shelter.

This is what the post looked like on X at the time of writing:

Source: Lead Stories screenshot of post at x.com/PamphletsY

The earliest variation of the claim identified by Lead Stories dates back to October 22, 2025 (archived here), when it was first published on Facebook. Yet, at the time, it did not describe the idea as a decided matter or as something that had originated from Mamdani's team -- it sarcastically speculated about it as one of many hypothetical scenarios.

Source: Lead Stories screenshot of search results page at WhoIs.domaintools.com

The platform (archived here) that Mamdani promoted during his mayoral campaign doesn't discuss the destiny of Trump Tower at all. Furthermore, it does not include a suggestion to convert any existing, non-abandoned residential or mixed-use buildings into homeless shelters.

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As an advanced Google search shows, the word "shelter" appears on Mamdani's campaign website just once:

Source: Lead Stories screenshot of search results on Google.com

But if one clicks on that link, it becomes self-evident that the entry doesn't contain a proposal to convert Trump Tower into a homeless shelter (archived here).

Mamdani's account on X mentioned Trump Tower twice, but in absolutely different contexts:

Source: Lead Stories screenshot of search results page on X.com

Recording the second video (archived here), then-candidate Mamdani explicitly said that what he was addressing was not Donald Trump or Trump Tower per se -- he was talking about the candidacy of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was also running for mayor of New York City at that time.

Source: Lead Stories screenshot of post at x.com/ZohranKMamdani

Additionally, the picture of a building used in the Pamphlet's article didn't even show Trump Tower: It was an image of Trump International Hotel (archived here) located across Central Park on the West Side of Manhattan. As of this writing, there were no signs that it had already been abandoned or was about to become one of the city's abandoned buildings.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Sarah Lungwitz has fretted over feeding not just her two teenage daughters with SNAP payments disrupted, but her family's cat and two dogs.

Help has arrived for now, she says, after an Illinois nonprofit arranged for volunteers to give her a grocery gift card last week to buy food for herself and her pets. It's among the growing efforts to help struggling pet owners stretch their dollars as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments go out late during a government shutdown that is the longest on record.

I dont even make enough money for all my bills let alone groceries, said Lungwitz, a 46-year-old auto parts store worker who has worried she might have to surrender her cat, Bambi, and two dogs, Spike and Chloe.

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The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administrations emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown, even though residents in more than a half-dozen states already received the funds. The uncertainty is placing a strain on shelters.

Although SNAP cant be used for pet food, the food assistance program helps low-income families free up money to purchase kibble. Its also common for owners to supplement or entirely feed their animals human food that was purchased using SNAP, said Stephanie Hicks, executive director for Care for Pets, the Rockford, Illinois, nonprofit that helped Lungwitz and others. Some volunteers walked the grocery aisles with struggling pet owners.

The Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the United States, estimates that more than 20 million pets live in poverty with families. Economic strain is one of the leading reasons animals are surrendered to shelters, spokesperson Kirsten Peek said.

While it is still too early to tell whether that is happening, groups are collecting pet food as shelters worry about a possible surge as the shutdown also leaves hundreds of thousands of furloughed workers without paychecks.

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An increase in surrenders is always a concern when an influx of people fall on hard times, Peek said.

Finding ways to make pet food last longer

The concerns have one Louisiana shelter considering diverting money away from veterinary care so it can buy pet food. The SNAP delays come at a particularly bad time for the Companion Animal Alliance in Baton Rouge: The shelter recently lost a donor, forcing it to halt a program that distributed pet food to around 200 families each month.

People are exceptionally panicking. I dont know what a better word would be, said Paula Shaw, the shelters director of access to care, noting that it was so common for SNAP recipients to give their own food to their pets that the shelter provided information about human foods owners could add to pet food to make it last longer

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Offers of pet food and Venmo donations were immediate after Charleys Angels Pet Initiative in Massachusetts put out a plea on Facebook last week. Were expecting, at least in the short term, that theres going to be a surge" in demand, said Kandi Finch, a groomer who named her nonprofit after a beloved pet.

A rise in families using pet food pantries

That's exactly what has happened at New Leash on Life, a shelter in Lebanon, Tennessee, outside of Nashville. The number of families using its pet food pantry jumped to 125 in October, up from 75 to 100 in a typical month, said executive director Angela Chapman.

Wed rather help them with their food than have to surrender a pet, she said.

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In New Orleans, Zeus Rescues gave out a ton of pet food in October, double the normal amount, said founder Michelle Cheramie, who said this is the highest demand shes seen in 20 years.

Its heartbreaking, she said, noting that some people are so desperate they are dumping animals in the shelters yard.

Among those seeking help there Thursday was Katie Saari, who is unemployed because of health issues and struggling to set up interviews to get SNAP benefits amid the shutdown. Out of money, she needed food for her two dogs.

Theyre more important to me than I am, so I want to make sure theyre fed first, she said. Theyre my babies.

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Aware of the problem, many food pantries also stock their shelves with pet food, said Kim Buckman, with Feeding Missouri, a coalition of food banks in the state.

We do know a lot of people will feed their pets before themselves, she said. In some cases, that is their emotional support animal.

Such is the case for Lungwitz, who said she has PTSD and severe depression. A psychiatrist told her to get a dog because they need walks. That's how she wound up with her Chihuahua. Her American Bulldog  80 pounds (36 kilograms) of pure muscle  made the domestic violence survivor feel safe. She says it worked, allowing her to venture out into the community and land a job.

But money is so tight that she sometimes seeks help at food banks, including getting doughnuts from one for her 17-year-old daughter's birthday. Im struggling, she said.

___

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas.

___

This story corrects the name of the Charleys Angels Pet Initiative in Massachusetts.
Vice President Dick Cheney speaks at the Associated Press Annual Luncheon 2001. Credit - Dick LoekToronto Star/Getty Images

For decades, I was fascinated with Vice President Dick Cheney. The day I finally got to meet him in his St. Michaels, Maryland weekend home in 2010 was a dream come true for me.

His house at the end of the gray gravel road was off-white. It was at once a page ripped from a William and Sonoma catalogue and still mismatched.

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The owners, Dick and Lynne Cheney, although present, seemed to have no mark on the home. The decor was colorless and tasteless (not that they had a bad taste, but that it reflected no taste at all). A white round table at the entrance had a few perfectly arranged stacks of coffee table books on interior decoration: At Home With Books, At Home With Arts, etc.

The surroundings were bland, but the conversation with Cheney was spellbinding. To a question about whether his invasion of Iraq may have been a mistake in hindsight, the hosts response was resolute: Iraqis were better off to be bombed by American weapons of mass love vs. everyone elses weapons of mass destruction.

Cheney was as skeptical of me as I was of his policies. He grumbled something about how communists do not reform.

Both a teacher at the liberal New Schooland the great granddaughter of Nikita Khrushchev, Prime Minister of the Soviet UnionCheney saw me as a Cold War foe. And he, in his unapologetic authority, reminded me of my authoritarian homeland.

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Having grown up in the 1970s Soviet Union, I knew my dictators by heart. Generations of them standing on top of the Lenin Mausoleum greeting the Red Square propaganda parades. I recognized Cheney as my own long before anyone else.

I saw this in the way he quieted dissent.

In a 2000 press conference, just after he was nominated as vice president to George W. Bush, Cheney announced that there should be no more questions about the conflict of interests between his future job at the White House and his former job as CEO of Halliburton, an energy company.

The free press was mesmerized by his unapologetic authority. No one dared ask if Cheney had severed contacts with his former business colleagues. (He hadnt.) No one dared ask if he would receive future payments from the company. (He would.)

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As a descendant of Kremlin bosses, Cheney reminded me of the strongmen who manipulated and fear-mongered citizens in the Soviet Union. After the tragic events of 9/11, Bush and Cheneys global war on terror allowed for several constitutionally questionable U.S. policies: The Patriot Act, The Military Commissions Act, The National Defense Authorization Act. And Americans fear of 9/11 permitted the Bush-Cheney White House to approve of torture at secret overseas sites as well as to authorize warrantless surveillance by military agenciessweeping through the emails and phone calls of millions of Americans.

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, once told me that Cheney was a dangerous man, not what youd expect in American democracy.

I was fascinated with Cheney because he could behave in ways that, to critics of the Bush Administration like myself, were reminiscent of authoritarian governments abroad.

So when I finally was able to speak with Cheney that day, I expected him to be powerful and gruff. What I didnt expect was for him to seemingly still compare himself to Bushs defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld.

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We traveled to the Rumsfeld estate nearby. It was starkly differentfull of life, color and well-worn furniture. Their driveway was covered with cheerful yellow small-pebbled gravela sign of true wealth as I later learnedunlike Cheneys gravel, which was large, grey, and for the Nouveau riche.

It was Rumsfeld, who as a congressman in the 1960s brought the young Cheney to DC, first as his aide, then as his deputy when Rumsfeld became President Gerald Fords Chief of Staff. A Princeton graduate, a seasoned Washingtonian, Don was a worthy role model for Dick, the provincial University of Wyoming student. In his later career Cheney, a failed Yalie, inherited Rumsfelds leftover positions. He took on the role as Fords Chief of Staff when Rumsfeld secured the Secretary of Defense job in 1975. Cheney followed in his footstepsbecoming a congressman in 1978, and a Secretary of Defense in 1989. In 2000, he finally surpassed Rumsfeld by securing the vice presidency. But the Afghanistan and Iraq wars they envisioned together.

Despite the lives lost and billions spent on these wars, the vice-president never reconsidered his views. He never looked back at his Middle East wars and thought, I wish Id done something differently.

As one of Cheney associates explained, Rather, there was a sense that they hadnt gone far enough.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Due to a White House decision to appeal a court order, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) cannot issue full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November.

Late Friday night, a Supreme Court justice temporarily paused a lower court's ruling requiring the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP for the month of November by the end of the day Friday.

After issuing partial benefits earlier that morning, NCDHHS initially planned to distribute the remaining benefits over the weekend. However, this effort was halted due to the court decision.

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In response, Governor Josh Stein issued this statement:

"This is about a basic necessity - food - being caught in the middle of political chaos. The hard-working people and families who rely on SNAP benefits deserve certainty, not confusion about whether they'll be able to put meals on the table this weekend and the rest of the month. I am urging for a swift resolution by the courts and some humanity from the Trump administration so North Carolina families can receive the support they need."

NCDHHS Secretary Sangvai also issued a statement:

"Our department stands ready to issue full benefits to the North Carolinians who depend on SNAP to feed their families and buy nutritious groceries - all we need is clarity from the Federal government," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "While partial payments were distributed on Friday based on USDA guidance, they fall far short of what people need. With more than 190,000 households receiving $16 or less, and some receiving no benefits at all, this reduction hits working families the hardest. We continue to urge federal leaders to come together and restore stability for the people who are paying the price for this inaction."

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Following initial guidance from the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), NCDHHS distributed roughly half of the November benefits on Friday. Some eligible NC recipients received up to 65% of their benefits, Attorney General Jeff Jackson said.

In total, about 190,000 North Carolina households received $16 or less on their EBT cards on Friday, according to the NCDHHS.

WATCH: AG Jeff Jackson gives update to lawsuit on SNAP benefits

AG Jeff Jackson gives update to lawsuit on SNAP benefits: Full

Note: Featured video is from a previous report.


About 200 people showed up to protest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland on Sunday, Sept. 28. A federal judge ruled Friday that the protests do not qualify as a rebellion or impede federal law enforcement, and that President Donald Trump cannot legally send National Guard troops to federal buildings in the city in light of the mostly peaceful protests. (Photo by Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

A federal judge on Friday issued an order permanently blocking President Donald Trump from deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to Portland against the wishes of state and local leaders.

On Friday, following an expedited three-day trial and a week of deliberation, U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut issued her 100-page final decision in favor of the state of Oregon, the city of Portland and the state of California in their suit against Trump and the federal government.

Read it

Judge Karin Immerguts decision

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Immergut, a Trump appointee, found that Trumps justification for the attempted late September deployment  that protests outside of a Portland Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility since June constituted a rebellion against the federal government and significantly impeded its functions  is unfounded.

[A]fter a three-day trial that included the testimony of federal, state, and local law enforcement officials and hundreds of exhibits describing protest activity outside the Portland ICE building, the evidence demonstrates that these deployments, which were objected to by Oregons governor and not requested by the federal officials in charge of protection of the ICE building, exceeded the presidents authority, she wrote.

The 400 Oregon and California guard troops waiting at two military camps in Oregon since early October remain federalized but cannot be deployed in Oregon. Oregons troops will remain federalized for at least 14 more days, which preserves the status quo, Immergut wrote.

Federalization of California troops since June was supposed to end in November, but on Oct. 16, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth extended the federalization through Feb. 2, 2026. Lawyers for California argue this was specifically so Trump could deploy them on the streets of Portland.

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The state of California joined Oregon and the city of Portland in the lawsuit after the Trump administration in early October sent troops from California to Oregon to get around Immerguts initial order blocking federalization of the Oregon National Guard.

Lawyers for the federal government have said they will appeal any decision Immergut made against them to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

This ruling, now the fourth of its kind, validates the facts on the ground. Oregon does not want or need military intervention, and President Trumps attempts to federalize the guard is a gross abuse of power, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement. Oregon National Guard members have been away from their jobs and families for 38 days. The California National Guard has been here for just over one month. Based on this ruling, I am renewing my call to the Trump Administration to send all troops home now.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement that the ruling was a victory for the state.

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From the beginning, this case has been about making sure that facts, not political whims, guide how the law is applied. Todays decision protects that principle, he said.

Oregons U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat, echoed Rayfield.

Todays ruling by a Trump-appointed judge reflects the clear fact that protests in Portland against this administrations sadistic immigration abuses are overwhelmingly peaceful, Wyden said in a statement. Its a victory for Oregonians, for reality and the law.

Immergut in a preliminary ruling on Sunday signaled she had not found the federal governments argument of a rebellion in Portland credible. Nor did she seem to indicate that the federal governments argument that she and the judiciary had no power to review the presidents decision was credible under court precedent.

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In her final decision, Immergut ruled that Trump violated section 12406 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code and the 10th amendment. The former gives the president power to federalize and deploy National Guard troops when the country is in danger of invasion or rebellion or is unable with the regular forces to execute federal laws. The latter ensures that states hold governance and policing power not granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

She said the defendants failed to prove that protestors at the Portland ICE facility demonstrated anything more than discontent with their government, and certainly not a coordinated effort to overthrow it.

We do not call the 300,000 Americans who participated in the March on Washington rebels, even though they openly opposed the tradition of legal segregation, she wrote. Nor do we refer to the movement in high schools to don black armbands in opposition to the Vietnam War a rebellion.

Its been just more than a month since President Donald Trump announced on social media that he would deploy troops to war ravaged Portland. Since then, he has federalized and attempted to deploy hundreds of National Guard from Oregon, California and Texas to Portland.

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A related case involving Trumps attempted deployment of Texas National Guard troops to Illinois is sitting on the U.S. Supreme Courts expedited schedule, or shadow docket, and a decision wont be reached until at least Nov. 17, according to the courts most recent request for briefs.

In his attempts to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles, Portland and the Chicago area, Trump has been temporarily blocked by three U.S. District Courts and the 7th and 9th Circuit appeals courts.

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Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has slammed the government over the duration and timing of the winter session of Parliament, saying it is "unusually delayed and truncated" and asked, "what is the government running away from?". Talking with ANI, Jairam Ramesh said the winter session is usually convened between November 20 and 23 and continues untill December 24. He said the session will have only 15 sittings. "I was very surprised that this winter session was called so late. It's usually convened between November 20th and 23rd, and 24th December, lasting three to four weeks. I was surprised that this time the session will begin on December 1st and last only 15 days... I don't understand what the government is running away from," he said. Taking a dig at the government, he said sessions are shortened before elections and asked if the Lok Sabha polls are coming. "Is the session being shortened because of Delhi's pollution? Is there no legislation or bill? Is there no topic for debate?... They just want to end it as a formality as quickly as possible. This is the first time we've seen this... Yes, sessions are shortened before elections, so does this indicate that the Lok Sabha elections are coming? he asked. Jairam Ramesh said that there are many issues, including SIR, rate of economic growth, unemployment and President Trump's repeated claims of mediation in resolving the India-Pakistan conflict during Operation Sindoor. "A major issue will be the SIR issue...The Prime Minister's silence on Trump's statements is a major issue. The current relationship with China is unresolved...There hasn't been a border agreement with China. We haven't returned to the previous situation. Negotiations are being held between the two countries based on the new normal that China has established. So, there are many such issues regarding the economy, the rate of economic growth, GDP, unemployment is a major issue. There is no shortage of issues. We keep issuing notices again and again, but no action is ever taken on them. The government does whatever it wants," the Congress leader said. Responding to a query, Jairam Ramesh stated that the high voter turnout in Bihar indicates a demand for change. He expressed confidence that the Mahagathbandhan will form the government. "People have voted for change in Bihar...The high voter turnout in Bihar is a sign that the public has decided that they want change. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and the NDA's time is over. Mahagathbandhan will be forming the government in Bihar," he said. Jairam Ramesh also took a dig at the government over the duration of the winter session of Parliament in a post on X. "It has just been announced that the Winter Session of Parliament will be from Dec 1st till 19th. This is unusually delayed and truncated. It will be just 15 working days. What is the message being conveyed? Clearly, the Government has no business to transact, no Bills to get passed, and no debates to be allowed," he said. President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Union Government's proposal to convene the Winter Session of Parliament from December 1 to December 19. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said in a post on X that the government looks forward to a constructive and meaningful Session that strengthens our democracy and serves the aspirations of the people. "President of India, Droupadi Murmu ji has approved the proposal of the Government to convene the Winter Session of Parliament from 1st December 2025 to 19th December 2025 (subject to exigencies of Parliamentary business). Looking forward to a constructive and meaningful Session that strengthens our democracy & serves the aspirations of the people," Rijiju said on 'X'. (ANI)
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A federal judge on Thursday chastised the Trump administration in the harshest possible terms for refusing to obey his order that food stamps be given to beneficiaries in the midst of the government shutdown, citing the president himself as offering key proof of the governments contemptuous intent. He ordered the benefits, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, be paid in full by Friday. Yet, as of Friday evening, the benefits had not been paid. Instead the Trump administration had appealed the judges ruling, as it said it was working to comply with the judges order and as many went hungry. Late Friday, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an administrative order halting the lower court order until the appellate court could rule on the matter. In the meantime, Donald Trump can continue to decline to fund SNAP. How is the administration getting away with this?

Funding for SNAP expired on Oct. 31, and Trump argued it was not his fault. SNAP BENEFITSwill be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up the government, which they can easily do, and not before! Later that day in another post, Trump followed up to say it will BE MY HONOR to issue SNAP funding, but that the Democrats should quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. In his ruling on Thursday, Judge John McConnell cited Trumps posts to point to his administrations intent to defy his court order of that same day that the government partially fund SNAP.

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He called out the president for withholding the cash for political reasons, during that court hearing on Thursday. It is clear to the court that the administration did not comply with this courts oral order, the judge said. The court was clear that the administration had to either make the full payment by this past Monday, or it must, quote, expeditiously resolve the administrative and clerical burdens it described in its papers. But under no circumstances shall the partial payments be made later than Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. The record is clear that the administration did neither.

McConnell is overseeing a lawsuit filed by 24 statesincluding by New Yorks Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully prosecuted Trump, his adult children, and his company for fraud back in 2023 and 2024. On Thursday, the federal government argued funding SNAP would violate internal U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, the agency responsible for administering SNAP benefits. The judge rejected that argument, noting how SNAP had been paid out in previous shutdowns.

Weve now gone six days without needed food to the 42 million [people], 16 million children. Irreparable harm. Thats what the courts temporary restraining order attempted to resolve, McConnell said. Again, this is the first time that SNAP has gone unfunded during a government shutdown, as Congress has historically ensured contingency funds are available so the food assistance program can continue without a hitch. The Trump administration is ignoring that precedent, despite the USDA holding emergency funding that McConnell ordered to be used for SNAP.

McConnell ended Thursdays hearing by requiring the federal government to issue SNAP funding by Friday. However, first thing Friday morning, instead of complying, Department of Justice attorneys appealed McConnells order. Its a pressure point the president clearly wants to continue to try to use, especially coming off the Democrats strong performance during the Nov. 4 elections across the country. I dont think it was good for Republicans, Trump told Senate Republicans of the ongoing shutdown the next day, while also pressuring lawmakers to gut the filibuster so the government shutdown could end immediately.

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Against all of this legal back-and-forth, on Oct. 31, the day SNAP funding expired, Trump was busy hosting a Great Gatsbythemed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago. The theme of the event was apparently a little party never killed nobody, with photos revealing Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance along with D.C.s U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Also on Oct. 31, Trump decided to publish two dozen photos of a newly completed bathroom renovation in the Lincoln Bedroom. Highly polished, Statuary marble! the president gushed.

Democrats were quick to respond. This is a let them eat cake moment if there ever was one, Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico commented. The party theme was A Little Party Never Killed Nobody. While a party might not, his cuts to SNAP could, Rep. Pramila Jayapal quipped.

As of Friday evening, no SNAP benefits had been paid out and the government shutdown continued. Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable, Judge McConnell said on Thursday. We could soon learn how acceptable it is to the appellate court and potentially the Supreme Court.
A federal civil rights lawsuit accusing a Milwaukee Public Schools principal of abusing a student for having gay parents has been settled outside of court, with the Milwaukee Board of School Directors agreeing to pay $295,000.

In the lawsuit, which was filed in March 2024, parents of a student at Milwaukee French Immersion School accused Kasongo Kalumbula, a former assistant principal at the school, of abusing their son over multiple years, beginning when he was in first grade. The lawsuit complaint claims Kalumbula targeted the boy with verbal abuse, singled him out for discipline, and on one occasion allegedly pushed the boy against a wall.

According to court records, the Milwaukee Board of School Directors and Kalumbula reached an agreement during a mediation conference Sept. 5, and the federal case was closed Sept. 8. The Milwaukee Board of School Directors moved to approve the settlement agreement at a monthly board meeting Oct. 30.

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Kalumbula is currently principal of Mary McLeod Bethune Academy, another MPS school.

What were the allegations in the lawsuit?

The lawsuit sought compensation for both the parents and child for "harm arising from years of verbal and physical abuse perpetrated against them" by Kalumbula.

The complaint alleges the abuse started in 2018, when the student was in first grade and continued for years. Among instances of alleged abuse were Kalumbula saying the student's parents would "burn in hell" and targeting the student with "harsh and damaging discipline, once locking him in a dark room for hours," the complaint says.

After the incident where Kalumbula locked the boy in dark room in spring 2019, Kalumbula allegedly told the boy "that he would kill (the boy) if (he) told anyone that Kalumbula had locked him in a dark room," the complaint states. As a result, the boy didn't tell his parents about it until later.

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The complaint alleges Kalumbula didn't protect the student when other students bullied him for having gay parents. In one instance in fall 2021, a student with "a history of homophobic conduct" pushed the boy to the ground. When one of the boy's parents came to the school and challenged Kalumbula's claim that the altercation with the student was the boy's fault, Kalumbula yelled, "No queer is going to speak to me like this!" the complaint alleges.

The lawsuit complaint alleges the boy had trauma and anxiety from Kalumbula's actions toward him and remains in psychiatric treatment.

Despite multiple reports from the students' parents and other employees and school families, the complaint claims, Milwaukee Public Schools leadership didn't take disciplinary actions against Kalumbula, but promoted him to acting principal of Milwaukee French Immersion School. He left the school in 2021 and started his new position at Bethune Academy.

The complaint says the student's parents disenrolled their children from the school before the end of the 2021-22 school year, after receiving backlash on social media from teachers and parents, blaming the parents for Kalumbula's leaving.

How did attorneys for Kalumbula and the school respond?

In a May 2024 answer to the lawsuit complaint, city attorneys representing the defendants argued that there shouldn't be grounds for a lawsuit and the plaintiffs aren't entitled to any damages.

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"The conduct attributable to the responding Defendants did not constitute any violation of a cognizable constitutional right, and this action must be summarily dismissed," the defendants' answer states.

It also states that "the injuries and damages, if any, sustained by the Plaintiffs were caused in whole or in part by the acts or omission of the Plaintiffs."

Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Federal lawsuit against MPS principal settled outside of court
As the Government shutdown wraps up its 39th day, Feeding Northeast Florida and Impact Church held a massive food distribution to help roughly 1,000 local families in need.

Action News Jax Madison Foglio spoke with people picking up food and heard just how hard its been for them.

Weve been having to get very creative, said Jacksonville resident Lisa Taylor. Its a different world.

Lisa Taylor is one of the hundreds of people who waited in line for hours to pick up her box of food. She tells me she has received some SNAP benefits since the government shutdown started, but putting food on the table hasnt been easy.

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Weve gone to doing rice and beans and a few veggies out of cans and things, Taylor said. We dont do meat anymore cause we cant afford it.

People were waiting for hours at the Regency Square Mall on Saturday morning to get their box of food. In fact, when I spoke with the President and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida, Susan King, she told me the first person in line that she saw was there at 4:45 this morning.

Thats just evidence of the level of insecurity that people feel at this time, King said.

The food distribution comes as the U.S. Supreme Court just granted an emergency appeal by the Trump Administration to block a lower court ruling to fully fund SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.

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Action News Jax told you how Jacksonville City Councilman Rahman Johnson (D-District 14) plans to file legislation to help tackle delays in snap benefits for local families.

I caught up with City Councilman Ron Salem (R-Group 2 At-Large) at the food distribution and asked him if he plans to support his legislation.

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(This story was updated with new information: A time for next rocket launch attempt, photo gallery and video of the fireball were added.)

For people who live on the Space Coast of Florida, it's not uncommon to see a rocket launch in the sky.

But a possible fireball or wayward object? That's not as common.

Coincidentally, on Saturday, Nov. 8, during a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch attempt from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, something was spotted in the sky. Social media users posted photos and video online.

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Just before 6:20 a.m., FLORIDA TODAY Executive Editor Mara Bellaby spotted a possible satellite breaking apart and streaking across the sky while she was out for a morning jog on Merritt Island.

Merritt Island is part of Brevard County, an hour east of the Orlando theme parks.

What happened? As SpaceX tries to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, fireball spotted in the sky

Bellaby recently wrote about rising launch rates in her Week in Review column for FLORIDA TODAY.

Spaceflight Now posted video of the phenomenon: "While waiting for the Starlink 10-51 launch our cameras at the Kennedy Space Center captured what appears to be a satellite reentry in the dawn sky. (camera emoji) @johnpisaniphoto"

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Chatter in the post noted the possible satellite reentry was "streaking from north to south about 6:18 a.m. ET" and it was "bright and chunky."

One post on social media site X, which is owned by billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk, suggested the fireball was "almost certainly reentry of a Chinese upper stage rocket," according to user @jconcilus, whose bio states he is a marine traffic operator and NASA Spaceflight (NSF) camera custodian.

Photos of fireball, satellite reentry seen in Florida sky

While waiting for the Starlink 10-51 launch our cameras at the Kennedy Space Center captured what appears to be a satellite reentry in the dawn sky.  @johnpisaniphoto pic.twitter.com/7lr2xWXbm8  Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) November 8, 2025

Just witnessed EPIC space debris reentry over Floridas Space Coast! 



At 6:15 AM ET, a glowing fireball with chunks breaking off streaked west-to-east pic.twitter.com/1k6EhR6cTu  Todd Torres (@FL_BeachLife) November 8, 2025

Quite a fireball (or falling space debris) about 6:15 this morning traveling NW to SE from Merritt Island, Florida. With the Taurid Fireballs just past peak, this could be from from the North Taurid Fireball cluster at 280 , but anyone know? (Source: FB user George Shroeder.)  pic.twitter.com/ff6NvBejHw  JohnCn (@JConcilus) November 8, 2025

Fireball spotted over Merritt Island, Florida, on Saturday, Nov. 8, was not a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket

The fireball sighting over Merritt Island, Florida, which is near Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, was not a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX had attempted to launch the rocket on another Starlink mission at 7:10 a.m., but crews scrubbed the attempt because of poor weather downrange.

The space agency will try again between 3:10 a.m. and 7:10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. This week alone has seen a few rocket launch attempts, scrubs and launches  including a nighttime liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 on Nov. 5, 2025, from Cape Canaveral.

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Why are we called the Space Coast? How rocket launches became part of life in Brevard County, Florida

Rocket launches in Florida: Here's a current (and very big) list of all 2025 missions from Cape Canaveral

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Fireball in Florida near Cape Canaveral as SpaceX rocket launch scrubs
The first fall frost may arrive early next week for the lowcountry.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting a widespread freeze in the southeast coasts of South Carolina and Georgia from Monday night to Tuesday morning.

A strong cold front will push through the region Monday morning, preceded by a 20% chance of rain on Sunday afternoon, according to the NWS Charleston station's Thursday weather briefing.

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Though Savannah's Monday low might just be a couple of degrees above freezing at 34F with a high of 54F, the NWS predicts. The following night's low will likely be just a few degrees warmer. Temperatures will return to a sunny high of 70F on Thursday.

Monday 11/10 and Tuesday 11/11 low temperatures along the southeast coasts of South Carolina and Georgia

Savannah's first fall frost is normally averages on Nov. 21, according to 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The last spring frost normally occurs around March 12.

Inland regions west of Chatham County will see colder temperatures, likely at or below freezing.

For plant parents preparing for the frost, a light freeze between 29F and 32F, can kill some tender plants. Keeping soil moist, and covering plants with newspapers, straw, or other materials before sunset to trap soil heat are recommended practices, according to the Farmers' Almanac.

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Following the cold front will likely be a small craft advisory on Monday for gale force gust winds up to 30 knots, or 34 miles per hour.

Jillian Magtoto covers climate change and the environment in coastal Georgia. You can reach her at jmagtoto@gannett.com. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Green South Foundation, Prentice Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Bundle up! The first fall freeze is coming, the National Weather Service predicts
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has called on the Pensacola City Council to cancel a drag show planned at the Saenger Theatre just two days before Christmas, citing worries about its content.

Uthmeier describes the event, titled A Drag Queen Christmas, as ridiculing Christian traditions and part of a Naughty Tour that supposedly undermines the holiday spirit.

In his letter to the council, he highlights the citys contractual right to cancel the show, which he condemns as obscene and anti-religious.

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While the First Amendment safeguards freedom of expression, it does not require a city to platform and endorse disgusting, obscene content that denigrates its residents religious beliefs, Uthmeier stated in his letter.

Uthmeiers letter references the contract between the city and Legends Global, the events management company, implying that the city has the right to cancel the show for several reasons. He claims that the performance threatens community values and ridicules sacred Christian traditions.

City officials have acknowledged Uthmeiers concerns but have not made a public statement regarding a cancellation of the event.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
As we reported earlier this week, Tuesday marked an encouraging day for abortion access, and the results in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and California helped to enshrine reproductive freedoms in those states. But alas, the good vibes couldnt last forever. In fact they couldnt even last two days.

On Thursday, Floridas anti-abortion Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a 37-page lawsuit against Planned Parenthood for its manifestly false claim that mifepristone isnt safe, becauseit is. The lawsuit seeks $10,000 for each time a PP affiliate committed what he classifies as a chemical abortionthe rights favorite fearmongering anti-abortion termand demands $350 million in penalties.

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It is vile that Planned Parenthood cares more about lining their pockets than providing women with factual information about the health risks of chemical abortion drugs, Uthmeier said in an accompanying statement provided to Jezebel. When it comes to health and safety in Florida, we wont tolerate blatant lies using fabricated medical facts that have no scientific basis.

Ironically, blatant lies, fabricated medical facts, and a lack of scientific basis are exactly what landed Uthmeier in headlines in September, after he rambled about mifepristone being unsafe. (Its not.) Something we repeatedly bang on about here at Jezebelaside from the fact that Mike Johnson monitors porn intake with his sonis that mifepristone is safe. It is safer than Viagra and safer than, yes, Tylenol. It is the most common form of abortion medication in the U.S., and it accounted for 1 in 4 abortions in 2023, thanks in part to shield laws, which allow providers in states where abortion rights are protected to prescribe the pill to patients in states with abortion bans.

Regardless, the GOP has continued to push a bogus study by the far-right think tank, Ethics and Public Policy Center, in an attempt to legitimize their cause. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), in particular, has run with the study, and hard. Harder than he ran from the Capitol mob in 2021.

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Uthmeier cites the junk science study on page two of his lawsuit, referring to serious adverse effects when taking the pill. In August, he was also one of 21 anti-abortion AGs who demanded the Trump administration re-review the pill, which the FDA said it would do in September.

This lawsuit is just another attack on safe and legal abortion in Florida and a further attempt to erode access to all abortion care by targeting medication abortion now that we have a near-total abortion ban in the state, Alexandra Mandado, the PP Florida chapter CEO and president, told CBS News. Lawsuits like this are a part of an effort to sow confusion and attack Planned Parenthood for the care we provide.

Alas, Uthmeier wasting 37 pages on anti-science drivel was not the only anti-abortion nonsense to take place on Thursdayfarther northwest, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen (R) was also going after Planned Parenthood. Pillen signed an executive order blocking abortion providers from receiving Medicaida move similar to what Trump did in his Big, Beautiful Bill, which has since resulted in the backdoor defunding of Planned Parenthood, as well as smaller clinics such as Maine Family Planning. On Friday, Pillen posted to his Facebook, Not a penny of taxpayer dollars should EVER go to abortion providers.

Pillens order, horribly called Protecting the Life, Health, and Welfare of Pregnant Women, and Unborn Human Life, explicitly names Planned Parenthood, but also enacts a blanket restriction across other abortion clinics, such as CARE Reproductive Health in Bellevue. According to officials, it was the product of two anti-abortion measures: Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill that gave the backdoor pass to gut abortion providers, and a recent Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to defund PP.

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Nebraskans need birth control. They need cancer screenings. They need wellness exams. And, yes, they need abortion care, Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, told Jezebel in a statement. This executive order is nothing but a publicity stunt by state leaders meant to confuse Nebraskans about their health care options.

In May, Pillen announced his reelection bid for 2026. Mark your calendars, Nebraskans.

Like what you just read? Youve got great taste. Subscribe to Jezebel, and for $5 a month or $50 a year, youll get access to a bunch of subscriber benefits, including getting to read the next article (and all the ones after that) ad-free. Plus, youll be supporting independent journalismwhich, can you even imagine not supporting independent journalism in times like these? Yikes.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A man convicted of fatally stabbing a woman during home invasion robbery is scheduled to be put to death in December under a death warrant signed Friday by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is setting a record pace for executions.

Mark Allen Geralds, 58, is scheduled to die by lethal injection Dec. 9 at Florida State Prison. Geralds would be the 18th person set for execution in Florida in 2025, with DeSantis overseeing more executions in a single year than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The previous record was set in 2014 with eight executions.

DeSantis signed the death warrant a week before the Nov. 13 execution of Bryan Fredrick Jennings. Another convicted killer, Richard Barry Randolph, is set to die Nov. 20.

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Geralds was convicted of murder, armed robbery, burglary and grand theft auto and sentenced to death in 1990. The Florida Supreme Court later vacated the sentence but affirmed the conviction, and Geralds was resentenced to death in 1993.

According to court records, Tressa Pettibone's 8-year-old son found her beaten and stabbed to death on the kitchen floor of their Panama City home in February 1989. Geralds had previously done remodeling work at the home and knew the family's schedule, including when the children went to school and that Pettibones husband would be out of town for work. Investigators found that Geralds pawned jewelry with traces of Pettibone's blood on it, and plastic ties used to bind Pettibone matched ties found in Geralds' car.

Attorneys for Geralds are expected to file appeals to the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.

So far 41 people have been executed in the U.S. in 2025. Florida leads the way with a flurry of death warrants signed by DeSantis. The state's most recent execution was the Oct. 28 lethal injection of Norman Mearle Grim Jr., who was convicted of raping and killing his neighbor.
United States Department of Justice logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former CIA Director John Brennan and ex-FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page have been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury as part of the U.S. Justice Department's probe into the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation, Fox News Digital reported on Friday.

Up to 30 subpoenas are expected in the coming days, according to the report, which cited sources.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Saturday invoked Mahatma Gandhi and recalled his experience at a relief camp in ethnic violence-hit Manipur's Churachandpur, terming justice as "the right of every citizen" rather than a privilege of a few people. Addressing the inauguration of the National Conference on Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms at the Supreme Court, CJI Gavai asked fellow judges, lawyers and legal officers to ensure justice for the marginalised people in society. He said, "Today, on Legal Services Day, I find myself reflecting on what Mahatma Gandhi described as his moral compass, his talisman." He said, 'Whenever we are in doubt, we must recall the face of the poorest and weakest person we have seen, and ask ourselves whether the step we are about to take will be of any use to them'. To me, this idea finds its truest expression in the movement for legal aid and in the work of our legal services institutions." "This movement is, in many ways, Gandhiji's talisman in action. It reminds us that justice is not a privilege of the few but a right of every citizen. And that our role as judges, lawyers and officers of the court is to ensure that the light of justice reaches even the last person standing at the margins of society," he added. Recounting his experience in Churachandpur, he noted an elderly woman's gratitude as the "true reward" of the Legal Service Movement. The Chief Justice of India said, "One incident has been permanently imbibed in my mind. When I was the executive chairman of NALSA, a couple of months ago, I, along with my colleagues, visited a relief camp in Churachandpur in the state of Manipur to distribute relief material. An elderly woman came forward and made me with folded hands and tears in her eyes and said, 'Bane raho Bhaiya'. To me, that moment was a reminder that the true reward of the Legal Service Movement does not lie in statistics or annual reports." "It lies in the quiet gratitude and renewed faith of citizens who once felt invisible. In other words, the real measure of our success is not in the numbers but in the trust of the common person, in the belief that someone, somewhere, is willing to stand by them," Justice Gavi added. CJI BR Gavai visited the violence-hit Manipur in March 2025 as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). He inaugurated legal services camps and medical camps across all districts of Manipur, as well as new legal aid clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West and Ukhrul districts. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National Conference on 'Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms' and launched the Community Mediation Training Module prepared by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). Chief Justice of India (Designate) and Executive Chairman of NALSA, Justice Surya Kant, was also present at the inauguration ceremony. Addressing the meeting, Justice Kant said, "The Legal Aid Movement in recent years has gone deeper and stretched its reach further. The prison programs now focus on rehabilitation rather than only punishment. Schemes that support families of defence personnel, a nationwide movement to institutionalise mediation and outreach for communities affected by human-wildlife conflicts. These are some examples of the law adapting to social realities. Looking ahead, we must make legal aid easier to obtain. That demands both administrative reforms and human practice." (ANI)
Francois Locoh-Donou has several truths he believes Black professionals should apply.

Locoh-Donous father was from a fishing village on the banks of Lake Togo in West Africa and was the fourth in a family of 16 children, Locoh-Donou explained on stage during AFROTECH Conference 2025. When it was time for his father to start school, admission was determined by height. After three failed attempts, he shares that his father refused to leave the school until he was accepted at age 9 into first grade.

When it was time to graduate, his father then had the option to become a teacher, but he had broader aspirations. Leaving the village to study at a public high school 300 miles away, he graduated in the early 1960s. He applied for and was awarded a full-ride scholarship from the government to study architecture in college, which enabled him to complete projects across Africa.

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Locoh-Donou shares that he learned what an extraordinary figure his father was. He had not only helped his village by constructing a medical facility and a church but he also continued to invest in his family by providing health insurance and serving as an academic sponsor.

Over time, I came to understand that the reason that this boy, who was too short for school, had become the tallest pillar in our community was because he never accepted the ordinary achievements that the world offered him. Rather, he pursued the extraordinary at all stages of his life, Locoh-Donou said.

The greatest lesson I took from my fathers life is the difference between ordinary achievement and an extraordinary life, he continued.

Adrianna Hall

Carrying the torch of excellence from his father, Locoh-Donou has followed suit. He secured a masters in physics and engineering from Centrale Mediterranee, a masters in optical communications from Telecom Paris, and later an MBA from Stanford Universitys Graduate School of Business, per his LinkedIn.

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Additionally, he is the co-founder and chairman of Cajou Espoir. This cashew-processing facility exports 400 tons of cashew kernels to the U.S. and Europe and employs many workers from Togo, primarily women, according to his LinkedIn. He also serves as president and CEO of F5, a Fortune 1000 publicly traded company that delivers and secures apps.

In the same way Locoh-Donou has carried forward the lessons of his father and his own career journey, hes now sharing his truth with other Black professionals, in hopes they will shine even brighter.

Here are a few of his biggest takeaways:

Learning Must Be Your Obsession

Throughout Locoh-Donous more than 30-year career, he has remained obsessed with learning  and he says sometimes, this means getting a Ph.D. in your own job.

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The extent of your learning is yours and cant be stripped away, he says. In fact, it can make you indispensable. He learned this firsthand during his post at Ciena, a telecommunications company.

I found experts in the company. I made them my private teachers. My goal was to become an indispensable expert. And because of this, not only did I avoid getting fired, but within a year, I had recovered from my imposter syndrome, and I was tapped to become a manager of Solutions Engineers, my first promotion, Locoh-Donou recalled. To this day, I still dedicate several hours every week to increasing my depth in certain areas through books, blogs, articles, podcasts, human teachers, and even digital teachers now with AI.



Recognize And Over-Prepare For Your Moments Of Truth

The next truth is to over-prepare for moments of truth in your career. This applies to high-stakes moments that could make or break your trajectory, whether that is a big meeting, a quarterly business review, or a call with a client.

You must be ready to go 50 clicks in any direction about your topic. You have to over-prepare in these moments by selfishly shutting out other tasks, he said. The 20 hours you spent investing in a moment of truth will pay massive dividends relative to the 2,000 hours you spend in the next 12 months in your career. You should never aim to pass in a moment of truth. You should aim to blow people away because this is what accelerates ones career.

Embrace Your Ambition

Locoh-Donou states that once the first two steps are achieved, becoming unapologetically ambitious is the next requirement. Make it clear to your company or organization the risk in not promoting you, and that can only be done by communicating your value.

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Black people and actually most underrepresented groups are often not inclined to share their ambitions. We fear how our peers would perceive our ambition, he said. We dont have the social capital that others have. And frankly, we are rarely encouraged to be ambitious.

But the reality is you will never get anything that you dont ask for, he added. You have to take that extra step. That extra uncomfortable step to push yourself and share your ambition so the right people in your organization know that you want an opportunity and you want it now.

Become A Giving Leader And Tell Your Story

Locoh-Donou encourages the spirit of generosity, listening to others, and helping them solve a problem. By doing so, people will want to work alongside you and also for you.

He concludes by sharing the importance of making your story known to others.

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Impart your stories through self-publishing your writings, writing a blog on LinkedIn, volunteering to speak at a team event, or company event. Otherwise, the world may interpret your silence, your stillness, your untold story as surrender, he said.

Many of you are the first in your family to work in the technology industry, he continued. I know there are a number of you who are the first in your family to graduate from college. And for all of you, all of us, the first in a generation of the diaspora to walk into rooms that were never designed for us and refuse to walk back out  nothing about you is ordinary. You are the proof that your achievements do not need permission. You are the broad shoulders that others will stand on. And you honor the path of those who rose with far less.

Attend AFROTECH Conference 2026

Locoh-Donou leaves wise words of encouragement to empower professionals on their journeys. Being reminded of what is possible by hearing the lessons of founders and leaders is one of the byproducts of attending the AFROTECH Conference, which returns to Houston



Nov. 26, 2026.

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Feeling FOMO? Dont miss another AFROTECH



Conference. Secure your early bird ticket now for 2026.

The post This Fortune 1000 CEO Revealed Several Truths For Black Professionals Rooted In The Pursuit Of Learning And Preparation appeared first on AfroTech.







The post This Fortune 1000 CEO Revealed Several Truths For Black Professionals Rooted In The Pursuit Of Learning And Preparation appeared first on AfroTech.
(The Center Square)  Jones Street may be home to North Carolinas General Assembly, but its courtrooms in the Old North State where a fair amount of the crucial business is now decided.

Since Republicans for the first time in 140 years seized majorities in both chambers 15 years ago, Democrats have fought change of agenda with fervor and litigation. It's not that Republicans didn't do so before, but even decisive choices on amendments  such as requiring a photo identification when voting  can take as much as six years to clear courtroom hurdles.

Tuesdays Election Day didnt include statewide offices or measures, but the municipal results did show a clear advantage for Democrats. Suburbs joined the largest cities and chose the hue of blue, and more on a national scale, the party was triumphant in highly watched races in New York City, Virginia, New Jersey and for Proposition 50 in California.

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Im not convinced these results tell us much about what to expect in 2026, Dr. Jason Husser, director of the Elon Poll and professor of political science and public policy at Elon University, told The Center Square.

Veteran political observers of the state are generally in consensus with him, with Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation offering that North Carolina is simply a different animal than where eyes were cast earlier this week.

Still, pivotal in the Tarheel State for the 2026 midterms is one state Supreme Court race and Seats 1, 2 and 3 on the Court of Appeals. The incumbent on the high court is Anita Earls, a Democrat. At the appellate level, the seats are held, respectively, by Justices John Arrowood, Toby Hampson and Allegra Katherine Collins  all Democrats.

Partisan splits are 5-2 Republicans at the Supreme Court and 11-4 Republicans at the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals is tasked with review of cases for errors of law or legal procedure, not questions of fact. The Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts and makes decisions on questions of law.

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The statewide judicial races are likely to follow the general mood of the voters in 2026, Kokai, Lockes senior political analyst, told The Center Square. The last three election cycles have been excellent for Republicans, but the seats up for grabs next year are the ones that Democrats captured in 2018. Republicans are on offense and Democrats on defense in these races. But it would be hard for the GOP to win these seats if Democrats are having a stronger-than-normal year.

It was just eight years ago when Democrat Michael Morgan's win turned the Supreme Court majority to Democrats 4-3 just as four-term Attorney General Roy Cooper stepped into the governors office for the first of two terms. The courtroom was called upon several times when the Democrat disagreed with a General Assembly sporting GOP majority in each chamber.

Democrats held a 6-1 edge going into the 2020 election. In that one Democrats lost all three state Supreme Court races  Justice Paul Newby won one to elevate to chief justice, and Tamara Barringer and Phil Berger Jr. joining the court. Democrats' advantage was still 4-3.

In 2022, Republicans won both races to gain a 5-2 majority. Allison Riggs win in 2024 kept it there, though the Democrat with hardly any bench experience appointed by Cooper had to survive a drawn-out litigation that meandered through the State Board of Elections decisions and court rulings at Wake County Superior Court, the states Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, and the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

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The 2025 North Carolina municipal elections revealed a clear anti-incumbent streak among voters, with several well-established local officials losing races across the Triad and Triangle, Husser said. Still, Im not convinced these results tell us much about what to expect in 2026.

Most municipal contests are nonpartisan, unlike judicial or legislative races, and the states election calendar leaves out many rural and unincorporated areas. As recent presidential elections have shown, voters outside city limits can be decisive, and their voices were not fully reflected in this years local results.
Fox Newss Kayleigh McEnany complained to a Trump administration official Saturday about sandwich guy Sean Dunn being acquitted of assault for chucking a subway sandwich at an ICE agent.

McEnany played a clip of Dunn outside of court after a jury exonerated him on the misdemeanor charge. Dunn was originally charged with a felony by Attorney General Pam Bondi, but the administration was unable to secure an indictment.

Outside the courthouse, Dunn said he believed he was protecting the rights of immigrants through his protest.

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Every life matters, no matter where you came from, no matter how you got here, no matter how you identify. You have the right to live a life that is free, Dunn said.

On her show, Saturday in America, McEnany asked Tricia McLaughlin, assistant Department of Homeland Security secretary for public affairs, What message does that send when you can just throw sandwiches at CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) officials?

What an embarrassment! McLaughlin exclaimed. Can you imagine assaulting a federal officer and then getting up, grandstanding, wagging your finger at the American public?

McLaughlin continued:

The American people have a right to safety and security. Thats exactly what the federal officers in Washington, D.C., what our ICE Law enforcement, CBP officers are bringing to American streets every single day. And this is as theyre facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them. And it gets even worse than throwing a sandwich. Were seeing terrorist attacks against them, people shooting at them, rocks being pummeled at them. Its no laughing matter. This is just another despicable example of people putting dangerous rhetoric out there that put our law enforcement in danger.

So, you have the guy throwing a sandwich  Lets just let him off, no worries! McEnany said sarcastically.

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Bondi and Jeanine Pirro, United States attorney for the District of Columbia, had both vowed to make an example of Dunn, a former Department of Justice paralegal who became a viral sensation after being caught on video lobbing the hoagie at the officers chest.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Foxs McEnany Asks Trump DHS Spox About Acquitted Sandwich Guy: You Can Just Throw Sandwiches at CBP Officials?! first appeared on Mediaite.
Framingham will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11:11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park. The event will feature Lt. Col. Dennis B. Ford, a highly decorated U.S. Army Reserve officer and combat engineer, as keynote speaker, according to a community announcement.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move indoors to Cushing Memorial Chapel at Cushing Memorial Park. A decision regarding the location will be announced no later than noon on Monday, Nov. 10, according to the announcement.

Jen Sawvelle, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and veterans' services representative for the city, will serve as master of ceremonies. The Framingham Police Department Honor Guard will present the colors, and Nicole Herring, daughter of Gold Star honoree Specialist Four Phillip Herring, will sing the national anthem.

Robert Meltzer, a member of the Framingham Veterans Council and a U.S. Air Force veteran, reads a biography of Medal of Liberty honoree Capt. Richard Higgins during last year's Veterans Day Program at Nevins Hall in the Memorial Building, Nov. 11, 2024.

Framingham Scouts, led by Nick Paganella, a U.S. Army Korean War veteran, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Rev. Sarah Mato, rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Framingham, will give the invocation.

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Special ceremony in 2021: Framingham marks Veterans Day at newly revitalized park

Robert Meltzer, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Veterans Council member, will read the governor's proclamation. Charles F. Rousseau, vice chair of the Veterans Council, will play taps, and the Framingham Police Department Honor Guard will retire the colors.

About retired Lt. Col. Dennis B. Ford

Ford's military career spanned more than 30 years, beginning as an enlisted infantry soldier with the 104th Infantry Division of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, according to the announcement. He later completed Officer Candidate School and earned his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1994.

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Ford was mobilized to support security operations for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and later for Operation Noble Eagle, protecting high-value military assets, according to the announcement. In 2004, he transitioned to full-time active duty, serving nine years as senior operations officer at Natick Laboratories while deploying multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

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Ford retired from active service in 2021 at the rank of lieutenant colonel, according to the announcement. He now serves as president of Ford Properties, a Framingham-based real estate investment firm specializing in commercial and residential properties throughout MetroWest. He lives in Sudbury with his wife, Becky, and daughters, Isabella and Gabriella.

Memorial tour planned before ceremony

Prior to Tuesday's ceremony, there will be a visit to veterans memorials in the city, according to the announcement. Those interested in participating should meet at the Memorial Building at 7:45 a.m.

The city invites all residents to join in honoring and recognizing the service and sacrifices of local veterans at both events.

This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Retired Lt. Col. Dennis Ford to keynote Framingham Veterans Day event
A freeze warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Norman at 10:56 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. This warning applies to Harper, Woods, Alfalfa, Grant, Kay, Ellis, Woodward, Major, Garfield, Noble, Roger Mills, Dewey, Custer, Blaine, Kingfisher, Logan, Payne, Beckham, Washita, Caddo, Canadian, Oklahoma, Lincoln, Grady, McClain, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Hughes, Harmon, Greer, Kiowa, Jackson, Tillman, Comanche, Stephens, Garvin, Murray, Pontotoc, Coal, Cotton, Jefferson, Carter, Johnston, Atoka, Love, Marshall, Bryan, Hardeman, Foard, Wilbarger, Wichita, Knox, Baylor, Archer and Clay counties.

The NWS warns: "Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain."

Oklahoma City area weather radar

What are NWS meteorologists saying?

At 10:56 a.m., the NWS issued a statement including the following information:

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" WHAT: Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 22.

WHERE: Portions of central, east central, northern, northwest, southeast, southern, southwest, and western Oklahoma and northern Texas.

WHEN: From 9 p.m. Sunday to 9 a.m. CST Monday.

IMPACTS: Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing."

What is a freeze warning?

A Freeze Warning is issued when surface temperatures are expected to drop below freezing (32 degrees or lower) over a large area for an extended period, regardless of whether frost is expected to form.

A Frost Advisory is issued when frost is likely and when temperatures are forecast to drop to 33-36 degrees with clear skies and calm winds.

A Freeze Watch means there's potential for widespread freezing temperatures (below or equal to 32 degrees) within the next 24-48 hours.

At what temperatures do pipes freeze?

Water in pipes begins to solidify into ice once temperatures dip below freezing, at 32 degrees or below.

Which pipes freeze most often?

The American Red Cross says the pipes most likely to freeze in homes include:

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Pipes exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and sprinkler lines. (Don't forget to drain pool and sprinkler lines, too.)

Water supply pipes in unheated interior spaces, including basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and cabinets.

Pipes running along exterior walls with little or no insulation.

How to prevent pipes from freezing

Many people take precautions before the first cold front, since outdoor faucets are often unused until spring. If you haven't prepared yet - or still need to use your faucets - here's how to protect them:

Adjust your thermostat: Keep your home at a minimum of 60 degrees. Open cupboards and vanities, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, so warm air can reach pipes.

Drip faucets correctly: Set faucets to a small, steady drip rather than a stream to conserve water while preventing freezing. Focus on the faucet farthest from your home's main water valve.

Cover outdoor spigots: Before temperatures drop below 32 degrees, open outdoor spigots to let water drain out and place protective covers over them.

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text.

This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.

See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Freeze warning issued in Oklahoma City metro area: See weather alerts




Funeral details have been set for former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney following his death earlier this week.

Cheney, 84, was the vice president under Texas' George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 and died on Monday from complications of pneumonia and heart disease, USA Today reported.

Here's what to know about plans to memorialize the 46th vice president of the United States.

Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, left, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Colin Powell, huddle prior to testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Thursday, Feb. 21, 1991 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Funeral details have been set for former Vice President Dick Cheney following his death earlier this week. (John Duricka/Associated Press)





REACTION: Dick Cheney's death went hardly recognized by many Texas Republicans

Cheney's memorial service set

A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Nov. 20 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., according to USA Today.

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It was not known as of Friday morning whether it will be a state funeral or if Cheney will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.

Are flags at half-staff for Cheney?

Some flags are flying at half-staff across the U.S. and Texas marking Cheney's death, but the issue has been muddled by President Donald Trump's silence on the topic and Texas Republicans appear to have followed his lead.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday that the president was aware of Cheney's passing and that "flags have been lowered to half-staff in accordance with statutory law," the Austin American-Statesman reported. An email from the White House press staff Friday afternoon referred back to Leavitt's comments from Tuesday.

The death of a former vice president qualifies for lowering the flag as a part of the U.S. Flag Code, the Half Staff organization reported. "According to this section, the flag is to be flown at half-staff from the day of death until interment," a post made on HalfStaff.org this week stated.

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The United States Postal Service announced on Tuesday that flags at postal service facilities should be lowered to half-staff for the former vice president through his funeral date.

Iowa, New York, Colorado, Hawaii and Nevada are some of the states win which governors this week ordered the flags at state buildings flown at half-staff.

George W. Bush and Dick Cheney on the final day of the Republican National Convention on Sept. 2, 2004, in New York City. Funeral details have been set for former Vice President Dick Cheney following his death earlier this week. (Andrea Renault/TNS)





TEXAS TIES: Dick Cheney had deep Texas ties after half-century influencing Republican politics and oil industry

Cheney's legacy

The politician was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and grew up in Wyoming, USA Today reported.

In November 1978, he won a House of Representatives seat in Wyoming, according to his Office of the Secretary of War biography. An obituary on Legacy.com lists Cheney as one of the most powerful and influential vice presidents.

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"Dick was a calm and steady presence in the White House amid great national challenges," former President George Bush said in a statement listed in the obituary. "I counted on him for his honest, forthright counsel, and he never failed to give his best. He held to his convictions and prioritized the freedom and security of the American people."

Cheney also battled heart issues for a good part of his life, having his first heart attack at age 37. He had four other heart attacks and had a heart transplant in 2012, according to his obituary.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne, and daughters Liz, a former U.S. Representative from Wyoming, and Mary.

A request for comment from Gov. Greg Abbott's office was not immediately returned Friday afternoon.

This article originally published at Funeral details set for Dick Cheney. What to know about memorial plans and lowering flags..
Israels war on Gaza has not only razed entire neighbourhoods to the ground, displaced families multiple times and decimated medical facilities, but also poisoned the very ground and water on which Palestinians depend.

Four weeks into a fragile ceasefire, which Israel has violated daily, the scale of the environmental devastation is becoming painfully clear.

In Gaza Citys Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, what was once a lively community has become a wasteland. Homes lie in ruins, and an essential water source, once a rainwater pond, now festers with sewage and debris. For many displaced families, it is both home and hazard.

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Umm Hisham, pregnant and displaced, trudges through the foul water with her children. They have nowhere else to go.

We took refuge here, around the Sheikh Radwan pond, with all the sufferings you could imagine, from mosquitoes to sewage with rising levels, let alone the destruction all around. All this poses a danger to our lives and the lives of our children, she said, speaking to Al Jazeeras Ibrahim Alkhalili.

Heavily damaged buildings are reflected in a water basin in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City on October 22, 2025 [File: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP]

The pond, designed to collect rainwater and channel it to the sea, now holds raw sewage after Israeli air attacks destroyed the pumps. With electricity and sanitation systems crippled, contaminated water continues to rise, threatening to engulf nearby homes and tents.

There is no doubt there are grave impacts on all citizens: Foul odours, insects, mosquitoes. Also, foul water levels have exceeded 6 metres [20ft] high without any protection; the fence is completely destroyed, with high possibility for any child, woman, old man, or even a car to fall into this pond, said Maher Salem, a Gaza City municipal officer speaking to Al Jazeera.

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Local officials warn that stagnant water could cause disease outbreaks, especially among children. Yet for many in Gaza, there are no alternatives.

Families know that the water they get from the wells and from the containers or from the water trucks is polluted and contaminated  but they dont have any other choice, said Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City.

A boy fills a plastic bottle with water in a camp for displaced Palestinians, at a school-turned-shelter in the Remal neighbourhood of Gaza City on November 5, 2025 [Omar Al Qattaa]

Destroyed water infrastructure

At the COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil, Palestinian Ambassador Ibrahim al-Zeben described the crisis as an environmental catastrophe intertwined with Israels genocide.

Theres no secret that Gaza is suffering because of the genocide that Israel continues to wage, a war that has created nearly a quarter of a million victims and produced more than 61 million tonnes of rubble, some of which is contaminated with hazardous materials, he said.

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In addition, the deliberate destruction of sewage and water networks has led to the contamination of groundwater and coastal waters. Gaza now faces severe risks to public health, and environmental risks are increasing, al-Zeben added.

Israels attacks have also destroyed much of the enclaves agricultural land, leaving it in a state of severe food insecurity and famine with food being used as a weapon, he said.

In September, a UN report warned freshwater supplies in Gaza are severely limited and much of what remains is polluted.

The collapse of sewage treatment infrastructure, the destruction of piped systems and the use of cesspits for sanitation have likely increased contamination of the aquifer that supplies much of Gaza with water, the report by the United Nations Environment Programme noted.

Back in Sheikh Radwan, the air hangs thick with rot and despair. When every day is a fight to find water, food, and bread, Mahmoud said, safety becomes secondary.




German Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer has warned of the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Germany and Europe, ahead of Sunday's anniversary of the 1938 Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, in Nazi Germany.

"The pogrom night of November 9, 1938, was a barbaric crime that obliges us to this day," Weimer said in the statement.

"It shows where hate and indifference lead when the values of humanity and freedom are lost."

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Turning to Germany today, Weimer said: "Anti-Semitism is not a shadow of the past; it is raging again in the glaring light of our present day."

He said that if Jewish children have to go to school under police protection, synagogues have to be guarded and Stars of David hidden, then that is "a cry - not only of fear, but to our conscience."

On November 9, 1938, synagogues burned across Germany. Jewish-owned shops were looted and destroyed. Jewish people were abused, arbitrarily arrested and murdered.

Weimer called for the commemorative events marking the anniversary to be understood as a sign of solidarity.

He said that remembrance of the victims of the pogrom night is also a commitment to an open, diverse and democratic society.
Germany rejected significantly more initial applications from Syrian asylum seekers in October than it had in the previous months, statistics from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) show.

A total of 1,906 initial applications were rejected in October, compared to 163 during the period from January through September.

In December, the migration office had suspended decisions on almost all Syrian asylum applications following the toppling of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad, making exceptions for those where another EU country was deemed responsible.

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The BAMF also took decisions relating to criminals and people seen as potentially dangerous.

"In justified individual cases, the Federal Office has also issued full rejections against Syrian nationals," the BAMF said.

Germany has not carried out direct deportations to Syria since 2012, due to the civil war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centrist coalition, which took office in May, has vowed to take a tough stance on migration, including rejecting more asylum seekers - especially those with a criminal record.

Since the end of September, the BAMF has resumed processing the cases of "young, able-bodied men" requesting asylum.

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Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said Berlin is working on agreements with Damascus to make speedy returns possible.

"We want to reach an agreement with Syria this year and then initially deport criminals, and later people without a right of residence," he told the Rheinische Post newspaper in September.
Amid the ongoing campaign for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly election, Janta Dal United (JDU) leader Devesh Chandra Thakur on Saturday said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will form a government with two two-thirds majority. While speaking with ANI in Sitamarhi, Devesh Chandra also stated that the NDA will win all eight seats in Sitamarhi. "NDA will form the government with more than 2/3rd majority. We are winning all 8 seats of Sitamarhi. You saw the excitement among the people during PM Modi's rally. Even Nitish Kumar has visited all the districts...," he said. Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav who is on Bihar visit for election campaign for the assembly polls on Saturday expressed his confidence that NDA would form the government again in Bihar with an absolute majority. CM Yadav also emphasised that the first phase of the Bihar election which was held on Thursday (November 6) indicates that NDA was leading in the elections. "The high voter turnout is an indication that NDA is leading in the elections. The NDA is expected to form the government in Bihar again with an absolute majority. The way our party formed the government in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government will be formed here again," CM Yadav told ANI. Additionally, the Chief Minister jibed at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on his visit to Madhya Pradesh on Saturday saying that if a leader leaves his party in this condition in the election field (Bihar election), then it means that he has already accepted his defeat. "If he (Rahul Gandhi) is spending his holidays leaving the Congress in the lurch, then it is a matter of concern for the Congress party and its leaders. If he has come to our state, then he is our guest and I welcome him, but with great regret I have to say that if a leader is leaving his party in this condition in the election field, then it means that he has already accepted his defeat," CM Yadav said. The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 recorded a voter turnout of 65.08 per cent, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar announced on Saturday. The CEO of Bihar stated that the first phase of the assembly elections was successfully conducted on November 6, 2025, across 121 seats in 18 districts of the state. (ANI)
A Supreme Court justice has temporarily paused a lower court's ruling requiring the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the month of November by the end of the day Friday.

In an order late Friday night, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said the pause will remain in effect until the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issues a judgment on the matter. Jackson is the justice assigned to emergency applications out of the 1st circuit, and her order did not refer the matter to the full Supreme Court.

RELATED | Supreme Court justice temporarily pauses order requiring Trump administration to fully fund SNAP

Earlier Friday, the Court of Appeals denied a request by the Trump administration for an administrative stay pausing the order to fully fund SNAP. The Trump administration responded by asking the Supreme Court to intervene.

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As the court battle played out through the day Friday, at least nine states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, had already begun issuing SNAP benefits under the direction of the federal agency that operates SNAP.

"We're putting dollars back on people's SNAP cards because that's what the people of Pennsylvania deserve," said Governor Josh Shapiro during a visit to Share Food in Philadelphia.

This latest Supreme Court order could prevent other states from initiating the payments.

RELATED | Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November

In Germantown, resident Atoya Williams checked her SNAP balance on her way to the supermarket. Despite not receiving her payments yet, she remains hopeful.

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"I've been concerned for myself, my family," Williams said.

Williams has been relying on community resources such as the Germantown Adventist Church, which partners with Philabundance to provide monthly food distributions at Wayne and Chelten avenues.

"It's a blessing. I'm very appreciative," Williams said.

Pastor Corey Johnson said the demand for assistance has increased.

To help meet that need, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated will package more than 150 food bags for distribution to the community.

"For anyone who is feeling like they are alone, I want you to know you're not alone," Johnson said. "We're all in this same storm, and I think the key is going to be our leaning into community."

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Mark Edwards, President and CEO of The Food Trust, said he's preparing for whatever comes next as families and communities weather ongoing instability.

"During this tough time right now, our programming allows people the dignity to shop and choose whatever they like to eat, and it also keeps the economy moving, so supporting farmers and business owners while we see a huge dip in business," Edwards said.

At Weavers Way Co-op in Roxborough, about five percent of customers rely on SNAP or other forms of government assistance, many of whom have been affected by the recent pause in payments.

"What we've done is we've created a community fund and we've asked the 95 percent of our members who aren't affected to put money into the fund, and then the 5 percent of our members who have been affected can draw from that fund," said Jon Roesser, general manager of Weavers Way.

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Edwards added that the uncertainty has been particularly hard on communities across the city.

"This is a really distressing time for the city of Philadelphia and so many communities," he said.


Greenville police on Friday afternoon released their crime and traffic stats for the month of October and reported a total of 3,138 calls for service.

According to the department, police initiated 1,205 total traffic stops and responded to 94 collisions without injury, 23 with injury and 17 hit-and-run incidents. GPD also reported 13 DWIs.

The department also reported 129 arrests, five burglaries, nine vehicle burglaries, 35 thefts, 23 assaults, 26 family violence assaults and 72 criminal trespasses.
PORTLAND, Maine  Graham Platner understands the comparisons to Sen. John Fetterman.

In 2022, Fetterman was a gruff Democratic Senate candidate in Pennsylvania whose national origin story began on the left. He overcame a controversy  and a lengthy absence from the campaign trail  to win in a key swing state, only to drift further and further away from the progressives who fueled his rise.

Fetterman has seen longtime staff and supporters abandon him as he makes overtures to the right and breaks with Democrats on the government shutdown  although he largely still votes with his party.

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Platner is enduring his own controversies as a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine. And while he and Fetterman have notable surface-level similarities  both tattooed, shoot-from-the-hip white men who have a more working-class aesthetic, eschewing a shirt-and-tie ensemble for hoodies and crewnecks  they have also had many of the same political consultants working for them, including top operatives Rebecca Katz and Joe Calvello.

In a recent interview with NBC News, Platner smiled and chuckled when asked to respond to the Democrats who worry he could be another Fetterman.

Look, as somebody that was disappointed [with Fetterman]  if I was me looking in, I would have the same concerns, Platner said after a campaign rally in Portland, Maine, on Sunday. Weve been burned before.

But what I would say is that a good reading of my history, a good reading of how I got here in my life, of the kind of life Ive lived up until now shows, I would say, a distinct difference from Sen. Fettermans campaign and where he wound up. And I know that these are just words, Platner added. In some ways, I just have to ask people to trust me, but thats all I can do.

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Accompanying Platner for his interview was Calvello, a spokesman for Fetterman on the campaign trail and in the Senate before becoming one of the first officials to resign from his office last year. Hes now a top aide to Platner.

Platner is in the thick of it now. Over the last four weeks, he has apologized for a string of offensive comments he made in past Reddit posts, covered up a tattoo on his chest that has a Nazi association  one he said he was unaware of when he got the tattoo  and lost top staff.

Graham Platner spoked to a packed crowd in Portland last month. (Brennan Leach / NBC News)

Fetterman, for his part, said hes staying away from the Maine Senate primary when asked in a hallway interview on Capitol Hill about his views on Platner.

I dont have any views, Fetterman said. And I think its arrogant for any of us to participate in it. Its like, Pennsylvania Democrats are going to decide who they want? Ask them about Katie McGinty, how that worked the last time. Keep their thumbs off the scale. I deeply respect the Maine Democrats. Thats their voice.

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Get over yourselves, and just let the Dems in Maine do what theyre gonna do, he said. Its pretty arrogant. If you dont represent that state, just sit it out.

Four operatives whove worked for either one or both men say they dont see many similarities between the two  particularly when it comes to their progressive bona fides.

Fetterman, they said, was distancing himself from the progressive label long before winning his 2022 race, only to fight more frequently with the left after Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel. He had also staked out a pro-Israel position in the primary that year  one that got relatively little attention given that the issue was less at the forefront at the time.

Platner, they note, has a much more detailed list of policy proposals on his campaign site, has for years promoted progressive causes and is warmly embracing the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in his bid for office.

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Additionally, these staffers note that Fetterman had spent years in elected office, both locally and at the state level, before winning his 2022 election, whereas Platner, a Marine veteran whose views were shaped in part by serving three combat tours in Iraq, is a political neophyte.

People online have been saying that Graham and John are similar for whatever reason, said one person who has spent time with both men and requested anonymity to speak candidly. I dont see it, to be honest, other than the fact that theyre both white guys who are blunt-talking. Thats kind of where the similarities end.

Tre Easton, a former Fetterman aide, said he does see parallels between the two men, whether its their shared strategists or simply the profile theyve projected on the campaign trail.

Theres a fair parallel to be drawn there, said Easton, vice president for public policy at Searchlight Institute, a new center-left think tank, adding: And I frankly think its very fair for people to ask, Well, youre the people who brought us Fetterman. How should we be sure that youre going to get it right this time?

Sen., John Fetterman, D-Pa.; Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner. (Getty Images)

No one could have predicted that John would have turned himself into sort of the pariah amongst the Democratic Party that he has become, he continued, adding, however, that Platner seems to be a very thoughtful, genuinely progressive person espousing things that are far to the left of anything John really ever backed during his 22 campaign anyway.

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Aside from the stroke that took him off the campaign trail for three months, Fetterman had to deal with controversy during his Senate bid. Opponents at the time criticized him for a 2013 incident in which Fetterman, then the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, chased down a Black jogger and pulled a gun on him, detaining him because he thought he was running from what Fetterman said he believed was gunfire. The man was unarmed.

Former Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., was one of Fettermans opponents in the 2022 Senate primary. He said Platner needs to answer questions about his character.

Summing up, what I have to say is that character matters in the left, right, and center, Lamb said in an email. In 2022, people felt Fetterman had the correct left positions so they ignored obvious red flags about his character. The question needs to be asked.

A Nazi tattoo is on another level and the candidates explanations sound, to me, more like excuses than a clear, I was wrong, Lamb continued. However, he has time to show the character of the man he is today and the voters should think about his character separate and apart from whether he is left, or moderate, or young or old.

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Even as Platner deals with the aftermath of his recent controversies, he is drawing considerable crowds. The 41-year-old oyster farmer spoke to a packed house at the State Theatre in Portland on Sunday.

It is amusing for me to watch the campaign described in the media as collapsing or falling apart  when internally, we frankly have not felt this strong since the beginning, Platner told NBC News. It hasnt sunk my campaign. In fact it seems, in many ways, its strengthened us.

I want to talk about my evolution as a human being, he said. A lot of Americans also want to have hope that you can change and that you can evolve, and that we can have a society that gives grace and forgiveness to people.

Maines Senate race is shaping up to be the most contested of the 2026 cycle  the Republican-held seat that Democrats have the best chance of flipping on a map with few, if any, other realistic pickup opportunities. Platner, who also shares advisers with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, is running on a platform of housing affordability, universal health care and ending U.S. involvement in foreign wars.

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A dozen rally attendees who spoke with NBC News at Platners event said they dont consider his past comments disqualifying, though some said it gave them pause and theyre undecided. Others, though, said they accept his explanations and plan to vote for him in next years primary, where he faces multiple rivals, including Democratic Gov. Janet Mills.

Whats more, Tuesdays elections showed Democratic voters might have less of an appetite to punish controversial candidates. In New York City, Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo by about 9 points in a race where a number of top New York Democrats refused to endorse the self-described Democratic socialist or withheld their support for months, fearing his left-wing advocacy could harm the partys electoral chances elsewhere.

In Virginia, Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones comfortably defeated his Republican opponent after years-old text messages were released revealing that Jones had suggested the top Republican in the state House of Delegates deserved two bullets to the head. Jones released a statement apologizing for the comments.

One former Fetterman campaign official said it would be unwise for Democrats to rule out rallying behind candidates like Fetterman and Platner, noting that Fetterman was able to secure a big win over Mehmet Oz, his Republican challenger, even after having to leave the campaign trail for months. On Platner, this person said that while the tattoo is a problem, they see it as a bit overblown, pointing out that its not like you had a swastika.

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You have to have cognitive dissonance to not understand the difference between Fetterman and Graham, this person said. And so just to say, Oh, well, John is a right-winger on Israel and now just going on Fox News all the time messaging for Republicans, to just attribute that as the obvious arc of somebody whos running as a lefty and nonestablishment white dude, and obviously theyre going to do the same thing when they get elected, is just dumb.

In an interview with NBC News ahead of his campaign launch, Platner said his focus in office would be on fighting for working-class values and fighting for policies that help working-class people [claw] back a lot of the power that has been consolidated in the kind of higher establishment-class politics. He said getting dragged into many of these minor kind of culture war skirmishes is not remotely the answer.

He also praised Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, who announced Thursday he would not seek re-election, for working to protect working-class voters in his state, as well as Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., for his effort to bar congressional stock trading.

Speaking with NBC News, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said he was not worried that Platner would be some sort of crypto Fetterman.

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Hes running a very authentic race, Gallego said, adding: Im not worried about how he ends up governing because I think hes been straightforward about who he is. I think hes caught fire. Hes going through some rough patches, but people are still showing up in the middle of nowhere to see him speak. So he must be doing something right.

Steve Schale, a Democratic strategist based in Florida, said he believes Platner would govern as a pretty straight progressive, noting he never believed Fetterman was that progressive.

My biggest issue, Schale said, Im not convinced he can win a general election.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER Volunteers sort through food items to be given to waiting vehicles during a food distribution drive at Aloha Stadium in Halawa on Thursday.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER Volunteers sort through food items to be given to waiting vehicles during a food distribution drive at Aloha Stadium in Halawa on Thursday.

The Hawaii National Guard has been has been activated to support statewide relief efforts and large-scale community food distribution programs in the wake of the record-setting federal government shutdown and, according to state officials.

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Gov. Josh Green and Lt. Gov Sylvia Luke requested that Adjutant General Stephen F. Logan place Hawaii Army National Guard members on active duty status as of this morning to assist operations in every county, according to a news release from the governors office.

Guard members have already helped transport food donations collected through the Kokua Food Drive at state library branches to food banks for distribution to families in need, officials said.

RELATED STORY :

Guard members will also be providing on-site support at Hawaii Foodbank distribution events, assisting with traffic control, transporting supplies and distributing food to residents, according to the news release. Those foodbank distributions include : Sunday at Leeward Community College and Thursday at Aloha Stadium.

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The Hawaii National Guard members will receive state pay while serving under state active duty status, officials said.

The federal government shutdown, which began Nov. 1, is now the longest in the countrys history.

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Heather Miller, the former child care worker accused of felony child abuse involving three infants at The Lawrence School in Waukesha, will serve 15 years in prison and another seven on extended supervision.

During Miller's Nov. 7 sentencing hearing, Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge David Maas said Miller, 51, deserved prison, not probationary sentences, because of the seriousness of the offenses and the betrayal it represented to parents who believed their children were in a trustworthy day care facility.

Defendant Heather Miller listens to testimony during her trial at the Waukesha County Courthouse on Sept. 24 in Waukesha. Miller, 51, of Waukesha, was on trial for allegedly abusing three children under the age of 1 when she worked at a Waukesha day care center between November 2021 and August 2022.

"There are defenseless infants who are placed in your care, to provide basic child care to them," Maas said in his statements prior to sentencing. "And when those children are not only not provided with that level of care but actively abused and physically abused, that is a very serious and great offense.

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"These children, whether they suffer minor injuries or debilitating injuries, should never be abused in this way."

Following a four-day trial, a jury on Sept. 26 found Miller, a lead teacher in an infant child room at the day care facility and preschool, guilty of abusing three children at the Waukesha day care facility in 2021 and 2022.

Given the verdict, Maas formally convicted her on four of the five felony charges she faced: one count of child abuse/intentionally causing bodily harm, one count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and two of the three counts of physical abuse of a child.

Her sentence reflected five years of initial confinement and three years of extended supervision on count 1, five years confinement and two years supervision on count 2 concurrent with count 1, and three years confinement and two years supervision on each of the other two counts, each running consecutively with count 1.

Young victim's mothers tearfully discuss the lingering torment

During the Nov. 7 sentencing hearing, the mothers of two of the three victims spoke, often entirely through tears and words tinged with rage, about the impact the abuse had on their families  as well as the guilt they felt at the thought of having handed their children over to a facility that proved harmful.

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I received a call that no parents should ever get in their lifetime, the mother of one victim said, recalling when she first learned of the abuse allegations that included her young son. "I'm thankful every day that someone chose to stand up for our babies and say enough is enough."

The victims' identities are sealed by the court, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is not identifying them.

Noting that the long-term impact still isnt known of the concussion her son suffered at Miller's hands, the woman, sobbing deeply, added she was overcome by the vision about how her son struggled to breathe while his head was forced into the crib. This broke me.

She now personally suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome, with anxiety so pronounced that, on car trips with her son in the backseat, she found herself stopping her vehicle several minutes at a time to make sure her son was still breathing.

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Another mother also spoke about her son's, her family's and her personal trauma stemming from Miller's abuse. She wondered what she would say in court when the sentencing hearing finally took place. Her son's vulnerability precipitated some of those words.

"How dare you!" she said, addressing Miller, struggling to get the words out through tears. "How dare you lay a hand on my child, my baby. Who was only 13 months old. He couldn't speak. He couldn't tell me what you did to him. You didn't just hurt my son, You shattered my trust. You traumatized me as a mother.

"And it wasn't just my child," she added, noting the other two victims and that Miller had been fired by two other facilities before she was subsequently employed by The Lawrence School.

Both mothers, thanking the role Lawrence School teacher Camarie Morris played in standing up for their children as a witness, asked Maas to consider imposing the maximum sentence allowed by law, which was up to 26 years in prison.

Miller, her father and her daughter speak of her caring character

Miller's statement to the court consisted largely of her criticism of evidence on her behalf that she felt her attorney, Pablo Galaviz, should have presented during the trial. She flatly denied all the abuse allegations.

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"There are just so many different things that I wish attorney Galaviz" had raised during the trial, Miller said, adding: I trusted him with my life."

Miller listed elements that she said would have discredited Morris, who testified for the state, or otherwise proved her innocence. She also presented herself as a caring person.

"I am so sorry that the parents feel like I betrayed their trust and that I have hurt their kids," she said, through tears. "I never, ever would have hurt any of them. I adored working with children," adding later, "I did none of those things that I was accused of.

The hearing also included two members of Miller's own family  her daughter and her father  who offered a counterpart to claims that Miller was an unworthy and hostile caregiver.

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Her father, Michael Riebe, who has worked in law enforcement, said Heather once volunteered to care for two young boys of a sheriff department detective who had lost her husband.

"For almost two years, to make it convenient, she took care of her two little boys, who where kind of hard to deal with," Riebe said. "There was a lot of relief off the detective's mind as to the safety of her children," adding later: "She loved working with children."

Her daughter, Molly Miller, who had written a letter to the court highly critical of Galaviz's performance as a defense attorney, said her mother never had any trouble before the Lawrence School accusations arose.

"Even (for) families that testified against my mom, I babysat their children, and I never once heard anything bad said about my mom up until Camarie Morris came forward with these accusations," Molly Miller said.

Child abuse cases led to charges and preschool closing

The case originated with an investigation that resulted in the sudden closing of The Lawrence School, 3011 Saylesville Road in Waukesha, on Sept. 14, 2022. The school never reopened.

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Miller and two preschool staff administrators, Kathryn Ascher and Annemarie Fraker, were charged following a five-month investigation that began in August 2022. The investigation grew from the allegations by one parent, whose infant son showed outward and lingering signs of distress that another teacher tied to his treatment by Miller. Two more abuse allegations  one in November 2021 and another in May 2022  involving two other children surfaced later in the investigation.

Ascher and Fraker, both charged with not reporting suspected child abuse to authorities and others, were sentenced Oct. 2, with Ascher forced to serve a one-year sentence in the Waukesha County Jail.

Hearing hints at possible appeal by Miller

One twist prior to the sentencing hearing was a motion by Galaviz to withdraw as Millers attorney for the case. The motion, filed Nov. 3, cited an ethical issue, with Galaviz stating that both Miller and her daughter had accused him of being ineffective.

Ahead of the hearing, Galaviz said he suspected the hearing would proceed, however, and told Maas he was capable of carrying on in Miller's defense during sentencing. I have never had this happen before, he said in court, noting he has been practicing for nine years.

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Addressing Miller, who discussed trial defense strategies that she felt left the jury with an incomplete picture, Maas said the sentencing hearing was not the time or place to consider the merits of her arguments.

Those are appellate issues.  They dont have any bearing on sentencing and the sentencing hearing, Maas said.

Its ultimately the courts decision to decide whether Galaviz could withdraw at this stage, Maas said, noting the process could be delayed by months if a new attorney had to take over. "Then we would be right back where we started from."

Miller, in tears, hesitated a few minutes before deciding to proceed with Galaviz. Maas denied Galavizs withdrawal motion.

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Galaviz declined to comment on the decision after the hearing. Waukesha County Assistant District Attorney Nicole Kane also declined to comment post-sentencing.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Heather Miller gets prison sentence for Lawrence School child abuse
As the federal government shutdown continues and the Trump administration fights court orders to distribute SNAP funding, local governments are stepping up to help those in need.

On Nov. 6, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved $2 million to support food security efforts through the end of the year. The money will aid food banks, food shelves, and food rescue organizations in the county.

In an announcement, Hennepin County says that 110,000 residents receive an average of $180 in SNAP benefits each month. The $2 million in funding is significant, but well short of the federal disbursements typically received each month.

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The interruption is happening at a time when every Minnesotans grocery budget is stretched thin. The pause in benefits for Minnesota households is not a consequence of any local policy decision, but its impact will reverberate in grocery stores and on kitchen tables across the county, says Dr. Irene Fernando, board chair and District 2 commissioner.

The 110,000 Hennepin County residents who rely on SNAP benefits represent 25% of the states total participants. I want to emphasize: That means the other 75% of Minnesotans who rely on SNAP are spread across the state.



The announcement says that prior to the Nov. 6 decision, the county had already committed $4 million to food security efforts.

The county adds that more than 10,000 children of the 110,000 SNAP recipients may be eligible for WIC, a nutrition program that supports pregnant people, new mothers, and children ages 0 to 5.

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While additional funding has been directed toward the WIC program, the National WIC Association has warned that funding could soon be depleted.

Photo courtesy of the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf | Facebook.

As funding is withheld, states are reporting an increase in SNAP benefits applications, partly from furloughed federal workers looking for aid more than six weeks into the government shutdown, the New York Times reports.

In Minnesota, Hennepin County isn't the only local body adding assistance. The state allocated $4 million in emergency funding in late October.

Ramsey County, where approximately 68,500 residents receive SNAP benefits, committed $450,000 to food assistance programs this week.

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That amount includes $380,000 for 11 food shelves and another $70,000 committed to infant formula in case the government shutdown leads to the depletion of WIC funding.

Additionally, Mayor Jacob Frey announced that Minneapolis is allocating $150,000 to six nonprofit partners that offer food to residents. The money comes from existing funds that had already been appropriated for the Homegrown Minneapolis program.

Local governments should not have to clean up the mess that the President makes," Frey said earlier this week, announcing the measure. "While I am glad we can help keep neighbors fed, this is a stopgap measure. We need the federal government to do its job and fund the critical programs its obligated to run.

In St. Paul, a citywide food drive has launched to aid families in need, with drop-off points at city recreation centers.

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And across the state, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses have stepped up to offer assistance to community members in need through free food, gym memberships, and even access to museums.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Trump administration asked a federal appeals court to block an order requiring the government to distribute full SNAP benefits for November.

Related: A list of places in Minnesota offering free food to SNAP recipients in November

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Nov 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Investigators entered the weekend with clues, but still no answers, about the death of a 35-year-old Henderson, Ky. woman whose body was left in a popular fishing area in Warrick County.

The body of Kristina Robison was found Nov. 2 in the Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife area near New Harmony Road and Klippel Road. That's a few miles north of the Kentucky state line.

Investigators aren't calling it murder. The Warrick County Coroner's Office, which performed an autopsy on Robison on Nov. 3, says the cause of her death won't be known for four to six weeks. Why? That's how long it will take to get back the results of toxicology tests performed on her body.

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More: Investigation into death of 35-year-old woman is murky and mysterious

But investigators aren't calling it a drug overdose, either.

"That we are not aware," Sgt. Bill Russell of the Henderson Police Department (HPD) said when asked about that possibility on Friday. "Were just covering all angles to find out the cause of death."

Robison's death was first investigated by Indiana State Police (ISP)  until somehow detectives determined the young woman died in Henderson before her body was placed in the fish and wildlife area. HPD took over the investigation from there.

Investigators may not be letting on all they know, but they have offered a basic outline of the events surrounding Robison's death.

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ISP identified a man they call a "person of interest" in the case  a man who "became startled" before he took Robison to Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife area and left her there, according to a statement issued last week by HPD.

The as-yet-unidentified man was found and arrested on unrelated drug charges and outstanding warrants. He was being held at the Knox County (Indiana) detention center as of earlier last week.

Roommates of Robison told WFIE-TV last week they last saw her when she left to run errands with a man she had met on an online dating site.

Russell, HPD's spokesman, told the Courier & Press last week that the man investigators believe was with Robison "had (outstanding) warrants, so he didnt want to stop to do anything."

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"Were just assuming that he got startled and left the area because theres warrants, and then he dropped her off somewhere to where he wouldnt get caught," Russell said.

As ISP had done, Russell was careful to say there has been no official finding that Robison's death was murder.

Much depends, apparently, on the results of those toxicology tests.

Warrick County Coroner Alissa Enright told the Courier & Press she wasn't able to offer Henderson police any preliminary opinion or hunch about Robison's death after the autopsy.

"Not until I get the full  Ive got to see it all in full to be able to give them some sort of opinion," Enright said. "And Im just not able to do that yet.

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"I didnt even give them a direction to go in until we get all of it back, yeah. Unfortunately."

Still, there is a person of interest, a man investigators believe was with Robison before her death. HPD spokesman Russell told the Courier & Press Friday there may be some news on the case next week.

"Thats our big thing, is just trying to figure out the cause of death  get a time frame, different places theyd been, stuff like that," Russell said.

"Were just trying to narrow down everything that happened prior to (Robison's death), whatever happened, and to find out what happened."

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Here's why there are still no answers on the death of 35-year-old woman
Washington  The Heritage Foundation, an influential conservative think tank, is in turmoil after its leader defended former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who interviewed white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes on his popular online show.

The controversy has led to several resignations as the think tank  which spearheaded Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint meant to guide President Trump's second administration  addresses the fallout.

What Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts said in defense of Tucker Carlson

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As Carlson was criticized by conservatives for giving Fuentes a platform, Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts stepped in to defend Carlson, pushing back on speculation that the think tank was distancing itself from its "close friend" and decrying the "venomous coalition" attacking the former cable news host.

"The Heritage Foundation didn't become the intellectual backbone of the conservative movement by canceling our own people or policing the consciences of Christians, and we won't start doing that now," Roberts said in a video shared on Oct. 30.

"Their attempt to cancel [Carlson] will fail," he continued. "I disagree with and even abhor things that Nick Fuentes says, but canceling him is not the answer either."

Resignations over Roberts' remarks defending Carlson

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Over the following week, at least five members of the Heritage Foundation's antisemitism task force have resigned in protest over Roberts' initial social media post, CBS News has confirmed. Roberts' chief of staff also resigned after initially pushing back online, saying internal critics were "virtue signaling" and suggesting they should resign "if so outraged" over the comments.

Economist Stephen Moore, the co-founder of the conservative organization Club for Growth, announced Thursday that he is resigning from his Heritage Foundation position as senior visiting fellow after 12 years in the role. A source familiar with his decision pointed to the controversy over Roberts' defense of Carlson and the ensuing backlash.

Fuentes has a history of incendiary comments

Fuentes, who found popularity in the far-right movement in the aftermath of the deadly "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, has a history of making antisemetic, misogynistic and racist comments.

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The 27-year-old political commentator has claimed the Holocaust was "exaggerated," "a lot of women want to be raped" and White people are "justified" in being racist.

Fuentes and his far-right online followers, who refer to themselves as "groypers," have existed on the fringes of right-wing politics. Mr. Trump hosted Fuentes and rapper Kanye West at his Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022. But in an interview with "Face the Nation" in 2024, Vice President JD Vance disavowed Fuentes, who has questioned his loyalty to "white identity," citing his interracial marriage.

"Do we really expect that the guy who has an Indian wife and named their kid Vivek is going to support white identity?" Fuentes said.

Vance responded on "Face the Nation" last year by calling Fuentes a "total loser" and saying his philosophy "doesn't have any room in the MAGA movement."

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Fallout at Heritage over Roberts' defense of Carlson

Roberts' comments drew condemnation from prominent conservatives like former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and commentator Ben Shapiro, who said the remarks "betray the legacy of Heritage."

On Oct. 31, in a lengthy post, Roberts elaborated on his comments about Fuentes, saying the Heritage Foundation denounces Fuentes' "vicious antisemitic ideology, his Holocaust denial, and his relentless conspiracy theories that echo the darkest chapters of history" and is "disgusted" by several of his other stances.

"Our task is to confront and challenge those poisonous ideas at every turn to prevent them from taking America to a very dark place. Join us  not to cancel  but to guide, challenge, and strengthen the conversation, and be confident as I am that our best ideas at the heart of western civilization will prevail," Roberts wrote.

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This week, Roberts faced intense criticism during an all-staff meeting on Wednesday, according to video of the nearly two-hour event obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. Some staff members called for Roberts' resignation and questioned his ability to continue to lead the organization.

One attendee said she and others have no confidence in Roberts' leadership after the events of the last week and that he showed "a stunning lack of both courage and judgment." Another attendee said "enormous damage" has been done to the Heritage Foundation's reputation.

Roberts apologized while also blaming his now-former chief of staff for the original video, saying the former employee "had the pen" and had been made to believe that the script had been approved by a handful of other Heritage colleagues.

"I made a mistake and I let you down and I let down this institution," Roberts said. "And I am sorry for that. Period. Full stop."

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He also apologized for using the phrase "venomous coalition," which is seen as an antisemitic trope, calling it "a terrible choice of words."

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BEHIND THE LINES: Although the IDF has greatly weakened Hezbollah, the Iranian terror proxy is replenishing and recruiting to combat disarmament efforts.

On Monday, two Hezbollah operatives were killed in southern Lebanon by Israeli drone strikes in two separate incidents. The strikes took place in the border town of Ait a-Shaab and in Nabatiya. These killings were the latest acts in Israels ongoing campaign to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and reorganizing south of the Litani River.

Over 300 Hezbollah members have been killed by Israel in this ongoing campaign since a ceasefire between Israel and the organization was officially declared in November 2024. Israels operations against Hezbollah reflect the complexity of the current moment in both Lebanon and the broader region.

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The Iran-led regional alliance has been significantly weakened by two years of war with Israel. Yet the various components of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance, and the Tehran regime itself, remain stronger than their domestic opponents. As a result, they are now repairing their losses.

For Hezbollah in Lebanon, this means replenishing weapons supplies, and recruiting and training new fighters. It is also threatening civil strife to deter any inclination that the Lebanese authorities might have to disarm the organization. Hezbollah, it appears, is making steady progress in these areas.

The IDF has made considerable progress in fight against Hezbollah

ISRAELS MILITARY achievement against in 2023-2024 was very considerable. According to Israels figures, the organization lost around 5,000 fighters who were killed, with another 7,000 wounded. Some 80% of its mid- and long-range missile capacity was destroyed. The organization also lost its top political and military leadership.

A Hezbollah supporter holds a Palestinian flag and a cutout image of late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah at a ceremony held by Hezbollah to commemorate the first anniversary of Nasrallah's killing by Israel, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, September 27, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

In June, US officials sought to build on Israels military successes by initiating a process that would permanently remove Hezbollah as an armed force on the Lebanese scene. Financial inducements and potential penalties were the chosen tools to incentivizeLebanons government to act against the Iranian-supported terrorist organization.

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The government of President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, unlike previous Lebanese administrations, is not dependent on Hezbollah and its allies for its political survival. In the 2022 elections, the terrorist group and its partners won only 61 seats in Lebanons 128-member parliament. As a result, they have five seats in the 24-member cabinet. This is short of the blocking third necessary to veto decisions.

Thus, there is nothing to prevent the government from ordering the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to move ahead with Hezbollahs disarmament. In June, US officials presented a timeline for the process, which stipulates that it should be completed by the end of the year.

The urgently needed investment in Lebanon from the Gulf states is dependent on the processs successful completion by years end. In August, the cabinet duly voted to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025.

Yet despite the stated policy of the government, the comprehensive disarmament of the Shiite Islamist terrorist group is not happening, and almost certainly will not happen. Only in the area south of the Litani, where Hezbollahs capacities were largely destroyed in the last months of 2024, has progress been made.

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Nothing has been done north of the Litani, or in Hezbollahs heartland in the Bekaa Valley, or in south Beirut. The Lebanese Armed Forces show no sign of proceeding in these areas, despite their being included in the plan that the army presented to the government.

Hezbollah is rebuilding

In the meantime, Hezbollah is rebuilding. Predictions that the fall of the Assad regime in Syria would conclusively cut off Irans land bridge to Hezbollah and the Mediterranean have turned out to be overly optimistic.

The networks responsible for smuggling weapons across Syria were not directly connected to the fallen regime. Rather, these were professional smuggling networks, emerging mainly from the Sunni Arab section of the Syrian population. They have neither disappeared nor gone out of business with Assads fall.

The new Syrian government, meanwhile, still has not firmly established its authority over the entire country. The result is that Iran-linked networks are still moving weaponry from Iraq, across Syria, and into Lebanon. The materials in question are forming a significant part of Hezbollahs slow reconstruction, which in its heartland is being challenged only by Israel, and only from the air.

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THE REASONS for the Lebanese governments failure to make any serious attempt to disarm Hezbollah are clear, and the failure was predicted by many analysts. There are two related elements underlying this stance.

The first is the fear that there would be a civil war if the government insisted on disarming Hezbollah. Hezbollah itself has threatened this possibility. In August, as the government was moving forward with its formal demand for disarmament, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said that Lebanon will have no life if you stand on the other side and try to confront us and eliminate us. This was understood in Lebanon as a lightly veiled threat of civil war.

There remains in Lebanon, among every section of the population, with the exception of Hezbollah and its allies, a profound fear of a return to the devastating days of the 1975-1990 civil war. Hezbollah is keen to preserve its internal political legitimacy, and has no desire to turn its guns on its fellow Lebanese. However, if directly confronted, it will not hesitate to do so.

The last time a Lebanese government attempted to challenge the organization directly was in 2008. At that time, the government attempted far less than a general disarmament of Hezbollah; it was merely seeking to assert control over security at Beiruts airport. Hezbollahs response was to take over West Beirut, brushing aside government-associated forces.

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There is no reason at all to assume that it would now peacefully acquiesce to giving up its weapons. The government dreads the prospect of civil strife, and Hezbollah knows this. Therefore, Hezbollah also knows that the government is bluffing.

The second reason for the governments failure to implement its own decision is that it is unsure that it could actually enforce these measures. Although the Lebanese Armed Forces does not release official figures regarding the sectarian makeup of the army, some sources suggest that Lebanese Shiites may account for as much as 50% of LAFs manpower.

Even if the precise figure is lower, it is obvious that a force containing a large percentage of Shiite soldiers could not be relied upon to perform a mission that would require, at the very least, a credible threat of force against fellow Shiites. Once again, the government realizes this, and as does Hezbollah. Hence, Hezbollah is aware that the governments declarations are essentially void of content.

What this means is that if Israel wants to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding and rearming, it will have to ensure this itself. As of now, Israel appears to be achieving this objective largely via the combination of good intelligence and air power.

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There may come a time when the choice facing Israel will be whether to escalate the current levels of action against Hezbollah or accept the organizations steady reconstruction.

In any case, hopes that the government of Lebanon might defang Hezbollah as part of its assertion of sovereignty should be dismissed. There is no Lebanese partner for this mission.
Hitting back at Congress leader Pawan Khera's "katta" remark, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Saturday said that the Mahagathbandhan has no ground or development-based issues to speak about in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections. Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's repeated "katta" jibe, Pawan Khera had asked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to put a "katta" (gun) at the BJP's temple and declare himself the Chief Ministerial candidate for the NDA. Sudhanshu Trivedi told ANI that Khera's statement shows that Congress has accepted Nitish Kumar as the CM of Bihar. The BJP leader said, "The statement issued by the Congress party today, that Nitish Kumar should now get the Prime Minister to declare his name as the Chief Ministerial candidate through 'katta', leads to three very clear conclusions. First, the Congress has accepted that Nitish Kumar is going to become the Chief Minister and that a BJP-NDA government is going to be formed with a clear majority." "Second, raising the issue of SIR before the elections and trying to bring up this kind of 'katta' talk during the elections shows that they (the Mahagathbandhan) no longer have any ground to speak on any development-based issues," he added. Expressing confidence in the NDA's victory, Trivedi backed PM Modi's remarks against the Mahagathbandhan. "The people of the state are politically aware, we have full faith in their political awareness that they are going to give a decisive mandate in favour of the BJP and the NDA. Third, this proves Prime Minister Modi's remarks right," he said. Earlier today, Pawan Khera had said, "We are advising Nitish Babu: Take a gun and put it to their temple and declare yourself Chief Minister." The "katta" jibe was used by PM Modi for attacking the Opposition in election rallies. Affirming the NDA's victory in the Bihar elections, PM Modi on Saturday said, "Nahi chahiye Katta sarkaar, phir ek baar NDA sarkaar." Addressing a massive rally in Sitamarhi, PM Modi described the atmosphere as "heart-touching" and said it reflected people's clear support for the NDA. "The atmosphere we are witnessing in Sitamarhi today is heart-touching. This atmosphere is also conveying the message that - We don't want a Katta government, once again an NDA government," PM Modi said. After a historic voter turnout in the first phase of polls, Bihar is now gearing up for the second phase of the elections in 122 Assembly constituencies on November 11. NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), HAMS, LJP (RV), and others, is looking to retain power for a second term; the Mahagathbandhan, comprising Congress, RJD, left parties, and VIP, is looking to get back to power. Jan Suraaj, which made a debut in the electoral fray, is contesting in more than 200 constituencies on its own. The results for the Legislative Assembly elections will be announced on November 14. (ANI)
Pages of history features excerpts from The News Journal archives including The Morning News and The Evening Journal. See the archives at delawareonline.com.

Nov. 11, 2000, The News Journal

St. Andrews plans to add K-8 school in Middletown

Middletown Town Council next month is expected to annex 125 acres where St. Andrews School wants to build a new lower school for day pupils.

The initial proposal, which would let the school use town services, won hearty endorsements from council members, including Mayor Kenneth L. Branner Jr.

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He said the new school  tentatively projected to open in 2002  could help ease the burden on area schools.

The sprawl has been killing us, Branner said.

Page B3 of The News Journal from Nov. 11, 2000.

The school-enrollment impact of development has been so harsh, Town Council has a standing policy of nixing proposed annexations that fail to win endorsement from the Appoquinmink School District.

Trustees of the prominent St. Andrews boarding school hope to help solve the problem. Tad Roach, summarizing the work of a long-standing concept study committee, said members agreed the new school could help improve the quality of life around Middletown-Odessa-Townsend.

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The MOT area is crying out for more educational options as population increases continue to overwhelm elementary, middle and high schools in the area, Roach wrote. A K-8 school would draw heavily from the MOT area, and the school would draw applicants from southern Delaware and Maryland.

The school will be affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, but open to children of all faiths  built in phases overlooking the lake on the former Silver Lake Farm.

In the first year, 150 pupils through sixth grade would be accepted.

Tuition is not set, but plans include a substantial scholarship program. Currently, about 40% of St. Andrews nearly 270 students get financial aid.

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A. Felix du Pont established St. Andrews in 1929 as a Christian school, not basing admission on ability to pay. The picturesque campus, on about 2,000 acres near Noxontown Pond, was used for filming the 1989 hit movie Dead Poets Society.

More recent Middletown-Odessa area news: What's next for a Delaware landmark diner & 18th-century farmhouse? Likely a wrecking ball

Nov. 13, 1975, The Morning News

Delaware public school enrollments drop 1.9%

Delaware public school enrollments dropped by 1.9% this year, according to preliminary figures collected by the state Department of Public Instruction.

The figures, still subject to a final audit, were given to judges and attorneys involved in the Wilmington school desegregation suit.

Page 3 of The Morning News from Nov. 13, 1975.

The statistics do not include Wilmington schools, since the 28-day strike by the Wilmington Federation of Teachers delayed the city enrollment count.

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For the states 25 other school districts, Sept. 30 enrollments were 2,304 less than last years total of 116,190.

Wilmington school officials expect a greater loss  perhaps enough to make the statewide drop in excess of 2%.

Enrollments have been falling since the 1971-72 school year when a peak of 135,013 students was reached.

The figures showed enrollment declines in all New Castle County districts except Newark, where the gain was 149 students, 1.7%. Newark, the states largest district, now has 16,923 students.

In Kent County  the largest gain, 57 students or 1.4%, was recorded in Milford. Lake Forest gained 15, and the county vocational-technical district added one student.

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In Sussex County, Delmar  serving only grades seven through 12  gained 35 students, up 5%. The only other increase was in Seaford, where there are 33 more students this year.

More recent school news: What are Delaware's most expensive private schools in 2025?

Nov. 14, 1925, The Evening Journal

2 police captains may resign in rumored changes

Action on the proposed Wilmington police shakeup is scheduled for next Tuesday afternoon, according to rumors in circulation at the Public Building today.

The report could not be verified, however, as Henry P. Scott Jr., acting president of the Directors of Public Safety, was out of the city.

Front page of The Evening Journal from Nov. 14, 1925.

It the plan outlined is put into effect, it is said two police captains who have served more than 25 years each in the department will hand in their resignations, as they feel that their removal to the street work as inspectors will be practically a demotion, even though the new work laid out for them carries with it the same salary that they now are receiving.

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Just what the final outcome will be is a question no one is willing or cares to predict. That the published list of proposed changes in the department is correct except in minor details, has been verified by Director Scott

That the proposed shakeup has disturbed the routine in the Bureau of Police is evident to anyone that has business to transact in that department. Police officials generally are seemingly marking time, awaiting the falling of the axe.

Also from Nov. 14, 1925, The Evening Journal

20 cases of contagious diseases in city

Twenty cases of contagious diseases were reported to the Wilmington Board of Health this week, as compared with only 11 for the corresponding week of last year.

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They were: diphtheria, 8; whooping cough, 4; scarlet fever, 3; chickenpox, 3; pneumonia, 1; typhoid fever, 1.

There were reported for the week ending at noon today, 33 births, 14 deaths and 10 marriages. For the corresponding week of last year, there were 48 births, 17 deaths and 6 marriages.

Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: History from Nov. 9-15: Police shakeup, drop in school enrollment
For many Californians living in rural, high-fire-risk areas, homeowners insurance has become nearly impossible to afford  or even keep, according to reporting by SFGate. One resident of Mount Shasta, California, says the growing crisis could threaten the survival of entire communities.

What's happening?

After living in her family home for decades, Mount Shasta resident Donna Ault received a warning from her insurer: replace her roof or risk losing coverage. Ault is one of thousands of Californians forced onto the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, or FAIR Plan, the state's last-resort fire-only insurance option, as private insurers continue to withdraw from wildfire-prone regions.

Ault told SFGate that she was threatened with cancellation despite her roof showing no damage  part of what she and others see as an industry "punishing homeowners for living in California."

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The problem extends far beyond one household. FAIR Plan enrollment in Siskiyou County has risen 81% in a single year, and business owners say they're being charged sky-high rates or cut off entirely. Some report being told to make repairs on impossible deadlines, even during winter.

Why is this important?

This insurance crisis is a direct ripple effect of worsening natural disasters driven by human-caused global heating. Wildfires in California have increased by 172% in acreage burned since the 1970s, and scientists project another 77% rise by 2100, according to state climate assessments.

As fires grow more frequent and destructive, insurers are withdrawing from high-risk regions  leaving rural families and small businesses to fend for themselves. Without affordable coverage, many residents are forced to take on massive financial risks or leave their communities altogether.

"It becomes very cost-prohibitive for people to live in the rural sectors of California," said forester Kevin Boston. "There has to be a solution, or else these communities will not survive."

What's being done about this?

The California Department of Insurance has launched the Safer from Wildfires initiative, requiring insurers to offer discounts to homeowners who harden their properties against fire risk  like clearing vegetation and upgrading roofs and vents. The agency is also developing a catastrophe risk model to bring transparency and stability to insurance pricing.

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On a broader scale, curbing dependence on fossil fuels  the main driver of extreme heat and drought  remains critical to preventing more climate-fueled disasters. Communities can also advocate for forest management projects, such as prescribed burns and defensible space programs, which help reduce wildfire severity and protect homes.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
MUNCIE, IN  Two Muncie residents were arrested on Thursday, Nov. 6, after city police and officials with both the Indiana Department of Child Services and the Delaware County Health Department inspected conditions in their east-side home.

Jademan Hawk England, 32, and Laura Renee Stilts, 34, were each being held under $30,000 bonds on Friday in the Delaware County Jail. Documents said both were being held under suspicion of six counts of neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony.

In an affidavit, a police officer wrote that conditions in the house in the 700 block of South Burlington Drive were "unsanitary and hazardous" for six children  ranging in age from 13 to 2  who lived there.

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The officer wrote that beds in the house were "filthy, stained and covered in food and human waste."

She reported floors in the house were "not visible due to the amount of built-up trash, and (were) slick while walking due to animal waste making it difficult to walk."

More: Police say home's 'deplorable' condition led to Muncie father's neglect arrest

The house appeared to have no running water or a working toilet, according to court documents. The police officer reported observing "trash, food waste and clutter" throughout the house

Health department personnel declared the house "unfit for human habitation," referring to "defects in drainage, plumbing (and) ventilation."

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Inspectors also reported finding several bird cages in the house with "built-up bird feces on the bottom of the cages."

Police were first called to the home on Oct. 24, the day the children's 68-year-old grandmother, who had been ill, was taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. The grandmother later died.

Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman's office will determine whether formal charges will be filed.

England was convicted of neglect of a dependent in a Delaware Circuit Court 1 case filed in January 2023.

Court records reflect no prior charges against Stilts.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie pair arrested after home declared 'unfit for human habitation'
Sonal Patel has been sentenced to seven years in prison for causing a crash that killed Omar Ortiz on Interstate 85 in Gwinnett County.

Patel, 40, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and DUI in connection with the crash that happened February 2024.

Prosecutors stated that she was under the influence of alcohol and the prescription drug Trazodone, and had not slept for up to two days before the incident.

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Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson said the 29-year-old father who died in the crash had just arrived in the U.S. from Cuba, seeking a better future for his family.

His girl and his boy are going to grow up without a dad, said Leticia Almaguer, Ortizs aunt-in-law.

Ortiz was being driven home by Almaguer when the crash occurred.

He came to give a great future to the kids, Almaguer said.

Prosecutors revealed that Patel had cocaine in her car and had stopped her vehicle on the interstate before falling asleep at the wheel. Ortiz died at the scene of the crash.

Despite having a suspended license, Patel was driving at the time of the accident. She was granted bond after her arrest, a decision that drew criticism from Ortizs family and their attorney.

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We are very disappointed that she was able to bond out because she is a repeat offender, said attorney Karina Deochand, who represented the family.

She negotiated a guilty plea to homicide by vehicle and DUI, and will spend seven years in prison as part of a 25-year sentence. After prison she will serve the rest of her sentence on probation.

She is on the hook for a life, Deochand said.

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The body of a hostage handed over to Israel on Friday night has been identified as Lior Rudaeff, the Israeli government announced on Saturday.

The 61-year-old resident of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in southern Israel had fought against the intruders as part of the kibbutz's emergency unit during the attack by Palestinian Islamist Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, and was killed in the process, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

His body was then taken to the Gaza Strip.

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Rudaeff was born in Argentina and came to Israel as a 7-year-old child. He had made his home in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak and had served for 40 years as a volunteer ambulance driver in the region, the forum said. He is survived by his wife, four children and three grandchildren.

With the return of his body, the remains of five killed hostages are still in the Gaza Strip.

Under the truce agreement reached in October, Hamas had to hand over all the mortal remains of 28 murdered hostages to Israel. For each returned body, Israel in turn committed to transfer the remains of 15 people killed in the Gaza Strip to the authorities there.
A house cleaner and mother of four died in the arms of her husband on Wednesday after she was fatally shot to death outside a home near Indianapolis after they mistakenly arrived at the wrong address, the womans brother told NBC News.

Maria Florinda Rios Perez, a 32-year-old immigrant from Guatemala, was headed to work cleaning a home with her husband in Whitestown, Indiana, on Wednesday morning when they arrived at the wrong house, Rudy Rios said in Spanish.

Rios, 22, said when his sister had just arrived at the house, she tried to open the door using keys she was carrying when she was shot in the head and fell into the arms of her husband.

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Its so unjust. She was only trying to bring home the daily bread to support her family, Rios said. She accidentally went to the wrong house, but he shouldnt have taken her life.

She wasnt threatening, she had nothing in her hands, only those keys, he said.

Rios said his sister is a mother of four whose children range in age from one to 17 years old.

Theyre completely destroyed, he said.

Officers responded to a 911 call in Whitestown, reporting a "'possible" residential entry in progress at a home in the Heritage subdivision" at 6:49 a.m., according to a police statement.

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At the home, officers found "an adult female who sustained a gunshot wound, along with an adult male on the front porch of the residence," police said.

Lifesaving measures were attempted on the woman, but she was declared dead at the scene, police said.

"It was later determined that the individuals attempting to enter the home were members of a cleaning crew who had mistakenly arrived at the wrong address," according to the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department statement.

Investigators quickly concluded this was not a home invasion or a burglary. Police confirmed this was an isolated incident.

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"The loss of life is always a profound tragedy, and our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected," police said.

Police pleaded with the public not to rush to any conclusions as they and Boone County prosecutors try to determine if a crime was committed.

"We understand that incidents like this can cause concern and speculation," police said. "We respectfully ask the public to place their trust in the investigative process and refrain from sharing unverified information. These cases are often complex and require time to fully understand. Misinformation can be harmful to those involved and to the integrity of the investigation."

Indiana has relatively strong "stand your ground" protections for homeowners to defend their dwellings against threats, Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood said.

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"When it comes to a dwelling, individuals can use reasonable force, including deadly force, against another person," Eastwood told NBC News.

"They have no duty to retreat, that's in the law. That person who uses that force has to reasonably believe that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate an unlawful entry or attack on the person's dwelling."

Rios said his family wants the person who fatally shot his sister be arrested, charged and brought to justice for the sake of his family and because tomorrow there could be more victims like this.

He said he believed his sister was killed at a time when there is increased racial profiling of Latinos and hatred towards immigrants.

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She had no bad intentions, he said.

The family now has to raise money to support Maria Florindas children and send her body to her native Guatemala for burial, he said.

He said he wanted people to remember his sister as someone who was very loving, humble, happy and dedicated to her family.

He could have given her a warning, but instead he killed her, he said through tears.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A massive fire tore through multiple buildings at a Massachusetts apartment complex overnight, causing explosions and collapses, while displacing more than 200 residents, officials said.

The blaze was first reported at the Olympia Place apartment complex on Olympia Drive in Amherst shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Friday, with callers alerting 911 that a building under construction was fully engulfed in flames, according to the Amherst Fire Department.

When firefighters arrived, they found the blaze had already spread to nearby buildings. One four-story building under construction collapsed, and others suffered partial collapses as the fire raged on.

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A state fire mobilization task force was activated to relieve exhausted crews as they battled the flames into the early Saturday morning hours.

Photos and video from the scene showed flames shooting from the buildings as firefighters scrambled to bring the blaze under control.

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Crews faced low water pressure, complicating efforts to contain the flames, the fire department noted. Explosions were reported at the scene, likely caused by fuel tanks on the construction site. A construction crane also collapsed during the incident.

A second and third alarm were sounded, bringing in mutual aid from departments across Hampshire, Hamden, and Franklin counties. Tanker trucks were called in from surrounding communities to help boost the water supply.

The fire erupted near the UMass Amherst campus. A student who lives in a neighboring apartment shared a video with Boston 25 News that showed intense flames shooting from the building that was under construction.

Emergency response teams, including the Red Cross, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and State Fire Marshal investigators, remained on scene Saturday morning.

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So far, no injuries have been reported.

Preliminary estimates indicate 230 residents have been displaced.

Crews remained at the scene on Saturday, monitoring hot spots and sifting through the fire wreckage.

Authorities say an update will be provided later Saturday.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  The Red Cross transferred the remains of a hostage to Israeli troops in Gaza on Friday, the military said, hours after hundreds of mourners flocked to the funeral of a soldier whose body was turned over earlier in the week by Palestinian militants.

Before Friday's handover, Hamas had returned the bodies of 22 hostages since the start of the current ceasefire. The latest remains were moved into Israel late Friday, the military said, and taken to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine for identification.

If they are confirmed to be those of an additional hostage, that would leave five others in Gaza still to be returned under terms of the ceasefire that began Oct. 10. The agreement is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.

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As part of the ceasefire, Israel has released the bodies of 285 Palestinians, the Red Cross and Gazas Health Ministry said. Only 84 of them have been identified. DNA labs are not allowed in Gaza, according to the ministry, which makes the identification more difficult.

Friday's handover is a sign of progress under the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. But relief efforts under the pact still fall well short of what Palestinians in Gaza require, said Farhan Haqq, deputy spokesperson for the United Nations. More than 200,000 metric tons in aid is positioned to move into Gaza, but only 37,000 tons, mostly food, have been admitted, he said.

Israeli-American soldier is buried

Hundreds of mourners attended the military funeral of an Israeli-American soldier whose body was returned to the country Sunday night.

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Capt. Omer Neutra was 21 when Hamas militants killed him and abducted his body to Gaza in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that began the war.

Since that day, the old world stopped, turned upside down. We became broken, clinging to your memory, your smile, your voice, said his father, Ronen Neutra. Today we finally have a place to be with you, a place to talk to you, a place to love you, even when youre no longer here. 

Neutra was also eulogized by Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, and Israels President Isaac Herzog.

He is the son of two nations. He embodied the best of both the United States and Israel. Uniquely, he has firmly cemented his place in history as the hero of two countries, said Cooper.

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Orna Neutra spoke last and addressed her son's coffin. My beloved, she said, her voice quivering, her eyes shaded by dark sunglasses. We are all left with the vast space between who you were to us and to the world in your life and what you were yet to become. And with the mission to fill that gap with the light and goodness that you are.

Omer Neutra was born and raised on Long Island, New York, and moved to Israel to enlist in the military as a volunteer.

After he was abducted, his parents made some 40 trips to Washington to lobby for their son, appeared regularly at protests in the U.S. and Israel and addressed the Republican National Convention last year. For more than a year following the Oct. 7 attack, they believed Omer was still alive. After 14 months, they received word from the military that intelligence indicated he had been killed during the 2023 attack.

Turkey seeks arrest of Israeli officials

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Prosecutors in Turkey issued arrest warrants Friday for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 other Israeli officials on charges of carrying out genocide in Gaza.

The warrants also seek the arrest of Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir, and Navy Commander David Saar Salama, according to a statement from the Istanbul Chief Prosecutors Office.

The move is highly symbolic since the Israeli officials are unlikely to enter Turkey. The prosecutors office accuses the officials of crimes against humanity, citing a military offensive that has killed thousands of civilians in Gaza.

The charges were brought following complaints filed by activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were arrested by Israeli forces last month after trying to break through the blockade of Gaza.

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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the warrants, calling Turkey's judiciary a political tool of its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Israel firmly rejects, with contempt, the latest PR stunt by the tyrant Erdogan, Saar said in a post on X.

Three Palestinian teenagers killed in West Bank

Meanwhile in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials say Israeli troops have shot, killed, and confiscated the bodies of three Palestinian teenagers since Wednesday. No soldiers were injured in the exchanges, the military said.

Two were killed Thursday night north of Jerusalem, said the military, claiming the teens had been throwing explosives toward a major highway.

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In a statement on social media, the military released grainy and undated footage showing the apparent ambush. In the video, one of two figures standing near a wall appears to hurl something over it. Quickly, what appear to be bullets begin to pelt the ground, sending the two scrambling. One falls down.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the teenagers as Muhammad Atem and Muhammad Qasem, both 16 years old, and said Israel was holding their bodies.

On Wednesday, forces shot, killed and confiscated the body of Murad Abu Seifen, 15, near the West Bank city of Jenin Wednesday. The military said, without providing evidence, that troops had shot him after he threw an explosive at them.

Defense for Children International-Palestine, a local rights organization that investigates and documents violence against Palestinian children, said Abu Seifen's family heard from Palestinian officials early Thursday that he had been killed. DCIP said it had no information about the number of bullet wounds on Abu Seifen's body and had no idea where the body was.

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The organization says Israeli forces have withheld the bodies of at least 54 Palestinian children since June 2016. Six of the bodies have since been released to their families, while 48 Palestinian childrens bodies remain withheld.

Upswing in West Bank violence

The shootings are the latest in a surge of military killings of Palestinian children in the West Bank that has accompanied a general upswing in violence in the territory since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

The U.N.'s humanitarian office said Thursday that 42 Palestinian children under the age of 18 had been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the start of 2025. Some were killed during Israeli military raids in dense neighborhoods, others by sniper fire in peaceful areas.

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The killings have risen as the Israeli military has stepped up operations in the occupied West Bank since the wars onset.

Settler violence has also surged recently with the olive harvest season, as Palestinian farmers face threats from violent Israeli settlers roaming the groves.

The U.N.s humanitarian office said Thursday that in October it documented the highest monthly number of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank since the office began keeping track in 2006. There were over 260 attacks, or an average of eight incidents per day, the office said.



Reporter Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations contributed to this story.
When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica late last month, it instantly became the strongest storm ever to strike the Caribbean island nation. The damage was devastating. According to the U.N., approximately 1.5 million Jamaicans were impacted by the hurricane. Authorities said 32 people died and more than 100,000 homes or housing structures were damaged or destroyed. They estimate that around 36,000 people are now in need of food.

The countrys rich musical heritage has also been knocked off its foundation. Members of the reggae community, especially in the western part of Jamaica, found damaged studios and wrecked equipment. All the studios are shut down and nobody is working, producer Wayne Jobson told Rolling Stone. The Jamaican music business will definitely be closed for the next few weeks, as a lot of roads are blocked.

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Shaggy, the reggae and dancehall artist, has been personally coordinating food, water, and medicine dispersal to those in need using a network of private planes. People are homeless, he recently told Rolling Stone. Theres no running water, theres no electricity, theres no shelter. They were sleeping on the streets. We came in last night, we gave out water, we gave out food.

Heres a collection of organizations and aid groups accepting donations to fund emergency relief efforts in the Caribbean.

American Friends of Jamaica

The AFJs disaster relief fund has so far raised more than $2.7 million on the way to a $5 million goal. Those wishing to donate to the org, which has been providing aid to Jamaica since the early Eighties, can do so here.

American Red Cross

With many of Jamaicas roadways impacted by Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Red Cross is focused on regaining access to communities to deliver humanitarian aid. So far, theyve helped provide cleaning supplies, blankets, and shelter kits to those in need. At this time, the American Red Cross is active in a supporting role, with the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent taking the lead in the Caribbean. Learn more here.

Americares

The global health and disaster relief organization Americares has an Emergency Response Team on the ground in Jamaica, offering assistance at damaged hospitals and health centers in the hardest hit areas, including Saint Elizabeth Parish and Trelawny Parish. Donate here.

CORE

The Community Organized Relief Effort is recognizing its 15 year presence in Haiti, which was also struck by Hurricane Melissa, with a 15th anniversary matching fund for those who donate to relief efforts. Donations made to CORE will be matched, up to $200,000, to assist those in Haiti and Jamaica.

Project HOPE

The health-focused organization is currently in Jamaica working to restore the nations health network via medical personnel and supplies. According to the campaign, the focus is currently on lifesaving aid in the threat of disease, continued flooding, and landslides. Learn more and donate here.

World Central Kitchen

Chef Jose Andres World Central Kitchen has earned its stellar reputation by providing meals to those affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. The WCK is currently working with Jamaican restaurants to help feed the countrys citizens. In addition, Andres org is providing kitchen essentials, from cooking utensils to actual ingredients. Help feed those affected here.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Three people were arrested after a traffic stop in Maringouin led deputies to find guns and drugs, according to Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi.

Stassi said Iberville Parish Narcotics agents pulled over a vehicle during a traffic stop, which resulted in the arrests of Alvin Woolfolk, 23, Mark Hill Jr., 19, and Devon Paul, 22, all from Maringouin.

Woolfolk was charged with obstruction of justice (evidence tampering), possession of a machine gun, flight from an officer, possession of marijuana, and no tail lamps.

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Husband, wife arrested in Louisiana human trafficking investigation; 3 victims rescued, deputies say

Hill and Paul were both charged with obstruction of justice (evidence tampering) and possession of a machine gun.

Stassi said agents seized the firearms, including one equipped with a Glock switch. Illegal drugs were also found during the investigation.

From left: Alvin Woolfolk, Mark Hill Jr., Devon Paul (Photo courtesy of Iberville Parish Sheriffs Office)

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
The Indian Navy will celebrate Navy Day 2025 with an Operational Demonstration on December 4 at Shangumugham, Thiruvananthapuram, a press release said. This is in continuation of the Indian Navy's effort to organise the event at a location other than major Naval stations. Previously, it was held at Puri in Odisha and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. According to the press release, this mega event will provide a unique opportunity for the citizens to witness various facets of the Indian Navy's multi-domain operations. The Operational Demonstration will showcase the Indian Navy's state-of-the-art operational platforms and its resolve as the 'Preferred Security Partner' in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) guided by the broader vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). The event will bring alive the Navy's formidable combat capabilities, technological excellence, and operational readiness, while reflecting the nation's growing maritime strength and self-reliance. The Operational Demonstration will feature coordinated manoeuvres by frontline platforms symbolising the Navy's ability to deliver power and precision across the maritime spectrum. The event will highlight seamless coordination of surface, sub-surface, and aerial assets, reflecting the Navy's preparedness to secure India's maritime frontiers. Reflecting the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the demonstration will feature a range of indigenously built assets representing India's growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. These platforms embody the Navy's sustained efforts under the 'Make in India' vision to build a modern, technologically advanced, and future-ready maritime force. The celebration will also highlight the Navy's state of preparedness and deterrent capability as displayed during Operation Sindoor, reaffirming its ability to strike with precision, speed, and dominance. The demonstration stands as a tribute to the professionalism, discipline, and courage of the men and women of the Indian Navy who safeguard the nation's sovereignty and maritime interests, the press release said. Navy Day serves as a reminder of the Navy's vital role during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, which dealt a decisive blow to the enemy's Naval and Coastal Defences. The missile boats of the Indian Navy launched an attack on Karachi harbour, as part of Operation Trident. (ANI)
Three rifles were retrieved by Israeli forces after intercepting and locating the drone.

The IDF foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons into Israel through the Egyptian border on Friday night, the military said on Saturday.

Military surveillance identified that a drone had crossed into Israeli territory in the area. After intercepting it, law enforcement retrieved three rifles. The weapons were then transferred to security forces for further processing.

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Fridays weapons smuggling attempt followed IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir's and Defense Minister Israel Katz's announcement days earlier that they have declared war on any attempts by Hamas or other adversaries to attack Israel with drones or to use them to smuggle arms across the Egypt-Israel border for criminal purposes.

The drone the IDF thwarted which was smuggling drugs from Egypt into Israel on the border between the two countries, March 8, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Drones from Egypt becoming larger issue?

Zamir led a meeting on the issue and instructed the IDF to make additional efforts in intercepting drone smuggling attempts from Egypt.

He said that this was not merely a criminal threat but a security threat with potential for terrorism.

Late last month, the IDF intercepted another drone used to smuggle rifles across the Egyptian border.

At the time, the IDF did not clarify whether the weapons had been intended for terrorists in Gaza or criminal gangs in southern Israel.

Yonah Jeremy Bob and James Genn contributed to this report.
The IDF was prepared to receive the remains of a deceased hostage, with the possibility that it is those of Goldin, who was killed in Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

Israel is taking the delay in the return of the remains of Hadar Goldin, who Hamas claims is in its possession, very seriously, a political source said Sunday morning. Israel demands his immediate return.

The IDF was prepared to receive the remains of a deceased hostage, with the possibility that it is those of Goldin, who was killed in Operation Protective Edge in 2014 and whose body has been held in Gaza since then.

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Hamas claimed to have recovered the remains of Goldin in Rafah, the terror group told Al Jazeera on Saturday.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir arrived at Goldins family home amid the reports of his bodys recovery, KAN reported.

The chief of staff reiterated his personal and the IDFs commitment to bringing back Hadar and all the fallen hostages and emphasized the importance of restraint at these sensitive moments, until his arrival and the completion of the necessary checks and verification, the military said.

The remains were expected to be transferred for identification at the National Center for Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir.

A picture of Hadar Goldin is displayed during a protes at Hostage Square, November 8, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

The IDFs Southern Command told Walla that excavations by Hamas in the southern Gaza city saw seven bodies removed from the site, and that Goldins body may have been one of them, adding that the report cannot be verified and that the source of all the publications is Hamas alone.

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The Goldin family said it was hopeful.

'An entire country is waiting for Hadar'

An entire country is waiting for Hadar to be returned to us, the family said in a statement. The chief of staff arrived at the end of Shabbat to update us on the tremendous efforts to free the hostages, and we salute everyone involved in this national mission.

We are waiting for news of official confirmation that Hadar has returned to Israel. We ask that you remain calm. Until its confirmed, its not over.

Late last month, a source said Hamas knew where Goldin is buried, but was stalling his return.

Goldin was taken captive on August 1, 2014, during Operation Protective Edge. He was working to dismantle a terror tunnel in Rafah when two Hamas terrorists emerged from the tunnel and took him captive.

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He was initially believed to have been taken alive, but the IDF announced days later that he had been killed before his body was taken.

The Military Rabbinate decided that the matter was clear enough to hold a funeral, and despite his body being held in Gaza, partial remains were buried in a funeral attended by thousands of people.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson granted an emergency appeal by the Trump administration late Friday, pausing a ruling requiring that SNAP food benefits be fully funded.

The Trump administration says it does not have that funding, because of the ongoing government shutdown.

Many people in Illinois received partial payments earlier Friday, but many say it isn't nearly enough.

Starting Friday, some of the nearly 2 million people in Illinois who rely on SNAP began receiving partial payments.

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The Illinois Department of Public Health said, "Illinois SNAP customers will begin receiving partial November benefits Nov. 7 through Nov. 20. Those who are regularly scheduled to receive benefits Nov.1 through Nov. 6 will receive partial benefits over the next six days, with Nov. 1 benefits loading on Nov. 7, Nov. 2 benefits loading on Nov. 8, etc."

This came after a judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund the SNAP program by Friday.

The federal government appealed that ruling, but in a unanimous decision Friday evening, a panel of three judges on the First Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Trump administration's request for an administrative stay of a court order requiring they fully fund SNAP benefits for the month of November.

"The request for an administrative stay is denied. The government's motion for a stay pending appeal remains pending, and we intend to issue a decision on that motion as quickly as possible," the two-page order said.

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The Department of Justice asked Supreme Court to intervene in the case, and Justice Jackson issued her emergency stay on the order to give the appeals court more times to review the case.

Judicial activism at its worst.



A single district court in Rhode Island should not be able to seize center stage in the shutdown, seek to upend political negotiations that could produce swift political solutions for SNAP and other programs, and dictate its own preferences for  Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) November 7, 2025

The United States Department of Agriculture notified states earlier Friday that they were working towards paying November SNAP benefits in full in compliance with a federal judge's order.

The letter stated that "later today, FNS will complete the processes necessary to make funds available to support your subsequent transmittal of full issuance files to your EBT processor." At least nine states say they have began issuing November SNAP benefits. Illinois was not one of them.

The nearly 42 million Americans who receive food stamps are anxiously awaiting updates on their benefits.

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The vice president argued that a judge can't tell the Trump administration how to "triage the situation."

"It's an absurd ruling because you have a federal judge effectively telling us what we have to do in the midst of a Democrat government shutdown, which what we'd like to do is for the Democrats to open up the government, of course, then we can fund SNAP, and we can also do a lot of other good things for the American people," Vice President JD Vance said.

"We're ready, we're willing, we're able to sit down with our Republican colleagues anytime, any place, in order to reopen the government to find a bipartisan path forward. And to decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis that continues to crush people all across the country," Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

Benefits left on cards from previous months can still be used as future benefits remain in limbo.

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Some Chicago-area SNAP recipients were elated to learn that they would finally be getting some of their benefits only to come to a grocery store like this one and learn that they didn't have enough funds on their card to buy food.

"I was anticipating at least half but I only have $14," one recipient said.

She doesn't know what she's going to do for food after she was only given a partial SNAP benefit of $14 to buy groceries. The west suburban woman, whose daughter has a disability, says her monthly benefit is usually $300.

"I can't shop because I thought they said we'd all get at least half or something like that but there's only $14 on there," she said.

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She says that she will rely on food pantries, family, and friends to continue to put food on her table. She's hopeful though that her snap benefits will return soon.

Others had a similar experience Friday night when they came to buy groceries at the Living Fresh Market in Forest Park.

Last month, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker directed $20 million in state funds to support food banks and food pantries, during this uncertain time.

The Illinois Department of Public Health will keep customers updated on this evolving situation.

South Loop all-women law group steps up to provide groceries to struggling families

The Knight, Mezher and Morris Law Group packed up nearly 400 bags of groceries until 2 a.m. Friday.

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Meanwhile, an all-women law group is stepping up to provide groceries to struggling families.

The Knight, Mezher and Morris Law Group packed up nearly 400 bags of groceries until 2 a.m. Friday.

Within the first hour of opening its doors on Friday, the group had already given away half of those bags.

"I came from 130th just to get this package," said Lester Barry.

Barry says he heard the Knight, Mezher and Morris Law Group on 21st and Indiana were one of the few places giving away pet food.

"I love my animals. I care about my animals. So, I didn't know that it was a bonus package also," Barry said.

He was surprised to find that he would also be walking away with a bag full of eggs, cereal, potatoes, toilet paper and more for himself. He was one of hundreds.

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"Right now, nothing is in our refrigerator to eat. So, then we struggle with some, like, hygiene stuff, but we make ends meet with a little that we do have," one woman said.

"It took my breath away, because it clearly demonstrated such a need that people were willing to stand outside for in, you know, the cold, for over an hour to collect a bag of food," said Knight, Mezher and Morris Law Group Partner Julia Mezher.

Law group partners say over the last three days, they raised over $5,000, with many people dropping off additional items in-person.

"To have a few sleepless nights getting this ready is totally worth the sacrifice to be able to help our community," said Knight, Mezher and Morris law group partner Yondi Morris- Andrews.

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They say they were up all night prepping for Friday. But they did have some help from a few local third graders.

"It's important to us because we want to like help people," said 8-year-old Bronx Andrews. "It feels good because there are people in need."

And that help is something they all say will and must continue.

"Figure out how you can help. Because actually, there are lots of ways to step in. You just have to look around," Morris-Andrews said.

The firm is not done giving back. They already have plans to give more around the holidays.

Anyone wanting to make donations can go to Knight, Mezher and Harris Law Group, located at 2037 South Indiana. Items like eggs, bread, tissue paper, pet food and baby food have been a big need.

ABC News contributed to this report.
States are racing to win their slice of a new $50 billion rural health fund amid worries the programs lack of guardrails and rushed timeline could mean the providers who need the most help will get squeezed out by larger, politically connected health systems.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act created the fund as a backstop for states that are set to lose nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid funding over the next decade.

I think everyone would agree that the money is not nearly enough to fill the hole caused by the cuts in H.R. 1. But of course, states are still excited to apply for federal funding when theres any available, at the time when resources are constrained, said Heather Howard, a Princeton University professor and a former New Jersey health official who has been tracking state applications.

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The money could be a significant help to keep some rural hospitals and health clinics afloat, but those providers are skeptical about whether their needs will be drowned out.

Theres just some concern that, in the end, when you have these sort of insider systems, that the people who need it the most arent going to get it, and theres going to be, either intentionally or unintentionally, some missed opportunities to really deliver health care, said Michael Chameides, a county supervisor in Columbia County, N.Y., and communications director at the Rural Democracy Initiative.

Congressional Republicans included the five-year, $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program as a last-minute addition to President Trumps signature tax-and-spending legislation that was signed into law this summer. The money was key to bringing some reluctant Republicans from rural states onboard to support the bill.

However, there is no requirement that states direct the money to rural providers.

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The [notice of funding] from the feds does leave it a little bit loose as far as whos eligible in the state, and theyre using the state to determine who is going to be best to get that money, said Ryan Kelly, the executive director of the Alabama Rural Health Association.

The Federation of American Hospitals wrote to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz in August, urging the agency to require states to prioritize rural hospitals in the funding decisions.

Kelly said his organization has been advising governors offices across the South about the importance of making sure the money benefits the rural providers as much as possible. Still, Kelly said he understands the states are going to need a balance if urban health systems or vendors can help advance the goals of improving health outcomes for rural residents.

The administration this week received applications from all 50 states. Federal health officials need to review and dispense the money by Dec. 31.

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Under the program, $25 billion will be allocated to all states equally, meaning each state with an approved application would receive the same amount regardless of the size of its rural population.

The other $25 billion will be awarded at the discretion of Oz, based on criteria including whether states have adopted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Make America Healthy Again policies  rules that go beyond the statutory scope of the program.

For example, a state gets extra points on an application if it reintroduces the Presidential Physical Fitness Test, or if the state pursues a waiver to limit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for soda, candy and sugary beverages.

This program moves us from a system that has too often failed rural America to one built on dignity, prevention, and sustainability. Every state with an approved application will receive funding so it can design what works best for its communitiesand CMS will be there providing support every step of the way, Oz said in a statement.

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When applications opened in September, the CMS said it would consider individual state metrics as well as applications that reflect the greatest potential for and scale of impact on the health of rural communities.

The agency outlined several approved uses for the funds, which include prevention and chronic disease management; payments to health care providers; and hiring new workers with commitments to serve rural communities for a minimum of five years.

Each state has different approaches, but common themes include modernizing care delivery  such as telehealth services in underserved areas  access to healthy food and nutrition programs, and workforce development initiatives.

So theres the question of whether the state gets the money, but then theres a question of within, when the state gets the money, Howard said. Theres politics at the national level, but theres also politics in the state capitals, as stakeholders are also fighting.

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The other key component, Howard said, is sustainability. The fund only lasts for five years, while the Medicaid cuts in the law are permanent, so states need to invest in programs that are scalable and sustainable even when the funding dries up.

In Alabama, Kelly said, every vendor in the entire world is calling and asking to be included, though its still premature.

The governors office doesnt play a role in writing people into a grant. So if a vendor has a cure for cancer, I dont think we would put them into this grant application just yet, Kelly said.

Most experts and stakeholders agree the rural health fund cant make up for the massive cuts included in the law that created it.

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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act cuts about $1 trillion from Medicaid, primarily through stringent work requirements as well as reductions to how states can fund their Medicaid programs through provider taxes and state-directed payments.

Still, any influx of funding is helpful.

In some ways, this Rural Health Transformation fund, best-case scenario is it cannot solve the damage thats being done to health care this year, but at least it can do something helpful, Chameides said.

Lisa Hunter, a senior director at advocacy group United States of Care, said theres a lot of vagueness in certain CMS definitions, but she thinks the administration is giving states the right amount of flexibility.

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Not providing a one-size-fits-all  is, I think probably a benefit for states to be able to help define and make sure that the money is actually going somewhere that is useful.

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Naive, self-sabotaging and riddled with Moscows agents, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons and an arms industry that produced a third of the Soviet Unions supply, trusted the West and the Kremlin to protect it, and was left fighting for its life.

Now, 30 years on, the start-up nation redefining how war is fought has been forced into a bodge-and-make-do world of arms production, fusing old technology with IT know-how to break the bonds its allies tied to make Kyiv fight one-handed.

The latest innovation is a cruise missile with a range of 3,000km, a maximum speed of 900kmph and a payload of over a tonne, which has been used in strikes deep into Russian territory.

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The FP-5 Flamingo missile is powered by a rocket and a Soviet-era turbofan jet engine bolted on top. Some of those engines have been dug out of landfill dumps.

The Flamingo is an entirely Ukrainian-made long-range missile (AP)

Its got twice the range of the US Tomahawk, carries twice as much explosive and costs about the same.

But its main advantage is that it is entirely under the control of Ukraines forces. The UK and France restricted the use of the Anglo-French Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Russian targets inside Ukraine for many months.

The US reduced the ability of Ukraine to use American ATACM missiles against Russian targets in Russia and has not yet decided on whether to allow access to Tomahawks, that would be paid for by European allies.

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In contrast, Kyiv can fire the Flamingo at any target it wants. It is not restricted by what Ukraines allies say it can and cannot do when fighting Russias invading forces.

Prototypes were painted pink to make them easier to retrieve from test flights. They strike deep inside Russia and are designed to destroy Moscows capacity to wage war in Ukraine.

Targeting oil refineries has had a measurable effect. Russia has at times lost about 20 per cent of its fuel capacity and pump prices have soared by 10 per cent.

Smoke billows after Ukraine's SBU drone strikes a refinery in Ryazan, Russia, in March 2024 (via Reuters)

Ukraines focus has been on the Fluid Catalytic Cracking plants inside refineries  theyre mostly imported from the West and Russia is banned from buying any more.

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With arms supplies from the West so uncertain, Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine now makes about 60 per cent of its own weapons.

When you have a gun being pointed towards your head, you dont think about standards, you think that this should be working, says Iyna Terekh, the chief technology officer of Fire Point, which makes Flamingos among other munitions.

And the huge achievement of the Ukrainian government is to downgrade the bureaucracy pressure as much as possible so that technology can thrive.

And that is what happened to our company. We didnt care that we meet Nato standards.

We only cared that our weapons would be effective on the front line, not on some paperwork. We could, as a result, make a very effective weapon.

Launch of a long-range Flamingo missile, which Kyiv can use without any restrictions (ZN.UA)

As well as Flamingos, Fire Point also produces the shorter-range Shahed-style drones FP1 and FP2. The former have been used frequently to attack Russia as far as Moscow.

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The latter, which carry a payload of 150kg, have been mistaken for long-range American missiles because of their explosive power.

Their value lies in that theyre cheap and fast to make. It takes a couple of hours to make the wings and 30 minutes to fashion the fuselage from a mix of plastic and carbon.

The lightweight machines are glued together with carbon printers, use lawnmower engines and rely on open source navigation systems.

No money is spared, Terekh insists, on the electronics of the weapons as theyre designed to evade Russian jamming systems.

Ukraine shoots down about 90 per cent of Russias incoming Shahed-type drones. So a similar kill rate of Ukrainian drones must be assumed. They have to be clever and cheap to make if theyre going to get through.

A worker inspects a combat drone at Fire Point's secret factory in Ukraine (AP)

FP1s and 2s cost about $50,000 each. Ukrainian officials estimate that modern Shaheds may be as much as $250,000 each. Independent estimates put the Russian-made drones at closer to $80,000.

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For Ukraine, price competition is important. The European Union, Kyiv biggest backer, is an economic bloc at least nine times the size of Russias economy with four times its spending power.

Ukraines allies can outspend Russia, if they choose to, but so far they have not.

The war is now mostly a grinding stalemate. It balances Russias superior manpower resources with Ukraines motivation and innovation, although that latter edge risks being eroded as Moscow has moved quickly to learn from earlier bloody mistakes on the battlefield.

Russia has had years to prepare for its invasion of Ukraine. With hindsight, it was aided by the collapse of Ukraines arms industry after its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

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Back then, Ukraine had the third-largest nuclear weapons stockpile. It produced 30 per cent of the Soviet Unions weapons.

Ukraine produced some of the Kremlins most terrifying weapons intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) like the SS-18 Satan.

A worker at a drone factory on the outskirts of Kyiv (Sam Kiley/The Independent)

Kyiv still has a factory where the company Antonov made many of its aircraft, and the capital was also the centre of production for anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.

Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine produced tanks and boasted 40 universities and educational institutions, which churned out scientists who made rockets for sale worldwide.

But in 1994, Ukraine was persuaded to give up its nukes in return for an agreement from the US, UK, and Russia to guarantee its security.

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Later, China and France signed up, but only Ukraine believed the memos were worth the ink spent on setting them down.

Ten years later, it had let its arms industry collapse from one that employed three million to less than a third of that.

A mouldy military faced Russias first invasion in 2014, and the country was saved mostly by private volunteer militia.

Now it is reliant on start-ups like companies such as Fire Point and General Cherry  the latter producing thousands of interceptor drones a week to take on Russias Shaheds and protect troops on the front lines, where combat has turned from trench warfare to a churning horror for infantry individually hunted by tiny deadly drones.

A serviceman of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade launches a reconnaissance drone, near the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, 6 October 2025 (Reuters)

In production, 3-D printers whir day and night in secret locations across Ukraine. In cubicles across the nation, drills scream and solder burns and circuits are laid for semi-autonomous quadcopters to be flown into incoming missiles every night.

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Ukraines weapons industry is now worth only $1bn, but it is growing very fast. Taking off like one of the Ukrainian GCs bullet drones, which erupt from the ground and can hit over 200kmph in a vertical climb to take on Russian Shaheds.

Midway through what is a long war, theres an air of growing confidence in Ukraines arms industry.

Its bred off fast growth and battlefield success.

Stacks of drone wings are produced in secret factories on the edge of Kyiv (Sam Kiley/The Independent)

But also the realisation that, already, Ukraine has the most powerful army in western Europe and that the lessons learned from battleground to workshop here will mean Kyiv may be a dominant force in Europes future.

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We all have to grow up and build our own security with our own hands, says Terekh.

This means ending reliance on America.

What we learn from working in Ukraine is that you have to diversify and you have to rely on yourself. You have to count on your own resources, and thats what Europe has to do.
Intel says a former employee downloaded thousands of documents shortly after the company fired him in July, many of them classified as Top Secret.

Jinfeng Luo lived in Seattle and had worked as a software developer for Intel since 2014, according to a lawsuit the company filed against him in Washington federal court last week. Intel said it notified Luo of his pending dismissal on July 7, warning him his employment would end July 31.

The company doesnt say why Luo lost his job but Intel laid off more than 15,000 workers around the world last summer, aiming to cut costs and make the business more efficient.

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On July 23, Intel claims, Luo tried to download a file from his work laptop to an external hard drive. Internal company controls prevented that. But five days later, Intel says that Luo connected another storage device and downloaded 18,000 files.

Intel says that file transfer triggered an investigation and that the company spent months trying to reach him at his home in Seattle and at two other addresses associated with him, including one in Portland.

Failing to reach Luo, Intel filed suit seeking at least $250,000 in damages, attorney fees and a court order preventing Luo from disclosing confidential information.

Intel declined comment and Luo could not be located. Law 360 reported on Intels suit earlier this week.

Read the original article on oregonlive.com.
Two brothers have been killed in an Israeli air raid on a vehicle between the southeastern Lebanese towns of Ain Ata and Shebaa, according to Lebanons National News Agency (NNA), in the latest flagrant violation of a one-year-old ceasefire.

In a separate attack on Saturday, an Israeli drone struck a car near Salah Ghandour Hospital in the southern town of Bint Jbeil, injuring seven people, Lebanons Ministry of Health Affairs said. Two missiles struck the vehicle in the densely populated area.

Another Israeli drone attack, the third strike of the day, later hit a car in the Baraachit area, NNA reported. A photo shared by the agency showed smoke rising over blazing wreckage on a road following the attack, which the ministry says killed one and injured four, according to NNA.

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Israels military claimed the attacks were aimed at Hezbollah targets, without providing evidence.

Despite the November 2024 truce, Israel has continued near-daily attacks on its northern neighbour while maintaining forces in areas around the south.

Hezbollah maintains that it remains committed to the truce but insists it will not disarm while Israel occupies Lebanese territory and continues its attacks.

The European Union condemned recent Israeli strikes in a strong statement on Saturday and called for immediate adherence to the ceasefire.

The EU calls on Israel to cease all actions that violate resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement reached a year ago in November 2024, EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said. He urged Hezbollah and other Lebanese groups to refrain from any measures or responses that could further inflame the situation.

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The Lebanese army accused Israel of trying to undermine Lebanons stability and obstruct the full deployment of Lebanese forces in accordance with the ceasefire.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the recent spate of attacks, describing them as a flagrant breach of international law, while Iran denounced them as savage and urged the global community to intervene.





Israeli attacks threaten civilians

On Thursday, at least one person was killed and nine injured in a series of Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, said Israels attacks threaten civilians and undermine efforts by the Lebanese military to assert control over unauthorised weapons and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, a likely reference to Hezbollah.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, warned last week that Israel could intensify operations in Lebanon.

Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed the threat, saying, Maximum enforcement will continue and even intensify  we will not allow any threat to the residents of the north.

Aoun has condemned Israel for ramping up its attacks after he signalled willingness to discuss de-escalation. The Lebanese government, under heavy pressure from the United States, has ordered the army to draft a plan to disarm Hezbollah  a move the group condemned as hasty and dangerous.

Last week, Aoun instructed the armed forces to confront any further Israeli incursion in the countrys south after Israeli forces crossed their shared border and killed a municipal worker during an overnight raid.

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Since the ceasefire, Israel has maintained troops in five areas in southern Lebanon and carried out regular attacks, which it claims target Hezbollah positions.

The situation remains volatile nearly a year after Israel assassinated Hezbollahs longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah in September 2024, decimating much of the groups senior leadership.

Under the ceasefire terms, Lebanons army is tasked with disarming Hezbollah in the south by the end of the year before expanding operations nationwide. Hezbollah insists Israel is exploiting this process to tighten its grip on Lebanese territory and refuses to disarm as long as Israel continues its attacks and occupation of Lebanese territory.




The two adults and their four children who were inside their house at the time of the fire suffered smoke inhalation and were evacuated for medical treatment.

A Palestinian-owned house and vehicle in the village of Khirbet Abu Falah in the West Bank were set on fire likely as a result of an electrical failure inside the house, Israel Police announced on Saturday, after reports claimed the incident was caused by an arson attack by Jewish rioters.

The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) have opened an investigation into the incident, and an investigator from Israel Fire and Rescue said that it was most likely caused by an electrical failure. Despite this, Army Radio quoted Palestinians as saying that Jewish rioters had arrived at the scene wearing masks.

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No suspects were found in the area by the time Israeli forces arrived. Police also announced that no remains of Molotov cocktails and/or flammable materials were found at the scene.

Two Palestinian adults, along with their four children, were inside their home during the incident. All six suffered from smoke inhalation and needed to be evacuated for medical treatment.

Several Palestinians in the area were evacuated for medical treatment as well, also due to smoke inhalation.

IDF arrests two in West Bank for incitement on social media to continue arson attacks. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Saturday clashes in West Bank

Also on Saturday, violent clashes broke out between Jews and Palestinians in the village of Beita near Nablus, the radio news station said.

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Four Palestinians  three Red Crescent workers and a journalist  were wounded in the incident as a result of stone-throwing, according to the same news report.

In a separate incident that same day, not far from the village of Burin near Nablus, Jews threw stones at left-wing activists on the outskirts of the village, wounding four people.

The UN said on Friday that settlers carried out at least 264 attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank during October, marking the biggest monthly total since UN officials began tracking such incidents in 2006.

In a statement warning against the rise in violence, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said these attacks, which result in casualties and property damage, amount to an average of eight incidents per day.

Since 2006, OCHA has documented over 9,600 such attacks. About 1,500 of them took place just this year, roughly 15% of the total, the UN body said in a statement.
Incidents were reported in the northern, southern, and central Gaza Strip.

Several terrorists were killed by the IDF after they had crossed the yellow line and approached Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip on Saturday.

One terrorist was killed after approaching the yellow line alongside another terrorist in northern Gaza, the military announced Saturday evening.

The two were identified by the IDF as terrorists before the military opened fire on them.

Incidents in southern and central Gaza

In southern Gaza, another terrorist was identified by Israeli forces crossing the yellow line and was killed by the military.

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In central Gaza, east of the Bureij refugee camp, one Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire and another wounded, also on Saturday, according to Gazan medical officials. Civil defense rescuers said one Palestinian was shot and wounded by Israeli gunfire in the western Khan Yunis area in the southern part of the Strip.

A yellow concrete block placed by the Israeli army is seen along the Yellow Line in the northern Gaza Strip, November 2, 2025 (credit: FATHI IBRAHIM/FLASH90)

The US-brokered Gaza truce, which left thorny issues like the disarmament of Palestinian terrorist group Hamas and a timeline for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza unresolved, has been tested by periodic violence since coming into force on October 10.
The United States will not send any government officials to this year's G20 summit in Johannesburg, President Donald Trump announced on Friday, escalating his criticism of South Africa over what he called 'widespread discrimination and violence' against white citizens.

The announcement marks the first full boycott of a G20 meeting by a major member since the forum's creation in 1999.

Trump said his administration would not participate in the annual gathering of the world's largest economies until what he described as 'human rights abuses' against Afrikaners, or white South Africans of European descent, are addressed.

'Afrikaners, people descended from Dutch settlers and also French and German immigrants, are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'No US government official will attend as long as these human rights abuses continue.'

From Absence to Boycott

Trump had earlier said he would personally skip the Johannesburg summit, leaving Vice President JD Vance to represent the United States. Friday's announcement extends that decision to the entire administration, effectively withdrawing US participation. The move comes as Trump intensifies his criticism of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing them of enabling racial violence.

'The situation in South Africa is tragic and unacceptable,' Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago. 'We cannot, in good conscience, sit at a table with leaders who turn a blind eye to persecution and murder. America stands with victims of racial violence everywhere, no matter their colour.'

South Africa Pushes Back

South African officials have dismissed Trump's claims as baseless. Ramaphosa directly rebuked the US president's narrative earlier this year, calling it a 'dangerous distortion' of reality.

'Have they told you where that is, Mr President?' Ramaphosa said in March when asked about Trump's 'white genocide' claim. 'I'd like to know where that is, because this I've never seen.'

South Africa's government has long maintained that violent crime in the country affects all racial groups and that there is no evidence of a systematic campaign against white farmers. Officials warned that Trump's comments risk inflaming racial tensions and undermining diplomatic ties between Pretoria and Washington.

Trump's Broader Policy Shift

The decision to boycott the summit underscores how Trump's second-term foreign policy increasingly prioritises ideological and cultural conflicts over traditional diplomacy.

Earlier this year, his administration quietly revised refugee admissions criteria to fast-track applications for Afrikaners claiming persecution, a move critics said amounts to a 'racialised refugee policy'.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the president's stance, saying he too would skip the Johannesburg meeting. 'Bad things are happening in South Africa,' Rubio wrote on X. 'This summit is focused on "solidarity, equality, and sustainability"  in other words, disaster for America's interests.'

Economic and Diplomatic Ripples

The boycott will leave the US chair at the Johannesburg summit empty, a rare absence that could strain relations with other G20 members.

The meeting, which will focus on sustainable growth, climate finance and global trade, is regarded as a key opportunity for developing nations to push for fairer treatment within international financial systems.

Trump's withdrawal may also signal a broader retreat from multilateral engagement, reinforcing the 'America First' doctrine that defined his first term. Analysts say it could embolden China and Russia to expand their influence among African and emerging economies.

'The absence of the United States at such a critical forum sends a message of disengagement at a time when global cooperation is desperately needed,' said Daniel Rosen, a senior analyst at the Centre for Strategic Studies. 'It hands other powers an opening to shape global economic rules without American input.'

Looking Ahead to Miami 2026

The 2025 boycott will also cast a shadow over next year's summit, which the US is scheduled to host at Trump's own property in Miami. The decision to hold the global event there has already drawn criticism from ethics groups, who argue it blurs the line between public office and private gain.

Still, Trump remains defiant. 'Next year, world leaders will meet in a place that respects freedom, fairness and safety,' he said. 'We will host the greatest G20 ever, and we'll do it right here in the United States.'

As the Johannesburg summit convenes without an American delegation, US allies are expected to navigate discussions without Washington's input  a striking symbol of how Trump's second term has reshaped America's role in the world.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing him of spreading "false and malicious propaganda" against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Jubilee Hills by-election. Reddy also retaliated against Revanth Reddy's recent remark, calling him a "bad brother". "KCR and Revanth Reddy are themselves 'bad brothers'," the Union Minister said. "Both come from nepotism, indulge in corruption, and looted Telangana," he added. Reddy asserted that he doesn't need Revanth Reddy's certificate, questioning the CM's credibility. "Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is spreading false and malicious propaganda against our party and our Prime Minister every day in the context of the Jubilee Hills by-election... Yesterday he called me a 'bad brother'... I don't need Revanth Reddy's certificate... KCR and Revanth Reddy are themselves 'bad brothers'... Both come from nepotism, indulge in corruption and looted Telangana... Revanth Reddy has not fulfilled even a single promise during his two years in office. His government has completely failed in Telangana... He has nothing to say, hence he is making such statements..," the Minister said. On Friday, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy targeted Union Minister G Kishan Reddy. "If Hyderabad is submerged in floods, G Kishan Reddy will not bring a single penny from the Center. The construction and demolition of Kaleshwaram happened within three years...Rs one lakh crores were drained into Godavari.... The people of Jubilee Hills should think wisely and vote.. Hyderabad became a growth engine during the last Congress government." He further urged voters to think wisely and make a decision in the Jubilee Hills Bypolls on November 11, and Hyderabad became a "growth engine" during the previous Congress government. "Voters should think wisely and make a decision in the Jubilee Hills by-election taking place on the 11th of this month. Voters should think about the overall development of Telangana. People should see how much development Congress has achieved during its time. Giving the state to BRS led to huge debts," CM Reddy told reporters here. He also highlighted the work done by the Congress government in the State. "Wasn't it Congress that made Hyderabad a metropolis?.. Metro, Outer Ring Road, International Airport.. the Congress government brought all these..." The counting of votes is scheduled for November 14. The death of the sitting MLA and BRS leader, Maganti Gopinath, prompted this by-election. The Congress party has nominated V. Naveen Yadav, a leader from the Backwards Class (BC), as its candidate. Meanwhile, the BRS has chosen Gopinath's widow, Sunitha, to run for the position. The BJP has selected Lankala Deepak Reddy as its candidate. (ANI)
BEIRUT (AP)  Israeli jets struck several towns in southern Lebanon on Thursday after urging residents to leave, marking an escalation in their near-daily strikes on the country.

The airstrikes came hours after militant group Hezbollah urged the Lebanese government not to enter negotiations with Israel.

Israeli Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents in Tayba near the border, Teir Debba located just east of the coastal city of Tyre, and Aita al-Jabal in southern Lebanon, to flee 500 meters (about 1,600 feet) away from residential buildings they are targeting, which they say have been used by Hezbollah. It later issued more warnings for the towns of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Kfar Dounin.

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The Israeli military said it targeted military infrastructure for Hezbollah in those areas, including weapons storage facilities... constructed in the center of civilian-populated areas.

It accused the group of rebuilding its capabilities almost a year after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire went into effect that ended a monthslong war. While most residents evacuated the threatened areas ahead of the strikes, Lebanon's health ministry reported one person wounded.

We will not allow Hezbollah to rearm themselves, to recover, build back up its strength to threaten the state of Israel, Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said at a briefing Thursday.

The strikes came as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and his government met in Beirut to follow up on a plan drafted by the Lebanese military to disarm Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups in the country. Information Minister Paul Morcos said, following the meeting, that the cabinet commended the progress (the army) has made... despite continued obstacles, foremost among which is the continuation of Israeli hostilities.

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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has been critical of Israels strikes and ongoing occupation of five hilltop points on Lebanese territory but has said he is open to negotiations with Israel to end the tensions.

Aoun said in a statement after Thursday's strikes that every time Lebanon expresses its openness to peaceful negotiations... Israel intensifies its aggression.

Nearly a year has passed since the ceasefire came into effect, and during that time, Israel has spared no effort to demonstrate its rejection of any negotiated settlement between the two countries," he said. "Your message has been received.

Israel says its near-daily strikes have targeted Hezbollah officials and military infrastructure, while the Lebanese government that has backed disarming Hezbollah say the strikes have targeted civilians and infrastructure unrelated to the Iran-backed group.

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The powerful groups military capabilities were severely damaged in Israels intense air campaign over the tiny country in 2024, but Hezbollah have yet to disarm and its leader Sheikh Naim Kassem has said that the group will be ready to fight no matter how limited their capabilities might be.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, which nominally ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war last November. The conflict started after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas and the Palestinians, prompting Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling in return. The low-level exchanges escalated into full-scale war in September 2024.

Lebanons health ministry has reported more than 270 people killed and around 850 wounded by Israeli military actions since the ceasefire took effect. As of Oct. 9, the U.N. human rights office had verified that 107 of those killed were civilians or noncombatants, said spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan.

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No Israelis have been killed by fire from Lebanon since the ceasefire. Hezbollah has claimed one attack since the agreement took effect.

Also Thursday, the U.S. Treasury announced a new set of sanctions that it said target financial operatives who oversee the movement of funds from Iran to Hezbollah, including through licensed and unlicensed money exchanges shops that it said fail to conduct adequate screening on their customers and allow Hezbollah to take advantage of Lebanons largely cash-based economy to launder illicit money.

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Associated Press journalist Areej Hazboun in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
A Jacksonville City Council member plans to file legislation to help tackle delays in federal food assistance.

Councilmember Rahman Johnson held a meeting on Friday to address the disruption in SNAP benefits that is impacting thousands of families locally.

This is a crisis, said Johnson. People are hurting, and weve got to do something.

Earlier this week, the city launched a new community coalition to better target resources for those in need.

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But Johnson called Fridays meeting to determine how to fund that coalition.

They are looking to secure $2 million for emergency food relief until federal stability is restored.

Leaders discussed several different funding options to fill the gap. One of which would be to tap into the citys reserves.

I think the easiest one would be to take the funds directly from the reserves, said Johnson. I am not a fan of that because we just put money into the reserves.

Another concern brought up at this meeting was access to food pantries throughout the city.

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Where can I go and get fresh food without leaving District 8, my district, that is one of the biggest concerns have received in the last few days, said Councilmember Reggie Gaffney Jr.

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Its an issue that the citys coalition will work to address by working with Feeding Northeast Florida or other partners to get them into those neighborhoods.

While Johnson said there are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to the final plan, his goal is to get relief to families as quickly as possible.

Im not going to wait on Washington, said Johnson. We got to do what we can here.

Johnson plans to file legislation on Monday.

Then it will go to the city council for a vote, and it needs a 13-majority vote to pass.

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Merchandise uncovered in a search of the shop owner's home included cellphone cases featuring terrorist symbols and pictures of terrorists.

The IDF and Israel Police arrested a store owner on suspicion of selling "inciting materials to stores in the Old City of Jerusalem in a joint operation on Thursday night.

The business was searched after authorities gathered intelligence indicating the sale of suspected incitement paraphernalia. Law enforcement confiscated numerous items and arrested the shop owner for questioning.

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The search of the materials being sold uncovered pictures of terrorists, necklaces and pendants with mobile phone covers with terrorist symbols and pictures of terrorists, amongst other items that encourage violence and terrorism, according to an Israel Police spokesperson.

The owner of the store was arrested on suspicion of possessing incitement materials, distribution of incendiary propaganda, and support for a terrorist organization, according to the police.

A house in Nablus in the West Bank belonging to the suspect was searched early Friday morning in relation to the arrest and ongoing investigation.

Police searched a store in Jerusalem and a house in Nablus in relation to an investigation into the sale of incitement materials. (Credit: Israel Police)

Ongoing counterterrorism operations

This operation was part of an ongoing effort by Israel Police to crack down on the distribution of extremist content that may endanger public safety and harm the proper fabric of life in the Old City of Jerusalem.

In a statement released by the police, they assured the public that they, in collaboration with the IDF and other security forces, will continue to act against any party involved in the production, distribution or sale of incitement materials, and will work to bring them to justice.
A Venezuelan journalist living in Florida recently spent nearly two weeks in federal immigration custody, highlighting the Trump administrations widening immigration enforcement net.

On Oct. 12, the Florida Highway Patrol in Gainesville pulled over Gustavo Gimenez Sanchez, a political-asylum seeker whom federal officials had interviewed 12 days prior to his detention to determine whether to grant him refugee status, which remains pending. FHP did not respond to repeated Miami Herald requests for the incident report on the stop, although the Alachua County Sheriffs Office confirmed it was FHP that carried out the arrest.

Gimenez Sanchez, 42, who lives in Gainesville, told the Herald he had just finished delivering food orders when troopers stopped him. An FHP trooper pulled him over and asked him where he was from. When he said Venezuela, the trooper asked for his license and car registration, which he said he provided. The trooper went back to his colleagues for a few minutes, then came back to arrest him. Once in custody, the troopers told him he was being detained because he had a pending issue with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Gimenez Sanchez said.

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Government records show that Gimenez Sanchez entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in July 2023 and received Temporary Protected Status in October 2023. He applied for asylum before his TPS expired in April. The Herald could not find any criminal records for Gimenez Sanchez, who also said he did not have any arrests or convictions.

Gimenez Sanchezs case highlights how immigrants who were previously not priorities for detention and deportation  like an asylum seeker without a criminal record who flew into the U.S. on a visa  are now potential targets under the Trump administrations mass deportation efforts.

It also underscores the precarious nature of seeking asylum in the U.S., particularly for individuals fleeing oppressive regimes, for whom refuge in the U.S. is a lifeline. More than 300,000 Venezuelans have applied for asylum in the U.S. since 2021, according to data from the Office of Homeland Security Statistics. Millions of Venezuelans have fled a humanitarian and economic crisis exacerbated by political repression. Its the largest non-war-related exodus worldwide. Yet many Venezuelans are facing significant hurdles when seeking asylum in the United States and elsewhere.

Gimenez Sanchez was held in the Alachua County Jail for two nights before going into ICE custody on Oct. 13. In a statement to the Herald, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, told the Herald that having an application pending does not grant you any lawful status.

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McLaughlin said Gimenez Sanchez was in the U.S. illegally and emphasized that his deportation protections under TPS had expired. The Trump administration revoked the deportation protections for over half-a million Venezuelans earlier this year.

TPS was never intended to be a de facto amnesty program, yet thats how previous administrations have used it for decades. The Trump administration is restoring integrity to our immigration system to keep our homeland and its people safe. We have the law, the facts, and common sense on our side, said McLaughlin.

Asylum seekers are authorized to be in the United States while their cases are ongoing. They are also generally protected from deportation until a decision is made on their case. However, having a pending case does not confer immigration status and the government can detain an asylum seeker.

Experts note that under Trump, what has changed is not the law but the governments approach. A South Florida lawyer told the Miami Herald she has received calls in recent days about immigrants authorized to be in the U.S. with ongoing processes, like asylum seekers, being detained during routine traffic stops. Under previous administrations, asylum seekers were generally not detained unless they were recent arrivals, had a criminal record or were considered a public safety threat.

I feel like I am back in Venezuela

Gimenez Sanchezs parents and siblings are American citizens, and he frequently visited them during summer trips. During a trip to the U.S. in 2023, he qualified for TPS under a Biden administration expansion of the program. His wife and daughters were already in the country because Gimenez Sanchezs sister had sponsored them under now-defunct humanitarian parole processes for Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba and Nicaragua.

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Im scared. I feel like Im back in Venezuela, Gimenez Sanchezs wife told the Herald after her husband was detained. She asked that she not be named because of her own pending asylum application. The family of four is facing significant legal hurdles. Gimenez Sanchezs wife and two daughters had their previous legal status terminated under the Trump administration too. Were in the crosshairs. Anyone can come for you just because of who you are, how you look, how you speak.

Facing the imminent expiration of TPS, Gimenez Sanchez applied for asylum in April 2025. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services acknowledged he had filed his application before his TPS ended and he was interviewed for his asylum application only days before his arrest.

Gustavo Gimenez Sanchez, a Venezuelan journalist seeking refuge in the U.S. after facing political persecution in his home country, was held in ICE detention for nearly two weeks before being released on bond.

Gimenez Sanchez said he had long been a target of violence from pro-government groups in Venezuela. In 2010, while covering an event in Lara, a western state that has long been a government stronghold, he and several fellow journalists were ambushed by a mob of militants loyal to the regime. The group attacked the reporters, furious over their critical coverage of government policies. The Herald spoke to a journalist in the group who also fled Venezuela due to violence, and watched a video from the attack where Gimenez Sanchez and several other TV journalists were beaten during the assault.

In his asylum application, reviewed by the Herald, Gimenez Sanchez said he had been the victim of physical assaults and various threats due to his profession as a journalist. He claimed that the attacks were either carried out by Venezuelan state security agencies or orchestrated by groups with ties to the Venezuelan government.

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According to his application, the assaults occurred between 2010 and 2023. Gimenez Sanchez said the incidents were a direct result of his continuous reporting on the irregularities and violations of civil and human rights in Venezuela.

The Venezuela we have today, after everything thats been happening, is marked by persecution, repression, and arbitrary detentions, Gimenez Sanchez said. How many fellow journalists are still imprisoned, tortured, and held in places no one even knows about?

Last week, Gimenez Sanchez had an immigration hearing to argue for his release. An immigration judge granted him bond, and he was freed from ICE custody. He is awaiting a decision about whether he will be granted asylum and be able to build a life in the U.S. with his family.

We always wanted to be in the United States because my whole family is here, he said. And I have no reason to keep risking myself back home.
A Jackson County judge has awarded nearly $9.5 million to 20 former patients who sued former Kansas City-area dentist Brian Jenkins for medical malpractice, according to court records.

The patients filed the lawsuits in Jackson County Circuit Court against Jenkins and his dental practice, Brian H. Jenkins DDS, LLC, which did business as Wright Dentures and Implants in Independence.

In their suits, they claimed that he caused permanent damage and disfigurement after dental procedures. The lawsuits were consolidated into one case. Jenkins, however, failed to respond to and contest the litigation.

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Late last month, Jackson County Judge Cory L. Atkins found Jenkins and his dental practice to be in default for failing to plead, answer or defend against the lawsuits. Atkins awarded $473,445 to each patient.

Jenkins could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Wright Dentures and Implants abruptly closed in the spring of 2024. Jenkins also filed for reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in May 2024, and his filing was converted to a bankruptcy liquidation in September 2024. He listed his assets as $1.1 million and debts of nearly $3.4 million.

The Missouri Dental Board revoked his dental license in November 2024, after it found that he had violated a jointly agreed-upon 2022 disciplinary order that placed him on probation for three years, following complaints from patients about substandard care.

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The lawsuits involved dental extractions, some of which were full extractions, and/or the placement of implants that caused pain and were ill-fitting, according to court documents.

Atkins determined that the patients visited Jenkins practice several times to address complaints of pain and ill-fitting prosthetics, but Jenkins and his practice failed to appropriately treat them.

Atkins found that Jenkins failed to meet the professions standard of care by performing procedures beyond his qualifications, failing to properly evaluate bone structure prior to implant placement, neglecting to refer plaintiffs to appropriate specialists, and failing to obtain informed consent for the scope and risks of the procedure.

Atkins also found that Jenkins and his practice misrepresented their qualifications and standard of care.

Atkins found that as a result of Jenkins and his practices negligence and misrepresentations, his former patients suffered past and ongoing physical pain associated with improperly placed implants, permanent disfigurement and disability due to bone loss, mental anguish and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, including the ability to eat and speak comfortably, and medical expenses for corrective surgery and follow-up treatment.
A federal judge in Oregon on Friday blocked Donald Trump from deploying national guard troops to Portland, ruling there was no evidence of widespread violence to justify federal intervention.

The US district court judge, Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, delivered her final order in the case on Friday. She found that protests near Portlands Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility were predominately peaceful, with only isolated and sporadic instances of relatively low-level violence.

Earlier this week, Immergut barred Trumps administration from deploying the national guard to Portland until at least Friday, saying she found no credible evidence that protests in the city had grown out of control before the president federalized the troops earlier this fall.

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In Fridays ruling, she concluded that most altercations occurred between protesters and counter-protesters, not between protesters and federal agents. Immergut also acknowledged that while she may lack jurisdiction to enjoin President Trump in the performance of his official duties, her injunction only bars the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, from deploying members of the national guard to Oregon.

This is the latest development in weeks of legal back and forth in Portland, Chicago and other US cities as the Trump administration has moved to federalize and deploy the national guard in city streets to quell protests.

The ICE facility in south-west Portland has been the site of ongoing protests since June, when Portland police declared one a riot. The city of Portland and the state of Oregon sued the Trump administration in September after the president announced he had directed the defense department to federalize and deploy the Oregon national guard.

Immergut previously issued a temporary restraining order barring the deployment of the national guard in Oregon, a decision the Trump administration appealed.

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The judge heard three days of witness testimony from law enforcement officers and officials describing conditions around the ICE facility. Oregon attorney general Dan Rayfield called Fridays ruling a huge victory.

The courts are holding this administration accountable to the truth and the rule of law, Rayfield said. From the beginning, this case has been about making sure that facts, not political whims, guide how the law is applied. Todays decision protects that principle.

The Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling.
A federal judge Friday ordered the Education Department to remove what he described as partisan language from employees automated out-of-office email responses  a win for unionized department workers who accused the Trump administration of violating their First Amendment rights.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said the agency wrongfully assigned workers email responses that blamed congressional Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown  siding with the American Federation of Government Employees, which sued last month to challenge email messages the labor union said forced workers to involuntarily parrot the Trump Administrations talking points with emails sent out in their names.

Nonpartisanship is the bedrock of the federal civil service; it ensures that career government employees serve the public, not the politicians. But by commandeering its employees e-mail accounts to broadcast partisan messages, the Department chisels away at that foundation, Cooper, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, wrote in a 36-page opinion.

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Political officials are free to blame whomever they wish for the shutdown, but they cannot use rank-and-file civil servants as their unwilling spokespeople. The First Amendment stands in their way. The Departments conduct therefore must cease, Cooper said.

Coopers order also permanently blocks the department from including partisan speech in the out-of-office messages of employees who are furloughed or on leave.

Arguments over the case in a District of Columbia federal courtroom Tuesday underscored the novel circumstances of the lawsuit  one which attorneys on both sides, as well as the judge, acknowledged is unprecedented for the federal court.

Coopers ruling described what he called a multifront campaign to assign blame for the shutdown, noting the Trump administration has also added partisan messages to some official federal agency websites. The Education Departments website was not among the agencies that added the messages.

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Department employees, according to the suit, were provided milquetoast out-of-office messages to use as they prepared for the shutdown that said they would be unable to reply to requests until appropriations were enacted.

Workers later discovered those emails had been changed to include language that said: Unfortunately, Democrat Senators are blocking passage of H.R. 5371 in the Senate which has led to a lapse in appropriations.

Within days, the department acknowledged it replaced the out-of-office notes with messages that continued to blame Democrats for the shutdown  but scrapped first-person language the department initially attributed to employees.

Cooper said even the revised messages were problematic, noting that most workers typically draft their own out-of-office replies and most employers do not force their employees to include particular messages.

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The Education Department made a series of technical arguments about the courts jurisdiction over the case but did not argue substantively that it has a legitimate interest in modifying its employees speech.

Cooper said the employees interests, on the other hand, were clear.

The Departments political appointees interest in casting blame for the government shutdown on the rival political party is surely outweighed [by] the employees interest in maintaining neutrality during their public service, the judge wrote.

Fridays court order applies to Education Department employees who are AFGE members, though Cooper said he would order the department to remove partisan language from out-of-office messages from all affected agency employees if it is technologically impossible to immediately remove from email accounts associated with the unions members.

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The Trump-Vance administrations use of official government resources to spread partisan messaging using employees email was an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment, and the courts ruling makes clear that even this administration is not above the law, said Everett Kelley, the AFGEs national president, in a statement.

Cooper ordered the department to provide a status update on the steps taken to comply with his orders by early next week.

This ruling is a major victory for the constitutional rights of the people who serve our country, said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, a nonprofit organization that represented AFGE in court alongside the Public Citizen Litigation Group.

No administrationof any partycan commandeer public servants identities and force them to push partisan propaganda. Todays decision makes it clear that civil servants are not a political tool, and it reinforces a fundamental principle: our federal workforce serves the public, not political agendas, Perryman said in a statement.

The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A federal judge in Oregon on Friday issued a permanent injunction barring the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard on the streets of Portland in response to protests against the president's immigration policies.

"This Court arrives at the necessary conclusion that there was neither 'a rebellion or danger of a rebellion' nor was the President 'unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States' in Oregon when he ordered the federalization and deployment of the National Guard," U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in his first term, wrote in her ruling.

Army veteran and Portland City Council member Mitch Green, second from left, stands with protesters outside a federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 3, 2025. (Jenny Kane / AP)

The Trump administration can appeal the ruling if it wants to.

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Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek responded to the ruling Friday, calling Trump's move to federalize the guard "a gross abuse of power."

"Oregon National Guard members have been away from their jobs and families for 38 days. The California National Guard has been here for just over one month. Based on this ruling, I am renewing my call to the Trump Administration to send all troops home now," Kotek said.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose justice department argued in the case objecting over his state's National Guard's deployment, called the decision "a win for the rule of law, for the constitutional values that govern our democracy, and for the American people."

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said on Saturday that the facts of the case havent changed, adding that Trump exercised his lawful authority to protect federal officers and assets.

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President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities and we expect to be vindicated by a higher court, Jackson said.

Immergut had previously issued a temporary restraining order barring the Guard from being deployed in Oregon, which the Trump administration was appealing.

Oregon officials have been embroiled in a complicated legal battle with the administration since late September, when, at Trump's direction, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mobilized around 200 troops to the city amid ongoing protests outside an immigration processing facility.

The city and the state sued on Sept. 28 to block the use of military troops in Portland, arguing it was unnecessary and unlawful.

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Immergut signed off on a temporary restraining order blocking the administration from deploying the state National Guard on Oct. 4, and a day later issued a second order blocking deployment of National Guard troops from other states to Portland streets.

She said in her order that it appeared Trump was acting in bad faith with highly exaggerated claims of violence in the city, including saying it was war ravaged with ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa and crazy people who try to burn down buildings, including federal buildings every night.

The Presidents determination was simply untethered to the facts, Immergut wrote.

The Justice Department immediately appealed, arguing her decision improperly impinges on the Commander in Chiefs supervision of military operations, countermands a military directive to officers in the field, and endangers federal personnel and property.

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Its attorneys argued Trump's "determination was amply justified by the facts on the ground."

"In the weeks and months preceding the Presidents decision, agitators assaulted federal officers and damaged federal property in numerous ways, spray-painted violent threats, blockaded the vehicle entrance to the Portland ICE facility, trapped officers in their cars, followed them when they attempted to leave the facility, threatened them at the facility, menaced them at their homes, doxed them online, and threatened to kill them on social media," they said.

The DOJ claimed that federal law enforcement needs the National Guard's help because they're unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States.

Oregon officials countered that there have been incidents of violence at and near the facility, but that they've been small in scale and can continue to be handled local and federal law enforcement.

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The DOJ filed an appeal of Immergut's ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is still pending.

The DOJ is facing a similar challenge in Chicago, where a judge last month issued a temporary restraining order barring National Guard troops from being deployed there. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed that order to temporarily remain in effect while the administrations appeal proceeds.

The administration appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court last month.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  A federal judge in Oregon ruled Friday that President Donald Trumps administration failed to meet the legal requirements for deploying the National Guard to Portland after the city and state sued in September to block the deployment.

The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, followed a three-day trial last week in which both sides argued over whether protests at the citys U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building met the conditions for using the military domestically under federal law.

The administration said the troops were needed to protect federal personnel and property in a city that Trump described as war ravaged with fires all over the place.

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In a 106-page opinion, Immergut found that even though the president is entitled to great deference in his decision on whether to call up the Guard, he did not have a legal basis for doing so because he did not establish that there was a rebellion or danger of rebellion, or that he was unable to enforce the law with regular forces.

The trial record showed that although protests outside the Portland ICE building occurred nightly between June and October 2025, ever since a few particularly disruptive days in mid-June, protests have remained peaceful with only isolated and sporadic instances of violence," Immergut wrote. The occasional interference to federal officers has been minimal, and there is no evidence that these small-scale protests have significantly impeded the execution of any immigration laws.

The Trump administration criticized the judge's ruling.

The facts havent changed. Amidst ongoing violent riots and lawlessness, that local leaders have refused to step in to quell, President Trump has exercised his lawful authority to protect federal officers and assets. President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities and we expect to be vindicated by a higher court, said Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman.

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The courts are holding this administration accountable to the truth and the rule of law, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in an e-mailed statement. "From the beginning, this case has been about making sure that facts, not political whims, guide how the law is applied. Todays decision protects that principle.

Democratic cities fight back

Democratic cities targeted by Trump for military involvement  including Chicago, which has filed a separate lawsuit on the issue  have been pushing back. They argue the president has not satisfied the legal threshold for deploying troops and that doing so would violate states sovereignty.

Immergut issued two orders in early October that had blocked the deployment of the troops leading up to the trial. The first order blocked Trump from deploying 200 members of the Oregon National Guard; the second, issued a day later, blocked him from deploying members of any state's National Guard to Oregon, after he tried to evade the first order by sending California troops instead.

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Immergut has called Trump's apocalyptic descriptions of Portland simply untethered to the facts.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has already ordered that the troops not be deployed pending further action by the appeals court. The trial Immergut held further developed the factual record in the case, which could serve as the basis for further appellate rulings.

Demonstrations at ICE building peaked in June

Witnesses including local police and federal officials were questioned about the law enforcement response to the nightly protests at the citys ICE building. The demonstrations peaked in June, when Portland police declared one a riot. The demonstrations typically drew a couple dozen people in the weeks leading up to Trumps National Guard announcement.

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The Trump administration said it has had to shuffle federal agents from elsewhere around the country to respond to the Portland protests, which it has characterized as a rebellion or danger of rebellion.

Federal officials working in the region testified about staffing shortages and requests for more personnel that have yet to be fulfilled. Among them was an official with the Federal Protective Service, the agency within the Department of Homeland Security that provides security at federal buildings, whom the judge allowed to be sworn in as a witness under his initials, R.C., because of safety concerns.

R.C., who said he would be one of the most knowledgeable people in DHS about security at Portlands ICE building, testified that a troop deployment would alleviate the strain on staff. When cross-examined, however, he said he did not request troops and that he was not consulted on the matter by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem or Trump. He also said he was surprised to learn about the deployment and that he did not agree with statements about Portland burning down.

Attorneys for Portland and Oregon said city police have been able to respond to the protests. After the police department declared a riot on June 14, it changed its strategy to direct officers to intervene when person and property crime occurs, and crowd numbers have largely diminished since the end of that month, police officials testified.

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The ICE building closed for three weeks over the summer because of property damage, according to court documents and testimony. The regional field office director for ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations, Cammilla Wamsley, said her employees worked from another building during that period. The plaintiffs argued that was evidence that they were able to continue their work functions.

___

Johnson reported from Seattle. Associated Press staff writer Michelle L. Price in Palm Beach, Florida, contributed to this report.
MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has issued a stark warning to President Donald Trump amid their high-profile divorce. The Georgia Republican told CBS News that she is starting to feel very sorry for the 79-year-old, saying that his attacks on her reflect poorly on him. The great schism began when Greene, 50, broke with him on the cost-of-living crisis, which Trump insists is a hoax, and the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The National Conference on 'DigiLocker-Enabling Paperless Access for All', was held this week, in New Delhi, bringing together senior government officials, leaders from the technology and financial sectors, educationists, and digital governance experts, a press release said. The conference highlighted the transformative role of DigiLocker in enabling paperless governance, inclusive education, and secure digital services, marking a critical milestone in the nation's ongoing Digital Trust Revolution. Organised by the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics & IT at Bharat Mandapam, the conference provided a collaborative platform to discuss and showcase how DigiLocker continues to evolve from a simple secure document storage facility into a cornerstone of trust, convenience, and efficiency across government, education, and industry sectors. The National Conference was chaired by S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY. In his keynote address, Krishnan highlighted India's digital journey evolving from connectivity to capability, service delivery to self-reliance and now from digitalization towards trust as the new infrastructure of governance. He said, "DigiLocker serves as the trust layer connecting citizens, ministries, and departments--enabling secure, interoperable, and accountable digital governance. Our vision is a future where every digital interaction is trusted, every citizen empowered, and every institution accountable." In a special address, Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, described India's journey in technology-enabled governance as a 'Digital Trust Revolution,' highlighting DigiLocker's pivotal role in building trust in governance systems for millions. He outlined the future of DigiLocker with AI-based eKYC and global credential verification, positioning it as a global model for paperless governance. Nand Kumarum, President and CEO of NeGD, highlighted DigiLocker's evolution from a secure document storage platform to a key pillar of Digital India, enabling citizens to access, verify, and share IDs, financial credentials and certificates securely. He said, "The platform reflects India's collaborative approach to governance and the trust and convenience the digital infrastructure offers to every citizen." As part of the inaugural session, presentations were made by Richa Bagla, Principal Secretary (A&T), Finance Department, on integration of DigiLocker with Pension and Treasury systems in Maharashtra; and K.S. Gopinath, Principal Secretary (IT), Assam on integration of DigiLocker in over 500 services through Sewa Setu Portal in Assam. States were recognised as 'DigiLocker Accelerators' for their notable achievements in adopting DigiLocker. Assam was honoured with the 'Integration Excellence' recognition for its large-scale implementation of DigiLocker across various services for enhanced security and transparency. Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh both received the People First Integration recognition for leveraging DigiLocker to create largest digital identity-linked citizen initiatives in their States. Meghalaya received the Dual Platform Achiever recognition for integrating both DigiLocker and EntityLocker platforms. Kerala was honoured for Innovation in pioneering paperless governance through DigiLocker. Maharashtra received the Fast Track Integration recognition for its swift rollout of DigiLocker. Mizoram was recognised as the Requestor Accelerator for achieving the highest number of Requestor Model integrations. Parallel breakout sessions during the conference spotlighted DigiLocker's tangible impact across key sectors of Government, Education, Fintech and Value-Added Services. Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Education, illustrated how DigiLocker has transformed the education ecosystem in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020. Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum, highlighted how NETF is driving NEP 2020's vision through technology. Dr. Sandip Kumar, Director, Kerala State IT Mission, spoke about the State's Certificateless Governance Programme. Debajyoti Ray Chaudhari, MD & CEO, National e-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL) gave a presentation on PAN-based access to electronic Bank Guarantees (e-BGs) through Entity Locker. The Conference highlighted how DigiLocker is enabling innovation and securing digital services across sectors and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to building a governance model rooted in trust, transparency, and technological excellence. (ANI)
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4)  A suspect is still at large after a juvenile male was shot near Taylorsville High School. This is Utahs fourth shooting involving teenagers in the past month.

According to the Taylorsville Police Department, the teenager is expected to survive, and the incident is under an active investigation. This comes as nearly six teenagers have been injured or killed in gun violence-related incidents in the past month.

In October, 16-year-old Mason Caballero, a Ben Lomond High School Student, was shot and killed in Ogden. Three people, including two teenagers, have been arrested in the shooting. The father of one of the suspects was also charged with obstruction of justice.

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Juvenile shot near Taylorsville High School, suspect still at-large

In another October incident in Ogden, a 15-year-old was allegedly shot and killed by her boyfriend.

Three other teens also lost their lives in separate Halloween shootings in Salt Lake County. On Oct. 25, an 18-year-old man died after a drive-by shooting outside a Halloween party in West Valley City. The following week, on Halloween night, two teenagers were shot at another party in West Valley, and police are still searching for the suspect.

Since 2023, Utah has documented at least 15 gun-related incidents in schools.

According to a report published in 2020 by the Utah Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHS), Utah has had a higher prevalence of high school students reporting that they carried a gun at least one day in the past month compared to the U.S. since 2005.

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Gun Violence in Utah: How the Beehive State compares to the rest of the West

DHHS emphasizes firearm safety for teenagers by recommending secure storage, which starts with treating all firearms as if they were always loaded, educating children on what to do if they find a gun, and discouraging alcohol and drug use while handling a firearm.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Deportation protections will end at midnight Friday for thousands of Venezuelans across the country.

Temporary Protected Status was first granted to Venezuelans in 2021 under President Joe Biden and was later expanded in 2023. Just days before leaving office, Biden extended the status again through October 2026.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has revoked the protections, saying conditions in Venezuela no longer require protected status.

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Now more than 250,000 Venezuelans across America will be classified as undocumented immigrants, including thousands in Kansas.

Norman Rockwell family slams DHS over art use on social media

Theres a trickle effect, said Yeni Silva-Renteria, executive director of the International Rescue Committee in Wichita. Whenever one person is impacted, there is a family around, there is a whole community.

The government is urging people losing their status to leave voluntarily, but Silva-Renteria said it may not be safe for them to return yet.

For many families who have recently arrived, their country is not ready to take them back because theyre still at war, theres still conflicts, and theres still reasons, very real reasons, of why people can not go back, she said.

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While some have recently arrived after fleeing from the violent aftermath of Venezuelas 2024 presidential election, others have been here so long that this has become their home.

Migration trends change under Trump 2.0 administration, report finds

You have others who have been here for many, many years, from Central America, for example, who have been here for decades, Silva-Renteria said.  They may have to go back, but they have built a family here, they have built a community here, so its not as easy as just picking up their stuff and leaving.

She said while there are other ways to stay in the U.S., such as seeking asylum, it can take upward of two to four years for an application to be reviewed.

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The only real solution that we have been advocating for families is a pathway for citizenship, she said. Many TPS holders have been here for many years. They have worked, paid back taxes, they have done a lot of things, good record, no criminal record.

She asks that impacted families reach out to organizations like the International Rescue Committee or local nonprofits for support with their case.

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Pakistan and Afghanistan have been holding peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, as a tenuous ceasefire holds following cross-border clashes that left dozens of people dead and hundreds wounded.

Here's a look at what's been going on between Pakistan and Afghanistan:

The fighting, which has killed civilians, security forces and militants, has been the deadliest in years between the two neighbours. It erupted after a 9 October explosion in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and another in the southeastern province of Paktika the same day that Afghanistan's Taliban-led government blamed on Pakistan.

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Pakistani officials have neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the blasts, and there was no official comment from either side on whether there were any injuries.

Since 9 October, there have been several shelling and shooting incidents which have led to dozens of deaths on both sides of the border, although the two sides have differed widely on the casualty figures.

Earlier this week, Pakistan's military spokesman Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif said more than 200 Afghan soldiers and more than 100 militants were killed when Pakistani forces targeted militant hideouts and army positions in Afghanistan after coming under attack.

Afghan government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid rejected the claim, saying only nine Afghan soldiers had been killed and 22 wounded. But he said up to 45 civilians had been killed and 102 had been wounded in the attacks.

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Mr Mujahid also claimed 58 Pakistani soldiers had been killed, but Pakistan countered that the number was incorrect and that 23 of its soldiers had been killed in the fighting.

Afghanistan and Pakistan traded thinly veiled threats of escalation, prompting Qatar to bring the two to the negotiating table in Doha for peace talks that led to a ceasefire on 19 October. Since then, another two rounds of negotiations have been held in Istanbul. The latest began on 6 November, but stalled on the night of 7 November and ended without a result.

While both sides say the ceasefire is holding, there have been attacks even while the talks continued. An Afghan official said Friday that overnight clashes in the border area killed four Afghan civilians and wounded another five.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob shake hands after signing a ceasefire agreement in Doha, Qatar (AP)

The two countries share a 2,611 kilometre (1,622 mile) border known as the Durand Line, named after British diplomat Mortimer Durand and established in 1893.

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The line cuts through the heartland of the Pashtuns, Afghanistan's largest ethnic group and also the group from which the Afghan Taliban, who now run the country, stem from. Although the line is internationally recognised as Pakistan's western border, Afghanistan has not recognised it.

Both countries often accuse each other of turning a blind eye to Islamic militants operating along the porous frontier.

An Afghan Taliban fighter sit next to an anti-aircraft gun near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Afghanistan (REUTERS)

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of allowing the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, to be based on its soil and to carry out bombings and gun attacks within Pakistan.

Kabul rejects the allegations and says it does not allow anyone to use Afghan soil for attacks on any country, including Pakistan.

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Created in 2007, the TTP brought together different outlawed groups that agreed to work together against Pakistan and support the Afghan Taliban, who at the time were fighting US and NATO forces. The United Nations and the United States have designated it a terrorist organisation.

The group seeks stricter enforcement of Islamic laws, the release of its members imprisoned in Pakistan, and a reduction in Pakistani military presence in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province bordering Afghanistan that it has long used as a base.

Although separate, the group is closely allied with the Afghan Taliban. Many of its leaders and fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, further straining ties between the two countries.

Pakistan has seen an increase in militant attacks on its security forces and civilians in recent months, most of them claimed by the TTP. In response, Pakistan's military said it has targeted TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan.

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Last month, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said his country wants Afghanistan to hand over TTP members and leaders based in Afghan territory or take steps to stop them from carrying out attacks inside Pakistan.

"If that does not happen there could be open an open war" with Afghanistan, he warned.

Afghan officials say they will not hand over TTP leaders, that Pakistan's conflict with the group is an internal matter and that Islamabad should open negotiations with the group.

Afghan refugees sit beside trucks loaded with their belongings as they wait their turn to leave for their homeland through a border crossing point (AP)

The outbreak of cross-border fighting alarmed the international community, particularly as the area is one where other militant groups, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, still have a presence and have been trying to resurface.

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Qatar and Turkey have been helping broker the ceasefire and peace talks, aiming to prevent all-out conflict and creating a durable framework for border security.

A ceasefire that began on 19 October following the first round of talks in Qatar has largely held since then.

US President Donald Trump later weighed in, saying on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit in Malaysia that he intended to resolve the conflict "very quickly."

His comments came as the two sides held a second round of talks in Istanbul, Turkey. But those negotiations collapsed after four days, with Pakistan accusing Kabul of refusing to act against the TTP.

Despite the setback, the ceasefire held. The third round of peace talks took place on 6-7 November.
A 79-year-old landlord shot and killed a naked intruder after being body-slammed by the assailant Friday morning at a Studio City apartment, authorities said.

The violent incident occurred around 7:15 a.m. in the 4500 block of Tujunga Avenue, in a building nestled between the street and a 101 Freeway offramp. Police initially said the scene was in nearby North Hollywood.

A resident's surveillance camera captured the intruder as he walked naked around the neighborhood. Video shows him at the front door of a home, grab a sign nearby and then continue walking.

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According to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson, the suspect entered an apartment and was confronted by two women who were at home at the time.

The women yelled at the trespasser to get out, prompting the landlord to rush to their aid, the LAPD said.

The intruder body-slammed the landlord, breaking both of the victim's legs, police said.

The 79-year-old man "at this time, in self-defense, shoots the suspect three times," said Capt. Warner Castillo of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The injured victim was transported to a hospital; an update on his condition was not immediately available. No injuries to the women were reported.

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"I heard commotion, like a lady yelling," said a woman who witnessed the incident and declined to be identified by name. "Then I looked over and it was a naked guy. At first I thought it was just like, maybe its a house fire. Like, why is he out here naked?

"There was an older guy in the home," the witness told ABC7. "The naked guy was walking through their gate, and shots were fired. I heard one shot. Then I looked over and the naked guy was on the ground. The older guy was on the ground and shot him two more times."
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The murder trial against an ex-porn actress accused of decapitating the father of her children continued Friday as witnesses explained how the victim died and how police never tested swords in the suspects home.

Devyn Michaels, 47, who also uses the names Nikki Fairchild and Tracee Tavarez, is accused of killing 46-year-old Johnathan Willette on Aug. 7, 2023. Michaels, who had two children with Johnathan Willette, later married Johnathan Willettes son, making that man both her husband and essentially her stepson.

Last fall, Michaels pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge. As part of the deal, she would be eligible for parole after serving 15 years in prison. Michaels later attempted to revoke her plea, but Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones determined Michaels entered it voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently, documents said. During sentencing this summer, Michaels apologized and then immediately said she was innocent, sending the case to trial.

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Testimony Friday included Johnathan Willettes mother, Yoko Willette, who told the jury she found her son deceased and wrapped in a blanket inside their Henderson home. At the time of his death, Johnathan Willette was living with his mother but was in the process of moving into Devyn Michaels northwest valley home.

Devyn Michaels, 47, who also uses the names Nikki Fairchild and Tracee Tavarez, is accused of killing 46-year-old Johnathan Willette on Aug. 7, 2023. (KLAS)

With the help of a translator, Yoko Willette explained how she saw Michaels, whom she knew as Nikki, and her son around 10 p.m. the previous night. She then told the jury she saw Michaels around 1 a.m. and later heard a noise in the middle of the night after she went to sleep.

Some strange noise  like bang  something like that, the Japanese translator told the jury.

Michaels allegedly beat Johnathan Willette with a stick and then decapitated him, Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani said during opening statements Wednesday. Police then believe she poured chemicals over Johnathan Willettes body.

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Yoko Willette found her son decapitated around 8 a.m. the next morning and called 911.

Devyn Michaels, 47, who also uses the names Nikki Fairchild and Tracee Tavarez, is accused of killing 46-year-old Johnathan Willette on Aug. 7, 2023. (KLAS)

Michaels is accused of taking Johnathan Willettes head from the crime scene and driving it to her home in Las Vegas, where she threw it in the trash, documents said. The head was then likely picked up by a trash service, prosecutors said.

Other testimony on Friday included the Clark County medical examiner and a crime scene analyst.

Would you agree with me that it would be difficult to effectuate a decapitation? Michaels attorney, Robert Draskovich, asked medical examiner Dr. Stephanie Yagi.

I dont know, Yagi said. Ive never attempted one myself. During Yagis testimony, she explained that Johnathan Willette weighed 169 lbs. at the coroners office and that a typical human head weighs about 10 lbs.

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Yagi testified that a report about Johnathan Willettes death stipulated someone likely used two different tools, a knife and then a power saw, to remove his head.

This may indicate that there were previous attempts to use a sharp force injury in this area, Yagi said.

Draskovichs questioning implied Michaels could not move a 170-pound body on her own, though, during questioning from Giordani, Yagi mentioned all of the people in her office who tend to the deceased are women, and they all manage to move the deceased on their own.

Without all of Johnathan Willettes remains, the coroners office could not conclude the manner of his death other than he was the victim of a homicide, Yagi said.

Police located these swords inside Devyn Michaels home, but a crime scene analyst testified detectives never tested them. (KLAS)

This person could have had a pillow placed over his face, correct? Draskovich asked.

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Correct, Yagi said.

A Henderson police crime scene analyst testified about the photos she took documenting Michaels home. Photos included Johnathan Willettes wallet and ID that police located in a tied plastic bag in Michaels dresser.

The analyst also briefly mentioned two swords she photographed on Michaels living room floor, adding that police never tested them.

During testimony Thursday, Michaels husband, Deviere Willette, testified a Ring camera system in the home where his father lived was recently removed. The analyst said she photographed the uninstalled system in Michaels garage. There was no footage located on the cameras.

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Police never located the victims head or a murder weapon.



The trial was expected to continue into next week with a pause over the Veterans Day holiday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
CHEYENNE  State lawmakers have advanced draft legislation aimed at revising the Wyoming Public Records Act following discussions that weighed rapid governmental transparency against local capacity constraints.

The Wyoming Legislatures Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee met Tuesday to finalize proposals on three core issues: shortening the maximum time allowed for fulfilling a request, clarifying the fee structure and addressing burdensome requests, often from out-of-state entities aiming to mine data for commercial purposes.

Wyoming Public Records Ombudsman Darlena Potter, who chaired the task force that discussed the bill draft before the committee meeting, presented several mediation proposals designed to find a middle ground.

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The original draft bill suggested drastic cuts to fulfillment times, reducing the acknowledgment period from seven business days to three and the production period from 30 calendar days to 10. Potter recommended five business days for acknowledgment and 15 business days for production.

Im trying to set everybody up for a success on this. I know that there was a lot of pushback on moving things up so much, she told committee members.

Darlena Potter

Wyoming Public Records Ombudsman Darlena Potter

Potter also suggested tabling the bill entirely until the 2027 general session, arguing that she felt there was more work to do and more time was needed to flesh out the nuances that had emerged during the work sessions, particularly concerning discrepancies related to federal versus state law enforcement practices.

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Despite Potters suggestion, several lawmakers urged the committee to move the bill forward to ensure legislative momentum wasnt lost.

Co-Chairman Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, stated he was not in favor of tabling the bill draft. On Tuesday, he pushed to clarify the language regarding federal court actions and made a motion to include plea agreements and non-confidential portions of sentencing memoranda in the definition of public records. The committee adopted this amendment before voting to sponsor the draft bill.

Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, expressed concerns about specific provisions, stating he did not like the current time frames, but was willing to push the bill forward to continue discussions during the budget session that begins Feb. 9.

We have plenty of time as we work it through a session to make some changes that we may want to implement, he said.

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Transparency advocates

Members of the media and concerned citizens strongly advocated for moving the original draft legislation forward, arguing that stricter deadlines and enforcement were necessary to motivate compliance.

Bob Bonner, publisher of Newcastles News Letter Journal and a representative of the Wyoming Press Association, supported the draft bill, but urged the committee to remove the phrase knowingly or intentionally from the penalty section.

He argued this phrase creates an unnecessary loophole that allows public officials to avoid accountability, and that eliminating it would motivate compliance. He countered municipal fears regarding high-volume requests, assuring the committee that the existing law allows entities to require requesters to inspect records in person, a deterrent for out-of-state data miners.

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Local newspapers are ready to help. Were eager to work with our partners in local government to ensure they understand and comply with this law, he said.

Sarah Squires, managing editor of the Riverton Ranger, Lander Journal and Wind River News, also encouraged the committee to adopt the original draft, highlighting that without legal constraint, local governments often increase fees to an unreasonable amount by passing requests along to high-cost attorneys.

This draft legislation here is a step that moves us barely into the middle ground when we compare ourselves even to other rural places across the country, she said.

George Powers, a retired Cheyenne attorney who won a public records lawsuit against the Wyoming Department of Education last year, also supported the initial draft. He pointed out that his lawsuit required the state to spend $75,000 defending the actions of individuals who made an intentional decision on the part of someone to withhold a record.

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Local governments capacity concerns

Local government representatives and officials continued to express concern that overly strict timelines would increase costs and lead to legal errors, particularly in smaller communities.

Mills Mayor Leah Juarez reiterated her concern that reducing the time for acknowledgment to three to five business days could result in immediate violations if her clerk, who is the designated records officer, takes a full week of vacation.

Wyoming Association of Municipalities Executive Director Ashley Harpstreith appreciated the ombudsmans suggested timeline extensions, but urged the committee to consider a tiered timeline based on population or staffing capacity, acknowledging that many smaller towns rely on part-time clerks.

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What works well in Casper may not work in Cokeville, she said. Many of our smaller towns operate with limited staff and resources, and much of their record keeping is still paper-based. Digging through physical files takes time and effort that small teams simply just dont have.

Wyoming State Auditor Kristi Racines cautioned against rushing the process, noting that shortening the timeline does not help change a culture of secrecy.

If anything, I fear it makes it worse and maybe ups their tendency to charge fees, and it maybe creates more fear of those inadvertent violations in people who maybe arent anti-transparency, but just are unfamiliar with requests, she said.

Racines highlighted that even state agencies like hers, which are relatively well-equipped, receive high volumes of for-profit requests. She also expressed concern about Bonners suggestion to remove knowingly or intentionally, stating that inadvertently missing a request could lead to a violation.

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Brian Farmer, executive director of the Wyoming School Boards Association, also argued against removing this language, explaining that those words are the legal difference between a mistake and an intent to do wrong. Farmer noted that school districts often require substantial time to analyze requests to ensure no sensitive student information, which is protected under federal laws like FERPA, is released.

The committee voted unanimously to sponsor for the bill for the 2026 budget session after adopting only Cases amendment.
The children of a husband and wife who died in a car collision near Madison last year have filed a lawsuit against Tesla, claiming one of the company's vehicles "turned a survivable crash into a fatal fire."

On Nov. 1, 2024, Jeffrey and Michelle Bauer were passengers in a 2016 Tesla Model S driven by a friend that veered off the road and struck a tree in Verona.

As a result of the crash, the electric vehicle caught fire and lost low-voltage power, causing the passengers to be unable to open the rear doors, according to the lawsuit complaint.

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"Tesla's design choices created a highly foreseeable risk: that occupants who survived a crash would remain trapped inside a burning vehicle," the complaint states.

All five occupants of the vehicle died. Andrew McDevitt, co-counsel representing the Bauers' children on the case, said he believes at least the four passengers would likely have survived the crash if they would have been able to open the vehicle's doors. McDevitt said he cannot comment on the driver, because he was not aware of what injuries he sustained.

A nearby homeowner who called 911 after she was awakened by the sound of the collision said she could hear people screaming from inside the vehicle  and could still hear screaming five minutes into the call with dispatch, the complaint says.

The lawsuit also alleges Tesla had received repeated notice about its vehicles' safety concerns, including previous incidents where other people survived crashes but were unable to escape burning vehicles, but continued to sell vehicles without addressing safety concerns.

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"They had to have known that before this crash happened, that this outcome was an inevitability. I mean, it wasn't whether or not this would happen, it was just when," McDevitt said.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McDevitt said the company will have 30 days after it is served the paperwork to file a response.

Lawsuit alleges Tesla is aware of unsafe battery, door designs

The lawsuit names as plaintiffs Jeffrey Bauer's children, Alexander Bauer and Claudia Bauer, and Michelle Bauer's children, Samantha Alswager and Joseph Alswager, in addition to Lake Ridge Bank, as the special administrator for the Bauers' estates.

In addition to Tesla, it names as defendants Wisconsin Mutual Insurance Company and the estate of Barry Sievers, the man who was driving the Tesla at the time of the crash.

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The complaint says Sievers' negligence was a "substantial factor" in the cause of the crash.

McDevitt said Sievers was driving the Tesla, which he owned, with the Bauers and another couple, Joshua and Tammy Stahl, as passengers. The group was headed home after an evening out together when the crash occurred.

"We don't know exactly what happened, but the vehicle ends up going off the road on the righthand side, and then the very rightmost part of the vehicle in the front hits a tree," McDevitt said.

After impact, the vehicle caught fire.

According to the lawsuit complaint, motor vehicle manufacturers are aware of risks from crashes, including post-crash fires, and have an obligation to design vehicles that "permit timely escape and rescue in the event of fire."

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Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has set guidelines for electric-powered vehicles, which include that passengers need time to safely escape or be rescued, and during that time should not be exposed to fire or explosion of the vehicle's electrical energy storage system, the complaint says.

"Defendant Tesla disregarded these principles, instead manufacturing vehicles prone to fires that ignite and spread rapidly upon impact  and from which escape depends on electronic systems that Defendant Tesla knew were liable to fail in precisely the conditions when escape is most critical: collision and fire," the complaint says.

The complaint alleges Tesla ignored battery design standards, and the design of Tesla's rear doors prevent occupants from safely escaping after a crash. The complaint lists numerous examples of fires from Tesla batteries that caused serious injuries and deaths, as well as numerous instances of doors malfunctioning and Tesla owners sharing safety concerns.

Tesla's interior rear door release system is "fundamentally defective and unreasonably dangerous," the complaint states. It relies on a low-voltage power system. When that loses power, the only way to operate them is to find the manual emergency release, which is not clearly marked or visible, the complaint says.

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In the 2016 Tesla Model S involved in the crash, the release mechanism for the rear seats was beneath the rear seats, requiring passengers to lift a section of carpet to pull a concealed tab.

"In foreseeable emergency scenarios involving power loss and fire, rear-seat passengers, including children and non-owner guests, are left to fumble blindly through smoke and flames for an unlabeled and hidden release mechanism they were never informed existed," the complaint says.

McDevitt said all of Tesla's vehicle designs have concealed, hard-to-locate manual release mechanisms  and they're in different locations in different models.

"It's the engineers' job to anticipate hazards that exist with their design. That's part of the process. ... I don't know how this design got past that process," McDevitt said. "And repeatedly."

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The lawsuit seeks damages for a variety of things, including medical, funeral and burial expenses, and punitive damages against Tesla.

Multiple lawsuits have addressed similar concerns with Tesla vehicles

McDevitt said he and his firm, Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, have been involved in litigation with Tesla for around seven years.

Among cases the firm was involved in was the lawsuit filed by the family of Walter Huang, a 38-year-old California man who died in 2018 when his Tesla, a 2017 Model X, was on autopilot and crashed into a concrete median. The case settled in 2024 ahead of trial. The firm is also working on a lawsuit about a November 2024 Tesla Cybertruck crash in Piedmont, California, in which three college students died after they were unable to escape the fiery vehicle.

The complaint for the Bauers' deaths describes numerous previous incidents of deaths spanning multiple years. It states Tesla has long been aware of major safety issues, but have continued to sell vehicles without changing the designs.

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"I think just the general motivation, really, or at least part of the motivation of the family in filing the case, is to draw attention to this safety hazard," McDevitt said. "I think this is a type of hazard that really shouldn't exist in any vehicle, especially ... with as advanced as technology is now."

Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lawsuit says unsafe Tesla design led to deaths in Dane County crash
Israel unleashed air strikes on Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon on Thursday with a ferocity rarely seen since its campaign last year.

In recent months, most Israeli strikes across its rural, northern border involved one or two munitions at a time, and largely passed without significant international criticism.

On Thursday, however, the IDF bombed for several hours across multiple locations, including built-up civilian areas.

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Israeli security forces said the attacks were triggered by Hezbollahs accelerated efforts to re-arm following their defeat in 2024 under Operation Northern Arrows  an attack that involved exploding pagers, Israeli troops on the ground inside Lebanon and the assassination of nearly all the groups high command.

The terrorist militias push to regroup has put Lebanons own military in a race against time to bulk up its forces and meet a US-imposed deadline to disarm Hezbollah by January.

Although nothing like the force it was before Northern Arrows, Hezbollah is learning to adapt to its changed circumstances, intelligence analysts believe.

Credit: Reuters / Israeli Army Handout

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This includes resuming training exercises, while focusing on the manufacturing of simpler, cheaper weapons such as drones  which Israel struggles to intercept.

Hezbollah is also getting its finances back on track, and learning to cope since the land access to its masters in Tehran via Syria was cut off following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad last December.

This is deeply frustrating for Donald Trump.

Although with far less fanfare than its peace-building activity in Gaza, his US administration had made significant effort into stabilising Lebanon, which it regarded as important for its broader diplomatic ambitions: Israel at peace with its neighbours, a cornerstone for grand regional deals, and an America-aligned Syria.

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Last month the White House reportedly approved a $230m (175m) package to help Lebanons armed forces and security services carry out a US-drafted plan to disarm Hezbollah.

This is a big sum for a relatively small country at a time when the US is cutting back its foreign spending.

Donald Trumps Gaza peace plan could be threatened if Benjamin Netanyahu decides to increase air strike against targets in Lebanon - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

As far as Israel is concerned, however, the disarmament process is a farce.

According to Thomas Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and one of Mr Trumps pointmen on the issue, the US is beginning to agree.

Speaking in Bahrain earlier this week, he described Lebanon as a failed state because of its paralysed government.

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He pointed to the man-for-man disparity in motivation between the hardened terror group and the Lebanese armed forces tasked with shutting them down under the peace process.

The LAF, Lebanese armed forces, has 60,000 soldiers, he said. The only problem is, Hezbollah soldiers make $2,200 a month; the LAF soldiers make $275 a month. The Hezbollah soldiers have 15,000-20,000 rockets and missiles. The LAF soldiers are driving old Jeeps, some AK-47s. So which army is which? Whats happening there?

The Lebanese government says some progress has been made, citing the interception of rocket launchers, and that it is Israels continued bombing that makes progress difficult.

Despite Mr Barracks lack of confidence that Lebanon can make good on its commitments to disarm Hezbollah under Joseph Aoun, its new president, he said the group did not pose a serious threat to Israel.

Lebanese army soldiers make just $275 a month - EPA/Shutterstock

The trouble is that, in a post-Oct 7 world, the Jewish state is not inclined to take that for granted.

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Preventing terror threats building on its borders  rather than merely monitoring them  is now core doctrine for Israels military and security establishment.

Shosh Bedrosian, an Israeli government spokesman, said on Thursday: We will not allow Hezbollah to rearm themselves, to recover, build back up its strength to threaten the state of Israel.

As the timeline for disarming Hezbollah under the plan counts down to the end of the year, the apparent lack of progress raises the prospect of military escalation in the Levant, just as things were beginning to calm down thanks to Mr Trumps Gaza deal.

As Israeli Air Force jets were pounding their targets on Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahus security cabinet met to discuss their Lebanon strategy.

Israels air strikes on Thursday lasted several hours and included attacks on built-up civilian areas of Lebanon - Wael Hamzeh/EPA/Shutterstock

Attendees subsequently made sure to leak to the press that one of the options under consideration was a series of much bigger strikes against Hezbollah, possibly accompanied by an increase in ground incursions.

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This presents a dilemma for Israel.

As far as they are concerned, Hezbollah has routinely and flagrantly violated the 2024 ceasefire agreement.

It might make sense to strike harder earlier and further up the chain, rather than continuing to play the current game of whack-a-mole: assassinating terrorists in their ones and twos, usually as they travel about.

However, as Thursdays bombing indicated, this could mean more targeting of built-up areas with the accompanying risk of civilian casualties.

A bulldozer removes the wreckage of a vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanese - Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP via Getty Images

With its power base mainly in the Shia south, Hezbollah has had a restricted presence in Beirut since Northern Arrows, according to experts, but this is beginning to change.

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If Israel were to resume air strikes in the Lebanese capital, that could attract the ire of Arab neighbours and threaten regional support for Mr Trumps Gaza peace deal, upon which so much of his ambitions for the Middle East is built.

A funeral is held for Hezbollah militants. Israel is thought to have killed some 300 Hezbollah members in the past year - Ramiz Dallah/Anadolu via Getty Images

With its current tactics of piecemeal, opportunistic assassinations, Israel has managed to kill, by some estimates, more than 300 Hezbollah members in the past year, keeping the threat to its northern towns and villages to a minimum without provoking undue international controversy.

Throughout this, the Lebanese state sat on the sidelines in practical terms, although Mr Aoun is becoming increasingly critical of Israels policy of air strikes, and of the five ground positions they occupy just inside Lebanons border.

Following the most recent attack, he said: Every time Lebanon expresses its openness to peaceful negotiations  Israel intensifies its aggression.

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Nearly a year has passed since the ceasefire came into effect, and during that time Israel has spared no effort to demonstrate its rejection of any negotiated settlement between the two countries, he said. Your message has been received.

The UN says that more than 100 civilians have been killed by Israeli bombs since the November 2024 ceasefire.

The second part of Israels dilemma is that by continuing its air campaign, it might keep Hezbollah as a diminished force, but could alienate the Aoun administration entirely and push it into abandoning a policy of disarmament.

Therein, the seeds of the next Israel-Lebanon major war would be sowed.

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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday paid floral tributes to those who laid down their lives in the Uttarakhand statehood movement. He paid the tributes at the 'Shaheed Sthal' in the Kachhari premises, Dehradun. As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Uttarakhand's State Formation, the Chief Minister also honoured state movement activists during the State Movement Activist Felicitation Ceremony held at Police Lines, Dehradun, according to a release. The Chief Minister stated that the formation of Uttarakhand was not merely a political decision, but the result of the sacrifices, struggles, and dedication of countless people of Devbhoomi. He recalled the painful incidents of Khatima, Mussoorie, and Rampur Tiraha as unforgettable chapters of the movement, the release said. He said that the State Government has always placed the honour of movement activists as a top priority. Mentioning the pension and other support provisions for activists, he said these are not just benefits, but a symbol of the state's gratitude. He said monthly pension for activists, who were jailed for at least seven days or were injured during the Uttarakhand movement, will be increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000. The monthly pension for activists belonging to other categories (those not jailed or injured) will be increased from Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,500. The pension for activists who became completely disabled and bedridden due to injuries during the movement will be increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per month, along with arrangements for a medical attendant. The monthly pension for dependents of those who laid down their lives in the Uttarakhand movement will be increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,500. A six-month extension will be granted for resolving pending applications submitted to District Magistrate offices up to the year 2021 for the identification of state movement activists. The Chief Minister said the government will never forget the contribution of movement activists with utmost respect and reflect their spirit in every policy and decision. He appealed to all citizens to light five lamps in their homes on State Foundation Day in memory of the heroes of the statehood movement. He added that the spirit of the Uttarakhand movement remains the driving inspiration in the mission to make Uttarakhand one of the finest states in the country, and called upon everyone to join this collective effort. (ANI)
LEBANON CITY, Pa. (WHTM)  Residents looking to rescue stray animals in Lebanon City soon wont be able to without approval from police.

The Lebanon City Police Department said Friday it is implementing a new policy requiring residents to complete a drop-off authorization form with the department before taking stray animals to the Humane Society of Lebanon.

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Starting Monday, Nov. 10, a city police officer must assist with the form and verify the location where an animal was found, the department said.

The Lebanon City Police Department said residents will need to complete a drop-off authorization form before taking stray animals to the Humane Society of Lebanon starting Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. | Lebanon City Police Department

This new process aims to ensure that the correct municipality is accountable for the stray animal being dropped off at the Humane Society, the department said, adding the Humane society is cooperating with the new rule.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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TUPELO  An involved network of lawsuits across the country against opioid manufactures has resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars flowing to the government for opioid and drug abatement. Now officials are weighing their options of how best to spend those growing pools of money.

In 2021, Mississippi, alongside a host of other states, settled a lawsuit brought against pharmaceutical manufacturer Teva and Allergan with CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Kroger for its part in the proliferation of opioid addiction. Other companies that reached similar settlements with the state include Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen and Johnson & Johnson.

The settlement ended a years-long court battle and came with a hefty sum of money, which was split between the state, cities and counties. According to a report by Mississippi Today published in September, the state has received $109 million of its expected $421 million in settlement funds.

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Of that money, the state used about $20 million to pay for outside counsel fees. The other $89 million is currently in the hands of the Mississippi Legislature's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Council, a committee tasked with making recommendations to the Legislature on where the money should be spent to best address the crisis.

The state, counties and cities get an annual allocation of money from a settlement between the state and opioid manufacturers and distributors. Of that distribution, the State Legislature holds the purse for the lions share of the money. Cities and counties were allocated 15% of the total based on a host of factors, such as population density and the number of entities in a specific lawsuit being settled, of which there are multiple.

The State Attorney Generals Office constructed a contract with counties and municipalities as a framework for allocating the funds, which allows a portion to be spent on whatever elected officials see fit, but most of the money must go to opioid abatement or enforcement of drug laws.

Many counties and municipalities have yet to touch their growing nest eggs. That includes Tupelo. But, per Mississippi Today reporting, Oxford has used their money to buy police equipment, and Alcorn and Union counties slotted the money into their general funds. Pontotoc County placed its funding in a specific fund, and Itawamba County used a portion of its funding on an unspecified project.

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Meanwhile, Lee County has given money to two courts: the county court and the District 1 Circuit Court.

Lee County begins trickling funding down, bulk unallocated

Lee County, as of Friday, has received $305,220 since distributions began. Of that total, the county has yet to allocate $152,000. So far, the county has budgeted $50,000 to create a new intervention court within the youth court and budgeted $25,000 to the states District 1 Circuit Court for its drug, mental health and veterans courts.

Judge John White, who asked the Lee County Board of Supervisors for the money, said the funding will expand the court system's drug testing network. As of now, anyone in his drug court must drive to Tupelo or Booneville to be tested. White, who serves on the State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee, said he last reported 288 intervention cases on his books, 190 of which were in Lee County.

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With Lee County, many other counties donated 10% of their current opioid settlement money to the first district, White said.

(Opioid addiction has affected) every family Ive known; even my own, White said, noting that he currently has nearly 300 annual cases in the drug court, and he estimated the number could be double if he had more staff.

The goal is to have a drug testing facility in every county (in District 1), White said. Its a good goal to have.

Tupelo leaves opioid money untouched, officials weigh their options

Tupelo, meanwhile, has not allocated any of its opioid settlement funding, reported to be close to $250,000. Judge Staci Bevill requested $50,000 from Tupelo officials during the budgeting process for the youth court program, but the city did not shell out any of the opioid funds.

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Tupelo Assistant Attorney Stephen Reed said there have been some discussions on where the money might be best used, including purchasing equipment for the police or fire departments or a drug testing machine for the Tupelo Police Department. The machine, he said, would be immensely helpful in cases involving the seizure of unregulated products from convenience stores.

Regardless of options, the city remains in a holding pattern.

We really dont know, Reed said. In the grand scheme of things, it is not just a whole lot of money. So the question is, do we hold onto it until we accumulate funds to be able to do something large or do we divide it up? That is where we are right now.

Another possibility: Use the opioid settlement money as matching funds for grants. Reed noted the Tupelo Fire Department applied for a state grant for equipment that is funded through the states opioid dollars, so it would be logical to use a portion of the citys funding to match the grant.

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Intervention court established with opioid funding help

There are only about a dozen other courts in the state that function as intervention courts. As of Thursday, Lee Countys court system is among them.

Bevill said Wednesday that she and her staff have been preparing for months and are anxious to begin. She called the intervention court an absolute necessity in Lee County, attributing drug use as a primary or secondary issue in 80% of her youth court cases.

It is going to be a learning process, she said, noting that while the court does not provide services itself, it directs those in it to community and government resources to help fight addiction. When you get to us, you are as low as you can go  The goal is to get (charges) to quality services to get them off drugs.

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The court started with three cases. Within the intervention court, there is a new director and a case worker, and they will do their drug testing through a partnership with North Mississippi Medical Center.

An intervention court is a special court that is formed to handle drug-related offenses. The court includes added supervision, extensive drug testing and treatment services to reduce recidivism and substance abuse in the region.

The funding the county passed down to the court, Bevill said, is going to singular purchases rather than funding the court because it was a one-time allocation. Expenses include treatment cost assistance, an online life skill program and an independent contractor for assessments.

While the new court is in its infancy in Lee County, Bevill previously warned that space was limited in the Justice Center office and expansion was likely going to be needed in the future. As of preparation, Bevill said she and others in the court attended other intervention court proceedings in the state to get their bearings.

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Bevill isnt doing this alone, she said, adding that Youth Court Judge Stephen Spencer has been instrumental in the process. The court, meanwhile, has about 220 children in its care as of Wednesday.

While White cannot divert his own funding to the new intervention court, he said he is helping Spencer and Bevill any way hes allowed.

I want to help her as much as I can, he said, noting that a bulk of his cases come from Lee County because it is the largest population center in the region. I am helping my district by helping her.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, is appealing to the German parliament to expand humanitarian aid, as the Bundestag prepares to finalize next year's budget.

"Keeping the humanitarian budget as low as it is is a huge strategic mistake," he told dpa in a recent interview.

On November 13, the Bundestag's budget committee is meeting to finalize the 2026 budget. Germany has more than halved humanitarian aid this year compared with 2024, from 2.3 billion ($2.66 billion] to 1.05 billion. The same level is planned for 2026.

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"If humanitarian aid is diminishing, you will have a push again of people towards Europe," Grandi said, referring to the migration surge of 2015-16, when hundreds of thousands of refugees came to Germany, including many from war-torn Syria.

Grandi noted that humanitarian support for Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries had been cut at the time due to budgetary constraints. This was one of the reasons for the mass migration, he argued.

A similar situation is occurring now, the high commissioner noted. As an example, he said drastic funding cuts by the United States, Germany, Britain, France and other countries meant that assistance had shrunk for people fleeing from the bloody conflict in Sudan to Chad.

"You know who is already controlling those areas? The traffickers," Grandi said, adding that they were telling people: "Look, you are in a desperate situation ... Go with us to Libya. Give us a bit of money. Go to Libya, and then from there we'll take you to Europe."
Licking Regional Water District and Licking County leaders unveiled a new water tower that extends service to other parts of the county and that they expect will support future growth in Jersey Township.

The tower sits near Patterson Road and along State Route 161 in Pataskala. It holds a 750,000-gallon tank that is expected to improve water pressure, fire protection and service reliability around the highway corridor, according to the Water District.

Crews painted the Jersey Township name and Licking County on the tower, which is visible from the highway. It will serve residents in Jersey, St. Albans and Harrison townships and Pataskala.

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Licking Water Regional District expects the tower will be operational by the end of November after starting the $6.2 million project in July 2024. District staff estimate a bulk water fill station that sits west of the tower will be available around that time for agricultural, construction and residential use.

A new water tower in Pataskala is expected to be operational around the end of November and will service Jersey, St. Albans and Harrison townships and Pataskala.

This project serves our legacy customers and our future customers alike, with improved water pressure, enhanced fire protection and increased service reliability along one of Ohios fastest growing corridors, Licking Regional Water District board President Trent Stepp said during a Nov. 6 ceremony unveiling the tower. But more than that, it proves that when communities collaborate with one another, with clarity and purpose, they create solutions that stand the test of time.

Leaders around the area have seen and are anticipating growth in the area in part because of Intels pursuit to build two microchip production facilities in Licking Countys section of New Albany, but also several housing developments that are ongoing.

Water tower helps fill service void, community leaders say

The project stems from an agreement between the Water District and Licking County Commissioners, which they amended in 2022 to extend the districts service into the corridor. Funding includes Water District, Jersey Township and Licking County contributions, as well as federal money obtained through U.S. Rep. Troy Baldersons office.

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Licking Regional Water District Executive Director Jim Roberts called the tower an economic development tool that will provide utilities where township leaders want and expect growth to happen.

Licking Regional Water District Executive Director Jim Roberts speaks during a Nov. 6 ceremony unveiling a new water tower that will service Jersey Township and other townships in the surrounding area.

Commissioner (Tim Bubb) saw a void in Licking County along this (State Route) 161 corridor  nobody had utilities, and economic development cant occur without utilities, Roberts said. We were the ones, long before my time, to step and say, Well be your partner, and weve taken that commitment very seriously ever since.

Jersey Township Administrator Rob Platte told The Advocate that residents in the area, including around Mink Street, have requested their water lines be extended because of various issues and that the new tower could be a solution.

Residents could also choose not to hook up to the lines, but if they ever want to do so, its now available to them, Platte said.

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With all of Jerseys growth coming, we are excited to get this online, he said. Its going to help support the development where were wanting development  I think thats the key. In this corridor, were going to see all sorts of development.

This also serves St. Albans Township and existing customers down in Harrison Township and Pataskala, so thats kind of cool to have something here in Jersey thats able to help other communities as well. Were excited about that.

Licking County commissioner, Jersey Township official defend service extension

Bubb spent some of the ceremony defending the commissioners decision in 2022 to expand Licking Regional Waters service area to include unincorporated parts of Monroe and Jersey townships and St. Albans Township, adding northern and eastern parts of the county.

The move increased the districts coverage area from 10,000 acres to more than 18,000, after it had already been serving the southwest corner of Licking County.

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The decision concerned Alexandria, Granville and Johnstown leaders, who worried it could thwart their ability to manage the areas growth. They formed the Municipal Utility Coalition of Licking County and are seeking Ohio Environmental Protection Agency approval for a water and sewer service plan.

Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb speaks during a Nov. 6 ceremony unveiling a new water tower that will service Jersey Township and other townships in the surrounding area.

Bubb said he believes the only way the area could be served is through the district, which he feels can expand, grow and afford to do so.

I dont regret the extension of the service region to give you the opportunity to plan for growth and investment in water and sewer infrastructure capability for western Licking County, Bubb said. Somebody has to do it, and do it right, service and maintain it and run it to serve the customers. I havent changed my mind on that, and Im not going to change my mind.

Platte, who opposes the municipal coalition, said he feels the district is a regional water supplier that should serve the aforementioned area. He said he feels the commissioners made the right choice with the extension and that it solidified the district as the countys water and sewer service provider.

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This is more than a plan, Bubb said. This is substantial capital improvement, elevated water storage, pressure, service and its capability to serve development in the region.

The new tower is one of around a dozen water and sewer-related projects the commissioners invested in using American Rescue Plan Act funding. Bubb during the ceremony said commissioners felt they should use the money to reinvest in Licking County and its infrastructure.

Advocate reporter Josue Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County's Jersey Township gets new water tower after expansion
Lior Rudaeff (photo credit: Bring Them Home Now)

A husband, father, and grandfather, longtime Nir Yitzhak resident Lior Rudaeff was a member of the kibbutzs response team when he was murdered by Palestinian Islamic Jihad on October 7, 2023.

It was confirmed that the remains of deceased hostage Lior Rudaeff were returned to Israel on Friday night following forensic examinations, the IDF announced on Saturday morning.

When Rudaeff was killed, he was already a proud grandfather, though he lived to meet only two of his three grandchildren.

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A husband, father, and grandfather, longtime Nir Yitzhak resident Lior Rudaeff was a member of the kibbutzs response team when he was murdered by Palestinian Islamic Jihad on October 7, 2023, and his body was taken to Gaza.

Born in 1962 to a Jewish family in Argentina, Rudaeff immigrated to Israel and settled in Nir Yitzhak at the age of seven in 1969. An expert on vehicles, he was known in the kibbutz for his passion for driving and his mastery of nearly every motorized vehicle, holding a license for every motorized vehicle with wheels, according to Nir Yitzhaks memorial page.

Hadas Adar, Saphir Zohav Hamami, Yaffa Rudaeff, and Ela Haimi are all waiting for the return of their husbands bodies from Gaza (credit: Avishag Shaar-Yashuv / IDFWO)

During his IDF service, Rudaeff served in an anti-aircraft unit and fought in the First Lebanon War in 1982. After returning home, he met the love of his life, Yaffa, and the two married in 1985. Together, they built a family of six, with children Noam, Nadav, Bar, and Ben. Their youngest son, Ben, would later survive the Nova festival massacre. When Rudaeff was killed, he was already a proud grandfather, though he lived to meet only two of his three grandchildren.

His love for driving led him to work as a truck driver for many years, including in the Gaza Strip. But his true passion was service to others. According to the kibbutz, he devoted most of his adult life to volunteering, joining the communitys emergency response team immediately after his army service. For more than 25 years, he also volunteered as a Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance driver for 40 years, always ready to help those in need.

October 7: How Lior Rudaeff fought to protect his kibbutz

On the morning of October 7, Hamas terrorists breached the gates of Nir Yitzhak, attacking its residents. Rudaeff, along with other members of the kibbutzs security team, rushed to defend the community. They fought bravely for hours without any IDF backup, unaware that the army would not arrive until that evening, after the terrorists had already withdrawn.

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In those chaotic hours, several members of the team were killed in the fighting, but Rudaeff was nowhere to be found. When his phone was tracked to Gaza, it was believed that he had been taken hostage along with others from the kibbutz. For seven months, his family hoped for good news. Then, in May 2024, the IDF informed them of the devastating truth: the 61-year-old had been killed on October 7, and his body had been taken to Gaza.

Since then, the Rudaeff family has been advocating for the return of his body, so they can bury him according to Jewish law. He left behind a wife, four children and three grandchildren.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  A local veteran was recently recognized as part of an Honor Flight.

She served her country as a nurse during the Vietnam War. Pamela Cox spent her career as a nurse, and from 1970 to 1971, she saved the lives of soldiers overseas.



It is my sincere honor to be a Vietnam veteran and the small part that I played. It was so small compared to the part that our soldiers have done for us, said Cox.

The 79-year-old was a surgery nurse at a field hospital in An Khe, Vietnam. She operated in a Quonset hut that consisted of three operating room tables with no divisions. As a field hospital, Cox said nurses had to think on their feet and improvise.

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VA studies how psychedelic therapy can help veterans

The most devastating experience was the loss of life. On the other hand, it was a rewarding experience because we saved many, many lives, said Cox.

Recently, Cox participated in an honor flight where veterans are flown to Washington, DC, to visit memorials and other destination sites. One moving moment for her was visiting the nurses memorial.



It meant so much to see the nurse holding the patient that had been injured and another one standing by watching. Very emotional, said Cox.

The Indy Honor Flight is completely staffed by volunteers. Cox said they were very organized and thoughtful. Before the veterans set off, they met with veterans lining the way into Plainfield High School for a meet and greet. The flight of veterans then returned with family members and loved ones gathered for them.

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It was amazing. Probably one of the most wonderful days of my life. I really did feel special, said Cox.

To apply for the veteran application for Indy Honor Flight or become a volunteer, visit Indy Honor Flight.

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An 80-year-old Vietnam War veteran died after being struck by a man driving a stolen car in Long Island on Friday, police said.

The victim, Peter Morris, of South Farmingdale, was leaving an event at his granddaughters school  Woodward Parkway Elementary  when the deadly collision occurred just before noon, Nassau County cops said Saturday.

His family told News 12 that Morris had been at the school for an event honoring veterans before he was hit by a stolen 2013 Nissan just as hed gotten into his own parked vehicle.

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The impact sent Morris SUV flying backwards into another parked car, leaving him with serious injuries, police said. He was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The Nissans driver, identified as 24-year-old Randy Colon, of Hicksville, fled the scene of the crash on foot, according to authorities.

Officers quickly located and arrested him on charges including manslaughter, criminal possession of stolen property, grand larceny and leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death.

Colon was arraigned in Nassau County District Court on Saturday, where he was ordered held without bail. During the proceedings, prosecutors said he stole the Nissan Friday morning and, without a license, was speeding through the school zone when he slammed into Morris car.

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Colon, who prosecutors said has a history of mental illness, allegedly told police he didnt take his medication on the morning of the crash.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Morris death comes just five months after his wifes, according to his relatives. Hed also been looking forward to an upcoming trip to Disney World, a vacation he planned for his children and grandkids.
The death toll in the UPS plane crash in Louisville has risen.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced on social media that another victim had been found at the crash site, bringing the death toll to 14.

News Center 7 previously reported that one of the people killed in the crash has been identified as a retired officer with the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB).

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Executive Vice President, U.S. & UPS Airlines, Nando Cesarone, said Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond were killed in the crash at Muhammad Ali Airport.

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In a post on the social media platform X, Arizona Senator Wendy Rogers, a former Air Force pilot, shared that Wartenberg served in the 356th Airlift Squadron within the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

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As an aircrew member, he flew the C-141C transport aircraft on numerous missions. Colleagues have shared that he was a skilled and respected pilot, with one former crew chief noting they flew together on many operations, Roger wrote.

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The 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs confirmed on Friday afternoon that Wartenberg served as a member of the 445th Airlift Wing at WPAFB from 1994 to 2016, when he retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Wartenberg obtained his commission through Air Force Officer Training School and throughout his career held qualifications in the C-141Starlifter, C-5 Galaxy and the C-17 Globemaster III. He retired as a command pilot with over 5000 military flight hours, the public affairs office stated.

As previously reported, the UPS cargo plane bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, crashed shortly after taking off from Muhammad Ali Airport.

About a dozen people were hurt, and some people remain missing.

Officials have not publicly identified all the victims pending notification of next of kin.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius. PHOTO: WLKY-TV

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius. PHOTO: WLKY-TV

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius. PHOTO: WLKY-TV

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A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius. PHOTO: WLKY-TV

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius. PHOTO: WLKY-TV

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A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius. PHOTO: WLKY-TV

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius. PHOTO: WLKY-TV

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

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A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

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A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

A UPS plane has crashed in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius.

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Zac Brown X Margaritaville at Sea onboard venue 'Same Boat' (Courtesy Margaritaville at Sea)

A fiery plane crash is sending plumes of smoke into the sky in Louisville.

A fiery plane crash is sending plumes of smoke into the sky in Louisville.

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A fiery plane crash is sending plumes of smoke into the sky in Louisville.

A fiery plane crash is sending plumes of smoke into the sky in Louisville.

A fiery plane crash is sending plumes of smoke into the sky in Louisville.

A fiery plane crash is sending plumes of smoke into the sky in Louisville.

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A fiery plane crash is sending plumes of smoke into the sky in Louisville.

A fiery plane crash is sending plumes of smoke into the sky in Louisville.

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Editors note: This essay was adapted from a talk given by Arthur C. Brooks at the Deseret News 175th Anniversary Gala on September 24, 2025.

A decade ago, when I was running the American Enterprise Institute  a think tank in Washington, D.C.  I read an article in a psychology journal that really shocked me. It was about something called motive attribution asymmetry. Thats a fancy set of words for a very simple concept. Its when theres an implacable hostility and conflict between two people or two groups, and its motivated by the fact that both sides believe that they love and that the other side hates.

Now, its impossible that two sides could both simultaneously love and hate. But that error is incredibly common. The article shocked me because it showed that the United States was going into a period where the motive attribution asymmetry phenomenon was as acute in America as it is between Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East. I thought, That cant be right. I know people dont get along politically, but is it really that bad? Well, yes. That dark cloud was coming and its upon us today.

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I travel around and give talks for a living, and Ill talk to any group about any subject because Im interested in ideas. I talk to people all across the political spectrum. And the night after I read that article in 2014, I was in New Hampshire giving a speech to 600 conservative tea party activists, and I thought I would test out if motive attribution asymmetry was actually happening among us. I came a little early to my engagement, and I always like to do that so I can get a kind of a lay of the land. There were 15 speakers: me and 14 presidential candidates. I thought to myself, Why did God call me here? God called me to say something that nobody else can say. I was listening to the political candidates who were all vying for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination on the Republican ticket. They were telling their audience that they were right and that the liberals who werent among them are stupid and evil and hate this country. Red meat for this audience.

I thought to myself, Why did God call me here? God called me to say something that nobody else can say, and that could be anything, because I dont need any votes. I silently prayed, crossed myself and started my prepared speech about economic policy or something lost in the sands of time. But in the middle, I stopped and I said, My friends, you have been hearing from all these presidential candidates that youre right and the people who arent here dont love America. Maybe I actually agree with you on many political ideas. But I want you to think about those people that the politicians have been talking about. Those are your neighbors. Those people are your family. Those people arent stupid and evil. Theyre just American citizens who happen to disagree with you on politics. And if your job is to convince them, which it should be, well, news flash, nobody has ever been convinced by hearing that theyre stupid and evil. Nobody can be insulted into being convinced.

That was not an applause line. But there was applause that came right after when a lady in the audience yelled: Actually, they are stupid and evil. She repudiated me. I didnt take it personally. It was a joke. Not a very funny one, but it was a joke nonetheless. That took me, in my mind, to Seattle, where I grew up. Seattle is the most secular, most left wing city in the United States. My father was a college professor. My mother was an artist. And when that lady yelled that out, she was insulting my mother, and I took it personally. Now, I didnt happen to agree with my mother on politics. I was the odd man out. Our home was like that old sitcom Family Ties. I was Alex Keaton growing up. My mother, at one point, was so worried about my dangerous capitalist ideology that she asked, I want you to know that we will love you either way: Have you been voting for Republicans?

Those are your neighbors. Those people are your family. Those people arent stupid and evil. Theyre just American citizens who happen to disagree with you on politics.

That is where I come from. But thats not the point. The point is, nobody has the right to say that my mother is stupid and evil because of how she votes. And in that moment, motive attribution asymmetry came into view for me because I realized what we need to do as Americans in this political moment when we are so divided.

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We need to stand up to the people with whom we agree. You want to fix America? Lets stop standing up to the people with whom we disagree, which is a waste of time, and start standing up to the people with whom we agree on behalf of those with whom we disagree, who are Americans just like us. Thats how we love our enemies.

Disgust + anger = contempt

Polarization in this country is the fruit of motive attribution asymmetry, to be sure. And a lot of people will blame anger. Were so angry, if you turn on cable TV and listen to a talking head show, youll see a lot of anger, for sure. Wind them up and they debate. But anger isnt the problem. I am a behavioral scientist, and I assure you that anger is a hot emotion produced in the limbic system of the brain, saying: I care what you think and I want it to change. Believe it or not, divorce and anger are uncorrelated. The hot emotion of anger doesnt predict divorce. Its another emotion that enters into anger that actually makes us polarized and turns us against each other: disgust.

There are four basic negative emotions: anger, fear, sadness and disgust. Disgust is supposed to be relegated to pathogens. Weve evolved the emotion of disgust that is produced by the insular cortex and the limbic system of the brain. We have a specialized organ to make us feel disgust, and that was the only thing that stood between us and the poisoning from pathogens before vaccines and antibiotics were developed. Thats whats kept you alive and kept your ancestors alive. But when you deploy it toward other human beings, you have instant enemies. And when you mix it with anger, you get the most noxious of all human emotions that will make enemies, forever. Its called contempt. Contempt is disgust plus anger that results in a conviction of the utter worthlessness of another human being. And thats what American politics has become today. Its like a large, dysfunctional marriage.

John Gottman is a social psychologist who teaches at the University of Washington and the worlds leading expert in marital reconciliation. Hes brought thousands of couples back together that were on the brink of divorce. I had heard he could tell in an hour, with 97 percent accuracy, if a couple will be in divorce proceedings within three years. And I asked him if that was true and he said no, I can do it in half an hour. He asks couples to discuss something contentious and looks to see if either one of the partners rolls their eyes. It seems innocent, right? But it is perceived by the other party as a sign of contempt and worthlessness. Its almost like a physical attack. And thats exactly how we treat each other in politics in America today. Weve forgotten, actually, what its like to have a functional conversation.

The cure for contempt

Our problem is contempt and the culture of contempt is tearing us apart. People often ask, so what do you do? One solution is to be more civil to each other, or more tolerant of each other. I say, thats nonsense. If I told you that my wife and I are civil to each other, youd say, You need counseling. If I told you that my employees are tolerant of me, youd realize I have a huge HR problem on my hands.

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The solution can be found in Jesus Sermon on the Mount recorded in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew 5:44: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Are you strong enough for that? Are we strong enough for that? Because thats the medicine we need. Thats the only thing thats going to bring our country back together again. And we need people dedicated to do that and do it in public. Its the only way that we save this enterprise.

Now, one thing that Jesus didnt say in the sermon is to like your enemies. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a famous sermon on this in 1957 at the Dexter Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, in which he says its significant that Jesus didnt say to like your enemies. Like is a sentimental something, an affectionate something.  And love is greater than like. To love your enemies is an act of commitment. Its an act of will. And only in that way can you redeem your enemies. This is the hardest thing you can possibly do. And its the best thing that we can possibly do. Its a measure of who we are as people.

To love your enemies is an act of commitment. Its an act of will. And only in that way can you redeem your enemies.

How are we going to do it? Let me be really practical here. What Im not suggesting is that we start agreeing, because agreement is a kind of a mediocrity. The competition of ideas is fundamental to a free society. This country was built on competition, economic competition, political competition, ideological competition. Thats something that so many universities have forgotten. So Im not asking you to agree. Im not asking you to disagree less on politics. Im asking all of us to disagree better. Lets stop being used. Lets stop being monetized. When we hate for political reasons, somebodys profiting and its not us. We have been utterly transactionalized in this country by media and politicians who tell us that people who disagree with us are a danger to us and must be despised. That gets clicks and dollars and votes and attention, and we can make it stop. How? By walking away from our own side.

Following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk in September, Utahs Gov. Spencer Cox said what he thought was right on how we should respond to the violence  and he got attacked. A Republican got attacked by conservative politicians for that. If youre getting attacked for talking about love, youre doing it right. Thats the acid test. If your side is going after you because youre proposing more love, congratulations. Youre halfway to heaven. But it feels like hell, doesnt it?

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The next thing we can do is go out and find contempt. Go running toward it with your love. Go looking for contempt and what will happen when you treat conflict as an opportunity?

Let me quote the Book of Mormon: And it came to pass that they did go forth and did minister unto the people,  and as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred, and the tradition of their fathers. Thats how peace gets made, but only when you find the hatred and respond with love.

Last but not least is one of the things that weve forgotten and the greatest tool at our disposal: gratitude. One of the things that the right and left can agree on in America today is that this is a country in decline, that our best days are behind us, that everythings wrong in America. You know thats false. You know theres a reason everybody still wants to come here. You know youre all proud to be Americans, and we should be grateful for that. Our greatest apostolate is the gratitude that we show for the country that we love. How are we showing that gratitude? When we show that gratitude, its magnetic. Its what people actually want. Im grateful to be here in Utah. Im grateful to be American, and I know you are, too.

This story appears in the November 2025 issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe.
If you were keeping tabs on races in Macomb County on election night, you might have noticed something you haven't seen in a while  unofficial results showing up faster on the county elections department website.

By 9:15 p.m. Nov. 4, a little over an hour after the polls closed, the website showed 100% of precincts reporting unofficial results for Roseville's mayor and city council races and library ballot proposal as well as Richmond's uncontested council race. Around midnight, unofficial results in all of the races and proposals in the county were buttoned-up and showing on the county website.

There is, in part, a reason for this.

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The county clerk's office launched a pilot program with 11 local communities to transmit unofficial election results to the county through a secured network. This enabled the county to post unofficial results faster online for candidates and the public to see.

County Clerk Anthony Forlini said officials will "take a hard look at" the program over the next several days, but so far: "We were happy with the results. We're going to look and see if it's worthwhile to do something like this on a larger scale."

Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini talks on Oct. 30, 2025, about a pilot program that his office and 11 municipalities were planning to use to transmit unofficial election results more quickly to the county for posting online to the public during the Nov. 4, 2025, election.

There was no cost to try to the program, with the vendor, ES&S, loaning the laptops given to the local clerks. The clerks inserted memory sticks from the tabulators with results from their local election into the laptop and a program transmitted them to the county through a dedicated, secured network. The laptops could only run the program that transmitted the unofficial results.

Roseville City Clerk Jennifer Zelmanski praised the pilot program  "I loved it. I thought it was awesome!"  adding that people could know what was going on and they didn't have to "wait until 1 a.m." to find out. She was the first of the local clerks testing the program to transmit her initial results  at 8:03 p.m.

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She said Roseville had a slightly larger turnout because of a write-in for mayor and a city council race that included the name of a late councilwoman. Zelmanski, who has been working elections for 16 years, said results were posted for Roseville at least 45 minutes earlier than in prior elections.

"I'm so thankful that they came up with a solution for a problem that we've had," she said, adding the program was quick, easy to use and secure. "It was like a breath of fresh air."

More: Find all 2025 Michigan election results here

More: Mayors, council seats, ballot issues before voters in Macomb County elections

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Sterling Heights Clerk Melanie Ryska, who just worked her 60th election (she has been working elections in some capacity since 2002), said that she thinks the pilot program "worked great," agreeing it was fast and efficient and the results were verified and secure.

"Local elections are very personal. People are very passionate. They want to get results as soon as possible," she said. "My candidates were very pleased with it.

"I think the faster that we can get results out, it alleviates some of the stress on our behind-the-scenes process and finishing up our paperwork," Ryska said. "When the results are out, we can all take a breath and finish. A lot of paperwork goes into elections, even after the results are sent."

Sterling Heights, the second-largest community in the county and Michigan's fourth-largest city, had races for mayor and city council.

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Years ago, the county posted results quickly as they were transmitted via modems in the tabulators. After the modems were shut off in 2021, Forlini said, each community had to bring in the memory sticks in the tabulators to the county elections department for uploading, which brought delays in reporting unofficial results.

Last year, in an effort to bring at least some unofficial results to the county faster, Forlini and the county sheriff offered a program where a deputy and a county clerk employee went to municipalities to pick up the sticks and drive them back to the county elections department in Mount Clemens. Forlini didn't do the deputy-clerk pickup program for the Nov. 4 election.

Unlike prior elections, Ryska and Zelmanski said they didn't need people to drive the sticks to the county for uploading throughout the night so partial results could get posted. They just transmitted them via the secured pilot program then took all the sticks and paperwork to the county in one batch at the end of the night.

Forlini estimated that unofficial results came in possibly two hours earlier than in prior elections from those participating in the pilot program.

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"It is far more secure than the way it was done before. There's protocols put in place that weren't put in place before," Forlini said a few days before the election, adding that other states were doing this and county officials thought Macomb County was the first to do this in Michigan.

County clerk's officials said the cities of Eastpointe, Roseville, Mount Clemens, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights and Richmond participated in the pilot program as did Lenox, Ray, Richmond, Shelby and Washington townships.

Other communities that had an election, such as New Baltimore and Warren, the county's largest community, did not participate in the pilot program. Their results came in later, but appeared on the county's website by around midnight.

Forlini, who, in September, announced that he is running for the Republican nomination for Michigan secretary of state next year, said the future of elections is being more efficient and transparent.

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One example in Macomb County that he said was new for this year's elections was that "we purchased for all the clerks a backup stick that's left in the machine. If there was a question as to whether the stick that transmitted was compromised in some fashion, we have the other one behind it."

Ahead of its launch, Forlini said, he thought the pilot program for sending unofficial results more quickly "adds another layer of security. This way, there is an unofficial result that we've gotten in addition to the stick coming. It gives another layer of accountability and it gives us speed."

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Macomb, local clerks test program for faster online election results
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) over "misrule" when it was in power in the state and expressed confidence of NDA's victory in the assembly polls. Addressing a rally in Gaya on Saturday, Yogi Adityanath said that vast sections of the population felt unsafe during the RJD government's 15-year rule in the state from 1990. "There used to be riots and massacres during the RJD government... There used to be riots ahead of festivals... Traders, industrialists, engineers, doctors, daughters and children, no one was safe... No jobs for the youth and no ration for the poor. How could they have provided ration when they were eating the fodder? How could they have provided jobs? They grabbed your land in exchange for jobs..." he said. Earlier, speaking at another election rally in Motihari, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister referred to the record voter turnout in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections and expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory. "Bihar Assembly elections are currently underway. The first phase of polling was completed on November 6. In this phase, the people of Bihar have made it clear through the emerging trends that no one will be able to commit crimes in the dim light of the lantern anymore," the Yogi said. "Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, when the results are announced on November 14, the state will once again witness an NDA government shining under the LED light," he added. Yogi Adityanath also targeted the Congress and the RJD, blaming them for Bihar's decline in literacy and development. "Bihar, a land with a glorious history, the land that gave the world Nalanda University and where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, has unfortunately fallen behind in literacy. The blame for this downfall lies equally with the Congress and the RJD," he said. The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, held on November 6, saw a record voter turnout of 65.08 per cent--the highest polling percentage in the state's history. The second phase of polling for 122 seats is scheduled to take place on November 11, with the results to be declared on November 14. (ANI)
This story is reported by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit news organization. Find more in-depth reporting at www.sdnewswatch.org.

BIG STONE CITY, S.D.  This small city in northeastern South Dakota already serves as a major hub for energy  it is home to a coal-fired power plant, a Poet Biofuels ethanol plant and a major electrical substation that is critical to the regions power grid.

A planned multistate, multibillion-dollar expansion of the regions transmission system would make Big Stone City an even bigger spoke for the Upper Midwests energy economy.

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If a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line through town is built in the next few years as planned, it would easily become the highest-capacity power line in the state. It also would set the stage for new natural gas, wind and solar electricity generation in South Dakota.

The key piece here is that transmission infrastructure supports all development, said Matt Prorok, an electricity policy analyst for the nonprofit Great Plains Institute, based in Minneapolis. Its essentially creating access to buying or selling whatever you need when you want to.

These 230-kilovolt power lines carry electricity generated by the Otter Tail Power Co. plant in Big Stone City, SD., shown on Sept. 25, 2025. Big Stone City could see development of a 765-kilovolt power line in the coming years. (Photo: Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch)

That means new jobs and greater need for trained workers, and not just in the states growing renewable energy economy. More capacity to move electricity through the state will also create opportunities for a wide range of new industrial, commercial and residential growth in the coming decades.

Furthermore, the high-capacity line also would strengthen and stabilize the regions electric grid during weather disasters, generate numerous new jobs in the energy and construction industries and ultimately lower costs for ratepayers, according to Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, the regional grid operator behind the project.

Projects part of $30 billion in plans

South Dakota is expected to see several new transmission line projects in the coming years. The major one through Big Stone City is part of wide-ranging plans by two major power grid operators to expand electric capacity through dozens of Great Plains and Midwestern states over the next 10 to 20 years with a price tag of nearly $30 billion.

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The new transmission line projects will pave the way for growth not only in energy production but also for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential developments, Prorok said.

Prorok said that while planning, forecasting, siting and funding transmission lines is a complex, multi-year process, the benefits can be simplified by comparing the expanded lines to roads in farm country. As new roads are built or existing roads are expanded, it opens the door for more commerce on a wide variety of fronts.

For instance, higher-capacity transmission lines could prepare the way for new power plants and wind farms as well as for industrial plants, residential complexes or new technologies like data centers to be built in South Dakota or neighboring states, he said.

Beyond that, the new transmission lines will protect utility customers by allowing for energy to flow during natural disasters and should ultimately save ratepayers money, Prorok said.

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Customers will pay less overall, because when transmission projects get approved, they are required to demonstrate a net benefit over time, he said. The key piece here is that when you spend a dollar on transmission, youre going to save more than a dollar on the production side.

Two sets of regional projects planned

South Dakota is part of two separate regional transmission organizations that manage the electrical grid in multiple states.

MISO manages energy flow in 15 states, including the northeast portion of South Dakota and in Manitoba, Canada. The Southwest Power Pool, or SPP, oversees energy flow in 14 states, including most of South Dakota.

Both organizations have proposed major transmission line expansions to increase the nations capacity to generate and move electricity.

The coal-fired electricity plant in Big Stone City, S.D., on Sept. 25, 2025. (Photo: Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch)

MISO has plans for 488 individual projects to be done over the next 10 years at a cost of $22 billion.

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In South Dakota, the MISO expansion  part of an expansive project known as Tranche 2.1  calls for construction of a 345-kilovolt line from Alexandria, Minnesota, to Big Stone City and development of a new 765-kilovolt line from Big Stone City to White and to the city of Trimont in southwestern Minnesota.

SPP has approved plans for 89 transmission projects to include 2,333 miles of new lines and about 500 miles of rebuilt lines at an overall cost of $7.7 billion. In its 2024 Integrated Transmission Plan, SPP said that its power network is facing a generational challenge as the need arises to balance new sources of demand, like data centers, crypto mining, mining, and oil and gas production, with the retirement of conventional resources that use coal and natural (gas) as fuel sources.

The SPP projects in South Dakota would include a new 50-mile, 115-kilovolt line from Carpenter to Lake Preston, reconstruction of an existing power line in Watertown and the construction of a new 345-kilovolt line for 440 miles from Belfield, North Dakota, to New Underwood in western South Dakota and then south to Laramie, Wyoming.

The 345-kilovolt line is needed, according to the SPP plan, to address the rapid load growth in North Dakota and South Dakota and to contribute to SPPs strategic opportunity to develop a robust grid of the future.

Adding capacity for wind, other energy projects

The new transmission lines in and out of South Dakota should open the door to future development of energy in the state, especially in regard to sustainable sources such as wind and solar.

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South Dakota has been a national leader in rapid expansion of wind energy production over the past decade and has a welcoming environment for greater solar production as well.

As of 2024, South Dakota had 3,600 megawatts of wind energy in production, according to Public Utilities Commission records. About 60% of the wind production has come online since 2020, a five-year period in which the state added about 2,100 megawatts of production by almost 700 new turbines.

This energy substation is part of the transmission system at the Otter Tail Power Co. plant in Big Stone City, S.D., on Sept. 25, 2025. (Photo: Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch)

However, applications for new wind production facilities have slowed dramatically, largely due to a lack of transmission line capacity in the state and Great Plains region.

Were pretty much stalled right now, PUC Commissioner Chris Nelson told News Watch.

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The South Dakota PUC is currently reviewing applications for three new energy projects in the state, Nelson said.

Missouri River Energy wants to build a 130-megawatt natural gas plant near Toronto. Black Hills Energy plans a 98-megawatt natural gas plant in Rapid City. And Philip Wind Partners has applied to build a 300-megawatt wind farm with 87 turbines northwest of Philip.

Those projects were able to find space on the existing power transmission network, Nelson said. But in large part, South Dakotas capacity to build new wind farms, solar fields or power plants is restricted by the fact the existing power grid needs to expand to handle more energy, he said.

Theres still some of these developments happening, but its certainly slowed down from what we saw five or six years ago as the transmission lines have filled up, Nelson said. At this point, our capacity is limited, but MISO believes that this large backbone of new transmission lines in the upper Midwest will allow additional generation sources to be sited.

Energy projects face some headwinds

The energy industry is keeping a close eye on the actions of President Donald Trumps administration, which has canceled funding for numerous energy expansion projects across the country.

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The Associated Press reported in early October that Trump had canceled nearly $8 billion in grants for hundreds of proposed clean-energy related projects, most of them in states that did not vote for him in the last election.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times also reported in October that it had obtained a new list of $15 billion in clean-energy project cuts being considered by the Trump administration.

Nelson, the South Dakota PUC commissioner, said he is not aware of how those cuts would affect transmission line projects, but added that they could limit development of energy sources that would use expanded transmission capacity and therefore lower the viability of the need for the new lines and expansion of existing lines. Seth Blomeley, a spokesperson for SPP, told News Watch in an email only that SPP will continue to evaluate the project.

Any grant cancellations would increase the amount of investment required by power companies, which would shift more costs of transmission lines away from government subsidies and further onto ratepayers, Prorok said.

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Nelson told News Watch that the main government program aiding energy development in South Dakota are the production tax credits, which may be allowed to expire in the next few years, raising the cost of new projects in the state.

The MISO expansion plan also has been the subject of complaints filed with federal energy regulators arguing that the transmission line plans should be halted because the grid operator overstated the financial benefits of the new lines. Those complaints remain under consideration.

Greater stability for future energy needs

Otter Tail Power supports efforts to expand the power grid in South Dakota and other states where it operates, said Rebecca Michael, company spokesperson..

Were part of MISO, who acts as the air traffic controller for the energy grid, ensuring the right amount of electricity for approximately 45 million people, Michael wrote to News Watch in an email. We, along with energy companies throughout the region, have been working closely with MISO over many years to develop transmission solutions as the regions grid continues to evolve.

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Michael said Otter Tail and other energy producers regularly take steps to ensure a stable workforce, working closely with prospective employees and educational institutions to train and hire employees who are able to have successful careers in the industry.

We have strong relationships with technical institutes as well as colleges and universities in each of the three states (Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota) we serve. These relationships include providing scholarship funding, serving on program advisory boards, and providing internships for students, she wrote. During their careers, craft employees often progress through an apprenticeship program, achieving journeyman status. From there, employees can advance to lead or foreman positions. The work is often challenging and rewarding, and our employees live our mission every day.

This reporting is part of a collaboration between the Institute for Nonprofit News Rural News Network and MinnPost, South Dakota News Watch, Cardinal News, The Mendocino Voice and The Maine Monitor. Support from Ascendium Education Group made the project possible.

This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when theyre published. Contact investigative reporter Bart Pfankuch at bart.pfankuch@sdnewswatch.org.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani made a triumphant trip to Puerto Rico on Thursday for an annual summit that brings New York politicians and lobbyists to sunny San Juan for strategy meetings, workshops and boozy confabs.

Fresh off his election win, Mamdani was greeted by a cheering crowd on the beachfront at the Somos conference, where he promised to fight for working people.

His Democratic ally, New York Attorney General Letitia James, exhorted the crowd to sing "Mamdani, whoa-oh-oh-oh" along with her to the tune of old standard, "Volare."

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The conference is something of a post-Election Day retreat for the state's political movers and shakers at a Hilton hotel in San Juan. This year, there are ballroom events billed as "Workforce Development Through Rising Communities" and "Celebrating Human Services Together," along with a series of legislative workshops. The whole affair is typically viewed as a chance to unwind, schmooze and party.

"I'm happy to be here at Somos, and I'm happy also to be here because ... you cannot tell the story of New York City without telling the story of Puerto Rico," Mamdani said shortly after arriving.

He added that he had already tried the traditional plantain dish, mofongo, and that "it was great."

Mamdani, 34, announced his all-female transition team this week, hiring a group of veteran officials to help guide his shift to City Hall, as he plans to carry out an ambitious affordability agenda when he takes office next year.

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After announcing his transition team, they launched a portal for job applicants to apply to join the Mamdani administration.

"If you're passionate about public service and contributing to this work, we invite you to share your resume," a message on the portal says. Officials say 25,000 people have already submitted resumes.

One of the most crucial jobs is that of police commissioner and there is still no word on whether Jessica Tisch will stay on.

Former Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, who served under both a republican and democratic mayor, weighed in Friday on that challenge.

"She will definitely ask for more people, the department is severely understaffed by 3,000 officers and that's one of the problems they'll have to work out if they decide to go forward together," Bratton said.

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Mamdani won't just have to learn how to run the city, he'll need to understand the parameters of the job-- another thing transition team co-chair Lina Kahn is exploring.

"My focus right now is canvassing what executive authority he will possess and make sure we have the full maximum account of that so he has full understanding of levers he can use to make life better for New Yorkers," Kahn said.

The transition team has now raised more than half a million dollars since election night.

Before landing in Puerto Rico, Mamdani spoke by phone with the city's outgoing mayor, Eric Adams, who promised that his team "will fully cooperate with this transition," according to a spokesperson for Adams. Adams did not attend the annual summit.

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Mamdani is set to return to New York on Saturday.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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A 65-year-old North Carolina man faces six felony counts after authorities say he failed to register as a sex offender in New Hampshire for three years.

Gary Dean

Gary Dean

Gary Dean was arrested in High Point, North Carolina, and extradited to New Hampshire, where he was scheduled for arraignment Thursday in Rochester Circuit Court.

New Hampshire State Police said Dean, a tier III sex offender required to register quarterly, stopped reporting in 2022 and moved to North Carolina without notifying authorities. He also failed to register in North Carolina, police said.

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Dean was released from New Hampshire State Prison in 2017 after serving 30 years for aggravated felonious sexual assault and robbery convictions from 1985.

High Point Police and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted in the arrest.
The 27-year-old homeless man accused of overpowering and raping a 12-year-old girl in her Brooklyn apartment building as he threatened to violate her had been arrested for another rape six years earlier and was awaiting sentencing when he targeted his young victim, the Daily News has learned.

Years before his sick attack in NYCHAs Cooper Park Houses on Thursday, Eric McMichael was arrested for raping a 21-year-old woman he knew inside a vacant Staten Island home on Erastina Place in Mariners Harbor, officials said.

McMichael, his victim, and others had often squatted in the vacant home, cops said.

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He was accused of unscrewing and forcing open the back door to the home on Sept. 8, 2019, attacking his victim inside, then swiping her cellphone before running off. Cops arrested him that October, about six weeks after the attack, the Staten Island Advance reported at the time.

As part of a deal hammered out in 2021, McMichael pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree burglary with the understanding that he would be sentenced to five years probation if he finished a mental health program ordered by the presiding judge.

But he never finished the program, officials said.

Then, on Oct. 23, 2023, cops arrested McMichael for carjacking a livery cab driver of his Honda Accord in East New York, Brooklyn five days earlier. McMichael and his two accomplices never showed a gun, but one of the suspects had his hand jammed in his pocket as if he had one, cops said.

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Cops looking out for the stolen vehicle found McMichael driving the Honda on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in downtown Brooklyn, officials said. They pulled him over and arrested him, charging him with car theft, possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and robbery.

He pleaded guilty and was expected to be sentenced to three years in prison in connection with the carjacking and the 2019 sexual assualt, but his sentencing was adjourned on July 16 and rescheduled for this coming Thursday in Richmond County Criminal Court, according to court documents.

He was freed without bail ever since he pleaded guilty to the rape in 2021, according to court records.

Although he was sentenced to a mental health program, McMichael, who also has a handful of sealed arrests from when he was a juvenile, cops had no record of the rape suspect needing to be hospitalized on mental health grounds.

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On Thursday, McMichael, who is homeless but living in a shelter in Greenpoint, crept into the NYCHA building on Morgan and Skillman Aves. in East Williamsburg at around 5:45 p.m. and attacked his 12-year-old victim as she passed him on a stairwell, police said.

Im going to violate you, McMichael seethed as he threw the girl to the ground and attacked her, cops said.

He didnt know the girl, who lived in the building and was on her way to a nearby store, according to police.

My daughter will never be the same, the victims mother told The News in an exclusive interview Friday. My daughter is a dancer. She sings. She does hair. Shes only in the seventh grade.

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EMS rushed the child to an area hospital for treatment. Detectives assigned to the NYPDs Special Victims Unit found some surveillance footage of McMichael in the area and distributed his image, hoping someone would recognize him.

Another resident of the shelter where McMichael was staying, about two miles away from the attack, recognized the suspect and left a tip with NYPD Crime Stoppers, cops said.

Detectives charged McMichael with rape, sex abuse, burglary and child endangerment. His arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court was pending Saturday.

Shes my baby, said the childs mother. The News is not naming the woman to protect her and her daughters privacy. I want justice.

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Dozens of supporters and family members for the young victim filled up the seats of the courthouse waiting for McMichaels arraignment late Saturday.

He needs to go to jail, one family member said.

The NYPD has seen a 17% jump in rapes and sexual assaults across the five boroughs over the past year, officials said.

As of Sunday, detectives in the Special Victims Unit were investigating 1,720 rapes and sexual assaults, 260 more than this time last year.

Police officials said that increase is largely attributable to legislative changes made a year ago that broadened the legal definition of rape in New York State, which now includes additional forms of sexual assault.

With Rocco Parascandola
A man and a 15-year-old boy were taken into custody after police say they led officers on a high-speed chase through the Illinois Quad Cities after a shooting.

A news release from the Rock Island Police Department responded to the 1000 block of 12th Street after receiving calls of shots being fired on November 5 at about 11:16 p.m. Officers arrived and found that an occupied residence and two parked vehicles had been struck by gunfire. No injuries were reported. Officers investigated and determined that a Kia Sportage, reported stolen from Moline, was identified as the suspect vehicle. The information was shared with the surrounding police agencies.

Daniel Niyonyishu (Rock Island Police Department)

The Flock LPR system located the stolen Kia Sportage going into Moline on November 6 at about 12:20 a.m. A Moline patrol officer saw the vehicle shortly afterward, began a pursuit based on the vehicle and chased it into Rock Island along 18th Avenue. Rock Island Police joined the pursuit, which lasted over 30 minutes. The pursuit went through several jurisdictions and the suspects speeds exceeded 100 mph. Deputies with the Rock Island County Sheriffs Office and officers with the Milan Police Department and the East Moline Police Department assisted in the pursuit.

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Officers tried several times to use tire deflation devices to immobilize the suspect vehicle, the release said. The driver of the Kia intentionally swerved towards a Rock Island officer who was trying to deploy a tire deflation device. The officer was not hurt. The Kia struck a tire deflation device as it travelled northbound on the Rock Island-Milan Parkway in Milan. The driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a telephone pole in the 500 block of 16th Avenue in Rock Island at about 1 a.m. The driver and three passengers left the vehicle and ran from the scene.

During the pursuit, a second suspect vehicle, a Mazda MZ6, became involved and tried to interfere with officers attempts to stop the Kia. Just before the Kia becoming disabled, the driver of the Mazda intentionally struck one of the Moline Police squad cars, the complaint said. Officers began a vehicle pursuit with the Mazda, but the driver abandoned the vehicle in the 2100 block of 10th Avenue and could not be found.

(Rock Island Police Department)

The driver of the Kia, identified as Daniel Niyonyishu,18, and the front seat passenger, a 15-year-old boy, were taken into custody in the area after a foot pursuit. The backseat passengers were unable to be found. The boy was seen discarding a loaded handgun with an extended magazine during the foot pursuit. When he was taken into custody, officers found that he had a second loaded handgun with an extended magazine. A third loaded firearm, an AR-style rifle, was found discarded immediately outside of the stolen Kia.

Niyonyishu and the boy were transported to the Rock Island Police Department. Niyonyishu was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, aggravated assault to a peace officer, aggravated fleeing and eluding and possession of a controlled substance. He was taken to the Rock Island County Jail where he awaits a detention hearing. The boy was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. He was taken to the Rock Island County Jail and later transferred to a juvenile detention facility. He will have a hearing to determine if he is to remain in custody or be released.

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Rock Island Police ask that anyone with information related to this case should contact the Rock Island Police Department at (309) 732-2677, Crime Stoppers at (309) 762-9500 or use the P3 Tips app.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
A Kansas City man has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a CVS employee in North Kansas City Thursday, according to the probable cause statement in the case.

Antonio Serrano, 29, was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm in Clay County, a day after he allegedly shot eight times at a CVS employee who was behind the stores checkout counter, killing him.

Serranos former partner, who he recently separated with, is a CVS employee currently living with the victim, identified as Rusty Donovan, 42, court records said. The partner was not in the store at the time of the shooting.

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Serrano allegedly has a history of domestic violence with the partner, records said.

He also allegedly told police he confronted Donovan about a text message at the same store a week ago. North Kansas City police responded to the store due to Serranos alleged threats, according to court records.

At 3:04 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to the store at 1914 Swift Street where they found the employee, Rusty Donovan, face down behind the counter with multiple bullet holes in his back and no pulse. Serrano allegedly spontaneously told police he wasnt going to hurt anyone else, according to the probable cause statement. He also argued with a witness and allegedly told them he would kill them, too.

Twenty rounds of Winchester .40 caliber bullets in a green cloth sack, a black gun holster, and an empty black .40 caliber magazine was found on Serrano when officers arrested him, according to court documents. Nine shell casings were collected at the scene.

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Store surveillance video allegedly showed Serrano walk into the store at 3:03 p.m. and point a silver and black handgun at a female employee, according to the probable cause statement. Then, the video allegedly shows Serrano pointing the gun toward Donovan and shooting several times.

Serrano took the magazine out of the gun and walked away before returning moments later to allegedly continue shooting Donovan, who was crawling away with blood on his right shoulder. He then walked to stand over Donovan and allegedly shoot him in the head, according to court records.

After the shooting, Serrano walked around the store and told an employee to call 911 to turn himself in. He then removed the magazine from the handgun and placed the gun and magazine on the counter.

In an interview with detectives, Serrano allegedly told police he could have hurt more people but decided not to. Serrano allegedly said he drank eight bottles of beer throughout Thursday.

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He allegedly told police he felt sorry for killing Donovan and did not know why he killed him. According to court records, Serrano also allegedly told detectives hes in a gang, deserves life in prison, thought about running and could have shot officers if he wanted to.

Serrano has been arrested at least four times, the most recent for first degree assault last year, according to court records. He is also a convicted felon, having served 33 days in the Jackson County Detention Center for resisting arrest and fleeing police in November 2019 in Jackson County.
A man who was convicted this summer of murder and forcible sodomy, among other charges, stemming from a series of assaults of women in 2021 and 2023, was sentenced to 58 years in prison Friday as the family of one of his victims looked on.

Thomas OBryen, 44, sat flanked by two sheriffs deputies clad in helmets and facemasks as he listened to testimony in Norfolk Circuit Court from one of the survivors of his assaults and Monte Joyner, the eldest son of Angela Renee Joyner, who died after jumping from OBryens car as he repeatedly stabbed her.

The survivor, who now works as a custodian in Hampton, said she lives with severe trust issues since the assault and doesnt go out much, and said she continues to experience memory loss and neuropathy issues in her hands as well as periodic pain in her ankle.

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Of OBryen, she said, I hope he finds God.

Joyner, who was supported by several rows of family members, was emotional as he took questions from the prosecution. Their family didnt know what happened to his mother for two years as the investigation stalled  OBryen had cleaned the car used in her assault and sold it to a buyer in West Virginia, and kept Joyners drivers license.

Joyner said his mother was my everything, and described her last words to him asking that he not leave.

Im her protector and I wasnt there, Joyner told the court. Asked what he wanted to tell the judge as she considered sentencing OBryen, Joyner said, Give him what he deserves.

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Hes a coward, Joyner continued. He killed my mother, but I forgive him.

OBryen was arrested in 2023 at his residence after the third victim called police and described the vehicle used during the assault. Investigators found Joyners drivers license in his home, as well as a gun that matched a bullet casing in the vehicle.

The story was the same with all three women: picking them up in his car, demanding sexual favors and later assaulting them, and all three forced their way out of his moving car, according to the prosecution.

James Garrett, OBryens attorney, sought leniency based on OBryens traumatic childhood, which he said included severe sexual abuse and led to a life of abusing drugs and alcohol without treatment and two suicide attempts.

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Judge Devon Paige said she 100% agrees with the commonwealths assessment of OBryen, adding that he chose a population he thought no one would miss and treated them like disposable commodities. Paige said that while there is no excuse for the abuse OBryen suffered as a child either, the community is not safe if he is walking free.

Paige sentenced OBryen to 128 years in prison though 70 years of that sentence were suspended, for a total of 58 years of active imprisonment. He was convicted in July of one felony count each of second- degree murder, forcible sodomy, abduction and attempted forcible sodomy along with two felony counts each of malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of malicious wounding.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
An explosion in a house in Germany has completely destroyed the building, leaving several injured and an 83-year-old man missing, police in the Lower Saxon town of Wolfenbuttel said on Saturday.

Local residents heard a loud bang on Friday evening and alerted the emergency services.

According to the fire brigade, the blast was heard across a wide area and dense smoke could be seen from afar. Part of the building caught fire, but was later extinguished by the emergency crews.

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A total of 24 residents were cared for on site by the fire brigade and rescue services, police said. Two of them were taken to hospital with injuries. One firefighter suffered smoke inhalation and was also taken to hospital.

Police said the adjoining houses are currently uninhabitable. The two houses adjacent to the destroyed home are in danger of collapsing.

Around 140 firefighters have been working at the scene since the evening, backed up by federal assistance. Using an excavator and a crane, workers have been carefully clearing the debris from the collapsed building.
A man accused of murdering another man and shooting a Chicago police officer avoided trial after pleading guilty.

Walter Johnson pleaded guilty Friday. He was identified as the person who shot a man, killing him, before shooting a police officer in the wrist on West Harrison in January 2020. The officer survived.

Police said Johnson fatally shot a 26-year-old man in the first block of South Karlov Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.

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A Chicago police sergeant witnessed the shooting and followed Johnson, who was driving a white pick-up truck, police said. When Johnson realized he was being followed, police said he got out of the pickup truck, pointed a gun at the police officer's vehicle, and fired multiple rounds.

The officer was hit in the wrist and while en route to the hospital, the injured officer spotted the pick-up truck and insisted the pursuit continue.

The suspect's vehicle crashed in the 2000-block West Congress Parkway and Johnson was taken into custody, police said.

Johnson was charged with one count of first degree murder, one count of first degree attempted murder, one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm.

The injured officer, who had been with the department for more than 20 years at the time, survived the shooting.

Johnson will be back in court Nov. 14 for a status hearing.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), headquarters office, has further attached eight immovable properties valued at Rs 67.03 Crore, beneficially owned and controlled by the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI). The properties were held in the name of various trusts and that of its political front, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). According to an official release, ED initiated an investigation against the Popular Front of India (PFI) and others under PMLA, 2002, on the basis of an FIR registered by NIA, along with various FIRs registered by other Law Enforcement Agencies against Popular Front of India (PFI) and others. As per the release, investigation revealed that the office bearers, members and cadres of Popular Front of India (PFI), were conspiring and raising/collecting funds from within India and abroad through banking channels, Hawala, donations etc. for committing and financing terrorist acts across India. "Further, investigation has revealed that SDPI is a political front of PFI, and PFI used to control, fund and supervise the activities of SDPI. SDPI was majorly dependent on PFI for its day-to-day functions, policy making, selecting candidates for election, public programs, cadre mobilisation and other related activities," the release noted. According to the release, the investigation has also revealed that the expenses made by PFI for and on behalf of SDPI were maintained in the dairies secretly and not reflected in the bank accounts of PFI. Funds have been collected extensively by PFI and SDPI from foreign countries, mainly Gulf countries, and also locally in the garb of relief and social activities. The proceeds were used for furtherance of a criminal conspiracy to carry out violent and terrorist activities in India to achieve the goal of forming an Islamic Nation of India, jeopardising our secular fabric and disrupting the Unity and Integrity of the nation. Investigation by ED has led to the quantification of Proceeds of Crime (POC) to the tune of Rs. 131 Crore, so far. https://x.com/dir_ed/status/1987110504243077326 The release said, "So far, 28 leaders, members and cadres of PFI have been arrested by ED, and multiple Prosecution Complaints in this regard have been filed before Hon'ble Courts. The arrestees include the National President of SDPI, MK. Faizy, the Chairman, General Secretary, office bearers, and members of both the National and State Executive Councils (NEC & SEC) of the PFI, as well as Physical Education (PE) Coordinators and Trainers who were providing weapons training to the PFI members and cadres." As per the release, "During the course of investigation, ED identified multiple properties beneficially owned and controlled by PFI. Investigation has revealed that PFI ideologues were ex-Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) members. SIMI was the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami. The history of origin of PFI can be traced back to the ban of Jamaat-e-Islami after the demolition of Babri Masjid. At that time, properties of Jamaat-e-Islami were attached and sealed under UA(P)A. Taking inspiration from these developments, senior PFI members who were part of the National Development Front (NDF) at that time deliberately formed various trusts all across Kerala and registered various properties owned and controlled by PFI under them." Earlier, searches conducted by the ED led to the seizure of multiple records maintained by the PFI. These records contained detailed information about properties under scrutiny, systematically documented and stored at various locations, indicating organised control. The investigation revealed that the properties were registered in the names of different trusts and individuals associated with the PFI. The income and expenditure related to these assets were found to be meticulously audited and recorded at regular intervals, reflecting deliberate and structured financial management. Furthermore, crucial details such as survey numbers, village, taluk, district, names of sale deed executants, sale deed values, and current market valuations were carefully maintained, demonstrating a comprehensive and intentional approach to property management. According to the release, seized records also revealed that PFI conducted multiple PE (Physical Education) training programmes and built sheds on various properties. Examples are Valluvanad House Pattambi and Malabar House (Haritam Foundation), which have been currently attached by ED. PFI was conducting extensive Physical Education (PE) classes on properties registered under dummy owners' names to impart offensive and defensive manoeuvres using various arms through Primary and Secondary PE classes. The PE classes were aimed at preparing cadres and members for fulfilling their Jihadist agenda and using them for committing various unlawful activities. ED has, through order dated 06.11.2025, attached properties in the name of following entities valued at Rs. 67.03 Crore which include, Green Valley Foundation; Alappuzha Social Cultural & Education Trust; Pandalam Educational and Cultural Trust, Pathanamthitta; Islamic Centre Trust, Wayanad; Haritham Foundation, Poovanchina, Malappuram; Periyar Valley Charitable Trust, Aluva; Vallavunad Trust, Palakkad; and land belonging to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in Trivandrum. Earlier, ED has provisionally attached the movable and immovable properties valued at Rs. 61.98 Crore through 09 Provisional Attachment Orders (PAOs) in this case, and the same have been confirmed by Ld. Adjudicating Authority (PMLA). The total attachments in this case, including the present attachment of Rs. 67.03 Crore, amount to Rs. 129 Crore. Further investigation is in progress. (ANI)
COLUMBUS  Senate Bill 225, which is sponsored by State Senator Susan Manchester of Waynesfield, will have its second hearing this week.

This bill will expand the Secretary of States Safe at Home address confidentiality program to help victims of violent crime protect their personal information and stay safe, and it is currently pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Ohios Safe at Home Program currently protects survivors of domestic violence, sexual battery, human trafficking, rape, or menacing by stalking by keeping their personal voter registration information private. Senate Bill 225 extends the same protections to victims of a violent crime, the press release stated.
Baltimore resident Margaret Winters, a member of the Indivisible Maryland Coalition, speaks to Senate President Bill Ferguson's chief of staff, Sally McMillan Robb, during a State House rally to urge Ferguson to support congressional redistricting in the state. (Photo by Nicole Pilsbury/Maryland Matters)

Todd Morman moved to Baltimore two years ago from North Carolina  a state he said Republicans redistricted the hell out of while he was there.

He thinks Maryland Democrats may now have a chance to counter what North Carolina Republicans did two years ago, but he is worried that Senate President Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) will stand in the way.

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Ive seen this with politicians before  they get entrenched, Morman said. They fail to see the seriousness of the threat against the people at the bottom.

Morman was one of dozens of people gathered on the first floor of the Maryland State House on Friday to call for Democrats to redraw the states congressional districts to counter partisan redistricting in GOP-led states  and specifically to rally against Fergusons opposition to redistricting.

Democrats in Maryland, as in other states, have been talking about the possibility of redrawing their congressional districts since this summer, when Republicans in Texas, at President Donald Trumps urging, redistricted the state in a way that is expected to pick up five GOP seats.

But in an Oct. 28 letter, Ferguson said Senate Democrats would not be taking up redistricting in Maryland, where Democrats already hold seven of the states eight congressional seats. The letter said that redistricting mid-cycle could backfire on Democrats and end up costing them seats in the House for a variety of reasons.

A rally attendant passes out signs about Maryland redistricting and the 287(g) program, which allows local police to work with federal immigraion officers. (Photo by Nicole Pilsbury/Maryland Matters)

Days later, Gov. Wes Moore (D) said he was leaning toward creating a commission to study redistricting in Maryland. He did just that on Nov. 4, the same day that California voters approved a redistricting that is expected to balance Texas plan.

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That left Ferguson as the face of the opposition to redistricting, and the target of Fridays State House rally.

The abuse of power we are seeing is insane, and that starts with what we are seeing in Texas, said Amar Mukunda, a rally attendant. We cannot allow Trump to have a single additional vote in Congress.

Protesters also raised concerns about the 287(g) program, which delegates Immigration and Customs Enforcement duties to local and state law enforcement officials. Sheriffs in eight Maryland counties currently participate in the program.

Volunteers from the protesting group read a letter to Ferguson that was organized by the Indivisible Maryland Coalition, the state chapeter of a national anti-authoritarianism protest group, that outlined their demand: a special session to redistrict Maryland and to eliminate the 287(g) program.

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Because of Marylands participation in the 287(g) program, ICE doesnt pay for enforcement  local communities do, one volunteer read from the letter.

Ferguson was not in Annapolis Friday. The protesters were met by his chief of staff, Sally McMillan Robb, who responded to their comments and questions about the two topics at hand.

I think that what we heard from Sen. Fergusons representative  she was very gracious and very nice  but I think those were excuses, Morman said. His representative can say he really cares about that [threat of not redistricting], but hes blocking the most important thing that we can do to get an extra vote in the House of Representatives.

Robb explained that one reason for concern is that during the last redistricting, in 2022, a Democratic plan was struck down by an Anne Arundel Circuit Court judge for extreme partisan gerrymandering, leading to the current 7-1 map that favors Democrats. If a new map landed back in court, the 2022 ruling could overturn it and, potentially, the current map, she said.

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A very real reality is with 31.5% of Marylanders registered [as Republicans], we are potentially turning it over for them, not only to strike down a new map, but to strike down the current map, Robb said.

Baltimore resident Theresa Delin speaks to Sally McMillan Robb, the chief of staff for Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore), about the need for Maryland to redistrict. (Photo by Nicole Pilsbury/Maryland Matters)

Protesters did not appear to be convinced, responding to Robbs statement with comments about the power the Senate president holds and how the decisions should be debated, rather than blocked by Ferguson.

I think its important, before any decisions are made, that he hears from constituents and allows constituents to have their say in public  a larger public forum would be wonderful, said Theresa Delin, a Baltimore City resident at the rally. Let the state senators discuss and vote rather than shutting down a conversation before it even starts.

Dr. Margaret Winters, a Baltimore City resident and Indivisible Maryland Coalition member, helped to organize the event in hopes of letting Ferguson know that people are passionately opposed to his arguments.

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It [the rally] will give people the opportunity to go lobby their own senators in their own districts so that we can then pressure Sen. Ferguson from his peers, Winters said. When the people roar, the elected need to listen.

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The past two weeks have dealt a heavy blow to the Texas job market as nearly 1,300 employees learned they'll be without a job by the start of 2026. Nearly two dozen mass layoff notices were filed in Texas since late October. It's a troubling trend as unemployment claims spike and the unemployment rate climbs in Texas as businesses, largely in manufacturing, shutter or move out of the Lone Star State.

Every major metro across the state has been hit in the latest wave of mass layoff notices. Despite federal banks and universities forecasting a positive September for the Texas job market, layoffs continue to come in.

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In the last figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission, the unemployment rate in Texas surpassed the national average in August. Numbers haven't been released for September yet, but the August rate soared to 4.7%, 0.2% higher than the U.S. that month, which marks a 0.3% hike in Texas year over year.

it's a frightening rise echoed across several major metros in the state, including San Antonio which saw a .5% jump between July and August (reaching 4.4%) and a .3% climb year over year. Nearly every major job market in Texas saw an unemployment rate hike year over year, from August 2024 to 2025, with some climbing by upwards of 2%.

Further, unemployment claims have climbed every year since 2022, and that trend continues in 2025. From January through the end of October, more than 747,000 workers filed unemployment claims in Texas. That's almost a 7% increase over the number of claims filed in the same time frame the year prior. And in 2023, roughly 686,000 Texans had filed for unemployment benefits through September.

While jobs are being created in Texas, it's primarily in the hospitality, construction, education and health sectors. Mirroring national trends, IT, manufacturing, oil and gas, and professional and business service sectors in Texas are seeing drops in employment year over year, according to data compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

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This reduction in manufacturing in Texas is evidenced by the mass layoff notices filed recently. Flagstone Foods, which bought out Emerald Nuts back in 2023 and produces snack foods and trail mixes, is laying off 225 employees in El Paso. The company is restructuring its manufacturing footprint. That means its closing its El Paso plant, leaving those employees without a job by mid-December.

"225 position at this facility will be affected by this reduction and all affected team members will be paid and receive benefits during the full 60-day notice," a latter from the company filed with the Texas Workforce Commission states, noting severance pay will be extended beyond the plant closure for some employees depending on the number of years they worked for the company.

A company that manufactures health care materials and packaging solutions, Tekni-Plex, is halting most of its operations at a plant in Dallas before the end of the year. As a result, some 64 Texas workers, including supervisors and techs, will be without a job the day after Christmas.

Apogee Architectural Metals, which produces metal window and curtain parts, is also dealing a blow the North Texas manufacturing job market, laying off 58 employees by January 3.

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The banking industry in Texas is also getting hit in this latest wave, echoing the market dip reported by Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Colonial Savings headquartered in Fort Worth is cutting 130 jobs on the first day of 2026, according to a letter filed with the state. In Lubbock, Wells Fargo is set to add another 225 workers to the unemployment line the day after Christmas.

"These business decisions are never easy. We are very thoughtful and deliberate in our approach, understanding the impact these decisions have on individuals at the company," company officials said in its letter confirming the layoffs. "Wells Fargo is committed to supporting our displaced employees and provides severance, career assistance, and other services to assist them. We will make every effort to minimize the impact and ease the transition for our affected employees."

As has been at rend all year, contract cuts are also costing hundreds of folks their jobs. Job1USA announced its conducting mass layoffs at several facilities, including San Antonio, Houston, Round Rock, Haslet, Fort Worth and Arlington. The employment agency, which focuses on linking outgoing military workers with civilian jobs, is set to part with 130 employees by November 15.

Congo, a brand developer, has its contract with Alani Nu and Celsius end. As a result, 155 employees will be let go on the last day of the year. The mass layoff will largely impact sales and marketing reps.

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A federal contract with Cherokee National System Solutions wasn't renewed, meaning another 87 employees in Austin will be without a job by December 19. Again, echoing statewide trends of a reduction in oil and gas jobs in Texas, Freebird Bulk Carriers is laying off 74 workers at several sites across Texas, including San Antonio, by December 31. The company delivers oil and gas for crude oil clients.

Natura PCR, a plastic and resin manufacturer, is also cutting ties with 88 workers in Harris County. Finally, Pure Hothouse Foods, which is a greenhouse produce grower, filed a mass layoff notice warning 80 employees in San Antonio will be without a job by December 31.

This article originally published at Mass layoff wave hits nearly 1,300 Texans in manufacturing exodus.
People in some U.S. states, including Massachusetts, will be able to buy groceries with federally funded SNAP benefits Saturday while those in other states were still waiting for November food benefits that had been delayed by a protracted legal battle over the federal government shutdown.

On Friday, some states began issuing full monthly SNAP benefits to people, a day after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to provide the funds, but a late-night emergency order from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown temporarily blocked fully funded SNAP payments through the end of November.

The decision comes after the Trump administration asked the court to pause lower court rulings that required the federal government to issue full SNAP benefits, despite limited funds in a contingency account.

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Some Massachusetts residents reported receiving their full payments late Friday night and early Saturday morning.

Got my full amount this morning, in Mass! one Boston 25 News viewer shared. Another said, I got my full benefits last night.

In a statement shared with Boston 25 News, a spokesperson for Gov. Maura Healey said payments were issued Saturday morning to Bay Staters who missed their previous payment.

We confirmed that our previously scheduled payment went out this morning, so those who had missed a payment should now have funds on their cards ready to be spent immediately. We are assessing what this latest Court action means for those who were supposed to receive their benefits next week. President Trump needs to stop trying to force Americans to go hungry and pay full SNAP benefits for everyone, Healeys office said.

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Residents in New Hampshire and Rhode Island also reported receiving benefits.

Despite this, the emergency order means those full benefits will not continue for the rest of the month. The USDA will instead issue partial payments moving forward.

A federal judge in Rhode Island had previously given the administration until Friday to comply with full payment orders. However, the Supreme Courts ruling overrides that deadline.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell criticized the decision.

I am disappointed by the Supreme Courts decision to enable the federal government to withhold resources to feed millions of Americans, Campbell said.

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Governor Maura Healey also expressed concern, saying the ruling takes away hope for millions of Americans. Healey added that her office was in contact with the states payment processor Thursday night to assess the impact.

Boston 25 News has reached out to the governors office to confirm whether all SNAP recipients in Massachusetts will receive full benefits this weekend. We are awaiting a response.

Nearly 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, for help buying groceries. Most have incomes below the poverty line, which is about $32,000 for a family of four.

An individual can receive a monthly maximum food benefit of nearly $300 and a family of four up to nearly $1,000, although many receive less than that under a formula that takes into consideration their income.

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The delay in payments has led to a surge in demand at food banks and pantries across the country, as well as long lines for free meals or drive-thru giveaways.

Some states have provided emergency funding to food banks to help them respond to the increased need. Some states also used their own dollars to fund direct payments to people while the federal benefits were in limbo.

Associated Press reporting was included in this story.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
A routine traffic jam turned into a life-changing moment on Friday evening when Massachusetts State Troopers and EMS personnel helped deliver a baby on the side of Interstate 93.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., troopers responded to a call for assistance from a couple whose vehicle was stuck in traffic on I-93 north in Milton. The woman was in active labor, and time was critical.

Troopers quickly located the vehicle near the Granite Avenue ramp and coordinated with EMS crews, who arrived on scene and safely delivered the baby right there on the highway.

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With both mother and newborn in stable condition, troopers provided an escort for the ambulance through heavy traffic to Boston Medical Center.

The Massachusetts State Police congratulated the couple on the birth of their child and expressed gratitude to EMS partners for their swift and skilled response.

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A Massachusetts woman wanted in connection with a parental kidnapping case has been arrested in New Hampshire, authorities said.

Angelica Gomez, 35, was taken into custody at a hotel in Manchester, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Gomez was wanted for allegedly kidnapping and endangering a minor relative in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood in October 2025.

Authorities say the child was safely recovered during the arrest.

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Gomez is currently charged as a fugitive from justice and is awaiting arraignment in New Hampshire before being extradited to Massachusetts.

Multiple agencies assisted with the arrest of Gomes, including the U.S. Marshals Service District of Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, District of New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force, the Boston Police Department Fugitive Unit, and the Manchester Police Department.

No additional details were immediately available.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Tuesdays election reshaped the Greensboro City Council as we know it.

Voters not only elected Marikay Abuzuaiter as the citys new mayor, but some city council members seats are newcomers.

Irving Allen is one of the candidates who won the at-large race for Greensboro City Council.

The 39-year-old was born in Greensboro, attended Guilford County Public Schools and attended North Carolina A&T State University.

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Allen says hes no stranger to running for office.

I ran in 2017 for the first time. Didnt make it out of the primary the first time  I really learned a lot about the community  Organizing here for 14 years, Allen said.

Allen says he has worked with numerous social justice organizations, such as The Beloved Community Center and Ignite NC.

He says advocacy runs in his family.

My uncle David Richmond was one of the A&T Four. That really shined a light and helped desegregate the city of Greensboro and started an international movement. Thats always been a part of my history and my lineage, Allen said.

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Now Allen is a trailblazer of his own.

One of the main campaign promises he hopes to fulfill is rebuilding a neighborhood council.

That would be a collection of neighborhood associations across the city that meets and talks on a consistent basis. So that way we can reinvent the  community. Theyll have a vehicle they can use to organize and drive whatever issues through, and we can always have something that we can use to give the resources that the community needs, so that can take the ownership of solving their own problems  I think thats what the government is, Allen said.

Its one of the many plans Allen hopes to achieve for the voters who elected him.

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They showed that they wanted someone with experience with the issues and not some much experience with politics, Allen said.

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New Mexico could lose out on billions in federal mineral leasing dollars next year unless Congress acts, the state's leading fiscal analyst warned Friday.

The federal budget bill Congress passed in July, which included enormous tax cuts, would increase the national deficit by trillions, triggering a federal law that automatically enacts cuts in other areas to offset deficit spending. Included among those automatic cuts would be the billions in federal dollars New Mexico receives each year from resource extraction on federal lands.

Congress in the past has always voted to suspend that rule, called PAYGO, or Pay-As-You-Go, and avert those automatic changes. It has until the end of the year to do so.

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"Why I'm worried about this is, politically, there's not a lot of other states that are impacted by this. But for us, this would be a catastrophic hit if this were eliminated, even just for a year," Charles Sallee, director of the Legislative Finance Committee, told the Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee on Friday, calling New Mexico an "outsized beneficiary" of the mineral dollars.

Sallee said he hopes the issue doesn't get "lost in the shuffle" amid other issues like the ongoing federal government shutdown.

"There's a whole host of other things that the media is not really focused on but are meatier political issues that Congress and the White House are dealing with," he said.

New Mexico received over two-thirds of all the federal disbursements from mineral leasing payments last year, according to the Legislative Finance Committee. The disbursements are the state's share of royalties from drilling on federal land. Last year, New Mexico received $2.8 billion in payments. The total state budget in the current fiscal year, for scale, is $10.8 billion.

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The funding loss would put a dent in the state's general fund and Early Childhood Trust Fund, Sallee said.

"It would be catastrophic if that is not suspended," Sallee said. "So hopefully there's quite a discussion in D.C. as they're working out their differences, and this will be taken care of."

Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo, expressed similar concerns.

"The fact that we stand alone is really dangerous," she said. "I'm sure our congressional delegation is working on this, but they're certainly not in the majority."

Only certain programs are affected by the PAYGO law. Programs such as Social Security, veterans' benefits, Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are exempt.

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Medicare, however, is not exempt and could be cut by up to 4% under the PAYGO rule.

"That's what would get people back to the negotiating table, in my view, to do something about this, but it's a very different Congress than we've seen in the past, too," Sallee said.

Members of New Mexico's all-Democratic congressional delegation blamed Republicans for the potential cuts.

"This is yet another blow to New Mexicans pocketbooks and our states economy, all because Donald Trump wants to give massive tax handouts to his billionaire donors," Sen. Martin Heinrich said in a statement.

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U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez said that as member of the Rules Committee, "we raised the consequences of the deficit busting bill over and over again at our hearings. Republicans ignored us because their priorities were the tax cuts for billionaires and giveaways to the biggest corporations."

Leger Fernandez said most states harmed by the lease revenue cuts are represented by Republicans. According to the LFC presentation, the states that received the most federal mineral leasing revenue last year after New Mexico were Wyoming, Louisiana, North Dakota and Texas.

"I hope that now that PAYGO may be coming home to roost, they will work with us to reverse the worst aspects of their ugly bill, restore the mineral leasing payments and protect Medicare funding, she said.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Medical malpractice laws in New Mexico led to another contentious debate on Friday between doctors and attorneys as they spoke in front of lawmakers. The organization, Think New Mexico, said the state has one of the highest rates of medical malpractice lawsuits, causing doctors insurance to skyrocket, so theyre leaving the state. Trial attorney argues patients deserve big payouts if a doctor makes a vital mistake.

Story continues below

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In a Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee meeting, state senator Nicole Tobiassen (R-Albuquerque) was brought to tears. What youve spoken to is personal to me, I had to leave the room this so hard. I cant not be emotional.

Sen.Tobiassen shared the story of her husband in the hospital, fighting a medical condition. She is one of the lawmakers supporting a change in medical malpractice insurance costs for doctors in New Mexico, saying its tough to find doctors.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham blames insurance rates for health care providers that are twice the national average. New Mexico is just simply out of balance with other states, and not surprisingly, that makes it difficult to recruit and retain healthcare providers, said Fred Nathan, Founder and Executive Director of Think New Mexico.

Nathan urged lawmakers to make changes by increasing the standard of proof to sue for punitive damages when doctors make a mistake, and having more protections for doctors who are sued. None of those solutions here before us today do anything to reduce medical malpractice; they just reduce lawsuits, said Sen. Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque).

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Attorneys who specialize in medical malpractice argue the suggestions would not fix the states doctor shortages or help victims. I would prefer to not have my clients injured or killed. I feel like the solution should be made at the front end to prevent this stuff from happening, said Cid Lopez.

Attorneys offered other solutions, like incentives for doctors to practice and stay in the state. They also said when it comes to punitive damages, ultimately, its up to a judge and jury.

Think New Mexico added that while New Mexico has the lowest burden of proof to sue medical providers, 33 other states require a higher burden of proof, and six states have banned punitive damages. A bill to reform medical malpractice laws failed during the last legislature. Attorneys argued it protects multi-billion-dollar corporations running hospitals from large payouts to victims.

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Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday said that the state government has given utmost importance to the development of health services and infrastructure in the state, not only in GB Pant or IGM hospitals but also in all district and sub-divisional hospitals across the state. CM Saha said this while inaugurating the 25th annual conference of the Tripura branch of the Association of Physicians of India (API), organised at the Vivekananda Auditorium of Tripura Medical College today. The two-day annual conference was attended by renowned doctors of the state, including Dr. Bijay Pal, Dr. Piyush Kumar Dutta, Dr. Tushar Kanti Dey, and Dr. Gautam Roy Chowdhury, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Chief Minister presented the award to the awardees. Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister stated that doctors can exchange their experiences with one another through medical associations, which can play a crucial role in strengthening the medical system. Saha expressed hope that such conferences of medical associations will not only serve as platforms for discussion but will also lead to important decisions for the overall development of society and the medical system. "There are currently three medical colleges in the state. There are approximately 400 MBBS seats, and the dental college has 63 seats. Meanwhile, the foundation stone of the private Shija Hospital has been laid. The infrastructure of this hospital will be developed at a cost of about Rs 900 crore, and a medical college will also be built there," he said. While speaking, CM Saha, who is also the Health Minister of the state, said that five kidney transplant operations have already been completed in the state. "Doctors have already been appointed to overcome the shortage of doctors in the state. In addition, institutions for B.Sc. Nursing, ANM, GNM, Pharmacist, and other courses have been established in the state. Despite having all the facilities, there are sometimes problems in the state's main referral hospital, GBP, due to administrative errors. Therefore, the state government has already signed an MoU with AIIMS, New Delhi, to improve all aspects of patient services in this hospital," said CM. He added that about Rs 250 crore has been spent on the health welfare of common people under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and about Rs 26 crore under the Chief Minister's Jan Arogya Yojana. "There are now about 1,100 Health and Wellness Centres in the state. Work on building a state-of-the-art eye hospital on the vacant land adjacent to ILS will start in the coming days," he said. CM further mentioned that Tripura is currently the second-best state in the North-East in terms of per capita income and GSDP. (ANI)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  A secluded desert ranch where financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once entertained guests is coming under new scrutiny in New Mexico, where two state legislators are proposing an investigative truth commission to guard against sex trafficking in the future.

Democratic state Rep. Andrea Romero of Santa Fe said several survivors of Epstein's abuse have signaled that sex trafficking activity extended to Zorro Ranch, a sprawling property with a hilltop mansion and private runway about 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of the state's capital city. Yet not enough is known about what went on there for the state to take precautions against abuse in the future, she said.

This commission will specifically seek the truth about what officials knew, how crimes were unreported or reported, and how the state can ensure that this essentially never happens again, Romero told a panel of legislators on Thursday. There's no complete record of what occurred."

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The investigation, with a proposed $2.5 million budget, would thrust New Mexico into an international array of probes into Epsteins associations that is roiling the U.S. Congress and prompted King Charles III on Thursday to formally strip brother Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of the title of prince.

Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls.

The case was brought more than a decade after he secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to dispose of nearly identical allegations. Epstein was accused of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then molesting them.

Epstein purchased the Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a 26,700-square-foot (2,480-square-meter) mansion. The property was sold by Epstein's estate in 2023, with proceeds going to creditors.

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While Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, the state attorney generals office in 2019 confirmed that it was investigating and had interviewed possible victims who visited the ranch.

In 2023, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez ordered an investigation into financial businesses utilized by Epstein and their legal obligations, said agency spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez. That resulted in agreements with two banks that dedicates $17 million to the prevention of human trafficking, she said.

On Thursday, Democratic and Republican legislators expressed guarded support for a new probe, amid concern that New Mexico laws allowed Epstein to avoid registering locally as a sex offender long after he was required to register in Florida.

In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution under an agreement that required him to spend 13 months in jail and register as a sex offender  an agreement widely criticized for secretly ending a federal sex abuse investigation involving at least 40 teenage girls.

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I do feel like this is a unique opportunity to help victims, said Republican Rep. Andrea Reeb, a former district attorney from Clovis. I do believe New Mexicans do have a right to know what happened at this ranch. And I didnt get the impression it was gonna be a big political thing.

But another Republican legislator demanded, Why now?  noting tensions related to President Donald Trump and his vow to release documents related to the late sex trafficker.

Why not a long time ago? said Rep. Stafani Lord of Sandia Park. Every time I ride my motorcycle past there (Zorro Ranch), I get sick to my stomach.

Results are at least two years away. To move forward with a truth commission, approval first is needed from the state House when the Legislature convenes in January to create a bipartisan oversight committee of four legislators, said Democratic state Rep. Marianna Anaya, a cosponsor of the initiative.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Three members of New Mexicos Congressional delegation are pressing FEMA for answers on unpaid claims for victims of the Hermit Peak Calf Canyon Fire. The wildfires, which were started by the U.S. Forest Service, burned 341,000 acres and destroyed at least 900 homes in 2022, and flash flooding caused even more damage. Nearly $5.5 billion was set aside to compensate victims for their losses.

Las Cruces woman faces over 100 charges related to identity theft

The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office had said all claims would be paid by March. But in a letter sent to two FEMA officials, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-New Mexico), along with Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-New Mexico), said only $3 billion has been paid out. They fear some people are still waiting for that money. Because as we see it, theres $3 billion thats been paid out. That means theres several billion dollars still there that need to get paid, said Rep. Leger Fernandez.

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The congresswoman and senators said the claims office needs to finalize letters immediately and pay claimants who suffered total losses.

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According to the sheriffs office, a Miami-Dade sheriffs deputy was fatally shot during an altercation after a traffic incident on Friday.

Deputy Devin Jaramillo, 27, responded to a minor traffic crash around 4 p.m. when he was attacked by a man who managed to seize the deputys gun and shoot him multiple times, Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said.

Jaramillo was a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida before transitioning to a career in law enforcement.

What happened to our deputy was not OK, Sheriff Cordero-Stutz said during a press conference. I want to tell you that behind this uniform, we are human beings.

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After shooting Deputy Jaramillo, the suspect returned to his vehicle and shot himself, dying from the wound, according to Sheriff Cordero-Stutz.

Good Samaritans called 911, and deputies arrived to provide first aid before Jaramillo was transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Sheriff Cordero-Stutz described Jaramillo as a son, a friend, and a homegrown hero.He couldve done anything, but he chose public service, Cordero-Stutz said, noting that Jaramillo gave the ultimate sacrifice, his life.

The next few days are going to be very difficult for us, she added. We will still continue to make this county safe.

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A Michigan-based General Motors dealership has had its license suspended after allegedly selling used vehicles as new. The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) said the violations posed imminent harm to the public, noting that similar issues had already surfaced about a year earlier.

The dealership, LaFontaine Chevrolet Buick GMC of St. Clair, Inc., was found engaging in this practice during a compliance inspection in September 2024. Investigators discovered that vehicles from the dealers loaner program were later sold as new once their loaner use ended. The business was fined $3,000 and placed on an 18-month probation at the time, but MDOS says the latest inspection shows the dealership continued the same conduct.

Deal Gone Wrong

In a Sept. 24, 2025, follow-up inspection, the agency reported finding more than two dozen instances of the same violation, including one vehicle sold as new despite having around 6,000 miles on the odometer. The conduct was described as posing a danger to public health and safety, warranting immediate enforcement action.

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The press release did not specify which models were involved in the violations. As a General Motors dealership, it is authorized to sell vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC. Chevy serves as the Michigan manufacturers mass-market brand, offering relatively affordable options, including the soon-to-return Bolt EV, which promises all-electric mobility for under $30,000.

GM's luxury brand, Cadillac, however, isn't sold at the dealership.

The license suspension means the dealership cannot conduct business until further notice, a crucial period when dealers typically offer incentives to clear inventory. Customers with related concerns are encouraged to contact the Michigan Department of States Office of Investigative Services automotive complaint line at 844-372-8356.

The Michigan case underscores a growing push for stronger consumer protection laws nationwide. On the West Coast, for instance, California will implement the Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Act next year. The measure will help ensure car buyers get exactly what they pay for by introducing safeguards, such as a three-day return option and stricter disclosure requirements. Dealers will also be required to provide full transparency on sales details, helping prevent fraudulent transactions and hidden add-ons.
Does microfiber pollution need a rebrandagain?

The moniker, used to describe the maelstrom of textile bits that slough off clothing after its been buffeted around by a vigorous laundry cycle, was previously lumped with the broader concept of microplastic pollution, mostly because the first Patagonia-backed studies that brought the phenomenon to the fore nearly a decade ago were conducted on polyester fleece jackets.

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The term of art made sense at the time: Polyester, derived from fossil fuels, typically virgin, is essentially another form of plastic. The shed strands, too, all measured less than 5 millimeters in length. Like the fallout from exfoliating beauty products, plastic bags and blown-out car tires, they slipped past wastewater treatment filters to inundate rivers, lakes and oceans to be devoured by marine life and hoisted up the food chain, entering human bodies.

Then there was the discovery that all textiles, whether natural or synthetic, have the propensity to shed. In fact, when scientists from the University of Cape Town in South Africa analyzed 2,000 microfibers scooped up from oceans around the world in 2019, they found that only 8 percent were plastic in nature. The rest comprised plant- or animal-based materials such as cotton, wool, hemp and linen. It turned out that certain coatings, dyes and finishes can make even the most biodegradable material a carrier of persistent toxicity.

But Kelly Sheridan, CEO of The Microfibre Consortium, a U.K.-headquartered multi-stakeholder nonprofit better known by its acronym, TMC, wants to make fiber fragmentation catch on, seven years after it enshrined the then-preferred phrasing in its name. The reason boils down to semantics.

In the textile industry, if you go to some manufacturers and say, What are you doing about microfiber pollution, theyll say they dont produce microfibers, she said at a panel during Textile Exchanges annual conference in October. Because to them, they say, We dont produce microfiber cloths. And so this terminology has really caused a lot of confusion and, indeed, maybe we dont help with that with our name, but thats what we knew at the time. Its only afterward that this has become a bit of a problem.

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Just about the only sure bet in the knotty and complicated milieu in which fashion operates is how much remains terra incognita. As a former forensic scientist, Sheridan knows that textiles splinter off all the time, not just when theyre laundered or even during the manufacturing process.

We are fiber-shedding machines, she said. Ive never been involved in any cases where I have had to look at a washing machine or wastewater, and that means the fibers are in the environment everywhere. They are lost from our clothes really easily and transfer around really easily, too. If we want to solve this problem long term, we need to understand and start with the source of the problem, which is the fabric itself.

The TMC signatory community, which reads like a whos who of the industry, has to date examined 1,800 different fabrics using the organizations standardized test method, creating what is now the largest global database on fiber fragmentation. Never mind the textiles composition; even the slightest tweakthe method of polymer extrusion, the temperature of the dyebath, the thread density, the type of bonding or laminationcan significantly impact its behavior.

There are a number of factors that TMC has been able to pin down. Woven fabrics generally shed less than knits, warp knits are less flaky than weft knits, and filament yarns have better structural integrity than their staple counterparts, though this drawback can be remedied with longer lengths and stronger twists.

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But the lack of uniformity across industry practice, plus the sheer breadth of materials it uses in changing permutations, means that knowledge gaps still abound. Knowing that hydrophilic finishes strip off more fibers than hydrophobic ones is one thing, but understanding what that actually means and what measures can be taken to mitigate the unleashing of inadvertent byproducts is quite another, Sheridan said.

When we ask our signatories to test fabrics, we ask them to provide specification details. Its in the region of around 50 questions of how that fabric was prepared, and so you can imagine the complexity of that, she said. The fabrics in the database are all different. And what were starting to learn from that is what are the key variables that maybe influence fiber fragmentation from a broad perspective.

One of the biggest challenges, Sheridan said, is that while you can take one variable and address it in isolation, most textiles involve a multitude of them.

This is not a simple issue, she added. The number of different fabrics in the world is too big to really get your head around. The more we do, the more we learn how little we know. But our approach to that is, rather than doing this in an academic, traditional way, how can we use more advanced methods, statistical methods, to understand large datasets, to start to pick out and pull together the details that are too big and too complex for an individual to understand.

Finding leverage

That fiber shedding isnt a problem one company, no matter how large, can solve alone is something that Gudrun Messias, director of global sustainability direction at Adidas, learned the hard way.

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It was in 2017, before a standardized test method had coalesced, that the footwear giant decided to run a few hundred of its fabric constructions through a DIY assessment based on washing. Adidas spent a year conducting its study and sadly enough, the result was inconclusive, Messias said. It was a sign, she said, that we need to have more brains on this. When TMC launched, it was one of the first brands to sign up. Recently, Adidas and its suppliers were involved in a pilot with ZDHC, an Amsterdam-based multi-stakeholder organization whose name derives from its goal of achieving zero discharge of hazardous chemicals, to demonstrate that total suspended solids in wastewater can be used as a measure of fragmented fiber generation.

As Europe cues up a regulatory regime involving greener product design, Messias has been mulling on what that might mean for fiber fragmentation. Legislation, she said, can help align the industry further, but not just yet. Simply put, its too early to regulate around a topic that is not scientifically 100 percent there.

We dont have all the facts, and we want to avoid optimizing around the wrong indicators, Messias said. Imagine if [there was a mandate over an assumption] that finished textiles shed less, and we all started coating and finishing our fabrics more. What impact does that have? So I think theres still a little bit more work to do first.

The biggest question at a time of limited resources is how companies can best make use of what they have without reinventing the wheel, doubling up or making a mess of things by blundering through in the interest of speed, however their good intentions may be, she added.

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Earlier this year, TMC linked arms with Fashion for Good, a sustainable innovation platform based in Amsterdam, On, Bestseller, C&A, Levi Strauss & Co., Kering, Norrna, Paradise Textiles, Positive Materials, Zara owner Inditex and Under Armour, to embark on what they describe as a landmark study to suss out the root cause of fiber fragmentation, enhance current test methods and better inform best practices and policies around the topic. The research is zeroing in on three fabric archetypescotton knit, cotton woven and polyester knitto get some idea of what variables influence their shedding and to what extent, none of which has been intuitive.

I was convinced for several years that the brushing phase [to raise] pile [in a fabric] was where you have a lot of release of fiber fragments, said Christian Tubito, director of Kerings Material Innovation Lab. But its not like that. Its the main dyeing process, where you think nothing happens, that releases a lot of fiber fragments.

But waiting for perfect solutions is no solution at all, he said. Kering looked at the three fiber release pathwaysair, land and waterbefore settling on water. This led the conglomerate to start including fiber fragmentation in its wider water strategy, rather than siloing it on its own. In 2021, after homing in on wet processing as a major hot spot, Kering purchased the first 15 of PlanetCares commercial microfiber filters, capable of capturing 90 percent of shed strands, to install in several knitwear facilities in Italy.

We know that we can improve, but we want to start to install them already, Tubito said. The idea, he said, is to reduce the leakage of this fiber, but also to gain knowledge on the capacity of these filters as they relate to different fiber types and compositions, optimizing the system for a bigger rollout across Europe in a few years. It may not be fixing the global problem, he said, but its employing whatever leverage it has where it can find it.

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We needed to take action, Tubito said. And so we decided to take action in this way. It was finding where we could intervene, and not just in relation to synthetics but also to cellulosic-based and animal-based fiber fragmentation.

There are plenty of resources available for brands that want to get started on and go deeper into their fiber fragmentation journey, Sheridan said. TMCs data and research reports, glossary and wastewater guidance are freely available on its website. Access to the ZDHC Academys training modules only requires a small fee.

The next step, she said, is to discuss, within ones organization, where and how fiber fragmentation fits into your sustainability strategy, whether its water stewardship, circularity, biodiversity or wherever it may be. This might be different for different businesses. It could even be a labor issue in factories where textiles are produced, since microfiber dust can fill the atmosphere that workers breathe.

Its also important that the people talk across departments and teams, because this issue doesnt just sit on its own, Sheridan said. Its important that we recognize that fiber fragments, when they enter the environment, have a negative impact right across the sphere. And if we accept that, that means we should be doing something about it.

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That means tackling both ends of the value chain. A 2021 report that the Nature Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit, and Bain & Co., a management consultancy, billed as the first estimate of microfiber emissions from textile manufacturing and materials processing, found that roughly 0.12 million metric tons of synthetic fibers are generated at this pre-consumer stage, similar in magnitude to the consumer-use one, which is to say, laundering. For every 500 shirts manufactured, they said, one disappears as microfiber pollution.

In Kerings circularity ambition, unveiled in 2021, the Balenciaga and Gucci owner said that tackling microfibers, which it aims to eliminate in its supply chain by 2030, has to be an open source and collective approach.

But if collective action by the industry is critical, so too is the need to use the correct words so everyone knows what theyre talking about with zero ambiguity, Tubito said. And not just in an abstract manner, but one with immediate consequences for operational circularity. Water thats been contaminated by textile particles, for instance, cannot be cycled back for reuse.

A microfiber is a typology of fabric or fiber, he said. You have to talk about fiber fragmentation. It means that this fiber can break down into little, little pieces. So also the word is key, and we have to be all aligned on that.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley will not be issuing vetoes on the 2026 budget that the county's Board of Supervisors passed Nov. 6.

In a late afternoon news release on Nov. 7, Crowley announced that he and County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell had signed the budget.

The $1.4 billion 2026 budget ended up scaling back some of the sizable cuts to transit and health and human services that Crowley had initially proposed to confront the county's nearly $47 million shortfall in 2026, nearly double the typical structural deficit the county has seen over the last several years.

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"I am proud to sign a budget that improves the quality of life for working families, upholds our commitments, and protects the future of Milwaukee County for generations to come," Crowley wrote in the Nov. 7 release.

During the Nov. 6 county board meeting, supervisors grappled with balancing constituent concerns about the cuts alongside that fiscal reality.

Through amendments, the board ultimately restored minimal funding for eviction legal support, farmers' market FoodShare matching and support for families with children with disabilities or developmental delays. And while the board did not save any specific bus route, it did designate $4.7 million to potentially preserving some paratransit services and some of the 11 route cuts, reductions and modifications initially proposed.

In the release, Nicholson-Bovell wrote, I'm proud of the collaborative work that went into this year's budget. We listened to our constituents and delivered a budget that reflects their priorities  strengthening public transit, expanding food and housing resources, and propping up early childhood programs.

Marcelia Nicholson, chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, leads the 2026 budget adoption meeting at the Milwaukee County Courthouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the morning of Nov. 6, 2025.

The lack of vetoes signals Crowley's agreement that the board's changes strike the right note of protecting services for vulnerable residents while steering the county toward a more fiscally responsible future.

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As we move Milwaukee County forward, my administration is working to balance fiscal responsibility, service delivery, and community needs," Crowley wrote. "The 2026 Adopted Budget does just that in protecting essential services, investing in critical infrastructure, and maintaining stability in the face of shifting financial realities."

The new Lead Abatement Program will bring lead remediation services to up to 200 low-income, owner-occupied homes in Milwaukee County communities, excluding the City of Milwaukee. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced the initiative Nov. 5 in Wauwatosa.

Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won't issue vetoes on 2026 budget
More than 200 people were displaced after a huge fire destroyed buildings at a Massachusetts apartment complex.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The fire was first reported at the Olympia Place apartment complex on Olympia Drive in Amherst shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Friday, according to our sister station Boston 25.

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Callers told 911 that a building under construction was fully engulfed in flames, according to the Amherst Fire Department.

When firefighters arrived, they found the blaze had already spread to nearby buildings. One four-story building under construction collapsed, and others suffered partial collapses as the fire raged on.

Crews faced low water pressure, complicating efforts to contain the flames.

Explosions were reported at the scene, likely caused by fuel tanks on the construction site. A construction crane also collapsed during the incident.

So far, no injuries have been reported.

Preliminary estimates indicate 230 residents have been displaced.

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BLUEFIELD  Fallout from Tuesdays Democratic sweep of the Commonwealth continues to reverberate across Southwest Virginia and beyond. In fact, the governor of West Virginia has now joined the discussion and is encouraging residents of Virginia to relocate to the Mountain State.

Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey took the unusual steps last week of encouraging residents of deep red Southwest Virginia to move to Southern West Virginia. Morrisey warned on Facebook that Virginia residents can expect to see higher taxes and burdensome regulations under the new Democratic majority in Richmond, Va.

In another related development, West Virginia Senator Chris Rose, R-Monongalia, has introduced a resolution in the West Virginia Legislature formally inviting 27 Southwest Virginia counties, including Tazewell, Bland, Bland, Giles and Wythe, to join the Mountain State.

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Morrisey, who was in Bluefield Friday to talk about health care, was asked by the Daily Telegraph about his comments, and the resolution from Rose.

Morrisey said it was an opportunity for residents and businesses across Southwest Virginia to relocate to a state that is advancing personal freedom and a pro-business environment without what he called the policies of a woke legislature.

So yes if you are across the state line you are going to watch West Virginia grow, Morrisey said. You are going to watch that comeback story. And you should be a part of it and I would everyone to do that and you know you arent going to have worry about a woke legislature or a woke governor. I think West Virginia has got it all.

Morrisey said the Mountain State is well positioned to grow, including its population.

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When voters make choices, they make choices, Morrisey said of last weeks election in Virginia. And I think that West Virginia is going to be very well positioned to attract a lot of people to our state. Because folks are going to see the differences between the states. West Virginia is a state that is advancing freedom. West Virginia is a state thats going to be very friendly from a business perspective, not advancing woke causes. People want to move to a state that they know is on the rise. That is really advancing its comeback story. Its going to be West Virginia. So yes we encourage people to come into our state from Virginia and many other states. If you are looking for a land of opportunity, West Virginia is it.

Morrisey said the work that is currently underway in the Republican-controlled Legislature and the executive branch is going to help West Virginia grow and prosper.

And when other states make decisions from an electoral perspective which may move them in a bad direction people should know that there are opportunities for them to personally experience the renaissance of West Virginia, Morrisey added. Thats what we are working to do. So I encourage everyone watching  you know looking at the two Virginias  and see that West Virginia is coming and we are moving forward. And we are going to be needle movers on all of the things that matter to make West Virginia so attractive for you to live, to work and to play.

Morrisey said he came to West Virginia himself to visit many, many years ago and fell in love with what he saw.

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And ultimately I was so struck by the beauty of West Virginia, I moved to the state, Morrisey said.

As for the invitation for the 27 Southwest Virginia counties to join the Mountain State, Rose said in his announcement that copies of his resolution have been forwarded to the governors and legislative leaders of Virginia, and the local Southwest Virginia counties.

This resolution is about empowering communities to choose governance that truly reflects their values and needs, Rose said. West Virginia was born from the spirit of self-determination, and were extending that invitation to our neighbors who share our way of life. By uniting, we can foster economic growth, better infrastructure, and a stronger voice for Appalachia.

Area lawmakers were asked about Morriseys invitation for residents of Southwest Virginia to relocate to Southern West Virginia, as well as the resolution inviting the Southwest Virginia counties to become a part of West Virginia.

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West Virginia Majority Whip Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, said new residents are always encouraged to move to the Mountain State.

We always welcome new citizens to West Virginia and if a change in governance is the stimulant so be it, Gearheart said. All are welcome and we are working to reduce tax and establish less and more reasonable regulation. It is our job to advance our state. It appears that is what the governor is attempting to accomplish.

Gearheart said citizens have fled other Democrat-controlled states, adding the same could happen in Virginia.

Time will tell, Gearheart said. Many have relocated from New York to Florida for reasons similar stated by the governor.

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Furthermore, there is an opportunity for businesses to grow and prosper in West Virginia if the Republican-controlled super majority in Charleston stays on its current track, Gearheart said.

Delegate Doug Smith, R-Mercer, said most families relocate for jobs, housing, or personal reasons, and not because of political party control. However, he said some individuals along the border, like retirees, might find West Virginias cost of living and conservative values more appealing over time.

Governor Morriseys post may have been partly tongue-in-cheek, but it highlights a real point: West Virginia offers a lower-tax, business-friendly environment compared to many neighboring states, Smith added. While the tone was political, the underlying message about opportunity and quality of life here is worth emphasizing.

For their part, lawmakers representing Southwest Virginia said they welcomed the support of the West Virginia governor, but urged area residents to stay put and to rise up to the challenge ahead.

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I have great respect for our neighbors across the border in West Virginia  theyre good people and we share many of the same values, faith, and work ethic that make Appalachia strong, Senator Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, said. But let me be perfectly clear  I love Virginia. This is my home, and Im not going anywhere. Virginia was the birthplace of this nations liberty. From Patrick Henrys call for freedom in Richmond to the patriots who stood at Yorktown, Virginia has always been a leader in shaping Americas destiny. Our Commonwealth has deep roots of faith, freedom, and family  and those roots still run strong here in Southwest Virginia.

Hackworth said there will be challenges ahead representing the values of Southwest Virginia in a state where the General Assembly, the attorney generals office and the governors office is now controlled by Democrats.

Yes, there are real challenges ahead, and the political winds in Richmond may not always reflect the values of our region, Hackworth said. But the answer isnt to pack up and leave  its to stand firm, get involved, and make sure our voices are heard. We dont run from a challenge; we rise to it. Ill continue fighting every day to protect our coalfields, our small businesses, our families, and our values. Southwest Virginia is worth fighting for, and as long as I have the honor of serving, Ill be doing exactly that  right here at home.

Delegate James W. Will Morefield, R-Tazewell, agreed adding that secession from the Commonwealth would not be easy for any county.

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Seceding from the Commonwealth may seem attractive to many voters in Southwest Virginia, but secession would be extremely difficult to achieve, Morefield said. It would require approval from the Commonwealth, the U.S. Congress and West Virginia would then be required to compensate the Commonwealth of Virginia for its property and liabilities. The amount of compensation would be in the billions of dollars. West Virginia has a much smaller population and state budget than Virginia. They would have a very difficult time raising the necessary revenue and I do not believe the General Assembly of West Virginia would approve taxing their residents to compensate Virginia for its property and liabilities.

Morefield said population losses are already hurting Southwest Virginia, adding that residents should stay where they are.

Im sure that some residents will move, but that would primarily be those with the resources to move and that is part of the problem in Southwest Virginia, Morefield said. For years several individuals and families with the resources to move have left and if they had stayed and helped improve the region Southwest Virginia would be in a much better position economically than it is today.

While Morrisey warned of higher taxes and burdensome regulations in Virginia under the new Democratic majority, Morefield said he believes lawmakers can find common ground.

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The Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, Don Scott, has recently stated that he intends to govern with restraint, Morefield said. Although the Speaker may have a different perspective than Republicans on several issues, I do know that he is a man of his word whether or not you may agree with him.

While the blue wave that swept across Virginia last week has been a popular talking point among political pundits, a poor voter turnout across Southwest Virginia appears to be a contributing factor to the statewide Republican losses.

Four years ago, voters across Southwest Virginia came out in droves voting largely in support of current Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. But the same outcome didnt happen last week.

In Tazewell County, there are 28,036 registered voters, but only 12,640 people voted last week, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.

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In Buchanan County, only 38 percent of the countys registered voters voted. Wise County reported a 27 percent voter turnout, and Russell County had a 46 percent voter turnout. Lee County saw a 41 percent voter turnout with Scott County reporting a 45 percent turnout.

A few local counties did see about half of their registered voters casting a ballot, including Giles County which reported a 55 percent voter turnout and Bland County which had a 53 percent voter turnout. Wythe County saw a 51 percent voter turnout and Washington County, which has a larger population, saw a 51 percent voter turnout.

Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com
The mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard was arrested Friday on suspicion of charges unrelated to her childs disappearance.

Ashlee Buzzard, 40, left Lompoc with her daughter on Oct. 7 for a 48-hour road trip to Nebraska and back. Her daughter was seen on surveillance footage on Oct. 9 on their return trip, around the Colorado-Utah border, but Melodee has not been seen since.

The two were seen wearing wigs while Ashlee rented a car in Lompoc. Investigators also believe the license plate on Ashlee Buzzards rental car was changed to avoid detection.

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Ashlee Buzzard has not cooperated with detectives since the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office first began its investigation on Oct. 14, when a school administrator reported Melodees prolonged absence from school.

Melodee Buzzard

Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office detectives learned of a recent incident where Ashlee Buzzard prevent a victim from leaving a location against their will, which constituted a suspected false imprisonment charge, the agency said in a Friday news release.

The alleged crime was not connected to the ongoing search for Melodee, the agency said, adding that it could not fully outline the crime because it would impede the ongoing investigation.

Buzzard was arrested on suspicion of felony false imprisonment and will be booked at the Northern Branch Jail with a $100,000 bail. Her booking photo will not be released because the crime she is accused of does not meet the criteria under California law.

Detectives ask anyone who may have information on Melodee Buzzards whereabouts to call 805-681-4150. To remain anonymous, callers can contact 805-681-4171 or submit a tip at sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip.
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  The mother of a missing child who were seen traveling near Western Colorado was arrested Friday on an unrelated charge.

Ashlee Buzzard, 40, was arrested on unrelated charges in the search for her missing daughter, Melodee Buzzard, 9, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office (SBSO) in California. Ashlee reportedly prevented a person from leaving a location against their will. She was charged with false imprisonment and had her bail set at $100,000.

The sheriffs office said that although Ashlees arrest happened during the missing person investigation, it is not directly related to Melodees disappearance.

Melodee Buzzard seen in these images as part of an investigation into her disappearance. (Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office)

The investigation into Melodee began on Oct 14 in California after a school administrator reported Melodees prolonged absence. Deputies tried to locate her and her mother at a home in Lompoc, California. However, they only spoke to Ashlee, who allegedly didnt provide a verifiable explanation for her daughters whereabouts.

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Melodee wasnt found at the home during the search, and Ashlee has been uncooperative by not confirming her childs location or well-being, according to SBSO.

During the investigation, officials confirmed that Ashlee left California with Melodee in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, with a California license plate 9MNG101, on Oct. 7. Authorities said they believe they traveled as far as Nebraska during the road trip.

On Oct. 8, the vehicle was observed with a New York license plate HCG9677. The New York license plate didnt belong to the car or Ashlee, SBCO stated. But when the Malibu returned to the rental agency in Lompoc, the original California plate was on the vehicle.

Detectives confirmed Melodee was last seen on Oct. 9 between the Colorado-Utah border.

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Investigators believe they have traveled through these areas on or around Oct. 9:

Green River, Utah

Panguitch, Utah

Northwest Arizona

Primm, Nevada

Rancho Cucamonga, California

The investigators shared surveillance images of Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard from a rental car location in California on Oct. 7. Both appear to be wearing wigs.

Melodee was described as 46, 60 pounds, with brown curly hair and brown eyes.

If anyone has information on Melodees whereabouts, use any of the following methods:

Detectives line: (805) 681-4150

Anonymous tip line: (805) 681-4171

Online tips: www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Gaya Town Assembly constituency is set to undergo polling in the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, with Bihar Co-operative Department Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) sitting MLA, Prem Kumar, looking to defend his seat. Veteran BJP leader Prem Kumar, who has been the sitting MLA from Gaya Town since 1990, is again going up against Congress' Akhaury Onkar Nath after a contest between the two in 2020. Prem Kumar, an Extremely Backward Caste leader, has had a strong hold over the seat. In the 2020 Bihar Assembly polls, he won by a margin of 9 per cent, gaining 66,962 votes out of the total 2,69,781 votes cast. Akhaury Onkar Nath had won 55,034 votes in the last polls. In the 2015 and 2010 elections, Kumar won with margins of 17.7 per cent and 27.5 per cent, respectively. Ahead of the elections, along with routine rallies and meetings, Prem Kumar has indulged in cultural activities, including temple visits and Chhath Puja. Earlier today, he participated in the meeting of the Kanu community held in the community hall near the Baba Kangali Temple premises. Last month, he participated in a cleanliness drive at Pitamaheshwar Ghat in Gaya Ji, organised in preparation for the Sandhya Arghya during the Chhath Puja celebrations and said that the BJP has initiated a campaign at all ghats in the district as thousands of devotees gather to perform evening arghya on this day. The Kanu community and the EBCs are a factor behind Prem Kumar's winning streak, and he would like to consolidate his voter base in the ongoing polls as well. In the last elections, he had also alleged that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers tried to attack him in a village in the Bandeya area, Aurangabad. Kumar, who holds a PhD degree, also has ten pending cases against him, including charges of rioting. According to his affidavit, he holds movable assets worth Rs 82,62,973 and immovable assets with a market value of Rs 2,15,59,973. On the other hand, the Congress candidate has seven pending cases against him. While the last election was just a battle between the two, with NOTA winning the third-largest mandate in Gaya Town, Jan Suraaj's Dhirendra Agarwal would like to change that and bring a close fight against the BJP and Congress. Both the BJP and Congress fought a close battle in 2020; Agarwal might be another factor to tilt votes this time. The Jan Suraaj candidate has no pending cases against him. He holds movable assets worth Rs 18,75,09,166 and immovable assets worth Rs 52.75 crore. Gaya Town will undergo polling, along with 121 other seats, on November 11, with results to be announced on November 14. NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), HAMS, LJP (RV), and others, is looking to retain power for a second term. The Mahagathbandhan, comprising Congress, RJD, left parties, and VIP, is looking to get back to power. Jan Suraaj, which made a debut in the electoral fray, is contesting in more than 200 constituencies on its own. (ANI)
JEN PSAKI: Which brings me to the lie.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPORTER: Mr. President, since you brought up the Walmart Thanksgiving meal 

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yeah.

REPORTER:  and it is cheaper, but it also contains less  as affordability 

TRUMP: Well, I havent heard that. Youre telling me  who are you with? Who are you with?

REPORTER: Im with NBC News, sir.

TRUMP: Fake news, NBC. Youre fake news.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PSAKI: Thats right. The Walmart Thanksgiving meal that Trump has been touting as proof positive that he has made the country more affordable is cheaper this year because it has less stuff. Like a lot less stuff.

I mean, for days now, Trump has been pushing the fact that the prepackaged Walmart Thanksgiving dinner is 25 percent cheaper than it was last year. But he has been conveniently ignoring the fact that this years Walmart Thanksgiving package is missing a bunch of items it had last year, like onions, celery, sweet potatoes, chicken broth, seasoning, muffin mix, marshmallows, whipped topping, and pecan pie. I mean, those were all pretty key delicious parts of Thanksgiving, right?

The meal also downgraded certain items like swapping Hawaiian rolls for cheaper dinner rolls. So yeah, surprise, surprise, his claim is completely misleading.

But he was pushing this whole Thanksgiving meal narrative for a reason. I mean, since Democrats swept Tuesdays election, the right has all of a sudden woken up to Americas affordability crisis. Fox News is even talking about how much prices have risen for consumers all across the country. Trump himself is even starting to talk about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Its no good if we do a great job and you dont talk about it. And I dont think they talk about it enough. You know, they have this new word called affordability, and they dont talk about it enough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PSAKI: They have this new word called affordability.

I mean, apparently the concept is entirely new to him, I guess. But ever since Tuesday, affordability has become one of Donald Trumps absolute favorite things to talk about.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: The reason I dont want to talk about affordability is because everybody knows that its far less expensive under Trump, so I dont want to hear about the affordability because right now were much less.

It was a con job, affordability, they call it.

But we just lost an election they said based on affordability.

You know, I saw that they kept talking about affordability.

So, we talk about affordability.

We should be talking about it because they talk about affordability.

The affordability is much better with the Republicans.

We are the ones that have done great on affordability.

So, we are the victors on affordability.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PSAKI: Yes, when I hear the name Trump, I dont know about you. I think affordability or the affordability, as he called it there. I mean, holding a lavish, Great Gatsby themed party in the middle of a government shutdown hours before SNAP benefits were set to be cut off, a party titled, I kid you not, A Little Party Never Killed Nobody. That was the title of the party.

That does not exactly scream. I am a president who cares about affordability. So, Trump has been partying and his biggest donors now on track to become the worlds first trillionaire. Theres that  all the while. This week, nearly 42 million Americans, most of whom are children, elderly or disabled, went without SNAP benefits, despite two federal judges ordering the Trump administration to pay SNAP benefits last week. This week, the administration actively chose to drag their feet, and that has meant a week without money for food, for tens of millions of Americas poorest people in the country.

The New York Times spoke with people all around the country to ask how they managed to get by. And heres what they learned. Here are some of the stories. A single mother in New Jersey described her struggle to feed her two young sons, with a budget of just $50.

In Oklahoma, a 61-year-old woman questioned whether driving to a food pantry was worth the gas money because a gallon of gas near her cost $2.50 and she only had $1.18 left. In Wisconsin, a mother of a four-month old with a heart defect was in need of a specialized baby formula, and she said it runs $75 a can. She didnt have the money for that baby formula.

In Colorado, a 25-year-old with health issues, tried to  tried the only nearby food bank, but everything there was already gone. Desperate, she snuck into a Walmart parking lot and grabbed as much as she could from the dumpster. Bags of frozen vegetables, meal replacement shakes, cheese, fruit, loaves of moldy bread that she thought she could salvage.

I mean, thats just a taste from The New York Times. Thats just some of what tens of millions of Americans have had to suffer through this week. While Trump claims hes the champion of affordability, while partying all the while.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  News 4 spoke with airport officials and travel experts about what you need to know if youre planning to travel during the government shutdown.

Image KFOR

Airlines are canceling flights to meet the governments demand to reduce air traffic by 10%.

Will Rogers International Airport was pretty slow Friday afternoon, as its not included in the Federal Aviation Administrations reduction mandate impacting 40 airports.

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However, airport officials are warning travelers to stay prepared.

MAP: These airports are expected to have worst delays, cancellations until shutdown ends

We could possibly see more cancellations later on today, into the evening, and through the weekend and early next week. Its really hard to say at this time, Stacey Hamm, Public Information Officer for Will Rogers International Airport.

Lia Vincent, Owner of Vincent Vacations, says her clients are also on edge amidst the uncertainty.

Vincent and a group of travelers will be on Oklahomas inaugural international flight to Cancun on Saturday.

Although its exciting, the dark cloud still hovers over many, wondering whats to come over the next few weeks.

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Cancun and Oklahoma City are not on the list, but everybody still is nervous about any cancellations possible, and what the lines are going to be like, Vincent said.

Many we spoke to say all they can do is hope the government reopens, especially before holiday travel picks up.

This shutdown just breaks my heart because something needs to be done quickly on all these issues, and nothings getting done, said Lucy Kelouth, a traveler heading to Denver.

If youre flying in the coming days or weeks, Hamm said to download the mobile app for your airline.

Not only does it keep you informed, but you can also rebook your flight quickly if it gets canceled.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
NATO chief Mark Rutte has said that he intends to highlight the Western defence alliance's own nuclear capabilities more prominently in the future, primarily as a deterrent against Russia.

"It is important that we talk more about nuclear deterrence with our societies, to ensure they understand how it contributes to our overall security," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Sunday's edition of Die Welt newspaper in comments seen in advance by dpa.

He added, "When Russia is using dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric, our populations must know that there is no need to panic, because NATO has a strong nuclear deterrent, to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression."

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Russia, a nuclear power, invaded Ukraine more than three and a half years ago and has been at war in the neighbouring country ever since. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed the potential of Russian nuclear weapons, also to dissuade the West from providing stronger support to Kiev.

Just over two weeks ago, Russia launched a large-scale manoeuvre of its strategic nuclear forces in parallel with an ongoing NATO nuclear exercise taking place in Europe.

Rutte: NATO can protect all allies

Rutte stressed the importance of NATO's nuclear capabilities: "NATO's nuclear deterrence is the ultimate guarantee of our security. It is important that our nuclear deterrent remains credible, safe, secure and effective."

"And Putin must know that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought," said Rutte, who is a former prime minister of the Netherlands.
(The Center Square) - Nevada Senate Democrats are looking at locally funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as a court ordered the Trump administration to fully fund the program.

The administration Friday said it would follow the order and fully fund SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, despite the government shutdown and funding lapse.

Before the feds' announcement, Nevada Democrats prepared for a possible funding gap.

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State Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Clark County, called for a $136 million SNAP package for a special legislative session to circumvent the federal governments longest ever shutdown.

My colleagues are introducing a proposal to establish a state-funded assistance program during the upcoming special session, Cannizzaro said at a press conference Friday.

Over 500,000 Nevadans use SNAP benefits, Cannizzaro said. More than 62% of them are in a family with children.

Cannizzaro said beneficiaries "are going to be able to use the same cards that they do currently. We are confident that we will structure this program in a way that is both legal and efficient.

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The remarks came 38 days into the federal government shutdown, which has been defined by a bitter stalemate between Democratic and Republican U.S. senators, and countless program shutdowns as reserve funds have dried up.

It also came a day after a federal court ordered the Trump administration to fund the full SNAP budget, after the federal government had said they would only fund half of SNAP with U.S. Dept. of Agriculture reserve funds previously determined to be used in the event of a shutdown. The Trump administration on Friday appealed the latest court order by the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in Boston denied a request for an administrative stay.

The Trump administration said it would follow the court order to fully fund SNAP while it appeals the decision. The Department of Justice is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to issue an emergency stay, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, Nevada Senate Democrats plan to propose local SNAP funding is expected to face opposition from Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who has yet to publicly respond directly to Cannizzaros plan. Lombardo previously said he opposed local funding of the SNAP program.

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The governor remains committed to finding a solution to source SNAP beneficiaries, and other Nevadans impacted by the federal shutdown, to the extent allowable under state and federal law, Josh Meny, press secretary for the Governors Office, told The Center Square.

The Nevada Legislature isn't scheduled to meet again for a regular session until 2027. In order to immediately pass the SNAP funding proposal, the Legislature would have to be called into a special session. And only Lombardo has the power to do that. He would define the purpose of the session.

According to the Nevada Constitution, "Legislature shall not introduce, consider or pass any bills except those related to the business for which the Legislature has been specially convened and those necessary to provide for the expenses of the session.

Nevada Senate Democrats first proposed the local SNAP funding solution on Tuesday after President Donald Trump indicated the federal government would only fund half of the budget. The Democrats' proposed legislation would see $45.5 million go to fund the remaining half of recipients for November and an additional $91 million for December if the government shutdown continues.
California Governor Gavin Newsom once again trolled President Donald Trump, this time over his trip to Mar-a-Lago with an AI-generated image portraying Trump as Frances Marie Antoinette - as the shutdown drags on and SNAP food benefits remain in flux.

On Friday, Newsom slammed Trump in a series of posts on X, accusing him of trying to block food aid and showing he DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU.

His press office went further, charging the Trump administration with fighting tooth and nail to starve children and responding to a CNN segment covering Trumps Florida trip amid the longest government shutdown.

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Accompanying the AI-generated image, which depicts Trump in 18th-century Antoinette attire and used previously by Newsom, symbolizing selfish luxury while people go hungry, the press office captioned the post: GOOD NIGHT, PEASANTS!

Trump arrived at his Mar-a-Lago club Friday and is scheduled to leave Sunday. The Federal Aviation Administration notice did not provide exact arrival or departure times, and the visit comes amid travel disruptions caused by the government shutdown, which has led the FAA to reduce flights at major airports.

This weekend trip marks the presidents 13th visit to Mar-a-Lago during his second term and his 15th overall to Florida since Inauguration Day.

California Governor Gavin Newsom once again posted this AI-generated image of President Donald Trump as Marie Antoinette on Friday, criticizing his 13th trip to Mar-a-Lago. (X/@GovPressOffice)

Also, Friday night, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked a judges order requiring Trumps administration to fully fund SNAP after a weeklong lapse, the first in the programs 61-year history. A federal appeals court had rejected the administrations emergency request on Friday, but the Supreme Court quickly granted a temporary freeze while the legal challenge continues.

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Last week, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted Halloween events at the White House before he returned to Florida for Mar-a-Lagos seasonal Halloween party and a MAGA Inc. super PAC dinner.

Newsoms press office previously used the Antoinette image in October, following reports that work on Trumps new White House ballroom continues despite multiple federal agencies being shuttered due to a budget stalemate.

TRUMP MARIE ANTOINETTE SAYS, NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU PEASANTS, BUT A BALLROOM FOR THE QUEEN! the governors press office posted, mocking Trumps trademark all-caps social posts.

Antoinette, queen of France during the 1789 Revolution, is famously, but likely inaccurately, credited with saying Let them eat cake in response to starving peasants, often reiterated to illustrate the aristocracys obliviousness to the suffering of common people.
Lagos, Nigeria  When Lawrence Zhongo and his wife got married in 2023, relatives and friends from across their region in central Nigeria attended the ceremony. But in the years since, he has been left distraught time and again with each new report of a deadly attack that has claimed the lives of those who celebrated with the couple.

I cant count the number of relatives and friends I have lost. My wife lost eight relatives in the Zike attack in April, Zhongo, a yam and maize farmer in Miango village in Plateau State, told Al Jazeera. These are people that came for my wedding.

In that attack, armed men stormed into homes in Zike village in the Bassa local government area, in overnight raids that reports said killed more than 50 people, including children. Days earlier, 40 people were reportedly killed in a similar attack in the Bokkos local government area.

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For decades, Nigerias middle belt or central region has been the site of deadly communal violence between usually Muslim Fulani pastoral herders and the majority Christian farmers of various ethnicities, whom experts say are clashing over competition for resources.

At the same time, in northern Nigeria, Boko Haram and other ISIL (ISIS)-affiliated armed groups have launched deadly attacks for more than a decade, killing thousands and forcing hundreds of thousands to be displaced, as the groups attempt to impose harsh interpretations of Islamic law in the countrys mainly Muslim north.

Though the victims of violence are from different cultures and religions, the attacks have led to United States President Donald Trump threatening to invade Nigeria guns-a-blazing over what right-wing lawmakers in the US allege is a Christian genocide.

I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform last Saturday. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!

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He said if Nigeria continues to allow the killings of Christians, the US would cease all aid and assistance to the country and would use military action to wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.

Subsequently, the US Department of State on Monday designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). The list, featuring countries such as China, India, and Russia, includes states engaged in severe violations of religious freedom. Nigeria is no stranger to it, as it was a CPC during Trumps first term, a designation that was reversed under President Joe Biden.

This weeks move comes after months of effort by US Senator Ted Cruz, who has been trying to rally fellow evangelical Christians to buy into the agenda, saying in October that Nigerias government is enabling a massacre against Christians.





Abuja, however, has vocally refuted the US claims, and so have many Nigerians.

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The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians, said Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, in response to the US claims.

At the same time, in the north-central region, which is the epicentre of the communal violence, even the victims who are angry at the government do not want US intervention.

We blame the government

Zhongo, the farmer, says he is traumatised by the loss of his friends and relatives in attacks that have escalated in recent years.

We have a failed [security] system, and we blame the government, the 39-year-old said, adding that he has more or less given up on the authorities ability or willingness to stop the communal attacks and those carried out by armed groups.

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At least 1,207 people have been killed in Miango since 2001, according to local figures, with hundreds of people injured.

Due to the violence, Miangos residents have not been able to go to their farms, where armed men continue to attack and kill people. Zhongo said some families in the village are starving as a result.

Yet, Zhongo, who is Christian, does not see the crisis as merely a one-sided war in which only people of one religion are targeted.

I will never deny that Muslims are also killed in the attacks. There are Muslims and other Fulanis who have been affected. I remembered when they killed some Fulani leaders, Zhongo said.

A primary school that was damaged during violence between farmers and herders is pictured in Kigam in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria, in 2018 [File: Inusa Joshua/Reuters]

Ali Tiga is a former Muslim who converted to Christianity.

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He says he still cannot forget the day last year when he received a call saying his sister-in-law had been killed. He was attending a wedding ceremony in another town and had to rush back home.

My brothers pregnant wife was killed, her stomach dissected and the foetus removed, the secondary school civic education teacher told Al Jazeera. I have lost three friends and five relatives in the last three years, some of them were killed in their farms and homes.

Tiga also acknowledges that there has been death and tragedy on all sides.

Fulani herder Aliyu, who gave Al Jazeera only his first name for security reasons, is one of the numerous Muslims who have suffered as a result of the escalating attacks.

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He said attackers often lie in ambush in the grazing areas, and when herders enter the area, they open fire on them and their cattle, resulting in the loss of cows and sometimes human lives.

I have lost my brothers to these attacks, I have lost cows too, he said.

But loss of life is not the only loss Aliyu faces. He has lost friendships, he laments.

The relationships between his tribe and the Christian tribes have become polarised, he says.

One thing that saddens me is that when we were growing up, we grew up together  Christians and Muslims attended the same schools and we celebrated Christmas and Sallah together. As a Muslim now, there are some Christian communities where I cant step my foot.

St Joseph Catholic Church and Kano Road Central Mosque in Kaduna, Nigeria [File: Marvellous Durowaiye/Reuters]

A multilayered crisis

Nigeria is a secular country of 220 million people where the population is nearly evenly divided between Christians, who make up 45 percent, and Muslims, who constitute about 53 percent. It comprises more than 250 ethnic groups, and the middle belt region reflects this ethnic diversity the most.

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Trumps call for intervention has roused continuing conversation in Nigeria about the insecurity and loss of lives across all regions, as well as the governments seeming complacency in reining in the activities of armed actors.

As part of the governments plan to ease farmer-herder tensions, national authorities launched a ten-year National Livestock Transformation Plan in 2019 to stop herders and their cattle encroaching on farms and to modernise the livestock sectors by adopting cattle ranching. Some state governments also introduced anti-grazing laws. But experts have noted that implementation of the plan faced significant challenges, such as inadequate political leadership, delays, funding uncertainties and a lack of expertise. In tackling the violence, Nigerias military has also launched operations to flush out attackers  but these have been criticised for ineffectiveness and apparent bias.

Armed groups have plagued Nigeria since 2009, but the crisis in the north came into international prominence after Boko Haram, a group known for its anti-Western education ideologies, kidnapped 276 girls from a boarding school in Chibok in 2014, triggering global outrage.

For the past decade, the crisis in the mainly Muslim north has escalated, with groups including the ISIL affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP), Jamaatu Ahlis Sunna Liddaawati wal-Jihad (JAS), Lakurawa, and marauding bandits gaining ground. Meanwhile, other regions of Nigeria have also seen violent attacks increase.

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Yet the farmer-herder violence in the middle belt is arguably Nigerias most vicious security threat, said to be six times deadlier than Boko Harams armed rebellion, according to the think tank, Crisis Group.

It has displaced entire communities, caused loss of lives and properties, and directly contributed to Nigerias food shortages emergency because farmers are unable to access their farms. Since 2020, more than 1,300 people have been killed as a result of the violence, according to a 2024 report by Lagos-based sociopolitical risk advisory firm SBM Intelligence.

Experts say what Trump interprets as the mass killing of Christians is in fact a multilayered crisis that affects many groups.

There is no such thing as a Christian genocide in Nigeria, but that does not mean there are no Christians killed or those targeted because of their faith, said Malik Samuel, a senior researcher at advocacy nonprofit, Good Governance Africa, who added that armed groups like ISWAP, for example, do target Christians.

Security personnel patrol the streets amid a surge in violence in Mangu, Plateau State, Nigeria, in 2024 [Screengrab/Reuters TV]

Amaka Anku, the head of Africa practice at political risk consultancy, Eurasia Group, said similar attacks occur in the northwest, where the attackers, bandits, and the farmers happen to be predominantly Muslims.

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What is true about all of [the attacks] is that the Nigerian government is not effective in protecting lives, has not been effective in arresting and prosecuting these criminal perpetrators. But that is the case for both Muslims and Christians, she said.

Experts say it is easy to paint the issue with the brush of religion, as many armed militias are largely Muslim and attack Christian-dominated communities.

However, in the fertile middle belt region where herders and farmers have longstanding tensions over resources, analysts say the root of the violence can be linked more to dwindling access to things like arable land and water because of climate change and population growth.

Nevertheless, a lax security response, porous borders, and the inability of the authorities to bring perpetrators to justice in the face of a worsening crisis have led to accusations of collusion and the loss of faith in state institutions, analysts said.

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When the government fails to protect people who have been attacked several times over the years, of course they will accuse the government and security forces of collusion, said researcher Samuel. The lack of political will is what has made insecurity drag [on] for this long. The first responsibility of the government is [the] protection of lives and properties.

Need for local solutions

Trumps call for US intervention has not brought enthusiasm among those who are directly affected. Instead, Nigerians are worried it might exacerbate the situation, especially in a complex crisis where perpetrators live close to the community.

We hope that Tinubu can come up with a strategy to use internal forces to fight the terrorists and not invite external forces; it is going to be a shameful thing, said Zhongo.

In the capital, Abuja, Nigerians are also concerned about how Trumps threats might affect the country.

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Funmilayo Obasa, 25, closely watches the news, fearing US military action would worsen the humanitarian and displacement crises in Nigerias north, where hundreds of thousands of people are presently displaced.

They might end up killing more people than the terrorists have, and that will definitely worsen the situation, she said.





Abuja said on Monday that it would welcome US military assistance as long as it recognises Nigerias territorial sovereignty.

Nigeria and the US military already have cooperation, and you could see a situation where they work in conjunction with the Nigerian military, risk analyst Anku explained, but US military action would not work with bandits and herders who are civilians and live close by or even within the communities that are being affected by violence.

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The best solution is a local one, according to Anku, who said Abuja needs to do a better job of prosecuting perpetrators of violence  no matter who they are  which is tied to better intelligence gathering and efficient policing.

Nigeria also needs to strengthen its community conflict monitoring, said Olajumoke Ayandele, an assistant professor at New York Universitys Center for Global Affairs and an advisory board member at the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) Project.

The way to do this is supporting community-based early warning mechanisms that empower local actors so that theyre able to detect and are able to address these tensions before they escalate, she said.

Scaling up interfaith mediation and community mediation programmes, which are at present in place in small pockets in parts of the northeastern states of Yobe and Gombe, will also help, she added.

It will be very effective when were thinking about post-conflict reconciliation processes, so that we can know that a lot of these issues that we are trying to tackle are being addressed without exacerbating the grievances that even cause them.

Military deployment, Ayandele said, has to be paired with human rights safeguards, so that immediate threats are addressed without deepening existing tensions or alienating the communities that need protection.

To effectively deal with the security threats, researcher Samuel said the governance issues leading to problems such as unemployment, lack of basic infrastructure, and poverty must be resolved first.

You can deploy all the security forces in the world; they can crush these guys, but tomorrow another group would come up unless you address the drivers of insecurity, he said.

Meanwhile, back in Miango, Zhongo is still reeling from all the loss he and his family have faced. He is fed up with the killings and hopeful for a Nigerian government-led intervention that will not deepen existing crises.

The Nigerian government is enough if they are willing to fight these terrorists, he said.

I buried a lot of people. I am tired of all the mass burials that I cant count.




Public school districts in Centre County are grappling with tough decisions as they continue operating without a state budget.

Pennsylvanias 2025-26 budget impasse has now stretched for more than four months past its July 1 due date. School districts that rely on state funds, including those in Centre County, are working to carefully manage cash flows, assess their options and even take out loans to cover operational expenses with prospects of a deal in Harrisburg still uncertain. Rural districts are especially impacted by the lack of state funding.

The Bald Eagle Area School District, for example, can likely continue operations into January before running out of available funds without a state budget, Superintendent Christopher Santini told the Centre Daily Times. The district relies on state sources to account for about $19.51 million of its 2025-26 budgets projected revenues, or 51.2%.

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Santini said the district would either take out a loan or cash in some of its investments if the district runs out of money and theres still no state budget. The latter option would forego interest on those investments, which last year covered the districts $800,000 in increased health care costs.

Bald Eagles superintendent says the district must prioritize its operational needs and withhold any payments that can wait until a state budget is passed.

We encourage our state legislators to do their job, come to a deal on the state budget that includes meaningful cyber charter funding reform, and fund our schools fairly and equitably to take pressure off of our local taxpayers, Santini wrote in an email.

The Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District, which serves both Centre and Clearfield counties, finds itself in a similar bind, Superintendent Daniel Potutschnig said during a financial sustainability presentation on Oct. 27.

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Philipsburgs district is waiting to receive funds from the state, whose sources amount to $24.2 million, or 63%, of its 2025-26 budget. The lack of state funding has already forced the district to miss out on roughly $20,000 of lost interest in August and September.

The district predicts it will run out of available funds at some point in December. If that happens, Philipsburgs district would need to take out a $7.4 million tax anticipation note  essentially a short-term loan  to cover expenses for another month or two.

Losing out on interest and potentially needing to take out loans would place an even larger burden on district taxpayers, the superintendent said.

We already know that were strapped for cash in our general fund, and oh, by the way, our state representatives arent helping us out, Potutschnig said. Right now, we stand to lose or have to come up with $220,000 that wasnt part of our budget.

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The Bellefonte Area School District is in a more stable situation, director of fiscal affairs Kenneth Bean said. The district is down roughly $3.5 million in state revenues it expected to receive since early July, but only 32% of Bellefontes budget comes from state sources.

Bean said budgets from Harrisburg were late in roughly half of the last 25 years. Those impasses provided the district with experience in similar scenarios, he said. With that in mind, Bellefontes district is carefully using some of its reserve funds to cover operational costs.

Construction continues on the new Bellefonte Elementary School on Friday, July 18, 2025.

The ongoing budget impasse is not expected to impact the districts large-scale construction projects, including the new $55.3 million Bellefonte Elementary School, because they dont use state funds, Bean said.

If we go through the calendar year and dont have a budget, obviously, Im going to start looking a lot harder, Bean said. Were probably good past January. The last this went on this long, several years ago, I dont think they had a budget until December. At that point, we were good until February, and Id imagine were probably in the same boat.

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The rural Keystone Central School District, which stretches across Clinton, Centre and Potter counties, expects it will need to use reserve funds or take out a loan if the budget impasse continues into 2026, Spotlight PA reported. The Penns Valley Area School District, another rural school system in Centre County, is stable thanks to current real estate tax collections and cash reserves, but it would likely consider seeking a line of credit if no budget arrives by early next year, business manager Lynn Naugle said.

The State College Area School District, the largest in Centre County, is largely in control of its revenue streams, school board President Amy Bader said at Oct. 27s board meeting. Roughly 79%, or $164.2 million, of the projected revenues in the districts 2025-26 budget come from local sources, while about 20%, or $41.9 million, come from the state.

Though State Colleges district is in a more stable position than some others, its board unanimously adopted a resolution prepared by the Pennsylvania School Board Association that urges Pennsylvanias government and lawmakers to end the budget impasse. The resolution says flat funding for schools is not an option.

This resolution is, in effect, all of us hopefully banding together  hopefully, many school districts across the state will pass this  and, frankly, a plea to our legislature to put politics aside and get done the things that need to get done, Bader said at Oct. 27s board meeting.
Governor Josh Stein has called an extra session of the North Carolina General Assembly on Nov. 17 to address Medicaid funding issues.

The stories shared today make it crystal clear that Medicaid ensures access to life-saving care, said Governor Josh Stein, emphasizing the importance of the program.

The session was prompted by recent Medicaid cuts that went into effect on October 1, 2025, affecting over 3 million North Carolinians who rely on the program for healthcare coverage.

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ALSO READ: NC House passes bill to partially fund Medicaid program

Governor Stein was joined by disability advocates Demi Eckhoff and Betsy MacMichael, as well as Dr. Karen Smith, to share personal stories about the impact of Medicaid.

My Direct Support Professionals are my ramp to the world and my community, said Demi Eckhoff, a disability advocate, highlighting the personal impact of Medicaid cuts.

Medicaid literally keeps our daughter alive and well, said Betsy MacMichael, another disability advocate, stressing the critical role of Medicaid in her familys life.

Medicaid is a lifeline from the very beginning right down to the end of life, said Dr. Karen Smith, a rural family medicine doctor.

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NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai stated that Medicaid is a critical driver in the health of North Carolinians and needs to be fully funded.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services had alerted the General Assemblys Fiscal Research Division in May 2025 about the need for additional Medicaid funding.

In September, both the House and the Senate introduced proposals to fully fund Medicaid, but no agreement was reached, leading to the cuts.

Governor Stein also proposed three options to reverse the Medicaid cuts, including fully funding the program at $319 million in recurring funds.

VIDEO: NC House passes bill to partially fund Medicaid program
RALEIGH, N.C. (WSPA)  The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has paused plans to provide SNAP benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.

NCDHHS said on Saturday it acknowledged a Friday decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which temporarily blocked a lower court order for the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP payments during the shutdown.

The state began on Friday distributing partial payments to some SNAP recipients with plans to provide more over the weekend before the Supreme Court issued the pause.

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According to NCDHHS, partial benefits were sent to more than half of the 586,000 households which rely on SNAP, though many saw their benefit amounts reduced.

The state said more than 190,000 households got $16 or less.

NCDHHS said residents can continue to apply for and renew their benefits, and all county DSS offices will remain open to process new applications.

State officials said they are ready to issue more benefits, but they need more clarity from the federal government.

This is about a basic necessity  food  being caught in the middle of political chaos, said Gov. Josh Stein in a news release. The hard-working people and families who rely on SNAP benefits deserve certainty, not confusion about whether theyll be able to put meals on the table this weekend and the rest of the month. I am urging for a swift resolution by the courts and some humanity from the Trump administration so North Carolina families can receive the support they need.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KNWA/KFTA)  Just hours before a plane crash at a Louisville airport that has now left a dozen dead and nearly 20 injured, a UPS pilot from Northwest Arkansas had flown in.

Tim Wyler from Elm Springs has flown with UPS for more than eight years and been a pilot for decades.

On Wednesday, KNWAs Doug Warner spoke with Wylers wife, Tonya, at their Elm Springs home.

Tonya said the deadly crash hit close to home for them since Tim had flown into the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport the morning before the incident.

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Tim was scheduled to fly back to Northwest Arkansas; however, his flight, along with many others, was delayed. Tonya said that Tim might be able to fly out of Louisville on Thursday.

Northwest Arkansas business owner detained by ICE after car accident

Tonya said her husband knew one of the pilots in the aircraft who lost his life in the crash on Tuesday and had flown with him in the past.

She said Tim used to fly the MD-11, like the one involved in the crash.

Tonya added that it wasnt until she received back-to-back text messages from her brother-in-law that she knew for sure what happened and if Tim was involved.

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He immediately sent me a text to say hes ok and what had happened. We talked on the phone for a long time, talked gingerly for maybe 20 minutes, but on the phone for an hour and a half because we were watching the reports, Tonya said. The silence and every once in a while said something, just shocked, couldnt believe this happened in Louisville at Worldport.

Federal investigators are looking into the fatal crash along with the National Transportation Safety Board.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has hit back at Jairam Ramesh over his jibe at the government over the duration of the winter session of Parliament. The Union Minister said he will never tire of appealing to the Congress Party to participate in parliamentary debates and discussions. In a post on X, Rijiju responded to a video clip of Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in which he asked if the government was running away from debate in Parliament. Jairam Ramesh had made the remarks to ANI. The winter session of Parliament will begin on December 1 and conclude on December 19. Rijiju said Congress should not "create obstacles for other sincere MPs" keen to take part in the debate. "As if Congress leaders are interested in running Parliament Session! But I will never get tired of repeatedly appealing the Congress Party to participate in the Parliament debates and discussions and also not to create obstacles for other sincere MPs. Let Parliament function," he said in a post on X. Jairam Ramesh earlier slammed the government over the duration and timing of the winter session of Parliament, saying it is "unusually delayed and truncated" and asked, "what is the government running away from?". Talking with ANI, Jairam Ramesh said the winter session is usually convened between November 20 and 23 and continues untill December 24. He said the session will have only 15 sittings. "I was very surprised that this winter session was called so late. It's usually convened between November 20th and 23rd, and 24th December, lasting three to four weeks. I was surprised that this time the session will begin on December 1st and last only 15 days... I don't understand what the government is running away from," he said. Taking a dig at the government, the Congress leader said sessions are shortened before elections and asked if the Lok Sabha polls are coming. "Is the session being shortened because of Delhi's pollution? Is there no legislation or bill? Is there no topic for debate?... They just want to end it as a formality as quickly as possible. This is the first time we've seen this... Yes, sessions are shortened before elections, so does this indicate that the Lok Sabha elections are coming? he asked. Jairam Ramesh said that there are many issues, including SIR, rate of economic growth, unemployment and President Trump's repeated claims of mediation in resolving the India-Pakistan conflict during Operation Sindoor. "A major issue will be the SIR issue...The Prime Minister's silence on Trump's statements is a major issue. The current relationship with China is unresolved...There hasn't been a border agreement with China. We haven't returned to the previous situation. Negotiations are being held between the two countries based on the new normal that China has established. So, there are many such issues regarding the economy, the rate of economic growth, GDP, unemployment is a major issue. There is no shortage of issues. We keep issuing notices again and again, but no action is ever taken on them. The government does whatever it wants," the Congress leader said. Responding to a query, Jairam Ramesh stated that the high voter turnout in Bihar indicates a demand for change. He expressed confidence that the Mahagathbandhan will form the government. "People have voted for change in Bihar...The high voter turnout in Bihar is a sign that the public has decided that they want change. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and the NDA's time is over. Mahagathbandhan will be forming the government in Bihar," he said. Jairam Ramesh also took a dig at the government over the duration of the winter session of Parliament in a post on X. "It has just been announced that the Winter Session of Parliament will be from Dec 1st till 19th. This is unusually delayed and truncated. It will be just 15 working days. What is the message being conveyed? Clearly, the Government has no business to transact, no Bills to get passed, and no debates to be allowed," he said. President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Union Government's proposal to convene the Winter Session of Parliament from December 1 to December 19. Rijiju said in a post on X earlier that the government looks forward to a constructive and meaningful Session that strengthens our democracy and serves the aspirations of the people. "President of India, Droupadi Murmu ji has approved the proposal of the Government to convene the Winter Session of Parliament from 1st December 2025 to 19th December 2025 (subject to exigencies of Parliamentary business). Looking forward to a constructive and meaningful Session that strengthens our democracy & serves the aspirations of the people," he said. (ANI)
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a homicide early Saturday morning, where one person was shot in southwest Oklahoma City.

The suspect fled the scene on foot, and officials believed the suspect and the victim had some relation to each other.

This was around Southwest 25th Street and Villa Avenue.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
When the federal government shuts down, its not just a headline in Washington  its a reality in Utah homes. Parents wait for SNAP benefits that may not come on time. Child care providers worry whether subsidies will be processed. Families who rely on WIC to feed their infants watch calendars and shelves anxiously.

For Utahs children, this isnt politics. Its dinner. Its rent. Its stability.

The recent shutdown  compounded by the Utah Legislatures ongoing commitment to tax cuts for the states wealthiest residents  shows us in stark terms who we choose to protect when times get tough and who we leave waiting.

The cost of success

Utahs leaders love to celebrate our economic rankings: first in growth, low unemployment, business friendly. But those headlines obscure a painful truth.

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Over the past decade, income tax cuts enacted by the Legislature have drained more than $1.2 billion a year from our state budget  money that could have strengthened our schools, funded child care, expanded affordable housing and supported childrens mental health.

The result is a two-tiered Utah: one celebrated in glossy business magazines and another where working families struggle to afford the basics. Utahs classrooms are overcrowded, our child care system is near collapse, and thousands of families face rising rents and food insecurity. The success we boast about has not been shared equally.

A shutdown of priorities

The federal shutdown made visible what too many families already know: Our safety net is fragile. Families living paycheck to paycheck felt the impact immediately. Federal workers were furloughed, small businesses lost customers and critical programs  especially those serving children  were thrown into uncertainty.

Even a short shutdown disrupts months of family stability. Programs like SNAP and WIC operate on thin margins and strict reimbursement schedules. A missed check doesnt just delay groceries; it undermines trust in the idea that government will be there when families need it most.

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And while Washington gridlock grabs the headlines, Utahs state decisions have quietly mirrored the same pattern: cutting revenue, shrinking services and asking struggling families to make do with less.

A question of values

Utahns pride themselves on self-reliance, but that has never meant families should face hardship alone. Our strength has always come from community  from neighbors helping neighbors and from a government that reflects those same values of fairness, stewardship and compassion.

Yet our current fiscal choices dont match those values. Every year, Utah gives away hundreds of millions in permanent tax cuts while schools, health clinics and child care centers plead for predictable funding. Tax breaks for those at the top are not evidence of fiscal discipline; they are symptoms of misplaced priorities.

Utahs working families contribute every day  through taxes, caregiving and community life. What they deserve in return are policies that ensure:

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Tax fairness: Every family contributes, but those with the most should not contribute the least.

Sustainable revenue: Cutting taxes while cutting childrens services is not fiscal responsibility  its moral negligence.

Investment in children: Every dollar invested in early education, health and family stability strengthens Utahs future workforce and communities.

The beginning of something better

The good news is that Utahs story is still being written. We can decide that this shutdown  and the Legislatures continued focus on tax cuts  marks not an ending but a beginning: a chance to redefine what prosperity means and to rebuild trust in the systems that keep families whole.

We can choose to make future budgets a reflection of our deepest values, not just our strongest balance sheets. We can choose to invest in children first, ensuring that every Utah child grows up safe, healthy and hopeful  no matter what happens in Washington or on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City.

This moment is a reminder that progress doesnt pause when the government shuts down and compassion doesnt balance a spreadsheet. Utahs strength lies not in the size of our surplus but in the well-being of our children.

Its time to start again  this time, with Utahs children and families at the center.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says his country has received an exemption from US sanctions on Russian energy after a meeting in the White House with President Donald Trump on Friday.

Trump granted Budapest an allowance that will keep Russian oil and gas flowing to Hungary in a sign of the close affinity between the two leaders.

Orban, a longtime Trump ally, had come to Washington seeking to convince the US president to allow landlocked Hungary to continue importing Russian oil and gas without being subject to sanctions Trump's administration has placed on Russian energy.

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A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they werent authorised to speak publicly, said Hungary will get an exemption for one year, to give the country a chance to sort out alternative energy plans.

Hungary has also been under heavy pressure to end its reliance on Russian energy from the European Union, most of which has heavily cut or ceased its imports of the Kremlins oil and gas.

The populist Hungarian premier has called access to Russian energy a vital issue for his landlocked country, and said he planned to discuss with Trump the consequences for the Hungarian people if the sanctions took effect.

During a press briefing with Hungarian media following his talks with Trump, Orban said Hungary had "been granted a complete exemption from sanctions affecting Russian gas delivered to Hungary from the TurkStream pipeline, and oil from the Druzhba pipeline.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump, right, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Washington - Evan Vucci/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved

We asked the president to lift the sanctions, said Orban. We agreed and the president decided, and he said that the sanctions will not be applied to these two pipelines.

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Hungary has in turn agreed to buy US liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of the discussions, the US State Department said in a fact sheet, noting contracts were expected to be worth about $600 million (518.6 million).

The two nations also agreed to work together on nuclear energy, including small modular reactors. Budapest will also purchase nuclear fuel from the US-based Westinghouse Electric Company, Orban noted.

That fuel will be used to power Hungarys Paks nuclear plant, which until now has relied on Russian-supplied nuclear fuel, though Hungarian officials earlier stressed that Budapest will continue its purchase of Russian nuclear fuel as well.

Prior to Orbans arrival on Thursday, a bipartisan group of US senators introduced a resolution calling on Hungary to end its dependence on Russian energy.

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The resolution was co-signed by 10 senators including Republicans Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, as well as Democrats Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Chris Coons of Delaware.

The resolution expresses concern the Hungary has shown no sign to indicate an intent to reduce the dependence on Russian energy, and urged Budapest to adhere to the European Union plan to cease all energy imports from Moscow into the bloc by the end of 2027.
Taras Kachka, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, has said that the main reason Budapest is blocking Ukraine's progress towards EU membership is not the issue of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine: it is Prime Minister Viktor Orban's political stance, for which there is no support from the Hungarian public.

Source: European Pravda, citing Kachka at the Re:Open Zakarpattia forum

Details: Kachka said the Hungarian government's demands with regard to education do not amount to a systemic issue.

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Quote: "They consist of a few targeted proposals and concerns that in no way change our approach to education or to our language policy in education. So it's obviously easy for us to discuss them  they aren't the kind of issues that would roll back our education reforms or our language policy."

More details: According to Kachka, there are no major problems that could be "blown up into something enormous", and the process has "a perfectly normal working dynamic".

Quote: "But there is clearly a big political question being set by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. I think we should focus on him personally and on what he has been declaring during the parliamentary election campaign in Hungary, namely that he does not see Ukraine as having a future in the EU."

More details: Kachka went on to say that Orban's position is mistaken.

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Quote: "First of all, the 26 EU member states see Ukraine in the European Union, the European institutions see it there, and a significant part of the Hungarian public sees it there. So it's clear that Prime Minister Orban's position is wrong When we read in the press about how the election campaign is going in Hungary right now, we can see that this does not resonate with the Hungarian public."

More details: Kachka believes that Hungary should approve the opening of negotiating clusters and allow Ukraine to meet all the conditions while also debating the terms of the future agreement between Ukraine and the EU.

Quote: "If Prime Minister Orban has alternatives [to suggest], he is welcome to table them. We disagree with them. No one agrees with them, but we are willing to try to convince him."

More details: Kachka said he believes it will be possible to persuade Orban sooner or later and unblock the negotiating process.

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Quote: "Ultimately, Ukraine's integration into the European Union is the best way to protect the rights of Hungarian communities in Ukraine and support their development, and Budapest understands this."

Background:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said recently that Budapest's obstruction of Ukraine's EU aspirations constitutes support for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Orban replied by complaining about Zelenskyy's "ingratitude" for Hungary's assistance.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Three men from Honduras face federal charges for attempting to transport two kilograms of drugs through Oregon, according to the Oregon U.S. District Court.

Oscar Bonilla-Sandoval, 24, Jonathan David Matamoros-Carcamo, 22, and Jorge Adalberto Escoto-Andrade, 34, were stopped by an Oregon State Police trooper on I-5 in Linn County on Oct. 30. Officers said they saw the Toyota Camry commit a traffic violation.

Oregon taxpayers will see a $1.4B kicker in 2026. How much will you get?

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A K-9 was deployed to search the car and found a trap compartment in the front passenger seat. Inside, officers found two kilograms of suspected fentanyl with a street value of approximately $85,000.

The fentanyl was wrapped in tape in two brick forms and sitting on tin foil covered in cinnamon, which is a method used by drug traffickers to avoid detection by drug detection canines, officials said.

Officers also found roughly $13,000 in cash and a Smith and Wesson revolver.

Three men from Honduras face federal charges for attempting to transport two kilograms of drugs through Oregon on Oct. 30, 2025. (Oregon State Police) Three men from Honduras face federal charges for attempting to transport two kilograms of drugs through Oregon on Oct. 30, 2025. (Oregon State Police)

The three men were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
CAIRO (AP)  For more than two years, Sudans military and a powerful paramilitary force have torn the country apart in a war for power, both digging in against peace efforts even as atrocities mount and starvation spreads. One reason they can keep going is the support each reportedly gets from other nations looking for influence.

International alarm has grown since Oct. 26, when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces seized the key city of el-Fasher in Sudans Darfur region from the military and reportedly went on a rampage. Witnesses and aid groups say fighters have killed hundreds of civilians, and the fate of thousands more is unknown.

Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF are accused of committing atrocities throughout the war. The United States says the RSF is committing genocide with repeated mass killings and rapes.

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U.S. intelligence assessments for many months have found that the United Arab Emirates, a close U.S. ally, has been sending weapons to the RSF, according to a U.S. official familiar with the reports who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details of the classified reports.

The UAE denies backing the RSF. In a statement, it said, We categorically reject any claims of providing any form of support to either warring party. It said it has supported efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians and ensure accountability for violations by both sides.

On the other side, Egypt is accused of supporting the Sudanese military.

The war began in 2023, when the RSF and the military, which together ruled Sudan after crushing a pro-democracy movement, turned against each other. The conflict has killed at least 40,000 people  though aid groups say the toll is likely several times higher  and has caused the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

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Heres a look at the players accused of having a hand in Sudans conflict.

The United Arab Emirates

The Emirates backs the RSF in part to prevent the Islamist groups that underpin the Sudanese military from seizing power, said Hamid Khalafallah, a Sudan researcher and policy analyst. Since the 2011 Arab Spring, the UAE has used hard and soft power to counter Islamist groups across the region, which it views as a threat.

The support of the paramilitaries is also rooted in the UAEs imperial ambitions," Khalafallah said.

Tiny in size but enormously wealthy, the Emirates supports a network of factions across the region to spread its influence. In long-divided Libya, the UAE has supported forces of the military strongman Khalifa Hifter against Islamist and other militias based in the capital, Tripoli. In Yemen, it has backed southern militias fighting Houthi rebels. It has also built ties with Somaliland and Puntland, breakaway regions of Somalia.

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Khalafallah said the UAE wants to expand its influence "and that is better served through paramilitaries outside the state institutions.

The RSF originated from the Janjaweed, Arab militias that were accused of committing genocide in the 2000s in a campaign against communities of East and Central African origin in Sudan's western Darfur region. In the current war, the U.N., U.S. and others say the RSF has targeted the same communities with mass killings and rapes.

The U.S. official said two intelligence reports issued in late September found that the UAE's provision of weapons to the RSF had increased from late summer into early fall. The reports, from the State Departments intelligence bureau and Defense Intelligence Agency, found the weapons included Chinese armed and unarmed drones, heavy machine guns, small arms, mortars and artillery, the official said.

A U.N. panel of experts said in a January 2024 that reports of UAE arms shipments to the RSF, mainly via neighboring Chad, were credible.

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RSF attacks became more sophisticated this year, particularly through the large-scale use of drones. When the military retook the capital, Khartoum, in April, it was a severe blow to the RSF. But the paramilitary force has since been able to advance in Darfur and the nearby Kordofan region.

A fight fueled by Sudan's resources

Competition over access to Sudan's resources  particularly gold and gum arabic, a key industrial food ingredient  has fueled the rivalry between the military and RSF, and drawn their backers' interest. Each side has helped finance the fight by selling resources in areas under its control.

The Emirates has provided a crucial outlet for the RSFs business interests and gold sales, according to the U.N. experts. The U.S. imposed sanctions on six UAE-based companies that it says helped carry out gold sales and provide weapons and security technology to the RSF. Gold has also been smuggled out through Egypt, according to the U.N.

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Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow in the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told a U.S congressional hearing in May that the UAE has also provided financial support to Ethiopia and Kenya to back the RSF, as well as provided military support through Libya, Chad, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

The UAE, he said, has encircled Sudan in a ring of fire.

Egypt

Egypts support for the Sudanese Armed Forces is rooted in years of close ties between the two countries militaries. Saudi Arabia and Turkey have also sided with the military in Sudan's war.

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Egypt prefers a military-run government in its southern neighbor, seeing it as a more reliable ally than a democratic civilian government, Khalafallah said.

With their long, shared border, Egypt and Sudan have key strategic interests, driven by the Nile River, which snakes through both countries, and their position along the shipping lanes of the Red Sea. Those interests have outweighed Egypts concerns over Islamist influence in the Sudanese military.

The extent of Egypts material support for Sudans military is unclear. But the Institute for the Study of War says Egypt is likely the source of a batch of fighter jets sent to the Sudanese military in March, and it has also provided it with Turkish drones.

Egypt has denied providing arms. In an interview this week with MBC television, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said there is no military solution in Sudan. "There must be pressure on all outside powers to stop the flow of weapons. There must be a humanitarian truce leading immediately to a ceasefire.

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The U.S. and the Quad

The U.S. brought together Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia in a mediating group called the Quartet, or Quad, to work for an end to the war. In September, it issued a peace plan calling for a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a nine-month political process.

The RSF on Thursday said it agreed to the Quad's humanitarian truce. A Sudanese military official said the army will only agree to a truce when the RSF completely withdraws from civilian areas and gives up weapons as per previous peace proposals.

The Trump administrations point person  Massad Boulos, senior adviser for Arab and African Affairs  told The Associated Press that the U.S. is working with both sides to finalize a truce.

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When asked if Washington was pressuring the UAE to stop supporting the RSF, he didn't answer.

Hudson said attempts to push the RSF and military into direct negotiations have failed. Instead, the U.S. should work to get the outside powers to stop supporting the warring parties.

There is no single country better placed to do this than the United States, he said.

___

Price reported from Washington. AP correspondent Sarah El Deeb contributed from Beirut
Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan broke down, a day after both sides accused each other of mounting border clashes that risked breaching a ceasefire brokered by Qatar.

However, the ceasefire between the two South Asian neighbours will continue, a Taliban spokesperson said on Saturday.

Zabihullah Mujahid said negotiations had failed due to Islamabad insisting that Afghanistan assume responsibility for Pakistan's internal security, a demand he described as beyond Afghanistan's "capacity".

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But, he said, "The ceasefire that has been established has not been violated by us so far, and it will continue to be observed".

An Afghanistan official earlier said four Afghan civilians were killed and five others wounded in clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces along their shared border despite the joint negotiations.

Pakistan's state media reported that the Pakistan delegation is leaving for the airport to return home. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also told Pakistan's independent Geo news channel that "as we speak, the talks are over."

Mr Asif said the ceasefire will remain intact until there is no breach of it from the Afghan side.

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In a statement thanking Turkey and Qatar for mediating the talks, Pakistan's information minister Attaullah Tarar maintained that the Afghan Taliban has failed to meet pledges it made with the international community about curbing terrorism under a 2021 Doha peace accord.

Mr Tarar said that Pakistan "will not support any steps by the Taliban government that are not in the interest of the Afghan people or neighboring countries." He did not elaborate further, but added that Islamabad continues to seek peace and goodwill for Afghans but will take "all necessary measures" to protect its own people and sovereignty.

In Kabul, Mr Mujahid also thanked Turkey and Qatar for hosting and mediating the Istanbul talks, saying on Saturday that the Afghan representatives "participated in good faith and with appropriate authority," hoping for constructive engagement from Pakistan.

However, in a statement he said the discussions did not produce tangible results, citing differences over security responsibilities. He reiterated that Afghanistan "will not allow anyone to use its territory against another country," and affirmed that the Islamic Emirate "will firmly defend the people and land of Afghanistan against any aggression, with the help of Allah and the support of its people."

Afghan refugees arrive near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman on 30 October 2025, ahead of their departure for Afghanistan (AFP via Getty Images)

Ali Mohammad Haqmal, head of the Information and Culture Department in Afghanistan's Spin Boldak district, blamed Pakistan for initiating the overnight shooting, but said Afghan forces did not respond due to the peace talks in Istanbul.

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However, a tense calm largely prevailed along the Chaman border in southwest Pakistan, where the two sides briefly exchanged fire Thursday night, with both sides blaming the other.

Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi on Friday said Afghanistan initiated the shooting. Pakistan's Ministry of Information said late Thursday on social platform X that "the shooting was initiated from the Afghan side, but the situation was brought under control."

The ministry said a ceasefire brokered by Qatar on Oct. 19 remained intact.

Mr Andrabi said Pakistan's national security adviser Lt. Gen. Asim Malik is leading the Pakistani delegation in the talks with Afghanistan. The Afghan side is being led by Abdul Haq Wasiq, director of general intelligence, according to Mujahid.

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Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan's Taliban government of harboring Pakistani militants who carry out cross-border attacks, a charge Kabul denies.

Afghan women and children are evacuated via trucks during ongoing clashes between Taliban security personnel and Pakistani border forces in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar Province on October 15, 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

Tensions have remained high since last month, when deadly border clashes erupted, killing dozens  including soldiers, civilians and suspected militants  and wounding hundreds on both sides. The fighting began after explosions in Kabul on Oct. 9 that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan and vowed to avenge.

The violence, the worst between the neighbours in recent years, subsided after Qatar brokered a ceasefire.

Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant attacks in recent months, most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban  known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP  a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN and the US.

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Though separate, the TTP is closely allied with the Afghan Taliban. Many of its leaders and fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, further straining ties between the two countries.

(With additional input from Reuters)
Sam Rasoul, the Virginia Democrat who is currently the longest-serving Muslim state lawmaker in the US and who faced accusations of antisemitism over language condemning Israels assault on Gaza as genocide, scored a resounding victory in Tuesdays election that he believes shows voters are craving honesty from politicians.

Rasoul, an American Palestinian state legislator since 2014, strengthened his majority as he was re-elected to an area of Virginia where the city of Roanoke leans Democrat and the surrounding areas are deeply conservative. In an election seen as a referendum on Trumps policies, which have disproportionately affected Virginia, Rasoul increased his vote share from four years ago by more than 5% as Democrats trounced Republicans from the legislature to the governors mansion.

A 70% victory in the Bible belt of Virginia for a Palestinian Muslim is really a validation, beyond just Democrats winning, that you can be bold on the Gaza genocide and still be victorious, Rasoul told the Guardian.

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His win came despite months of attack ads and rebukes from other party leaders in the state. He was accused of hate speech and antisemitism by his opponent, a Jewish Republican party member who ran as an independent, pro-Israel groups and senior members of his own party after he called the killing of at least 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023 the most evil cleansing in human history and blamed Zionism, which he labelled a supremacist ideology created to destroy and conquer everything and everyone in its way.

Related: From scapegoats to city hall: how New York Muslims built power and shaped Zohran Mamdani

But I dont believe that issues win campaigns, Rasoul said. Its good organizing and deep, trusted relationships that win elections because people are really only looking for two things. Are you being honest with me? And will you work hard for me?

Rasoul is part of the most progressive faction of the Democratic party, and like his friend and the newly elected mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has put affordability at the centre of his politics.

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The reality is that over the past 40 years, the Democratic party was so desperate to please special interests, that weve lost touch with middle- and working-class Americans, he said. The establishment voices are too often on the wrong side of history, and representing the wrong interests. What people are desperate for, as we saw with Zohran and locally in my race, are bold solutions that make them feel like were genuinely batting for them.

Mamdani first reached out to Rasoul in November 2023  a month after Israel launched its full-scale invasion of Gaza, inviting him to participate in a hunger strike outside the White House. At the time, Rasoul had a much higher profile, and he had to Google the relatively unknown New York City assembly member before saying yes.

Forget about him being a democratic socialist, people are tired of political talk and just desperate for honesty. Zohran was able to provide real substance in an entertaining way that allowed people to connect emotionally to what he was conveying, said Rasoul.

Rasoul, 44, was raised in Roanoke valley in south-west Virginia, where his Palestinian parents eventually settled after leaving the occupied West Bank following the 1967 war that left thousands dead and forcibly displaced.

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He has a background in health administration and strategic planning for non-profits, and since 2014 has represented Roanoke City  an ethnically diverse Democratic-leaning district (around 60% white, 30% Black and 10% other, mostly Hispanic) with 86,000 predominantly Christian constituents.

Rasoul, who is one of three Muslim members of the part-time Virginia general assembly and among only seven state (and one federal, Representative Rashida Tlaib) lawmakers of Palestinian heritage, has faced Islamophobia throughout his political career.

In his first run for office, Rasoul was accused in a widely distributed mailer of being funded by the terror group Al-Qaida. In an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor in 2021, Rasoul was the only candidate asked during a debate if he would represent his constituents regardless of faith and beliefs, prompting accusations of Islamophobia and an apology from the TV station.

The recent flurry of attacks accusing him of antisemitism began in July 2025 after he posted a picture online of the award-winning Palestinian writer Omar El Akkads book One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.

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He said the social media post was meant to clarify that the genocide in Gaza has nothing to do Judaism, but rather the result of Zionism.

Despite the attacks, and the impact of the war on voters, Rasoul believes its his principled stance and focus on affordability, housing and utility costs that have resulted in his re-election

Its not that the genocide is at the top of everyones list, but issues like Gaza are proxies for peoples gauge on our moral compass. Until we have that trusted relationship, it doesnt matter what we say. People know that when its hard, I will speak the truth and fight for the issues that they do deeply care about and that impact their lives, he said. We show up at their doors, to their fish fries, at their churches, and to their schools, and they know that Im ready to work hard for them.

Thats how you win elections.
If you want a bigger slice of cake, the best thing to do is bake a bigger cake, then everyone gets a bigger slice.

That is how Mrs Thatcher tried to give a whole generation of young people, including me, the hope of a better life. Her famous bigger cake was economic growth  the only way you could have confidence in the countrys future and your own.

Instead, we now have the exact opposite. General demoralisation or, according to the NHS, despair.

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Surveys of public opinion confirm that United Kingdom nationals feel that their country has got worse in the last five years and will not get any better in the next five years.

People are tired of the sterile debate about tax. It always seems to lead to the same conclusion  we have to accept as inevitable the present combination of high taxes and inadequate public services. The voters have grown weary of politicians glib or pat answers to Britains intractable problems of tax and spending.

Recognising the national mood, the Prime Minister recently asked his officials for an uplifting plan to stimulate economic growth. It has yet to see the light of day. The reason for postponement is said to be lack of content.

So I went to the fount of economic wisdom, the London School of Economics. I bravely asked a room full of economics professors if any of them had a brilliant idea for how to get economic growth in Britain.

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Their response? They laughed: It would take a complete change in the entire culture of the society! Inconceivable! Unimaginable! Impossible!

Whisper it, but maybe the professors are wrong about what is possible and what is not. Because there is one proven way to change the culture of a society. It is called the law. Smoking bans. Seat belts. Abortion. Capital punishment. Slavery. Homosexuality. Contraception.

We remember with warm approval, Lord Denning, Britains most senior judge who said:

Be you ever so high, the law is above you.

We like that idea. It means a lot to us.

Which brings us to what we can do about this state of national despair. What if it were possible for the people to indict the Government? Let us consider what it would look like to file a lawsuit against the state.

The People v UK Government

That has a good ring to it, doesnt it. Yes, the Government as the defendant.

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Parliamentary sovereignty and Crown immunity make it highly unlikely that any such case could ever succeed  one citizen against the massed ranks of No.10, No.11 and the Treasury. One man against the legions of Rome.

Therefore, we would need be very humble about the charges we might bring. We should concentrate only on tax.

Because, current tax law is an ungainly camel designed by a committee which has been in standing session for 200 years.

Therefore, in accordance with Section 2 of the Administration of Justice Act 1933, the Senior Courts Act 1981, and the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, this is how such an indictment of the UK Government might look.

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What would happen in such a case?

Just for the sake of the story, here is my version. On the first morning of the trial, the UK Attorney General would come out of the Royal Courts of Justice to the top of the steps, to address the massive crowd. Everyone hushed in anticipation.

In extraordinary scenes, she would make a formal announcement on behalf of the UK Government.

The Attorney General would then continue:

Why such dramatic action may be necessary

Is such a dramatic action really necessary? Surely, we can just keep muddling through?

Maybe not, because this time, maybe democracy isnt working.

Yes, we can change the government every few years from one political party to another. That is true. But nothing much actually seems to change, does it? The same old story over and over again.

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The King recently showed us how firm, decisive leadership can end a family problem. Perhaps we need something similar to end our economic problem.

Someone to take away the stale pudding now on our plate and bring us a lovely, big, freshly baked cake.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
NEED TO KNOW

Starbucks released glass Bearista cups as part of its new holiday merchandise on Nov. 6, and they sold out quickly

A TikTok user claimed that employees took all of the limited-edition cups from the Starbucks in their local Kroger before customers who waited outside could buy them

A Starbucks spokesperson said demand for the Bearista cups exceeded even our biggest expectations

One person is claiming that employees at their local Starbucks kept the brands latest viral limited-edition holiday item for themselves.

On Thursday, Nov. 6, Indianapolis-based TikTok user @Cole.Insider claimed in a video that employees at their local Kroger store took all of the available stock of the new Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup from the in-store Starbucks location before customers could buy them.

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Pov: we waited outside since 2:00 a.m. for the starbucks bear cup BUT the employees took them all before we could, the user wrote over the TikTok video. They also shared footage of their experience arriving at the store early in hopes of snagging one of the viral cups, which resembles a honey bear container wearing a green, Starbucks-branded beanie.

The cup, which retails at just under $30 per Starbucks website, is one of several new holiday items the coffee chain introduced this year. It sold out quickly on Nov. 6, causing a nationwide frenzy.

Starbucks Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup

In their video, @Cole.Insider said they knew their chances of securing one of the Bearista cups were already slim because the Kroger location allegedly said they only had six of the cups in stock. They did not specify the specific Krogers location.

"So I already knew that I was in a little bit of a pickle, but I decided to wait it out, said the user.

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They arrived at their local Kroger store at around 2 a.m. and got nervous because there were already several other people waiting outside the doors. Footage shared by the user shows at least seven people waiting for the store to open.

After at least four hours in line, at 6 a.m., the waiting customers entered the store and headed for the in-store Starbucks location to secure the newly released cups, according to the TikTok. But, as @Cole.Insider claimed, employees were already checking out with the cups in hand.

If you look there, you can already see employees  including Kroger employees  checking out the cups before we could even get them, after we waited in line for them, the user said over footage allegedly showing the employees checking out with the cups.

So I mean, I wasnt that mad, but the people in front of me, they were pissed, the user said. They also noted that the location had some of the other items Starbucks released ahead of the holidays, but said, I was there for the bear cup and the bear cup only.

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PEOPLE has reached out to Kroger and Starbucks for comment.

Customers elsewhere also faced during their quest for the limited-edition bear glass on Thursday, according to The Wall Street Journal. One woman, Jeriana Ricciardi, told the outlet she witnessed an adult man fighting young girls for the collectible in New Jersey.

The viral cups are now being resold online with prices ranging from $170 to $1,050, PEOPLE previously reported.

Robert Alexander/Getty A Starbucks sign (stock image) A Starbucks sign (stock image)

In a previous statement to PEOPLE, a Starbucks spokesperson did not clarify how many Bearista cups the chain was stocking on average in each store, but did acknowledge how quickly the cups flew off of shelves.

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The excitement for our merchandise exceeded even our biggest expectations and despite shipping more Bearista cups to coffeehouses than almost any other merchandise item this holiday season, the Bearista cup and some other items sold out fast, Starbucks said. We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

A Starbucks spokesperson declined to comment to The Wall Street Journal on whether the chain plans to release more of the popular Bearista cups, the said.

In a previous statement to PEOPLE, Starbucks did, however, maintain that fans can expect more exciting merchandise coming this holiday season, though the chain did not specify what exactly it would be.

Along with the new holiday merch, Starbucks 2025 Holiday Menu hit stores on Nov. 6, including the fan-favorite Sugar Cookie and Iced Gingerbread Chai.

Read the original article on People
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said that the land transaction in Pune involving his son, Parth Pawar, was "completely beyond understanding" and should not have taken place, adding that a detailed probe has been ordered into the case. The controversy surrounds the sale of 40 acres of government-owned land in Pune's Mundhwa area to Amadea Enterprises LLP, a firm linked to Parth Pawar, the son of Ajit Pawar. The deal has been criticised for allegedly undervaluing the land and evading stamp duty. "This transaction should not have happened at all. When we looked at the documents, the first question that came to mind was: how did the registrar even process this transaction? It was completely beyond our understanding," Pawar said while addressing a press conference in Pune. He said that as soon as the matter came to his attention, he instructed officials to conduct a proper and impartial investigation, regardless of who was involved. "As soon as the matter came to my attention, I immediately said that, no matter who is involved, a proper and thorough investigation should be conducted," he said. Pawar, who has served for over three decades in public life, said he has faced several unsubstantiated allegations over the years, often surfacing before elections. "In my 35 years in politics, several allegations have been made against me, though none have ever been proven. However, I have faced a lot of defamation. Usually, such allegations come up just before elections, and once elections are over, they fade away," he said. The Deputy CM confirmed that the state government has taken the issue seriously. "The Chief Minister has decided that a detailed probe must be conducted in accordance with the rules. In this case, an FIR has already been filed against three people, including a Tehsildar from the state government. The police have started their investigation, and raids have also been conducted," he added. The Maharashtra Deputy CM said he had "absolutely no information" about the Pune land deal involving his son and would have rejected it if it had come to his notice earlier. "Before anyone carries out a transaction, opinions of specialists are always taken, and legal advice is taken. I had absolutely no information about this deal; if I had known, I would have refused it outright," Pawar told reporters in Pune. He denied that any political pressure was being applied to him and reiterated that a formal inquiry was already underway. "I do not at all feel that any political pressure is being applied to me. See Chandrashekhar Bawankule's statement; he clearly stated that action has been taken against those involved in this deal, and against those who went to the registrar's office and signed. There are three such people. A committee of senior officers has been formed to address this matter; they have one month to submit their report. As soon as the report comes, things will become crystal clear," he said. Pawar said he had issued strict instructions to the administration not to ignore anyone who attempts to misuse his name for illegal activity. "I have given direct instructions to the administration: if anyone, whether known to me or from nearby circles, tries to use my name to create pressure or to get anything illegal done, do not comply with them at all. Do not yield to any pressure. I have always been a rule follower, and I will continue to do so," he added. Responding to questions about whether he had spoken to his son Parth about the controversy, the Deputy CM said, "About speaking to Parth, I was in Mumbai and continuously busy; today I am in Pune. I will return to Mumbai on Monday and ask him about this matter." He also advised caution in such matters, saying, "You should also learn something from this case, because people learn new things from experience. This matter is also very recent; he has just started. In the future, even if a trusted person asks you to do something like this, consult technical experts and specialists at least once before entering into any such deal." The Opposition has called for a judicial inquiry, citing irregularities in the transaction. Ajit Pawar has distanced himself from the deal, claiming he has no connection to it. According to the complaint filed by Santosh Ashok Hingane, Deputy District Registrar, the accused, Sheetal Kishanchand Tejwani, Digvijay Amarsingh Patil, and suspended Sub-Registrar Ravindra Balkrishna Taru, allegedly conspired to evade stamp duty worth Rs six crore during the registration of a sale deed for land in Survey No. 88, Mouje Mundhwa. Despite official communication from the district administration dated May 9, 2025, directing payment of Rs 5.89 crore in stamp duty, the sale deed was executed without collecting the mandatory amount. The alleged act resulted in a significant financial loss to the state's exchequer. The FIR has been filed under Sections 316(5), 318(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, read with Section 59 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act. The Inspector General of Registration in Pune submitted an interim report to the Additional Chief Secretary in Mumbai on the alleged land scam. (ANI)
Gov. Jim Pillen tapped Maureen Larsen, his office's general counsel, as the interim director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development beginning July 21, 2025. (Capitol photo by Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner | Larsen photo courtesy of Office of Gov. Jim Pillen)

LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen announced Friday that Maureen Larsen, his interim director of Nebraskas Department of Economic Development, would take over as director.

Larsen has served as interim director since July 21, after former director K.C. Belitz resigned. During that time, Larsen has focused on career opportunities for Nebraska youth, expanding international trade and strengthening public-private partnerships, the Governors Office said in a press release.

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Maureen has demonstrated strong leadership and a strong desire to continue supporting my cabinet as director of DED, Pillen said in the statement. I have been impressed with her abilities in the short time she has been serving in the interim role, and she deserves this opportunity.

Larsens nomination will require confirmation by the Nebraska Legislature. Prior to her role at DED, Larsen was general counsel to the governor and deputy director of the governors Policy Research Office.

Also on Friday, Pillen announced the appointment of Michael Donley to succeed Larsen as his general counsel. Donley has been with the Governors Office in an interim capacity during Larsens reassignment.

Donley served as general counsel to the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services before joining the Governors Office.

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Michael has aptly served my office as interim general counsel, Pillen said. He is keenly attuned to the various legal issues requiring attention by the Governors Office and has worked well with partner agencies to provide sound advice when needed. I look forward to having him join the team in a permanent role.

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WINDSOR, Conn. (WPRI)  Two Connecticut men were arrested Wednesday morning after attempting to steal an exit sign off the highway in Windsor, according to Connecticut State Police.

Andrew Scott Lampkin, 42, and Jonathan Riopelle, 46, have both been charged with third-degree larceny, reckless use of the highway by a pedestrian and improper parking on the highway.

Troopers were called to I-91 North near Exit 37 after a caller reported seeing two men loading a broken highway sign into the back of a pickup truck.

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The troopers pulled up before the men drove off and were able to recover the sign.

Lampkin and Riopelle were each released on a $500 bond pending their next court date, which is scheduled for Nov. 21.

Jonathan Riopelle (Courtesy: Connecticut State Police)

Andrew Lampkin (Courtesy: Connecticut State Police)

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By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) -Detectives in Indiana have completed their initial investigation into the killing of a cleaning woman who mistakenly arrived at the wrong address and was shot through the door by a resident who feared an intruder was outside, police said on Friday.

The findings of the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department were formally submitted to the Boone County Prosecutor's Office for review to determine whether criminal charges will be brought in connection with Wednesday's killing.

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The prosecutor, Kent Eastwood, told local media the case is complicated by the "castle doctrine" of Indiana's "stand your ground law" giving individuals a right to protect themselves against a home invader, in some cases using deadly force.

The slain cleaning woman was identified by police as Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez, 32, a resident of Indianapolis who according to media reports was an immigrant from Guatemala and the mother of four children.

She suffered a single gunshot to the head, fired by one of two residents from the other side of the door, when Rios Perez and her husband showed up at the house just before dawn, said a police spokesperson, Captain John Jurkhash.

By then, the residents had already called emergency-911 to report a possible burglary in progress.

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Officers arriving at the scene found Rios Perez fatally wounded and determined that she and her husband were "members of a cleaning crew who had mistakenly arrived at the wrong address," police said in a statement.

There was no evidence of an attempted break-in, police said.

The husband, identified by the Indianapolis Star as Mauricio Velazquez, told an online news site that he and his spouse believed they were at the correct address and checked the location twice before approaching the house.

According to the Star, Velazquez said the couple were standing on the front porch searching for the key to the home, located in the Indianapolis suburb of Whitestown, when the shooting occurred.

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Police have not identified the residents of the home, or who is believed to have pulled the trigger, saying the investigation involves a "complex, delicate, and evolving case."

The circumstances were reminiscent of other cases in recent years in which homeowners have opened fire on individuals who turned up at the wrong address and were mistaken for intruders.

The county prosecutor reviewing the Whitestown case will need to take into account an Indiana state law allowing people in their homes to use deadly force to protect themselves if they reasonably believe they are under threat from an intruder.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
Garner Police responded to a call about a shooting at WakeMed Garner Healthplex on Saturday morning.

A WakeMed police officer was shot and killed during the incident while on morning duty, according to the hospital.

Police and Wake County EMS responded to the hospital around 9 a.m. Saturday, ABC 11 reports.

Officials said that officer Roger Smith was working in the emergency department lobby when a struggle ensued, the hospital reported to ABC 11.

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He died from his injuries.

We give an enormous amount of gratitude to the Garner Healthplex Emergency Department staff for their heroic and quick response to this incident, the hospital said in a statement. WakeMed leadership is on-site and working with the State Bureau of Investigation and the Garner Police Department as is standard with police-related shootings. The Garner Healthplex Emergency Department lobby remains inaccessible at this time.

The WakeMed Garner Healthplex is located on the 400 block of US-70 in Garner.

A suspect has been charged, Garner Police said Saturday afternoon. Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner, has been charged with murder in connection with Smiths death, according to ABC 11.

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No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH: Families shattered after man accused in three murders across Monroe and Charlotte
Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has ordered some Belarusian citizens who were granted temporary protection to leave the country.

Source: SIC Noticias, a Portuguese cable news channel; European Pravda

Details: AIMA sent voluntary departure orders to Belarusians who arrived from Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion and received temporary protection in Portugal. They now have 20 days to leave the country voluntarily, otherwise they face deportation.

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Some Belarusians say that they left their country in 2020 after taking part in protests against Alexander Lukashenko's regime and fear arrest and persecution if deported.

Quote from a Belarusian woman named Tetiana: "I posted a lot on social media in support of Ukraine and against Lukashenko's dictatorship. You can be arrested just for a 'like' [on social media]. And I [published] posts [there]."

More details: In a reply to SIC Noticias, AIMA said that any person with temporary protection status, adult or minor, may receive a voluntary departure order.

SIC Noticias reported about at least one case in which Portugal has cancelled temporary protection for a child: a ten-year-old girl born in Russia to Ukrainian parents has recently had her status revoked.

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Quote from the family's lawyer, Daniela Castro: "They [AIMA] believe that the child can return to her country of origin because there is no armed conflict there."

Background:

On 15 July, the Council of the European Union approved an official decision to extend the directive on temporary protection for Ukrainians in the European Union until 4 March 2027.

Some EU member states also granted this status to foreign nationals who left Ukraine after the full-scale invasion, but are now phasing it out.

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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  A powerful tornado in Brazils southern state of Parana killed six people and injured hundreds Friday night, state officials said Saturday. Dozens of homes were destroyed.

The tornado, which hit speeds of more than 250 kph (155 mph), prompted the government to declare an emergency in the affected region.

State officials in a statement said at least one person was missing hours after the tornado touched down. Five of the killed were adults and the sixth was a 14-year-old girl.

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The government said that more than 750 people, including children and pregnant women, had received medical attention. Of those, at least 10 underwent surgery and nine remained in serious condition.

The tornado downed trees, overturned vehicles and lifted the roofs of several structures.

Gov. Carlos Massa Ratinho Jr. declared three days of mourning in the state of Parana to honor the dead. Five of the victims were from the municipality of Rio Bonito do Iguacu and one was from Guarapuava.

On social media, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with the victims. Members of his Cabinet announced the dispatching of emergency assistance to the area.

Officials said that food, hygiene products, tarps, mattresses and several other items will be available to victims.
St. George had 28,500 residents in 1990, according to U.S. Census data. Four years prior, the city built Fire Station 1  an 8,500-square-foot structure off 1000 East that, at the time, seemed massive compared to the original Main Street station.

In 1994, the department hired three full-time firefighters to join its full-time chief.

But the city has since exploded in growth, to an estimated 108,800 residents this year. The fire department now includes 80 full-time firefighters, in addition to volunteer and reserve crew members.

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That means Station 1  the department headquarters  needed an upgrade, said St. George Fire Chief Robert Stoker. With just two offices in the building, the training room needed to be converted into offices, and department managers would hold meetings with contractors and others at the kitchen table. Though cozy, it wasnt the ideal situation for firefighters working their shifts.

At the same time, traffic in the area became increasingly congested, causing potentially serious issues.

Theres times we would be dispatched to an incident, and our apparatus (fire engines) would have a very difficult time getting out onto 1000 East because of the traffic, Stoker said.

Looking to the future

Several years in the making, the citys new Station 1 began operations last month and will celebrate its grand opening on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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The over-23,000-square-foot station now stands at 85 S. Flood Street, on property where an old meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints once stood. After searching for an ideal location for the new station for several years, the department learned the church planned to close the meetinghouse and worked with church officials to acquire the property.

Were grateful that they were able to do that, and its been a great; this will be a great location, Stoker said.

The original Station 1 on 1000 East was sold to Utah Tech University, which had long wanted the land. Station 2 on Main Street, the citys historic, original fire station, was sold by the city a few years ago to a business that converted it into a restaurant and brewery. The new Station 1 replaces both.

The new station also faces west, so the northbound lanes on 400 East will not be blocked, the chief noted.

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The station cost approximately $9 million to build, he said. City crews helped with some aspects of the project  like landscaping and moving an old shed from the property  saving the city money, he added.

Because the expanded space was needed due to the citys growth, the city used impact fees to build all but 8,500 square feet of the new station. The rest was funded by capital project funds, Stoker said.

The station contains a community training room, working areas and administrative offices on the first floor, and living quarters are housed upstairs.

We want to make sure were spending our tax dollars very frugal and responsible. ... We dont put a lot of extras in the station; theyre pretty utilitarian, and theyre really a large home with a large garage, Stoker said.

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Staff members work 48-hour shifts and then are off-duty for 96 hours.

And so we need a place for them to be able to come in, and its just like a home for them, the chief said. Its their home away from home. So we need areas that they can kind of get away from each other and study and those types of things  where our Station 1 that we were in really didnt have any private rooms to go study.

Remembering the citys history

Throughout the building, firefighters and residents alike can be reminded of the areas history, with photos mounted on the walls and windows throughout and the citys two vintage fire trucks getting their own place of honor in a room the community can visit. One black-and-white photo shows firefighters from the city reuniting after World War II.

In setting up the new station, the department put out a call to the community for historic photos they may have in storage  a call that was clearly answered. Another callback to the past, one wall was accented with the old church meetinghouses red brick.

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Stoker has worked for the city for 40 years, 27 of which he has served as chief.

Its been really interesting to be part of the growth of not only the city but the department, he said.

When he started, the city merged with the neighborhood of Bloomington, and its fire department merged with Bloomingtons. The city had two stations at that point; it now has nine, with another to be built in the Tonaquint neighborhood that will become Station 2. The department also has plans for a station in The Ledges and another for Desert Color.

In the earlier days, it was really just a reactive department, Stoker said. But as the station grows, it has become more focused on prevention.

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This stations a prime example of growth, he said.

When asked what makes St. George special, Stoker said visitors who walk into the fire station often comment on both the beauty of the area and the friendliness of the people.

Its still that, even though were getting larger and expanding and more population, it still has that small-town feel. People here help each other out, he said.
Just 80 years ago, traveling to Sydney or Melbourne from London or New York took more than a week.

Now, a passenger aircraft that can complete the journey without stopping is in the final stages of construction, Qantas announced on Friday, releasing first images of the plane as it is assembled.

The new plane was pictured at Airbus' headquarters in Toulouse, France. - Qantas

With adaptations like a 20,000-liter rear center fuel tank, the Airbus A350-1000ULR will be able to fly for up to 22 hours straight. Qantas has labeled its plan for ultra-long-range services Project Sunrise, because the flights take so long they can encounter two separate dawns.

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When commercial flights are scheduled to start in the first half of 2027, they will shave up to four hours off the time it currently takes to reach Australias east coast from London or New York.

Although Boeings 787-9 Dreamliner can fly 17 hours nonstop to Perth, on Australias west coast, reaching the other side of the country has proven to be aviations final frontier, as Qantas dubbed it in an Instagram post Friday.

Commercial flights are expected to start in the first half of 2027. - Qantas

The airline has been working on the project since 2017, though it was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which temporarily grounded much of the aviation industry.

In 2022, it ordered 12 of the Airbus A350-1000ULRs for long-haul routes to and from Australia and the first is scheduled to be delivered in October next year.

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In its latest update on the project, Qantas revealed new images and footage of the plane, showing the various stages of its assembly at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France.

First, the aircrafts fuselage emerged from inside a specialized cargo plane, known as an Airbus Beluga because of its resemblance to beluga whales.

Then, the fuselage was driven into a hangar, where engineers attached the other parts of the plane to it. All the key parts of the aircraft are now assembled, and it will be transported to a new hangar for engines and flight test instruments to be installed, Qantas said.

As well as the groundbreaking flight time, the project aims to transform how people experience ultra long-haul travel, through science backed design to minimise jetlag and maximise wellbeing, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said in a statement.

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There will only be 238 seats on the aircraft, compared with around 400 seats on other A350-1000s. Instead, there will be space for a purpose built Wellbeing Zone between the premium economy and economy cabins, as well as first-class suites.

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The cost of Obamacare has become so burdensome that families making up to $600,000 a year qualify for thousands of dollars in enhanced taxpayer-funded subsidies. I think the average American would be enraged to know their tax dollars are going toward health care for rich people.

Its not just bad policy; its nonsensical. Democrats dont care if it makes sense as long as they can preserve this lucrative arrangement for large health insurance companies and their wealthy supporters. They want to keep these subsidies for rich people so badly that they literally shut the government down over it.

Republican leaders insist they will not submit to the Democrats' demands that taxpayer subsidies prop up the crumbling edifice of Obamacare under the duress of a government shutdown.

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But, at some point, the government will reopen, and congressional Republicans should not immediately capitulate and agree to throw more taxpayer money at a failed government program. Republicans should embrace free market reforms to dissolve the chains of regulation that needlessly make health care more expensive.

There's a better marketplace option for health care than Obamacare

My plan  the Health Marketplace for All Act  would make health care more affordable by allowing individuals to join together to collectively bargain and improve their leverage to negotiate lower health care premiums from insurers. Leaders from both major parties should agree that the empowerment of consumers, not mandates and subsidies, will improve the cost and quality of health care in America.

My plan would make it legal for businesses such as Costco, Sams Club and Amazon to offer group health insurance to their members. If Costcos tens of millions of members purchased insurance as a group, they would have the leverage of size to force premiums lower.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, speaks during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on Sept. 17, 2025.

Nearly 20 years ago, President Barack Obama promised the American people that Obamacare would reduce health care premiums by up to $2,500 annually.

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Unfortunately, we have continued to see costs rise so that the average employer-sponsored health insurance premium is now just under $27,000 a year. Providing health insurance to employees should not cost as much as a new car.

Gerth: UPS crash could have been worse if plane took off to the north | Opinion

Republicans must fight back against an Obamacare bailout

Republicans must reject a $400 billion Obamacare bailout. Instead, Congress should empower groups and employers to provide high-quality health benefits at affordable prices.

Obamacare destroyed the individual health insurance market with onerous regulations, so we must radically expand the ability of individuals to join together to purchase health insurance as employers under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House in 2010.

One of the major reasons why many Americans do not have access to affordable health insurance is that they do not work for a large corporation. A sole proprietorship or a small business has little leverage against big insurance, and if someone gets very sick, the group does not have the protection of hundreds or even thousands of people sharing the risk.

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My Health Marketplace for All Act would allow any group of people to join together to provide health insurance to its members, regardless of employment relationship, giving a large boost of leverage to an otherwise small group of health insurance customers. It would empower them to form a much larger unit and collectively bargain with health insurers for better rates.

Opinion: Senate filibuster keeps Democrats in check. GOP could win now, but lose later.

Large corporations have greater negotiation power with insurance companies and have access to a wide array of benefit advisers and consultants that small businesses simply cannot afford. They also benefit from massive economies of scale that make the large administrative costs in health benefits more efficient.

Small businesses are at a significant competitive disadvantage when most Americans who dont receive health care from the government expect their employer to provide it. Small insurers are often unable to self-insure and pay for all claims with their own revenues, a key tool for controlling health care costs that large companies utilize.

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Small businesses are then forced to buy expensive, fully insured plans from carriers like Blue Cross, United, Cigna and Aetna, or move employees over to Obamacare and Medicaid.

Imagine your Costco or Amazon membership giving you access to health care

A Costco location in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Instead of shifting more health care costs to the taxpayer, we can make it easier for workers to use their freedom of association to get higher-quality health care. The government should not stand in the way of market-based incentives to lower the cost of health insurance.

Imagine membership-based services like Costco memberships and Amazon Prime subscriptions giving you the ability to access high-quality health care as well.

It is not just businesses that could take advantage of my Health Marketplace for All Act. Churches, credit unions and nonprofit associations like Scouting America could become new sources of health coverage that would not cost taxpayers anything. Associations could compete against one another to provide the best possible price for their members. The days of losing your health insurance when you get sick and lose your job could be long gone.

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Our current health care system does not operate in a free market: No one knows the price of a health care good or service until they get the bill. With regard to health care, the free-market incentives to reduce spending and increase quality have been crushed by government regulation and mandates. We cannot expect only employers to save us from more socialized medicine. They need help, and bestowing groups of individuals with some of the same privileges we give employers is a commonsense attempt to fix the problem.

Republicans should oppose any Obamacare deal that gives more subsidies directly to wealthy Americans and insurance companies without fixing the root causes of the dysfunction in the health care system. Democrats want to reopen the government without reforming their broken health care system.

The Health Marketplace for All Act is the free market alternative Congress should consider to make health insurance more affordable.

Rand Paul is a United States senator from Kentucky.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: I can get Americans affordable healthcare. It entails Costco | Opinion
The second phase of the 2025 Bihar assembly elections is set to commence on November 11 with a close contest in the Kutumba assembly constituency between Congress and Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) or HAMS, which is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Kutumba assembly constituency is a reserved SC seat in the Aurangabad district of Bihar. It has remained a stronghold for Congress, with the party's Bihar unit, led by Rajesh Ram, winning the assembly polls consecutively in 2015 and 2020. It was supposed to be a "friendly fight" between Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, after Lalu Prasad Yadav's party fielded former Bihar Minister Suresh Paswan from Kutumba against Congress' Rajesh Ram. However, in an attempt to narrow the rift, RJD withdrew its candidate from the contest in the Kutumba assembly constituency. Rajesh Ram remains an important figure in Kutumba, with a track record of winning twice from the reserved assembly seat. He is contesting the polls against HAMS' Lalan Ram and Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) candidate Shyambali Ram. In Kutumba, Lalan Ram of HAMS remains a hurdle for Congress' Rajesh Ram since the former won the assembly seat in 2010 on a Janata Dal (United) ticket. In 2010, Lalan Ram won with a margin of 13,910 votes against RJD's Suresh Paswan. Ram received 42,559 votes while Paswan got 28,649 votes. Ram, on the JD(U) ticket, won with a margin of 14.90 per cent. In 2015, Rajesh Ram from the Congress ticket won the elections with a margin of 8.40 per cent against Santosh Suman Manjhi of HAM, who received 41,205 votes. Ram had won by 10,098 votes. In 2020, Rajesh Ram's winning margin increased to 12.20 per cent. He had contested the elections against Sharwan Bhuinya of HAM and won by a margin of 16,653. Ram received 50,822 votes while Bhuinya received 34,169 votes. The voting for the first phase of the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar concluded on November 6 across 121 constituencies in 18 districts of the state's 243 seats, with approximately 3.75 crore electors casting their ballots. According to the Election Commission, there are 10.72 lakh 'new electors' and 7.78 lakh voters are in the age group of 18-19 years. The total population of these constituencies, as stated by the Election Commission, is 6.60 crore. A total of 122 women candidates are in the fray in the first phase of the polls. The remaining 122 constituencies will vote in the second phase on November 11. Counting will take place on November 14. In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, polling took place in three phases. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 125 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan won 110. Among the major parties, the Janata Dal (United) secured 43 seats, while the Congress secured 19. The JD(U) contested 115 constituencies, the BJP 110, whereas the RJD contested 144 seats and the Congress 70. (ANI)
Four years after an HPD officer crashed into and killed Charles Payne, his family will finally have their case heard in federal court starting Monday.

In December 2021, Payne was driving home from church, heading south on Shepherd. When he made a left turn, he was struck by a police cruiser driven by then-HPD officer Christopher Cabrera.

Payne died from his injuries. Soon after, his family filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Houston and Cabrera. For the past three years, the case has moved through both trial and appellate courts. Experts say the city tried to have the case dismissed partly because such cases are so uncommon.

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"They managed to get over a really remarkable hurdle as it is," said Eric Gerard, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice. Gerard explained that police officers and the cities they work for usually have sovereign immunity, which means they generally can't be sued. "We just don't see these cases being litigated successfully even to the point of trial. To survive a motion to dismiss and a motion for summary judgment is a real feat to itself."

In their original lawsuit, Payne's family argued that Officer Cabrera was not speeding to an emergency or a chase, but simply to finish paperwork.

"Officer Cabrera was simply heading back to his station to fill out a report from booking a suspect in the joint processing center in downtown Houston.... but chose to go 70 mph in a 35-mph zone anyways."

In lengthy filings seeking to get the case dismissed, the City of Houston blamed Payne and his driving.

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"The ultimate cause of Plaintiffs' injuries is not any policy or custom of the Houston Police Department but Charles Payne's turning left when it was unsafe to do so and failing to yield to oncoming traffic."

Gerard said it is extremely rare for courts to allow a family's lawsuit like this to move forward, but it shows that public servants are still expected to act reasonably.

"What the trial court and the Fifth Circuit is saying there is that these exceptions are important, it's important that the police officers be allowed to do their jobs and the government not sued on a regular basis, but that has limits. And when an officer acts unreasonably during the course of his duties, it puts us all at risk."

When the case begins Monday in Judge David Hittner's court, Payne's attorneys are expected to argue that HPD officers rarely face consequences after causing crashes. Court filings mention about 10 examples from other cases.

The City of Houston said it could not comment on a pending trial.
Another national chicken chain appears headed to Pierce County.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Raising Canes Restaurants LLC has filed initial plans with the city of Lakewood for a new restaurant at 10025 Lakewood Drive SW, Unit A. The location is near the intersection of Lakewood Drive Southwest and Bridgeport Way Southwest.

The project calls for demolition of existing buildings and construction of new proposed Raising Canes restaurant with associated parking, double drive through lanes, patio area, and utilities, according to the projects description on the citys permit portal.

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A notice of public hearing was posted Nov. 7 by the city for the project. The notice states that The City of Lakewood Planning and Public Works Department will be holding a public hearing for permit #17629  Raising Canes  Variance proposing the addition of a second drive through at 10025 Lakewood Drive Southwest in Lakewood.

It notes that the property is located within the Commercial Business District zoning district and allows for the proposed use through approval of a Type III Variance.

The public meeting will be held online over Zoom, and is scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 21.

The site would be the first one for Raising Canes in Pierce County. It opened its first Washington site in Vancouver in 2024, calling the state untouched Caniac territory.

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It also has a restaurant in Spokane, which opened in September.

The News Tribune in February reported that new sites were being considered for King, Snohomish and Kitsap counties.

Last month, the chain offered an updated timeline with a new restaurant in Seattle set to open early next year, and another site in Lynnwood to open in 2026.

Separately, a pre-application was filed this spring with the city of Puyallup for a potential Raising Canes at 4110 S. Meridian. That plan called for construction of new drive-through restaurant with outdoor seating and associated parking.

No further permit updates have appeared since May on that project.

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In a statement issued Nov. 10 from Raising Canes, the company told The News Tribune via email in response to questions that At Raising Canes, we are always looking for opportunities ...

It added that we are actively exploring opportunities to bring new restaurants to Lakewood and Puyallup, however we cant confirm any specific sites at this time.

Story has been updated with statement from Raising Canes.
JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI)  The second annual A Reason to Walk & Run was held in Johnston on Saturday, to help benefit brain cancer research.

The event, held at Johnston High School, raises money to support neuro-oncology research at Rhode Island Hospital, along with the studies of brain cancers including glioblastoma.

In a release, organizers said the event was spearheaded by the loved ones of the late Johnston Police Chief Joseph Razza, Dr. Alexander Robertson a prominent Rhode Island spine surgeon and Robert Shein, director of Rhode Island College`s Language Lab.

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All three had died from glioblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor, in 2023.

Former 12 News meteorologist Michelle Muscatello served as the emcee of the event. Her father, Bruno, passed away from glioblastoma, in 2009.

Congressman Seth Magaziner also took part in the event.

As of Saturday morning, the organization has raised more than $40,000 of their $60,000 goal.

If you would like to learn more about the event, or help donate to the cause, you can click here.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

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Three people were killed and 11 others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes in different parts of Lebanon, Lebanese authorities said

The strikes come amid a rise in attacks that Israel says are targeting the Iran-allied Lebanese Hezbollah group.

In one attack, an Israeli drone struck a vehicle on a road in south-eastern Lebanon, killing two people, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said.

The dead were brothers and their vehicle went up in flames as a result of the strike, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.

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Elsewhere in Lebanon, a man was killed and four others injured after an Israeli drone hit a vehicle in the southern town of Barachit, the ministry added.

Earlier Saturday, an Israeli drone targeted another vehicle near a hospital in the southern town of Bint Jbeil, injuring seven, the ministry said.

The Israeli military said it struck in southern Lebanon and killed two "terrorists" involved in smuggling weapons used by Hezbollah.

On Thursday, Israel said it had conducted a series of strikes against Hezbollah military targets in southern Lebanon.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have recently escalated, despite a fragile ceasefire.

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Israel, with US backing, is pressing for the full disarmament of Hezbollah.

A ceasefire has technically been in place since late November last year after months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

But Israel accuses Hezbollah of rearming and has continued near-daily strikes.

A view of the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Teir Debba, after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike. Marwan Naamani/dpa
Two people were killed and seven others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, according to Lebanese reports.

The two separate incidents come amid a rise in attacks that Israel says are targeting the Iran-allied Lebanese Hezbollah group.

In one attack, an Israeli drone struck a vehicle on a road in south-eastern Lebanon, killing two brothers, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.

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Earlier Saturday, an Israeli drone targeted another vehicle near a hospital in the southern town of Bint Jbeil, injuring seven, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

On Thursday, Israel said it had conducted a series of strikes against Hezbollah military targets in southern Lebanon.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have recently escalated, despite a fragile ceasefire.

Israel, with US backing, is pressing for the full disarmament of Hezbollah.

A ceasefire has technically been in place since late November last year after months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

But Israel accuses Hezbollah of rearming and has continued near-daily strikes.
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback.

HOUSTON  U.S. Rep. Al Green announced Friday that he plans to run in the redrawn 18th Congressional District, setting up a competitive primary between the longtime Houston Democrat and whichever candidate wins the upcoming special election runoff to decide the seats occupant through the end of next year.

Green began his speech not by talking about himself, but of President Donald Trump.

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This democracy belongs to the people, it doesnt belong to one man, Green said from a Southwest Houston hotel. He is an authoritarian, and we are going to make sure that he knows that the people in the 18th Congressional District are going to send somebody to Congress that he fears.

Green has been a strong advocate of the effort to impeach Trump, and he said continuing to criticize the president will be one of his priorities if he secures another term in Congress  but hes facing a crowded race.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards, both Democrats, finished atop a field of 16 candidates in Tuesdays election to fill out the remainder of late Rep. Sylvester Turners term representing the district under its old lines. Green plans to run in the March primary, which will be held under the 18th Districts new boundaries created by Republicans mid-cycle redistricting this summer. Menefee has already announced he plans to run in the March primary, which will take place weeks after the runoff. Edwards has yet to reveal her plans beyond the special election.

Green has represented Texas 9th Congressional District  anchored in the southern parts of Houston  since 2005. But that district was redrawn by Texas Republicans in their new congressional map to favor the GOP, and its boundaries were moved to eastern Harris County and Liberty County, pulling in almost none of the same area as before. The new 9th Congressional District went from voting for Kamala Harris in 2024 by 44 percentage points to one that President Donald Trump would have carried by a 20-point margin under the new lines.

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Much of Greens turf in the old 9th District was drawn into the new 18th District, including Central Southwest Houston, NRG Stadium and Missouri City. Its a deep-blue district with a long history of Black representation, having sent titans including former Reps. Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland. The new 18th District would have voted for Harris by a 54-point margin in 2024 had it existed.

But the 18th District is currently vacant after Turner, the former mayor of Houston, died in office in March, two months into his first term. Turner himself had been nominated for the seat by Harris County Democratic Party officials after the districts longtime representative, Sheila Jackson Lee, died in office in July 2024.

Green said he worked alongside Jackson Lee representing their respective districts for years. Now that their districts have merged, Green said in her absence, I am going to carry on the fight for the 18th and 9th Congressional District  on the north side of the south side.

With two of the districts septuagenarian representatives dying in office within the course of a year, age  an uncomfortable but public fault line in the Democratic Party since then-President Joe Bidens disastrous presidential debate performance  will almost certainly factor into a prospective primary. Green is 78, and will be 79 by the time winners of the 2026 election are sworn in in 2027. The Democrats competing to represent the current iteration of the 18th Congressional District are considerably younger; Edwards is 43, while Menefee is 37.

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A running theme among the slate of speakers who spoke before Green took the stage Friday evening, including California Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson, was seniority matters.

Green would bring many advantages of incumbency to the primary, as a Houston congressman of 20 years with a national profile over his efforts to impeach Trump and his disruption of the State of the Union address earlier this year, for which he got kicked out of the chamber. Under the new map, 75% of registered voters in Greens current district  including himself  have been moved into Congressional District 18.

His experience, Green said, is why Houstonians should trust that hes fit for the job.

You know what I have done, you know what I will do, he said. You know that I will stand up to Donald Trump because you saw me do it. Stand because youve seen me do it.

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In August, Green heavily hinted that he planned to run in the 18th District, noting that he and the majority of his constituents had changed district numbers, but he said he would not announce his plans until after the Nov. 4 special election to avoid confusing Houstonians.

Candidates can begin filing Saturday for a spot on the 2026 primary ballot, the start of a monthlong window that runs until Dec. 8. The timing ensures that Edwards and any other prospective candidates will need to decide whether to put their name on the ballot before their runoff election.

Though Green brings high name identification and a decades-long history of representing Houston, the prospect of defeating a Democratic incumbent in Houston has precedent. A former Houston NAACP president, Green first captured his congressional seat after winning a primary against an incumbent Democrat, Chris Bell, whose southwestern Houston district had been redrawn by Republicans.

But Green is hopeful that his track record in his two decades in office will be enough to get him elected for another term in a different district.

He also made a promise if hes reelected to Congress.

When I go back to Congress, I promise you, I will file additional articles of impeachment to remove Donald Trump, he said.
Stefanik seeks to become the first Republican since George Pataki to move into the governors mansion in Albany.

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik announced a run for governor Friday, as the Republican seeks to leverage her elevated profile as a vocal supporter of the Jewish community to a role in higher office.

She aims to challenge the Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul, who angered many Jews in New York with her endorsement of New York Citys mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, despite his track record of Israel criticism.

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In an announcement video for Stefaniks gubernatorial run, a narrator notes that she fought woke insanity in our schools, as a headline referring to her campus antisemitism hearings fills the screen.

Stefanik, who is not Jewish, has been one of the loudest voices on Capitol Hill condemning antisemitism since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and war in Gaza. Her relentless questioning of university presidents about the campus climate for Jews was credited with leading to the resignations of the top posts at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and others.

Many invitations to address Jewish groups followed, including the Anti-Defamation League and Yeshiva University (which awarded her the Modern Orthodox schools highest honor over the objections of many faculty). Her newfound allyships came despite Stefaniks past platforming of the antisemitic Great Replacement theory, and other troublesome aspects of her history that confounded liberal Jews.

Rep. Elise Stefanik is among the Republican leaders who condemned the content of the leaked texts by members of the Young Republicans. (credit: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Stefanik seeks to become first Republican to govern NY since Pataki

Stefanik, who seeks to become the first Republican since George Pataki to move into the governors mansion in Albany, seems likely to make antisemitism a main flank of her campaign. Her video attacks Hochul for the governors Mamdani endorsement, saying Hochul cozied up to a defund-the-police, tax hiking, antisemitic Communist. Hochul is facing a primary challenge from her top lieutenant, who had endorsed Mamdani much earlier in the election cycle and who is married to a Jewish filmmaker.

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Among the Republican endorsements of Stefaniks campaign the candidate retweeted Friday morning were Leo Terrell, who heads an antisemitism task force within the Trump administration, and New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, who is Jewish and vocally pro-Israel.

Elise Stefanik will clean up our college campuses from the rot they have become and will confront antisemitism head on! Vernikov wrote.

A staunch ally of President Donald Trump, Stefanik had been in line to become his ambassador to the United Nations, where she had promised to be a vocal defender of Israel. Her nomination was withdrawn in order to keep her in the House to help protect the chambers slim GOP majority, but Stefanik has been eyeing a bigger platform ever since.

Her announcement comes as the GOP is facing an internal civil war over right-wing antisemitism, with pundit Tucker Carlson, the head of the Heritage Foundation, and Vice President J.D. Vance among the figures taking criticism for embracing or failing to condemn antisemitic viewpoints. Stefanik was absent from this years Republican Jewish Coalition summit, where various speakers denounced antisemitism on the right.
Wild hogs of Beaumont, Texas, have invaded a neighborhood and ruined lawns. They don't exactly create the kind of backyard barbecue Texans usually have in mind.

What's happening?

As reported by Fox 4 Beaumont, an estimated 2.6 million wild hogs are now calling Texas home and putting people on edge.

"They really tear up your property, especially your grass, and they will attack you," Kerry Thomas, a resident, told Fox 4. He recalled a tragic 2019 incident in nearby Anahuac when a woman was killed by feral hogs.

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Experts say this sighting is far from rare. Texas' invasive feral hog population is exploding. The animals have been expanding into new areas in search of food, water, and shelter.

Why are feral hogs concerning?

While the image of wild hogs rampaging through neighborhoods may sound surreal, it's a symptom of a bigger issue. Many wild animals are experiencing habitat loss because of human expansion and pollution.

As droughts, heat waves, and housing developments reduce natural habitats, animals are forced to forage closer to where people live.

These encounters can be dangerous and costly. Wild hogs are capable of causing millions of dollars in property and agricultural damage each year.

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More broadly, wildlife experts have observed a rise in similar conflicts across the U.S. and abroad. Bears have raided garbage bins in the United States, and elephants have entered villages in South Asia.

What's being done about feral hogs?

Officials in Beaumont are urging residents to stay away from the hogs and treat them with caution like with bear encounters. Meanwhile, Texas wildlife authorities are ramping up population control efforts, including trapping and sterilization programs, to manage the spread.

Conservationists emphasize that restoring natural habitats and curbing urban sprawl are key to preventing dangerous run-ins with wildlife. Protecting forests, wetlands, and natural corridors can help animals find food and shelter without entering human spaces.

Several community efforts have also been launched. Habitat restoration projects are helping wildlife adapt to rising temperatures. And urban initiatives are creating "wildlife-friendly" green spaces that reduce conflict between humans and animals.

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Supporting conservation programs and being mindful of local wildlife can go a long way in protecting our ecosystems. These actions can also safeguard wildlife and our neighborhoods, too.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Read the latest news on Russia's overnight Nov. 8 attacks, including its drone attacks on Kyiv.

Russia carried out a drone attack on the city of Dnipro overnight on Nov. 8, killing at least three people and injuring 12 others, including two children, officials reported.

Several apartments of a multi-story building were destroyed in the city amid the strike. A fire also broke out on the site of the attack.

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Photos and videos posted to social media show significant structural damage to the middle floors of the building, between the fourth and sixth floors.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko reported that a 2 and 13-year-old were among the injured victims. Seven people required hospitalization amid the strike.

Rescue efforts are ongoing and the number of casualties may rise.

Russian forces regularly carry out attacks on Dnipro due to its proximity to Ukraine's front line regions.

Moscow has pursued a campaign of relentless aerial strikes against Ukrainian cities throughout the year, repeatedly breaking its own record for missile and drone attacks.

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The attack on Dnipro came amid a broader attack on Ukrainian cities overnight on Nov. 8. Air raid alerts were activated for Ukraine's central and eastern regions amid a threat of ballistic missile attacks. Fires were also reported in Kyiv amid a Russian drone attack.

Read also: Drone attack sparks fires in Kyiv, Russia launches massive attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A deadly typhoon sweeping Southeast Asia has raised serious concerns about the safety of travel to Vietnam and Thailand.

At least five people died after the typhoon made landfall in Vietnam on Thursday, following 188 deaths and widespread destruction in the Philippines.

Kalmaegi is one of Vietnams strongest storms on record, with torrential rains and strong winds battering the country and leaving millions of households without power.

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Hundreds of international and domestic flights were disrupted after Vietnam temporarily closed six airports in the central region yesterday.

Kalmaegi is now expected to move through Laos and hit northeast Thailand on Friday afternoon.

Heres everything you need to know about the typhoon in Vietnam and the latest travel advice for Thailand.

Read more: Typhoon Kalmaegi lashes Vietnam after killing 188 people in Philippines

Where has Typhoon Kalmaegi hit?

After barrelling through the Philippines, Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall in Vietnam overnight on Thursday.

Waves up to 3m high hit the coast in cities like Danang, and strong winds uprooted trees in Dak Lak province. Many homes in Quy Nhon, another coastal city, were left without power for hours.

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Although the typhoon weakened as it moved inland, authorities in the Southeast Asian country warned of continuing heavy rainfall of up to 200mm in central provinces, from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri.

Kalmaegi is expected to move through Laos and hit northeast Thailand on Friday afternoon.

What is the UK governments advice?

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has not issued new travel advice amid Typhoon Kalmaegi.

General travel advice for Vietnam says: The tropical storm season runs from May to November. Tropical storms can cause serious travel disruption, 2025 has seen higher than expected rainfall in Vietnam.

Follow and monitor local and international weather updates from the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and Japan Meteorological Agency, and follow the advice of local authorities.

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Other FCDO extreme weather warnings for Vietnam tell travellers to be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice and stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts if they are planning to visit Vietnam during storm season.

It tells travellers to Thailand, the rainy season is generally from May to October, adding heavy storms cause disruption, including flooding and landslides. Lakes, caves and waterfalls are particularly at risk of dangerous flash flooding.

Prospective holidaymakers should follow the Thai Meteorological Department for updated weather warnings.

Are flights affected to Thailand and Vietnam?

As of Friday afternoon, flights to and from Thailand appear to be operating as scheduled from Flightradar data.

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The Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority temporarily closed six airports in the central region from Thursday afternoon due to the approaching typhoon.

Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, Tuy Hoa, Chu Lai, Phu Cat and Lien Khuong were all forced to suspend operations, impacting hundreds of flights.

At least 50 journeys were cancelled or delayed across airports on Thursday and Friday, added aviation authorities.

Vietnamese carrier VietJet said in a statement on Wednesday: Passengers with flights to and from Da Nang, Phu Bai, Lien Khuong, Chu Lai, Phu Cat, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Cam Ranh, and Dong Hoi airports during this period are kindly advised to note the following.

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Check flight schedules and weather conditions before arriving at the airport to proactively plan your schedule. Some flights may be temporarily suspended or have their flight times changed due to the typhoon.

Most domestic and international flights in Vietnam have since resumed.

Will my holiday be cancelled?

As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to Vietnam or Thailand, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.

The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if youre looking to postpone.

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There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to flood concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes.

In terms of travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies to see where you stand.

Read more: Hurricane? Cyclone? Typhoon? Heres the difference
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal visited the Te Puke kiwifruit orchard in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty alongside his counterpart, Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Trade, and Investment. During the visit, the ministers interacted with Kiwi-Indian farmers, exploring the orchard's cultivation practices, sustainability initiatives, and strategies to enhance productivity and fruit quality. In a post on X, Goyal wrote, "A very productive visit to the Te Puke kiwifruit orchard in the Bay of Plenty, along with my counterpart, Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Trade, and Investment of New Zealand. Grateful to Kiwi-Indian farmers and growers for the warm welcome and insightful tour. We had an engaging discussion on the orchard's variety, quality, cultivation practices, and sustainability efforts. Also gained valuable insights into efforts to enhance productivity and quality." https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1986622433760317768 The visit, which focused heavily on India-New Zealand FTA negotiations, came as Goyal wrapped up his official November 3-7 trip. During the tour, he also reviewed progress in the ongoing India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Goyal said both sides were working toward the early conclusion of a "balanced, comprehensive and mutually beneficial" trade pact. He added that the fourth round of FTA talks covered goods market access, services, economic and technical cooperation, and investment opportunities. In a post on X, Goyal stated that, during his visit, he, along with his delegation, reviewed progress made in the 4th Round of India-New Zealand FTA negotiations, which focused on goods market access, services, economic and technical cooperation, and investment opportunities. The Commerce Minister emphasised India's intent to work towards the early conclusion of a "balanced, comprehensive and mutually beneficial" agreement that reflects the growing strategic and economic convergence between the two countries. "Concluded my fruitful visit to New Zealand with a meeting with my friend & counterpart, Todd McClay. The 4th Round of India-New Zealand FTA negotiations was focused on goods market access, services, economic & technical cooperation, and investment opportunities," his post read." "We look forward to working towards the early conclusion of a balanced, comprehensive & mutually beneficial agreement, in line with the growing strategic and economic convergence between India & New Zealand," it added. The November 3-7 visit also saw extensive engagements with business leaders, industry representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora across Auckland and Rotorua, as per a release issued by the Minister of Commerce and Industry. The India-New Zealand Business Forum, organised by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Wellington, marked a major highlight of the trip. It brought together senior government officials and key stakeholders to explore new avenues for partnership and collaboration. As per the release, a fireside chat between Goyal and McClay during the forum underscored the strong political and economic will on both sides to deepen engagement, with discussion built on the renewed momentum following the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in March 2025 in India, where both leaders agreed to pursue a forward-looking trade pact. Goyal also interacted with several prominent New Zealand business leaders, including Carmen Vicelich (CEO, Valocity), Ranjay Sikka (CEO, Slumberzone), Nathan Guy (Chairman, Meat Industry Association), and Tony Clifford (Managing Director, Pan Pac). Conversations centred around expanding cooperation in agriculture, tourism, technology, education, sports, gaming, drone technology, and the space sector, with space collaboration emerging as a promising new area, the release added. In Rotorua, the Minister addressed a CEO Roundtable attended by members of the Indian business delegation and New Zealand enterprise leaders, highlighting India's attractiveness as a global investment destination that offers vast opportunities for innovation and value addition. Goyal, along with McClay, also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Auckland and Rotorua. In Auckland, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined the gathering, lauding the Indian community as a "living bridge" between the two nations. Goyal urged the diaspora to continue contributing to New Zealand's development while remaining deeply connected to their roots in India. As part of the visit, the Indian business delegation held a series of meetings with key New Zealand enterprises and conducted site visits to Red Stag Sawmill, Fonterra Co-operative Group's Dairy and Food Innovation Headquarters, and the Auckland University Innovation Hub, exploring opportunities for collaboration in trade, technology, and investment. The visit underscored New Zealand's emerging position as a strategic partner in India's growth journey and reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening bilateral economic linkages and fostering long-term cooperation with New Zealand. (ANI)
While the phrase "popping bottles" is associated with champagne or prosecco, no one wants their bottle of bubbly to explode before they actually pop the cork. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's happening with Costco's Kirkland Signature Valdobbiadene Prosecco. On November 6, 2025, the company issued a recall of nearly one million units of the wine, as the bottles are at a high risk of spontaneously breaking or shattering.

Costco initially addressed the bottle-breaking issue in September, when it issued its first safety warning about Kirkland Prosecco. The bottles can shatter even when left unopened and unhandled, making them particularly hazardous. According to the latest recall notice, around 941,400 bottles of Kirkland Signature Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG are affected, and the packaging issue has resulted in one reported injury as of this writing. Costco advises customers to dispose of the alcohol and contact the product importer, Ethica Wines, for help with getting a refund.

The recalled bottles of prosecco were sold from April 2025 to August 2025 at Costco stores in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The affected batch's Universal Product Code is 196633883742, and its Costco Item Number is 1879870. Customers can call Ethica Wines at 786-810-7132 or email the company at customercare@ethicawines.com to find out how to get a full refund for purchased bottles.

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Read more: 12 Best Costco Prepared Foods To Buy And 11 To Avoid

How to dispose of the recalled Kirkland Signature Prosecco

Bottle of recalled Costco Prosecco - cpsc.gov

While recalled grocery items can usually be returned to the place of purchase for a refund, the Kirkland Signature Prosecco is a special case. Costco's initial recall was so dangerous that it advised customers not to return the item to stores, instead sending a warning notice to members and providing instructions on how to dispose of the wine. This only makes sense, as transporting the bottles back to stores and keeping them in storage would prolong their time spent around consumers and staff members, increasing the risk of injuries.

If you own a recalled bottle of Kirkland Prosecco, you should wrap it in paper towels and place it in a plastic bag, which should minimize damage from flying glass shards if it does shatter. You can then dispose of it in the trash. It may also be wise to take the garbage out of your home afterwards, even if just to avoid a mess in your waste bin.

This prosecco situation has yet to injure tons of customers. But with such a huge number of bottles affected, it could end up as one of the biggest Costco recalls of all time. It's too bad that this incident will likely mar the reputation of Kirkland Signature proseccos, as we think the Asolo version is the absolute best cheap "champagne" on the market. Hopefully, Costco will identify and remedy this packaging issue ASAP, so customers can safely enjoy all of its prosecco products once more.

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Read the original article on Tasting Table.
In one of the most extravagant displays of private wealth in recent memory, Saudi billionaire Maan Al-Sanea commissioned the world's largest private jet; a custom-designed Airbus A340-600 transformed into a flying palace.

As SupercarBlondie reported, it came complete with bedrooms, lounges, and even a conference room. But despite the hundreds of millions spent, Al-Sanea never boarded the plane. Not even once.

The project began in the mid-2000s, when Al-Sanea, then head of the Saad Group, envisioned a luxury aircraft that could carry 80 people in ultimate comfort.

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The Airbus model he selected usually fits over 400 passengers. Instead, this one was stripped down and rebuilt with opulence in mind: guest suites, dining areas, and a master bedroom with a private bathroom.

However, while the jet was being completed, the Saad Group faced major financial collapse. The plane was never delivered. Eventually, it was sold to the Government of Azerbaijan, leaving behind an expensive symbol of unused luxury.

This story is more than a tale of wealth gone wrong. It highlights a bigger problem: the environmental cost of excessive consumption.

A plane of this size burns massive amounts of fuel, even just during test flights and outfitting processes. Turning a commercial airliner into a private jet means dedicating a huge carbon footprint to serve a single individual. In this case, all that effort didn't even result in a flight.

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In a time when rising global temperatures are driving extreme weather, displacing communities, and threatening ecosystems, it's worth asking: Is this kind of luxury justifiable?

Private aviation already emits far more carbon dioxide per passenger than commercial flying. Turning commercial planes into personal toys only widens that gap. Solutions exist, such as cleaner fuels, carbon taxes, and limiting non-essential private air travel, for example.

However, we also need a mindset shift. Respecting our shared planet means rethinking how wealth is used. That doesn't necessarily mean giving up comfort; it means choosing smarter, cleaner ways to move and live. Even small changes can have a big impact when done at scale.

The sky shouldn't be anyone's private playground; it belongs to all of us.

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Reactions to the unused jet have ranged from awe to frustration.

One put it bluntly: "Total waste. Ultra extravagant."

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
As airports across the U.S. cut traffic due to the government shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to fly to a campaign event for his son-in-law  drawing ire from some in MAGA world, according to a report.

Duffy is scheduled to headline a November 11 meet-and-greet for Michael Alfonso, a 25-year-old Republican candidate for Congress in Wisconsin, who is married to Duffys daughter, NOTUS reports.

But, the secretary  who previously held the same congressional seat  did not receive the approval of President Donald Trump, who has yet to endorse a candidate in the race, an unnamed source with knowledge of the matter told the outlet.

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A source with ties to the White House described it as a world-class stupid decision on Duffys part.

Duffy believes its a non-issue though.

Leave it to D.C. gossip to find a father supporting his son-in-law breaking news, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation told NOTUS. The secretary would be attending his son-in-laws meet and greet in his personal capacity. His presence does not reflect any official administration position or endorsement.

And White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai had nothing but praise for the transportation secretary.

Duffy is an America First patriot who has been front and center keeping Americans safe and supporting our air traffic controllers throughout the Democrat Shutdown, Desai told The Independent. Americans are better off thanks to Secretary Duffy who is restoring competence and merit at Department of Transportation after four years of DEI nonsense under Joe Biden.

Leave it to D.C. gossip to find a father supporting his son-in-law breaking news, a DOT spokesperson said (Getty)

Duffys upcoming trip to the Badger State also comes amidst the longest-ever government shutdown, which has disrupted air travel nationwide.

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You will see mass chaos, Duffy predicted on November 4, pinning the blame on Democrats. You'll see mass cancelations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace, because we just cannot manage it because we don't have the air traffic controllers.

As a result of the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration reduced flights at 40 of the nations busiest airports. On Nov. 7, the first day the cuts went into effect, more than 1,000 flights were canceled across the country.

40 major airports across the country were operating with a reduced flight load Friday. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Its not the first time Duffy has weighed in on a congressional election before Trump, who has long established himself as the ultimate kingmaker in Republican politics.

In May, Duffy was due to stage a fundraiser for Congressman Bill Huizenga, who was contemplating running for a Michigan Senate seat. At the time, Trump was preparing to endorse erstwhile Rep. Mike Rogers for the seat, so administration officials were taken by surprise when the secretarys name appeared on a fundraising invite, sources said.

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Trumps allies, left fuming by Duffys decision, contemplated barring cabinet secretaries from getting involved in GOP primaries, Politico reported.

Last month, administration officials also expressed growing frustration with Duffy over his efforts to bring NASA under the Department of Transportation in order to maintain control of the space agency. White House Chief of Staff reportadely told him told him to knock it off, according to the Daily Mail.

However, the White House pushed back on this characterization, telling NOTUS that Duffy is a trusted, valued and loyal cabinet member.

The Independent has reached out to Duffy and Alfonso for comment.
[Source]

U.K. authorities have charged a 32-year-old Birmingham man with rape and other offenses following what police describe as a racially aggravated attack on a Sikh woman in her 20s in Walsall, the second such incident targeting Sikh women in the region in less than two months.

What happened: Officers responded to Park Hall in Walsall at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Oct. 25 after receiving reports of a distressed woman in the street. The victim told police she had been raped and assaulted at a nearby address by someone she had never met. Two days later, police arrested John Ashby, 32, a white British resident of Stockland Green in Birmingham, in the Perry Barr area and charged him with rape, sexual assault, strangulation, racially aggravated actual bodily harm and robbery. Det. Sgt. Ronan Tyrer acknowledged community cooperation after the public appeal, noting the victim will continue to receive full support from specially trained officers.

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The big picture: The Walsall case is the second racially motivated rape of a Sikh woman in the region since early September, with both victims being young women attacked by strangers. In the Sept. 9 incident along Oldburys Tame Road, attackers allegedly told their victim, You dont belong in this country, get out. While police have said the two crimes are being investigated separately, the emerging pattern has left Asian women across the area fearful. Ravita Pannu, a 45-year-old salon owner, expressed her concerns to the BBC: As a mum, do I want my daughter out and about [right now]? Hell no.

What authorities and community leaders are saying: Walsall Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby acknowledged the widespread anxiety late last month, saying police know the fear and concern this attack has caused in our communities. He also noted having discussions with faith leaders about womens safety and measures men can take to make women feel more comfortable. The fear is reflected in increased call volumes at Sikh Womens Aid, according to Chair of Trustees Sukhvinder Kaur. There is a real sense of fear now  this isnt far-right narratives on the TV, its not a social media thing, it is now coming on to our streets, she told the BBC.

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WASHINGTON  After weeks of making little progress to end the government shutdown, senators are spending their first weekend working overtime since the crisis started, as thousands of flight delays and cancellations could cause mounting chaos at airports across the country.

Normally, they travel back to their states at the end of the week  a fact that has stayed the same for more than a month even as the funding crisis, now the longest of its kind, has devolved with each passing day, harming millions of Americans.

But lawmakers are growing increasingly anxious about reopening the government amid mounting flight cuts, growing food insecurity and hundreds of thousands of federal workers who've gone without paychecks for nearly 40 days.

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Adding to the pressure are widespread flight delays and cancellations set to increase in coming weeks as thousands of air traffic controllers and security screeners go to work without pay.

On Nov. 7, the Trump administration announced that 4% of flights would be cut at the country's 40 major airports. By late next week, that number will rise to 10%, according to a statement from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said on Nov. 8 that she was forced to take the train from Washington back to Georgia "due to flight delays and cancellations."

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are blasting the shutdown's impact on air traffic controllers and airport personnel.

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"If Republicans really cared about paying air traffic controllers and airport workers, they'd bring us back in session and return to the negotiating table immediately," Democratic Rep. Summer Lee, of Pennsylvania, posted to X.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation Friday afternoon, urging lawmakers to stay in Washington until they figure a way out of the crisis.

Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. Travelers arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A TSA agent directs people as they wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A screen shows United Airlines 2619 landing at Chicago International Airport O'Hare, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 6, 2025. Air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A crew member walks at the airport, as air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A person walks at the airport, as air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A passenger stands by a screen showing delayed flights due to the government shutdown, at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 6, 2025. Travelers arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open 1 of 10 Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.

The United States Senate should not leave town until they have a Deal to end the Democrat Shutdown, he wrote in a post on Truth Social.

In a sign of lawmakers coming at least slightly closer together, Democrats offered Republicans a compromise on Friday: a short-term funding measure that would likely keep the government open into next year while extending Obamacare subsidies for one year.

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"All Republicans have to do is say yes," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, on Friday.

Instead, they balked at the proposal, essentially guaranteeing the shutdown will drag into next week.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said Friday his party has had enough of the situation.

"I am tired of political games," he said.

More: Flying today? Here's your guide to traveling during shutdown flight cuts.

Asked Friday night whether a revised bill to potentially end the shutdown could come together Saturday, he said he was hopeful but it "remains to be seen." Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, said the Senate would vote Saturday afternoon.

MTG takes Amtrak amid flight cancellations

GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she took the train instead of a flight from Washington to her home state of Georgia because of "flight delays and cancellations" as the government shutdown disrupts hundreds of flights and snarls travelers' plans.

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"Due to flight delays and cancellations, I took the Amtrak train from DC to Georgia," Greene posted to X alongside a video of "the morning views of my north Georgia mountains."

-- Cybele Mayes-Osterman

Hunger looms for millions of Americans on SNAP

For the tens of millions of Americans who rely on SNAP food assistance, the delayed benefits spell hunger.

"I don't understand how they want us to survive," Tonya LaFarr, 47, a SNAP benefit recipient from Des Moines, Iowa, told USA TODAY.

Some funds have gone out to states. But distribution for the month of November has been hampered by inaccurate information sent out by USDA, according to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.

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SNAP food assistance is available to households who make 130% or less of the federal poverty line, which comes out to $2,888 a month or less for a family of three.

-- Cybele Mayes-Osterman and Sarah D. Wire

Senators strike down federal worker pay bill again

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, speaks to media after a bipartisan luncheon, weeks into the continuing U.S. government shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 23, 2025.

On Friday evening, senators narrowly voted down a bill to pay federal workers amid the shutdown.

The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, and endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees, failed on a 53-43 vote. Several Democrats, including Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia, broke with their party to support the measure.

The defections emphasized an increasing wariness of the crisis among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Trump administration says it will provide full SNAP benefits for November

Volunteers place food items in vehicles during a mobile food distribution at Cedar Creek High School, as nearly 42 million Americans face a potential lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known as food stamps, due to the second-longest U.S. government shutdown, in Cedar Creek, Texas, U.S., November 1, 2025.

The Trump administration says it is working to comply with a federal judges order to provide full SNAP benefits for November to the programs 42 million recipients amid the government shutdown.

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A Friday memo from the Department of Agriculture said the agency is working towards implementing November 2025 full benefit issuances. The memo said the department will later today make full funds available for the SNAP program.

The move comes after Rhode Island federal Judge John McConnell said in a Nov. 6 hearing the Trump administration has not worked quickly enough to release the funds.

The USDA had earlier agreed to distribute only partial SNAP benefits after the same judge ordered the administration to tap into the USDAs contingency funds to cover SNAP benefits.

-Joey Garrison

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senators work the weekend as flight cuts worsen. Shutdown live updates
A serial offender was recently arrested again after photographing women using a bar restroom, police said.

Malik Rahab, 30, has been previously convicted eight times for grabbing women in public or trying to film them in compromising places. Cincinnati police said Rahab hid a stall on Nov. 7 and took photos of women at Japp's bar in Over-The-Rhine, according to an arrest report.

Police arrested Rahab around 11:20 p.m. after a woman reported seeing a cellphone sticking out from behind the stall wall. A bouncer removed Rahab from the bathroom, police said.

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"Security saw three photos and made the arrestee delete them from his device," court records said.

Rahab was convicted earlier this year for two sexual imposition cases that occurred one day apart, according to court records. He grabbed a woman in a Kroger Beechmont Avenue, and then a day later, grabbed a different woman in a Colerain Township Hobby Lobby.

Rahab was charged with voyeurism in this latest case. He pleaded not guilty on Nov. 8.

Hamilton County Municipal Judge Mike Peck set his bond at $10,000 but only has to pay $1,000 to be released from jail. If met, Rahab must stay away from Japp's and wear an ankle monitor while his case proceeds.

What is sexual imposition?

See also: Every sexual imposition charge against Malik Rahab, explained

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Sexual imposition covers improper sexual conduct that doesn't rise to the level of rape or other sexual assault charges. It's been used to charge massuses who go too far, people who grab strangers and people who have crossed the line with family members and minors.

It's a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum 60 days in jail, but repeat offenders with three or more convictions can get up to a year in prison.

Rahab's first sexual imposition case came when he was just 16. Three people accused him of sexual imposition on a single day. Those cases were dismissed.

Trouble started for him years before even that. He was convicted of vandalizing a car at age 12, stealing PS2 games at 13, felony robbery at 14, and domestic violence at 15.

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About a year and a half after he was released from prison in 2019 for robbery, Rahab pleaded guilty to sticking his cellphone under a bathroom stall at The Hard Rock Casino to record a woman.

He spent about a month in jail. Later that year, he violated his probation by failing to attend sex therapy.

Among his convictions, Rahab was convicted of groping the butts of at least three different women and a 15-year-old girl in 2023.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati-area serial voyeur faces new sexual imposition charges
Ex-federal prosecutor Barbara McQuade slammed JD Vance on Friday after the vice president brushed off a federal judges absurd ruling requiring President Donald Trumps administration to pay full food benefits for November.

JD Vance is a law school graduate  shame on him, said McQuade in an interview with MSNBCs Ana Cabrera.

Politics: Democrats Sweep Election Night As Shutdown Wears On: Live Updates

Vance, in remarks following the judges ruling on Thursday, claimed that the administration can only make full Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) payments after Democrats open up the government.

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In the midst of a shutdown, we cant have a federal court telling the president how he has to triage the situation, he said. Were not going to do it under the orders of a federal judge.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture  which administers the program  told states that it was working to comply with the judges ruling. The Supreme Court has since paused the order requiring the administration to pay full SNAP benefits for November.

McQuade, who pointed back to the seminal case of Marbury v. Madison, stressed that its been the role of the courts to tell the president what to do when he is violating the law.

Politics: 'Words Of A Mad King': JD Vance Sparks Alarm With His Take On Executive Power

The presidents remedy is to file an appeal and if they get a different ruling there, thats fine. But in the meantime, they are obligated to follow the courts order, she explained.

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McQuade pointed to the judges remarks that the administration was disrupting SNAP for political reasons, despite the money being available for it.

She noted that the judge cited Trumps Truth Social post to support his conclusion, as well.

So this idea that somehow the president doesnt have to follow the order of the court, thats whats absurd, she said.

H/T: Raw Story

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced at a hastily organized news conference Friday that Pennsylvanians owed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, money from the first week of November will receive payments by midnight.

The release of around $100 million in federal funds comes after a federal judge ordered President Donald Trumps administration to release billions of reserve dollars to fund the food aid program during a federal shutdown. The administration, despite requesting an emergency stay, said it would abide by the ruling in a memo.

If youre a SNAP recipient and you were supposed to get your benefits on the first of November, DHS has sent through the processing for you to get it, and the vendors are literally right now, sending those dollars out onto peoples SNAP cards, said Shapiro, referring to the state Department of Human Services.

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The governor, visibly angry and at several points using profanity, said the payouts were made possible because the Pennsylvania secretary of human services, Val Arkoosh, submitted the names of the people owed SNAP funds to the states payment distributor at the start of the month. Those who expected to receive SNAP funds later in the month will not see a payout with Fridays disbursement.

Nearly 9,000 Centre County residents rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. Dozens of philanthropic efforts have sought to fill the food aid gap left by the federal and state governments in the wake of the SNAP freeze and the state budget impasse.
NEED TO KNOW

Shark attack victim Lee Berryman has revealed he was attacked by a Great White after previously believing it was as Bronze Whaler

He shared images of the 10 inch scar on his thigh following the attack in Kangaroo Island, Australia on Oct. 7

South Australia Police previously confirmed to PEOPLE that Berryman had been bitten twice and driven himself to the hospital following the attack

A shark attack victim now believes he was attacked by a Great White Shark after previously thinking it was a Bronze Whaler shark.

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Shark Watch South Australia revealed in a post on Facebook that Lee Berryman had confirmed that he was bitten by a Great White shark at DEstrees Bay, Kangaroo Island, Australia, on Oct. 7 rather than the Bronze Whaler he initially thought.

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The South Australia Police previously confirmed to PEOPLE in October that a man in his 50s had driven himself to the hospital after a shark attack at D'Estrees Bay.

Shark Watch South Australia  a non-profit organization that promotes shark awareness  wrote in a post at the time that the man had been bitten by a Bronze Whaler.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

steve waters/Alamy Stock Photo D'Estrees Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia D'Estrees Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Berryman told the organization that it was the sharks bronze complexion that made him think it was a Bronze Whaler, however, White Sharks can also have a top-side with a bronze colour," he said.

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Shark Watch South Australia said in their post that the bite mark on Berrymans thigh measured over 10 inches (27 cm), which suggested the creature was around 3m long.

Berryman  whose surfboard was also broken in the attack  shared graphic snaps of his scar featuring over 50 stitches and bruising. He also said he was only bitten once, telling Australian outlet 7News that the creature "chomped" on him.

The board also had tooth marks in it that were too wide to be a Bronze Whaler and match those of a White Shark," while a Great White had been spotted in the area around the time of the attack, per Shark Watch South Australia.

In a statement to the organization, Berryman said, I was swimming out and the shark just grabbed me. Its nose was close to me, and so I just started belting it and it let go. As soon as I felt it grab me, I thought to myself, thats the little f----- that was here the other day!

Alamy Great White Shark Great White Shark

The organization continued of the attack, "As [Berryman] swam inshore, two seals swam around nearby with the pup dancing around Lee until he made it in."

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Berryman is said to be recovering well and "is walking around." However, he's unable to sit down for long periods of time, Shark Watch South Australia reports.

"We look forward to hosting him on our next 'Sharks Cast' for a special public broadcast to be recorded in the coming days," they said. "Lee has been surfing DEstrees Bay for 43 years and Cray dives around the bay. He knows the waters like the back of his hand. Sharks are not an issue for Lee and he wants to make it clear that theres no hard feelings towards them after his ordeal. #sharkbite #sharkattack #whiteshark."



Read the original article on People
US President Donald Trump on Friday said he is considering granting Hungary an exemption from sanctions on Russian oil to help the landlocked European nation secure energy supplies, Fox News reported. Speaking at a joint meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Trump said the US is "looking at" Orban's request for an exemption from the Russian oil sanctions imposed last month. "We're looking at it because it's very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas," Trump told reporters during the bilateral lunch with the Hungarian Prime Minister. "They don't have the advantage of having seas. It's a great country. It's a big country. But they don't have a sea, they don't have the ports. And so they have a difficult problem." Vice President, JD Vance, State Secretary Marco Rubio and US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, also attended the bilateral lunch alongside POTUS. Trump's remarks come weeks after his administration imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia's state-run oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil in October, after Moscow pulled out of talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, as per Fox News. "Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don't go anywhere," Trump had said at the time, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I just felt it was time. We've waited a long time." The sanctions, which were among the harshest measures taken by Trump since returning to office, aimed to pressure Moscow into concessions over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. However, Hungary, which relies heavily on Russian oil and gas delivered through pipelines, has long resisted strict energy sanctions on Moscow. Orban, one of Europe's few leaders maintaining close ties with Russia, called the move "a mistake" from Hungary's point of view. "We are thinking about how to build a sustainable system for the Hungarian economy because Hungary is very dependent on Russian oil and gas," Orban said last month. "Without them, energy prices will skyrocket, causing shortages in our supplies, " Fox News quoted. Orban said before Friday's meeting that the pipeline network bringing oil and gas to Hungary is "vital" and that he intended to press his case directly with Trump. During their talks, Trump and Orban also discussed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Trump suggested the war "will end soon," adding, "The basic dispute is they just don't want to stop yet. And I think they will. I think it's taking a big toll on Russia." Both leaders agreed it would take a "miracle" for Ukraine to win the war. The two men also exchanged praise during the meeting. Trump described Orban as "a great leader," particularly lauding his strict immigration policies. "He's respected all over. Not necessarily liked by some of the leaders, but those leaders have proven to be wrong," Trump said. "If you look at his stance on immigration, Europe made tremendous mistakes. He has not made a mistake." Orban, in turn, thanked Trump for "restoring" US-Hungary relations, saying they had suffered under the Biden administration. "After you left the presidency, everything was basically blocked, ruined, and cancelled. A lot of harm done by the previous administration. In the last ten months, President, what you have done, we are very much grateful for that," Orban said. "You restored the old level of the relationship. You improved the bilateral relations. You repaired what was done badly by the previous administration," Fox News reported. However, the White House did not immediately comment on when a final decision regarding Hungary's exemption request would be made. (ANI)
CHICAGO (Reuters) -A man in Chicago fired shots at U.S. Border Patrol agents during an immigration enforcement operation on Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security said, but the Chicago Police Department said it did not find anyone injured.

DHS said the suspect, who was driving a black Jeep, remained at large. Chicago's Police Department said officers responded to a call about shots being fired and secured the area.

"There are no reports of anyone struck by gunfire," the Chicago Police said in a statement.

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The incident took place during protests on Saturday in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago following immigration raids by federal agents. A Reuters witness saw police detaining a man during an argument with residents after an immigration raid.

DHS said "agitators" threw a paint can and bricks at Border Patrol vehicles on Saturday during operations.

"Over the past two months, weve seen an increase in assaults and obstruction targeting federal law enforcement," DHS said in a statement, which was posted on X.

Raids across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, including one at a daycare center this week, have led to protests and violent arrests.

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More than a dozen suburban Chicago mothers were arrested on Friday outside an immigration detention facility in Broadview, a suburb west of Chicago which has been a flashpoint for anger around Trump's "Operation Midway Blitz."

The immigration crackdown in Chicago began in September, with the stated purpose of pursuing dangerous criminals without the legal right to reside in the U.S. It has resulted in more than 3,000 arrests, according to the DHS. Those arrests have included U.S. citizens and people with no criminal history.

(Reporting by Carlos Barria in Chicago and Phil Stewart in Washington; writing by Phil Stewart; editing by Chizu Nomiyama )
By Bo Erickson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republican fiscal hawks in Congress are making a new pitch in the struggle to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history: Continue to spend at the same rate as last year for as long as possible.

That approach would not cut discretionary spending but also not add to the roughly one-quarter of the $7 trillion federal budget that lawmakers are fighting about, and to some observers also represents a resignation that the deeply divided institution is unlikely to agree on a path forward anytime soon.

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The idea did not have broad support among President Donald Trump's Republicans, who hold majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives, and would mean they were ready to leave the budget essentially unchanged from levels agreed to under Democratic former President Joe Biden, adding about $1.8 trillion a year to the nation's $38 trillion in debt.

The hardline House Freedom Caucus, influential in the Republicans 219-213 House majority, argued in a policy statement for a stopgap funding bill, known as a continuing resolution, with an ideal end-date after the November 2026 midterm elections -- well after the current fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026.

That proposal, the group said, would effectively keep federal discretionary spending flat at the same levels since 2023, and it will block any further effort by Democrats and the Swamp to advance a budget-busting, pork-filled, lobbyist handout."

It would make a change from a group that long opposed continuing resolutions, known as CRs, because they did not cut spending.

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Many conservatives have been reluctant to support continuing resolutions in the past, said Matthew Dickerson, budget director at the conservative Economic Policy Innovation Center, noting a change in tactic after Congress in March 2025 passed a full-year stopgap bill  with the help of Democratic votes  and then went on to pass Trumps signature tax and spending bill with only Republican votes.

Many of those same dynamics and challenges are still in play now, leading conservatives in the House, Senate, and the administration to see a long-term CR as the most responsible compromise, Dickerson added.

'BEST WE CAN DO'

Senator Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, said in an interview that a longer-term CR is probably the best we can do, unfortunately.

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This push for another full-year CR is at odds with Senate Majority Leader John Thunes promise to pursue the regular appropriations process that calls for Congress to pass 12 appropriations bills -- something that it has failed to do on time in almost three decades.

Republican Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins of Maine instead pushed for a stopgap funding bill to reopen the government that would last into December, meant to buy time for lawmakers to agree on a broader deal.

Other Senate Republicans argued for a mid-January timeline to allow for more funding negotiations.

Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the appropriations committee, this year dismissed full-year CRs as a "power grab" because it cedes congressional spending authority to the executive.

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Most Senate Democrats have voted 14 times against a stopgap funding bill, passed by the Republican-controlled House in September, that was meant to patch government funding until November 21 so the appropriations process could continue after the end of the fiscal year on September 30.

Democrats are withholding their votes to reopen government as they push for a fix to healthcare insurance subsidies, and other hot-button issues like how senators could address the Trump administrations firings of federal workers.

By appropriating, we are following President Trumps initiatives and the things that hes put in his budget, said Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota, a Republican appropriator, rejecting the idea.

Another issue: extending a stopgap funding bill does not include the Trump administrations rescission cuts to foreign aid spending, nor any changes to the federal government workforce stemming from the Department of Government Efficiency, increasing the prospect of more partisan rescissions.

(Reporting by Bo Erickson; editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell)
Kansans who receive federal food assistance woke up Friday to a bit of a surprise, one that will help put food on the table this month.

The Department for Children and Families announced on its website that it would issue full November benefits on Friday to everyone in the state who receives assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (known as SNAP). Benefits for this month have been in limbo due to the government shutdown.

Beneficiaries should have access to their full benefits by the end of the day on Friday, Nov. 7, DCF posted. All current Kansas beneficiaries will receive benefits on Nov. 7 instead of the typical monthly issuances that are staggered over a 10-day period according to last name.

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Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said in a release that Kansas residents can rest assured that we are moving quickly to disburse the assistance.

Im pleased that these benefits will be issued in full, Kelly said in a news release. And I hope that it is a sign that the shutdown will end soon so Kansas families do not go through this uncertainty again in December.

In response to questions from The Star, a spokesperson with the Missouri Department of Social Services said the agency is working on distributing the federal aid.

DSS anticipates beneficiaries will begin receiving benefits by mid next week, said spokesperson Chris Moreland.

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The Missouri department will continue to comply with USDA guidance, Moreland said. It will work with its EBT vendor to ensure benefits are issued as quickly as possible, he said.

At this time, we do not know if it will be full or partial, but we are awaiting further guidance from the USDA and will comply with their directive, Moreland said in an email. Regardless, the distribution timeline of when beneficiaries will start to receive their benefits will not change.

Judge steps in

Updates from each state come after a federal Rhode Island judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration needed to come up with the funds to fully pay November SNAP benefits. The administration said it was appealing the decision.

Moreland said that DSS is closely monitoring the appeal of the most recent appeal in Rhode Island.

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Thursdays ruling from the Rhode Island judge requiring full benefits be distributed was applauded across the nation by those who work inside social services and know how many families were in need of food.

Elizabeth Keever, the chief resource officer at Harvesters, called the ruling a step in the right direction.

Our families who depend on this program absolutely need the SNAP program to be fully funded, Keever said. Partial payments are only a Band-Aid to a lifeline that so many families depend on, and a full payment towards that program . is getting the relief that so many of our neighbors need. 

According to DCFs website post Friday, the total November benefit distribution was more than $31.6 million to approximately 86,000 Kansas households. 

Sooner this gets resolved, the better

Before Thursdays ruling in Rhode Island, the Missouri Department of Social Services was prepared to provide some benefits to recipients in the Show-Me state.

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In a news release Wednesday afternoon, DSS announced the state had received guidance from the USDA which allowed for partial funding of this months SNAP benefits.

Harvesters food bank, located in Kansas City, serves 27 counties in Kansas and Missouri. The food bank has heard from partnering agencies that are trying to support families and other SNAP recipients who worry that theyll have enough food as the shutdown drags on. The confusion regarding food assistance only compounds their fear.

People are making life-changing choices right now as a result of this shutdown, Keever said.

Sarah Biles, Harvesters director of communications, shared a story with Keever about a woman who called the food bank as she was toward the end of a mobile distribution line. The woman was trying to decide whether to stay in line to get food, even though if she did she could risk being late for work.

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I mean, these are the heart-wrenching stories that our folks depending on this program are telling us, Keever said, and its just every time we get a delay and a confusion, its just creating more chaos for families.

Added Biles, on Thursday: Today weve been hearing lots of stories about lots of people, huge lines being at all of our distributions and having to turn people away. So the ultimate thing is, the sooner this gets resolved, the better.
Kansans who receive federal food assistance woke up Friday to a bit of a surprise, one that will help put food on the table this month.

The Department for Children and Families announced on its website that it would issue full November benefits on Friday to everyone in the state who receives assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (known as SNAP). Benefits for this month have been in limbo due to the government shutdown.

Beneficiaries should have access to their full benefits by the end of the day on Friday, Nov. 7, DCF posted. All current Kansas beneficiaries will receive benefits on Nov. 7 instead of the typical monthly issuances that are staggered over a 10-day period according to last name.

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Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said in a release that Kansas residents can rest assured that we are moving quickly to disburse the assistance.

Im pleased that these benefits will be issued in full, Kelly said in a news release. And I hope that it is a sign that the shutdown will end soon so Kansas families do not go through this uncertainty again in December.

The update came after a federal Rhode Island judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration needed to come up with the funds to fully pay November SNAP benefits. The administration said it was appealing the decision.

According to DCFs website post Friday, the total November benefit distribution was more than $31.6 million to approximately 86,000 Kansas households. 
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administrations emergency appeal to temporarily block food assistance payments in November.

The Associated Press reports that the order will remain in place until 48 hours after an appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause.

Some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients may have already received their full benefits for November.

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You can read more about the emergency order here.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. The earlier story follows below.

Millions of Americans may receive their food assistance after a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits must be paid in full.

Those who rely on SNAP did not receive benefits because of the government shutdown.

The Trump administration previously said it would only partially fund SNAP benefits after two federal judges, one in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island, ruled that the White House must continue to pay using emergency reserve funds.

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On Thursday, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered that the White House must make the payments in full by Friday.

The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administrations emergency appeal to temporarily block the court order Friday.

LIST: Food drives happening in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Prior to that, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced that her administration was already working to get SNAP recipients their full benefits.

Healeys office said those who have missed a payment should see their benefits on their cards starting on Saturday. Those who havent missed their payment should receive their benefits on their typical date.

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We are now getting these benefits out to families who desperately need them, Healey said. I am grateful to the people across Massachusetts who continue to step up and help their neighbors in this time of need.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also announced that his administration will be moving forward with the process to access full federal SNAP benefits.

McKees office noted that the states EBT vendor thinks funds may be deposited back onto peoples cards as early as this weekend.

This is encouraging progress, especially for Rhode Islanders who have been struggling with food security this month, McKee said. I want to thank every Rhode Islander who stepped up and joined us in supporting our neighbors in need.

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Tens of millions of Americans are spending the weekend anxious and hungry, as they await resolution of political and legal wrangling over federal food assistance.

The Supreme Court late on Nov. 7 allowed the federal government to make only partial payments for now. The dispute ended up in the highest court after the government appealed for a second time that day an order from a federal judge to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by the end of the day.

That judge, Rhode Island's John McConnell, had accused the government of playing political games with the lives of the 42 million Americans who rely on food stamps.

Adult Education Manager with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Maria Lopez, of Woodland Park, holds boxes of food as she awaits the next vehicle, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Leonie. The bank distributed approximately 2,000 boxes of food to federal workers and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients who have been affected by the government shutdown. Asia Lester, a volunteer at Anderson Interfaith Ministriees in Anderson, helps distribute food in Anderson S.C. Thursday, November 6, 2025. Many who normally receive SNAP benefits being cut line up at Anderson Interfaith Ministries for food. With SNAP benefits cancelled during the government shutdown, All Access Community Development Corporation, a Hackensack non-profit, is doing an early distributions of turkeys and other food. Joellen Green, Chief Operations Officer at All Access Community Development Corporation, hands a box of food to David Gregorea in the parking lot of the Majestic Elks Lodge on Nov. 4, 2025 in Hackensack, N.J. Jessica Hogan sits next to a neighborhood food pantry, on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, that she set up outside of her home, at 422 Eventide Drive, in Murfreesboro. Hogan thinks no one should be going hungry and created the pantry to help those in need, especially during the time when people have lost SNAP benefits. Neighbors are contributing as well as receiving a variety of items from food, to toiletries, to clothes. A sign in her yard states there is no judgement and no questions regarding the pantry. Sherry Tillman and passenger Nellie Johnson, sit in their car near Sarah Ann Bannister, left, Director of Resource Development at Anderson Interfaith Ministries in Anderson S.C. Thursday, November 6, 2025. Food distribution started at 9 a.m. and Tillman got there at 6:30 a.m. Many who normally receive SNAP benefits being cut line up at Anderson Interfaith Ministries for food. Kenneth Brown, left, gets help from volunteers Pat Field, center and Rick Norquist, from Arlington Community Services, with his food allotment Thursday November 6, 2025. The federal government shutdown is increasing demand at food pantries because many federal workers are not getting paychecks and the federal government cut back on SNAP benefits. One in five households in Arlington depends on SNAP to help put food on the table. Clients were picking up food at the pantry In Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday. With SNAP benefits cancelled during the government shutdown, All Access Community Development Corporation, a Hackensack non-profit, is doing an early distributions of turkeys and other food. Joellen Green, Chief Operations Officer at All Access Community Development Corporation, in the parking lot of the Majestic Elks Lodge. Taj Indian Restaurant and Bar offers free meals for those affected by the lapse in SNAP payments, taken on Nov. 4, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Dolly Fant, a volunteer for six years at Anderson Interfaith Ministries gets ready for a food distribution in Anderson S.C. Thursday, November 6, 2025. Many who normally receive SNAP benefits being cut line up at Anderson Interfaith Ministries for food. Dolly Fant, a volunteer for six years at Anderson Interfaith Ministries brings some of the carts of food for a 9 a.m. food distribution in Anderson S.C. Thursday, November 6, 2025. Many who normally receive SNAP benefits being cut line up at Anderson Interfaith Ministries for food. Willie's Copper Top serves as a soup kitchen on Tuesdays and Saturdays in Owsley County. Leeomi Smith rode into the Owsley County Food Place, a food bank that distributes boxes of food each Tuesday, in Booneville, Ky., Nov. 4, 2025. Donal Dickens, Regional Branch Coordinator, Willamston Branch, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina helps set up before the food distribution at the Jockey Lot in Williamston, S.C. Friday, November 7, 2025. The event fed over 900 families. Sandwiches or AuSnap SandiesAu are offered to those who need them at The Goose in Oklahoma City on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Kent Useary, 65, who lives on Detroit's east side, rides his scooter during a food distribution event at Jesus Tabernacle of Deliverance Ministries in Detroit, Mich., Nov. 5, 2025. Simone Matthew, a volunteer with Feeding South Florida, (L) hugs Tammy Norton, a Department of Treasury worker, as she stops to pickup essential food items on Oct. 28, 2025 in Dania Beach, Florida. As the government shutdown nears four weeks, Feeding South Florida launched a food distribution site for government employees who have been impacted. The organization handed out food items to approximately 250 families in need during the event. Federal workers, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and air-traffic controllers, receive food parcels at Newark Liberty International Airport as the workers have been impacted by the government shutdown on Oct. 27, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. The morning event was organized by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), the state's largest anti-hunger organization. The dozens of federal workers who attended the event received one box of nonperishable items, one premium 10-pound produce box, along with potatoes, spaghetti squash, and apples. Federal workers are set to miss their first full paycheck on Wednesday, October 29th, as the government shutdown continues. Federal workers, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and air-traffic controllers, line up to receive food parcels at Newark Liberty International Airport as the workers have been impacted by the government shutdown on Oct. 27, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. The morning event was organized by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), the state's largest anti-hunger organization. The dozens of federal workers who attended the event received one box of nonperishable items, one premium 10-pound produce box, along with potatoes, spaghetti squash, and apples. Federal workers are set to miss their first full paycheck on Wednesday, October 29th, as the government shutdown continues. Federal workers, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and air-traffic controllers, receive food parcels at Newark Liberty International Airport as the workers have been impacted by the government shutdown on Oct. 27, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. The morning event was organized by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), the state's largest anti-hunger organization. The dozens of federal workers who attended the event received one box of nonperishable items, one premium 10-pound produce box, along with potatoes, spaghetti squash, and apples. Federal workers are set to miss their first full paycheck on Wednesday, October 29th, as the government shutdown continues. Betty Anne Gallagher a volunteer with Feeding South Florida, helps load essential food items into the vehicles of government workers on Oct. 28, 2025 in Dania Beach, Florida. As the government shutdown nears four weeks, Feeding South Florida launched a food distribution site for government employees who have been impacted. The organization handed out food items to approximately 250 families in need during the event. Employees of DMARC, Catholic Charities, and Food Bank of Iowa hold signs during a press conference on the loss of SNAP benefits during the government shutdown at DMARC headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Des Moines, Ia. Sparse shelves at Golden Harvest Food Bank are seen on Oct. 28, 2025 in Augusta, Ga. Golden Harvest Food Bank is facing shortages as the government shutdown puts SNAP benefits at risk. Working at a food bank in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Oct. 28, 2025. Because of the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that federal food aid will not be distributed on Nov. 1. An assortment of food sits at the Food Bank for Larimer County in Fort Collins, Colo. on Oct. 28, 2025. Food Bank for Larimer County is feeling the pinch as the government shutdown stretches on, endangering SNAP benefits for 600,000 Coloradans. Faith communities, nonprofits and volunteers step up amid the federal block of SNAP 1 of 24 Adult Education Manager with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Maria Lopez, of Woodland Park, holds boxes of food as she awaits the next vehicle, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Leonie. The bank distributed approximately 2,000 boxes of food to federal workers and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients who have been affected by the government shutdown.

Though appeals are a routine part of the judicial process, the timing of the Supreme Court's decision will keep SNAP recipients in limbo for at least the weekend if not longer. The majority of SNAP beneficiaries are extremely low-income families with children, as well as seniors and people with disabilities.

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Food banks and pantries say they are already scrambling to meet the needs of millions of more families and grocery stores report struggling with the drop in spending by SNAP recipients.

The crisis was triggered by the government shutdown, now in its second month. The federal government has always fully funded food assistance during previous government shutdowns, but said it could not this time.

Vice President JD Vance slammed the decision by the District Court in Rhode Island as an "absurd ruling," telling reporters Nov. 6, that "In the middle of a shutdown, we can't have a federal judge telling the president how he must triage the situation."

On social media Nov. 7, Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the Trump administration had filed an emergency stay application in the Supreme Court requesting immediate relief because of "judicial activism at its worst."

Volunteers place food items in vehicles during a mobile food distribution at Cedar Creek High School, as nearly 42 million Americans face a potential lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known as food stamps, due to the second-longest U.S. government shutdown, in Cedar Creek, Texas, U.S., November 1, 2025.

A single district court in Rhode Island should not be able to seize center stage in the shutdown, seek to upend political negotiations that could produce swift political solutions for SNAP and other programs, and dictate its own preferences for how scarce federal funds should be spent, she said.

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The Senate again failed to reopen the government in a vote Nov. 7. Senate leaders are keeping senators around for a rare weekend session, a potential indicator they believe a deal could be reached soon.

So, more than a week after food safety net money was delayed for the first time in the program's 60-year history, recipients wait and worry.

Stuck in limbo

Tonya LaFarr, 47, of Des Moines, Iowa is among those already struggling without her November SNAP benefits. The $70 she normally receives each month didn't arrive as scheduled Nov. 5. All that is left in her SNAP account is the $0.82 she didn't spend in October.

There's been no update from the state or USDA, just what she has gleaned from the news.

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"None of us have heard anything," said LaFarr, who recently got housing after a period of homelessness.

She hopes to hitch a ride to the nearest food pantry, which limits visits to once a month because it is so overrun. The community fridge at her local library occasionally has something she can eat, but as a diabetic her options are limited. Occasionally someone leaves canned food in the common room at her apartment complex.

"I don't understand how they want us to survive," LaFarr said.

The path of most harm to SNAP recipients

In his ruling, Judge McConnell said USDA intentionally took the path that would cause the most harm to recipients.

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McConnell gave USDA two choices: find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits from other sources or quickly clear any "administrative and clerical burdens" that would stand in the way of quickly providing partial benefits by Nov. 5.

USDA elected to use part of the contingency fund to provide up to 65% of benefits this month, something that it said required changes to computer systems that could take weeks or months, and declined to use other available funds for the remainder.

"The Court finds it astounding that the Defendants would even choose to go down this path if they were aware of all the difficulties and delays that such partial payment of SNAP benefits would entail," McConnell said in his order.

USDA has argued that Child Nutrition program funding should not be used to make up the $4 billion SNAP gap in November because there is no guarantee Congress will replace the money for child nutrition.

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In its appeal request, the government said, "there is no lawful basis for an order that directs (the U.S. Department of Agriculture) to somehow find $4 billion in the metaphorical couch cushions."

USDA has already tapped this fund to help continue funding WIC during in the government shutdown, which has now lasted more than a month.

McConnell noted in his ruling that the Child Nutrition programs have $23 billion on hand and cost $3 billion per month to operate. He said the chance of immediate harm to the program, which funds school lunches, is low compared to the immediate need for SNAP.

States are struggling to keep up

While the legal wrangling took place on Nov. 7, USDA began working to get states the full benefit amount so it could be quickly disbursed.

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But Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell told USA TODAY that even after USDA was ordered earlier in the week to provide at least partial benefits, it gave the state inaccurate information about how much money to provide its 1.1 million recipients, which has slowed the process even further.

"States are a bit confused frankly," Campbell said.

Massachusetts is one of the 26 states suing the federal government in a separate case to force it to provide full benefits this month. The judge in that case also ordered USDA to provide at least partial benefits.

States have received the partial funds from USDA, and are moving as fast as they can to disburse them, Campbell said, but that means recalculating amounts and reprograming systems.

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California, Connecticut, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin began putting money on recipients debit-like EBT cards Nov. 7.

How quickly the money will appear in people's accounts differs by state. Massachusetts hopes to have some money out by early next week, she said.

Volunteers at Food Bank of the Rockies distribution site in Aurora, Colorado, load food into a waiting car on Nov. 1, 2025, following the halt of SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans.

"We're all hearing the complaints and the stories  heart-wrenching stories from real people who are unable to access benefits to afford food  We're operating as quickly as we can to get benefits on cards. But because of this confusion by the federal administration, it has created more delay than we would have liked," she said.

Families blindsided, not given time to plan

Working families who rely on federal food assistance were blindsided by the news that SNAP wasn't coming in November, said Misha Dancing Waters, 54, a county level economic support specialist in Dane, Wisconsin. She spoke to USA TODAY in her role as a member of AFSCME local 720.

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Many of her clients were already just scraping by, she said. Losing a few hundred dollars this month is catastrophic.

"People are getting to a point of panic," she said. "This is just cruel."

Sarah D. Wire, a Senior National Political Correspondent with USA TODAY, can be reached at swire@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What does SNAP appeal mean for those already waiting for benefits?
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has had to reroute a planned trip to Colombia for a summit of EU and Latin American countries at short notice due to a government aircraft being out of service.

The German Air Force Airbus A350, which was supposed to fly from Hamburg, is unavailable due to a technical defect, the Foreign Office said late on Friday.

There was a defect in the de-icing system, a spokesman for the air force, or Luftwaffe, said on Saturday, adding that the necessary spare parts have been ordered.

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Wadephul is to represent Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the meeting.

The minister now plans take a commercial flight to Colombia and then fly on to Santa Marta on the country's northern Caribbean coast where the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit is taking place, the statement continued.

On Sunday, Wadephul planned to travel on from Colombia to Bolivia for talks with the newly elected government.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the minister is scheduled to attend a meeting in Canada with his counterparts from the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations.

Germany's fleet of government aircraft have become something of a punchline after encountering numerous technical issues in recent years.

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Wadephul's predecessor, Annalena Baerbock, was once left stranded in Abu Dhabi and had to cancel a trip to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji when problems occurred on her government plane.

Baerbock had to abort the flight in August 2023 after the landing flaps of an official government Airbus A340 failed to retract after take-off during a refuelling stop in Abu Dhabi.

The same error occurred on a subsequent attempt, leading Baerbock to abandon the trip and return to Germany on a scheduled flight.

She later made up for the aborted visit.
South Dakota Republican congressional delegates, from left, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Sen. Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson speak at Dakotafest in Mitchell, South Dakota, on Aug. 20, 2025. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Lets posit, just for the sake of argument, that a South Dakota police officer shot and killed a person merely suspected of transporting illegal narcotics from, say, Sioux Falls to Rapid City. No arrest, no indictment, no due process, no Miranda Rights, no nothing. Just suspicion.

Would that be OK, legally?

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Of course not.

In the United States, people theoretically have inviolable rights, including the right not to be killed if theyre not immediately threatening anyone with lethal harm.

So, I ask, respectfully, how are suspected boat-borne alien drug traffickers on the high seas somehow not covered by that core American constitutional right when identified, targeted and killed by U.S. military aircraft packing deadly missiles? From Sept. 2 to this month, the U.S. military blew up 17 boats and one submarine carrying suspected drug smugglers in international waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea in the vicinity of the Americas, killing 70 people aboard, according to news reports. Overall, two suspects survived, but instead of being charged and prosecuted, they were, very curiously, repatriated to their home countries scot-free.

Simple logic tells us that all of these suspects, living and dead, should have been considered innocent until found guilty in a U.S. court of law. Still, no evidence of their guilt has been presented by the administration, and only Republican members of Congress  pointedly no Democrats  have been selectively briefed on these attacks. Mystery abounds.

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Apparently, South Dakotas all-Republican congressional delegation, with the possible exception of Rep. Dusty Johnson, hasnt gotten very exercised about this very questionable Trump grab of congressional power. Declaring and authorizing war is Congresss constitutional authority, not the presidents, and its hard to imagine that attacking boats of sovereign nations and arbitrarily murdering their citizens are not overt acts of war.

I sent online queries to each of our states federal legislators  Rep. Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Mike Rounds  asking them why they had not strongly and publicly condemned these extrajudicial (that means without legal due process) killings of foreign nationals and the destruction of their boats by the American military. They responded cautiously in the main, despite Congress authority being blatantly and unconstitutionally usurped.

Sure, the administration has tried to justify its war-like behavior with convoluted, specious arguments that make common sense mainly to those trying to make them. At least Rep. Johnson expressed concern about the attacks in an emailed response to my question. No such concern was seconded by Sens. Thune and Rounds, whove both voted against resolutions to stop Trumps deadly strikes.

Rep. Johnson wrote in a brief reply, Thank you for contacting me about the United States actions against Venezuelan drug smugglers via boat. I am concerned with the precedent of these actions by the administration. I will continue to monitor the situation as we learn more.

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Sen. Thunes office responded with a long recitation of administration talking points justifying the attacks and denigrating any congressional attempts to stop them. He wrote, in part:

While much progress has been made, dangerous cartels continue to traffic narcotics into the United States. In response, President Trump has designated certain international cartels and other organizations as foreign terrorist organizations. The president is authorized by Article II of the U.S. Constitution to defend against threats as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Consistent with this authority, President Trump has ordered strikes against drug smuggling vessels transiting international waters toward the United States.

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For one thing, no evidence has been posited that any of these boats was bound for the U.S. or was carrying fentanyl, the main narcotic bugbear in the U.S., which mainly enters our country from Mexico. Also, President Trump simply labeling a group as terrorists, who he presumably believes can be killed on sight by the American military, doesnt make it legally so. Drug cartels and their proxies are not armed combatants in any formal war sense.

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Sen. Rounds didnt respond to my query but told NBC News on Oct. 29 only that it was unfortunate congressional Democrats were not briefed along with Republicans about the administrations continuing U.S. military airstrikes on suspected drug-running watercraft. He did not talk about the questionable legality of the attacks.

Autocrats only expand their power when those who share legal authority, like the current U.S. Congress, timidly surrender it to them.
A Lehigh Acres mother was arrested as a suspect in the attempted premeditated murder of two people, as it appears life's pressures crashed down on the family.

Barbara Bates, 59, was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 4, after harming herself and two family members as part of a suicide pact, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies responded to a report of a Monday night suicide attempt on the 700 block of Almelia Street East, in Lehigh Acres, where Bates had cut two of her family members, waited 40 minutes, cut herself and then called 911.

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At the home, authorities observed a bloody box cutter, empty bottles of medications and large pools of blood on and near the bed.

According to Bates' arrest report, she and the victims went through a preparation process before attempting suicide because "they were in the final process of an eviction and would soon be homeless."

The victims consumed alcohol and sleeping medication "to begin the process." Then they would have their wrists and throats cut with a boxcutter, the arrest report says.

The suspect and the two victims were transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

One of the victims repeatedly changed his statement to deputies, recounting the events inconsistently, authorities said.

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Just over two months ago, an eviction notice was filed against Barbara and Neil Bates by the property management company that owns their rental home, Home SFR Borrower IV LLC.

Barbara Bates, 59, was arrested on Tuesday morning after trying to murder two family members and commit suicide.

The official complaint includes photo evidence that on Aug. 14, an official notice to either pay $4,408 or leave the premises within three days was posted to the door of the home.

Bates faces two counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder and one count of aggravated child abuse.

Authorities did not provide information regarding a child. It is unconfirmed whether the child abuse victim was involved in the suicide-murder or what his or her relationship to Bates may be.

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It is also still unconfirmed if Neil Bates, who faced eviction with Barbara Bates, is a victim in this incident.

The names and ages of both victims have been concealed.

Barbara Bates, who is in custody and whose bond has not yet been set, is to appear for a Nov. 7 motion hearing.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Looming eviction drives South Florida mother to murder-suicide attempt
A month before his 29th birthday, Alfred T. Langevin enlisted in the U.S. Army. The year was 1944.

To read the latest story, click here.

The grocery store manager from Weymouth would be among the more than 3,300 town residents to serve during World War II. Eighty-two of them, including Langevin, would die in the fight against the Axis powers.

Pvt. Langevin went missing while on patrol in a German forest that November. A year and a day later, on Nov. 7, 1945, he was declared dead.

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Officials dont know exactly what happened to Langevin.

But through a lengthy investigation using DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence, his remains were ultimately just this year identified.

Now, eight decades later, Langevin will be returning home to Weymouth.

Weymouth Mayor Michael Molisse called the discovery unbelievable.

We want to make it special, he said. I think its going to be a big day for the town of Weymouth.

U.S. Army Pvt. Alfred T. Langevin, of Weymouth, Massachusetts, poses in uniform in an undated photo provided by his nephew. Langevin went missing during World War II and his remains were identified 81 years later.

Weymouth World War II soldier gets a homecoming

The town will host a weekend-long heros homecoming for Langevin. His remains will arrive at Boston Logan Airport on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 8. He will publicly lay in honor at Weymouth Town Hall in town council chambers on Sunday, Nov. 9, from noon to 3 p.m.

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A funeral procession on Monday, Nov. 10, will start at 10 a.m. at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, will travel past local schools, Langevins childhood home in Jackson Square and Immaculate Conception Parish, where there is a shrine dedicated to parishioners who died in World War II. A caisson unit will carry his remains for the final half-mile to Fairmount Cemetery, where, after 81 long years, Langevin will be laid to rest with full military honors. He will be buried next to his eldest sister and grandparents.

More: South Shore communities to mark Veterans Day. How your town will commemorate the day

Who was Pvt. Alfred T. Langevin?

Alfred Thomas Langevin was born March 3, 1915, to Alfred Ernest Langevin and Elizabeth Rita Morris. He had an older sister, Irene Elizabeth, and a younger sister, Marguerite Alice. He was raised at 797 Broad St. and attended Weymouth Public Schools.

Irene dropped out of school to support the family after their father died in 1924, according to Patrick Thomas, Langevins nephew and Irenes son who lives in Pennsylvania. When Langevin turned 16, he dropped out of school to work and told his sister to return because she was the smartest one in the family, Thompson said. (She later would serve as head librarian at the former Pratt Library.)

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Langevin became engaged to Helen F. McGrath, an operator at the Weymouth telephone exchange, in November 1939 and they married the following year. They would have a daughter, Mary E. Langevin, who was a year old when her father went missing.

Alfred T. Langevin (right), of Weymouth, Massachusetts, is seen in the grocery store he worked at before joining the U.S. Army during World War II. Langevin went missing during battle in Germany and his remains were identified 81 years later.

On Jan. 31, 1944, Langevin enlisted in the Army in Boston. He would be assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division later that year, sent to the Belgian-German border in the midst of the Battle of Hurtgen Forest.

This battle would become the second-longest that the U.S. Army has ever fought. It lasted for 88 days, beginning in mid-September 1944. It was an extremely bloody conflict in difficult terrain in a thick forest that was difficult, if not impossible, for military vehicles to travel through. The battle would also be the precursor to the better-known Battle of the Bulge.

Langevin was reported missing in action Nov. 6 after going on reconnaissance patrol with four other men.

Langevin's remains were unidentified for 81 years

In May 1946, six months after Langevin had been declared dead and eight months after World War II was over, the American Graves Registration Command had collected many remains from woods near Strass, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The agency, part of the U.S. Department of Defense, works to find and identify the remains of service members listed as prisoners of war or missing in action.

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The remains that would decades upon decades later be identified as Langevin were categorized as X-2756. In May 1949, the remains were determined to be unidentifiable and were interred at Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium.

Langevins name is on the Walls of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery and the American Battle Monuments Commission site in Margraten, Netherlands.

Thompson, now 75, never knew his uncle, only having learned about him from his mother, Irene, and aunt Marguerite. They would often lament about the fact that he was missing in action, he said, and hoped instead that he had escaped safely, suffered from amnesia and was taken in by a French family. It was something of a family legend they held onto to ease the pain.

The only thing she ever got misty about was when she talked about her brother, he said of his mother.

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In 2018, Thompson was contacted by the agency that identifies missing service members. Officials found more remains near where Langevin was patrolling, he said, and they asked for Thompson's DNA sample. There are no direct living relatives of Langevin. His daughter died in 1998.

Meanwhile, in June 2021, the agency said the Department of Defense and American Battle Monuments Commission exhumed X-2756 to be sent to an agency laboratory. Scientists with the agency and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System had used DNA analysis, anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence to investigate.

U.S. Army Pvt. Alfred T. Langevin, of Weymouth, Massachusetts, poses in uniform in an undated photo provided by his nephew. Langevin went missing during World War II and his remains were identified 81 years later.

A match means one more service member identified

Thompson wouldnt hear back for several years, thinking that meant the DNA wasnt a match.

But on July 30, 2025, Langevins remains were officially identified and accounted for. A rosette will be placed next to his name at Netherlands memorial, the agency said.

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Its a great closure and relief for my mother, Marguerite and my grandmother, Thompson said, surmising the reaction of his late relatives. Bringing him home after all these years is just amazing.

Thompson was visited by military personnel who went over the recovery process, identification and the history of the battle in a half-inch-thick booklet. They returned two weeks later with Langevin's medals.

The agency's work continues to identify the remains of service members from different conflicts. The remains of a 27-year-old platoon sergeant from Ohio who died in the Battle of Okinawa were returned in October. A 20-year-old Army corporal from Indiana was identified after being reported missing in action during the Korean War. A 24-year-old from New Orleans who was posthumously promoted master sergeant was identified decades after a helicopter he was in crashed during the Vietnam War.

Langevin to be buried next to eldest sister

Thompson decided it would be best that he would be buried next to sister Irene, her husband and their mothers parents at Fairmount Cemetery in Weymouth. Thompson contacted McDonald Keohane to make the arrangements.

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Thompson had thought it would just be himself, his wife and his daughter to attend the services  not the entire town. But once funeral director Brigette Gibson heard the story, she knew more had to be done.

Gibson called it a big deal, adding that it went beyond Weymouth history, but was a part of world history as well.

He is a fallen soldier, just like if any other fallen soldier were coming home, said Gibson, who coordinated with military personnel. Just because its been 81 years, it has to be done a certain way. It has to be done with honor.

In town, Langevins name can not only be found at the Immaculate Conception Parish memorial but also a marker in Columbian Square near Fogg Library.

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Its kind of a reunion and a final resting place with family in their hometown, Thompson said. It is kind of amazing that this could happen, being lost for so long.

If you go

What: Funeral procession and burial with full military honors for Pvt. Alfred T. Langevin

When: Monday, Nov. 10

Where: Procession begins at 10 a.m. at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home (809 Main St.), travels along Park Avenue to Pleasant Street, past Weymouth High School, up to his childhood home at 787 Broad St., to Immaculate Conception Parish at 1203 Commercial St., to town hall on Middle Street, past Maria Weston Chapman Middle School on Commercial Street, then to Fairmount Cemetery at 168 Cedar St. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m.

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What to know: The funeral home will be handing out flags to local schools and community members to wave along the route

Hannah Morse covers growth and development for The Patriot Ledger. Contact her at hmorse@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Weymouth soldier Alfred Langevin's remains identified after 81 years
Expressing concern over the law and order situation in Bangladesh ahead of the elections in February 2026, a top leader of the new political party, the National Citizen Party (NCP), has urged the interim government to take necessary steps in this regard. "We are concerned about the law and order situation. We have recently seen the violence break out in Chittagong, where a BNP leader was attacked, and what would really ensure a free and fair election is that the government is very serious about the law and order situation. The government has to act really swiftly if any violence breaks out so that those who are causing violence get the message very clearly that violence has no place in our electoral system," Khaled Saifullah, Joint Convener of NCP, told ANI. "If you look at the history of Bangladesh, political violence has been there. Political violence becomes more acute in the lead-up to the elections. A lot depends on how the government handle the law and order situation", he added. The students who led the uprising for the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in July and August 2024 formed the NCP in February of this year. The party recently got registered with the Election Commission. The NCP is advocating for institutional and constitutional reforms in Bangladesh by implementing the July Charter, a charter established for a new Bangladesh following the uprising. Jamaat-e-Islami has urged a referendum in November this year ahead of the elections to implement it. However, the BNP was asking for a referendum on the same day as the next parliamentary elections in February 2026. "First of all, we need reforms; no one questions that necessity. However, how we will really achieve the reforms has been a source of differences of opinion among different political parties. It does not really matter to the National Citizen Party when the referendum is held. It can happen on the election day or it can happen before, but what really matters is that the referendum is credible and held in a free, fair and festive atmosphere," he said. "Regarding the July Charter signing and its implementation, we have really two key demands. In the July Charter, many parties have attached notes of dissent, but what we are saying is that if you attach notes of dissent to the referendum question, then the referendum loses its value. Because political parties are saying whatever note of dissent we attached to, we will be able to do that no matter what the result of the referendum is," Saifullah told ANI. "In that case, political parties can just publish their manifesto, and they can ignore the result of the referendum. Then the referendum loses its value. Therefore, we must ensure that the referendum question does not provide opportunities for dissenting notes. Secondly, the order will ensure the referendum's legal validity and ensure that the next parliament has dual status, both as parliament and as the reform assembly. We are stating that the order must be published as soon as possible. The government must pass the order very soon in order to ensure we really march forward towards the referendum and the election", said Saifullah, who is also the Policy and Research of NCP. "The current situation in Bangladesh does not really impact regional stability, but that risk always remains when the regional parties do not act equitably. We have always been saying that Bangladesh has a friendly view towards its neighbours. We also reach out to our Indian counterpart; we have a very friendly relationship with the people of India. After the July uprising, we have seen that the Indian government has taken the side of the fascist regime. We call on them to ensure that Hasina is handed over to the government of Bangladesh. Because she is facing trial in Bangladesh. To ensure justice, it is necessary that Sheikh Hasina be in Bangladesh. Other than that, we call on the Indian government to really ensure that we have a relationship based on mutual trust, mutual respect and only that can ensure regional stability, regional prosperity is preferred over communal interests, over fractional and party interests," the NCP leader said. "We do not think that the minority needs to be looked at as just a vote bank. Minorities should be looked at from the right perspective. Political parties need to respect the rights of minorities. If you look at the July uprising, people from various religious backgrounds, including Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist, all came together shoulder to shoulder to ensure that Bangladesh is just and prosperous. Bangladesh has a proud history of peaceful coexistence of different minorities. Some of the political parties are trying to take advantage of minorities. But we must ensure the rights of the minorities. The new Bangladesh must ensure the rights of all of its citizens, np matter the religious background", Saifullah said. The National Citizen Party (NCP) is a new student-led political party in Bangladesh. (ANI)
Spanish police say they have arrested 13 people suspected of belonging to the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua, in what would be the first time one of its cells has been dismantled in the country.

Most of the arrests during the operation last week took place in Barcelona, although authorities are still investigating whether there are other people linked to the network.

Tren de Aragua is one of Latin Americas most notorious criminal gangs and has long been targeted by US President Donald Trump, who accuses the group of drug trafficking, murder and other acts of violence in the Western Hemisphere.

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In January, Trump signed an executive order that designated Tren de Aragua and other gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. Since September, the US has carried out several deadly strikes in the Caribbean against alleged drug boats it says are tied to the group.

Among the suspects arrested in Spain were various nationalities, but most were of Venezuelan origin, a chief inspector at the National Polices General Information Office told CNN.

The operation comes after authorities arrested the brother of the organizations top worldwide leader, known as Nino Guerrero, in March 2024 for his alleged participation in terrorism, human trafficking, arms trafficking, extortion, money laundering and criminal association.

His arrest led Spanish police to suspect the gang had a broader presence in the country.

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The police said their subsequent investigation detected a network of people in various parts of the country who made up a criminal organization that was financed, mainly, by drug trafficking, especially tusi and cocaine.

Tusi, also known as pink cocaine, is a powdered drug cocktail that usually produces hallucinogenic effects, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Its name comes from 2C-B, the chemical originally used to create this drug, the DEA says.

Spanish police told CNN they dismantled the cell when it was still in its early, embryonic phase, before it was further embedded in the country. They also suspect that it had been active since 2023, operating in the neighborhoods of El Raval and areas near the Arc de Triomf, in Barcelona, as well as in the neighborhood of El Canaveral, in the east of the Spanish capital Madrid.

What they still do not know is who supplied the cell with the cocaine, although they suspect that it came from other European countries.

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The cell is also thought to have prepared tusi in their own homes, according to the police.

The law enforcement operation that led to their arrest was supported by the Colombian National Police and the AMERIPOL-EL PACTO 2.0 project, which seeks cooperation between the European Union and Latin American and Caribbean countries.

CNNs Isa Cardona contributed to this story.

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Seattle police have arrested a man who allegedly ran away from police after crashing a stolen truck while driving under the influence.

On Nov. 6, around 11:30 p.m., a patrol officer near Fauntleroy Way Southwest and Southwest Juneau Street in West Seattle saw a truck driving fast, then slide off the wet roadway and crash into a tree.

When the officer approached the vehicle, the driver ran from the crash scene. Officers were able to catch up with the 31-year-old after a quick chase.

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Police say he showed signs of alcohol impairment.

The trucks ignition had damage, and officers found a pair of pliers on the floorboard. While investigating, police determined the truck was reported stolen out of Tukwila.

While in custody, the suspect kicked the cop cars partition and made shooting threats towards the officers, SPD said.

The man was booked for:
Nov. 7The Dominion Post MORGANTOWN  Sen. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, announced on Thursday that he will not seek reelection to his state Senate District 2 seat in 2026.

"It has been one of the biggest honors of my life to serve the people of West Virginia in the state Senate, " he said. "As a delegate years ago and as a senator for the last several years, I have worked hard for the people of my home Wetzel County and our surrounding area. I am proud of the work we have done to improve our state's economy, begin to fix our infrastructure, and improve our schools. While a lot has been accomplished, there is still a lot to do."

Clements said he will serve out the remainder of my term.

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"As many of you know, I have had several health challenges over the years, " he said. "I feel fine today, but I want to be able to spend more time with my family with the remaining time God blesses me with here on this earth. I would like to thank my family for supporting me over the years, especially my wife and children. I have made so many good friends throughout the district and in Charleston. West Virginia is a beautiful place, but her people are what truly shine the most."

Clements said the next few years are very important for the direction of the state. "It has been difficult to watch the state Senate move in a different direction recently, after having made so much progress over the last decade."

Clements gave his endorsement to Glen Dale Republican Robert "Bob " Dobkin, who announced his candidacy for the seat Thursday morning.

"Thanks again to everyone who has been part of this journey with me, " Clements said. "I know that West Virginia's best years are ahead of us."

The 2nd District covers all of three counties and parts of three others, including western and northern Monongalia to the Preston County border, and western Marion.
Dunkin' Donuts got its start in Quincy, Massachusetts, back in 1948, growing popular for its house-made donuts. Today, Massachusetts makes up a bit less than 10% of the total Dunkin' locations in the United States with more than 1,000 restaurants. This is second only to New York, which has more than 1,400. However, it's a much, much smaller state with far fewer locations that loves the chain the most: Rhode Island.

According to Google Trends, Rhode Island takes the top spot for users who research Dunkin'. While it's not clear why Rhode Island searches for the chain so much, Dunkin' has a pretty large presence in the Northeast. With reportedly 159 locations and a state size of about 1,200 square miles, that means you never go more than a few miles there without finding one. Plus, the biggest Dunkin' rival  Starbucks  only has about 35 Rhode Island locations, which pales in comparison to Dunkin's presence.

Read more: The Most Iconic Sandwich In Every State

There are only four Rhode Island towns without a Dunkin'

Dunkin' Donuts location in Providence, Rhode Island - Tupungato/Shutterstock

As of 2022, only four towns in the state (Foster, Jamestown, Little Compton, and New Shoreham) were lacking a Dunkin', and it was such a big deal that it was worthy of news coverage. In contrast, there are multiple towns  including Westerly and Coventry  where Dunkin' is so prominent that you can actually see one location while dining in another one.

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Those without a Dunkin' in town are truly disappointed. "It's really sad," Carol Sholly, Foster's former town clerk, told Providence Journal back in 2022. The nearest Dunkin' is several thousand feet over the town line; while it's still close enough for people to make the trip, residents are disappointed that they don't have a location right in town. It seems that people in Rhode Island are serious about their love for Dunkin', to the point where they feel left out if they don't have a location. But those residents aren't alone; there are several states  including Washington, Idaho, and Oregon  that don't have a single Dunkin' location, either.

Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.

Read the original article on Chowhound.
A 17-year-old student is being investigated after a school mosque was bombed in Indonesia, wounding nearly 100 people.

As worshippers and students gathered for Friday prayers, the sermon was rocked by two explosions. Smoke filled the mosque and victims were struck by flying glass in the blast at the high school in Jakarta.

The prime suspect has been undergoing surgery for his injuries sustained in the attack. Authorities have gathered several pieces of evidence, searched the 17-year-olds home and are examining the suspects social media and family. They have not ruled out the involvement of others.

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Ninety-six people were wounded in the blast, including severe burns, said Listyo Sigit Prabowo, the national police chief, revising the polices previous figure of 54. Twenty-nine victims remain in hospital, including at least two in intensive care.

A bomb disposal team was deployed to the school to collect evidence and ensure that there were no other explosive devices. Some of the wounded were carried out on stretchers.

A toy submachine gun inscribed with white supremacist slogans was recovered by police. Police said the markings were a reference to the 2019 mass shooting at a mosque and Islamic centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, in which 51 people were killed.

One of the firearms appears to be inscribed with: 14 words. For Agartha and Brenton Tarrant. Welcome to Hell.

A bomb disposal team was deployed to the school to collect evidence - Dita Alangkara/AP

Brenton Tarrant was the perpetrator of the 2019 shooting. The 14 Words could refer to slogans by David Eden Lane, an American terrorist who founded the defunct white supremacist terrorist organisation The Order.

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The counter-terrorism police unit told AFP that they were still looking for possible motives. Victims requiring medical treatment has delayed obtaining testimonies from witnesses.

A student alleged to local media that a homemade bomb had been brought in by a student who had often been bullied by their peers. Other students said the suspect was a loner who often made violent drawings.

Police confirmed that they were investigating reports that the suspect had been bullied at school and was seeking revenge by planning what was intended as a suicide attack.

Credit: Kompas TV

Budi Hermanto, a police spokesman, told reporters on Friday: We are still investigating the possibility that bullying was a factor that motivated the suspect to carry out the attack.

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Mr Prabowo said: Theres writing, and there is also evidence of powder that could potentially have caused an explosion.

Videos show students in school uniform running in panic across the school, some covering their ears with their hands. Victims who were standing close to the loudspeaker, where the blasts were, suffered hearing loss.

Mr Prabowo told a news conference at the presidential palace in Jakarta: Our personnel are currently conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the suspects identity and the environment where he lives, including his house and others.

Since 2023, Indonesia, which has the worlds largest Muslim population, had experienced what authorities called a zero-attack phenomenon for its stable security situation.

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Credit: Social Media

A Sudanese paramilitary group accused of slaughtering civilians in the city of El Fasher has been linked to fresh atrocities hundreds of miles to the east.

Galvanised by its capture of the last army-held stronghold in Darfur, the widely feared Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has escalated a bloody offensive against towns and cities in the Kordofan region of central Sudan.

As in El Fasher, RSF fighters have reportedly carried out summary executions and used starvation tactics as they seek to regain momentum in a two-and-a-half-year civil war that has brutalised one of Africas most troubled states.

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The advance into Kordofan  which will bring the RSF closer to Khartoum, Sudans capital  is likely to deepen a crisis that has driven millions from their homes and may have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

The advance into Kordofan will bring the RSF closer to Khartoum, Sudans capital - Getty

United Nations officials and local activists warned that the atrocities committed in El Fasher, where RSF fighters filmed themselves casually executing civilians after breaking an 18-month siege, were now being repeated in Kordofan.

The Sudan Doctors Network, a prominent medical group, said that dozens of bodies were piled up in houses in Bara, a town in North Kordofan that fell to the RSF late last month.

The capture of El Fasher, the capital of Darfur, has allowed the RSF to redeploy front-line forces, many of which have now been sent to reinforce a siege of El-Obeid, North Kordofans capital  a city of more than half a million people now in grave danger, aid agencies say.

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Volker Turk, the high commissioner for human rights at the UN, said: I issue a stark warning about the events unfolding in Kordofan. Since the capture of El Fasher, civilian casualties, destruction and mass displacement there have been mounting.

There is no sign of de-escalation. To the contrary, developments on the ground indicate clear preparations for intensified hostilities, with everything that implies for its long-suffering people.

Aid agencies are still scrambling for information about the fate of El Fashers 260,000 residents, only a few of whom have been able to escape, bringing with them accounts of the bloody revenge exacted by Arabic-speaking RSF fighters against non-Arab civilians.

Although El-Obeid has not been besieged in the same way as El Fasher, it is increasingly under pressure from RSF forces attempting to encircle the city, stepping up artillery and drone attacks against army positions on its outskirts.

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A drone strike blamed on the RSF killed at least 40 people attending a funeral on the edge of the city this week. Early on Saturday morning, the Sudanese army said it had shot down another RSF drone targeting the area.

The supply of long-range drones to the RSF this year has played a vital role in reviving the groups fortunes after it was driven out of Khartoum in March.

Satellite footage and battlefield remnants suggest the group has been equipped with Chinese-made CH-95 and FH-95 unmanned aerial vehicles capable of delivering guided missiles, as well as howitzers, heavy artillery, mortars and machine guns  all supplied, according to US officials, by the United Arab Emirates, alleged to be the RSFs principal external backer. The UAE has consistently denied the claims.

We categorically reject any claims of providing any form of support to either warring party since the onset of the civil war, and condemn atrocities committed by both, an Emirati government official said.

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Despite declaring its willingness to agree a three-month humanitarian truce this week, the RSFs recent battlefield successes suggest the tide of the war may be turning.

Victory marks devastating escalation in violence

Jalale Getachew Birru, an analyst with the international conflict monitoring group Acled, said the fall of El Fasher and Bara represents a turning point in Sudans conflict, marking both a major strategic victory for the RSF and a devastating escalation in violence targeting civilians.

These events not only deepen Sudans humanitarian crisis but also signal the RSFs growing capacity to expand towards central Sudan, she added.

The RSF has also stepped up assaults on other urban centres in Kordofan, surrounding the city of Kadugli  which the UN said this week is now suffering famine  and the town of Dilling, which may be on the brink of one.

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Human rights groups appealed for urgent international action to save Kordofans civilians from suffering the same fate as those of El Fasher.

Agnes Callamard, Amnesty Internationals secretary general, said: The world cannot continue to turn its back on civilians in Sudan, especially in the Kordofan region, when the grave dangers they face are clear for all to see. There must be no repeat of the horrific bloodshed and atrocities we have seen in reports emerging from El Fasher in recent weeks.

Activists and humanitarian workers hope that renewed international focus on Sudan  no longer overshadowed by the Gaza crisis after Hamas and Israel agreed a ceasefire  will increase pressure on the warring parties and their foreign backers to end the violence.

A Western diplomat said the UAE was so stung by the scale of the atrocities in El Fasher, and the outrage they provoked, that it has escalated pressure on the RSF to accept a ceasefire.

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The Emirati official said the governments position had not changed: Since the onset of the civil war, the UAE has consistently supported regional and international efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for violations committed by all warring parties.

In the absence of reliable information from a city whose population remains trapped, fears for its civilians have been inflamed by now notorious videos posted by triumphant RSF fighters.

One showed Alfateh Abdullah Idris, an RSF brigadier general, casually firing his rifle as he walked down a line of nine prisoners slumped beside a dirt road, executing each in turn. Others showed trenches filled with bodies.

Satellite imagery has added to the growing body of evidence that a systematic campaign of mass murder  one that some human rights activists have likened to footage from the Rwandan genocide of 1994  was under way in the city.

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Perhaps recognising damage to its international recognition, Anwar Gargash, the senior Emirati diplomatic adviser, appeared this week to admit errors in the way the UAE had responded to the crisis.

We all made a mistake when the two generals who are fighting the civil war today overthrew the civilian government, he said at the IISS Manama Dialogue, a Middle Eastern defence summit.

That was, looking back, a critical mistake. We should have put out foot down collectively. We did not call it a coup.

In 2021, the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces overthrew the transitional civilian government before turning on each other two years later.

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International mediators are now exploring ways to revive stalled peace talks, although the Sudanese army has shown little interest in previous ceasefire proposals, including a roadmap for peace put forward in September by the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt.

Army chiefs have instead insisted that the RSF withdraws from all civilian population centres before committing to any agreement.

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WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court late Friday said the Trump administration doesn't have to promptly pay full SNAP food benefits for now, in a last-minute  but temporary  order that leaves in limbo the 42 million Americans who rely on food stamps.

The court briefly paused a lower court's ruling requiring the administration to use a combination of contingency funds and other funds to make the full November payments to states during the federal government shutdown.

The temporary pause issued by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, known as an administrative stay, gives an appeals court more time to fully consider Trump's request.

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The administration had said it could make only partial payments, not transfer another $4 billion to states by Friday evening.

But U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island said the administration's arguments for not using funds designated for child nutrition programs to fill in the gap in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November were "implausible," given the child programs are projected to have funding until at least May, and Congress can replenish the funds before then.

By contrast, failing to tap into those funds to pay the full SNAP November food aid presents "the very real and immediate risk of children being deprived of their food assistance today," McConnell wrote.

Second Harvest Food Bank President and CEO, Nancy Keil speaks about the disruption to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during a news conference at the Second Harvest Food Bank Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. SNAP is the United Stateas food stamp program designed to help low-income families afford groceries.

The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined on Friday to immediately block that decision. The Supreme Court's order gives the appeals court more time to consider whether to pause the judge's order.

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Appealing to the Supreme Court on Friday night, the Justice Department argued the funding lapse is a crisis only Congress can solve.

And unless the Supreme Court steps in, they told the justices, every beneficiary of a federal program could run into court to try to get funding, inviting a run on the bank by way of judicial fiat.

"The core power of Congress is that of the purse, while the Executive is tasked with allocating limited resources across competing priorities," the Justice Department said in its appeal. "But here, the court below took the current shutdown as effective license to declare a federal bankruptcy and appoint itself the trustee, charged with picking winners and losers among those seeking some part of the limited pool of remaining federal funds."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has told states that full SNAP benefits are on the way, but when and whether those benefits will reach the 42 million Americans who rely on them to eat remains an open question.

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Food assistance is available to those making less than 130% of the federal poverty line. A single person can receive up to $298 in monthly help.

New York Attorney General Letitia James called the decision a tragedy for the millions of Americans who rely on SNAP to feed their families.

It is disgraceful that the Trump administration chose to fight this in court instead of fulfilling its responsibility to the American people, she said in a statement.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said on social media that the Justice Department "will not stop fighting, day and night, to defend and advance President Trumps agenda."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court: Trump doesn't have to promptly fund food aid for now
A Kennewick woman is accused of trying to hide damage to her SUV and flee the Tri-Cities after a fatal hit-and-run.

Prosecutors said in court Friday that Alexandra Nichole Brinkley, 33, was asking about fixing her damaged car and making a plan to go to the Vancouver, Wash., area soon after she allegedly hit a pedestrian on Canal Drive and didnt stop.

Brinkley allegedly struck Angelica Morfin-Barajas, 31, while she was walking across Canal Drive near North Lyle Street early Saturday morning.

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A second driver also hit Morfin-Barajas in the roadway but pulled over and called police at 12:15 a.m.

Prosecutors said in court Friday that Brinkley admitted to police that she hit Morfin-Barajas, who died at the scene.

Brinkley is being held in the Benton County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail on suspicion of hit-and-run involving a death.

Her bail was set that high because Brinkley allegedly does not have a drivers license and was wanted for more than six months for failing to appear in court related to an earlier arrest, said prosecutors. She was charged with driving under the influence/physical control.

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Prosecutors said she could also face charges for allegedly posing as her sister when investigators asked for her name after another wreck earlier in October.

Friday, her court appointed defense attorney argued unsuccessfully for a lower bail. Benton County Superior Court Judge Norma Rodriguez said her warrant, alleged attempts to hide the damage and to try to flee the area justified the higher amount.

Alexandra Brinkley appears virtually in Benton County Superior Court

Fatal hit-and-run

A Kennewick police officer was nearby on West Bruneau Place heard a collision just after midnight on Saturday morning, according to court documents. When he went to check, he saw a red SUV or truck fleeing east on Canal Drive.

There were no witnesses to the actual collision, but the officer spoke with the driver of the second vehicle that hit Barajas-Morfin. That driver was heading west on Canal Drive when she tried to swerve to avoid an object in the roadway.

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The woman cooperated with investigators and remained on the scene.

Based on the large amount of debris left by the collision, investigators believe Brinkley was driving significantly above the 35-mph speed limit, according to court documents. They found no evidence of the first vehicle braking before the crash.

The responding officer told investigators he believed the red vehicle he spotted was the suspect based on paint, chrome, a broken headlight and other debris left behind.

Barajas-Morfin suffered a skull fracture and multiple broken bones. She was already dead when officers arrived, according to the documents.

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Security camera footage from a nearby home recorded the sound of the crash at 12:05 a.m. and a red SUV with chrome travelling eastbound, with what sounded like a wheel rubbing or grinding.

Investigators identified the vehicle as a maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee, with obvious front -end damage to the front driver-side bumper and headlight.

Tracking the vehicle back in time using traffic cameras, investigators found the vehicle did not have the same damage when seen on multiple cameras around 12:03 a.m. The driver, which appeared to be a woman, was the only visible occupant of the Jeep.

When another camera picked up the Jeep at the intersection of Fruitland and Kennewick Avenue at 12:06 a.m., officers were able to see the front was damaged. More sightings on Washington Street also showed this damage.

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Investigators said that in the 10 minutes between when Morfin-Barajas was first hit and when police responded, multiple vehicles may have driven by not realizing the object in the road was a person.

Attempt to flee Tri-Cities

Brinkley was not the registered owner of the Jeep, but investigators had talked with her in September when she was a passenger in the Jeep. Its driver at the time was arrested for driving with a suspended license, and Brinkley was taken to jail on a warrant.

Brinkley was released, but the man driving the vehicle was still in jail on the night of the hit-and-run. The Jeep is registered to Brinkleys mother.

Investigators found the Jeep was also involved in a wreck on Oct. 4.

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Officers later learned that Brinkley had given them her sisters information during that incident. When the investigators looked up her sisters information, they realized the photo did not match the driver seen on an officers body camera footage from the Oct. 4 wreck.

The only damage to the Jeep at that time appeared to be on its hood, not the bumper or light.

Officers were later able to match Brinkley as the driver in the Oct. 4 wreck and the September arrest.

On Nov. 4, investigators received an anonymous tip that the tipster was talking to a friend who was a mobile mechanic about the fatal hit-and-run.

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He said his ex-girlfriend, Alex Brinkley, called him about half an hour after the accident and allegedly asked for help fixing the headlight on the drivers side of a maroon SUV. She also told him she was planning to move to Vancouver, according to court documents.

After speaking further with the tipster, investigators learned the damage was to the headlight, radiator and front end of the vehicle. The tipsters friend thought the request was odd and seemed to write it off due to Brinkleys past issues with substance abuse, said the documents.

On Nov. 5 the lead investigator contacted Brinkleys sister after she learned that her name had been used in an insurance report. The investigator wrote that it was obvious her sister had no idea about the investigation.

A search warrant for Brinkleys phone showed that she attempted to call someone around the time she allegedly tried to message the mechanic, said court documents.

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Officers tracked her phones location and arrested Brinkley at a home on East 15th Avenue on Nov. 6. The Jeep was parked outside.

Brinkley at first told investigators that the vehicle wasnt operable after the Oct. 4 wreck. She said no one else had driven the vehicle or used her phone, according to court documents.

Investigators wrote that when they told Brinkley they knew she wasnt being honest, her voice cracked and she teared up, telling them, I didnt see her.

She then told the detectives she had not been on her phone or impaired, she was just driving home from a friends house when all of a sudden there was a person in front of her vehicle.

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She claimed that the woman appeared to be OK, and standing up so she kept driving, according to court documents.

She also admitted to sending the messages asking for help covering up the damage so she could leave the area, according to the documents.

Struggling mother killed

Morfin-Barajas of Richland was a young mother of five children.

Friends posted on social media that Morfin-Barajas was a struggling mother, but a happy soul who was working to improve her living circumstances.

Her mother posted in Spanish that her daughter had suffered, but was joyful and radiated energy. If one door closed, she opened three, her mother posted.

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An online fundraiser said Morfin-Barajas family is devastated and unprepared for the unexpected funeral expenses. Theyve raised about $3,400 through GoFundMe as of Friday afternoon.

Angelica was a loving mother, daughter, sister and friend, it said.

The fundraiser is at bit.ly/AngelicaMorfin.
Three people suspected to be involved in a retail fraud ring operating in the New England area and believed to have stolen more than $135,000 worth of merchandise were apprehended after the state police Aviation Unit used aerial surveillance to track them throughout Central Connecticut.

The operation was carried out by the state police Bureau of Special Investigations with assistance from the Aviation Unit when investigators received word that the suspects were at a department store in Glastonbury around 3 p.m., according to Connecticut State Police.

State police said the sophisticated fraud ring has been active for the past three months and has been known to display firearms toward loss prevention officers. The individuals allegedly involved are suspected to have stolen more than $135,000 worth of merchandise from home improvement stores in the region and have allegedly been involved in multiple pursuits with police, according to state police.

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State police said the vehicle the suspects were in took off when detectives moved into the area where they were spotted. They did not pursue the vehicle and instead allowed the Aviation Unit to track it through the skies.

The vehicle was followed into New Britain where the driver stopped at a fast food restaurant, state police said. Detectives converged in the area and, as they did, the driver allegedly took off on foot. He was apprehended after a brief pursuit and was identified a 25-year-old Meriden man, according to state police.

The man was allegedly found with a controlled substance and was charged with interfering with an officer and possession of a controlled substance, state police said. He was released on $2,500 bond and is expected to be arraigned in New Britain Superior Court on Nov. 19.

According to state police, the other occupants in the vehicle drove away from the area when one of then took the wheel. They were tracked by the Aviation Unit until the driver stopped in Meriden, where officers with the Meriden Police Department apprehended both suspects following foot pursuits, according to state police. Their identities were not immediately released.

Charges connected to the theft ring were not immediately filed. State police said that investigation remains ongoing.
SWAT units and Pittsburgh Police worked together to seize guns, drugs and cash from a person in Mount Washington.

Police said they searched a house and two vehicles in Mount Washington on Friday as a result of a narcotics investigaiton.

In total, they found three illegal guns, marijuana and $1000 in crash.

Gaquan Davis, 18 is charged with persons not to possess a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, multiple drug charges and prohibited acts.

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US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said that the United States will not be part of the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit in South Africa, calling it "a total disgrace." "Afrikaners (People who are descended from Dutch settlers, and also French and German immigrants) are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated," Trump said in a Truth Social post. "No U.S. Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue," the post also reads. "I look forward to hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida!" In May, the White House told federal agencies to stop work with the G20 summit, scheduled for November 22-23. Trump indicated at the time that the US would not participate, The Hill reported. "We're supposed to have a, I guess a G20 meeting there ... I don't know how we can go unless that situation is taken care of," Trump said. "But it's a genocide that's taking place that you people don't want to write about. But it's a terrible thing that's taking place. And farmers are being killed. They happen to be white." The president focused on claims that Afrikaners, South Africa's white ethnic minority, have been unfairly targeted. In February, he signed an executive order to put a pause on sending foreign assistance to South Africa, claiming that its government's actions are "fueling disproportionate violence against radically disfavored landowners." Days before Trump issued the executive order, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X that he "will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg." https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1887288685517021298?s=20 The Trump administration has also allowed Afrikaners to enter the United States as refugees, claiming the refugees were victims of "racial discrimination." Late last month, the president set the lowest-ever goal for US refugee admissions, allowing a maximum of only 7,500 refugees and dictating that the majority of the slots should be given to white South Africans, as per The Hill. "What's happening in South Africa fits the textbook definition of why the refugee program was created ... race based persecution," White House's deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told reporters in May. Later that month, Trump met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office and showed a video to back the American president's claims of genocide against white South Africans, The Hill reported. (ANI)
Saturday marked the 39th day of the federal shutdown, which has already sidelined many federal workers and affected food aid, air travel and national parks.

Bipartisan talks in the US Senate to end the federal shutdown have taken a positive turn, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Saturday, with lawmakers working on deals to temporarily reopen the government and introduce three longer-term funding bills for some agencies.

Asked by reporters whether there have been bipartisan talks within the last 24 hours that have been positive in nature, Thune, a South Dakota Republican, responded, "Yeah. I'd say so."

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Saturday marked the 39th day of the federal shutdown, which has already sidelined many federal workers and affected food aid, air travel and national parks. After weeks of faltering talks, Republicans and Democrats in the US Senate seemed to start negotiating in earnest late this week.

Lawmakers on Saturday hoped to unveil the full text of three fiscal 2026 full-year funding measures for agriculture, food and nutrition programs, along with money for military construction projects, veterans' programs and funding to operate Congress, according to Republican senators. The proposals would fund those operations through September 30, 2026.

Meanwhile, senators have been working on a stopgap measure that would buy them more time to reach a deal on the remaining nine "discretionary" spending bills for the rest of the federal government, such as agencies for homeland security, defense, housing and health.

US Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) uses his phone on the US Capitol steps as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass US President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, July 1, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Nathan Howard)

North Dakota Republican Senator John Hoeven told reporters that the short-term funding, now set to expire on November 21, would be updated with new legislation to reopen the government and keep it funded through late January.

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Thune said "it would be great" if votes could be held on Saturday, but did not commit to a set timeline. "We'll see how the day goes as people have an opportunity to firm up their views," he said.

Despite Thune's upbeat talk, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday attacked the Trump administration for withholding SNAP food stamp funding and accused it of playing "politics" by imposing reduced airline flights at certain airports. Schumer on the Senate floor complained that Republicans "stormed out of the gate" on Friday to reject Democrats' call for a one-year extension of an expiring health insurance subsidy as part of legislation to reopen the government.

The support of at least eight Democrats is likely needed for the shutdown logjam to be broken. Thune did not say how Republicans would handle Democrats' demands to extend subsidies used by 24 million people in the Affordable Care Act's health insurance marketplaces.

President Donald Trump "wants to have a solution to the healthcare crisis in this country, which is skyrocketing premiums," Thune said. But Republicans have said they will not negotiate on health insurance subsidies until the shutdown ends.

Trump urges Republican senitors to redirect federal money

Trump on Saturday urged Republican senators to redirect federal money used to subsidize health insurance costs under the Affordable Care Act toward direct payments to individuals, floating a potential compromise to an issue at the heart of the US government shutdown.

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"I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over," Trump wrote in a social media post.

"In other words, take from the BIG, BAD Insurance Companies, give it to the people, and terminate, per Dollar spent, the worst Healthcare anywhere in the World, ObamaCare," he added, without offering further details.

The ACA marketplaces allow people to buy policies directly from health insurers and mainly serve people who don't have coverage through employers or the Medicare and Medicaid government programs.

Representatives for the White House did not respond to a request for comment on Trump's post.

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Trump's comments on Truth Social came just hours before the US Senate was set to reconvene at noon after rejecting legislation on Friday that would have resumed paychecks for hundreds of thousands of federal workers during the longest government shutdown in US history.

The record-long shutdown was taking its toll on many programs.

For example, Some 10,000 young children and families have been left without Head Start early-learning and nutrition programs because of closures in 18 states and Puerto Rico, according to the First Five Years Fund, which advocates for childcare and early learning programs at the federal level.

These programs had October 1 and November 1 deadlines for the federal government renewing their grants. Those approvals froze with the start of the shutdown on October 1 when appropriated funding ran out.

Republicans back Trump's idea

At least two Republican lawmakers, US Senators James Lankford of Oklahoma and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, publicly backed Trump's idea.

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ACA subsidies are "pumping money to insurance companies, not to people to be able to help," Lankford told Fox News in an interview, adding that they aid a "select group" of people: "It's not the general population."

The ACA marketplaces allow people to buy policies directly from health insurers and mainly serve people who don't have coverage through employers or the Medicare and Medicaid government programs.

Trump previously has touted direct payments to US taxpayers in other areas.

During his first term, the US government sent money to taxpayers as part of a COVID-19 relief package.

Earlier this year, as the Department of Government Efficiency sought to cut the federal government, Trump said he was considering sending some of the money saved back to taxpayers. He later floated the idea of using money from tariffs to fund a "dividend" to individuals.
Police in Tanzania have arrested a senior opposition official after more than 200 people were charged with treason over a wave of protests against last months general election.

Opposition party Chadema said that its deputy secretary-general, Amani Golugwa, was arrested early on Saturday. He is the third senior Chadema official in detention, after leader Tundu Lissu and deputy leader John Heche were arrested before the October 29 vote.

The arrest comes a day after more than 200 people were charged with treason for alleged involvement in the protests triggered by the disputed election.

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Lawyer Peter Kibatala told the news agency AFP that more than 250 people were arraigned in three separate cases  and theyre all charged with two sets of offences.

The first set of offences is a conspiracy to commit treason. And the second set of offences is treason itself, he said.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took office in 2021 after the death of her predecessor, won the poll with 98 percent of the vote, according to the electoral commission, but Chadema has branded the election a sham.

It said in a statement on X that the government intended to cripple the Partys leadership and paralyse its operations, adding that police were now targeting lower levels, with some being forced to confess to organising demonstrations.





Police confirmed the arrest of Golugwa and nine other people in connection with an investigation into the unrest, which saw security forces launch a crackdown on protesters.

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The police force, in collaboration with other defence and security agencies, is continuing a serious manhunt, the police said in a statement, adding that Chademas Secretary-General John Mnyika and the partys head of communications, Brenda Rupia, were on its wanted list.

High death toll

Protests erupted on October 29 in the cities of Dar-es-Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza and Mbeya, as well as several regions across the country, police said in Saturdays statement, laying out the extent of the unrest for the first time.

The authorities have so far declined to release the death toll.

The Catholic Church in Tanzania has said that hundreds of people were killed. Chadema has claimed that more than 1,000 people were killed and that security forces had hidden bodies to cover up the scale of the brutality.

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The Kenya Human Rights Commission, a watchdog group in the neighbouring country, asserted in a statement on Friday that 3,000 people were killed, with thousands still missing.

The commission provided a link to pictorial evidence in its possession showing many victims bore head and chest gunshot wounds, leaving no doubt these were targeted killings, not crowd-control actions.

The African Union said this week that the election did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.

AU observers reported ballot stuffing at several polling stations, and cases where voters were issued multiple ballots.

Single-party rule has been the norm in Tanzania since the advent of multiparty politics in 1992. But Hassan is accused of ruling with an iron fist that does not tolerate opposition.




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Larry Bushart Jr. was just freed from a Tennessee jail cell after spending more than a month behind bars  for a Facebook post.



The high-profile arrest of the 61-year-old retiree and former cop  which made waves in free speech circles  has all the hallmarks of a bingeworthy culture war clash in 2025:

A chronically online progressive turns to Facebook to troll his MAGA neighbors about President Donald Trumps seemingly lopsided response to school shootings compared to the murder of right-wing pundit Charlie Kirk



An elected, overzealous county sheriff intent on shutting him up



A debate over the limits of the First Amendment  and the presidents broader efforts to silence his critics

Eamonn Fitzmaurice / T74

The controversy, I report this morning, also calls attention to a series of recent Tennessee laws that carry harsh punishments for making school shooting threats and place police officers on campus threat assessment teams working to ferret out students with violent plans before anyone gets hurt.

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In Busharts case, the sheriff maintained that his post referring to the presidents reaction to a 2024 school shooting in Perry, Iowa, constituted a threat of mass violence at a school, apparently the local Perry County High School. The rules that ensnared Bushart have also led to a wave of student arrests and several free speech lawsuits. His is likely to be next, Busharts lawyer told The Washington Post.

Read the story here

In the news

Updates in Trumps immigration crackdown: Federal immigration officers chased a Chicago teacher into the lobby of a private preschool Wednesday and dragged her out as parents watched her cry tengo papeles! or I have papers. The incident is perhaps the most significant immigration enforcement act in a school to date. | The 74

Proposed federal rules would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to collect iris scans, fingerprints and other biometric data on all immigrants  including, for the first time, children under 14 years old  and store it for the duration of each individual persons lifecycle. | Ars Technica

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On the same day Cornell University notified an international student that his immigration status had been revoked, Google alerted him that federal authorities had subpoenaed his personal emails. Now, the institution wont say whether federal authorities had tapped into university emails to track [students] as well. | The Cornell Daily Sun

In California, federal immigration officers shot a U.S. citizen from behind as he warned the agents that students would soon gather in the area to catch a school bus. The government says the shots were defensive. | Los Angeles Times

Deportation isnt a costume: A Maine middle school principal is facing pushback for a federal immigration officer Halloween costume, complete with a bulletproof vest that read ICE. | Boston.com

In Chicago communities that have seen the most significant increase in immigration enforcement, school enrollment has plunged. | Chalkbeat

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Also in Chicago, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to hand over use-of-force records and body camera footage after trick-or-treaters were tear-gassed on their way to celebrate Halloween. | USA Today

A bipartisan bill seeks to bar minors from using AI chatbots as petrified parents testified their children used the tools with dire consequences  including suicide. Some warn the change could stifle the potential of chatbots for career or mental health counseling services. | Education Week

A Kentucky mom filed a federal lawsuit against online gaming communities Discord and Roblox alleging the companies jeopardized childrens safety in the name of profit. After her 13-year-old daughter died by suicide last year, the mom said, she found the girl had a second life online that idolized school shooters. | 404 Media



Character.AI announced it will bar minors from its chatbots, acknowledging safety concerns about how teens do, and should, interact with this new technology. | BBC

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A jury awarded $10 million to former Virginia teacher Abby Zwerner on Thursday, two years after she was shot by her 6-year-old student. Zwerner accused her former assistant principal of ignoring repeated warnings that the first grader had a gun. The students mother was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for felony child neglect and federal weapons charges. | The New York Times

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Creepy, unsettling: This family spent a week with Grem, a stuffed animal with artificial intelligence designed to learn children s personalities and hold educational conversations. | The Guardian

A judge ordered the Trump administration to release federal funds to California school districts after it sought to revoke nearly $165 million in mental health grants as part of a broader crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion. The grants funded hundreds of school social workers and counselors. | EdSource

In 95% of schools, active-shooter drills are now a routine part of campus life. Heres how states are trying to make them less traumatic. | The Trace

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A lawsuit against a Pennsylvania school district alleges educators failed to keep students safe after a 12-year-old girl was attacked by a classmate with a metal Stanley drinking cup. | NBC10

Inviting government overreach and abuse: The Education Department was slapped with two lawsuits over new Public Service Loan Forgiveness rules that could bar student borrowers from the program who end up working for the presidents political opponents, including organizations that serve immigrant students and LGBTQ+ youth. | The Washington Post

ICYMI @The74

1939 redlined maps of Los Angeles showing neighborhoods deemed eligible and ineligible for economic aid

How LAUSD School Zones Perpetuate Educational Inequality, Ignoring Redlining Past

Students Want Schools to Incorporate AI in Learning But Express Some Fears

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Matilda plots her escape.
Editors note: Read an updated story about the fire here.

A three-alarm fire ripped through an off-campus apartment complex near the University of Massachusetts Amherst late Friday night, according to multiple sources.

The blaze occurred at an apartment building located at 57 Olympia Drive, a complex primarily used as off-campus housing for UMass Amherst students, according to a WWLP story that was published at 10 p.m.

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Fire officials from surrounding towns, including Amherst, Pelham, Hadley, Leverett and Northampton responded, the Massachusetts Daily Collegian reported. Red Cross vehicles arrived after 1 a.m. to assist.

The university, the town of Amherst, and the management company for a privately-owned apartment building adjacent to the fire are working to support student renters who are impacted, the university said on its website. We are grateful for the communitys support for our students.

The Amherst Fire Department has not released a statement yet concerning the incident as of Saturday morning. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured or what caused the fire.

The Amherst Fire Department did not respond to MassLives request for comment.

The latest from MassLive

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French anti-terror prosecutors have charged and jailed three young women suspected of plotting a jihadist attack  the first alleged plot involving female suspects in several years.

The trio, all around 20 years old, were formally placed under investigation and remanded in custody in October, according to Frances National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutors Office (PNAT).

The judicial inquiry, opened on 10 October, concerns criminal terrorist association with intent to commit acts of violence against persons, the office confirmed on Saturday, verifying a report first published by Le Parisien.

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A source close to the case told AFP that a plot was foiled this autumn  describing it as the first attempted violent action involving women in some time.

Man rams car into pedestrians in France, wounding 10, prosecutor says

'Influencer' alleged ringleader

According to Le Parisien, one of the suspects  referred to as B  had attracted around 20,000 followers on TikTok, where she allegedly posted pro-jihadist content.

Investigators believe she may have played a leading role in the small group.

The women are suspected of discussing violent actions online, reportedly mentioning firearms and a suicide belt, and floating possible targets such as a concert hall or a bar in Paris.

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Police arrested two of the women in the Rhone region and another in the Cher department, following a series of in-person meetings in Lyon that raised suspicions.

Lawyers for the three women have declined to comment when contacted, although one reportedly downplayed the seriousness of the alleged threat.

French women of jihadist family on trial for joining IS, taking children to Syria

A sombre anniversary

The arrests come as France prepares to mark the tenth anniversary of the November 2015 Paris and Saint-Denis attacks  a coordinated night of terror that left 130 people dead and hundreds injured.

A national day of remembrance for the victims will be held on Thursday.

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In an interview with AFP, national anti-terror prosecutor Olivier Christen warned that the jihadist threat remains the most significant, both in scale and in the level of operational readiness, and that it has been growing over the past three years.

Despite the echoes of 2015, French officials have stressed that early intervention and digital monitoring continue to play a crucial role in preventing attacks before plans are put into motion  as appears to have happened in this case.

(with newswires)
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford secured a major legal victory against TikTok after the Nevada Supreme Court denied the social media companys attempt to block a lawsuit accusing it of harming young users through addictive, dangerous features.

Ford filed the lawsuit against TikTok last year. TikTok attempted to block the lawsuit with a petition, claiming it should be immune from lawsuits and should not be subjected to Nevada courts jurisdiction. The Supreme Court rejected its attempt on Nov. 6, clearing the way for Fords case to proceed to trial.

TikTok has failed in its effort to evade justice in Nevadas courts. Again. As this case continues, I am confident my office will prevail, said Ford. We will never stop working to hold social media companies accountable for the harm they have done to Nevadas youth.

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The high courts decision aligns with similar rulings across the country, confirming that Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act does not provide blanket immunity for social media companies when theyre accused of designing harmful products.

Fords office has filed similar lawsuits against Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, YouTube, and Kik  part of a growing national effort to hold tech giants accountable for the mental health and safety of young users.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The Justice Departments No. 2 official, Todd Blanche, let loose Friday, railing against judges blocking administration policies and denying that prosecutions of President Donald Trumps enemies constitute weaponization of the justice system.

Speaking to a friendly audience of conservative lawyers in Washington, the former Trump defense attorney did not mince words and used some of his most colorful language to denounce the actions of the Justice Department under President Joe Biden.

What happened the past four years within the United States Department of Justice, Im going to say a Latin term: batshit crazy, Blanche said to laughter from attendees at the Federalist Societys annual lawyers conference.

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The recent indictments of Trumps political foes, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, have led to warnings that the Justice Department is bypassing traditional safeguards in order to mollify Trump. That perception has been reinforced by a social media post Trump directed to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging her to quickly charge James, Comey and others.

Trump also insisted Bondi install his former personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan as the top federal prosecutor in Virginia. Halligan, just days into the job, secured both indictments against Comey and James.

Both Comey and James have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are moving to quash the criminal cases against them on the grounds they were brought as vindictive prosecutions.

Blanche appeared incensed by the weaponization claims, which he said ignored the two federal prosecutions and two state prosecutions Trump faced after leaving office in 2021.

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When I read now that were weaponizing, I feel like Im being gaslit, because were doing exactly the opposite, the deputy attorney general said. I take umbrage at the idea that the work that our prosecutors are doing is weaponization, because I have receipts. I know what happened the past couple years. Ive lived it.

Blanche was introduced as General Blanche at the event, although the No. 2 DOJ official is not commonly addressed that way. He kept up the martial theme by repeatedly referring to the wave of litigation over Trump policies as a war, arguing that liberal judges are involved in a broad effort to derail Trumps agenda.

They have a robe on but they are more political or certainly as political as the most liberal governor or D.A.  Theres a group of judges that are repeat players, and thats obviously not by happenstance, thats intentional, and its a war, man, Blanche said. Its happening over and over and over again.  The system is not set up for efficiency when it comes to rogue activist judges. So, we lose days, we lose weeks, months, sometimes because of this, and thats why activist groups do what they do.

Blanche also said the Justice Department is moving to insulate its attorneys from ethics complaints administration critics have filed with local bar authorities in various states and Washington, D.C., seeking action against those lawyers bar licenses.

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The D.C. Bar in particular is one of the most activist, obnoxious bars when it comes to going after conservative lawyers. Its out of this world, he said, appearing to reference a disbarment effort against former DOJ lawyer Jeffrey Clark, a key figure in Trumps bid to subvert the 2020 election.

Blanche said the Justice Department was looking to move the investigation of such complaints in house and only refer them to bar authorities if warranted.

Blanche also griped about media coverage, complaining that journalists paint Trumps immigration actions as overly harsh, while ignoring past comments by prominent Democrats like Hillary Clinton urging no questions asked deportations for immigrants whod committed crimes.

Blanche was questioned on stage by Gene Hamilton, who was a top lawyer at the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security during the first Trump administration. Although the pair discussed some liberal critiques of Trump policies, there was no mention of actions the administration has taken that might be unpopular with the lawyers in attendance, such as Trumps executive orders targeting law firms he dislikes.

Four of those law firms went to court to challenge the orders. Each won an injunction from a different judge, barring federal officials from implementing Trumps directive. The administration is appealing, but has not sought to speed the cases to the Supreme Court.
Amory Goode Mitchell-Diaz Bradley, only 2 years old, died from a gunshot wound to the head more than two months ago on Puyallup Tribal property on the outskirts of Tacoma, but authorities remain silent about the how and the why.

So far, the only specific information comes from the Pierce County Medical Examiners Office, which has described the boys manner of death with one word: homicide.

The incident happened on Aug. 30 in the 3500 block of East Grandview Avenue in Tacoma, according to the Medical Examiners Office. The office published the victims identity on Oct. 13, when the cause and manner of death were still pending. It later updated its report to include those details.

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The News Tribune sought police reports and basic information last month about the shooting from the Puyallup Tribal Police Department, which responded to the incident, yet no details have been provided.

It is tragic to lose any life, especially a childs, the Puyallup Tribal Council said in a statement Friday night. Tribal Police immediately turned the investigation over to the FBI, which has jurisdiction in tragedies like this. Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the loss of this beloved member of our community.

The FBI has special jurisdiction to investigate crimes committed on about 200 reservations nationwide and collaborates with Tribal police on major crimes that occur on Tribal land, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services.

Messages left for the FBIs office in Seattle were not returned. An automated reply suggested that media inquiries would be addressed after the government shutdown ends.

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Emily Langlie, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Western District of Washington, said Friday that the investigation was ongoing and nothing is publicly filed at this time, when asked whether anyone had been charged.

In general, coverage areas for the Puyallup Tribal Police and Tacoma Police departments are specific to properties within Tribal land, TPD spokesperson Shelbie Boyd said Thursday. The address where the shooting occurred was in the jurisdiction of Tribal authorities, she said.

TPD wasnt dispatched to the incident and Tribal police, which maintains its own dispatch system, had advised that TPDs assistance wasnt needed, according to Boyd. The FBIs gang task force, which includes one Tacoma police officer among its members, was called in to help investigate, she noted.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths purging of military officials who do not toe the MAGA line threatens irreversible damage to the military, a top ex-general warns.

The former Fox News host has created an atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust in the Pentagon, which has been gutted of those who express dissent, said over a dozen current and former military officials who spoke to The New York Times.

The politicized nature of the Pentagon has forced senior officers to take sides and, at times, pitted them against one another, the paper reports. It also noted that the mass firing of generals this year is unprecedented in the United States.

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Anonymous military officials told the Times that Hegseths moves have fed the impression the military has pro-Trump and anti-Trump generals.

Multiple experts warn that such an atmosphere in the upper echelons of the military is a recipe for disaster. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who led elite special operations troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for years, is among those ringing warning bells.

The U.S. militarys long history of remaining apolitical has always depended upon a norm in which the military avoided politics while civilian leadership respected and protected those in uniform from the political fray, he told the Times. Recent months have challenged the paradigm, at significant risk. Once lost, the legitimacy of a military that reflects and represents all Americans will be difficult to recover.

Former Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal said he fears Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is doing irreparable damage to the U.S. Military. / Alex Wong / Getty Images

Kori Schake, a defense specialist and a former George W. Bush adviser, told the Times that Hegseth is squandering an enormous amount of talent.

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Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA officer who analyzed foreign militaries, said Hegseth is running the Pentagon like autocracies do elsewhere in the world.

The places where weve looked at these kinds of things are places like China, she said this week. I used to work on Iraq. They would do the same thing.

17 General Officers have been removed or have retired in nine months. I'm a former CIA officer  if I saw this in a foreign military, we would call that a purge. pic.twitter.com/GLLctwSdcS  Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 3, 2025

Democratic Rep. Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger, said he fears politics will seep into the militarys lower ranks.

The message being sent to those younger soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines is that politics can and should be part of your military service, he said. Its a dangerous message.

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The Pentagons top spokesperson, Sean Parnell, sent a statement to the Daily Beast that accused the Times of peddling Democratic talking points.

Left-wing outlets like The New York Times peddling Democrat talking points have clearly forgotten that officers, including flag officers, were fired during the Obama Administration, he said. Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseths leadership, our military has never been more unified thanks to the dismantling of the previous administrations divisive DEI agenda and renewal of the warrior ethos. The department will continue to elevate those in our ranks who are committed to warfighting and meritocracy.

Parnell left the military after six years, retiring at the rank of captain, then ended a bid to run for the Senate in Pennsylvania when a judge ruled he had been abusive to his first wife during their marriage. Hegseth was a National Guard officer and Fox News weekend host before becoming Secretary of Defense.

Gen. C.Q. Brown, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was among the first military leaders to be axed by the Trump administration this year. / Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

Among the officials axed this year were General Charles CQ Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy as Chief of Naval Operations; General David Allvin, the vice chief of staff of the Air Force; and Admiral Linda Fagan, head of the Coast Guard.

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Dozens of other military officials have been let go by the Trump administration.

Hegseth, 45, has boasted about the firingssomething he has deemed necessary to return a warrior ethos to the military.

The new compass heading is clear, Hegseth told officers who gathered to hear him speak in Virginia in September. Out with the Chiarellis, the McKenzies, and the Milleys.

Hegseth was referring to Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, the former Army vice chief of staff; Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., a former head of Central Command; and Gen. Mark A. Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff whom Trump loathes.
The Indian Consulate in Seattle hosted a Pre-Summit Roundtable ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, attended by US representatives Adam Smith and Michael Baumgartner. The roundtable featured presentations from leading tech CEOs from the Greater Seattle area, focusing on themes such as the application of artificial intelligence in Agri-Tech and the potential of data centres and digital infrastructure in India. In a post on X, the Consulate said, "India AI Impact Summit 2026: Pre-Event Briefing Session hosted in Seattle! Thank US Rep. Adam Smith and US Rep. Michael Baumgartner for gracing the Pre-Summit Roundtable. Deeply appreciate presentations from Tech and AI Industry leaders underscoring the Three Sutras / Pillars of India's AI journey: People, Planet, Progress." https://x.com/IndiainSeattle/status/1986997198933139669?s=20 Participants also briefed US Congressman Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Congressman Michael Baumgartner, Member of the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees about India's progress in AI and highlighted the Seven Chakras, or Themes for Global Cooperation centered around (i) Safe and Trusted AI (ii) Human Capital (iii) Science (iv) Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency (v) Inclusion and Social Empowerment (vi) Democratizing AI Resources and (vii) Economic Growth and Social Good. Today's briefing at the new Chancery premises of the Indian Consulate in Seattle was the first such curtain raiser in a series of such sessions that are being planned in the run-up to the AI India Impact Summit. Subsequent workshops and briefing sessions are being planned in leading US Universities in the US Pacific Northwest, as well as with leading Tech and AI industry stakeholders in January 2026, a statement by the Consulate said. The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held from February 19-20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, marking the first global-scale AI summit hosted in the Global South. It will bring together governments, industry, academia, and startups from global capitals with an aim to translate AI's potential into tangible outcomes for People, Planet, and Progress and reaffirm India's vision of "AI for All." (ANI)
The Torrance County Detention Facility has been operating without a contract since Halloween, when the latest agreement between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the county expired.

Immigrant advocates said Thursday that means the Estancia facility is operating without legal authority, and the hundreds of detainees being held there are falsely imprisoned and should be released per ICE's own policies.

Torrance County Manager Jordon Barela confirmed the expiration of the contract Thursday. He said the county had been negotiating a new contract with ICE throughout October and expected a short-term contract extension until a deal was concluded. But on Oct. 31, ICE informed the county there would be no extension, Barela wrote in an email.

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"I believe that some of these issues are related to the shutdown, either due to staffing issues, or due to unknown budgetary factors that would impact a contract like this moving into the next federal fiscal year," Barela added.

ICE sign

Protesters call for the release of immigration detainees Wednesday outside the Torrance County Detention Facility.

The Torrance facility is one of three immigration detention centers in the state and has become a political flashpoint since the Trump administration vastly ramped up deportation efforts earlier this year. Immigrant advocates have long decried reports of inhumane conditions at the facility. Supporters have denied these reports and say the prison is an important economic driver for the rural community.

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A bill to ban immigration detention facilities in New Mexico passed the House during this year's regular legislative session but stalled in the Senate. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office has said she plans to bring the issue back up during the 30-day 2026 session that starts in January.

CoreCivic  the private prison operator that owns and operates the facility  referred questions to ICE, which did not respond to an email sent to its media line seeking comment.

A coalition of immigration advocates held a protest vigil outside the facility Wednesday evening calling for the release of people being held there, according to Innovation Law Lab Director Ian Philabaum.

The detention center administration responded by preventing the immigrant advocacy group's legal team and volunteers from holding a weekly legal orientation inside the detention facility Thursday, Philabaum said.

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"About 30 minutes after our team got there, they were informed our legal visit was being terminated due to an ongoing investigation into the protest," Philabaum said.

"We were informed it was temporary, just for today, and future legal visits would move forward as planned, but we are concerned people were being turned away today because ICE and CoreCivic took exception to a peaceful protest ... while they are continuing to operate despite expiration of the contract that permits them to do so," Philabaum said.

According to a document provided by Innovation Law Lab, ICE policy states: "Agreements for bed space have a specified period of performance that automatically expire if a new option period is not exercised or if the contract or agreement is not renewed. In these cases, all noncitizens and ICE equipment must be removed from the facility on or before the expiration of the period of performance."

Exact population counts for ICE facilities have been difficult to come by. However Philabaum said Innovation Law Lab estimates about 600 immigration detainees are currently housed at the Estancia prison.

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"There are people from all over the world there," Philabaum said.

More and more, Philabaum said, the population inside the Torrance County facility seems to be made up of people who have been living in the U.S. for decades, including people who are married to U.S citizens or have children who are citizens, and even some who have worked for the federal government.

"They are now detained in this facility and are being deported and are flabbergasted that the place where they live is now condemning them for being who they've always been and threatening to rip them apart from their community even further," Philabaum said.

The group is also hearing "more and more" that ICE officers are increasingly telling detainees not to bother fighting their deportation, he said.

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ICE group protesters

Protesters call for the release of immigration detainees Wednesday outside the Torrance County Detention Facility.

"ICE officers are now just saying, 'I don't know why you're trying so hard. You are here because you're going to get deported, and you just need to accept it,'  Philabaum said.

Santa Fe architect Beverly Spears, who volunteers with Innovation Law Lab, was one of those who attended Wednesday's protest.

"I am dismayed that what ICE is doing through CoreCivic is happening here in New Mexico and in fact so near Santa Fe," she said in a phone interview Thursday.

"This horror is happening right in our backyard, and I felt compelled to do something," she added.
A man was arrested this week after a traffic stop involving a stolen vehicle led to authorities carrying out a search warrant.

As a result of the search at his home in Manchester, police reported finding multiple firearms  including an assault weapon  and enough marijuana to accuse him of operating a drug factory.

Ocarterria Johnson, 25, was arrested this week when he was stopped outside his home and was found to be driving a vehicle that was reported stolen in New York, according to Lt. Nicholas Reinert of the Manchester Police Department.

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During the stop, Reinert said, officers found a substantial quantity of marijuana and other items commonly used in the distribution of controlled substances. Investigators then obtained a search and seizure warrant for the residence and reported finding more marijuana, an unspecified amount of cash and three firearms, according to Reinert.

Reinert said one of the guns was an assault weapon and the other two had serial numbers that appeared to be altered or obliterated.

Johnson was held in lieu of $750,000 bail pending an appearance in Manchester Superior Court.

He is charged with two counts of altering or removing identification marks on a firearm and a single count each of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a motor vehicle with a changed identification number, illegal alteration of a motor vehicle with a changed identification number, possession of marijuana, sale of a controlled substance, interfering with an officer, first-degree criminal mischief, operating a drug factory, illegal possession of an assault weapon and illegal possession of large capacity magazines.

Reinert said the investigation remains active.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Many flyers are concerned about what airports will look like during the holiday travel season. Foot traffic was relatively light at the Albuquerque International Sunport on Friday afternoon. Travelers have expressed that they are not particularly worried about flights arriving or departing from the Sunport; however, they are concerned that if the government shutdown continues, it could significantly impact their holiday plans.

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Were hoping that things will change for the better because we certainly love flying. Its much easier and more convenient, and were looking forward to it, one traveler said.

TSA agents and air traffic controllers have been working without pay for over a month due to the shutdown, leading federal aviation officials to restrict air traffic at 40 airports until the government reopens. The Sunport is not one of those airports, but with the holiday season starting in three weeks, travelers are hopeful that the government will resume operations and air travel can return to normal.

I certainly hope that we settle things long before then. Id like to see both parties come together and find solutions rather than holding Americans hostage, which I feel is happening right now, one passenger mentioned.

The Sunport informed KRQE News 13 that it is too early to determine if the FAAs reduction in domestic flight capacity will cause issues, but they are advising travelers to arrive early, just in case.

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Friday marks 37 days since the government shutdown began, making it the longest in U.S. history.

For a list of the cities impacted, click this link.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
The Trump administration rushed to the Supreme Court late Friday to request a stay of a lower courts order to pay full food stamp benefits in November.

The move came before the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals acted on an urgent appeal from the Trump administration. The appeals court denied the request for an administrative stay shortly after the Justice Department approached the high court, although the administrations emergency appeal to the justices remains pending.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the Supreme Court to grant a stay by no later than 9:30 p.m. Friday, so the administration would not have to make an irretrievable transfer of billions of dollars by the days end.

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Once those billions are out the door, there is no ready mechanism for the government to recover those funds  to the significant detriment of those other critical social programs whose budgets the district court ordered the government to raid, Sauer wrote.

The Trump administrations high court appeal will be directed initially to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who oversees emergency matters arising from the 1st Circuit. The Biden appointee could act on the stay request herself or refer the matter to the full court.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, which provides food aid for 42 million Americans, ran out of funding Nov. 1 for the first time in its history.

The appeals court noted in denying the immediate stay that the administration did not dispute its ability to tap into an account known as Section 32 for November SNAP benefits. The appeals courts ruling Friday night was issued by Chief Judge David Barron, an Obama appointee, along with Judges Gustavo Gelpi and Julie Rikelman, both Biden appointees.

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Justice Department attorneys filed an emergency motion at the 1st Circuit earlier Friday to stay a lower courts order to fully fund SNAP benefits for November. The Trump administration has contended that fully funding the program could lead to budget problems for other child nutrition programs later this year.

The governments decision not to handicap one program to backstop another was eminently reasonable, not arbitrary and capricious, Sauer wrote in the emergency appeal to the Supreme Court.

While waiting for an order Friday from the appeals court, USDA told states that it was working to comply with a lower courts order to fund SNAP for November, as POLITICO first reported. Some states have already administered benefits with the funds USDA previously made available, but its not clear what will happen to that money as the court case continues.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed Friday their administrations would move forward with paying full benefits.

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States, local governments and nonprofits have rapidly assembled initiatives to fill the gap left by the lapse in SNAP benefits. But anti-hunger advocates have warned that it isnt enough to meet the needs of low-income families who have relied on the program.

Administration officials previously agreed to comply with two separate court orders to dip into a SNAP contingency fund, which has enough money to administer partial November benefits. But partial benefits are more difficult for states to administer, and federal and state officials have said it could delay the funds by weeks or even months.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr.s order threatened to sway congressional negotiations to reopen the government.
Nov. 8 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said the United States will not participate in the upcoming G20 conference in South Africa due to that nation's alleged racial policies and killings of Afrikaners.

The G20 is scheduled Nov. 22 and 23 at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg, but the president cited the treatment of Dutch, French and German settlers and migrants as a cause for boycotting the event.

"It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa," Trump said in a Truth Social post on Friday.

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"Afrikaners ... are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated," the president said. "No U.S. government official will attend as long as these human rights abuses continue."

Afrikaners have experienced rising hostility from some politicians and others in South Africa, including those who encourage violence and land confiscation.

The nation's Expropriation Act of 2024 enables the South African government to confiscate land for public use, and without paying in some instances, in order to address matters involving equity, according to Fox News.

Many view the act as a mechanism to target white South African farmers and take their land without compensation, and Trump has accused South Africa of engaging in genocide.

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The South African foreign ministry denied any racial oppression had occurred in a prepared statement shared with the BBC.

"The South African government wishes to state, for the record, that the characterization of Afrikaners as an exclusively white group is ahistorical," the foreign ministry said.

"Furthermore, the claim that this community faces persecution is not substantiated by fact."

When South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Trump at the White House in May, the president raised the matter of genocide against Caucasians in South Africa.

Ramaphosa denied any genocide has occurred and cited prior oppression of South Africans.

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"We cannot equate what is alleged to be genocide to what we went through in the struggle because people were killed because of the oppression that was taking place in our country," Ramaphosa told the president.

Trump then played a video that allegedly showed white crosses placed along a South African highway to mark where the bodies of white farmers are buried, Fox News reported.

Ramaphosa asked where the white crosses were located and said he never had seen the alleged video evidence.

Trump has granted refugee status to Afrikaners despite the South African government earlier saying claims of genocide are "widely discredited and unsupported by reliable evidence," the BBC reported.

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The G20 is a collection of 19 nations, plus the European Union, and was formed in 1999 to promote global economic stability in the wake of Asian financial troubles.

The G20 collectively represents 85% of the world's economic output and two-thirds of its population and meets annually to discuss matters affecting member states and the world.

The United States is scheduled to host the annual event next year in Miami.
Nov. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Friday night temporarily froze a lower court order that required the Trump administration to quickly provide full federal food benefits to roughly 42 million Americans.

In a flury of legal activity Friday night, an appeals court upheld a district judge's order and subsequently the Trump administration appealed to the high court regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments for November. Then, Brown issued the temporary stay.

This all came one day after Rhode Island District Judge Jack McConnell ordered full payments for November.

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In a two-page order, the liberal justice said she issued the order to give the 1st Circuit Court time in Boston for a final resolution rather than a temporary stay. She issued her order around 9 p.m. EST, three hours after the appeals ruling.

The nine justices are assigned jurisdiction over the 13 circuits.

"Given the First Circuit's representations, an administrative stay is required to facilitate the First Circuit's expeditious resolution of the pending stay motion," Jackson, the latest confirmed justice, wrote.

She said the appeals court is expected to "issue with dispatch" a ruling. Brown's stay will terminate 48 hours after the resolution.

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"The Supreme Court just granted our administrative stay in this case," Attorney General Palm Bondi posted on X. "Our attorneys will not stop fighting, day and night, to defend and advance President Trump's agenda."

Shortly after the circuit court decision at 6:08 p.m. EST, she wrote: "Judicial activism at its worst. A single district court in Rhode Island should not be able to seize center stage in the shutdown, seek to upend political negotiations that could produce swift political solutions for SNAP and other programs, and dictate its own preferences for how scarce federal funds should be spent."

The 1st District Circuit left in place a decision on Thursday by McConnell, who ordered the administration to pay out the full benefits within one day, saying, "People have gone without for too long."

The three-member appeals court's decision means the U.S. Department of Agriculture must take steps to disperse the electronic payments, which are staggered each month. Earlier Friday, the agency said it notified states that it is working to process the payments.

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The panel was Chief Appellate Judge David Barron, appointed by President Barack Obama, and Gustavo Atavo Gelpi Jr. and Julie Rikelman, both picked by President Joe Biden.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in a 21-page Supreme Court filing: "Pulling billions of dollars from the Child Nutrition Programs would jeopardize those programs' ability to fully operate this year - putting at risk critical food-assistance initiatives relied upon by millions of children every day, and raiding a program that Congress did fund to instead extend one that Congress has not funded."

Sauer asked the high court to issue a stay by 9:30 p.m. "As explained, the government will be forced to make an irretrievable transfer of billions of dollars by the end of today, absent this intervention," he wrote. "And the harms of that decision will vest this evening, regardless of what this Court ultimately does with respect to the flawed decisions below. An administrative stay is badly needed."

Seven days ago, McDonnell and U.S. District Court of Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani told the Trump administration to access available funds to continue. They were both nominated by Obama.

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On Monday, the administration told the judge it only had reserved money to pay out 50% of the total $9 billion cost. Then, it was raised to 65%.

The judge directed USDA to find $4 billion "in the metaphorical couch cushions."

McConnell said the administration could use Section 32 funds, which the USDA uses to help with child nutrition programs. But the administration rejected that plan.

In the appeal, DOJ claimed that the judge's order "makes a mockery of the separation of powers." Lawyers said transferring funds would mean diverting money from Child Nutrition Programs.

"Unfortunately, by injecting itself with its erroneous short-term solution, the district court has scrambled ongoing political negotiations, extending the shutdown and thus undercutting its own objective of ensuring adequate funding for SNAP and all other crucial safety-net programs," they said.

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Plaintiffs in the case, which are nonprofit organizations, asked for the full payment, and McConnell agreed.

"The evidence shows that people will go hungry, food pantries will be overburdened, and needless suffering will occur" if SNAP is not fully funded, he said.

"While the president of the United States professes a commitment to helping those it serves, the government's actions tell a different story," McConnell wrote in a written order.

The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1, and the shutdown is now the longest in history.

In every past shutdown, emergency funds have been used to fund the program.

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McConnell also mentioned a social media post that Trump made, saying he refused to release any more funds until "the radical-left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before."

The post was used as evidence that the administration would ignore McConnell's order.
President Donald Trump careened into the weekend with no sign of abandoning his futile kill the filibuster strategy to end the shutdown, despite a stinging week of political rebukes.

Trump on Friday repeated his calls for Senate Republicans to terminate the 60-vote Senate rule  a nuclear off-ramp that even he has admitted has little chance of becoming reality. Those demands, echoed by administration officials, including Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, came after deep Republican losses during Tuesdays off-year elections, a Supreme Court hearing that called Trumps tariff power into doubt and new signs of cracking in public support for his partys handling of the shutdown.

I am totally in favor of terminating the filibuster, and we would be back to work within 10 minutes after that vote took place, Trump told reporters Friday. It doesnt make any sense that a Republican would not want to do that.

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The presidents insistence on an unproductive filibuster strategy  and Senate Republicans exhibiting a rare refusal to go along with his agenda  provides little clarity on how the shutdown, now in its 39th day, may end. Shortly after Trump demanded senators remain in Washington to reach a deal, Majority Leader John Thune said he would bring the chamber back on Saturday. But what, if anything, senators vote on this weekend is unknown.

Trumps posture reflects his belief that hes in a filibuster arms race with Democrats, who he fears would immediately repeal the rule if they retake the chamber and use it to pass sweeping legislation. The push mirrors the failed effort he deployed during his first term to scrap the filibuster, as he similarly warned that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats would do it if Republicans didnt. Democrats did not.

The president is showing the American people that hes looking at this from every angle to end the shutdown, and hes willing to call out his own party to do something, said a former Trump official, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly.

Theres a political tool piece of this, the former official added.

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Democrats victories by higher-than-expected margins in Tuesdays elections  when an ideologically diverse set of candidates won on a common message about cost-of-living  alarmed the White House and buoyed the faction of the Democratic Party urging senators to lock in and fight for health care subsidy concessions. Trump this week said the shutdown contributed to Republican losses, as he and his allies only intensified their pleas to terminate the filibuster in order to advance his agenda ahead of next years midterms.

If Republicans in the Senate capitulate, itll be a mess. I do. I think itll be bad for the party, said Alex Bruesewitz, an outside Trump adviser. And I hope Republicans in the Senate learn how to fight for their voters. Otherwise, I dont think that theyre going to continue to get elected. I really dont, which is unfortunate, but I think the president and his judgment should be trusted by now.

But the presidents allies also concede that the White House knows the votes arent there, and that Trumps filibuster talk is part of a broader messaging push to gain shutdown leverage.

I think theyre gonna cut a deal, I really do, said one longtime White House ally. The person, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly, added that Trump was using the threat of filibuster repeal to scare the Democrats into cutting a deal.

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He wants to get things done, the person added. Hes frustrated by whats going on in Congress.

But Democrats efforts on Friday also did little to advance those negotiations. Republicans balked at Schumers counterproposal: attaching a one-year extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies to a spending stopgap.

A White House official, granted anonymity to speak about internal thinking, described Schumers proposal as a massive climbdown from Democrats initial position and shows theyre under massive internal pressure.

They should open the government, and well meet with them on the tax credit and work with them on it, the official said, reiterating that the White Houses position has not changed.

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Republican leaders also criticized Schumers latest offer, with Thune calling it a nonstarter and saying the Obamacare extension is the negotiation.

The president, for his part, left Washington for Mar-a-Lago on Friday, despite his call for the Senate to remain in session. But Trump didnt offer any clarity on what sort of deal, if anything, he might support to reopen federal agencies.

If they cant reach a Deal, the president said in a Truth Social post, the Republicans should terminate the Filibuster, IMMEDIATELY, and take care of our Great American Workers!


President Donald Trump dropped a new plan to terminate Obamacare in a Saturday morning Truth Social rant in which he appeared to support a form of the subsidies that are at the heart of the government shutdown.

Trump has spent several days trying to deny that there is any problem with affordability after he and his party took a shellacking on Election Day, and as his administration fights an order to pay SNAP benefits to 42 million Americans during the shutdown. And air travelers have begun to experience delays due to a shutdown-related reduction in flights.

The president has been encouraging Republicans in the Senate to end the shutdown by nuking the filibuster, which was the theme of his early-morning Truth Social posts.

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But he also floated a plan to give premium subsidies  the sticking point for Democrats  directly to Americans. Trump wrote:

I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over. In other words, take from the BIG, BAD Insurance Companies, give it to the people, and terminate, per Dollar spent, the worst Healthcare anywhere in the World, ObamaCare. Unrelated, we must still terminate the Filibuster!

Trump wasnt clear on how consumers would purchase health care from someone other than an insurance company. Trump also overestimated the amount of premium support being paid out, which is estimated at about $138 billion for 2025.

The post came minutes after Trump wrote in another rant that The Democrats are winning in that they are destroying our great, miracle economy, which is exactly what they set out to do. TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!

The post Trump Drops New Plan To Terminate Obamacare In Saturday Morning Rant first appeared on Mediaite.
President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the U.S. governments decision to withdraw some troops from Romania as Bucharest seeks a reversal of the move, warning of continued threats on NATOs eastern flank.

Trump, taking questions during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House, was asked why the Pentagon was scaling down troops in Romania just weeks after Trump said the U.S. would not pull troops out of Europe.

We make changes. We move  its the same number, total number, but we move people around. I happen to like the Romanian people. I think theyre great people, Trump said.

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Hegseth said the decision was coordinate with the White House.

Its all part of the view that we have of Europe. And there will remain troops in Romania, but theres some change in how we rotate and how many..,Hegseth said, adding that the decision was coordinated with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, U.S. European Command and that allies were notified in advance.

Last week, the U.S. said it would cut back about 800 infantry brigade troops, a decision that affected Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria. Still, 1,000 U.S. soldiers will remain deployed in Romania.

The move instantly sparked pushback from Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the chair of the House Armed Services Committee, along with other lawmakers, arguing the decision was not coordinated with Congress and NATO.

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Romanian State Secretary for Defense Sorin Moldovan said on Thursday that the U.S. should reverse the move, adding it is not a good sign for the bilateral relationship between Washington and Bucharest.

I believe this decision can be overturned  and it should be overturned, Moldovan told Politico Europe.

We need to have a stronger bilateral talk with the U.S. to make the current administration understand that the threat is here on the eastern flank, the countrys deputy defense minister said.

The drawback of U.S. forces comes as NATO countries contend with recent airspace incursions by Russia as the war in Ukraine continues in its fourth year.

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Rutte downplayed the decision on Wednesday during his visit to Bucharest, saying the move takes place all the time and that NATO can always scale up collectively, including in Romania.

Moldovan, the deputy defense minister, concurred, but argued that the decision could help ignite Russias propaganda of the absence of unity within NATO.

If we speak on operational levels, nothing has changed since the withdrawal, Moldovan said on Thursday.

But the  political symbolism is a bit weird to have right now, he said.

The issue around informing Congress about the withdrawal of troops from Romania came up during Tuesdays Senate Armed Services Committee, where several GOP senators argued that members of the panel were not briefed on the decision prior to it being reported by the news media.

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I think all of us would like to have more information on how the decision was made, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US President Donald Trump hosted leaders of five Central Asian countries at the White House on Thursday as he intensifies efforts to acquire rare earth metals needed for the production of high-tech devices, including smartphones, electric cars and fighter jets.

Trump and the presidents of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan held bilateral meetings in the Oval Office before having a working dinner.

These nations were once home to the ancient Silk Road connecting the East and West, Trump said, while noting that sadly, previous American presidents neglected this region completely.

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I understand the importance of this region, a lot of people dont know that, he added.

Central Asia holds deep reserves of rare earth minerals and produces roughly half the worlds uranium, which is critical to nuclear power production. The region needs further investment to further develop its resources.

US President Donald Trump and his administration attend a dinner with leaders from countries in Central Asia at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 - Jacquelyn Martin/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved

"In recent weeks, my administration has strengthened American economic security by forging agreements with allies and friends across the world to broaden our critical minerals supply chains, Trump stressed.

We oftentimes spend so much time focused on crisis and problems  and they deserve attention  that sometimes we dont spend enough time focused on exciting new opportunities, said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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And thats what exists here now: an exciting new opportunity in which the national interests of our respective countries are aligned, he added.

Uzbekistan keen to boost ties with the US

Before the summit, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House to discuss ways to strengthen the US-Uzbek strategic partnership, enhance political dialogue, and expand trade, economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

Both sides emphasised the importance of implementing the agreements reached during their previous meeting in New York in September, on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly High-level week.

During the meeting, President Mirziyoyev proposed around 10 key initiatives. Those include the establishment of a permanent secretariat to ensure continuous coordination among member countries, creating a coordination council to on investment and trade to strengthen economic ties and launching the Central Asian Investment Partnership Fund to attract and manage joint investments in key projects.

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attends a dinner with leaders from countries in Central Asia and Trump, at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 - Jacquelyn Martin/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved

Mirziyoyev also proposed building better transport, communications and energy infrastructure between the region and Europe, and establishing a special committee to oversee the exploration, extraction and processing of critical minerals.

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The Uzbek leader also told Trump that more work is needed to modernise the regions agricultural technology through US innovation, as well as to promote Uzbek cultural heritage in major US museums.

I am confident that advanced American experience and technology, combined with the region's skilled human resources, industrial capacity, and resource potential, can yield tangible results in the very near future, said Sherzod Asadov, press secretary to the president of Uzbekistan.

President Donald Trump attends a dinner with leaders from countries in Central Asia, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 - Jacquelyn Martin/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved

Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the Central Asian country is set to dramatically boost its investment in the US in a deal he hailed as incredible.

According to Trump, Uzbekistan plans to purchase and invest nearly $35 billion (30.3 billion) over the next three years, and more than $100 billion (86.6 billion) within the next decade, in key US sectors such as critical minerals, aviation, automotive, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and technology.

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He also expressed gratitude to Mirziyoyev, describing him as highly respected, and said he looks forward to a long and productive partnership between the two nations.

At the conclusion of the negotiations, Mirziyoyev invited Donald Trump to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan at a mutually convenient time.

Kazakhstan to join Trumps 2020 Abraham Accords

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was also involved in negotiations to further strengthen his countrys ties with Washington.

Tokayev reached several agreements with the US president, ranging from joint ventures to increased investments.

The US and Kazakhstan have agreed to jointly embark on a venture to explore one of the largest undeveloped tungsten deposits in the world -- the Northern Katpar and Upper Kairakty.

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US-based Cove Kaz Capital Group is set to acquire a 70% stake in a joint project with Kazakhstans state mining company, Tau-Ken Samruk, to develop one of the worlds largest undeveloped tungsten deposits.

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attends a dinner with leaders from countries in Central Asia and Trump at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, - Jacquelyn Martin/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved

The venture, valued at $1.1 billion (952 million), has received a letter of interest from the US Export-Import Bank to provide up to $900 million (779 million) in financing. The deal was signed on the sidelines of the C5+1 summit, between Nariman Absametov, Head of Tau-Ken Samruk, and Pini Althaus, CEO of Cove Capital.

The project is in a preparatory stage, with work expected to commence in the near future to unearth deposits, estimated to house around 410,000 tonnes of tungsten, significantly boosting the local mining industry.

The meeting also reached an agreement for the US to sell up to a combined 37 Boeing jets to the national airlines of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, some of the rising players in the regions commercial aviation space.

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The Kazakh president also announced support for Trump, who he praised as a president of peace, and committed his country to an initiative he hailed as remarkable for regional peace: the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalised ties between Israel and several Arab countries.

By joining the Abraham Accords, Kazakhstan seeks to contribute to overcoming confrontation, promoting dialogue, and upholding international law based on the UN Charter, said a statement by the presidential press service.

The decision does not affect Kazakhstans bilateral commitments with any state and represents a natural continuation of the countrys multi-vector diplomacy aimed at fostering peace and security, the statement added.

The meeting also led to deals to boost collaboration in the digital space. The owner of Kazakhstans Alatau City Bank, Vyacheslav Kim, signed an agreement, facilitated by the Kazakh Ministry of AI and Digital Development, worth $300 million (260 million) with DDH, to strengthen the partnership in digital mining and modernise energy and computing infrastructure.

Tokayev described his Washington visit and talks with Trump as productive and reaffirmed his countrys commitment to further strengthening its strategic partnership with the United States in the years and decades to follow.
A grim picture of Pakistan's environmental and economic future emerged at the 28th Sustainable Development Conference, where experts from leading International Financial Institutions (IFIs), including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed deep concern over the country's worsening climate vulnerability, rapid population growth, and unchecked environmental degradation, as reported by Dawn. According to Dawn, World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgabazar cautioned that Pakistan ranks among the most climate-threatened countries, facing rising pollution levels, recurring floods, and depleting natural resources. She warned that the combination of a booming population and environmental mismanagement poses long-term risks to both ecological and economic stability. The World Bank's Climate and Country Development Report, she noted, predicts a potential 20 to 30 per cent drop in Pakistan's GDP by 2050 if corrective action is not urgently taken. Amgabazar emphasised the importance of predictable and multi-year funding mechanisms to effectively confront the climate emergency. She pointed to the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework, a USD 20 billion, two-decade financing plan that will help Pakistan design and implement future projects geared toward sustainable development. In addition, IMF Country Representative Mahir Binici stated that the recently approved USD 1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) will bolster Pakistan's ability to cope with environmental shocks. He emphasised that the RSF, operating alongside the ongoing Extended Fund Facility (EFF), aims to integrate climate-focused policies into Pakistan's financial and development planning, marking a crucial step toward long-term sustainability, as cited by Dawn. Binici further revealed that, starting from the next fiscal year, projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) will undergo climate-based evaluation to enhance transparency and resource management. Meanwhile, UNDP Resident Representative Samuel Rizk noted that sustainable development financing is now more critical than ever, stating that governments, in partnership with global and private institutions, must lead the effort. Experts have unanimously warned that without decisive reforms, transparent governance, and committed funding, Pakistan risks spiralling into an irreversible climate and economic crisis. This warning demands immediate attention from Pakistan's leadership, as reported by Dawn. (ANI)
The U.S. will boycott this months G20 summit in South Africa, Donald Trump announced on Friday, repeating his unfounded claims of an ongoing genocide against white people in the country.

It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa, Trump wrote on Truth Social of the upcoming summit, which begins on November 22. Afrikaners (People who are descended from Dutch settlers, and also French and German immigrants) are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated. No U.S. Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue.

The Independent has contacted the South African embassy in Washington for comment.

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Throughout this year, the president has echoed viral misinformation and claimed that white people, in particular farmers, are being killed in a genocide in South Africa. South African officials, outside observers, and a prominent group representing Afrikaner farmers have all denied such a campaign is taking place.

The president has pointed to inflammatory comments from a fringe politician in South Africa and a newly passed land seizure law as evidence of his unfounded remarks, including during a tense Oval Office in May meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed theres an ongoing white genocide in South Africa, even as officials and outside observers say theres no real evidence of this (Getty Images)

At the meeting, Ramaphosa vigorously denied any genocide is taking place and said the official has no genuine power in the country, while comparing the land seizure law to the U.S. use of eminent domain.

In May, South Africas Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said there were six farm killings between January and March, five of whose victims were Black. During the previous quarter, 12 people were murdered on farms, only one of whom was white.

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In February, a South African court dismissed claims of a white genocide as clearly imagined.

Despite the dearth of evidence, the U.S. has used claims of a white genocide to reshape major parts of its immigration policy.

The Trump administration has largely frozen refugee admissions, though in May a small group of Afrikaners were let into the country, even as their home country denied they were refugees at all.

Since then, the White House has shrunken the overall refugee cap from 125,000 people per year to 7,500, with most slots reserved for white South Africans.

Refugee groups have criticized the move, arguing it shifts U.S. policy away from need-based consideration, instead returning the country to the prior centurys history of explicitly racial immigration policies.

At a time of crisis in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Venezuela to Sudan and beyond, concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the programs purpose as well as its credibility, Krish OMara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, said last month.
By Richard Cowan and Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Bipartisan talks in the U.S. Senate to end the federal shutdown have taken a positive turn, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Saturday, with lawmakers working on deals to temporarily reopen the government and introduce three longer-term funding bills for some agencies.

Asked by reporters whether there have been bipartisan talks within the last 24 hours that have been positive in nature, Thune, a South Dakota Republican, responded, "Yeah. I'd say so."

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Saturday marked the 39th day of the federal shutdown, which has already sidelined many federal workers and affected food aid, air travel and national parks. After weeks of faltering talks, Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate seemed to start negotiating in earnest late this week.

Lawmakers on Saturday had hoped to unveil the full text of three fiscal 2026 full-year funding measures for agriculture, food and nutrition programs, along with money for military construction projects, veterans' programs and funding to operate Congress, according to Republican senators. The proposals would fund those operations through September 30, 2026.

But the workday ended with no bipartisan deals announced on reopening the government and no release to the public of full-year funding bills.

The Senate will try again with a rare Sunday session.

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Meanwhile, senators have been working on a stopgap measure that would buy them more time to reach a deal on the remaining nine "discretionary" spending bills for the rest of the federal government, such as agencies for homeland security, defense, housing and health.

North Dakota Republican Senator John Hoeven told reporters that the short-term funding, now set to expire on November 21, would be updated with new legislation to reopen the government and keep it funded through late January.

Despite Thune's upbeat talk, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday attacked the Trump administration for withholding SNAP food stamp funding and accused it of playing "politics" by imposing reduced airline flights at certain airports. Schumer on the Senate floor complained that Republicans "stormed out of the gate" on Friday to reject Democrats' call for a one-year extension of an expiring health insurance subsidy as part of legislation to reopen the government.

The support of at least eight Democrats is likely needed for the shutdown logjam to be broken. Thune did not say how Republicans would handle Democrats' demands to extend subsidies used by 24 million people in the Affordable Care Act's health insurance marketplaces.

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President Donald Trump "wants to have a solution to the healthcare crisis in this country, which is skyrocketing premiums," Thune said. But Republicans have said they will not negotiate on health insurance subsidies until the shutdown ends.

Trump on Saturday urged Republican senators to redirect federal money used to subsidize health insurance under the Affordable Care Act toward direct payments to individuals. While some Republican senators have voiced support, Democrats so far have largely been silent.

"I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over," Trump wrote on Truth Social, without offering details.

The ACA marketplaces allow people to buy policies directly from health insurers and mainly serve people who do not have coverage through employers or the Medicare and Medicaid government programs.

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Representatives for the White House did not respond to a request for comment on Trump's post.

Trump's comments came after the Senate rejected legislation on Friday that would have resumed paychecks for hundreds of thousands of federal workers during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The record-long shutdown was taking its toll on many programs.

For example, some 10,000 young children and families have been left without Head Start early-learning and nutrition programs because of closures in 18 states and Puerto Rico, according to the First Five Years Fund, which advocates for childcare and early learning programs at the federal level.

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These programs had October 1 and November 1 deadlines for the federal government renewing their grants. Those approvals froze with the start of the shutdown on October 1 when appropriated funding ran out.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan and Susan Heavey; additional reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Sergio Non, Alistair Bell and Chizu Nomiyama )
Tucker Carlson had a specific thing he wanted to say in his controversial interview with Nick Fuentes and he accomplished it.

In an interview with Megyn Kelly on Thursdays episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Carlson defended his choice to have white supremacist Fuentes on his show. After weeks of privately fighting, there was something he had to say to the extremist.

I wanted to say something very specific to Nick Fuentes  and I said it, which is, I think its totally legitimate to criticize any foreign country, from Belgium to Congo to Israel, because theyre foreign countries, the Tucker Carlson Show host said. And Ill never give up that right. In fact, its an obligation, I would say, and to be reasonable about it  but whats in Americas interest totally legitimate. It is totally illegitimate and very specifically, unchristian to attack people for their DNA, like I hate this group  We all have to hear that, and because that is the basis of Western civilization.

He went on to say the backlash shocked him. It did not take long for many on the Republican side of the aisle to condemn Carlson platforming someone like Fuentes. The former Fox News host said he knew it would ruffle feathers but he did not expect so many tuning in on the conversation.

I decided to do it, and I thought it would be controversial, Carlson added. I didnt think it would become what its become. Im not going to offer any defense other than  Its kind of interesting  Ive interviewed anybody. Im doing this for 34 years, so Ive interviewed everybody, most of them, bad people, to be honest, right? I interviewed Liberian militia leaders during the Liberian Civil War, all cannibals, every single one of them had tasted human flesh.

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Everyone from the Daily Wires Ben Shapiro to Bari Weiss The Free Press to the editorial board of Rupert Murdochs Wall Street Journal eviscerated Carlson for platforming a far-right figure whos made his hatred of Jews a facet of his appeal.

Mark Goldfeder, CEO and director of the nonprofit National Jewish Advocacy Center, resigned from the National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, a project that falls under the Heritage Foundation after the conservative think tanks leadership chose to defend and even celebrate Tucker Carlsons decision. In his resignation later posted to X, Goldfeder said that while the Heritage has done valuable work  I cannot serve under someone who thinks Nazis are worth debating.

That also led to Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts, who initially defended Carlsons choice to interview Fuentes, to apologize. He informed his staff this week that he made a mistake.

You can say youre not going to participate in canceling someone  while also being clear youre not endorsing everything theyve said, youre not endorsing softball interviews, youre not endorsing putting people on shows, and I shouldve made that clear, Roberts said.

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You can watch the full The Megyn Kelly show segment in the video above.

The post Tucker Carlson Says He Told White Supremacist Nick Fuentes Exactly What He Wanted to in Controversial Interview | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Democrats notched some major electoral wins on Tuesday in a handful of blue states, not only handing them power but also injecting some much-needed enthusiasm that the party has been lacking since President Donald Trump won last November.

To recap: Democrats won the governors races in Virginia and New Jersey, the mayoral race in New York City, and passed an initiative to alter the congressional map in California to give them an advantage in 2026.

It was a sweeping win for Democrats across the board  and its getting them thinking about what worked (and perhaps what didnt) as they hope to flip control of Congress next year.

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Their takeaway so far? Trump was a drag on Republicans.

I think it is fair to say that last nights election from coast to coast was a sweeping indictment and condemnation of Trumpism, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., told reporters on Wednesday. And one of the reasons for that is people understand that right now, their health care premiums under the Affordable Care Act are going to double, and in my state, in some cases, triple and quadruple. People understand that 15 million people will be thrown off of Medicaid.

The results of that condemnation were clear in Virginia, home to thousands of federal workers impacted by the administrations job cuts and the government shutdown. All but five of the states 95 counties shifted to the left compared to how they voted in 2024, propelling Democrats to win the governor, attorney general and lieutenant governor races  and to grow the partys majority in the House of Delegates from 51 to 64 seats.

Several Democratic senators told me they think Tuesdays elections have made clear what they need to hammer Republicans on: the economy.

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The American public wants people to solve problems, to address the prices, the grocery store, clothing, all of the above, and meet them where they are, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said on Wednesday. Republicans who are in control in this administration are not doing any of that.

That message, Masto said, would appeal to a wide range of voter demographics, including those that were crucial to Trumps win last year. Exit polls from Tuesday proved that voters consistently said the economy and affordability were top concerns.

House Democrats are also feeling bullish, pointing to this weeks wins as evidence they are in prime position to flip the lower chamber out of GOP control next year.

Democrats have all of the momentum in the world, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said on Wednesday. Republicans woke up this morning and realized that they are no longer in a 2024 electoral environment.

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Some Democrats even saw Tuesday as a referendum on Trumps agenda. California Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated historic voter turnout for one ballot item, Proposition 50, which combatted the GOP efforts to pick up House seats in next years election.

The turnout, Newsom argued, was a message to Trump following months of protests to the administrations actions. Exit polls show Californians were angry with Trump over immigration and the National Guard, backing up the governors point.

Still, the moment may send mixed messages to Democratic leaders about where the party should head before the midterms. A Democratic socialist won in New York, but in Virginia and New Jersey, centrist Democrats took home the election victory. It leaves questions about which campaign messages Democrats will adopt for themselves next year.

What are Republicans thinking about the off-year elections? Long story short: Hold your horses.

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There were no surprises on Tuesday night. You had blue states and blue cities that voted blue to the alarm of no one, to the surprise of no one, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said. It just so happened that New York and New Jersey and Virginia were the states that were in the national spotlight on Tuesday. If the tables had been turned  we would have an entirely different narrative that you all would be writing about.

Trump weighed in during a Wednesday morning breakfast with Senate Republicans, both admitting that the results werent great for the GOP but also brushing aside real concerns.

I dont think it was good for Republicans, he said. I dont think its good.

He also added that the government shutdown likely added to the partys losses  and the fact that he wasnt on the ballot.

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But regardless of how you interpret the results of Tuesdays races, it sets the stage for how parties will approach the midterm cycle  which officially begins now.

Stories Driving the Week

Deseret News launches Deseret Voices podcast

The Deseret News is starting a podcast!

The show will post weekly video and audio episodes bringing depth, nuance and respect to conversations about todays most complex topics and current events. Each episode features an interview led by one of the hosts with high-profile newsmakers, politicians, advocates and experts with extensive backgrounds in the issues that are dominating our societal, political and cultural conversations.

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Meet your hosts: McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson.

Jane has spent more than three decades reporting at the highest levels of American journalism. Her award-winning work has taken her around the globe, as an anchor and correspondent at CBS News, ABC News, and at WBUR in Boston, where she has earned a reputation for depth, empathy and clarity. Jane is the bestselling author of two books and a sought-after public speaker.

McKay is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where he focuses on national politics, religion and American life. He is also the author of the book Romney: A Reckoning and The Wilderness, and has received multiple awards for his journalism.

Episodes will be released every Thursday and you can find them on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, the Deseret News YouTube channel and at Deseret.com/podcasts. Video clips of interviews will be posted on the Deseret News social media channels including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.

Quick Hits

From the Hill: Trump warns Republicans their shutdown strategy cost them on election night.  Will Congress new backup plan end the shutdown?  Off-year elections coincide with longest shutdown record.

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From the White House: Trump celebrates capitalism following democratic socialist Zohran Mamdanis win in NYC.  Record number of Trump Cabinet members now living on military bases.  3 takeaways from Trumps 60 Minutes interview.

From the courts: Supreme Court to consider Trumps tariff authority.  Supreme Court appears skeptical of Trumps tariff defense.  Judge bars Trump from deploying National Guard to Portland until at least Friday.

Whats next

The Senate could stay in session over the weekend to finalize a deal to reopen the government, although those plans are fluid. The House could return if the Senate manages to pass a new spending resolution, but that will depend on whether the vote on Friday morning is successful.

As always, feel free to reach out to me by email with story ideas or questions you have for lawmakers. And follow me on X for breaking news and timely developments from the Hill.
Turkey on Friday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and dozens of other Israeli officials on genocide charges.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office said it has issued warrants against 37 people. Besides Netanyahu, warrants target Israels Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and military chief Eyal Zamir, among others.

The warrants charge the Israeli officials with crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Gaza and against the flotilla carrying aid to the enclave, according to the prosecutors office. That flotilla was intercepted by Israeli authorities last month.

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Israel was quick to condemn and reject the warrants.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the move a PR stunt by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In Erdogans Turkey, the judiciary has long since become a tool for silencing political rivals and detaining journalists, judges, and mayors, Saar said in a social media post, referring to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu earlier this year. Imamoglu, a key Erdogan rival, was arrested in March as part of corruption and terrorism investigations.

Hamas welcomed the warrants, saying the move confirms the noble positions of the Turkish people and its leadership.

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The Turkish warrants raised questions over what role Turkey will play in a multinational security force for Gaza to uphold the US-brokered ceasefire deal.

Earlier this week, several Muslim-majority nations met in Istanbul to discuss an international stabilization force (ISF) for Gaza, a key part of US President Donald Trumps 20-point ceasefire plan. The temporary force would train a new Palestinian police force and help stabilize the enclave.

US officials have cited Turkey, which played an important role in getting Hamas to agree to a ceasefire, as a potential participant in the force. And while its not clear what role Turkey will play in the force, Israel has made clear it is against Turkish troops in Gaza.

US Vice President JD Vance has said Israel will ultimately have to consent to any foreign troops stationed in Gaza.

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The Turkish warrants for Netanyahu and other officials come almost a year after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for the Israeli leader, accusing him of war crimes. The prime ministers office had dismissed the ICC warrant as absurd and antisemitic.

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Allowing pro-Hamas countries like Turkey and Qatar to participate in US president Donald Trumps ambitious plan to establish an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza could fatally compromise his efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue.

A key element in Trumps 20-point plan for ending the war in Gaza is the demand that Hamas completely disarms and dismantles the terrorist infrastructure that was responsible for carrying out the October 7 attacks, the worst terrorist atrocity in Israels history.

Ending Hamass malign control over Gaza would certainly be to the benefit of Israelis and Palestinians alike. Hamass removal from Gaza would significantly enhance Israels security along its southern border, while at the same time liberating Palestinian civilians from the Islamist terror groups oppressive rule.

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To achieve this goal Trump is seeking the creation of a multi-national force, mainly comprised of Muslim nations, to maintain order in the enclave until a new Palestinian government can be put in place. Washington is also calling for the establishment of a so-called Board of Peace to oversee the governance and reconstruction of Gaza, with Tony Blair being mooted as its head.

Trumps determination to ensure the current delicate ceasefire is maintained in Gaza is reflected in the effort his administration is investing in trying to persuade the UN Security Council to give its backing to the peace proposals, with the US seeking an initial two-year UN mandate for the stabilisation force. Trump says he expects the US-coordinated mission to be on the ground in Gaza very soon, and that his attempts to end hostilities are working out very well.

While Trumps enthusiasm for ending the Gaza conflict is laudable, significant obstacles still need to be overcome even if he succeeds in winning UN backing, with the Security Council due to give its initial response to the proposals on Friday.

Foremost among the challenges that lie ahead will be persuading Hamas to end its two-decade-long domination of Gazas political landscape.

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While Hamas has been willing to participate in the first phase of Trumps plan, with Israeli hostages being exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, it has so far shown no interest in disarming, which will be one of the main tasks entrusted to the proposed stabilisation force. US officials insist the force will be responsible for ensuring the process of demilitarising the territory, including destroying military infrastructure in Gaza and decommissioning militant groups weaponry.

Its ability to fulfil this vital task could be seriously undermined, though, by the participation of countries like Turkey and Qatar, which are known for their pronounced pro-Hamas sympathies.

Turkeys determination to play a prominent role in discussions on Gazas future were clearly evident at the recent summit of Muslim leaders in Istanbul, which included representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan and Indonesia.

While the assembly of this diverse group of states reflects the desire of Muslim leaders to resolve the Palestinian issue, it could also present a challenge to Trumps plan, not least because many of them are equivocal on the issue of disarming Hamas.

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Turkey, for example, which has offered to contribute to the stabilisation force, has already objected to the Board of Peace proposal, arguing that the future administration of Gaza must be undertaken solely by Palestinians following swift internal Palestinian reconciliation between Hamas and the more moderate Palestinian Authority.

Given this attitude, it is inconceivable that Turkey and Qatar have any genuine interest in disarming the terror group.

Trumps hopes of maintaining peace in Gaza will only be fulfilled if the stabilisation force is composed of countries that are committed to Hamass destruction, not actively campaigning for its survival.

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Beaver Countys declining economic metrics near local petrochemical development represent a concern for local families, but there lurks a related, less visible matter: the escalating financial costs of poor health outcomes.

On Oct. 6, Danielle Smiths article Beaver Countys Shell Plastics plant falling short on promises, report says, in The Times summarizes a new study that has determined financial opportunities are diminishing in Beaver County following huge investments in petrochemical facilities, particularly Shell Polymers Monaca (also known as the Beaver cracker plant). While this report contends that Shell Polymers Monaca is falling short on its financial promises to the region, public health research indicates that it also poses a public health liability.

By observing relationships between human health and proximity to shale gas infrastructure, including petrochemical facilities, researchers have documented increased instances of asthma, cardiovascular disease, cancers, hospitalizations and early mortality. Increased pollution leads to increased health risks for people nearby, and more treatment for pollution-based illnesses leads to more medical bills, emergency room visits, and days of missed work and school, representing negative financial impacts for families and local businesses.

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Shell Polymers almost immediately exceeded its annual pollution limit when it opened in 2022 and, to date, has submitted 80 malfunction reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, representing industrial accidents, including a fire, and unexpected emissions that can negatively impact surrounding communities.

Unfortunately, the growing body of health research is often overlooked in favor of the economic promise of proposed industrial sites. If we are going to evaluate the value of the petrochemical industry solely on its economic impact on the region, it is time to acknowledge the negative economic impacts of poor health outcomes associated with it.

Alison L. Steele is with the Environmental Health Project in Pittsburgh.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Opinion: Health impact also should be considered with Shell plant
A disturbing resurgence of enforced disappearances has been reported across Balochistan, with numerous individuals allegedly abducted by Pakistani security forces over the past week. At least 15 people have vanished in separate incidents across multiple districts, sparking widespread protests and renewed outrage among human rights advocates over Islamabad's persistent disregard for due process, as reported by The Balochistan Post. According to The Balochistan Post, security personnel detained Faraz, son of Haji Fazal, from Quetta's Satellite Town area on November 5. His family says he was residing near the Panjgur Tar office and has not been seen or heard from since his arrest. Similarly, Chakar, son of Akbar Ali, a medical technician student, was allegedly taken from Kech district's Pedrak area and transferred to an undisclosed location. His family maintains he had no involvement in unlawful activities and has appealed for his immediate release. In another reported incident, Maro Pindok was abducted in Hub city by unidentified men in a car after being physically assaulted. Meanwhile, in Khuzdar's Nall tehsil, four young men, Babul, Farooq, Abdul Sattar, and Huzaifa, were reportedly taken away during raids conducted by armed forces. Residents responded with sit-in demonstrations, accusing the authorities of violating citizens' privacy and dignity. In Quetta, several young men, including Owais Baloch, son of a police ASI, remain missing. Although two others previously detained by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) were released, the fear of state-led abductions persists. On November 5, CTD and security officials allegedly raided a plaza in Quetta, detaining three men, two of whom were later freed, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post. The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), whose protest camp in Quetta has continued for 5,992 days, reported multiple new disappearances this week. VBMP condemned the unlawful detentions and urged authorities to produce the missing before the courts if any charges exist. Despite consistent domestic and global appeals, Pakistan's government continues to ignore the systemic abduction of Baloch citizens, leaving families in anguish and trust between the state and its people in deeper collapse, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI)
Several arrests were made by police following operational searches at the scene.

Two brothers, one of them a minor, were killed in a shooting incident in Ramle between Friday night and Saturday morning, according to the Israel Police.

The victims were named as Muhammad, 23, and 16-year-old Ziad Iyad Mojerabi. Their father was critically wounded in the incident as well.

All three were evacuated to the Shamir Medical Center in Tzrifin, a police spokesperson said. Both brothers were pronounced dead upon arrival.

Several suspected of involvement in the murders arrested

The police made several arrests at the scene. According to law enforcement, the attack was a result of a conflict between gangs within the citys Arab population.

Shamir Medical Center. (credit: Aharofeh/Wikimedia Commons)

Several weapons were also discovered by the police near the scene of the crime, and they were submitted into evidence.

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After this Ramle attack, the number of deaths in the Arab sector in Israel since the beginning of the year has now surpassed 200 deaths.

Fridays event occurred nearly a week after the police arrested two suspects for allegedly planning a terror attack in the city.

The police said that during the arrest, a suspects dog was commanded by its owner to attack one of the officers, who, fearing for their life, killed it in self-defense.

Sarah Ben-Nun contributed to this report.
Nov. 7Two pedestrians were struck and killed by drivers in two separate incidents Thursday night in northeast Spokane.

The first one happened shortly before 6:15 p.m. on Nevada Street near Gordon Avenue when a 46-year-old woman crossing the street was hit by a driver traveling south on Nevada, according to Spokane Police Officer Daniel Strassenberg, police spokesman. Medics tried to save the woman, but she died at the scene.

A 53-year-old man was hit by a pickup truck nearly three hours later in the parking lot of Lilac Lanes & Casino, located on Magnesium Road just off Nevada Street, Strassenberg said. The man was still under the vehicle when firefighters arrived. He died at the scene.

Strassenberg said neither driver has been charged, and the police Major Crimes Unit is investigating the crashes.

No other information was available Friday.
Typhoon Fung-wong triggered floods and landslides, cut power to entire provinces and killed at least four people, including two children, before barreling out of the Philippines on Monday.

Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan, follows on the heels of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed almost 200 people in the central part of the archipelago nation, as well as five people in Vietnam.

About 1.4 million people were evacuated ahead the typhoon making landfall on Sunday night, according to the Office of Civil Defense. Fung-wong slammed into the coastal municipality of Dinalungan, on the main island of Luzon, with sustained winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts of up to 230 kph (143 mph).

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A mudslide buried a house and killed two children in the town of Kayapa in central Luzon, regional civil defense official Alvin Ayson told Reuters news agency Monday.

They followed the deaths of two people  one who drowned in Catanduanes province and a woman who died after being trapped under the debris of a collapsed home in Catbalogan City, according to the civil defense.

The storm, with a footprint that spanned nearly the entirety of the archipelago, lost strength as it swept through mountainous northern provinces and agricultural plains overnight, before heading into the South China Sea toward Taiwan, according to the Philippines weather agency PAGASA.

A man walks in a flooded street as Typhoon Fung-wong hits the country, causing floods, blackouts and killing at least two, in Metro Manila, Philippines, on November 9, 2025. - Daniel Ceng/Anadolu/Getty Images

Taiwan is now bracing for Fung-wong, with school closures announced in parts of the eastern county of Hualien, and evacuation orders issued in flood and landslide-prone areas, Taiwans Central News Agency reported.

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Dramatic video from the Philippines showed rescuers braving strong winds and homes submerged in water as recovery efforts continued overnight into Monday.

Drone footage from Reuters showed vast areas of flooded farmlands in Nueva Ecija province, while other videos showed massive waves crashing into the Catanduanes coastline, flooded streets, and water surging into a building in Aurora province, while families queued for food in shelters.

About 1.4 million residents took emergency shelter at gymnasiums, theaters and relatives homes before the typhoon hit, with 318,000 remaining in evacuation centers on Monday, officials said.

Residents walk along a highway flooded by Typhoon Fung-wong in Dipaculao, Aurora province, Philippines, on November 10, 2025. - Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

Residents salvage belongings from their home destroyed by storm surges brought about by Typhoon Fung-wong in Dipaculao, Aurora province, Philippines, on November 10, 2025. - Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

We could not sleep because of the winds hitting our metal sheets and tree branches falling, Romeo Mariano, who sheltered with his grandmother at home in Isabela province, told Reuters.

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When we got out to check our home, we saw the damage.

Filomina Mariano, a 69-year-old resident in Santiago City told Reuters: I was not able to sleep last night. I told my grandchildren to pray for our safety. I was just sitting the whole night waiting for the storm to pass.

Around 1,000 houses were damaged in the storm, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said, adding that some homes remain blocked by landslides and rescuers are working to reach them once conditions improve Monday.

While the typhoon has passed, its rains still pose a danger in certain areas in northern Luzon, including in metropolitan Manila, Alejandro said. Well undertake today rescue, relief and disaster-response operations.

Residents who were evacuated ahead of Typhoon Fung-wong queue for food at an evacuation center in Cauayan, Isabela, Philippines, on November 9, 2025. - Eloisa Lopez/Reuters

More than 130 northern villages were flooded, with residents in at least one community trapped on their roofs as floodwaters rapidly rose, according to the Associated Press.

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People are a little shellshocked, Butch Meily, president of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), told CNN, noting this marks the countrys fourth major typhoon, in addition to two earthquakes, within the past seven weeks.

Recovery efforts were interrupted in Kalmaegi-stricken Cebu and Davao to the south , to concentrate all available resources on Fung-wong, including a 24-hour operation center near the capital Manila, said Meily of the PDRF, a major private-sector coordinator for disaster response.

But our funds are starting to get exhausted because of the number of emergencies, he added.

Typhoon Fung-wong has exited the Philippines via La Union and headed into the South China Sea toward Taiwan, according to the Philippines weather agency PAGASA - CNN Weather

At its height, the typhoons massive circulation spanned 1,800 km  enough to cover the entire country, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja told CNN.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.

More than 325 domestic and 61 international flights were canceled over the weekend and into Monday, and more than 6,600 commuters and cargo workers were stranded in ports after the coast guard prohibited ships from venturing into rough seas, AP reported. About 3 million people were left without power on Sunday, according to Philippines News Agency.

While the Philippines has not requested international aid after Kalmaegi, officials said the US and Japan are prepared to assist, and authorities have ordered schools and most government offices to close until Wednesday, according to AP.

No pause for relief

The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, and Fung-wong is the 21st named storm to impact the country this year, according to local officials.

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Its predecessor Kalmaegi left a trail of death and devastation as it tore through the central Philippines on Tuesday, reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble and displacing tens of thousands of people. At least 188 people were killed, most in Cebu province, a tourist hotspot, local authorities said.

Though not the strongest storm to hit the country this year, Kalmaegi was slow-moving and dumped huge volumes of water over highly populated areas. Officials said most people died from drowning.

Its impact was worsened by clogged waterways in an already flood-prone area, and an apparent lack of understanding of early warnings, Alejandro of the Office of Civil Defense, told local media.

Rescuers evacuate residents to safer grounds in Laurel, Batangas province, on November 9. - Philippine Coast Guard via AP

A woman walks beside tents at an evacuation center as Typhoon Fung-wong enters the Philippines in Quezon city on November 9. - Aaron Favila/AP

The Philippines is one of Asias most flood-prone countries but this year it has also been mired in a massive corruption scandal involving flood control projects that have brought thousands of protesters onto the streets.

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Dozens of legislators, senators and construction companies have been accused of receiving kickbacks with money intended for thousands of flood control projects.

Scientists have long warned the human-caused climate crisis  for which industrialized nations bear greater historical responsibility  has only exacerbated the scale and intensity of regional storms that disproportionately impact populations in the Global South.

The Philippines is one area where the weather is changing, with more intense storms and severe tropical storms with a wide rain band, Meily said.

Residents take pictures of a highway destroyed by storm surges from Typhoon Fung-wong in Dipaculao, Aurora province, Philippines, on November 10, 2025. - Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

In the past, we used to focus on where the storm would make landfall. But now we have to consider the rain band because its so wide in scope that areas far away from where the storm makes land are getting flooded.

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The western Pacific is the most active tropical basin on Earth but global ocean temperatures have been at record levels for each of the last eight years.

Hotter oceans, fueled by human-caused global warming, provide ample energy for storms to strengthen.

The climate crisis is supercharging rainfall events as warmer air can hold more moisture, which it then wrings out over towns, cities and communities, as it already has this week in Southeast Asia.

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The Trump administrations goal for the ongoing enhanced narcotics mission in the Caribbean also aimed at Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, remains unclear. Strikes on the South American nation appear to be off the table for now, but other options reportedly remain. Regardless, the U.S. military presence in the region, and the interdiction campaign its executing, may still grow further.

You can catch up with our previous coverage about the Caribbean operation here.

There are site surveys ongoing to see if more military assets should be sent to the region, a U.S. official told The War Zone Friday morning. The official offered no details about what kinds of equipment or a timeline for a decision. We reached out to the Pentagon for more details and will update this story with any pertinent information provided.

  U.S. Marines load a GBU-54(V)2/B series Laser JDAM (equipped with a 500-pound class BLU-111C/B warhead) into the port weapons bay of a VMFA-225 F-35B Lightning II at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport, Puerto Rico, Oct. 16, 2025. Loading is performed with the aid of an pic.twitter.com/6X4GahyHU0  Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) November 7, 2025

Meanwhile, the U.S. footprint in the region has expanded. There are at least three U.S. military planes in El Salvador, including an AC-130 Ghostrider gunship, according to The New York Times and open source investigators.

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Along with the Ghostrider gunship, there is also a Navy P-8A reconnaissance plane, the Times added.

A third military aircraft, the unmarked C-40 Clipper, has been at the base since mid-October. Little is known about its purpose, but flight-tracking data has shown it occasionally flying with surveillance aircraft. It is rarely spotted in public and its deployment to El Salvador, especially alongside an attack plane, is highly unusual.

Fantastic shots from @The_LAAHS showing AC-130J 15-5825, C-40 N235JF, and P-8A 168999/169012 on the ramp at CSL Comalapa in El Salvador. https://t.co/xTMGgxFZEU pic.twitter.com/G0XfzNypgi  LatAmMilMovements (@LatAmMilMVMTs) November 7, 2025

The P-8 Poseidon is the most advanced maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in the world and is specifically capable of collecting multiple types of intelligence to find small targets in vast bodies of water. With this in mind, the AC-130 and P-8 could be working in a hunter-killer capacity, with the P-8 finding targets and the AC-130 stalking and destroying them. Several weeks ago, we suggested that video of at least one of the strikes showed the telltale signs of having been conducted by an AC-130.

This looks like an AC-130J Ghostrider's work. Two shots from the 30mm. We know AC-130 is deployed to PR.



Compare here: https://t.co/AtARMKHvGp



As we have discussed before, engaging small boats is something AC-130 crews train for & is an established mission set for the type. https://t.co/VIoNpHBYE3  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) October 19, 2025

Asked if the Ghostriders have taken part in any of the attacks on suspected drug boats, which you can read more about later in this story, the Pentagon provided the following statement: We wont go into details on targeting and weaponeering of the kinetic strikes as that information is not shared under operations security measures.

U.S. Navy P-8. (USN)

AC-130J (USAF)

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C-40s typically work as transports, with some taking on VIP airlift roles. That aircraft in particular is of unique interest, although what its role would be for interdiction operations is unclear.

Regardless of the buildup in the region, it does not appear that an attack on Venezuela is imminent. As we highlighted yesterday, CNN reported that the administration has decided, for now, not to carry out land strikes against Venezuela. The decision is over concerns that there was no legal justification for such attacks. However, on Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Senate rejected a bipartisan war powers resolution that would have blocked the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela, unless authorized by Congress.

While the administration continues to mull its options about striking targets inside Venezuela, it has no qualms about blowing up suspected drug boats. Late last night, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on X that the U.S. conducted another such mission, destroying the vessel and killing the three people on board. That was at least the 17th kinetic strike on these boats, which have resulted in more than 60 deaths.

As weve said before, vessel strikes on narco-terrorists will continue until their the poisoning of the American people stops.



Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist pic.twitter.com/gQF9LpSjqD  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 7, 2025

The boat strikes have been criticized for being extrajudicial attacks without Congressional authorization. The administration has justified the strikes by declaring drug cartels to be  unlawful combatants, and U.S. President Donald Trump has said each sunken boat has saved 25,000 American lives, presumably from overdoses. The boats, however, appear to have been transporting cocaine, not the far more deadly synthetic opioids that kill tens of thousands of Americans each year, The Associated Press reported on Friday.

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Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford appears to be back on the move. The vessel had been holding off the coast of North Africa for two days after transiting the Strait of Gibraltar on Nov. 4.

The Fords exact position now is unclear. A U.S. defense official told us that it is in the North Atlantic, not in the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar. Asked about the ships destination, the Pentagon referred us to spokesman Sean Parnells Oct. 24 announcement that it was ordered to the Caribbean.

The flattop is currently operating with three of its escort ships, the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Bainbridge, USS Mahan and USS Winston Churchill, the official added. Two other Arleigh Burke class destroyers assigned to the Ford Carrier Strike Group  the USS Forrest Sherman and USS Mitscher  are still operating in the Red Sea.

Precision at sea  USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) keeps the mission fueled and ready through seamless underway replenishment. Teamwork in motion.   pic.twitter.com/P8nrcSgVWl  U.S. Navy (@USNavy) November 7, 2025

In addition to those movements, the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer Jason Dunham has left the Caribbean and is now near Virginia, the official said. That leaves eight surface vessels, a nuclear fast attack submarine and a special operations mothership in the region. Adm Alvin Holsey, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), is in the area and recently visited one of those vessels, the Wasp class amphibious assault ship, the USS Iwo Jima.

"We are a warfighting organization. Our most fundamental duty is to support the Constitution and ensure the safety and security of the American people. The ARG-MEU team here is the epitome of a lethal, warfighting force and a lethal, warfighting team."



Hear #SOUTHCOM Commander pic.twitter.com/qCCAMvZPwd  U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) November 7, 2025

There are also F-35B stealth fighters, airlifters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, the aforementioned AC-130 gunships, among other aerial assets, and more than 10,000 troops arrayed around the Caribbean.

An infographic showing major U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean. (Photo by Murat Usubali/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu

Amid all the U.S. militarys moves, Moscow is ready to consider providing Maduro with assistance, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday during a press briefing. The two nations recently ratified a mutual aid pact.

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Russia maintains contact with the leadership of Venezuela amid rising tensions in the Caribbean Sea and is ready to respond to Caracas requests, the official Russian RIA Novosti news outlet reported.

On Friday, Moscow confirmed it would consider Caracass request for critical supportincluding repairs to Russianmade fighter jets, upgrades to radar systems, and the delivery of missile units, Newsweek noted. Zakharova also requested that all parties refrain from escalatory actions.

Zakharovas comments come three days after a top Russian lawmaker said Moscow had recently sent Venezuela air defense systems and could provide ballistic and cruise missiles in the future.

Russian Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E systems were just recently delivered to Caracas by Il-76 transport aircraft, Alexei Zhuravlev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, told Gazeta.Ru earlier this week. I also see no obstacles to supplying a friendly country with new developments like the Oreshnik or, say, the proven Kalibr missiles; at least, no international obligations restrict Russia from doing so. The War Zone cannot independently verify any of Zhuravlevs claims.

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Despite the increasing pressure against him, Maduro has tried to put on a brave face.

14 weeks of threats, the gringos who have 15 ships, 2,600 missiles, who have the largest aircraft carrier called Gerald Ford, the Venezuelan dictator recently exclaimed. Let the gringos do whatever they want, we are unshakable.

Saber-rattling and boasting aside, Maduro is open to leaving power in exchange for amnesty for him and his lieutenants, the lifting of the $50 million bounty on his head and a comfortable exile, according to claims in a report from The Atlantic on Thursday.

 BREAKING:



Narco-terrorist Maduro mocks President Trump and implies he's just bluffing: "14 weeks of threats, the gringos who have 15 ships, 2,600 missiles, who have the largest aircraft carrier called General Ford Let the gringos do whatever they want, we are unshakable." pic.twitter.com/kFxl1q0UIi  Emmanuel Rincon (@EmmaRincon) November 6, 2025

Throughout this enhanced counter-narcotics mission in the Caribbean, Trump has offered conflicting statements about his intentions. He has previously suggested strikes on ports and other facilities associated with narcotraffickers. However, he has also said he doubts there will be an attack but that Maduro must go. Regardless, there appears to be no halt in the buildup of the U.S. military presence in the region.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
China has ramped up its weapons development programs to a breathtaking degree, introducing waves of new missiles, ground combat systems, and vessels, as well as vastly expanding its nuclear triad. In just the past few months alone, China showed off gobs of new hardware, especially during its Victory Day parade in September. But above all else, Beijings developments in the air combat arena have been most stunning to observe. Autonomous combat drones, from relatively small to extremely large, and everything in between, to the emergence of tailless J-XDS and J-36 tactical jets, and ever sub-variations of them, as well as flying a stealth fighter from its new carrier, are among the revelations piling up at an increasing pace.

The status of these weapons programs and how many are real or merely meant to confuse and overwhelm foreign intelligence isnt clear, but based on historic precedent, the notion that many are decoys isnt supported. With so much development emerging publicly, and so much more going on clandestinely, along with other developments around an increasingly troubled globe, including from an active war in Ukraine, a critical question must be raised: Is the American intelligence apparatus able to deal with so much foreign technological change at one time?

Not since the height of the Cold War have so many military advancements and individual adversary weapons programs flooded the space. Does the U.S. intelligence community have the raw capacity to adequately deal with this now and sustain it for the foreseeable future?

Shenyang Aircraft Corporations (SAC) J-XDS, also referred to unofficially as the J-50. (Via X)

With the Defense Intelligence Agency declining to comment and the CIA not responding to our queries, we reached out to a number of experts in the field to get their sense of how the U.S. intelligence community (USIC) is able to process and track this growing wave of weapons programs and provide adequate analysis for the White House, Pentagon and Congress. The responses we received vary quite dramatically. This is step one in trying to get a clear answer to this glaring question. We will be following up with more on the topic in the future.

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The answers to our question from our experts have been lightly edited for clarity.

Timothy Heath, senior international defense researcher at RAND Corporation:

Chinas largest and growing inventory of modern weapons does pose a challenge to U.S. intelligence collection efforts. U.S. intelligence capabilities are quite sophisticated and can collect considerable data on systems once they are deployed. However, it is more useful to anticipate future weapons or programs in development and this is probably much more difficult for U.S. intelligence to accurately determine due to the secretive nature of Chinese weapons programs. Thus, U.S. intelligence is at some risk of being surprised by the emergence of new weapons systems.

Some types or programs are easier to monitor and predict than others. Warships, for example, are hard to hide and only built in a few locations. This makes it easier for U.S. intelligence to monitor. Missiles, directed energy, and hi-tech systems are smaller and easier to hide, which makes it harder for U.S. intelligence to collect.

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Perhaps even more challenging than intelligence collection is the problem of how to counter the weapons. Chinese technology has improved considerably and many of their weapons and equipment systems lag only that of the United States. These are sophisticated and deadly systems and could pose a serious challenge to U.S. military forces on the battlefield. Developing counters to weapons such as hypersonic anti-ship missiles, advanced surface-to-air missiles, and stealth aircraft all require enormous sums of money and new technology. Even still, it is unclear if the U.S. can effectively counter some of these new systems, which raise questions about the ability of U.S. military forces to survive and fight in a conflict near Chinas coast.

A possible first sighting of Chinas next-generation aircraft carrier, generally referred to as the Type 004. Construction work at a shipyard in Dalian, in Chinas Liaoning province, reveals a module that is consistent with an aircraft carrier  which would be Chinas fourth  although there remain many questions about the precise nature of the object. (Google Earth) Google Earth

Brad Bowman, senior director at Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Center on Military & Political Power:

Beijing revealed a remarkable quantity of weapons in the parade back in September. It is vital that the United States Intelligence Community and the Pentagon understand the capabilities of the systems displayed, distinguishing between systems that are hyped versus those that represent real advancements in capability. That is easier said than done and takes time and serious expertise to accomplish accurately. The importance and difficulty of this task is another reason why we need a large, effective, and well-funded intelligence community to understand our adversaries, their intentions, and their military capabilities  so decision makers can make informed decisions on how to respond.

A CS-5000T drone is reviewed during the V-Day military at Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025, in Beijing, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) VCG

I am all for efficiency in government, but the effectiveness of our intelligence community is a higher priority than efficiency, particularly in this dangerous geo-strategic moment for Americans.

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It is possible that Beijing is happy to inundate the U.S. intelligence community with an enormous quantity of systems and munitions to scrutinize. But a more prudent approach in Washington is to assume that Beijing actually means what it says and is sprinting to develop and field military capabilities that it hopes could conquer Taiwan and defeat the U.S. military in the Pacific.

If Beijing is trying to portray more advanced military capabilities than it actually possesses, it would not be the first country to do so. Then again, we have also seen examples in which Americans were unwisely dismissive of adversary capabilities. We should neither exaggerate nor dismiss what we are seeing from China. We should try to understand the actual capabilities of each system, and then realize that those capabilities can change quickly.

The satellite image that was the first public evidence of the GJ-X large cranked-kite stealth drone aircraft existing showed it on the runway at Chinas test base near Malan. (PHOTO  2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION)

When it comes to adversary parades and static displays, there is always more than one intended audience. Washington is no doubt on the short list of intended audiences, but Beijing is also sending messages to Americas partners, to the Chinese people, and to the PRCs partners, including the other members of the axis of aggressors  Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Regardless, the split screen between a historic expansion in military capabilities in China and a government shutdown in America could not be more jarring and troubling.

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Zack Cooper, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies U.S. strategy in Asia, including alliance dynamics and U.S.-China competition:

I think the United States is certainly concerned about some of the new systems shown by Beijing, but many experts have expected China to continue developing more advanced uncrewed systems and long-range missiles, so I wouldnt say that those are huge surprises.

The United States has a number of intelligence agencies with deep expertise on weapons systems, so although Im sure they are busy watching these new developments, I doubt that they are overwhelmed. At the end of the day, were really only talking about a handful of truly new systems, so the magnitude of the challenge is probably workable, even if it does require a substantial amount of time and attention at DIA and elsewhere.

Chinese DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missile systems pass through Tiananmen Square during a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. (Photo by Yan Linyun/Xinhua via Getty Images) Xinhua News Agency

Christopher Miller, former acting defense secretary from November 2020 to January 2021 during the first Trump administration:

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I dont think there was concern about the ability to track and analyze Chinese weapons programs. It was a pretty standard collection requirement. Now, how effective they were I dont know how effective they were. I am out of the business now.

The large number of programs was not a concern. It was a pretty standard collection requirement. The challenge was prioritization because of so many different constituencies pushing their pet rocks. But that is simply part of the churn. It was never a crisis issue  just typical process.

Questions about being adequately resourced was the standard pathology of the IC  they NEVER have enough resources; the political masters dont understand the National Intelligence Priorities Framework (NIPF)!! Woe is us; etc. It was/is their SOP.

Robert Peters, senior research fellow for strategic deterrence in the Allison Center for National Security:

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How overwhelming, or not, for the USIC are Chinese new weaponry like those seen so far in parade preps and programs, like the long-range bombers, UAVs etc? They are a problem, both the quantity and diversity of systems displayed, but we should not make the Chinese out to be 10 feet tall. It is unclear how many of these systems are real vs. how many are mockups. And even if they are all real, it is unclear how effective these systems are.

As an example, the U.S. Air Force recently said that the Chinese stealth bomber  which looks for all the world like a B-2 Stealth bomber has no stealth characteristics at all, it simply looks like a stealth bomber.

The future Chinese H-20 stealth bomber. (PLAAF/YouTube Screencap)

Further, even if these systems are highly capable, it is unclear how or how well the PLA would employ them. The PLA has not fought in a kinetic conflict since 1979, so they have no real-world experience in combat operations. While they certainly exercise jointly, exercises are far different than battlefield effectiveness. So we should look at what the Chinese are producing with seriousness, but we should not be fatalistic about them.

Is this affecting the USIC and the militarys ability to get a handle on this? The Chinese military buildup  particularly is numbers of fifth-generation fighters, naval surface combatants, missiles, and nuclear warheads  presents a real challenge for the United States, yes.

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The quantity they are able to produce, coupled with their ability to focus their combat power on a specific theater close to home, is the challenge for us. Even if you believe that U.S. military capabilities are qualitatively superior to Chinese capabilities (which, I do believe), the U.S. is a global power. It has aircraft carrier strike groups operating in the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Arabian Sea, and the Pacific. It has ground and air forces deployed on six continents. This is because the United States has global commitments. China is able to field an enormous quantity of combat power on the Western Pacific, focus it, and achieve results, even with a qualitatively inferior force, while the U.S. would be pulling forces from around the world during a contingency.

It will require a significant amount of analysts to track and analyze these forces, but I think we have the manpower to make it happen.

Once again, this is our first look into this unique facet of the growing military technology race between the U.S. and China. Stay tuned for follow-ups.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Nine seismic stations in Alaska are set to go dark this month, leaving tsunami forecasters without important data used to determine whether an earthquake will send a destructive wave barreling toward the West Coast.

The stations relied on a federal grant that lapsed last year; this fall, the Trump administration declined to renew it. Data from the stations helps researchers determine the magnitude and shape of earthquakes along the Alaskan Subduction Zone, a fault that can produce some of the most powerful quakes in the world and put California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii at risk.

Losing the stations could lead Alaskas coastal communities to receive delayed notice of an impending tsunami, according to Michael West, the director of the Alaska Earthquake Center. And communities farther away, like in Washington state, could get a less precise forecast.

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In sheer statistics, the last domestic tsunami came from Alaska, and the next one likely will, he said.

Its the latest blow to the U.S. tsunami warning system, which was already struggling with disinvestment and understaffing. Researchers said they are concerned that the network is beginning to crumble.

All the things in the tsunami warning system are going backwards, West said. Theres a compound problem.

The U.S. has two tsunami warning centers  one in Palmer, Alaska, and the other in Honolulu  that operate around-the-clock making predictions that help emergency managers determine whether coastal evacuations are necessary after an earthquake. The data from Alaskas seismic stations has historically fed into the centers.

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Both centers are already short-staffed. Of the 20 full-time positions at the center in Alaska, only 11 are currently filled, according to Tom Fahy, the union legislative director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization. In Hawaii, four of the 16 roles are open. (Both locations are in the process of hiring scientists, Fahy said.)

Additionally, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has decreased funding for the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, which pays for the majority of states tsunami risk reduction work. The agency provided $4 million in 2025  far less than the $6 million it has historically offered.

Its on life support, West said of the program.

A tsunami evacuation route sign in Bolinas, Calif. (Stephen Lam / San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images file)

On top of that, NOAA laid off the National Weather Services tsunami program manager, Corina Allen, as part of the Trump administrations firing of probationary workers in February, according to Harold Tobin, the Washington state seismologist. Allen, who had recently started at the agency, declined to comment via a spokesperson for her new employer, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

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These recent cuts have played out amid the Trump administrations broader efforts to slash federal spending on science and climate research, among other areas. NOAA fired hundreds of workers in February, curtailed weather balloon launches and halted research on the costs of climate and weather disasters, among other cuts.

Most of the seismic stations being shut down in Alaska are in remote areas of the Aleutian Islands, West said. The chain extends west from the Alaskan Peninsula toward Russia, tracing an underwater subduction zone. KHNS, a public radio station in Alaska, first reported the news that the stations would be taken offline.

A NOAA grant for about $300,000 each year had supported the stations. The Alaska Earthquake Center requested new grant funding through 2028, but it was denied, according to an email between West and NOAA staffers that was viewed by NBC News.

Kim Doster, a NOAA spokeswoman, said the federal agency stopped providing the money in 2024 under the Biden administration. In the spring, the University of Alaska Fairbanks ponied up funds to keep the program going for another year, believing that the federal government would ultimately cover the cost, said Uma Bhatt, a University of Alaska Fairbanks professor and associate director of the research institute that administered the grant. But new funds never materialized.

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The loss of these observations does not prevent the Tsunami Warning Center from being able to carry out its mission, Doster said. The AEC [Alaska Earthquake Center] is one of many partners supporting the National Weather Services tsunami operations, and NWS continues to use many mechanisms to ensure the collection of seismic data across the state of Alaska.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

West said the Alaska Earthquake Center provides the majority of data used for tsunami warnings in the state. The grant that supported the nine seismic stations also funded a data feed with information from the centers other sensors, according to West. The national tsunami warning centers will no longer have direct access to the feed.

West said the stations on the Aleutian Islands cover a huge geographic range.

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Theres nothing else around, he said. Its not like theres another instrument 20 miles down the road. Theres no road.

The plan is to abandon the stations later this month and leave their equipment in place, West added.

Tobin, in Washington state, said he worries that the closures could delay or degrade the quality of tsunami warnings.

This is a region thats sparsely monitored. We kind of need to have a stethoscope on this region, he said, adding: These programs are in the background until a big, terrible event happens.

The Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone is one of the most active faults in the world and has produced significant tsunamis in the past. In 1964, a tsunami produced by a magnitude-9.2 earthquake killed 124 people, including 13 in California and five in Oregon, according to NOAA. Most of the California deaths were in Crescent City, where a 21-foot wave destroyed 29 city blocks, according to the citys website.

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Tsunami experts said the stations in the Aleutian Islands are critical in quickly understanding nearby earthquakes. The closer a quake is to a sensor, the less uncertainty about a subsequent tsunami.

NOAAs tsunami warning centers aim to put out an initial forecast within five minutes, West said, which is critical for local communities. (A strong earthquake in the Aleutian Islands could send an initial wave into nearby Alaskan communities within minutes.) The only data available quickly enough to inform those initial forecasts comes from seismic signals (rather than tide gauges or pressure sensors attached to buoys).

The warning centers then put out a more specific forecast of wave heights after about 40 minutes. Daniel Eungard, the tsunami program lead for the Washington Geological Survey, said that not having the Alaska sensors would create more uncertainty about the heights of waves expected, complicating decisions about whether to evacuate along the Washington coastline.

We try not to over-evacuate, he said, adding that it costs time, money and trust if warnings prove unnecessary.

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Over the last year, the national tsunami warning centers have had their hands full. A magnitude-7.0 earthquake near Cape Mendocino, California, triggered tsunami alerts along the states coast in December. In July, a magnitude-8.8 quake off Russias Kamchatka peninsula prompted a widespread alert along the U.S. West Coast. The peninsula is just west of the Aleutian Islands.

NOAA helped build many of the seismic stations that have been part of the Alaska Earthquake Centers network. But West said the agency has decreased its support over the past two decades; nine NOAA-built stations were decommissioned in 2013.

Its now or never to decide whether or not NOAA is part of this, he said. What I really want to do is spark a discussion about tsunami efforts in the U.S. and have that not be triggered by the next devastating tsunami.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The home secretary is preparing to announce a major shake-up of the immigration system that would be modelled on Denmark  which has one of the toughest systems in Europe.

Officials are thought to be looking at Denmarks tighter rules on family reunion, as well as considering restricting most asylum seekers to a temporary stay in the country.

A delegation of senior officials was sent to Copenhagen last month to learn about their interventions and draw lessons that could be applied to the UK.

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The plan to copy Denmark comes as the government ramps up its efforts to bring down migration amid growing public anger over the issue.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is looking at Denmarks immigration system (PA)

Sources told the BBC that the decision to look at the Danish system comes as part of an attempt to slash the pull factors that draw people to the UK, as well as making it easier to remove those with no right to stay.

Labour MPs are split on the move, with some in so-called red wall seats  seen as vulnerable to challenge from Reform UK  wanting ministers to go further in the Danish direction, while others believe the policies will estrange progressive voters and push the party too far to the right.

Left-wing Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who is a member of the partys Socialist Campaign Group caucus, urged against emulating the Danish model, suggesting it was far-right.

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I think this is a dead end  morally, politically and electorally... I think these are policies of the far-right. I dont think anyone wants to see a Labour government flirting with them, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

But Stoke-on-Trent Central Labour MP Gareth Snell said that any change bringing fairness to an asylum system that his constituents dont trust is worth exploring.

He said it was worth looking at what best practice we can find from our sister parties around the world where they have managed to find practical solutions to managing immigration.

It has been a difficult few months for the government, with the UK experiencing rising numbers of small boat crossings in the Channel and a migrant, who was deported under the UKs returns deal with France, re-entering the country.

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The Iranian man was detected on arrival and removed after he arrived in the UK for a second time on 18 October, a month after he was returned to France.

At Labours party conference in September, Shabana Mahmood pledged to do whatever it takes to regain control of Britains borders.

But the government is yet to get a grip on the number of people making the dangerous crossing, with the total who have arrived in the UK by small boat this year reaching 37,575 on 6 November.

Last year, the Danish government said it had approved a historically low number of asylum applications  something that is said to have impressed the home secretary.

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While refugees who have been targeted by a foreign regime are likely to be provided protection in Denmark, most people who have been granted asylum are only allowed to stay in the country temporarily.

There are conditions, such as being in full-time employment, that are applied to people seeking settlement rights. The length of time necessary to acquire settlement rights has also been extended.

Home Office officials are also said to be looking at the countrys tighter rules for family reunions, which include a minimum age of 24 for refugees applying for their partners to join them, which the country says is to protect against forced marriages.

A person who has been granted residency in Denmark must not have claimed benefits for three years, and they must put up a financial guarantee. Both partners must also pass a Danish language test.

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Denmark also takes a tough approach to integration, with a law that allows the state to demolish apartment blocks in areas where at least half of the residents have a non-Western background  a law that was found to be discriminatory on the basis of ethnic origin by a senior adviser to the EUs top court.

Refugees who live in these housing estates would not be eligible for family reunion.

In September, former home secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to suspend all new applications under the refugee family reunion route as part of a series of measures to clear the asylum backlog and clamp down on the number of people crossing the Channel.

The changes mean that refugees will temporarily be covered by the same family migration rules and conditions as everyone else while a new, tougher framework for family reunions is drawn up.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that more than 1,400 people from 36 African nations are known to be fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, urging governments to warn their citizens against joining a conflict where they are quickly killed.

Speaking on Friday, Sybiha accused Moscow of enticing Africans into joining the war and signing military contracts that were equivalent to  a death sentence.

Foreign citizens in the Russian army have a sad fate, Sybiha wrote on X. Most of them are immediately sent to the so-called meat assaults, where they are quickly killed.

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Most mercenaries do not survive more than a month, he said.

Russia recruits nationals of African countries using a variety of methods. Some are offered money, while others are duped and do not realise what they are signing up for or are forced to do so under duress. Signing a contract is equivalent to signing a death sentence, he added.

The ministers warning came as several African governments acknowledged cases of their citizens joining Russian forces in Ukraine.

According to available information, at least 1436 citizens from 36 African countries are currently fighting in the ranks of Russia's invasion army in Ukraine. The number represents those identified, though the actual number could be higher. Russia recruits nationals of African  Andrii Sybiha  (@andrii_sybiha) November 7, 2025

South Africa said on Thursday it was investigating how 17 of its nationals became involved with mercenary groups after the men issued distress calls seeking help to return home.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa said the South African men aged between 20 and 39 were lured into joining mercenary forces under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts and had issued distress calls after becoming trapped in the Donbas area of Ukraine.

A spokesperson for Ramaphosa said it was not yet clear which side the men were fighting on, but Russia has been accused of recruiting men from other countries to fight in the war under the pretext of offering them jobs.

Russia has also been accused of tricking women from South Africa and other parts of Africa into working in Russian drone factories through social media campaigns promising them jobs in fields such as catering and hospitality.

Kenya also reported last month that some of its citizens had been detained in Russian military camps after being unwittingly caught up in the conflict.

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In a post on social media on Friday, Kenyan President William Ruto said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about young Kenyans who have been illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine and both agreed to raise awareness of the dangers of such ventures.

Ruto said he asked his Ukrainian counterpart to facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody and was grateful that Zelenskyy had agreed to my appeal.

I have had a fruitful phone conversation with President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine, and discussed various issues of mutual interest between our two peoples and countries. We expressed concern over young Kenyans who have been illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine, and  William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) November 6, 2025

According to Sybiha, the true number of African recruits by Russian forces could exceed the 1,436 identified so far. He added that most foreign fighters captured by Ukraine were taken during their first combat mission, and that Kyiv would soon release more details about the origins of these recruits who have been taken prisoner.

Ukrainian officials have long accused Russia of bolstering its ranks by enlisting fighters from abroad, often using deceptive tactics.

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In August, Zelenskyy said Russian troops fighting near the border town of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region included mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and several African countries, quoting reports from Ukrainian soldiers on the front line.

Tina Ghimire, wife of Padam Ghimire, speaks to members of the media about her husband, who is in Russia, as families of Nepali nationals who have been recruited by the Russian army to fight against Ukraine pleaded for their safe return, in Kathmandu, Nepal, February 2024 [File: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters]

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed those claims as irresponsible remarks, while Pakistan called them baseless and unfounded.

According to the Kyiv Independent news outlet, several hundred Chinese nationals have been fighting for Russia.

After Ukrainian troops reported capturing Chinese fighters in April, Zelenskyy said Russia was distributing recruitment videos through Chinese social media networks.

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In October, the Kyiv Independent also reported the capture of a 22-year-old Indian national who had joined Russian forces to avoid a seven-year prison sentence for drug charges. Many foreign recruits, according to reports, are promised high salaries, Russian citizenship, or noncombat roles, only to be sent straight to the battlefield.

Ukraine also believes the largest contingent of foreign fighters in Russias ranks may come from Cuba, estimating that up to 20,000 Cubans have been recruited as mercenaries.
Hello, this is Kollen Post reporting from Kyiv on day 1,353 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Today's top story so far:

Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SSO) said on Nov. 7 that its long-range drones struck an oil depot and logistic facilities in the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea.

The oil depot near the village of Hvardiiske, just 20 kilometers north of Simferopol, was struck, and a full RVS-400 tank  designed for storing oil, petroleum products, and other liquids  was destroyed, the Special Operations Forces claimed.

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"Special Operations Forces continue to act asymmetrically in countering the enemy's military capabilities," Special Operations Forces said in a Telegram post, attaching drone footage of the attacks.

Russian occupational administration in Crimea has not reacted to Ukraines claims about the damage inflicted. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the SSO's claims.

The SSO claimed that its drones also hit a few oil depots and fuel storage facilities in Simferopol and its surrounding area, as well as two trains with tank wagons loaded with petroleum products at a loading-unloading site.

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Zelensky announces mass production of Ukrainian copy of DJI 'Mavic'

Last updated 7:09 p.m. Kyiv time

At a Nov. 7 briefing with reporters in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced mass production of one of the most popular drones of the war, the DJI Mavic.

The government and producers have long teased a "Shmavic" that is fully made in Ukraine, but the Chinese-made and Ukrainian jail-broken DJIs remain remarkably prevalent.

Temporary ceasefire to allow repairs to Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant

Last updated 7:09 p.m. Kyiv time

Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhyia Nuclear Power Plant is under a localized ceasefire, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced on Nov. 7.

The ceasefire is set to allow repairs to the power supply. The power plant  pre-occupation the largest nuclear generator in Europe  has to be linked to outside electricity that keeps critical functions operating. For an anxiety-inducing month, that linkage was cut, a situation that the IAEA is looking to safeguard against.

Ukraine estimates its long-range weapon production at over $35 billion in 2026

Last updated 5:52 p.m. Kyiv time.

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Ukraine's potential for producing long-range capabilities is expected to surpass $35 billion in 2026, although it could also reach as high as $60 billion, Ukrainian officials said on Nov. 6.

In a closed-door briefing with journalists, Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Oleksandr Kamyshin, an advisor on Strategic Industries to the President's Office, said that the current production capacity of the Ukrainain defense industry is around $35 billion per year.

Although Ukraine needs as many drones as possible to defend the country, Umerov and Kamyshin said that part of production will be allocated for "controlled export to friendly countries" as a self-financing measure, meaning sales would generate revenue to reinvest in production.

They said that Ukraine is unable to cover the full cost of domestic defense production either from its budget or through the financial assistance of Western allies.

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The statement comes as Kyiv urges Western allies to help finance domestic production of drones and missiles, saying it has the know-how.

Read also: Ukraine estimates its long-range weapon production at over $30 billion in 2026

Talks with US to procure Tomahawk missiles 'rather positive'

Last updated 5:10 p.m. Kyiv time.

The talks with the U.S. on the potential weapon procurement, including for Kyivs long-sought Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles, are "rather positive" at the moment, Ukraine's new ambassador to US Olha Stefanishyna said in an interview published on Nov. 7.

Stefanishyna told Bloomberg that Ukraine has a lot of delegations working in the U.S. to gather more funds to procure weapons from the U.S., including for short and long-range weapons, in addition to Tomahawk missiles.

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The ambassadors comment comes as Ukraine awaits a greenlight from the White House on the possible procurement of the Tomahawk missiles. Pentagon has signaled it has sufficient Tomahawk inventory if the White House were to greenlight a transfer to Ukraine.

"First thing that would happen for sure (if the Tomahawk procurement is approved) is that the number of civilians and kids who would be murdered every night would definitely decrease because the aggressor would be deprived of the means to kill Ukrainians," Stefanishyna said in the television interview.

Contrary to Stefanishynas comment, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Nov. 2 that as of now, he is not planning to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.

When asked by reporters if his administration is considering sending Kyiv Tomahawks, Trump responded: "No, not really things can change but at this moment I'm not."

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The Tomahawk is a subsonic long-range missile capable of striking targets at a range of 1,600 to 2,500 kilometers (1,000-1600 miles).

Read also: More than Tomahawks: What Ukraines soldiers say they actually need

Ukraines drones inflict record October toll: 25,000 Russians killed, Zelensky says

Last updated 4:45 p.m. Kyiv time.

Last month  October 2025  Russia suffered the highest number of monthly casualties from drones since the start of the full-scale invasion, with 25,000 killed, Suspilne reported Nov. 7, citing a briefing held by President Volodymyr Zelensky with Ukrainian media.

Zelensky attributed the number to both enhanced accuracy in reporting due to Ukraines gamification system of awarding points to drone units and a broader increase in Ukrainian drones at the front, according to Suspilne.

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According to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces report for Nov. 6, Russia has lost around 1,148,910 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,170 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Ukraines points-based tracking for drone units has evolved into an online killboard intended to standardize reporting across units and incentivize performance.

More than 1,400 citizens from 36 African countries fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Sybiha says

Last updated 4:20 p.m. Kyiv time.

At least 1,436 citizens of 36 African countries are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on social media on Nov. 7.

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"Russia recruits nationals of African countries using a variety of methods. Some are offered money, while others are duped and do not realize what they are signing up for or are forced to do so under duress. Signing a contract is equivalent to signing a death sentence," he said in a post on X.

According to available information, at least 1436 citizens from 36 African countries are currently fighting in the ranks of Russia's invasion army in Ukraine. The number represents those identified, though the actual number could be higher.



Russia recruits nationals of African  Andrii Sybiha  (@andrii_sybiha) November 7, 2025

Drones hit key Russian petrochemical plant in Republic of Bashkortostan, Ukraine's HUR says

Last updated 4:06 p.m. Kyiv time.

Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on Nov. 7 that its drones struck a key petrochemical plant in Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan, over 1,000 kilometers away from Ukraine's border.

Ukrainian long-range drones struck the Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant, which supplies the Russian army and Russia's military-industrial complex, including ionol, aviation gasoline, and synthetic polymers, according to Ukrainian military intelligence, which goes by HUR.

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HUR claims that the drone strike on Nov. 6 led to a fire in the workshop producing an additive known as agidol, used for aviation fuel. The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently verify the claim.

Head of the republic, Radiy Khabirov, has not commented on the claimed drone strike on the key plant. Throughout the war, neither side has rarely acknowledged the setbacks.

Read also: Drones hit key Russian petrochemical plant in Republic of Bashkortostan, Ukraines HUR says

Sweden is funding Ukrainian deep-strike drones as they rattle Russia's oil refineries

Last updated 11:55 a.m. Kyiv time.

Denys Shmyhal, who recently changed roles within President Volodymyr Zelensky's cabinet from prime minister to defense minister, announced Sweden's involvement in funding 400 long-range drones in a Facebook post on November 6.

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The funding mechanism is the "Danish model," which typically means that a European nation pays directly for the Ukrainian defense ministry's contracts with a Ukrainian weapons producer.

Shmyhal further said that Sweden had committed $8 billion to Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, on top of $9 billion already handed over. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's favorite deep-strike drone is the FP-1, which typically costs between $55,000 and $60,000 per unit. Sweden's financing would consequently add up to some $23 million.

Read also: Sweden has helped fund 400 drones for Ukraines strike campaign on Russian oil refineries

Russian attacks kill at least 3 civilians in past 24 hours

A glide bomb attack on Orekhova in Zaporizhzhia Oblast killed a man in his home, injuring his wife as well as two neighbors, regional governor Ihor Fedorov wrote on Telegram.

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17 other towns in Zaporizhzhia Oblast fell under Russian fire, with extensive reports of damage to residential homes but no injuries reported officially. Emergency services, however, announced late in the evening that a strike on a residential home had claimed the life of its resident.

In Kherson Oblast, Russian fire killed a 53-year-old man at around 9:30 AM, according to oblast head Oleksandr Prokudin. Other attacks throughout the oblast injured 10, including one child.

Heavy drone attacks in the city of Dnipro struck several residential buildings, injuring six, including three who are in critical care in the hospital, local authorities reported.

Kharkiv Oblast saw wide-ranging Russian attacks on civilian buildings, injuring four residents throughout.

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UkrEnergo, Ukraine's electricity utility, announced widespread power cuts in Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk Oblasts.

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,147,740 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia has lost around 1,148,910 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Nov. 6.

The number includes 1,170 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 23,543 (+2) armored fighting vehicles, 66,723 (+65) vehicles and fuel tanks, 34,301 (+13) artillery systems, 78,678 (+248) drones, and 3,993 (+2) units of special equipment.

Read also: Ukraines defense of Pokrovsk on a knife-edge as high command resists calls to withdraw

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Nov. 7GRAND FORKS  Faculty and students alike expressed concern about a proposal to cut the number of credits required for a bachelor's degree Thursday at a UND University Senate meeting.

The State Board of Higher Education is considering reducing the number of credits required to obtain a bachelor's degree from 120 to as low as 90. Members of the UND University Senate and student body government said if that proposal is approved, they're worried it could have negative impacts on students' futures.

Bob Newman, chair of biology, said he believes the people who suggested the proposal are not fully aware of all the potential pitfalls.

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"It could be drastic or it could be minor, but one of the things that we want to do is preserve the quality of the education and the degree that we are offering to students," he said. "My position on this is to not support this idea."

Arguments in favor of the proposal include improving workforce development and saving students money, according to Newman, but he believes it would take away from students' training.

Douglas Munski, a geography professor, said he's adamantly opposed to the idea and believes students who take the reduced courses will think they're getting a good deal, only to potentially find out they can't get into a graduate program.

"Graduate advisers, graduate directors, they need to weigh in on this to point out the adverse effects this is going to cause for people, particularly when we're talking heading for professional degrees," he said.

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Jonathan Blankenship, president of the student government, said the North Dakota Student Association was "pretty unanimous that students are opposed to this policy," and that students see the long-term negative effects this would cause in getting a job outside of the state or getting into a master's or graduate degree program. Both Blankenship and the NDSU student body president have written testimony against the policy, he said.

"I don't know exactly where it's headed next, but I'm totally happy to continue to keep advocating for students," he said.

Eric Link, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said his office had been contacted to fill out a survey related to the policy and if there is support for it. He read his response to the survey to the senate, which said UND does not support the idea of reduced-credit bachelor degrees. He wrote that UND does not believe there is a substantial benefit to being an early adopter of the concept and that there is a considerable risk to system and institutional reputation, standing and student preparedness, and career readiness through early adoption.

He also wrote that there were concerns a sub-120-hour bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree will weaken the degrees by eliminating key learning objectives and outcomes. To his knowledge, there aren't any longitudinal studies or data sets that can confirm a reduced-credit bachelor's degree won't affect career effectiveness, career portability or long-term job satisfaction.

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"We have concerns that, in an age where information management, critical problem solving and adaptability are essential skills over the course of a career, that the coursework and learning outcomes that will be lost in a transition to a 90-hour or sub-120-hour degree will have long-term negative effects on both employers and employees," he said.

In other news, the University Senate:

* Discussed potentially holding a social to give members of the senate a chance to mingle with students. The idea arose during a discussion on whether to continue having senate meetings via Zoom or return to in-person meetings. Several members said they prefer the Zoom meetings, but Blankenship said it's hard for the 14 student senators on campus to learn when things aren't in person. Adam Matz, senate chair, said there have been some discussions of a social, though nothing has been planned yet.

* Heard Blankenship report about several student leaders on campus, as well as a food bank at the Memorial Union and how the Student Senate passed a bill regarding placing suggestion boxes across campus.

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* Discussed revisions to the digital accessibility policy following the 2024 Title II Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. Some questions by the University Senate included what changes the Chester Fritz Library is making, specific vendors used by different programs and the time it will take to make the changes.

* Heard from Link about Policy 469, which has been recently revised to grant UND the authority to give expanded dual credit opportunities within Grand Forks County.
The third round of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan concluded without an agreement, with both sides blaming each other for the impasse. The Taliban-led Afghan government accused Pakistan of being "irresponsible and uncooperative," saying Pakistan shifted the blame for its security issues to Afghanistan while refusing to take responsibility for its own security. A Taliban Spokesperson said that upon the mediation by Qatar and Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan engaged in peace talks on November 6 and 7. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan once again thanks the Republic of Turkey and the State of Qatar -- the two brotherly countries -- for hosting and mediating the talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul," the Taliban Spokesperson said. https://x.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1987011875150975444?s=20 Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Pakistan's delegation didn't demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan's security or its own. "Representatives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, by special direction of the leadership, participated in Istanbul in good faith and with appropriate authority on two consecutive days (November 6 and 7), hoping that this time the Pakistani side, after consultation with its leaders, would approach the issue seriously and constructively, with a responsible attitude, and present realistic and implementable demands to reach a fundamental solution," he said. The talks, held in Istanbul with mediation from Turkey and Qatar, aimed to address cross-border terrorism and prevent further escalation. "During the talks, the Pakistani side attempted to refer all responsibilities regarding its security to the Afghan government, while at the same time it did not demonstrate any willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan's security or its own. The irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude of the Pakistani delegation resulted in no outcome, despite the Islamic Emirate's good intentions and the efforts of the mediators," he said. The Taliban reiterated its commitment to preventing Afghan territory from being used against other countries, while Pakistan warned it would respond to attacks from Afghan soil. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reiterates its principled position: it will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory against another country, nor will it permit any country to use its territory to take actions against or support actions that undermine Afghanistan's national sovereignty, independence, or security," he said. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared a "complete deadlock," saying the Afghan delegation refused to sign written accords, insisting on verbal assurances only. The update on the talks by Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday came after an Afghan official said four Afghan civilians were killed and five others wounded in clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces along their shared border despite the joint negotiations, as per Al Jazeera. The collapse marks another setback for efforts to ease tensions between the two neighbors, who have seen repeated border clashes and escalating mistrust. (ANI)
Kristina Gavin Bigsby teaches a course that has hit 900 students this fall. (Photo courtesy of University of Iowa)

Business professor Kristina Gavin Bigsby says its harder now to be a student at the University of Iowa than when she was completing her own degree programs  four of them  at the university.

Costs are rising and students have more worries than ever, she said, and its not uncommon for Bigsby, director of undergraduate studies and associate professor in the Tippie College of Business, to get harried emails from students struggling to add coursework to what theyre already juggling.

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Despite these issues, more and more students are turning to a UI education, with the university welcoming its second-largest incoming class ever of 5,561 undergraduate students this fall. Applications to the UI were also record-breaking, totaling more than 31,000.

When enrollment grows, class sizes  and the number of offered course sections  grow with it. While some departments might not be feeling the full brunt of the strain yet, faculty and graduate students say its getting harder to balance all of the work on their plates.

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We are going to do everything possible in our power to create value for students, because that is really our job, Bigsby said. But I think some people are starting to get burnt out, and I cant blame them.

Preparing for growth

Retention has grown alongside enrollment, with a 90.9% first-year retention rate representing a 5-percentage-point increase over the past five years, according to Tanya Uden-Holman, UI associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of the University College.

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Uden-Holman said in an emailed statement that many university instructors, both faculty and graduate teachers, are using evidence-based teaching practices proven to improve learning and engagement in large lecture settings.

The UIs Enrollment Management data team created predictive dashboards a few years ago, Uden-Holman said in her statement, that have helped the university prepare for enrollment growth by anticipat(ing) student interest and planning out staffing, course sections and classroom space.

Guided by our institutional strategic plan, the University of Iowa has taken a proactive, data-informed approach to supporting student success in large-enrollment courses. This work includes advancements in predictive analytics, instructional planning, and faculty development to ensure that growing student demand is met with high-quality learning experiences, Uden-Holman said. We are deeply grateful to our faculty and graduate instructors, whose dedication ensures academic excellence across all course sizes.

Support for both teachers and students is available through university programs like the Center for Teaching and Office of Teaching, Learning and Technology as well as supplemental instruction, Uden-Holman said, which are group study sessions led by students who already found success in the course before helping others.

Seeing student needs no matter the numbers

After Bigsby started as a full employee of the university in 2018, she taught a database management course with cohorts of between 100-150 students that is pushing closer to the higher end of that range, she said.

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The Foundations of Business Analytics course Bigsby now teaches has just over 900 enrolled students  an increase of 300 students in just two years. No matter what struggles classroom leaders are going through, Bigsby said her first priority is to the students shes teaching, whether there are nine or 900 of them in the course.

How do I, even with 900 students, see them as individuals and see them as humans, and not just, you know, numbers that I have to get through the class, Bigsby said. Even in a quantitative field, I dont see my students as just numbers and statistics.

The differences between small and large courses are fewer than one would think, Bigsby said. She still approaches the course with the mindset of treating students how she wanted to be treated as a student, with flexibility and transparency. Overcommunicating with students about expectations, deadlines, course policies and the reasoning behind the concepts and skills she teaches them prevents panicked emails and other issues in the future.

Bigsby also makes all of the materials for the course, from instructional slides and presentations to data sets, practice problems and test questions.

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Bigsby works with 10 teaching assistants for her Foundations of Business Analytics class, on whom she is really reliant. While no one teaches the teachers how to be managers when they have so many teaching assistants, Bigsby said she tries to make things as easy as she can.

In order to ensure there is consistency across the 20 discussion sections of the course, Bigsby started this semester filming herself going through the discussion topics for the assistants to reference or follow along with in their sections if need be.

I try to lay out everything clearly for them the same way that I do for the students in the class, because at the end of the day, the teaching assistants are students as well, Bigsby said. This experience is a way for them to pay their tuition, but its also a way for them to learn and gain the skill set.

Graduate student instructors deal with time constraints

For graduate students working as teaching assistants and in instructor roles, having more students could mean cutting back on other graduate work or working more than their allotted hours, all while many deal with financial and food insecurity, among other things.

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Anne Moore, press and publicity coordinator of the Campaign to Organize Graduate Students (COGS), said the union has been hearing from its members across the board about increased expectations and workloads from more sections and more students. There is also the rule that most graduate workers are generally limited to 20 hours of work per week, but many employees dont find it easy to stay within that limit.

Part of that time is teaching, and then the rest of that time is meant to prepare for your teaching and to do grading and stuff. With these larger class sizes, people are finding that they cant get the work done in 20 hours, Moore said. Were only paid for 20 hours of work, so its sort of this Catch-22 for teaching assistants.

Cary Stough, a teaching assistant in the UI rhetoric department, pointed out that graduate students are students as well as university employees and they have obligations outside of instruction in order to complete their degrees, like research or large projects.

In the rhetoric department, graduate workers teaching courses are instructors of record, Stough said, which means they create their own syllabi and other materials and dont have the same relationship with overseeing faculty.

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The idea of working just 20 hours a week is kind of a joke to graduate workers, especially those in rhetoric, as they steer more course sections and act as the first point of contact for more students, Stough said. The pay graduate workers receive is already inadequate enough to put students through financial uncertainty, Stough added.

Theres no time to make a life, rather than make a living, outside of the university, Stough said. And those insecurity problems, those housing insecurity problems, those food insecurity problems, the lack of savings that we have because were paid so low is going to be exacerbated if the university decides to willy-nilly throw more work onto us.

What UI instructors need to facilitate growth

As those tasked with teaching future courses brace for potentially higher enrollment in the future, Moore said she would hope that the university would grow graduate admissions alongside undergraduate, as well as raising graduate pay and hiring more faculty.

There are some hard constraints the UI is butting up against currently, Bigsby said, that would need to be dealt with if the university and its colleges want to keep growing.

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The main one is simply space  where in the past university administration would aim for classrooms to be at around 90% capacity, now she said rooms are busting to the gills with students trying to find space. Its not a problem that can be solved easily or quickly, Bigsby said, and so far everyone has been dealing with cramped conditions without issue.

In terms of offering support and resources, however, Bigsby said shes much more interested in what would help students than what would help faculty. Bigsby said her department has used its own funds  and went over budget  to pay peer tutors to help students with certain introductory classes. It was good because it helped the students, she said, but the costs add up.

It would take thousands of dollars to offer programs like supplemental instruction and peer tutoring in every large class, but if the UI says it cares about students and wants to keep growing, Bigsby said they need to be willing to put our money where our mouth is.

One thing about teaching a large class is you get mean world syndrome, because you see a lot of problems, and its not that students in these classes are worse than other classes, Bigsby said. Its not that theyre less prepared, its not that even a higher proportion of students in these classes are struggling, its just that theres more students. And so if we can support the students, it helps me as the instructor, it helps everybody.

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ST. LOUIS  A man faces felony charges after an unsecured gun led to a child shot earlier this week in a suspected accidental shooting in St. Louis County.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Terrance Baskin, 37, with one county of first-degree child endangerment in connection with the shooting.

The charge stems from an incident at a home in the 300 block of Midlothian Road on Thursday. Investigators say Baskin was home alone with three children.

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Thieves steal thousands in designer goods from Cottleville store

At some point, one child was found to have a gunshot wound to his head, according to charging documents. Police later responded to the scene, seized a firearm with a jammed projectile and observed damage to drywall in the living room.

Baskin admitted to officers that he did not secure or lock his firearm, according to charging documents.

A warrant was issued for Baskins arrest on Friday, and he was ordered to post a $100,000 bond, per Missouri online court records.

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Andre Ladale Wilson was murdered in March 2016, and his body was found behind a business park on Chastain Avenue in Charlotte.

Despite being alive when discovered, Wilson did not survive for long. His truck, a nearly new gold Nissan Armada, was later found in South Beach, Florida, but the suspect or suspects remain unidentified.

He would come every Sunday and eat with us, he knew I would have fried chicken, said Billie Wilson, Andres mother.

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I pulled in the yard and I came in here and I see those detectives, I said OH, recalled Tamika Wilson, Andres sister.

Carolina Unsolved: Family holds memorial 22 years after mothers murder

Its been hard, hard, I think about him all the time, especially around the holidays and stuff, Tamika Wilson continued.

Well, its been several years since that happened, and I think about him every day. Its getting tougher and tougher just thinking about it. I would like to know before I pass away, Billie Wilson also expressed.

Andre Wilson was known for his vibrant personality and was described as the life of the party, having many friends and never meeting a stranger.

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He was a self-taught hairstylist, and his sister Tamika expressed admiration for his skills, noting that he used to do her hair as well.

Although Andre never openly discussed his sexual orientation, it was an open secret that he was gay, and his family wonders if this might have been a motive for his murder.

Billie Wilson, Andres mother, reflected on the possibility that his sexual orientation could have played a role in his death, although she admitted she did not know for sure.

The family continues to seek answers and hopes that someone with information about the murder will come forward, as they believe it would bring them a great deal of relief.

As the years pass, Andre Wilsons family remains hopeful for closure, yearning for answers about the circumstances surrounding his death.

VIDEO: Family holds memorial 22 years after mothers murder
The Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday ordered MD-11 and MD-11F aircrafts to be grounded as authorities investigate the deadly UPS plane crash in Kentucky.

The emergency airworthiness directive came after UPS and FedEx said they are voluntarily grounding their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes "out of an abundance of caution" following a deadly crash at the UPS global aviation hub in Louisville.

The FAA's order was issued "because the agency has determined the unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design," the document obtained by CBS News read.

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"We are assessing any potential safety issues and will ensure appropriate corrective actions are taken," the agency said in a statement.

The crash on Tuesday at UPS Worldport killed 14 people, including the three pilots on the MD-11 that was headed for Honolulu. National Transportation Safety Board official Todd Inman said Thursday that the crashed plane was a 1991 McDonnell Douglas 2 that had been "altered" into a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Freighter.

MD-11 aircrafts make up about 9% of of the UPS airline fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet, the companies said.

"We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer," a UPS statement said late Friday. "Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve."

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FedEx said in an email that it will be grounding the aircrafts while it conducts "a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer."

The planes were built by McDonnell Douglas, but the company merged with Boeing in 1997, making Boeing the manufacturer of record for the aircraft. Boeing told CBS News in a statement that it made the recommendation to ground the aircraft "out of an abundance of caution."

Boeing's Safety Review Board assessed all available information about the crash and determined that further engineering analysis was needed, a company spokesperson told CBS News via email. The manufacturer recommended pausing fleet operations while that analysis was conducted. Inman said Thursday that the crashed plane was currently being "handled" by Boeing.

Boeing announced in 1998 that it would be phasing out its MD-11 jetliner production, with final deliveries due in 2000. There are about 70 MD-11 planes in operation today. The planes are only used to ferry cargo. FedEx and UPS each have about two dozen MD-11s, and a third airline, Western Global, has 16. Twelve of those planes were already put in storage, according to the aviation analytics firm Cirium. CBS News reached out to Western Global for comment on the grounding.

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Flight records suggest the UPS MD-11 that crashed underwent maintenance while it was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas, for more than a month until mid-October. It is not clear what work was done.

The UPS cargo plane was nearly airborne Tuesday when a bell sounded in the cockpit, Inman said during a briefing Friday. For the next 25 seconds, the bell rang and the pilots tried to control the aircraft as it barely lifted off the runway, its left wing ablaze and missing an engine, and then plowed into the ground in a spectacular fireball. The plane was carrying about 255,000 pounds of jet fuel, as well as up to 20,000 packages.

The cockpit voice recorder captured the bell, which sounded about 37 seconds after the crew called for takeoff thrust, Inman said. There are different types of alarms with varying meanings, he said, and investigators haven't determined why the bell rang, though they know the left wing was burning and the engine on that side had detached.

Inman said it would be months before a transcript of the cockpit recording is made public as part of that investigation process.

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Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, said the bell likely was signaling the engine fire.

"It occurred at a point in the takeoff where they were likely past their decision speed to abort the takeoff," Guzzetti told The Associated Press after Inman's news conference. "They were likely past their critical decision speed to remain on the runway and stop safely.  They'll need to thoroughly investigate the options the crew may or may not have had."

Dramatic video captured the aircraft crashing into businesses and erupting in a fireball. Footage from phones, cars and security cameras has given investigators evidence of what happened from many different angles. Witnesses recalled chaos on the ground.

"It was explosion after explosion after explosion, so you just didn't know when it was going to stop," Georgie Dow, the chief financial officer of an auto parts business that was struck by the plane, told CBS News. "It was so hot ... You took a step back because it was like heat in your face. There was no going to help."

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The UPS package handling facility in Louisville is the company's largest. The hub employs more than 20,000 people in the region, handles 300 flights daily and sorts more than 400,000 packages an hour.

UPS Worldport operations resumed Wednesday night with its Next Day Air, or night sort, operation, spokesperson Jim Mayer said.

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UPS and FedEx have grounded their MD-11 widebody cargo jets as a precautionary measure following the deadly crash of one of the planes as it departed the UPS global air hub in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday.

UPS (NYSE: UPS) expects the flight stoppage to be temporary, spokesman Jim Mayer told FreightWaves.

Both carriers said late Friday they were following the recommendation of aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The MD-11 was designed and built by McDonnell Douglas Corp., which was acquired by Boeing in 1997. Boeing stopped production in 2000 to focus on its 767 and 777 freighter programs.

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We recommended to the three operators of the MD-11 freighter that they suspend flight operations while additional engineering analysis is performed. This recommendation was made in an abundance of caution and we will continue coordinating with the FAA on this matter, Boeing said in a statement. A Boeing technical team is supporting the National Transportation Safety Boards investigation of the accident.

There are about 70 MD-11 freighters currently in service. UPS operates 27 of the tri-engine aircraft. FedEx (NYSE: FDX) operates 28 MD-11s. Western Global, a Florida-based carrier that has struggled financially for several years, has 12 MD-11 aircraft on its operating certificate, but only six of them are currently operating, according to aircraft tracking site Flightradar24. The rest of Western Globals MD-11 fleet has been inoperative for 90 days or more.

Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety, we have made the decision to temporarily ground our MD-11 fleet. MD-11s are approximately 9% of the UPS Airlines fleet. The grounding is effective immediately. We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve, UPS said in a statement.

In February 2023, UPS began a planned retirement of aging MD-11 freighters with the goal of replacing them with more fuel-efficient aircraft and reducing excess capacity at a time when airfreight and parcel volumes were falling or growing much slower. UPS said then that the MD-11s will be replaced by 28 factory-built 767-300 cargo jets from Boeing. The airline owned and operated 38 MD-11s at the end of 2023, according to its annual report.

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Safety is our highest priority at FedEx. Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to immediately ground our MD-11 fleet as we conduct a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer, FedEx said in a statement. The MD-11 represents about 9% of FedExs mainline fleet of 387 aircraft. FedEx counts 703 in its total fleet, but the balance are small turboprop aircraft operated by partner carriers on feeder routes to larger FedEx stations.

FedEx in May said it would delay final retirement of the tri-engine MD-11 fleet from 2028 until 2032 in response to rising demand for international nonparcel freight service. In fiscal year 2024, FedEx retired nine MD-11s.

FedEx figures at the end of August showed 34 MD-11s in the fleet. The company didnt respond to queries seeking an explanation for the exit of six aircraft from the fleet in the past two months. In the first half of 2024, FedEx operated 37 MD-11s.

Both companies said they are implementing contingency plans to make up for the lost capacity and minimize potential service disruption for parcel and freight customers.

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The two airlines also have to contend with a potential capacity constraint from the Federal Aviation Administrations mandate to trim 10% of flight activity at the 40 busiest airports by Friday. Passenger airlines on Friday canceled hundreds of flights. But express package carriers arent expected to be heavily impacted because the vast majority of their flight operations take place between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., when the FAA restrictions dont apply. Airlines are also not required to cut back international flights, which represent a large chunk of UPS and FedEx activity.

The MD-11 has a maximum payload of more than 207,000 pounds, with space for 26 containers on the main deck and 13 in the lower hold. The B767 is smaller, with a 132,000-pound payload capability and room for 24 large containers and seven lower-deck shipping units. It also has a shorter range.

The left engine on Flight 2976 separated from the wing during takeoff Tuesday afternoon, according to video footage and the NTSB, dooming the aircrafts ability to gain altitude. It crashed into an industrial park just past the airport fenceline. Fourteen people were killed in the accident, including the three pilots, according to authorities.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving UPS Flight 2976 near Louisville. Our thoughts are with the families, crew members, and everyone across the UPS and Louisville communities affected by this devastating loss, FedEx said in a statement of solidarity earlier this week. The entire FedEx team stands with our colleagues across the aviation industry during this difficult time.

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Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

RELATED STORIES:

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The post UPS and FedEx halt MD-11 flying to conduct safety review appeared first on FreightWaves.
U.S. airlines again canceled more than 1,000 flights on Saturday, the second day of the Federal Aviation Administrations order to reduce air traffic because of the government shutdown.

So far, the slowdown at many of the nations busiest airports hasnt caused widespread disruptions. But it has deepened the impact felt by the what is now the nations longest federal shutdown.

We all travel. We all have somewhere to be, said Emmy Holguin, 36, who was flying out of Miami Saturday to visit family in the Dominican Republic for the week. Im hoping that the government can take care of this.

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Analysts warn that the upheaval will intensify and be felt far beyond air travel if the cancellations pick up and move closer to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Already there are concerns about the impact on cities and businesses that rely on tourism and the possibility of shipping interruptions that could delay getting holiday items on store shelves.

Heres what to know about the flight reductions:

How many flights have been canceled?

Both of the first two days of the FAAs slowdown have seen more than 1,000 flights canceled, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.

On Saturday  typically a slow travel day  the airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, was by far the hardest hit with 120 arriving and departing flights canceled by midday.

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Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Orlando, Florida, were among the others with the most disruptions. Staffing shortages in Charlotte and Newark, New Jersey, slowed traffic too.

Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order, and those numbers represent just a small portion of the overall flights nationwide. But they are certain to rise in the coming days if the slowdown continues.

The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4% of flights at 40 targeted airports and will be bumped up again on Tuesday before hitting 10% of flights on Friday.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned this week that even more flight cuts might be needed if the government shutdown continues and more air traffic controllers are off the job.

Why are the flights being canceled?

Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month as the shutdown continues, leading many to call in sick and add to already existing staffing shortages.

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Most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, and some are taking second jobs to pay their bills, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said.

How are passengers being affected?

Most were relieved to find that airlines largely stayed on schedule Friday, and those whose flights were called off were able to quickly rebook. So far, longer international flights havent been interrupted.

Theres still a lot of uncertainty about what flights will be canceled next.

And not everyone has the means to pay for a hotel or deal with a last-minute disruption, said Heather Xu, 46, who was in Miami on Saturday after a cruise and flying home to Puerto Rico.

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Travel is stressful enough. Then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging, she said.

Rental car companies reported a sharp increase in one-way reservations Friday, and some people are simply canceling flights altogether.

What could be the impacts beyond air travel?

First, theres the potential for higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.

Major flight disruptions could bring higher shipping costs that get passed on to consumers, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.

More losses will ripple through the economy if the slowdown continues  from tourism to manufacturing, said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group.

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This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel, he said. Its going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. Theres a cascading effect that results from this thing.

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U.S. airlines again canceled more than 1,000 flights Saturday, the second day of the Federal Aviation Administrations mandate to reduce air traffic because of the government shutdown.

So far, the slowdown at many of the nations busiest airports hasnt caused widespread disruptions. But it has deepened the impact felt by the nations longest federal shutdown.

We all travel. We all have somewhere to be, said Emmy Holguin, 36, who was flying from Miami Saturday to see family in the Dominican Republic. Im hoping that the government can take care of this.

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Analysts warn that the upheaval will intensify and spread far beyond air travel if cancellations keep growing and reach into Thanksgiving week.

Already there are concerns about the squeeze on tourism destinations and holiday shipping.

Heres what to know about the flight reductions:

How many flights have been canceled?

Flight disruptions ticked up a bit on Saturday  typically a slow travel day  as each of the first two days creeped above 1,000 cancellations, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flights.

The airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, saw 130 arriving and departing flights canceled by mid-afternoon Saturday.

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Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and Newark, New Jersey, also saw numerous disruptions throughout the day. Ongoing staffing shortages in radar centers and control towers added to the cancellations and delays on Saturday at several East Coast airports, including those around New York City.

Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order, and those numbers represent just a small portion of the overall flights nationwide. But they are certain to rise in the coming days if the slowdown continues.

The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4 percent of flights at 40 targeted airports and will be bumped up again on Tuesday before hitting 10 percent of flights on Friday.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned this week that even more flight cuts might be needed if the government shutdown continues and more air traffic controllers are off the job.

Why are the flights being canceled?

Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month as the shutdown continues, leading many to call in sick and add to already existing staffing shortages.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, and some are taking second jobs to pay their bills, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said.

How are passengers being affected?

Most were relieved to find that airlines largely stayed on schedule Friday, and those whose flights were called off were able to quickly rebook. So far, longer international flights havent been interrupted.

There is still a lot of uncertainty about what flights will be canceled next.

And not everyone has the means to pay for a hotel or deal with a last-minute disruption, said Heather Xu, 46, who was in Miami on Saturday after a cruise and flying home to Puerto Rico.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Travel is stressful enough. Then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging, she said.

Rental car companies reported a sharp increase in one-way reservations Friday, and some people are simply canceling flights altogether.

Diana Alvear of Bridgewater, New Jersey, canceled her familys trip next weekend to see her in-laws in California because of concerns about flying when controllers are working long hours and understaffed.

She also was nervous about being stranded  a huge debacle for work. United Airlines gave her credit for the airfare, but the family is still out nearly $700 for the deposit on an Airbnb.

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This has been costly to us, and its a huge disappointment for us and our family, she said. Its really weighing on our hearts that we had to do this.

What could be the impacts beyond air travel?

First, theres the potential for higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.

Major flight disruptions could bring higher shipping costs that get passed on to consumers, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.

More losses will ripple through the economy if the slowdown continues  from tourism to manufacturing, said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group.

This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel, he said. Its going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. Theres a cascading effect that results from this thing.
National Guard troops cannot be deployed in Portland and President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by attempting to do so, a federal judge ruled Nov. 7.

In a 106-page opinion, U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut outlined the facts of the case and concluded the Trump administration had violated both the 10th Amendment and Title 10, Section 12406 of the U.S. Code.

"The evidence demonstrates that these deployments, which were objected to by Oregons governor and not requested by the federal officials in charge of protection of the ICE building, exceeded the Presidents authority," said Immergut, a Trump appointee.

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The ruling comes after Immergut heard testimony during a three-day trial and issued a Nov. 2 preliminary injunction preventing troops from being deployed until 5 p.m. Nov. 7.

The relevant portion of Title 10, Section 12406 of the U.S. Code says the president can federalize troops when there is or is a threat of rebellion, or laws are unable to be executed using "regular forces."

Immergut reiterated those findings in issuing the permanent injunction, which the Trump administration is expected to appeal.

In the meantime, Oregon troops will remain federalized for another two weeks.

In a statement, Kotek repeated her call that the Guard be sent home.

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This ruling, now the fourth of its kind, validates the facts on the ground. Oregon does not want or need military intervention, and President Trumps attempts to federalize the guard is a gross abuse of power, she said.

The Trump administration previously appealed a temporary order by Immergut blocking the federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard members.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in the Trump administration's favor, but that ruling was vacated when a majority of the circuit's judges voted to have the case reheard by a larger panel of judges.

Four hundred National Guard troops, 200 from Oregon and California each, have remained federalized and waiting to be deployed at Oregon military bases for more than a month as legal proceedings have continued.

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Immergut heard three days of witness testimony in which law enforcement officers and officials testified on the conditions around the ICE facility.

Notable revelations included the Trump administration acknowledging National Guard troops were at the ICE facility after Immergut had blocked their deployment and the deputy regional director for the Federal Protective Service responsible for protecting the ICE facility expressing surprise at the deployment.

Immergut's decision "is a huge victory," Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement.

"The courts are holding this administration accountable to the truth and the rule of law," he said. "From the beginning, this case has been about making sure that facts, not political whims, guide how the law is applied. Todays decision protects that principle.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrest a clarinet player who was part of a musical band protesting in front of their facility in Portland, Oregon, October 12, 2025, during the Emergency Naked Bike Ride.

Judge's decision is latest in a winding legal battle

Here are some of the major events in the legal battle of whether Trump can deploy the National Guard to Portland.

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Statesman Journal editor Jonathan Williams contributed to this report.

Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Guard cannot be deployed to Portland, federal judge decides
President Droupadi Murmu departed for a state visit to Angola and Botswana on Saturday, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to these nations. According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, this historic visit highlights India's commitment to strengthening ties with Africa and the Global South. In a post on X, Rashtrapati Bhavan stated, "President Droupadi Murmu departs for her State visit to Angola and Botswana. This will be the first-ever State visit by an Indian Head of State to these nations." https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1987072548182630709?s=20 The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also highlighted the significance of the visit. In a post on X, the MEA stated, "Reiterating India's commitment towards Africa and the Global South. President Droupadi Murmu has departed on a two-country State visit to Angola and Botswana. This visit will be the first-ever State visit by our President to these nations." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1987075134356856969?s=20 India is set to strengthen its defence and energy cooperation with Angola, ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's upcoming state visit to Angola and Botswana, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. Addressing a special press briefing, MEA Secretary of Economic Relations Sudhakar Dalela said defence cooperation and lines of credit were among the key focus areas of engagement between India and Angola. "I think both are very critical sectors for cooperation. When the President of Angola came to India this year, he did discuss both these aspects with our leadership. Of course, we have a fairly vibrant energy partnership with Angola already, and we have about USD 5 billion in trade with Angola, out of which 80 per cent is in the energy sector. Our partnership with Angola from an energy security perspective is very critical. And we would like to explore the possibility of providing more momentum and depth to our partnership in the energy sector," Dalela said. Botswana has expressed its readiness to send a "good number" of cheetahs to India under Project Cheetah, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday, ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's upcoming state visit to Angola and Botswana, marking a significant boost to India's wildlife conservation efforts. (ANI)
An American force in or near Damascus at a strategic site such as an airport could be just the thing Syria needs at the moment.

On Thursday, Reuters reported that the United States is preparing to establish a military presence at an airbase in Damascus to help enable a security pact that Washington is brokering between Syria and Israel.

The report was based on six sources familiar with the matter.

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This is an important development and comes on the eve of Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaas visit to Washington.

Sharaa has helped guide his country throughout the last year after the Assad regime fell on December 8, 2024. He has largely succeeded in bringing Syria back into relations with the West and other countries in the international community.

He has also had to balance the interests of various countries. For instance, he has worked with Turkey, which backed some Syrian rebel groups and hosted millions of Syrians.

A view of the runway at the Mezzeh military airbase along with several hangars, at southwest of Damascus, Syria, November 4, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/FERAS DALATEY)

A US force in or near Damascus at a strategic site such as an airport could be just what Syria needs at the moment. The US already has forces in eastern Syria, where it backs the Syrian Democratic Forces, the main group that defeated ISIS.

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It also has a garrison in southern Syria near Jordan called the Tanf garrison. This backed a small Syrian Arab rebel group, which is now part of Syrias new army Division 70.

The US thus has troops with experience in Syria. US Central Command head Admiral Brad Cooper has also visited Damascus at least twice in the last six months.

His visit has helped shed light on how the US could play a role in Syria and also spotlights how the SDF could integrate into the new Syrian security forces.

This is important for Israel as well. Israel opposed Irans role in Syria during the Assad regime, as Tehran backed Syrian militias that are hostile to Israel.

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Tehran also trafficked weapons to Hezbollah. Airbases were key to the Iranian role. For instance, Iran used the T-4 base near Palmyra to move an air defense system to Syria in 2018. The system was destroyed in an airstrike, according to Ynet.

Iran left Syria when the Assad regime fell. Thus ended the Israeli war between the wars, or what was abbreviated as Mabam in Hebrew, the precision airstrike campaign directed at Iranian entrenchment in Syria.

The campaign had involved thousands of airstrikes, according to a New York Times article in 2001. As such, Israel was very focused on possible threats in Syria over the last decade.

Iran and Hezbollah even collaborated near the Golan; in 2019, the terror organization moved drones to cells near the northern region. This illustrates how a weak Syria can become a threat.

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When the Assad regime fell, some people in Israel suggested that the Jewish state take a more aggressive approach in Syria. Having beaten Hezbollah in November 2024, there was an opportunity to expand into Syria.

Israel seized the peak of the Hermon and also took areas along the Golan ceasefire line that dates from 1974. Israeli officials called for southern Syria to be demilitarized.

The Jewish state also launched airstrikes on the new Sharaa government, warning it not to harm Druze in Sweida in southern Syria. This set Israel on a collision course with the new government.

As Washington embraced Sharaa, particularly after US President Donald Trump met with the Syrian leader in Saudi Arabia, Israels policy became more controversial.

Will Israel climb down from its tree of tensions?

Now the talk of a US role in or near Damascus could help Israel climb down from this tree of tensions with Syria. It is in Israels interests to have southern Syria stable rather than a power vacuum where Iran and others might exploit the situation.

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Israel also cant effectively defend the Druze via airstrikes. A clearer, more wholesome policy of engagement is needed. A US role could calm everyone down and help ease Syria and Israel into a new era. This is in Israels best interests.

It would allow a way out from the complexity and mission creep that Israel almost engaged in regarding attempts to support the Druze. It is not that these attempts were wrong, but they lacked a clear strategy and risked biting off more than Israel could chew.

They also risked raising expectations in Sweida. Instead, its better to lower expectations and end up with some kind of peace deal.

Trump has pushed for peace all around the world and successfully helped Israel reduce tensions in Gaza. This could hand Israel and the US another opportunity and also help Damascus get more wins in Washington.

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Damascus wants sanctions removed. It also wants the US to prod the SDF to integrate. Much is on the line, and a new type of US presence that grows outside of eastern Syria or Tanf could be just what Syria needs now.

It would also help counter any bad actors who might want to increase influence in Syria at the expense of the US, the West, or Israel.
U.S. government officials will not attend this years G20 summit in South Africa, President Donald Trump said Friday, as the president continues to rail against the host countrys alleged discrimination of its white citizens.

Trump had previously said he wouldnt attend the summit  a meeting of world leaders to discuss economic development  with Vice President JD Vance slated to attend in the presidents absence. But the boycott would effectively pull the U.S.s presence from the conference entirely.

Afrikaners (People who are descended from Dutch settlers and also French and German immigrants) are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated, Trump wrote on Truth Social. No U.S. Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue.

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Trump has continued to condemn the country for what he says is discrimination against its white population, claiming earlier this year that the country was committing genocide against white citizens. But South African officials have continued to rebuff the claims.

Have they told you where that is, Mr. President? South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said earlier this year. Id like to know where that is, because this Ive never seen.

The Trump administration has also prioritized refugee admissions for Afrikaners.

Each year, a different G20 member hosts the summit to discuss a theme of their choosing, with the U.S. on deck to host next years meeting at Trumps property in Miami.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said earlier this year that hed boycott the G20 summit in Johannesburg because of bad things happening in the country, panning the summits focus on solidarity, equality, & sustainability.

In other words: DEI and climate change, Rubio said on X in February.
Israel is still part of negotiations and "part of the conversation" on the aid distributions, but "decisions will be taken by the wider body," according to a US official familiar with the operation.

The United States has replaced Israel in overseeing humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, according to a Friday Washington Post report.

The Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), set up in Kiryat Gat by the US, is now taking charge of aid importation. Israel will take a secondary role in deciding what enters Gaza, the Washington Post reported, citing several officials familiar with the transition.

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US forces are taking part in overseeing and coordinating aid transfer into the Gaza Strip together with Israel as part of US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan, an Israeli security official confirmed to Reuters on Saturday.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has also stepped up monitoring aid distribution and the ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization, the report added.

'Israel still part of conversation' on aid to Gaza

The Washington Post also cited a US official who stated that Israel is still part of the negotiations and "part of the conversation" on aid distribution, but that "decisions will be taken by the wider body."

The report then cited multiple individuals linked to the CMCC saying that its first weeks of operation were "chaotic and indecisive."

Trucks carry aid for Palestinians, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 14, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)

Jan Egeland, the Norwegian Refugee Council's Secretary-General, wrote on X/Twitter on Wednesday that "the humanitarian aid promise of the Trump peace plan for Gaza is blocked. Aid groups working for shelter in Gaza warn that hundreds of thousands of families face the coming winter without desperately needed protection from the elements."

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Egeland was then quoted in the Friday report, describing the US replacing Israel's responsibilities in overseeing aid to be "very good news. "

Our appeal is to make the plan a reality. Of course, the credibility of the United States is at stake here," she added,

The swapping of responsibility from Israel to the US comes nearly a week after CENTCOM posted a video on social platforms of what it said was suspected Hamas operatives looting an aid truck traveling as part of a humanitarian convoy delivering needed assistance from international partners to Gazans in northern Khan Yunis.

The terrorist organization then denied the allegations, saying that the accusations were "baseless and unfounded" and that its aims are to justify the already limited reduction of humanitarian aid.

Seth J. Frantzman contributed to this report.
By David Morgan, Bo Erickson, Nolan D. McCaskill and Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate on Friday rejected legislation that would resume paychecks for hundreds of thousands of federal workers during the longest shutdown in U.S. history, as Democrats and Republicans remained at odds over how to reopen the government.

The measure received 53 yes votes to 43 no votes in the Republican-controlled chamber, short of the 60 yes votes it needed to advance. Most Democrats voted against the bill and argued it would give too much discretion to Republican President Donald Trump, who has opted to pay military troops and immigration officers during the shutdown while threatening to withhold pay for other workers.

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Three Democratic senators voted for the bill: Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia, and Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico.

Labor unions representing federal workers had urged lawmakers to pass the bill, saying the shutdown that began on October 1 was creating hardship for ordinary Americans.

"Every missed paycheck deepens the financial hole in which federal workers and their families find themselves," said Everett Kelley, the head of the American Federation of Government Employees, in a letter to senators.

Democratic Senator Gary Peters of Michigan said that the bill gave too much discretion for Trump to withhold pay for some federal workers.

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There was no sign the two sides were any closer to breaking the stalemate that led to the shutdown in the first place. Democrats say any bill that would restore government funding must also fund healthcare subsidies for 24 million Americans that are due to expire at the end of the year. Republicans say Congress must first pass a funding bill and allow the government to reopen.

The shutdown has furloughed about 750,000 federal employees, forced thousands more to work without pay and shut off food assistance and Head Start subsidies for millions of Americans, including children. A new pressure point was expected to open in the days ahead as major U.S. airports braced for a cut in airline flights due to a lack of pay for air-traffic controllers.

Some Senate Republicans have floated a compromise that would reopen federal agencies on a temporary basis and fund some programs for the full fiscal year, which began on October 1.

Democrats on Friday responded with a proposal that would also extend the expiring healthcare subsidies for another year and set up a bipartisan committee to explore long-term health reforms. But it was unclear whether either plan would draw the 60 votes needed to pass the 100-seat chamber.

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"This shutdown is going to last a long time. What's going to get us out of it?" Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said after Friday's failed vote.

"There's only one story here, which is that they (Republicans) will not sit down leader to leader to try to solve this," said Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut.

(Reporting by David Morgan, Nolan D. McCaskill, Bo Erickson and Rick Cowan, writing by Andy Sullivan; editing by Scott Malone and David Gregorio)
SHIRLEY, Ark.  A Van Buren County man was arrested Thursday after authorities said he killed his father and fled to a hotel in Hot Springs.

Arkansas State Police said deputies from the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office requested assistance after finding 68-year-old Russell B. Branscum dead in his home in the 14000 block of Highway 110 near Shirley.

Arkansas State Police investigating homicide in Lonoke County

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Detectives with the state police Criminal Investigation Division said Branscums son, 31-year-old Brian J. Branscum, was identified as the suspect. He was arrested at a Hot Springs hotel and is facing charges related to his fathers death.

Russell Branscums body was taken to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine the cause and manner of death.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50  the only statewide measure on this weeks special election ballot.

It temporarily suspends the state constitutional amendment voters passed in 2010 that established an independent citizen redistricting commission. It allows politicians to redraw their own district boundary lines ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Its all part of a political arms race started when Trump pressured Texas Republicans to redraw their district boundary lines to yield more Republican seats in the midterm elections.

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The California redistricting is an attempt to create five Democratic seats to offset Texas Republican gains. Hanford Republican Rep. David Valadao, representing part of Kern County, holds one of the targeted seats.

Already the war has spread to Missouri and North Carolina, where Republican legislators gerrymandered districts to advantage Republicans. Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana and Florida may do the same.

Meanwhile, legislators in Illinois, New York and Virginia are considering redrawing district lines to benefit Democrats.

Its all a tit-for-tat battle over control of the House and protecting  or curbing  Trumps agenda.

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We are watching a political race to the bottom when it comes to our electoral system.

Did you really think voters pick their elected representatives? Nope. What you are watching is a bunch of self-serving politicians picking the voters they want.

Will this weeks overwhelming passage of Proposition 50 settle the redistricting issue in California? Not by a long shot.

Groups that opposed placing Proposition 50 on the ballot have long planned for its inevitable passage. Before the ink was dry on the ballots sent out to California voters, legal challenges were plotted.

A 2019 U.S. Supreme Court decision that gave the green light to political gerrymandering by Republicans in North Carolina and Democrats in Maryland may have closed off ways to challenge Proposition 50 in federal courts.

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It also is a tough sell to contend gerrymandering in California is wrong, but what Republicans are doing in other states is OK.

Among the state-level challenges being discussed is a legal argument that Proposition 50 violates the state Constitution. But it seems logical that what voters gave California in 2010, they can take away in 2025. Voters amended the state Constitution in 2010 to create an independent citizen redistricting commission.

This week, voters agreed to temporarily suspended the commission until after the 2030 Census, conduct a mid-decade redistricting and allow politicians to redraw legislative district lines to benefit Democrats.

Congress has the power to stop this preposterous gerrymandering. But will it?

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In 2022, the House passed the Freedom to Vote Act, which would have prohibited mid-decade redistricting and partisan gerrymandering of congressional maps. But it was blocked in the Senate.

This summer, Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley, who represents one of the California districts targeted by Proposition 50, proposed a ban on mid-decade redistricting.

The chance that Kileys proposal, as well as similar legislation introduced by Democrats, will make it out of the Congress is slim.

But if legislation did pass, theres even less chance that it would be signed into law by the president who started this political arms race.

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In her dissent of the 2019 U.S. Supreme Court decision giving political gerrymander the green light, Associate Justice Elena Kagan wrote, Republicans in North Carolina and Democrats in Maryland had rigged elections in a way that deprived citizens of the most fundamental of their constitutional rightsdebased and dishonored our democracy  (and turned)  upside-down the core American idea that all governmental power derives from the people.

She challenged us: Ask yourself, is this how American democracy is supposed to work?

No, it is not. Voters should say, Enough is enough! Vote for politicians who work to make California and the country better  not to enrich themselves and their political parties.
(THE CENTer Square)  California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging states like Illinois to redraw congressional maps, but voting rights group CHANGE Illinois warns that such pressure risks undermining transparency and public trust in the redistricting process.

In his Proposition 50 victory speech, Newsom criticized President Donald Trump and urged states to meet the moment.

We need our friends in New York, Illinois, and Colorado, said Newsom. We need to see other states, the remarkable leaders that have been doing remarkable things, meet this moment head on and recognize what were up against in 2026.

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Illinois ethics advocates quickly raised concerns that outside pressure could undermine public trust. Ryan Tolley, executive director of Chicago-based voting rights group CHANGE Illinois, said the states 2021 congressional maps are already highly partisan gerrymandered.

For Illinois, the challenge is that our maps are already heavily drawn to favor one party, Tolley said. Any attempt to redraw them would likely come at the expense of Black voting power and diminish representation for Black communities, since creating a new district would probably split voters further in Cook County and Chicago.

Tolley also noted that redrawing congressional maps outside of the normal post-census cycle is highly unusual.

Maps typically arent redrawn unless theres a lawsuit or federal requirements, such as compliance with the Voting Rights Act, he said.

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Calls from outside leaders, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, may increase pressure on Illinois lawmakers, but Tolley said the state has so far resisted.

For Illinois, if leaders keep threatening to gerrymander our maps in response to Indiana, officials there might decide its not worth it because Illinois would just offset them, said Tolley. Some of that may just be political rhetoric meant to discourage Republican-led states from moving forward with their own remaps.

Tolley suggested restoring confidence through reforms like a state Voting Rights Act or an independent redistricting commission.

There are a lot of ways Illinois leaders could turn a bad situation into an opportunity to rebuild public trust, Tolley said. They could pass real reforms to make redistricting less political or give voters tools to protect themselves from disenfranchisement, especially from racial gerrymandering.

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Texas latest redistricting push has renewed debate over the Voting Rights Act after the Department of Justice quietly dropped a related lawsuit in March 2025.

The Department of Justice sued Texas in 2021, alleging its maps diluted minority voting power, but the case ended before any ruling.

While some framed their redistricting actions as a response to federal scrutiny, others pointed to openly partisan motives.

President Trump very publicly said Texas officials should go find Republicans five more seats, Tolley noted, suggesting the process was more about political gain than compliance with voting protections.

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Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a Louisiana case that could weaken or strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which bans racial discrimination in redistricting. With that laws future uncertain, states like New York and Colorado have passed their own versions to protect minority voters.

Any effort to redraw congressional maps in Illinois would face significant logistical challenges, Tolley said, including possible adjustments to the primary election schedule. Lawmakers could theoretically act in a special session without a ballot referendum.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul must reroute a planned trip to Colombia for a summit of EU and Latin American countries at short notice due to a government aircraft being out of service, his office announced late on Friday.

The German Air Force Airbus A350, which was supposed to fly from Hamburg, is unavailable due to a technical defect, the Foreign Office said. Wadephul is to represent Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the meeting.

The minister now plans take a commercial flight to Colombia and then fly on to Santa Marta on the country's northern Caribbean coast where the CELAC summit is taking place, the statement continued.

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On Sunday, Wadephul planned to travel on from Colombia to Bolivia for talks with the newly elected government.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the minister is scheduled to attend a meeting in Canada with his counterparts from the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations.

Germany's fleet of government aircraft have become something of a punchline after encountering numerous technical issues in recent years.

Wadephul's predecessor, Annalena Baerbock, was once left stranded in Abu Dhabi and had to cancel a trip to Australia and New Zealand when problems occurred on her government plane. She made up for the visit later.
A WakeMed police officer was shot and killed Saturday morning while on duty in Garner.

Garner police officers responded about 9 a.m. to reports of a shooting in the Emergency Department at WakeMed Garner Healthplex in the 400 block of US-70.

In a statement, WakeMed told ABC11 that officer Roger Smith, 59, was working in the hospital's emergency department lobby when "a struggle ensued" and he was shot. Despite "immediate life-saving efforts" by medical staffers, Smith died from his injuries.

Officer Roger Smith

A suspect has been charged, Garner Police said Saturday afternoon. Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner, has been charged with murder in connection with Smith's death.

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"This is a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence," said Garner Police Chief Chris Adams. "Officer Smith dedicated his career to protecting others, and even in his final moments, he put the safety of others before his own. Our condolences go out to the Smith family, the WakeMed Campus Police Department, and the entire WakeMed staff. The Garner community mourns alongside you today."

A procession for Officer Smith started at 1:40 p.m. at WakeMed, to New Bern Avenue, and then to the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh. Wake County Sheriff's Office

The Wake County Sheriff's Office said a procession for Smith started at 1:40 p.m. and went from WakeMed on New Bern Avenue to the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh. Between 60 and 100 law enforcement and fire vehicles participated.

"Today, our heart is heavy as we join WakeMed and the law enforcement community in mourning the loss of WakeMed Police Officer Roger Smith," the sheriff's office said. "Please keep Officer Smith's family and the entire WakeMed team in your thoughts and prayers. Though he did not wear a WCSO uniform, he will always be a part of our first responder family."

Smith had worked in public safety for WakeMed for 14 years. Smith, who is from Knightdale, worked with Knightdale Police before joining WakeMed.

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"Today, the Knightdale community mourns the loss of a local hero," Knightdale PD said. "Officer Roger Smith, a long-time Knightdale resident and member of Knightdale PD from 1997 to 2013, was tragically killed in the line of duty. The Knightdale Police Department extends its deepest sympathies to Roger's family and to our colleagues at the Wake Med Police Department. Roger, we love you and you will be missed."

"We give an enormous amount of gratitude to the Garner Healthplex Emergency Department staff for their heroic and quick response to this incident," Garner Healthplex said in a statement. "WakeMed leadership is on-site and working with the State Bureau of Investigation and the Garner Police Department, as is standard with police-related shootings. The Garner Healthplex Emergency Department lobby remains inaccessible at this time."

The facility is expected to reopen Saturday evening.

"SBI was called in to assist in the shooting involving a police officer," the SBI said in a statement. "The Garner Police Department has a separate investigation that is centered around the incident and what led up to it."

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Gov. Josh posted on X about the shooting:

"My heart goes out to the family of Officer Roger Smith, who was killed protecting patients and their families. Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe, and we are forever grateful for Officer Smith's sacrifice. Please pray for his family and the entire WakeMed community in their time of need."

On Saturday afternoon, the Raleigh Police Department released a statement on the shooting, saying it "extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of WakeMed Police Officer Roger Smith, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty this morning.

We stand with our brothers and sisters in blue at WakeMed Police Department during this heartbreaking time," RPD added. "Please keep Officer Smith's loved ones and his department in your thoughts and prayers."

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Additional staff and counselors are on-site to support Garner ED and Campus Police teams.

The incident remains under investigation as Garner Police work to piece together what led up to the struggle and shooting.

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App
MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George co-chaired the 11th India-Armenia Foreign Office Consultations along with Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan in Yerevan on Saturday. Both sides discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, regional and global issues of mutual interest. In a post on X, the MEA said, "Secretary (West) Sibi George co-chaired the 11th India-Armenia Foreign Office Consultations along with DFM Mnatsakan Safaryan in Yerevan. Both sides discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, regional and global issues of mutual interest. Secretary (West) Sibi George also called on FM Ararat Mirzoyan of Armenia. An Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Public Health and Medical Science between Ministry of Health and Ministry of Health was signed by Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Dr. Lena Nanushyan on the occasion." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1987018885984624813?s=20 An Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Public Health and Medical Science between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India and the Ministry of Health of Armenia was also signed. During the FOC, discussions were held on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in multilateral fora. As per the MEA, it was agreed that the next FOC would be held in India, on a mutually convenient date in 2026. Earlier on October 23, the Joint Working Group Meeting on Defence Cooperation between India and Armenia was held in Telangana's Hyderabad on Thursday. Both countries exchanged views on bilateral defence cooperation. https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/1981325900252926022?s=20 In a post on X, the Ministry of Defence said, "The Joint Working Group Meeting on Defence Cooperation between India and Armenia was held in Hyderabad today. Both countries exchanged views on bilateral defence cooperation, defence industrial collaboration amongst other issues of mutual interest in security domain. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (IC) and the Armenian delegation was led by Mr. Levon Ayvazyan, Head of Policy and International Military Cooperation Department, MoD of Armenia." (ANI)
CHEYENNE  New leadership is welcoming unhoused community members back to The Welcome Mat and offering a second chance to those who have previously received citations at the day shelter.

Resources for people in need of a shelter are limited in Cheyenne. Even if you can be housed at Cheyennes only overnight homeless shelter, the COMEA House and Resource Center, you can rarely stay during the day.

That makes The Welcome Mat, Cheyennes only day shelter, pretty important, according to new Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless Director Christie Campbell. The coalition operates The Welcome Mat.

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I definitely took on more than I had bargained for, but I feel like everyone is better for it, including myself, Campbell said. Im tired, but Im happy.

Campbell had previously worked with The Welcome Mat doing social media, and later was invited to step in as director when the previous director stepped down.

After grappling with how she would fit this into her already busy life, she decided to commit and underwent a full year of training.

Through that training, she quickly recognized where the shelter could and should be asking for more help. Quickly, her 20-hour-a-week job turned into a 55-or-more-hours-a-week job.

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Im getting up every single day to clean and feed and help the homeless, Campbell said. Its an amazing feeling.

Shes not alone in that work. Several of the homeless people who utilize the shelter have taken it upon themselves to help maintain the property.

They want to make sure that it stays clean, they bring in and sort donations, and they really are extremely helpful, Campbell said. Theyre just like you and me, theyre just in a situation that sucks.

Campbells changes have also been targeted at procedures, with more planned and efficient ways to use and distribute resources, like coats and hygiene products.

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Through working with Needs Inc. and the Wyoming Hunger Initiative for donations, they have been able to get more food, coats and even a better-functioning refrigerator for food storage.

That has also changed the appeal of the shelter.

Patrick McGee is lucky enough to have a vehicle, and works to pay for insurance and gas, he told the WTE. Originally, he only came in for a cup of coffee.

Thats my biggest thing, McGee said. A hot shower and coffee. Thats what allows me to get out and see the public and not feel totally homeless, (gives me a) sense of normalcy.

After seeing that he could get those two things, The Welcome Mat became a more frequent location for him in his downtime. He also took to helping clean up the place.

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I was brought up not to take something for granted, McGee said. A lot of people seem to take things for granted or feel entitled to services, and I feel you should do something to give back to something that is helping you out.

Negative perceptions

When Campbell stepped in earlier this year, she not only had to address the condition of the building, but the perception of it from those who need it most.

Several unhoused Wyomingites have told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle over the past year that they avoid the day shelter, either because they hear bad things from their peers or have had negative personal experiences.

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I heard it wasnt even safe here, McGee told the WTE, waiting for a turn to shower at the shelter a week ago. That people werent following rules or anything, and pretty much do what they want. I didnt want to get any of my stuff stolen or anything, so (I avoided it).

McGee said that when he finally did hear good things and decided to come in, he never wouldve guessed that what he had been told could ever be true.

It is a safe place to come now, and people can feel safe here, Tim Stramel told the WTE. The more they can get help like this, the less trouble there will be around town from everybody.

McGee shared that sentiment. When asked what they feel most people experiencing homelessness need, both men said that after warm clothes, food and things like sleeping bags and gloves to survive the winter, they really need opportunities to work.

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We try to help the community, Stramel said. If somebody comes by looking for somebody to help move your things, people volunteer to help move that and get paid a little bit for doing it.

McGee and Stramel helped clean up the property when Campbell shut down for three days to address a problem with mice, scrub walls and deep clean. They werent alone; several others like them, who are experiencing homelessness and believe in giving back to the community, also pitched in.

Second chances

Stramel has been coming to The Welcome Mat on and off since 2009, but was banned at one point, like many of his peers. Limited by medical issues related to his military service, he cant work full time, and has been surviving off his carpentry skills and odd jobs for years.

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Stramel was banned because he was suspected of having been drinking.

I dont drink; I cant, not on my medication, Stramel said. (But), I worked security at bars, and (the former coordinator) smelled beer on me from taking the trash out. Bless his heart, he was trying to do what he could.

Stramels experience wasnt unique; while some people were trespassed from the property for being violent or using substances, others were banned for what they said were simple miscommunications.

Rather than sort through what seemed justified and what didnt, Campbell decided to offer a blanket second chance.

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I have the same conversation with every new person that walks in the door, Campbell said. My rules are right there. Please follow them once you hit this property line. Respect is my biggest thing. So if you respect me and respect this place, youre welcome and welcome back.

So far, Campbell has had no issues and found no reason to involve the police in any enforcement measures. She has, however, been working with the Cheyenne Police Department to let people know theres an alternative place in town for them to go during the day, and to let the non-violent folks who have previously been banned know theyre welcome back.

Campbell sat down with CPD Crime Prevention Team Sgt. Eric Norris to discuss the changes and gave him cards to hand out to people when he interacts with them.

Part of Norris prevention work is checking in with the homeless population, who tend to spend most of the daytime, when they cant be at COMEA, at parks or in the library.

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(I can tell them) shes giving you a place to stay, as long as you dont burn that bridge, Norris said. So Ive been passing cards out to these people and basically getting the word out that there is another option for a daytime shelter.

Since then, the shelter has seen a steady increase in people, rising from 12-20 people a day to closer to 40-45 people a day.

CPD is not only regularly talking to The Welcome Mat, but representatives from several organizations that assist people dealing with homelessness, addiction or both. This gives officers alternatives to arrest when the offense is minor, offering people alternatives to the library or local parks and getting them connected with resources to improve their situation, Norris said.

These entities are giving us other options on ways to get them to a place, get them in touch with someone, to be able to talk to these people and have some sort of counseling to get them in the right direction and move forward, Norris said.

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This is particularly important for those in need of assistance getting sober, which is a major issue for the homeless community, Norris said. That goal isnt exclusive to The Welcome Mat; it extends to COMEA, the library, Recover Wyoming and several others.

I wouldnt say its a perfect relationship, but we have been making every effort to build a relationship with several different entities, Norris said. Trying to find alternative means and to get these people on a road to sobriety, or to get them in a position where they can get a job and they can afford to get a hotel room for the night, or find some way to get into a sheltered situation.
NEED TO KNOW

Abby Zwerner is a former elementary school teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student in January 2023

Shortly after, Zwerner filed a lawsuit, and a jury awarded her $10 million in November 2025

Zwerner has not returned to teaching and has since become a licensed cosmetologist

In January 2023, first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner was shot in her classroom by a 6-year-old boy.

After surviving her wounds, Zwerner filed a lawsuit in April 2023, naming the school's assistant principal, Ebony Parker, as a defendant. Zwerner stated that she suffered "physical pain and mental anguish" because of the incident.

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At the time, her attorney, Diane Toscano, said in a statement, "Abby was shot by a six-year-old student, and she will never be the same. She has endured four surgeries and still has a bullet lodged inside her."

Nearly three years later, in November 2025, Zwerner won the lawsuit and was awarded $10 million by the jury. While she has gone on to pursue a different passion outside the classroom, Zwerner has spoken about how the incident continues to impact her, both physically and emotionally.

So where is Abby Zwerner now? Here's everything to know about the former schoolteacher.

Who is Abby Zwerner?

Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Abby Zwerner Abby Zwerner

Zwerner is a former first-grade teacher who was shot in her classroom at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Va. She was 25 at the time of the shooting, per CBS News.

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Zwerner loved teaching and recalled to Today the first time she walked into her classroom.

"It was amazing. It was the moment that you had been waiting for," she said. "This is what I've been practicing. This is what I've studied. It's finally here."

Who was Abby Zwerner's student?

Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Abby Zwerner Abby Zwerner

The identity of the boy who shot Zwerner has not been disclosed because he is a minor.

During the trial, he was referred to as a 6-year-old male student of Zwerner's at the school where she taught.

According to The New York Times, in the lawsuit, Zwerner said the boy had a history of random violence and had previously attacked teachers and other students.

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Zwerner also recalled telling Parker on the morning of the shooting that the student was in a violent mood.

What happened to Abby Zwerner?

Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Abby Zwerner Abby Zwerner

On Jan. 6, 2023, Zwerner was shot in her classroom at Richneck Elementary School.

According to a March 2023 Today interview, the teacher was sitting at a table reading to her students when the student pulled the trigger and shot her. The bullet went through her left hand and lodged itself in her chest, where it still remains.

"I just will never forget the look on his face that he gave me while he pointed the gun directly at me," she told Today.

Despite being shot, Zwerner was still able to escort her students out of her classroom. She then went to the school office, where she passed out. Her lung had collapsed because of the bullet, according to The New York Times.

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I thought I had died. I thought I was either on my way to heaven or in heaven, Zwerner said during the trial, per the Associated Press. But then it all got black. And so, I then thought I wasnt going there. And then my next memory is I see two co-workers around me, and I process that Im hurt and theyre putting pressure on where Im hurt.

According to NBC News, the shooting took place on the student's first day back in class following a suspension he received two days earlier for slamming Zwerner's phone.

How did Abby Zwerner's student get a gun?

Per The New York Times, the student took the loaded 9-millimeter handgun from the purse of his mother, Deja Taylor. According to the Patch, the boy said he climbed onto a drawer to reach the top of a dresser where the purse with the gun was.

Taylor told investigators the gun was secured with a trigger lock, though one was never found.

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"I am, as a parent, obviously willing to take responsibility for him because he can't take responsibility" for himself, she told Good Morning America in May 2023.

Taylor continued, "I just truly would like to apologize that ... [Zwerner got] hurt. We were actually kind of forming a relationship with me having to be in the classroom. And she is really a bright person."

After Zwerner was shot and she left the classroom, reading specialist Amy Kovac entered and restrained the boy, per CBS News.

"I shot that bitch dead," the student said, according to Kovac. "I got my mom's gun last night."

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In December 2023, Taylor was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of felony child neglect, The New York Times reported. The month prior, she was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison for using marijuana while owning a firearm and making false statements about drug use, per the newspaper. The sentences will be served back-to-back.

According to CBS News, in a statement read by one of her attorneys at her sentencing, Taylor said she would feel remorse "for the rest of my life."

Where is Abby Zwerner now?

Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Abby Zwerner Abby Zwerner

On Nov. 6, 2025, a jury awarded Zwerner $10 million in her civil lawsuit against Parker. She had sought $40 million.

In the nearly three years since the shooting, Zwerner has undergone six surgeries and still can't fully use her left hand.

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Overall, I would say I do struggle with things, doing things, she said in October 2025, per CNN, revealing she has difficulty handling simple tasks such as opening bags of chips and water bottles. I just want to stay home."

Despite her love for teaching, Zwerner has not returned to the classroom, due to "anxiety, the PTSD and the fear," as she told WVEC News in January 2024.

"I was in my career that I went to college for, that I worked hard to get, and I loved it," she continued. "The thought never crossed my mind that I was going to be shot by a 6-year-old in my classroom. I feel like it's just been taken from me, it's been stripped of me."

Zwerner told The Virginian-Pilot that the shooting was "always going to be there with me ... and its always there in the back of my head."

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According to NPR, she has become a licensed cosmetologist.



Where is Abby Zwerner's student now?

The student who shot Zwerner was not criminally charged.

"We do not believe the law supports charging and convicting a 6-year-old with aggravated assault," attorney Howard Gwynn told WTKR in March 2023.

In a January 2024 interview with WAVY, Calvin Taylor, the boy's great-grandfather, said the boy attends "a different, undisclosed school," adding that he "loves to cook, and [makes] brownies for his family."

Taylor said that his great-grandson also "hopes to learn to ride a horse one day."



Read the original article on People
Jamaica's national dish, ackee and saltfish, is a beloved staple and source of cultural pride. But for many years, its star ingredient, the ackee fruit, has been banned or tightly restricted in the United States. Why? The answer lies in the fruit's natural toxicity and the strict rules from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Ackee is a tropical fruit native to West Africa that was brought to Jamaica in the 18th century, most likely on a ship transporting enslaved people from Ghana, West Africa. The fruit has since become a central part of Jamaican cuisine, and the ackee tree is so symbolic that it was named the country's national fruit. Besides breakfast dishes, you'll also find it in Jamaican patties, soups, and desserts.

Ackee grows in large, pear-shaped pods that turn from green to yellow or red as they ripen. When the pods open on the tree, they reveal soft, yellow flesh (called arils) surrounding large black seeds. That yellow aril is the only edible part  but only when it's fully ripe and properly prepared. And that's where things get a little tricky.

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Unripe ackee contains high levels of a naturally occurring toxin called hypoglycin A, which can be extremely dangerous. When eaten in large amounts, this toxin can cause sudden vomiting, low blood sugar, muscular weakness, mental exhaustion, and, in severe cases, coma or death. That risk is why ackee must never be harvested or eaten before it has naturally opened on the tree.

Read more: 13 Meats That Are Now Illegal In The US

Only canned or frozen ackee is sold in the United States

traditional Jamaican breakfast of ackee and saltfish - Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock

Luckily, ackee fruits are kind enough to let you know when they're safe to eat. Jamaicans like to describe this splitting open as the fruit "smiling" or "yawning." Even then, the fruit must be carefully cleaned and cooked before it's safe to eat.

While not entirely illegal, ackee shipments are automatically flagged and inspected before they are allowed into the United States. Only canned or frozen ackee from FDA-approved processing plants is permitted, and even then, the facility and processes must meet strict standards to ensure the hypoglycin A levels in ackee can be reduced to a safe threshold.

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In other words, you can buy ackee in the U.S., but only in carefully regulated, shelf-stable forms. Sadly, you won't find it fresh at your local farmers market anytime soon. As one can imagine, the ackee restriction has caused some frustration in Jamaican communities abroad, where ackee and saltfish is more than just a meal; it's a connection to home.

Many argue that the risks can be managed with proper education and handling, as is done in Jamaica. When you consider that many foods are deadly unless you do it right (looking at you, toxic rhubarb), it doesn't seem fair. Ackee's legal limbo in the U.S. highlights the tension between cultural food traditions and modern food safety regulations. While canned ackee can be enjoyed in dishes across the diaspora, the fresh fruit remains a carefully guarded delicacy. You'll have to travel to Jamaica for the real thing.

For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more!

Read the original article on The Takeout.
Its been a month since Ashlee Buzzard packed her 9-year-old daughter Melodee into a rental car and left their home state of California  only to return three days later with no child and plenty of unanswered questions in tow, authorities say.

As investigators search for Melodee, they say their probe has uncovered a series of wigged disguises, a sprawling multistate road trip, and an uncooperative mother who has provided no verifiable explanation of her daughters whereabouts.

The case took an unexpected turn on Friday when Buzzard, 40, was arrested on a charge of false imprisonment  but not for the disappearance of her daughter. This crime is not connected to the ongoing search for Melodee, however, detectives are unable to fully outline the crime as it would impede their ongoing investigation, the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office said.

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Heres what we know about the case  and the many questions that still remain.

A concerned school official noticed Melodees prolonged absence

Melodees disappearance was reported on October 14, not by her family but by school administrators who noticed she had not been participating in the remote study program her mother had recently enrolled her in.

School district officials in the childs hometown of Lompoc say Melodee was enrolled in August in an independent study program, which allows students to learn from home. That was the last month she was seen by the school, the sheriffs office has said.

It is not clear whether the school last saw Melodee virtually or in person, but the sheriffs office said an administrator contacted police for a welfare check after her prolonged absence.

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The schools August sighting helped narrow detectives timeline at the beginning of the investigation, when authorities were working with outdated childhood photos and family members who said they had not seen Melodee for years.

Melodee Buzzard is shown in a photo taken in 2023, which is one of the most recent photos investigators have of the girl before her disappearance. - FBI

In an interview with NewsNation last month, Melodees aunt, Lizabeth Meza, said she had not seen her niece in four years. The aunt said their extended family largely lost contact with the child after her father died in a motorcycle accident when she was a baby.

When Melodees school asked for a welfare check on October 14, officers arrived at her mothers home but only found Buzzard, who provided no verifiable explanation for Melodees whereabouts, the sheriffs office said.

Officers searched the home, but Melodee was nowhere to be found.

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The sheriffs office said this week Buzzard has remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodees location or welfare.

CNN has been unable to identify an attorney for Buzzard.

Melodee likely disappeared during a whirlwind multistate road trip

Detectives have narrowed their investigation to a small but very eventful three-day window from October 7-10, in which they believe the mother drove Melodee more than 1,000 miles away  as far as Nebraska  crossing at least six states and trading license plates and disguises as they went.

At the end of the three-day trip, Buzzard returned home with the rental car, this time without Melodee.

The last time Melodee was seen was on October 9 in an area around the Colorado and Utah state line. Heres what investigators say happened on their trip:

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On October 7, Buzzard left California with Melodee, driving a rented white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu. That day, the pair was captured on the rental agencys surveillance camera appearing to be wearing wigs.

The vehicles travel route spanned as far as Nebraska, and the return route detoured into Kansas. It is unclear when the car began to head back west.

During the journey, the license plate on the Malibu, which was originally a California plate (9MNG101), appears to change. The car is seen with a New York license plate (HCG9677) beginning October 8. The plate does not belong to the vehicle or Buzzard and is believed to have been used as a false or switched plate to avoid detection, the sheriffs office said.

On October 9, detectives believe the Chevy Malibu traveled through cities in at least four states, including: Green River, Utah; Panguitch, Utah; Northwest Arizona; Primm, Nevada; Rancho Cucamonga, California.

October 9 is the last time Melodee is seen. Surveillance footage captured her in an area near the ColoradoUtah state line on the return trip.

On October 10, the Malibu is returned to the Lompoc rental agency with its original California plates.

Finding Melodee now hinges on detectives unearthing what happened to the girl after she was last seen on October 9.

The sheriffs office released a travel-route map of where they believe the mother and daughter traveled between October 9 and 10, and is asking businesses, gas stations, hotels, rest stops and residents along the route to review surveillance camera footage that may catch a glimpse of the child.

A series of wigs may have provided quick disguises, investigators say

Anyone who came across the mother and daughter may not recognize them in some publicly released pictures, as authorities believe Buzzard may have taken steps to conceal their identities, including tucking her daughters ringlet curls under a smooth wig.

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Surveillance footage from the rental car business in Lompoc on October 7 showed Buzzard and Melodee in what appeared to be wigs, the sheriffs office said in a release that shared a clip of the video.

Over the next three days, authorities say Buzzard appeared to swap wigs, trading fake, honey blonde curls for a darker wig closer to the style Melodee was seen in.

This change in appearance is believed to have been intentional to avoid recognition during travel, the release said.

Surveillance images from October 7 appear to show missing Melodee Buzzard wearing a wig. - Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office

Surveillance images taken from October 7 appear to show missing Melodee Buzzard wearing a wig. - Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office

Melodees grandmother, Lilly Denes, told CNN affiliate KSBY that when she first saw the surveillance images, she was overwhelmed.

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I was totally numb and in shock.  This is just so shocking to me in that my granddaughter is dressed in a disguise, Denes told the affiliate.

If shes listening, we love you. Were here for you, and we just want you to be happy, the grandmother said. Call me. There are numbers on the TV that you can call, and I will come pick you up.

Mother is accused of falsely imprisoning someone in unrelated charge

In a sudden turn of events on Friday, the sheriffs office announced while they were investigating Melodees disappearance, they learned her mother had recently prevented a victim from leaving a location against their will.

Although this arrest occurred during the course of the missing person investigation, it is not directly related to Melodees disappearance, the sheriffs office said.

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Buzzard has been charged with a felony charge of false imprisonment by violence, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office. She is being held at a county jail with bail set at $100,000, records show.

Prosecutors say the incident happened in Lompoc on November 6 and involved a person who is not Melodee, but investigators have so far been reluctant to share more details.

The arrest comes about a week after the FBI served search warrants at Buzzards home and a storage locker, as well as the rental car Melodee was last seen in.

Sheriffs detectives remain fully focused on locating Melodee and confirming her safety, the Friday release said.

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Anyone who has seen Melodee or may have information about her whereabouts is encouraged to call the sheriffs office or leave an anonymous tip.

CNNs Holly Yan and Michelle Watson contributed to this report.

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The Wilmington City Council made its stance on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement known at its latest meeting.

The council passed a resolution urging city departments, including the Carney administration, to review their contracts and end any relationships with entities that collaborate with ICE, the federal agency tasked with deporting undocumented immigrants.

One of the main targets is Avelo Airlines, the main commercial airline that flies out of Wilmington Airport, which is outside of city limits. ICE used Avelo planes for deportations out of Arizona earlier this year. Numerous protests outside of Delaware's only commercial airport sprung up as a result.

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The resolution's sponsor, North Wilmington council member Shane Darby, said at the meeting on Nov. 6 that there were no current deals with Avelo. She still wanted this resolution passed as a preventative measure for any potential contracts down the line.

WILL ICE RAIDS GET WORSE? Trump says they 'haven't gone far enough'

"I think it's important that this local airline that we have, Avelo, that's right down the street ... that we do the right thing as a city to make sure that we're not using public dollars to support what is happening with ICE," she said at the meeting.

Council member Chris Johnson recalled a one-time deal a few years ago where city employees were given the chance to win Avelo flights, but that contract was in 2023, before the Trump administration took office. He supported the resolution.

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In fact, every council member voted to support it. It passed with 13 "yes" votes.

ICE IN DELAWARE: Seaford, state police assist ICE in detaining man who 'resisted,' 'assaulted' agent

It's a resolution, not an ordinance, meaning there is no official change to city code as a result. But, it laid out exactly where the Wilmington City Council stands on immigration enforcement in the city.

In January, a Wilmington police spokesperson told Delaware Online/The News Journal that the police do "not intend to participate in federal immigration operations." A city official confirmed that remains the case.

This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.

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Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Wilmington City Council urges city to avoid ICE collaboration
A woman was found dead inside a burning South Side home on Saturday morning, Chicago police said.

Officers responded to a call about an apartment fire in the Washington Park neighborhood's 5300-block of South Calumet Avenue just after 5 a.m.

Chicago Fire Department firefighters extinguished the fire, police said.

First responders found an unresponsive woman, who was pronounced dead on the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

Detectives are conducting a death investigation, and autopsy results are pending.

What caused the fire was not immediately clear.
Robert Purkiss is said to have confessed to killing Agnes Wanjiru to another soldier - Solent News and Photo Agency

A former British Army soldier accused of murdering a Kenyan woman may have dumped her body in a septic tank while she was still alive, a court heard.

Robert Purkiss, a former lance corporal and medic in the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, is alleged to have stabbed 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru to death near a British military base in March 2012.

Mr Purkiss, a 38-year-old IT worker from Wiltshire, was arrested by the National Crime Agency after a warrant was issued by Kenyas director of public prosecutions in September.

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The father of two, who vehemently denies the murder, appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Friday for an extradition hearing.

Joel Smith KC, a Home Office lawyer, told the court that a post-mortem concluded that the young mother might have been alive when placed in the septic tank.

A 2cm stab wound to the lower abdomen and a collapsed lung were identified by a forensic pathologist.

Her significantly decomposed body was found two months after she was last seen partying with British soldiers on March 31 2012 at a hotel in central Nanyuki town, where Britain maintains an extensive military training ground.

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Mr Purkiss had been stationed in Kenya for a six-week training exercise at the time of the alleged murder.

The court heard how it was commonplace for soldiers to go into town, drink heavily and pay local women for sex.

On the evening of her disappearance, Ms Wanjiru had left her infant daughter with a friend and told them in her local language that she was going to hustle for her daughter.

She was later seen leaving the Lions Court Hotel, where Mr Purkiss had been seen that same evening, with a soldier.

Mr Purkiss is said to have confessed to killing Ms Wanjiru to another soldier, saying it was drunken sex gone wrong, the court heard.

The court was told a forensic pathologist identified a 2cm stab wound to the lower abdomen and a collapsed lung on Agnes Wanjiru

Mr Purkiss had also allegedly shown a fellow soldier a body in a septic tank, the court heard.

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Mr Smith told the hearing: He then went to show the witness a septic tank, in which was the body of a woman.

[The soldier] said he returned to the bar and told all the soldiers, but they didnt believe him because they were drunk.

Two other soldiers have told military police that they recall [the soldier] mentioning that confession that night.

Mr Smith added that there were also reports of other soldiers who deny hearing reports of that confession.

Mr Purkiss, who was wearing a patterned short-sleeved shirt, shook his head in the dock as Mr Smith set out the allegation against him.

The Ministry of Defence is helping pay for his legal fees, the court heard.

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Mr Purkiss is also said to have joked about the alleged murder six years later in a Facebook message to colleagues.

He allegedly responded with a smiling face emoji after a colleague posted a picture of himself in 2018 outside the Lions Court Hotel in the town of Nanyuki with the comment if you know you know, while also referencing the septic tank.

The court heard Mr Purkiss sent a smiling face emoji in response, and when a group member asked him do you get choked up?, he replied: Come to think of it I have had a sore throat today.

Mr Purkiss was remanded into custody and will next appear at the same court via video link on Nov 14 for a further bail application hearing.

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(WHTM)  A Massachusetts woman is pleading guilty for her role in a nationwide network of individuals who bought and sold human remains stolen from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary.

Katrina MacLean, of Salem, Massachusetts, used access to Harvard Medical Schools morgue manager, Cedric Lodge, to enter the morgue and purchase human remains, which she sold through her store, Kats Creepy Creations, according to a 2023 indictment.

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The scandal shocked the nation, and involved two Pennsylvania men, including Jeremy Pauley, who the indictment said purchased remains from MacLean. Pauley was arrested in 2022 by East Pennsboro Township Police after purchasing and selling human remains on Facebook.

MacLean pleaded guilty Oct. 31 to one count of interstate transport of stolen goods, according to a filing in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. She faces a maximum 10 years in prison. However, prosecutors are recommending she serve one year, the plea agreement said.

Pauley pleaded guilty in September 2023 to conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property. Lodge and multiple others involved in the conspiracy also pleaded guilty to numerous charges.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  Two women were arrested for animal cruelty and torture/willful abuse of a child in Limestone County after deputies served an eviction notice earlier this week.

According to the Limestone County Sheriffs Office, deputies served an eviction notice at a home on Ardmore Avenue in Ardmore, Alabama on Wednesday.

Inside the home, deputies reported finding two kids living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The Alabama Department of Human Resources was notified and took custody of the children.

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Deputies said 65-year-old Monica Tucker and 25-year-old Evelyn Hill lived inside the home. According to deputies, the home was found to be in extreme disarray, with significant accumulations of feces and urine throughout.

Deputies also said they found five dogs and seven cats suffering from severe malnourishment and neglect.

Monica Tucker and Evelyn Hill were arrested after Limestone Co. deputies reported finding kids and animals in heartbreaking conditions.

The animals were brought to a local vet, and examinations found organ failure, serious injuries, and infections stemming from prolonged mistreatment, according to the sheriffs office.

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Tucker and Hill were taken into custody. They were both charged with one count of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, two counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals, and two counts of felony torture/willful abuse of a child under 18.

Deadly dog attack trial in Franklin County to go into second week

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

The conditions discovered in this case were alarming and heartbreaking, said Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin. No child or animal should ever be subjected to such neglect. I am proud of our deputies, investigators, animal control, and our partner DHR for their quick action to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Our office will continue to pursue justice for the victims and hold those responsible fully accountable.

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Several senior figures from Tunisia's political opposition have begun a collective hunger strike in support of detained opposition leader Jawhar Ben Mbarek, whose health has reportedly worsened after more than a week without food, Al Jazeera reported. Ben Mbarek, a cofounder of the National Salvation Front, the country's main opposition alliance, has been on a hunger strike since last week to protest his detention, which dates back to February 2023, according to Al Jazeera. His father, veteran activist Ezzeddine Hazgui, told reporters at a news conference in Tunis on Friday that his son's condition is in a "worrisome condition, and his health is deteriorating." Hazgui also said that his family would join the hunger strike "in solidarity" with him, adding, "We will not forgive [Tunisian President] Kais Saied." Top opposition leaders also declared on Friday that they would participate in the protest. Among them is Issam Chebbi, head of the centrist Al Joumhouri (Republican) Party, who is also imprisoned after being convicted in the same mass trial as Ben Mbarek earlier this year. Party official Wissam Sghaier said other members would follow Chebbi's example, Al Jazeera reported. Rached Ghannouchi, the 84-year-old Ennahdha party leader who is serving multiple prison terms, also announced his participation. A post on his official Facebook page stated that his hunger strike aimed to support Ben Mbarek while defending "the independence of justice and freedom in the country." Ben Mbarek was sentenced in April to 18 years in prison on charges of "conspiracy against state security" and "belonging to a terrorist group," charges that rights groups have denounced as politically motivated. According to Al Jazeera, human rights organisations have repeatedly expressed alarm over Tunisia's shrinking civil liberties since President Kais Saied came to power in 2019. Saied's 2021 move to dissolve parliament and expand executive authority allowed him to rule by decree, powers later cemented through a 2022 constitution that critics say undermined democratic governance. Recent months have also seen the prosecution of journalists, lawyers, and activists under a controversial "fake news" law introduced the same year. On October 31, lawyer and outspoken Saied critic Ahmed Souab was sentenced to five years in prison under the decree. The Tunisian League for Human Rights said there had been "numerous attempts" to persuade Ben Mbarek to end his protest, but he remained "committed to maintain it until the injustice inflicted upon him is lifted." Prison authorities, however, denied on Wednesday that the health of any prisoner had deteriorated as a result of a hunger strike. The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK said questions had been raised about whether prison officials were upholding medical care standards and "safeguarding of their right to physical safety and human dignity." The group reminded that "Tunisian law explicitly stipulates the state's responsibility to protect the life of any prisoner, even if that person chooses hunger strike as a form of protest." "The prison administration is therefore obliged to ensure appropriate medical care and regular monitoring," the organisation added, describing Ben Mbarek's protest as part of "a broader climate of political and social tension that transcends his personal situation." "His action represents a form of protest against detention conditions and judicial processes that many view as influenced by current political polarisation," the group noted, adding that "ultimately, the case of Jawhar Ben Mbarek exposes a deeper crisis concerning respect for the rule of law and the principle of accountability." (ANI)
CHEYENNE  The Wyoming Legislatures Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee voted Monday to sponsor a comprehensive package of six election reform bills, focusing primarily on boosting manual ballot counting requirements, expanding poll watcher authority and tightening voter identification requirements.

The proposed reforms advanced despite warnings from county clerks that some changes could be logistically impossible to implement by the 2026 election cycle.

Critics, including some legislators, argued that the package unduly restricts ballot access and competition for independent candidates.

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Random hand count audits of election results (26LSO-0043)

This bill would require county clerks to conduct a hand count audit in one randomly selected precinct following primary and general elections to compare with electronic tabulation results.

Platte County Clerk and Wyoming County Clerks Association President Malcolm Ervin voiced significant anxiety among clerks regarding the number and scope of the proposed bills, including this one.

He suggested creating a subcommittee to study audit processes instead, noting that a single precinct could contain up to 6,000 voters across 20 to 23 different ballot measures, which could be a massive undertaking. He urged the committee to consider postponing the effective date, as well.

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The committee voted 112 to sponsor the bill, but amended the rulemaking deadline to July 1, 2026, rather than Sept. 1, 2026, despite Ervins request to postpone.

Elections-hand counting for recounts (26LSO-0044)

This measure would mandate automatic hand recounts in close statewide and legislative races, and proposes moving the primary date earlier to accommodate the increased time required for manual counting.

Ervin confirmed that the County Clerks Association had previously worked collaboratively on the underlying bill, but requested a Jan. 1, 2027, effective date to ensure effective implementation and time for rule promulgation.

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The committee discussed who should bear the cost of these new mandated hand recounts. Secretary of State Chuck Gray, who has spearheaded the efforts behind these election bills, proposed an amendment that would revert the cost of automatic recounts back to the counties instead of the state.

Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, challenged this, asking why the state should mandate an expensive new process without knowing the cost, and then shift that burden to the counties.

If no one can tell me how much its going to cost, then why would we say, counties, you guys are the ones that have to take care of it, if were the ones telling them to do it.

Despite the warnings, the committee voted in favor of the amendment shifting the cost to the counties. The bill passed 112.

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Poll watchers-polling stations observation (26LSO-0045)

This bill would expand the authority of poll watchers, clarifying they can observe all election procedures, including setup and teardown, and allowing one poll watcher per political party for each precinct at multi-precinct locations.

Fremont County Clerk Julie Freese detailed the significant logistical burdens, estimating that her 32 precincts could result in 96 poll watchers, which is more people than her largest vote center currently has judges.

Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, was opposed, calling the bill overkill.

To me, this is the bottom dweller of the whole bunch, he said. ... It asks an awful lot out of our county clerks at a time when theyre dealing with all kinds of numbers and concerns. ... It does nothing for the integrity of elections.

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Yin suggested having numerous poll watchers could result in intimidation. Conversely, Rep. Steve Johnson, R-Cheyenne, argued the bill is needed to ensure the purity of these elections and assure the public that the elections are accurate and competent.

The bill was sponsored with a 9-4 vote.

Elections-independent candidate requirements (26LSO-0046)

This measure increases the required number of signatures for independent candidates to 5% of the total number of votes cast for the office in that district in the last general election for district races, up from 2%, and aligns their filing deadline with that of partisan candidates.

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Gray strongly supported the bill, aiming to stop gamesmanship, where candidates might wait until primary results are known before deciding to run as independents.

I think theres some genuine concern that, in recent years, this has become a way to circumvent the primary process, Gray said, adding it unfairly gives some candidates a second bite at the apple if they dont like the primary results.

Yin countered that the bill stifles competition, saying it restricts access to the general election ballot in a way that is fearful of competition.

Former Sublette County Clerk Mary Lankford noted that the increased signature percentage and earlier filing date would increase the administrative burden on clerks reviewing petitions.

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The committee adopted an amendment increasing the signature requirement for statewide and county offices from 3% to 5% to maintain uniformity with district races. The bill passed 103.

Elections-voting machine and voting system tests (26LSO-0047)

This bill aims to clarify machine testing procedures. It introduces rigorous requirements, including ensuring every individual voting machine is tested, rather than just every model.

Gray cited the bills importance based on the 2024 election experience, saying that some counties incorrectly interpreted the law, claiming they could not break seals for retesting, even if errors were found.

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The County Clerks Association supported amendments to ensure the results were presented consistently and clearly. One successful amendment clarified the reporting language, requiring results to be provided in the same manner official election results are reported.

The bill passed 11-1.

Elections-acceptable identification revisions (26LSO-0048)

This bill requires all acceptable ID for in-person voting to include a photograph, and repeals Medicare/Medicaid and public school/university IDs as acceptable forms. The repeal would take effect immediately, rather than waiting for the previous 2029 sunset date.

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Gray stated the goal was to achieve true voter ID to prevent voter impersonation, noting that IDs without a photo compromise the intent of the law.

Lankford warned that this change affects seniors, veterans and individuals with handicaps, potentially disenfranchising hundreds of qualified electors statewide.

Tom Lacock of AARP Wyoming urged the committee to include hardship exemptions, noting that many seniors who stop driving may struggle to obtain a photo ID, and suggested adopting language similar to Texas reasonable impediment form, which allows voters to submit a circumstantial request to vote. This change was not implemented Monday.

Yin introduced an amendment to strike the repeal of photo identification issued by the University of Wyoming and community colleges and allow those IDs to remain acceptable if they included an expiration date. However, this amendment failed.

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The bill was sponsored with a 9-3 vote.

Election transparency (26LSO-0049)

This omnibus bill included provisions mandating paper ballots and revisions related to recounts, but its unique feature was lowering the period for early in-person absentee voting from 28 to 21 days. The County Clerks Association advocated against shortening the 28-day window due to mail processing and operational concerns.

Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Torrington, moved to table the bill indefinitely, arguing that since the committee had already sponsored six other major bills, their plate was full for the upcoming budget session. The committee subsequently voted to table the bill.

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Ballot harvesting-prohibition (26LSO-0042)

Tuesday morning, the committee reconvened to address the final bill draft that was previously tabled due to a procedural mixup.

This measure seeks to strictly limit who may deliver an absentee ballot to the county clerk. The bill defines acceptable deliverers as the qualified elector themselves, an immediate family member or an employee of a residential care facility.

Gray expressed strong support, noting the bill was well-vetted and ensures accountability by requiring an affidavit from facility employees. However, he suggested strengthening the language by applying a cap, proposing that an employee deliver a maximum of five ballots per election to prevent potential harvesting risks.

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The County Clerks Association, represented by Lankford on Tuesday, acknowledged the comprehensive nature of the bill but reiterated that there is no current evidence of ballot harvesting in Wyoming. She also raised concerns about accommodating homebound individuals not living in formal facilities and the logistical difficulty for facilities with many residents if delivery is limited to only five ballots per person.

Ultimately, the committee adopted amendments restricting facility employees to delivering no more than five qualified electors ballots per election and expanding the carveout to include a bonafide caregiver for homebound individuals.

The committee then voted to sponsor the bill, with dissenting votes cast by Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, and Yin, who said the bill addresses a nonissue and risks slapping felony charges on families and friends.

Proponents of the bill, however, did not share Yins interpretation.

The bill passed 10-2.
Chinas president Xi Jinping attended the official launch of a new state-of-the-art aircraft carrier on Wednesday as the country makes moves to rival the US navy.

The Fujian was put into service with a commissioning ceremony at the military port in Sanya, on Hainan Island, the official Xinhua news agency announced on Friday.

The ceremony was attended by 2,000 representatives from the navy and institutions involved in the construction of the aircraft carrier. On the flight deck, new-generation carrier-based aircraft, including the J-35 and J-15T fighter jets and the KongJing-600 early warning aircraft, could be seen parked in sequence.

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Joining two other aircraft carriers, China now boasts the second largest number of such ships in the world in an attempt to catch up with the US Navy. The countrys three carriers push it past India, the United Kingdom and Italy, which have two each.

The ship is the countrys most advanced aircraft carrier, with electromagnetic catapult launchers that mark a technological advance to help the navy to project power deep into the Pacific as it seeks to assert power in disputed waters in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

The Fujian is China's first domestically designed carrier. Chinese state media reported that Xi had made the decision to adopt the electromagnetic catapult system.

Xi reportedly encouraged carrier-based aircraft pilots to improve their skills and expertise to contribute to the development of the combat capabilities of the Fujian, Xinhua reported.

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China has two other aircraft carriers: the Liaoning, was refurbished from an unfinished Soviet ship that Ukraine inherited and later sold to China, while the second, the Shandong, was built in China based on the Liaoning's design.

All three carriers are named after coastal Chinese provinces. The country's three carriers push it past India, the United Kingdom and Italy, which have two each.
Abby McCloskey is a columnist, podcast host, and consultant. She directed domestic policy on two presidential campaigns and was director of economic policy at the American Enterprise Institute.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recounted the moment when President Donald Trump gave the go-ahead for strikes on Iran's nuclear-linked facilities, calling it the moment "when the world listens 'FAFO.'" At the event on Thursday, Hegseth shared, "That moment we realised that our bombers were out of Iran and the bombs had hit the target and the world didn't know." He continued, "It was a fun moment when Donald Trump turned to his assistant and said, go get me my phone. See. Ready? Boop. The world, listen, FAFO." The US carried out precision airstrikes in June on three major Iranian nuclear sites - Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan - marking Washington's first direct intervention in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Tehran. The strike on Fordow, a deeply buried facility, reportedly involved six 30,000-pound "bunker buster" bombs deployed by the US Air Force's B-2 stealth bombers, demonstrating the scale and secrecy of the mission. During a Pentagon press briefing, Hegseth stated, "President Donald J. Trump directed the most complex and secretive military operation in history, and it was a resounding success, resulting in a cease-fire agreement and the end of the 12-day war [between Iran and Israel]." He further said, "Because of decisive military action, President Trump created the conditions to end the war, [while also] decimating - choose your word - obliterating, destroying, Iran's nuclear capabilities." As Washington celebrated the success of its targeted operation, Tehran responded with sharp criticism of US involvement in regional affairs. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that cooperation with the United States is impossible unless Washington stops supporting Israel, shuts down its military bases, and ends its interference in the Middle East, Times of Israel reported, citing local media. "The Americans sometimes say they would like to cooperate with Iran. Cooperation with Iran is not possible as long as the US continues to support the accursed Zionist regime, maintains military bases, and interferes in the region," Khamenei said. He added that such cooperation could only be considered if the US completely abandons its support for Israel, removes its military presence, and halts its regional interference. Accusing Washington of arrogance, Khamenei remarked, "The arrogant nature of the United States accepts nothing other than submission." His comments came during a meeting with students in Tehran, marking the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy following Iran's Islamic Revolution that overthrew the Western-backed Shah. Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, before the recent conflict, it had enriched uranium close to weapons-grade levels, sparking global concern. Israel cited an "immediate existential threat" as the reason for launching strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, which Tehran countered with missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli cities and military bases. A ceasefire between the two countries has remained in effect since June 24. Amid the fragile calm, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that Tehran would rebuild its nuclear facilities "with greater strength" and reiterated that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to Al Jazeera, said Iran is "not in a hurry" to resume nuclear talks with the United States but is open to indirect negotiations if Washington approaches "from an equal position based on mutual interest." He added that a "shared understanding" about Israel is emerging among countries in the region, signalling shifting geopolitical alignments in the aftermath of the US-led strikes and the temporary truce. (ANI)
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has accused elements within the Pakistani military of pursuing anti-Afghanistan policies and attempting to create tensions through "manufactured pretexts," according to remarks shared by its spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid in a post on X. https://x.com/FitratHamd/status/1987082380142911818?s=20 In a statement titled "Remarks by the Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate Concerning Recent Developments and the TTP," Mujahid said, "Unfortunately, certain military elements in Pakistan appear to perceive a strong central government in Afghanistan, along with stability, security, and development, as contrary to their interests." He added that for years, such elements had "taken advantage of Afghanistan's instability, conflicts, and displacement," and now "appear intent on creating tensions through manufactured pretexts." Mujahid clarified that the Islamic Emirate was aware that these policies were "not supported by the devout population of Pakistan, its political parties, or its respected religious scholars." Addressing claims that the rise of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was linked to the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, Mujahid said, "Some groups have falsely accused the Islamic Emirate, presenting to the international community the impression that the instability in Pakistan and the rise of the TTP began with the arrival of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan." "In reality, both the insecurity and the emergence of the TTP date back to 2002, primarily as a result of misguided policies by certain elements within the Pakistani military, which at the time aligned with the United States and allowed drone strikes in Waziristan while simultaneously turning against the local population," he said. Mujahid outlined a series of military operations conducted by Pakistan against the TTP since 2002, including Operation Al-Mizan, Operation Rah-e-Rast, Operation Sher Dil, Operation Nijat, Operation Koh-e-Safid, and Operation Zarb-e-Azb, all of which displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians. He noted that "in the so-called fight against terrorism, 80,000-90,000 military personnel and civilians were killed," citing Pakistan's own admissions about casualties before the Islamic Emirate's rise to power. The spokesperson further highlighted that the issue of violence and attacks in Pakistan "is not a new phenomenon linked to the arrival of the Islamic Emirate," pointing to several major incidents that occurred before 2021. These included the 2007 capture of 300 Pakistani soldiers by the TTP, the 2008 bombing of the Danish Embassy in Islamabad, the 2009 Peshawar market blast, and the 2014 attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar. "The issue is primarily Pakistan's own internal problem, not one caused by the Islamic Emirate," Mujahid said. He also detailed steps taken by the Islamic Emirate after assuming power, including facilitating dialogue among political and religious figures, relocating tribal refugees away from the Durand Line, prohibiting the possession of weapons among refugee populations, and issuing religious rulings forbidding individuals from engaging in foreign jihad without authorisation. Mujahid said the Islamic Emirate had also supported direct negotiations between Pakistan and the TTP, which led to a long-term ceasefire that was later "undermined by certain factions within the Pakistani military." "The tribal refugees residing in Afghanistan had settled here prior to the arrival of the Islamic Emirate," he said, attributing their migration to "misguided policies of certain factions of the Pakistani military and the violence and military operations in the tribal regions." Mujahid concluded by reaffirming the Islamic Emirate's position on regional stability: "The Islamic Emirate warmly welcomes any efforts and measures that enable these refugees to safely return to their homes." "At the same time, despite all these measures, the Islamic Emirate continues to consider itself responsible for ensuring that no one uses its territory to interfere in the affairs of another country, and it will take necessary steps to prevent such actions, God willing," he added. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a state visit to Bhutan from November 11-12. The visit aims to strengthen the special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and continues the tradition of regular bilateral high-level exchanges, an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. During the visit, the Prime Minister will receive audience with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan. The two leaders will inaugurate the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, developed jointly by the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan. The Prime Minister will also attend celebrations dedicated to the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, the statement said. He will meet the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay. The Prime Minister's visit coincides with the exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha from India. He will offer prayers to the holy relics at Tashichhodzong in Thimphu and participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan, the statement added. India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary partnership marked by deep mutual trust, goodwill, and respect. The shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties are a hallmark of the special partnership. The Prime Minister's visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to deliberate on ways to further enhance bilateral partnership and exchange views on regional and wider issues of mutual interest, the statement said. During the visit, PM Modi is set to review the progress of two new India-Bhutan railway projects: the Kokrajhar-Gelephu line, connecting Assam to southern Bhutan, and the Banarhat-Samtse line, linking West Bengal with southwestern Bhutan. The Kokrajhar-Gelephu line, estimated at Rs 3,456 crore, will include six stations, two major bridges, 29 additional major bridges, 65 minor bridges, two goods sheds, a flyover, and 39 underpasses, with construction expected to take four years. The Banarhat-Samtse line, costing Rs 577 crore, will feature two stations, one major bridge, 24 minor bridges, an overpass, and 37 underpasses, and is projected to be completed in three years. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the projects would "enhance the overall connectivity between the two countries." He added, "The two areas that have been picked are significant. Gelephu is the centrepiece of The Gelephu Mindfulness City. It is a strategic and visionary project conceived by the King of Bhutan, and we have expressed our support for this. And this is a project which is envisaged as an economic hub for that part of Bhutan. Since Assam is on its border, the project will have a spinoff effect for the entire region." Speaking about the Samtse project, Misri said, "Some of the potential exports from this area to India will be dolomite, ferro-silicon, quartzite and stone chips. It is an accepted principle of transport economics that railway movement of cargo is far more economic than roads." Both railway projects were initiated following PM Modi's visit to Bhutan in March 2024, during which the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding. India remains Bhutan's largest development partner. Under Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan (2024-29), India has committed Rs 10,000 crore towards community development projects and programme grants, and continues to be Bhutan's top trading partner. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay visited India twice this year. In February, he attended the inaugural Leadership Conclave of the School of Ultimate Leadership, inaugurated by Modi. Ahead of his second visit in September, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that these back-to-back visits reflect the "close cooperation and ties between India and Bhutan, built on trust, goodwill, and regular high-level exchanges." (ANI)
A former CIA officer confirmed Indira Gandhi rejected a joint India-Israel plan to bomb Pakistan's Kahuta nuclear facility in the 1980s, saying it "would have solved a lot of problems."
BJP MP Ravi Kishan has received a death threat allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang via his astrologer. Police launch probe as security demand rises for the Gorakhpur MP.
Chief Minister of Madhesh Province of Nepal, Jitendra Sonal, resigned from his post on Saturday after realising he would not secure a vote of confidence in the Provincial Assembly. Sonal announced his resignation during the meeting of the Provincial Assembly on Saturday. In his address, Sonal alleged that House Speaker Ram Chandra Mandal conducted the session unilaterally. "Honourable House Speaker, you proceeded with the business of the Province Assembly without the presence of any members of the cabinet, and you still moved ahead with the House meeting. This is also about your rights, but you made a unilateral move to proceed with the business of the House. It is not a new thing regarding the conduct of the House session. We have been facing this kind of situation at other times as well." The Chief Minister, who has to take the vote of confidence and had proposed the motion, the very person is not present and you already started the division of the vote. The members of the house are discussing, are having consultations. We had held consultations up to eight hours to conduct the sessions, but today you did not wait," he said. Following the allegation, Sonal announced his resignation, provided the situation that he would lose the confidence motion, anticipating insufficient support. "I, the Chief Minister Jitendra Sonal, who had tabled the motion of vote of confidence, you had created the environment for the tabling of the vote of confidence. Upon analysing the scenario of the house, I resign from the post of Chief Minister. I will send the letter informing about the resignation to the Office of the Province Chief today itself," Sonal announced. Sonal, a leader of the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP), was appointed Chief Minister on 15 October after former Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh resigned. He had proposed the confidence motion under Article 168 (4) of Nepal's Constitution. Out of the 107 members in the Provincial Assembly, three are currently suspended, leaving 104 active members. Sonal required the backing of at least 53 members to secure the vote. With the support of five parties totalling 56 members, he was expected to comfortably win the confidence motion. The ruling coalition under Sonal included 18 members from Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), 13 from Janamat Party, 9 from CPN (Maoist Centre), 8 from LSP, 7 from CPN (Unified Socialist), and 1 from Nepal Samajwadi Party. The Nepali Congress and CPN-UML remained in opposition. But at the last minute, the provincial lawmakers who had supported Sonal backed off before the confidence motion. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], November 8 (ANI/WAM): The Emirates Scout Association, the UAE's official national scouting organisation, has welcomed regional scouting leaders for the 31st Arab Scout Conference and the 6th Arab Scout Youth Forum, held in Abu Dhabi from 9 to 21 November, under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Organised by the Arab Scout Region and the Arab Scout Organisation, the events will bring together young people and scouting leaders from across the Arab world to advance the region's commitment to scouting education and youth development. The events are also an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the past three years, and celebrate the growth and impact of scouting in the Arab region, which now includes 515,000 scouts across 19 national scouting organisations. This year's event is particularly significant as it marks the first opportunity within the region to implement the new strategy for scouting, which was unanimously adopted at the 43rd World Scout Conference in Egypt in 2024. Led by a vision to offer transformative learning experiences and an inclusive environment for every young person involved in scouting, the strategy seeks to position the scout movement as a leading force for promoting peace, youth leadership and sustainability. Salem Abdul Rahman Al Darmaki, Chairman of the Emirates Scout Association and Vice Chairman of the Arab Scout Committee, stated: "It is a great honour for the Emirates Scout Association to host the 31st Arab Scout Conference in Abu Dhabi, more than three decades after we hosted the 18th Conference in 1988, under the patronage of the late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This is a historic moment in which we reaffirm our commitment to the scouting mission of building individuals and instilling values". He further asserted: "This event reflects the visionary guidance of our leadership, which places youth at the heart of national priorities, in line with the UAE's overarching vision of human development and empowerment. In close collaboration with both local and federal partners, the Association has worked diligently to ensure the success of this significant Arab event." Abdullah Mohammad Al Turaiji, Chairperson of the Arab Scout Committee, said: "We greatly value the significant role played by the Emirates Scout Association in the success of this prominent Arab event, and the high level of organisational readiness they have demonstrated, which reflects a proud image of the UAE to the Arab world. The convening of the Conference under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan embodies the exceptional support provided by the leadership to young people and reaffirms that the future is built by the minds and hands of today's generation." Hany Abdulmonem, Secretary General of Arab Scout Organisation and Regional Director of the Arab Scout Region, added: "This conference is not merely an organisational meeting; it serves as a platform for dialogue where the Arab Scout Movement reaffirms its collective commitment to shaping a better future. Scouting continues to play a pivotal role in empowering youth, fostering innovation, and building strong partnerships across the Arab world. The conference will address the new triennial plan, highlight youth-led initiatives, and adopt collaborative projects between Arab Scout Associations aimed at enhancing efficiency, governance and effective leadership. These efforts underscore the essential value of scouting in developing young people into active, responsible citizens who contribute to the progress of their communities and the world." The Conference will offer a strategic platform for dialogue and collaboration between the leadership of national scout organisations, together with government and non-governmental partners, to shape the future of scouting in the Arab region. Throughout the event, delegates will adopt conference resolutions and constitutional amendments, elect new members to the Arab Regional Scout Committee, and select host countries for upcoming regional events, including the 34th Arab Scout Camp in 2026, the 6th Arab Scout Educational Forum in 2027, the 32nd Arab Scout Conference and the 7th Arab Scout Youth Forum in 2028. Preceding the Conference, the 6th Arab Scout Youth Forum is scheduled to take place from 9 to 14 November and will convene youth delegates from the ages of 18 to 26 years to engage in workshops and discussions on pressing regional and global issues, including peacebuilding, climate change, social inclusion, sustainable development and the role of young people in shaping policy. (ANI/WAM)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed a rescue operation is underway in Dnipro after Russia struck the city overnight, hitting an apartment building. "As of now, 11 people have been reported wounded, including children. Unfortunately, one person has been killed. My condolences to the family and loved ones," he said in a post on X, highlighting the human toll of the attacks. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1987071260082216970?s=20 Dozens of people were rescued following the strike, Zelenskyy added, while also noting casualties in other regions. "Tragically, one life was also lost in the Kharkiv region, and people were also injured in the Kyiv and Poltava regions," he said, emphasizing that Russian strikes extended to Dnipro, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv. He further reported that the Odesa region has been under attack since the evening, stating, "All relevant services are deployed wherever required - restoring facilities after the strikes, supporting people, and aiding the injured." The President highlighted the scale of the offensive, noting, "Russia launched over 450 attack drones and 45 missiles of various types against Ukraine. And the terrorists' targets remain unchanged: civilian life, residential buildings, our energy sector, and infrastructure." Zelenskyy used the attacks to urge stronger international sanctions, stating, "This is a matter of resources for killing, of money - sanctions are needed to deprive Russia of the means to continue the war it started and keeps prolonging. We appreciate all the steps partners have already taken, but Russian strikes show that pressure must be intensified." He called for concrete measures, including a European decision on Russia's frozen assets, additional sanctions, and reinforcement for Ukraine's defense, stressing that strikes on energy infrastructure should be met with sanctions targeting all Russian energy, without exceptions. Highlighting gaps in current measures, he added, "So far, Russia's nuclear energy sector is not under sanctions, and the Russian military-industrial complex still obtains Western microelectronics. There must be greater pressure on its oil and gas trade as well. We expect relevant decisions from the United States, Europe, and the G7." Zelenskyy concluded by thanking international partners for their support, saying, "Thank you to everyone ready to help and act to protect lives." Reiterating his remarks from November 2, Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia continues relentless attacks across multiple regions, killing and injuring civilians while targeting critical infrastructure, including the energy sector. In another post on X, Zelenskyy stated, "Almost every night, Russia strikes our people with various types of weapons. Since yesterday's evening, there have been attacks on our communities - strikes on the Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Odesa regions. Unfortunately, there are killed and wounded. My condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones as a result of these attacks." He revealed that within just one week, Russia had used "nearly 1,500 attack drones, 1,170 guided aerial bombs, and more than 70 missiles of different types," causing widespread destruction, particularly to residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and the energy sector. The human cost of the attacks has been severe. In Dnipropetrovsk, four people, including two children aged 11 and 14, were killed in a Russian airstrike that set a shop ablaze. In the southwestern Odesa region, Russian jets bombed several trucks and vehicles, killing two and wounding three. The scale of the attacks also stretched across multiple fronts. In Kherson, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin confirmed that one person was killed and two others injured after Russian forces launched drone, artillery, and air attacks on over 20 settlements. In Mykolaiv, a ballistic missile believed to be an Iskander-M model with a cluster warhead struck the suburbs, killing a 20-year-old man and injuring 19 others, including two children. In the front-line Zaporizhzhia region, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported one civilian killed and three others injured after attacks targeted 18 settlements, damaging several homes and leaving nearly 60,000 people without electricity. Scheduled rolling blackouts across Ukraine were later announced by national energy operator Ukrenergo, citing "massive Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities." These developments underscored Moscow's intent to cripple Ukraine's energy grid as winter approaches. Zelenskyy highlighted efforts to protect and strengthen Ukraine's energy infrastructure, noting "concrete agreements" with international partners including the United States, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Spain, and the European Commission. While fortifying defenses and power systems, Ukraine also carried out counterstrikes targeting Russian troops and infrastructure. In response to Ukrainian actions, Russia's Ministry of Defence claimed its air defences intercepted 164 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 39 over the Black Sea and 26 over Crimea. Meanwhile, Ukrainian military intelligence reported striking the Koltsevoy pipeline in Moscow region, a 400 km fuel supply line, destroying all three fuel lines near the Ramensky district. Additionally, a Ukrainian drone reportedly hit the Russian town of Tuapse, damaging a tanker and an oil terminal pier. The conflict remained intense around Pokrovsk, a strategic city in the Donetsk region, with Russia claiming to have killed several Ukrainian special forces troops landing by helicopter--a claim denied by Kyiv. Russian media also reported cyberattacks by two pro-Russian hacker groups breaching six major Ukrainian insurance firms, stealing personal data of officials and millions of customers. Concluding his remarks, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for international solidarity, stating, "We are grateful to everyone standing with Ukraine!" (ANI)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that over 1,400 people from 36 African countries are reportedly fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, urging governments to caution their citizens against joining a conflict where they are "quickly killed". Sybiha accused Moscow of luring Africans into joining the war through military contracts that were "equivalent to ... a death sentence". He wrote on X, "Foreign citizens in the Russian army have a sad fate. Most of them are immediately sent to the so-called 'meat assaults', where they are quickly killed." https://x.com/andrii_sybiha/status/1986766466146775425?s=20 "Most mercenaries do not survive more than a month," he added. According to Sybiha, Russia recruits nationals from African countries using multiple methods. "Some are offered money, while others are duped and do not realise what they are signing up for or are forced to do so under duress. Signing a contract is equivalent to signing a death sentence," he said. Several African governments have acknowledged cases of their citizens joining Russian forces. South Africa said it is investigating 17 of its nationals after the men sought help to return home, reportedly trapped in the Donbas region. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the men, aged between 20 and 39, were lured with the promise of lucrative employment contracts, according to Al Jazeera. A spokesperson for Ramaphosa added it was not yet confirmed which side the men were fighting for, though Russia has faced accusations of recruiting foreign fighters under the pretext of employment opportunities. Russia has also reportedly targeted women from South Africa and other African nations, promising jobs in catering and hospitality to lure them into working at Russian drone factories, Al Jazeera reported. Kenya last month confirmed that some of its citizens had been detained in Russian military camps after unknowingly being drawn into the conflict. In a social media post, Kenyan President William Ruto said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding "young Kenyans who have been illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine" and both leaders agreed to "raise awareness of the dangers of such ventures". Ruto also asked Zelenskyy to "facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody" and expressed gratitude for his agreement. Sybiha warned that the actual number of African recruits may exceed the 1,436 identified so far. He added that most foreign fighters captured by Ukraine were taken during their first combat mission, and Kyiv plans to release more details about the origins of the prisoners. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russia of augmenting its forces by enlisting fighters from abroad, often through deceptive tactics. In August, Zelenskyy said Russian troops near Vovchansk in Kharkiv included mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and several African countries, citing Ukrainian frontline reports. China dismissed these claims as "irresponsible remarks," while Pakistan called them "baseless and unfounded." The Kyiv Independent reported that several hundred Chinese nationals have fought for Russia, and in April, some Chinese fighters were captured by Ukrainian troops. Zelenskyy also highlighted recruitment videos circulated through Chinese social media. In October, the Kyiv Independent reported the capture of a 22-year-old national who joined Russian forces to avoid a seven-year prison sentence for drug charges. Many foreign recruits are promised high salaries, Russian citizenship, or non-combat roles but are sent directly to battle. Ukraine believes the largest contingent of foreign fighters in Russia's ranks may be from Cuba, estimating that up to 20,000 Cubans have been recruited as mercenaries, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
The latest round of Afghanistan-Pakistan peace talks in Istanbul ended without agreement, with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan accusing Islamabad of insincerity and attempting to shift blame onto Afghanistan. In an official clarification released by Zabihullah Mujahid on November 8, the Taliban government expressed gratitude to "the Republic of Turkey and the State of Qatar - the two brotherly countries - for hosting and mediating the talks." It added that Afghan representatives had attended "in good faith and with appropriate authority" on November 6 and 7, expecting Pakistan to approach the matter "seriously and constructively." The statement said Pakistan displayed an "irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude," trying to "refer all responsibilities regarding its security to the Afghan government," while showing "no willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan's security or its own." Acting on leadership instructions, the Afghan delegation had aimed for "a fundamental solution," but Pakistan's actions made the talks fruitless. Criticising Islamabad's stance, the Taliban reiterated its "principled position" that Afghanistan will not allow its territory to be used against another country, nor permit any foreign nation to violate its sovereignty and independence. The statement emphasised that defending Afghanistan's people and territory remains "the Islamic and national duty" of the Emirate, vowing to "firmly defend against any aggression with the help of Allah and the support of its people." While reaffirming ties with the "Muslim people of Pakistan," the Taliban stated it would only cooperate "within the limits of its responsibilities and capabilities." The statement reflected Afghanistan's frustration at Pakistan's repeated attempts to externalise internal security issues and its reluctance to commit to regional stability. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that the third round of talks had "reached an uncertain stage with no results" and said there are "no plans yet for a fourth round." Afghanistan's Minister for Tribes, Borders, and Tribal Affairs, Noorullah Noori, warned Pakistani officials "not to test the patience of Afghans" and cautioned Asif "not to be overly confident in his country's technology," adding that if conflict occurs, "both the elders and youth of Afghanistan will rise to fight." Zabihullah Mujahid said in a press briefing on Saturday that the issue between the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Pakistan is long-standing, dating back to 2002, and did not emerge after the Islamic Emirate assumed power. He added that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan had facilitated direct talks between the TTP and Pakistan, which were largely successful, but certain elements of the Pakistani military sabotaged the process. Mujahid also stated that some factions within the Pakistani military oppose a sovereign authority firmly established in Afghanistan. The Istanbul talks, meant to reduce border tensions, exposed Pakistan's duplicity, deepening mistrust and raising the potential for confrontation. While the ceasefire remains along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Afghanistan suspects Pakistan may again launch unprovoked attacks, including drone strikes targeting civilians. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged Senate Republicans to abolish Obamacare and redirect federal health care spending directly to individual Americans. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, "I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over." https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115514453574326959 He added, "In other words, take from the BIG, BAD Insurance Companies, give it to the people, and terminate, per Dollar spent, the worst Healthcare anywhere in the World, ObamaCare." The post marks Trump's latest push to revive his long-running campaign against the Affordable Care Act, dubbed Obamacare, a centerpiece of former President Barack Obama's domestic legacy. Trump and Republicans have renewed criticism of the program amid the government shutdown, arguing it "drives up costs and enriches insurance companies at taxpayers' expense," Fox News reported, adding that Trump spent much of his first term trying to repeal the law. Obama and Democrats argue the program made health care more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans. Congress remains deadlocked over government funding, with health-care programs and insurer subsidies among the major budget sticking points fueling the shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday told reporters that he would not commit to holding a vote on extending COVID-19 pandemic-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of this year without congressional action, Fox News reported. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had floated a vote on such an extension in exchange for Democrats voting to end the shutdown. The issue of enhanced Obamacare subsidies has also been a matter of debate within the GOP, with some Republicans in moderate districts calling for at least a year-long extension to allow lawmakers time to create a new healthcare deal, Fox News added. Trump also reiterated his call for Republicans to end the filibuster, writing, "Unrelated, we must still terminate the Filibuster!" (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Luanda on Saturday night as part of her state visit to Angola. This is the first-ever State visit by an Indian Head of State to the African country. According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, this historic visit highlights India's commitment to strengthening ties with Africa and the Global South. President Murmu is in Angola as part of the first leg of the tour from November 8 to 11, at the invitation of her Angolan counterpart, Joo Lourenco. Earlier on Thursday, while addressing a special press briefing on the visit of the President, MEA Secretary of Economic Relations Sudhakar Dalela said that the visit reflects India's growing focus on strengthening partnerships with countries of the Global South, particularly in Africa, across political, economic, developmental, and cultural dimensions, further noting that the visit also includes discussions on translocating cheetahs from Botswana as part of Project Cheetah. According to the MEA, during her time in Angola, President Murmu is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with her Angolan counterpart, attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angola's independence on November 11, address the Angolan Parliament, and interact with members of the Indian community. Earlier in May, Laurenco visited at the invitation of President Murmu, during which he extended his invitation to the President for a visit to the African nation. Meanwhile, from November 11 to 13, the President will visit Botswana at the invitation of President Duma Gideon Boko, during which she will hold bilateral discussions with the Botswana leadership, focusing on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. She will also address the National Assembly of Botswana and visit sites of cultural and historical significance. India's relations with Africa have expanded significantly in recent years, with growing collaboration in capacity building, digital public infrastructure, energy transition, mineral and multilateral cooperation. The upcoming presidential visit is expected to further cement these strategic and people-centric partnerships across the continent. (ANI)
In a post on X on Saturday (local time), Ambassador Kwatra said, "Had the pleasure to interact with Mr. Lip Bu Tan, CEO of INTEL to discuss INTEL's initiatives and plans for India operations in coordination with the Government's goal to develop semiconductor and AI industry in India under the aegis of India Semiconductor Mission and India AI Mission."

https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1987157528996643210?s=20

The Union Cabinet had approved the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) with a Rs 76,000 crore outlay to boost fabrication, design, and manufacturing in 2021.

According to a Press Information Bureau factsheet, in 2025, India inaugurated its first centers for advanced 3-nanometer chip design in Noida and Bengaluru, an Indian first.

At the Global Investors Summit 2025, it was announced that India's first indigenous semiconductor chip would be ready for production this year. Five production units are under construction, signalling a significant milestone for domestic capability.

The Cabinet approved the IndiaAI Mission in March 2024, guided by the vision of "Making AI in India and Making AI Work for India".

With a budget outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore over five years, the mission marks a defining step towards making India a global leader in Artificial Intelligence.

Since its launch, the mission has made strong progress in expanding the country's computing infrastructure. From an initial target of 10,000 GPUs, India has now achieved 38,000 GPUs, providing affordable access to world-class AI resources.

The seven pillars of India AI Mission are India AI compute pillar, AIKosh, India AI application development initiative, India AI future skills, startup financing, and safe and trusted AI. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, on Saturday launched the celebrations of the 150 years of national song Vande Mataram at the Embassy of India in Bolivia. In a post on X, he shared how the event saw the presence of over 150 friends of India and members of the Indian diaspora He wrote, "Privileged to launch the celebration of 150 years of the National Song Vande Mataram at @IndiainBolivia, La Paz, in the presence of over 150 friends of India and members of the Indian diaspora. Delighted to witness vibrant Indian cultural performances by talented Bolivian youth." https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1987153227348107410?s=20 Vande Mataram is a Sanskrit poem written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876. It was later included in his novel Anandamath, published in 1882, and became a symbol of Indian nationalism during the country's struggle for independence. The poem is a hymn to the motherland, personifying India as a goddess, and is often translated as "Hail to the Motherland". Earlier, MoS Margherita planted a tree as a part of the 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' initiative at Mallasa Park in La Paz, Bolivia honouring mothers and Mother Earth. "Under the inspiring initiative of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, #EkPedMaaKeNaam, planted a tree at Mallasa Park in La Paz, Bolivia honoring mothers and Mother Earth. Reaffirming India's commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness", Margherita said on X. https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1987119483798827458?s=20 The essence of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative is to plant a tree in one's mother's name symbolically. As per an official statement by the Government of India, this simple act serves a dual purpose - honouring the role of mothers in nurturing life and contributing to the health of the planet. Trees are the foundation of life, and like a mother, they provide nourishment, protection, and a future for the next generation. Through this initiative, people can plant a tree in honour of their mothers, creating a lasting memorial, while also addressing the urgent need for environmental protection. (ANI)
Human rights and the condition of women continues to worsen in Pakistan, as Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the National Assembly on November 7 that over 7,500 women, including 1,553 in the name of honour, were murdered in the country in four years from 2021 to 2024, Dawn reported. According to Dawn, he presented the data in a written reply to a question asked by Naeema Kishwar Khan of the JUI-F.As per Tarar, the data has been compiled by the National Police Bureau, which shows that 17,771 cases of rape and gang-rape of women were reported during the four-year period. The document reveals that 121 women were subjected to sexual assault during their custody, Dawn reported. In the same period, 9,799 women were subjected to brutality by men within their own homes, whereas a total of 632 cases of sexual harassment at workplaces were reported. The figures show that a total of 1,73,367 different cases of violence against women were reported all over the country in four years, as reported by Dawn. It further noted that the data has shown a gradual increase every year in such cases, as 30,757 cases were reported in 2021, 35,477 in 2022, 46,036 in 2023 and 61,997 cases in 2024. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has reported that approximately 1,000 women are killed annually in honour-based crimes, although the real number is likely higher due to under-reporting. A significant case of violence against women in Pakistan was the 2016 murder of social media personality Qandeel Baloch, who was strangled by her brother for defying societal norms and living an independent life. The situation of women in Pakistan remains a critical human rights issue. While there have been advancements in legal reforms and awareness, systemic gender discrimination and violence continue to hold women back. (ANI)
AKITA, Nov 08 (News On Japan) - As bear-related incidents continue to surge nationwide, fake bear videos created using generative AI are rapidly spreading across social media, prompting warnings from experts about potential legal consequences for those who post or share them.

In recent weeks, Japan has seen a string of bear-related news: reports of injuries, record-high fatalities, and even the dispatch of Self-Defense Force units to Akita Prefecture. On November 7th, a bear was found loitering at a ryokan in Namekawa Onsen, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, and was later shot by local hunters about four hours after the report was made.

While local governments are intensifying efforts to secure personnel capable of responding swiftly to bear emergenciesincluding calling on retired Self-Defense Force and police officers to obtain hunting licensessocial media platforms are seeing a flood of bear videos, many of which are AI-generated fakes.

In one video, a person appears to feed a bear while cheerfully commenting, Look, its eating! and So cute! Another shows a cub being hugged, with captions describing it as fluffy and adorable. Although these clips seem harmless, experts have confirmed that they were fabricated using AI. Other viral videos falsely claim that bears have been spotted in urban areas such as Osakas Yodogawa Ward. These clips often include news-style narration and fake Japanese subtitles, giving them a sense of authenticity.

Upon closer inspection, the fakes can be identified by small anomalieslogos of AI generation software visible on-screen or signs written in incorrect Japanese. Experts warn that such fake bear videos can dangerously mislead the public by normalizing risky behavior and undermining awareness of real threats.

Its deeply concerning because these videos create serious misunderstandings, said one wildlife expert. Feeding wild animals is strictly forbidden. Bears that become accustomed to humans pose a significant danger, so any behavior that encourages that should never be promoted.

As former prosecutor Tanimoto explained, sharing or posting such fake videos could even result in criminal charges. If someone uploads content falsely claiming a bear appeared at a specific shop or public place, it could obstruct police operations or trigger unnecessary emergency responses, he said. In that case, it might constitute the crime of obstructing official duties by deception, which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. If it affects a business directly, it could also be treated as business obstruction or defamation.

Even without intent, individuals could face prosecution. Authorities and experts are urging the public to refrain from posting or sharing misleading bear-related content, warning that doing so not only risks social confusion but could lead to serious legal consequences.

Source: KTV NEWS
SAGA, Nov 08 (News On Japan) - A shortage of domestically produced lacquer, essential for restoring Japans cultural properties, has reached a critical point. For centuries, lacqueror urushihas been integral to traditional crafts and national treasures, but production has fallen sharply.

One 83-year-old man, Masami Watanabe, is now dedicating his later years to preserving this fading tradition.

Watanabe, who lives in Chikushino City, serves as chairman of the Tosu Urushi Association in Saga Prefecture. Standing in a small plantation he helped clear from what was once natural forest, he looks over 40 lacquer trees. There used to be a shrine above here, and after the rain the greenery is beautiful, he says. It took clearing the land to finally make an urushi field. His mission is urgent: in Kyushu, there are now almost no trees left suitable for tapping lacquer. Maybe its my job to tell people about this before its too late, he adds.

The Cultural Affairs Agency issued a notice ten years ago requiring the use of domestic lacquer for the restoration of cultural assets. Yet about 93 percent of lacquer currently distributed in Japan is imported from China. While annual restoration projects require around 2.2 tons of Japanese lacquer, domestic output in 2024 was only 1.8 tons. To fill the gap, Watanabe founded the Tosu Urushi Association four years ago, continuing to plant lacquer trees and raise awareness to protect Japans lacquer heritage.

Recently, researchers from the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute visited his plantation to observe tree growth. Normally, lacquer doesnt sprout like this, said fellow researcher Masashige Tabata. Its reacting to stress. If roots dont spread properly, the tree wont grow. From a single tree, only about 200 grams of lacquer can be collecteda reminder of how limited and labor-intensive production remains.

Another major challenge is urushiol, the skin-irritating compound that causes severe rashes. When you break a leaf, the white sap that comes out is what causes the reaction, explained Tabata. Watanabe has long endured these rashes but continues his work undeterred. I actually started out selling lacquerware, he says. But people know so little about lacquer, so I decided I had to grow it myself. Its a tough realitythere are land and cost issuesbut someone has to do it.

At his home, a lacquer tree he planted 25 years ago has now grown eight meters tall. I put it here temporarily, and before I knew it, it got big, he laughs. Each day, he searches for ways to increase lacquer production, determined to revive an art that has sustained Japan for millennia.

Alongside his preservation work, Watanabe runs a craft shop showcasing lacquerware from across Japan, including the traditional Negoro-nuri style. Everyone uses lacquerware bowls for miso soup, he says. Its part of daily life. The more lacquerware is used, the deeper its luster becomessomething Watanabe calls the materials infinite potential. Demonstrating a repaired bowl, he points out, Look, it was cracked, but I glued it entirely with lacquerits incredibly strong. This is another way lacquer can be used. He smiles as he adds, If kintsugi restoration can add value, that makes me happy.

I do this simply because I love lacquer, Watanabe says. Its about connectionpassing something on. The answers dont come right away, but Im grateful for what lacquer gives us. Its a gift of life.

Source: RKBNEWS
Understanding the lawful pathways to online privacy, offshore structuring, and secure data protection across jurisdictions

WASHINGTON, DC  In 2026, digital anonymity and financial privacy have become two of the most contested issues in global governance. As governments tighten transparency laws to combat cybercrime, tax evasion, and money laundering, individuals and businesses are left searching for lawful ways to protect their personal data and financial security online. The challenge lies in striking a balance between privacy and compliance. True anonymity in the modern world does not come from concealment or evasion; it comes from lawful structuring, transparent documentation, and the intelligent use of privacy-enhancing technologies that operate within the boundaries of international law.

The Evolution of Digital Privacy and Financial Transparency

The 2020s marked the end of the unregulated internet. Data brokers, surveillance networks, and artificial intelligence-driven analytics now track behavior across every platform, while governments enforce increasingly strict disclosure laws for all digital financial activity. Initiatives such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Travel Rule, the OECDs Common Reporting Standard (CRS), and the European Unions Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) have established a global standard for transparency.

While these measures strengthen cybersecurity and prevent abuse, they also leave individuals and legitimate businesses more exposed to data harvesting, identity theft, and targeted profiling. As a result, the focus in 2026 has shifted from secrecy to lawful privacy, a discipline grounded in compliance, technology, and strategic planning across jurisdictions.

The Legal Definition of Online Anonymity

Contrary to the misconception, anonymity itself is not illegal. What matters is intent. Under international law, individuals have the right to protect their personal information, use encryption, and manage their digital presence through pseudonymous accounts, provided they are not engaging in criminal or fraudulent activity.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) affirm the right to privacy and freedom of expression. Likewise, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and Canadas Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) establish individuals rights to control, correct, and delete personal data.

These frameworks form the legal backbone for modern digital anonymity, ensuring that privacy is treated not as a privilege, but as a lawful and essential human right.

Case Study: Lawful Data Obfuscation and GDPR Compliance

In 2025, a European cybersecurity firm implemented anonymization protocols to protect user analytics from third-party tracking while maintaining compliance with GDPR. Regulators confirmed that because all identifying information was encrypted, consent-based, and reversible through lawful access requests, the system fully complied with EU transparency standards.

This precedent demonstrated that data anonymity, when achieved through encryption and legal accountability, is entirely legitimate under international privacy law.

The Global Shift to Compliance-Based Privacy

As digital economies mature, governments and corporations now require individuals to prove lawful intent when implementing privacy measures. Financial institutions in 2026 conduct enhanced due diligence (EDD) not only on account activity but also on the privacy tools their clients use. Encrypted communication, offshore accounts, and virtual residency arrangements are all subject to regulatory verification.

However, lawful structuring can still provide robust protection. Individuals who engage in privacy planning through verified legal channels, such as offshore trusts, multi-jurisdictional residency, and data-protected corporate entities, can achieve legitimate anonymity that satisfies both their privacy needs and global transparency obligations.

The Role of Offshore Structuring in Privacy and Security

Offshore structuring, when executed within the framework of international law, remains one of the most effective means of achieving digital and financial privacy. Establishing trusts, foundations, or corporate entities in jurisdictions that respect data confidentiality and adhere to FATF standards allows individuals to protect assets while ensuring full compliance with tax and reporting regulations.

For example, countries such as the Cayman Islands, Nevis, Singapore, and Switzerland have modernized their corporate laws to promote lawful transparency. They require beneficial ownership disclosure to regulators but continue to protect client identities from public exposure. This balance, private but not secretive, defines the new global standard for responsible asset management.

Case Study: Lawful Asset Protection Through International Structuring

In 2025, a technology entrepreneur based in Canada established a holding company in Singapore, adhering strictly to FATF and OECD regulations. An independent compliance firm audited the company, and all beneficial ownership records were disclosed to relevant authorities while remaining confidential from public registries.

The structure provided the client with tax transparency, digital data protection, and access to cross-border banking without violating any reporting obligations. This approach exemplified how offshore structuring can serve as a tool for lawful privacy rather than concealment.

Encrypted Banking and Secure Digital Finance

In 2026, the banking sector has adopted encryption and blockchain technologies as tools for compliance, rather than viewing them as threats. Modern private banks now use zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and multi-signature protocols to verify account ownership without exposing transactional data.

These privacy-preserving mechanisms satisfy both regulatory and client requirements by allowing authorities to confirm legitimacy without direct access to personal information. The same technology underpins compliant cryptocurrency transactions, where every transaction is verified under AML protocols while maintaining user confidentiality and anonymity.

Cybersecurity and Lawful Digital Defense

Digital anonymity also depends on personal cybersecurity hygiene. The majority of data breaches, identity thefts, and surveillance intrusions result not from government overreach, but from inadequate protection of private systems.

Lawful anonymity begins with secure infrastructure using end-to-end encrypted communication, virtual private networks (VPNs) registered in compliant jurisdictions, and hardware wallets for digital assets. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and air-gapped data storage ensures that sensitive information remains inaccessible to unauthorized actors.

Governments have recognized cybersecurity as a fundamental right to privacy. Under the Council of Europes Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, individuals are encouraged to use encryption and defensive technologies to protect their digital property.

Case Study: Legal Encryption Standards in Financial Communications

In 2025, a European investment firm adopted quantum-resistant encryption for all internal correspondence and client transactions. Regulators approved the upgrade under the EU Digital Security Directive, acknowledging it as a lawful and necessary measure for protecting client privacy.

This case set a regulatory precedent for using advanced encryption as a compliance tool rather than an evasion mechanism.

Digital Residency and Privacy-Respecting Jurisdictions

The emergence of digital residency programs has revolutionized the concept of lawful anonymity. Countries like Estonia, Portugal, and the United Arab Emirates now offer e-residency or virtual residency options that enable individuals to establish a legal identity, open bank accounts, and conduct business without physically residing in the jurisdiction.

These programs combine compliance verification with strong data protection laws. E-residents undergo background checks and financial screenings before issuance, ensuring legitimacy. Once approved, they can operate under privacy-protected frameworks recognized by international authorities.

Case Study: Privacy-First Residency Compliance

In 2025, a professional relocating from the United States to the UAE obtained a digital residency under the Emirates Smart Identity Program. The program verified the applicants background in accordance with FATF guidelines and provided a secure, blockchain-based ID that local banks recognize. The ID allowed the client to open accounts, sign contracts, and manage digital assets while remaining compliant with all financial and tax obligations.

The UAEs digital residency program has since become a model for privacy-preserving legal identity systems worldwide.

Lawful Use of Cryptocurrencies and Digital Assets

Cryptocurrencies and digital assets continue to serve as instruments for financial independence; however, by 2026, regulation will likely make anonymity conditional upon compliance with specific requirements. FATF now requires all crypto service providers to identify beneficial owners, verify the source of funds, and maintain transaction records.

However, privacy coins and decentralized exchanges that adopt transparency reporting standards have regained regulatory acceptance. Technologies like ring signatures and confidential transactions enable pseudonymous transfers without violating disclosure requirements.

Managing Digital Footprints and Online Presence

Online anonymity requires active management of ones digital footprint. Law-abiding individuals can limit exposure by separating personal and professional identities, using pseudonymous accounts for non-financial activities, and employing privacy browsers, secure email platforms, and decentralized cloud systems.

Modern data protection laws grant individuals the right to request the removal of online content, delete outdated information, and restrict the processing of their data. Exercising these rights ensures that digital identity remains under personal control.

Case Study: The Right to Be Forgotten and Data Rehabilitation

A 2025 court ruling in Canada reaffirmed the right of individuals to request the deletion of outdated personal data from search engines and corporate databases, provided that the information no longer serves the public interest. The decision, based on principles aligned with GDPR, allowed citizens to control the narrative of their digital presence while preserving the transparency necessary for lawful governance.

The Role of Amicus International Consulting in Lawful Privacy

Amicus International Consulting, a global advisory firm specializing in lawful anonymity, data compliance, and international structuring, assists clients in developing transparent privacy frameworks that strike a balance between protection and regulation. The firms expertise covers digital identity management, cross-border asset structuring, and multi-jurisdictional compliance audits.

Amicus guides clients through the lawful use of offshore structures, digital residency, and encryption technologies to maintain privacy within the scope of FATF, OECD, and GDPR standards. Its approach proves that legitimate privacy and global accountability can coexist when managed through verified legal channels.

Case Study: Multi-Jurisdictional Privacy Strategy

In 2025, Amicus International Consulting designed a privacy strategy for a European entrepreneur operating across three jurisdictions. The firm structured lawful offshore entities, implemented data encryption protocols, and aligned all operations with OECD transparency requirements. The result was full legal compliance with maximum personal and financial privacy.

This case exemplified how lawful structuring, when executed with regulatory integrity, safeguards both autonomy and security in the global digital ecosystem.

The Future of Privacy and Digital Freedom

By 2030, global privacy will be defined by digital accountability rather than invisibility. Decentralized identity systems, encrypted financial technologies, and AI-driven compliance will ensure that lawful privacy is achievable for anyone who embraces transparency and ethical structuring.

As governments move toward digital citizenship models and blockchain-based registries, the importance of compliance-based anonymity will continue to grow. The balance between openness and discretion will define the next generation of financial and digital sovereignty.

Conclusion: Lawful Anonymity in the Transparent Era

In 2026, remaining anonymous online and financially secure requires more than evasion; it involves understanding, structure, and compliance. Through lawful offshore frameworks, encrypted communication, and verified identity systems, individuals can maintain their privacy while operating within the global regulatory framework.

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On November 6, the Polisario Front once again claimed to have launched attacks on Moroccan troops along the berm in the Sahara territory. These declarations, timed to coincide with the anniversary of Moroccos Green March, are part of a long-standing pattern of misinformation aimed at projecting relevance in a conflict the United Nations now classifies as low-intensity.

But the reality is stark: Polisarios strategy of exaggeration and provocation is accelerating its political demise.

The UN Security Councils adoption of Resolution 2797 on October 31 marked a historic shift. For the first time, the Council explicitly endorsed Moroccos Autonomy Plan as the most feasible solution to the Western Sahara dispute. This plan, which offers genuine self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty, has garnered support from two-thirds of UN member states, including permanent Security Council members the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and most of African countries.

Polisario has often sought to use random rocket fire, more press releases, and more attempts to frame isolated incidents as acts of war.

While these attacks have had no impact on the balance of power or state of play on the ground, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned these provocations, citing concrete evidence of ceasefire violations and attacks near UN peacekeeping bases.

These reckless actions not only endanger civilians and UN personnel, they also expose Polisarios increasing alignment with transnational terrorist networks.

the US Congress is now considering a bipartisan bill (H.R.4119, the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act) that would formally designate the group as a foreign terrorist organization.

The bill cites documented ties between Polisario and Irans Hezbollah, including military training and drone support. If passed, the legislation would impose sanctions and further isolate the group diplomatically.

Algeria, as Polisarios host and primary benefactor, bears direct responsibility. The Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria have long served as rear bases for Polisarios operations, and reports suggest they are increasingly used for extremist recruitment and training. Algerias refusal to participate in the UN vote on Resolution 2797, while continuing to shield Polisario from accountability, underscores its role in perpetuating instability.

As the UN Security Council calls on all the parties, including Algeria, to engage without pre-conditions in talks on basis of Moroccos autonomy proposal and to stick to the ceasefire. Polisario, emboldened by Algiers, chose the tactics of terrorist groups that are the bulwark of the Moroccan armed forces.
Moroccos national highway authority announced the imminent completion of three major infrastructure projects months ahead of schedule, marking a significant milestone in the countrys transportation modernization efforts.

The National Highways Company of Morocco (ADM) revealed that the Tit Mellil-Berrechid highway and two major interchange upgrades at Ain Harrouda and Sidi Maarouf will be delivered well before the originally planned 2026 deadline. The announcement coincides with celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Green March and Moroccos 70th Independence Day.

The timing also honors the recent historic UN Security Council Resolution 2797, underscoring ADMs commitment to providing modern, safe, and efficient highway infrastructure in line with King Mohammed VIs strategic vision for national development.

The Tit Mellil-Berrechid highway represents Moroccos first next-generation expressway, spanning 30 kilometers with an initial configuration of three lanes in each direction. This route will significantly reduce congestion in Greater Casablanca while shortening travel times for motorists traveling between the countrys northern and eastern regions toward the south and center.

The Ain Harrouda interchange transformation addresses one of Moroccos most congested highway sections, connecting Mohammedia West to the Ain Harrouda junction. The upgrade includes construction of 10 engineering structures, expansion to as many as eight lanes per direction, and an elevated intersection at the current Mohammedia industrial zone roundabout.

The Sidi Maarouf interchange project represents a first for Morocco, featuring a pioneering three-level configuration at this critical southern exit point of the economic capital. The transformation connects the Casablanca ring road with the Casablanca-Berrechid highway through eight new structures, additional ramps, and expansion to five lanes on each approach.

ADM emphasized that these strategic projects will significantly enhance national mobility, traffic safety and flow, while improving access to major infrastructure. The early delivery demonstrates the companys dedication to supporting Moroccos unprecedented development trajectory and its capacity to host major international events.
Morocco was elected on Friday as a member of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the 2025-2029 term at the 43rd session of its General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The Kingdom was elected to this UNESCO body by 146 votes atop the Arab group for a four-year term, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Morocco is followed by Jordan (131 votes) and Egypt (114 votes), while Algeria and Sudan were eliminated from the ballot, the press release said.

Moroccos election reflects the international communitys recognition of the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI in favor of multilateralism, dialogue among civilizations, and sustainable human development.

It reinforces Moroccos active and constructive role within UNESCO, as well as its ongoing commitment to promoting education, culture, science, and communication, which are essential pillars of peace and progress, the press release added.

Under this new mandate, the Kingdom will further its efforts to strengthen international cooperation and defend the universal values of tolerance, mutual respect, and solidarity that underpin UNESCOs mandate.

Composed of 58 member states, the UNESCO Executive Board acts under the authority of the General Conference. It examines the Organizations work program and the corresponding budget estimates submitted to it by the Director-General of the UN agency.
The Spanish think tank Real Instituto Elcano considers United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 on the Sahara a decisive turning point in favor of Morocco.

In its analysis, the prestigious institute for international and strategic studies emphasizes that this resolution consolidates the predominance of Moroccos approach to resolving the regional dispute through the Autonomy Plan; hailed by the international community as serious, credible, and realistic.

Resolution 2797 reflects the growing international recognition of Moroccos constructive role and underscores its solid credibility on both regional and global levels, Real Instituto Elcano points out, highlighting Moroccos regional leadership as the result of active diplomacy and a comprehensive development policy implemented under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.

The Southern Provinces are undergoing profound economic and social transformation, driven by large-scale projects and significant investments. These efforts have turned the Southern Provinces into a model of sustainable development, integration, and regional stability, illustrating the success of a model founded on progress, cooperation, and peace, the institute notes.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is up for review in 2026, and the resulting policy outcome could have transformational importance for global energy markets and value chains. Even though it would seem that the United States, Mexico, and Canada are in an era of increasing political tension and division, the common strategic priorities of the North American bloc far overshadow the divergences and competing interests. Strengthening energy trade and mutual support to ramp up energy production and localized energy and manufacturing supply chains would be a win-win-win for all three parties, but will require a particularly heavy lift on the part of Mexico.

Within this trilateral relationship, reports the Atlantic Council, Mexicos role in particular could lean into its domestic priorities to expand energy infrastructure, strengthen its electric vehicle and semiconductor sectors, and develop its mineral wealth.

The Atlantic Council, a longstanding bipartisan think tank dedicated to issues of international coordination and security, recently released a 14-page policy brief arguing for enhanced cooperation between North American nations in order to be able to compete with China in global energy value chains. As Mexico, Canada, and the United States have prioritized protectionist policies and fractured nationalism over the last decade, China has increasingly consolidated global supply chains and currently exerts a great deal of control over international energy markets, especially in emerging economies. The Atlantic Council argues that counteracting this precarious consolidation will require a course correction and a return to convergence, coordination, and cooperation on the part of North American nations, who will stand stronger together than divided in a rapidly changing global market.

While the governments of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada have had loud and contentious tiffs against the backdrop of the Trump administrations (see: 51st state, wall) the three economies remain highly dependent on each other, and politically entangled in inextricable and bilateral ways. Smoothing over trade tensions in light of those dependencies is therefore strongly in the nations favor.

Although China is unmatched in terms of energy spending and its rapid expansion of energy influence, supply chains, and investment into energy assets in emerging economies, the Atlantic Council argues that North America is well-positioned to challenge Chinas runaway dominance if it can play to its historic strengths.

North Americas energy abundance has positioned the region as the worlds dominant energy exporter, states the October policy brief. The United States leads global LNG exports, Canada supplies critical oil and gas resources, and Mexicos emerging Pacific Coast LNG projects will provide direct access to Asian markets. This collective export capacity creates shared prosperity through export revenues while offering democratic allies alternatives to authoritarian energy suppliers, transforming energy integration from an economic opportunity into a geopolitical asset.

This plan hinges on Mexicos ambitious energy planning  including the Plan Mexico policy  as laid out by its new president Claudia Sheinbaum. Mexico is critical to the nearshoring ambitions of the United States and Canada, who seek to shorten and strengthen localized supply chains in the interest of energy security, independence, and sovereignty, not to mention increased control within global markets. Mexico also has enormous and largely untapped potential for green energy production.

Through Plan Mexico, the current administration has outlined an ambitious economic transformation strategy that prioritizes manufacturing growth, critical mineral development, and energy securitypriorities that align with US and Canadian interests in building more resilient regional supply chains, writes the Atlantic Council.

Increased North American energy cooperation is also critical to keeping Mexicos alliances pointed north rather than East. China has been rapidly expanding its presence in energy sectors across Latin America, and Mexico would be a highly strategic trade partner for Beijing. Isolating and alienating Mexico from North American cooperation would push the country toward Beijing, with likely disastrous consequences for policy and economic goals for the entire continent.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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A joint green-energy project involving Azerbaijan and Georgia has cleared an initial European hurdle, and its blueprint for exporting electricity from the Caspian Basin to the EU will now undergo a cost-benefit analysis.

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) opted to include the project, known as the Black Sea Green Energy Corridor, in a group of infrastructure projects under consideration within the framework of a Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP 2026). Over the course of 2026, all projects in the TYNDP 2026 portfolio will have their benefits assessed, read an ENTSO-E statement. The results of the cost-benefit analysis are expected to be published in late 2026.

The Black Sea Green Energy Corridor, which partners Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary, was conceived in 2022 with the four participating countries creating a holding company to manage the project. Concurrent with the EU regulatory approval process, consortium members have commissioned a feasibility study, the Azerbaijani government-connected outlet Caliber.az reported.

If it gets a green light, the project will involve laying a power transmission cable beneath the Black Sea connecting Azerbaijan and Georgia to Romania. The power line is projected to have an annual carrying capacity of up to 4 Gigawatts, most of which would be generated by renewable sources.

In the spring of 2025, the consortium members applied to the EU for the Green Energy Corridor to receive special status, enabling an expedited regulatory approval process.

Azerbaijan envisions linking the Black Sea cable to a trans-Caspian power line that Baku is seeking to build in cooperation with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. If that plan comes to fruition, much of the electricity reaching the EU via the Black Sea cable stands to be generated by wind and solar farms in Central Asia.

ENTSO-E operates under an EU mandate. Its membership comprises 40 Transmission Systems Operators from 36 countries, aiming to ensure the secure and coordinated operation of Europes electricity system  the worlds largest interconnected grid, according to ENTSO-Es website.

By Eurasianet

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Advanced air mobility (AAM) may no longer be a pipedream, as several cities around the globe are conducting pilot projects in the hope of launching commercial operations over the next decade. Innovations in AAM could lead to the launch of air taxi services in several spots worldwide, helping commuters to avoid traffic and get to their destinations faster.

Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles rely on electric propulsion, powered by electric motors that allow them to take off and land vertically, reducing the urban space needed to transport people. Unlike other aircraft that require a runway, eVTOLs are ideal for busy, urban environments. They are typically powered by batteries rather than internal combustion engines, meaning they do not burn fossil fuels. Some of the benefits of using eVTOL compared to other aircraft include reduced emissions, lower noise pollution, and higher efficiency.

Several companies have emerged in the eVTOL space in recent years, such as Joby Aviation and Volocopter. Companies investing in the space vary from established aerospace firms to innovative start-ups. As the lithium-ion batteries we use in electric vehicles (EVs) continue to improve in range, cost, weight, and efficiency, those same batteries can be used for eVTOL, which is generating more optimism in the AAM space.

The air taxi market is expected to grow from $43 billion in 2025 to $86.6 billion by 2034, according to a Research and Markets report. This anticipated improvement is owing to rapid technological and regulatory advancements and the growing demand for this type of transport. Advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are expected to drive innovation and boost efficiency in the coming years.

Laurie Garrow, the co-director of Georgia Techs Centre for Urban and Regional Air Mobility, said that the rollout of eVTOLs will require greater investments in associated infrastructure, such as the Vertiports needed for aircraft to take off and land vertically. In addition, charging systems and robust fire safety protocols for high-energy batteries will be key, said Garrow. And perhaps most critically, we need rules of the road in the sky to manage air traffic around existing airports.

Several countries worldwide are developing eVTOL operations to launch commercial air taxi services over the next decade. In South Korea, in October, Korean Air signed a deal with U.S.-based Archer Aviation to launch commercial electric air taxis, with a view to purchasing up to 100 aircraft.

Archer announced that the agreement means that its Midnight eVTOL will be used across multiple applications and use cases, starting with government applications. The aircraft is designed to carry out between a 10- and 20-minute flight, and a prototype recently completed a series of performance test flights, with two of its highest-altitude flights to date. The U.S. firm has gained the backing of some industry majors, including Boeing and Stellantis. It is currently producing six aircraft at two facilities in the U.S. In September, Archer won a bid to acquire rival Liliums portfolio of around 300 AAM patent assets for $21 million, thereby expanding its portfolio to over 1,000 patent assets.

The United Arab Emirates has big plans of its own. The Chinese EV maker Xpeng recently showcased its eVTOL in the Gulf state  the Land Aircraft Carrier, a two-seater EV that can be flown with or without a pilot. Ali Ahmad Al Blooshi, an aviation expert at Dubai Civil Aviation, stated, We imagine the airspace as being like a street today. Meanwhile, Michael Du, Xpeng Aerohts CFO and vice president, said, During our R&D process, we have made 200 of those and conducted more than 5,000 safety testing flights in extreme heat, high altitude, extreme cold, moist areas.

And its not just air taxis that the AAM sector is looking to develop. In a recent white paper published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with Kearney, they authors discuss the potential for multiple applications of AAM. Advanced air mobility is spearheading innovative new technology in the aviation industry... Application opportunities for AAM are manifold across passenger and non-passenger (goods and services) transport clusters, the report states.

It outlines how innovations in AAM are expected to reshape how we think about air travel, logistics and urban transport, as the aircraft could be used for passenger transport and goods delivery, as well as in emergency response and to access remote locations.

However, to achieve the commercial rollout of AAM, some hurdles must first be overcome. Governments hoping to launch eVTOL must establish clear regulatory frameworks and support public awareness campaigns to encourage social acceptance. In addition, greater investment must be seen in associated infrastructure, such as Vertiports and charging stations.

There is significant potential for the commercial rollout of eVTOL within the next decade, based on successful test flights and rapid innovations in technology. However, to achieve commercial flight, aviation companies must work with governments to develop informed regulatory frameworks, establish flight routes, and develop the infrastructure needed to support operations.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Slovakias car industry, the largest per capita in the world, is struggling under new U.S. tariffs and rising Chinese competition.

One of Europes automotive manufacturing powerhouses, Slovakia, has been hit hard by tariffs and increased competition, which are threatening its role in the global auto market. Since the creation of the Bratislava Automobile Works (BAZ) in the 1970s, Slovakia has gradually developed its reputation as a major automotive manufacturer. It now produces the highest number of cars per capita each year, with an annual output of over one million vehicles.

Slovakia became known as Europes Detroit, attracting automakers such as Volkswagen, Stellantis, Kia, and Jaguar Land Rover. Its automotive industry contributes around 11 percent of the countrys GDP, as well as half of its industrial output. It also accounts for roughly 10 percent of national employment.

In recent years, it has broken into the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing market, with plans from Swedens Volvo Cars to establish an EV facility in the central European country in 2026. This will be Slovakias fifth production plant. Chinas Gotion High Tech and Slovakian partner InoBat also plan to launch an EV battery plant in Slovakia, which could attract more EV makers to the market.

However, growing challenges in recent years now threaten Slovakias reputation as Europes automaking powerhouse. These include the introduction of U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump and increased competition from Chinas growing vehicle manufacturing sector. In addition, rising national taxes and a geopolitical shift away from the EU have hindered the countrys automotive sector.

At present, Slovakias exports to the United States account for around 4 percent of the countrys total exports, with vehicles contributing around 80 percent of that export volume. This has made Slovakia highly reliant on U.S. trade and means it has been hit hard by the introduction of high tariffs on foreign goods.

The EU succeeded in establishing a framework trade deal with the U.S. in July, which reduced the tariffs on most EU products from the anticipated 30 percent to a lower 15 percent rate, and decreased tariffs on the blocs auto sector from 27.5 percent. Zuzana Pelakova, from the Slovakia-based thinktank Globsec, said, In the current situation, the U.S.-EU trade alliance has stabilised, and tariffs have been lowered to 15 percent, which is certainly better than the initial proposal but is still challenging.

However, when new 15 percent tariffs are viewed alongside the broader set of challenges faced by Slovakias automaking industry, it becomes clear just how hard the sector will have to fight to maintain its position as a global leader. Increased domestic levies, following the introduction of a transaction tax under Prime Minister Robert Ficos government, aimed at curbing the budget deficit and funding social programmes, are undermining profits in the countrys automotive sector.

Fico has come under fire from the EU for his longstanding relationship with Russias President Putin in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ongoing war. In a July statement, Fico said, I refuse the politics of the iron fence that exists between the EU and the Russian Federation, and I would like to offer a hand of cooperation over this fence When it comes to energy, I openly say that I view any plans of the European Commission to stop any import of gas, oil or nuclear fuel from Russia as insanity.

The Slovakian governments stance on Russia has led several European countries to view Slovakia as a less reliable partner, one that is unwilling to support the sanctions on Russian energy that are meant to put pressure on Moscow to end its conflict with Ukraine.

As around 90 percent of Slovakias foreign direct investment comes from EU countries, rising geopolitical tensions could threaten its economic stability. A survey from earlier in the year showed that among foreign chambers of commerce, 36 percent of European companies with assets in Slovakia did not plan to invest in the country again. This is reflected in Volkswagens decision to launch operations in Portugal instead of Slovakia for its new electric ID.1 model, while Stellantis NV opted to establish an EV facility in Spain.

Despite the challenges, many believe that Slovakias longstanding automaking industry will weather the storm, as it has done in the past. However, the countrys auto association, ZAPSR, believes that to make headway, the industry must engage with the government to improve policy and economic support for the sector.

To maintain the transformation of production to electromobility, it is necessary that the state creates framework conditions for investors, with clear and stable foreign policy orientation, keeping in mind that in the last 15 years, 93 per cent of investment arrived from the EU countries, UK and USA, ZAPSR said in a statement earlier this year. Meanwhile, ZAPSRs president, Alexander Matusek, stressed, These concerns about Slovakias place in the world are relevant. Besides the economic factors, investors also look at what the state does  we shouldnt underestimate this.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Oil production from offshore Brazil, Guyana and Suriname, as well as Argentinas Vaca Muerta shale is well-positioned to supply cost-competitive barrels until 2030. Global oil demand is expected to remain robust throughout the 2030s, putting pressure on currently producing assets to keep pace. Rystad Energys research forecasts global liquids demand to peak in the early 2030s at around 107 million barrels per day (bpd), remaining above 100 million bpd through the 2040s before gradually declining to about 75 million bpd by 2050. Non-OPEC+ supply will be key to balancing the market, with South America playing a central role by delivering cost-competitive barrels even at low prices, offsetting slower US shale growth.

Todays wells are projected to deliver less than half of their current output by 2030, underscoring the need for continued investment in both new and existing fields. While additional volumes can be brought online, undeveloped and discovered fields will remain important sources of supply through the mid-2030s. Although the market may experience a brief period of oversupply, above-surface risks could trigger delays in project timelines. South America is well-positioned to offer competitive barrels to a global market due to its success with deepwater projects. Looking ahead, continued investment and a stronger focus on deepwater expansion as the supply gap might widen after the mid-2030s.

Radhika Bansal, vice president, Upstream research, Rystad Energy

Nearly 60% of conventional under-development and discovered volumes, close to 5.9 million bpd, is expected from non-OPEC+ producers through 2030. South America will lead supply growth this year, adding over 560,000 bpd of crude and condensate, followed by North America with around 480,000 bpd. By 2026, South Americas additions should exceed 750,000 bpd, keeping the region among the few regions with additions over 500,000 bpd, alongside the Middle East (outside OPEC+), driving non-OPEC+ growth.

Offshore oilfields which have come online since 2020, and those set to start up by 2030, will account for over 65% of South Americas conventional production. This growth is supported by the increasing use of floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, led primarily by developments in Brazil and Guyana. In Guyana, ExxonMobil has advanced multiple discoveries, with four FPSOs already in production, demonstrating effective project execution. However, the pace of new discoveries has slowed, with approximately 420 million barrels of liquids discovered over the past year, the lowest level since 2017, highlighting the ongoing need for exploration. Rystad Energys base case projections sees oil demand expected to outpace current supply by the mid-2030s, amplifying the need for renewed exploration and enhanced recovery; an area where South America is well positioned to play a key role.

The regions future will also heavily depend on sanctioning activity. South America will maintain a strong final investment decision (FID) momentum through 2030, leading to a cumulative conventional greenfield capital expenditure (capex) for oilfields between 2020 and 2030 of $197 billion, largely concentrated in offshore deepwater projects. While Brazil and Guyana account for most of these investments, Surinames $10.5 billion GranMorgu field (formerly Sapakara South and Krabdagu), is slated to come online by 2028.

Total upstream investment in South American oilfields reached over $46 billion last year, the highest level since 2015. This year, investments are expected to grow by 10% before tapering slightly in the following years, stayuing close to $50 billion throughout the next decade. Greenfield investments will be led by Brazil and Guyanas yet-to-produce assets. Already producing fields in Argentina, Brazil and Colombia will drive brownfield spending.

South Americas upstream sector occupies a pivotal role in the global energy landscape, having contributed substantially to conventional production and new discoveries over the past decade. The region has been a consistent driver of net oil exports and is set to remain crucial in the years ahead, with Argentina, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela leading the charge. Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador are also expected to sustain meaningful export contributions at least through the mid-2030s. With adequate investment in exploration, there remains considerable upside potential, as new discoveries could unlock future volumes and enhance recoverable resources from existing fields.

Two countries that may receive less attention but show potential are Trinidad and Tobago and Peru. ExxonMobil has made a strategic re-entry into Trinidad and Tobago, one of the Caribbeans least-explored ultra-deepwater frontiers, through a new production-sharing contract (PSC). Using a similar exploration approach that identified over 13 billion barrels of recoverable resources in Guyanas Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil aims to replicate this model. If new discoveries are made, the company could invest more than $20 billion, signaling continued interest in frontier deepwater exploration.

In Peru, offshore northern basins are emerging as a promising exploration area. A consortium of Chevron, Anadarko (Occidental Petroleum), and Westlawn has recently partnered to explore three offshore blocks, Z-61, Z-62, and Z-63, in the Mar de Grau, off northern La Libertad. Successful exploration could add significant new reserves, where a commercial discovery could yield between 100,000 and 150,000 barrels per day in peak production.

Rystad Energy

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By Monique DeSpain for Congress,

In November 2023, I asked a simple question: Why dont we have a safe and prosperous Oregon? The answer remains clear  we lack bold, results-driven leadership in Oregon and in Congress. Two years later, as the government shutdown drags on and our 4th District continues to struggle, Oregons leadership void remains glaring. Im running for Congress in Oregons 4th District again because I refuse to give up on Oregon or surrender our future to failed, self-serving career politicians  starting with my opponent, U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle.

In 2024, voters told me exactly what they want: a stronger economy, safer neighborhoods, an end to deadly drugs and unchecked crime, and an accountable government that spends tax dollars wisely. Thats what I campaigned on and promised to deliver. Predictably, Hoyle has delivered none of it. In fact, she votes against reform and common sense. The people of Oregons 4th District deserve far better.

Hoyles record tells a story of disappointment, excuses, blame and politics over people. She has almost nothing to show for her time in Congress and has been absent on the big issues that matter most to the voters of our region. Last year, she voted against the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) and signed an Old Growth Letter pledging her support for further restrictions on responsible forest access, while our forests go up in flames, rural communities struggle and both young and old leave Oregon in search of a better life. Managing our forests wiselyboosting harvests, reducing wildfire risk and restoring timber jobswould save our precious forests and revitalize our economy, fund public safety, schools and infrastructure. Instead, Hoyle stays silent as U.S. Sens. Wyden and Merkley stall FOFA, preferring helicopter photo ops with anti-forest management special interests to practical, effective policies. As your Congresswoman, I will actively support FOFA and other bipartisan reforms that promote healthy, sustainable forests  protecting communities, saving jobs and rebuilding Oregons natural-resource economy.

Hoyles conduct during the recent shutdown revealed more misplaced priorities. On Sept. 19, she voted to shut down our government, depriving workers of paychecks and families of services  all to give her party bosses political leverage. Earlier this year, she voted against eliminating taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security  yet still claims to champion working families. When Congress voted to condemn all political violence with H. Res. 719 and called upon all Americans to join this commitment, she sought the cowards refuge and voted present. In December 2023, Hoyle chose silence over conviction and voted present as the House overwhelmingly condemned rising antisemitism after the Oct. 7 attacks. Thats not leadership  its moral evasion. I will always speak clearly: I unequivocally condemn antisemitism, every form of religious persecution, and all political violence. Thats the moral clarity voters should get from their member of Congress.

Hoyles ethical lapses also follow a troubling pattern. This year, she violated the STOCK Act by failing to report trades for over a year  a law meant to ensure transparency and prevent members of Congress from profiting off their elected positions. During that period, her assets ballooned from $439,000 in 2022 to $1.72 million in 2025. Her explanation? She didnt realize she was making so much money and didnt mean to fail to report it.

If youre getting that deja vu feeling, its because weve seen this before with Hoyle. After leaving as head of Oregons Bureau of Labor and Industries, Hoyle delayed releasing public records for nearly a year  correspondence that later exposed her role as the ringleader of a pay-to-play scheme benefiting the corrupt owners of the now-notorious marijuana company La Mota. Those same records drew a federal subpoena from the Biden-appointed U.S. Attorney for Oregon. Hoyle insisted shed simply been duped for three years by bad people who, coincidentally, also had active labor law complaints before her agency. Transparency advocates remain unconvinced that the full truth has ever been revealed.

The 4th Districts challenges are serious, and solving them requires real leadership  not a partisan operator focused on her own political career. While Hoyle spends her time name-calling and grandstanding, we need someone who will build relationships in Washington, regardless of who holds the office of President, Speaker, or other leadership positions. Our 4th Districts potential can be unleashed by leadership that brings home infrastructure funding, fosters small business growth and responsibly taps Oregons natural resources. This is how we return to prosperity, safe neighborhoods and affordable communities with good jobs, and schools and abundant housing.

Im prepared to deliver those results. I bring the experience of a successful legal career and over 30 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Reserve, and the Oregon Air National Guard. Ive listened, led, and delivered  in business, the military, and my community. In Eugene, Springfield, and Salem, Ive fought for businesses, crime victims and against workplace discrimination, and demanded accountability from those in power. I ask tough questions, dig for the truth and empower problem solvers to succeed. Thats how true public servants deliver lasting solutions to the challenges we face.

Its time for real leadership, commonsense problem-solving, and a government that works for the people again. Together, we can restore an affordable, prosperous and safe Oregon.

Im ready to lead our great comeback. Will you join me?


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

The State of Oregon has announced that the Kicker Refund will indeed Kick and return taxpayers refunds when they file their taxes next April (2026).

Oregon collected $1.4 billion more in income and other taxes in the 2023-25 budget cycle than state economists had anticipated when lawmakers approved the budget back in June 2023. This payment marks the fourth-largest kicker in its history. This $1.4 billion is much lower than the 2024 kicker which was $5.6 billion refund that was issued during the 2024 tax season.

The Taxpayers Association of Oregon lobbied the 2025 Legislature against their Kicker raid bills.

If you love your Kicker Tax Refund and love our work to secure it then contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Grantham scholar, Eva Andriani, and her supervisor, Olga Cam, posing with fresh vegetables bought from a street food vendor in Indonesia. Credit: University of Sheffield

Earlier this year our Grantham Scholar, Eva Andriani, traveled to Indonesia to conduct some participatory research with a community of street vendors. We spoke to Eva to find out about her experience and the impact of her research.

Indonesia has a rich street food culture, with vendors a very common sight in its bustling towns and cities. They serve a delicious array of traditional dishes, snacks and drinks to locals and tourists, often at affordable prices. Street vendors also contribute significantly by creating job opportunities, providing household income, and supporting the achievement of the SDGs.

However, many face challenges related to financial literacy and sustainability practices, which hinder their ability to become financially resilient and access government financial support. As a result, this sector risks being left behind as the country moves toward a green transition.

Supporting Indonesian street vendors

Since completing her confirmation review, Andriani has been conducting participatory research in her home country, Indonesia. Her project focuses on supporting local street food vendors in the village of Rejoagung by developing a financial literacy program that incorporates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations.

By promoting sustainable business practices, Andriani hopes her research will empower vulnerable communities, enhancing their self-resilience through cost and waste reduction, improving access to funding, and fostering long-term development.

Participatory action research approach

As part of her research, Andriani collaborated closely with 34 street vendors and the broader community to co-create tailored solutions and prioritize local perspectives and needs.

"I began by creating a formal agreement with five street vendors, who served as co-researchers representing the community," explains Andriani. "I conducted interviews with 20 street vendors to identify key challenges that informed the development of a transformative education framework.

"Following this, I conducted five collaborative dialogues with the co-researchers to design a practical model that included financial literacy materials, ESG concepts, alternative learning methods, and integration mechanisms.

"This was followed by validation sessions involving stakeholders from local academic communities and the government's Financial Services Authority (OJK). Once the model was finalized, I conducted pre- and post-tests with the street vendors and proceeded with the implementation stage."

By blending financial literacy with ESG principles, Andriani's approach enables vendors to enhance their financial well-being while contributing to global sustainability goals. This initiative also helps foster networks between street vendors, educators, sustainability experts, and local government authorities.

Challenges in complex settings

Conducting research in culturally and socio-economically complex settings like Indonesia presents unique challenges. One key issue is that many traditional research processes require participants to possess advanced literacy skills.

"Many participants can find dealing with information sheets and consent forms overwhelming or intimidating. This creates barriers to meaningful engagement."

To address this, Andriani, with guidance from her supervisors Dr. Olga Cam and Dr. Ozlem Arikan, designed an approach which focused on collaborative dialogue to build mutual understanding and co-create solutions.

"I simplified the Participant Information Sheet, translated it into participants' local language, and used AI-generated comic illustrations to complement the written material," said Andriani. "I also used verbal explanations to further ensure accessibility for participants with varying literacy levels."

By actively prioritizing local contexts, Andriani was able to address common concerns in research about imposing Western-centric solutions and her approach represented a step towards decolonizing research practices.

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Opportunities for impact

Despite the challenges, Andriani's creative approaches to research design brought significant opportunities and rewards.

"By building trust and collaborative relationships with the local community, I was able to present my findings at a village council ceremony attended by 23 local authorities and 20 street vendors. The event included mini training sessions for the vendors around one of my research findings, which focused on food waste management and food bank distribution. Following this, I got the chance to visit the vendors' business sites.

"I was also able to engage with local higher education providers and the local government. I used a financial educators' forum which included 36 universities in East Java, Bali and Semarang to validate my findings with the Indonesian research community. I then shared the findings with the policy maker, OJK (Financial Service Authority of Indonesia), which allowed me to refine my insights. This step was vital for me to develop a robust financial education program tailored to street vendors, integrating ESG principles for a holistic approach to sustainable transformation."

International collaboration

Building on the successful engagement with the local community, Andriani and her supervisor Dr. Cam were invited to speak at the World Research and Engagement Forum hosted by KH. Mukhtar Sayafaat's University in Indonesia.

Addressing an audience of 70 students and 102 lecturers, Andriani shared her educational journey, from her Master's degree at Leeds to her doctoral research at Sheffield. Dr. Cam reflected on the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and interdisciplinary research in addressing global challenges. Together, they engaged participants in a thought-provoking discussion on the value of collaboration and cross-cultural experiences in an interconnected world. Dr. Cam and Andriani also visited Semarang University, where they delivered a public lecture to Indonesian academics.

Next steps

Andriani has finished her data collection and will soon enter the final stages of her Ph.D. at the Sheffield Management School and Grantham Center. Her work underscores the potential of participatory action research to drive meaningful change locally and globally, paving the way for interdisciplinary partnerships.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Along with delegates from all over the world, I'll be heading to the United Nations COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian Amazon city of Belem. Like many others, I'm unsure what to expect.

This year, the summit faces perhaps the greatest headwinds of any in recent history. In the United States, the Trump administration has slashed climate science, canceled renewable projects, expanded fossil fuel extraction and left the Paris Agreement (again). Trump's efforts to hamstring climate action have made for extreme geopolitical turbulence, overshadowing the world's main forum for coordinating climate actioneven as the problem worsens.

Last year, average global warming climbed above 1.5C for the first time. Costly climate-fueled disasters are multiplying, with severe heat waves, fires and flooding affecting most continents this year.

Climate talks are never easy. Every nation wants input and many interests clash. Petrostates and big fossil fuel exporters want to keep extraction going, while Pacific states despairingly watch the seas rise. But in the absence of a global government to direct climate policy, these imperfect talks remain the best option for coordinating commitment to meaningful action.

Here's what to keep an eye on this year.

A smaller-than-usual COP?

A persistent criticism of the annual climate summits is that they have become too big and unwieldymore a trade show and playground for fossil fuel lobbyists than an effective forum for multilateral diplomacy and action on climate change. One solution is to deliberately make these talks smaller.

The Belem conference may end up having a smaller number of delegates, though not by design so much as logistical headaches.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva backed the decision to invite the world to the Amazon to display how vital the massive rainforest is as a carbon sink. But Belem's remote location on the northeast coast, limited infrastructure and shortage of hotels have seen prices soar, putting the conference out of reach for smaller nations, including some of the most vulnerable. These constraints could undermine the inclusive "Mutirao" (collective effort on climate change) sought by organizers.

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Show me the money

Climate finance is a perennial issue at COP meetings. These funding pledges by rich countries are intended to help poorer countries reduce emissions, adapt to climate change or recover from climate disasters. Poorer countries have long called for more funding, given rich countries have done vastly more damage to the climate.

At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan last year, a new climate finance goal was set for US$300 billion (~A$460 billion) to be raised annually by developed countries by 2035, with the goal of reaching $US1.3 trillion (~A$2 trillion) in funding from both government and private sources over the same period.

To deliver the second goal, negotiators laid out a "Baku to Belem" roadmap. The details are due to be finalized at COP30. But with the US walking away from climate action and the European Union wavering, many eyes will be on China and whether it will step into the climate leadership vacuum left by developed countries. The EU has only just reached agreement on a 2040 emissions reduction target and an "indicative" cut for 2035.

Climate finance will be the priority for many countries, as worsening disasters such as Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines once again demonstrate the enormous human and financial cost of climate change.

The latest UN assessment indicates the need for this funding is outpacing flows by 1214 times. In Belem, poorer countries will be hoping to land agreement on greater finance and support for adaptation. Work on a global set of indicators to track progress on adaptationincluding financewill be key.

Brazilian organizers hope to rally countries around another flagship funding initiative set to launch at COP30. The Tropical Forests Forever Facility would compensate countries for preserving tropical forests, with 20% of funds directed to Indigenous peoples and local communities who protect tropical forest on their lands. If it gets up, this fund could offer a breakthrough in tackling deforestation by flipping the economics in favor of conservation and protecting a huge store of carbon.

2035 climate pledges

Belem was supposed to be a celebration of ambitious new emissions pledges which would keep alive the Paris Agreement goal of holding warming to 1.5C. Nations were originally due to submit their 2035 pledges (formally known as Nationally Determined Contributions) by February, with an extension given to September after 95% of countries missed the deadline.

When pledges finally arrived in September, they were broadly underwhelming. Only half the world's emissions were covered by a 2035 pledge, meaning the remaining emissions gap could be very significant. Australia is pledging cuts of 62%70% from 2005 emissions levels.

That's not to say there's no progress. A new UN report suggests countries are bending the curve downward on emissions but at a far slower pace than is needed.

How negotiators handle this emissions gap will be a litmus test for whether countries are taking their Paris Agreement obligations seriously.

Rise of the courts

Even as some countries back away from climate action, courts are increasingly stepping into the breach. This year, the International Court of Justice issued a rousing Advisory Opinion on states' climate obligations under international law, including that national targets have to make an adequate contribution to meeting the Paris Agreement's temperature goal. The court warned that failing to take "appropriate action" to safeguard the climate system from fossil fuel emissionsincluding from projects carried out by private corporationsmay be "an internationally wrongful act." That is, they could attract international liability.

It will be interesting to see how this ruling affects negotiating positions at COP30 over the fossil fuel phase-out. At COP28 in 2023, nations promised to begin "transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems." If countries fail to progress the phase-out, accountability could instead be delivered via the courts. A new judgment in France found the net zero targets of oil and gas majors amount to greenwashing, while lawsuits aimed at making big carbon polluters liable for climate damage caused by their emissions are in the pipeline.

An Australia/Pacific COP?

A big question to be resolved is whether Australia's long-running bid to host next year's COP in Adelaide will get up. The bid to jointly host COP31 with Pacific nations has strong international support, but the rival bidder, Turkey, has not withdrawn.

If consensus is not reached at COP30, the host city would default back to Bonn in Germany, where the UN climate secretariat is based.

Outcome unknown

As climate change worsens, these sprawling, intense meetings may not seem like a solution. But despite headwinds and backsliding, they are essential. The world has made progress on climate change since 2015, due in large part to the Paris Agreement. What's needed now on its tenth anniversary is a reinfusion of vigor to get the job done.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Predicted democratic values plots varying between 0 (low) and 3 (high) by residence duration (years) in origin countries and Germany. Credit: European Journal of Political Research (2025). DOI: 10.1017/s1475676525100285

Migrants in Europe stand by the basic values of democracy, according to a new study conducted by a research team led by Professor Marc Helbling, sociologist at the University of Mannheim focusing on Migration and Integration and Executive Board member of the Mannheim Center for European Social Research (MZES).

Together with Dr. Fabian Gulzau (Expert Council on Integration and Migration, SVR) and Dr. Sandra Morgenstern (University of Mannheim, MZES), Helbling analyzed data from the European Social Survey (ESS) and the SVR's German Integration Barometer. "Our results show: Immigrants support the core democratic principles to a similarly high degree as people without a migratory background," Helbling emphasizes.

The freely accessible study, "Liberal democratic values among immigrants in Europe: Socialisation and adaptation processes," was published in the European Journal of Political Research in October 2025.

High support for democratic basic values all over Europe

The results of the study show that both migrants from democratic countries of origin and those from authoritarian countries are highly supportive of core democratic norms, such as free elections, equal rights, minority protection, and independent courts. On the ESS scale from 0 to 10, the mean level of support for these values throughout Europe is at 8.56 for migrants. For non-migrants, the level of support is at 8.48. For Germany in particular, the Integration Barometer data with a scale from 0 to 3 show very similar values, more specifically 2.67 and 2.66.

"These, in all cases, very high mean values hardly differ between the individual groups of people," Helbling explains.

Experience with democracy in country of origin has a positive effect

The research team found a small but statistically significant difference between immigrants from highly authoritarian countries, such as Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, or Iran, on the one hand, and migrants from more democratic countries, such as India, Turkey, or Romania, on the other.

"People who have lived in a very authoritarian system for many years tend to develop slightly weaker democratic attitudes. Conversely, people who have lived in more democratic countries for a long time show a bit more support for democracy. However, the difference is really small," Helbling explains. "In principle, democratic basic beliefs are shared across cultural and national borders and, as a rule, solidified with increasing democratic life experience," the social scientist sums up.

Problematic minorities within all groups

Despite the overall high level of support for democracy, there is a small minority among immigrants who reject it. According to the researchers, the share of this group accounts for a medium single-digit percentage.

This value is almost exactly the same as the one for people without a migratory background, Helbling emphasizes. "Our analyses show that anti-democratic attitudes are not specifically a migration-related phenomenon. There are critical minorities within all population groups."

Scientific background

The study is based on two extensive datasets: The European Social Survey (ESS, Wave 10) includes detailed survey data from tens of thousands of people, including more than 2,000 first-generation migrants, from 30 European countries. The Integration Barometer (Wave 4) of the German Expert Council on Integration and Migration (SVR) is based on surveys with about 15,000 participants in Germany, of which approximately 7,000 are people with a migratory background and around 4,000 are first-generation migrants. Both surveys measure core dimensions of liberal democratic values.

More information: Fabian Gulzau et al, Liberal democratic values among immigrants in Europe: Socialisation and adaptation processes, European Journal of Political Research (2025). DOI: 10.1017/s1475676525100285

Provided by Universitat Mannheim
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U.S. biologist James Watson, who shared a Nobel prize for helping discover the double-helix shape of the DNA molecule, poses for a portrait at an exhibition in Berlin on Monday, Oct. 11, 2004. Credit: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File

James D. Watson, whose co-discovery of the twisted-ladder structure of DNA in 1953 helped light the long fuse on a revolution in medicine, crimefighting, genealogy and ethics, has died. He was 97.

The breakthroughmade when the brash, Chicago-born Watson was just 24turned him into a hallowed figure in the world of science for decades. But near the end of his life, he faced condemnation and professional censure for offensive remarks, including saying Black people are less intelligent than white people.

Watson shared a 1962 Nobel Prize with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for discovering that deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is a double helix, consisting of two strands that coil around each other to create what resembles a long, gently twisting ladder.

That realization was a breakthrough. It instantly suggested how hereditary information is stored and how cells duplicate their DNA when they divide. The duplication begins with the two strands of DNA pulling apart like a zipper.

Even among non-scientists, the double helix would become an instantly recognized symbol of science, showing up in such places as the work of Salvador Dali and a British postage stamp.

The discovery helped open the door to more recent developments such as tinkering with the genetic makeup of living things, treating disease by inserting genes into patients, identifying human remains and criminal suspects from DNA samples, and tracing family trees and ancient human ancestors. But it has also raised a host of ethical questions, such as whether we should be altering the body's blueprint for cosmetic reasons or in a way that is transmitted to a person's offspring.

"Francis Crick and I made the discovery of the century, that was pretty clear," Watson once said. He later wrote: "There was no way we could have foreseen the explosive impact of the double helix on science and society."

Watson never made another lab finding that big. But in the decades that followed, he wrote influential textbooks and a best-selling memoir and helped guide the project to map the human genome. He picked out bright young scientists and helped them. And he used his prestige and contacts to influence science policy.

Watson died in hospice care after a brief illness, his son said Friday. His former research lab confirmed he passed away a day earlier.

"He never stopped fighting for people who were suffering from disease," Duncan Watson said of his father.

Watson's initial motivation for supporting the gene project was personal: His son Rufus had been hospitalized with a possible diagnosis of schizophrenia, and Watson figured that knowing the complete makeup of DNA would be crucial for understanding that diseasemaybe in time to help his son.

He gained unwelcome attention in 2007, when the Sunday Times Magazine of London quoted him as saying he was "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa" because "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ourswhere all the testing says not really." He said that while he hopes everyone is equal, "people who have to deal with Black employees find this is not true."

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He apologized, but after an international furor he was suspended from his job as chancellor of the prestigious Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York. He retired a week later. He had served in various leadership jobs there for nearly 40 years.

In a television documentary that aired in early 2019, Watson was asked if his views had changed. "No, not at all," he said. In response, the Cold Spring Harbor lab revoked several honorary titles it had given Watson, saying his statements were "reprehensible" and "unsupported by science."

Watson's combination of scientific achievement and controversial remarks created a complicated legacy.

President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Fortov, right, returns a Nobel prize medal which was sold at auction to a Russian businessman, to U.S. Nobel laureate, biologist James Watson in the Russian Academy of Sciences, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Credit: AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File

He has shown "a regrettable tendency toward inflammatory and offensive remarks, especially late in his career," Dr. Francis Collins, then-director of the National Institutes of Health, said in 2019. "His outbursts, particularly when they reflected on race, were both profoundly misguided and deeply hurtful. I only wish that Jim's views on society and humanity could have matched his brilliant scientific insights."

Long before that, Watson scorned political correctness.

"A goodly number of scientists are not only narrow-minded and dull, but also just stupid," he wrote in "The Double Helix," his bestselling 1968 book about the DNA discovery.

For success in science, he wrote: "You have to avoid dumb people. ... Never do anything that bores you. ... If you can't stand to be with your real peers (including scientific competitors) get out of science. ... To make a huge success, a scientist has to be prepared to get into deep trouble."

It was in the fall of 1951 that the tall, skinny Watsonalready the holder of a Ph.D. at 23arrived at Britain's Cambridge University, where he met Crick. As a Watson biographer later said, "It was intellectual love at first sight."

Crick himself wrote that the partnership thrived in part because the two men shared "a certain youthful arrogance, a ruthlessness, and an impatience with sloppy thinking."

Together they sought to tackle the structure of DNA, aided by X-ray research by colleague Rosalind Franklin and her graduate student Raymond Gosling. Watson was later criticized for a disparaging portrayal of Franklin in "The Double Helix," and today she is considered a prominent example of a female scientist whose contributions were overlooked. (She died in 1958.)

Watson and Crick built Tinker Toy-like models to work out the molecule's structure. One Saturday morning in 1953, after fiddling with bits of cardboard he had carefully cut to represent fragments of the DNA molecule, Watson suddenly realized how these pieces could form the "rungs" of a double helix ladder.

His first reaction: "It's so beautiful."

Figuring out the double helix "goes down as one of the three most important discoveries in the history of biology," alongside Charles Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection and Gregor Mendel's fundamental laws of genetics, said Cold Spring Harbor lab's president, Bruce Stillman.

Following the discovery, Watson spent two years at the California Institute of Technology, then joined the faculty at Harvard in 1955. Before leaving Harvard in 1976, he essentially created the university's program for molecular biology, scientist Mark Ptashne recalled in a 1999 interview.

Watson became director of the Cold Spring Harbor lab in 1968, its president in 1994 and its chancellor 10 years later. He made the lab on Long Island an educational center for scientists and non-scientists, focused research on cancer, instilled a sense of excitement and raised huge amounts of money.

He transformed the lab into a "vibrant, incredibly important center," Ptashne said. It was "one of the miracles of Jim: a more disheveled, less smooth, less typically ingratiating person you could hardly imagine."

From 1988 to 1992, Watson directed the federal effort to identify the detailed makeup of human DNA. He created the project's huge investment in ethics research by simply announcing it at a news conference. He later said it was "probably the wisest thing I've done over the past decade."

Watson was on hand at the White House in 2000 for the announcement that the federal project had completed an important goal: a "working draft" of the human genome, basically a road map to an estimated 90 percent of human genes.

U.S. Nobel laureate, biologist James Watson speaks at the Russian Academy of Sciences, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Credit: AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File

Researchers presented Watson with the detailed description of his own genome in 2007. It was one of the first genomes of an individual to be deciphered.

Watson knew that genetic research could produce findings that make some people uncomfortable. In 2007, he wrote that when scientists identify genetic variants that predispose people to crime or significantly affect intelligence, the findings should be publicized rather than squelched out of political correctness.

James Dewey Watson was born in Chicago on April 6, 1928, into "a family that believed in books, birds and the Democratic Party," as he put it. From his birdwatcher father he inherited an interest in ornithology and a distaste for explanations that didn't rely on reason or science.

Watson was a precocious child who loved to read, studying books like "The World Telegraph Almanac of Facts." He entered the University of Chicago on a scholarship at 15, graduated at 19 and earned his doctorate in zoology at Indiana University three years later.

He got interested in genetics at age 17 when he read a book that said genes were the essence of life.

"I thought, 'Well, if the gene is the essence of life, I want to know more about it,'" he later recalled. "And that was fateful because, otherwise, I would have spent my life studying birds and no one would have heard of me."

At the time, it wasn't clear that genes were made of DNA, at least for any life form other than bacteria. But Watson went to Europe to study the biochemistry of nucleic acids like DNA. At a conference in Italy, Watson saw an X-ray image that indicated DNA could form crystals.

"Suddenly I was excited about chemistry," Watson wrote in "The Double Helix." If genes could crystallize, "they must have a regular structure that could be solved in a straightforward fashion."

"A potential key to the secret of life was impossible to push out of my mind," he recalled.

In the decades after his discovery, Watson's fame persisted. Apple Computer used his picture in an ad campaign. At conferences, graduate students who weren't even born when he worked at Cambridge nudged each other and whispered, "There's Watson. There's Watson." They got him to autograph napkins or copies of "The Double Helix."

A reporter asked him 2018 if any building at the Cold Spring Harbor lab was named after him. No, Watson replied, "I don't need a building named after me. I have the double helix."

His 2007 remarks on race were not the first time Watson struck a nerve with his comments. In a speech in 2000, he suggested that sex drive is related to skin color. And earlier he told a newspaper that if a gene governing sexuality were found and could be detected in the womb, a woman who didn't want to have a gay child should be allowed to have an abortion.

More than a half-century after winning the Nobel, Watson put the gold medal up for auction in 2014. The winning bid, $4.7 million, set a record for a Nobel. The medal was eventually returned to Watson.

Both of Watson's Nobel co-winners, Crick and Wilkins, died in 2004.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. At that time, the countries of the world agreed that global warming should be kept well below 2, and preferably not exceed 1.5. At the climate conference in Brazil, countries are now set to present even more ambitious national commitments. Ultimately, it is a matter of the survival of the Paris Agreement, according to Charles Parker, Professor of Political Science.

"I think it's an important meeting but I don't expect this meeting to solve all the remaining climate problems. I think that's unrealistic. What I'm hoping for is the process to survive. And some progress to be made," says Parker.

He has been researching climate policy for almost 20 years and has therefore closely followed the UN climate conferences. He was present at the Paris conference in 2015 and argues there are several reasons why that particular conference was such a success.

"The geopolitical situation was much more favorable, and I believe that contributed to the agreement being reached. As I have shown in my research, the EU, China and the U.S. were all united in their desire to reach an agreement and demonstrated leadership in getting it in place. If the Paris Agreement had been on the table today, I don't think we would have been able to agree on it. It was a great achievement to succeed in doing so," says Parker.

Countries find it harder to agree

The climate conferences held since then have focused on how to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. How should greenhouse gas emissions be limited? How should this be funded? How can we adapt our societies to the effects of a warmer climate? Parker has observed that countries are finding it increasingly difficult to agree on these issues. He believes that we are in a period that some refer to as the Age of Disagreement.

"There are a lot of economic headwinds right now. Worries over economic growth. So these are things that traditionally work against ambitious environmental goals in general and climate goals in particular," he says.

The wars in Ukraine and Gaza, economic recession, customs and trade wars have caused many political leaders to focus on other issues that they perceive as more urgent than global warming. But there are also leaders who do not see the climate threat as an important issue.

"You have countries like the United States, which have made it very clear that they think that climate change is a, in Donald Trump's words, a scam, the green scam, and he's withdrawn from the Paris Agreement. The U.S. won't completely be out by this time. That will take until early next year in 2026. They're still a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC. It would've been a more drastic move had he withdrawn the U.S. from that. But if the U.S. is not committed to making Paris work, maybe it's actually better that they're out," argues Parker.

Unclear which world leaders will attend

The U.S. president is not currently expected to attend the climate conference in Brazil in person, and it is still unclear whether the United States will send an official delegation. At the same time, there are still uncertainties as to which other world leaders will be present. But if the world's major leaders do not move in the same direction, it will be difficult to achieve truly ambitious results, according to Parker's research.

One challenge, he says, is that politicians find it difficult to tackle issues for which the results will not be seen until many years later, long after their terms of office have ended.

"So if you think about democracies, we've seen a lot of backsliding on climate commitments particularly. So I would say the U.S. is the worst case scenario, but we see the rise of right-wing parties that tend to be skeptical about environmental goals and climate change in particular. And we've seen that in France. We've seen that in the Netherlands. We see that in Sweden. So if you look at the Swedish Climate Policy Council and their annual reports, we see that Sweden is also backsliding a bit on its climate promises," says Parker.

Climate issue crucial for EU citizens

The average person still seems to regard climate change as a matter of concern.

"The latest Euro Barometer pool showed that over 85% of EU citizens think that climate change is an important problem that needs to be addressed. If you look at some of the trend lines since I've been following this, there are glimmers of hope. And these are that climate change is much more considered a top tier political issue than it used to be," says Parker.

The Paris Agreement has had an impact on climate work and the political decisions that have been made. In his research, he has studied, inter alia, the EU, which has set ambitious targets to be climate neutral by 2050. Between 1990 and 2023, they reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 37% while GDP increased by 68%. However, some Member States have found it more difficult to live up to their promises.

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Major investments in renewable energy

Another thing that Parker is hopeful about is the major investments in renewable energy being made, not least in China.

"Before Paris, we were heading towards a world where the temperature would rise by up to four or five degrees, depending on which estimates you look at. Now I would say that there is evidence that we will be able to bend the curve downwards. If everyone does what they have promised, we will probably see a temperature increase of between 2.5 and 2.8.

"That is still far too much, but it is better than the forecast has been. If, for example, all countries actually fulfill their zero-emission promises, which I would not bet on yet, the temperature increase would be around 1.9. So we have prospects of making some progress and avoiding the worst-case scenarios," says Parker.

He says he is cautiously optimistic that the climate conference in Brazil will result in some kind of agreement. His guess is that it will happen in overtime and that the pledges will not be ambitious enough to meet the Paris targets. But he still thinks it is valuable to keep the process alive.
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This artist's concept depicts a supermassive black hole in the process of shredding a massive starat least 30 times the mass of our sunto pieces. Scientists propose this is what happened around the distant black hole referred to as J2245+3743. Credit: Caltech/R. Hurt (IPAC)

This week, researchers reported finding a spider megacity in a sulfur cave on the Albania-Greece border, and experts say that you, personally, have to go live there. Economists are growing nervous about the collapse of the trillion-dollar AI bubble. And a new study links physical activity levels with the risk of digestive system cancers.

Additionally, astronomers reported the most massive and distant black hole flare ever observed; researchers determined why emotional memories are more vivid; and the scientists are once again exploring farmed insects as a food sourcethis time, for lengthy interplanetary missions:

Large black hole now larger

Good news for melanoheliophobics: It's far more likely that you'll be trapped within a black hole's accretion disk and accelerated to relativistic speeds, becoming pure energy and flung away, than fall into and beyond the event horizon, forever vanishing from the universe. I mean, it obviously does happen, but it turns out to be surprisingly difficult for a black hole to eat stuff, kind of like a guy feasting at a table who keeps rudely knocking everything away with his elbows. But when they do? It's called a black hole flare, and it's like throwing a cow into a shark tank.

A new study from the California Institute of Technology reports on a massive flare observed by researchers at the Zwicky Transient Facility in 2018 that astronomers now understand as the most powerful, and most distant, black hole flare ever recorded. The supermassive black hole is in the category of active galactic nuclei, estimated at 500 million times the mass of the sun. It's the first observed AGN consuming a supermassive star.

At its brightest, the flare emitted the equivalent light of 10 trillion suns. The AGN is 10 billion light-years away; due to both the distance and the time dilation effect of massive gravitational objects, astronomers are continuing to watch the slowly diminishing flare at one-quarter speed.

Why emotional memories are more vivid

Psychological experiments have suggested that people recall emotional events more vividly than neutral events. But the actual neural underpinnings of this phenomenon are not well understood. A study from the University of Chicago now suggests that emotional experiences increase communication between networks across brain regions.

The researchers took a clever, economical approach, reanalyzing the publicly available data of past studies to identify the mechanisms that make emotional memories more vivid. During these studies, participants watched movies and listened to stories while researchers recorded their brain activity via functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Jadyn Park, first author of the paper, says, "Some scenes were more emotionally arousing than others, such as when a character tries to hide a dead body and gets caught in the act. We used behavioral ratings, pupil size, and ratings from AI models to measure how arousing each scene was."

They found that emotional memory emerges from the coordinated interaction of multiple systems rather than any isolated network.

Yuan Chang Leong, senior author of the paper, says, "It is more like an orchestra, where different sections work together to create a unified performance, with arousal serving as a conductor that coordinates their activity. This perspective suggests that whether we remember an emotional memory depends not only on the strength of activity in any single region, but also on how effectively different systems communicate and share information."

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Salt, fat, acid, chitin

Science writers have been insisting for years that insects are the "food source of the future," and tend to be kind of oblivious to the fact that whatever lead paragraph they write, the reader's mind jumps instantly to Joe Rogan's stint as the host of "Fear Factor," coercing contestants to swallow large bugs in exchange for cash. Even in this post about insect consumption from the European Space Agency, the phrase "attractive option" appears right there in the first paragraph, as if you might be looking through the fridge for aphids or something.

But OK, if you apply cold, Vulcan-like logic to the constraints of resources available among a broad population, yes, insects are nutrient dense and easily cultivated, and from that perspective you could argue that they are an "attractive option." And certainly nobody is talking about chowing down on a roasted hissing cockroach; it's possible that in the future, inputs like protein-rich flour made from farmed insects could find a foothold. So a newly assembled team at the ESA is exploring insects as a food source for lengthy interplanetary space missions.

Asa Berggren, professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, says, "Insects seem to cope quite well in space environments. They have a good ability to withstand physical stresses These small animals are also very good at converting materials that we humans cannot eat into their own growth and provide us with nutritious food."

Written for you by our author Chris Packham, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

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A cartoon image of PINK-02 and the photos of the portable generation of 110 T in the beamline 3 of the Japanese X-ray Free-Electron Laser SACLA. Credit: Ikeda et al.

Placing materials under extremely strong magnetic fields can give rise to unusual and fascinating physical phenomena or behavior. Specifically, studies show that under magnetic fields above 100 tesla (T), spins (i.e., intrinsic magnetic orientations of electrons) and atoms start forming new arrangements, promoting new phases of matter or stretching a crystal lattice.

One physical effect that can take place under these extreme conditions is known as magnetostriction. This effect essentially prompts a material's crystal structure to stretch out, shrink or deform.

When magnetic fields above 100 T are produced experimentally, they can only be maintained for a very short time, typically for only a few microseconds. This is because their generation poses great stress on the wires used to produce the fields (i.e., coils), causing them to break almost immediately.

Researchers at the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo, RIKEN and other institutes in Japan recently developed new equipment to briefly produce extremely strong magnetic fields around 110 T and then capture the positions of atoms in materials under these fields.

In a paper published in Physical Review Letters, they report new insight gathered when applying these methods to the study of solid oxygen.

"The primary goal of the study is to explore the extreme world of ultrahigh magnetic fields of 1001,000 T," Akihiko Ikeda, first author of the paper, told Phys.org. "In the study, we conducted an X-ray experiment above 100 T for the first time, which is significant in terms of exploring the frontier."

Capturing crystal structures under extreme magnetic fields

To perform their experiments, Ikeda and his colleagues used a portable magnetic field generator they developed, called PINK-02. This generator allowed them to produce an extremely high magnetic field of approximately 110 T for a few microseconds.

The researchers subsequently used laser technology to fire ultrafast XFEL X-ray pulses at solid oxygen crystals that were exposed to this extremely strong magnetic field. This approach allowed them to capture snapshots that showed the positions of solid oxygen atoms during the magnetic pulse.

"The novelty of our paper is the newly devised portable 100 T generator called PINK-02, which is essential for the study," explained Ikeda. "This generator was combined with the X-ray free-electron laser, which is only possible because of the portability of PINK-02."

Ultimately, the team analyzed the snapshots and compared the positions of atoms before and while solid oxygen was exposed to the 110T magnetic field. This yielded interesting results, showing that the crystal underwent a gigantic magnetostriction and was stretched by approximately 1%.

A schematic view of PINK-02 and the arrangement for the XRD in combination with the XFEL installed in SACLA. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/r7br-qnrn

Advancing condensed matter physics research

The researchers linked the magnetostriction they observed to competing spin interactions and lattice forces under strong magnetic fields. Therefore, their work suggests that under magnetic fields over 100T, spins influence the crystal structure of solid materials, particularly solid oxygen.

In the future, the magnetic field generator they developed and the X-ray laser they employed could be used to study other materials under the same extreme conditions.

"Our findings demonstrate that spins can affect the stability of a material's crystal structure, in the case of our study that of solid oxygen," added Ikeda.

"We will now try to uncover the crystal structure of solid oxygen called the  phase, by further increasing the available magnetic fields up to 120 to 130 T and will uncover the crystal structure change in various materials above 100 T."

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information: Akihiko Ikeda et al, X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Observation of Giant and Anisotropic Magnetostriction in -O 2 at 110 Tesla, Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/r7br-qnrn. Journal information: Physical Review Letters

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Credit: photoGraph from Pexels

EU researchers are exploring how undersea communication cables can double-up as environmental and seismic sensorsa potential game-changer for early warning systems.

Beneath the world's oceans, a silent revolution is underway. More than 1.48 million kilometers of underwater fiber-optic cables carry almost all global internet and telephone traffic. Now researchers are showing that these cables can do more than transmit data: they can listen to the planet.

By capturing tiny changes in how light travels through them, these cables can detect shifts in the movement, vibration and temperature of the seabed and water.

An EU-funded research initiative in the emerging field of fiber-optic seafloor sensing has been working on technology to turn the ocean floor into a vast, real-time observatory. The discoveries made should allow scientists to better monitor climate change, track tectonic activity and improve tsunami and earthquake warnings.

Underwater Earth-sensing network

Around 70% of Earth's surface is covered by water, yet most of it is inaccessible to conventional seismological instruments.

"We have excellent satellite coverage of the sea surface," said Marc-Andre Gutscher, marine geoscientist at the Geo-Ocean research center in Brest, France. "But deep beneath, where most earthquakes and tsunamis originate, we have very few direct observations."

That is beginning to change thanks to research into how undersea cables could be repurposed as a global sensing network.

Two complementary techniques dominate the field: Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (BOTDR).

Gutscher led a seven-year EU-funded research initiative called FOCUS that finished in September 2025.

It explored how these two techniques can detect tiny deformationsjust one or two centimetersalong active deep-sea fault lines.

To test the concept, the team installed a 6-kilometer-long prototype cable across the seafloor along the North Alfeo Fault off Catania, Sicily. The area is prone to seismic activity as it lies close to Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano.

Listening to the seabed

In 1908, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Straits of Messina between Sicily and mainland Italy, triggering a devastating tsunami that killed more than 80,000 people in one of Europe's deadliest natural disasters. The researchers' aim is to better evaluate fault movements on the seafloor and help prepare coastal communities before similar events strike again in the future.

Gutscher's team worked with the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) who accepted to connect the prototype FOCUS cable to their existing submarine cable operated from their seafloor observatory off the coast of Catania, Sicily.

The cable, designed together with IDIL, a French company specialized in fiber-optic systems, is similar to regular telecommunication cables, but includes special sensor fibers, more sensitive to mechanical disturbances on the seafloor.

Just 9 millimeters thick, it combines two types of optical fiber: loosely buffered fibers, similar to telecom cables, and tightly buffered fibers, more sensitive to strain (mechanical deformation). The researchers used BOTDR to measure subtle changes in fiber length corresponding to strain in Earth's crust.

"Our main target was to see what happens before an earthquake, to detect early deformation before sudden rupture," said Dr. Giovanni Barreca from the University of Catania.

For now, no significant movement has been observed, but that too is instructive. "It means the fault is currently locked and probably accumulating tectonic stress," said Gutscher. "When that stress is released, we'll be watching."

The Sicilian cable has already proved its worth. In late 2020, it detected a massive submarine current, possibly triggered by an underwater landslide, a kind of "marine avalanche" that can travel hundreds of kilometers and sometimes trigger tsunamis.

Such events are rarely observed, but the fiber-optic data captured its signature in detail. This opens opportunities for monitoring and detecting secondary hazards that can threaten coastal communities and vital seafloor infrastructure.

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From Sicily to the Caribbean

Meanwhile, the FOCUS team has also explored the potential of the underwater telecommunications cable network to improve environmental monitoring.

The researchers used local underwater cable networks off the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe to monitor changes in water temperature at the seafloor.

Initially, the team had to collect data manually every few months from land-based fiber-optic relay cabinets. Now, thanks to a permanent setup, they can monitor the cables remotely every three hours.

Their measurements record how light scatters inside the cables. When the cable is disturbed, tiny flaws in the fiber shift slightly, changing the light's pattern. Scientists track these changes to understand what is happening on the seafloor.

"If anything disturbs the cableif it tugs on it, shifts it, or heats or cools itwe can measure that," Gutscher explained.

While analyzing how the light signal changes with temperature, they detected an increase of about 1.5C in shallow waters over two yearsconsistent with measurements of the sea surface temperature performed by satellites. At the same time, there was a massive coral bleaching event, with coral reef losses of about 30%.

In deeper waters off Guadeloupe, from 300 to 700 meters, the cables show smaller temperature increases of about 0.2 to 1C.

These findings have just been accepted for publication (in Geophysical Research Letters) and imply that thousands of kilometers of telecommunication cables could be used to monitor deep ocean temperature changes, adding a new dimension to weather measurements.

"While our initial focus is tectonics, these measurements show how the same cables can track climate-related changes," said Gutscher. "The potential for integrated environmental and hazard monitoring is enormous."

This technique could also be expanded tou other earthquake-prone regions such as Japan, Cascadia (along the Pacific coast of America) and elsewhere in the Mediterranean.

DAS systems can detect the initial seismic waves of an earthquake within seconds, while BOTDR can track long-term strain that builds over time. DAS offers the potential for immediate earthquake and tsunami alerts, while BOTDR can provide long-term monitoring of fault deformation, with potential application to earthquake forecasting.

"The novel secondary use of fiber-optic cables could represent a tremendous breakthrough in seismology and hazard warning," said Gutscher. "We are effectively turning the world's digital nervous system into an environmental one."

With further collaboration and investment, the ocean flooronce almost invisiblecould become one of science's most powerful tools for protecting lives and understanding our changing planet.
Cancun, Riviera Maya flights not affected by FAA-mandated operation reductions in major U.S. airports

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  Flights from the U.S. into Cancun International will not be affected by the FAA ordered flight reductions. On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a reduction in flights in the countrys major airports.

Flight cuts by 4% were announced to start Friday. By November 14, that number will be raised to a 10% reduction in operations in 40 major airports across the U.S.

The 40 U.S. airports on this list include cities such as Chicago, the New York Area, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth, all cities with direct flights into Cancun.

American Airlines said that approximately 220 flights will be cancelled a day at the 4% reduction rate, however, they will not include flights to Canada or Mexico. American Airlines CEO David Seymour confirmed Friday that there will be no impact to their international flights.

His comments were made after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy confirmed Thursday that the order does not require a reduction in international flights. Carriers may use their own discretion to decide which flights are canceled to reach the orders goal.

Flights to the Cancun International Airport will not be affected by the U.S. airport operation reductions.

Decisions to increase or decrease these flight reductions will be informed by safety data.

Although the FAA ordered flight cuts in high-traffic airports, those cuts will not affect travelers with flights booked to Mexico.

The reduction in national airport operations is meant to ease pressure among air traffic controllers as the government shutdown drags on.

The shutdown has resulted in less air traffic contollers arriving for unpaid work. The lack of staff has hit the industry hard, resulting in delays and cancellations.

Travelers with flights booked to Mexico will not have their flights cancelled.

My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. This isnt about politics  its about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue to work without pay, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

Its safe to fly today, and it will continue to be safe to fly next week because of the proactive actions we are taking.

We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely, said Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford.

The FAA will continue to closely monitor operations, and we will not hesitate to take further action to make sure air travel remains safe.
Cuauhtemoc training ship departs Cozumel after returning to Mexico from New York accident

Cozumel, Q.R.  The Cuauhtemoc Military Training Ship ARM departed from the Punta Langosta dock of Cozumel Friday. The ship was docked at the island for six days on its first visit to Mexico after a Brooklyn Bridge, New York accident.

President of the Tourism Commission of the City Council, Maria Fernanda Vargas Gonzalez, attended the departure ceremony along with Daniela Giomara Ayala Blanco, trustee of the City Council and the comptroller Fidencio Balam Puc.

Municipal officials thanked the crew commanded by the Captain of the Navy, Victor Hugo Molina Perez, for their visit and highlighted the bonds of brotherhood between Cozumel and the Mexican Navy.

During its stay, the ship opened its doors to the local public who were able to tour its corridors, learn about its history and take photographs aboard the iconic Ambassador and Gentleman of the Seas.

The visit was a resounding success, both culturally and socially, reinforcing a sense of identity and respect for the Armed Forces, Cozumel City Council said in a statement.

As part of their agenda, the crew participated in recreational and cultural activities on the island, highlighting the official delivery of the book BE Cuauhtemoc 25 Years Ambassador and Gentleman of the Seas.

Ship Cuauhtemoc departed for its next destination in Progreso, Yucatan, continuing its journey through the Panama Canal to head to its home port in Acapulco, Guerrero.

In May 2025, two people were killed and 22 injured when the ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge as it left Pier 17 in Manhattan. Three of the Cuauhtemoc sailing ships masts hit the bridge and collapsed. Those broken pieces fell into the ship, hitting nearly two dozen crew members. Two crew members died in that accident.
President announces collaboration agreement between Mexico and France

Mexico City, Mexico  Mexico has signed a collaboration agreement with France in scientific, diplomatic and cultural matters. The announcement was made during the official visit of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

On Friday, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo detailed that among these agreements is the simultaneous temporary exchange of the Azcatitlan Codex and the Boturini Codex, the former will be exhibited in Mexico and the latter in France.

They are fundamental to the relationship between Europe and Mexico. They represent the living memory of our history, the written voice of our ancestors and the deep root of our identity.

The cultural greatness of Mexico is not measured solely by its past, but by the strength with which that past continues to give meaning to our present and guide our future, she said at a press conference.

Both leaders finalized the collaboration on environmental issues, womens rights and academic mobility between the two nations.

In a joint press conference, Sheinbaum recalled that in 2026, the trade agreement with the European Union will be renewed within the framework of the 200 years of diplomatic relations with France.

She thanked the French people and their president for their cooperation and shared commitment to culture, equality and historical justice.

President Macron, your visit symbolizes a new stage in the relationship between Mexico and France, a stage marked by mutual understanding, frank dialogue and the will to build together a future of peace, development and justice between our nations and for the whole world.
Residents loot live chickens after flatbed skids off federal highway

Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R.  The driver of a semi that overturned Friday was able to walk away. The unharmed driver was transporting a load of fowl when he lost control taking a sharp corner.

The long flatbed ended up on its side after a tire caught the soft shoulder gravel and dragged the truck in. The accident happened around 1:00 p.m. on the Polyuc-Jose Maria Morelos highway.

National Guard Highways were at the scene of the federal highway accident where they made arrangements for an industrial tow truck to remove the flipped flatbed.

By the time they arrived, however, residents from the surrounding communities of Chunhuhub, Polyuc and Jose Maria Morelos had already captured and looted the live chickens.

The flatbed skidded off the highway and into should brush, leaving traffic unaffected. National Guard were at the scene more than three hours waiting for the vehicle to be towed.
Since selling The Happier Yellow House and moving out, my husband, DC, and I had one goal move into our new house, The Happiest Yellow House, as soon as possible. But first we wanted to renovate. Our mantra became: Fix it fast.

As anyone who has bought a house and remodeled before moving in understands, managing multiple home improvement projects at once takes the strategic genius of George Washington, the diplomacy of Nelson Mandela, and a pot of Irish luck.

I did everything in my power, which frankly wasnt much. Though many variables were out of my control, what I could control was making decisions. Ive learned that if you dont make up your mind fast, you will be waiting at Decision-Making Station a long time before the next contractor comes along. Your painter has better things to do than wait for you to decide between Alpine White and Celery Mist.

Still, I get why homeowners freeze. Money is flying out of your bank account faster than planes from Chicago's OHare while youre juggling dozens of decisions  flooring, tile, paint, built-ins, window coverings, light fixtures, appliances ... I am hyperventilating just listing this  and you want to get it right. Each choice is expensive, and one decision impacts the next. They need to work together.

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We began making remodeling decisions even before we made an offer on The Happiest Yellow House. Because just choosing a bathroom tile can take me weeks, I told DC: Im going to need professional help.

Sally? was his one-word response.

Sally, I echoed.

Sally Ward is a talented interior designer Ive worked with before. She and I walked the HYH assessing what wed need to do: Replace the flooring, which was a dated and choppy mix of three types of floor tile, worn carpet, and vinyl wood plank; gut and remodel two bathrooms, which had not been updated since the house was built 22 years ago, and even then were only builder grade; repaint most of the interior; add built-in bookcases and cabinets for my office and a small reading nook; and replace light fixtures.

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We got estimates to rip out and replace flooring with all wood, to paint, and to demo the baths and install new tile, flooring and vanities. Then DC and I crunched the numbers, braced ourselves for what would lie ahead, and made an offer adjusted partly for the improvements.

In the four weeks between offer accepted and deal done, I worked with Sally to choose flooring and a flooring company, bathroom tiles, fixtures and finishes, wall colors and built-in designs.

Together, we made a plan and a palette, so the day DC and I got the keys to our new house, we were ready to remodel.

If you, too, want to make renovations on a new home go quickly, heres how to make the process move along.

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 Make up your mind. Homeowners often complain about contractors not getting the job done on time, but the homeowner is often to blame. Slow decision-making stalls home improvements more than just about anything else. If you want your project done quickly, make decisions early. That great cabinet builder will move you to the back of the line if you cant pick a cabinet door. Because I didnt want indecision to slow me down, Sally helped me make fast and good choices.

 Create your vision. What you choose to put on your floors, walls and windows form the backdrop for everything else in your home. They are what designers call the shell, and if they dont come together harmoniously, the rest wont either. Dont wing it. Consider hiring a professional who can visualize your furnishings in the new space and pull together a background that works. You need a big-picture plan from the get-go.

 Get an expert opinion. While each subcontractor can (and will) offer an opinion about his area, such as paint color or flooring material, ideally having someone who has the big picture in mind is the best way to create a cohesive look.

 Line up your crews. In the weeks between offer accepted and deal done, talk to contractors, get competitive bids, choose and order materials and schedule workers, so they can start work the minute the house is yours. We closed on a Friday. Floor and bathroom demo started Monday morning.

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 Fix before you furnish. If you can swing it, when moving into a new home that you want to remodel, make as many improvements as possible before you move in. That keeps you out of the workers way, saves your eardrums, and lets you avoid breathing dust and fumes. Ripping out tile, installing new floors and repainting are messy jobs best accomplished when the house is empty.

 Be flexible. If you pick a tile for, say, the shower floor then learn it wont be in for three weeks, pick something else in stock. Dont let perfect be the enemy of finished.

Marni Jameson is a speaker and award-winning author of seven home and lifestyle books, including Downsizing the Family Home and Rightsize Today for Your Best Life Tomorrow. Her books are available through all major book retailers and on her website: marnijameson.com. If you have questions about home improvement, better living, downsizing or rightsizing, send them to marni@marnijameson.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: MARNI JAMESON: Before launching a home remodeling project, do this
On November 6, 2025 local time, Special Representative of President Xi Jinping, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang attended the Belem Climate Summit of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in Belem, Brazil and delivered remarks.

Ding Xuexiang conveyed President Xi Jinping's best wishes for Brazil in hosting the Summit, and commended Brazil's important contributions as the COP30 Presidency in actively advancing global climate governance. Ding Xuexiang also extended wishes for the complete success of the Conference.

Ding Xuexiang noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and that global climate governance is entering a critical stage. China has made notable achievements in implementing its 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). At the United Nations Climate Summit, President Xi Jinping solemnly announced China's 2035 NDCs covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases. This is the first time that China put forward an absolute emissions reduction target, which is a testament to China's firm resolve and maximum effort. The just-concluded Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years. It made important arrangements for building a Beautiful China. It stressed that guided by the goals of achieving peak carbon and carbon neutrality, China will make concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development and boost economic growth, and reinforce ecological security shields and strengthen green development drivers. China is a country that honors its commitments. China will accelerate the green transition in all areas of economic and social development, work actively and prudently toward peak carbon emissions, and make greater contributions to addressing climate change.

Ding Xuexiang said that humanity now stands at a new crossroads. It is imperative for all parties to uphold true multilateralism, strengthen solidarity and coordination, and make sustained progress in global climate governance. He put forward three propositions. First, keep to the right direction, stay confident, balance such goals as environmental protection, economic development, job creation and poverty eradication, seek coordinated progress on livelihood improvement and climate governance, and promote high-quality development to deliver greater benefits to the people of all countries. Second, translate climate commitments into action, abide by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and fully and effectively implement the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. Developed countries should take the lead in fulfilling emission reduction obligations, deliver on their finance commitments, and provide more technology and capacity building support to developing countries. Third, deepen openness and cooperation, foster a sound environment for international economic and trade cooperation, strengthen international collaboration on green technology and industry, and ensure the free flow of quality green products to better meet the needs of global sustainable development.

During the summit, Ding Xuexiang met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Ding Xuexiang said that multilateralism and the work of the United Nations (UN) are currently facing unprecedented challenges. No matter how the international situation may evolve, China will uphold true multilateralism, continue to fully support the UN's core position and role in international affairs, and promote stronger dialogue and cooperation among countries to make greater contributions to world peace and development. China remains firmly committed to the path of green development and is ready to enhance communication and cooperation with all parties to jointly build a beautiful world of harmony between humanity and nature. Antonio Guterres expressed his appreciation for China's consistent support for the UN's work, noting that China is not only a key leader in global climate governance but also an important pillar of world peace and multilateralism. He said that the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping is crucial for improving and reforming the existing global governance system, and the United Nations looks forward to further strengthening cooperation with China.

On the same day, Ding Xuexiang, upon invitation, attended the thematic luncheon of the "Tropical Forest Forever Facility" hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and delivered a speech. He noted that in recent years, China has made significant achievements in both ecological and environmental protection as well as economic and social development in its tropical rainforest regions. Protecting tropical rainforests is vital to human survival and well-being, and China is ready to strengthen cooperation with all parties in tropical rainforest conservation to make greater contributions to global climate and environmental governance.
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Thanksgiving is often a time when family comes together and pretends that everythings going well, and there is perhaps no better ornament to suit this atmosphere than a cornucopia of decorative fake fruit. It emerges annually from the storage closet unchanged, always ripe and never bruised, unlike those relatives who used to be cuter and but now seem dedicated to disappointing you.

Aside from this seasonal bounty of plastic, its safe to say that there are millions of decorative fake fruits all over the worldperhaps enough to replace actual fruit in produce aisles. They could fill up multiple landfills, thousands of fake fridges, and easily be a stem-filler for actual fruit on trees, in case a grape needed some time off. Anyone whos been in their aunts dining room has seen an old wooden bowl filled with decorative apples and pears and bananas. We may wonder what its doing there, why actual fruit that can be eaten and enjoyed is not in its place. In our darkest, hungriest moments, we may even pick it up and consider taking a horrifically painful bite.

Fake fruit is a form of decoration thats a bit bemusing in an uncanny-valley type of way. In a crafts store recently, I even saw a faux apple that also smelled like one, perhaps for the discerning customer who wants an apple that only caters to two of their senses. Why do we insist on housing fake fruits when there are so many real ones begging to be adopted? Blame the ravages of time. Decorative fruit remains its Platonic ideal and evokes a sense of eternal life and beauty. Plus, it looks nice on a shelf. This is why fruit art goes back millennia, with royalty and families seeking all sorts of totally inedible fruit and other foods to adorn their homes.

Decorating the table with objects that look like fruit has been popular all over the world, from Europe to China, says Sarah Archer, author of The Midcentury Kitchen. Fruit motifs appear in furniture design too, like this sideboard by Alexander Roux which is carved with fish and fruit to suggest abundance.

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Fruit has played a major role as art and decor in nearly every civilization for generations, since you do tend to find fruit growing all over the planet. Sometimes its merely a decorative motif, because a cigar is just a cigar, but underneath that healthy apple sheen is the nascent urge to freeze time. Throughout varying cultures, fruit always seems to represent bounty, abundance, and an almost eternal yearning for it to always be with you, whether its in your grandmothers midcentury bungalow or your ancient Egyptian tomb.

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In the time of the pharaohs, for instance, fruit was often left in tombs and sometimes mummified with preserving resin to accompany kings and queens in the journey to the hereafter. But the Egyptians sculpted artificial fruit as well: A faience bead in the shape of a mandrake from 13901352 B.C; opaque glass bottles in the form of pomegranates from 12951070 B.C. that were likely used to pour the juice; and grapes decorating a jar fragment, a frequent decoration around tombs, with actual grapes placed inside them. Its good to know what youre going into when opening a tomb.

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The Qing dynasty in China (16441911) saw the creation of realistic fruit sculptures made from jade, alabaster, and agate, often symbolizing good fortune and prosperity, depending on the fruit, of course. During this time, artists even popularized the handicraft of fruit pit carving, in which the pits of apricots and other drupes were sculpted into animals, boats, and written words, but conversely, rarely fruit.

The evolution of artificial fruit as decor in the modern era shouldnt be surprising, considering how long still-life paintings of fruit have been around for. Theres always the urge to grab one of Cezannes apples or Renoirs strawberries from the canvas, and now, in a sense, we can. I think there has to be a connection to vanitas or still-life paintings, where fruit is a memento mori, reminding the viewer that life is fleeting, Archer says.

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In early modern Europe, wealthy families often had elaborate centerpieces of wax, sugar, and other materials that featured fake fruit. Trompe loeil fruit creations, meaning to deceive the eye, began to proliferate. In Italy artisans shaped marble from quarries and painted the objects; on the Venetian island of Murano it was hand-blown glass. France saw porcelain pieces influenced by the French court of Louis XIV, Victorian England displays included wax fruit on trees of wire under glass domes, and in Mexico wood and alabaster were used for crafts that sometimes traded realistic representation for a sort of surreal, magical realism.

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In America, the Victorian influence saw wax fruit move from underneath domes in England to baskets in the States, and hand-blown glass fruit purchased abroad in Italy made its way to shelves on hutches in living rooms. But it was the prevalence of new materials in the U.S. that helped fruit sculpture reach its apotheosis as kitsch.

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Its most widely known as a kind of kitsch decor element, which I think dates from the advent of household plastics after World War II, says Archer. Cheap decorations like fake flowers and fruit (and lawn flamingos, glowing Santas, etc.) were very widespread from the 1950s onward, sometimes in a tongue-in-cheek way and sometimes aspirationally. Carved hardstone or crystal fruit, by contrast, would have required more skill to make and was crafted from a more costly material.

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Whether it was a suburban home or a real-estate ad, the iconic fake fruit bowl gradually became a mainstay of American kitchens and dining rooms, and sometimes temporarily at the top of the fridge, when there was too much actual food on the respective tables. It was the domestic ideal of comfort, the dream of the so-called perfect home. Kids and marriages and your body eventually let you down, but that fake fruit bowl is forever reliable with its permanently ripe, rot-free skin.

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The trend seemed to gradually fall out of favor with the rise of minimalism and authenticity that emerged in the 1990s and early 2000s. Fake fruit could cause a home and the person living in it feel fake as well. Sure, that glass peach makes the household look like things are peachy, but upon closer inspection, you can see a reflection of the family yelling at each other while the dog eats the actual fruit on the kitchen counter.

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Its why the past few decades have seen the emergence of art that seems to defy these norms.

New York artist Kathleen Ryan takes once pristine fruit art and creates giant, rotting fruit sculptures, often encrusted with glass beads and gemstones to simulate the mold. For Japanese artist Yosuke Amemiya, the lifelike fruit doesnt decay, but seems to melt away before our eyes like a Dali clock. Whereas the classic fruit decor once evoked the ideal of comfort and suburban home life, for others that all-too-perfect apple suggests a residential suffocation, as well as a denial of the inevitably of death and decay. But they both look nice in a hutch regardless.

Personally, I understand the desire to incorporate kitsch into a contemporary interior as a kind of rebellion against minimalism, says Archer. Its totally unpretentious and its invariably a conversation-starter, even if the resulting conversation is a little weird.

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Related From Slate I Adore Martha Stewart. Her Latest Viral Comments Are Making Me Question Some Things. Read More

Still, despite the postmodern effort to create fruit art that isnt full of lies (or flies!), theres really no shame in a pretty fake apple, unless you dont have an actual apple also available. This has always been my issue with decorative fruit. Seeing the cute ceramic apple triggers a Pavlovian desire to chomp into a real Fuji, and when one isnt around, thats just bad hosting. I tend to react to decorative fruit the same way I react to pet-treat bakeries I initially mistake for real ones. Ohhhh, I cant eat any of this.

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So come this Thanksgiving, its best to approach that fruit cornucopia with caution. Because some of those artificial drupes and pomes are becoming so realistic that you may need to administer the Turing test to know whether theyre real. It seems like outside of television, someone actually biting into one accidentally is not likely. The too-shiny appearance should barely pass the eye test, and even if it did, the artificial feel (including highly accurate wax fruit), would likely disrupt the journey from your hand to mouth. If you do somehow encounter an all-too-realistic fruit and end up biting into it, please know that your host is not welcoming you into their home with the graciousness a decorative fruit owner normally would. Put down that pernicious plum and runtheyre probably trying to kill you.
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A federal judge on Thursday chastised the Trump administration in the harshest possible terms for refusing to obey his order that food stamps be given to beneficiaries in the midst of the government shutdown, citing the president himself as offering key proof of the governments contemptuous intent. He ordered the benefits, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, be paid in full by Friday. Yet, as of Friday evening, the benefits had not been paid. Instead the Trump administration had appealed the judges ruling, as it said it was working to comply with the judges order and as many went hungry. Late Friday, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an administrative order halting the lower court order until the appellate court could rule on the matter. In the meantime, Donald Trump can continue to decline to fund SNAP. How is the administration getting away with this?

Funding for SNAP expired on Oct. 31, and Trump argued it was not his fault. SNAP BENEFITSwill be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up the government, which they can easily do, and not before! Later that day in another post, Trump followed up to say it will BE MY HONOR to issue SNAP funding, but that the Democrats should quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. In his ruling on Thursday, Judge John McConnell cited Trumps posts to point to his administrations intent to defy his court order of that same day that the government partially fund SNAP.

He called out the president for withholding the cash for political reasons, during that court hearing on Thursday. It is clear to the court that the administration did not comply with this courts oral order, the judge said. The court was clear that the administration had to either make the full payment by this past Monday, or it must, quote, expeditiously resolve the administrative and clerical burdens it described in its papers. But under no circumstances shall the partial payments be made later than Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. The record is clear that the administration did neither.

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McConnell is overseeing a lawsuit filed by 24 statesincluding by New Yorks Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully prosecuted Trump, his adult children, and his company for fraud back in 2023 and 2024. On Thursday, the federal government argued funding SNAP would violate internal U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, the agency responsible for administering SNAP benefits. The judge rejected that argument, noting how SNAP had been paid out in previous shutdowns.

Related From Slate The Supreme Courts Tariffs Arguments Were a Bloodbath for Trump Read More

Weve now gone six days without needed food to the 42 million [people], 16 million children. Irreparable harm. Thats what the courts temporary restraining order attempted to resolve, McConnell said. Again, this is the first time that SNAP has gone unfunded during a government shutdown, as Congress has historically ensured contingency funds are available so the food assistance program can continue without a hitch. The Trump administration is ignoring that precedent, despite the USDA holding emergency funding that McConnell ordered to be used for SNAP.

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McConnell ended Thursdays hearing by requiring the federal government to issue SNAP funding by Friday. However, first thing Friday morning, instead of complying, Department of Justice attorneys appealed McConnells order. Its a pressure point the president clearly wants to continue to try to use, especially coming off the Democrats strong performance during the Nov. 4 elections across the country. I dont think it was good for Republicans, Trump told Senate Republicans of the ongoing shutdown the next day, while also pressuring lawmakers to gut the filibuster so the government shutdown could end immediately.

Against all of this legal back-and-forth, on Oct. 31, the day SNAP funding expired, Trump was busy hosting a Great Gatsbythemed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago. The theme of the event was apparently a little party never killed nobody, with photos revealing Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance along with D.C.s U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Also on Oct. 31, Trump decided to publish two dozen photos of a newly completed bathroom renovation in the Lincoln Bedroom. Highly polished, Statuary marble! the president gushed.

Democrats were quick to respond. This is a let them eat cake moment if there ever was one, Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico commented. The party theme was A Little Party Never Killed Nobody. While a party might not, his cuts to SNAP could, Rep. Pramila Jayapal quipped.

As of Friday evening, no SNAP benefits had been paid out and the government shutdown continued. Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable, Judge McConnell said on Thursday. We could soon learn how acceptable it is to the appellate court and potentially the Supreme Court.
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A battle is brewing between Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and big contractors in the military-industrial complex over how the nation buys weapons systems. Some of Hegseths notions, which have been circulating in reform circles for a decade, are laudable. But his style of running the Pentagonincluding the way hes put forth his new policygravely dims his chances for success.

His policylaid out in a six-page memo, which he presented to top corporate executives at a meeting on Fridayis meant to cut through the sclerotic bureaucracies, in the Pentagon and at defense contractors, which have slowed the development of weapons programs, boosted their cost, and neglected the needs of the servicemen and -women who would actually use the weapons in training and combat.

Whether his new policy would actually solve these problemswhether it could create the structures and incentives to override bureaucratic and corporate interestsis another matter.

Many of Hegseths ideas stem from the Defense Innovation Unit, a small branch of the Defense Department created in 2015 by thenDefense Secretary Ash Carter, a Harvard-educated physicist and historian who foresaw back in 2000 that commercial industries would soon overtake defense labs at innovation and that, in order to preserve Americas technological edge over adversaries, the Pentagon would have to form new relationships with the private sector. By the time he joined President Barack Obamas Pentagon, first as undersecretary for acquisition, then as top official, Carter was stunned to learn that nothing had changed. He reached out to Silicon Valley and created DIU.

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For the new units director, he chose Raj Shah, a former Air Force pilot, now a Valley technologist. As an F-16 pilot during the Iraq war, Shah noticed a problem: The display screen in his cockpit had no moving map. The GPS showed him ground coordinates, but there was no overlaid imageno moving dot or iconthat showed where he was in relation to those coordinates. Flying close to the border, he didnt know whether he was in Iraqs or Irans airspace. During home leave, he bought an iPAQ, one of the early Pocket PCs, and loaded it with a standard aviation-map program. Back in his F-16, he strapped the pad to his lap and relied on itnot the planes multimillion-dollar mil-spec softwarefor navigation.

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In other words, Shah was the ideal person to realize Carters vision.

DIU set up shop in Silicon Valley, seeking out small firms with innovations that could have military applications. At first, the units budget was smalltens of millions of dollars. Its small but specialized staff worked under the radar, employing an obscure statute, known as other transaction authority, that let particularly cheap projects evade normal procurement procedures.

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Shah and his team also used their connections to talk with military commanders in the field, finding out what they needed to improve performance. (Shah told me nobody in the Pentagon or among any of the F-16s contractors had ever asked Shah about his cockpit navigator in Iraq.)

In its first quarter of operation, DIU signed 12 contracts worth a total of $136 million. All the products had been designed for the commercial marketplace; no one in the military had known they existed. The average time between the initial proposal and the signed contract was 59 days. This was revolutionary in every way. Under typical Pentagon procedures, the military services write a requirement, which bureaucrats translate into a request for proposal. Corporations respond with product designs, which still more bureaucrats evaluate, and on it goes until prototypes are introduced. The officers who wrote the original requirements never speak to the managers who manufacture the resulting hardware or software.

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Hegseths policy explicitly aims to broaden the DIU revolutionto apply its techniques and style to the entire realm of weapons-buying, to the extent possible. Its unclear to what extent this is possible, even if all the actors try to make it soand its a sure bet that some of the crucial actors wont try.

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Over the past decade, as DIU expanded its scope, it met fierce resistance from various actorsthe big contractors, the Pentagon managers whose careers and promotions were tied to the contractors fortunes, and congressional leaders whose districts won jobs and revenue from those contractors. (Shah and his DIU colleague, Christopher Kirchhoff, now both in private industry, wrote a memoir last year, Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War, which colorfully detailed their struggles.)

DIU regained momentum in 2022, after Russias invasion of Ukraine. Silicon Valley firms, many of which had resisted cooperating with the military, eagerly lent their talents to what they conceded was a good causehelping a democratic country stave off imperial aggressionand sold Ukraines suppliers in the Biden administration a variety of wares that they had been developing: autonomous drones, real-time intelligence sensors, new communications devices, etc., and helped Ukrainian firms build their own devices as well.

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The Silicon Valley firms built and supplied a wide range of hardware and software with much greater agility and speed than any of the major contractors could have managed. The military role of commercially developed high technologyand of commercial high-tech firms in providing itcould no longer be disputed, at least for some wartime purposes. But fierce disputes remain over how broadly the lessons of Ukraine should be applied.

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Which brings us back to Hegseths six-page memo. It purports to streamline the process of approving weapons programs; to put one office in charge of specific programs, to create accountability; and to provide more space for commercial firms, even startups, to compete for Pentagon projects.

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Much of the memo looks good on paper, but implementation is another matter. Hegseth personally has little experience at managing anything, much less multibillion-dollar weapons systems. Budget cuts and Department of Government Efficiency firings have emptied out the Pentagons acquisition bureaus; there simply arent enough personnel to manage this revolution (and, if the memo were put into place, it would amount to a revolution).

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Nor does the memo provide the personnel with specific guidance on how to do their jobs. For instance, the memo states that in setting deadlines and goals for weapons projects, the new, streamlined, held-accountable program managers will make trades between speed, performance and cost. At least the memo acknowledges that there are trade-offs here; higher speed or lower costs can sometimes mean degraded performance. But on what criteria, using what metrics, should the bedraggled managerswho have never had to do this beforemake the trade-offs now? On what basis would managers be judged successes or failuresand thus expect promotion or firing? Those are key questions in motivating a junior officer or civil servant to behave in certain ways. They are not addressed, much less answered, here.

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Finally, Hegseths personal style creates a special layer of self-sabotage. He called the executives to a meeting on Friday (just as he called hundreds of generals and admirals to hear a speech in September) not to elicit their ideas or feedback to a draft of tentative proposals, but rather to tell them what hed decided to do, spell out how it will change their livelihoods, and order them to get with the program.

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Related From Slate What to Make of Trumps Wild Nuclear Threat Read More

Generals and admirals at least are duty-bound to obey lawful orders from their civilian overseers (and, at that speech, President Donald Trump, the commander in chief, added his weight to Hegseths message). This is not true with defense contractors, which are private companies.

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One former defense and intelligence official, who has worked both sides of the weapons-acquisition business, who asked not to be named because he still does consulting work for the Pentagon and for industry, told me in an email: Those executives are asking, what &&%%$3$ do you think youre doing? Who do you think actually makes this stuff? The consultant added that he thinks several of Hegseths proposals would improve the system, theoretically, but, he added, this has little bearing on the reality and the reaction inside the Beltway.

The mainstream press could have helped Hegseth spread the message, but he has locked out all of the experienced reporters. (In advance of Fridays meeting, only industry websites had even reported on the memo.) Strong legislation would also firm up his case, but the relevant congressional committees are annoyed with him for failing to brief them on policy matters of all sorts. Most lawmakers will thus be more receptive than usual to industry lobbyistsand theyre already receptive, given that the major contractors weapons systems provide their districts with lots of jobs and revenue. Drones and software improvements do not so much.

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Which leads to a larger question still. It is not at all clearit has not been demonstrated, in theory or practicewhether the DIU model, while perfect for drones and software, is well-suited for designing and building combat planes, warships, submarines, missiles, and other major weapons systems. This is what consumes more of the hundreds of billions of dollars allocated each year to the Pentagons research, development, and procurement accounts.

The timing has never been better for the cooperation between the military and high-tech industry that Ash Carter envisioned and that the Defense Innovation Unit did much to jump-start. There has rarely been a more ill-suited crew of senior Pentagon officials to push the clock forward.
BEIJING, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRI Online:

The 2025 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit opened on November 7 in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province.

Chinese and foreign guests highlighted that a decade ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping creatively proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, charting the course for deepening international exchanges and cooperation in the internet field and for jointly advancing this endeavor.

The participants emphasized the importance of innovation-driven development, fostering a dynamic digital economy, and promoting the widespread adoption of digital technologies and applications. They underscored the need to uphold common security as a foundation, enhance exchanges and dialogue, balance development and security, and create a peaceful and stable cyberspace. The guests also advocated for leveraging cultural exchanges as a bridge, using digital and intelligent technologies to empower the preservation and innovation of civilizations, and building a spiritual home where all civilizations can thrive and coexist harmoniously. Additionally, they stressed the necessity of collaborative governance, respecting each country's cyber sovereignty, development path, and governance model, and building a fair and equitable governance system.

This year's summit, under the theme "Forming an Open, Cooperative, Secure and Inclusive Future of Digital IntelligenceJointly Build a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace", hosts 24 sub-forums focusing on topics such as the digital economy and the digital preservation and transmission of cultural heritage. More than 1,600 participants from over 130 countries and regions are attending the event.

SOURCE CRI Online
Landing last of seven from the outside post at the start in the featured $10,563 fillies & mares conditioned pace, Unusual Clarity and trainer/driver Ron Harp circled the field to spring a 31-1 upset at Vernon Downs on Friday, Nov. 7.

Sophomore Little Instigator (Leon Bailey) was first to the quarter in :27.2 before favourite Elegant Woman A (John MacDonald) took over at the half in :56.2. Quarrel (Chris Long) then went first-up to challenge going around the final turn to three-quarters in 1:25.4 and battled with Elegant Woman A shoulder to shoulder in the stretch, but Unusual Clarity came flying three-wide off her cover late to get the win in 1:55. Divine Art (Gerald Longo) closed for second, finishing less than a length behind, while Quarrel edged out Elegant Woman A for third.

Unusual Clarity is a 10-year-old mare by Betterthancheddar out of Circle Game. She's won three of her last six starts at Vernon and now has five wins overall this year from 19 outings for owner Nicholas Gibides of Syracuse, New York.

The second-longest shot on the board, Unusual Clarity rewarded her backers with a $65.46 win payout for a $2 investment.

Driver Dylan Huckabone-Miller and trainer Fannie Saul-Beaulieu teamed up for two wins on the 12-race card while drivers Leon Bailey and Chris Long each had doubles as well.

Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday, Nov. 8 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs)
On To Norway extended his win streak 20 as the sophomore trotting gelding crushed his competition in the $59,155 Catholic Cowboy Stakes at Harrahs Hoosier Park on Friday, Nov. 7 with John De Long driving for trainer Ron Burke.

Away from post five, On To Norway got aggressive off the gate, racing to the outside of the leading Eugene The Genius (Pete Wrenn) through a :27.2 opening quarter. On To Norway cleared on the backstretch before Operator (Kyle Wilfong) trotted around to the lead, reaching the halfway point in :56.2. On To Norway was flushed from the pocket moving into the final turn, then trotted alongside Operator and grabbed a short lead at three-quarters in 1:25.3. On To Norway put away Operator at the top of the lane, opening up in a :27.2 final quarter to win by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:53. Operator held for second, with Karinchak (Jordan Ross) rallying for third at 40-1.

On To Norway paid $2.10 to win as the overwhelming favourite coming off a victory in the Carl Erskine. The gelded son of Muscle Massive-One Class Act has not tasted defeat since his three-year-old debut when he was second on April 3. On To Norway has raced exclusively in Indiana this year and pushed his seasonal bankroll to $782,281 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Black & White Stable and Michael Rosenthal.

John De Long returned to the winners circle after the $29,577 first division of the Catholic Cowboy for three-year-old trotting fillies with Aunt Laura ($8.20), who led wire-to-wire for the 1:56 win by a length. Virgil Morgan Jr. trains the daughter of Uncle Peter-Tori Ann for Joyce A McClelland Stable. Aunt Laura has won five of 17 starts on the year, banking just over $235,000. Made Of Dreams (Trace Tetrick), the favourite, edged out Sweetasmoni (Michael Oosting) for second.

The $29,155 second division for trotting fillies went to Glutes Hanover ($5.80) and Trace Tetrick in 1:55 by a length over odds-on favourite Miracle Maven (John De Long) and Mega Money (Marcus Miller). Tony Alagna trains and owns the Six Pack-Girlie Tough filly, who has won four of her 13 races in her debut season for earnings of $66,775.

John De Long teamed up with wife Tabby as Canttouchthese ($8.20) took the lone $60,563 division for three-year-old pacing fillies, going first-over to score in 1:51.2 by a length over bettors' choice Sent It Down Slim (Jordan Ross), with Westwinds (Trace Tetrick) third. Owned by William De Long, Patrick De Long and Douglas Riccolo, the homebred daughter of JK Endofanera-Cant Touch This is now eight-for-18 on the year and went over $300,000 in seasonal earnings.

Chandler Bing ($7.60) closed out the stakes action by taking the $69,014 Catholic Cowboy split for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on the front-end in 1:50.4 by three-quarters of a length over favoured Extra Suds (John De Long), with Wild Bill Wyatt (Michael Oosting) third. Jay Cross drove the Tellitlikeitis-Northern Beauty gelding, who won for the fifth time in 11 starts this year. Chandler Bing has earned $181,298 in his sophomore campaign for trainer Alvin Miller and co-owner Twila Harts.

The week of racing concludes at Hoosier Park with a nine-race program on Saturday, Nov. 8, with a first post of 5:30 p.m. The card gets underway with a $1,685 carryover in the Pick 5 in races one through five..

(With files from Hoosier Park)
NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Organon & Co. (NYSE: OGN). Such investors are advised to contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit us at https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-ogn/ to learn more.

On October 27, 2025, the Company disclosed the resignation of CEO Kevin Ali following results from an internal investigation where an audit committee discovered that select U.S. wholesalers were asked to purchase additional Nexplanon at the end of several quarters between 2022 and 2025. The results of the investigation indicated that these sales represented less than 1% of the company's consolidated revenue for 2022, and 2024, yet the metrics enabled the Company to meet guidance, and certain external revenue expectations.

The investigation concerns whether Organon and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in fraud, negligence or other unlawful business practices.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.

TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

[email protected]

1-877-515-1850

1100 Poydras St., Suite 960

New Orleans, LA 70163

CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedIn

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Vietcap Securities reveals reason for withdrawal from digital asset project

By My Ha, Thai Ha Sat, November 8, 2025 | 6:53 am GMT+7

Ho Chi Minh-based brokerage Vietcap Securities JSC (HoSE: VCI) said it has decided to withdraw from a digital asset project because the required charter capital of VND10 trillion ($380 million) was beyond its reach.

The company is instead focusing on raising capital to VND8.5 trillion ($323.2 million) and expanding overseas.

Board member To Hai said Vietcap was among four firms initially selected to participate in Vietnams pilot digital asset market earlier this year. The company joined the project in February and formed a research team but decided to withdraw in August.

One of the main reasons was that the required charter capital for the project was up to VND10 trillion, which was beyond our capacity, Hai told an extraordinary shareholders meeting on Friday.

Its too early to commit such a large amount to a new and untested sector, so we decided to step back, he said, adding that future participation would depend on the next leadership teams assessment.

At an extraordinary shareholders meeting of broker Vietcap on November 7, 2025. Photo courtesy of the company.

Capital increase and overseas expansion

At the extraordinary shareholders meeting, Vietcap sought approval to raise its charter capital and establish a subsidiary in Singapore.

The board said Vietnams stock market is entering a more favorable period with strongly rising liquidity, especially after FTSE Russell announced on October 8 that it would upgrade Vietnam from a "frontier" to a "secondary emerging" market. The upgrade, effective from September 21, 2026, is expected to attract stronger foreign investment inflows.

Therefore, the board of directors finds that the company needs to increase its charter capital to strengthen financial resources to serve existing business activities, improve competitiveness, and at the same time consolidate the foundation for long-term and sustainable development.

To seize the opportunity, Vietcap plans to issue up to 127.5 million private placement shares at no less than its book value of VND18,026 ($0.7) per share as of December 31, 2024. The offering is scheduled for 2025 and Q1/2026, with a one-year lock-up period for the new shares.

Based on the estimated price, the brokerage expects to raise at least VND2.3 trillion ($90 million), of which 80% will be used for margin lending and 20% for proprietary trading.

Vietcap currently has charter capital of nearly VND7.23 trillion ($274.65 million), ranking among the 10 largest brokerages in Vietnam. If the share sale succeeds, its capital will increase to VND8.5 trillion ($323.2 million), still below leading peers such as SSI, VNDIRECT, TCBS, and VPBankS - all of which are pursuing aggressive capital expansion. SSI, for instance, aims to raise its capital to nearly VND25 trillion, while TCBS targets VND27.7 trillion.

The company also plans to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in Singapore, to be named Vietcap Singapore Pte. Ltd, with charter capital of $29 million. The unit will engage in offshore proprietary trading and securities services.

Currently, Vietcap operates as a standalone entity with one headquarters, one branch, and three transaction offices within Vietnam. The Singapore unit will be its first overseas subsidiary.

Vice chairman Dinh Quang Hoan said the firm has received multiple invitations from international clients and advisers to join investment and advisory projects abroad, but regulatory requirements for proprietary trading necessitate an offshore presence.

Profit could exceed target by 20%

Vietcap reported strong Q3 results, with pre-tax profit of VND519 billion and net profit of VND420 billion ($15.96 million), almost doubling from a year earlier.

Nine-month pre-tax profit rose 30% year-on-year to nearly VND1.09 trillion ($41.28 million), fulfilling 76% of its full-year plan.

Hoan said the company could surpass its 2025 profit target by 10-20% thanks to favorable market conditions and its role as lead adviser for the recent IPO of VPBankS - one of the largest in Vietnams stock market history.

Ahead of the shareholders meeting, To Hai stepped down as CEO after 18 years in the position, succeeded by Ton Minh Phuong. His resignation sparked concerns among shareholders.

Hai said he had planned to retire for five years and had already delegated most executive responsibilities over the past two years. He will remain on the board and continue as a major shareholder.
(TBTCO) - Von vay nuoc ngoai cua Chinh phu, ac biet la von ODA va von vay uu ai a va ang tiep tuc ong vai tro quan trong oi voi phat trien kinh te - xa hoi, au tu ket cau ha tang, giao duc ao tao, khoa hoc cong nghe va chuyen oi so cua at nuoc. Tuy nhien, nghiep vu cho vay lai hien nay van con mot so kho khan
This story is meant particularly for the people who know exactly what happened that afternoon 20 years ago, and why.

Those with information are encouraged to make the call that may unravel the mystery of May 14, 2003.
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX) publicly traded securities between June 20, 2025 and September 24, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until January 2, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the CarMax class action lawsuit. Captioned Cap v. CarMax, Inc., No. 25-cv-03602 (D. Md.), the CarMax class action lawsuit charges CarMax as well as certain of CarMax' top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the CarMax class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-carmax-inc-class-action-lawsuit-kmx.html

You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected].

CASE ALLEGATIONS: CarMax, through its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer of used vehicles and related products.

The CarMax class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period recklessly overstated CarMax's growth prospects when, in reality, its earlier growth in the 2026 fiscal year was a temporary benefit from customers buying cars due to speculation regarding tariffs.

The CarMax class action lawsuit further alleges that on September 25, 2025, CarMax reported second quarter fiscal year 2026 results, revealing among other things that retail unit sales decreased 5.4%, comparable store unit sales decreased 6.3%, and that net earnings per diluted share were $0.64 versus $0.85 a year ago. On this news, the price of CarMax shares fell approximately 20%, the CarMax investor class action alleges.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired CarMax publicly traded securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the CarMax class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the CarMax class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the CarMax class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the CarMax class action lawsuit.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder litigation. Our Firm has been ranked #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for four out of the last five years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. In 2024, we recovered over $2.5 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases  more than the next five law firms combined, according to ISS. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever  $7.2 billion  in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal

655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

800-449-4900

[email protected]

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
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If cockroach have no business in fowl party, politicians should also stay out of police acti
Theres fresh paint on the walls of Borderlands Sam Hughes and new artwork adorning the entryway.

You wont find any of the namesake Borderlands Brewing Co. beers on tap, but thats been the case for months now.

Instead, youll find at Borderlands Sam Hughes, 2500 E. Sixth St., is a rotating selection of regional and national craft beers; there are plans soon to add Tucson area brands.

A long-time kitchen employee recently pitched a menu overhaul that capitalizes on everyday favorites  tacos, burgers and hot dogs  that the bar/restaurants new owner and operating manager, Jose Delgado, grew up eating.

We dont need another fancy place. We already have pretty good restaurants in front of us and I love going to those places, said Delgado, who grew up in Nogales, Arizona, and graduated from the University of Arizona with a business degree. We need to be ourselves.

Delgado, a minority investor in the business for the past several years, took over Borderlands Sam Hughes in late August after the landlord of its sister location on East River Road locked the business out for failing to pay rent.

It was the second time that a business affiliated with Borderlands Brewing had been locked out by its landlord. The brewerys flagship at 119 E. Toole Ave., operated by CEO Es Teran, was shuttered in June after the business failed to pay that months rent. The landlord has said that Borderlands had been late on its rent each month for nearly a year before failing to pay anything in June.

Teran owned the Sam Hughes and North taprooms, operating with the Borderlands name under a licensing agreement that required him to buy Borderlands beer. Borderlands, however, stopped brewing beer in fall 2024. The brewery had contracted brewing for a few months, but has not had any beer brewed since early this year.

Delgado, who left Tucson and spent 20 years away in Phoenix and Texas before coming home eight years ago, said he and partners Rogelio Quintero and Adrian Perez stepped in to run the business because of the things that were going on with the other locations.

It was clear that we needed to do something different in Sam Hughes, said Delgado, whose full-time job is CEO for a large Midwest property management startup. We didnt want to have the same fate that the other two locations had.

Teran could not be reached for comment and did not return a call seeking comment.

When Delgado took over the business in late August, the Sam Hughes restaurant looked as if it had been abandoned. He and the staff spent several weeks deep-cleaning the kitchen and painting. They created a more homey environment in the trio of small hangout rooms, which have TVs and couches; the far room has a long dining room-style table.

The makeover was the first step; the biggest hurdle Delgado faced was how to reestablish the restaurant in the business community and repair relationships with vendors.

It is the vendors that have said, Okay, youre not those guys. Youre not the Borderlands, Delgado said, noting that vendors and the landlord have so far been happy to work with him. They want to see us succeed. They want to see us do well.

One of Delgados biggest goals is to transform Borderlands Sam Hughes into a neighborhood joint where residents can come and have a beer and bite to eat and bring their dogs and kids, something he and his wife did with their two kids when they lived for years in Austin, Texas.

That was the vision a while ago, and we hope were not too late to be able to rescue that and make it a home for the neighborhood, he said.

Borderlands Brewing has been dormant since last summer, when the company faced an avalanche of downfalls, starting with losing the original location where founders Michael Mallozzi and Myles Stone started brewing beer commercially in 2011.

In June, the state filed a lien against the brewery for failure to pay more than $250,000 in sales tax.

Borderlands board member Drew Palmer last week confirmed the company is no longer in business, although it has not officially dissolved.

Delgado said he has been in talks with other local businesses about collaborations.

Theres a couple of businesses that want to partner up and do things with us, he said.
If Tucson had a voice, it might sound something like Ernesto Portillo Sr.

During his 50 years in radio, Portillo filled the local airwaves with music, information and inspiration, all while expanding the reach of Spanish-language programming and the Mexican-American community as a whole.

His shows and the stations he helped launch provided a vital platform for those working for change in Tucson and beyond.

The broadcaster, businessman and community booster died on Nov. 2, Dia de los Muertos, while surrounded by family at his Armory Park home. He was 92.

He always understood the power of media, said long-time local activist and broadcaster Raul Aguirre, president and CEO of REA Media Group. Professionally and personally, he was one of my heroes.

Portillo was born on Oct. 21, 1933, in the southern Chihuahuan mining town of San Francisco del Oro and grew up in Ciudad Juarez, just across the border from El Paso.

He recalled his childhood in Northern Mexico during a 2017 interview with Aengus Anderson from Archive Tucson, an oral history project by University of Arizona Libraries and Special Collections.

Portillo said he rode his bicycle back and forth across the international border every day to attend school and learn English in El Paso. I was getting acquainted with a new big world: the U.S.A., he said. Very interesting.

It was his brother-in-law in Juarez who helped him land his first job as a part-time, fill-in DJ  or a radio announcer, if you please; thats the way we would introduce ourselves, Portillo said.

Before he was allowed to go on the air, though, the then-17-year-old had to study up on all the broadcasting rules and decency laws, then take a long bus trip to Mexico City so he could pass the government licensing exam.

He spent the next few years spinning records  mostly Mexican romantic ballads and the big band music that was popular at the time  at different stations in Juarez, before being lured to Arizona in March of 1954 by a job opening at Tucsons brand-new, first-ever, Spanish-language radio station.

On the air

Portillo made that first trip to the Old Pueblo on a Greyhound bus, arriving hours before dawn to the smell of fresh rain. He had a 9 a.m. appointment at the KEVT studio near St. Marys Hospital, and by 9:30, he was on the air.

He knew almost immediately that he never wanted to leave.

I fell in love with the desert, he said in his oral history recording, but also the people in Tucson, the families. It was a beautiful home life that I saw right away.

By the following year, he had married Julieta Bustamante Portillo, a Tucson girl and the love of his life. They would raise four children and stay together until the end, side-by-side for 70 years.

Coming Monday Writer Ernesto Portillo Jr. reflects on his fathers legacy, in Mondays Arizona Daily Star.

Portillo became an American citizen on Aug. 25, 1958, a point of pride that even late in life he still included near the top of his professional resume.

But he was also deeply proud of his Mexican heritage, Aguirre said. He died on Dia de los Muertos. How much more Mexican can you get? Aguirre said with a laugh. He understood the power of identity.

Portillos radio work in the 1950s made him a local Latino celebrity of sorts. During the six years he worked as a DJ and a sales rep for KEVT, he was a fixture at celebrations and events in the Spanish-speaking community.

He briefly left the business to sell life insurance, but he returned to radio in 1963, this time at KXEW-AM, better known as Radio Fiesta, a new station that quickly made him its general manager.

He later helped launch an FM version of KXEW, then joined with a group of investors to buy the station in 1969. KXEW-FM was eventually bought out by a company that turned it into Tucson Top 40 station KRQ in the late 1970s.

After Portillo and his partners sold the AM station in 1981, he helped build and launch bilingual KQTL Radio in Sahuarita, where he worked as a manager until his retirement from the business in 2001.

Portillo also spent 20 years as a newspaper columnist, writing opinion pieces in Spanish and English for the Tucson Citizen from 1981 until 1997 and occasionally for the Arizona Daily Star after that.

Through it all, he did what he could to give back to the community.

Portillo joined the Arizona Army National Guard in 1955 and served for seven years, earning the rank of sergeant.

Later, he was active in a number of service organizations and served on the board of directors of La Frontera Mental Health Center, the Tucson International Airport Authority and the YMCA.

He also played a key role in the creation of the annual Tucson International Mariachi Conference and the Southwestern Mission Research Centers tours of Kino-era churches in Mexico and the U.S.

His professional career and his service to the community landed him in the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Tucson International Mariachi Conference Hall of Fame earlier this year, among numerous other awards.

As Portillo told the Star in 2015, My biggest satisfaction was in serving my community  Tucson and Southern Arizona.

A powerful voice

Sonorous is the best word to describe Portillos famous radio voice, according to Aguirre. He said his friend and mentor spoke in a way that made people shut up and listen, with unique vocabulary, precise diction and a knack for being eloquent and succinct at the same time.

Aguirre grew up with the sound of that voice. My parents listened to his program. Everybody listened to his program, he said. He had a power, and he was a powerbroker in our community.

Thanks to Portillo and his stations, Spanish-speaking Tucsonans got to hear directly from politicians, service organizations, teachers, students, mental health professionals and labor leaders, Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta among them.

Needless to say, it was a big deal when Aguirre was invited onto Portillos Saturday program as a Pueblo High School student to talk about posting one of the highest scores in the nation on a Spanish-language test.

It was a much bigger deal a few years later, when Aguirre and a few of his fellow young activists at the U of A sold Portillo on the idea of a bilingual FM station devoted to politics, community service and an eclectic mix of music with a message.

He opened the door for us, Aguirre said. He saw our vision.

Aguirre would go on to launch a prosperous, multicultural marketing and public relations firm of his own and establish himself as a leader in the Latino community, mentoring others the way Portillo mentored him.

That opening he gave us gave us permission to be very successful, he said.

Portillos son, Ernesto Portillo Jr., also made something of a name for himself  Neto to be exact  as a long-time columnist for the Star and as editor of the Spanish-language newspaper La Estrella de Tucson. But to this day, Portillo Jr. said, he regularly gets asked if hes related to the famous radioman whenever people hear his name.

He meant a lot to the community. He meant a lot to the families in the barrios, he said of his father.

Coming Monday Writer Ernesto Portillo Jr. reflects on his fathers legacy, in Mondays Arizona Daily Star.

Portillo is survived by his wife, Julieta; daughter, Carmen Portillo; sons, Mario, Carlos and Ernesto Jr.; grandchildren Alita, Nina, Mario, Maya, Laurissa and Carlo; and two great-grandchildren.

Services for Portillo will be held on Nov. 15, with a 9:30 a.m. rosary and 10 a.m. Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. A private burial will follow in Patagonia.

In lieu of flowers, the Portillo family requests donations be made in the name of Ernesto V. Portillo to Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, 352 E. 25th St., Tucson, AZ 85713 or the East Santa Cruz Community Food Bank, P.O. Box 1147, Patagonia, AZ, 85624.
The annual event hosted by Vaughn's Engineering and Technology Department featured

presentations from industry experts and STEM workshops for local community colleges and high

school students.

FLUSHING, N.Y., Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vaughn College celebrated National Manufacturing Month with its 11th Annual Manufacturing Day on Friday, November 7 to highlight new developments in the field and address the growing need for workers. The event is run by the College's Engineering and Technology Department.

Michael Wroblewski delivers a presentation on munition technology. Bilal Siddique gives a presentation on bridging the gap between engineering and management. High school students work on creating their own drones.

"What was so special about this year's presentations was that every speaker was a Vaughn graduate," said Dr. Hossein Rahemi, engineering and technology department chair. "These alumni are contributing what they learned at the College and sharing their knowledge with the next generation of students to help foster their success."

The event included a manufacturing leadership session on engineering innovation and current manufacturing advancements. The speakers included Daniel Doscher '23, mechatronics engineer at ArcBest Technologies, Ariel Ferrera '20, co-founder of Hoppion, Bilal Siddique '12, senior project manager at Honeywell Building Solutions and Michael Wroblewski '14, business development and product manager for CIRCOR Aerospace & Defense.

"I have always cherished my time as a student at Vaughn and it always felt like family here," said Wroblewski. "I hope to spread awareness about accelerating the impact in munition technology, which is probably something nobody thinks about, while educating Vaughn students who are sitting in the same seat I sat in several years ago."

Students from Vaughn's Robotics, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and Rover Clubs hosted STEM workshops for local community colleges and high schools, including Bayside, Hillcrest, Freeport, and Uniondale High Schools, St. Catharine Academy in the Bronx and Health, Arts, Robotics and Technology (H.A.R.T) High School in Cambria Heights. Students had the opportunity to learn about robotics design and autonomous programming, fly drones, and practice their rover design and manufacturing process skills.

A joint study by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte predicts that 3.8 million manufacturing jobs will likely be needed in the next decade and approximately half (1.9 million) are expected to go unfilled due to the widening talent and applicant gaps.

Last month, Vaughn College received a $125,000 grant from the GE Aerospace Foundation as part of its new flagship program to increase the number of highly skilled manufacturing workers by 10,000 beginning in 2026. The grant will support new training equipment at Vaughn and the expansion of current aviation maintenance faculty and curriculum.

ABOUT VAUGHN COLLEGE

Founded in 1932, Vaughn College is a private, nonprofit four-year college that enrolls more than 1,400 students in master's, bachelor's, and associate degree programs in engineering, technology, management, and aviation on its main campus in New York City and online. The student-faculty ratio of 16 to 1 ensures a highly personalized learning environment. Ninety-seven percent of Vaughn College graduates, seventy-seven percent in their field of study, are placed in professional positions or choose to continue their education within one year of graduation. Vaughn College serves many first-generation Americans and first-generation college students and is recognized by the US Department of Education as a Hispanic-serving institution. In a study conducted by The Equality of Opportunity Project and reported in The New York Times, Vaughn was ranked number one in upward mobility nationwide. For more information on Vaughn College, please visit http://www.vaughn.edu.

SOURCE Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
HCM CITY  The Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op) has urgently deployed an emergency support package, sending tens of tonnes of essential goods and relief teams to provinces hit by by recent historic storms and floods across central and northern Viet Nam.

The move aims to help residents stabilise their lives after severe natural disasters that caused widespread damage to power, water and essential infrastructure.

As soon as storm warnings were issued, Saigon Co.op mobilised its nationwide network, stockpiling goods, and preparing logistics and manpower. Each supermarket and warehouse became a connection point for social welfare, ready to provide immediate assistance.

With its strong logistics capacity and a network of more than 800 retail outlets, the retailer has built a Flexible Social Welfare System that can mobilise resources synchronously from central to local levels within just a few hours.

Relief supplies, including rice, instant noodles, drinking water, bread, condiments and Saigon Co.ops private-label products, were swiftly sent from its central warehouses to Thua Thien-Hue, a Nang, Quang Ngai, Lam ong and other provinces hit by the storm, in coordination with the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, the Red Cross, and local authorities.

Within hours of Typhoon No. 13 making landfall, more than 1,000 relief packages reached Quy Nhon, Hue and Tam Ky, among the hardest-hit localities, providing immediate support to residents facing power outages, water shortages, and severe damages to their homes.

At the same time, Saigon Co.op increased reserves, diversified supply sources, and worked closely with key partners to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain, enabling consumers to buy sufficient goods at stable prices.

The relief effort forms part of Co.op Care, Saigon Co.ops long-term community programme that promotes humanitarian values and social responsibility.

Beyond emergency aid, the retailer plans long-term recovery activities through its Humanitarian Market  Zero ong Supermarket initiative, scheduled to take place from late 2025 to early 2026 in five localities. The programme will provide essential, high-quality goods free of charge to disadvantaged people, helping them prepare for a more comfortable Lunar New Year after a difficult year.

At the end of October, Saigon Co.ops Trade Union also raised VN980 million (US$37,459) in cash donations from employees to support the HCM City chapter of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front.  VNS
HCM CITY  Nisshin Seifun Welna, a member of Japans leading food processing conglomerate Nisshin Seifun Group, has introduced a new range of products for the Vietnamese market, marking a key milestone in its long-term investment and sustainable growth strategy.

The company currently operates two facilities in Viet Nam. They are Vietnam Nisshin Seifun, a packaged food production facility established in 2013 that primarily exports pasta sauce products to Japan, and Vietnam Nisshin Technomic, a production facility of premix established in 2018.

Takahiko Iwahashi, president and director of Nisshin Seifun Welna, said alongside its existing operations, the company began offering ready-to-use home cooking products in Viet Nam last year, which are now available in more than 2,500 retail outlets nationwide. Thanks to the strong support of customers and partners, we have successfully completed one year since the product launch, he said.

To further expand its portfolio, the company has rolled out a range of new home-use products including pasta sauces, rice cooking sauces, pasta noodles, pre-mixed powders and frozen pasta, increasing its total offering to more than 20 SKUs.

This move reaffirms the brands commitment to localising production and accompanying Vietnamese consumers, one of its most strategic markets in Southeast Asia, on the journey to enhance the quality of everyday meals, he added.

Naruyasu Mizuta, general director of Vietnam Nisshin Technomic and general manager of Vietnam Nisshin Seifun, said that in response to rising demand for convenient and time-saving cooking, Nisshin Seifun Welna aims to combine authentic Japanese culinary quality with Vietnamese tastes and dining habits.

The expanded portfolio, including retort sauces, pasta noodles, pre-mixed powders and frozen pasta, reflects a deep localisation strategy in line with the brand philosophy Wellness by nutrition from nature. Each product is carefully developed to achieve harmony between taste, convenience, safety, and health, Mizuta said.

Iwahashi said with the launch, the company aims to further enrich Viet Nams FMCG market with innovative, premium-quality food solutions, offering flavours that win the hearts of local consumers while strengthening its position as a leading integrated food manufacturer in the country.  VNS
BUENOS AIRES  Viet Nams export of its first shipment of tilapia to Brazil is not only significant in terms of trade but also serves as a testament to the shared efforts of both countries to promote economic and commercial cooperation, especially in the context that bilateral relations have been elevated to a strategic partnership and Brazil has recognised Viet Nam as a market economy.

This affirmation was made by Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi in an interview with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in South America, as Viet Nams first container of tilapia weighing 24 tonnes departed HCM City port on November 6 for Brazil through JBS Group, the South American nations largest food company.

Nghi emphasised that this is a concrete result of efforts to connect businesses, expand markets and affirm the quality of Viet Nams agricultural and aquatic products in the Brazilian market in particular and the Latin American market in general.

This shipment is one of 32 containers, totalling 700 tonnes of tilapia, ordered and imported by JBS Group from Viet Nam. The products will first be distributed through HORECA supermarket and distribution network, and showcased in JBS's product display centre in Brazil.

JBS currently employs 280,000 people, operates 150 factories across various countries and is the worlds leading producer of beef and chicken. The company is also investing in two beef processing plants in Viet Nam, with a total value of US$150 million.

According to the plan, this container of tilapia is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Santos on December 17.

According to the ambassador, this event marks a new step forward in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, concretising the mutual agreement on opening farm produce markets as committed by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Brazilian President Lula da Silva at their talks on the sidelines of the expanded BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro in July. Accordingly, Viet Nam is committed to opening its market to Brazilian beef and Brazil opening its market to Vietnamese tilapia, tra and basa fish.

Nghi also stated that the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil will continue to accompany enterprises and localities of both countries, support promotion, connection and problem-solving efforts so that more Vietnamese products can enter the Brazilian and South American markets.  VNA/VNS
NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into Vestis Corporation ("Vestis" or the "Company") (NYSE: VSTS).

In May of 2025, the Company announced its financial results for 2Q 2025, disclosing that, despite prior overwhelmingly positive statements, it had withdrawn its revenue and growth guidance for the full fiscal year 2025 and provided guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 that fell significantly below market expectations due in part to "lost business in excess of new business," but primarily on "lower adds over stops, which is how we describe volume changes with our existing customers."

Thereafter, the Company and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information in violation of federal securities laws, which remains ongoing.

KSF's investigation is focusing on whether Vestis' officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws.

If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Vestis shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-833-938-0905 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-vsts/ to learn more.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.

TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

[email protected]

1-877-515-1850

1100 Poydras St., Suite 960

New Orleans, LA 70163

CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedIn

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
LANG SON The annual Bac Son Golden Rice Season Tourism Festival, one of the regions most anticipated events featuring a variety of activities, officially kicked off on November 7 night in Bac Son Commune, Lang Son Province.

At the same time, the local People's Council delivered the award of the best tourism village in 2025 by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) to Quynh Son Community-based Tourism Village.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bac Son People's Council Chairman Trinh Minh Tuan said the festival was an opportunity for local residents and visitors to immerse themselves in the commune's wild nature during the harvest season for rice fields.

"They will enjoy our poetic beauty of the valley, feel the scent of new rice and join in many activities with the local people," said Tuan.

During November 7-15, many exciting events will be organised. People will take part in a paddy rice harvesting and rice pounding competition using primitive tools; black banh chung (square sticky rice cake) wrapping contest; making yin-yang tiles; paragliding, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).

After the festival launch, Vice Chairman of Lang Son provinces People's Council inh Huu Hoc presented the award of best tourism village in 2025 by the UN Tourism to Quynh Son village representatives.

Quynh Son and Lo Lo Chai of Tuyen Quang Province are two Vietnamese villages overcoming about 270 applications from 65 UN Tourism Member States to advance to the list of 52 winners who are from 29 countries of all regions  Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The awards were announced during an event held in China last month.

Viet Nam now is home to five best tourism villages in the world.

According to Chairman Tuan, the worlds recognition of Quynh Son is a great honour and source of pride for the entire community, Lang Son Province, and Viet Nams tourism industry, as Quynh Son and Bac Son have now gained international recognition.

Quynh Son is located in the centre of Bac Son valley, with more than 400 ancient Tay stilt houses, all facing the South -- a symbol of vitality, luck and prosperity.

The stilt house architecture here is roofed with traditional yin-yang tiles, showing the harmony between humans and nature, yin and yang, heaven and earth and people.

Local people are always deeply aware that developing tourism is not only for economic purposes but also to preserve the lifestyle and soul of the village.

Over the past years, Quynh Son residents have successfully built a model of community tourism, in which each person is both the host and "cultural ambassador" introducing their homeland to international friends.

Deputy director of the Lang Son Agency for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Tran Thi Bich Hanh said the Bac Son Golden Season Tourism Festival was one of the unique highlights that attracted a large number of tourists every year.

This festival, along with the natural landscape, culture, long history, and the beauty of the daily life and production of ethnic minorities, were the decisive factors that helped Quynh Son Community Tourism Village meet all the criteria and be recognised as one of the best tourist villages in 2025.

"This is not just a title but an affirmation of a tourism brand with its own characteristics, closely linked to the cultural life of local residents," said Hanh.

"Hopefully, with the title of Best Tourist Village in 2025 and a strong support from local government, Quynh Son Village will increasingly attract a large number of domestic and international tourists in the near future." VNS
PARIS  The 34th Festival Change dAir, themed Viet Nam  Culture, Art, Cuisine, Music and Life, opened at Le Rabelais Cultural Centre in Change city, Sarthe department of France, on November 6.

For the first time, Viet Nam has been invited as the guest of honour, offering an opportunity for cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries.

Co-organised by Le Rabelais Cultural Centre and several French  Vietnamese associations, including Les Amis du Vietnam, Arabesque, and Tieng To ong, the 10-day event immerses French audiences in the essence of Vietnamese culture through exhibitions, films, music, dance, theatre, and cuisine.

Highlights include the photo exhibition Le Nord Vietnam (North Viet Nam) by Jean-Pierre Menard, showcasing northern Viet Nam's landscapes and ethnic life, paintings by Cecile Carre, and displays of traditional instruments and costumes.

Visitors can also enjoy Vietnamese films such as Mekong Stories by Phan ang Di and The Vertical Ray of the Sun by Tran Anh Hung.

Theatre lovers are treated to Saigon/Paris: Aller Simple (Saigon/Paris: One-way ticket) by Compagnie Corossol, telling stories of overseas Vietnamese, alongside East  West fusion dance performances by Arabesque and local dance troupes.

For children, the play Cendrillon Vietnamienne (Vietnamese Cinderella) brings a beloved Vietnamese folk tale to life, while the Tieng To ong and Hop Ca Que Huong troupes present vibrant folk music and choral works.

Beyond performances, visitors can try traditional crafts, learn Vietnamese folk songs, and sample local-style Vietnamese food.

Notably, the entire local community joins in  schools, nurseries, libraries, and shops decorate in Vietnamese colours and serve Vietnamese dishes.

The programme also features a talk on Le Silence De Mon Pere (My Father's Silence) by Vietnamese-French author oan Bui, exploring the memories and heritage of Vietnamese families in France.

The festival is scheduled to conclude on November 15 with a Vietnamese folk gala by Tieng To ong and a special dinner led by chef Jean-Marie Barbotin, known for blending French and Asian flavours.

According to organisers, Festival Change dAir  now in its 34th year continues to invite audiences to explore global cultures. Viet Nam's role as the guest of honour this year reflects the French publics growing appreciation of the beauty and vitality of Vietnamese culture. VNA/VNS
QUANG NINH  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Quang Ninh provincial Peoples Committee and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Viet Nam, held an event titled Viet NamEU: Cultural bridge toward a sustainable future in Quang Ninh Province on November 7 to celebrate the 35th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

At the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang highlighted the progress made between Viet Nam and the EU over the past 35 years of diplomatic relations. She noted that their partnership was significantly enhanced in 2012 when it was elevated to a Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Framework.

Hang emphasised that cultural and people-to-people exchanges are essential components that strengthen this enduring partnership. Viet Nam considers the development of culture and human resources to be as important as economic, political, and social progress, viewing them as both a foundation and a driving force for rapid and sustainable national development, she said.

The event aimed to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between Quang Ninh Province, other Vietnamese localities, the EU Delegation, and European embassies in Ha Noi, contributing to the comprehensive partnership and cooperation that is moving towards a higher level of cooperation.

EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier described Viet Nam as a key and reliable partner of the EU. He noted that 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the EU, a relationship that has grown increasingly strong and dynamic. The two sides have signed multiple bilateral agreements, most notably the EUVietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He also confirmed that the EU and Viet Nam are working together to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Quang Ninh Province regards culture as the spiritual foundation of society and a driving force for sustainable development. The province is home to two UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Sites, Ha Long Bay and the Yen TuCon SonKiep Bac relic and scenic complex, as well as 641 historical sites, 362 intangible cultural heritages, and the diverse cultural identity of 43 ethnic groups. These are vital resources for developing cultural industries, heritage tourism, and green tourism. Over the years, Quang Ninh has proactively implemented major initiatives on cultural and human development in line with international integration.

Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Cong underlined that the province has been a pioneer in adopting a green growth model, placing people at the centre, culture as the foundation, and sustainability as the ultimate goal.

He affirmed that Quang Ninh is actively expanding international cooperation, with the EU as a strategic partner in renewable energy, heritage tourism, green economy, digital transformation, human resource training, and cultural collaboration.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  A photo exhibition opened on November 6 at the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu  Quoc Tu Giam), Ha Noi, featuring a valuable collection by French photographer Firmin-Andre Salles that captured vivid images of Viet Nam's Confucian education and examination traditions in the late 1800s.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature, said the event coincides with the 950th anniversary of the first imperial examination held under King Ly Nhan Tong to select talented scholars for the nation. The exhibition also marks the upcoming Vietnamese Teachers Day (November 20), aiming to honour the countrys long-standing tradition of learning and respect for teachers.

The display area has been extended beyond the relics fence, allowing easier access for locals and tourists. This is the first time the Temple of Literature has organised an exhibition in this format, to bring art and history closer to the public. Kieu expressed hope that the event will inspire lifelong learning in line with UNESCOs four pillars of education: learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to live together.

According to Eric Soulier, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities at the French Embassy in Viet Nam and Director of the French Institute in Viet Nam, the exhibition serves as a powerful symbol of the intersection between heritage space and photographic art. Salless works faithfully recreate the solemn yet bustling atmosphere of the 1897 regional examinations in Nam inh, at a time when Confucian education was in decline and the Quoc Ngu (Romanised Vietnamese script) was gradually replacing Chinese characters.

Firmin-Andre Salles (18601929), a French photographer and explorer, worked in Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1896 to 1898. Using dry-plate photography, he produced exceptionally sharp and detailed images that hold great documentary and artistic value, depicting the landscapes, people, and daily life of Viet Nam at the close of the 19th century.

UNESCO Representative to Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker emphasised that the exhibition not only helps the public better understand a unique period in history but also encourages reflection on the value of learning in contemporary life. Through the language of photography, the past is reimagined with modern sensibility, making heritage more accessible, vivid, and relevant to todays society.

The highlight of the Photo Hanoi25 exhibition was that it celebrates photography as a medium of creativity, a means of preserving memory, and a bridge of cultural connection.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from November 12-13.

The visit is made at the invitation of the President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Luong Cuong, according to an announcement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This is King Abdullah II Ibn Al Husseins first official visit to Viet Nam, and is part of his ongoing Asian working tour, which also includes Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and Pakistan. The tour aims to strengthen Jordans cooperation and partnerships with these countries, particularly in the fields of economy and investment.

Viet Nam and Jordan established diplomatic relations on August 9, 1980. The two countries have consistently supported each other at regional and international forums.

In 2024, their bilateral trade reached US$188.14 million. Viet Nams exports to Jordan totaling $180.53 million, with key export items included agricultural and aquatic products, electronic products and components, fabrics, chemical products, wood products, plastic goods, machinery and tools.

As of the end of September 2025, Jordan had five ongoing investment projects in Viet Nam with a total registered capital of $1 million, ranking 108th out of 153 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam.  VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  The coast guard and border guard forces have coordinated to raise awareness about combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and call on fishermen to secure their boats to respond to Storm No.13 in HCM City.

ong Nai Province-based Intelligence Division No. 2 under the Viet Nam Coast Guard (VCG) Command and Phuoc Hai Border Guard Station under the HCM City Border Guard Command held a communication event in the citys Phuoc Hai Commune on November 6.

The event attracted more than 300 participants, including boat owners, captains, and fishermen in the area.

It is part of a peak campaign by VCG to promote education, inspection, and prevention of IUU fishing, affirming the determination of officers and soldiers to end violations of foreign waters by Vietnamese fishing vessels before November 15, 2025.

The effort contributes to national actions aimed at removing the European Commissions yellow card warning and building a sustainable, responsible, and internationally integrated fisheries sector.

During the event, Coast Guard officers introduced key contents of the Viet Nam Coast Guard Law and regulations on preventing IUU fishing, and screened short videos to enhance fishermens awareness of law compliance and sustainable fishing practices.

In addition, they also advised fishermen to actively prepare for Storm No.13 by securing vessels and mooring safely at ports.

Communication contents were concise, practical, and easy to understand, combining direct dialogue, distribution of leaflets, and on-site instructions for each boat owner.

The coast guard and border guard forces also visited Loc An Fishing Port in Phuoc Hai Commune to meet with more than 30 boat owners and crew members, encouraging them to comply with regulations on fishing activities.

They distributed more than 300 leaflets about IUU fishing, 100 books about the Law on VCG, and 100 national flags to local fishermen.

This activity is part of VCGs peak campaign, running from October 15 to November 15, to end IUU fishing violations.

It also helps strengthen the solidarity between the armed forces and local fishermen, contributing to maintaining political security and social order in coastal areas.  VNS
HCM CITY  Authorities have identified the bacterium Salmonella as the likely cause of a food poisoning outbreak that sickened more than 80 people after they ate banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) from a shop in Hanh Thong Ward earlier this week.

The citys Department of Health said on Saturday that tests conducted at Gia inh Peoples Hospital detected Salmonella in one of the patients blood samples, a bacterium commonly associated with contaminated food and poor hygiene during preparation.

At least four hospitals have treated patients linked to the same shop in Hanh Thong. Military Hospital 175 reported 47 cases, Gia inh Hospital 19, Tam Anh General Hospital 16, and Binh Dan Hospital one, according to health officials.

Most patients are now in stable conditions, and more than half have already been discharged.

City health authorities said clinical data from nearly all patients were consistent with bacterial food poisoning caused by Salmonella.

Hospitals have been instructed to follow standard treatment protocols, including rehydration therapy, electrolyte replacement, and laboratory monitoring, and to prescribe antibiotics only after confirming bacterial infection.

The Food Safety Management Authority has temporarily closed the shop pending investigation and collected food and environmental samples to determine how the contamination occurred.

Officials said they are still tracing the source of the outbreak and reviewing the shops food-handling procedures.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam has long held a special place in the development strategy of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), with research collaboration between the two sides expanding steadily across multiple disciplines.

Speaking at a ceremony held in Ha Noi on Friday to mark 30 years of cooperation between IRD and Viet Nam, Sylvain Ouillon, IRDs Chief Representative in Viet Nam, emphasised since 1995, when IRD first began its activities in Viet Nam, and especially since 2000, when IRDs permanent office officially opened in Ha Noi, the partnership with Vietnamese institutions has been built on mutual trust, co-creation and a shared vision for the future.

Over the past three decades, Viet Nam has become a key pillar in IRDs regional development strategy. The IRD office in Ha Noi currently manages 23 per cent of IRDs total investment in Asia and hosts the second-largest number of researchers in the Asia-Pacific region, after New Caledonia.

The scope of research collaboration between IRD and its Vietnamese partners has continued to broaden, covering a wide range of fields including social sciences and humanities, soil science, nutrition, oceanography, complex system modeling and health, he said.

Under IRDs new Asia strategy, Viet Nam continues to play a pioneering role through four International Joint Laboratories (LMI), including a laboratory on integrated modeling to support irrigation management; a laboratory dedicated to antimicrobial resistance research, which has expanded to include the One Health approach; a laboratory in partnership with the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the University of Science and Technology of Ha Noi (USTH), focusing on water and matter transport and transformation in the Red River Delta; and a laboratory in collaboration with HCM City University of Technology, aimed at strengthening research capacity on the Sai Gon River and the lower Mekong region.

Several flagship projects have highlighted the success of FrancoVietnamese scientific cooperation in both research and practical application. Among them are the PLUME oceanographic campaign, which studies the transport and distribution of natural and artificial substances along the riverestuarysea continuum; and STAR-FARM, a project aimed at enhancing the resilience of Vietnamese agriculture to droughts and floods.

IRD has also actively participated in projects under the Equipe France Fund (FEF), designed to bring scientific results closer to the public and policymakers. One of these, the FEF Fleuves project, is expected to feature two major exhibitions in Ha Noi and HCM City in 2026.

On this occasion, Sylvain Ouillon expressed his deep appreciation to the University of Science and Technology of Ha Noi (USTH), a strategic partner of IRD in both research and education, where French and Vietnamese scientists jointly supervise students, exchange expertise, and develop high-quality human resources.

This years celebration also marked the launch of the Planete IRD+ network, a global initiative connecting scientists, partners, and former collaborators of IRD in France and worldwide, including those in Viet Nam.

Through Planete IRD+, we aim to celebrate the diversity and strength of the global scientific community, of which Viet Nam is an integral part, and to continue building a sustainable partnership for the future, Ouillon said.  VNS
Timeless Resonance is an annual classical music initiative by Idemitsu Vietnam , first launched in 2024 as part of a broader government effort to foster cultural exchange and elevate Vietnam's classical music scene. The programme embodies Idemitsu's belief that music has a unique power to connect hearts beyond borders.

As part of this journey, Chapter II honoured the enduring influence of Dang Thai Son  a legend whose artistry has inspired generations  through performances by his five prize-winning proteges from Vietnam, Japan, and Canada. Their performances illuminated the universal language of music  one that transcends culture, language, and time.

Each artist brought their own interpretation of passion and precision to the stage. Nguyen Dang Quang is one of Vietnam's most prominent young pianists, winner of the Val Tidone International Music Competition (Italy) and the ASIA International Piano Festival (South Korea). Beyond his accolades, Quang has represented Vietnam on global stages, performing at royal and diplomatic events for Denmark, Japan, and Canada.

Yuki Yoshimi is a prodigious talent hailed as one of Japan's finest young pianists. Winner of the 86th Japan Music Competition and semi-finalist at the Queen Elisabeth International Competition, Yuki's artistry bridges technical mastery with poetic depth.

JJ Bui (Vietnam/Canada) was the youngest finalist at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition at just 17. JJ is celebrated for his remarkable sensitivity and dynamic expression, captivating audiences worldwide.

Arisa Onoda (Japan) is a rising virtuoso. Arisa's accolades include first prize at the Juliusz Zarebski International Music Competition and the Best Beethoven Prize at the Dublin International Piano Competition. Her performances radiate youthful grace and emotional depth.

Luu Hong Quang (Vietnam) is a distinguished pianist and educator at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA), Sydney. Quang's performances are praised for their heartfelt artistry and profound technical command, shaped under the mentorship of Dang Thai Son.

The evening culminated in a breathtaking four-hand performance by JJ Bui and Yuki Yoshimi, closing the programme with Samuel Barber's Souvenirs, symbolising friendship, harmony, and artistic unity between Japan and Vietnam.

For Idemitsu Vietnam, Timeless Resonance is so much more than just a concert  it is an incredible cultural bridge, a heartfelt dialogue between two nations built upon shared values of respect, creativity, and humanity.

Through Timeless Resonance, we are thrilled to bring the beauty of world-class classical music straight to the heart of the Vietnamese community, enthused general director Egashira. This programme is a shining example of our unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians while contributing to Vietnam's cultural and artistic growth.

Idemitsu Vietnam is on a mission to create a sustainable future, and they are doing an amazing job of blending business excellence with social contribution. From developing carbon-neutral energy solutions to supporting meaningful cultural initiatives, the company is committed to enriching lives  both materially and spiritually.

As the final notes resonated through the opera house, Timeless Resonance  Chapter II left behind not just music, but a lingering feeling of connection  a reminder that the most beautiful harmonies are those that unite people across time, culture, and heart.

Idemitsu Vietnam established to consolidate its business activities The Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan has established Idemitsu Vietnam Co., Ltd. to consolidate its business activities in the country.

Hanoi to host international piano festival The 2018 International Piano Festival will be held at the Vietnam National Academy of Music in Hanoi from August 11  18.
Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Tam

As the world enters a fierce race for core technologies, Vietnam is gradually establishing its position on the global semiconductor map. With the coordinated efforts of the government, ministries, and domestic as well as international enterprises, Vietnams semiconductor industry is entering an unprecedented phase of growth, where national aspiration is steadily turning into concrete action.

Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Tam said that Vietnam is now home to over 50 chip design companies with around 7,000 engineers, along with 15 enterprises and more than 10,000 technicians engaged in the packaging, testing, and manufacturing of semiconductor devices and materials.

Major global technology giants such as Samsung, Intel, Amkor, Foxconn, and Hana Micron continue to expand their operations in Vietnam, demonstrating the countrys cost efficiency, productivity, and product quality. Meanwhile, leading global tech corporations including NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Coherent, and Marvell have chosen Vietnam as a strategic hub for semiconductor research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and supply chain expansion.

A major milestone is the construction of Viettels first chip manufacturing plant, a key step in Vietnams journey towards mastering semiconductor production technology. These achievements reflect the confidence of global investors and mark Vietnams strategic progress in leapfrogging through knowledge, innovation, and international cooperation, Tam emphasised.

"The Ministry of Finance pledges to stand alongside enterprises, promote public-private partnerships, and strengthen the three-way linkage model connecting the state, academia, and industry," he said. "The ministry will also selectively attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into high-value stages such as advanced chip design and packaging, driving Vietnams transformation into a strategic link in the global semiconductor supply chain."

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong

Sharing this vision, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong said, The semiconductor industry is the foundation of the digital era. Vietnam has identified semiconductors as a strategic technology that plays a pivotal role in enhancing competitiveness, boosting economic growth, and asserting national standing.

To date, Vietnam has attracted more than 170 foreign-invested projects in the semiconductor industry, with total registered capital of nearly $11.6 billion. The domestic semiconductor supply chain is primarily focused on two main stages: chip design and assembly/testing. Currently, there are 58 chip design enterprises, including 13 Vietnamese and 45 foreign companies, and eight packaging and testing projects, including those from Intel, Amkor, and Hana Micron.

In addition, Vietnam is now home to companies supplying semiconductor materials and equipment, such as Coherent and VDL, contributing to the gradual completion of the local value chain. The government is also implementing a project to build a small-scale, high-tech chip fabrication plant, expected to become operational by 2030, to serve research, design, and pilot production of Make in Vietnam chips.

In 2024, Vietnam issued the National Strategy for Semiconductor Industry Development, followed by the Law on the Digital Technology Industry, approved by the National Assembly in June. Together, these form the legal foundation for the growth of Vietnams semiconductor industry.

The law provides unprecedented investment incentives, including a 5 per cent corporate income tax rate for 37 years for projects investing from VND6 trillion ($240 million) in semiconductor production; six years of full tax exemption, followed by a 50 per cent tax reduction for 13 subsequent years; full exemption from land and water surface lease fees; five-year personal income tax exemption for high-quality technical personnel; and five-year work permits and visa exemptions for qualified foreign experts.

These are highly specialised, preferential policies, exclusive to a few strategic industries, Deputy Minister Phuong said.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is finalising decrees and circulars to guide the implementation of the law, which is set to take effect in January 2026.

Vietnams Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy identifies four key pillars: integrate semiconductor development with electronics and digital transformation, with AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) as the driving forces; prioritise human resource development, turning Vietnam into a global hub for semiconductor talent; leverage geopolitical advantages and strategic partnerships to position Vietnam as the +1 destination in the global semiconductor supply chain diversification strategy; and concentrate resources and incentives for R&D and production of specialised semiconductor products that promote sustainable development in electronics, AI, IoT, and digital industries.

These pillars underscore Vietnams determination to seize the golden opportunity presented by the global semiconductor supply chain realignment.

Vietnam is widely recognised for its strong advantages, from favourable policies and geography to political stability and a young, STEM-skilled workforce. These factors make the country a rising star for investment and R&D in the semiconductor field.

The establishment of R&D centres in Vietnam not only facilitates advanced technology transfer but also accelerates intellectual property creation and the development of high-value Make in Vietnam products, said Deputy Minister Phuong.

Indeed, global giants like NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Samsung, and Intel have already established major R&D centres in Vietnam, achieving remarkable results, evidence of the countrys growing attractiveness as an R&D and innovation hub in Asia.

Both deputy ministers agreed that SEMIExpo Vietnam 2025 is more than just a trade exhibition, it represents Vietnams spirit of innovation, global cooperation, and ambition to rise on the world technology stage.

We believe that SEMIExpo 2025 will serve as an important catalyst, encouraging Vietnamese enterprises to continue innovating and helping the semiconductor ecosystem thrive, making Vietnam a strategic link in the global supply chain, Deputy Minister Nguyen Duc Tam noted.

With open policies, exceptional incentives, and strong governmental commitment, Vietnams semiconductor industry stands on the threshold of a historic breakthrough. The nation is not merely an attractive investment destination, it is on its way to becoming a regional hub for semiconductor innovation, with the long-term vision of self-reliance in chip design, fabrication, and production. This journey embodies the intelligence, creativity, and resilience of Vietnam, marking the countrys firm move from aspiration to action, and its steady rise as a technological powerhouse in the global digital economy.

SEMIEXPO Vietnam 2025 to spotlight nations semiconductor drive Vietnam is set to host its largest semiconductor industry showcase yet, underscoring the countrys ambition to become a key player in the global chip supply chain.

World Bank charts talent path for Vietnams semiconductor future The World Bank has proposed a 'three-plus-one' formula to help Vietnam develop its semiconductor industry and other high technologies, calling for a strong long-term strategy.
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GP practices in deprived parts of Wales facing collapse, Senedd warned

GP practices serving the most deprived parts of Wales are under-resourced, overworked and facing collapse despite experiencing the greatest patient need, a committee heard.

Adrian Edwards, a professor at Cardiff University, gave evidence to a Senedd health committee inquiry on the future of general practice on November 6.

Prof Edwards, who retired from practice in May, reminded Senedd members of the inverse care law  a term coined by Julian Tudor Hart, a GP in Glyncorrwg, Afan valley, in 1971.

It states the availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely with the need for it in the population served, so those who need health care most often have the least access.

Prof Edwards warned the UK is lagging behind other countries, with 45 GPs per 100,000 population compared with Australia (121), Canada (103) and New Zealand (74).

He added that Wales was bottom of the UK table, according to latest statistics.

Inverse workload law

The academic, who was a GP partner for 25 years at a practice which handed back its NHS contract in 2020, said the number of partners has declined every year for a decade.

He told the committee the number of patients per full-time GP has increased in that time, with the total number of consultations also rising since 2019.

Prof Edwards said: What we also have is an inverse workload law. In the affluent areas of Wales, the average number of patients per GP is 2,100 and in deprived areas its 2,400.

And, by the way, those practices get 7% less income to provide those services.

He explained doctors in the poorest areas have more patients to start with, who present about twice as often as those in more affluent areas.

Prof Edwards said the number of GPs has been largely flat since 1947, with resources being funnelled into hospitals trying to do cure and not doing prevention.

He said the proportion of NHS spending on general practice in Wales has fallen from 11% to 7.6% over 20 years.

Quietly drowning

He cautioned that focusing on reform of the Carr-Hill formula used to allocate funding to GPs is a zero-sum game: If you help someone, youre taking away from someone else.

Prof Edwards said 10% of GPs aged under 40 left the workforce in 2023, warning: Were haemorrhaging, weve got to do something about it immediately.

Deep End Cymru, a network of GPs working to improve care in the most deprived areas, warned practices in less well off parts of Wales are quietly drowning.

Jonny Currie, a GP partner at Ringland surgery in Newport, said for every 10% increase in patients from the poorest areas  practice income falls by an average of 1%.

Dr Currie, policy lead at Deep End Cymru, told Senedd members: Were looking at tens of thousands less money coming into general practice, despite greater demand.

Societal disintegration

Neil James, chair of Deep End Cymru and a GP partner in the Rhymney valley, added: What we have seen is practices collapsing, going to the wall in many of these areas.

Dr James, a GP for 22 years who is from Senghenydd, told the committee: Inverse care has always affected us having lived and worked in the valleys youve seen societal disintegration and the effects that has on patient health has been profound.

He pointed to a lack of training practices in poorer areas as a key problem, with GPs so busy at the coalface that they lack capacity. He said his practice faces wall-to-wall deprivation.

Prof Edwards raised statistics showing 10% of practices in the poorest areas closed or merged, compared with 2.8% elsewhere, over the past three years.

Deep End Cymrus evidence laid bare the human cost of such inequalities.

The network of 91 GP practices warned women in the most deprived communities spend an average of 16.9 more years living in poor health. For men, the gap is 13.3 years.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Tesco launches Christmas food donation drive for those in need

One of the countrys biggest food donation drives will return to Tesco this Christmas, with shoppers being urged to give the gift of their time to those in need.

Now in its 13th year, the Tesco Winter Food Collection will take place in all Tesco stores between November 27 to November 29. The supermarket giants charity partners, Trussell and FareShare, are calling for volunteers to sign-up to support the event in store as both charities are providing a lifeline in response to high levels of need.

During the collection customers will be encouraged to donate long-life food to support the charities in their work.

Donations for the Trussell Trust will help its community of food banks provide emergency food parcels to people who cannot afford the essentials, while donations to FareShare will support its network of 8,000 local charities and community groups helping to feed people in local communities across the UK.

Volunteers will help out at collection points in Tesco stores to raise awareness of the impact every single donation will have on people across the UK, who rely on Trussell and FareShare for food.

Donations are needed now more than ever, with one in five Trussell food parcels coming from Tesco and its customers.

Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: Every year our Winter Food Collection gets such an amazing response from our customers.

Volunteers in store have a real impact on the amount of donations and help encourage customers to give much needed long life food items tailored to every area of the UK.

Matthew van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive officer at Trussell, said: Winter is often the busiest time of year for food banks. As temperatures drop and bills start to rise, more people will be forced to seek their help.

But with the support of Tesco, its customers and our incredible Food Collection volunteers, food banks can stay better stocked ready to support people facing hunger in their local communities.

Everyone should have enough to live on, and alongside our community of food banks we are working to end hunger for good.

But right now, we urgently need you to play your part by getting involved in Tescos Food Collection, whether thats through spreading the word, donating essential items or volunteering your time.

Kris Gibbon Walsh, CEO at FareShare added: Food from FareShare reaches a network of over 8,000 charities across the UK, enabling them to provide food support alongside access to other vital services.

In the winter months, many people accessing these local groups are forced to choose between keeping warm and eating.

This makes the Tesco Winter Food Collection more important than ever.

We know from experience that having volunteers present in store significantly increases the number of food items donated, and hope that more people than ever will generously give up their time this year.

By volunteering just three hours, people can play an important part in our mission and help create lasting change, one meal at a time.

You can sign up to volunteer in your local Tesco store with FareShare at https://fareshare.org.uk/foodcollection/ or with Trussell at https://www.trussell.org.uk/support-us/tesco-food-collection
Massive Fire Guts 500 Shanties in Delhis Rohini; One Dead, Another Injured 2

A massive fire broke out late Friday night near Rithala Metro Station in Delhis Rohini, engulfing around 500 shanties and leaving one man dead and another injured, officials from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) confirmed.

According to police, the blaze spread rapidly after multiple LPG cylinders exploded, causing chaos and panic among residents who rushed to save their belongings and escape the flames.

Eyewitnesses reported thick plumes of smoke rising across the night sky as the fire tore through the densely populated slum cluster. Fire officials said preliminary estimates indicate that 400 to 500 huts were completely gutted in the blaze.

The DFS control room received a distress call at 10:56 pm, following which several fire tenders and firefighting robots were dispatched to the site. Police quickly cordoned off the area, while additional fire engines were placed on standby to prevent the flames from spreading further.

The fire was brought under control by early Saturday morning, officials said. The deceased was identified as Munna, while another man, Rajesh, sustained burn injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, while teams from the disaster management and local administration are assisting affected families who lost their homes and possessions in the tragedy.
Winter Session of Parliament to Begin on December 1, Conclude on December 19 2

The Winter Session of Parliament will begin on December 1 and conclude on December 19, according to an official announcement approved by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju confirmed the schedule, stating, The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has approved the proposal of the Government to convene the Winter Session of Parliament from December 1, 2025, to December 19, 2025 (subject to exigencies of Parliamentary business).

Rijiju expressed hope for productive discussions, saying, Looking forward to a constructive and meaningful session that strengthens our democracy and serves the aspirations of the people.

The Monsoon Session, which ended on August 21, was marked by heated exchanges between the ruling NDA and the Opposition over several issues, including the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and the governments handling of losses suffered by security forces. Despite frequent disruptions, 15 bills were passed during that session.

The session also saw uproar over the revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, with Opposition MPs staging protests, tearing copies of bills, and clashing with the Treasury benches.

Adding to the political turmoil, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned unexpectedly on the opening day of the monsoon session, citing health reasons. His sudden exit two years before completing his term triggered sharp political reactions and speculation across party lines.

The upcoming winter session is expected to witness intense discussions on key legislative priorities, including economic reforms, national security, and electoral issues, as the government and Opposition gear up for a politically charged debate ahead of the 2026 budget session.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I know youre going to think this is a made-up letter, but I assure you its not. (But then, Id say that even if it were, wouldnt I?)

When one has been invited to stay overnight in a home without indoor plumbing, but is provided with a chamber pot (no lid) under the bed, what does one do with it the next morning? Leave it? Ask ones hostess? What if you dont speak her language?

This happened to my husband and me a few years back, when we were camping in Europe. The people who owned the land were horrified to think of our sleeping outside in the cold. With hand gestures, they made it clear that they would be insulted if we did not accept their hospitality for the night.

Not wanting to be ugly Americans, we did. They generously gave us their own bedroom, which included the aforesaid chamber pot. Necessity compelled us to use it. But the next morning...We wound up leaving it in the room, but I still wonder: What was the correct thing to have done?

GENTLE READER: If you are able to decipher Stay in our bedroom or youre an ugly American from a hand gesture, Miss Manners feels certain you can figure out one for, There is poop in the potty; what do we do with it?

Because no doubt your hosts came up with their own hand gesture when they discovered your unpleasant surprise.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to dearmissmanners@gmail.com, or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
A Hoover man has been arrested after police say he assaulted a school bus driver.

Police were dispatched at 7:31 a.m. Thursday to a 911 call of a bus driver being assaulted by a man who was acting erratically and trying to get on the bus. The location was a bus stop on Summer Place Parkway.

The driver, said Lt. Daniel Lowe, took swift action to secure the Hoover City School bus and called police.

The driver sustained minor injuries.

Lowe said students were preparing to load the bus and were not involved in the incident.

Officers were able to locate the man and took him into custody. Police said he is not believed to be a resident of the nearby apartment complex and was not associated with any of the students riding the bus.

Ronnie Tyrone England Jr., 31, is charged with second-degree assault and first-degree trespassing on a school bus.

He will be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $11,000.

The incident remains under investigation.
Three former correctional officers at the Walker County Jail formally pleaded guilty Friday to misdemeanor charges in connection to the 2023 death of inmate Tony Mitchell.

Braxton Chase Kee, Karen Kim Elsie Kelly, and Heather Lasha Craig entered their guilty pleas before Northern District of Alabama U.S. Magistrate John England.

All three pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law. They will remain on bond pending sentencing.

The probe into the bizarre and brutal death has led to 25 people being indicted  24 of those in connection with Mitchells death.

The other was a jail officer who has pleaded guilty in falsifying records in an unrelated 2022 case of an inmate assault.

Of the 24 charged in the Mitchell case, eight have now formally entered guilty pleas but have not yet been sentenced. Five more have agreed to plead guilty but have not yet officially done so.

Twelve defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Mitchell was at the Walker County Jail for two weeks before he died of hypothermia and sepsis on Jan. 26, 2023.

He was arrested on Jan. 12, 2023, during a mental health welfare check. Family members feared the 33-year-old was a danger, as hed sprayed his face and body with black paint and claimed to have a portal to hell.

After Walker County deputies arrived, Mitchell fired a gun, authorities said.

At the jail, authorities placed him in Cell BK5, a booking cell that was designated as suicide watch and nicknamed the Freezer, according to a lawsuit filed by Mitchells family. He was allegedly left naked, wet and covered in feces on the concrete floor.

A memorial tribute to Tony Mitchell, who died in the Walker County Jail, stands on a billboard near courthouse square in Jasper. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com) ggarrison@al.com

Kee was indicted in June.

Records state Kee, from his earliest interactions with Mitchell, believed that Mitchell was mentally unwell because he frequently wasnt lucid, often didnt eat his food and regularly appeared to be covered in feces.

Kee, according to his plea agreement, became sufficiently concerned about Mitchells condition and raised the issue with the captain and others, but said the medical staff appeared to be avoiding Mitchell because the treatment did not change.

On Jan. 19, 2023  a week before Mitchells death  Kee and another unnamed jailer took Mitchell a cup of water. As they were leaving, Mitchell reached his arm out of the cell.

Kee repeatedly kicked at Mitchells arm to move it. A supervisor then tried to move Mitchell out of the way.

Kelly was the initial whistleblower that linked jail surveillance video of Mitchells treatment.

Craig, authorities said, knew Mitchell suffered from cruel jail conditions but did not alert appropriate authorities.
As Mobiles historic Excelsior Band prepares to present a rare opportunity to hear its music in a concert setting, work is afoot to give the 142-year-old ensemble a permanent home and showplace.

On Sunday, Nov. 16, Excelsior Band Preservation Inc.  a nonprofit created to support and sustain the group  will present a fundraising concert titled Keep the Music Playing! Proceeds from the event at Byrne Memorial Hall on the Spring Hill College campus will support both Excelsior Band Preservation and the Jazz Studio, a long-running jazz education program.

The inaugural fundraiser is a key step in the effort to fortify the groups long but fragile legacy. It builds on the fact that in 2022 the group received one of the nations highest cultural honors, being named as a National Heritage Fellowship honoree by the National Fellowship of the Arts. The $25,000 award that came with it helped launch Excelsior Band Preservation, among other things.

The ensemble is almost ubiquitous in Mobile: It plays at civic events, conventions, private gatherings and, of course, Mardi Gras parades and other Carnival-season events. But its also a group that faces recruitment challenges. The work is demanding, and theres not a huge pool of young jazz players to draw on.

The Excelsior Band performs at a recent civic ceremony. Director Hosea London is second from right. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

The careers of Excelsior players can be astoundingly long. Bandleader Hosea London cited trombonist Frank McKinley Ponquinette as an example: Ponquinette was born in 1928. When he joined Excelsior in 1944 at age 16, he was its youngest member. He was its oldest living member when he died at 97 on Sept. 13.

But as players with decades of experience come to the end of their careers, there has to be a next generation, and another after that. Bandleader Hosea London draws a clear lesson from that: For Excelsior to survive, it has to be an educational institution as well as a performing one.

Eventually, you have no choice except to prepare for the future for the band, he said. You know, it doesnt take care of itself. Its a tradition that you have to teach, and the only way you can actually do that is, you have to be in the band.

You have to actually be in the band to learn it, because theres no sheet music that we can give to somebody and say, Okay, this is, this is what youre gonna do, he said. It doesnt work. It doesnt really work like this. Everybody that ever got in the band, including me, you learn from being in the band.

London said, only half-jokingly, that you can be in Excelsior for 25 years and still be considered a novice.

Sometimes its not all about people that can play music, he said, because I know plenty of people that can play music. But its a culture. The Excelsior Band is actually a culture. And what matters so much is character.

To get all that across, it would help to have a home. A place to showcase artifacts from the groups extensive history. A place to teach. A place to perform sit-down concerts. Some office space.

It appears the band may get that sooner rather than later, thanks to plans to revitalize the defunct Ace Theatre as part of a growing civil rights heritage district. During segregation the Ace was one of a series of theaters that catered to Black patrons along a thriving business corridor known as The Avenue.

The shuttered Ace Theatre, at right, stands close to Mobile's new Isom Clemons Civil Rights Memorial Park, at left. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

The Ace isnt far from the Historic Avenue Cultural Center, formerly a segregation-era library, and its just across the street from Ison Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park, which the city dedicated in January.

No one is saying the Ace will be set aside solely for Excelsiors use, and London himself says he hopes it will present concerts by other local ensembles and celebrate other legacies as well, such as that of Mobile-born bandleader James Reese Europe.

But the effort to restore the Ace is well under way, and theres definitely interest in making it a showplace for Excelsior and its history.

We dont have a lot of details nailed down but what I can tell you is that if were able to work this out, it will be the home of the Excelsior Band, said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood.

Plans for the Ace Theatre itself are well beyond the discussion phase. In April, the commission approved a project development agreement with Porchlight LLC. Under the terms of that deal, Porchlight will take ownership of the Ace building at 501 Congress Street and several adjacent parcels. Porchlight will conduct renovations and the county will then lease the theater back from Porchlight, with an additional incentive payment in the form of a $500,000 forgiveable loan. Six years in, the county will be able to exercise an option to purchase the property.

Ludgood said the complexity of the arrangements is partly because they were designed to help Porchlight secure historic development tax credits.

Porchlight is a firm founded by Mobile builder Mike Rogers and Birmingham-based developer Brian Giattina. Porchlights John Ruzic said that the firm has received approval for state and federal tax credits and is working with Birmingham-based nonprofit Opportunity Alabama to leverage them to best effect. Theyve been wildly helpful in structuring that capital stack and that financing piece, he said.

This is a public-private partnership and to make it work, it has to be a true collaboration, said Ruzic. Entities that deserve credit include the Alabama Historical Commission and the National Park Service for the stewardship of the credits, he said.

The plans as of right now allow for a space for the Excelsior band to show a lot of the memorabilia, he said. And then more generally, just the history of jazz in Mobile.

The Ace was built as a 500-seat movie theater. Ruzic said there arent many fixtures of those days left, and not much documentation. So Porchlights architects and designers are using what little is left, and what theyve been able to find out about comparable theaters of the time, to make the renovations as historically accurate as possible.

A 1976 Mobile Press photo feature depicts the Ace Theatre as an eyesore. While the caption is dismissive, the image captures the theater's original facade. Mobile Press

Ruzic said that another partner, David Schneider of Anniston-based Schneider Historic Preservation, found the only photo theyve come across that shows the theaters original facade. Ironically, it ran in the Mobile Press in 1976 in a regular feature calling out Eyesores. But that goes to show how long the theater has been waiting for its next act.

Porchlight isnt remaking the Ace purely as a movie theater: Itll be a multipurpose space, suitable for concerts, screenings and other gatherings. Ruzic credited elizabet elliott of the Alabama Contemporary Art Center with urging designers to allow room for dancing.

(Not incidentally, ACAC is collecting peoples memories of the Ace, whether they worked there, saw shows or otherwise experienced the venue in its heyday. For details, visit www.alabamacontemporary.org/programs/ace.)

The adjacent properties include a set of small, 1940s-vintage apartments. Those are going to become some administrative space for Excelsior as well as a place for them to potentially [use as] education space, said Ruzic.

Both them and Commissioner Ludgood

and we are very excited about the opportunity that they may have to bring in some children from the immediate area and engage with them on music education, Ruzic said.

The Excelsior Band is still doing traditional tunes from the 20s, 30s and 40s, said London. So children definitely dont know those, right? So we have to take time to really teach them.

Ruzic said that the financing and legal agreements are rapidly being finalized, and it wont be long before Porchlight is in a position to finalize its design and get down to work in early 2026. Its possible the renewed Ace will be ready for Excelsior in 12 to 18 months, he said.

Theyre a huge cultural ambassador for Mobile, said Ruzic. I dont know that they always receive the appreciation they need nor have they ever really had a big fundraising structure in place. So Im hoping that, like, and this type of exposure and kind of finally having a home really gets them to a place for people start to remember them when they are deciding how they want to donate their money.

The upcoming fundraiser concert will feature a performance by the Excelsior Band, as well as music from students and alumni of The Jazz Studio. Tickets are $125; they can be ordered through a ticketing link at www.excelsiorband1883.com.
The Spain Rehabilitation Center on the campus of UAB in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, May 8, 2025. (Will McLelland | WMcLelland@al.com) Will McLelland

The University of Alabama System is requesting more than $800 million in state funding for fiscal year 2026.

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees unanimously approved a 10% increase to operations and state maintenance appropriations for all three of its schools and the UAB health system at a meeting Nov. 7.

The UA System will request about $808 million from the state legislature for the upcoming fiscal year. Thats an increase of about $73.4 million from the current fiscal year, according to Dana Keith, senior vice chancellor for finance and administration.

Keith broke down how the funding will be used and the reasoning behind the increase at the Alabama Commission on Higher Educations institutional budget meeting Nov. 6.

Broken down by school, the proposed funding request will be:

$281.9 million for University of Alabama

$445 million for University of Alabama at Birmingham

$81 million for University of Alabama at Huntsville

Administrators requested an increase to account for increases in contributions to the Teachers Retirement Services fund and possible increases for employees who have the Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan.

The insurance plan for state employees and retirees is facing a shortfall again for fiscal year 2027, which could in turn force premium increases.

Keith said an additional $638 million will be requested for capital improvement projects. This total includes about $86 million for deferred maintenance.

Keith said the projected 2026 revenue is about $3.4 billion, with 28% of revenue coming from grants and contracts and 26% from tuition and fees.

The presentation did not include system-wide tuition increases for the 2026-2027 school year. The system increased tuition up to 3.5% across the schools for 2025-26 school year.

There are more than 71,500 students enrolled collectively at the three UA System schools in the fall of 2025, according to Keith.
Several organizations that want to give back to the Huntsville community gathered at the First Baptist Church, lovingly known as the Egg Beater Jesus Church. Its one of many Huntsville-isms showcased at the event.

Rocket City organizations wanted to prove that another Huntsville-ism is coming together to help the large number furloughed hard-working federal government employees.

The Food Bank of North Alabama estimates that 23,000 federal workers are furloughed in Huntsville.

A resource fair specifically for the workers included short term emloyment opportnities, health and financial institutions.

Wellstone representative Melissa Caldwell tabled at the event. She said its important to have events specifically for furloughed government workers.

A lot of times, people are hesitant to take resources away from those they think might need it more, she explained. Having an event where its just federal workers, they can come with their co-workers, but also they know these resources are specifically set aside for them, so they feel more comfortable accessing and using them.

Leaders said approximately 300 furloughed workers went to the event on Thursday, but several more arrived on Friday.

Furloughed workers are reaching a difficult point in the government shutdown. Some thought they would receive back pay after two weeks, but now bills are arriving and their wallets are running dry.

Organizations from the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce to the Space and Rocket Center to the Redstone Federal Credit Union wanted to support the workers who have not received a paycheck in over a month due to the government shutdown.

Caldwell said they are sharing that they are becoming increasingly stressed and lonely.

A lot of the people that have stopped by our table have expressed an increase in stress and needing someone to talk to, said Caldwell. Weve had a lot of people express just a bit of feeling disconnected from their co-workers, and feeling a little bit of loneliness from that, and just wanting someone to talk to. Also, people have mentioned that its reached a point in the shutdown where now theres just a lot more fear, not just about how long it will go on, but also the potential of losing benefits.

Several organizations came to the event to try and help workers make ends meet by offering temporary, short-term or non-traditional job opportunities.

Calhoun and Drake State Community Colleges both sent representatives to recruit furloughed workers to be part-time faculty and adjunct professors for a variety of classes.

Interim Director of Workforce at Calhoun, Jamie Glover, said subjects include anything from a logistics class to aerospace technology to teaching Microsoft Office. They dont need a certification to teach several subjects.

It just depends on the class, she explained. If theyre an aerospace technician and theyve been in the field for 25 years, they know what theyre doing, so they can certainly teach an entry-level aerospace technician. You know youre talking about certifications they already have. If youre talking about an Excel class. If theyve been doing Excel for 15 years, they can teach a basic Excel class. So there are no pre-qualifications they need. They just need the skill and the desire to want to teach others.

She said the schedule is flexible, so if the government reopens soon, they can still teach in the afternoons or weekends if they decide to stay. Interested workers can apply here.

The Rocket City Trash Pandas provided seasonal opportunities. There are part-time line cook and prep cook positions for the Trash Pandas Christmas Light Show.

Temp agency Spherion recruited for a variety of jobs, which include short-term general office jobs to technology, logistics and manufacturing roles. Market Manager Adam Chalmers said that they can find opportunities that workers can leave when the government reopens.

Chalmers said he saw a 50% increase in applicants over the past two weeks, as the shutdown has amplified. He said some candidates were looking to leave the government entirely.

I think that people like to wait as long as they possibly can to have to ask for help, but weve reached the point in the shutdown where theres just nothing else you can do, except to reach out at this point, said Caldwell. The lack of resources and the strain of what happens with paying bills and being able to eat overrides just those feelings of shame.

Chamber of Commerce leaders say they are open to hosting another event like this if the shutdown persists.
As the American economy founders, what is the Trump Administration doing? Apparently building a Big Beautiful Ballroom. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

This column was originally published in Kyle Whitmires newsletter Alabamafication. You can subscribe for free here.

Nero is tuning his fiddle. Can you hear him?

America might be in a recession already. Its impossible to tell officially, as the public officials who make those calls have been furloughed or fired. Nero canned the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after she delivered some bad news, and the government shutdown has sent everybody else home until further notice.

But private-sector sources tell us the American economy is in a bad way.

This week, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a private firm that tracks such things, released a report showing job losses not seen since the depths of the pandemic and, before that, the Great Recession. So far, the firm says, American employers have laid off 1.1 million people.

But that 401K is doing great, right?

As Derek Thompson  formerly of the Atlantic and now the coolest wonk on Substack  noted in October, something is happening to the American economy and it started a while back. Since 2022, new job postings have fallen 30 percent, at the same time the S&P 500 has grown 70 percent.

Many are blaming AI already, including the Wall Street Journal, which reports that its not just blue-collar workers who are getting cut this time, but middle managers, too.

But the bargain with workers is a familiar one. Amazon is laying off somewhere between 14,000 and 30,000 employees the same year its owner rented out much of Milan for his wedding, and after he and his fiancee splurged on day-trips to outer space.

The American economy is cleaving into the have-nots and the have-yachts.

And what has Nero done about it? Hes building a Big, Beautiful Ballroom.

To be fair, he did strike a deal with pharmacy companies this week to reduce the cost of weight-loss drugs.

Let them eat cake? Eat whatever you want.

Let them eat Trump Steaks.

The irony here is that Nero was elected by the folks who already got shut out of the American Dream, and theyll also bear the brunt of whats to come. Thats not the say they deserve whats coming. They dont. But he isnt doing anything to help them. Instead, hes prolonging a government shutdown and withholding food stamps from people out of work at the same time.

Sharper Image never took EBT, anyway.

Inequality is the underlying force beneath Americas political landscape  a great chamber of angry magma thats trying to force its way to the surface. That red-hot frustration powered MAGA and put Trump in the White House twice.

And now that hes there, whats he doing? He recently pardoned a corrupt crypto scam artist and then denied he even knew who the guy was.

How long before Trumps supporters realize that they, too, have been had? If they havent figured it out yet, the day is coming when they will  a t a feast, for Nero and 900 of his closest friends, in a gold-gilded ballroom, the greatest ballroom the world has ever seen, where they only serve the finest steaks, which for the low-low price of $199.99 you can enjoy in your own home.

This is the way Trumpism ends

This is the way Trumpism ends

This is the way Trumpism ends

Not with a bang but a dinner.
Large drapes hang from an interstate bridge in Birmingham, Ala., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Will McLelland | WMcLelland@al.com) Will McLelland

Drivers traveling over downtown Birmingham might be looking twice at the site of dingy white drapes dangling from interstate bridges.

The curtain is a protective cover as workers are repainting the steel girders under the four bridges which connect the new I-59/20 bridges with Red Mountain Expressway, explained Jon Paepcke, an ALDOT spokesman.

Every so often, we must sandblast them and repaint to help preserve the beams, Paepcke said. The canvas and chained link coverings you see suspended under the bridges are designed to contain any old paint, tools and debris from falling and control any overspray from hitting the traffic below.

The project began this summer. A puffy white curtain also appears on an overpass bridge heading east near Trussville.

The work should be done by February and the drapes will go away.
A ladder truck is deployed in downtown Florence on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. The truck was needed to rescue some teenagers who were stuck on a roof during the town's "First Fridays" event. (Photo courtesy Florence Alabama Police Department) Florence Alabama Police Department

A few teenagers in north Alabama had to be rescued by the towns fire department on Friday night, after a daring adventure went awry.

Sometimes teenagers dont make the wisest decisions, the Florence Fire-Rescue Department said in a Facebook post. Glad we could help out and glad they are safe!

During Florences First Fridays event, the teenagers climbed onto the roof of a downtown business, according to a Facebook post from the citys police department.

But while they were able to get up, the teens werent able to find their way back down, leading to a call to the fire department.

Everyone made it down safely, no injuries, just a good story and probably a lesson learned, the police department said.

The Florence fire department and police department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AL.com.

First Fridays is a monthly festival in Florence, showcasing the art community in town. At last nights event, the University of North Alabama Marching Pride performed for festivalgoers in downtown Florence.

The band will be traveling to New York City in a few weeks to perform in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The police department cautioned residents to enjoy the citys downtown from ground level.

Please, leave the climbing to Spider-Man, the police department said. Downtown is plenty fun from ground level, and wed like to keep it that way.
Former Lauderdale County judge Gil Self was found guilty by a jury Friday morning of 17 charges related to the misuse of public funds.

Between July 1, 2019, and July 31, 2023, Self improperly spent more than $140,000 from funds used to support court operations, according to the results of a state audit.

Later court documents have shown that number to be above $146,000.

This included hiring his son as a law clerk and paying him without documentation of his sons hours and purchasing guns and furniture.

Self told the Alabama Daily News in 2023 that the pandemic disrupted his offices accounting procedures.

I agree the proper bookkeeping during COVID was really virtually non-existent, he said.

It was sloppy. We didnt follow acceptable accounting principles, primarily because theres no one trained or experienced in those principles here that were in charge of the books during that period of time.

But the buck stops with me, and I accept full responsibility for the mistakes that were made, he continued.

According to court records, Selfs charges include:

Count One: use of official position or public office for personal gain-couch; guilty of intentional use

Count two: use of official position or public office for personal gain- frame; guilty of intentional use

Count three: use of official position or public office for personal gain- Self Jrs job; not guilty

Count four: use of official position or public office for personal gain- Reno trip; guilty of intentional use

Count five: use of official position or public office for personal gain-beach trip; guilty

Count six: use of official position or public office for personal gain- 2021 annual conference; guilty of intentional use

Count seven: use of official position or public office for personal gain-ethics; guilty of intentional use

Count eight: use of official position or public office for personal gain- Montana trip; guilty of intentional use

Count nine: use of official position or public office for personal gain-Ohio trip; guilty of intentional use

Count ten: use of official position or public office for personal gain- 2022 Nashville Conference; guilty of intentional use

Count 11: use of official position or public office for personal gain- Duck Key, Florida trip; guilty of the offense of intentional use

Count 12: use of official position or public office for personal gain- Mackinaw trip; guilty of offense of intentional use

Count 13: use of official position or public office for personal gain- midwinter; guilty of offense of intentional use

Count 14: use of official position or public office for personal gain- Perdido beach; guilty of offense of intentional use of official position or public office for personal gain

Count 15: use of official position or public office for personal gain- alcohol; guilty of the offense of non-intentional use

Count 16: use of official position or public office for personal gain- eyeglasses; guilty of intentional use

Count 17: We the jury find the defendant guilty of the offense of knowingly making a material false representation to an auditor; this is for all of the trips, seminars, couch, and more.

Count 18: guilty of the offense of perjury.

WAAY 31 reports that the Lauderdale County jury deliberated for about five hours Thursday before returning Friday morning with their verdict.

Selfs sentencing has been scheduled for Dec. 17, according to court records.
A sign outside of the Church of the Highlands' main campus at Grants Mill in Irondale, Alabama, outside of Birmingham. Ruth Serven Smith/AL.com

The largest church in Alabama is expanding its reach to the coast.

Church of the Highlands Sunday will hold a land dedication service for its new campus in Daphne.

The service, which begins at 10 a.m., will be a family-friendly, outdoor gathering for the church to dedicate the land for the new Daphne location.

Church of the Highlands Lead Pastor Mark Pettus will give a message, and there will be worship, prayer, and vision-casting for the future of the campus and its impact in the Eastern Shore community, according to a news release.

The land dedication service will be at the southwest corner of DISC Drive and U.S. Highway 181 in Daphne.

Church of the Highlands last year purchased 27 acres of land off Highway 181 for its new campus. At the time, the church said the campus would be about 50,000 square feet and will serve as a hub for all of the churchs activities in coastal Alabama.

The land was purchased for around $4.6 million, according to public records.

Church of the Highlands leaders said the campus will be open in 2026.

Currently, Church of the Highlands holds worship services at the Daphne Civic Center for all coastal Alabama worshippers. Heidi Spicer, a pastor with Church of the Highlands, told AL.com an average of 850 to 900 people attend Sunday services in Daphne.

The church has grown to more than 20 campuses in Alabama and Georgia since it was founded in 2001 by former lead pastor Chris Hodges. The flagship campus is on Grants Mill Road in Irondale just outside Birmingham.

More than 50,000 people attended Church of the Highlands services across all campuses before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, leaders say.

Hodges in 2011 also founded Highlands College, a school in Birmingham focused on ministry education. He remains chancellor of the college.
An ally of President Donald Trump said that he is serious about an unconstitutional plan for the current president to seek a third term in 2028.

And, he warned, if conservatives dont maintain power at the federal level by seizing the institutions then he and other Republicans, are going to prison.

Steve Bannon, Trumps former White House chief strategist and far-right political operative, made the remarks during a speech at the Conservative Political Institutes Bellator Awards.

As God is my witness, if we lose the midterms and we lose 2028, some in this room are going to prison, myself included, Bannon said.

Theyre not going to stop. Theyre getting more and more radical, and we have to counter that. And what do we have to counter it with? We have to counter it with more action, more intense action, more urgency. Were burning daylight. we have to codify what President Trump has done by Executive Order.

BANNON: As God is my witness, if we lose the midterms and we lose 2028, some in this room are going to prison, myself included. They're not going to stop. They're getting more and more radical, and we have to counter that. And what do we have to counter it with? We have to pic.twitter.com/FHQMg9HQwW  Bannons WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) November 6, 2025

Bannon went on to say that conservatives needed to, put aside structural barriers and he is serious about Trump seeking a third term.

However, this would be unconstitutional as the 22nd amendment says, no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice.

If we dont take this to the maximumand in doing this seize the institutions, if we dont do that now were going to lose this chance forever because youre never going to have another Trump, Bannon said. This is why I keep saying .. Trump 28. Im serious about that.

Bannon previously told The Economist that there was a plan in the works to bypass the 22nd amendment even though the White House has dismissed mentions of it as a joke or unrealistic.
There is a very low chance for a few snow flurries in parts of northern Alabama on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. However, the best precipitation chances are farther south. Above is the precipitation outlook for Sunday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. National Weather Service

Dont get your hopes up, but there is a small chance a few could see a snowflake or two Sunday or Monday as a blast of cold air rolls into Alabama.

Most will not see any flurries, and no accumulations are expected.

However, the National Weather Service in Huntsville mentioned on Saturday that there will be a low chance or a rain/snow mix for parts of north Alabama from Sunday afternoon until Sunday evening, and again -- possibly -- early Monday morning.

Forecasters noted that no impactful snowfall accumulations are forecast."

Still, it could make the upcoming cold blast a little more exciting.

The weather service is warning that temperatures will plummet across the state starting on Sunday, and there will be the chance for some record low temperatures in parts of the state both Sunday night and on Monday night.

The Monday night-Tuesday morning temperatures are expected to be the coldest statewide, and many spots will fall to or well below the freezing point, according to the weather service.
Much colder air is on its way to Alabama. The coldest night is expected to be Monday night into Tuesday morning. Above are the expected low temperatures for that time period. National Weather Service

An early blast of wintry weather is on its way to Alabama, and it could bring some record low temperatures along with it.

And maybe even a snowflake or two for some?

Much colder temperatures will first be felt in north and central Alabama on Sunday night, and the National Weather Service has already issued freeze watches for those areas from Sunday night into Monday morning.

But even colder temperatures are expected from Monday night into Tuesday morning, and much of the state will experience temperatures at or below the freezing mark.

The weather service expects to issue freeze warnings for more of the state for Monday night.

There is also a chance some in north Alabama could see a few snowflakes on Sunday afternoon and evening, though the National Weather Service in Huntsville cautioned it was a low chance and no accumulations are not expected.

So, how cold will it get?

The first really cold night will be Sunday night into Monday morning.

North Alabama temperatures could fall into the upper 20s, according to weather service forecasts.

Central Alabama is expected to have lows from near freezing in the north to the mid-30s in the southern part of the region.

Even south Alabama could fall into the upper 30s.

Here is the forecast for Sunday night/Monday morning:

Here are the expected low temperatures from Sunday night into Monday morning. NWS

Monday is not expected to be an especially pleasant day to spend time outdoors, with chilly temperatures expected and some brisk winds out of the northwest.

In fact, it could be windy enough to produce wind chills in the teens in parts of north and central Alabama, especially early Monday morning, the weather service said.

Highs on Monday are expected to stay lodged in the 40s in north and central Alabama all day on Monday -- and some of the colder spots may stay in the 30s.

Highs will only be in the 40s in central Alabama on Monday, from the lower 40s in the north to the upper 40s in the southern part of the region.

South Alabama temperatures will range from the upper 40s to the low 50s.

The weather service mentioned that there could be some record cool high temperatures on Monday.

Here are Mondays forecast highs:

Monday definitely qualifies as sweater weather. Above are the forecast high temperatures. NWS

Then comes the big chill on Monday night into Tuesday morning.

The weather service expects most of the state to fall to or below 32 degrees overnight, with low 20s possible in north Alabama, mid-20s in central Alabama and mid-20s to low 30s in south Alabama. (Monday night low temperatures are shown at the top of this post.)

Expect there to be freeze warnings in effect for much of the state by Monday night, and the weather service has said some low temperature records could be in jeopardy.

Temperatures are expected to get warmer starting on Tuesday, and by Wednesday most areas will have highs in the 60s and 70s again.
George Scott was on cloud nine after Bay City Roller relished conditions in Munich to end the year a Group One winner following an emphatic all-the-way success in the Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern.

The Newmarket handler has been at pains to find the perfect underfoot terrain for his three-year-old all season and after some fine efforts in defeat, he set his charge one final assignment on German soil.

Sent immediately to the fore in the hands of Adrie de Vries, there was no passing the son of New Bay who simply drew further and further clear of the pursuing Tiffany in the closing stages.

It was the second successive year that Sir Mark Prescott and Elite Racings Tiffany has had to settle for second in the final European Group One of the year and she will now head for the Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

However, the day belonged to Bay City Roller and Scott, who was picking up his second career Group One having broken his duck with German St Leger hero Caballo De Mar in the Prix du Cadran last month.

Scott told the PA news agency: Im on cloud nine and to win two Group Ones in one year is beyond my wildest dreams, Im just very lucky with the team I have around me.

Weve always thought a huge amount of Bay City Roller, but things just havent gone his way and hes just been either caught out of his ground or the ground hasnt been soft enough and he really deserved that.

He got a superb ride off Adrie and it was just lovely to see him finish his season like that.

Its a big team effort to keep a horse on the go like he has been and the guys at home have done a great job at reporting back he was in rude health which gave me the confidence to take one more chance with him and run him one more time.

Shaikh Nasser (of Victorious Racing) just said go for it when I suggested it and thats typical of his sporting mentality and Im just so pleased for all involved.

The victory gives Scott plenty to look forward to next year after a season where his Eve Lodge Stables has flourished and made its mark on the big stage.

Scott added: It sets him up well for next year and it just shows you what he is capable of if he gets conditions in his favour.

Hell be campaigned at Group One level all through next year but more than anything well be looking for circumstances which will suit him, some cut in the ground and hes clearly a horse who enjoyed bowling along on the front and being made plenty use of, so weve learned plenty about him today.

Hes only going to improve physically and hes a very exciting, well-bred colt and they are very hard to find.

We felt there was momentum with the stable with the stock we have and the owners in the yard and the staff, so I did feel we ought to make our mark this season at the top level.

Im pleased weve been able to do that because whatever you feel, it doesnt necessarily mean it will materialise. Weve done it now and its been an exciting season and hopefully another to prepare for next year.
The family of a cleaner killed attempting to enter the wrong home by accident are pleading for her killer to be brought to justice but its possible the homicide may not lead to criminal charges.

On Wednesday, 32-year-old Maria Florinda Rios Perez was killed after mistakenly trying to enter the wrong home to begin her cleaning job in Whitestown, Indiana. She was shot in the head through a door and died in her husbands arms.

Over $100,000 has already been raised via two separate GoFundMe pages for Perezs family who say they want the person responsible for her death to be brought to justice.

What I need now is for there to be justice because he took her life I dont believe thats human, her husband Mauricio Velazquez told WRTV. Hes an animal Now, I am father and mother for my children, for my daughters and hes happy at home.

In an update on the case Whitestown Police Department said the Boone County Coroners Office had determined that the manner of Perezs death was homicide. But such a ruling may not lead to criminal charges.

On Wednesday, 32-year-old Maria Florinda Rios Perez was killed after mistakenly trying to enter the wrong home to begin her cleaning job in Whitestown, Indiana. She was shot in the head through a door and died in her husbands arms (AP via WRTV)

According to the department, the term homicide in this incident is a medical classification indicating that one human being caused the death of another. This designation does not imply criminal intent or legal culpability, and it should not be interpreted as a criminal finding, the department wrote online.

The individual responsible for killing has not been named by police who stated that it would be both inappropriate and potentially dangerous to disclose that information. Perezs case has been referred to the Boone County Prosecutor.

Reached by phone Friday evening, a spokesperson from the office told The Independent that no decision on charges had yet been made, and declined to comment further. The Independent also sent an email follow-up seeking clarification.

It is possible that no further charges may be brought due to the strength and extended protections of Indianas stand-your-ground laws.

What I need now is for there to be justice because he took her life I dont believe thats human, her husband Mauricio Velazquez told WRTV (AP via WRTV)

Among the provisions is that a person is justified in using deadly force against someone if they have a reasonable belief that force is required to prevent the unlawful entry of the defendant's home or curtilage (the area around their home), according to Purdue Global Law School.

"When it comes to a dwelling, individuals can use reasonable force, including deadly force, against another person," Boone County prosecutor Kent Eastwood told NBC News.

"They have no duty to retreat, that's in the law. That person who uses that force has to reasonably believe that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate an unlawful entry or attack on the person's dwelling."

Perez had been trying to enter the residence with a key meant for a different home. Her husband said he had double-checked the address  they had been given the wrong one.

Perez had been trying to enter the residence with a key meant for a different home. Her husband said he had double-checked the address  they had been given the wrong one (WTHR)

Eastwood told The Associated Press that bringing charges would not be easy and that he will have to pore over investigators' findings to understand what happened in the moments leading up to the shooting.

You need to understand all the details so you can understand what happened and what is reasonable, Eastwood said. One of the hardest things today in this world is to agree on what's reasonable. As a prosecutor, those are things we have to grapple with.

On a fundraising page, which is intended to hire a lawyer and help repatriate Perezs body to Guatemala, her brother Rudy Rojas described the late mother-of-four as a devoted mother, loving wife, and beautiful soul whose light will never fade.

Its so unjust. She was only trying to bring home the daily bread to support her family, Rios told NBC News in Spanish. She wasnt threatening.
Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar Mohamed are facing 11 charges in a Florida court. Photograph: Nazima Raghubir/EPA

Guyana has been thrown into political turmoil following the arrest and possible extradition to the United States of the countrys main opposition leader just two months after he emerged as the surprise contender in the presidential election that kept incumbent Irfaan Ali in power.

Azruddin Mohamed, 38, and his father, Nazar Mohamed, 73, two of Guyanas wealthiest figures thanks to their gold mining empire, were arrested on 31 October in the capital, Georgetown, in response to a formal extradition request from the US government.

Facing 11 charges in a Florida court  including money laundering, bribery and tax evasion  they were released later the same day after posting bail of 150,000 Guyanese dollars each (about 547 or $719.95), but must report to the court weekly and will face a new hearing on Monday.

Mohamed has claimed they are victims of political persecution by Alis government: The government is fully behind the sanctions and has agents working in the US that they are in talks with, he told local media.

Related: Guyana found huge oil reserves 10 years ago, so why are most people still poor?

Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Guyanas attorney general, said the case was a legal obligation arising from the countrys international commitments  a 1931 extradition treaty between the UK and the US remains in force in Guyana, which became independent from Britain in 1966.

The case has become particularly emblematic at a time when relations between the Caribbean nation and the US have taken on new energy significance, with American companies leading the oil exploration that could soon make Guyana the worlds largest producer per capita.

Its a situation where the status quo in Guyana is being challenged, said Peter Wickham, a political scientist and director of a polling company in the Caribbean.

Mohamed founded a party and announced his candidacy just three months before the presidential election, breaking with the countrys long-standing two-party system that has traditionally pitted the presidents PPP/C, broadly backed by the Indo-Guyanese population, against the APNU, generally supported by Afro-Guyanese voters.

Mohamed urged Guyanese to reject tribal voting and, running on a populist, anti-establishment platform, promised to push for renegotiation of the oil deal  despite the countrys newly discovered oil wealth, more than half of its population still lives in poverty.

He hoped to become a kind of balance of power for whoever won the election, but the result ended up being better than he expected, Wickham said.

The incumbent Ali won, and his party secured 36 of the 65 seats in congress. But unlike in previous elections, it was not the APNU that emerged as the main opposition force  it won only 12 seats  but Mohameds party, with 16.

Last Monday, three days after Mohamed was arrested and released on bail, he was sworn in alongside the rest of the new congress. He arrived in the Lamborghini at the centre of an alleged mail fraud case against him, in which he is accused of submitting a false $75,300 invoice for a vehicle said to have cost $680,000.

Although the US extradition request was issued last October, the investigation into Mohamed and his father began earlier, and the indictment is said to cover offences committed between 2017 and 2024.

In June 2024, a shipment containing about $5.3m in gold bars sent from Guyana by Mohameds Enterprise was seized at Miami international airport. That same month, the Mohameds were sanctioned by the US Department of Treasury on charges of gold smuggling, evading more than $50m in taxes owed to the Guyanese government and bribing local public officials.

At a press conference last week, vice-president Bharrat Jagdeo  who led the country between 1999 and 2011  said the extradition request came from Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state.

You see his signature there? Marco Rubio, he said. Its not a junior man in Florida  thats the seriousness [of it]  We are part of a treaty. We are part of an international community that believes people must pay for their crimes, said Jagdeo.

Mohamed and his lawyers declined to comment to the Guardian, but have previously denied wrongdoing.

In addition to describing the case as political persecution, his legal team has told local media that some of the offences listed in the US indictment are not crimes in Guyana and therefore Mohamed should not be subject to extradition. The lawyers said they intend to challenge the case at every level, including the constitutional court and, ultimately, the Caribbean court of justice.

Wickham said the case is likely to drag on. While it goes on, he [Mohamed] remains a member of parliament  and I think he will continue to make life as difficult as he can for the government in his role as opposition leader, he said.
Federal officers stand guard outside the ICE facility in Portland, Oregon, on 25 October 2025. Photograph: John Rudoff/Reuters

A federal judge in Oregon on Friday blocked Donald Trump from deploying national guard troops to Portland, ruling there was no evidence of widespread violence to justify federal intervention.

The US district court judge, Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, delivered her final order in the case on Friday. She found that protests near Portlands Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility were predominately peaceful, with only isolated and sporadic instances of relatively low-level violence.

Earlier this week, Immergut barred Trumps administration from deploying the national guard to Portland until at least Friday, saying she found no credible evidence that protests in the city had grown out of control before the president federalized the troops earlier this fall.

In Fridays ruling, she concluded that most altercations occurred between protesters and counter-protesters, not between protesters and federal agents. Immergut also acknowledged that while she may lack jurisdiction to enjoin President Trump in the performance of his official duties, her injunction only bars the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, from deploying members of the national guard to Oregon.

This is the latest development in weeks of legal back and forth in Portland, Chicago and other US cities as the Trump administration has moved to federalize and deploy the national guard in city streets to quell protests.

The ICE facility in south-west Portland has been the site of ongoing protests since June, when Portland police declared one a riot. The city of Portland and the state of Oregon sued the Trump administration in September after the president announced he had directed the defense department to federalize and deploy the Oregon national guard.

Immergut previously issued a temporary restraining order barring the deployment of the national guard in Oregon, a decision the Trump administration appealed.

The judge heard three days of witness testimony from law enforcement officers and officials describing conditions around the ICE facility. Oregon attorney general Dan Rayfield called Fridays ruling a huge victory.

The courts are holding this administration accountable to the truth and the rule of law, Rayfield said. From the beginning, this case has been about making sure that facts, not political whims, guide how the law is applied. Todays decision protects that principle.

The Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling.
November 8, 2025: Russian leader Vladimir Putin believes it was a mistake to break up the Soviet Union in 1991 and many Russians agree with him. The fourteen new nations created or revived when the Soviet Union was dissolved believe otherwise. Opinion surveys and migration patterns indicate a mixed attitude towards the old Russian Empire. The big problem is that half the people in the old empire were not Slavs, although ethnic Russians were the majority among the half that was Slavic. Despite centuries of living in the same country, be it czarist Russia or the Soviet Union, all these ethnic groups never developed much affection or tolerance for each other. Most ethnic Russians living in non-Slav parts of the Empire, especially Central Asia and the Caucasus returned to Russia after 1991.

Most of those who stayed in non-Russian areas did so for economic reasons. That was also why non-Russians stayed in Russia, because what is now Russia is where the most economic opportunities always were. The wealthier and better educated population was a major reason Russia conquered all those other countries. But after 1991, those who never got used to the conquest left and do not want the conquerors back.

Theres also the racism factor. For example about 40 percent of ethnic Russians thought other Slavs like Ukrainians or Byelorussians were capable of becoming Russians if they lived in Russia for a few years and switched their loyalty to Russia. But less than ten percent thought peoples from the Caucasus or Central Asia were capable of that. This xenophobia, or fear of outsiders, is nothing new for Russia. For 70 years the communists sought to eliminate this trait but only managed to suppress it and delude themselves into thinking it was gone. This is a common pattern in communist countries and throughout East Europe.

Xenophobia returned in the 1990s because of the collapse of the communist governments in 1989. It was worst in the Balkans, where civil war erupted as the communist police state collapsed and optimists hoped for a democratic Yugoslavia. While that had long been a cherished goal in the region, it was not to be. Several years of vicious fighting between Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, and Albanians followed and was not halted until 1999. The Caucasus also erupted and unlike Yugoslavia, a NATO peacekeeping force was not available to fix things there. In the Caucasus the usual Russian application of carrot/bribes and stick/violent suppression did not work either. Eventually in 1999 Russia had to reconquer parts of the Caucasus, especially Chechnya, to restore order.

Meanwhile, there has been a major ethnic shift in the Caucasus. Russians, and other people not native to the Caucasus, were driven out of the region by terrorism, corruption, and a bad attitude towards outsiders. It was worst in Chechnya, where Russians comprised 25 percent of the population in 1989, but only 2 percent in the 1990s. The decline was not as great in the rest of the Caucasus but it has been massive, with more than half the Russians who were living in the Caucasus having left by 2011. Actually, this trend began in the 1950s, right after tyrant Josef Stalin died in 1953 and Russia began to trim the power of the secret police. The departure of ethnic Russians from the Caucasus simply accelerated after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. In Central Asia about half the nearly ten million ethnic Russians living there in 1991 left.

The 2014 Russian operation to take the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine had a bracing effect on the other countries that, until 1991, were part of the ancient Russian Empire. The Crimean operation was the second such land grab Russia had undertaken since 2008. The first was against tiny Georgia. Many of these former Russian subjects feel that the Russians are trying to get their empire back. Ask many Russians that question and most agree that it would be a nice thing. Some Russians are more outspoken and bluntly call for the empire to be reassembled no matter what.

In reaction to this, the forlorn fourteen nations that were part of the Soviet Union until 1991, as well as many East European states that were subject to Russian control from the end of World War II to 1989, became very nervous. Poland was particularly agitated because large parts of Poland were part of the Russian Empire for most of the 18th and 19th centuries. Same situation with Finland, which broke away after World War I and had to fight off a Russian invasion in 1940 and many threats since then to stay independent. That makes the forlorn fourteen the scared sixteen. All of these nations have noted what happened to Georgia and Ukraine with great trepidation and are responding in expected, and unexpected ways.

The fourteen former Russian imperial possessions that regained their independence are the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the five Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Poland, the Baltic States and Finland escaped from the empire after World War I but only Finland managed to stay free through World War II. The Baltic States were retaken during World War II and Poland remained nominally independent but was occupied by Russian troops and took orders from Russia until 1989.

Poland and the Baltic States managed to join NATO after the Cold War ended and are hoping that the mutual defense terms of the NATO alliance will dissuade Russia. Nevertheless all four, plus Finland, have increased their military readiness this year and are seeking assurances from the West that they will have help against Russia. Many Finns have called for Finland to join NATO, but a large minority has opposed this because of the fear it would anger the Russians. That changed after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Russia justified the invasion because Ukraine, like most Finns, believed that NATO membership was preferable to trusting Russia to always behave. Even Sweden, never part of the Russian empire and successfully neutral since the early 19th century, joined NATO for protection from an increasingly aggressive Russia.

The Stans of Central Asia have another option, China. The Stans have been very receptive to Chinese diplomatic and economic cooperation. This bothers Russia, but not to the extent that threats are being made, as was the case with the former imperial provinces to the west. The Stans also have a problem with never having been democracies. When the Russians conquered them in the 19th century, the local governments were monarchies or tribes. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, former Soviet officials held elections and manipulated the vote to get themselves elected president for life. But many people in the Stans want clean government and democracy, as well as continued independence from Russia. China is no help with that because the Chinese prefer dictators.

In the Caucasus Georgia still seeks closer ties with the West. Armenia, because of disputes with Azerbaijan and long-term fear of Turkey, remains a close ally of Russia. Azerbaijan maintains good relations with Russia mainly because Iran claims Azerbaijan was a lost province stolen by Russia in the 19th century.

Russia was quite open about wanting to rebuild the old Tsarist Empire that the communists managed to lose in 1991 when the Soviet Union came apart and half the population of that empire went off and formed 14 new countries. Russia proposed things like customs unions, military cooperation and rebuilding the old Soviet air defense system that used to defend everyone in the empire. Theres been some progress, but most of the 14 nations want nothing to do with Russia.

Meanwhile Russia has to face the fact that when the Soviet Union broke up half the population enthusiastically went to the 14 new countries and most of those people were quite pleased with the demise of the Soviet Union. Thus if you asked all citizens of the former Soviet Union what they thought of the breakup you would find that most had no regrets. Thats because the Soviet Union was basically the Russian Empire cobbled together by the old czarist monarchy over more than two centuries of conquest and expansion.

In the Soviet Union more than half the population felt like conquered people, not part of any union. The Soviet Union dissolved quickly in 1990-91 because over half the population really wanted it to happen and had wanted it for a long time. Moreover many ethnic Russians were tired of supporting a lot of the less affluent conquered people and were fed up with the economic failures of communism. The former Soviet Union citizens who regret the breakup tend to be older people who were disillusioned at how corruption and bad leadership made post-Soviet life less wonderful than was expected.

The younger people are more realistic, never having lived as adults in the Soviet Union and intimately familiar with the fact that freedom isnt free and democracy is difficult. For younger Russians there are more economic opportunities than under communism. While Russia lost half its population when the Soviet Union broke up, it hung on to most of the valuable natural resources like oil and natural gas. While the post-Soviet government was initially reluctant to increase state supplied pensions, which were low during the Soviet period because there was little to spend it on and the state supplied housing and some health care, pensions did eventually increase. But not as much as the economy grew and the working Russians were obviously doing better than the pensioners who had grown up under communism. In Soviet times that meant there was little economic opportunity and most everyone was equally poor. The old-timers never got used to the post 1991 changes and most would prefer the communists to come back. That that may continue for decades, despite the Russian defeats and losses in Ukraine.
Just one in five voters back Rachel Reevess reported plans to break Labours manifesto pledge not to raise taxes on working people  even if they acknowledge its in the countrys interests, according to new polling.

But it also indicates that the political damage inflicted by raising income tax would be reparable if it was paired with taxes on the wealthy and a positive vision for change, such as clear, achievable targets to improve public services.

A new report from cross-party think tank Demos, shared with The Independent, showed that just 20 per cent of the public believe it is acceptable for the government to break promises on tax, even if thats what the country needs.

Reform supporters hold this view particularly strongly, with 67 per cent saying it would not be acceptable, while just 12 per cent say it would be. Labour supporters, however, are divided on the issue, with 38 per cent either side.

It comes after The Times reported that the chancellor has told the Budget watchdog that she plans to increase income tax as she seeks to repair Britains battered public finances.

Ms Reeves is reportedly considering a 2p rise in income tax, paired with a 2p cut in national insurance, as part of an attempt to shift the burden of the increase from workers and towards other groups, such as pensioners and landlords in a move which could raise more than 6bn a year.

In a major speech last week, the chancellor put the country on notice that sweeping tax rises are coming in her Budget, warning we will all have to contribute to building a new future for Britain.

Promising to put the national interest above political expediency, the chancellor signalled she is ready to break Labours manifesto commitment not to raise income tax, personal national insurance or VAT.

Rachel Reeves would not commit to maintaining Labours manifesto promises not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT (PA Wire)

The Demos report, which drew on a survey of 2,000 people, says that while the act of breaking a promise is judged very badly by the public in theory, the public may not feel so pessimistic about it in practice.

It argues that consent for a broad-based tax rise could be better achieved if it was combined with reforms to tackle tax advantages for landlords, partners and investors relative to employees, ensure high-value properties pay a fair share, and properly tax the social harms of gambling, as well as a clear message about what impact the revenue will have for the country and peoples lives, the policies and actions which will deliver that, and the accountability that the government will impose on itself to ensure that change is delivered.

The report adds: The public is asking politicians for vision and conviction. Risk aversion and political paralysis is leaving voters feeling unheard, as the political system appears slow or unable to address their daily challenges such as the cost of living or broken public services.

The report also indicates that concerns about tax rises were mainly driven by the fact that raising broad-based taxes meant working people paying, rather than those with higher incomes or wealth.

The think tank tested a series of media simulations, presenting nationally representative groups of the public with mocked-up news articles announcing different types of tax rises, which showed that an income tax rise didnt receive as negative a response if it was combined with higher taxes on wealth.

People expressed how, when seeing the income tax rise alongside the other tax rises, it felt less personal, as it wasnt just targeting working people, Demos report showed.

The reports findings were echoed by Patrick English, director of political analytics at YouGov, who told The Independent that while the public definitely dont want personal tax rises they certainly do want the government to take concrete action on things like the cost of living, public services, and the NHS.

If the government successfully land any personal tax rises as necessary for, or even better directly linked to, solving those problems  and people then go on to feel those problems easing  I think the long-term polling risk of any such moves will be fairly minimal, he said.

One Labour backbencher said he thinks the public are likely to get over a tax rise pretty quickly, if they believe we have a plan.

They are asking us to give them hope  that's what we need to do. Explain a clear plan of what the country will look and feel like, rather than acting like a new management team of a struggling company," they said.

Income tax is now widely expected to be among the increases when Ms Reeves makes her statement on 26 November.

Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North and chair of the Labour Growth Group, said the most important thing heading into the Budget is for the Treasury to demonstrate credibility to markets so that borrowing and debt interests costs come under control.

Regardless of the approach the chancellor chooses to adopt on tax and spending she must put in a much larger buffer of fiscal headroom so were better positioned to absorb the shocks of an increasingly unstable world, and provide confidence to investors and the public, he said.

But pollster Scarlett Maguire, founder and director of Merlin Strategy, said breaking a manifesto pledge could be politically disastrous.

People do remember that Labour said it wouldn't raise taxes (even if they always suspected they might), and the biggest brand problem Keir Starmer has is a persistent perception that he is untrustworthy and goes back on what he says, she told The Independent.

Meanwhile, former shadow minister and Labour peer Thangam Debbonaire, said she is "not quite sure" why the party promised not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT before the last election, when she was in the shadow cabinet.

Asked whether she thinks the chancellor should raise income tax, she told Times Radio: "I wouldn't start from here. I'm not quite sure why we felt we had to make that commitment in the general election at the point that we did.

She added: "I really wish we weren't in this position... I do think it's a problem when we are trying to restore trust in politics. Having said that, I do think it's important that Rachel sticks to the fiscal rules that she is focusing on stability and growth.

Last week it was revealed that Sir Keirs cabinet is deeply divided over the issue, with senior ministers fearful further measures to target the rich in next months Budget could accelerate the wealth exodus from Britain.

Cabinet ministers told the The Independent they believe Ms Reeves has already gone too far with measures targeting the wealthy and businesses, and have urged the chancellor to change course if she is to have any hope of achieving growth.
Capital connection: Skybus will connect London Gatwick with Newquay in Cornwall (Skybus)

Flights between Newquay in Cornwall and London Gatwick airport are set to resume this month. The link from Cornwall Airport Newquay to the Sussex airport was previously operated by Eastern Airways, which collapsed on 27 October.

Skybus, the airline of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, has won the Public Service Obligation contract and will take over the route from 23 November. Initially there will be a single daily flight: in the mornings on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, in the late afternoon on the other days.

But from 14 February 2026 a second service will be added on weekdays, allowing a choice of morning or afternoon flights. The end-to-end journey time is scheduled for 75 minutes. One-way fares on the subsidised service begin at 80 one way, including 15kg of checked baggage.

Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of Skybus, said: As a Cornish company with more than 40 years of aviation experience, we understand how critical dependable air links are for our region. Were proud to step up to operate this vital route. Our focus is on rebuilding confidence and offering reliability, and we look forward to providing passengers with the service they deserve.

None of us underestimate the challenge ahead to build the Newquay-Gatwick route to be a thriving cornerstone of the local economy once more. Were wholly confident that we can achieve this through Skybus record for reliability and service.

Skybus aims to offer same-ticket fast connections between London and the Isles of Scilly via Newquay by February 2026.

Amy Smith, managing director of Cornwall Airport Newquay, said: Were delighted that Skybus, our longest-serving airline partner, will be taking over the vital London Gatwick service later this month.

We know just how important a regular, reliable service between Newquay and London is for our passengers and we look forward to working with Skybus to deliver just that going forward."

Ryanair continues to fly jet services from London Stansted to Newquay on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays.

Read more: Ryanair made a fortune this summer  so why are their prices still rising?
Supporters of the Make America Healthy Again in Washington in April. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

A bipartisan group of public health advocates have defeated a proposal to kill state food safety laws that was pushed by what some critics have called a faux Maha big-food influence operation.

The industry-funded group, called Americans for Ingredient Transparency (AFIT), suggests it is part of a grassroots Make America Healthy Again (Maha) movement, but opponents say it is waging a campaign on behalf of big food companies that Maha figures typically criticize  ConAgra, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Hormel and Nestle, among other food giants.

Maha is the health movement, led by health secretary Robert F Kennedy, that aims to improve Americans health.

AFIT is headed by a former Trump administration official and industry lobbyist. An AFIT video on its website shows footage of children and parents holding Maha signs, the group claims its mission is in the vein of Maha, and rightwing media has called AFIT a Maha group.

AFIT pushed for draft legislation written by Republican senator Roger Marshall, called the Better Food Disclosure Act, that initially included language that would kill state laws that require truth-in-labeling for toxic food ingredients.

Amid backlash and pressure from Maha leaders, public health non-profits and a bipartisan group of state legislators, Marshall this week struck the language from the bill, which includes other changes to US Food and Drug Administration rules.

State laws on toxins in food have had some of the most meaningful impact, said Vani Hari, a prominent Maha social media figure also known as the Food Babe, who met with Marshall.

For far too long the food industry has led the conversation in Washington, and now the table has turned  every day mothers are being heard by their congressmembers, she said. Its inspiring to see someone like Senator Marshall stand up to big food, and put the health of families before corporate profits.

AFIT did not respond to questions. In a statement, a spokesperson wrote: Voters, including those in the Maha movement, overwhelmingly trust President Trump and Secretary Kennedy to take the lead on ensuring that they can have confidence in the products on their grocery store shelves, as 87% prefer a national uniform standard instead of a state-by-state patchwork.

The attempt to pre-empt food-labeling laws is part of a broader effort across multiple industries to kill state laws that protect the public from dangerous chemicals. Donald Trumps Environmental Protection Agency recently introduced rules that would pre-empt hundreds of state-level protections that restrict Pfas, lead, formaldehyde and dozens of other toxins in consumer goods.

A US House bill aims to kill state protections around pesticides, and another effort is attempting to undo state-level animal welfare rules.

In recent years, at least 20 states have passed or are proposing food-protection laws that ban everything from propylparaben preservatives to bisphenol, Pfas and other toxins in food packaging.

In the wake of Kennedy and Mahas ascent, Republican-controlled states have begun taking strong action. This year, West Virginia passed a ban on some synthetic food coloring, while Texas began requiring warning labels for 44 synthetic food ingredients.

A bipartisan group of about 120 state legislators sent a letter to Marshall urging him to strike the pre-emption language.

Proposals to pre-empt state laws have drawn bi-partisan opposition because they are outrageous and un-American, said Scott Faber, a lobbyist with the Environmental Working Group non-profit, which advocates for stricter food protections at the state and federal levels.

People everywhere want their food to be safe, and states are the only check against dangerous food chemicals at the moment, Faber said. No one, least of all Republicans, thinks the FDA is coming to the rescue.

Advocates say the state laws are especially important because industry influence in Congress, and at the FDA and EPA, has thwarted most meaningful protections, and AFIT wants the federal governments laws to pre-empt state laws because federal laws are much weaker.

State bans generate pressure on industry to remove chemicals in food not just in individual states, but across the country. Their effectiveness has made them an industry target.

AFIT states on its website that the FDA should be the sole entity regulating food because state laws cost businesses money and confuse consumers.

Every American deserves to know whats in their food, beverages and personal care items, AFIT states in a 30-second commercial it is planning for the Washington DC market.

Faber dismissed the marketing and said: Gaslighting doesnt do it justice.

Among the senior advisers behind AFIT is Andy Koenig, a former official in Trumps first administration who worked for a lobbying group with links to the powerful and conservative Koch industrial family.

Julie Gunlock, once a staffer for former US senator Tom Coburn, is director of the Independent Womens Forum (IWF), a Monsanto- and big tobacco-funded group that has criticised pesticide and other public health regulations, according to the transparency watchdog US Right to Know.

It notes her book, From Cupcakes to Chemicals: How the Culture of Alarmism Makes Us Afraid of Everything and How to Fight Back, which attacks food nannies, public health officials, politicians and government regulators.

Summer Barrett, a Maha mom in West Virginia who is a lobbyist and assisted in a volunteer capacity to help pass the states synthetic color dye ban, said she closely reads food labels to protect her family from toxic ingredients. Barrett said AFIT is not Maha.

This is a front group and it should be offensive to every Maha mom and every American, Barrett said.

Hari stressed that Kennedy has met with state leaders around the country to push for state transparency laws, and AFITs proposals would undermine the entire Maha movement and all the work Secretary Kennedy has done.

[AFIT has] the manpower to walk the halls and talk the talk, and they are raising funds from these food companies so they have a war chest to go after this, but if the truth comes out  thats the thing that can stop them, Hari said.

The bill Marshall introduced includes a provision aimed at greater transparency around the Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) FDA loophole that allows companies to start using new toxic chemicals in food with virtually no oversight. It would give the FDA 180 days to review the chemicals.

A competing bill introduced by senators Cory Booker and Ed Markey goes further, and requires industry to show the chemicals it introduces via GRAS are safe.
Lord Mandelson lost out in his bid to become Chancellor of Oxford University last year - Heathcliff O'Malley for The Telegraph

Lord Mandelson has been removed from the list of honorary fellows at an Oxford college following revelations of his close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire paedophile.

It is the latest ignominy for the Labour party veteran, who was sacked as the UK ambassador to the US in September after emails revealed he had not been open about his friendship with the disgraced financier.

St Catherines College, Oxford, where Lord Mandelson studied as an undergraduate between 1973 and 1976, confirmed the peer and former minister had resigned from his title.

Lord Mandelson informed St Catherines College that he has decided to step back from public life. The college has accepted his resignation as an honorary fellow, St Catherines said in a statement.

A picture of Lord Mandelson in a bathrobe with Jeffrey Epstein appeared in a book compiled with contributions from friends and associates for Epsteins 50th birthday in 2003

Honorary fellowships are bestowed by the college for individuals of renown who have made outstanding contributions to the university, their field, or society, and who have a distinguished connection to St Catherines.

St Catherines, the largest college at Oxford University, has bestowed more than 30 honorary fellowships. Recipients include Sir John Cornforth, the Nobel Prize-winning chemist, Noam Chomsky, the American academic, Nicholas Stern, the economist, and Peter Galbraith, the US diplomat and academic.

Lord Mandelson, who was beaten to the chancellorship of Oxford University by Sir William Hague, the former Tory leader, before he was chosen by Sir Keir Starmer for the job in Washington, had already been stripped of other titles.

In September, Hull councillors unanimously agreed that Lord Mandelson should lose his role as High Steward of Hull. He was appointed to the ceremonial role in 2013 to promote the city and attract investment.

Critics of Lord Mandelson  who sent supportive messages to Epstein urging him to fight his convictions for having sex with a minor and declaring I think the world of you  have also called for him to be stripped of his life peerage, which he received in 2008.

It would require an act of Parliament for him to be removed from the House of Lords.

Global Counsel, Lord Mandelsons advisory firm, has also ended his dividend payments and revoked his voting rights since the Epstein furore. He still owns a 21 per cent stake in the company, which he co-founded in 2010.

Peer refuses to answer questions

This week Messina Group, a US consultancy, signalled that it was looking to sell its minority stake in the company, which had admitted some clients had expressed concern about Lord Mandelsons connections to it.

Lord Mandelson has returned to the UK since he was sacked as US ambassador. When last seen in public in late October, he declined to answer questions.

The controversial peer, known as the Prince of Darkness for his Machiavellian political strategies under three Labour prime ministers, is no stranger to losing his job.

He was forced to resign from Cabinet twice  once in 1998 for not declaring a 38,000 loan from a wealthy colleague and then in 2001 after it was revealed that he had used his position to influence a passport application for millionaire Labour donors in 1990.

Lord Mandelson was also EU Commissioner for Trade between 2004 and 2008 before he quit to rejoin the UK government.
At a glance

 Havering Council has been ordered to pay 7,100 to a homeless mother, known as Miss X, after leaving her and her children in unsafe accommodation for nearly two years.

 The Housing Ombudsman found repeated failings, including poor communication, lack of support, and missed opportunities to move the family despite known safeguarding risks.

 The payout includes 6,300 for time spent in unsuitable housing and 300 a month until she is rehoused, as the council faces mounting financial pressure.

Havering Council has agreed to pay more than 7,000 to a homeless mother after her family was left to live in unsafe housing.

She complained to the Housing Ombudsman earlier this year after struggling alone through a period of prolonged uncertainty and distress.

According to the arbitrators report, the mother  identified only as Miss X  had been homeless since 2016 and was previously living in temporary accommodation in a different, unnamed London borough.

In March 2023, Havering Council agreed it would house the family within its borough, after a leaking wet room and rotted bathroom left her temporary home unsafe.

That same month, the council placed Miss Xs children on a child protection plan due to concerns about their welfare. One of the requirements was for the children to be housed somewhere safe and stable.

She was put on Haverings housing register in April 2023, but heard nothing back once she was discharged from the other councils responsibility in May.

Miss X is still stuck in the same home today. She repeatedly complained to the council about the conditions and its lack of action in securing her new accommodation.

In September 2023, a social worker wrote to the councils housing department detailing the extensive disrepair and asking them for support.

The department tried calling her once when her phone was broken, and the ombudsman ruled it was at fault for missing an opportunity to put things right and provide Miss X and her children with the support they needed.

In August 2024, she found herself facing eviction. She says she was told by a Havering social worker to reject an offer of a home in the previous borough, but they then failed to provide evidence in court.

She approached the town hall that month, but officers made no further effort to contact her when she did not respond.

In the circumstances, with the risk of homelessness and safeguarding concerns, this limited response was inadequate and was [a] fault, the ombudsman report said. It was another missed opportunity to assess Miss Xs situation and offer appropriate support.

They added: Between May 2023 and early 2025, Miss X and professionals supporting her made repeated efforts to contact the council.

The council often failed to respond or follow up. This poor communication was [a] fault and meant a vulnerable household went unsupported during a difficult time.

When she approached the council again in October 2024, it accepted a duty to house her.

However, it failed to offer interim accommodation, assess Miss Xs needs properly  including locations unsafe due to domestic abuse  and ensure her and her childrens needs were reflected in their personal housing plan, the ombudsman said.

Through its failure to provide adequate support and information, she was also left navigating complex legal and housing processes without appropriate support.

Despite knowing that Miss X faced possible eviction and major house insecurity, the childrens social care team did not escalate support or advocate effectively, the adjudicator wrote. Its involvement was largely limited to one letter.

In a bid to remedy the injustice Miss X suffered, Havering was ordered to pay her 7,100. That divides into 6,300 to recognise her time spent in unsuitable accommodation; 500 to recognise the avoidable distress it caused; and 300 to acknowledge the trouble caused by its poor responses.

It will also pay her 300 a month until new accommodation is secured.

The pay out comes at a poor financial time for the council, as it battles to balance its budget amid growing housing and social care pressures.

Havering Council was approached for comment.
Plants poorly reloaded into a lorry after inspection. Traders have complained of damage to plants at Sevington. Photograph: Marco Innocenti

Importers of plants say long delays and damage to shipments at a Kent border control post risk driving up prices and could lead to transport companies stopping deliveries across the Channel.

Traders have reported long waits in recent weeks at the governments Sevington facility off the M20 near Ashford, which was built to check goods of plant and animal origin arriving from the EU. One importer said delays were adding 200 of costs to each load.

There are also warnings that trees and shrubs are repeatedly being damaged when unloaded and reloaded on to lorries during the inspection process.

Since Brexit, deliveries of animal and plant products between Britain and the EU have required paperwork and been subject to stringent inspections at the border as a part of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls.

All plant products rated as high or medium risk  including bedding plants, cut flowers and bark  are inspected, with the checks aimed at enhancing Britains biosecurity and preventing harmful plant and animal diseases from entering the country.

However, several traders said they were facing significant problems during border controls at Sevington, including trucks stuck there for several days before being released.

A recent shipment of olive trees from a nursery in Pistoia in Italy, destined for Premier Plants near Chelmsford in Essex, was held up for five days, according to the companys co-founder Karl Clark.

Its frustrating and adds cost. We have been importing plants from Italy for over 20 years and never had these sorts of problems before Brexit, Clark said.

John Davidson, the finance director at Tom Brown Wholesale, which brings daily deliveries of cut flowers and plants into the UK from the Netherlands through Sevington, said delays at the border post go in waves.

Three weeks ago we had three delays in a row, but the following week was fine, he said. An hour or two delay can really set us back in our business.

The latest delays at Sevington come at a busy time for importing plants, following a lull during the warm summer months when larger shrubs and trees tend not to be exported from the EU.

Premier Plants, which supplies landscape designers, developers and local councils, said recurring delays at the border risked making the company unreliable, while also adding costs. Clark estimates delays add an extra 200 to each load, on top of transport charges and administrative expenses.

Luckily, at this time of year the delays are not too disastrous, but you can imagine what it is like in the summer; the plants are going to cook or dry out, Clark said.

Marco Innocentis family-run nursery in Tuscany is one of Premier Plants suppliers and delivers to the UK twice a week.

When one of its most recent shipments arrived with customers after checks in Sevington, some potted plants inside the lorry were upside down, while others had broken branches. Innocenti called this unacceptable and blamed the damage on the truck being unloaded and reloaded carelessly.

We cannot continue this way, he said. The authorities must recognise the seriousness of this issue.

The Sevington checkpoint costs 23m a year to run, according to a government estimate for the last financial year. Companies importing goods subject to SPS controls are required to pay a common user charge for using the facility, which is 29 for each species in a consignment, whether it is checked or not, and is capped at 145 for each delivery.

Following construction, the facility was described as a white elephant and was not used for some time after the UK repeatedly delayed the introduction of physical checks on plant and animal products from the EU.

However, these finally began in April 2024 and traders have reported a significant increase in items requiring inspection in recent months, since the announcement of Keir Starmers reset deal with the EU.

Industry body the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and many plant traders say an SPS agreement with the EU that could remove the need for border checks as part of the reset cannot come soon enough, although this may not be implemented until 2027.

The last few weeks have not been good at Sevington, one logistics company told the Guardian. Some companies are struggling with the costs and with damage. In the end some exporters are maybe going to say sorry, we give up on the UK.

The outsourcing firm Sodexo was awarded the 184.5m contract by the government to run Sevington for three years from July 2023 on behalf of HM Revenue and Customs, and is also responsible for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) border control posts located on the site.

The Swiss-headquartered logistics company Kuehne + Nagel handles vehicle inspection at Sevington under a deal with Sodexo. Kuehne + Nagel and Sodexo did not respond to requests for comment.

The government is reviewing its procedures at border control posts, the Guardian understands. The government is also understood to claim that any complaints about damage are investigated, with a response provided to the trader as soon as possible.

A government spokesperson said: Protecting UK biosecurity remains one of our key priorities. We are working with border control posts to ensure they operate effectively, and with traders to ensure checks are completed efficiently, swiftly and without significant delays.

We are focused on negotiating an SPS deal that could add up to 5.1bn a year to our economy, by cutting costs and reducing red tape for British producers and retailers.
NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon (left) said he and premier Chris Minns were unaware the neo-Nazi protest had been authorised. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

A neo-Nazi rally overtly targeting Jewish people was allowed to go ahead in Sydney on Saturday morning, sparking the New South Wales premier to say he would consider giving police more powers to shut down racist and hateful demonstrations.

Its likely the case that we need to give police more legislated powers to stop this kind of naked racism and hatred on Sydney streets, Chris Minns said after the rally.

The NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, said that while police had allowed the protest, neither he nor the premier knew it was taking place.

The government had not been briefed on this process. I take it very personally, there was a communication error in the police force for which I did not personally know that todays protest was taking place, Lanyon said.

Related: Everyone says they are worried about hate crimes. But Australias laws to combat them are all over the place

The demonstration  which lasted less than 20 minutes in total  was observed by police. The protest was authorised: the group had filled out a form 1, a notice of intention to hold a public assembly, which had not been opposed by police.

The rally was allowed despite new laws, which came into effect on 15 August, making it a crime to intentionally incite hatred against people because of their race, nationality or ethno-religious background.

On Saturday afternoon, Minns said the process that allowed the rally to go ahead would be reviewed.

We dont believe we should tolerate a kind of city where that white power hatred, naked antisemitism, and racism is on Sydneys streets, the premier said.

More than 60 members of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network (NSN) stood in formation on Macquarie Street outside NSW parliament on Saturday morning, bearing a large banner that read Abolish the Jewish Lobby.

Demonstrators wore black uniforms, some with NSN insignia stitched on to their jackets. Some obscured their faces with hats and sunglasses, but many appeared unworried about being filmed and identified.

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Speakers on loudhailers repeated a number of antisemitic tropes and made false claims about attacks that have occurred against Jewish sites in Australia.

The speakers condemned multiculturalism, the mainstream media and governments they accused of duplicity, corruption and being manipulated by ethnic lobbies.

The speakers said they would fight for a white and free Australia  not a multicultural police state.

One speaker said hate speech laws had destroyed free speech in this country.

Those in attendance chanted blood and honour  a Hitler Youth slogan  repeatedly during the short rally.

The NSN, which the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) has said is rebranding as White Australia, is also forming a political party to stand in elections.

Minns said he was concerned that neo-Nazis could gather in significant numbers outside parliament house, carrying a racist sign and yelling Hitler Youth chants, and not be in breach of any laws.

It is concerning to me, of course.

Minns said the last thing neo-Nazi groups should have in Australia was more attention.

You dont want to give these piss-ants more oxygen  theyre awful people and they thrive on the notoriety.

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said neo-Nazis were adept at identifying grievances and prejudices within a society and manipulating those for their evil purposes.

To defeat this, our law enforcement and security agencies need the right legislative tools to monitor and disrupt violent extremists, and to prevent them from menacing or physically harming peaceful Australians, he said.

But the single most important thing we must do is to restore decency, civility and basic rationalism to our country, which would instantly remove any appeal of movements founded in pathetic ideas of overthrowing democracy and creating racial hierarchies.

At a speech in Sydney this week, the Asio director general, Mike Burgess, said he feared the NSN could inspire political violence, even if it did not engage in terrorism itself.

At its core, the National Socialist Network is anti-immigrant, anti-Indigenous, anti-gay, anti-Jew, anti-Islam and anti-anything that does not fit its white anglo-centric worldview. Its version of social cohesion is monochrome and monocultural, he said.

Even if the organisation does not engage in terrorism, I remain deeply concerned by its hateful, divisive rhetoric and increasingly violent propaganda, and the growing likelihood these things will prompt spontaneous violence, particularly in response to perceived provocation.

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Police are still searching for five prisoners accidentally released from custody, as Justice Secretary David Lammy said he was "appalled at the rate of releases in error".

One prisoner has been on the run since March 2024 while another man was also mistakenly set free last year, alongside two others in June.

A fifth prisoner - Nigerian national Ola Abimbola - is also on our streets after walking out of open prison HMP Ford on October 10.

Abimbola, 36, was serving a 21-year prison term for such as kidnap, GBH and carrying an offensive weapon, the Daily Mail reports.

It adds fresh humiliation for prison authorities following the accidental release of sex offender Hadush Kebatu, 41, who was let out of HMP Chelmsford on October 24, leading to major police operation until he was caught in Finsbury Park.

The former asylum seeker, who abused a 14-year-old girl while living at The Bell hotel in Epping, Essex, was deported to Ethiopia within days.

Another sex offender, Algerian national Ibrahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was finally caught on Friday after wrongly being freed from HMP Wandsworth nine days earlier, sparking a huge police manhunt.

Kaddour-Cherif had been serving time for trespass with intent to steal and had a previous conviction for indecent exposure, was re-arrested by officers in Finsbury Park, the same area Kebatu was arrested two weeks earlier.

Yet another prison, 35-year-old Billy Smith, was also mistakenly freed from HMP Wandsworth on Monday but handed himself back in.

The numbers have led to embarrassment for Justice Secretary David Lammy, with opposition MPs demanding answers.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Mr Lammy of losing control of the justice system and being "too cowardly to explain himself".

Liberal Democrat Jess Brown-Fuller describe the situation as "a disgrace and an omnishambles", telling the BBC: "It shouldn't have to take the media to inform the public that prisoners are at large after accidental release."

An independent investigation has been launched following Kebatus release from HMP Chelmsford on October 24.

Some 262 inmates were mistakenly let out in the year to March 2025  a 128% increase on the 115 in the previous 12 months, according to the latest Government figures.

Of the total, 90 releases in error were of violent or sex offenders.

Responding to news of the four missing prisoners on Friday, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the Government was relentlessly failing victims.

He said: The chaos continues. The Government keeps putting the British people at risk and is relentlessly failing victims. Does anyone have confidence in David Lammy?

Mr Lammy said on Friday: We inherited a prison system in crisis and Im appalled at the rate of releases in error this is causing.

Im determined to grip this problem, but there is a mountain to climb which cannot be done overnight.

That is why I have ordered new tough release checks, commissioned an independent investigation into systemic failures and begun overhauling archaic paper-based systems still used in some prisons.
Rachel Reeves will reportedly target employee pension contributions in a bid to raise more money at this months crunch Budget.

The chancellor, according to The Times, is expected to limit an existing tax break on pension contributions by bringing in a cap on the amount of salary that can be sacrificed without incurring national insurance payments.

The outlet claims employee contributions of more than 2,000 a year would be subject to national insurance - a move that could raise up to 2 billion per year.

It comes at the end of a week in which Ms Reeves reportedly told the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that she intends to increase income tax in the budget, to be unveiled on 26 November.

Despite Labours manifesto pledge to the contrary, she is said to be weighing a 2p rise in income tax, balanced by a 2p cut in National Insurance in order to effectively cancel out the burden on workers.

Rachel Reeves is looking to address a hole in public finances worth up to 30 billion (PA Wire)

This week, Labour new deputy leader Lucy Powell warned a break in the manifesto could damage trust in politics, as a split emerged at the top of the party over measures to fill an estimated 30bn hole in public finances.

Economists have repeatedly warned Ms Reeves that a combination of Labour U-turns, higher borrowing and sluggish economic growth means she must raise taxes or tear up her flagship borrowing rules in the Budget.

Limiting salary sacrifice schemes would offer a smaller boost to public finances, mostly affecting high earners.

The Times reports an employee earning an income of 50,270, putting aside ten per cent of their salary through a sacrifice scheme, would pay an additional 240 a year in national insurance contributions under the proposal.

Labour's new deputy leader Lucy Powell urged the government to follow through on its manifesto pledge not to raise taxes (PA Wire)

Also under consideration, the outlets reports, is limiting the existing national insurance exemption for employers, which could mean they would have to pay an additional 450 on the same income and sacrifice.

Ms Reeves is also said to have decided not to cut pension lump-sum withdrawals, offering some reprieve to pensioners. Those retiring will still be able to withdraw up to a quarter of a total pension pot up to 268,275.

On Wednesday, education secretary Bridget Phillipson supported Ms Reeves, telling the BBC that there are some big challenges in the economy and the government will have to do whats right, whats necessary for the public and the long-term future of the economy.

The chancellor put the country on notice that sweeping tax rises are coming in her Budget, in an announcement to the public on Wednesday morning. Each of us must do our bit, she said.
Four more mistakenly-released prisoners at large  after manhunt for sex offender ends with arrest

Four more mistakenly-released prisoners are at large after the manhunt for a sex offender freed in error has ended with his arrest.

The government is under increasing pressure as reports have emerged that the on-the-run inmates form part of the 262 prisoners in England and Wales who were mistakenly released in the year to March 2025.

On Friday, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was arrested in Islington, north London, after being spotted by a member of the public following a nine-day manhunt. The Algerian national  who has convictions for theft and had previously also been convicted for indecent exposure was serving a sentence at HMP Wandsworth in southwest London but was set free in error on 29 October.

Justice secretary David Lammy admitted there was a mountain to climb to tackle the prison system crisis following the 24-year-olds arrest. The mistaken release marks just one of a number of high-profile cases of offenders being wrongly freed. Another, fraudster Billy Smith, 35, handed himself in on Thursday.

And now, the BBC has reported four other prisoners are still at large in revelations that came just hours after Kaddour-Cherifs arrest.

In response to the reports, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson told The Independent: The vast majority of offenders released by mistake are quickly brought back to prison, and we will do everything we can to work with the police to capture the few still in the community. These cases only further expose the scale of the crisis in our prisons we inherited. This will not be fixed overnight, but we are using every possible lever to bear down on these errors.

Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was arrested in north London on Friday morning (Metropolitan Police)

During his arrest, Kaddour-Cherif tried to claim he was somebody else. The officer said: We are just going to do some further checks because you look exactly like the person. Ive had a look at the photo, youve got a very distinctive wonky nose which looks the same as the person.

Nadjib Mekdhia, who is also Algerian, claimed he called the police after spotting Kaddour-Cherif and said he is glad he is in prison.

Mr Mekdhia, 50, who is homeless and stays in the Finsbury Park area of north London, said he recognised the prisoner from a newspaper photograph.

Mr Lammy said: I can confirm Brahim Kaddour-Cherif has been recaptured and is back in custody. My thanks are with the police and staff at HMPPS who have been working around the clock.

We inherited a prison system in crisis and I'm appalled at the rate of releases in error this is causing. Im determined to grip this problem, but there is a mountain to climb which cannot be done overnight.

That is why I have ordered new tough release checks, commissioned an independent investigation into systemic failures, and begun overhauling archaic paper-based systems still used in some prisons.

Brahim Kaddour-Cherif is held by Met officers on Friday (PA)

It comes after migrant Hadush Kebatu was wrongly released from HMP Chelmsford on 24 October. Stronger security checks were put in place in prisons and an independent investigation was launched into releases in error following the blunder in Kebatus case.

The Epping migrant jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, which sparked a wave of protests, was accidentally freed from prison instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre last month. He was later traced.

Shortly before news of the latest incident broke, Mr Lammy had been asked in the House of Commons whether any more asylum seekers had been wrongly released since Kebatu. The deputy prime minister, who also serves as justice secretary, refused to confirm the question when asked four times.

It is understood Kaddour-Cherif is not an asylum seeker, but is in the process of being deported after he overstayed his visa.

The latest blunders were blamed on clerical errors in a system under relentless strain.

Housing secretary Steve Reed told Times Radio: The problem is weve got a broken system, and you are going to see failings when you have a broken system.

Hadush Kebatu was given 500 after threatening to disrupt his deportation flight (PA)

The key is to make sure we have a digital system so that no prisoner is ever released by mistake.

There is not an acceptable number for this, but the way to fix it is not tittle tattle about David Lammy in the newspapers, its to get on and do the work and put in the investment that will digitise the system.

David has already had the prison governors in his office yesterday, I imagine they felt pretty hauled over the coals given whats been going on, but he was also making sure that theyre getting all the support they need to carry out the much tougher checks that will be required to make sure that the repeats of this are at an absolute minimum.

Chris Philp MP, shadow home secretary, said: This case sums up the total collapse of law and order under Calamity Lammy. A foreign sex offender, meant to be deported, strolling the streets of London because Labour cant even keep track of its prisoners. He must be immediately deported as soon as his sentence is finished.

The British public shouldnt have to be the ones to catch escaped criminals. This is chaos, incompetence, and weakness from top to bottom, and its putting peoples safety at risk.

Labour dont have the backbone to get a grip of law and order. Only the Conservative Party has a common sense, hard-edged plan to restore order, put 10,000 extra police officers on our streets and put fear back where it belongs  in the minds of criminals.
Xi attends commissioning of China's Fujian aircraft carrier in south China

Xinhua) 14:00, November 07, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents a People's Liberation Army (PLA) flag to the captain and political commissar of the Fujian at a naval port in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 5, 2025. Xi on Wednesday attended the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian, China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, in south China's Hainan Province. Xi boarded the aircraft carrier to inspect the vessel at a naval port in Sanya City. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

SANYA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday attended the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian, China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, boarded the aircraft carrier to inspect the vessel after the ceremony at a naval port in the city of Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.

Bearing the hull number 18, this aircraft carrier is one of the country's three carriers currently in service. Named after Fujian Province in east China and launched in June 2022, the vessel was independently designed and built by China.

About 2,000 representatives from the navy and institutions involved in the construction of the aircraft carrier took part in the ceremony on Wednesday.

At the ceremony, Xi presented a flag of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to the captain and political commissar of the Fujian, and took a group photo with them.

Aboard the vessel, Xi was briefed on the country's aircraft carrier development. He learned about the systematic combat capabilities of the aircraft carriers and the electromagnetic catapult system.

On the flight deck, new-generation carrier-based aircraft, including the J-35 and J-15T fighter jets and the KongJing-600 early warning aircraft, were parked in sequence. Talking with carrier-based aircraft pilots, Xi encouraged them to keep improving their skills and expertise, and to contribute to the development of the combat capabilities of the Fujian.

Xi visited the control tower on the island section of the Fujian to learn about flight command and takeoff-and-landing operations. He then entered the pilot house, where he signed the log book.

It was Xi's decision that the Fujian adopt the electromagnetic catapult system. On Wednesday, he visited the control area of this system and attentively observed the operational procedures.

He also toured the vessel's dining facilities and crew quarters to inspect the living conditions of officers and sailors.

Cai Qi and Zhang Guoqing also attended Wednesday's ceremony, which was presided over by Zhang Shengmin.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, poses for a group photo with representatives of the Fujian aircraft carrier unit at a naval port in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 5, 2025. Xi on Wednesday attended the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian, China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, in south China's Hainan Province. Xi boarded the aircraft carrier to inspect the vessel at a naval port in Sanya City. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Sheng Chuyi)
November 8, 2025: UN peacekeeping missions have become a thing of that past. There are fewer of them and in a growing number of cases peacekeepers have been replaced by the International Crisis Group. Since 1945 there have been 70 UN peacekeeping missions and currently eleven of them are still active. These include Haiti, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Abyei South Sudan, Rwanda, Kosovo, Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel/Syria, Middle East, India/Pakistan. Over the next decade this list may get smaller, when two or three peacekeeping missions are terminated. Its difficult to predict which ones because there are so many variables.

There are some other problems. NGO/Non-Government Organizations will sometimes ask, or demand, that the UN or other foreign governments send in peacekeeping troops to protect the NGOs from hostile locals. This had disastrous effects in Somalia during the early 1990s. Some NGOs remained, or came back, to Somalia after the peacekeepers left. These NGOs learned how to cope on their own. They hired local gunmen for protection, as well as cutting deals with the local warlords. But eventually the local Islamic radicals became upset at the alien ideas these Western do-gooders brought with them, and chased all NGOs out.

In eastern Congo, aid workers found themselves the primary target of the local bandits and militias that had created the problems that attracted the foreign aid in the first place. NGOs have learned to raise militias when they want to. But in areas where there are peacekeepers, and the NGOs believe they are not being well served, the NGOs will often simply depart, amid a flurry of press releases, to show their displeasure at the security arrangements, or the political goals of the peacekeepers.

But then came Afghanistan and Iraq, two places where many local leaders thought it served their interests best if there were no NGOs at all. Throughout the world, NGOs are finding that the world has changed. NGOs will never be the same after what's happened during the last decade.

NGOs have formal legal recognition in many countries, and internationally they, as a group, have some standing. NGOs have become a player in international affairs, even though individual NGOs each have their own, independent, outlook on world affairs. But as a group, they are a power to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, there is no leader of all the NGOs you can negotiate with. Each one has to be dealt with separately. Since NGOs also come from many different countries and have members that speak English, peacekeepers can also run into language and cultural customs problems. NGOs have turned out to be another good idea that, well, got complicated in unexpected ways.

The problems NGOs are encountering are not as bad as those crippling peacekeeping missions. International peacemakers are often inclined to address conflicts with little or no reference to established international rules and procedures. The local leadership, whether it be tribal, clan-based or what they experienced back home are often uncooperative with the foreigners. The difference is the peacekeepers come from places that dont need peacekeepers because local police are sufficient. The peacekeepers are often baffled by how violent and unpredictable the locals are. The UN also sends in diplomats and technical experts to work with the locals to establish peace. That rarely works. Afghanistan is the best example of a failed state that regularly resists any efforts to embrace nationwide peace.

And then there was AFRICOM. In 2008 Africa Command/AFRICOM was established to handle American military operations in Africa. AFRICOM coordinates all American military operations in Africa. The establishment of AFRICOM meant more money for counter-terror operations in Africa, and more long-range projects. One thing most African nations wanted from AFRICOM was military and counter-terrorism trainers. The problem with this was that the people so trained are often then employed as enforcers for the local dictator. Even providing training for peacekeepers can backfire, for those peacekeeping skills can also be used to pacify your own people. This was seen as a problem in Nigeria as well, as long as there is so much corruption in the government and military. But at the same time the U.S. could not ignore the growing cooperation between Boko Haram and al Qaeda type terrorist organizations, especially those in northern Mali, which had become a new sanctuary for al Qaeda. . Boko Haram was becoming part of the terrorist threat to the U.S. and the West. This was a threat that neither peacekeepers nor local security forces could handle. Haiti is another example. For the past century there have been numerous peacekeeping efforts. The most impressive one was when US Marines occupied and pacified Haiti for 19 years, from 1915 to 1934. That was an expensive failure and ever since then Haiti has proved itself ungovernable. Haiti is currently controlled by various criminal gangs who fight among themselves when they arent looting, abusing and generally living off the local civilians.
Taking testosterone unnecessarily can suppress bodys natural hormone production, cause infertility, increased risk of blood clots and heart problems. Photograph: Posed by model: Moyo Studio/Getty Images

Social media misinformation is driving men to NHS clinics in search of testosterone therapy they dont need, adding pressure to already stretched waiting lists, doctors have said.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a prescription-only treatment recommended under national guidelines for men with a clinically proven deficiency, confirmed by symptoms and repeated blood tests.

But a wave of viral videos on TikTok and Instagram have begun marketing blood tests as a means of accessing testosterone as lifestyle supplement, advertising the hormone as a solution to problems such as low energy levels, poor concentration and reduced sex drive.

Related: Money, muscles and anxiety: why the manosphere clicked with young men  a visual deep dive

Doctors warn taking testosterone unnecessarily can suppress the bodys natural hormone production, cause infertility, and increase the risk of blood clots, heart problems and mood disorders.

The online demand for treatment is so great that medical professionals have now begun to see it mirrored in their clinics.

Prof Channa Jayasena, of Imperial College London, who is chair of the Society for Endocrinology Andrology Network, said hospital specialists were seeing growing numbers of men who had had private blood tests, often promoted on social media, and been told incorrectly that they needed testosterone.

At the national meeting, we asked 300 endocrinologists across the UK; everyone is seeing patients from these clinics every week, he said. They are filling our clinics. We used to see people with adrenal problems and diabetes, and its really affecting NHS care. We are all asking how to deal with this.

Advertising prescription drugs in the UK is illegal, but the Guardian has found that a number of TikTok influencers are collaborating with private medical clinics to advertise blood tests, which are legal to promote, as a route to testosterone therapy.

Advocates for testosterone replacement therapy who have thousands of followers are being paid or offered incentives by private clinics to promote discount codes and giveaways, encouraging men to get their testosterone levels checked and potentially access treatment.

In one of the posts, a man does bicep curls, saying: Get your testosterone tested  shoot me a DM for a 20 discount. In another video, a free blood test is offered as part of a giveaway, telling men it will help them take control of their performance.

The Guardian flagged these posts to the Advertising Standards Authority for potential breaches in regulation, due to them promoting prescription drugs, prompting an investigation by the watchdog.

Jayasena said: I have just come back from a national teaching course for next-generation endocrinology consultants, and most people raised concerns about reproduction and this issue: a flurry of men being pushed to up-tick their testosterone.

He added: Putting the influencers aside, this is a huge problem. Hospital specialists are seeing patients coming in after having private blood tests, often arranged through influencers, perhaps, and then being told by inexperienced doctors or a wide range of healthcare professionals that they should start testosterone. The advice they are giving is wrong.

Private clinics charge about 1,800 to 2,200 for the first year of TRT. Packages include medication, monitoring and consultations.

Once a niche medical treatment for a small number of men with clinically diagnosed hormone deficiency, TRT has increasingly been reframed as a lifestyle or performance optimisation tool. Online clinics offer at-home blood tests and subscription packages, making it easy to access outside traditional healthcare systems.

The social media posts often suggest that low motivation, tiredness or ageing are signs of low T, driving more men to seek tests and treatment, even though medical guidelines restrict TRT to those with proven hormonal deficiency.

Jayasena said: There are specific clinical guidelines on who should and should not be started on testosterone. Certain symptoms, such as erectile dysfunction, are clearly associated with low testosterone. Other symptoms, like not having enough muscle or feeling depressed, are not associated with low testosterone. A man might say: Im not very muscly, and be told to get tested, but theres no evidence he needs one.

The most worrying thing is these clinics are starting testosterone for men with normal testosterone levels. There is no evidence that testosterone levels greater than 12 nmol/L are beneficial, and I have heard of clinics starting men below 18, which includes much of the population.

He added that taking it when not needed can cause infertility. It suppresses the testicular and hormonal signals from the brain needed for the testicles to work, so clinics give a concoction of other drugs to stop that happening, the same approach used by anabolic steroid users.

TikTok has been approached for comment.

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Expat Explore's co-founders led their first amateur group trip to Paris in 2005.

One of the UKs fastest-growing group travel companies started life 20 years ago with a second-hand minivan and a massive party". South African entrepreneurs Carl Cronje and Jakes Maritz have been driving sales success with bonhomie ever since.

Back in 2005, the business partners had written a letter of registration to the French consulate and received the news that their fledgling travel business could process visas on customers' behalf.

To celebrate, the duo held a launch party at a Canary Wharf bar for the South African expat community in London. Maritz says their first 800 was spent on booze for this crazy new venture of ours".

Read More: My laundrette closed early so I set up a 27m global laundry servic

From cheap weekend tours, Expat Explore has catered for more than 180,000 customers over two decades. Founded in London, it has satellite offices across the world and travels to 50 countries. With revenues of around 200,000 in its first year, it is now a 30m business.

Their travel start-up found success thanks to the pair rolling up their sleeves from the outset. It all revolves around our core principles to survive the last 20 years, says Maritz.

From a two-man outfit, we now have around 450 direct employees. We understand the business and the cogs but we see ourselves as a hospitable company in a welcoming environment. They call us 'the UN of travel' as people say there is a warm, family feeling.

Cronje first found the travel bug after winning a return ticket with British Airways to his choice of destination in Europe. A student at the time, he headed to Paris and explored the city on foot and on a budget for eight days. Meanwhile, Maritz came to Europe on a student scholarship before both met when they moved to London in the early 2000s.

Expat Explore co-founders Jakes Maritz, left, and Carl Cronje met in London.

They saw an appetite for group touring and conceived weekend trips to Paris and Amsterdam, the only barrier being that the expat community needed Schengen short-stay visas at the time.

After the green light from the French consulate, they opened their first office space in Bromley above a friend's shop, spent 500 on a minivan and invited a group of 42 friends on their first DIY trip, a four-day sojourn to Paris. While Cronje had product knowledge and traveller insight, Maritz offered business and operational acumen.

It wasnt always factually 100% correct, but it was done with great enthusiasm and character, Maritz recalls of those first trips. We were the original tour leaders and, as we remind people, were probably the worst weve ever had.

But people really bought into it and it was more the experience going to places with people you usually wouldnt travel with.

Read More: I was an antiques dealer before Gen Z helped grow our stationery sales to $50m

Expat Explores first tour cost 129  Maritz does recall trips for under 70  and the founders have since maintained affordable pricing, with international one-country tours starting at 491 and their multiple country offerings from under 750.

After a few years focusing on the UK domestic market, their first scale-up success came via a 200,000 investment into digital before realising they had global appeal from Philippines and Malaysia to Australia and the US.

That was the pivotal moment and we did that in spite of the name, admits Maritz.

Expat Explore's founders turned their passion into a business that has served over 180,000 people.

The co-founders have considered changing the company name over the years to earn more confidence with the US market, but Maritz says that Expat Explore has built up considerable brand equity to warrant sticking with their original name for now.

Loyal customers also stuck with the brand through COVID, which Maritz admits wasnt our first rodeo as we have had a few crises in the past.

As founders we are very involved and you could put a face to it, he adds. The positive message we put out was that the money was safe. We were transparent that it was a period of restricted cash flow for us.

We were brutally honest about our situation and the way we dealt with it, our Tripadvisor rating went up while other companies took a little bit of a dive.

Once travel resumed post-COVID and multi-million pound revenues returned, the two co-founders took stock as they approached their 20th year in business. It was that point where we said, Are we going to sit back and let it run its course or are we more ambitious? says Maritz.

Expat Explore has expanded its portfolio in both the education and travel tech sectors. Last year, they launched TourCademy, a digital training platform that opens the travel industry to aspiring tour leaders globally. The premise is to make travel careers more accessible.

Expat Explore have no age restrictions on their group tours to over 50 countries.

Maritz says: We recruit and train new tour leaders and give people the opportunity to realise it can be an incredibly lucrative career for a few years at the very least. A lot of people make a career of it and it is very demanding.

Worst case scenario, from a commercial perspective, it wasnt the most successful venture but it allowed us to attract a lot of good quality and new recruits and the best ones get to stay with us.

According to Mintel consumer research, around one in 10 UK adults have taken a group touring or adventure holiday in the last five years. Expat Explores own research suggests that a holiday with a car and four people on a trip across Europe would cost four times more than booking with Maritzs company.

Further, while some travel operators enforce age restriction or focus on the higher end of the price spectrum, Expat Explore says its broad demographic and all ages remain a successful model. That gives us an edge. In theory its not supposed to work as Ive been told by many other operators, muses Maritz.

Read More: 'Our nut butter brand is on people's dating profiles  we're now courting 35m sales'

Their group tour vision has not veered off course as the company heads into its 21st year and the South African duo look for global expansion.

It is a certain demographic, not everyone loves it, but there is a market segment which absolutely buys into this style of travel, adds Maritz. We are unique in the operating space.

Behind the brand: Co-founder Jakes Maritz on

Customer-first approach

We have travellers who have toured with us over 20 times. We have a very personal connection with them and we do a lot to acknowledge our return customers. Myself and Carl still get out there, meet people and build relationships.

Our community page is very familiar and people say we act like a family-based business. When you get an 85-year-old willing to sleep in a different destination every night, its fascinating that people have that zest for life still. We love it.

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The government claimed the elections were free and fair, but rivals to Samia Suluhu Hassan (pictured) were not allowed to run. Photograph: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters

Tanzanian authorities have detained a senior official from the main opposition party, Chadema, amid a spate of arrests in connection to deadly protests during elections last week.

More than 1,000 people were killed by security forces during the demonstrations, according to Chadema and human rights bodies. The Tanzanian government has said these figures were exaggerated but did not give its own figures.

Chadema said its deputy secretary general, Amani Golugwa, was arrested by police on Saturday. Authorities are seeking the arrest of nine more people, including others in the party.

Tanzanian authorities have charged more than 200 people with treason after last weeks protests  a charge that could carry the death penalty, though no executions have been carried out in the country since 1995.

The incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was deemed the winner of the election, with 98% of the vote, but the opposition  which was barred from participating  condemned the results as fraudulent.

Related: Tanzanias Hassan declared landslide winner in election that triggered violent protests

The government claimed the elections were free and fair, but the main rivals were not allowed to run, and election observers said the vote was not democratic and cited instances of ballot stuffing.

The police force, in collaboration with other defence and security agencies, is continuing a serious manhunt to find all who planned, coordinated and executed this evil act, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

Chademas secretary general, John Mnyika, and the head of communications, Brenda Rupia, were among those wanted for arrest.

The leader of Chadema, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason in April and not allowed to run in the elections. The exclusion of Lissu and other political figures from the ballot fuelled the ensuing protests.

According to Amnesty International, in the run-up to the elections, Tanzanian authorities carried out enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings.

Protests were held on 29 October in cities across Tanzania, leading to violence and clashes with police, a statement from authorities said.

Amnesty International said authorities cut off internet access and used excessive force in an attempt to suppress post-election protests.

Related: About 700 killed in Tanzania election protests, opposition says

Rights groups said the government had cracked down on individuals perceived to be associated with the protests, including the prominent businesswoman Jenifer Jovin, who was accused of encouraging protesters to buy gas masks.

President Samia acknowledged that there were deaths, but blamed the unrest on foreigners, stating: It was not a surprise that those arrested were from other countries.

Despite the protests, Samia was sworn into office on Monday. Her inauguration ceremony was televised but closed to the public and held at a military parade ground in the capital.

Samia became Tanzanias first female president in 2021 after the then president, John Magufuli, died in office while she was his vice-president. She was initially praised by activists for easing political repression, but has since been accused of reversing course.
Target has a new approach for its employees - smile more!

Target is aiming to spread the holiday cheerand boost salesone smile at a time.

The retail giant is rolling out the 10-4 program, requiring employees to smile when within 10 feet of a customer, make eye contact, wave or greet them, Bloomberg reported. Under the new guidelines, once an employee is within four feet of a shopper, they should go a step further by asking about the customers day or if they need assistance.

Target has traditionally encouraged staff to interact with shoppers but lacked formal guidelines.

Many major companies have structured greeting rules, such as Walmarts 10-Foot Rule and Disneys 10-and-5 Rule that guide employees to smile, make eye contact and offer help at set distances.

Heading into the holiday, were making adjustments and implementing new ways to increase connection during the most important time of the year, Target Chief Stores Officer Adrienne Costanzo told Bloomberg in a statement.

Targets new program requires employees to smile, make eye contact and greet customers within 10 feet. (Getty Images)

The Independent has also contacted Target representatives for comment.

Target has found that key consumer metrics improve when shoppers are greeted or acknowledged, highlighting the importance of customer engagement, Bloomberg reported.

However, the company has faced slowing business since the COVID-19 pandemic, as price-conscious shoppers focus more on essentials and deals, and competition intensifies, particularly with Walmart revamping its fashion offerings, remodeling stores, and emphasizing price cuts.

Target has traditionally encouraged staff to interact with shoppers but lacked formal guidelines (Getty Images)

Early in 2025, Target announced it would be rolling back several of its diversity, equity and inclusion programs. As a result, some customers and community groups responded by calling for a boycott of the company.

Target recently eliminated 1,800 corporate positions to reduce complexity and speed decision-making. The retailers shares are down over 30 percent year-to-date, underperforming the S&P 500, as its once cheap chic appeal has waned and customers have voiced complaints online about empty shelves and long lines.

To address these challenges, Target said it is working to improve in-stock levels, enhance store appearance and engage customers more directly.

Starting Saturday and every weekend through December 21, Target will host new holiday experiences focused on toys, offering free in-store toy demonstrations at all locations, the company announced in September.
TikTok star accused of stealing womans husband in $3.5m alienation of affection lawsuit

A North Carolina woman is suing content creator Brenay Kennard, claiming Kennard had an affair with her ex-husband and caused their marriage to end.

During the trial, Timothy Montague told a Durham County court that he never loved his ex-wife, Akira, and only married her because of a housing issue.

We were just like roommates, he said Thursday.

Timothy Montague and Kennard are now married. Akira filed her lawsuit in May 2024 under North Carolinas alienation of affection law, one of the few states that still has this law, which dates back to the 1850s.

To win an alienation of affection case, a plaintiff must show that a loving marriage existed, that the love was destroyed, and that a third party caused it, using evidence such as testimony, photos, or other documentation.

Brenay Kennard (left) is being sued by her now-husband Timothy Montagues (right) ex-wife for alienation of affection, even though Timothy says their marriage was never based on love (Instagram/@lifeofbrenay)

Representing herself, Kennard called Timothy Montague on Thursday to dispute Akiras claims of love, while Akiras witnesses sought to show the harm Kennard allegedly caused, with $3.5 million in damages at stake.

The trial is getting national attention because Kennard, from Winterville, is a TikTok lifestyle creator, known as @LifeOfBrenay, with 3 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, known for her makeup, cooking, and mukbang videos.

During the trial, Akira testified that Timothy Montague frequently showed signs of affection, including writing love notes.

Her mother, Veneta Sydnor, described the couple as inseparable, recalling playful moments such as feeding each other grapes.

Text messages from August 2023 also showed Timothy Montague helping plan a surprise birthday party for Akira.

Timothy Montague disputed these accounts, denying any romantic gestures such as love notes or flowers.

I cant even recall a time when we held hands, he said.

He testified that he and Akira didnt marry for love but out of necessity, staying at his parents home while waiting for student housing, under the condition that they marry within 60 days.

Not wanting Akira to be without a place to live, he agreed, proposing with the cheapest ring he could find.

Timothy Montague said the couple fought frequently and separated in 2021 when he moved to campus, though Sydnor maintained that they remained together.

He denied any prior affair before meeting Kennard, saying Akira often brought up an alleged past relationship.

The couple officially separated in March 2024 and divorced in August.

I loved her, but I wasnt in love with her, Timothy Montague said.
Donald Trump has been permanently blocked from sending National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, after a federal judge found the administration failed to meet the legal requirements for their deployment to the city.

U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, said Friday the president had not established there was a rebellion or danger of rebellion, or that he was unable to enforce the law with regular forces.

It comes after a three-day trial last week in which both sides argued over whether protests at the citys ICE building met the conditions for using the military domestically under federal law. Both Portland and the state of Oregon sued the Trump administration in September over the deployment of National Guard troops.

Trump said the troops were needed to protect federal personnel and property in the city, which he described as war ravaged with fires all over the place.

In a 106-page opinion, Immergut found that even though the president is entitled to great deference in his decision on whether to call up the Guard, he did not have a legal basis for doing so.

Federal agents confront protesters outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on September 28, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. The president had not established that there was a rebellion or danger of rebellion, or that he was unable to enforce the law with regular forces, a judge ruled Friday (Getty Images)

Federal agents, including members of the Department of Homeland Security, the Border Patrol, and police, clash with protesters outside a downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Portland. A federal judge found Friday the Trump administration failed to meet the legal requirements for their deployment to the city (Getty Images)

The trial record showed that although protests outside the Portland ICE building occurred nightly between June and October 2025, ever since a few particularly disruptive days in mid-June, protests have remained peaceful with only isolated and sporadic instances of violence," Immergut wrote.

The occasional interference to federal officers has been minimal, and there is no evidence that these small-scale protests have significantly impeded the execution of any immigration laws.

The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

The courts are holding this administration accountable to the truth and the rule of law, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in an e-mailed statement. "From the beginning, this case has been about making sure that facts, not political whims, guide how the law is applied. Todays decision protects that principle.

Several Democratic cities targeted by Trump for military involvement have pushed back on the perceived overreach of the president, arguing  as was found to be the case in Portland  that Trump has not satisfied the legal threshold for deploying troops and that doing so would violate states sovereignty.

Several Democratic cities targeted by Trump for military involvement have pushed back on the perceived overreach of the president (AP)

Immergut issued two orders in early October that had blocked the deployment of the troops leading up to the trial, previously describing Trumps depictions of Portland as simply untethered to the facts.

Residents of the city took to social media to mock the presidents comments in September, posting pictures of their peaceful and wholesome weekend activities using the hashtag #WarRavagedPortland.

Immerguts first order blocked Trump from deploying 200 members of the Oregon National Guard; the second, issued a day later, blocked him from deploying members of any state's National Guard to Oregon, after he tried to evade the first order by sending California troops instead.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has already ordered that the troops not be deployed pending further action by the appeals court. The trial Immergut held further developed the factual record in the case, which could serve as the basis for further appellate rulings.

Trump said the troops were needed to protect federal personnel and property in the city, which he described as war ravaged with fires all over the place. Residents of the city took to social media to mock the presidents comments in September, posting pictures of their peaceful and wholesome weekend activities using the hashtag #WarRavagedPortland (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

During the trial, witnesses including local police and federal officials were questioned about the law enforcement response to the nightly protests at the citys ICE building. The demonstrations peaked in June, when Portland police declared one a riot.

Attorneys for Portland and Oregon said city police have been able to respond to the protests.

After the police department declared a riot on June 14, it changed its strategy to direct officers to intervene when person and property crime occurs, and crowd numbers have largely diminished since the end of that month, police officials testified.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Viktor Orban has attempted to remain an ally to both Donald Trump and Putin - GETTY IMAGES

Donald Trump has handed Hungary an exemption on sanctions for buying Russian oil and gas.

The one-year agreement came at the end of Viktor Orbans meeting with the US president in the White House on Friday.

Mr Trump slapped sanctions on Moscows two largest oil companies in October after losing patience with Vladimir Putin over his refusal to end the war Ukraine.

But while Mr Trump has pushed other European countries to stop buying oil that he says funds Moscows war machine, Mr Orban used his first trip to the White House since Trumps return to power to push for special treatment.

As they heaped praise on each other, the US president said he was considering an exemption because landlocked Hungary had to rely on pipelines that made it dependent on Russian oil and gas.

As you know, they dont have the advantage of having sea, Mr Trump told reporters.

Peter Szijjarto, Hungarys foreign minister, said after the meeting that Washington had granted a full and unlimited exemption from sanctions on oil and gas.

However, a White House official said that Hungarys exemption was only for one year.

Budapest had meanwhile committed to purchasing US liquified natural gas worth around $600 million (465 million), the official said.

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The Hungarian prime minister has maintained close ties with both Moscow and Washington, and rebuffed pressure from the European Union to join the blocs admonition of the Kremlin.

Mr Orban offered to host a summit in Budapest between Mr Trump and Putin, although the US leader called it off in October and hit Moscow with sanctions for the first time in his presidency.

At the White House on Friday, Mr Orban pressed his case that Russian energy was vital for Hungary.

The pipeline is not an ideological or political issue, he said. Its a physical reality because we dont have port(s).

Other landlocked countries in the EU, including Austria and the Czech Republic, have nonetheless condemned Russia and supported sanctions.

Washington has given firms who work with Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil one month to cut ties or face secondary sanctions, which would deny them access to US banks, traders, shippers and insurers.

Mr Orban has called Mr Trump a dear friend - Getty Images

Mr Orban also said it would take a miracle for Ukraine to beat Moscow, underscoring the gulf between him and other European leaders on the war.

Mr Orban visited his dear friend Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida three times last year, but the US presidents return to power has had a mixed effect on Hungary.

Washington has withdrawn sanctions against Antal Rogan, the prime ministers top aide, and restored the countrys status in a visa waiver scheme.

But Mr Trumps tariffs against the EU have badly hit Hungarys export-oriented car industry, contributing to an already weak economy.

Mr Orban faces an unprecedented challenge to his 15-year rule ahead of elections next spring amid economic stagnation.
The Supreme Court is temporarily blocking a judges order requiring Donald Trumps administration to fully fund a critical food assistance program that has stranded millions of Americans and their families after the government failed to keep it afloat at the start of the month.

But the administration is simultaneously telling states that it will immediately begin funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program after a weeklong lapse  the first in the programs 61-year history.

A federal appeals court rejected the administrations emergency request Friday night, leaving the order in place to fully fund SNAP for November.

The administration then swiftly appealed to the nations high court, which hours later granted Trumps request to temporarily freeze the judges order while the legal challenge plays out at the appellate court.

On Thursday, District Judge John McConnell gave the administration 24 hours to fully fund SNAP and the Department of Agriculture said Friday afternoon that it will immediately begin funding the program while the legal challenge plays out.

The Trump administration says it will will complete the processes necessary to fully fund SNAP while the government is also appealing a court order to prevent it from doing so (AP)

McConnell had ordered the administration to deliver full payments to states by Friday after finding that the government failed to address any administrative issues that prevented states from quickly sending out at least partial benefits to nearly 42 million Americans who rely on the program to keep from going hungry.

But the Trump administration then filed an emergency request with a federal appeals court to freeze the judges order and block the courts from requiring the government to spend more money that goes beyond whats left in a contingency fund to pay out partial benefits for the month.

At the same time, a memo from the USDA said the agency will complete the processes necessary to ensure that SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, are delivered to the states.

An order from the Supreme Court late Friday night  signed by liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who presides over the appellate court district  said that an administrative stay is required to facilitate the First Circuits expeditious resolution of the pendingstay motion.

SNAP funds, which are distributed by the federal government to states each month, support the nations largest anti-hunger program. Roughly one in eight families receive an average of $188 per person per month, or about $6 per day, which is administered on prepaid cards that can be used to pay for groceries.

Food pantries across the country are warning that they are not prepared to support the millions of families that rely on government assistance.

Officials in several states  including California, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  said SNAP recipients were beginning to receive monthly benefits by Friday afternoon. Food benefits are now beginning to flow back to California families, said California Governor Gavin Newsom, whose state has roughly 5.5 million SNAP recipients.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, whose state has roughly 3 million SNAP recipients, directed state agencies to fully fund federal benefits for November.

President Trump's actions have been senseless and un-American. I'll never stop fighting for New York's families, she said.

Several states began reporting Friday that SNAP recipients were beginning to receive benefits after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to begin fully funding the program (AP)

Before two federal judges intervened, the administration intended to freeze funding for the program entirely during the government shutdown, claiming that it did not have legal authority to tap into billions of dollars in emergency funds. On a notice on its website last month, USDA claimed that the well has run dry and that there will be no benefits issued November 1.

The administration then agreed to tap into $4.65 billion in contingency funds to cover roughly 65 percent of benefits. The USDA said those partial payments were sent to states on Monday but officials wrote in court documents that it would take anywhere from a few weeks to up to several months for those recipients to start seeing those benefits.

In his ruling on Thursday, District Judge Jack McConnell said the administration failed to expeditiously resolve any clerical issues that could delay those payments, which he ordered last week.

As a result, people will go hungry, food pantries will be overburdened and needless suffering will occur, with SNAP funding lapsing for the first time in the nations history, the judge said during a virtual court hearing Thursday.

People have gone without for too long. Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable, McConnell said. This should never happen in America.
Officials at President Donald Trumps Department of Education violated the First Amendment rights of furloughed federal workers by commandeering their email accounts to broadcast partisan messages, according to a federal judge.

The ruling follows a lawsuit accusing the agency of illegally taking control of employees emails to send automatic out-of-office replies that blamed Democratic members of Congress for the government shutdown without their consent.

The messages followed a wave of partisan attacks from Trump administration websites that explicitly blamed Democratic officials and the radical left for the federal shutdown, which have drawn several complaints alleging violations of federal ethics laws.

Nonpartisanship is the bedrock of the federal civil service; it ensures that career government employees serve the public, not the politicians, District Judge Christopher Cooper wrote Friday.

But by commandeering its employees e-mail accounts to broadcast partisan messages, the Department chisels away at that foundation, he added. Political officials are free to blame whomever they wish for the shutdown, but they cannot use rank-and-file civil servants as their unwilling spokespeople. The First Amendment stands in their way.

A federal judge determined that Education Department officials under Trumps Secretary Linda McMahon violated furloughed workers First Amendment rights by using their email accounts to send out-of-office messages that blamed Democrats for the shutdown (REUTERS)

His order permanently blocks the Education Department from touching workers email accounts to send out similar partisan messages.

The ruling, which applies only to Education Department employees, follows complaints from government watchdogs and furloughed workers from several agencies who were surprised to learn their email accounts were automatically replying to messages with language that echoed the presidents.

[Im] so pissed  We as career government employees need to be neutral when carrying out our jobs, one Education Department employee told ABC News last month. This is such bull****.

The Trump administrations use of government resources to spread its messaging was an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment, and the courts ruling makes clear that even this administration is not above the law, according to Everett Kelley, president of American Federation of Government Employees, nations largest federal worker union, which sued the administration over the messages.

The emails stated that the workers were on furlough status because unfortunately, Democrat Senators are blocking passage of a temporary funding bill that has led to a lapse in appropriations.

The employee you have contacted will respond to emails once government functions resume, the emails said.

That language was also echoed on banners and pop-up messages on the websites of the Department of Justice, State Department, the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture, Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Small Business Administration, among others.

Watchdog groups argue that the statements defy ethics laws that prohibit political attacks and campaigning from inside federal facilities  which Trump and administration officials have continued to do since entering office without facing any consequences.

The White House has previously argued that officials from Barack Obama and Joe Biden administrations repeatedly assigned partisan blame on Republicans in official fact sheets, press releases and statements.

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been furloughed since the government shutdown started October 1, marking the longest-ever shutdown in U.S. history.

Essential federal workers, including air traffic controllers and aviation employees, are required to show up to work without pay during the funding lapse. They received their first $0 paychecks this month.
Donald Trump meets with the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, at the White House on Friday. Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/Pool/Aaron Schwartz - Pool/CNP/Shutterstock

The US has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from US sanctions on importing oil and gas from Russia, according to a White House official, after Viktor Orban pressed his case for a reprieve during a meeting with Donald Trump in Washington.

Last month, Trump imposed Ukraine-related sanctions on Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft that carried the threat of further sanctions on entities in countries buying oil from them.

The Hungarian prime minister met with Trump at the White House on Friday for their first bilateral meeting since the US president returned to power and explained why his country needed to use Russian oil at a time when Trump has been pressing Europe to stop doing so.

Orban said the issue was vital for Hungary, which is a European country, and pledged to lay out the consequences for the Hungarian people, and for the Hungarian economy, not to get oil and gas from Russia.

Related: Flattery will get you everywhere: Orban lays it on thick with Trump

Trump, aiming to put pressure on Moscow to end its war with Ukraine, appeared sympathetic to Orbans position.

Were looking at it, because its very different for him to get the oil and gas from other areas, Trump said. As you know, they dont have ... the advantage of having sea. Its a great country, its a big country, but they dont have sea. They dont have the ports.

But many European countries are buying oil and gas from Russia, and they have been for years, Trump added. And I said: Whats that all about?

The White House official, who spoke to Reuters in the hours after the Trump-Orban meeting, noted that in addition to the sanctions exemption, Hungary had committed to buying US liquefied natural gas with contracts valued at some $600m.

Orban was reportedly set to offer Trump pledges to purchase US liquefied natural gas and nuclear fuel as an incentive to exempt Hungary from secondary sanctions, Bloomberg reported.

Conservative bonhomie was evident as Trump warmly greeted Orban at the White House, where he called the Hungarian prime minister a great leader before ushering him in for a summit that was slated to include a bilateral lunch.

Trump also praised Orbans hardline stance on immigration and called on European leaders to show more respect to the Hungarian prime minister, who has clashed repeatedly with fellow EU leaders over issues of migration, democracy and rule of law.

I think they should respect Hungary and respect this leader very, very strongly because hes been right on immigration, Trump said as he sat next to Orban at the White House.

Orban has said he wants to resurrect plans for a summit between Trump and Russias Vladimir Putin that he claims could bring an end to the war in Ukraine. His detractors in the EU believe that Orban is too close to Putin and have called him the Kremlins Trojan horse in the bloc.

Orban is seeking a visit by Trump to Budapest to bolster his chances as he faces stiff competition in an upcoming elections, sources in Hungary told the Guardian.

In opening remarks, Orban praised Trump and slammed the previous Biden administration as rigged.

The reason why we are here to open a new chapter between the bilateral relation between the United States and Hungary basically because during the Democrat administration everything was rigged, he said, an allusion to unsubstantiated claims by Trump that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

Youve improved the bilateral relationship, he said. You repaired what was done badly by the previous administration, so now we are in quite a good position to open up a new chapter. Lets say a golden age between the United States and Hungary.

Trump, who has unleashed a sweeping crackdown on immigration at home, again falsely alleged there was a link between migrants and crime.

Look whats happened to Europe with the immigration. They have people flooding Europe, Trump said.

Describing the issue in more starkly racial terms, Trump said: You go to some of the countries, theyre unrecognizable now because of what theyve done. And Hungary is very recognizable.

Orban defended his migration policies and lashed out at financial penalties imposed by the EU on Hungary for defying the bloc.

This is the absurd world we are living in now in Europe, Orban said.

We are the only government in Europe which considers itself as a Christian government. All the other governments in Europe are basically liberal leftist governments, Orban said.

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The Harvard Kennedy School is mourning the sudden death of Setti D. Warren, Director of its Institute of Politics (IOP) and former Mayor of Newton, Massachusetts, describing him as a 'visionary and tireless leader' whose passing is a profound loss for both Harvard and the wider public service community.

The Harvard Crimson reported that Warren, aged 55, was found unresponsive at his home in Newton, the city he once led as mayor. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

Police said there were no signs of foul play. Harvard officials confirmed that his death was unexpected, adding that more details about memorial plans will be announced soon.

In an official announcement, the Harvard Kennedy School hailed Warren's lifelong commitment to civic leadership and education, saying his impact on students and colleagues would 'reverberate for generations to come'.

A Trailblazing Political Career

Setti Warren's life was defined by service and leadership. In 2009, he was elected Mayor of Newton, becoming the first popularly elected African-American mayor in the history of Massachusetts when he took office the following year.

During his two terms, he championed infrastructure improvements, strengthened public education and pursued sustainable development initiatives. Colleagues often described him as pragmatic, empathetic and deeply committed to community welfare.

Before his mayoral career, Warren worked in the White House under President Bill Clinton and later served in Senator John Kerry's office. He also held the post of Regional Director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in New England, where he oversaw regional emergency management operations.

In 2017, Warren launched a campaign for Governor of Massachusetts, positioning himself as a progressive voice focused on economic fairness and civic inclusion. However, he withdrew from the race the following year, citing financial constraints.

Leadership at Harvard's Institute of Politics

After leaving public office, Warren joined the Harvard Kennedy School, where he quickly became a respected voice within the academic community.

Initially appointed Executive Director of the Shorenstein Centre on Media, Politics and Public Policy, he was later named Director of the Institute of Politics in 2023.

Under his leadership, the IOP expanded its engagement with students, introducing programmes on civic participation, climate policy and ethical leadership. Colleagues said he had a unique ability to bridge divides and inspire others to take part in meaningful public service.

Former US Secretary of State and Senator John Kerry paid tribute to Warren, saying he possessed 'a rare ability that brings people together, defies partisan labels, and contributes to a stronger social fabric'.

A Mentor and Advocate for Public Service

At Harvard, Warren was known not only for his policy acumen but also for his personal warmth and generosity as a mentor. He regularly met with students to discuss careers in government and community leadership, urging them to see public service as a moral calling rather than a profession.

Harvard officials said his passing leaves a 'deep and lasting void' in the Kennedy School community, where his leadership helped revitalise the Institute's mission to prepare the next generation of civic leaders.

Im saddened to hear about Setti Warren. Massachusetts lost a light today.



Setti was a true public servant. Im thinking of him and his family. pic.twitter.com/aZOqaNVzmy  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 2, 2025

I am heartbroken to learn of the sudden transition of my dear friend and former Kerry colleague, Setti Warren. There will be plenty of time to remember him as a proud Democrat, dedicated public servant, and convener, but for now I just want to remember the decent, kind, and good... pic.twitter.com/9OlQ1hJg7O  Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) November 2, 2025

Setti Warren was a dear friend, a devoted father and husband, and an extraordinary public servant. He strove to make the burdens others carried a little lighter and lifes sharp edges a little softer. We are better for his service and his example.



Lauren and I send our love and https://t.co/Wf6o13iwiu  Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) November 2, 2025

Tributes from Political and Academic Leaders

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller led tributes, describing Warren as 'a conscientious and deliberate leader who served residents in all 13 villages of Newton and worked tirelessly across divides'. She added that he 'believed deeply in education, reduced the city's carbon footprint, and kept Newton's finances strong'.

Massachusetts leaders including Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Ayanna Pressley, Representative Katherine Clark and Representative Jake Auchincloss also expressed condolences, praising his dedication to equality, justice and public service.

Across social media, Harvard students, alumni and civic leaders shared heartfelt tributes, remembering him as both a mentor and a friend.

Many described his leadership style as empathetic, inclusive and profoundly human, qualities that made him a role model for those entering public life.

A Legacy That Will Endure

Setti D. Warren is survived by his wife, Tassy, and their two children, Abigail and John. His death has left an irreplaceable void within both Harvard and the community he served so passionately.

Though his time was cut tragically short, his vision of civic duty grounded in compassion, integrity and hope continues to inspire. As one Harvard colleague reflected, 'Setti never stopped believing in the power of public service to make life better for others. That is how he will be remembered.'

Originally published on IBTimes UK
At a glance

 A grieving woman with mental health struggles has been convicted of not paying her TV Licence in the latest Single Justice Procedure case

 The system is under pressure, operating in closed court and routinely ending in convictions for vulnerable people

 Extra pressure is now on the government to reform the SJP system

A grieving woman left bedbound and battling mental health struggles after the death of her mother has been convicted of not keeping up with TV Licence payments.

The 43-year-old told a court she is battling depression, chronic fatigue, and sleep deprivation which have left her confused and unable to manage household bills.

She was visited by a TV Licensing agent in July when payments had not been received, and admitted watching Friends on Comedy Central that day.

The woman, from Bradford, told the agent that she was unaware her direct debit for the 174.50 annual fee had stopped when she switched banks.

In a powerful note to the court when she was prosecuted, the woman set out details of a recent bereavement and the impact it has had on her ability to cope with daily life.

The last nine months I have been suffering with really bad depression after my mum died suddenly, work bullying, and general anxiety disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome and migraines, which has left me sometimes confused, no sleep, breakdowns, and unable to effectively manage anything in my life, or check things are in place, or even get out of bed for weeks, she wrote.

The woman continued that she is now better prepared to deal with things like finances and house and bills after medical help, and told the court she has set up regular TV Licence payments.

(PA)

She added that the error came when she thought that the direct debit was set up, and explained: I had problems with my bank and started using a different bank. I thought all the direct debits got transferred and that the direct debit had paid it up for the quarter or six months.

The prosecution came through the controversial Single Justice Procedure (SJP), a fast-track court process which happens behind-closed-doors and deals with the vast majority of all TV Licensing criminal cases.

The system is under government review after The Standards investigation revealed how magistrates are pressured to deal with SJP cases quickly, the system lacks basic transparency, and vulnerable people are routinely given convictions over unpaid household bills, even when they are in hospital, under mental health care, or incapacitated through dementia or cancer.

It has also been revealed that prosecutors, such as TV Licensing, do not routinely see mitigation letters which are sent to the SJP courts, unless a magistrate decides to specifically adjourn the case for further consideration.

(Christian Adams)

The BBC told the government it is content with this existing process, but suggested that it could be improved if magistrates use their power to refer cases to prosecutors more frequently when there is important mitigation that could affect the public interest in proceeding.

TV Licensing opted to bring a prosecution against the woman in August, and told the court she had not been offered an chance of an out-of-court settlement as she was previously advised that you may be prosecuted if you were found to be using a TV receiver in the future without a licence.

The agency says it brings criminal cases as an option of last resort, after efforts are made in writing to encourage TV users to pay for a licence.

Last month, BBC director general Tim Davie told BBC Breakfast that he supports the current system of enforcement for unpaid TV Licences, which includes criminal prosecution and can  in extreme cases  lead to a prison sentence.

BBC director-general Tim Davie (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Archive)

I do approve of enforcement. And actually, when you talk to most people who are paying their licence fee, they would say if people are evading the licence fee, it should be enforced, he said.

He went on: I do think for the vast majority of people watching, who were there to serve, and this is what we get when we talk to people, theyll say, we must make sure that actually those people who should be paying, are paying. Thats fair.

In the womans case, she was prosecuted in a private court session at South Shields magistrates court. The magistrate imposed a criminal conviction, but opted to give her an absolute discharge instead of a fine.

The Labour government closed a consultation on reform of the SJP system in May, and has not yet acted on the responses. The Single Justice Procedure continues to sit each week, unreformed, dealing with thousands of low-level criminal cases.
Workers at Nigerias Codix Bio plant, which produces HIV and malaria test kits and is aiming to supply the gap in testing left by funding cuts to USAID. Photograph: Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters

The US wants countries to agree to hand over information on bugs that could cause large-scale disease outbreaks in return for restoring aid to tackle health problems such as HIV and malaria, according to government documents.

The Trump administration is seeking new bilateral aid agreements with dozens of countries, after an abrupt withdrawal from existing arrangements at the start of this year. The agreements form part of a new America First Global Health Strategy announced in September.

A draft template seen by the Guardian, to be used for memorandums of understanding with partner countries, offers funding to tackle diseases such as malaria, TB, HIV and polio, as well as for activities such as surveillance, and laboratory systems and electronic health records.

It suggests that countries will be expected to gradually take over funding these areas themselves over the course of the five-year agreements.

In return, it includes conditions requiring countries to share biological specimens and genetic sequences of pathogens with epidemic potential with the US, within days of their identification.

The move risks undermining global efforts to bring a new pandemic agreement into force and ensure countries get fair access to vaccines, treatments and diagnostics, advocates said.

A full specimen-sharing agreement  envisaged as a 25-year commitment  is still being drafted, the memorandum says, but there is no reference in the current document to countries receiving any specific benefits for sharing, such as guaranteed access to medicines developed as a result.

Access to those benefits proved a key sticking point in negotiations for the pandemic agreement, reached earlier this year, governing how the world will respond to future outbreaks. Developing countries fear a repeat of the Covid-19 pandemic when they struggled to access the vaccines and medicines that became available.

A decision on that element of pandemic response  a pathogen access and benefit sharing (Pabs) system  was pushed back for further negotiations. The system will form an annex to the main agreement, but must be in place before the agreement opens for signatures.

The draft memorandum and accompanying technical guidance also suggests that countries will be expected to recognise approval of drugs by US regulators as meeting domestic regulatory requirements, particularly where there are large domestic markets [or] other strategic reasons.

Related: What is the pandemic accord and why have negotiations been so difficult?

News of the draft US memorandum broke as country and civil society representatives gathered in Geneva for talks on the proposed Pabs system.

Michel Kazatchkine, on behalf of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, said: In our view, these bilateral agreements will undermine the multilateral system. They will bypass the World Health Organization and the foundations of solidarity and equity we have been trying to build here.

The template offers no guarantees of access to countermeasures and gives commercial dominance to one country. It threatens health security, data security and, ultimately, national sovereignty.

In a statement, the Pandemic Action Network said: We would like to underline the importance of this multilateral process and of investing in a system that can last, of countries pulling together.

The origin story of these negotiations got us here: every country fighting for themselves became a race to the bottom  and those that suffered were the most vulnerable.
In a letter to the chancellor, more than 60 groups and companies said slashing funding for energy-efficient homes would be a damaging short-term fix. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

Rachel Reeves has been told that cutting funding for home insulation at the budget would risk the UKs climate goals and hurt low-income households in a joint intervention by energy firms, fuel poverty charities and environmental groups.

In a letter to the chancellor, more than 60 groups and companies urged Reeves not to take such a damaging short-term fix to slash funding for more energy-efficient homes to pay for a reduction in energy bills.

The Guardian revealed this week that Reeves is finalising a multibillion-pound energy support package that is likely to cut green levies paying for energy efficiency as she looks to save as much as 170 from the average bill.

In particular, the Treasury has been looking at cutting or getting rid of the energy company obligation (ECO), which pays to improve energy efficiency for low-income and vulnerable households.

In their letter, the dozens of organisations  from Age UK and Citizens Advice to Friends of the Earth  called for the Treasury to reconsider cuts to the ECO programme, saying it would call into question the ability to meet both the UKs fuel poverty and carbon budget targets. They also warned that it was putting thousands of jobs at risk in the 20bn energy efficiency industry and supply chain.

We welcome the news that you are planning to take action to cut households energy bills at the upcoming budget, which is crucial to address cost of living challenges and boost the economy, the letter said.

Related: Almost all external insulation fitted under Tory scheme needs repair or replacing, report finds

However, it is vital that this is not at the expense of investment in energy efficiency measures and low-carbon technologies, which permanently lower households bills. While direct bill support provides an immediate way to help struggling households, decarbonising homes through cost-effective upgrades is the best way to sustainably address fuel poverty and reduce costs for all billpayers.

Their warning came after Keir Starmer attended the Cop30 climate conference in Brazil where he said the UK was really stepping up by showing leadership on tackling climate breakdown and creating green jobs.

Others who have signed the letter include Energy UK, the industry body representing Britains main energy firms, National Energy Action, Disability Rights UK, the Energy Saving Trust and Greenpeace.

In an interview with the Guardian, Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, said he wanted to reassure people that the government would not be rowing back on its commitment to green issues and tackling the climate crisis.

Those consulted on the plans say the chancellor is particularly looking at reducing or eliminating ECO, under which energy firms help pay for home improvement measures such as insulation and new heating schemes. Last year, the National Audit Office warned of fraud and poor quality in some of the work carried out under the scheme.

If the programme is reduced or cut entirely, the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, could choose to reallocate money from the 13bn warm homes plan, much of which is earmarked to pay for subsidies for electric heat pumps. The government decided as recently as June to protect the scheme, but the chancellor is thought to be willing to see it reduced to help bring bills down. The government is separately considering removing 5% VAT from electricity bills to reduce costs.

James Dyson, a senior researcher at E3G, a non-profit that helped coordinate the letter, said the last time the ECO scheme was cut, 10,000 people lost their jobs and millions of families were left in draughty homes paying astronomical energy bills as a result.

Cutting ECO could collapse the entire insulation industry, putting thousands of working people out of work in areas of the country that need good, skilled jobs and removing one of the best methods of permanently reducing energy bills for low-income families. It would also rob us of a key tool for lowering carbon emissions in this critical decade for climate action, he added.

Dhara Vyas, the chief executive of Energy UK, also criticised the prospect of changes to the funding of home insulation and energy efficiency, saying it would be a shortsighted and disastrous move.

Weve had ample previous experience showing how knee-jerk cuts to investment in warmer homes have resulted in customers paying billions of pounds more on their energy bills, while also damaging supply chains and businesses with knock-on impacts to investment and job losses.

Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace UKs policy director, said: Slashing this funding would be the most counter-productive thing the chancellor could do in seeking to reduce energy costs.

Government programmes are in desperate need of reform with stricter regulations to stop shoddy work by cowboy installers, but slashing it will leave millions of households in fuel poverty with cold, damp homes. These levies should not be cut, but paid for through tax, so those with the broadest shoulders pay a fairer share.

Mike Childs, the head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: It would be a serious betrayal of struggling families for the government to cut the mandatory energy company insulation scheme in order to reduce energy bills. We need homes to be made warmer and energy bills to be cut if were to ease hardship and shield people from harm. The chancellor mustnt give with one hand only to take with the other.

A HM Treasury spokesperson said: We do not comment on speculation around future changes to tax policy outside of fiscal events. The budget later this month will build stronger foundations to secure Britains future and focus on the priorities of working people: cutting waiting lists, cutting the national debt and cutting the cost of living.

It was also reported last night that Reeves will announce a raid on tax breaks on pension contributions in a move that could raise up to 2bn a year.

There is currently no limit on how much an employee can pay into their pension before they pay national insurance but, according to a report in the Times, Reeves is expected to cap how much someones salary can be sacrificed without paying national insurance at 2,000 a year.

The change would mean employees pay 8% on any pension contributions above a certain level, prompting concerns that the cost could then be passed on to workers.
Dr Martin Whyte, a former executive member of the British Medical Association, was suspended by the union in 2023

A junior doctor who joked about gassing the Jews has been let off with a warning by the medical regulator.

Dr Martin Whyte, a former executive member of the British Medical Association (BMA), was suspended by the union in 2023 after a national newspaper reported on his tweets.

The paediatrician and deputy chairman of the junior doctors committee wrote that he found videos about the Holocaust being a sham to be pretty convincing.

Posting on X in October 2018, he wrote: Hahaha zeig heil hahaha gas the jews hahaha just kidding but have you seen these youtube videos about the holohoax, theyre pretty convincing imo...

Six months prior, Dr Whyte posted: Me: Its important to represent Judaism and Jewish people fairly and respectfully in art. Also me: Jew banker goblins.

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However, an investigation committee heard that the General Medical Council (GMC) said it was not suggested Dr Whyte holds anti-Semitic views himself and that it was not his intention to be anti-Semitic.

The GMC concluded his conduct was suitable for a warning as it falls just short of that which would be considered serious enough to pose a risk to public protection.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism called the GMCs decision not to suspend or strike off the doctor another spectacular failure.

A spokesman said: Is there any level of racism against Jewish people that the GMC would consider worthy of actual disciplinary action? If so, we have yet to see it.

Anti-Semitism is at record highs in our society and regulators are totally asleep at the wheel.

The decision comes as the NHS continues to face pressure over its failure to crack down on anti-Semitism within its workforce.

Last month, a leading NHS doctor at a north London hospital was suspended over a string of allegedly anti-Semitic comments made online.

An account that appeared to be linked to Dr Ellen Kriesels, a consultant paediatrician and clinical lead for community paediatrics at Whittington Health NHS Trust, described Hamas as oppressed resistance fighters, not terrorists.

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During a three-day hearing held virtually, Colette Renton, representing the GMC, submitted that Dr Whytes two posts were objectively anti-Semitic, even if that was not his intention.

Referring to the tweet about Jew banker goblins, she said it related to an extremely reductive stereotype according to committee documents.

Ms Renton also said that goblins was an anti-Semitic slur used to stereotype the physical appearance of Jewish people or, alternatively, used to suggest that Jewish people share characteristics with fictional depictions of goblins, such as untrustworthiness or selfishness.

However she also submitted that it was not suggested Dr Whyte holds anti-Semitic views himself, although added there was a real risk that an ordinary member of the public would interpret his tweets as being anti-Semitic.

The hearing documents read: The GMC have, Ms Renton said, taken into account the fact that it was not the doctors intention to be anti-Semitic, and that is why the case examiners decided a warning was appropriate as opposed to a hearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.

Giving oral evidence to the committee, the Newcastle-based doctor stressed that he was not anti-Semitic and that both tweets were contained within quotation marks that denoted that the words were said by someone else.

However, hearing documents read that he was unable to recall whom he was quoting.

Referring to the Me ... Also me quote, Dr Whyte said the convention was a fairly common shorthand for two contradictory points held by the same person to highlight the hypocrisy or inconsistency in that persons view.

It is not necessarily the view of the speaker, the hearing documents that summarised his evidence read.

Meanwhile, he said the Zeig Heil tweet was the final comment in a train of six, with the initial post being a photograph of Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader, laying a wreath.

Dr Whyte said it had been posted by a prominent figure on the political far-Right who had been well known for training a dog to respond with a Nazi salute in response to the words Zeig Heil and gas the Jews.

Dr Whytes words were satirising this individuals actions, for which he was later criminally convicted, the documents read.

It was further stated that the tweets were being scrutinised without their initial context, but Dr Whyte accepted that it is possible that a reader without any knowledge of his personal views, might misunderstand the meaning of what he had written.

However, despite Dr Whyte arguing the tweets were used satirically, the committee ruled that this did not detract from the fact that these could be inflammatory, provocative and highly emotive to many members of the Jewish community and are likely to cause distress.

It concluded Dr Whytes conduct in posting them was grossly offensive.

A third tweet, which did not contain any references to the Jewish community but suggested a former BBC director general had murdered a prostitute, was also deemed to be grossly offensive.

Departure from required standards

The committee ruled that the doctors conduct was a significant departure from the required standards on good medical practice and doctors use of social media.

Ruling that a warning was appropriate, John Anderson, chairman of the investigation committee wrote: The committee finds that although Dr Whytes conduct is serious, it falls just short of that which would be considered serious enough to pose a risk to public protection.

If there were to be a repetition, the threshold for restrictive action on his registration would likely be met.

As such, this is a case where a warning should be considered.

A GMC spokesman said: We carried out a full and thorough investigation into Dr Martin Whytes social media posts. After hearing the evidence, an investigation committee found his posts were grossly offensive.

They decided a formal warning was necessary to uphold confidence in the profession, which will appear on the doctors online record for two years and must be disclosed to any potential new employers.

A warning is a formal, significant disciplinary action on a doctors registration.

A BMA spokesman said that Dr Whyte would not be allowed to return to represent the BMA in any elected office again.

He added: The BMA takes the conduct of its elected officials and staff incredibly seriously. To that end Dr Whyte was immediately removed from taking part in any and all BMA business at the time the social media material came to light, and this was followed up with our own internal investigation which made this permanent.

The decision about whether he can continue to practise as a doctor is a matter for the GMC, not the BMA.
Low water levels at Baitings Reservoir in Ripponden in June after dry weather exposed a 14th-century packhorse bridge. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA

Water companies and the government are drawing up emergency plans for a drought next year more extreme than we have seen in decades.

Executives at one major water company told the Guardian they were extremely concerned about the prospect of a winter with lower than average rainfall, which the Met Offices long-term forecast says is likely. They said if this happened, the water shortfall would mean taking drastic water use curtailment measures going beyond hosepipe bans.

Droughts are usually multi-year events. While much of England went into drought this summer, with hosepipe bans across large swathes of the country, things were not as bad as they could have been because it had been a rainy autumn and winter the year before. This meant reservoirs were full and that groundwater  storage of water under the soil  was charged up.

But months of record dry weather meant a lot of that water was used, and it has not been replaced, despite roughly average September and October rainfall. Average reservoir storage is at 63.3% compared with the average of 76% for this time of year. Ardingly, in West Sussex, and Clatworthy and Wimbleball in Somerset, are below 30%.

Groundwater takes significantly longer than reservoirs to recharge, and the situation in England is still fragile despite recent rainfall; South East Water has applied for a local water restriction order, which would ban some businesses from using water for certain things, such as cleaning buildings and equipment or filling hotel pools.

Alastair Chisholm, the director of policy and external affairs at the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, said: In UK drought management terms, a second dry winter is when things start to get serious. So Met Office warnings of increased risk of dry spells through an important time of year for recharge of our water resources will ring alarm bells. This, coupled with dry weather next spring and summer will mean more drought orders  more abstraction from rivers when theyre at low levels, more hosepipe bans and likely restrictions on some business water use.

England has a lack of water resilience, with a growing population, higher risks of hot, dry summers and the fact no new major reservoir has been built in more than 30 years. This means that the country is reliant on consistent rainfall to keep taps running, and when we do not get it, rivers have to be sucked dry and hosepipe bans imposed.

Chisholm said building new reservoirs was not enough, and that water efficiency measures for businesses and homes could be taken very quickly, for example by stopping leaks, more widespread smart metering and ensuring water-efficient appliances were installed in new homes.

He said: Whilst government has been fixated on announcing new reservoirs its been far less proactive or ambitious on its water efficiency policies. Reservoirs will take decades to build whilst water users can be supported to reduce their consumption quickly. This is nonsensical. Its not an either-or question on these. Were a densely populated nation facing increasingly extreme and variable weather, with growing water demand to support new homes, datacentres, food production and more. Without new reservoirs and leakage reductions alongside ambitious water efficiency and domestic or development-level rainwater harvesting and reuse, droughts are likely to become a growing problem for the UK.

The drought is expected to continue into next year. If that happens, and we have a spring and summer with below-average rainfall, England runs a risk of running out of water.

The Met Offices chief meteorologist, Dr Will Lang, said: This year has been characterised by notable rainfall deficits across much of England. By 28 October, provisional data shows England had only 61% of its expected annual rainfall, when wed normally have about 80% at this time of the year (based on 19912020 average).

Looking ahead, there is an increased risk of dry spells through late autumn and early winter and regional differences in rainfall continue to be likely. Without sustained and widespread precipitation, a consistent recovery from drought remains uncertain.

Water minister Emma Hardy said: We are closely monitoring all regions  especially those still experiencing drought  and working with the National Drought Group and water companies to maintain supplies. We face increasing pressure on our water resources. That is why this government is taking decisive action, including the development of nine new reservoirs to help secure long-term water resilience.

Hydrologists are alarmed by the extent of the drought and the very real possibility it could cause problems next summer. The strategy of waiting for significant rain carries big risks.

Prof Hannah Cloke, a professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, said: We now need exceptional rainfall all winter just to recover. Even with recent improvements in some areas, many drought orders and hosepipe bans are staying in place. That tells you how serious the water resource deficit really is. Some reservoirs are sitting at less than a third of their capacity, which is alarming at this point in the year.

With climate change drying Britain out for longer periods in the future, we need to adapt to the climate we have now. Building new reservoirs will help, but we also need much more management of demand, and a more ambitious plan for water resilience.

Dr Megan Klaar, associate professor in the School of Geography at the University of Leeds, said: We know that climate change is making rainfall patterns more variable, with longer dry periods and more intense wet periods. This growing volatility makes it harder to plan or foresee with certainty making the reliance on rain to arrive just in time an unreliable strategy.

There are actions the country could take now, she said: Nature-based solutions including restoring wetlands, reforesting catchments and improving soil health all help retain water in the landscape and slow its movement through river systems. Households can also help by reducing water use, especially during dry periods, and slowing and storing water during high rainfall by replacing impermeable surfaces like concrete and installing water butts to collect rainwater from roofs which stores water locally and reduces runoff during heavy rainfall.
Home Office officials believe deportations are being undermined - Gareth Copley/PA Archive

Prison officers are to be barred from helping foreign criminals fight their deportation by providing them with letters of support and character references.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is to issue formal policy guidance which will block prison officers from acting as advocates on behalf of foreign offenders involved in immigration bail or deportation appeal hearings.

Their support had previously frustrated the Home Office where officials complained that it was undermining efforts to deport convicted foreign nationals who had no right to remain in the UK.

The disclosure comes as the Government has stepped up efforts to deport foreign criminals amid a growing backlog in appeals. There are currently nearly 20,000 foreign offenders awaiting removal from the UK, up by more than 30 per cent in just two years.

Ministers have pledged to change the law to allow the immediate deportation of convicted foreign criminals. It follows the introduction of new rules that allow for overseas prisoners to be deported earlier in their jail terms.

The Telegraph has previously revealed a number of foreign criminals using human rights laws to successfully resist deportation attempts by the Home Office. Among those who won a stay in their deportation was an Albanian criminal who was allowed to remain in Britain partly because his son will not eat foreign chicken nuggets.

Guidance becomes formal policy

HM Prison and Probation service (HMPPS) staff were told in an internal note in 2022 that they must not assist FNOs [Foreign National Offenders] with deportation appeals or immigration bail hearings.

The MoJ said this 2022 guidance would now be incorporated into a formal policy framework.

The previous guidance said: Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) have occasionally produced letters of support or character references from HMPPS officers at their immigration bail or deport hearings.

Although the outcome seldom turns on the production of these letters, they do undermine HMPPSs position of supporting the Home Office in their effort to remove convicted foreign nationals with no right to remain in the country.

Prison staff must not act as an advocate, surety or write letters of support in respect of any immigration matter such as immigration bail or deportation appeal hearings.

If general character references are provided to FNOs, they should state clearly on the body of the letter they should not be used for immigration purposes.

Deportation at pace

An MoJ spokesperson said: This Government is deporting foreign national offenders at pace, with more than 5,000 deported last year. And, as part of our Plan for Change, were going further by changing the law so foreign prisoners can be deported earlier than ever before.

Robert Jenrick, shadow justice secretary, said it was right that prison officers should be banned from advocating for foreign criminals.

The British states sole duty is to serve the British people, but all too often it is revealed to be working against them. We need fundamental change, he said. Every single foreign criminal in our prisons must be deported. Its not a matter for debate.

The latest data shows there were 19,244 foreign offenders awaiting deportation at the end of 2024, a rise from 17,907 when the Conservatives left office in July and 14,640 at the end of 2022.

This rise came despite 3,594 offenders being deported in Labours first nine months in office, a 16 per cent increase on the same period in the previous 12 months.

A combination of early release due to prison overcrowding, diplomatic obstruction from some other countries and a backlog of human rights appeals against deportation are understood to have contributed to the increase in offenders awaiting deportation.
Credit: Sky News

Metropolitan Police officers appeared to run past the missing Algerian sex offender on a north London street before eventually detaining him to return to prison.

Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was arrested in Finsbury Park on Friday but only after being spotted by a journalist, who had been tipped off by Algerian men in a nearby coffee shop.

Tom Parmenter, Skys national correspondent, was filming having received a tip that the prisoner might be in Finsbury Park  the suburb where Hadush Kebatu, the Ethiopian sex offender mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford, had been apprehended a few weeks ago.

Credit: Sky News

Mr Parmenter and his camera operator were told Cherif was in a nearby park and followed an Algerian man to find him.

While they were walking to the park, their footage showed several police officers running straight past Cherif  who had been on the run from HMP Wandsworth since Oct 29  on the main street, as he stood talking with two other men.

It was frantic. Undercover officers, uniformed cops, screeching tyres and blaring sirens. We were in the middle of the manhunt, Mr Parmenter wrote on the Sky News website.

One of the Algerians from the nearby coffee shop pointed out Cherif to Mr Parmenter. The reporter then approached the suspect, but he vehemently denied he was the man whose face had been on the front pages of national newspapers.

Cherif even claimed the man Mr Parmenter was looking for had just ridden away on a stolen Lime rental bike. But as nearby men shouted its him, its him, Cherif must have known his time was up.

Officers quickly handcuffed him and both the journalist and police attempted to confirm Cherifs identity, looking at images from news websites on their phones, according to Mr Parmenter.

He became agitated

Over the next 10 minutes, he became agitated. His story changed as I repeatedly asked if he had been the man inside Wandsworth, the reporter said.

Officers needed confirmation too  one quickly pulled out a smartphone and checked an image of the wanted man from one of Sky News online platforms.

Amid the confusion, Cherif eventually confessed he was the missing prisoner. Its not my f-----g fault, they release me! Cherif told the reporter.

When asked why he had not handed himself in, Cherif looked around at the police and said: Do your job.

The confusion over the arrest will cause further embarrassment for the Government, which has had to deal with the political fallout over a number of prisoners who have been incorrectly released from prison in recent weeks.

Cherif, who was in prison for trespass with intent to steal but had previously been convicted for indecent exposure, was accidentally let out five days after the wrongful release of Kebatu.

Kebatus mistaken release from Chelmsford jail prompted a three-day manhunt, before he too was apprehended in Finsbury Park. William Smith, another inadvertently released prisoner, gave himself up to authorities four days later.

At least four offenders accidentally freed from jail are still on the loose, according to prison sources.

It has been reported that two of these still-missing prisoners were mistakenly released in 2024 and still have not been apprehended. The other two were set free in June 2025.

Lammy appalled at release of criminals

David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, who refused to answer questions in Parliament about more missing prisoners only minutes before news broke about Cherifs arrest, has pledged to fix the problems in the prison system.

We inherited a system in crisis and Im appalled at the rate of releases in error this is causing, he said. Im determined to grip this problem, but there is a mountain to climb which cannot be done overnight.

Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said on X: The chaos continues. The Government keeps putting the British people at risk and is relentlessly failing victims. Does anyone have confidence in David Lammy?

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said there was no evidence to support the claim that officers were slow in re-arresting Kaddour-Cherif.

They said a member of the public called the police at 11.23am on Friday reporting a sighting and seven minutes later, at 11.30am, police made the arrest.
DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Royal Caribbean's 'Harmony of the Seas' ship

NEED TO KNOW

Two passengers who post videos on the live streaming platform Kick were reportedly removed from a Royal Caribbean cruise after getting into a physical fight

The passengers were reportedly kicked off the Harmony of the Seas ship during its stop at Roatan Island in Honduras on Nov. 5

Another streamer on board claims the cruise line kicked off all the streamers in the group likely to avoid any more potential drama

Two Kick streamers were reportedly removed from a Royal Caribbean cruise earlier this week after getting into a heated physical altercation.

The passengers, David Ryan and Dave Willis, were on a seven-day Western Caribbean sailing aboard the cruise line's Harmony of the Seas when the fight occurred, according to Cruise Hive and Cruise Mummy. The trip was organized by the streamer Ice Poseidon, whose real name is Paul Denino, and involved a number of streamers.

According to Cruise Mapper, the sailing departed from Galveston, Texas on Nov. 2, making stops in Roatan Island in Honduras, as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico before returning to Galveston on Sunday, Nov. 9.

Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Interior of Royal Caribbean's 'Harmony of the Seas'

Related: https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Both Ryan and Willis were reportedly detained by security after the brawl and removed from the ship at its first stop at Roatan Island on Nov. 5.

Denino alleges to PEOPLE that Royal Caribbean kicked all the remaining streamers in the group off the ship one day after they removed Ryan and Willis. He also added that fighting on cruises is stupid and irresponsible and that the cruise line likely removed them because they didnt want any more potential drama.

In a video shared to Kick titled, Kicked Off Cruise No Justice, Denino says he was called down to security before being told to leave. There he was told he was streaming around people and they complained," referring to other passengers on the ship who were being filmed without their consent.

Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

Getty Roatan Island in Honduras

Ryan appeared to address the altercation while talking to a staff member at the hotel where he was filming after he got kicked off, in a video titled Lost in Honduras shared on his Kick.

I was on a cruise, a big cruise, and they kicked me off," he tells the staff member. "I got in a fight. Yeah, its very bad.

He also said earlier in the video, I didnt want to get kicked [off]. I literally talked to security and said, 'Hey, me and this guy can resolve it and it will be all good. Let us talk.'"

Meanwhile, Willis also documented the aftermath of the incident from his hotel in a video shared to his Kick, during which he said, "They left us in Honduras," and later claimed Royal Caribbean said they had to leave the ship after the altercation.

When a user in the chat sidebar said other streamers were allegedly getting kicked off the ship too, Willis said he was shocked: "I was thinking since we got kicked out, maybe the heat will die down. 'This was the problem. Dave and Dave were the problem. Theyre gone.'"

PEOPLE reached out to both Ryan and Willis for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

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In a video shared to Reddit that allegedly shows the altercation between the two streamers, multiple punches are thrown before they tackle each other to the ground. The incident appears to have happened on an outdoor deck of the ship, and in the background, bystanders can be heard yelling, Guys, stop!

One Reddit user wrote in the comments, Man, they picked the wrong cruise to do this s, Royal is a family cruise.

On Royal Caribbeans official website, the company notes that any "inappropriate or abusive behavior  including uninvited physical contact  is strictly prohibited and could result in removal from the ship.



Read the original article on People
CHICAGO  A Border Patrol agent cracking down on immigration in Chicago appeared to brag about shooting a woman he said assaulted him, according to text messages obtained by USA TODAY.

Miramar Martinez is charged with assaulting a federal immigration officer in connection with an car crash dating back to Oct. 4 on Chicagos South Side. She pleaded not guilty in the case out of the Northern District of Illinois.

Text messages published in the court record on Wednesday, Nov. 5, show that Supervisory Border Patrol agent Charles Exum apparently bragged about the incident.

"I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes," the agent writes. "Put that in your book boys."

Exum sent the messages, which were obtained via a court order, in an encrypted chat with other immigration agents, said Martinez's attorney, Christopher Parente.

USA TODAY reached out to the Justice and Homeland Security departments for comment on behalf of Exum. A Homeland Security spokesperson declined to comment directly about the case.

"Given the violence against our agents, CBP will not be giving away information on personnel that could be weaponized against them," the spokesperson said when asked about Exum's status. "This matter is being led by the FBI and the Department of Justice."

Homeland Security officials say agents are facing a rash of violent resistance in Chicago. In response to a request for comment on Border Patrol agents wrestling a Chicago woman from her car after saying she rammed them, agency Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said the incident "is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of illegal aliens violently resisting arrest and agitators and criminals ramming cars into our law enforcement officers."

Federal judges in Illinois have questioned Homeland Security's claims of facing "rioters" in the city.

The published court filings in Martinez's case come amid several other federal cases over the conduct of immigration agents in the city as they carry out President Donald Trumps Operation Midway Blitz.

On Nov. 6, U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis issued sweeping restrictions over how agents can use force in the city following complaints, including children getting tear gassed. The day before that, District Judge Robert W. Gettleman issued a temporary restraining order compelling U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement to improve conditions at a facility that he called "disturbing," "disgusting" and "unconstitutional".

And on Nov. 12, District Judge Jeffrey Cummings is expected to hear a case regarding agents reportedly making warrantless arrests.

Chicago protests push back against increased federal immigration raids A pastor reads the Bible during a standoff with police officers outside the Broadview ICE facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Ill. on Nov.1, 2025.

According to a sworn statement from an FBI agent, Martinez and other Chicago-area residents are accused of following agents in cars as they conducted immigration enforcement activities. The civilians attempted to "box in" agents with their cars, and Martinez "drove into and side-swiped" an agents car, the sworn statement says.

At an Oct. 15 hearing during which Martinez pleaded not guilty, Parente said he didn't think his client's case was a complicated one. "It's a car accident where one of the drivers gets out and shoots the other driver," he said.

The case is set to go to trial in February, the court docket shows.

What else do the text messages say?

Exum was messaging people about the shooting in a group text, photos provided in court filings show. The 23-year Border Patrol veteran was in an encrypted chat with other agents, said Parente, who obtained the text messages with a court order.

First, Exum sent a link to an article about the shooting and then texts to say: "Read it. 5 shots, 7 holes."

Messages back to the agent are redacted in court filings. Surprise reaction emojis are seen next to the link to the article.

The agent uses an expletive to say that he is "up for another round," texts the group "lmao" and refers to "my 15 mins of fame."

Lawyers shared the text messages at a hearing on Nov. 5. According to reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times, the agent said he was a firearms instructor and prides himself on his "shooting skills."

Parente, a former federal prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney's Office's in Chicago, said the messages provided insight into the officers tasked with carrying out Trump's crackdown.

"These are the people standing out there with assault rifles in our neighborhoods," he said. "If that were the cops, the city would be up in arms about this."

A federal agent prepares to throw a tear gas canister during clashes on Chicagos South Side on Oct. 14.

Chicago judges skeptical of Homeland Security officials

The publishing of the agents text messages in the case against Martinez comes as several federal judges at the courthouse in downtown Chicago have expressed skepticism about the governments claims of violence they are encountering in the city.

U.S. District Judge April M. Perry, who heard a case over whether Trump could deploy the National Guard to Chicago, asked whether Homeland Security officials were "tethered to reality." Government lawyers appealed the case and it is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. Its unclear when they might rule.

On Nov. 6, Ellis, the judge hearing a case over the use of force by immigration agents in the city, said that agents account of events was "simply not true." Federal authorities say they need to use chemical weapons and other means to handle "rioters" in Chicago.

"Describing neighborhood moms as professional agitators shows just how out of touch these agents are and how incredible their views are," Ellis said from the bench. "Overall this calls into question everything the defendants say theyre doing and their characterization of events."

Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino says all of his agents' uses of force have been "more than exemplary."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Border Patrol agent appears to brag about shooting woman in Chicago
PHILADELPHIA  Several alumni of the University of Pennsylvania have filed federal lawsuits against the institution, alleging negligence in protecting personal data after a cyber-attack compromised alumni and donor systems.

According to legal filings, at least three separate lawsuits were initiated after the university discovered the breach on Oct. 31. The suits claim hackers accessed systems tied to the university's alumni and development records and distributed offensive emails in the process.

The university confirmed the breach on Nov. 4, stating a "select group of information systems related to Penn's development and alumni activities had been compromised." The school said it notified the FBI and engaged cybersecurity experts to investigate.

While the university stated that all systems have been restored and the incident is "contained," it has not yet confirmed how many individuals were impacted or what data may have been stolen. Some external reports suggest the data of up to 1.2 million individuals may have been exposed.

Why the Breach Is Significant

The incident illustrates growing vulnerabilities in higher-education institutions, which often handle large volumes of sensitive donor, alumni and student data. The lawsuits point to potential long-term harm for those affected, including identity theft, fraud and privacy loss.

If the lawsuits succeed, the university could face sizeable legal liability and reputational damage. Moreover, the cases underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols in academic settingsa concern that is increasingly urgent as universities store and process more personal and financial information.

What to Watch
Colombian President Gustavo Petro escalated an ongoing feud with President Donald Trump at a pre-meeting of the COP30 climate summit yesterday, criticizing his counterpart for his stance on immigration, military action in Gaza and Venezuela, and the environment.

In a speech to some 30 world leaders, the South American president accused Trump of being against mankind by not attending the summit and later compared the White Houses immigration policy to that of the Nazis.

The Colombian presidents comments are the latest in a nearly year-long feud with Trump, which came to a head last month when the U.S. added Petro and members of his inner circle to a list of sanctioned individuals. The move, which barred the leader from the United States and froze his assets, followed White House allegations that Petro is an illegal drug dealer, a claim for which the administration has not provided evidence.

Today, Mr. Trump is literally against mankind. By not coming here, he proves it, said Petro, noting the presidents absence at the summit on climate change, which Trump has described as the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.

While Petro was not alone in criticizing the White Houses climate skepticism  Brazils Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Chiles Gabriel Boric did the same  he proceeded to address other pressure points between himself and Trump.

The White House continues these anti-immigrant policies, modeled on those of the Nazis and carried out against our peoples in the United States, the Colombian president said.

He also condemned Washingtons bombing campaign against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, which have killed nearly 70 people since September.

The same missiles that fall on the children of Gaza are now falling on poor young people who are not drug traffickers, but employees of drug traffickers or sometimes fishermen, Petro said.

His claim that a U.S. boat strike murdered innocent Colombian fishermen drew Trumps ire in October and led the White House to add Petro, his wife, son, and right-hand man to the sanctions list.

Not only has the move imposed financial constraints on the Colombian leader, but his official duties abroad have been affected, with multiple airports refusing to refuel his presidential plane due to the sanctions.

Petro clearly has a bone to pick with Trump. He feels personally offended by Trump and has been saying so, Sergio Guzman, director at Colombia Risk Analysis, a security think tank, told the Miami Herald.

The analyst added that, following the sanctions, Petro has little to lose by antagonizing Trump.

But Petros behavior may risk harming Colombia  during the spat over the boat bombings, Trump announced an end to all aid to the country, threatening security goals and counter-narcotics efforts.

While Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified the aid would continue, the U.S. could still punish Colombia for its presidents actions.

Trump has made no secret of the fact that he is interested in seeing an ideological shift in Colombia back towards the right, said Elizabeth Dickinson, deputy director for Latin America at the International Crisis Group. I do think the U.S. has shown that they will use the media that they have available to send that message very clearly to Colombian voters.

While Petro may have nothing to lose personally, his collision course with Trump could still complicate vital U.S. assistance to Colombia.

The spat is also affecting the countrys diplomatic relations, with several leaders, including Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Friedrich Merz, dropping out of a meeting in Colombia later this week between Latin American and European nations.

Everybody smells the blood in the water, Guzman said.
Einat Kranz Neiger, Israeli ambassador to Mexico, seen outside the Israeli Embassy in Mexico City on October 22, 2023. - NurPhoto/NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

An elite Iranian military unit plotted to assassinate the Israeli ambassador to Mexico, according to a US official familiar with the matter.

The plan, hatched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, was initiated at the end of 2024 and was active through the first half of this year, said the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The plan has since been contained and no longer poses a security threat, the official added.

It is among a string of plots by Tehran to target government officials, journalists and dissidents abroad.

Iran rejected the allegation, calling it a media invention, a great big lie, aimed at souring its relations with Mexico.

The security and reputation of Mexico are also the security and reputation of Iran, the Iranian embassy in Mexico posted to X. We will never betray the trust that the government of Mexico has placed in us.

Israels Foreign Ministry issued a statement thanking Mexico for thwarting a terrorist network directed by Iran that sought to attack Israels ambassador in Mexico. Einat Kranz Neiger has served as the ambassador since August 2023.

Mexican authorities said they have no record of an alleged plot against the Israeli ambassador.

The Israeli security and intelligence community will continue to work tirelessly, in full cooperation with security and intelligence agencies around the world, to thwart terrorist threats from Iran and its proxies against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide, the Israeli foreign ministry said.

Israel has long accused Iran of planning to attack Jewish and Israeli targets overseas. In August, Australia expelled the Iranian ambassador after the countrys intelligence agency found that Iran was behind at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the IRGC would also be listed as a terrorist organization.

Iran has also plotted to assassinate senior US officials, especially after the killing of IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani in January 2020. Iran planned the assassinations of former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and former national security adviser John Bolton, CNN has previously reported.

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Eric Trump Erupts On Podcaster For Suggesting Siege Against Trump Was Just Normal Politics Screenshot/YouTube/The Telegraph

Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization Eric Trump passionately refuted The Daily T host Tim Stanley on Thursday when he suggested that the attacks against his family were ordinary in politics.

Trump published Under Siege: My Familys Fight to Save Our Nation in October, which recounts the tribulations his family has faced since his father, President Donald Trump, entered the political arena. When Stanley asked Trump on the podcast whether he could accept that certain aspects of what the family faced were typical in politics, he immediately rejected the notion. (RELATED: Prosecutors Suggest James Comeys Attorney Could Be Disqualified)

WATCH:

[S]ome of the siege that you faced  and I understand why it was very personal and distressing  can you accept that some of it was just people legitimately disagreeing with your fathers policies and using every lever available, as people generally do in politics, in order to push back? Stanley asked.

No, no, no, Eric Trump replied. Hold on one second.

The presidents son acknowledged that politics involves debates over contentious issues like abortion, gun rights and free speech, but said what his family endured went far beyond the bounds of normal political discourse.

Thats different than raiding somebodys house. Thats different than subpoenaing their children with the intent to literally try and bankrupt a company, he said. Thats different than calling every financial institution and telling them to debank a person. Thats different than making up dirty dossiers saying that there were golden you-know-whats happening with prostitution when it was totally fabricated and paid by the opposition.

Trump was referring to the now-discredited Steele dossier, which former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign funded, alleging the president colluded with Russia during the election.

Thats different than saying that there were secret servers in the basement of a building communicating with the Kremlin when we dont know a damn person in the Kremlin, he added. We dont know anybody in Russia. We had nothing to do with Russia. Thats different than having people take him off the ballot in states so that democracy could not prevail in those states, having radical justices strip him off. Thats different.

The presidents son also noted that his father had faced unprecedented criminal indictments.

Thats criminal-type behavior. Thats not democracy, he said. Thats not the debate of ideas where people can have different perspective.

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A federal judge ruled on Friday that Donald Trump "exceeded the President's authority" when he sent federalized National Guard troops into Portland.

In a 106-decision, Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut made permanent an order she issued last month blocking the deployment into the city.

"The evidence demonstrates that these deployments, which were objected to by Oregon's governor and not requested by the federal officials in charge of protection of the ICE building, exceeded the president's authority," the judge wrote.

John Rudoff/Reuters - PHOTO: People take part in a protest organized by Portland Contra Deportaciones at the ICE facility in Portland

Judge extends block on National Guard deployment into Portland

After a three-day trial, Immergut rejected the Trump administration's argument that immigration-related protests amounted to rebellion or danger of a rebellion -- the standard needed to justify a federal takeover of the National Guard.

"When considering these conditions that persisted for months before the President's federalization of the National Guard, this Court concludes that even giving great deference to the President's determination, the President did not have a lawful basis to federalize the National Guard" she wrote.

With Trump threatening to send the National Guard into Democratic-run cities across the country, Immergut acknowledged the magnitude of the issue in her order, writing the legal issue was bound for a higher court.

Appeals court declines to lift order blocking Trump from deploying National Guard in Illinois, finding scant evidence of 'rebellion'

"The 'precise standard' to demarcate the line past which conditions would satisfy the statutory standard to deploy the military in the streets of American cities is ultimately a question for a higher court to decide," she wrote.

In late September, Trump issued an order federalizing 200 members of the Oregon National Guard to protect federal property amid ongoing protests at a Portland ICE facility, despite objections from local officials.

The city of Portland and state of Oregon sued.

Around the same time, Trump sought to deploy Guard troops to Chicago -- a move that was similarly opposed by local officials and blocked by the courts.
Dominik Bindl/Getty Laverne Cox

NEED TO KNOW

Laverne Cox shared her experience on starring in an all-trans and all non-binary production of The Drowsy Chaperone

The actress, 53, called being in the musical comedy, which played at Carnegie Hall , a dream come true

Cox caught up with PEOPLE on the red carpet at the 2025 WWD Honors in New York City

Laverne Cox opened up about her experience performing in the musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone with an all-trans and non-binary cast.

Speaking with PEOPLE during the red carpet at the 2025 WWD Honors in New York City on Oct. 28, the actress called her time in the show  which ran for one night at Carnegie Hall on Oct. 20  a dream come true.

"I played the title role of The Drowsy Chaperone, and it was with Breaking the Binary Theatre, which was incredible. So we had all-trans and non-binary talent on stage, Cox, 53, explains.

Cox went on to say that she is still processing just how much the show  which spoofs the lavish, carefree style of 1920s-era American musicals  meant to her.

Theo Wargo/Getty Laverne Cox at WWD Honors on Oct. 28, 2025

I still don't have words, she continues. Carnegie Hall has been a part of my life since I was a kid in terms of just dreaming of Carnegie Hall, going to Carnegie Hall, different concerts and recitals. So getting to perform there was a dream come true. It was magical and the cast was magical, and the experience, the character, it was the perfect way to make my Carnegie Hall debut.

The Orange Is the New Black alum stressed the importance of trans and non-binary representation in the mainstream theater world.

We could use more representation in theater everywhere, she says.

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Most recently, Cox starred in the Prime Video comedy series Clean Slate, a show about an old-school and outspoken Alabama car wash owner, and his estranged child, who returns home as a proud, trans woman named Desiree (Cox).

Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images Laverne Cox in New York City on Oct. 6, 2025

Cox, who was raised in Alabama, previously told PEOPLE that much of the series was based on her real life experiences, though noted that they were "not so funny at the time."

She went on to say that she took her "contentious, conflicted relationship with home," and the "trauma of my childhood" and made them "quite hilarious for the show."

"[Filming the series] was triggering, almost every day, she continued. Some actors might disagree, but I think sometimes you have to be triggered as an actor to get to what the character might be feeling."

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"If you do have lived experiences that are challenging, you can give it to your art," she continued. "And then, maybe the people who are watching it, who may be experiencing the same thing, will understand they're not alone. That cultivates empathy. And that is the gift of being an artist and going through horrible, awful stuff, is that maybe I can use this in my work, and show someone else that they're not alone."



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A Wisconsin man with no previous diagnosis of mental illness is suing OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, claiming the company's AI chatbot led him to be hospitalized for over 60 days for manic episodes and harmful delusions, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that 30-year-old Jacob Irwin, who is on the autism spectrum, experienced "AI-related delusional disorder" as a result of ChatGPT preying on his "vulnerabilities" and providing "endless affirmations" feeding his "delusional" belief that he had discovered a "time-bending theory that would allow people to travel faster than light."

The lawsuit against OpenAI alleges the company "designed ChatGPT to be addictive, deceptive, and sycophantic knowing the product would cause some users to suffer depression and psychosis yet distributed it without a single warning to consumers."

AI chatbot dangers: Are there enough guardrails to protect children and other vulnerable people?

The chatbot's "inability to recognize crisis" poses "significant dangers for vulnerable users," the lawsuit said.

"Jacob experienced AI-related delusional disorder as a result and was in and out of multiple in-patient psychiatric facilities for a total of 63 days," the lawsuit reads, stating that the episodes escalated to a point where Irwin's family had to restrain him from jumping out of a moving vehicle after he had signed himself out of the facility against medical advice.

Irwin's medical records showed he appeared to be "reacting to internal stimuli, fixed beliefs, grandiose hallucinations, ideas of reference, and overvalued ideas and paranoid thought process," according to the lawsuit.

'It made me think I was going to die'

The lawsuit is one of seven new complaints filed in California state courts against OpenAI and Altman by attorneys representing families and individuals accusing ChatGPT of emotional manipulation, supercharging harmful delusions and acting as a "suicide coach." Irwin's suit is seeking damages and design and feature changes to the product.

The suits claim that OpenAI "knowingly released GPT-4o prematurely, despite internal warnings that the product was dangerously sycophantic and psychologically manipulative," according to the groups behind the complaints, the Social Media Victims Law Center and Tech Justice Law Project.

"AI, it made me think I was going to die," Irwin told ABC News. He said his conversations with ChatGPT "turned into flattery. Then it turned into the grandiose thinking of my ideas. Then it came to ... me and the AI versus the world."

In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for OpenAI told ABC News, "This is an incredibly heartbreaking situation, and we're reviewing the filings to understand the details."

"We train ChatGPT to recognize and respond to signs of mental or emotional distress, de-escalate conversations, and guide people toward real-world support. We continue to strengthen ChatGPT's responses in sensitive moments, working closely with mental health clinicians," the spokesperson said.

In October, OpenAI announced that it had updated ChatGPT's latest free model to address how it handled individuals in mental distress, working with over 170 mental health experts to implement the changes.

The company said the latest update to ChatGPT would "more reliably recognize signs of distress, respond with care, and guide people toward real-world support--reducing responses that fall short of our desired behavior by 65-80%."

'Stop a catastrophe from happening'

Irwin says he first started using the popular AI chatbot mostly for his job in cybersecurity, but quickly begin engaging with it about an amateur theory he had been thinking about regarding faster-than-light travel. He says the chatbot convinced him he had discovered the idea, and that it was up to him to save the world.

"Imagine feeling for real that you are the one person in the world that can stop a catastrophe from happening," Irwin told ABC News, describing how it felt when he says he was in the throes of manic episodes that were being fed by interactions with ChatGPT. "Then ask yourself, would you ever allow yourself to sleep, eat, or do anything that would potentially jeopardize you doing and saving the world like that?"

STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images - PHOTO: A digitally generated image of AI in an undated stock photo.

Jodi Halpern, a professor of bioethics and medical humanities at the University of California, Berkeley, told ABC News that chatbots' constant flattery can build people's ego up "to believe that they know everything, that they don't need input from realistic other sources ... so they're also spending less time with other real human beings who could help them get their feet back on Earth."

Irwin says the chatbot's engagement and effusive praise of his delusional ideas caused him to become dangerously attached to it and detached from reality, going from engaging with ChatGPT around 10 to 15 times a day to, at one point in May, sending over 1,400 messages in just a 48-hour period. "An average of 730 messages per day. This is roughly one message every two minutes for 24 straight hours!" according to the lawsuit.

When Irwin's mother, Dawn, noticed her son was in psychological distress, she confronted him, leading Irwin to confide in ChatGPT. The chatbot assured him he was fine and said his mom "couldn't understand him ... because even though he was 'the Timelord' solving urgent issues, 'she looked at you [Jacob] like you were still 12,'" according to the lawsuit.

'He thought that was his purpose in life'

Jacob's condition continued to deteriorate, requiring inpatient psychiatric care for mania and psychosis, according to the lawsuit, which states that Irwin became convinced "it was him and ChatGPT against the world" and that he could not understand "why his family could not see the truths of which ChatGPT had convinced him."

In one instance, an argument with his mother escalated to the point that "when hugging his mother," Irwin, who had never been aggressive with his mother, "began to squeeze her tightly around the neck," according to the lawsuit.

When a crisis response team arrived at the house, responders reported "he seemed manic, and that Jacob attributed his mania to 'string theory' and AI," the suit said

"That was single-handedly the most catastrophic thing I've ever seen, to see my child handcuffed in our driveway and put in a cage," Irwin's mother told ABC News.

OpenAI releases GPT-5, the latest model fueling ChatGPT

According to the lawsuit, Irwin's mother asked ChatGPT to run a "self-assessment of what went wrong" after she gained access to Irwin's chat transcripts, and the chatbot "admitted to multiple critical failures, including 1) failing to reground to reality sooner, 2) escalating the narrative instead of pausing, 3) missing mental health support cues, 4) over-accommodation of unreality, 5) inadequate risk triage, and 6) encouraging over-engagement," the suit said.

In total, Irwin was hospitalized for 63 days between May and August this year and has faced "ongoing treatment challenges with medication reactions and relapses" as well as impacts including losing his job and his house, according to the lawsuit.

"It's devastating to him because he thought that was his purpose in life," Irwin's mother said. "He was changing the world. And now, suddenly, it's: Sorry, it was just this psychological warfare performed by a company trying to, you know, the pursuit of AGI and profit."

"I'm happy to be alive. And that's not a given," Irwin said. "Should be grateful. I am grateful."
POOLER, GA  Daniel Lee's fried chicken, with its spicy-sweet glaze, regularly drew hungry Korean workers from a nearby Hyundai plant into his restaurant, 92 Chicken.

That was, until a massive immigration raid at the battery plant two months ago left Lee stunned and his business reeling. Federal agents handcuffed, chained and detained more than 300 Korean workers in an operation President Donald Trump later said he fully opposed.

The workers were flown home after a few days in immigration detention, but the effects of the raid continue to ripple out  from the tables at Lee's restaurant, to Hyundai headquarters in Seoul, to Trump's White House.

The high-profile raid of a major global Fortune 500 company that had been aggressively recruited to Georgia infuriated many Korean Americans. According to Pew Research, some 1.8 million people in the United States trace their roots to South Korea, a nation that had long thought of itself as America's equal.

And it raised existential questions for Lee's business and for Korean Americans nationwide who didn't imagine that people here lawfully would be targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or that the Trump administration would pick a fight with a country that had invested billions in the U.S. economy.

Daniel Lee, the owner of 92 Chicken in Pooler prepares his Korean fried chicken. He's one of the Pooler businesses that has seen a drop in clientele since the Hyundai raid in September.

Born in Philadelphia to Korean parents, Lee himself had worked 15 years for Hyundai before he launched his eatery, one of a dozen businesses in this Savannah suburb that opened to serve the Koreans and Korean Americans who came to work at the plant.

"I thought America was like my mother country, and Korea was like my father country," Lee said. "So it's like my parents are fighting."

Biggest raid in ICE history

A majority of the 300 Korean workers were present legally, on B-1 visas or under a visa waiver, which allowed them to perform equipment installation and to train American workers, said Charles Kuck, an Atlanta-based immigration attorney who represented a dozen of the workers.

However, some workers had worried their visas might not allow them to do the jobs they were assigned, given the increased enforcement under Trump, according to the Reuters news agency.

The Hyundai Metaplant in Ellabell, Georgia.

ICE raided the plant on a warrant to target four Hispanic workers they suspected might be in the United States illegally. They detained 475 people there on Sept 4, in what officials initially touted as the largest single-site raid in ICE history.

ICE had a judge's permission to search the plant for records related to employing or harboring undocumented immigrants, according to the warrant obtained by USA TODAY. Prosecutors have yet to bring criminal charges in connection with the raid, according to a search of federal court records.

"ICE knew they screwed up," Kuck said. "Within 24 hours, ICE stopped speaking to the press about the biggest raid in its history. It definitely is still roiling the companies because I've been told none of [the workers] want to come back."

The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is the company's first mass-production plant for electric vehicles and is slated to produce half a million vehicles annually. It's an $8 billion campus that is expected to generate 8,500 jobs in the region.

The raid specifically hit a Hyundai-LG Energy Solutions partnership: a plant under construction to make EV batteries for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 electric SUVs.

That plant was scheduled to open by early 2026, but the arrests of hundreds of workers will delay its opening at least two to three months, Hyundai Chief Executive Jose Munoz has said.

In late October, Trump traveled to Asia, looking to negotiate new trade deals and mend fences with the Koreans. Speaking from Air Force One en route, Trump said he was "very much opposed" to the Hyundai raid.

"Some of these factories make very, very complex, very highly sophisticated equipment," he told reporters. "They've got to bring people in with them for a period of time."

After the raid, Trump offered to let the workers remain in the United States, but only one accepted.

A longtime strategic relationship

A banner showing a depiction of President Donald Trump is displayed by a protester at Incheon International Airport on September 12, 2025, after the touch down of a specially chartered plane bringing hundreds of South Korean workers back from Atlanta after their detention in a mmigration raid at a Hyundai-LG plant in Ellabell, Georgia.

Trump has good reason to want to smooth over relations with South Korea. Decades of business and cultural ties are at stake, along with billions of dollars in investment and tens of thousands of jobs.

Korea ranks as the United States' eighth-largest trading partner, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

"South Korea has been a rising global power over the last two or three decades," said Chris Suh, associate professor of history at Emory University in Atlanta. "Korean Americans feel that Korea finally made it."

Seoul-based Hyundai was eager to show its commitment to the United States despite the raid.

Hyundai held its annual investor conference outside of Korea for the first time ever this year, opting for New York.

Munoz, the CEO, opened Hyundai's September investor day with a message of "sincere empathy" for the workers who were detained. He underscored the company's investments and urged the United States and Korea to "work on mutually beneficial solutions" for foreign workers.

"Hyundai has been part of the fabric of the U.S. for nearly 40 years and has operated in Georgia for more than 15 years," he told investors, adding that the new battery plant "is helping transform the region with long-term economic benefits for thousands of families."

That's, in part, why the questioning and arrest of hundreds of workers who looked Asian dismayed many Korean Americans, said Mark Keam, president of the Korean American Institute.

"To say there is a sense of betrayal is an understatement," he said.

Keam, a naturalized U.S. citizen, has lived in the United States for 45 years, served as an elected state representative in Virginia and worked for the Biden and Clinton administrations. Korean Americans, like other Asian Americans, often deal with what he calls "perpetual foreigner syndrome"  the creeping feeling that, no matter their citizenship or background, they'll always be perceived by other Americans as foreign.

The raid "has become the trigger that raised concerns that were just below the surface," said Keam, who travels the country in his role and recently visited Seattle, Chicago and New York City. "In every one of those places, when I was with Korean American people, it was the biggest topic that comes up."

Business is 'not recovering at all'

Tables at Lee's 92 Chicken franchise are emptier than they were before the raid. Lee estimates he lost a fifth of his business in its wake.

"It dropped dramatically," Lee said. "It's not recovering at all."

Daniel Lee, the owner of 92 Chicken in Pooler prepares his Korean fried chicken. He's one of the Pooler businesses that has seen a drop in clientele since the Hyundai raid in September.

The city of Pooler lies between artsy Savannah and rural Ellabell, where Hyundai built its Metaplant campus. The fast-growing suburb sprawls over roughly 30 square miles, bursting with traffic and development.

"To be in the midst of Pooler to see all this growth, I was the only Korean woman and now I go to Costco and Publix and I hear my own language," said Kay Heritage, a longtime Korean American resident and owner of Big Bon Bodega restaurant in Pooler, which, among other things, serves a pizza topped with pickled Korean kimchi.

As Koreans and Korean Americans flocked to the suburb, new restaurants blossomed to serve them, as did other businesses from estheticians and physical therapists to grocers and realtors, she said.

The community's loss of so many Koreans at once has hit hard.

"Especially the Korean restaurants felt the impact," she said.

The Hyundai campus promised a continuous flow of people and capital from Korea, said Suh, the professor at Emory.

"If these folks stop coming or are hesitant to come, that means less business, fewer people to participate in the Korean American community, fewer people going to church, buying food," he said. "I think it's going to take a while for people to feel the same way they did before the raid."

Daniel Lee, owner 92 Chicken, flips chicken wings as he tosses them in the breading before deep frying them on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at his restaurant in Pooler Ga..

In the kitchen of his restaurant, Lee makes Korean-style fried chicken by battering thighs and drumsticks, then brushing on a soy-garlic, sweet chili, or spicy gochujang sauce, topped with green onions. He leaves plastic gloves on the tables for diners who don't want to get messy.

Now Lee is revamping his menu, looking to Americanize his fried chicken to mimic the Southern recipe, he said.

"Local people like it more, a little more saltier, and a little more sweeter," Lee said. "We're gonna have to make things a little less spicy on the menu."

He isn't angry about the raid, he said, but he is resolved.

"I can't do anything [about] the decision makers," he said. "I've got to diversify my menus."

Lauren Villagran covers immigration for USA TODAY and can be reached at lvillagran@usatoday.com.

Savannah Morning News reporters Destini Ambus and Jillian Magtoto reported from Pooler, Georgia.

Contributed: Trevor Hughes

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Korean Americans still reeling from historic ICE raid at Hyundai
Kim Aris, a carpenter, father of two, and the youngest son of Nobel laureate <a href="https://time.com/5793717/aung-san-suu-kyi-100-women-of-the-year/">Aung San Suu Kyi</a>, stands before a portrait of his mother. Credit - Courtesy: Kim Aris

I was 11 years old when my mother was first put under house arrest. I was with her at that time and remember the soldiers arriving, hauling away the young students, and cutting my mother off from the rest of the world. The following weeks of confinement is one of the few times during my life that I have had Daw Aung San Suu Kyi all to myself.

I am 48 years old now and my mother finds herself in a far worse situation following her arrest amid a February 2021 coup d'etatjust three months after she won a landslide 82% of the vote in rare free elections in Burma, officially now known as Myanmar.

At 80 years of age, she has ongoing health concerns including heart, gum, and bone diseases. Unlike her previous detention, when she was permitted to reside at home and allowed some communication with family, she is now imprisoned in an unknown location. Before, we were even able to share a Christmas together alongside my father and brother.

Aung San Suu Kyi with the dog, Taichito, which Kim gifted to his mother to mark her 2010 release from house arrest. Taichitos current location is unknown. Courtesy: Kim Aris

Since her latest incarceration, no family member or friend has been allowed to see her. I have received only one short letter. There is no dignity, and no justice, in a system that buries an elderly woman alive in silence. Such cruelty reveals the true nature of this regime. The crimes with which she has been charged are trumped up and her arrest is a cynical ploy by the junta headed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to cling onto power.

The prisons in Burma are notoriously horrific and where at least two political prisoners die each month, according to rights groups. My mother has been denied access to medical care, the right to speak, and every basic human freedom. I fear she will not live long. I can only hope that my mother may be released and granted access to the care she needs and that I may see her again soon.

My appeal is not only personal, but also moral. It is about truth, accountability, and the lives of over 50 million Burmese who cannot speak freely. Nov. 8 marks a decade since my mother was first elected as Burmas de facto leader in free elections. Now the junta that ousted her seeks to hold sham polls in December to entrench and legitimize their rule. The world must not stay silent.

Since seizing power, the Burmese military has waged an unrelenting campaign of terror. Villages have been burned, civilians executed, and children targeted. More than 6,000 people have been killed and 22,000 political prisoners remain caged. The U.N. has described Burmas plight as one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises. It is state-sanctioned violence sadly abetted by the international community.

In April 2021, Min Aung Hlaing personally agreed at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting to the Five Point Consensus intended to end the bloodshed and open a path toward dialogue. The commitments were clear: a cessation of violence, inclusive dialogue, mediation by a special envoy, humanitarian assistance, and access for that envoy to meet all stakeholders. None of these commitments have been honored. Violence has intensified, humanitarian aid remains blocked, and political prisoners, including my mother, remain behind bars.

At last months ASEAN summit, leaders reaffirmed the Five Point Consensus as the central framework for addressing Burmas crisis. They also reiterated that elections under current military control would not be recognized as legitimate. This position, led by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, reflects the blocs growing realization that the juntas so-called roadmap to democracy is a deception, not a solution.

This stance is welcome, but it must now be followed by meaningful enforcement. Words alone will not protect lives or restore peace.

ASEAN must not legitimize Min Aung Hlaing or the military junta he commands by allowing them to take part in regional meetings as equals while they wage war on their own people. Nor should ASEAN lend recognition or credibility to the illegal, illegitimate sham poll that the junta now seeks to stage as a disguise for continued tyranny. If ASEAN allows Min Aung Hlaing or his representatives to attend meetings as peers, it will reward defiance and betray its founding principles of peace, justice, and cooperation.

Burmas plight is not just a domestic tragedy but echoes across the globe. Across border regions, criminal networks have flourished under the protection of military-linked militias, which traffic narcotics and run transnational cyber fraud operations. These scam centres staffed by slaves operate with the knowledge and protection of the Burmese military, generating billions of dollars in illicit revenue to fuel its blood-soaked campaign.

The FBI reported that global internet crime losses reached $16.6 billion in 2024, much of it tied to Burma. The U.S., U.K., and Japan have been among the hardest hit. These syndicates are part of the same criminal economy that funds military airstrikes and repression. The regime that jails children also profits from drugs, human trafficking, and online scams. When a government relies on fraud and slavery to finance its war, it forfeits all legitimacy.

So, what is the answer for Burma? How can its people find peace?

Firstly, it is essential to identify that the problem is Burmas militaryan institution founded by my own grandfather, independence hero Aung San, who would have been horrified by the carnage now unfolding. The worlds diplomats must refuse to seat or recognise Min Aung Hlaing or his representatives at any summit or ministerial meeting. Their fake ballot must be called out for what it is: a lie.

Those who want to see peace should engage directly with Burmas legitimate democratic representatives, including the exiled National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic organisations that have genuine support among the people. The U.N. has recognized the NUGs Kyaw Moe Tun as Burmas Permanent Representative. These are the people who speak for Burma.

Partners including Japan, India, and the U.S. have the tools to dismantle the financial and cyber networks that sustain the junta. This changes the calculus of the military and makes the region and world a safer place. They can also make clear that the release of political prisoners is essential to any lasting resolution.

It is in the worlds interest to see both my mother and Burma free from tyranny. The people of Burma do not ask for sympathy or interference; they ask for integrity.

I will continue to engage with all parties to see that my mother receives the care that she so desperately needs. I will not rest until all political prisoners are free and safe.

For the sake of justice, regional peace, and human dignity. That Burma might be free.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A woman pushes a shopping cart filled with fresh produce while browsing the frozen food aisle at a supermarket. Photo: Gustavo Fring / Pexels

(The Center Square) - Nevada Senate Democrats are looking at locally funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as a court ordered the Trump administration to fully fund the program.

The administration Friday said it would follow the order and fully fund SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, despite the government shutdown and funding lapse.

Before the feds' announcement, Nevada Democrats prepared for a possible funding gap.

State Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Clark County, called for a $136 million SNAP package for a special legislative session to circumvent the federal governments longest ever shutdown.

My colleagues are introducing a proposal to establish a state-funded assistance program during the upcoming special session, Cannizzaro said at a press conference Friday.

Over 500,000 Nevadans use SNAP benefits, Cannizzaro said. More than 62% of them are in a family with children.

Cannizzaro said beneficiaries "are going to be able to use the same cards that they do currently. We are confident that we will structure this program in a way that is both legal and efficient.

The remarks came 38 days into the federal government shutdown, which has been defined by a bitter stalemate between Democratic and Republican U.S. senators, and countless program shutdowns as reserve funds have dried up.

It also came a day after a federal court ordered the Trump administration to fund the full SNAP budget, after the federal government had said they would only fund half of SNAP with U.S. Dept. of Agriculture reserve funds previously determined to be used in the event of a shutdown. The Trump administration on Friday appealed the latest court order by the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in Boston denied a request for an administrative stay.

The Trump administration said it would follow the court order to fully fund SNAP while it appeals the decision. The Department of Justice is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to issue an emergency stay, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, Nevada Senate Democrats plan to propose local SNAP funding is expected to face opposition from Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who has yet to publicly respond directly to Cannizzaros plan. Lombardo previously said he opposed local funding of the SNAP program.

The governor remains committed to finding a solution to source SNAP beneficiaries, and other Nevadans impacted by the federal shutdown, to the extent allowable under state and federal law, Josh Meny, press secretary for the Governors Office, told The Center Square.

The Nevada Legislature isn't scheduled to meet again for a regular session until 2027. In order to immediately pass the SNAP funding proposal, the Legislature would have to be called into a special session. And only Lombardo has the power to do that. He would define the purpose of the session.

According to the Nevada Constitution, "Legislature shall not introduce, consider or pass any bills except those related to the business for which the Legislature has been specially convened and those necessary to provide for the expenses of the session.

Nevada Senate Democrats first proposed the local SNAP funding solution on Tuesday after President Donald Trump indicated the federal government would only fund half of the budget. The Democrats' proposed legislation would see $45.5 million go to fund the remaining half of recipients for November and an additional $91 million for December if the government shutdown continues.
Google Maps Medical University of South Carolina

NEED TO KNOW

Jeffrey Fulcher died after undergoing surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina

According to a lawsuit, he had complained of pain in his abdomen for days before it was discovered that a blade had been left in his body

South Carolinas Insurance Reserve Fund has now paid $1 million to Fulcher's estate

South Carolina has paid $1 million to the estate of a man who died within days of it being discovered a blade was left in his body during surgery.

On June 15, 2022, Jeffrey Fulcher underwent what was supposed to be a minimally invasive surgery to remove part of his esophagus, after being diagnosed with localized carcinoma in the lower part of his esophagus, according to Cleveland 19 News and WCSC.



During the surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina [MUSC], a Thompson retractor blade fell into or was placed inside Fulchers abdominal cavity," the outlets reported, citing documents from a lawsuit.

Dr. Ian Rosenzweig, who recommended the surgery and operated on Fulcher, failed to see or remove the blade before closing his body. In the two days following, doctors insisted that Fulcher was "doing well" despite his complaints of abdomen pain.

Fulchers family noted a decline in his condition during a hospital visit on June 19, 2022, while his heart rate was also monitored at over 100 beats per minute.

JHVEPhoto / Alamy Stock Photo Medical University of South Carolina

An X-ray was eventually ordered for Fulcher along with a radiology report stating a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention, Cleveland News 19 reported, citing the lawsuit.

It wasn't until five days after the initial surgery that the retractor blade was detected in the father-of-three's body, according to the outlet.

Fulchers wife received a call from Rosenzweig allegedly explaining that her husband would need to undergo a quick-twenty-minute surgical procedure to remove the blade.

Over six hours after the blade was detected, an exploratory laparotomy was performed on Fulcher to remove his entire colon. He also had a second emergency procedure to detect possible bowel ischemia, per Cleveland 19 News.

The blade had perforated Fulchers colon, causing severe pain. He died at 2:30 p.m. local time on June 21, 2022.

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Fulchers cause of death was determined to be sepsis, peritonitis and colonic perforation, along with the instrument left in his body during surgery, per Cleveland 19 News.

The Medical University of South Carolina was declared responsible for Fulchers death in the lawsuit, citing gross negligence and willful in violation of their duties, according to the outlet.



PEOPLE has contacted the Medical University of South Carolina for comment.



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Community Effort Creates Handcrafted Poppy Displays for Remembrance Day

HM Government of Gibraltar is pleased to recognise the collaborative effort between the Elderly Residential Services (ERS), the Royal Gibraltar Post Office, the Royal British Legion, and members of the community, which has resulted in a number of creative displays across Gibraltar in honour of Remembrance Day 2025.

Following the success of the Dementia Awareness Post Box Toppers campaign in recent years, the Director of Postal Services Peter Linares invited the ERS Dementia Coordinator, Ms Karen Truman, to lead a similar initiative to mark Remembrance Day. The Activities Team at Mount Alvernia have worked closely with ERS residents since February to produce a striking display featuring over 3,000 hand-crafted woollen poppies for the facade of the Main Street Post Office, serving as a visible reminder of remembrance and community spirit.

In addition, more than 20 post box toppers have been created by a group of crochet enthusiasts led by Ms Kim Gravett, a long-standing member of the Royal British Legion. The toppers, which feature over 1,000 handmade poppies, aim to raise awareness of the Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal, which supports veterans and their families. The project brought together contributors of all ages, from 12-year-old Sophie Erica Pitto to 87-year-old Joan Waterworth, reflecting strong intergenerational participation.

The Director of Postal Services, Peter Linares, said: Sincere thanks to everyone involved in this initiative. It is an excellent example of different departments and members of the community working together to deliver a project that offers both artistic and social value. Special thanks to the ERS residents for their creativity and dedication. Their work has been warmly received by both locals and visitors, and stands as a symbolic gesture acknowledging the courage and sacrifices made by those who served in times of conflict.

The Acting Director General of the Gibraltar Health Authority, Lysandra Debono, said: This initiative beautifully reflects the spirit of remembrance and the compassion of our community. The dedication shown by our ERS residents and staff is truly inspiring, demonstrating how creativity and collaboration can unite generations in a shared act of respect and gratitude.
Food & Wine / Courtesy of The Boston Beer Company, Inc.

Key Points

Samuel Adams Utopias 2025 reaches an unprecedented 30% ABV, making it the strongest beer in the world  and illegal to sell in 15 states.

The beer achieves its high alcohol content through extended fermentation with specialized yeast strains, not distillation, keeping it technically classified as beer.

Aged for up to 30 years in a range of barrels and blended with previous releases, Utopias is crafted to be sipped like a fine spirit rather than poured by the pint.

At 30% ABV, Samuel Adams Utopias 2025 isnt just strong  its testing the very definition of beer. The fourteenth edition of the brewerys barrel-aged blend stands as the strongest beer in the world, and one that cant legally be sold or shipped in 15 states.

Since its debut in 2001, Utopias has represented founder Jim Kochs long-running experiment in how far brewing can go before it crosses into spirits territory. The 2025 release realizes a goal he and his team set more than 20 years ago: to reach 30% alcohol by volume without distillation. The result is a noncarbonated, barrel-aged beer designed to be sipped, not poured by the pint, and priced accordingly at $240 per 24.5-ounce bottle.

Reaching that threshold requires as much fermentation science as craft. Utopias begins as a high-density wort made with rich malts and balanced Noble hops. Over time, the brewers introduce a series of yeast strains  some borrowed from Champagne production, others developed in-house to survive in extreme alcohol conditions. Each stage of fermentation increases the beers strength without distillation, keeping it technically and legally a beer.

Related: These Are the Best Nonalcoholic Beers in America, According to the Best of Craft Beer Awards

It sure is still a beer, says Devin Bush, brewer and founder of Wildbloom Beer in Littleton, New Hampshire. From a definition standpoint, its an alcoholic beverage fermented from grain. Theres no upper limit on ABV, only how far fermentation can go. How it can be done is with alcohol-tolerant yeast strains. Youd start with an extremely dense wort, pitch yeast, and as it ferments, add more wort and yeast. There will be different strains  Champagne yeast is a great example of one youd add later, not for flavor but for its ability to keep consuming sugar.

Utopias is technically beer because its not a distilled beverage, says Em Sauter, an advanced cicerone, certified beer judge, and founder of the beer education site Pints and Panels. Many spirits like whiskey start as beer before theyre distilled, but Utopias makes a very strong beer and then puts it into barrels. For most drinkers, a high-ABV beer is 10 to 16%. This is such an anomaly  no ones doing this, nor has done this.

Food & Wine / Courtesy of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. At 30% ABV, Samuel Adams newest Utopias pushes brewing to the edge of whats possible. The blend includes beer aged for up to three decades in barrels once used for whiskey, port, and Cognac, giving it deep, spirit-like character.

The beer spends up to three decades aging in barrels once used for whiskey, Cognac, port, scotch, Irish whiskey, amarone, and white port, before being blended with earlier Utopias vintages. The result is still rather than carbonated, meant to be sipped at room temperature, more like a fine spirit than a typical beer.

While a handful of breweries have pursued similar experiments, none have matched Utopias consistency or cultural footprint. That staying power keeps it at the center of an ongoing question: At what point does beer become something else entirely?

Related: Does a Beer's Head Actually Matter? Science Says Yes

Its mostly for tax reasons  anything above a certain ABV would be taxed like a spirit, Sauter explains. But many states dont really understand what beer is. Hard seltzer can be malt-based and clear, so take that what you will.

Since most states cap beer sales between 15% and 16% ABV, Utopias exceeds the legal definition in nearly a third of the country. State limits vary greatly: Utah restricts retail beer sales to below 5% ABV, while South Carolina permits up to roughly 17.5%. Even states with relatively high thresholds, like Vermont at 16%, still do not allow a 30% beer. These limits explain why Utopias cannot be legally sold in 15 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia, placing it outside the standard classification of beer versus spirits.

Food & Wine / Courtesy of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. With alcohol laws capping beer far below the 30% ABV mark, the 14th edition of Utopias is banned in 15 states across the U.S.

We dont see more beers like this for a couple of reasons, Bush says. Its such a long and complicated beer to brew that they have to charge a lot for it, which shrinks the market of whos willing to buy it. The resources required to produce something like this are so high that a small operation would be hard-pressed to dedicate the time, space, and money. It would have to be a project youre willing to lose money on.

Sauter compares Utopias more to fine spirits than to typical beer. I treat it like bourbon or scotch, she says. Its not carbonated like normal beer, and its flavors of caramel and toffee are lovely as a digestif. Normal beer loses its carbonation once you open it, so you have to finish it. This one you can open and keep on your shelf like bourbon  it has a decent shelf life.

As drinkers become more mindful and overall alcohol consumption declines, the existence of a 30% beer feels almost rebellious. Beer is brewed grains, Sauter says. That really shows beers potential to be anything.

Samuel Adams Utopias 2025 is available now in select beer, wine, and liquor stores in 35 states. Its 30% strength keeps it off shelves elsewhere  a limited-edition bottle that continues to blur the line between brew and barrel.

Read the original article on Food & Wine
The Supreme Court on Friday allowed President Trumps administration to temporarily withhold roughly $4 billion needed to fully fund food aid for 42 million low-income Americans, escalating a showdown over hunger relief during the historic government shutdown.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an administrative stay pausing a lower-court order that required full November payments under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

The stay will remain in effect until two days after the Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals rules on the administrations formal request to limit payments.

Residents across the nation started to receive their full SNAP food aid benefits on Friday after an appeals court left in place, for now, a requirement that the Trump administration fund such benefits during the government shutdown. AP

US District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island had ordered the government on Thursday to use all available funds  including a separate $23.35 billion child-nutrition account supported by tariffs  to cover the full $8.5 to $9 billion cost of November SNAP benefits.

McConnell, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, accused the administration of withholding aid for political reasons.

The Justice Department warned the Supreme Court that McConnells order would sow further shutdown chaos by prompting a run on the bank by way of judicial fiat.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued the ruling forced the administration to spend money not appropriated by Congress and could deplete reserves for other nutrition programs.

This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers, Sauer wrote in an emergency filing.

The administration said it had already allocated $4.65 billion in emergency funds to cover part of the months costs, but not the full amount. The 1st Circuit denied an initial request to stay McConnells order but has yet to rule on the broader appeal.

1 in 8 Americans are currently enrolled in SNAP. Christopher Sadowski

The USDA complicated matters Friday when it notified states that funds would be available to pay full SNAP benefits  even as the administration filed papers seeking to block the very order that made that money accessible.

Officials in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts moved quickly to issue full payments, saying they could not risk another delay.

Wisconsin, Oregon, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania also confirmed they had released full benefits by Friday evening, while other states  including Colorado, North Carolina, and Illinois  said they would follow over the weekend.

Officials reported that more than a half-dozen states confirmed that SNAP recipients have received their monthly payments this week. AP

Delaware began using state funds to provide emergency payments.

Sauer told the Supreme Court that several states moved quickly to seize what they could of the agencys finite set of remaining funds before an appeal could be filed.

The political and legal whiplash has left millions of SNAP recipients, roughly 1 in 8 Americans, unsure when  or whether  they will receive food aid.

SNAP benefits, which lapsed at the start of November for the first time in the programs 60-year history, provide up to $298 per month for one-person households and $546 for two-person households, depending on income.

With Post wires.
The Trump administration late Friday urged a federal judge in Maryland to allow immigration officials to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the West African country of Liberia, saying the U.S. government has cleared the final legal hurdle in the deportation process.

Abrego Garcia's case has been at the center of the national debate over President Trump's immigration crackdown ever since he was deported to El Salvador in March, in violation of a federal immigration judge's order that barred his deportation to his native country. After being held in detention facilities in El Salvador for months, including a notorious mega-prison known as CECOT, Abrego Garcia was returned to the U.S. in June, only to face federal criminal charges of human smuggling. He has denied those charges.

While a trial on those criminal charges has yet to commence, the Trump administration has mounted an aggressive effort to deport Abrego Garcia from the U.S. a second time, proposing to send him to several far-flung African countries, including Uganda, Eswatini and most recently, Liberia.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was deported to El Salvador earlier this year, arrives for a check-in at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Aug. 25, 2025. / Credit: Graeme Sloan / Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Justice Department filed a motion on Friday asking U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis to scrap a ruling she issued this summer barring the government from deporting Abrego Garcia, arguing all legal avenues to contest his deportation have been exhausted.

On Oct. 28, the Justice Department said, a U.S. government asylum officer interviewed Abrego Garcia, who remains in federal immigration detention, and determined he had failed to prove he would face persecution or torture in Liberia.

Any additional due process steps for Abrego Garcia are unwarranted, the Justice Department argued.

"Petitioner's claims are procedurally barred multiple times over and fail on the merits in any event," the Justice Department said in its filing. "This Court should therefore dissolve its preliminary injunction and permit the government to remove Petitioner to Liberia."

The Trump administration submitted declarations from top U.S. officials asserting that Liberia has made "sufficient and credible" assurances that Abrego Garcia will not be harmed there or sent to another nation where he would be persecuted. In a press release late last month, Liberia's government said it had agreed to receive Abrego Garcia on "a strictly humanitarian and temporary basis," following a U.S. request.

Abrego Garcia's attorneys, however, argued in their own court filing on Friday that the interview conducted by a U.S. asylum officer last month did not amount to sufficient due process.

"The Government insists that the unreasoned determination of a single immigration officerwho concluded that Abrego Garcia failed to establish that it is 'more likely than not' that he will be persecuted or tortured in Liberia satisfies due process. It does not," they wrote.

His lawyers also argued the Trump administration's ongoing effort to send Abrego Garcia to Africa  instead of Costa Rica, which has agreed to offer him refugee status  is a form of retaliation. They noted the government offered to send Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica this summer but only if he pleaded guilty to the federal human smuggling charges he faces in Tennessee.

"The timeline suggests a pattern: when the Government received orders it disliked in Abrego Garcia's civil case challenging his unlawful removal to El Salvador; it initiated a criminal prosecution in retaliation; and when it received orders it disliked in Abrego Garcia's criminal case, it initiated third-country removal efforts in retaliation," the attorneys said.

The lawyers asked Xinis, the federal judge in Maryland, to prohibit the Trump administration from deporting Abrego Garcia to Liberia "unless and until an immigration judge concurs" with the determination made by the asylum officer who interviewed him. They said that review should consider the possibility that their client could be returned to El Salvador after being sent to Liberia.

Abrego Garcia first came to the U.S. in 2011, when he was 16. According to court documents, he entered the country illegally. In 2019, Abrego Garcia was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after an encounter with local police outside of a Maryland Home Depot. Abrego Garcia's attorneys said he went there looking for work.

Court documents show an immigration judge initially denied Abrego Garcia's release on bond, partially due to information submitted by the government that it said tied him to the MS-13 gang. The judge's bond denial, upheld by an immigration appeals board, mentioned information from an informant whom the government deemed to be credible. Abrego Garcia has denied being part of a gang.

Abrego Garcia was ultimately released from ICE custody later in 2019 after another immigration judge granted him "withholding of removal," barring his deportation to El Salvador due to concerns he could be targeted by gangs there. However, he was also issued a deportation order based on his illegal entry into the U.S.

Earlier this year, Abrego Garcia was again arrested by ICE, before being deported to El Salvador in March, as part of a high-profile deportation effort that sent several hundred Venezuelan and Salvadoran men accused of having gang ties to the CECOT prison. The Trump administration conceded in federal court that the deportation had been a mistake due to the 2019 withholding of removal order but Abrego Garcia nevertheless remained detained in El Salvador for months.

After being returned to the U.S. in June, Abrego Garcia was held in federal criminal custody, pending the start of his trial. After a federal judge in Tennessee ordered his release from pre-trial detention later in the summer, he was able to see his U.S. citizen child and wife in Maryland over a weekend. But his freedom was short-lived. In late August, Abrego Garcia was instructed to check in to the ICE field office in Baltimore, where he was again taken into custody.

Man says he was trapped by fire surrounding auto shop after UPS plane crash

Government shutdown forces major flight cuts as judge orders Trump administration to pay SNAP

New data reveals how many people are in ICE custody under Trump administration
Packages of bacon are displayed for sale at Lowes Foods in Winterville, N.C., March 22, 2025. Photo: Alan Wooten / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  The Trump administration said Friday afternoon that it would fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for November, despite the funding lapse and government shutdown.

Earlier on Friday, the federal government asked an appeals court to pause a lower court ruling that required the administration to fully fund benefits for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.

SNAP provides federally funded food benefits to approximately 42 million low-income families each month, but these benefits began to run dry when Congress failed to pass bills funding the government.

Patrick Penn, deputy under secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, told states that the USDA will fully fund the program. The memo, obtained by The Center Square, said "FNS is working towards implementing November 2025 full benefit issuances in compliance with the November 6, 2025, order from the District Court of Rhode Island."

"Later today, FNS will complete the processes necessary to make funds available to support your subsequent transmittal of full issuance files to your EBT processor," according to the memo Penn sent to state directors. "We will keep you as up to date as possible on any future developments."

The decision to fully fund the program despite the funding lapse and ongoing shutdown came after weeks of wrangling in the courts and elsewhere.

Crystal FitzSimons, of the Food Research & Action Center, said the funding delays were unnecessary.

"The Trump administration all along had both the power and the authority to ensure that SNAP benefits continued uninterrupted but chose not to act until a court order forced it to do so," she said in a statement. "Meanwhile, millions of Americans already struggling to make ends meet were left scrambling to feed their families and experienced undo stress and anxiety with confusing messages coming from the administration."

Attorneys for the administration blamed Congress in an emergency request seeking a pause on the lower court ruling.

"This is a crisis, to be sure, but it is a crisis occasioned by congressional failure, and that can only be solved by congressional action," attorneys for Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins wrote on Friday.

Attorneys for the federal government added: "Courts hold neither the power to appropriate nor the power to spend." They further argued the lower court had exceeded its authority with the order to fund the SNAP program fully.

"There is no lawful basis for an order that directs USDA to somehow find $4 billion in the metaphorical couch cushions," the attorneys wrote.

President Donald Trump has used Department of War research funds to continue paying members of the military, but warned that the money will run out.

In fiscal year 2024, SNAP served an average of 41.7 million participants per month. Federal SNAP spending totaled $99.8 billion and benefits averaged $187.20 per participant per month, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service.

A congressional funding lapse on Oct. 1 prompted what has since become the longest-ever partial shutdown of the federal government. Both parties have blamed the other for the lapse in appropriations.
Retired NYPD sergeant Michael McMahon leaves Brooklyn Federal Court in New York City on May 31, 2023. - Yuki Iwamura/AFP/Getty Images/File

President Donald Trump has approved a pardon for Michael McMahon, the White House said Friday, a retired New York City police officer who was convicted in 2023 for his role in stalking a New Jersey family on behalf of the Chinese government.

The White House praised the former New York Police Department sergeant for his law enforcement service, touting his commendations and service in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, and cast Trumps decision to pardon him as one of fairness because of what it said were issues with his trial.

Mr. McMahon is a former law enforcement officer who had a distinguished career serving with the NYPD, earning 75 commendations, including the Police Combat Cross, before medically retiring after a crash during a high-speed chase. While on modified desk duty, Mr. McMahon also responded in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, a White House official said in a statement.

As a private investigator, Mr. McMahon was indicted for his work investigating an individual he was told had embezzled funds from a construction company. In reality, the people who had hired him were actually Chinese spies utilizing his services to track down an individual. The investigation of Mr. McMahon and his trial had issues  key interviews were not disclosed and key witnesses allegedly fabricated incidents, the official added.

McMahon was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being convicted of conspiracy and stalking charges, as well as illegally acting as a Chinese agent.

Prosecutors said McMahon and two others participated in a yearslong campaign targeting a former Chinese government official who had lived in the US for several years. The three men threatened, harassed, surveilled and intimidated the man and his family between 2016 and 2019 to return to China, they said.

The guilty verdicts were the first trial victory in the Justice Departments efforts to combat Operation Fox Hunt, the Chinese Communist Partys international alleged anti-corruption campaign targeting those the Chinese government considers fugitives  often former officials or rich individuals suspected of economic crimes, CNN reported.

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U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral lunch with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral lunch with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

By Jeff Mason and Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions for using Russian oil and gas, a White House official said on Friday, after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban pressed his case for a reprieve during a friendly meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington.

Last month, Trump imposed Ukraine-related sanctions on Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft that carried the threat of further sanctions on entities in countries that buy oil from those firms.

Orban, a long-time Trump ally, met with Trump at the White House on Friday for their first bilateral meeting since the Republican returned to power and explained why his country needed to use Russian oil at a time when Trump has been pressing Europe to stop doing so.

Orban said the issue was vital for Hungary, which is a European country, and pledged to lay out "the consequences for the Hungarian people, and for the Hungarian economy, not to get oil and gas from Russia."

Trump, aiming to put pressure on Moscow to end its war with Ukraine, appeared sympathetic to Orban's position.

"We're looking at it, because it's very different for him to get the oil and gas from other areas," Trump said. "As you know, they don't have ... the advantage of having sea. It's a great country, it's a big country, but they don't have sea. They don't have the ports."

"But many European countries are buying oil and gas from Russia, and they have been for years," Trump added. "And I said, 'What's that all about?'"

The White House official noted that, in addition to the sanctions exemption, Hungary had committed to buying U.S. liquefied natural gas with contracts valued at some $600 million.

Hungary has maintained its reliance on Russian energy since the start of the 2022 conflict in Ukraine, prompting criticism from several European Union and NATO allies.

International Monetary Fund figures show Hungary relied on Russia for 74% of its gas and 86% of its oil in 2024, warning that an EU-wide cutoff of Russian natural gas alone could force output losses in Hungary exceeding 4% of GDP.

The two men also discussed Russia's war with Ukraine.

Trump said last month that he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Hungarian capital, but the meeting was put on hold after Russia rejected a ceasefire.

Trump on Friday said Russia simply did not want to stop fighting. "The basic dispute is they just don't want to stop yet. And I think they will," he said.

The president asked Orban if he thought Ukraine could win the war. A "miracle can happen," Orban responded.

ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Greater economic cooperation between the U.S. and Hungary was also on the agenda. Orban predicted a "golden age" between the two nations and made a point of criticizing President Joe Biden's administration, a sure way to garner favor with Trump, who continues to use Biden as a frequent foil.

The Hungarian leader, who faces an election in 2026, has cultivated a strong personal rapport with Trump over the years, including on their shared hard-line immigration policies. Trump on Friday gave Orban his support for the election.

"He has not made a mistake on immigration. So he's respected by everybody, he's liked by some ... I like and respect him, I'm a double," Trump said. "And that's the way Hungary is being led. They're being led properly, and that's why he's going to be very successful in his upcoming election."

The EU's top court ruled last year that Hungary must pay a 200-million-euro ($216 million) fine for not implementing changes to its policy of handling migrants and asylum seekers at its border. It must also pay a daily fine of one million euros until it fully implements the measures.

Orban referenced the fine during his meeting with Trump but said Hungary would handle its intra-EU disputes on its own.

A tangible sign of Hungary's improved ties with the U.S. under the Trump administration came last month when the U.S. fully restored Hungary's status in its visa waiver program.

Hungary has pushed back against plans by the European Commission to phase out the EU's imports of all Russian gas and LNG by the end of 2027, deepening a rift with Brussels over relations with Moscow.

Ratings agency S&P noted that Hungary has one of the most energy-intensive economies in Europe  and that its domestic refineries are built to process Russian Urals crude oil.

While it said gas supplies from Azerbaijan and Qatar could help replace Russian supply, it warned that Hungary's fiscal and external accounts remain vulnerable to an energy shock.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose and Jeff Mason in Washington; additional reporting by Steve Holland, Anita Komuves, Timothy Gardner, Doina Chiacu, Katharine Jackson, Maya Keidan, and Gergely Szakacs; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell, Diane Craft and Himani Sarkar)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington on September 29, 2025. - Win McNamee/Getty Images

Turkey on Friday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and dozens of other Israeli officials on genocide charges.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office said it has issued warrants against 37 people. Besides Netanyahu, warrants target Israels Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and military chief Eyal Zamir, among others.

The warrants charge the Israeli officials with crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Gaza and against the flotilla carrying aid to the enclave, according to the prosecutors office. That flotilla was intercepted by Israeli authorities last month.

Israel was quick to condemn and reject the warrants.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the move a PR stunt by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In Erdogans Turkey, the judiciary has long since become a tool for silencing political rivals and detaining journalists, judges, and mayors, Saar said in a social media post, referring to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu earlier this year. Imamoglu, a key Erdogan rival, was arrested in March as part of corruption and terrorism investigations.

Hamas welcomed the warrants, saying the move confirms the noble positions of the Turkish people and its leadership.

The Turkish warrants raised questions over what role Turkey will play in a multinational security force for Gaza to uphold the US-brokered ceasefire deal.

Earlier this week, several Muslim-majority nations met in Istanbul to discuss an international stabilization force (ISF) for Gaza, a key part of US President Donald Trumps 20-point ceasefire plan. The temporary force would train a new Palestinian police force and help stabilize the enclave.

US officials have cited Turkey, which played an important role in getting Hamas to agree to a ceasefire, as a potential participant in the force. And while its not clear what role Turkey will play in the force, Israel has made clear it is against Turkish troops in Gaza.

US Vice President JD Vance has said Israel will ultimately have to consent to any foreign troops stationed in Gaza.

The Turkish warrants for Netanyahu and other officials come almost a year after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for the Israeli leader, accusing him of war crimes. The prime ministers office had dismissed the ICC warrant as absurd and antisemitic.

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Anthony Bourdain at an event's red carpet - Jason Laveris/Getty Images

When you're cooking for someone like Anthony Bourdain, you always want to bring your A game. That's why when he patronized Masaharu Morimoto's XEX, the Iron Chef knew exactly what he'd be preparing: monkfish.

Starting off, Morimoto prepared a play on "ankimo," or steamed monkfish liver. Serving raw monkfish meat with flash-boiled skin layered with leeks and tomatoes, Morimoto used the ankimo in a ponzu sauce rather than serving it whole. Since monkfish is rather low in fat, he drizzled some hot vegetable oil on top to gently cook the exterior of the fish and provide a bit of extra richness. Given that monkfish liver is around 40% fat, this is a deceptively rich dish for something seafood-based.

Kentucky fried monkfish with bamboo shoots and seaweed was up next. Between the heartiness of the breading and the sweetness of the flesh, this could be a particularly hearty dish, something that needed to be followed up by a bite that was a touch lighter. The meal finished with a nabe or hot pot stew made of meat, skin, cartilage, and assorted green vegetables. While the other dishes may have wowed guests, cooking monkfish in such a classic, homey dish let Morimoto show off the technique of his staff and how even the simplest preparations put a spotlight on this amazing ingredient.

Read more: A Seafood Chef Wouldn't Eat These 5 Fish & The 5 To Eat Instead

Morimoto took advantage of monkfish's versatility

Monkfish nabe with bean sprouts and leeks - mnimage/Shutterstock

When Anthony Bourdain flew to Tokyo for his show, "No Reservations," Masaharu Morimoto wanted to showcase exactly how great monkfish is. Skinning, gutting, and butchering a whole fish himself, Morimoto and his chefs were able to prepare a range of Japanese dishes from soup and sashimi to Kentucky fried fish nuggets because monkfish is so versatile.

An affordable lobster substitute and secret ingredient for great paella, monkfish is a remarkable creature. Though it may look like a mistake someone hid at the bottom of the ocean, its flesh is sweet, meaty, and flaky, almost like a crustacean. The bulk of its harvest comes from its muscular tail, but its cheeks and gills can also yield some incredible meals when prepared properly. However, the true pearl of this fish is its liver. Smooth, fatty, and rich, it's like a fishy foie gras you can eat raw.

Referred to as the "seven tools of the anglerfish," every last bit of this animal is worth cooking with. Its skin has plenty of collagen, its fins are fairly large, and it has enough cartilage to toss them all in a pot for a delicious fish broth. Monkfish roe is a delicacy for sushi, and its full stomach can comprise up to half of the animal's weight, so it's got plenty of meaty potential whether fried or stewed. When Morimoto cooked for Bourdain, he served him not just the delicacies but dishes made from every last piece.

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Read the original article on Food Republic.
Minister Feetham addresses the Affiliation of Micro-European States

The Hon. Nigel Feetham KC MP addressed representatives of the Affiliation of Micro-European States at the Gibraltar Finance Centre during a meeting hosted by the Gibraltar Deposit Guarantee Scheme on Thursday 6 November.

Minister Feetham welcomed the working group within the European Federation of Deposit Insurers (EFDI), which brought together delegates from deposit guarantee schemes and investor compensation schemes in the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Malta and Andorra.

With the EFDIs mission of contributing to the reinforcement of regional financial stability, in his engaging discussion with delegates, Minister Feetham highlighted Gibraltars steadfast commitment to robust financial safeguards and that it remains open, resilient and highly competitive on the global stage.

It is a pleasure to have met the AMES working group and have the opportunity to showcase Gibraltars unwavering commitment to financial integrity, transparency, and business-friendly environment where success in built on confidence he added.
The Senate found itself once again gridlocked on Friday and geared up for another weekend of the government shutdown. However, a flurry of proposals and counterproposals offered glimmers of hope that the two sides could be moving toward a compromise.

Lawmakers debated multiple options on the Senate floor through the day  from a bill to end the shutdown to another to simply pay federal workers  but saw each side object to the other's efforts.

Late Friday afternoon, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a new Democratic plan to reopen the government if a one-year extension of enhanced Obamacare healthcare subsidies were attached.

Republicans immediately rejected that  as did Democrats of the GOP's efforts  but a day of both sides at least talking was a contrast to weeks of noncommunication.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters he hopes another idea he is floating  a new bill that could include a new end date for the shutdown and full-year authorization for some programs  could gain traction and suggested he might try to bring it to a vote by this weekend.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks to reporters about the government shutdown at the US Capitol in Washington on Thursday. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) (SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)

As for a takeaway for markets, Pangaea Policy founder Terry Haines joined Yahoo Finance and could offer only that the shutdown will "probably" end by Thanksgiving.

"The practical pain that people will go through," he added, "probably plays a role in all of that."

Ed Mills at Raymond James added, "We believe we are at the beginning of the end, but are unlikely to see a resolution pass into law before next week."

Read more: How the government shutdown affects your student loans, Social Security, and more

Election results haven't helped shutdown talks

The week is also ending with new political challenges, particularly election results that saw the Democratic Party gain across the board.

Prominent Democrats, like Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, immediately responded that the results were a message to keep fighting.

It was no coincidence, Murphy wrote, that "these big wins came at the exact moment when Democrats are using our power to stand for something and be strong."

Meanwhile, President Trump has shown no signs of offering concessions and has continued to ignore pressure to meet with Democrats for negotiations.

The president repeated calls this week to change the Senate's filibuster rules, including three separate social media posts Friday morning, as well as during an appearance at the White House alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

President Trump meets with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Friday. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The president also appeared with Senate Republicans on Wednesday and rhetorically asked if this week's election results could herald a quicker end to the shutdown.

He then immediately answered his own question, saying, "I don't think so."

The gridlock among leaders comes as moderate lawmakers continue to negotiate with Republicans  Politico reported that one such meeting is on the books for Friday  but the ongoing search for a path forward faces difficult political terrain.

The mood music of spiraling economic costs

The ongoing gridlock on Capitol Hill also comes as economic costs continue to mount.

US airlines have canceled hundreds of flights after a Federal Aviation Administration order reduced air traffic capacity by 4% Friday morning.

That first cut took effect at 6 a.m. ET Friday at 40 high-traffic airports and will deepen next week and reach a cut of 10%.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that an already difficult travel situation could soon descend into "mass chaos."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks to reporters during a visit to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Nov. 7 in Arlington, Va. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images)

Duffy added in a Fox News appearance Friday that air traffic capacity could be cut further  15% or even 20%  if the stalemate continues beyond that.

This post has been updated with additional developments.

Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices

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Shifting geopolitical relations are prompting Chinese students to look beyond traditional destinations in the West. Singaporewith its majority ethnic Chinese populationis a top destination, with local media estimating nearly half the citys international students hail from China.

The next time you walk through UTown, the green hub at the heart of the National University of Singapores campus, youll be greeted by an unusual sight: groups of tourists, led by student docents, posing for photos at university landmarks.

Tourists have long flocked to Western universities, like Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, or Harvard and Yale in the U.S. But visitors are now adding Asian campuses to their itineraries.

The trend first started to emerge in early 2024, when groups of Chinese tourists began to show up on university campuses in destinations like Hong Kong and Singapore.

Its part of a growing interest in Asian universities among Chinese families. China is the worlds largest source of international students, with more than one million students going overseas in 2023, according to UNESCO.

Yet shifting geopolitical relations are prompting Chinese students to look beyond traditional destinations in the West. According to UNESCO, the number of inbound Chinese students to the U.S. dropped by 20% between 2018 and 2023.

Chinese students are instead considering other destinations in east and southeast Asia. South Korea, Hong Kong and Malaysia reported 17%, 82% and 273% growth, respectively, in enrolment rates of students from mainland China in the half-decade since 2018.

Singaporewith its majority ethnic Chinese populationis another top destination, with local media estimating nearly half the citys international students hail from China.

More attention means more visitors. A focus on education in Asia causes parents to prioritize bringing their young children to see the university of their choice, and promote their aspirations to attend university, says Gerard Postiglione, an emeritus professor at HKUs education faculty.

For these families, visits to a university with their children is not just a tourist event. It is a cultural event, akin to visiting a museum but also aspirational.

Chinese tourists are also visiting campuses in South Korea, like Ewha Womens University in Seoul, Jung Jisun, an associate professor from HKU, points out. Tourists are attracted by their campus landscapes and the surrounding neighborhood, which features Korean youth culture.

In the case of HKU, the citys oldest university, Jung suggests that tourists are drawn to its heritage buildings, reminiscent of British colonial architecture. Such buildings have been hit on Xiaohongshu, the Chinese social media app thats become popular with sightseeing Chinese tourists.

Too many people

But burgeoning visitor numbers can get in the way of campus operations. Canteens and internal bus services have reportedly struggled to handle tourists eager to have a taste of local student life. Tourists even peek into classrooms to see how university students take their courses, Jung said.

Campuses have taken varied stances on how to manage visitors.

Some, like NUS, opt for a controlled yet welcoming stance to tourists. In early 2025, the university trained over 70 students to conduct guided tours for tourists. They also built a visitor centre in late 2024 to provide them with a meaningful and engaging experience.

Others, such as HKU and NTU, are taking a more stringent approach, forcing tourists to pre-register and pay an entry fee before setting foot on campus. HKU, for example, charges visitors 140 Hong Kong dollars ($18) for a 90-minute guided tour of campus.

While these measures have helped to control visitor flow, some academics, like Jung, are worried that they may go too far in limiting access to public spaces on campus.

I am concerned about the role of public universities and their relationship with the local community, she says. Public universities are intended to be open spaces for the public, as they are operated with local taxpayers moneyand people should have access to the campus and feel connected to the university.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Gen Z is under financial pressure, and fast-casual chains that thrive with younger consumers are starting to notice.

"We've seen the macroeconomic headwinds really impact that 25-to-35-year-old guest segment, where last year ... they had a lot of tailwinds," Cava (CAVA) CEO Brett Schulman told Yahoo Finance. "Their frequency to existing restaurants has moderated as they felt cost pressures from around them."

Same-store sales growth slowed for the Mediterranean chain in its most recent quarter, rising 1.9% year over year after an 18.1% increase in the same period a year ago. Cava stock fell over 7% on the news.

Pressures on America's youngest consumers include unemployment, which is disproportionately affecting younger Americans. In August, unemployment among Americans ages 20 to 24 stood at 9.2%, up from 7.9% a year ago, while the overall rate was 4.3%.

Plus, student loan collections returned in April for the first time since March 2020, and the second-highest amount of student loan debt is held by the 25-to-34-year-old demographic.

In the third quarter, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that student loan debt is up $47 billion from a year ago, while credit card debt is up $67 billion and mortgage debt is up $478 billion.

Read more: 6 Gen Z savings strategies that can work for anyone

Other factors include slower wage growth and higher rent. Per JPMorgan Chase, workers ages 25 to 29 have seen the sharpest slowdown in income gains, while Bank of America found that the "homeownership rate for those under 35 years old is significantly lower than for those who are older."

For those renting, rent inflation was 3.5%, according to the latest CPI report published last month.

Chipotle (CMG) CEO Scott Boatwright was the first CEO to sound the alarm Oct. 30 in a call with investors. He said it is "over-indexed" to a "particularly challenged cohort ... [the] 25-to-35-year-old ... This group is facing several headwinds, including unemployment, increased due loan repayment, and slower real wage growth." Chipotle stock is down over 50% this year.

Sweetgreen (SG) this past week posted same-store sales that declined a staggering 9.5% from a year ago, compared to a 5.6% gain last year.

On a call with investors, co-founder and CEO Jonathan Neman said performance was impacted by "softer sales trends" in the Northeast and Los Angeles markets, which was "coupled with lighter spending among younger guests, particularly the 25-to-35-year-old age group where we over-indexed." Sweetgreen stock is off 80% in 2025.

A Sweetgreen restaurant in Chicago. Sweetgreen stock dropped more than 20% on Nov. 7 after the salad chain again cut its 2025 outlook. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Scott Olson via Getty Images)

In a note to clients in early October, Charles Schwab said its recent survey data indicates fast-casual concepts over-index to young consumers, particularly 18-to-24-year-olds.

It found that Cava and Sweetgreen had the most exposure, at 19% and 18%, respectively, with others like Dutch Bros (BROS), Wingstop (WING), Shake Shack (SHAK), Papa John's (PZZA), Jack in the Box (JACK), and Chipotle among the chains with the highest exposure to younger consumers.

Not every chain, of course, is seeing the same challenges among younger consumers.

Shake Shack (SHAK) saw same-store sales growth rise 4.9% in its latest quarter, slightly higher than the 4.4% posted this time last year.

CEO Rob Lynch told investors on an earnings call that while he's seen "commentary about the unemployment rates of younger populations ... which obviously impacts our industry," it has "taken those challenges and incorporated them into our strategy."

Coffee chains like Dutch Bros and Starbucks (SBUX) were quick to negate the trend as well.

Dutch Bros CEO Christine Barone told investors the company is seeing "really incredible performance out of those younger cohorts."

"What we're seeing out of Gen Z ... is really encouraging," Barone added. Its same-store sales grew 5.7% in the quarter.

Starbucks saw its US same-store sales come in flat, but CEO Brian Niccol was quick to bat back the idea that its trends were lagging among younger consumers.

"We look at every kind of generational cohort, we have seen a really nice response, both in transactions and sales over this most recent quarter," Niccol told investors on Oct. 29.

That same day, at the same time, Chipotle was telling investors that its low-income, younger consumers were hurting business. Niccol joined Starbucks from Chipotle in September 2024.

Brooke DiPalma is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@yahoofinance.com.

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NEED TO KNOW

Liya Hizkias is an Ethiopian-American content creator who uses her platform to highlight and celebrate her culture

In 2017, her father was killed in a car crash while she was away for college

After his death, their shared love for Panda Express became a method for Hizkias to remember him by

Liya Hizkias had been living in Los Angeles for just a few months before her world came crashing down.

On Oct. 11, 2017, the then-18-year-old college student received the devastating news that her father, Hizkias Woldegabriel, had been killed in a four-vehicle crash in downtown Nashville.

I can't even imagine what that was like for my friends in L.A., who felt that pressure  but they told me that my dad had been in a car accident and that it was on the news, Hizkias tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Courtesy Liya Hizkias Liya Hizkias and her late father, Hizkias Woldegabriel.

Everybody in Nashville had already heard before me, she adds. I was completely shocked. I was not okay.

Overwhelmed by grief and disbelief, Hizkias immediately turned to her phone, searching for anything to hold onto  and there it was, a message from her father sent earlier that same day.

My dad texted me that he went to Panda [Express] to remember me, she reveals. And I remember he said, Love you, have fun. He told me he watched a video that I had just posted on YouTube that day, and he said, I love it, great job. 

Courtesy Liya Hizkias Liya Hizkias' texts with her father before he died.

Hizkias also remembers texting her father, I want to make you and Mama proud. His last words to her were, Already we are proud by you, and we will be proud. Let our God bless you.

Reading those messages gave her an unexpected sense of peace, even amid the immense shock and heartbreak she was feeling in that moment.

Growing up, Hizkias and her father often ate at Panda Express together, given that Chinese food was his favorite.

It was kind of just something mundaneus going out to eat together, she shares. But after he passed away and I had seen that he went to Panda Express to remember me, it became a tradition for me, where I would go to Panda Express to remember him.

On Fathers Day, his birthday and the anniversary of his death, Hizkias finds time to order Panda Express and sit alone with her thoughts, reflecting on memories that maybe we didn't capture on video, or we didn't capture on photos, and things that maybe I thought I had forgotten.

Hizkias also saves any fortune cookies with special meaning, placing them in her journal alongside pieces of paint from her dads green car, which she collected from the scene of the accident.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

After winning the visa lottery, Hizkias' father immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia in the 1990s. The taxi driver was a beloved member of the Ethiopian community, and he went on to co-found the mutual aid group, Hamsa Lomi, in Nashville.

Courtesy Liya Hizkias Liya Hizkias' father, Hizkias Woldegabriel.

Hizkias recalls being driven to school each morning in her fathers green taxi. While some classmates found it unusual, she cherished those rides, seeing them as one of her many treasured memories with him.

Now 26, Hizkias has been posting on YouTube for over a decade, sharing moments from her life  many of them featuring her father.

Luckily, he wasnt camera-shy and loved to record videos with his family. I think maybe that's where I picked up recording everything as well, so I'm grateful because our entire childhood is on video, Hizkias says.

Courtesy Liya Hizkias Liya Hizkias (middle), her mother (right), and her late father (left).

After his passing, Hizkias found comfort in revisiting those videos and created a heartfelt compilation in his memory. Among the footage was an unreleased dad tag video they had filmed together, which she edited and shared for the first time.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, and for Hizkias, reliving those moments and hearing her fathers words again became a powerful source of peace.

Losing my dad, it wasn't just a loss to me, it wasn't just a loss to my mom, it wasn't just a loss to my brother, and it wasn't just a loss to his family, Hizkias emphasizes. It was a loss to the community. It was a loss to the other cab drivers.

Courtesy Liya Hizkias Liya Hizkias' family.

Fortunately, her mother, older brother, Ethiopian community and her faith have kept her grounded, and she is determined to keep making her father proud.

In 2023, Hizkias began speaking Amharic - Ethiopia's official language - regularly on her TikTok page and served as a keynote speaker at the Ethiopian-Eritrean Student Association Feast at Columbia University in 2024.

I feel like I am honoring him when I show up for my community because he was such a pillar for the Habesha community, especially in Nashville, Hizkias tells PEOPLE.



Read the original article on People
THE RUNDOWN

In a TikTok video on October 29, Simone Biles revealed that shes had three cosmetic surgeries.

She prompted fans to guess what shes had done before revealing the procedures in the comments section.

Last year, the decorated gymnast spoke to ELLE about her journey of embracing herself while taking care of her mental health.

Simone Biles revealed some personal details about herself in a Get Unready With Me video on TikTok. In the candid clip posted on October 29, the gymnast told fans shes had three plastic surgery procedures, saying, Two of them you would never be able to tell.

When viewers offered guesses, Biles confirmed in the comments that shed had a lower blepharoplasty to address pronounced under-eye bags and an earlobe repair after an earring mishap when she was younger. She also hinted she had a breast augmentation, signaled by the cherries emoji.

The speculation about Biless breast augmentation isnt new. In October, she posted a video on her Instagram Story doing the first flip shed done in over a year at her new house. In the caption, she called out her new , alluding to a possible boob job with the cherries emoji. Meanwhile, fans had already been wondering after she posted a swimsuit photo from her vacation with her husband, Jonathan Owens, in Belize.

In an interview with ELLE last year, Biles opened up about her beauty practices and her journey of embracing herself. She reflected on the years-long public criticism of her hair and how she reached a place where shes more confident. Im finally learning to love my hair and the texture that I have and the styles that I can do, she said.

The athlete continued, saying, I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional. But Im not embarrassed about it anymore.

Biles, whos the most decorated gymnast of all time, also spoke about the importance of taking care of her mental health as someone whos often judged both on and off the mat. I am doing therapy weekly to keep everything in tune so that I feel comfortable and confident enough to be competing, she shared. Its been a crucial part of my training regimen.

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Justin Daugherty

A Pennsylvania man is facing numerous felony charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault of an unborn child, and firearm offenses, following his recent arrest after months on the run.

Justin Daugherty, 24, was taken into custody on Friday in connection with a series of incidents that began in late August in McKees Rocks. Authorities allege Daugherty assaulted and physically restrained his pregnant ex-girlfriend for several days after showing up at her home.

The criminal complaint states Daugherty allegedly struck the woman repeatedly in her abdomen after learning she was pregnant by another man.

During a failed rescue attempt by the woman's current boyfriend and a friend, Daugherty is accused of firing a handgun, injuring one male, before forcing the victim and her 1-year-old child into his car. The victim managed to secretly contact 911 during the drive.

Daugherty was finally located and arrested by detectives in Stowe Township. He is being held without bond at the Allegheny County Jail, awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 18.

READ: Florida Mans Road Rage Goes Sky-High: Shots Fired Near Child

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Today's news: The Afghan Taliban say the latest round of talks has failed due to Islamabad's "irresponsible and uncooperative" approach. North Korea threatens further "offensive action" against South Korea and the United States. Hundreds of delays and cancellations occurred yesterday at Delhi airport due to a management system issue. More than a hundred people have been missing or kidnapped in Syria since the start of the year.

GAZA - ISRAEL - TURKEY

The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad handed over the body of a dead hostage yesterday, as part of the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In a statement released today, the Israeli military confirmed the identity of the hostage, Israeli-Argentine Lior Rudaeff. Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that October saw the highest number of settler attacks in the West Bank since records began in 2006, over 260 in one month. Finally, Turkish prosecutors issued several arrest warrants for genocide against Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and several Israeli officials, including Defence Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

AFGHANISTAN  PAKISTAN

Afghanistans Taliban government reported the failure of the latest round of peace talks with Pakistan due to Islamabad's irresponsible and uncooperative approach, and further violence is not ruled out. The two sides met on Thursday in Turkey to finalise the truce agreed on 19 October in Qatar, following deadly clashes between the two neighbours. There was almost total silence on the content of the discussions, which reportedly addressed long-standing security issues.

NORTH KOREA

North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol threatened to take further offensive action after a US aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea and US and South Korean officials visited the inter-Korean border, the official state news agency KCNA reported. This comes one day after North Korea fired its latest ballistic missile. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington arrived in Busan this week to refuel and give its crew a rest.

INDIA

After a day of delays and cancellations of hundreds of flights due to technical problems, Delhi Airport  one of the world's busiest  is working again, with the flight management system "up and running. The malfunction caused IndiGo (INGL.NS) shares to fall 2 per cent yesterday, while SpiceJet (SPJT.BO) lost 1 per cent. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) says it will take some time before the system returns to normal operation.

SYRIA

Nearly 100 people have been reported as abducted or missing in Syria since the start of the year, with reports of new enforced disappearances, as confirmed by the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The UN body has documented at least 97 people who have been kidnapped or disappeared since January, but it is difficult to ascertain an accurate figure. This figure adds to the more than 100,000 who went missing under Bashar al-Assad.

INDONESIA

More than 50 people were injured during Friday prayers in an explosion at a mosque in Kelapa Gading, a district of the capital Jakarta. The suspect is a 17-year-old boy, who also reportedly suffered injuries in the explosion, which occurred around 12:15 local time in a school complex that housed the place of worship. The injured, mostly students, suffered burns, while the police have opened an investigation.

RUSSIA

Economists at the Center for Analysis and Strategies in Europe (CASE), including some of Russia's most authoritative experts like Sergei Aleksashenko, Vladislav Inozemtsev, and Dmitry Nekrasov, predict at least 10 years of economic stagnation for Russia. This phase will last until 2036 and coincides with the constitutional end of Vladimir Putin's presidency, considering that currently there are no factors indicating a total collapse, but neither significant growth.

ARMENIA  AZERBAIJAN

The delivery of the first wheat shipment from Russia through Azerbaijan, via the railway that also runs through Georgia, is a historic event, this according to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. A second shipment is now expected from Kazakhstan, a sign of the implementation of the Washington agreements of last August, which include Armenia's willingness to guarantee lorries travelling in the opposite direction.
Leo XIV spoke to the pilgrims who came to Rome for the Jubilee of Work, postponed in May due to the death of Francis. The pope expressed hope for more work that allows the expression of individual creativity and capacity for good. He also referred to John Paul IIs teachings in Poland and the testimony of Blessed Isidore Bakanja, a young African apprentice.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Leo XIV spoke to approximately 10,000 pilgrims from Italy and around the world gathered in St Peter's Square for the audience of the Jubilee of Work.

In his address, the pontiff said: I hope for a collective commitment from institutions and civil society to create valid employment opportunities that offer stability and dignity, ensuring especially that young people can realise their dreams and contribute to the common good.

The event was set for 1-4 May, coinciding with International Workers Day, but due to the death of Pope Francis, it was cancelled, along with other Jubilee-related events.

However, following numerous requests, the Dicastery for Evangelisation, responsible for Holy Year events, decided to hold this event today. Many trade unions, professional associations, and cooperatives joined the initiative.

Work must be a source of hope and life, allowing the expression of individual creativity and capacity for good," Leo XIV said.

In his greeting to the Polish-speaking pilgrims, he mentioned the long tradition of workers pilgrimages in Karol Wojtyas homeland.

Their inspiration," the pope explained, "stems from the teachings of Saint John Paul II and his encyclical Laborem Exercens, as well as from the work of Blessed Father Popieuszko. Return to these sources to address 'new things,' fostering a Christian vision of human work."

In the catechesis proposed to all pilgrims on the Jubilee theme of hope, Leo cited the testimony of a worker, Isidore Bakanja (1887-1909), a young apprentice, patron of the laity of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"He became friends with the Catholic missionaries, the Trappist monks: they spoke to him about Jesus, and he agreed to follow Christian instruction and receive Baptism, around the age of 20," the Pope said. "From that moment, his witness became ever more luminous. To hope is to bear witness: when we bear witness to new life, the light increases even amid difficulties."

In the colonial era, Isidore found himself working as a farm labourer for an unscrupulous European master who could not stand his faith and authenticity.

The master, Leo XIV continued, hated Christianity and those missionaries who defended the indigenous people against the abuses of the colonisers, but Isidore wore his scapular with the image of the Virgin Mary around his neck until the end, enduring every kind of mistreatment and torture, without losing hope. To hope is to bear witness. Isidore died, declaring to the Trappist Fathers that he bore no resentment; indeed, he promised to pray even in the afterlife for those who reduced him to this state."

"This is the word of the Cross. It is a lived word, which breaks the chains of evil. It is a new kind of strength, which confounds the proud and overthrows the powerful from their thrones. Thus hope arises, the Pope noted.

Often, the ancient Churches of the Northern Hemisphere receive this testimony from the young Churches, which urges them to walk together toward the Kingdom of God, which is a Kingdom of justice and peace. Africa in particular calls for this conversion, and it does so by giving us so many young witnesses of faith.
South Koreas highest court upheld a municipal ordinance easing building restrictions near heritage sites. This is a victory for Seouls incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Places like the Jongmyo Shrine are at risk. According to the UN body, "uncontrolled vertical development" can have negative impacts.

Seoul (AsiaNews)  In a decision with far-reaching implications for urban development and cultural conservation, South Koreas Supreme Court upheld a Seoul municipal ordinance easing building restrictions near UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Jongmyo Shrine.

The ruling strengthens cities' right to shape urban planning, in the capital and elsewhere, and limits the scope of national heritage authorities. This is raising concerns about the future of South Korea's most precious sites and cultural heritage.

For Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is expected to run again in next year's local elections, this is a major victory.

On Thursday, the Court upheld a revised municipal ordinance, passed two years ago, that allows the construction of taller buildings in areas outside the 100-metre preservation zone designated for national heritage sites.

This means, The Korea Times explains, that city authorities "do not need approval" from the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), a central government agency, for urban development, as long as they do so "outside the buffer zones.

With this ruling, the long-delayed redevelopment of Sewoon District 4 can now proceed, which includes plans for skyscrapers up to 142 metres tall, which will profoundly alter Seoul's downtown skyline.

Initiated by the mayor in his first term in 2006, the project lost momentum due to the collapse of the real estate market after the global financial crisis and during the tenure of Oh's liberal successor, Park Won-soon, an environmentalist sceptical of development.

After Park's death, Oh was elected mayor again.

Politically, the Courts decision is considered a real stroke of luck for the incumbent mayor, who wants to showcase economic development as one of his key achievements before the next election.

For that project and others, he will have more autonomy to plan and potentially build housing and commercial properties he needs to boost his re-election chances and win the 1 June 2026 mayoral election.

With the legal precedent now established, future development projects near national heritage sites will face fewer obstacles.

This is expected to trigger a wave of development applications, especially in high-value areas of major cities and urban areas, like the capital, with its royal tombs and palaces.

However, this momentum carries risks for national heritage and the environment.

KHS Administrator Huh Min and South Korean Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young held a press conference yesterday at the Jongmyo Shrine. The two senior officials stated that a nearby construction project poses a "grave threat" to the site.

Buildings to be constructed in front of Jongmyo, like Jongno Tower, will directly endanger the historic cultural landscape and the comprehensive value that Joseon royal heritage sites in Seoul have preserved for many centuries, Huh explained.

In his address, Chae promised to do everything possible to block the development plan.

These strong reactions come amid concerns that UNESCO might downgrade the cultural heritage status of Jongmyo Shrine due to changes taking place in the surrounding area.

In a letter sent to Seouls city government earlier this year, the UN agency warned that "uncontrolled vertical development" near the shrine could negatively impact its World Heritage status.

Under the World Heritage Convention, UNESCO can revoke World Heritage status if a site no longer meets the criteria for which it was originally inscribed.
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8 November 2025 12:37 (UTC+04:00)

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Georgia has significantly increased its exports of alcohol and tobacco products to Azerbaijan in the first nine months of this year, underscoring the steady growth of trade between the two neighboring countries, Azernews reports.

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8 November 2025 18:43 (UTC+04:00)

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Thus, Azerbaijan ranks second among the countries importing Georgian pharmaceutical products.

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8 November 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

by Mazahir Afandiyev

On November 8, 2020, the Azerbaijani people began the day with a new, victorious celebration of triumph. This once again proved to the world the strength and pride of the victorious Azerbaijani Army, as well as the enduring power of Azerbaijans statehood. On that day, our heroic soldiers and officers, overcoming rough terrain, scaling steep cliffs, and crossing deep gorges, drove the enemy out of Shusha  the heart of Garabagh.

Of course, over the past 30 years, the Azerbaijani state and its people have gone through difficult and turbulent paths to achieve these accomplishments. On September 27, 2020, in accordance with the norms and principles of international law, as well as based on the four well-known resolutions of the United Nations Security Council that had remained on paper for 27 years, Azerbaijan launched military operations within its sovereign territories to put an end to more than 30 years of occupation of its lands.

On November 10 of the same year, following Armenias official appeal to the Russian Federation and with Russias direct involvement and the agreement of the three heads of state, the war was stopped. A declaration consisting of nine points was adopted between Azerbaijan and Armenia, marking Armenias signing of the act of capitulation. As Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated, there was no other option to accept defeat before our Glorious Army. Thus, the occupying side acknowledged its loss, and the conflict was officially halted.

Consequently, the efforts we made to liberate our long-yearned-for native Garabagh culminated in a 44-day Patriotic War that resulted in the Victory and the waving of our tricolor Flag  sacred to every one of us  over our devastated cities.

This magnificent victory, which became a celebration of our peoples power and national pride, was immortalized by a decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Taking into account the historical significance of Shushas liberation, November 8 was declared Victory Day.

The splendid Victory achieved under the leadership of the Great Commander, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, during the Patriotic War  known in history as the Iron Fist operation  is clear evidence of the modern Azerbaijani states military strength and the nations determination to win.

At the same time, this Victory demonstrated not only the strength of our Army but also Azerbaijans economic and political will to the entire world. During the war, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, who commanded the army and determined its strategy and tactics with great professionalism, also achieved success in the information war through his political and diplomatic activities. President Ilham Aliyev, through his interviews with the worlds leading media outlets during and after the war, successfully influenced international public opinion on the conflict.

Over the past five years, through its successful foreign policy, Azerbaijan has repeatedly expressed its position in bilateral and multilateral meetings that the time has come to sign a Great Peace Agreement and to begin a new era of reconstruction in the region based on new realities.

In particular, the signing of the Washington Declaration  consisting of seven clauses  on August 8, 2025, following a trilateral meeting between President Ilham Aliyev, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and the initialing of the Peace Agreement provisions, has instilled confidence that in the coming years, the Azerbaijani people will celebrate Victory Day with even greater joy, enthusiasm, and pride.

It should also be noted that the Victory achieved in the Second GarabaghPatriotic War laid the foundation for a new era of development in Azerbaijan. Over the past five years, this Victory has profoundly influenced the peace and economic development of Azerbaijan and the entire region, forming completely new factors of economic growth in our country. At the same time, the rapid restoration and construction works currently underway in the Eastern Zangazur and Garabagh Economic Regions demonstrate to the entire world that the Azerbaijani state and people are the heralds of peace, security, and sustainable development  especially in the South Caucasus. President Ilham Aliyevs regular visits to the liberated territories are clear evidence of this.

It is no secret that the path leading to the Garabagh Victory began with National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Thanks to his tireless efforts, the foundation of a modern, independent, democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was laid, and the State Flag and Constitution  the symbols of our independence  were adopted.

It is no coincidence that November is a particularly significant month for our people. During this month, the grateful people of Azerbaijan proudly celebrate Victory Day, State Flag Day, and Constitution Day. These important dates in our statehood history coincide this year with the declaration of the Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty in our country, marking the 30th anniversary of the adoption of our Constitution and the 5th anniversary of the Victory achieved in the Second GarabaghPatriotic War.

This year, on November 8, our people will witness a grand Victory Parade in Azadlq (Freedom) Square in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, celebrating our historic Victory and showcasing our nations strength and will to the world. Local and foreign guests, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives from friendly and brotherly states will also attend the parade.

Even today, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, our heroic people continue to make history. This glorious history will remain a source of pride not only for us but also for future generations. As the Head of State has said: Look, today the people of Azerbaijan are united like this fist! It will always be so! This unity will be eternal! This unity will allow us to fulfill all our future missions!

The author is a member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan
8 November 2025 09:53 (UTC+04:00)

An information campaign dedicated to the Victory Day of the Azerbaijani people is being held across several major cities in the United States through vehicles equipped with LED screens displaying patriotic and peace-oriented messages, Azernews reports.

The campaign features messages such as 5 years with courage and pride, Azerbaijans victory, the triumph of justice, Together for lasting peace in Karabakh, and Peace brings happiness, and happiness is development. The names of Azerbaijani regions liberated from occupation  Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, Shusha, Khojavand, Khankendi, Khojaly, Agdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin  are also prominently displayed.

LED vehicles carrying these messages have been circulating throughout the day in Washington, D.C., New York, Atlanta, Detroit, and Boston, covering symbolic areas such as the White House, the Capitol, Times Square, Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge, and CNNs headquarters in Atlanta.

The initiative, organized by the American Azerbaijani Youth Federation and Azerbaijani expatriate Nofal Aliyev, with the support of the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora, has drawn attention from local residents and passersby.

The campaign aims to commemorate Azerbaijans historic victory, honor the heroes who made it possible, and promote messages of peace, hope, and cooperation for the South Caucasus.
8 November 2025 12:42 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Victory Monument in Baku and participated in the inauguration of the Victory Museum, Azernews reports.

President Ilham Aliyev placed a wreath in front of the Victory Monument and paid tribute to the martyrs.

First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva placed flower bouquets in front of the monument.

The head of state and the First Lady then attended the opening of the Victory Museum.

The Victory Museum was established in accordance with President Ilham Aliyev's Order of December 2020 on the creation of a Patriotic War Memorial Complex and Victory Museum in Baku, to showcase the unparalleled heroism of the Azerbaijani people in the Patriotic War and the glorious Victory achieved, as well as to immortalize the dear memory of our martyrs.

The museum's exposition was developed based on international experience and existing global museum concepts, incorporating the latest technologies. Eight exhibition halls were created: Karabakh and East Zangezur. Story of Centuries, Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict. Historical Overview, 44-Day Patriotic War. Iron Fist Operation, Glorious Victory. Liberation of Shusha, Path of Heroes, Karabakh is Azerbaijan!, Restoration of State Sovereignty. 20.09.2023, Karabakh and East Zangezur. Revival.

Presented facts, photo and video materials, interactive displays, and exhibits and models specially prepared for the museum convey comprehensive information about the conflict, the course of the 44-day Patriotic War, and the restoration of state sovereignty as a result of the glorious Victory, while allowing visitors to relive these events.

At the museum entrance, the Iron Fist installationsymbol of the historic Victoryand thoughts from the speech of Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Ilham Aliyev are featured. On the wall surrounding the museum, the names of our heroic martyrs from the 44-day Patriotic War are engraved as a sign of respect. The flowing water along the wall symbolizes that our martyrs, through their heroism, achieved immortality and live eternally in our hearts. In the exhibition halls, the names of martyrs fallen in Karabakh before and after Victory Day are displayed.

The first hall, Karabakh and East Zangezur. Story of Centuries, presents the natural beauty of Karabakhthe cradle of Azerbaijani cultureand its architectural richness. Book installations on the walls provide extensive information on National Leader Heydar Aliyev's contributions to the region's socio-economic development.

Interactive books in the center allow close acquaintance with Karabakh's nature, literary heritage, music, and folk art, while conveying information about prominent figures who left marks in statehood, military, literature, and arts.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict. Historical Overview hall reflects painful and unforgettable pages of the Karabakh conflict, including its chronology, the consistent policy of the National Leader and the head of state leading to liberation of territories, and the peace process. The hall provides extensive information on refugees and internally displaced persons, conflict victims, as well as monuments, mosques, and national heritage damaged by Armenians during the occupation..

An installation dedicated to buildings destroyed and settlements razed during occupationa ruined house with a tree rising from its remnantssymbolizes life's revival.

The third hall, 44-Day Patriotic War. Iron Fist Operation, reflects the heroic struggle for liberation of Azerbaijani lands. Central LED monitors with AI-generated videos immerse visitors in the 44 days of battles, presenting combat operations, military achievements, and Armenian armed forces' attacks on civilians. Holographic screens display modern military equipment in 3D. Interactive maps sequentially show stages of operations in liberated territories. This hall features flags of Azerbaijani Armed Forces branches with exceptional merits in the Victory, models of special forces, and several Decrees and Orders of the President related to the Patriotic War and Victory.

The fourth hall, Glorious Victory. Liberation of Shusha, presents the operation holding special place in Azerbaijani military history, executed with unparalleled tactical skill. Special forces liberated Shusha without heavy artillery, displaying great heroism. A central Shusha model reflects the battlefield; interactive monitors allow sequential tracking of the operation and key tactical moments. Another monitor shows monuments destroyed in the city during the war. The screen displays the emotional journey of the glorious Victory path, reflecting Shusha's liberation and the valor of Azerbaijani soldiers.

The Path of Heroes hall, dedicated to the bravery, dedication, and indomitable will of Azerbaijani soldiers and officers, allows visitors to feel the spirit of the struggle. Samples of orders and medals awarded to Patriotic War heroes are exhibited. The corridor-like Path of Heroes leads to the next hall symbolizing national unity and victory joy.

The next hall, Karabakh is Azerbaijan!, reflects Victory Day  turned into a national holiday  and nationwide joy. At the center is a Murano glass installation of the Kharibulbul flower, symbol of the glorious Victory and Karabakh's revival. Bright lights and colors create a festive atmosphere; visual effects enhance feelings of joy and pride. Large screens show proud and joyful moments ending 30 years of longing.

The seventh hall, Restoration of State Sovereignty. 20.09.2023, is dedicated to restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty. A map installation demonstrates complete liberation of Karabakh and East Zangezur, marking a new era in Azerbaijani history.

The final hall, Karabakh and East Zangezur. Revival, focuses on Karabakh's restoration and future development. A central installation conveys messages about Karabakh's bright future in the voices of our heroic martyrs' children. Three illuminated passages reflect restoration, ecotourism, and development, showcasing region rebuilding activities. Models of culture, education, and infrastructure projects are presented in each. Interactive screens animate Karabakh's natural beauty and ongoing restoration. This space expresses Karabakh's revival, sustainable development, and confidence in the future.

At the exhibition exit, the Talking Photos section features photos reflecting the Victory's story and spirit. A memory book is provided for guests.

The museum also includes an Auditorium hall, library, and cafe. The Auditorium is intended for seminars, conferences, and public events. The library presents books and research materials on Azerbaijani history, cultural heritage, the past Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, and Karabakh's restoration and development. In the future, materials on each martyr and documentaries about Patriotic War heroes will be added to the museum's database.

The Victory Museum, surrounding Victory Park, and Victory Arch at the park entrance preserve the 44-day Patriotic War etched in Azerbaijani history, the glorious Victory, and the dear memory of heroic martyrs, reviving this proud history in every visitor's memory.

The Victory Museum will be open to visitors starting November 9.
8 November 2025 13:13 (UTC+04:00)

On November 8, a Military Parade dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War was held at Azadlig Square in Baku.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif attended the parade.

The national anthems of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan were performed.

The memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and heroic martyrs of Azerbaijan was honored with a minute of silence.

Minister of Defense Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov reported to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state delivered a speech at the parade.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

 Dear servicemen.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I sincerely congratulate you and the entire Azerbaijani people on the fifth anniversary of our glorious Victory. I also warmly welcome the leaders and delegations of the fraternal countries who have accepted my invitation.

Today, my dear brother, the President of the Republic of Turkiye, esteemed Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is participating in our parade. From the very first hours of the Second Karabakh War, my dear brother showed his support for Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani Army. His political and moral support gave us further strength and inspiration. The fraternal Turkish people have consistently supported Azerbaijan under the leadership of esteemed President Erdogan. His statement during the war that Azerbaijan is not alone, Turkiye is with Azerbaijan! was a very serious message to the whole world. The Azerbaijani people will never forget this fraternal support.

One year after the war and our glorious Victory, the presidents of Turkiye and Azerbaijan signed the Shusha Declaration in the historic city of Shusha, raising our relations to the highest level  that of an alliance. Today, the participation of Turkish soldiers in our military parade is yet another manifestation of our unity.

Five years ago, my dear brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan was also with us in the Victory Parade. Today, another dear brother is participating here with us. The Prime Minister of brotherly Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, is our guest. The state and people of Pakistan showed great support and solidarity with Azerbaijan during the 44-day Patriotic War. Today, for the first time, Pakistani soldiers are also participating in the event with us at Azadlig Square. This is a manifestation of the unity of the peoples and armies of three countries  Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Pakistan.

I welcome all the guests from friendly countries. Their presence here with us today once again clearly demonstrates our unity, solidarity and mutual support.

In the early 1990s, as a result of Armenia's policy of aggression against Azerbaijan, approximately 20 percent of our territory was occupied. One million Azerbaijani citizens became refugees and internally displaced. War crimes were committed against our people. The Khojaly genocide was committed, a policy of ethnic cleansing was carried out. But this did not break our will. Azerbaijan never intended to come to terms with the occupation. And while we were conducting peace negotiations, we consistently stated that if the negotiations failed to yield results, Azerbaijan would liberate its historical and ancestral lands by all means, including military force.

The result of the lengthy negotiations was zero progress. The main reason for that was that Armenia had no intention of vacating even an inch of our land of its own accord. Some states supporting Armenia stood in solidarity with them by providing political, economic and military support. Their idea was to sever our ancestral Garabagh land from Azerbaijan and annex it to Armenia. Our policy was to restore our full territorial integrity and sovereignty. Back in 2003, when I was first elected President of Azerbaijan, I declared that we would liberate our native land at any cost. We gathered strength and multiplied it month after month, year after year. We were able to make our voice heard in the international arena. Our country's position on the conflict within all leading international organizations took precedence. Many decisions and resolutions formed the legal and political basis of our Victory. We built a strong economy  had we not done so, our financial capacity would have remained very limited. We had gained economic independence, and Azerbaijan today is not economically dependent on any country. This gave us greater political power. We were a country pursuing an independent policy. These factors, along with others, brought us closer to the glorious Victory.

Public and political stability was fully established in Azerbaijan. Civil solidarity, civil unity, the unity between the people and the government have been the key factors. We have raised the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism, in the spirit of love for the Motherland, and our young people, putting their chests forward and going under the bullets for 44 days, liberated our historical lands from the occupiers. Patriotism and our moral qualities are some of the key factors behind our glorious Victory.

We have successfully implemented energy and transport projects, becoming an indispensable country for many countries across a vast geography. Along with all these factors, army building was always a priority. We have created a strong army, strong Armed Forces. We have increased the combat capability of our army, equipped our army with the most modern weaponry and ammunition. All these and other factors paved the way for our Victory, for our glorious Victory.

Armenia, however, failed to draw the right conclusions and, in the run-up to the Second Karabakh War, became even more impudent by putting forward new territorial claims against us. They were threatening us with a new war. They even said that they would wage a new war for new lands and occupy all of Azerbaijan. They said that their tanks would be on the streets of Baku. They said that they would be drinking tea in Baku. In fact, their dreams did come true. We made them come true. Their tanks are on display in the Military Trophies Park today. Armenian war criminals are standing trial in Baku and drinking Azerbaijani tea in the pre-trial detention center.

For 44 days, our glorious Armed Forces moved forward every day, not taking a single step back. They showed great professionalism, courage, heroism and selflessness. May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace. We have asserted ourselves in the whole world as a strong state and a victorious people. We have proven this on the battlefield. Over the course of the 44 days, more than 300 cities and villages were liberated from the enemy on the battlefield. We were pushing forward, chasing the enemy, and every liberated city and village, every Azerbaijani Flag raised there inspired our Army and people even more. Finally, on November 8, the city of Shusha, which was considered an impregnable fortress, was liberated from Armenian occupiers. Our glorious Victory March continued successfully from September 27 to November 8. We kept advancing towards the glorious Victory, crossing mountains, rivers and valleys, climbing steep rocks. The liberation of Shusha exactly five years ago broke the back of the Armenian army, and after that they surrendered. A day later, on the night of November 9-10, Armenia officially surrendered and signed an act of capitulation. Thus, we restored our territorial integrity, historical justice, international law and national dignity ourselves.

Today, Garabagh and East Zangazur are reviving. Today, the Great Return Program is well underway. Schools, hospitals, industrial enterprises, power plants, reservoirs, houses are under construction. More than 60,000 people already live, work and study in the liberated lands. I congratulate my dear people on all these historic achievements once again. We have lived these five years with tremendous pride. I am sure that from now on, the Azerbaijani people will forever live as a heroic and victorious people, and the Azerbaijani state as a victorious state. We, the owners of these lands, have returned to Garabagh and East Zangazur, and we will live forever on these lands from now on. The Azerbaijani Flag will forever fly over them.

I once again sincerely congratulate the entire Azerbaijani people on the occasion of our glorious Victory. I wish the Azerbaijani people good health and continued success. Garabagh is Azerbaijan!

X X X

President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke at the event.

Speech by President Receb Tayyip Erdogan

- My dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif.

The heroic servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

My Azerbaijani brothers.

I am greeting you with most sincere feelings of respect and love.

I am very happy to be here with you on the fifth anniversary of our Victory. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my brother Ilham Aliyev for the kind invitation. I am bringing to you the greetings from your brothers in Turkiye. I am bringing you the most sincere love of 86 million people.

I am sure that our brothers in the Organization of Turkic States are experiencing the same enthusiasm as we are on this proud day. May our Victory be blessed! May Allah grant Azerbaijan and the whole Turkic World many more such victories! I would like to thank all the representatives of friendly countries who are with us today, including my brother Shehbaz, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who is sharing in Azerbaijans joy.

My brothers, today we are all celebrating the fifth anniversary of a magnificent and unparalleled Victory that ended thirty years of occupation. I once again remember all our martyrs who died in the Patriotic War  the brave sons of Azerbaijan. May Allah bless the souls of our martyrs and grant them paradise, Inshallah.

Mammad Araz, one of the prominent representatives of Azerbaijani literature, described the love of Azerbaijani Turks for their homeland as follows:

Today, every moment of ours should say  the Motherland!

Our sword, our shield should say  the Motherland!

For the fallen, the rest of us should say  the Motherland!

Every feeling of our heart should say  the Motherland!

It doesn't matter where we are,

Our time, our place should say  the Motherland!

I would like to express my gratitude to our heroic veterans, whose hearts always beat for the Motherland, and say, May Allah be pleased with them! I congratulate once again all the servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, who put an end to the thirty years of occupation with their heroic struggle and at the cost of their lives. I also sincerely congratulate my brother Ilham Aliyev, the architect and leader of this great Victory, and wish him continued success.

I want you to know that the liberation of Garabagh is a great source of pride not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the entire Turkic World. Every step taken by the Azerbaijani Army on the land of Garabagh, every drop of blood shed for the sake of independence and honor has been inscribed in golden letters in our shared history as a symbol of glory in the annals of the Turkic World.

Today, Azerbaijani soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder with their soldier brothers from Turkiye. Looking at our soldiers, we can all see what the slogan One nation, two states actually means. The flag of Freedom flying over the blood of our martyrs waves with glory, honor and pride all over Garabagh.

As you know, we bid farewell to a great poet, who was originally from Garabagh, just 45 days ago. The late Yavuz Bulent Bakiler expressed his longing for Garabagh with these verses:

I can enter this land with flags,

Longing for Karabakh like those who love darkly.

I can die for its sake.

If one day everything ends without me seeing Garabagh.

I would not wish for an orchestra or big wreaths.

My Allah give my soul some peace.

A handful of holy chants recited over me

It would be enough if Garabagh soil were scattered over me.

Poets have written such poems for Garabagh for years. Under the resolute leadership of my brother Ilham, the Azerbaijani Army liberated Karabakh from occupation and extinguished this 30-year-old fire in our hearts. Thank God, today, from Lachin to Shusha, from Zangilan to Khankendi, from Khojaly to Fuzuli, there is security, development, peace, prosperity and freedom in every inch of Garabagh. Inshallah, this atmosphere of peace and security will continue to strengthen.

My dear friends, distinguished guests, the Garabagh Victory did not only put an end to a great injustice that had our hearts bleeding. At the same time, it opened the doors to a new era in our region. The Patriotic War also changed the geopolitical balance in Asia and Europe. We will neither hold grudges nor allow the atrocities of the past to be relived. We see this Victory not as an end, but as a milestone on the path to lasting peace in the Caucasus. We believe that the establishment of peace in the Caucasus will serve the well-being of the entire region from Asia to Europe. I would like to emphasize here that we are very hopeful and optimistic about the issue of lasting peace. We appreciate the sincere efforts of my brother Ilham Aliyev toward the establishment of lasting peace. We are also pleased to follow the courageous steps taken by the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Pashinyan, on this path. Inshallah, with the constructive position of both leaders, this magnificent Victory will result in a lasting agreement that will establish peace and security in the region.

As Turkiye, whatever rests on us in this matter, we will continue to do, Inshallah. At this point, we are very proud of the progress that Azerbaijan has made both in the region and beyond. The exceptional relations between us are getting stronger every day with concrete strategic projects. You will probably remember that we have further strengthened our cooperation, which we crowned with the Contract of the Century, Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Shah Deniz and TANAP pipelines, and finally with the commissioning of the Igdir-Nakhchivan natural gas pipeline. Now we are making efforts to further develop this cooperation and expand its scale.

We expect the new routes to be created in the Caucasus to increase the transport and energy supply opportunities. We must develop the East-West Middle Corridor passing through the Caspian Sea with investments that will benefit all our brothers in the region. I believe that we will take more steps forward together with Azerbaijan to use the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line in the most efficient way.

My dear brothers, Azerbaijan is making great efforts to restore and rebuild the region, especially Garabagh, to enable the safe return of its people and the restoration of the destroyed cultural and religious heritage. We have visited Garabagh together with my brother Ilham, and also with the participation of Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. After the victory, I witnessed firsthand the development and investment mobilization that has taken place throughout Garabagh. I have seen airports, roads, bridges, tunnels, railways, houses, buildings, agricultural and transport projects on site. I witnessed firsthand what our dear Azerbaijan is capable of under the leadership of my brother Ilham. Once again, I say Mashallah!, Barakallah! Of course, what we have seen is just the beginning. Inshallah, this will be continued. Garabagh will once again be the shining star of the region with its magnificent beauty. We will also provide Azerbaijan with all the necessary support in this process.

In addition to our bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, we also continue our unity and solidarity within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States. We held our 12th Summit in Gabala in October with the highest level of participation of all members of our family. I am pleased that the decision on December 15, the World Turkic Language Day, which I called for at the Summit, was also implemented by UNESCO. During the chairmanship of the organization, our solidarity with Azerbaijan will gain further momentum, Inshallah. I wish Azerbaijan every success in its activities. I do hope that the position of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus within the Turkic World will be strengthened with the unwavering support of Azerbaijan.

May Allah help us, I say. With these thoughts, I remember our dear martyrs who watered the land with their blood in the Patriotic War. I also express my gratitude to our disabled veterans.

Similarly, I once again remember with respect all the martyrs of the Caucasian Islamic Army that liberated Baku from occupation in 1918, especially the famous martyr Enver Pasha and his brother Nuri Killigil Pasha. Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate you on November 9, the - National Flag Day. I greet you all with the most sincere feelings. Thank you, stay well, and entrust yourselves to Allah!

x x x

Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif delivered a speech.

Speech by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

My dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev.

My dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

My dear brother, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE.

Heroic personnel of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan.

My Azerbaijani brothers and sisters.

Esteemed dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen,

Assalamu Alaikum and a very good afternoon.

I am grateful to my dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev, for his gracious invitation and the warm hospitality extended to me and my delegation on this joyous occasion. I bring with me the heartfelt greetings of the people of Pakistan who equally share the pride and joy of their Azerbaijani brothers and sisters on this historic day, celebrating the fifth anniversary of the glorious victory in the 44-day Patriotic War.

Ladies and gentlemen, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye, three brothers whose hearts beat together, are present here today along with our brothers from UAE, standing shoulder to shoulder, celebrating this momentous occasion.

And what a proud and scintillating sight it is right here to witness our valiant Armed Forces marching beside their Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers as the skies come alive with the roar of the JF-17 Thunder jets, a resounding symbol of our enduring friendship, which has, alhamdulillah, grown from strength to strength over these years.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am also reminded of the Azerbaijani and Turkish military contingents that proudly marched alongside the Pakistani Armed Forces in Islamabad amid tremendous applause on the 14th of August this year when we celebrated Mark-e-Haq to commemorate our historic victory in the four-day war with India.

I vividly recall memories of my own childhood. Ladies and gentlemen, I recall my good old memories of my childhood when my late father shared stories of the struggle and sacrifice of our forefathers and their conviction and self-belief that led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947. Today, as I witness your radiant faces and shining eyes, those cherished childhood memories are being refreshed in my mind.

Ladies and gentlemen, our national poet, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, a guiding light of our freedom struggle, beautifully expressed in a poetic verse.

Iqbal says, and I translate in English, In bondage, neither swords nor strategies work. They fail. They don't work. But when the fire of conviction awakens, then all chains of bondage are shattered, are cut. This is what Iqbal said decades ago. And these timeless words remind us that freedom is not won by force alone, but it is unwavering belief and commitment that breathes life into such heroic struggles.

Ladies and gentlemen, five years ago, the courageous sons of Azerbaijan, under the bold and visionary leadership of my dear brother President Ilham Aliyev, rose to respond to the call of history the world witnessed in awe as Azerbaijan's brave Armed Forces liberated their ancestral lands of majestic Karabakh. Throughout this entire struggle for liberation, Pakistan stood like a rock with its brotherly country, Azerbaijan, and will stand with our brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan for all time to come.

Honorable guests, Azerbaijan's victory in Karabakh was a glorious vindication of a just and a fair cause, a beacon of hope for all nations around the globe, striving for sovereignty and self-determination, including the brave and resilient people of Gaza and illegally Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

This year, the entire world witnessed how the great people and resolute leadership of Azerbaijan and Turkiye stood firmly with Pakistan during the four-day war with India in May this year. Under the dynamic and fearless command of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, who is present here to witness this wonderful ceremony, Pakistan's highly professional armed forces delivered a bloody nose to our enemy with a precise and highly effective military punch that stunned the enemy into shock and disbelief. Our ever-vigilant Air Force Hawks, ably commanded by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Babar Sidhu, shot down seven highly sophisticated enemy aircraft with lightning speed in defense of the motherland. Indeed, Pakistan, like our Azerbaijani and Turkish brothers, seeks peace, but let there be no doubt at all that no one can ever be allowed to challenge our sovereignty or undermine our territorial integrity.

Ladies and gentlemen, today as we celebrate the past, we also look to the future with great hopes and aspirations. It is heartening to see the return of displaced families to their homes in Karabakh. My dear brother, Mr. President, it is also a great testament to your personal strong commitment to the welfare and progress of the people of Azerbaijan.

The astounding speed of reconstruction under your leadership, Mr. President, in Shusha, the jewel of Karabakh, Khankendi, Fuzuli, Lachin, and all across the liberated territories of Karabakh is absolutely phenomenal and beyond imagination. Also, one of the most successful models of development is found in present-day Turkiye, whose architect is none other than my dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is also here as one of our very honorable guests to witness this great ceremony. I must express my sincere admiration for his visionary leadership that has transformed Turkiye into a modern, progressive, strategic, and economic world power.

Ladies and gentlemen, true victory lies not on the battlefield alone, but in building bridges of peace and understanding. My dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev, I deeply admire your sagacious leadership that guided Azerbaijan on the difficult journey leading to peace with dignity and mutual respect between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Having secured a resounding military victory in Karabakh, Mr. President, you have now won peace through your outstanding, skillful diplomacy. Here, I must acknowledge and appreciate President Donald Trump for his exemplary leadership that culminated in the success of these peace efforts. It was President Trump's bold and decisive leadership that brought about the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, restoring peace in South Asia, averting a major war, and saving millions of people.

Ladies and gentlemen, our common resolve for peace has most recently been tested in the case of Afghanistan. I am grateful to my dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his invaluable contribution in facilitating the peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with the state of Qatar. This is a true reflection of the strong and time-tested fraternal ties between our countries that stand together through thick and thin.

Ladies and gentlemen, while we celebrate victory today, we must also remember the fallen. May Allah rest the souls of the martyrs of this glorious struggle of Azerbaijan, who laid their lives to reclaim their ancestral land with their blood and invaluable sacrifices. Their courage, fortitude, and sacrifice wrote an immortal chapter in annals of history that will continue to inspire generations for all time to come.

And today, as the beautiful Khari Bulbul flowers bloom across the liberated land of Karabakh, nurtured by the soil and enriched with the blood and sacrifice of those brave sons and daughters, they bring the glad tidings of peace and hope.

May Allah Almighty grant our great nations the strength to continue marching resolutely towards a promising future of progress and prosperity.

Long Live Pakistan-Azerbaijan friendship!

Long live friendship between Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye!

Thank you all.

X X X

The military parade began following the speeches by heads of state.

The parade is commanded by the First Deputy Minister of Defense  Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, holder of the "Victory" and "Karabakh" orders.

The parade squads of the Armed Forces advanced towards the grandstand under the National Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Following the National Flag, battle flags of the Azerbaijan Army and formations particularly distinguished in military operations in achieving Victory in the Patriotic War were brought to the Azadlig square led by Major General Vugar Aliverdiyev, holder of the Order "For Merits to the Motherland."

Parade squads of the Special Forces, advanced towards the grandstand. The squad is led by the Hero of the Patriotic War, Major General Alakbar Jahangirov.

They were followed by the parade squads led by Colonel Zamig Amirov with the Order of "Karabakh", Colonels with the Order of "Azerbaijan Flag" - Chingiz Aliyev, Mardan Musayev, and Hero of the Patriotic War Colonel Ilgar Orujov.

Parade squad of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkiye, consisting of two marching formations, was led by Lieutenant Colonel Ugur Alan.

For the first time, the parade squad of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan led by Major Saqib Alam marched at the Azadlig Square of the capital Baku.

Parade squads of army corps under the flag of the Land Forces were led by the Deputy Minister of Defense - Commander of the Land Forces, Hero of the Patriotic War, Colonel General Hikmat Mirzayev.

Parade squads of the First Army Corps led by Colonel Teymur Mammadov, holder of the "Karabakh" Order, the Second Army Corps led by Major General Vilayat Guliyev, holder of the "Courage" Order, the Third Army Corps led by Major General Bilal Chompuzov, holder of the "Azerbaijan Flag" order, the Fourth Army Corps led by Major General Idris Maharramov, holder of the Order "For Merits to the Motherland," the Fifth Army Corps led by Major General Akif Pirverdiyev, holder of the Order of Victory, the Combined Arms Army led by Lieutinant General Kanan Seyidov, Hero of the Patriotic War passed the grandstand.

The parade squad led by Major General Anar Huseynov, holder of the Order of the "Azerbaijan Flag," the parade squad led of the most modern type of troops, the Unmanned System Troops, led by Colonel Adam Huseynov, holder of the Order For Merits to the Motherland, the parade squads of the Azerbaijan Navy led by the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Shahin Mammadov, who was awarded the medal "For Military Merits," the parade squad of marines led by Hero of the Patriotic War, Lieutenant Colonel Khalig Ibrahimov, parade squad of Navy Special Forces led by Captain Siraj Sirajov, 2nd grade Captain, awarded the "For Merits to the Motherland" order, parade squad of Navy Special Forces led by Captain Siraj Sirajov, 2nd grade Captain, awarded the "For Merits to the Motherland," the parade squad of the Rocket and Artillery Troops led by Colonel Agil Jabrayilov, holder of the Order for Merits to the Motherland, entered the Azadliq Square.

The parade squad of the Military Police was led by Major General Elgun Aliyev, holder of the Order "For Merits to the Motherland," the parade squads of the State Border Service led by "Hero of the Patriotic War", Lieutenant General Ilham Mehdiyev (2 parade formations), the parade squad of military personnel of the Special Forces units of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (2 parade formations) led by Major General Tofig Huseynov, holder of the Order of "For Service to the Fatherland," passed in front of the tribune.

Furthermore, the parade squad of the State Security Service's "Gartal" special forces led by holder of the "Karabakh" Order Major General Jabir Jafarov, and the parade squad of the "Yarasa" special forces of the Foreign Intelligence Service passed in front of the tribune.

The parade squad of the National Guard of the State Protection Service led by Lieutenant Colonel Eldar Guliyev, who was awarded the Medal "For Military Merits," the parade squad of the State Agency for the Protection of Strategic Objects led by holder of the Medal for Bravery, Colonel Orkhan Novruzov, the parade squad of military personnel of the Ministry of Emergency Situations led by Colonel Khalig Huseynov, holder of the Medal "For Military Merits," the parade squads of the National Defense University led by the Rector of the National Defense University, Major General Gunduz Abdulov, holder of the Medal "For Military Merits," the parade squad of the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev led by Major General Umidvar Guliyev, holder of the Karabakh Order, the parade squad of the Baku Military College commanded by Colonel Intigam Mirzayev, who has been awarded the For Motherland, the parade squad of the Training and Education Center of the Azerbaijan Army led by Colonel Nizami Movlanov, Hero of the Patriotic War passed in front of the tribune.

X X X

Subsequently, warships and boats of the Naval Forces and the Coast Guard of the State Border Service demonstrated high combat readiness in the coastal waters of the Caspian Sea for the Military Parade.

It was followed by the passage of the Armed Forces military equipment.

Column of special-purpose military vehicles and weapon systems entered Azadlig Square. The column was led by Major General Eldaniz Yahyayev, who has been awarded the medal For the Motherland.

Armored SandCat-Stomer command and high-mobility vehicles, equipped with 12.7 mm NSV machine guns, the self-propelled anti-tank guided SPIKE-ER (I-AR) missiles, and 120 mm SPEAR mortars, VASAQ special operations vehicles, a product of the National Defense Industry newly accepted into armament, COBRA-II armored medical evacuation vehicles, SKIF anti-tank guided missile system, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, PDM-3 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, T-72M1 and T-90S tanks, which passed in front of the tribune, showcased Azerbaijan Armys military prowess.

They were followed by the passage of air defense assets at Azadlig Square. The column was led by Colonel Zaur Yusifli, who has been awarded the medal For the Motherland. S-125 TM anti-aircraft missile system, BUK-MB and BUK-MB2K anti-aircraft missile systems, ILDIRIM-8 anti-aircraft missile system, S-300 - FAVORIT long-range anti-aircraft missile system , TOR-2M anti-aircraft missile system, VIKING, a multifunctional mobile combat complex against aerial targets, a product of the Local Defense Industry newly accepted into armament, Upgraded Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, HQ-9 (EYC KU-9) long-range anti-aircraft missile system newly accepted into armament were showcased before the grandstand.

Afterwards, the Unmanned Systems Troops presented Azerbaijan Armys unmanned aerial vehicles and other unmanned systems. The column was led by Major General Ilgar Gafarov, holder of the Azerbaijan Flag Order. Marauder and Matador type mine-resistant armored vehicles fitted with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles entered Azadlig Square. Marauder and Matador type mine-resistant armored vehicles fitted with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, including Orbiter-1KM strike UAVs, Orbiter-2, Orbiter-3 and Orbiter-4 tactical UAVs, Aerostar tactical UAVs, Bayraktar TB2 armed tactical UAVs, Hero-120 (HIRO) loitering munitions, newly accepted into armament, Sky Striker loitering munitions, Orbiter-5 tactical UAVs, Harop strike UAVs and Hermes-450 tactical UAVs passed through the Azadlig Square.

Then, rocket and artillery weapons column entered Azadlig Square. The column was led by Lieutenant General Aghamir Sultanov, who has been awarded the Zafar (Victory) Order. The parade featured the passage of military equipment, including 120 mm Vena self-propelled mortar system, 122 mm Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, 152 mm Akasiya self-propelled howitzer, 152 mm Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, 203 mm Pion self-propelled cannon, 220 mm TOS-1A - Solntsepyok heavy MLRS, Khrizantema-S anti-tank guide missile system, 152 mm DANA self-propelled howitzer, 155 mm long-range NORA and 155 mm long-range DITA self-propelled howitzers, newly accepted into armament, 122 mm RM-70/85 MLRS, newly inducted into service, 122 mm ACCULAR MLRS mounted on PULS, 160 mm GRAD-LAR MLRS, SkyStriker BLOCK-4 loitering munitions (PULS), newly accepted into armament, Gasrgha tactical missile system  TRLG-230A, 300 mm long-range TRG-300 tactical rocket system, 300 mm large-caliber Smerch MLRS, 306 mm EXTRA tactical rocket system, 301 mm POLONEZ operational-tactical rocket system, 370 mm high-precision Predator Hawk operational-tactical rocket system (PULS), newly accepted into armament, 5th generation ICEBREAKER cruise missile system, newly accepted into armament, 624 mm LORA operational-tactical rocket system.

X X X

Afterwards, combat aircrafts and helicopters of the Air Force, with the participation of Azerbaijani and Turkish pilots, flew over Azadlig Square. Akinci UAV flew over the skies of Baku, circling Azadlig Square at an altitude of 9001,500 meters, filming and observing the parade.

Three Mi-17 combat-transport helicopters, carrying the national flags of the Republics of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan, was led by Heroes of the Patriotic War, Commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade, and Colonel Rashad Nadirov. Mi-17 helicopter led by Major General Zaur Rustamov, holder of the Karabakh Order, displayed a portrait of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

Solemn aviation demonstration flights continued over the skies of Baku. First, a formation of five Mi-17 combat-transport helicopters equipped with long-range air-to-ground missiles advanced in V-shaped formation. The formation was led by Lieutenant Colonel Ziya Aliyev. Another group of five Mi-17 combat-transport helicopters continued the demonstration flight in V-shaped formation, led by Lieutenant Colonel Sabit Huseynov, holder of the Order For Service to the Motherland.

Afterwards, a formation of five MFI-17 training aircraft conducted flight over the capitals sky in V-shaped formation. The formation was led by Lieutenant Colonel Aslan Ramazanov. Later, a formation of five L-39 training aircraft continued the demonstration flights in V-shaped formation. The group was led by Colonel Aliyar Asgarov, holder of the Order For Service to the Fatherland. A formation of three transport aircraft, IL-76 military transport aircraft and C-27J cargo aircraft, newly accepted into armament, was piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Zafar Farhadov, Colonel Ruslan Alakbarov, holder of the Bravery Order, and Colonel Vugar Salahov, holder of the Karabakh Order. A formation of five newly inducted JF-17 fighter jets continues the aviation demonstration in V-shaped formation. The group was led by Colonel Novruz Tahirov, holder of the Order For Service to the Motherland. Representing the Turkish Air Force, a formation of five F-16 fighter jets conducts flight over the skies of Baku. The formation was led by Colonel Nevzat Oflamaz. The formation of five modernized SU-25 Lachin attack aircraft was led by Major General Hasan Alovsadov, holder of the Karabakh Order. The second pilot was Colonel Anar Hasanov, who has been awarded the Medal For the Motherland. The final group of SU-25 attack aircraft, flying in V-shaped formation, who depicted the colors of the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the sky above the capital, was led by Colonel Ruslan Mammadrzayev, holder of the Order For Service to the Motherland.

The Military Parade dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War came to an end.
8 November 2025 14:05 (UTC+04:00)

New residential complexes are expected to be put into operation in the city of Shusha by the beginning of 2027.

Azernews reports that these remarks were made by Aydin Karimov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha region, in his statement to journalists on Victory Day.

According to Karimov, most of the construction and reconstruction works in Shusha will be completed next year.

"Work has begun on two residential complexes. The construction of the third residential complex will start in the next two months. A large-scale project consisting of about 45 buildings is currently underway in Shusha. We will gradually hand over these buildings to the residents of Shusha by early 2027," he said.
8 November 2025 14:28 (UTC+04:00)

Today, my heart is filled with pride. Because I see here the strong Azerbaijani people celebrating a magnificent event with great enthusiasm and patriotic passion, Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif stated during his speech at the military parade dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War, Azernews reports.

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8 November 2025 15:11 (UTC+04:00)

On Victory Day, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and a group of military personnel of the Azerbaijani Army paid tribute to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland, Azernews reports.

The Ministry of Defense released information regarding the commemorative event.

The ministrys leadership laid bouquets of roses at the monument to the Great Leader on the Alley of Honor, honoring his memory. The grave of the prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva was also visited, and flowers were laid in her remembrance.

Later, military personnel visited the Alley of Martyrs, where they placed bouquets of roses on the graves of the fallen heroes and at the Eternal Flame monument.

The leadership and personnel of the Ministry of Defense also visited the Military Memorial Cemetery. The ceremony began with the performance of the National Anthem by a military orchestra, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs. Wreaths were laid on their graves as a sign of respect and gratitude.

Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with the families and relatives of the martyrs, listening to their concerns and offering support. The families expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for the attention and care shown to them.
8 November 2025 16:45 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan is determined to expand cooperation with Nepal in a number of important areas and exchange experiences in the fields of public administration and infrastructure development, Azernews reports.

This was stated in an article written by Azerbaijani Ambassador to Nepal Elchin Huseynli for Nepal Khabar.

The diplomat recalled that on November 8, Azerbaijan celebrates the fifth anniversary of its victory in the 44-day Patriotic War. In just 44 days, more than 300 settlements were liberated, including the city of Shusha, the cradle of Azerbaijani culture, he noted.

The ambassador emphasized that immediately after the war, Azerbaijan began large-scale demining and reconstruction work in the liberated territories, focusing on creating safe conditions for the return of internally displaced persons within the framework of the Great Return program.

Despite its victory on the battlefield, already in November 2020, Azerbaijan came up with a peace initiative in the region and declared that its vision and approach are based on sustainable peacebuilding, the article states.

E. Huseynli highlighted that intensive negotiations led to the historic meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on August 8, 2025, where both sides signed a Joint Declaration with the participation of the US President.

According to the ambassador, the new geopolitical reality created by Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus opens new opportunities for broader economic cooperation with South Asian countries, including Nepal.

He added that as a leading political and economic force in the region, Azerbaijan has recently intensified bilateral relations with Nepal; for many years, the two countries have been successfully cooperating in multilateral formats such as the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement. He also reminded that Nepal was among the countries that officially welcomed the results of the Washington Agreements on August 8, 2025.

On this significant day  the fifth anniversary of the Victory, which laid the foundation for a new era of peace and prosperity  Azerbaijan is more than ever ready to expand pragmatic cooperation with Nepal, including in public administration, infrastructure development, institutional modernization, digital innovations, energy transition, education, and other areas of experience exchange, Huseynli concluded.
8 November 2025 18:10 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans Embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia organized an official reception to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Victory achieved in the Patriotic War, Azernews reports.

The event gathered together heads and members of several diplomatic missions accredited in Moscow, military attaches, prominent figures from the fields of science, education, culture, and arts of Russia and Azerbaijan, notable representatives of the Azerbaijani community in Moscow, as well as Azerbaijani students studying at universities in Russia.

Colonel Kanan Tahmazov, Military Attache of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Russia, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Rahman Mustafayev addressed the event.

Subsequently, a video dedicated to the construction, restoration, and reintegration projects carried out in Azerbaijans liberated territories was screened.

The event also featured classical works of Gara Garayev, Vivaldi, Grieg, and others by the Moscow Youth Chamber Orchestra as part of the musical program of the solemn reception led by Russias Honored Artist Valeria Voronina.

During the event, guests also viewed photo displays depicting the 44-day Patriotic War.
8 November 2025 21:30 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

"Dear Ilham Heydar oglu,

I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of your country's remarkable holiday - Victory Day.

This milestone date holds a special place in the history of modern Azerbaijan, testifying to the unshakable will of the people of Azerbaijan to justice, peace and unity, and their strong commitment to the principles of sovereignty and independence.

Thanks to your wise and far-sighted leadership, nationwide support for the strategic course you have been pursuing, Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity in accordance with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, and has opened a new chapter of sustainable and creative prosperity in the annals of statehood.

Your policy aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus has rightfully gained wide support from the international community. Because this policy creates favourable conditions for the long-term cooperation, mutual trust and sustainable development of the entire region.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to note with great pleasure the dynamic development of the strategic partnership and alliance between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. I hail your outstanding personal contribution to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the spirit of friendship and good-neighborliness.

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, taking this opportunity, I wish you inexhaustible energy, and new achievements for the welfare of the fraternal people of Azerbaijan,'' the letter reads.
8 November 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

Mercedes-Benz Chairman Ola Kallenius is reportedly planning a high-profile meeting with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong next week, sparking speculation about a potential expansion of collaboration in the battery and display sectors, Azernews reports, citing Korean media.

The meeting has drawn particular attention as Samsung has yet to supply batteries to Mercedes, despite being a longtime partner of other German premium automakers such as BMW and Audi.

According to multiple reports, Kallenius is arranging the meeting during his visit to South Korea, coinciding with a press conference for local media scheduled for November 14. Samsung SDI CEO Choi Joo-sun and Samsung Display CEO Yi Chung are expected to join the discussions.

If the meeting takes place, it is anticipated to focus on chips and batteries, areas where the two companies partnership has yet to take concrete shape.

Historically, Samsung and Mercedes have collaborated on display technologies, including tablet PCs for rear seats of the S-Class and infotainment monitors in select models. Samsung has also integrated its Samsung Wallet digital key into major Mercedes models, allowing drivers to unlock and start vehicles without a physical key.

Currently, Mercedes sources EV batteries exclusively from LG Energy Solution and SK On, leaving room for Samsung to enter the market. Analysts suggest that this meeting could also provide fresh momentum for ongoing talks regarding Samsung supplying OLED panels for Mercedes vehicles.

Kallenius is expected to meet LG Energy Solution, South Koreas largest battery manufacturer, during his visit. In March, he reportedly held private discussions with LG Electronics, LG Energy Solution, and LG Display, signaling Mercedes proactive approach in diversifying its EV supply chain.

Chairman Lee has been actively expanding Samsungs engagement with global EV companies, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, and BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu, reflecting a strategy to position the automobile sector as a key growth engine.

One of Samsungs most notable collaborations is its nearly 20-year battery alliance with BMW, which began in 2009 when BMW selected Samsung SDI as its exclusive EV battery supplier. The partnership was reinforced by a 2.9 billion ($3.35 billion) battery supply contract covering 20212031. Lee also met BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse in December 2022 at the BMW Driving Center in Incheon, emphasizing Samsungs long-term commitment to premium automakers.

Industry observers suggest that a Mercedes-Samsung battery and display partnership could reshape the EV landscape, providing Mercedes with alternative supply options and Samsung with a high-profile platform to expand its automotive tech presence globally.
8 November 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

The trade turnover between Russia and China from January to October 2025 totaled $183.24 billion, marking a 9.5% decline compared with the same period in 2024, Azernews reports.

According to official statistics, the decrease was driven by a 6.7% drop in Chinese exports to Russia, which fell to $82.07 billion, and a 12.6% decline in imports of Russian goods to China, totaling $101.17 billion. Analysts attribute this slowdown to weaker energy demand, currency fluctuations, and the normalization of post-sanctions trade surges that had fueled growth in previous years.

During the same period, Chinas total foreign trade reached $5.24 trillion. Overall exports rose by 5.3% to $3.08 trillion, while imports increased by 2.7% to $2.15 trillion, reflecting steady global demand for Chinese manufacturing and technology products.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remained Chinas largest trading partner, with trade volume reaching $1.4 trillion in the first ten months of the year  an increase of 8.2% in imports and 14.3% in exports.

Trade with the European Union totaled $1.15 trillion, with imports up 4.0% and exports rising 7.5%, underscoring the gradual recovery of European consumer and industrial demand.

Meanwhile, trade with the United States continued to contract sharply, as geopolitical tensions and tariff disputes persisted. Chinese imports from the U.S. fell 16.6%, while exports to the U.S. dropped 17.8%.

Experts suggest that the dip in RussiaChina trade may be temporary, as both countries remain strategic economic partners, particularly in the energy, metals, and technology sectors. However, the decline also indicates that the initial surge in bilateral trade following Western sanctions on Russia is stabilizing, and both sides may now focus on long-term cooperation projects, such as energy infrastructure and cross-border payment systems.
8 November 2025 10:27 (UTC+04:00)

The U.S. Treasury Department and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) have officially removed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) as part of President Donald Trumps latest changes to Washingtons Syria policy, Azernews reports.

The move marks a significant recalibration of the U.S. stance toward Damascus.

In parallel, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution to lift certain sanctions previously imposed on al-Sharaa and several other individuals at the initiative of the United States. The resolution passed with 14 votes in favor and China abstaining, reflecting broad international support for the gradual normalization of relations with Syria.

The decision is viewed as a crucial step toward the international reintegration of the Syrian leadership, signaling a possible new phase in post-conflict diplomacy and regional engagement with Damascus.
8 November 2025 21:25 (UTC+04:00)

North Korea's Defence Minister No Kwang Chol has threatened to take "more offensive action" as he condemned the United States security talks with South Korea on Saturday, Azernews reports, citing Tribune.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the sea off its east coast on Friday, after denouncing US sanctions against North Korean entities allegedly involved in cyber-related money-laundering schemes.

South Korea's Defence Ministry condemned the missile launch, while saying the North's criticism of its meeting with the US was regrettable.

The US Indo-Pacific Command said that the launch "does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to our allies, but noted that it "highlights the destabilising impact" of North Korea's actions.

Further, Chol criticised a recent visit by US and South Korean defence chiefs to the border between North and South Korea, as well as their subsequent security talks in Seoul.

He alleged they were conspiring to step up deterrence efforts towards the North, and to integrate their nuclear and conventional forces.

"This is a stark revelation and an unveiled intentional expression of their hostile nature to stand against the DPRK to the end," Chol said, referring to the country's formal name  the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had said that the core of the alliance with Seoul remains focused on deterring North Korea, although Washington will look at flexibility for US troops stationed in South Korea to operate against regional threats.

Chol also mentioned the visit of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, George Washington, to Busan this week, following joint air drills with Seoul that had escalated tensions in the peninsula.

Although South Korea's navy said the carrier's visit was to replenish supplies and grant leave for the crew, Chol asserted, "We will show more offensive action against the enemies' threat on the principle of ensuring security and defending peace by dint of powerful strength.

Last week, just as US President Donald Trump and other leaders were set to convene in South Korea, North Korea test-fired cruise missiles to the west of the Korean peninsula.

During his visit, however, Trump repeated his willingness to sit down with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Though no meeting took place, Trump said he was willing to return to the region to meet Kim.
Each week, I strive to address matters of the heart and those shaping the future of our state. In this edition, we examine the potential direction North Carolina could take if marijuana expansion advances, and then we turn to two deeply personal reflections - one on suffering and one on the peace of dying in Christ.



Staying Alert: Guarding the Direction of Our State

While lawmakers return to Raleigh to address Medicaid funding, several marijuana bills remain quietly alive in committee. Though unlikely to move this month, these bills would normalize and expand access to a drug already proven to undermine mental health, family stability, and public safety. Even medical frameworks create the commercial and cultural foundation for broad recreational use. We must remain informed and ready to respond before momentum shifts.



When Suffering Doesnt Lead to a Happy Ending  But to Something Higher

Romans 8:28 is often quoted as a promise of better days ahead. Yet the greater promise is not that God will change our circumstances, but that He will change us. Some suffering restores our situation; all suffering can restore the image of Christ within us. Pain may not lead to the life we once had, but to the life God intends us to becomemore tender, more surrendered, more truly human in Christ.



At the Edge of Eternity: What a Hospice Nurse Affirmed About Dying

There is a discernible difference between those who die in Christ and those who do not. A hospice nurse confirmed what Scripture and history have long revealed: believers often pass with peace, while the unbelieving frequently struggle, even when unconscious. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Death for the Christian is not terrorit is the doorway to joy.



I pray these articles strengthen your discernment, steady your faith, and lift your hope to the eternal things. Moreover, may they move you to action for the sake of our Savior.



With gratitude for your prayers and partnership,

Rev. Mark H. Creech

Director of Government Relations, Return America

ReturnAmerica.org

RevMarkCreech.org
Former Sinn Fein publicity director: My father was very pro-British he didnt share my politics

Danny Morrison has released an updated memoir detailing lives lost and what hes learned from the dead. In a wide-ranging interview, he talks about peace, politics and Roddy Doyle

Author Danny Morrison on peace, politics and drawing a line in the past

Aine Toner Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 08:50

The former national director of publicity for Sinn Fein is keen that Northern Irelands past isnt glamorised.
Old stories have always been at the heart: Inside the NI pub that unearthed historic artefacts  and a lucky charm for Belfast Giants

A look at the history of Friels Public Bar in Swatragh  and why the Belfast Giants have adopted a former regulars stick as a good luck charm

Friels Public Bar owner Dermot Friel

Laura McDaid Fri 14 Nov 2025 at 20:00

The Friel family of Swatragh were always aware that their pub, in the centre of the Mid-Ulster village, was once inhabited by a doctor whose wife provided food to hundreds of people during the Irish Famine.
Woman romantically linked to notorious gunman released without charge

The woman was arrested in top secret garda raids on Wednesday morning along with a criminal aged in his 40s

Robbie Lawlor

Ken Foy Fri 7 Nov 2025 at 22:49

A legal professional who was in a relationship with gangland serial killer Robbie Lawlor has been released without charge two days after her arrest as part of an organised crime investigation.
Ex-terror boss could be brought back into UVF after being released from prison

Harry Stockman wants Wintston Winkie Irvine to come back but split on the cards as serious opposition expected to move.

Winston 'Winkie' Irvine. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images

Hugh Jordan Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 16:00

There are fears among grass root members of the UVF that disgraced Wintston Winkie Irvine is being lined up by terror chiefs for a return to the fold.
I am just a wee girl from Belfast who followed her dream... if I can do it, then anyone can do it too

Wicked star Rachel Tucker on inspiring the next generation to defy gravity as she prepares for her latest role switching on the Christmas lights in her home city

Rachel Tucker as Elphaba

Brett Campbell Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 09:44

Broadway musical and West End theatre star Rachel Tucker hopes to inspire fans to defy gravity when she returns home to light up Belfast for Christmas.
Mural artist defends new work in Carrickfergus after criticism over aggressive depiction of horrors of war

Street artist takes aim at Stormont for funding painting in Co Antrim town

Dan Kitchener's mural in Carrickfergus

Amy Cochrane Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 08:11

The artist behind a new mural in Carrickfergus has rejected suggestions that it glorifies war.
An Orange lodge has written to express its sad criticism of the Kings decision to pray with the Pope.

Lattery Purple Heroes in Markethill has published the correspondence sent to one of Charless most senior officials.

The letter notes how some priests absolved the sins of republicans who killed members of the Orange institution and others.

It comes after Orange Order leaders wrote to the King urging him to reflect on his coronation oath.

Last month Charles became the first reigning English monarch to pray publicly with a pope since Henry VIII.

However, there was criticism from some sections of unionism.

This week the Orange Standard, the institutions official publication, reported that many members of the Orange family will have been disappointed by the meeting.

It stated: The Grand Masters of Ireland, England and Scotland have jointly written privately to His Majesty to encourage him to reflect upon the solemn commitments of his coronation oath and the promises he made before God.

Now, Lattery Purple Heroes LOL 222 has released a copy of a letter, via its Facebook site, that its members sent to Sir Clive Alderton, the Kings principal private secretary.

It states: After much deliberation and with the greatest of regret, we as a private Orange Lodge, part of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland and loyal to the Crown, find ourselves in the position of having to write in sad criticism in regards to the joint prayer service of His Majesty King Charles the Third and Robert Francis Prevost, current Pope Leo and Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church.

His Majesty took a Coronation Oath to be Defender of the Protestant Faith. There was a time when an Englishman's word was his bond but sadly we have seen that oath watered down, first in his appeasement of Islam and now with bending the knee to the head of a church whose heretical priests 'absolved the sins' of those who murdered members of our Institution, our friends and family.

Our society is one already at odds with the notion of monarchy of which it and His Majesty hold a privileged position.

Sadly, the United Kingdom, whose strong Protestant Faith witnessed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, once a beacon to the world, has become a country the world no longer respects.

We cannot understand why His Majesty wishes to alienate further those still loyal to the Crown as he seeks to be a defender of all faiths and not promote the one true Faith.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Light. A true defender of the Faith should not be embarrassed about saying that, a weak king might.

We will pray that the King of Kings will not only continue to bless the monarchy but will particularly pray that God will indeed save the King, from himself.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Pope Leo XIV last month. Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Belfast History Explained: Who was Mary Ann McCracken?

Previously, the Independent Orange Order expressed great sadness at the meeting, citing a catalogue of grievances with the obnoxious theological position of the Catholic Church, which it said has no biblical basis.

Kyle Paisley, the son of the late DUP founder Ian Paisley, also called on Charles to cancel the engagement or abdicate and let someone else take his place who is a true Protestant.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said at the time that the trip was intended to mark a significant moment in relations between both churches, recognise the ecumenical work they have undertaken and reflect the Jubilee year's theme of walking together as 'Pilgrims of Hope'.
The father of a Polish woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann and was found guilty of harassing the missing girls parents said she told him I love you, but you are not my dad the last time she saw him.

Julia Wandelt was found guilty of harassment on Friday after turning up at the McCanns home, sending sinister letters and messages and repeatedly begging for a DNA test. She was found not guilty of stalking.

The 24-year-old faces deportation following the guilty verdict and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, which is less than the time she has already served on remand awaiting trial.

She was also made the subject of a restraining order, with a judge telling her she poses a significant risk of the harassment of the McCanns in future.

Wandelts father Jacek told the Daily Mail of the last time he saw her, just before Christmas.

He said: We had gone for a drive and then, just as she did when this all started a few years ago, she said to me, Daddy, I love you, but you are not my dad, I am Madeleine McCann.

I said, I am your father; you are not Madeleine, but she wouldnt listen to me, no matter how much I tried to reason with her.

He added: Julia is not bad, she is sick and needs help. Every day I think of her and I pray that she may get well.

Meanwhile, Kate and Gerry McCann said they take no pleasure in the result after the verdict, adding that they only wanted the harassment to stop.

The McCanns statement read: Despite the jurys guilty verdict of harassment, we take no pleasure in the result.

Like most people, we did not want to go through a court process and only wanted the harassment to stop.

The decision to prosecute was taken by the Crown Prosecution Service, based on the evidence gathered by the police.

We hope Ms Wandelt will receive the appropriate care & support she needs and any vulnerability will not be exploited by others.

If anyone has new evidence relating to Madeleines disappearance, please pass this on to the police.

Madeleine McCann disappeared from a holiday flat in Portugal in 2007 (PA)

A five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court heard Wandelt claimed to have memories, induced by hypnosis sessions, of being abducted and of living with the McCanns as a child, including feeding Madeleines younger brother, Sean, and playing ring-a-ring-a-roses.

Jurors heard Wandelt, who had an emotional outburst while Mrs McCann gave evidence against her, tried to persuade anybody prepared to listen that she was Madeleine, and that she had been kidnapped from Portugal and abused with other girls in Poland.

Wandelt called and messaged Mrs McCann more than 60 times in one day on April 13 last year, claiming to have a memory of the mother stroking her head and saying she would find her before the abduction.

Her co-defendant, Karen Spragg, was found not guilty of stalking and harassment.

Sentencing judge Mrs Justice Cutts told Wandelt her pestering and badgering of the McCanns was unwarranted and unkind.

She told the defendant: They (the McCanns) were entitled to refuse to engage with you, particularly in the sad circumstances in which they live with the disappearance of Madeleine.

They have suffered from that disappearance of their young child for many years, they are entitled to their privacy and to get on with their lives in the best way they can and to decide with whom, and with whom not, they will engage.

Karen Spragg has been found not guilty of stalking and harassment (Jacob King/PA)

Your constant pestering, badgering and eventually attendance at their home address on a dark evening in December was unwarranted, unkind, and as the jury have now found, criminal.

Wandelt, who sat beside Spragg in the dock, gasped at the verdicts, while Spragg cried.

Wandelt and Spragg held hands in the dock before the verdicts were handed down, after the jury deliberated for more than seven hours.

Before the judge reconvened court to discuss her sentence, Wandelt appeared to be sobbing in a room behind the dock.

The judge told her barrister she would need to compose herself for sentence, but she was satisfied Wandelt did not need to be present while representations were made.

Wandelt was convicted of harassment on Friday (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

Prosecution counsel Michael Duck KC said a restraining order was sought against Wandelt because there had been plain harassment against the McCann family.

Sentencing Wandelt, as she eventually made her way back into the dock, Mrs Justice Cutts said it was not for her to decide whether she would be released.

She said: Its not for me to say that you could be released at this point, notwithstanding that you have served your sentence.

A notice of deportation has been served on you and its a matter for the secretary of state as to how things proceed.

Mr and Mrs McCann were confronted by Wandelt on their driveway last December, where they were begged for a DNA test.

Both Madeleines parents gave evidence during the trial, from behind a curtain shielding them from Wandelt.

During their emotional evidence, Mr McCann said he and his wife still cling on to hope that Madeleine may be alive today.

He also claimed Wandelts actions were hampering the ongoing inquiry into his daughters disappearance, while Mrs McCann said she had been distressed by Wandelts behaviour, particularly a letter sent by the defendant addressing her as mum.

In recordings of the interaction outside their home, Mrs McCann can be heard saying: Youre causing us a lot of distress.

Members of the media outside Leicester Crown Court, where the trial was taking place (Jacob King/PA)

The following day, the couple received a sinister letter addressed, Dear Mum (Kate) and signed Lots of love, Madeleine.

Wandelt referred to Mrs McCann as mummy and said you are my real mother in other messages sent to her phone.

She told the jury during her evidence that she persistently contacted Mr and Mrs McCann because she thought they were being misled by the police and she wanted a DNA test to prove her relationship to them.

Wandelt also told jurors she believes Mr McCann was involved in Madeleines disappearance and that Mrs McCann knew of the abduction, but they had no other choice.

The defendant also suggested that the ongoing police investigation into the girls disappearance, called Operation Grange, which has received more than 13 million in funding, involves money laundering.

Forensic expert Rosalyn Hammond told jurors that Julia Wandelt cannot be Madeleine McCann because their DNA profiles do not match.

Wandelts DNA sample was taken by police after she was arrested at Bristol Airport in February, which was against the investigations policy, in an attempt to stop her behaviour towards the McCanns.

Her profile was compared with a sample recovered from Madeleines embroidered pillowcase at the family home in Rothley, Leicestershire, days after she disappeared and a blood sample taken when she was born.

Asked in court whether she still thought she was Madeleine, Wandelt said she was 50/50 and added she would like to see the full paperwork proving they are different people.

The following day in the witness box, Wandelt said: I do believe Im her. I do remember them but Im exhausted, Im completely exhausted with all of this.

Wandelt told the trial she could not remember early parts of her childhood, and after looking into missing persons cases, she realised she had a similar mark in her eye to Madeleine.

Madeleines 2007 disappearance during a holiday at a resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, remains unsolved.
Shabana Mahmood is set to announce a major shake-up of Britains immigration rules in the coming weeks with changes modelled on the Danish system, it is understood.

The Home Secretary dispatched officials to the country last month to study its border control and asylum policies, which are seen as some of the toughest in Europe.

Denmarks tighter rules on family reunions and restricting some refugees to a temporary stay are among the policies being looked at.

Shabana Mahmood wants deterrents in place to stop people seeking to enter the UK through unauthorised routes (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Labour MPs are split on the move. Some in so-called red wall seats, which are seen as vulnerable to challenge from Reform UK, want ministers to go further in the Danish direction.

Others believe the policies will estrange progressive voters and push the party too far to the right.

It comes after a difficult few months for the Government which have seen rising numbers of small boat crossings in the Channel and a migrant, who was deported under Britains returns deal with France, re-enter the country.

The Home Office said on Wednesday that the Iranian man had been sent back again after he arrived in the UK for a second time on October 18, a month after he was initially removed.

But his second crossing back to the country prompted criticism that the Government is in total chaos, while ministers insisted his detection on arrival shows the system is working.

Some 648 migrants crossed the Channel to Britain in nine boats on Friday, according to Home Office figures published on Saturday, bringing the total for the year so far to 38,223.

Ms Mahmood wants deterrents in place to stop people seeking to enter the country via unauthorised routes, while making it easier to remove those who are found to have no right to stay in the UK.

Sources said she was eager to meet her Danish counterpart Rasmus Stoklund, Denmarks immigration minister and a member of the Social Democrats, at the earliest possible convenience.

Stoke-on-Trent Central Labour MP Gareth Snell told BBC Radio 4 that any change bringing fairness to an asylum system that his constituents dont trust is worth exploring.

He said it was worth looking at what best practice we can find from our sister parties around the world where they have managed to find practical solutions to managing immigration.

But Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome, who is a member of the partys Socialist Campaign Group caucus, urged against emulating the Danish model, suggesting it was far-right.

I think these are policies of the far-right. I dont think anyone wants to see a Labour government flirting with them, she said.

Mr Stoklund likened Danish society to that of the hobbits in the Lord Of The Rings and said people coming to the country who do not contribute positively would not be welcome.

We are a small country. We live peacefully and quietly with each other. I guess you could compare us to the hobbits in the Lord Of The Rings, he said.

We expect people who come here to participate and contribute positively, and if they dont they arent welcome.
Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul have ended without agreement, with each side blaming the other for the breakdown in negotiations aimed at easing border tensions and upholding a fragile ceasefire, officials said on Saturday.

Tensions have escalated in recent weeks following deadly border fighting that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians.

The violence erupted after explosions in Kabul on October 9, which Afghanistans Taliban government said were drone strikes conducted by Pakistan and vowed to avenge.

The clashes subsided after Qatar brokered a ceasefire on October 19, which remains tenuously in place.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban government, blamed Pakistan for the talks failure, writing on X that the irresponsible and non-cooperative attitude of the Pakistani delegation resulted in no outcome, despite the Islamic Emirates good intentions and the efforts of the mediators.

Speaking during a press conference from the southern Afghan city of Kandahar on Saturday, Mr Mujahid said Afghanistan (does) not want insecurity in the region, and entering into war is not our first choice, but he noted that if war breaks out, we have the right to defend ourselves.

Earlier, he reiterated that Afghanistan will not allow anyone to use its territory against another country, nor permit actions that undermine its sovereignty or security.

The two-day talks in Istanbul, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, were the third round of peace negotiations that were viewed as one of the most significant diplomatic efforts between the two neighbours since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Despite intense back-channel diplomacy, officials said discussions stalled late on Friday without tangible progress.

Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif told the private Geo News channel late on Friday that the talks are over and that the Pakistani delegation was returning home with no plan for any future meetings.

He added that the ceasefire would remain in place as long as it is not violated from the Afghan side.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistans Taliban rulers of harbouring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a surge in attacks inside Pakistan since 2021.

Kabul denies the charge, saying it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries.

The collapse of talks came the night after Afghan officials reported that four civilians were killed and five others wounded in cross-border clashes despite the ongoing negotiations.

Mr Asif said the Afghan delegation came without any programme and refused to sign a written agreement, insisting only on verbal assurances.

They said they would respect a verbal agreement, but there is no room for that, he said. There is no plan or hope for any fourth round of talks. Talks have entered an indefinite pause.

Afghan refugees gather beside trucks loaded with their belongings on the outskirts of Chaman, a border town on the Pakistan Afghan border (H Achakzai/AP)

Earlier this month, Pakistans military said it carried out airstrikes on the hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban inside Afghanistan, killing dozens of people it described as insurgents.

Afghan officials denied the claim, saying civilians were among the dead, and said Afghan forces had struck Pakistani military posts in retaliation, killing 58 soldiers. Pakistans military acknowledged losing 23 troops in the fighting.

The violence prompted Qatar to invite delegations from both sides to Doha, where they agreed to a ceasefire on October 19. It was followed by six days of talks in Istanbul, which resulted in an agreement to extend the truce and hold a third round on November 6 and 7  talks that ultimately failed to produce any breakthrough.

Since then, Pakistan has kept all its border crossings with Afghanistan closed, though it partially reopened the main Torkham crossing last week to allow stranded Afghan refugees to return home.

The closure, imposed on October 12, has disrupted vital trade and transit routes and stranded thousands of people. Hundreds of trucks loaded with goods remain backed up on both sides of the frontier, cutting off one of the busiest economic arteries linking South and Central Asia.

Alongside the border restrictions, Pakistan is pursuing a nationwide campaign to deport undocumented foreigners, the majority of them Afghans. Since 2023, authorities say more than a million Afghan nationals have been sent back as part of the repatriation drive.

Pakistan has also witnessed a surge in militant attacks, many claimed by the TTP, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US and the United Nations.

Although separate from Afghanistans ruling Taliban, the TTP is closely allied with it and has been emboldened since the Talibans 2021 takeover of Kabul.
Firefighters put out a fire following the attack in Dnipro (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

A Russian drone has slammed into a tower block in eastern Ukraine while many were sleeping, killing three people and injuring 12 others, Ukrainian authorities reported.

The attack in Dnipro, Ukraines fourth largest city, was part of a large Russian missile and drone barrage across the country that targeted power infrastructure and also killed a worker at an energy company in Kharkiv, further north, a local official said.

A fire broke out and several apartments were destroyed in the nine-storey building in Dnipro, the emergency services said. Rescuers recovered the bodies of three people, while two children were among the injured.

Russia fired a total of 458 drones and 45 missiles, including 32 ballistic missiles. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralised 406 drones and nine missiles, the air force said, adding that 25 locations were struck.

Firefighters evacuate a resident following the Russian rocket attack that hit a multi-storey apartment building in Dnipro (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Authorities switched off power in several regions due to the attacks, Ukrainian energy minister Svitlana Grynchuk said in a post on Facebook.

In eastern Ukraine, fighting for the strategic city of Pokrovsk has reached a key stage, with both Kyiv and Moscow vying to persuade US President Donald Trump that they can win on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that work has begun on President Vladimir Putins order to prepare plans for a possible Russian nuclear test, according to state news agency Tass.

Mr Putins order on Wednesday followed statements by Mr Trump, which appeared to suggest that Washington would restart its own atomic tests for the first time in three decades.

During a news briefing on Saturday, Mr Lavrov said that Russia had received no clarification from the US regarding its intentions.

Russia has been pummelling Ukraine with near-daily drone and missile strikes, killing and injuring civilians.

The Kremlin claims its only targets are linked to Kyivs war effort. Russias Defence Ministry asserted on Saturday that the night-time strikes hit military and energy sites supplying Ukrainian forces.

Moscow and Kyiv have traded almost daily assaults on each others energy targets as US-led diplomatic efforts to stop the nearly four-year war had no impact on the battlefield.

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Ukraines long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries aim to deprive Moscow of the oil export revenue it needs to pursue the war.

Russia wants to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water in what Kyiv officials say is an attempt to weaponise winter.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in a post on X that the strikes damaged several major energy facilities around Kharkiv and Kyiv, as well as in the central region of Poltava. An energy company worker was killed in Kharkiv, Ukraines second city, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said in a post on Telegram.

We are working to eliminate the consequences of the attacks across the country. The focus is on the rapid restoration of heating, electricity and water supply, Ms Svyrydenko added.

Thermal power plants operated by Ukraines state energy company Centrenergo were again knocked offline by the night-time strikes, the company said in a statement. Centrenergos three plants in the Kyiv, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions were damaged by Russian attacks last year and subsequently restored.

The very same plants that were targeted last year and restored were struck again each minute by Russian drones, the company said.

Russian forces, meanwhile, repelled a massive night-time strike on energy facilities in the southern region of Volgograd its governor, Andrei Bocharov, said on Saturday, two days after Ukraine claimed to have hit a key oil refinery there with long-range drones.

Mr Bocharov added that the strike knocked out power in parts of the regions north-west, but caused no casualties. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv.

Russias Defence Ministry said on Saturday that its forces shot down 82 Ukrainian drones during the night, including eight over the Volgograd region. Two people were injured in the neighbouring Saratov region after a Ukrainian drone strike blew out windows in an apartment block, according to regional governor Roman Busarin.

Following weeks of long-range strikes on Russias energy infrastructure that Ukraine says both funds and directly fuels the Kremlins war, President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed on Friday to find a way to ensure there is no Russian oil in Europe.

Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to find a way to ensure there is no Russian oil in Europe (PA)

Mr Zelensky spoke to reporters shortly after Hungary secured an exemption from recent US sanctions targeting major Russian oil producers.

We will not allow it. We will not let the Russians sell oil there. Its a matter of time, he said at a news briefing after meeting senior Ukrainian military leaders, without elaborating how Kyiv might seek to halt the oil flows.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally who has long urged the EU to repair ties with Moscow, argues that landlocked Hungary has no viable alternatives to Russian crude, and that replacing those supplies would trigger an economic collapse. Critics dispute that claim.

The Trump administration unveiled sanctions against Russias major state-affiliated oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil last month, a move that could expose their foreign buyers  including customers in central Europe, India and China  to secondary sanctions.

While most European Union member states sharply reduced or halted imports of Russian fossil fuels after Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24 2022, Hungary and Slovakia have maintained their pipeline deliveries. Hungary has even increased the share of Russian oil in its energy mix.

The city of Pokrovsk sits along the eastern front line, part of what has been dubbed the fortress belt of Donetsk, a line of heavily fortified cities crucial to Ukraines defence of the region. It could also be a key point in influencing Washingtons stance and sway the course of peace negotiations, analysts say.

Mr Putin claims his forces are on the cusp of winning. As a prerequisite for peace, he demands that Ukraine cede the Donbas, made up of Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk.

Russian troops advanced near Pokrovsk and the nearby town of Myrnohrad, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday, claiming both were encircled. It also said Russian forces surrounded Ukrainian defenders in Kupiansk, a key railway hub in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv.

Kyiv did not immediately respond to Moscows claims, which could not be independently verified. Ukrainian officials have previously acknowledged that the situation in Pokrovsk is dire. But they said there was no blockade either there or in Kupiansk, and that fighting continued.
Personal trainer breaks down after he is cleared of sex assault on teenager following appeal

Charges against Mallusk man Jonny Ferguson dismissed amid concerns about evidence in case

Jonny Ferguson outside court

John Toner Sat 8 Nov 2025 at 19:00

A personal trainer convicted of sexually assaulting a client shortly after her 18th birthday has been acquitted on appeal because of inconsistencies in her account.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mostly cloudy with a few snow showers this evening. Low around 15F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with a few snow showers this evening. Low around 15F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
MILL RIVER  When the sale of Limestone Farm became a matter of record last week, county and area dairymen and others were not sure whether to offer the former owners congratulations or condolences.
MOUNT WASHINGTON  A week and a half ago, the water of Becker Pond was held back to overflowing.

Not anymore. And in a few weeks, where the pond at Mount Plantain Preserve stood, there will be an uninterrupted stream.

The state Division of Ecological Restoration has a biodiversity goal to remove 10 percent of the dams in the state by 2050 in order to restore rivers and riparian habitat for both mammals and fish. Since 2005, more than 40 dams have been removed in Massachusetts.

While many dams in Massachusetts were built in the 1700s and 1800s to power mills, the one at Becker Pond was built in the 1930s for recreational use.

When The Nature Conservancy bought the 1,600-acre parcel in 2000 for $1.2 million, there was initial discussion of taking out the dam, according to Karen Lombard, director of stewardship and conservation at The Nature Conservancy.

But at that time, dam removal in Massachusetts was just getting started, Lombard said. Fast forward to 2016, when cracking was seen in one of the side walls. We happened to have a trail on the whole ridge, and the whole thing was becoming a hazard, so we had some engineers look at it, and they recommended that we take out the dam.

The Nature Conservancy is focused on its mission of land preservation. In recent years, it demolished a chalet near Jug End State Reservation in Egremont and found a new owner for the historic Cande Barn in Sheffield. Both structures were on land it owns.

In 2018, The Nature Conservancy applied for and received Priority Project status for the dam removal from the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, which awarded both technical support and money to the project. The entire project will cost about $1 million from start to finish, including building a three-mile trail near the newly restored river.

In addition to the Division of Ecological Restoration, the project also received funding from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust and private foundations that requested anonymity.

For more than four years, The Nature Conservancy has worked with consultants to do the design and permitting to take down the concrete wall that held back the water.

On Monday, Lombard climbed into an excavator with a hydraulic hammer and banged on the top. Large chunks fell down, creating a loud clinking sound and leaving a wake of thick white dust.

Cheers went up among a group of onlookers donning hard hats and orange vests.

Its like a ribbon-cutting, only better, said Barbara Charry, The Nature Conservancys director of rivers and lands.

Afterward, Lombard seemed surprised at how easy operating the machinery was.

You just press this little button and it does all this stuff, she said. You dont have to do anything, like any muscle power at all. It felt good.

Travis Sumner, principal of Sumco Eco-Contracting, showed Lombard to the excavator and gave her a briefing in how to use it.

Two excavators are being used to break up the dam, along with a tracked dump truck to remove sediment and concrete.

In reviewing the process, Sumner said the lake was full with water flowing over the center of the spillway when he arrived about a week and a half ago.

Day 1, we showed up ready to pump the impoundment out, and turned the little crank on the low-level outlet. It turned a little bit, Sumner said. So we turned it a little bit more and turned it a little bit more, and it functioned. So we were able to let water out of the impoundment through the low-level outlet.

They found logs and stones were packed against that lower gate. After the impoundment was dewatered, the crew took out about 15 trees, which they used to stabilize banks of the new stream.

They built a ramp and ran the two excavators in to pull out a couple hundred yards of sediment. Then they rebuilt the channel. Sumner credited Inter-Fluve, the design engineer, for accurately locating the channel.

Building the channel theres a really rocky bottom here, which we see downstream and we see upstream, he said. But theres nothing holding the banks in place, other than historic root wads and logs that were there. So were seeing tops of stumps.

In concert with the states goals for dam removals, The Nature Conservancy has a goal of restoring 1,000 miles of rivers in Massachusetts by removing dams that are no longer in use.

Legacy dams, like the one that created Becker Pond, can pose hazards to humans, said Charry at The Nature Conservancy, but removing them also offers other benefits.

Its for clean water, she said. Its for flood resilience. Its for great habitat. So right now where we have dams the fish and other creatures cant get up and down the river. They cant find the cool places they need to survive.

In addition, dams contribute to erosion and sedimentation.

Rivers repair themselves very quickly if you stay out of their way, Charry said.

Chris Hirsch, dam removal program manager for the states Division of Ecological Restoration, witnessed the project from its start.

As soon as they started to lower the pond through the low-level outlet, the water levels came down and exposed the old historic channel, he said. As the water continued to lower, the river began to cut itself back through the impoundment and reform itself for the most part. The river started to come back to life as soon as the water started flowing again.

On Monday, three days after the channel was completed, Hirsch took video of a brook trout feeding in the channel.

It was just sitting there waiting for a little bit of breakfast, he said.
Voters approve new $152M Monument Mountain Regional High School Voters approved a new $152 million building for Monument Mountain Regional High School in Tuesday's special election.

These days, its tough to get 78 percent of people to agree on just about anything. Yet with that overwhelming majority, residents of the Berkshire Hills Regional School District on Tuesday night approved a pivotal project to build a new high school.

Our Opinion: Berkshire Hills must build for the future. Vote yes twice for a new Monument Mountain High School As Berkshire Hills Regional School District voters decide the fate of Monument Mountain Regional High School, The Eagle urges a yes vote on both ballot questions. A new, energy-efficient building would deliver lasting value and improved learning environments for students  all while leveraging $61 million in state aid that wont come again soon.

As we argued in our endorsement of the plan, this decision over the future of secondary education in this three-town district essentially came down to doing the math. The only two options in this multiple choice test were (a) make a substantial local investment in a new $152 million Monument Mountain Regional High School, buoyed by a $61 million grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (plus $1.5 million in MassSave incentives); or (b) spend at least $89 million on disruptive repairs for a 60-year-old structure while forgoing MSBA assistance.

For the three towns that make up this school district  Great Barrington, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge  both options entailed some eye-watering numbers. But it was easy enough to crunch them and understand that while either choice would cost local coffers almost exactly the same, only one comes with a brand new school building tailored to contemporary educational, vocational and safety needs. So with the benefit of hindsight, its not hard to see why the ballot measure seeking approval for the project passed with flying colors (including supermajorities in each town approving a second ballot question seeking a Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion to finance the building project).

Still, there are always some election-night jitters whenever polls close for a big, locally impactful decision. That was especially true for a district whose voters nixed a $51 million proposal for a new building about a decade ago.

In the context of both the 2014 no vote and the resounding yes vote that carried the day on Tuesday, there are some lessons to learn for this and every other district.

The painful one is recognizing just how costly deferring difficult decisions can be. Opting for a new school building was clearly the best option now  and likely was a decade ago as well. Surely some district taxpayers wish they could have locked in this necessary project at $51 million rather than $152 million.

The brighter lesson can be found in the successful public education campaign mounted by municipal and district officials that informed voters show of support for the new high school building project. These local leaders clearly did their homework regarding the status of the current Monument Mountain building and what a new school would cost and offer the district (including the legwork to secure an eight-figure grant from the MSBA). Just as importantly, they thoroughly communicated those facts to residents. To be sure, the message essentially formed itself: Would you rather pay $89 million for a brand new school or years of disruptive patchwork to a Cold War-era structure? Still, kudos are owed to the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee, Superintendent Peter Dillon and numerous others on various school building committees for getting that message out loudly and clearly  including in the pages of this newspaper.

Its always encouraging to see a community take what we believe is a big step in the right direction, and this step will prove beneficial even to those who will never sit for a class in the new Monument Mountain slated to open for the 2029-30 academic year. It was particularly heartening to hear Tyler Campbell, the student representative on the School Committee, report that the districts high school students were overjoyed with Tuesdays results  including those set to graduate before the new school opens. Thats because these young folks know well what all of us should: All of us are better served by doing whats best for the institutions that serve our youngest neighbors. After all, they are the architects and leaders of our shared future  and so its good to see Berkshire Hills doing right by them.
Letter: I wish Lenox would work with MSBA as Berkshire Hills did
Tunisian students receive Chinese Ambassador Scholarships

Xinhua) 11:24, November 08, 2025

Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia Wan Li (2nd R) and some of the recipients pose for photos at the award ceremony of Chinese Ambassador Scholarships in Tunis, Tunisia, Nov. 7, 2025. Thirty-nine Tunisian high school students received Chinese Ambassador Scholarships on Friday in recognition of their participation in cultural exchanges between Tunisia and China, the Chinese embassy said. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

TUNIS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-nine Tunisian high school students received Chinese Ambassador Scholarships on Friday in recognition of their participation in cultural exchanges between Tunisia and China, the Chinese embassy said.

The award ceremony, co-hosted by the Chinese embassy, the Tunisian Ministry of Education, and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University, was held in Tunis and attended by Chinese diplomats and Tunisian officials.

Three Chinese language teachers were also honored with "Excellent Teacher" awards, while a school principal received a "Special Contribution" award.

Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia Wan Li said the scholarships aimed to encourage more Tunisian students to study Chinese and pursue higher education in China, helping them "better understand a real and multi-faceted China" and strengthen bilateral ties.

Ahlem Ben Soussia, coordinator of Chinese language teachers at Tunisian high schools and one of the award recipients, said the number of students studying Chinese had risen to nearly 900 this year from 683 last year, reflecting growing interest among Tunisian youth.

She said she hoped the scholarship program would continue to foster educational and cultural exchanges and "serve as a bridge for friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding."

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Sheng Chuyi)
A Russian drone has slammed into a tower block in eastern Ukraine while many were sleeping, killing three people and injuring 12 others, Ukrainian authorities reported.

The attack in Dnipro, Ukraines fourth largest city, was part of a large Russian missile and drone barrage across the country that targeted power infrastructure and also killed a worker at an energy company in Kharkiv, further north, a local official said.

A fire broke out and several apartments were destroyed in the nine-storey building in Dnipro, the emergency services said. Rescuers recovered the bodies of three people, while two children were among the injured.

Russia fired a total of 458 drones and 45 missiles, including 32 ballistic missiles. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralised 406 drones and nine missiles, the air force said, adding that 25 locations were struck.



Firefighters evacuate a resident following the Russian rocket attack that hit a multi-storey apartment building in Dnipro (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Authorities switched off power in several regions due to the attacks, Ukrainian energy minister Svitlana Grynchuk said in a post on Facebook.

In eastern Ukraine, fighting for the strategic city of Pokrovsk has reached a key stage, with both Kyiv and Moscow vying to persuade US President Donald Trump that they can win on the battlefield.

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Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that work has begun on President Vladimir Putins order to prepare plans for a possible Russian nuclear test, according to state news agency Tass.

Mr Putins order on Wednesday followed statements by Mr Trump, which appeared to suggest that Washington would restart its own atomic tests for the first time in three decades.

During a news briefing on Saturday, Mr Lavrov said that Russia had received no clarification from the US regarding its intentions.

Russia has been pummelling Ukraine with near-daily drone and missile strikes, killing and injuring civilians.

The Kremlin claims its only targets are linked to Kyivs war effort. Russias Defence Ministry asserted on Saturday that the night-time strikes hit military and energy sites supplying Ukrainian forces.

Moscow and Kyiv have traded almost daily assaults on each others energy targets as US-led diplomatic efforts to stop the nearly four-year war had no impact on the battlefield.





Over the course of the night, Ukraines Defense Forces neutralized more than 400 drones, which is a significant result  achieved by our unmanned systems units, army aviation, and mobile fire groups. Electronic warfare did its job.



Some of the missiles were also shot down  pic.twitter.com/hTFVM2SvIK  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 8, 2025

Ukraines long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries aim to deprive Moscow of the oil export revenue it needs to pursue the war.

Russia wants to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water in what Kyiv officials say is an attempt to weaponise winter.

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in a post on X that the strikes damaged several major energy facilities around Kharkiv and Kyiv, as well as in the central region of Poltava. An energy company worker was killed in Kharkiv, Ukraines second city, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said in a post on Telegram.

We are working to eliminate the consequences of the attacks across the country. The focus is on the rapid restoration of heating, electricity and water supply, Ms Svyrydenko added.

Thermal power plants operated by Ukraines state energy company Centrenergo were again knocked offline by the night-time strikes, the company said in a statement. Centrenergos three plants in the Kyiv, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions were damaged by Russian attacks last year and subsequently restored.

The very same plants that were targeted last year and restored were struck again each minute by Russian drones, the company said.

Russian forces, meanwhile, repelled a massive night-time strike on energy facilities in the southern region of Volgograd its governor, Andrei Bocharov, said on Saturday, two days after Ukraine claimed to have hit a key oil refinery there with long-range drones.

Mr Bocharov added that the strike knocked out power in parts of the regions north-west, but caused no casualties. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv.

Russias Defence Ministry said on Saturday that its forces shot down 82 Ukrainian drones during the night, including eight over the Volgograd region. Two people were injured in the neighbouring Saratov region after a Ukrainian drone strike blew out windows in an apartment block, according to regional governor Roman Busarin.

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Following weeks of long-range strikes on Russias energy infrastructure that Ukraine says both funds and directly fuels the Kremlins war, President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed on Friday to find a way to ensure there is no Russian oil in Europe.



Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to find a way to ensure there is no Russian oil in Europe (PA)

Mr Zelensky spoke to reporters shortly after Hungary secured an exemption from recent US sanctions targeting major Russian oil producers.

We will not allow it. We will not let the Russians sell oil there. Its a matter of time, he said at a news briefing after meeting senior Ukrainian military leaders, without elaborating how Kyiv might seek to halt the oil flows.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally who has long urged the EU to repair ties with Moscow, argues that landlocked Hungary has no viable alternatives to Russian crude, and that replacing those supplies would trigger an economic collapse. Critics dispute that claim.

The Trump administration unveiled sanctions against Russias major state-affiliated oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil last month, a move that could expose their foreign buyers  including customers in central Europe, India and China  to secondary sanctions.

While most European Union member states sharply reduced or halted imports of Russian fossil fuels after Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24 2022, Hungary and Slovakia have maintained their pipeline deliveries. Hungary has even increased the share of Russian oil in its energy mix.

The city of Pokrovsk sits along the eastern front line, part of what has been dubbed the fortress belt of Donetsk, a line of heavily fortified cities crucial to Ukraines defence of the region. It could also be a key point in influencing Washingtons stance and sway the course of peace negotiations, analysts say.

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Mr Putin claims his forces are on the cusp of winning. As a prerequisite for peace, he demands that Ukraine cede the Donbas, made up of Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk.

Russian troops advanced near Pokrovsk and the nearby town of Myrnohrad, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday, claiming both were encircled. It also said Russian forces surrounded Ukrainian defenders in Kupiansk, a key railway hub in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv.

Kyiv did not immediately respond to Moscows claims, which could not be independently verified. Ukrainian officials have previously acknowledged that the situation in Pokrovsk is dire. But they said there was no blockade either there or in Kupiansk, and that fighting continued.
More than 69,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war so far, Gaza health officials said on Saturday, as both sides completed the latest exchange of bodies under the terms of the tenuous ceasefire.

The latest jump in the death toll occurred as more bodies are recovered from the rubble in the devastated strip since the ceasefire began on October 10th, and as previously unidentified bodies are identified.

The toll also includes Palestinians killed by strikes since the truce took hold, which Israel says target remaining militants.

Israel on Saturday returned the remains of another 15 Palestinians to Gaza, according to hospital officials in the strip, a day after militants returned the remains of a hostage to Israel.

Mourners attend the funeral of hostage Israeli-American Capt Omer Neutra, after his body was returned from Gaza, at Kiryat Shaul cemetery, in Tel Aviv, on Friday (Leo Correa/AP)

He was identified as Lior Rudaeff, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s office. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Mr Rudaeff was born in Argentina.

The exchanges are the central part of the ceasefires initial phase, which requires that Hamas return all hostage remains as quickly as possible. For each Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians.

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The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.

It began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7th, 2023, that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.

Palestinians on Saturday checked the newly returned remains. Ahmed Dheir, director of forensic medicine at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, said the remains of 300 people have now been returned, with 89 identified.

Gazas Health Ministry said the number of people killed there since the war began has risen to 69,169. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

The ministry said 284 people were added to the total after their identities were verified between October 31st and November 7th.

And over the past three days, 10 bodies were brought to Gaza hospitals  nine retrieved from under the rubble and one newly killed, the ministry said. Since the ceasefire began, 241 people have been killed in Gaza, it said.

It added that a large number of Palestinians remain missing.

Israels military on Saturday said soldiers killed two militants who had approached troops, one in northern Gaza and the other in the south.

Palestinian health officials said 11 people were injured in an attack by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including journalists, medics, international activists and farmers, as settler violence reaches new highs during this years olive harvest.

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The UN humanitarian office has reported more Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank in October than in any other month since the office began keeping track in 2006. There were more than 260 attacks, or an average of eight incidents per day, the office said.

Activists and medics have flocked to this years olive harvest to help Palestinian farmers safely reach their fields.

A video circulating in Palestinian media showed the inside of a West Bank hospital where the injured  bandaged and bloody  were brought from Saturdays attack on the town of Beita.

Rights groups say that arrests for settler violence are rare, and prosecutions even rarer.
Vice President JD Vances recent comments that he hopes his Hindu wife would one day convert to Christianity have sparked debate about the challenges facing interfaith couples in the US.

Experts who have counselled hundreds of couples who do not share religious beliefs say the key is respect for each others faith traditions and having honest discussions about how to raise their children.

Most agree that pressuring or even hoping the other would convert could prove damaging to a relationship, and all the more so for a couple in the public arena.

To respect your partner and everything they bring to the marriage  every part of their identity  is integral to the kind of honesty that you need to have in a marriage, said Susan Katz Miller, author of the book Being Both: Embracing Two Religions In One Interfaith Family.

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Having secret agendas is not usually going to lead to success, she said.

Do I hope that eventually she is somehow moved by what I was moved by in church? Yeah, honestly, I do wish that, because I believe in the Christian Gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way JD Vance

Mr Vance, who converted to Catholicism five years into his marriage with Usha Chilukuri Vance, shared his hopes for her conversion while taking questions at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi.

A woman asked how he and his wife raise their children without giving them the sense that his religion supersedes her beliefs.

Do I hope that eventually she is somehow moved by what I was moved by in church? Yeah, honestly, I do wish that, because I believe in the Christian Gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way, the vice president said.

But if she doesnt, then God says everybody has free will, and so that doesnt cause a problem for me.



US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha walk toward Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews (Oliver Contreras/Pool via AP)

Mr Vances comments received extensive criticism. The Hindu American Foundation, in a statement addressing the vice president, cited a history of Christians attempting to convert Hindus, and what it says is a rise in anti-Hindu online rhetoric often coming from Christian sources.

Both of these underpin the sentiment that your statements re: your wifes religious heritage are reflective of a belief that there is only one true path to salvation  a concept that Hinduism simply doesnt have  and that path is through Christ, the statement said.

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Mr Vances press office did not offer comment to the Associated Press. But Mr Vance did engage on social media with a critic who accused him of throwing his wifes religion under the bus, calling the comment disgusting.

He said his wife is the most amazing blessing in his life and that she encouraged him to re-engage with his faith.

She is not a Christian and has no plans to convert, but like many people in an interfaith marriage  or any interfaith relationship  I hope she may one day see things as I do, Mr Vance said in his X post.

Regardless, Ill continue to love and support her and talk to her about faith and life and everything else, because shes my wife.

A Pew Research Centre survey in 2015, the most recent asking Americans about interfaith marriage, found that 39% of Americans who had married since 2010 have a spouse from a different religious group. By contrast, only 19% of those who wed before 1960 reported being in an interfaith marriage.

The number of interfaith couples in the US has increased over the past decade, said Ms Miller, whose mother was Christian and her father Jewish. Her mother chose to raise the children Jewish.

Interfaith couples have different options, Ms Miller said. They can choose one or both religions. They could choose a new religion or choose no religion, which is a choice a lot of couples are now making.

The Catholic Church does insist that spouses should not be coerced or pressured into the faith John Grabowski

But, she said, pressuring ones spouse to convert or even hoping they would convert is not a good basis for a successful marriage.

At the Turning Point event, Mr Vance told the audience that he and his wife decided to raise their children as Christian. He said they attend a Christian school and participate in milestone Catholic sacraments, such as his oldest son receiving his First Communion a year ago.

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Mr Vance has said that when he met his wife at Yale Law School, they were both atheist or agnostic. She grew up in a Hindu immigrant family that was not particularly religious, and they incorporated Hindu rites into their wedding ceremony in 2014. Mr Vance became Catholic in 2019.

The Catholic Church requires interfaith couples to raise their children Catholic, and its a commitment Catholics must make in order to receive permission to marry outside the faith, said John Grabowski, theology professor at The Catholic University of America. Along with his wife, Prof Grabowski helps prepare interfaith couples for marriage.

If your faith is the most important thing in your life, you want to share that with your spouse, he said, adding that it is a natural expression of love for Christians to want their partners to join them in eternal life.

However, the Catholic Church does insist that spouses should not be coerced or pressured into the faith, he said. Its a delicate line.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said his country has received an exemption from US sanctions on Russian energy after a meeting in the White House with US President Donald Trump.

It is an allowance that will keep Russian oil and gas flowing to Hungary in a sign of the close affinity between the two leaders.

Mr Orban, a longtime Trump ally, had come to Washington seeking to convince the president to allow Hungary to continue importing Russian oil and gas without being subject to sanctions Mr Trumps administration has placed on Russian fossil fuels.

A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Hungary will get an exemption for a year.

Hungary has also been under heavy pressure to end its reliance on Russian energy from the European Union, most of which has heavily cut or ceased its imports of Russian oil and gas.

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The nationalist Hungarian leader has called access to Russian energy a vital issue for his landlocked country, and said he planned to discuss with Mr Trump the consequences for the Hungarian people if the sanctions took effect.



US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a meeting with Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Cabinet Room of the White House (Evan Vucci/AP)

During a press briefing with Hungarian media following his talks with Mr Trump, Mr Orban said Hungary had been granted a complete exemption from sanctions affecting Russian gas delivered to Hungary from the TurkStream pipeline, and oil from the Druzhba pipeline.

We asked the president to lift the sanctions, Mr Orban said. We agreed and the president decided, and he said that the sanctions will not be applied to these two pipelines.

Hungary agreed to buy US liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of the discussions, the US State Department said in a fact sheet, noting contracts were expected to be worth about 600 million dollars (455 million).

The two nations also agreed to work together on nuclear energy, including small modular reactors.

Hungary will also purchase nuclear fuel from the US-based Westinghouse Electric Company, Mr Orban said. That fuel will be used to power Hungarys Paks nuclear plant, which until now has relied on Russian-supplied nuclear fuel, though Hungarian officials earlier stressed that Budapest will continue its purchase of Russian nuclear fuel as well.

A large delegation of cabinet members, business leaders and numerous right-wing political influencers with close connections to Hungarys government accompanied Mr Orban to Washington. The delegation rented a 220-passenger commercial jet from Hungarian carrier Wizz Air for the journey.

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Prior to Mr Orbans arrival on Thursday, a bipartisan group of US senators introduced a resolution calling on Hungary to end its dependence on Russian energy.

The resolution was co-signed by 10 senators including Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. It expresses concern that Hungary has shown no sign of reducing its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, and urges Budapest to adhere to a European Union plan to cease all Russian energy imports into the bloc by the end of 2027.

Europe has made extraordinary progress cutting its energy ties with Moscow, but Hungarys actions continue to undermine collective security and embolden the Kremlin, Ms Shaheen wrote in a statement.

The resolution, she continued, sends a clear message that when it comes to buying Russian energy, all allies should be held to the same standard, and that includes Hungary.

After arriving in Washington, Mr Orban and some of his top officials met Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who in September was sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup after an election loss.

Mr Orban posted on social media: We stand firmly with the Bolsonaros in these challenging times  friends and allies who never give up. Keep fighting: political witch-hunts have no place in democracy, truth and justice must prevail!
UPS and FedEx said they are grounding their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes out of an abundance of caution following a deadly crash at the UPS global aviation hub in Kentucky.

The crash on Tuesday at UPS Worldport in Louisville killed 14 people, including the three pilots on the MD-11 that was headed for Honolulu.

MD-11 aircrafts make up about 9% of of the UPS airline fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet, the companies said.

We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer, a UPS statement said late on Friday. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve.

FedEx said in an email that it will be grounding the aircrafts while it conducts a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer.

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Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press asking the reasoning behind the recommendation.



A placard and cross honouring Capt Dana Diamond pictured during a vigil for those killed and missing after the UPS plane crashed (Jon Cherry/AP)

Western Global Airlines is the only other US cargo airline that flies MD-11s, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The airline has 16 MD-11s in its fleet but 12 of them have already been put in storage. The company did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment early on Saturday.

Boeing announced in 1998 that it would be phasing out its MD-11 jetliner production, with final deliveries due in 2000.

The UPS cargo plane, built in 1991, was nearly airborne on Tuesday when a bell sounded in the cockpit, National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman said earlier on Friday. For the next 25 seconds, the bell rang and the pilots tried to control the aircraft as it barely lifted off the runway, its left wing ablaze and missing an engine, and then ploughed into the ground in a spectacular fireball.

The cockpit voice recorder captured the bell, which sounded about 37 seconds after the crew called for take-off thrust, Mr Inman said.

There are different types of alarms with varying meanings, he said, and investigators have not determined why the bell rang, though they know the left wing was burning and the engine on that side had detached.

Mr Inman said it would be months before a transcript of the cockpit recording is made public as part of that investigation process.

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Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, said the bell likely was signalling the engine fire.

Dramatic video captured the aircraft crashing into businesses and erupting in a fireball.

Flight records suggest the UPS MD-11 that crashed underwent maintenance while it was on the ground in San Antonio for more than a month until mid-October. It is not clear what work was done.

The UPS package handling facility in Louisville is the companys largest. The hub employs more than 20,000 people in the region, handles 300 flights daily and sorts more than 400,000 packages an hour.

UPS Worldport operations resumed on Wednesday night with its Next Day Air, or night sort, operation, spokesman Jim Mayer said.
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Exclusive PoliticsQueenslandQueensland government Ministers deflecting responsibility over forced adoption detail fix Matt Dennien November 8, 2025  12:14pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

The news The Crisafulli government has been accused of failing to meaningfully respond to concerns from groups helping adopted Queenslanders reconnect with forcibly separated family. Almost two months since writing to the ministers responsible, the states forced adoption support service says the pair were deflecting responsibility over the issue. Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow, president of Jigsaw Queensland, has said the changes wind back information access which allowed her to find her mother in 1991. Matt Dennien Jigsaw Queensland only received what it described as a disappointing response from Families Minister Amanda Camm last week after this masthead sought to follow up on its initial revelations.

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It provides no meaningful update, no commitment to restoring access, and no timelines, Jigsaw president Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow said of the letter from Camm. Why it matters Unexpectedly and without consultation, the government made changes in early September to how families separated by the states historical child removal practices could access information to try and reunite. Sparrow said the shift, which included no longer allowing adopted people to trace family names changed through marriage without written parental consent, was the most regressive in three decades. At the time, Jigwsaw wrote to Attorney-General Deb Frecklington and Camm. Frecklington noted the changes came under Camms responsibilities and were needed under a new legal interpretation.

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Queensland government Jo-Ann found her mum in 1991. Quiet changes will hurt the chance for others No response came from Camm. Neither minister gave Brisbane Times a response, either. But that changed this week after this masthead asked Camms office about her lack of reply to Jigsaw. What they said In her Thursday letter, which came after questions from this masthead on Wednesday, Camm noted she has raised the concerns with Frecklington and suggested further questions go to her department. In a later statement to Brisbane Times, Camm said she would continue working with Frecklington to address the issues arising from the change made by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

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I have responded to Jigsaw Queenslands correspondence, she said. A meeting with Jigsaw Queensland will be organised in due course. Another perspective Sparrow said Camm and Frecklington were deflecting responsibility  with neither stepping forward to resolve or reverse what is essentially an executive decision by RBDM and [the department]. Meanwhile, people affected by adoption  many of whom have waited decades for answers  remain in distress and uncertainty, she said. Many are up against the clock with time running out as their parents are ageing.

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Instead of leadership, we are seeing reactive, piecemeal responses  scrambling quietly in the background because the media has started asking questions. In September, a departmental spokesperson would not be drawn on any specific catalyst for the change and whether other options were considered. Labors shadow attorney-general Meaghan Scanlon accused Camm of burying her head in the sand and ignoring the people shes supposed to support. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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PoliticsQueenslandWildlife The premier, the poet and the fight to save a frog Andrew Stafford November 8, 2025  4:58pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Its a story almost too preposterous to believe, starring a group of young uni students, an infamous state premier, a legendary Australian poet and an extinct frog that gave birth by vomiting its young  all at the dawn of the Australian conservation movement. Yet the tale of the southern gastric-brooding frog, which once inhabited the rainforest streams of the Conondale and Blackall ranges in south-east Queensland, continues to perplex and inspire a new generation of citizen scientists as they hop into FrogID Week. On November 23, 1973, Chris Corben, his then-partner Anita Smyth, her sister Debbie and journalist Greg Roberts were young naturalists living in inner-city Brisbane. The gastric brooding frog, which gave birth to live froglets out of its mouth, went extinct shortly after it was discovered. Mike Tyler In a fish tank they held an unusual frog, which theyd collected from the Conondales a few weeks earlier.

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Biodiversity The de-extinction club: Could we resurrect mammoths, Tassie tigers and dinosaurs? This was during the Joh Bjelke-Petersen years, a repressive time in Queensland. I was talking about the frog to some drug squad cops who tried to raid us, Corben says. They were asking me about grass. I told them you couldnt feed her grass because she was insectivorous! Corben knew the frog by its scientific name, Rheobatrachus silus.

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It was new to science, described only months earlier by David Liem after its discovery the year before at Kondalilla Falls. At that stage, no one knew anything of its extraordinary breeding biology. After the cops left, Corben decided to move the frog from one aquarium to the other. Stressed by the removal of the rocks hed placed in the tank for shelter, the frog rose to the surface  and forcibly ejected from its mouth six tadpoles. The gastric-brooding frog, native to Queensland. Peter Schouten / Search for Lost Species In its new aquarium, the frog hung vertically in the water, with just its eyes and nostrils above the waterline. Viewed through the glass, Corben says, the movement of juvenile frogs against the distended abdominal wall could be clearly seen.

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On December 13, a decision was made to preserve the frog in the hope of finding the baby frogs in situ. What happened next was even more dramatic: upon grabbing the frog by its hind legs, it promptly disgorged eight fully-formed frogs. Five more followed within minutes. What a moment! We were just stunned, we didnt know what was going on, Roberts wrote. Corben, his friend Dr Glen Ingram and Adelaide herpetologist Mike Tyler wrote up their discovery for Nature. They rejected the submission, convinced it was a hoax.

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It was an eerie echo of the platypus, the first specimens of which were dismembered by British scientists convinced it was a forgery. Coincidentally, Ingram prefers the name platypus frog  but gastric-brooding sounded clinical, almost grotesque, he says. Eventually their paper was published by Science, in December 1974. The early 70s, Ingram notes, was ground zero for the study of frogs in Australia: Nothing was known! There were no field guides; we had to figure it all out ourselves. No one else was interested. The environmental movement was just getting going, too.

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Ingram used to house-sit for poet Judith Wright, president of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. Soon he, Corben and Roberts would become involved in a vicious fight to save the Conondales from logging. The sensation created by the gastric-brooding frog became central to that campaign. Ingram, then at Queensland Museum, was offered a $20,000 grant to study the frog from the World Wildlife Fund  a lot of money at the time. But a furious state environment department (then an amalgam of forestry and primary industries) pushed back.

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It insisted the museum had no business in ecological research and warned of punishment by the ruling National Party. Ingram was forbidden from speaking publicly about the frog and conducted his research in defiance of silence. But he had an in, via a Lutheran friend who was able to reach the devout Sir Joh. Eventually, Ingram was called into a meeting with the premier. He was not a fan.

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I hated the National Party! he says. But he was an unexpected delight. Suddenly you saw the charm and the warmth of the man up close and he was just fascinated. He kept getting me to imitate the calls of the frogs and the birds. Sir Joh unexpectedly ordered forestry to investigate the natural values of the Conondales.

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By the early 80s, Corben had been employed to help but there was a problem: the gastric-brooding frogs and several other species had vanished. Ingram says it wasnt until about 1990 that we realised something bad had happened. By then, Sir Joh and the National Party had gone, deposed after 32 years amid the scandal of the Fitzgerald Inquiry into police and political corruption in Queensland. Curiously, it was another politician, an unusually keen environment minister in Wayne Goss Labor government named Pat Comben, who sounded the alarm. Most scientists were unperturbed, as so little was known about the frogs that they simply assumed they would turn up again.

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But they didnt. The southern gastric-brooding frog (and its cousin, the northern gastric brooding frog, found near Mackay) had fallen victim to chytrid fungus, a pathogen described in 1998 that has devastated amphibian populations worldwide. It was declared extinct in 2000, having been known in the wild for a mere seven years. Since then, there have been attempts to resurrect the frog via cloning (the so-called Project Lazarus, which had previously tried to bring back the Thylacine). And yet like the Thylacine, hope persists.

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Related Article Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. Biotech Hope, hype or madness? Inside the crazy money bid to bring the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction Jodi Rowley, curator of amphibians and reptiles at the Australian Museum and leader of the FrogID project, says DNA testing is being used in the frogs old haunts to find proof of life. Its possible, she says. But Im not holding my breath. Even Corben, who lists a number of frogs that vanished from the Conondale and Blackall Ranges and later reappeared, is sceptical  despite once betting a magnum of champagne with a friend Rheobatrachus would one day be rediscovered.

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But that was decades ago. When do you give up on a species? he says. Do people look for them still? Every year? In the rain? Do they really know how to find them? I dont have much hope, though, thats for sure. AAP
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Analysis TechnologyElon Musk We tried Elon Musks Wikipedia clone. Its as racist as youd expect David Swan November 8, 2025  4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 172 View all comments

When Elon Musk launched Grokipedia on October 27, the worlds richest man promised nothing less than the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. His AI-powered encyclopedia would correct what hes long derided as Wikipedias woke bias. It would also purge propaganda and it would create a comprehensive collection of human knowledge worthy of preserving on the Moon and Mars. Less than two weeks later, that grandiose vision looks more like a cautionary tale about what happens when Silicon Valley hubris meets algorithmic bias and far-right grievance politics. Using Grokipedia over the past week reveals an encyclopedia riddled with racism, historical revisionism and blatant plagiarism. Its a digital monument to Musks worldview that launders hate speech as objective fact. When Elon Musk launched Grokipedia on October 27, the worlds richest man promised nothing less than the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Stephen Kiprillis It comes as Tesla shareholders overwhelmingly approved a pay package for Musk worth up to $US1 trillion, an award unprecedented in the era of skyrocketing CEO pay. This package is designed to keep Musk at Teslas helm for the next decade, as he becomes increasingly distracted with various playthings, like Grokipedia. That project, and his stake in Tesla, reveal a singular vision to control narratives, whether historical or technological, with significant cultural and economic power concentrated in his hands. Together, they underscore the risks when vast influence is wielded by one individual shaping both our understanding of knowledge and the future of industry.

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The issues were apparent right from the start. Grokipedia launched with about 885,000 articles, a fraction of Wikipedias 7 million English entries, and promptly crashed from traffic overload. The platforms content is generated by Grok, xAIs large language model, which itself has a troubled history: just months before Grokipedias launch, Grok spent days praising Adolf Hitler, parroting antisemitic tropes and calling itself MechaHitler. An AI-powered, low-quality, barely readable rip-off: Elon Musk has set up his own version of Wikipedia called Grokipedia. AP That controversy forced xAI to issue a lengthy apology in July, blaming a system update for the chatbots violent and antisemitic outbursts. Poland threatened to report the company to the European Commission and Turkey restricted access. Yet Musk proceeded to build an entire encyclopedia using this same deeply flawed technology. The first and most obvious issue with Grokipedia is not anything technical: its the rampant and unapologetic plagiarism. Much of Grokipedia is simply Wikipedia copied wholesale. An academic analysis found that many topics, Playstation 5, Monday, Apple, among hundreds of others, have been simply copied word for word, formatting included. Many Grokipedia pages include a small disclaimer noting content is adapted from Wikipedia but they offer no clarity on what is changed or by how much. It means users have no way to know if Grok has subtly altered 1 per cent or 100 per cent of the text.

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Plagiarism is one thing. But things get more problematic when Grokipedia diverges from its source material. On politically charged topics, the platform injects far-right talking points and conspiracy theories, presenting them as objective truth. Related Article Updated

Executive pay I super appreciate it: Elon Musk wins $US1 trillion Tesla pay deal despite backlash Consider George Floyd, whose 2020 murder sparked global protests. Wikipedia describes him as an African American man who was murdered by a white police officer, centring the incident that made him historically significant. Grokipedia opens by emphasising Floyds lengthy criminal record, including convictions for armed robbery, drug possession and theft. It doesnt mention his murder until the fourth sentence. Worse, on Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust, Grokipedia introduces a Debates and Intent on Functionality section that is absent from Wikipedias equivalent entry. Youd expect it to maybe reflect the vast consensus about the Nazis systematic extermination of Jews, but no. Grokipedia emphasises the so-called historiographical debate over whether the Holocaust was the result of Hitlers premeditated plan or simply a bureaucratic accident. The entry is effectively downplaying the intentional nature of Nazi genocide, echoing rhetorical moves often found in Holocaust minimisation or denial, and muddying the facts with both sides speculation.

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Pauline Hansons One Nation Party is described as having the aim of prioritising Australian interests amid concerns over immigration, economic globalisation, and national sovereignty, compared to Wikipedia, which says One Nations policies and platform on mass immigration have been characterised as racist and xenophobic by critics. Grokipedias article frames One Nation almost exclusively on internal party matters, including leadership dynamics, while ignoring its major, racially charged and anti-immigration controversies that have helped define it. An entry on the Brereton report, which detailed war crimes allegedly committed by the Australian Defence Force during the War in Afghanistan, makes no mention of whistleblower David McBride and includes extensive sections dedicated to questioning the reports methodology and defending the soldiers conduct, which are absent from the Wikipedia entry. It similarly both-sides the Robo-debt scandal, a catastrophic government failure, presenting it as a good-faith attempt to solve significant fiscal leakage. Whistleblower David McBride at the ACT Supreme Court. Alex Ellinghausen Grokipedia says of the Murugappan (Biloela) family, the Tamil asylum-seekers who arrived by boat, this outcome risks setting a precedent that weaken[s] enforcement against overstayers ... exemptions would undermine hardline policies proven effective under Operation Sovereign Borders, which intercepted all attempted illegal boat arrivals since 2013 and halted people smuggling ventures. Yielding in high-profile instances like Biloelas could erode this deterrence. This approach prioritises exceptionalism over causal enforcement mechanisms, potentially incentivising non-compliance.

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On Australia Day, Grokipedias article actively argues against the Invasion Day perspective, framing it as an activist and empirically wrong narrative that ignores the benefits of colonisation. Australia Day has faced controversy, particularly from some Indigenous activists who reframe the date as Invasion Day, the page reads. This narrative, amplified in academic and media circles often exhibiting institutional biases toward decolonial framing, overlooks pre-contact Indigenous inter-group warfare and the net advancements in health and longevity post-1788 attributable to European introduction of medicine and infrastructure. It also frames the Change the Date campaign as a product of divisive identity politics and media amplification of minority views from academic and urban progressive circles. This is not a neutral encyclopedia entry: its a political argument, using anti-woke rhetoric directly reflecting Musks worldview.

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On the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Grokipedia prominently cites Kremlin sources and repeats Russian propaganda about denazifying Ukraine and protecting ethnic Russians, which are claims that Wikipedia describes as baseless. An Institute for Strategic Dialogue investigation found Grok regularly amplifies pro-Kremlin narratives. Grokipedia argues against the Invasion Day perspective of Australia Day. Dylan Coker One of the most disturbing entries is Grokipedia legitimising white genocide theory, the racist conspiracy that mass immigration represents a deliberate effort to erase white people in Western nations. The entry discusses empirical underpinnings of this debunked theory and claims discussions are suppressed by media and institutions with ideological biases supporting multiculturalism. This is a core obsession for Musk himself, who consistently fixates on white genocide in South Africa. For Richard Evans, the eminent Cambridge historian and Holocaust scholar, Grokipedias failures were personal. Testing his own entry, he discovered it was entirely fabricated: he never studied under Theodore Zeldin; he never succeeded David Cannadine as Regius Professor; and he never supervised theses on Bismarcks social policy. All claims were false. Chatroom contributions are given equal status with serious academic work, Evans told The Guardian. AI just hoovers up everything. The entry on Albert Speer, Hitlers architect, repeated lies long debunked by award-winning scholarship. On Eric Hobsbawm, the Marxist historian whose biography Evans wrote, Grokipedia invents military service and marriage details.

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David Larsson Heidenblad, deputy director of Swedens Lund Centre for the History of Knowledge, identifies the core issue as a clash of knowledge cultures. The Silicon Valley mindset is very iterative where making mistakes is a feature, not a bug, he says. By contrast, the academic world is about building trust over time and scholarship over long periods. Those are real knowledge processes. Related Article Analysis

Software Silicon Valleys Trump courtship is backfiring spectacularly Wikipedia, for all its acknowledged imperfections and volunteer biases, operates transparently. Every edit is logged, every change reversible, every dispute visible. Its 25-year-old community has developed sophisticated methods for verifying sources and adjudicating conflicts, processes that cost about $US175 million a year, a fraction of the tens of billions tech giants are pouring into AI. Wikipedia is fundamentally an act of democratic faith: thousands of strangers believing that truth can emerge from disagreement, that evidence matters more than authority and that knowledge serves everyone better when its collectively stewarded. Grokipedia represents a different faith entirely, one in the perfectibility of truth through algorithmic curation by a single individual. Facebook in January removed its independent fact-checkers and Silicon Valley by and large seems no longer interested in the truth. Even Grok itself is sceptical. When I asked the chatbot whether Grokipedia was trustworthy, it replied that the platform resembles a critique wearing encyclopedia clothing. Its a damning admission from the very AI powering the project.

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What should concern us most about Grokipedia isnt that Musks ideological imprint is visible: its that hes shown how easy it is to do this at scale. Other billionaires and authoritarian regimes are watching. If knowledge itself becomes another asset to be owned, controlled and algorithmically curated according to someones worldview, the consequences extend far beyond one flawed encyclopedia. Grokipedia was supposed to preserve human knowledge for future civilisations on Mars. Instead, its preserving Elon Musks racist conspiracy theories for anyone gullible enough to trust it. Thats not an encyclopedia. Its a monument to one mans delusion that his biases equal truth and our collective failure to stop him from building it. The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the days trading. Get it each weekday afternoon.
High Court Reporters

The High Court has ordered it appropriate to quash the use of a flawed fast-track process used to expedite a controversial International Protection Accommodation Service centre in Athlone, but has put a stay on its final order for four months, after which it will be an unauthorised development.

At the High Court on Friday, Ms Justice Emily Farrell was told by Aoife Carroll SC, for the State, that the centre which proposed to house up to 1,000 asylum seekers was now completely vacant and that she was seeking a stay on the order to allow time for remedial legislation to be brought forth.

Protests had been held in Athlone over the plan to develop army tent accommodation for asylum seekers, in up to 150 tents, on the site to the rear of an existing direct provision centre.

Last December, Westmeath Independent Ireland councillor Paul Hogan and others, successfully claimed the minister failed to adequately "screen" the project for potential environmental impacts and that the minister lacked the expertise to carry out such assessments in an expedited manner.

The State conceded the legal challenge brought by five local councillors against the expedited plan.

Lawyers for the State had asked for a stay on the order quashing the use of the statutory instrument in speeding up the establishment of the controversial refugee facility at Lissywollen in Co Westmeath.

A statutory instrument is a secondary legislation, made by a Minister, modifying existing laws.

The State had argued there was a "serious risk to the dignity and safety" of asylum seekers, if the Government was not allowed to use special powers to fast-track the accommodation.

Ms Carroll has said EU law requirements and legislative procedures were complied with in the formation of the instrument, but not entered into record, amounting to an "error". However, she said that the situation was considered to be an "emergency".

Cllr Hogan and others took their case against the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

In delivering her final orders, albeit with the stay, Ms Justice Farrell said she would award costs in the case up until July 25 last to Cllr Hogan's side, who was represented by Oisin Collins SC.

Ms Carroll told the judge that a bill was to come before cabinet in the coming weeks remedying the error in the statutory instrument used but that there were still a number of steps to be made in the process.

Ms Carroll said the facility was not currently in use but that there was still a security presence in operation at the site.

Counsel said if the stay was quashed then the site would be an unauthorised development and that this could lead to unnecessary proceedings.

Mr Collins said it would be a "highly unusual situation" if the public were to be prevented in making their concerns registered in written objections about the impact of the development.

He said the proposed bill to remedy the error in the statutory instrument was "amorphous", that it "kept changing" and that the minister was "struggling to find a solution".

Mr Collins said his clients had a legitimate concern that was ventilated before the court which led to a "significant" outcome for his side.

Along with councillor Hogan, three other Athlone-based representatives were part of the legal challenge - Fianna Fail councillors Frankie Keena and Aengus O'Rourke and Fine Gael councillor John Dolan.

Cllr Hogan, who secured 4.8 per cent of first preference votes running for Independent Ireland in Longford-Westmeath, had claimed the ministerial process was "unlawful, irrational and a breach of fair procedures".
Fiona Ferguson

A Dublin man who bit a woman he was dating on the face after grabbing her by the neck has been jailed for 15 months.

Shane Cowzer (31) called the woman a cheater, told her she was lucky she was not dead, and later threatened to come to her work after she ended the relationship.

Cowzer of Lower Gardiner Street pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on January 28th, 2023.

Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said Cowzer had thrown a phone at the woman, grabbed her twice by the neck and then bizarrely bit her on the face.

Judge Nolan said it seemed the relationship had gone sour and the man acted out of bed temper and jealousy. He noted they have both since gone their separate ways.

The judge said he thought Cowzer deserved a custodial term for his misbehaviour and imposed a 15-month sentence.

Tinder

Garda Ronan Harris told Rebecca Smith BL, prosecuting, that the couple had met on Tinder and were seeing each other for a couple of weeks. On the date of the assault, Cowzer was staying at the womans home, and she was woken by him throwing a phone at her.

Cowzer was screaming that she was texting someone else, that he was going to smash up the house, and she was lucky she was not dead. He grabbed her by the neck after she asked him to leave.

She ran to a friends house but returned later, and he was still there, shouting out the window. He let her in the back door, and she later gave him a lift into the city. When she parked, he began screaming at her and grabbed her by the neck, before biting her on the face.

He then kissed her and said he would see her later. She saw the man again, and he went through her phone, telling her he did not trust her. She later told him the relationship was over, and he threatened to come to her work via Instagram messages.

The woman made a statement to gardai, and Cowzer, who has nine previous convictions, was arrested.

Victim impact statement

In her victim impact statement, the woman said she believed Cowzer was going to kill her during the assault. She described the adverse effect the offences have had on her life. She included how she felt anxious and unsafe, went to counselling and took antidepressants and sleeping tablets.

I would not wish what happened to me to me on my worst enemy, she said.

Luke OHiggins BL, defending, said at the time of this offence, Cowzer had been homeless and abusing cannabis, cocaine and tablets. He said his client has since done a complete 180 in his life.

He said Cowzer was miserable at the time and was visiting that misery on the victim and his family.

Mr OHiggins said Cowzer is now employed, engaging in drug treatment and in a committed relationship. He submitted that the progress he has made would be lost if he were jailed. He has not picked up any further charges.

He said Cowzer had formed the impression she was talking to others and did not have the emotional intelligence to deal with it. He said he should have walked away, but did not do so.

Counsel said his client was offering 1,000, which would be available soon if the case was dealt with in a non-custodial manner.
High Court Reporters

An ex-garda was believed to have a knife in his hand and was behaving in a threatening manner following a high-speed pursuit when a garda struck him on the head with a baton, the High Court heard on Friday.

Witness for the defence, retired Detective Sergeant Noel McSweeney, told the court on Friday that he was called to the incident where he spoke to now Sgt Mick Dee and now Supt Rory Sheriff when John Bowe (41) was arrested following the chase.

The incident occurred outside Bunclody, Co Wexford, on December 5th 2014.

Mr Bowe, of Coolnaleen, Camolin, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, was subsequently convicted of various counts of dangerous driving arising from the chase.

Mr Bowe, an ex-Garda, brought a High Court action over alleged injuries sustained when Sgt Dees colleague, Supt Sheriff, then of Enniscorthy Garda station, struck Mr Bowe over the head with a baton in a field following the chase.

The court has been told that it is now accepted by Sgt Dee that Mr Bowe did not have a knife on the night.

It is Mr Bowes case that Supt Sheriff wrongfully and violently struck him. Mr Bowe claims that arising from alleged injuries sustained, he was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder.

The claims are denied.

Mr Bowes case is against Supt Sheriff, the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General and Ireland.

At the High Court today, Det Sgt McSweeney told Mr Justice Micheal O Higgins that he arrived at the scene when Mr Bowe was being arrested and saw the two officers and Mr Bowe come out of a field.

Det Sgt McSweeney told Richard Lyons SC, for the defendants, that he saw the three men walking alongside each other and that he did not see any dragging of the plaintiff "at all, in any shape or form... at any stage".

He said that materials recovered from Mr Bowe's car included a weighing scales, a grinder and that he later performed a test after which he concluded there was cannabis present.

Mr Bowe was later acquitted of a cannabis possession charge, confirmed Det Sgt McSweeney to plaintiff's counsel Mark Harty SC.

Det Sgt McSweeney said he spoke to Supt Sheriff who told him that Mr Bowe had a metal object in his hand and that the plaintiff was approaching in a threatening manner when he, Supt Sheriff, struck Mr Bowe on the head with the baton.

When the two gardai and Mr Bowe were leaving the field, Det Sgt McSweeney saw a cut on the plaintiff's head.

The civil jury trial has heard that Sgt Dee and Supt Sheriff were operating a checkpoint outside Bunclody, having received reports of a burglary in the east Carlow area.

Both men pursued an Audi A4 driven by Mr Bowe that avoided their checkpoint. Sgt Dee has said the ensuing chase was very dangerous, and said Mr Bowes behaviour led him to believe that he had been involved in a burglary.

Mr Bowe later stopped his car and proceeded to run through a field. On observing Mr Bowe fleeing from his car, Sgt Dee said he observed a long, metallic object that he believed to be a knife. He said he alerted Supt Sheriff, shouting knife, knife.

Under cross-examination from Mark Harty SC, for the plaintiff, Sgt Dee accepted he was wrong in believing that Mr Bowe was carrying a knife. He later added that he acted on a gut reaction when alerting Supt Sheriff.

The trial, before Mr Justice OHiggins, continues.
Tom Tuite

A young man charged with possessing cocaine and heroin, and dangerous driving in Dublin, has been remanded in custody pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Richard Adeleke, 18, of Thornwood, Beaumont, Dublin 9, was arrested on Wednesday and brought to Store Street Garda Station.

On Thursday evening, he was charged with six offences and was held pending his appearance before Judge Michele Finan.

He is accused of dangerous driving on November 5th at North Strand Road, Dublin 1, and unlawfully possessing drugs and having them for sale or supply on the same date at Thornwood estate, Dublin 9, and dangerous driving at another location on July 15.

The value of the alleged drug seizure was not stated.

Garda Kieran Stapleton, who is objecting to bail, told the court that Mr Adeleke made no reply when charged. Defence solicitor Conor Ruane said his client was not applying for bail at this stage.

Judge Finan remanded the teenager, who did not address the court, in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday for a bail hearing.

He has yet to enter a plea to the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Road Traffic Act charges.
PIANIST Clare Healy (18), a sixth-year student from Rathmore, Tullow, was a finalist at Irelands largest classical music competition for secondary school students.

Clare was one of just six musicians to make the final of the 2025 Top Security Frank Maher Classical Music Awards, one of whom went home with the top prize of 5,000.

The finalists each performed two pieces on a Steinway grand piano at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin on Friday evening, 24 October. Clare played Franz Liszts Sonetto 104 del Petrarca and Claude Debussys Preludes, Book 1.

With these pieces in particular, I really love the emotion, the story and images they create. Its amazing to be able to share that with an audience, she said.

Clare said the venue, with its paintings of doctors on the walls, felt very historical. I dont tend to get particularly nervous, but I wasnt necessarily relaxed. It was exciting to get up there and play, and the piano was nice, she said.

Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan was master of ceremonies. I listen to him every morning on the radio  it was great to meet him in person, said Clare.

Clare pictured with the host of the awards ceremony Marty Whelan

Dr Gerard Gillen, emeritus professor of music at NUI Maynooth, international classical pianist Veronica McSwiney and international violist Wolfgang Klos, professor of viola at the University of Music and the Performing Arts, Vienna, formed the judging panel for the evening.

The judges awarded Clare and four others a 300 bursary.

Clares mother, brother and brilliant piano teacher professor Therese Fahy were in the audience on the night.

Her parents got her piano lessons at the Carlow College of Music with teacher Brian Keogh when she was six years old, which gave me a great foundation and love for music, she said.

The leaving certificate student began working with Ms Fahy in September 2024 at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, which, she says, has really given me the opportunity to take my playing to the next level.

Its more challenging as it caters to degree students more, but it was exactly what I was looking for.

Achieving this high level of piano playing requires Clare to practice daily for between three to six hours. She says her school, St Leos College, has been a great support. I get to practice on the piano every morning and at lunchtime.

In addition to entering more music competitions and studying for her leaving certificate, Clare says she is planning to audition for the RIAM Bachelor of Music and Performance degree and continue working with Professor Fahy.

As for her plans with the 300 prize, Clare sensibly says: I could see it going back into sheet music, and it could end up going towards the degree.
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The Nordic-Baltic animation industry is the gift that keeps on giving. After learning about Little Amelie co-director Liane-Cho Hans new project, audiences at the Fredrikstad Animation Festival got an exclusive first look at Saajve, an upcoming feature by Sami-Swedish director Oskar Ostergren Njajta.

An adventure inspired by Sami fairy tales, the story follows two siblings, Brajta and Aanta, as they journey to the parallel world of Saajve and uncover the secrets of this spirit realm. There, the young heroes are given a mission: they must save Saajve by retrieving the goddess Uksahka, who maintains the balance between this magical world and their own.

A Swedish-Norwegian co-production led by Swedish producer Bauta Film and Norwegian co-producer Krystallplaneten, Saajve marks Njajtas animated feature debut, although he has directed and produced several live-action films since the early 2000s.

At Fredrikstad, where Njajta unveiled new visuals and animatics for the project, slated for release in 2027, Cartoon Brew spoke with the director about what it means to lift the veil on Sami culture through animation.

Cartoon Brew: What compelled you to tell this story through animation?

Oskar Ostergren Njajta: It comes from the heart. Being Sami, I grew up with these stories  local and family tales, as well as myths and legends that shape how we, as a people, interact with nature and the spirits that surround us. Its part of everyday life, and for me, animation was the best way to share this with young audiences and allow them to feel seen and represented on screen.

It all started back in 2015, when I first envisioned Saajve as a TV series. But the financing system in Sweden (at least at that time) favored features, so we decided to adapt it into a feature film instead.

Sami people were only officially recognized as an Indigenous group in Sweden in the late 1970s. Would you say this film is part of an effort to shine more light on Sami history and culture?

I think Sami people share the same struggles as many minorities whove been colonized. In our case, colonization and oppression were most intense during the 1900s, so its quite recentand still fresh in memory. Sweden was very active in trying to make the Sami language and culture disappear, but they didnt succeed.

As I mentioned, this project started in 2015 when I attended a screening of the very first South Sami feature film, which I co-produced. It was part of the centennial celebration of the first Sami protests in Sweden. The cinema was packed with people discovering their culture on screen for the first time, and that was a really powerful moment. I told myself: I want the younger generation to see themselves not as being looked at, but truly seen in a story from their own point of view.

At the same time, such stories can connect to others. I believe that if you create something sincere for a small, close-knit community, that story can travel and resonate worldwide.

Can you tell us more about your visual approach?

Its important to understand that theres no such thing as a Sami animation industry. Im the writer and director of the project, but we had to look beyond our small team to make it happen. The core concept art and visual development were created by my brother, a talented painter and illustrator who works with pen, pencil, and watercolor in a very analog way. He developed the style for both the characters and the worlds they inhabit, while collaborating with me on the mechanics of this universe and the personalities of our protagonists.

Digital artists then translated that work to help us craft a feature blending rigged characters and hand-drawn sequences.

How did Sami imagery and heritage influence your designs?

In Saajves worldjust as in Sami fairy talesbirds play a major role, as theyre the only ones able to travel freely between the human and spirit realms. It was very important for us to infuse their design and animation with that symbolism.

For example, our villain Crow works in cahoots with the evil giant Stalloe, a well-known Sami fairy tale monster who, by the way, will be voiced by veteran actor and director Peter Stormare.

Beyond that, it was crucial for us to recreate the same atmosphere Sami children experience in our regionsthe unique shapes of the trees, the pink and purple skies. For the spirit world of Saajve, we drew inspiration from Sami folklore and the flora and fauna of Lapland to craft a mythical realm. Patterns from traditional Sami clothing also influenced the films designs, and our characters wear outfits made of reindeer fur. These details are important to usthey add realism and authenticity.

Finally, for those familiar with Sami symbols, the film includes cultural references like the shape of the drum, which plays a big role in our heritage. These layers add depth for those who recognize them, without alienating younger viewers.

What about the soundscape and music?

Thats one of the areas were developing right now. With the first version of our animatic, were editing and creating the soundscape and score with our composer. Im very happy he joined early onwe already have our main theme, which helps shape the films tone and atmosphere.

We want the film not only to feel like nature, but to sound like it. Weve recorded many natural sounds that well blend into the soundtrack to give the project a deeply organic feel.

Whats next for Saajve?

Weve already created a six-minute short, essentially an animation test to show partners the projects potential. Now, were expanding it into a 6570-minute feature aimed at a slightly older audience. We plan to animate and post-produce the film in 2026 between Sweden and Norway, with a premiere set for 2027.

The final budget is estimated at 2.3 million, with a hybrid pipeline of hand-drawn and rigged animation. Production is financed, and were now seeking international sales agents, broadcasters, and distributors in Europe and beyond to join us and help elevate the final look of the film.

In 2026, we plan to showcase the project at as many markets as possible and host several works-in-progress sessions to spread the word about this singular Sami film. So, stay tuned!
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The Miraculous universe is heading to Japa in a new, anime-inspired one-hour special, Miraculous World: Tokyo Stellar Force.

Premiering on Disney Channel in the U.S. on November 29 before launching on Disney+ in February 2026, the one-hour special serves as the launchpad for the first-ever spinoff of Thomas Astrucs mega-franchise, which will get a 2D series in 2027.

Produced by Miraculous Corp, the anime-inspired special follows Marinette and Kagami as they team up in Tokyo to battle Moddler, a villain who transforms civilians into kaiju. To save the city, Ladybug must unite a team of Japanese superheroes, the titular Tokyo Stellar Force, equipped with cosmic powers, fusion ships, and the kind of sleek, mech-style suits youd expect from a Saturday morning anime.

The special blends kung fu comedy, sci-fi action, and heartfelt storytelling aimed at kids ages 511, while expanding the scope of the Miraculous world into new mythological territory.

Tokyo Stellar Force launches the Miraculous universe into bold new territory with a fresh team, mythology, and settingwhile keeping the heart that fans love, said Andy Yeatman, CEO of Miraculous Corp USA and Global Operations.

Following the special, Miraculous Corp plans to debut Miraculous Stellar Force, a 26-episode 2D anime series created by Ladybug creator Astruc, in 2027. Set at an international school in Tokyo, the show follows a group of diverse students who discover theyre guardians of the Stellar Matrix, an ancient cosmic weapon, as they face off against new villains including Moddler and a mysterious entity known as The Supreme.
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The Speech and Debate team at Cleveland State Community College recently earned awards at two tournaments. The team placed first in the Community College Sweeps at the MTSU Pejaver Memorial Speech and Debate Tournament in Murfreesboro.At Cleveland State Cougar Classic, the team earned Grand Master for two-year colleges, first place International Public Debate Association (IPDA) for two-year colleges, and first place Individual Events for two-year colleges.Four team members also won individual awards. Liam Henderson won second place in IPDA; Angelina Hitson picked up a quarterfinals award; Johnny Brafford won fourth place and Top Novice in Extemporaneous Speaking; and Cora Long won third place in their first competition.
Lee Universitys annual Christmas tree lighting will take place on Friday at 6:30 p.m., featuring live music, cookie decorating, a hot cocoa bar and other festivities. The event will be held in front of Lees Science and Math Complex, at the corner of Ocoee Street and Billy Graham Avenue.

Every year, this event brings so much excitement to campus, said Kevin Hudson, director of campus recreation and student events. From live music to cookie decorating to the big tree-lighting moment, theres something for everyone to enjoy.

This years program will include performances by the Lee University Mens Choir and Maya Nobles and the Lee University Jazz Band, along with a special guest from the North Pole and his friend known as the Chattanooga Elf (Buddy).

Attendees can also drop off Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at a designated location on site.

This event is free and open to the public. Guests may park in any of the surrounding lots.

For more information, contact the Office of Student Connections and Engagement at studentengagement@leeuniversity.edu or (423) 614-8605.




Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union announces their support the Salvation Armys Angel Tree program and other local initiatives that bring joy to children and families in need. Starting today, members and community members can visit participating TVFCU branches to pick up an Angel tag. Each tag represents a child in need and includes personalized gift suggestions.Gifts should be returned to a TVFCU branch by Dec. 8 so the Salvation Army can distribute them intime for the holidays.Participating Angel Tree branches are Athens, City Center, Dalton, Eastgate, Hamilton Place, Highway 58, Hixson, Kimball, Cleveland North, Ooltewah, Soddy Daisy, Cleveland South and Southside.Stocking Full of Love Program participating branches are Chickamauga, Fort Oglethorpe, Highway 41 and Ringgold.Gift return deadlines: Chickamauga: Dec. Fort Oglethorpe, Highway 41 and Ringgold: Dec. 12Toys & Coats for Kids  Dayton Branch. Return gifts to the Dayton branch by Dec. 10.Officials said, "Every gift collected through the Angel Tree program helps ensure children and families in our community can experience the joy of the holiday season. TVFCU encourages everyone to participate, whether its your first year or youve been part of the program for yearsevery contribution makes a meaningful difference. Stop by your nearest TVFCU branch starting Nov. 7 to select an Angel tag and help bring smiles, hope and holiday cheer to local families. Together, we can make this season brighter for those who need it most."




All the hundreds of hours worked to get these people to justice and with one word Trump lets them all go free.



Trump has infiltrated every single part of American lives. I for one dont think America can survive three more years of this demented regime.



Pat Hagan



* * *



Are you kidding? According to Pew Research,



Biden granted 4,245 acts of clemency during his four-year tenure in the White House. That far exceeds the total of any other president since the beginning of the 20th century, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, who granted 3,796 such acts during his 12 years in office. It is also far ahead of the current total of President Donald Trump.



It was shocking reading the number of law enforcement murderers, pedophiles, and so on that were granted Biden pardons. Biden or the operator of the auto pen holds the record for Presidential clemency actions.



As for your absolutes against Robin Smith, the people that know of her goodness as a transplant nurse, and civic work would disagree with you. Robin is a lovely person, period. The charge was wire fraud honest services. She delivered what she paid for. She did not steal taxpayer dollars.



While a click poll shares your view in majority, I dont and the 12 percent are entitled to disagree with you. There are a lot of people that adore Robin.



Like it or not, Christianity calls upon the faithful to recognize that not one of us is without sin. We are all sinners, and the only difference is Robins error was extremely public. She has served a lifetime of good, and no purpose is served by her confinement. What she has been through as a public figure is huge punishment. I am hopeful that Robin is granted a pardon to move forward with her family, plus she has a lot to offer our community. I was suffering at a hardship, and I will never forget her prayers, deeply meaningful and comforting to me.



I do wonder what would satisfy seething partisans, nothing would.



While you have your opinion, 12 percent have a different view.



April Eidson



* * *



Mr. Hagan, you are right, Glen Casada, Cade Cothren and Robin Smith belong in jail. But where was your outrage when Joe Biden (or someone with access to the auto-pen) was handing out blank get out of Jail free cards? To people who had not even charged in a court of law. If its wrong for the other guys, its wrong for your guy also. Integrity is not just lacking in one party, its lacking in government at all levels and across the board.



As far as surviving three more years of this demented regime. Well, apparently a majority of voting United States citizens did not like the Biden/Harris plan. Open borders, defunding the police, restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens, putting repeat violent criminals back on the streets.



And yes, its time for Congress to do their job. Passing a budget might be a good starting place.



George Odom



* * *



Respectfully Ms. Eidson, I appreciate your compassion and your reminder that we all fall short. However, the public record shows that Robin Smith pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge and resigned her office as a result. Thats not hearsay - its a matter of record.



As for President Biden, the 4,245 clemency acts were largely sentence reductions for nonviolent offenders, not pardons for violent or sexual crimes.



I think its important that we stay anchored in verified facts rather than broad generalizations. Redemption and truth both matter.



Michael Lennon Republicans everywhere are now free to do whatever illegal activity they feel like with no threat of prosecution. Robin Smith belongs in prison, as well as Glen Canada and Cade Cothren, and all the other convicted criminals that Trump has pardoned.All the hundreds of hours worked to get these people to justice and with one word Trump lets them all go free.Trump has infiltrated every single part of American lives. I for one dont think America can survive three more years of this demented regime.Its time for Congress to do their job.Pat Hagan* * *Are you kidding? According to Pew Research,Biden granted 4,245 acts of clemency during his four-year tenure in the White House. That far exceeds the total of any other president since the beginning of the 20th century, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, who granted 3,796 such acts during his 12 years in office. It is also far ahead of the current total of President Donald Trump.It was shocking reading the number of law enforcement murderers, pedophiles, and so on that were granted Biden pardons. Biden or the operator of the auto pen holds the record for Presidential clemency actions.As for your absolutes against Robin Smith, the people that know of her goodness as a transplant nurse, and civic work would disagree with you. Robin is a lovely person, period. The charge was wire fraud honest services. She delivered what she paid for. She did not steal taxpayer dollars.While a click poll shares your view in majority, I dont and the 12 percent are entitled to disagree with you. There are a lot of people that adore Robin.Like it or not, Christianity calls upon the faithful to recognize that not one of us is without sin. We are all sinners, and the only difference is Robins error was extremely public. She has served a lifetime of good, and no purpose is served by her confinement. What she has been through as a public figure is huge punishment. I am hopeful that Robin is granted a pardon to move forward with her family, plus she has a lot to offer our community. I was suffering at a hardship, and I will never forget her prayers, deeply meaningful and comforting to me.I do wonder what would satisfy seething partisans, nothing would.While you have your opinion, 12 percent have a different view.April Eidson* * *Mr. Hagan, you are right, Glen Casada, Cade Cothren and Robin Smith belong in jail. But where was your outrage when Joe Biden (or someone with access to the auto-pen) was handing out blank get out of Jail free cards? To people who had not even charged in a court of law. If its wrong for the other guys, its wrong for your guy also. Integrity is not just lacking in one party, its lacking in government at all levels and across the board.As far as surviving three more years of this demented regime. Well, apparently a majority of voting United States citizens did not like the Biden/Harris plan. Open borders, defunding the police, restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens, putting repeat violent criminals back on the streets.And yes, its time for Congress to do their job. Passing a budget might be a good starting place.George Odom* * *Respectfully Ms. Eidson, I appreciate your compassion and your reminder that we all fall short. However, the public record shows that Robin Smith pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge and resigned her office as a result. Thats not hearsay - its a matter of record.As for President Biden, the 4,245 clemency acts were largely sentence reductions for nonviolent offenders, not pardons for violent or sexual crimes.I think its important that we stay anchored in verified facts rather than broad generalizations. Redemption and truth both matter.Michael Lennon

* * *

Known as the principal author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776, George Mason, a slaveholder and politician, refused to sign the U.S. Constitution because it did not include a bill of rights.





He also maintained that the federal judiciary and the office of the president were given too much power, and that the treaty-making and taxing powers could allow groups of states to band together to injure or threaten the economic interests of other states. Mason also objected to the document's presidential pardoning power.





Here is what he wrote at the time:





"The President of the United States has the unrestrained power of granting pardons for treason, which may be sometimes exercised to screen from punishment those whom he had secretly instigated to commit the crime, and thereby prevent a discovery of their own guilt....It may happen on some future day that he will establish a monarchy, and destroy the republic. If he has the power of granting pardons before indictment, or conviction, may he not stop inquiry and prevent detection?"





Good food for thought.




Lee Universitys Wind Ensemble will present its fall concert, Travelers, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Conn Center on Lees campus.

The concert will feature several international pieces, including Variations on a Korean Folk Song by John Barnes Chance, Irish Tune from County Derry by Percy Grainger, Japanese Tune by Sochi Konagaya, La Fiesta Mexicana by H. Owen Reed, and National Emblem March by E. E. Bagley.

The theme for the ensembles fall concert is inspired by an upcoming musical ministry trip to Japan in spring of 2026.

These classic wind band pieces beautifully represent a piece of culture from each of the following nations: Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and the United States, said Dr. Josh Pace, director of Wind Ensemble. In a time of division, the Lee University Wind Ensemble feels called to showcase a message of unity among the world through music.

In addition to serving as assistant professor of music education and conductor of Lees Wind Ensemble, Dr. Pace teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, conducting, and supervises student teachers. Prior to Lee, Pace was a high school band and orchestra director in Omaha, Nebraska. He then went on to get his doctorate in wind band conducting at the University of Florida.

The Lee University Wind Ensemble is committed to the highest level of performance of instrumental ensemble literature for winds and percussion and performs for special concerts on Lees campus throughout the year.

The concert is free, non-ticketed, and open to the public, though there will be an opportunity to make a contribution toward the ensemble's musical ministry trip.

Livestream viewing will be available at leeu.live/.

The Conn Center is at the center of the Lee University campus, on the corner of 11th Street and Paul Conn Parkway.

For more information, contact Lees School of Music at (423) 614-8240 or email music@leeuniversity.edu.


The City of Chattanoogas Department of Community Development invites residents from across Chattanooga and surrounding communities to enjoy an exciting season of live music at the North River Civic Centers Concert Series: In the Heart of Hixson.This free, family-friendly concert series will showcase talented local musicians and ensembles on select Fridays from November through March 2026, offering audiences an evening of community, culture and music from 7-8 p.m.The series lineup includes: Nov.21  The Choo Choo Chorus; Dec. 19  The Chattanooga Community Orchestra; Jan. 16, 2026  Chattanooga Metro Musicians; Feb. 13, 2026  Jericho Brass Band; and March 20, 2026  Chattanooga Flute Choir.All performances will take place at the North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Dr., Suite 102 in Hixson.This concert series highlights the incredible musical talent we have in our region, while giving residents a welcoming space to connect and enjoy the arts together, said Linda Rugina, North River Civic Center manager. Were proud to provide free programming that brings people together and strengthens community ties.The In the Heart of Hixson Concert Series is made possible through support from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the City of Chattanoogas Department of Community Development.For more information, call 423-643-7010 or visit the North River Civic Center.
A joint investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Unit, the Chattanooga Police Department, and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has resulted in the arrest of three people in Chattanooga.

On Friday, as a result of an ongoing investigation into human trafficking in East Tennessee, authorities executed a search warrant in the 1200 block of Greenwood Road.

The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Silverdale Detention Center.

Christina Dugger, 42  One count of prostitution  Bond: $2,500

Kelley Tate, 53  One count of promoting prostitution  Bond: $25,000

Jasmine Stone, 37  One count of prostitution  Bond: $3,000

This investigation also focused on identifying potential victims of human trafficking, and the direct service, non-governmental organizations Street Grace and Willowbend Farms were on site to offer services to those in need.

The TBI said an undercover officer made contact with Ms. Stone via her advertisement on an online adult escort service website. She and the undercover officer communicated via text messaging where Ms. Stone agreed to have one hour of sexual intercourse with the undercover officer for $250.

Ms. Stone advised the undercover officer to come to the residence of 1202 Greenwood Road.

Once inside the residence, the undercover officer made contact with Ms. Tate with whom he made a hand-to-hand transaction to have sexual intercourse with Ms. Stone. Assisting officers then performed a "takedown" on the residence and placed Ms. Stone and Ms. Tate into custody.

Officers also located and detained Henry Tate, Gilberto Sanchez, and Christina Dugger inside the residence.

Christina Dugger, during an interview, advised officers she "used to" prostitute...but has quit." A TBI agent said Ms. Dugger has active advertisements on an adult escort service website.

Information about human trafficking and TBIs efforts to address this type of crime can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com. Anyone can report a suspected case of human trafficking by calling the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH.
- Covenant took on Sewanee for the second time this season in its final regular-season road match. Much like the earlier meeting on Lookout Mountain, the contest extended to five sets; however, this time it was the Tigers who prevailed.Final: Covenant 2, Sewanee 3Records: Covenant (18-13), Sewanee (16-10)Sewanee seized early momentum, stringing together five of six points to build an 11-6 advantage. Despite a late push from Covenant that cut the deficit to three, the Tigers held on and closed out the first set with a 25-20 victory.The second set remained tight throughout as neither team was able to grab the momentum.Sewanee looked to be sneaking away as they went up 18-15 before the Scots responded with a 6-0 run, capped off by a kill from Kennedy Barber, to take a three-point lead of their own. Sewanee came back to tie the set at 23-23, but a kill from Kinsley Dupree and a Sarah Jennings ace helped the Scots even the match at one-set all.The Tigers didn't flinch after dropping the second set as they jumped out to a 17-10 lead. Covenant attempted to rally with four consecutive points, but Sewanee quickly regained control, closing the set on an 80 run to secure a commanding 25-14 victory.The Scots once again came back strong in the fourth as they used a 6-0 run to go up 8-4. Covenant continued to dominate as it eventually led by as much as 10 at 23-13. The Tigers narrowed the gap, but kills from Gabby Sumrall and Barber helped secure the set 25-17 for the Scots.In the decisive fifth set, Covenant gained an early 5-4 advantage, fueled by three kills from Delaney Stirm. However, Sewanee quickly seized control with a dominant 8-0 run that extended its lead to 12-5. Despite a determined effort from the Scots to rally, the Tigers maintained their momentum and closed out the match with a 15-8 victory.Sewanee posted 53 kills compared to Covenant's 42, while also holding a 97 edge in service aces. Both teams recorded five blocks in the evenly matched defensive battle.The Scots were led by Sumrall who totaled nine kills while hitting .368. Cali Sandhoff made an impact as her stat line included eight kills, 20 assists, and six digs. Covenant also got 15 assists from Amber Snook and seven kills from Stirm.Covenant's defense was led by Jennings and Henley Gentry as they led the Scots in digs with 28 and 10, respectively.Covenant moves to 24-30 all-time against Sewanee.Covenant hosts MUW for Senior Day on Saturday at 5 p.m.
A Familiar SUV, With a Familiar Story

The Toyota 4Runner received a long-awaited redesign for the 2025 model year. It moved to Toyota's TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, gained a new turbocharged engine lineup, and introduced hybrid options for the first time. Naturally, prices went up to reflect the overhaul.

But Toyota isn't done raising them. For 2026, the 4Runner gets another bump in price  without any major updates. It's still the same sixth-generation SUV that debuted last year, carrying over its off-road DNA, new powertrains, and boxy design.

The company hasn't released a detailed changelog, but it confirmed that the 2026 TRD Off-Road Premium with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain now offers an optional stabilizer bar disconnect system. Beyond that, everything else stays the same.

Toyota

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Paying More for the Same

Toyota has quietly adjusted pricing and fees across the lineup. The base 4Runner now starts at around $41,570 before destination charges, which have also climbed to $1,450. That means you'll spend a bit more just to get the same SUV.

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Powertrain options remain unchanged. The standard 2.4-liter i-Force turbo-four delivers 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, while the optional i-Force Max hybrid bumps output to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Inside, features like the 8-inch or 14-inch infotainment screens, wireless smartphone integration, and Toyota's latest safety suite carry over unchanged.

For most trims, the 2026 model year doesn't introduce new features or design tweaks that justify the increase.

Toyota

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Or You Could Just Get a 2025

If you're shopping for a 4Runner right now, a 2025 model might make more sense. Many dealers are listing brand-new 2025 units with discounts between $2,000 and $4,000, based on Cars.com listings  even for higher trims like the TRD Off-Road Premium and TRD Pro. Since the 2025 and 2026 versions are practically identical aside from the optional stabilizer disconnect, you could save several thousand dollars without giving up any features or capabilities.

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Unless you specifically want that optional suspension tech on the hybrid TRD Off-Road Premium, there's little reason to wait. The 2025 4Runner still offers the same rugged platform, new turbocharged engines, and tech upgrades that marked the start of this generation  just at a lower price and with better availability.

Toyota

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This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Nov 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Photo credit: Unsplash/ Priscilla Du Preez

The Bible Society has released a comprehensive study exploring how culture, religion, politics, and economics influence Scripture engagement worldwide.

Developed with the United Bible Societies and grounded in Gallups analytics, the Patmos Typology Report analyzes 85 countries and territories and organizes them into seven missiological clusters that spotlight current opportunities and barriers for Bible work.

Building on insights from Aprils companion Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey  the largest of its kind, with input from more than 91,000 respondents  the new report extends the evidence base for strategic ministry decisions.

That earlier study found strong theism globally, with five of seven clusters indicating that religion remains significant in everyday life.

Cluster 1 profiles contexts where Christians form a small yet durable minority within predominantly Muslim societies facing economic strain and limited infrastructure  among them Chad, Mali, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone.

In these settings, an average of just 3% own a Bible, 61% view Christianity as a Western faith, and 94% say faith matters daily. Accordingly, the report urges oral and audio Scripture access, next-generation initiatives, and trust-building partnerships at the local level.

Cluster 2 describes places where Christianity remains the majority religion, yet its societal influence and trust  especially among younger cohorts  are slipping, and secularization is rising.

This group primarily spans Central and Eastern Europe (e.g., Albania, Hungary, Russia) but also includes Portugal, Greece, and Malta.

Only 59% perceive faith as meaningful in daily life  lower than the 73% global baseline  while 50% own a Bible but just 9% read weekly and 12% attend weekly; still, 57% express interest in deeper exploration.

Cluster 3 highlights more economically developed, majority-Muslim settings (roughly 90%) where Christian minorities persist under social and political pressure  including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, and Israel.

Here, about half consider Christianity Western; 85% say religion matters day to day, yet only 2% own a Bible; among Christians, 40% read weekly and 20% attend weekly.

Given limits on overt evangelism, the report recommends discreet, relationship-driven and digital methods, plus measures to bolster the confidence and resilience of local churches.

Cluster 4 covers much of South and Central America  Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico  and also the Philippines, where Christianity still shapes the culture even as secular currents slowly grow.

Enthusiasm for Scripture is high: 74% own a Bible, 37% use it weekly, and 34% attend weekly.

To stay proximate to everyday life, the report points to engagement addressing economic inequality, youth culture, and identity issues, so Scripture remains experientially connected.

Cluster 5 encompasses highly developed, secular societies where many identify as non-religious  much of Western Europe, North America, and Australasia, including France, Germany, the UK, and the U.S.

Bible ownership is common but regular use is not, as it is often seen as outdated or irrelevant, while confidence in religious institutions has softened.

Across this cluster, 57% own a Bible, 24% read weekly, and 19% attend church weekly; the UK sits below average (45%, 16%, 11%), while the U.S. is above (71%, 35%, 28%).

To rekindle interest  especially among younger adults who may be spiritually open but institutionally wary  the report recommends creative approaches like storytelling, the arts, and digitally native engagement.

Cluster 6 spans much of Asia  including Cambodia, India, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea  where plural religious ecosystems mean Christianity is small and Bible awareness is often minimal.

Only 7% own a Bible, 34% have heard of it, and 74% report knowing nothing about it  signaling a long-horizon task.

The report therefore calls for long-term strategies focused on education, storytelling, and digital innovation, alongside supporting minority Christian communities to become confident, contextual witnesses.

Cluster 7 covers much of Sub-Saharan Africa  such as the DRC, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa  where Christianity is vibrant and woven into public and private life.

On average, 62% own a Bible, 51% read it weekly, and 53% attend church weekly; interest is high, particularly among youth, though inequality creates practical barriers.

Bible agencies working in this cluster should focus on deepening engagement, not just expanding access, the report advises.

Discipleship, leadership development and youth-focused initiatives that address social challenges are especially important in seeing the Bible transforming all areas of society. There is also a need to address the perception of Christianity as a Western religion to ensure Scripture is embraced within local cultural identities.
Home News Catholic school staffer charged with stealing over $150K from scholarship fund

A former employee of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has been arrested for stealing more than $150,000 from a diocesan scholarship fund and now faces up to 20 years in prison.

Bishop James Johnston Jr., who leads the Missouri-based diocese, wrote a letter to the faithful announcing that In recent days, the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Western District of Missouri issued a sealed indictment and executed an arrest warrant for Jeremy Lillig, a former employee of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, who left his position with the diocese in October 2023.

The charges claim Mr. Lillig engaged in wire fraud in excess of $150,000 in his capacity as director of Bright Futures Fund, Johnston wrote.

According to the charitys website, the Bright Futures Fund helps offset the school fees at three diocesan schools in the urban core of Kansas City that are not affiliated with a parish. Johnston noted that the amount of money stolen by Lillig is within the range covered by insurance.

We became aware of Mr. Lilligs potentially criminal financial activity shortly after his departure, which we promptly reported to local law enforcement and the FBI, Johnston added. Importantly, the FBI has assured us that their investigation did not find any individual donor funds which were diverted prior to secure deposit into the Bright Futures Fund.

Johnston described Lilligs alleged crimes as a gross violation of the trust and integrity that is essential to any institution, especially one upheld by Catholic teachings.

Johnston outlined changes the diocese has made to ensure the financial security of the Bright Futures Fund going forward, specifically highlighting its integration of the previously separate 501(c)(3) organization into the diocesan system as well as the participation of the diocesan financial officer in Bright Futures Fund board meetings and annual audits of the scholarship program.

I know these revelations are understandably hurtful to the faithful in our diocesan community, just as they are to me, Johnston concluded. I thank law enforcement for their efforts, and I thank you for your dedication to our ministries.

Lilligs arrest follows a full financial audit from an expert third-party firm.

The Kansas City Star provided additional information about the allegations against Lillig, reporting that his alleged illegal actions took place between 2017 and 2021, after the Kauffman Foundation made a donation to the Bright Futures Fund designated for emergency expenses and assistance. After the diocese issued Lillig a credit card for the specific purpose of buying gifts using the donation, he purchased 436 Visa cards worth $155,000 to financially benefit himself and others while concealing the payments from fraudulent monthly reports he compiled.

A grand jury indicted Lillig on Oct. 28. Appearing in court on Tuesday, Lillig pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. A trial is expected to take place in March 2026. If convicted, Lillig faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Home Video Pastor Che Ahn shares encounter with God that led him to run for governor of California

In this exclusive interview, Pastor Che Ahn reveals the spiritual encounter that led him to make the unexpected decision to run for governor of California. He also shares his divine calling, the challenges of entering politics as a pastor, and his vision for bringing revival and reformation to the state.

The founder of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena and Harvest International Ministry (HIM), a network spanning over 70 nations, discusses key topics, including poverty, energy policy, parental rights, and government mismanagement, while emphasizing prayer, humility and faith as the foundations for Californias renewal. Watch his powerful story.
Home News George Santos claims to understand grace after prison release: 'No one is beyond redemption'

Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., penned an op-ed this week explaining that his recent prison sentence humbled him and helped him to understand the nature of grace.

"When I entered prison in July, I thought I knew what to expect. I thought humility would come gently. Instead, it came like a storm," Santos wrote in a Wednesday piece for The Spectator titled "George Santos's prison diary."

Santos, who became the sixth member of Congress and first Republican to be expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 311114 in December 2023, was sentenced in April to 87 months  more than seven years  in federal prison after pleading guilty in August 2024 to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

On Oct. 17, President Donald Trump commuted Santos' sentence, characterizing it as excessive and noting Santos had been "horribly mistreated" by prison authorities, who subjected him to 41 days of solitary confinement because of an alleged death threat against him.

Santos wrote in his Spectator article that his weeks in solitary confinement at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, were especially humbling, noting how it stripped him of all prestige and made him appreciative of simple things.

"Solitary confinement stripped me bare. I wasn't a congressman anymore. I wasn't a public figure. I was inmate number 58474-510. My meals came in dirty plastic trays that smelled rancid. Showers were only three times a week and outdoor time was only one hour a day, Monday to Friday," he wrote.

Santos went on to evoke Jesus on the cross to push back against critics who condemned Trump for commuting his sentence. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., claimed during an interview last month that some of his Republican colleagues in Congress took self-righteous glee in Santos' political destruction and expressed hope that he would spend the rest of his life in prison.

"I said it then, and I'll say it again: if Trump had pardoned Jesus Christ from the cross, he would still have critics," Santos wrote. "Everyone is a critic these days. But I understand grace now. I understand humility. And that's what I'm holding on to."

"That night, I prayed. I thanked God. I thanked my family. And I thanked President Trump for believing in redemption. America is a country built on second chances. This nation was designed to allow grace."

Noting that he is now trying to make restitution for the fraudulent activity that landed him behind bars, Santos said he is also working with youth outreach and prison reform groups. He said he is trying to forgive himself for his sins, but conceded some people will never forgive him.

"I went to Mass and sat in the pews like every other sinner seeking grace. I know some people will never forgive me," he said. "But I also know that in America, no one is beyond redemption. I was in solitary confinement weeks ago. Today, I'm speaking to the world. That's not luck  that's providence. That's what happens when God gives you one more chance and the President believes you deserve it."

During an interview with Tucker Carlson shortly after his release, Santos claimed he realized during his imprisonment how far he had strayed from Jesus Christ. He also noted that Trump's unexpected commutation of his sentence came a day after meeting with a priest and confessing his sins.

"I had really made peace with the fact that this was my predicament, just that morning," he said of the day he learned he would be released. "And to tell me that there's no divine intervention in this? I will never accept that, because there was no palpable appetite to give me clemency, according to every single person I had spoken to."

"And the day after I go to confession and I square away my quarrels and my pendencies with Jesus Christ, I get commuted by President Trump? I mean, I am forever humbled to the president. It's a remarkable story, and I don't believe in coincidences anymore."

Santos said he came to believe God was telling him: "You do right by me, I'm giving you a second chance." He also told Carlson that he has since come to realize the futility of the materialism that once drove him, which he described as the "consumer mind virus."

In an X post made a day after his release, Santos acknowledged his brokenness and the role he believes Christ played in his release.

"Yesterday, I was given something I never thought I'd have again: a true second chance at life. A chance to grow, to change, and to walk a better path," he wrote. "First and foremost, I want to thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for never abandoning me. I'm far from perfect. I've made mistakes, I've stumbled, but I never lost faith in Him. His grace carried me when I couldn't carry myself, and for that, I am eternally grateful."
Home News Pastor celebrates Jamie Kennedy's apology to Hollywood street evangelists 'You're onto something,' 'Scream' actor says

A California pastor says hes grateful to hear about actor and comedian Jamie Kennedys apology to Christian evangelists who frequent the streets of Hollywood.

Pastor Richard Ho leads the First Baptist Church of Hollywood, which runs its weekly Boulevard Evangelism outreach every Wednesday morning on Hollywood Boulevard, where members share the Gospel on the street, along with a 1 p.m. "porch evangelism" session featuring open-mic preaching, singing and Bible readings.

Pastor Hos church is among several groups that routinely canvas the popular tourist attraction to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

But in a clip from his "Hate To Break It To Ya" podcast, Kennedy, known for his roles in the Scream film franchise and Malibu's Most Wanted, gave a heartfelt, humorous mea culpa while addressing those groups of street preachers he's encountered over the years.

I owe an apology to the Chinese on Hollywood Boulevard, the whole group of you, you walk around, you talk about Jesus is the light and the way, he said. There's about 10 of 'em that walk up and down the boulevard. They've got placards and they wear this stuff, they're always talking about Jesus," Kennedy says in the clip, noting a crazy lady on Melrose who's always yelling about Jesus and Proverbs.

He continued, "I walk by as I'm having my coffee. I owe you an apology. You're on to something.  I owe an apology to the Mexican man down here on Western, who's always screaming into the microphone, 'Jesus is the way,' I owe you an apology.

While he admitted that their early morning tactics arent always convenient for his own personal schedule, Kennedy conceded he now believes such outreaches might not be in vain.

I wish you would pick a time to shout when I can deal with it. I don't need to be shouted at at 10 a.m., he added. I owe you an apology. 'Cause you're on to something.

While its not clear whether Kennedys video specifically referenced First Baptist Hollywoods outreach team, Pastor Ho responded graciously to Kennedy's shout-out.

Its definitely a busy street out there, but Im grateful for all the efforts to bring the Gospel to the forefront, he told The Christian Post on Thursday. There are many different approaches, some more direct, others more gentle, but Im thankful that God works through them all as long as the Gospel is being preached."

Despite Kennedys apology, Ho says he doesnt gauge the effectiveness of the outreach on a single interaction, but over time. Since were there consistently, weve gained the trust of many who work on the boulevard, which opens doors for deeper spiritual conversations and prayer, he said. We also interact with tourists, many of whom are receptive. When we meet fellow believers, we often take a moment to pray for and encourage them in their journey.

Kennedy, who grew up Catholic but has described himself as non-practicing, has been open about his evolving beliefs in recent years. In a 2023 interview with the Babylon Bee, Kennedy said, "I'm not a religious person. I grew up a Catholic. I'm not a practicing Catholic, but I am a believer in do unto others as you want done unto yourself. And I'm a believer [in] being a good person. You know what I mean?

"And I believe I'm not so much dogmatic as I am just like, be a good person. But there's a lot of different belief systems out there that I can say, 'Oh, I see truth in that.'

In the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting, Kennedy shared his emotional response to the murder and subsequent spiritual awakening, calling the assassination the greatest advertisement for Jesus Christ thats ever lived.

Im not trying to be religious, Im not trying to be a church man, Im not trying to be any of that, he said. Im just saying, good, evil, what do you pick?
Home News Pastor warned John 3:16 Bible verse display may violate hate speech law

A British pastor was warned by a police officer that a Bible verse displayed on the back of his campervan could be considered hate speech if reported. The conversation occurred at a petrol station and was described as advisory.

Mick Fleming, 59, a former drug dealer-turned-pastor who now lives in his van, had John 3:16 prominently displayed on the vehicle. The verse reads, For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

The incident took place late last month in Burnley, a town in Lancashire, where Fleming was approached by a police officer who tapped him on the shoulder and offered what the pastor described as a friendly warning, The Telegraph reported.

The officer reportedly told him, A bit of advice  the writing could be seen as hate speech in the wrong context. I am just giving you a heads up. Fleming said the officer emphasized that the warning was not part of an investigation or arrest but was intended to alert him that the display might lead to a police inquiry if someone filed a complaint.

Fleming recounted the exchange on his YouTube channel and posed the question to his audience about whether a Bible verse such as John 3:16 could reasonably be considered offensive.

He said he had no plans to remove the text from his van and did not view it as hostile or harmful. He asked, Do you think people would take offence to that, and if they did, why?

The pastor expressed concern that a foundational message of Christian teaching could be viewed through a legal lens as inciting hate, saying he found it troubling that public expression of faith might face such scrutiny. Maybe society is moving to a place where they dont want faith-based people sat around a table in discussion with them, he said.

Fleming leads Church on the Street Ministries, a Burnley-based Christian charity known for its work with people who are homeless and individuals struggling with addiction. His past includes years spent in organized crime before his religious transformation in 2009. And his work has been profiled by the BBCs Songs of Praise, and King Charles, as Prince of Wales, publicly praised the charitys outreach efforts.

The pastor has become known for giving up his possessions and choosing to live in his campervan as part of his ministry. He now uses the vehicle not only as his home but also as a mobile site for Christian outreach, with the Bible verse prominently displayed on the back.

Viewers of his video largely expressed support.

One person commented, Theres nothing wrong with the sign, its all positive, so I dont get why its a problem. Its not offensive in the slightest, according to the Lancashire Telegraph.

Another viewer remarked that labeling John 3:16 as hate speech made no sense, calling it the complete opposite, and said the verse is love speech. Others said the idea of investigating someone for sharing a well-known Bible verse seemed inconsistent with basic rights to free expression.

In the United Kingdom, displaying Bible verses in public may face scrutiny if the content is considered threatening or likely to incite hatred against individuals based on protected characteristics such as religion or sexual orientation.

For example, the Public Order Act of 1986 and the Racial and Religious Hatred Act of 2006 allow for prosecution if language is used with the intent to stir up hatred. Advocacy groups like Christian Concern say these laws are misapplied by police in ways that unfairly restrict religious speech.
Home News Congressman introduces resolution condemning Christian persecution in Nigeria: America cannot be silent

Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., has introduced a resolution condemning the violent persecution of Christians in Nigeria and calling for decisive U.S. action to hold perpetrators accountable. The move follows President Donald Trumps recent announcement designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

The resolution, supported by at least 20 House Republicans, demands that the U.S. government pressure Nigerian authorities to protect Christians and end impunity for attacks by armed groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and Fulani militants, according to a press release from Moores office.

Moores measure urges the repeal of Nigerias blasphemy laws, the release of prisoners jailed for religious offenses and the safe return of displaced Christians to their homes. It also calls for direct humanitarian aid to victims through faith-based and nongovernmental organizations.

The United States must make it clear that we will not tolerate the slaughter of Christians or the persecution of anyone for their belief in Jesus Christ, Moore said in the statement. I want to thank President Trump for his bold and unwavering leadership in defense of Christians in Nigeria.

Moore, who also serves on the House Appropriations Committee, said Trump had tasked him with leading efforts in Congress to address the persecution of Christians in the region. He urged bipartisan support for the resolution.

The resolution notes that more than 50,000 to 100,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since the rise of Boko Haram in 2009.

At least 7,000 have died this year alone, averaging 35 deaths daily, and over 19,000 churches have been attacked or destroyed, the legal advocacy group ADF International said in a statement, citing a report by Open Doors.

Supporters of the resolution include Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, who called the attacks one of the greatest moral crises of our time. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., said the violence is egregious, stating that under President Trumps leadership, it will end.

Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., said the ongoing violence is one of the most egregious violations of human rights and religious freedom so far this century. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., called the persecution a moral outrage, while Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., said, Silence in the face of this kind of persecution makes us complicit.

The resolution follows a separate measure introduced by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., affirming Nigerias status as a CPC.

ADF International noted that 31 members of the House Values Action Team have also issued statements supporting the CPC designation, which is assigned by the U.S. government to nations that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom, and enables the U.S. to impose diplomatic, economic, or other penalties to pressure those governments to address the abuses.

ADF International also reported that the resolution identifies the Nigerian Governments failure to act in defense of Christians as a key factor enabling the violence.

Sean Nelson, the groups senior counsel, said the measure represents Moores decisive leadership in response to the presidents clarion call 

In northern Nigeria, 12 states continue to enforce Sharia-based blasphemy laws carrying the death penalty. Among those affected is Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi musician whose case is pending before Nigerias Supreme Court. Christian mother Rhoda Jatau also remains imprisoned for alleged blasphemy.

The resolution has received endorsements from more than 60 organizations, including Catholic Vote, the American Center for Law and Justice, Family Research Council, International Christian Concern and Open Doors.

Statements of support also came from leaders of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist groups.

Kelly M. Kullberg of the American Association of Evangelicals said, We must stop the murder and genocide of our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

Nguyen Dinh Thang of Boat People SOS called for severe sanctions against the Nigerian government.

ICC said the resolution is a clear call to end jihadist violence. Catholic Vote stated that Moores action shines a bright light on the brutal persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Peggy Nienaber of Faith and Liberty said that, having hosted a Nigerian delegation at a recent religious freedom conference in Washington, the group had heard firsthand the horrors Christians daily face at the hands of Islamic terrorists.

Jordan Sekulow of the ACLJ said, Every day, innocent men, women, and children are being slaughtered simply because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Nelson added, We applaud and proudly endorse this resolution from Representative Riley Moore as a major step forward in protecting human dignity and religious freedom in Nigeria.
Home News Theologian NT Wright to lead conference on Philippians at Texas megachurch

Park Cities Baptist Church of Dallas is set to host world-renowned New Testament scholar N.T. Wright for a three-day conference focused on the Apostle Pauls letter to the church in Philippi.

Exploring Philippians with N.T. Wright, will feature seven in-depth teaching sessions on Pauls letter to the Philippians, multiple live Q&A opportunities with Wright, and focused conversations on the Churchs role in todays cultural moment.

Jeff Warren, senior pastor of Park Cities Baptist, shared Wrights influence on his own ministry.

N.T. Wright has impacted my ministry in big ways over the past 20, 25 years, particularly with his articulation of the Kingdom of God and understanding of the Church as a working model of new creation that has impacted my ministry as a pastor and our church here in Dallas, he told The Christian Post on Friday.

Best known for his groundbreaking work on Pauline theology, the historical Jesus, and the resurrection, the 76-year-old Wright has a gift for making Christian doctrine practical and relatable, Warren said.

So many Evangelicals, even Baptists, have grown up to say the real game is to get people in Heaven, when in actuality its that were transformed by the Gospel to live out the life of Jesus in the here and now, said Warren. That theology applied, the Bible applied, looks like Jesus. Jesus is perfect theology embodied.

The New Testament letter to the Philippians, said Wright, shares a number of similarities with Christianity today, including its tension with what is often a hostile culture. While the conference will tackle a number of hot topics for Evangelicals, Warren said he expects to hear a robust discussion on Christian nationalism and its impact on the Church.

Were going to talk about the difference between Christian nationalism and a healthy patriotism, he said. I think Christian nationalism is the great barrier to the advancement of the Gospel in America. When you conflate worldly power with the Church, you end up with a parody of the Kingdom. You end up with a false kingdom presented.

Even with its primary focus on theology, Warren said his primary hope for attendees is that, through sound doctrine, they grow closer in intimacy with Christ.

My great takeaway is that people will be walking closer to Jesus as a result of being with us, he added.

The event has already drawn over 700 registrants, which, said Warren, has already blown past the churchs expectations. The numbers have exceeded what we thought we would get, he said. ... Were really pleased. Its going to be a great conference.

The event begins Sunday at 6 p.m. with session one (registration opens at 5 p.m.) and continues Monday and Tuesday with morning and afternoon sessions, breaks, lunch and extended Q&A periods with professor Wright.

While the conference will not be live-streamed, Warren confirmed that portions  particularly the Q&A sessions  will be released on the churchs podcast in the coming days, with some content possibly available as early as Sunday morning.

Exploring Philippians with N.T. Wright will run from Nov. 911.
Home Opinion Why Christians can't look away from Israel

The story of Israel is not just the story of a modern nation in the Middle East. It is the story of a people chosen, scattered, and returned. It is the story of a promise that runs like a thread through the Bible, binding Christians and Jews to the same history and the same hope. For Christians, standing with Israel is not an optional gesture of goodwill. It is a response to Scripture, to conscience, and to covenant.



We live in a time when the Jewish people once again find themselves under assault. Antisemitism is rising in ways unseen since the 1930s. From college campuses to city streets, from the rhetoric of political leaders to the talking points of late-night television, Jews are being singled out, and Israel is being delegitimized. The claim is often that this is about politics, but in reality, it is about people. It is about the right of the Jewish people to live in safety and dignity, in their land and across the globe.



Christians cannot look away. We cannot claim to love the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and remain silent when the children of Abraham are maligned. To do so would be a betrayal not only of our Jewish brothers and sisters but of our own deepest beliefs.



Standing with Israel is not about agreeing with every political decision of its government. Israel is a democracy, and like all democracies, it wrestles with division, debate, and imperfection. But its core identity  as a Jewish state, as a home for a people who have endured exile and persecution, and as a force for life in a region scarred by death  is not negotiable. For Christians, affirming that identity is part of affirming our own.

The contribution of Israel to the world is a story that deserves far more attention than the headlines of war. Israeli doctors have pioneered cancer treatments that save lives across the globe. Israeli scientists have developed water technologies that feed the hungry and bring clean drinking water to the thirsty. Israeli innovators have led in cybersecurity, agriculture, and renewable energy. And Israeli culture  from food to music to film  speaks a universal language that connects peoples far beyond its borders.



To honor Israel is not to look at a distant conflict but to recognize how much of what we take for granted in daily life has roots in that small nation. Every Christian who takes a pill, uses a mobile app, drinks fresh water, or benefits from medical innovation is, knowingly or not, touched by Israel. The Jewish people have always been a blessing to the nations, just as God promised to Abraham.



That is why initiatives like Israel Appreciation Day, on Nov. 12, matter. They are not about politics. They are about witness. They give Christians a chance to say, publicly and joyfully, that we are not ashamed to stand with Israel. They give the Jewish people a chance to see that they do not face hatred alone. And they remind the world that covenant still matters  that when God says He will bless those who bless Israel, He means it.



Israel Appreciation Day also offers Christians a chance to move beyond abstraction into action. It is one thing to nod along in agreement when Scripture is read. It is another thing to show up, to celebrate, to pray, and to speak out. Public witness has always been part of Christian discipleship, and in this case it means saying that Israels story is also our story  a story of faith, of resilience, and of Gods unfolding plan for humanity.



As we move into a new year on the Jewish calendar, it is time for Christians to ask: What does it mean to be faithful allies in practice, not just in sentiment? It may mean writing to elected leaders to defend the U.S.Israel relationship. It may mean challenging antisemitism when it arises in our communities. It may mean educating our children about the Jewish roots of their faith. And it certainly means praying for the peace of Jerusalem  not as a vague aspiration but as a daily discipline.

The enemies of Israel would like nothing more than to see Christians divided, silent, or indifferent. They thrive when people of faith retreat from the public square. But they tremble when Christians and Jews stand together, proclaiming a unity that no amount of hatred can undo.



In 2025, let us resolve to be more than observers. Let us be partners in covenant. Let us reject the lies of those who would diminish Israel and instead lift-up the truth of its contributions, its resilience, and its divine calling. And let us embrace Israel Appreciation Day not as a one-off event but as a symbol of an ongoing commitment: to bless Israel, to resist antisemitism, and to walk together as people of faith in a world that desperately needs both courage and hope.
Credit: ESPN

It seemed a little odd that President Donald Trump decided to attend a random Washington Commanders home game this week as they host the Detroit Lions. The government is in the second month of a shutdown and Trumps approval ratings are tanking. But now we may know whats really behind the move.

On Friday, Trumps White House made the announcement of his weekend plans through Pat McAfee, as he was able to drop the news exclusively on his ESPN show.

On Saturday, ESPNs Don Van Natta Jr. and Adam Schefter issued a report together that Trump wants the new Washington Commanders stadium planned for DC named after him. The previous Commanders stadium in Washington DC was named after Robert F. Kennedy Sr., whose son is currently Trumps vaccine-denying head of Health and Human Services.

Instead of denying the report, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and a White House source made it clear to ESPN that they expect it to happen.

President Donald Trump wants the Washington Commanders to name their planned $3.7 billion stadium after him, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN. A senior White House source said there have been back-channel communications with a member of the Commanders ownership group, led by Josh Harris, to express Trumps desire to have the domed stadium in the nations capital bear his name. The new stadium is being built on the old RFK Stadium site that served as the teams home from 1961 to 1996. That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told ESPN on Friday night via email. Leavitt declined to answer additional questions, but the senior White House source told ESPN: Its what the president wants, and it will probably happen.

Its actually a modest request from Trump when you consider his demolition of the White House to put in a ballroom, his non-stop campaign to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and his desire to be carved into Mount Rushmore. And instead of any kind of naming rights deal with the Trump brand, it is reportedly expected to be done as an act of tribute to honor Trump and all of his Trumpiness.

Donald Trump has made several appearances at sporting events during his second term in office. However, none have been immediately linked to wanting a stadium named after him in return. Trumps expanse of executive power in Washington and beyond is being tested by the day. But according to ESPN, the ultimate stadium naming decision will be up to DC city council and the National Park Service.

Trump has previously demanded that the Commanders change their name back to the Washington Redskins to get a deal done for a new stadium. Many threads have been pulled from the fabric of American society under pressure from Donald Trump and a potential TrumpDome in Washington would be a lasting reminder of the historic overreach of his administration. But in some way, maybe hes just trying to live out a fantasy that was never actualized as owner of the Buffalo Bills.
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were unable to confirm the Caracas mans current status. In lieu of a drivers license, the Caracas man with a Cleveland address showed police federal documents indicating a deportation hearing dating back to 2022 and another court date scheduled later in November. Village of Bentleyville

BENTLEYVILLE, Ohio

Speeding (mandatory court), driving without a license: Solon Road

A patrol officer stopped a Hyundai Elantra going 57 mph in a 35-mph zone at 10 p.m. Nov. 1. Police then found that the driver, a Caracas, Venezuela man, 30, with a current address in Cleveland, had no operators license or temporary learners permit.

He produced several documents from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), indicating deportation hearings dating back to 2022 and another hearing later this month.

As a result, police sent a query to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), where an agent was unable to confirm the mans current status through a supervisor at that time.

The ICE agent advised Bentleyville police to follow local protocol, which resulted in tickets and a mandatory appearance in Bedford Municipal Court, since the unlicensed driver was clocked on radar going 21 mph or more over the posted speed limit.

Police turned the car over to the owner and passenger at the time, a Cleveland man with the same address, who had a valid drivers license.

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Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.
WHITESTONE, Indiana  A cleaning woman who went to the wrong address was shot and killed Wednesday as her husband stood nearby when she attempted to enter the home, police say.

Maria Florinda Rios Perez, 32, an immigrant from Guatemala, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a statement from the Whitestone Metropolitan Police Department. She died of a single gunshot to the head, the Boone County Coroners Office ruled, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Police were called to the home just before 7 a.m. with a report about a possible residential entry in progress, the news release says. When officers arrived, they tried to perform medical aid but Rios Perez already was dead.

While police say the couple went to the wrong residence, her husband, Mauricio Velazquez, has insisted they were at the correct address, the Star reports.

The facts gathered do not support that a residential entry occurred, the police statement says. The loss of life is always a profound tragedy and our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected.

There are no reports of arrests or charges being filed. The police department says it is working with the Boone County Prosecutors Office on the investigation.

We understand that incidents like this can cause concern and speculation, the police statement says. We respectfully ask the public to place their trust in the investigative process and refrain from sharing unverified information.

These cases are often complex and require time to fully understand. Misinformation can be harmful to those involved and to the integrity of the investigation.

The Star reports the couple has been in the U.S. for one year. They have four children, the youngest about to turn 1 year old.

Rudy Rios, the victims brother, tells NBC News his sister was using keys to try to open the door to the home when she was shot. She was caught by her husband as she collapsed, Rios tells NBC News.

Its so unjust. She was only trying to bring home the daily bread to support her family, Rios said. She accidentally went to the wrong house, but he shouldnt have taken her life.

She wasnt threatening, she had nothing in her hands, only those keys, he said.
Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay!
Tourist footfalls in Cuba tumble, putting the cash-strapped communist island on track for its worst showing since the pandemic. The country received 1.4 million foreign visitors during the first nine months of the year, down 20% versus the same period in 2024, according to the latest data from Cubas national statistics agency.While tourism tends to tick up during the final quarter, its unlikely the island can match last years total of 2.2 million, which was the worst showing in two decades save for the pandemic collapse of 2020-2022.Cuba's tourism industry  once a major economic motor  has been hammered by power outages, shortages of food and basic goods, global turmoil and US economic sanctions.At its height in 2018, the island received 4.7 million foreign visitors with tourism revenue peaking the previous year at $3.3 billion, according to research by Paolo Spadoni of Augusta University in Georgia.In addition to a key source of hard currency, the industry is a major employer in an economy whose services sector represents nearly three quarters of gross domestic product. Government officials said earlier this year that GDP contracted 1.1% in 2024, the second-straight annual decline.Canadians continue to make up the bulk of international travellers, representing more than 40% of all visitors followed by Cubans living abroad, Russians and US citizens. All of those groups have registered a drop of at least a fifth so far this year, with Russian visits down more than a third.One of the only nationalities to see an uptick in travel to Cuba versus last year was Argentina. The South American country has seen a boom in shopping and travelling abroad recently thanks to a stronger currency.The lack of visitors is exacerbating Cubas worst economic crisis since the fall of the Soviet Union. While Washington and others blame the authoritarian regime, the government in Havana points to the decades old US trade embargo.
Chinese FM holds talks with Georgian counterpart

Xinhua) 13:44, November 08, 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Maka Botchorishvili in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Dai Tianfang)

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Maka Botchorishvili, Georgia's minister of foreign affairs, in Beijing on Friday.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China has always viewed and developed its relations with Georgia from a strategic height and long-term perspective. China is willing to work with Georgia to consolidate strategic mutual trust, carry forward their long-standing friendship and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to promote the greater development of bilateral relations, he added.

Wang noted that China will advance a broader agenda of opening-up across more areas and at greater depths, and said the country is willing to enhance its strategic alignment with Georgia and explore cooperation potential. It is also ready to expand cooperation in fields such as the economy, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people and cultural exchange, and to promote high-quality cooperation on the joint construction of the Belt and Road to bring it to deeper, more substantive levels.

Wang said that China stands ready to work with Georgia to implement the Global Governance Initiative, and to better safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South, as well as the common interests of the international community. He also welcomed Georgia to join the International Organization for Mediation.

Botchorishvili said that Georgia attaches great importance to its relations with China and looks forward to elevating bilateral relations.

She noted that Georgia will continue participating actively in the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and deepen practical cooperation with China. Georgia hopes that the upgraded version of its bilateral free trade agreement with China will be implemented at a faster pace, and that more Georgian products will enter the Chinese market, she said.

Georgia adheres firmly to the one-China policy, and is willing to continue strengthening its cooperation with China on international and regional affairs to contribute to maintaining world peace and stability, she added.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Maka Botchorishvili in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Dai Tianfang)

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Sheng Chuyi)
News / Local

by Staff reporter

RULING Zanu-PF party deputy youth secretary John Paradza yesterday threatened to unleash party youths against the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) as political tempers flare ahead of the 2023 elections.Paradza was addressing scores of youths in the capital yesterday.The defiant Paradza said the party would unleash violence in defending the revolutionary party, adding that as youth, they were going to defend the party."We have noted that CCC is unleashing violence against us, but starting from today, I am unleashing my dogs," he said."As youths, our mandate is to defend the revolutionary party and we are going to make sure we defend our party. CCC burnt houses in Chitungwiza and we are not going to fold our hands watching them unleashing violence," he said.Zanu-PF supporters and CCC activists clashed in Nyatsime over the death of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.Tempers are rising ahead of the 2023 elections after a CCC rally was blocked in Chegutu over the weekend, with the opposition party blaming Zanu-PF for barricading Pfumojena Stadium where the rally was to be hosted.Paradza added that President Emmerson Mnangagwa would unveil residential stands to the youth."I have met the President and he said he was going to unveil stands to the youths. It is the President's vision to give youths stands and also to have employment," he said.Zanu-PF Harare central youth chairperson Emmanuel Mahachi also said they were going to defend the party."We are not going to fold our hands and we are going to defend our party through fighting because we rule this country," Mahachi saidIn his vote of thanks, youth secretary for administration Tendai Chiwetu said he was aware of ministers and legislators who were working against Mnangagwa."We have people who seem to like President Mnangagwa, but they don't like him. We are going to make sure that they are not retained as central committee members as we approach the elections," Chiwetu added.CCC youth assembly spokesperson Stephen Chuma said: "We, as CCC, believe in non-violence approach to solving problems. It's very unfortunate that in this modern era, we have a political party that believes in violence as a strategy."We are a peace-loving citizens' movement, but that does not make us weak or cowards. No one has monopoly of violence and we want to send the message clear to Emmerson Mnangagwa, John Paradza and Zanu-PF thugs that any attempts to drive the nation into anarchy will be resisted."He added: "We know that Zanu-PF wants to use violence to drive this nation into anarchy so as to effect a state of emergency in order to postpone the upcoming general elections. They know they are going to lose elections so they are running scared and are now resorting to violence."Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: "I will have to get the information from Officer Commanding Harare Province and get back to you on the matter. I was not at work today (yesterday)."
News / National

by Staff reporter

Anyone involved in trophy hunting has some level of moral disconnect, so the fact that President Cyril Ramaphosa was potentially involved in other crimes was not surprising.This is the view of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-profit animal rights organisation, in reaction to criminal investigations into Ramaphosa after millions of US dollars "concealed" in furniture on his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo were stolen - allegedly by a gang of Namibian nationals with the assistance of his domestic worker.Ramaphosa is being investigated for alleged money laundering, defeating the ends of justice and kidnapping the suspects who were allegedly interrogated and breaching the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, no 121 of 1998 ("Poca") and the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act No12 of 2004 ("The Corruption Act").Ramaphosa has only confirmed that the matter was reported to the head of his security, and not the police.It remains unclear whether Sars and the SA Reserve Bank have launched their investigations in relation to the breaching of the country's laws around foreign currency.In 2020, the same year of the theft of the money, PETA conducted an undercover investigation which revealed Ramaphosa's alleged hidden connections and investments in the trophy hunting industry, after a hunting Safari owner was caught on video stating that the president had bought a 50% stake in their company."Footage reveals that Ramaphosa is quietly developing and expanding a trophy hunting property called Diepdrift a stocking it with animals from his own wildlife breeding operation, Phala Phala a and that he owns a 50% stake in Tsala Hunting Safaris. In other words, far from aconserving' wildlife, wild animals are bred specifically to be killed for trophies. PETA recorded conversations in which Ramaphosa's managers admitted that he shares equally in the profits from all hunts conducted through Tsal and spoke of the importance of concealing his involvement," the organisation said at the time."One person identified as the manager was quoted saying: aWe try to keep the president's name out of the hunting thing because a of all the greenies a. So he wanna spare himself this, how can I say, bad publicity and all of that."Following the PETA investigation, Ramaphosa distanced himself from the allegations last January, saying they were "unsubstantiated".In a statement he said: "Contrary to PETA's assertions, neither Phala Phala nor I have a stake in the trophy hunting industry. It is furthermore also patently false that Phala Phala breeds game for the purpose of being sold to trophy hunters. Phala Phala is well known and recognised for its wildlife breeding and management practices that comply with the best ethical and lawful practice in the sector; as well as for its contribution to the racial transformation of the sector."PETA Asia Senior Vice-President Jason Baker yesterday told the Cape Times they were not surprised at recent developments concerning possible illegal activity involving Ramaphosa.Story continues below Advertisement"We're glad to see an investigation into the President's animal breeding business, however we hope that authorities will also investigate the animal cruelty aspect of this. Anyone involved in trophy hunting has some level of moral disconnect, so the fact that the President is potentially involved in other crimes is not surprising," said Baker."Animals shot by trophy hunters often endure a prolonged and painful death a simply so that hunters can chop off their heads and other body parts. The only solution to this is an end to trophy hunting, and we hope South African authorities will end this industry for good."Approached for comment on Wednesday, Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said they had nothing to add.Meanwhile Ramaphosa is reportedly set co-chair the third session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Windhoek from June 28 to July 1, alongside his Namibian counterpart Hage Geingob.
On Wednesday, David Lammy appeared in the House of Commons to respond to Prime Minister's Questions on behalf of Keir Starmer, who was attending the COP30 environmental summit in Brazil. Before he answered his first question, Connor Rand, the MP for Altrincham, stated: 'May I start by congratulating the Deputy Prime Minister on being the first black person to ever answer Prime Minister's Questions? It is a landmark moment for this place and for our country, and I hope he is proud.'

What then followed was the most embarrassing, incompetent, politically inept, humiliating, cack-handed performance ever delivered at PMQs.

Asked by shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge  himself filling in for Kemi Badenoch  whether any additional asylum seekers had been wrongly released following the case of Ethiopian sex offender Hadush Kebatu, Lammy began by stonewalling. Then he started grimacing. As Cartlidge keep pressing, he tried hectoring. Then when that didn't work, he began shouting and gesticulating.

Finally, the Deputy Prime Minister sat down. Only for one of his colleagues to tap him on the shoulder and point out he wasn't wearing a Remembrance Day poppy. A frantic search of the backbenches ensued, and Lammy hastily attached one to his lapel.

Then Cartlidge popped up again. It had now been confirmed a second illegal migrant was indeed on the loose from Wandsworth prison. Through the Speaker, he asked if the Justice Secretary would inform the House if he'd known of this while dodging his questions. He again declined to answer, and fled from the Chamber.

In the chaotic hours that followed, Lammy contrived to turn his Commons drama into a full-blown crisis. A series of statements were issued, then corrected.

He was aware of the release the night before' became 'he'd only been briefed on it that morning'. His claim he'd spent the hours before PMQs buying a new suit for his appearance was ditched for a statement he'd spent the morning focusing on the Wandsworth debacle. His insistence the prisoner had been wrongly released before he introduced stringent new security procedures was changed to an admission he'd actually walked free two days after they came into force.

But these things happen. Politicians have bad days at the office. Prime Minister's Questions can prove an imposing ordeal for even the most polished parliamentary performer. And as Foreign Secretary, Lammy presided over one of the rare successes for the Starmer administration, by helping broker a surprising love-in with the Trump/Vance administration.

After his shambolic performance, David Lammy should have kept his head down and demonstrated his sole focus was on getting Britain's marauding lags safely back under lock and key, writes Dan Hodges

So he could have just chalked Wednesday up to experience, and moved on. If it wasn't for his party's monomaniacal obsession with the diversity, equality and inclusion agenda.

After his shambolic performance, David Lammy should have kept his head down and demonstrated his sole focus was on getting Britain's marauding lags safely back under lock and key. Instead, he took to social media to declare: 'Proud to be the first black person to answer at Prime Minister's Questions.'

The most charitable explanation, furnished by a colleague, is that this tweet represented the triggering of some sort of internal defence mechanism. 'It's how David is,' the Labour MP told me. 'When he gets knocked down his instinct isn't to take a count. It's to get up and start punching.'

Another colleague was less forgiving. 'He was deflecting. He knows how furious everyone is at his performance. He's saying, "Don't come for me, because if you do you'll be coming for my community."'

Whatever the reason, Lammy's tweet had one practical impact. It threw that black community under the bus.

As Kemi Badenoch  who invariably baulks at leveraging her own Nigerian heritage  swiftly recognised. 'Don't drag black people into the mess you made of yourself this afternoon,' she angrily responded. 'Proud moments come from performance, not pigmentation.'

It's difficult to understand what Lammy thought he was doing with his self-indulgent and aggrandising missive. By claiming he was representing  and therefore representative of  Black Britain during his car-crash appearance, precisely what message was he trying to send? Black Britain doesn't respect the poppy? Black Britain can't master detail? That most hackneyed of all the racist tropes, Black Britain is instinctively aggressive?

At the moment there is a global backlash  driven as ever by the MAGA populists  against what is seen as overt anti-white activism dressed up as progressive advancement. Concern at historic under-representation of minorities in politics and other major institutions is being overtaken by mounting public anger at perceived 'DEI hires'. But is there any wonder, when senior politicians like the Justice Secretary choose to take a lap of honour amid the wreckage of the prisoner release scandal?

This ritualistic, identity-Voguing would be bad enough at the best of times. But Britain is not currently living through the best of times. Racist thugs like Tommy Robinson are being feted as they march through our streets. Casual racist tropes not heard since the 1970s are being bandied about with abandon. Does David Lammy seriously believe his post-PMQs grandstanding helps counter this?

Actually, set aside the culture wars. Where was the basic politics from the man supposedly minding the store for the PM? Reform are swarming through Labour's traditional heartlands. There are signs the Tory corpse is starting to twitch back into life. So who exactly is this posturing meant to impress?

Because it's certainly not going to impress the British people. Rightly or wrongly, they have had it with David Lammy and his colleagues trying to ram diversity down their throats.

And not because they are instinctively opposed to diversity. But because they are instinctively opposed to hypocrisy.

The only reason Lammy was standing at the Despatch Box in the first place was because his boss  the white guy  was off on his travels again. Labour is so committed to diversity that in its 125-year history it has never had a leader, never mind a prime minister, who has not been a white man.

First woman leader and prime minister. A Tory. Second woman leader and prime minister. A Tory. Third woman leader and prime minister. A Tory. First Asian leader and prime minister. A Tory. First black woman leader. A Tory.

Actually, never mind Labour never having had a leader who's not a white man. They're currently struggling to find one who doesn't live in the same ten-mile radius of north London.

Enough. David Lammy was the first black person to answer at Prime Minister's Questions. And it was an unmitigated disaster.

So until the day comes when Labour is at least prepared to put their money where their pious mouths are, no one should hear the word 'diversity' pass their lips.
Its over for Keir Starmer. Dont take my word for it. Dont even be guided by the polls, which couldnt be more dire for him or his party. Just speak to his own MPs.

The honest ones will tell you (off the record for now, though not for much longer) that within the Parliamentary Labour Party the only matter still to be determined is not if Starmer should go but when.

Some think they should wait until after next Mays elections, which will be catastrophic for Labour in England, Scotland and Wales, before giving him the heave. Thats currently the majority view on the backbenches. Others argue that its pointless to prolong the pain.

They want to oust him in the New Year, when it will be obvious beyond any doubt that the upcoming Budget, which will have Starmers fingerprints on it as much as those of Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has gone down like a lead balloon. Thats now the mood gathering momentum.

Whatever the differences on timing, a clear consensus has emerged among Labour MPs: Starmer isnt just useless at politics (they rumbled that a while back), he is useless at government, which becomes all the more apparent with every passing week.

Thats why the Prime Minister is now living on borrowed time.

The past week provided fresh evidence of his governments systemic incompetence and his own growing irrelevance. Inexplicably, Starmer decided at the last minute to make a flying visit to yet another climate change conference, this one in sunny Brazil.

Exactly why, remains something of a mystery, other than the fact that he regularly grabs any excuse to leave these shores, even for just an away-day in another hemisphere.

A clear consensus has emerged among Labour MPs: Starmer isnt just useless at politics (they rumbled that a while back), he is useless at government, writes Andrew Neil

Starmer decided at the last minute to make a flying visit to yet another climate change conference, this one in sunny Brazil - where his interesting three-way handshake with Prince William and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took place

It certainly served no purpose. He was on the ground for barely 24 hours. The leaders of the worlds biggest emitters of carbon dioxide  China, America, India and Russia  couldnt be bothered to make the trip.

So a bit player like him was hardly likely to make a difference. These global gatherings are past their sell-by date anyway, mere jamborees now for green grifters and Net Zero zealots Starmer couldnt even contribute to Brazils latest wheeze for extorting tens of billions out of richer countries  a tropical rainforest fund  because the Treasury had told him there was no money left for such things after hed paid Mauritius billions to take the Chagos Islands off our hands (a costly, unnecessary, self-inflicted mistake if ever there was one).

He even had to endure the ignominy of being told that, a year after hed launched it with a flourish, no other country wanted to join his British-led Clean Power Alliance of Net Zero enthusiasts  a project marred by typical inertia and confusion, says a senior Whitehall official involved in it.

Back in gloomy old Blighty, David Lammy, who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, was disappearing down the plughole of his own serial stupidity in the midst of yet another prisoner-release scandal. Starmer, of course, being 4,600 miles away, was in no position to rescue him.

But more than just the future prospects of Ludicrous Lammy are at stake.

The whole Starmer project is unravelling at warp speed.

For most of this year Labour has struggled to stay above 20 per cent in the polls, itself a remarkable falling off from the 34 per cent it won in last years General Election. Suddenly, even 20 per cent is beyond its reach.

In recent weeks Labours poll ratings started to slip into the teens, joining the Tories in extinction territory. The latest poll puts Labour in an unprecedented fourth place on a paltry 15 per cent, not just way behind Reform on 33 per cent but behind even the Greens (18 per cent) and the Tories (16 per cent).

Labour is now haemorrhaging support on its Right to Reform and on its Left to the newly revitalised Greens.

And remember this is all before Labour whacks up our taxes  breaking a solemn manifesto promise in the process  in the upcoming Budget.

Who knows what fresh polling horrors await it after that?

At Labours annual conference in Liverpool just over a month ago, the party largely ignored the Tories and trained its big guns on Nigel Farage and his Reform UK Party. It has kept up the bombardment ever since. Its reward for all its invective has been to watch Reform climb even higher in the polls.

I asked one Labour grandee this week what Plan B was. There isnt one, he snapped. To those Labour MPs who told me at the end of the summer things couldnt get worse, I say to them  they just have.

It is an uncomfortable truth  I dont blame the party for not wanting to acknowledge it  but the harsh reality is that Labour is now too far gone to recover.

There will be no comeback, no resurgence, no clawing back of support bit by bit. They have plumbed the depths too deeply for any kind of renaissance to be realistic. Its over for Labour as well as Starmer, however far away the next election is.

The wiser heads in the party accept that ditching Starmer is unlikely to revive Labours fortunes. But they have developed a visceral dislike of the PM bordering on hatred and they want to see the back of him. They know there is no transformative alternative leader waiting in the wings  but have concluded they have nothing to lose by trying someone else. Labours soft Left, now the dominant force in the parliamentary party, thinks a less technocratic, more socialist leader would help shore up its Left flank and see off the danger of defection to the Greens or even Jeremy Corbyns new party (should it ever see the light of day).

It might. But I suspect Labours woes are too fundamental, too systemic for a fresh face or a new approach to make much difference.

And not just Labour. It is a remarkable feature of our current politics  making them all the more unprecedented  that for all Labours litany of woes, it has not led to the rebound of the Conservatives.

What we used to regard as our two major parties are locked together in a historic dance of death. To resort to a good Scottish word, the British people are thoroughly scunnered with both Labour and the Tories.

That wont change any time soon. The more conservative-minded are fleeing to Reform, the more radical to the Greens and other Leftish forces. The centre ground is becoming a lonely place in British politics, as it already is in America and France.

There will be much satisfaction in seeing Labour and the Tories getting their just deserts. But also some danger: were keen to throw out the old, but not yet sure what sort of new were ushering in.

Yesterday, an editorial in this newspaper highlighted a study revealing how weve become a much more polarised nation. Mass immigration, culture wars, identity obsessions, economic inequality made worse by the decline of social mobility  theyve all divided us more than before.

It is perhaps inevitable that our politics will change to reflect these more acute, stark divisions.

British post-war politics, as in most advanced democracies, gravitated to the centre and discourse was dominated by the centre-Left and centre-Right.

That is all changing as the forces of the populist Right and the populist Left call the political shots. Our traditional two-party system served us reasonably well for decades, presiding over prosperity, peace and harmony.

But in this century, both Labour and the Conservatives have proved unequal to the task of dealing with the new challenges that now confront us.

Both developed the knack of making things worse.

So I shed no tears for their demise. But I remain apprehensive about what might come next. Out with the old order is a fine sentiment. Its not knowing what comes next that worries me.
You cannot cure a disease until you know what it is. At last Britain is beginning to grasp that we have many crazy people in our midst, and that they are crazy because they smoke marijuana.

The obvious solution is to enforce our existing severe laws against marijuana possession, so people stop smoking it. This is what they do in civilised, serious countries such as Japan.

But that logical step may be beyond a lot of our political and media elite. It is also unpopular with a lot of people on anti-social media.

Its easy to explain the elite problem. Our university-educated classes are full of past and present habitual drug abusers, or people who let their children abuse drugs. Or both. They are held back from admitting the truth by their own disgusting selfishness.

But the Twitter warriors  who are frantic to believe that rampage knife attacks are terrorism  are just as bad. They go purple in the face when I say that these pointless slaughters are the acts of unhinged people.

There are dozens of examples, but take Valdo Calocane, the culprit of those crazy, horrible killings in Nottingham. His home stank of marijuana. But nobody in authority cared.

The Southport mass killer Axel Rudakubana appears to have once been a bright and pleasant child but his character and appearance changed totally in his early teens, the time at which so many British children meet marijuana at school and fly off the rails, always into slack despondency and often into desperate, incurable mental illness. Choruses of psychiatrists now link this drug with mental illness. Reams of news reports link acts of mad violence with marijuana users.

But as far as I can find out, nobody inquiring into the Southport horror has even asked if Rudakubana took this drug.

Axel Rudakubana's character and appearance changed totally in his early teens, the time at which so many British children meet marijuana at school

Paranoid schizophrenic Valdo Calocane killed three people in Nottingham in June 2023

Alas Vine & Hitchens: What's the big idea? Get the Mail's new politics podcast, hosted by columnists Sarah Vine and Peter Hitchens - wherever you listen to podcasts now.

Over many years I have found police totally uninterested in the drug use of violent culprits. This is no surprise, as they dont want to admit that their laziness and laxity, in refusing to enforce the laws against cannabis possession, have aided an explosion in its use.

But the terrorist explanation of such events has now suffered a crushing blow. It simply cannot be sustained by any known facts.

Even so, everyone but me still tried to believe it when news came in of a knife attack on a train last weekend. I observed how the authorities and media reports struggled to imagine that the Huntingdon train assault was in some way terrorist. But it wasnt.

Codewords for terror attacks were used by police. Two people were arrested, suggesting some co-ordinated action. Then all this crumbled. No possible terror motive or connection could be discovered. The second suspect was quickly released without charge.

I cant and wont discuss the first suspect but will wait with great interest for the investigation and trial which must now follow.

Perhaps, out of all this horror and blood, some good may come.

Is there a stupider response to violence on trains than plans for airport-style security at stations? If you dont have such screening at every tiny halt, then it cant work. It is just collective punishment. If there is anywhere in the country which does need airport-style security, on the way out as well as on the way in, it is the prisons.

CASE AGAINST LETBY POLICE MOUNTS UP

Has the time come for another police force to look into Cheshire Constabularys investigation of Lucy Letby? Is there in fact any evidence against Ms Letby, now locked up in prison for the rest of her life?

I ask because of an astounding criticism of the Cheshire case by a former senior policeman who knows about such things. Dr Steve Watts was once Assistant Chief Constable of Hampshire. He designed the national police procedure policy for investigating deaths in hospitals.

He is worried that the Cheshire force may not have looked properly at alternative explanations for the deaths and harms at the Countess of Chester Hospital, for which nurse Ms Letby has been blamed.

Lucy Letby, 35, was convicted in 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016

He said: I followed the Letby trial daily and remember thinking, When are they going to get to the evidence? and it never arrived. There is no evidence whatsoever.

He fears that detectives unconsciously decided at an early stage that babies had been deliberately harmed. The material before the court was obtained by an investigation that was unconsciously skewed by confirmation bias, he said. I find it difficult to call it an investigation. It seemed it was more an information-gathering exercise to prove that Lucy Letby did it.

He stressed he is not a Lucy Letby supporter, adding: The issue is wider and there has been an egregious miscarriage of justice. I thought policing was better than that.

I hope the Criminal Cases Review Commission and Appeal Court are paying attention. This grim injustice has already gone on far too long.

WILL NIGEL ADOPT MY MANIFESTO?

I am impressed that Nigel Farage has started saying wise things about the economy which is, as he recognises, close to disaster. Absurd 1980s slogans about tax cuts are futile and impossible.

Unless you do something about the cause of all this spending you will get nowhere.

We must end and reverse the lunatic attempt to replace the married family with the state. We must use schools to educate instead of for indoctrination and wild, egalitarian social engineering. And we must abandon the ludicrous idea that crime is a disease to be treated rather than an evil to be deterred and punished.

That would save billions. Next we must grow up and stop pretending to be a superpower, when we cannot defend the beaches of Kent. There you are, Mr Farage  a real patriotic manifesto. But all the things in it are hard and will take years.

Search for Alas Vine & Hitchens on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts now. New episode released every Wednesday.
A 21-year-old who had an eight-a-day energy drink habit was hospitalized after the beverages severely damaged his kidneys.

The unidentified man from Turkey rushed to his local emergency room with nausea and vomiting that had started the day before.

He had no chronic medical problems, wasn't overweight, didn't smoke and was a 'fit healthy young man' who had never abused drugs or alcohol.

But blood tests revealed his creatinine, a waste product that comes from normal muscle breakdown, was about five times greater than the normal range, while his phosphorus, a mineral that helps form the structure of cell membranes and bones, was three-fold higher than average.

The concerning levels showed his kidneys were not able to properly filter the materials out of his blood, a sign of injury or organ failure. If these levels get too high, they can damage vital organs and lead to heart attack, stroke or organ failure.

The man told doctors that he had been preparing to run a race for the past month and was drinking two liters (68 ounces), of unnamed 'energy drink' every day to help him stay alert.

HIS habit had caused stage three acute kidney injury (AKI), which is considered the 'middle stage' of acute kidney disease.

A 21-year-old in Turkey suffered stage three acute kidney injury after consuming excess energy drinks (stock image

The unidentified man said he has been drinking two liters of an unspecified energy drink every day for a month to prepare for a race (stock image)

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Roughly one in three Americans report consuming an energy drink at least once, and nine percent drink them every day. They are also especially popular among teenagers, with between 30 and 50 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds say they drink them regularly.

About one in 10 Americans, 35million, have some form of kidney disease, and just over 800,000 are in kidney failure, according to the American Kidney Fund.

And about nine in 10 people with the condition have no idea they have it, including one in three Americans with severely reduced kidney function.

The disease causes the kidneys to be unable to properly filter out waste and excess fluid from the blood, causing them to build up in the body, leading to high potassium, which threatens heart function, brittle bones, a weakened immune system, heart attack and stroke.

Acute kidney injuries are usually caused by slowed blood flow to the organs, damage or blocked urine flow.

While the man in the case report had no underlying conditions, his extreme energy drink consumption likely lead to the injury, doctors wrote in a case study.

Energy drinks typically contain a mix of caffeine, B vitamins, sugar, artificial sweeteners and additives like taurine and guarana.

An 8.4-ounce can of a popular energy drink contains 80 milligrams of caffeine, roughly the same as a cup of coffee.

If the man was drinking eight cans, this would add up to 640 milligrams of caffeine, 46 percent more than the FDA's recommended daily limit of 400 milligrams.

Recent research suggests excessive caffeine consumption, which would be more than 500 milligrams daily, may increase the risk of developing kidney stones.

Caffeine is a stimulant that temporarily raises blood pressure, but in excess amounts, that high blood pressure can put extra strain on the kidneys.

Doctors treating the man also wrote that at least once he consumed an energy drink that contained 150 milligrams per liter of caffeine and 800 milligrams per liter of taurine, which may have made taurine that primary culprit.

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Taurine is an non-essential amino acid found naturally in the bone marrow, brain, heart and muscles. It's also found in meat and fish and is used in certain beverages to energize cells and boost mental clarity.

Taurine is considered safe in small amounts, but higher levels have been shown to cause vomiting, upset stomach, dizziness, diarrhea and constipation.

Along with caffeine, excess taurine can lead to dehydration and high blood pressure, potentially damaging kidneys, though research is limited.

Writing in a medical journal, doctors treating the man suggested the combination of taurine and caffeine likely caused his injury.

The patient was admitted to a kidney clinic and told to stop consuming energy drinks immediately.

'The most important first step to treat [energy drink]-induced AKI is withholding it,' his doctors wrote.

His creatinine levels gradually normalized over the course of 16 days, and he did not need dialysis or other long-term treatments.

Doctors continued following him for two years, during which his kidney function remained normal.
Kayemille Goss was sitting out on her back porch in Mexico when she received the most horrifying phone call of her life: her youngest son was dead.

'I started screaming. I fell straight down onto the ground and wanted to go into the ground. I can't really describe how it felt,' the 58-year-old mother-of-three said.

Kaden, 22, a business student, had been staying at a friend's house near their family home in Fort Worth, Texas, after returning from the University of Oklahoma for the summer earlier this year.

While there he had taken a popular 'stress relieving' supplement, kratom, which costs just $1 per tablet and is sold as a natural way to boost energy and ease nerves.

But, made from the leaves of a Southeast Asian plant, it also contains opioid-like compounds that are ten to 13 times more powerful than heroin.

And despite being linked to a spate of deaths across the US, it remains unregulated and widely available, with an estimated 1.7 million Americans using it every year.

Kaden Goss, 22, died after taking the supplement kratom with friends. He is pictured above with his mother, Kayemille, and father, Joey. The family are from Fort Worth, Texas

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Kayemille said her son had first tried the supplement at a party with friends that summer. After suffering no ill effects, he then purchased it again three days later.

'They went to have burgers and beers and then stopped off at a vape shop and picked up some of this kratom they had had at the weekend.

'There was a plethora of different kinds of kratom at the vape shop, and I don't know the exact brand they purchased, but I know it was in tablet form and it contained 7-hydroxymitragynine [7-OH, and the naturally-occurring substance in kratom],' Kayemille said.

Later that evening, while at a student's university campus house, Kaden fell asleep on the couch and did not wake up the next day.

It is not clear how many kratom tablets he took but his friends said he had not shown any unusual symptoms after taking the supplement.

A toxicology report by the medical examiner in Tarrant County, which covers Fort Worth, found that Kaden had elevated levels of mitragynine and 7-OH - opioid-like substances in his system, which are found in the supplement.

These depress the central nervous system, producing the relaxed feeling that kratom is known for. But in high doses, they can also suppress the nerves that control breathing, slowing it and reducing oxygen levels in the body, which can be fatal.

Kratom is a supplement made from the leaves of a plant in Southeast Asia. It is sold as a natural way to boost energy and ease nerves but also contains opioid-like compounds that are ten to 13 times more powerful than heroin

In previous cases, deaths linked to the supplement have been attributed to 'acute mitragynine intoxication', or an overdose of kratom that caused respiratory failure, a life-threatening condition where the lungs are unable to obtain sufficient oxygen.

The toxicology report also found that there was alcohol in Kaden's body and low levels of clonazepam, a common anti-anxiety medication taken by 2.2million people in the US every year.

Clonazepam and kratom both have a depressive effect on the nervous system and, when taken together, they may raise the risk of respiratory problems, according to doctors.

The American Addiction Centers warns online that kratom should not be taken in combination with other substances, saying this raises the risk of users suffering from dangerous side effects.

A report from the Tarrant County medical examiner's office notes that Kaden's death was caused by mitragynine, 7-OH, clonazepam and ethanol toxicity.

Kayemille told the Daily Mail she was now speaking out to alert other parents and young adults to the dangers of kratom.

She said: 'I'm a very proud American, but it's so disheartening that this is going on in our country where we're meant to be protected.

'As a mother, it terrifies me and angers me that this is allowed to stay on the shelves. It needs to be considered a controlled substance and against the law.'

A toxicology report by the medical examiner in Tarrant County found that Kaden had elevated levels of mitragynine and 7-OH - opioid-like substances in his system, which are found in the supplement kratom

Kayemille said: 'He was our youngest. He was the smartest in our family and was very gifted and on the honor roll.

'If we could save just one family from having to go through the agony we have gone through, that is what Kaden would want.

'We have to follow through with this. His life had so much meaning and we want his death to have just as much meaning as his life.'

Kratom has already been linked to a series of deaths in the US, including that of 23-year-old Ethan Pope, who died in his apartment with his puppy at his side, and 27-year-old Robert 'Wyatt' Wheeler.

But the supplement remains legal to use in the US at a federal level.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposed making kratom a Schedule I substance in 2016, which would have put the supplement into the most restricted drug category in the US alongside heroin, LSD and ecstasy.

But it withdrew the proposal a few months later amid public outcry after receiving a letter signed by more than 50 members of Congress opposed to the measure.

The Goss family is now raising awareness about their son to warn others of the dangers posed by the kraton

The FDA has also repeatedly warned about the risks of taking kratom, saying that the supplement is not approved for any use by the agency and that too few studies have been carried out to confirm its safety.

Currently, seven US states, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, have banned the possession, distribution and sale of kratom.

All of these states, except Vermont, have also listed kratom a Schedule I controlled substance.

In its notice proposing listing kratom as a Schedule I substance in 2016, the DEA said: 'Kratom is abused for its ability to produce opioid-like effects and is often marketed as a legal alternative to controlled substances.

'Kratom has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the US, and has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.'

Following his death, Kaden's family held a funeral on June 12 where 800 people attended in person and 11,000 more watched online.

Fort Worth Police Department confirmed they attended Kaden's friend's address on June 5 this year. They said he was pronounced dead on scene.
Cases of chronic kidney disease have more than doubled in just three decades, concerning research has suggested.

The condition, which causes the kidneys to gradually stop working, is already thought to contribute to 45,000 deaths in the UK alone.

But US researchers, who assessed more than 2,000 data sets, found 800 million adults worldwide are now estimated to be living with the incurable condition that can prove fatal.

An increase in diabetes diagnoses, obesity and high blood pressure are believed to partly be driving the rise, the scientists said.

Yet, of the 14 risk factors for the condition, many including low fruit and vegetable intake and high salt consumption, are preventable, they added.

China and India, two of the world's largest populations, accounted for the highest proportion of chronic kidney disease cases.

However, the condition has become more widespread in smaller nations including Vietnam, Japan and Turkey, experts warned.

Lauryn Stafford, a senior population health researcher at the University of Washington and study co-author, said: 'Chronic kidney disease is a growing global health crisis, yet much of its impact is preventable.'

The condition, which causes the kidneys to gradually stop working, is already thought to contribute to 45,000 deaths in the UK alone

Dr Theo Vos, a public health expert at the University of Washington and study co-author, said: 'Chronic kidney disease is both a major risk factor for other leading causes of health loss and a significant disease burden in its own right.

'Yet it continues to receive far less policy attention than other non-communicable disease, even as its impact grows fastest in regions already acting the greatest health inequalities.'

The researchers found that in 2023, the disease was now the ninth-leading cause of death globally, claiming nearly 1.5million lives, overtaking conditions including tuberculosis.

But unlike most other leading causes of death, like heart disease or stroke, death rates had increased since 1990.

Most of the 800 million patients were in the early stages of the disease, the scientists also discovered.

This highlights the importance of screening programmes and treatments including blood pressure management, they said.

China and India had 152million and 138million cases respectively.

But countries including the US, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Turkey each also reported more than 10million adults living with chronic kidney disease.

Almost 4.3 million people were living with diabetes in 2021/22, according to the latest figures for the UK. And another 850,000 people have diabetes and are completely unaware of it, which is worrying because untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to complications including heart disease and strokes

Experts have previously warned that the danger of the condition is that in most cases it has no symptoms until the kidneys are close to failing  by which point it is often too late for treatment.

Such symptoms can include fatigue, swollen ankles, feet or hands, shortness of breath, cause and blood in the urine.

Once kidney damage sets in, it cannot be reversed meaning prevention  or catching the disease early  has long been the only defence.

While there is no cure for the disease, treatment can help relieve symptoms.

These include lifestyle changes and medicines to control associated problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Many patients also end up on dialysis several times a week and some need a kidney transplant.

Dialysis, which works by replicating some of the kidney functions by filtering waste and excess fluid from the body, is one of the NHS's biggest expenses, forecast to hit 13billion a year by the end of the decade.

Ultimately, kidney failure can trigger fatal heart attacks and strokes.

Dialysis works by replicating some of the kidney functions by filtering waste and excess fluid from the body

The condition, experts believe, has been driven by a surge in diabetes cases as well as obesity, high blood pressure  known medically as hypertension  and high cholesterol.

Figures suggest around 40 per cent of diabetics going on to develop kidney disease.

Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to keep blood sugar levels stableeither because the body cannot make the hormone insulin, or it doesn't make enough it.

Without enough insulin, the level of glucose in the blood can become too high, which can damage the kidneys, which are forced to work overtime to flush out excess sugar, or glucose.

Chronic kidney disease has also been linked to long-term painkiller use, with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like aspirin and ibuprofen putting an untold strain on the kidneys.

The danger comes from how the drug is processed by the body, irritating the stomach lining and increasing the risk of peritonitis which, left untreated can damage the internal organs including the kidneys.

Previously, experts have called for targeted testing for early signs of kidney disease from the age of 45, saying it could save hundred of thousands of people from deadly heart conditions.
A Brisbane wedding celebrant has spoken out after being falsely accused of turning up 'late' and 'rude' to a couple's big day - despite being under the impression the bride and groom were happy with his ceremony.

Ted Johnson, who's been marrying couples for six years, told the Daily Mail he was shocked to discover an anonymous post about him circulating on a private gossip Facebook group.

The claims, he said, are completely untrue and have left his friends, family and former clients horrified and in disbelief.

The lengthy post, which has since been deleted, painted a harsh picture of the well-known celebrant, warning brides to not book Ted after what the newlyweds claimed was a chaotic and unprofessional performance at their ceremony.

The bride began in her blistering review, alleging that Ted had arrived 45 minutes late to her wedding.

She went on to claim that 'the ceremony itself was a disaster', and even announced them under the wrong surname in front of their guests.

The post made unsubstantiated claims about Ted's attitude to the bridal party, accusing him of several minor missteps - including declaring the bar was closing too early and swiping a bit of cake with his finger before it was even served to guests.

However, as with every story, there are two sides - and this one might just surprise you.

The lengthy post on a private gossip Facebook group painted a harsh picture of the well-known celebrant, claiming he was swiping a bit of cake with his finger before it was even served to guests (Picture obtained from the since-deleted Facebook post)

However, Ted, whos been marrying couples for six years, told Daily Mail he was shocked by the claims, describing them as untrue and saying theyve left his friends, family, and former clients horrified and in disbelief. (Pictured here at an unrelated wedding)

When Daily Mail tracked down the man at the centre of the drama, Ted was friendly, measured and polite - a far cry from the caricature painted online.

But beneath the calm exterior, he admitted he was deeply shaken at how a 'perfectly pleasant', joy-filled wedding in his memory had somehow spiralled into a brutal public character assassination that left him completely blindsided.

Ted insisted that most of the claims were fabricated and 'bizarre', admitting only one small mistake, which was stumbling over the groom's name during the vows.

'The groom had a double-barrelled surname, and I accidentally omitted the first one when I announced them. That was my mistake,' he told the Daily Mail.

'I've never had a couple with two surnames before. But the rest of it, goodness, completely untrue.'

He said he first met the couple online and had multiple upbeat, friendly conversations with them in the lead-up to the wedding.

'We spoke several times on video calls,' he recalled.

'They were both lovely, really personable, interesting people. I was genuinely looking forward to their day.'

Ted explained he wasnt late to the rural ceremony, instead turning back to collect a forgotten PA system so the guests could hear him - still arriving 15 minutes early. The couple allegedly even hugged and thanked him when he left. (Pictured here at an unrelated wedding)

Ted said the ceremony took place rurally, and that he'd been driving down from several hours away, admitting he was briefly delayed on the day - but only because he realised halfway there that he'd forgotten to pack his PA system, which was vital for the couple's 150-guest ceremony.

'Option one was to show up on time with no sound system, or option two was to turn around, drive 125 kilometres back to collect it and still make it before the ceremony, so I went with option two.'

Making it to their ceremony 15 minutes before it commenced is not, in anyone's calculations, late though.

Ted alleged that when he left that night, the couple hugged him goodbye and thanked him warmly for his service. So, when the Facebook post surfaced days later, he said he was completely caught off guard.

Days later, Ted received an abusive call out of the blue and five threatening texts from the couple, including a horrific remark he can't forget. (This screenshot was obtained by the Daily Mail upon request)

'On the night [of the wedding] they were both very happy [with] lots of hugs, lots of gratitude, everything was fine. Then a few days later, I got a call from them that was quite abusive.

'When someone says to you that you should "go out and kill yourself," I was horrified.'

What followed were five threatening text messages - screenshots of which Ted showed to Daily Mail for proof of the unprovoked verbal attack.

'I didn't respond, but I stayed calm. I just thought, replying would only add fuel to the fire and can only assume they were looking for a refund.'

The online pile-on, however, had already begun. The Facebook post quickly drew hundreds of comments, and when Ted's friends and past clients saw it, they immediately reached out in shock.

'This is not the Ted we know and love,' one fellow celebrant echoed, and although the outpouring of support has been warming, he admitted the ordeal has left him speechless.

Daily Mail Australia reached out to the couple directly for comment but did not receive a response. (Pictured: Ted working as a celebrant at an unrelated wedding)

'It's really hurtful, because I pride myself on being professional and kind. To see people believe something that's so far from the truth, it's devastating.

As for the infamous photo of him appearing to dig his finger into the cake, Ted laughed at the absurdity of it.

'One hundred percent, that's me,' he admitted of the photo accompanying the now-infamous Facebook post, but he insists he wasn't eating it.

'They had two cakes - one they cut for photos, and another that guests actually ate. I was helping the bar staff move the display cake out of the way.'

'I just got a bit of icing on my finger while moving it and licked it off. I probably should've grabbed a napkin, but it wasn't what people think.'

Despite the ordeal, Ted says he's had an otherwise spotless six-year career and countless five-star reviews from happy couples.

'I've never had a complaint before. Most of my work comes from word of mouth [and] that's how I've built my whole business.'

Daily Mail contacted the couple directly for comment but did not receive a response.
Dear Jana,

Six months ago, I left my husband for another man. It wasn't a reckless fling - we fell in love gradually.

He was married too, and we promised each other we'd leave our partners and begin again. I kept my word: packed my things, moved into my own apartment, told my kids, and tried to rebuild.

He said he just needed a bit more time to 'sort things out' with his wife.

That was six months ago, and he's still there. Every time I ask, he has a new excuse - the kids, the house, their finances, the timing.

I've gone from feeling hopeful to humiliated. My friends warned me this would happen, but I genuinely thought this would be different.

Now I'm left wondering if I blew up my entire life for a man who was only serious when it suited him.

How long do I keep waiting before admitting I've been played?

The Other Woman, Still Waiting

Dear The Other Woman, Still Waiting,

Daily Mail columnist Jana Hocking (pictured) gives advice to a woman who left her husband for the man she was having an affair with - only to be humiliated

The short answer? Yes - you absolutely blew up your entire life for a man who was only serious when it suited him.

The longer answer is more complicated, but trust me, it's good news for you.

A friend of mine faced almost the exact same situation last year. She finally worked up the courage to leave her husband, expecting her lover to follow, only to be met with a blank stare and the classic line: 'Well, I hope you don't expect me to do that too?'

Spoiler alert: she did.

But here's what she learned: after the tears, humiliation and a fair bit of therapy, she knew leaving her marriage was still the right decision.

Think about it: if you were truly happy at home, you wouldn't have fallen in love with someone else in the first place. That detail matters - because this whole messy, painful situation didn't just happen to you; it happened for you.

It forced you to confront what wasn't working in your life - a level of honesty most people never reach.

Now, let's talk about this poor excuse for a man who keeps stalling.

'How long do I keep waiting before admitting I've been played?' a woman asks Jana

He's not confused - he's just comfortable, and every time you see him, you let him stay that way.

You did the hard part, while he enjoys the best of both worlds: a loyal wife at home and the thrill of keeping you on the hook. He has zero incentive to change; you've given him every reason not to.

So stop. Seriously, stop - not to punish him, but because you deserve more than living your life in the gaps between his excuses. The real betrayal isn't that he hasn't left his wife; it's that he's keeping you stuck. Let it go.

You've already survived the worst of this - breaking apart a life you once thought was permanent. Don't waste time sitting in limbo. Move forward with the same courage you used to leave, and this time do it for you.

Trust me: the woman who rebuilds herself after the wrong love is always stronger than the one who waits for the right man to grow a backbone. Honestly, this man should give you the ick - so embrace it!

Dear Jana,

A year after my divorce, I went through what can only be described as my 'eat, pray, shag' phase.

I was in my forties, finally free, and determined to make up for lost time. I dated, travelled, said yes to things I never would have before, and in the middle of all that, I caught herpes.

At first, I was devastated. I felt dirty, ashamed, and completely terrified of telling anyone. But I got educated, learned to manage it, and after a while, accepted it as part of my story.

The problem is, now that I'm ready for something real again, I don't know how to talk about it.

When do I bring it up? Before the first date? Before sex? When I know I truly like someone?

I'm terrified of rejection, but I don't want to live in fear or keep hiding. It may be a small part of my life, yet it feels like the one thing that could unravel everything.

How do I tell someone without it defining me?

Healing but Hesitant

A woman who wants to date seriously asks Jana when she should share her health secret with potential partners (stock image)

Dear Healing but Hesitant,

First of all, let me start by saying this: you are far from alone.

About one in eight Australians has genital herpes - that's over half a billion people. Half a billion! If herpes were a dating app, you'd never run out of matches. So let's park the shame right now; it's simply not warranted.

Honestly, I love that you had your 'eat, pray, shag' era. Every divorced woman deserves one, in my view. I fully support any woman who wants to dive in and discover what truly brings her pleasure. Bravo to you - and yes, lesson learnt: condoms do matter.

What happened wasn't a moral failing - it was pure bad luck in the most human way possible.

Now, onto your question - when to tell someone. The short answer is: before sex, but not before connection. Telling someone before the first date is unnecessary; it's not exactly an icebreaker.

You don't owe that information to someone who hasn't even earned your trust yet. But once you feel things are heading in a physical direction - maybe you've shared a few kisses, maybe you're having the 'what are we doing here?' chat - boom! That's the time.

It also means you'll need to slow down. Yes, you'll have to get to know someone before jumping into bed - which, let's be honest, is no bad thing now that you're ready for real dating.

When you do tell them, keep it simple, factual and confident. Something like: 'Hey, before this goes any further, I want to tell you something. I have herpes. It's really common, it's completely manageable, and I take medication to make sure it's not contagious. It's not a big deal for me, but I think it's important you know.'

Then stop talking. The key is not to over-explain or apologise.

If you act like it's shameful, they'll pick up on that energy. If you act like it's a minor medical detail - because that's exactly what it is - they'll usually take your lead. Heck, they might even surprise you, and tell you they have it too.

And here's something else that might surprise you: studies show that when herpes is disclosed with calm confidence and honesty, most partners react positively or neutrally.

The rejection rate is far lower than people imagine. What people really fear isn't the condition itself, it's dishonesty. So if you're open and grounded, you've already diffused 90 per cent of the awkwardness.

You're not damaged goods. You're a fully grown woman who's lived, learned, and made peace with her own story - and that's far more interesting than perfection.

Anyone who can't see that is someone you wouldn't have built a healthy relationship with anyway.

So next time you start to panic about 'the talk,' remember this: herpes doesn't define you. How you carry yourself does.

Dear Jana,

I'm a 53-year-old married father of two and, lately, I feel invisible. My wife and I have a comfortable life with a nice house and incredible kids - but our routine has become predictable and the spark has gone.

We haven't had sex in nearly a year, and when we do, it feels like a chore for both of us.

I don't want to leave my wife. She's a good woman, and I still care about her deeply. But I'm desperate to feel alive again. To feel wanted.

I've tried the usual - dating apps, the occasional flirtation at work - but finding someone who wants a discreet affair seems impossible these days. Everyone wants drama or a title, and I just want connection without chaos.

I know it sounds pathetic, but I can't shake the feeling that life's slipping away from me, and I'm too young to feel this numb.

Is there a way to scratch the itch without blowing up my whole life?

Restless Husband on Borrowed Time

Dear Restless Husband on Borrowed Time,

Excuse me while I get out the world's tiniest violin and play a sad little tune for your poor, tragic, sexless existence.

You've got a loyal wife, healthy kids, a comfortable home, and the kind of stable life most people envy - yet we're meant to feel sorry for you because you can't find anyone to have an affair with?

Give me strength.

How about you take a hard look at your real feelings and admit you're not seeking connection - you're chasing an ego boost.

You just want to feel powerful again, to be looked at the way your wife once did, before you started letting everything slide - flirting, housework, child-rearing, and probably your waistline too.

You're not invisible, you're just uninspiring.

You say you don't want to leave your wife, but you've already emotionally checked out. Let's be honest: you've got one foot in your marriage and the other scrolling through dating apps, hoping some unsuspecting woman will validate you - because you can't be bothered to do it yourself.

It's lazy, selfish and pathetic.

If you're so desperate to feel alive, do something about your actual life. Talk to your wife, plan a weekend away, figure out when you both stopped making an effort.

She's probably just as lonely, but at least she isn't out there humiliating herself - and risking her family - for a fling.

You think you're craving passion, but what you really miss is being someone worth desiring. That doesn't come from sneaking around - it comes from showing up.

So stop the pity parade. Either fix your marriage or leave it properly, but don't sit there whining that no one wants to cheat with you.

There's nothing attractive about a man who'd rather betray his family than grow up.
When PR founder Bec Laut first started showing signs of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)  such as irregular cycles and acne issues  shortly after getting her first period at 15, the first line of treatment was the birth control pill.

'It did help,' Laut tells the Daily Mail, 'and I ended up staying on it consistently for about 17 years.'

'But when I started developing other health symptoms that I couldn't seem to resolve, I decided to come off the pill and was formally diagnosed with PCOS within six months,' she continues.

'From there, it was about 18 months of trying to manage things naturally; eating well, training four times a week, managing stress (hard as a business owner) and yet my body just wouldn't respond. The cystic acne and extreme hair loss really hit my confidence and mental health.'

It was around this time Laut's doctor recommended trying a GLP-1 medication  like Ozempic or Mounjaro  to assist weight loss, which would reverse insulin resistance and improve PCOS.

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide 1, which is a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite.

'Honestly, I brushed it off,' she says. 'At the time, it was being spoken about pretty negatively and I thought: I don't need that.'

The accessibility of GLP-1 jabs has reshaped the Australian medical landscape in a way few drugs ever have before.

It's estimated that around 420,000 Australians are currently using the medication, a number expected to grow over the next year, with many having experienced significant weight loss and reduction in cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.

For Laut, it was the experience of a colleague, who had reported experiencing 'mental clarity, faster recovery and relief from severe PCOS symptoms,' that began to change her mind.

Bec Laut, pictured, was prescribed Mounjaro to help with the symptoms of PCOS

A growing number of GLP-1 users are 'microdosing'  they say small amounts of the drug have helped reduce symptoms of various health conditions, without any of the negative side effects

'Hearing that shifted my mindset,' says Laut. 'I decided to start the following February, and it's been life-changing since.'

While Laut's body changed significantly after starting on the medication, she found the side effects difficult to cope with.

'About five months in, I noticed my weight continuing to drop, but my energy was really low.'

Around the same time, Laut heard of a technique called 'microdosing', where people used smaller doses than the prescribed amount to cut down on side effects and achieve their desired health results.

'I'd done some research and, more importantly, paid close attention to how my body felt,' she says.

'So I went back to my doctor to discuss testing smaller doses under supervision. We adjusted my dosage, and now I take roughly half the standard weekly dose. It's been a sweet spot for me, the benefits without the burnout. I feel stable, clear, and more in tune with my body than I've been in years.'

Laut is one of a growing number of GLP-1 users choosing to use the drug in this way, often referring to themselves online as 'click counters' as a nod to the way in which they measure out the pen's dose.

Although unlike Laut, who uses the medication under supervision from a doctor who has approved her approach, experts warn other people online might be ignoring their doctor's advice in favour of anecdotal evidence without scientific proof.

'I think it would be very concerning for someone to be taking these medications for those perceived benefits that they're hearing about on social media, because there's just no proof as of yet,' says Dr Terry-Lynne South, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Obesity.

Sarah Khune, pictured, has lost more than 40 per cent of her bodyweight using GLP-1 medication, but wants to switch to microdosing for continued benefits

'It's definitely something I would consider, the cost can be prohibitive, and if I could get the same benefits for a smaller dose, then it would be great,' Sarah Khune, pictured, says

Reddit forums like r/GLP1microdosing and the hashtag #Micro DoseGLP1 Australia on TikTok are full of stories and advice from people who say the medication has helped reduce symptoms of everything from PMDD to lipoedema and endometriosis, and while Dr South admits it is a 'fast-changing landscape,' the evidence is not yet there to support it.

'Having said that, there is a lot more research going into these GLP-1 injectable medications, and it is showing some improved benefits in areas of health that we would never have thought, including Parkinson's disease and some types of dementia, as well as alcohol addiction,' she says.

Reel after reel of 'how-to' videos from members of the 'longevity' community on social media spruik the benefits of GLP-1 medications, which South finds particularly concerning, given these creators' lack of medical knowledge.

'I think that an evidence-free zone is concerning, because there are assumptions that there's going to be positive effects which are not yet proven, but we do actually know that all medications have risks and side effects,' she continues.

'And so I'd be concerned about known risks and side effects, but no proven benefits with regards to microdosing for off-label use.'

For Queensland project manager Sarah Kuhne, who has documented her journey with GLP-1 medications on TikTok, she says that while she is on the drugs primarily for weight loss, the resulting benefits across several other health areas have been an incredibly welcome surprise.

'I fall into the category of a "super responder" because I've lost more than 40 per cent of my starting body weight now, which is double what you can "expect" to lose,' she says.

'For me though it's been about so much more than weight loss  I've gained back mobility, my fitness, my willingness to actively play with my three-year-old daughter, and I no longer have to take blood pressure medication.'

'I have gone from the highest to lowest possible antidepressant dose (after 15 years) and it's reduced inflammation in my lipoedema in my legs and almost eradicated my endometriosis pain.'

While Sarah, under the supervision of her doctor, is still taking the full recommended dose, she says she wouldn't rule out switching to a microdosing schedule once her weight stabilises.

'I've read a lot about microdosing online, you see a lot of people talking about it in Reddit forums and on social media,' she explains.

'It's definitely something I would consider, the cost can be prohibitive, and if I could get the same benefits for a smaller dose, then it would be great.'

Dr South acknowledges the rationale behind this kind of thinking, but urges people to ensure they speak to their doctor before taking their dosage into their own hands.

'The reason it's so important to make sure you stay under a doctor's guidance is because it depends so heavily on what that individual's health goals are,' she explains.

'I'll give you an example. Particularly with the higher dose Semaglutide 2.4 [brand name Wegovy] it's TGA-approved for what we call 'secondary cardiovascular risk protection'. So it's for people who already have heart health problems, preventing them from having second events, and the research is looking at that dose of 2.4  so I cannot say that a lower dose than 2.4 would have that same cardio-protective effect.'

South advises consulting with a doctor who understands your holistic health goals  and the mechanisms of the medicine itself  before making any changes.

GLP-1 medications should only be used as prescribed and under the care of a qualified medical professional. This article is for information only and does not constitute medical advice.
It was an engagement party fit for a European heiress, where the dress code was 'old money' elegance and the guest list was over 200-names long.

The bride-to-be, social media influencer and WeWoreWhat founder Danielle Bernstein, donned not one but two couture dresses for the 'reception' and after-party, which came complete with DJ sets and an electric violin performance.

The venue was Alder Manor in Yonkers, New York, less than 45 minutes outside of Bernstein's beloved Manhattan, and where over a decade ago the content creator began her Tumblr-era style blog that propelled her to social media royalty.

In a speech, Bernstein stood alongside her fiance, real estate broker Cooper Weisman, and shared her gratitude for their close friends and family in attendance. She told guests that the 'easiest decision of all, besides the man I'm standing next to and saying yes to, was who we wanted to have here to celebrate us.'

In other words - everything was picture perfect. Or at least, that was until one woman took to TikTok to claim that Bernstein, who has over 3 million Instagram followers, had copied her engagement speech from another influencer.

Social media influencer Danielle Bernstein, 33, is originally from Great Neck, Long Island, and launched her fashion blog WeWoreWhat in 2010

Bernstein is engaged to real estate broker Cooper Weisman, and the pair recently held an engagement party in New York

The allegation came as no surprise to many of those who have closely charted Bernstein's rise to fame over the last 10 years.

As it turns out, this wasn't the first time Bernstein, now 33, had been accused of copying another influencer. In fact, Bernstein has repeatedly faced plagiarism accusations over the years, though she has vehemently denied them all.

In relation to the viral engagement speech, Bernstein's lawyer told the Daily Mail: 'I can confirm unequivocally that Danielle never saw [another influencer's] video before the claims were made.'

But it's not just copycat scandals that have earned Bernstein a reputation of being 'shameless,' according to insiders who spoke the Daily Mail.

Rather, it is Bernstein's expert ability to avoid the wrath of cancel culture and controversy that has made the influencer appear untouchable.

'She's shameless at this point,' one influencer, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail.

Bernstein, originally from Great Neck, Long Island, launched her blog WeWoreWhat in 2010 while attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. But she dropped out just one year later, after rapidly turning WeWoreWhat into a money-making business.

'Slowly but surely brands started reaching out to send me products to post and promote, which is when I realized this was something I could monetize,' she told Forbes in 2017.

That same year, she made the publication's coveted 30 Under 30 list at just 24 years old. As Bernstein's legion of Instagram followers grew, so did her personal brand.

In 2019, she launched her own swimwear line. That was quickly followed by a denim line, a line of activewear and an exclusive collaboration with Macy's. By 2020, WeWoreWhat became an online shop for wardrobe staples, where prices currently range from $29 to $495.

In just 10 years, Bernstein had transformed WeWoreWhat from a personal style blog into a fashion empire.

'She was one of the first fashion influencers to monetize on the platform. For that, I actually have respect for her, but that's about where it ends,' the first insider said.

In just 10 years, Bernstein had transformed WeWoreWhat from a personal style blog into a fashion empire

Bernstein launched her own swimwear line in 2019, followed by a denim line, activewear and an exclusive collaboration with Macy's. By 2020, WeWoreWhat became an online shop for wardrobe staples

And the income doesn't stop at the blog. Bernstein previously revealed in that 2017 Forbes interview that she was charging up to $20,000 per sponsored post. An influencer marketing professional who spoke to the Daily Mail estimated that figure has more than doubled today.

Between brand deals, sales from her WeWoreWhat brand and affiliate links posted to her Instagram Story, the marketing professional suggested that Bernstein rakes in between $80,000 to $120,000 each month.

Such a hefty paycheck can come in handy when you live the luxurious, jet-setting life that Bernstein flaunts for her followers.

Her 'day in my life' videos are seemingly filled with ab workouts, lymphatic drainage treatments, salmon-sperm facials and photoshoots for upcoming WeWoreWhat collections.

Her summers are spent in the exclusive celebrity enclave of The Hamptons, where Bernstein and her fiance rented a 'cottage' in Sag Harbor this year from June to August.

When she's not been in the Hamptons, Bernstein has vacationed on the Amalfi Coast or sunbathed with her beau on yachts in Greece.

Recently, Bernstein has been focused on her 'bridal era', after getting engaged to Weisman in June, along with a full renovation of the two-level Tribeca apartment she purchased in February.

While works are being done on the home, she is staying in a $13,000-a-month nearby rental.

Bernstein spends her summers in the exclusive celebrity enclave of The Hamptons and regularly posts about her trips overseas

Bernstein, who has over 3 million Instagram followers, has been accused of copying her engagement speech from another influencer

So for some, it's hard to imagine that a life of such outlandish excess isn't just for show.

But according to Devin Sutherland, a Florida-based hair stylist who worked for Bernstein while living in New York City from 2017 to 2019, nearly 'all' of what Bernstein posts is true.

'Danielle herself has always said, "Haters mean you're doing something right",' Sutherland told the Daily Mail. 'It's true. I mean, she knows what she's doing.'

As early as 2018, Bernstein faced accusations from small business owners and fellow influencers of copying their content and designs. One such business owner was Karen Perez.

Amidst the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bernstein capitalized on mask requirements by launching her own line of linen masks adorned with safety chains.

The only problem was she had already reached out to Perez to request samples of her company Second Wind's linen masks, which also featured a gold chain.

Screenshots of their exchange went viral online in July 2020. In one message, Bernstein had informed Perez that she would also be releasing a linen face mask with a detachable gold chain.

Following public backlash, Bernstein took to Instagram to deny the 'false' accusations that she 'stole or solicited the designs' from Perez. She added that she would donate her own masks and an additional 5,000 surgical masks to healthcare workers.

Bernstein's lawyer told the Daily Mail: 'WeWoreWhat takes all infringement claims seriously and investigates each claim it is made aware of. To date, neither WeWoreWhat nor any court, has identified any instance of infringement.'

Perez told a different story.

'Danielle is just one example of the bigger picture in this whole thing about being authentic and being creative,' Perez told the Daily Mail. 'She's just always been used to getting everything she wants.'

Such a sentiment was echoed by Sutherland, who described Bernstein as 'controlling' during their time spent working together.

'Even when we would travel, she would get me on the cheapest flight possible, and then make me sleep on the couch in her hotel room,' Sutherland said. 'When it came down to asking her to cover my Uber, she would say, "Most people take the train, babe".'

Sutherland said, 'Looking back, it was silly, but I was young and I saw it as a great opportunity to network.'

Surely, such allegations would at least put a dent in an influencer's career - but our first insider couldn't help applaud Bernstein's ability to seemingly avoid any repercussions.

'In a way, I kind of respect Danielle for not letting being canceled a million times impact her use of social media. That is kind of impressive to me,' the insider said.
Here I am back in California, celebrating a great week to be alive on Planet Markle. For not only has the Duchess of Sussex announced her long-awaited return to the screen, she has also launched a sparkling wine just in time for the holiday season.

Do we need any further excuse to pop the cork on a bottle of her As Ever 2021 Vintage Napa Valley Brut, boldly priced at 68?

Mmmm, yum! This is absolutely delicious. Cheeky, jammy, flinty and surprising on the nose, with top notes of bitterness and just a hint of tart. Not the fizz, but Meghans opportunistic re-emergence as an actress in what must be the biggest Hollywood comeback since John Travolta. That is worth raising a glass of something special, and lucky for me, As Ever as ever have come up with the goods.

Described on the website as a curated blend of the finest varietals, this new addition to the range delights the palate with gentle notes of green apple and pear, accents of citrus and white peach, and a subtle hint of starfruit for balanced brightness and a crisp, elegant finish.

Theres more. This is a fresh, complex sparkling crafted from Napa Valley pinot noir and chardonnay grapes using the traditional Methode Champenoise... our 2021 Vintage Brut is a special wine from a favourable year.

And if you are a complete nitwit who needs guidance on when to drink such a fabulous elixir, the Duchess and her team have that covered, too. Ideal for celebrating an engagement, achievement, or reunion, this one-of-a-kind cuvee comes dressed to the nines in a matte black necker label embossed with a gold As Ever logo and gilded details.

Starfruit! One of a kind! Crafted! Dressed to the nines! A special black label! To attempt to do justice to such a splendid bottle I have come to the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, just to the north-west of Los Angeles, deep in Kardashian country near the famous familys Hidden Hills and Calabasas homes.

At this heavenly hotel there is a huge pool surrounded by palm trees, a greenhouse that grows eight different types of oregano and a spa offering $500 lavender milk and honey massages.

The Mail's Jan Moir enjoys a glass of Meghan's 'As Ever' sparkling wine by the pool at The Four Seasons Hotel

A bottle of the Duchess of Sussex's 'As Ever' brut champagne, Napa Valley 2021

It couldnt be more Meghan if it tried, right down to the dining options which include balanced menu items for those who embrace the pursuit of optimum health.

Time to pop the cork, pour myself a glass and  do you know what, it really is rather nice. No complaints from me. Unlike Meghans gruesome As Ever rose wine, this Californian sparkler is well made, with a nice bit of age and hints of crisp apple; perfect for sipping poolside on a beautiful day like today.

If you like a methode champenoise wine  produced in the traditional way, with a second fermentation inside the bottle  you could do a lot worse than this.

My only quibble is that it is a little bit thin  and, of course, the price. Why is it so damned expensive? Meghan prices her wine on the As Ever website at 68 per bottle, but once you factor in shipping (15) and taxes (7), a bottle would actually set you back 90.

Similar bottles from the same Napa area tend to come in at a much lower base price; a company called Iron Horse sell one for 48; the Mumm Napa Valley 2021 Devaux Ranch Brut is 42; Korean winemaker Innovatus sell a Napa Brut Sparkling 2021 for 65, while Beverlys Bubbles Napa 2021 Brut is 46.

On his Highgrove website, King Charles sells a Highgrove Cuvee Champagne Blanc for 42.50, with shipping costs bringing it up to 49.45 per bottle. In the battle of the royal bubbles, dear old Charles wins hands down  his is cheaper, it is real champagne and all his profits go to charity.

One has to wonder, why is Meghan even selling wine in the first place? Her vibe is supposed to be homemade and artisanal, but this feels more like the result of expert marketeers examining profit margins than something that has been handcrafted in a family vineyard at the instruction of the fragrant Duchess.

And this is the problem with the weird As Ever brand  there is little connection between the different products and no cohesion in the message.

On the company Instagram accounts Meghan and the Meghan-taste makers behind the scenes are forever encouraging customers to buy more products by bundling up the goods. They were made for each other! Put the flower sprinkles on the cookies, they suggest. Spread the jam on the pancakes. Put the honey in the tea and drink it with the jammy pancakes and flowery cookies as if it was some acid-fuelled Mad Hatters tea party.

Last week they even suggested stirring a teaspoon of the As Ever marmalade into the new As Ever sparkling wine to make a mimosa. Who is going to do that to a ninety quid bottle of wine?

It never ceases to amuse that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex fled the tyranny of wealth and inherited privilege in the UK for a new life as global philanthropists in America. They were going to sort out world problems, halt all wars and conflict, find a cure for Covid and be hailed as heroes for their bottomless humanitarianism.

Five years down the line and where are we now? Harrys biggest achievement has been learning how to surf while Meghan is flogging jam and booze and tacitly trading on her title. She certainly doesnt discourage online customers from making the connection between her and the Royal Family. Just luxury, lineage and legacy in a bottle said one fan of the new sparkling wine.

A drinks website called Lushworthy also stuck to the royal theme. If youve ever wanted to drink like a duchess, they wrote, heres your chance.

Described on the website as a curated blend of the finest varietals, this new addition to the range delights the palate with gentle notes of green apple and pear, accents of citrus and white peach, and a subtle hint of starfruit for balanced brightness and a crisp, elegant finish

Meanwhile the Duchess is continuing her mission to be the next Martha Stewart.

First of all, boil your water, she trills, in an instructional video featuring her Spiced Cider Mulling Kit (12) which she likes to serve to guests as a cosy beverage in the holiday season. This is how the As Ever website puts it; Or enjoy the drink Meghans favourite way: in good company with the ones you love, one mug at a time.

Please. Thats no way to speak about Harry.

Meanwhile, Meghans new festive goodies include two smelly candles (49 each), a Fruit Spread Gift Set (32) which best pal Oprah has obligingly included in her annual gifting list and a Honey Duo Gift Set (47).

When the As Ever brand was launched in April, everything sold out almost immediately, but that hasnt happened with this new holiday range. Have the higher prices scared everyone away? Or has Meghan, like Santa Claus, simply got better at stocking up for Christmas stockings? Or could it be that the novelty of this weird brand has worn off and the fizz is starting to go flat?

However, Meghan and As Ever are right about one thing. It really is a very pretty bottle. Cheers!
Chad Michael Murray has slammed the 'terrible' One Tree Hill scene that he 'begged and pleaded' to not be in.

The actor, 44, famously starred as Lucas Scott on the beloved series from 2003 until 2009 and briefly returned in 2012.

Now, over a decade on, the Gilmore Girls alum has opened up about the one scene of the show that he was not a fan of.

During a recent chat with People magazine, Murray slammed the now-infamous moment where a dog stole the heart that his character's father Dan Scott (played by Paul Johansson) was supposed to receive during a heart transplant.

The scene showed Dan sitting in a wheelchair in the waiting area of the ER when the doctor transporting the organ tripped and fell, spilling it onto the ground.

Suddenly, a canine, who'd accidentally consumed marijuana, picked it up in its mouth and ran away with it as Lucas and Dan both watched on in horror.

'It was one of those scenes where I remember I begged and pleaded, "Please, I don't need to be there. There is no need for Lucas Scott to be there,"' Murray said of the controversial moment.

'[I said], "If you really want to do it, fine. Go ahead and write the scene, but it's terrible."'

Chad Michael Murray has slammed the 'terrible' One Tree Hill scene that he 'begged and pleaded' to not be in

The actor, 44, famously starred as Lucas Scott on the beloved series from 2003 until 2009 and briefly returned in 2012. He's seen (r) in the show

Murray went on to pick the scene apart to the outlet, jokingly adding: 'All things are very possible, I guess.'

He pointed out that it was weird the dog was in the ER in the first place, sarcastically stating, 'If you were at home, and you were making pot brownies, as one does, and you fell asleep, and your dog happened to get into said pot brownies and ingest of the entire tin, first thing, of course, you're going to do is take him to the ER. You're not going to take him to the vet. Why would you take him to the vet?

'And of course at the ER, they're going to say, "Hey, you can't bring your dog, but you know what? We'll help you out. We're going to take a look at your dog. We're not going to send you to the vet. No, we're going to let the dog chill out here."'

He also poked fun at the fact that the heart was being brought through the ER and not through a loading dock, and that it didn't have a lock on the case.

The actor admitted that he still laughs about it 'all the time,' adding, 'The scene went down in infamy.'

It comes months after Murray shared a harrowing story about a near-death experience when he was a teenager.

During an appearance on the Great Company podcast in August, he said that back when he was 15 years old, he lost '50 percent' of the blood in his body and was 'on [his] deathbed.'

He explained that his intestines became twisted, and he was suffering from internal bleeding.

Murray slammed the infamous moment where a dog stole the heart that his character's father Dan Scott (played by Paul Johansson) was supposed to receive during a heart transplant

The scene showed a doctor tripping and spilling the heart onto the ground. Suddenly, a canine, picked it up in its mouth and ran away with it as Lucas and Dan both watched on in horror

He said he didn't remember much from that experience as he was going 'in and out of consciousness' and had to undergo emergency surgery multiple times.

And at one point during his near-death, teenage experience, the Freakier Friday star said that he saw his father talking to a priest about last rites at one point before his nurse gave him a blood transfusion to save his life.

He explained that his organs shut down because the blood coagulated around them and he had to undergo a second surgery to 'clean up' around them.

The actor added that during those weeks in the hospital, his weight had dropped from 180 to a 118 pounds.

A few years after making his recovery, he made his big break and started landing major roles in hit teen dramas.
AI photos have imagined what Ivanka Trump would look like if she had not had any suspected cosmetic enhancements.

Thanks to her ageless appearance and youthful complexion, many have wondered if the First Daughter, 44, has gotten plastic surgery or injections for years.

She has stayed tightlipped about whether or not she has ever gone under the knife or enhanced her appearance, but that hasn't stopped fans from speculating on her looks.

Just last month, the mother-of-three sparked immense rumors that she had gotten work done when she made an appearance in Tel Aviv, Israel, and sported a seemingly transformed appearance.

Online observers were quick to comment on her noticeably fuller features, claiming her face looked 'puffier' and 'more sculpted' than before.

Now, dramatic new computer-generated images have only fueled the speculation.

Artificial intelligence was told to analyze photos of the blonde beauty when she was younger and predict what she should look like at age 44 had she kept everything natural.

The results were shockingly different to what she actually looks like at this age, hinting that she may have received some procedures to alter her appearance.

AI photos have imagined with Ivanka Trump would look like if she had not had any suspected cosmetic enhancements. Ivanka is seen left in an old photo and right in the AI generated image

Thanks to her ageless appearance and youthful complexion, many have wondered if the First Daughter, who recently celebrated her 44th birthday, has altered her appearance for years

Multiple medical professionals spoke to the Daily Mail about Ivanka's potential cosmetic enhancements last month amidst the ongoing fan theories.

The doctors, who noted they had not treated or examined Ivanka in person, said she appeared to have had dermal filler injected into her cheeks and lips - procedures that add volume and smoothness to the face by plumping soft tissue beneath the skin.

This, they said, could explain her more rounded contours.

As for the puffiness, they said it could be the result of the short-term swelling that often occurs after filler injections, particularly before the material has settled evenly beneath the skin. The settling process that can take around two weeks.

'From the last time I saw her [in photos], I would say that her face does appear fuller than before,' Dr Scott Miller, a facial plastic surgeon in San Diego, California, told the Daily Mail.

'I am fairly confident that she had some filler, definitely in her lips, but also in her cheeks and the area below her eyes.'

Miller said it was possible that Ivanka's public appearance happened before her fillers had fully settled.

Fillers - some of which use hyaluronic acid - are a highly popular cosmetic treatment in the US, with about six million injections carried out in 2024, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Artificial intelligence was told to analyze photos of the blonde beauty when she was younger (l) and predict what she should look like at age 44 (r)

The results were shockingly different to what she actually looks like at this age, hinting that she may have gotten plastic surgery or injections. Ivanka is seen last month

As people age, the face gradually loses volume and takes on a more drawn appearance. Filler is used to reverse this and make the face appear younger.

'After viewing photos of her trip to Israel, I think she might have had some filler placed into her cheeks to plump them up. That is part of maintenance, however, and it is done tastefully, and not over the top,' Dr. Normal Rowe, a plastic surgeon in New York City, added.

Surgeons also suggested her creaseless brow was a sign of Botox use. The toxin paralyzes facial muscles to reduce the visibility of skin wrinkles.

Botox and other neuromodulator injections are the most popular cosmetic touch-up in the US, with about 10million patients nationwide in 2024, according to the ASPS. These injections typically wear off within three to four months.

Dr Masoud Saman, a double board certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City who specializes in facial rejuvenation, said 'it is impossible to know with certainty' whether someone has undergone any treatments or surgeries without their own disclosure.

'However,' he added, 'from a professional standpoint, Ivanka Trump appears refreshed, balanced and well cared for.

'In my opinion, her appearance suggests the possibility of carefully performed injectable fillers in the midface and lips, and perhaps fat transfer to maintain soft, youthful contours.

'There also appears to be evidence of [Botox] use to smooth the forehead and... muscles around the mouth, which helps elevate the corners of the smile.'

Ivanka, seen with her husband last month, has stayed tightlipped about whether or not she has ever gotten a cosmetic enhancement, but that hasn't stopped fans from speculating

Ivanka has never publicly spoken about the rumors, and she did not respond to the Daily Mail's repeated requests for comment.

While it was a topic of conversation on the internet following the appearances, this was not the first time onlookers have made note of the First Daughter's seemingly changing face.

Speculation over her appearance also swirled in September 2024, when her chin and jawline appeared 'more defined than ever.'

In addition, after appearing in November 2023 at her father Donald Trump's $250 million fraud trial in New York City, her more angular features ignited speculation from doctors that she had received a rhinoplasty (nose job) and either filler or implants into her chin and jaw.

Surgeons viewing photos of her at the time also said her lips were 'clearly enhanced with filler.'
Gerad Kite is used to famous faces walking into his Central London acupuncture clinic. Actors Andrew Garfield and Rupert Everett, plus Spice Girl Mel C and Radioheads Ed OBrien, are all clients.

The calibre of people I see tells me acupuncture really works. Western medicine looks at symptoms, we treat the mind, body and spirit as a whole, he tells me in his consulting room.

Kite, 64, is a master of five-element acupuncture (distinct from the more common TCM  Traditional Chinese Medicine model). In simple terms, this approach teaches that humans comprise five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water), which must be in balance for life energy Qi (pronounced chee) to flow freely through us.

His skill is in quickly diagnosing the causative factor behind any interruption in flow and inserting needles into meridians (the pathways that distribute Qi) where necessary. Clients pay 395 for the first 90-minute consultation and 295 for each one-hour session thereafter.

Now, Kite has written a just-published book about his 35 years of practice, called The Untapped Self. Its full of good stories, like his female client Tor, an Oxford-educated lawyer whos having a desperately unhappy affair with a man she calls The B*****d. To me, it sounds like she has daddy issues.

But by sticking a needle into places called things like Abundant Splendour  the spot between the knee and the ankle bone  Kite rebalances Tors earth element and she finds the energy to escape.

Ive never had acupuncture, but after reading his book I try a session. Kite greets me in his clinics reception with a handshake and unblinking gaze. His voice is mellifluous as he asks how I am.

Gerad Kite has written a book about his 35 years of practice, called The Untapped Self

Minutes later, Im in his consulting room, realising he has already drawn several important conclusions about me. A five-element master can make a diagnosis based on look, voice, odour and emotions within seconds. Without me even noticing, Kite sniffed and visually assessed me. Its bad news.

I smell putrid. My colour is red. My voice is a groan. The emotion I emit is fear. All of this suggests an imbalance in my water element. However, it could be worse. Some people smell rancid. Sometimes, says Kite, I detect the smell of s**t.

He asks about my health and what I most want in life. I say Im trying to write a book but need more energy and confidence. Kite agrees. Soon my shirt, shoes and socks are off and Im face-up on the bed. Im fine with needles as long as I dont look. But wait, why is he setting fire to me?

This is moxa, he says of the smoking clump of dried herbs on my chest. Also called mugwort, its said to have healing qualities. The heating ensures the acupuncture point is fully stimulated before the needle enters, releasing energy from the depths of your being.

It doesnt hurt and Kite probes my left shoulder with a needle, a bit like someone testing whether a cake is done. When I report a mild throb, he pulls out the needle then dances around the bed checking energy flow at both my wrists. The needle becomes an extension of me, he enthuses, a way of communicating with the energy within.

London-born Kite had a chaotic past. In his youth he worked in the travel industry, was unhappy in love and drank too much. He got married in his mid 20s but that soon fell apart. Miserable, he tried psychotherapy and then, after a friend suggested it, acupuncture  where he learned his fire element was out of whack. This explained why he was always either hopelessly in love or feeling rejected. By 1989, he had begun training as an acupuncturist himself.

Kite went on to make a name for himself in the mid-noughties when he helped more than 1,000 women with unexplained fertility issues. Seventy-four per cent of his clients who had 14 treatments over nine months got pregnant, 82 per cent of them carried to full term, and of the 18 per cent who miscarried, 72 per cent had babies later on (some were having IVF or other medical procedures alongside the acupuncture sessions).

I am not a fertility expert, he insists, but those results illustrate the difference between Western medicine and what we do. IVF uses scans and blood tests related to gynaecology but with five-element acupuncture everything is put in balance so all systems begin to fire.

Kite has now treated thousands more people  for fertility issues and otherwise  and has 150 clients at present, most of them ordinary folk. Its reassuring to know that, deep down, rock stars and royals, we are all the same. I treat many prominent people but sometimes, its the very determination thats given them rewards in public life that causes their turmoil internally.

Some clients are clear what they want from him. He tells me about a Hollywood actor who told Kite he wanted a girlfriend. It should be easy, right? he says. Youre a movie star but for some reason your relationships dont work out. There comes a point where you think, Hang on a minute, whats going on here? This person was evolved enough to know it was something about him that was stopping him from having a lasting relationship.

I look up the A-list actor. He recently fell madly in love. Wow! Back on the table Im hoping Im a simple fix. Kite marks up my left breast with a pen, like a builder about to put up a kitchen cabinet. Hes going to put a needle in a place called Spirit Burial Ground (the spot between your third and fourth ribs). That should make a good point for energy to enter.

I feel a slight throb. Kite does, too.

When a vortex of released energy travels up through the needle, I feel it. Whoosh! I know Ive reactivated something.

To be honest I dont feel any reactivation, but Kite asks me lots of questions about my life. He wants me to talk so he can monitor any changes in my voice, colour, emotion and odour.

Do I smell less putrid now?

Yes, he says. And theres more energy in your voice.

I want to feel better but, in truth, I dont. Later, I dream Im strolling through my Spirit Burial Ground and email Kite about it. He says intense dreams are due to my mind and spirit becoming less dense. My wife notices a tiny scorch mark on my chest and asks if Ive been stubbing out cigarettes on myself. She thinks it looks sexy, so thats a win.

Inevitably there are sceptics and the National Institute For Care And Health Excellence only recommends acupuncture for things such as migraines, an inflamed prostate or hiccups.

Spice Girl Mel C is one of Gerad's clients, and has spoken about his acupuncture being a 'healing force' on her life

Gerad's skill is in quickly diagnosing the causative factor behind any interruption in flow and inserting needles into meridians (the pathways that distribute Qi) where necessary (picture posed by model)

I really want to change that, which is why Im training up more practitioners  five-element acupuncture should be accessible to all, Kite says. Hence his acupuncture school, Yellow Path, in East London, where you can get a session for 35 from student practitioners.

At 64, Kite looks amazing.

He cannot do acupuncture on himself, because its impossible to read your own Qi levels, so he sees a practitioner at his clinic. Still, in January he had major surgery after a heart scare. Hed been swimming on holiday when his aorta dilated. I dont want to be a cynic, but shouldnt acupuncture have picked that up?

Not if its congenital, Kite replies, which it might be.

As for me, he thinks I need more sessions but his next client is waiting. I pass them in reception. I think they smell nice.

The Untapped Self by Gerad Kite and James Eden (New River Books, 16.99) is out now. To order a copy for 15.29 until 23 November, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Free UK delivery on orders over 25.
This week in our monthly cooking column, Clodagh is joined at her Hampshire farm by TV presenter Holly Willoughby. Over her 25-year career, Holly has presented some of the UK's most popular shows, including Dancing On Ice, This Morning and prime-time game show You Bet!

The pair first met when Clodagh became a regular on the cooking segment of This Morning.

They have remained friends and reunite to celebrate St Patrick's Day  Clodagh having introduced Holly to her first pint of Guinness in 2023.

Born in East Sussex, Holly, 44, first appeared on CITV aged 19, after attending an open casting call.

Holly at the farm, October '25

After two-and-a-half decades of living and working in London, she recently moved to a quieter base in the South East with her husband Dan Baldwin and their three children, Harry, 16, Belle, 14, and Chester, 11.

It's there that Holly is hosting Christmas this year and she is planning a turkey-with-all-the-trimmings affair. She wanted to make a plum pudding for dessert but has never attempted one before  so Clodagh invited her down to the farm to teach Holly her mum's recipe.

Clodagh: What's your morning routine at home?

Holly: First thing in the morning, I'll have a cup of tea.

Cow's milk, plain tea bag  just the most normal cup of tea imaginable.

I can't function or even think properly before I've had that. I'm not a huge coffee person but I'll often have one at 11am to give me a kick up the bum. Breakfast-wise, I'm a fan of porridge with a sprinkle of cinnamon and granola. I don't really drink veg-packed smoothies or wake up and think, 'What's the healthiest thing I can have?' To me, feeling healthy is more about getting outside and walking Bailey [Holly's golden retriever] or having a mindful moment with a book. Besides, the washing up alone is enough to stop me making some exotic smoothie. Who can deal with a dirty blender at 7am?

Holly at the farm, October '25

What's your go-to snack when in front of the telly?

I'm a dark chocolate fiend. My favourite is when it's got a bit of sea salt in it. I like dunking it in a cup of tea so it melts a tiny bit. I've perfected the timing so the chocolate softens perfectly without disintegrating in the mug. I have another, quite disgusting, go-to snack: those plastic cheese slices. They're one of my favourite things. I just unwrap it and in my mouth it goes. I'm a child of the 80s, after all, and plastic cheese was a big deal back then.

Does Dan cook at home?

Dan's mum, Sandra, was Italian and she was an incredible cook.

She'd rustle up the most amazing lasagne and tiramisu, and she definitely passed her skill down to him.

She also owned a sandwich shop and taught him to make a really good sandwich, which sounds basic but his creations are amazing.

If I make a sandwich, it's a cheese slice, but he'll layer one up with all sorts of pickles and garnishes. It's a masterpiece.

Do you grow any of your own ingredients?

I love the idea of growing loads of ingredients, but my vegetable patch has largely been tomatoes until now.

My dad used to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse and I remember going in there and just thinking it smelled amazing. It's still my favourite smell  I even put tomato leaves in my candles! [Clodagh: I can vouch for this, Holly arrived at my house with a goody bag of her Wylde Moon products, including a candle that has a delicious citrussy-tomato fragrance.] I've passed on my obsession to the kids, who love any dish with tomatoes and salt.

They're adventurous eaters and love food as much as I do. I think the fact they're so willing to try new things is one of my greatest achievements.

What's your favourite condiment?

The one I use most is mayonnaise. But the only correct dip for a chip is ketchup. If I could only have one sauce, ever, for the rest of my life, I'd 100 per cent pick ketchup.

Skinny fries with loads of salt and ketchup can't be beaten. I'm also partial to brown sauce in a bacon sandwich and Worcester sauce on a cheese toastie.

What's the dish you're always drawn to?

If I go to a restaurant and there's a cheese souffle on the menu, I'm having it.

A cheese fondue is my absolute dream. When I was about 20, I worked as an au pair in Switzerland. For an entire year, if something wasn't covered in melted cheese, I wasn't eating it. That's where my love for cheesy dishes really came into its own.

What's the best meal to cure a hangover?

When Dan is hungover, all he wants is soup. I'm the opposite.

I want a McDonald's quarter pounder with cheese and if it hasn't got a pickle on it, I'm gonna throw it back at you.

I order extra pickles every time. Then I want skinny fries that are as salty as possible.

I know some people think McDonald's makes you feel rotten, but I just love it. You can tell how often I go because there are so many selfies of me sat in my car, taken by the drive-thru staff.

Do you let Bailey, your dog, have your leftovers?

She is fond of a bit of chicken, but she's not having too many leftovers. She has a very sensitive tummy, which is not a trait you want in a dog. She's not much of a guard dog, either: she doesn't bark at anything. When the doorbell goes I'm like: 'Bailey, are you going to do anything?' and she just sits there, completely chilled out.

What's your signature cocktail?

I make a good margarita. I don't put in triple sec like most people. I just put tequila, loads of lime juice and agave syrup. That way it ends up sweet without the slight bitterness that triple sec brings. I always do a salt rim but I can't stand it when people put loads of chilli flakes in. You can take your picante margaritas and do one.

MY MUM'S PLUM PUDDING

MAKES One pudding

INGREDIENTS

220g each of sultanas, currants and raisins

100g cut mixed citrus peel

100ml whisky

juice and zest of 1 orange

50g butter, plus extra for greasing

80g dark muscovado sugar

2 eggs

80g self-raising flour

1 tsp each of grated nutmeg, cinnamon and ground ginger

50g chopped almonds

80g dried white breadcrumbs

METHOD

1 Place the dried fruit and citrus peel in a bowl, pour in the whisky and orange juice. Stir well, cover and leave to soak overnight.

2 The next day, lightly butter a 1 litre pudding basin and line the base with a disc of baking parchment.

3 Place the butter, sugar and orange zest in a large bowl and cream together using a wooden spoon or a handheld whisk until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs one at a time.

4 Sift the flour and spices into the butter and egg mixture and fold in. Add the chopped almonds and breadcrumbs, and fold in again.

5 Lastly stir in the whisky and orange-soaked fruits. Mix well, and make a wish!

6 Pour the mixture into the prepared pudding basin and press down with the back of a spoon. Cover the pudding with greaseproof paper and tin foil, both pleated across the middle to allow for expansion, and secure with string.

7 Place the pudding basin in a saucepan and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of the bowl. Cover with a lid, bring the water back to the boil, then simmer for about 7 hours. To reheat Steam for 2 hours and serve.

Picture Editor: Stephanie Belingard.

Styling: Danielle Whiteman.

Hair and make-up: Natalie Stokes at Carol Hayes using Lisa Eldridge and Living Proof.

Clodagh wears: shirt and jeans, Levi's.

Additional copy: Scarlett Dargan.

Find Holly's range at boutique.wyldemoon.co.uk
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more

This week were heading for Languedoc, southern France  my go-to for great-value reds. Once known for bulk wine, this sunny region between Provence and the Pyrenees has reinvented itself, with investment transforming its vineyards and wineries. Grapes such as Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Carignan make full-bodied reds brimming with ripe fruit and savoury spice  the kind youll want to curl up with all winter.

Juicy plum and forest-berry notes laced with baking spice and a soft, rounded texture make this an easy pour for a midweek chilli or stew.

Perfumed with red and black fruit, this supple blend gains depth from 20 per cent Merlot and feels a lot pricier than it actually is.

Dark fruit and spice meet a herbal- mineral edge in this silky blend: with its light grip and savoury finish its ideal with steaks and slow-cooked meaty dishes.

Brimming with wild berries, this deep purple old-vine Carignan, with a dash of Grenache, serves up character and cold-weather comfort at a superb price.
Chaos has erupted over Starbucks' new bear-shaped cups... as fans lined up in the middle of the night and waited hours to try to get their hands on them, only to accuse the workers of apparently hoarding them.

The coffee chain released the Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup on Thursday morning as part of its new holiday collection, and within minutes, it was sold out everywhere.

People across the globe went through great lengths to try to get one, arriving at their Starbucks in the wee hours of the morning and even in some cases, standing in the cold all night long.

However, multiple customers were left outraged when they alleged that they weren't able to get one of the $29.95 cups because it appeared to them that Starbucks employees had scooped them all up.

One woman, named Trisha, wrote on TikTok: 'POV: We waited outside since 2am for the Starbucks bear cup but the employees took them all before we could.'

Trisha explained in the video that she was seventh on line when she arrived at the Starbucks in her local Kroger at 2am, but was told that there would only be six cups for sale.

Even so, she said she decided to wait anyway. But four hours later when the store opened at 6am, she was horrified when she walked in and it looked like employees were already purchasing the cups.

'Employees were checking out the cups before we could even get them, after we waited in line for them,' she scathed.

Chaos has erupted over Starbucks' new bear-shaped cups... as fans lined up in the middle of the night and waited hours, only to accuse the workers of apparently hoarding them

The coffee chain released the Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup on Thursday morning as part of its new holiday collection, and within minutes, it was sold out everywhere (stock image)

Footage showed Trisha and the rest of the people on line entering the store right when it opened, only for some people, seemingly Krogers or Starbucks staffers, to already be on line with the cups.

She then showed off the empty shelves with no bear cups in sight.

Another man explained in a video that he woke up at 4.30am and arrived at his local Starbucks at 5am to try to get his fiancee the bear cup.

'They sold out before [I got to the register],' he said. 'There was only two of them. One on the counter and one that an employee bought for themselves.'

He alleged that someone was let into the store early to buy the only one left because her 'friend' worked there.

A third person, named Kota, shared footage of Starbucks employees seemingly buying the bear cups before the store opened to the public.

The video, taken through the glass windows from outside on line, showed people purchasing the cups as others outside raged.

'They're buying everything, that's f**ked up,' one person said.

However, many were left outraged when they alleged that they weren't able to get one of the $29.95 cups because it appeared to them that Starbucks employees had scooped them all up

The company has released an apology amidst the mayhem, stating, 'We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment'

Kota chimed in, 'All the Starbucks employees came and took everything. And we've been waiting in line outside. That is so crazy to me.'

She explained that she had been first in line when she arrived at 2am, but around 3.50am a group of 'girls got out of their cars in their pajamas' and went in front of her.

'One of the girls knocked on the window and the manager, who was already inside, came and unlocked the door and let the four girls in,' she said. 'They cleared the whole store, took [all the bear cups].

'I was first on line so I was guaranteed to get one. But I got cheated out of the cup... it's the principle, we waited in line for hours, we got there early so we could be first.'

Another user named Jess also alleged that Starbucks employees apparently purchased four out of the six cups that were available at her location 'before the doors were unlocked.'

A Starbucks spokesperson told the Daily Mail, 'The excitement for our merchandise exceeded even our biggest expectations.

'Despite shipping more Bearista cups to coffeehouses than almost any other merchandise item this holiday season, the Bearista cup and some other items sold out fast.

The 20-ounce cup, which is shaped like a bear holding a Starbucks drink with a green beanie on, is already being resold online for as much as $600

'From cold brew to an iced matcha latte, your drinks have never looked cuter. The Starbucks Bearista glass cold cup brings instant joy to every sip,' reads a description

'We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused.'

The company did not specify whether more cups would be released soon, but added that there will be 'more exciting merchandise coming this holiday season.'

The 20-ounce cup, which is shaped like a bear holding a Starbucks drink with a green beanie on, is already being resold online for as much as $600.

'From cold brew to an iced matcha latte, your drinks have never looked cuter. The Starbucks Bearista glass cold cup brings instant joy to every sip,' reads a description.
If you are an office worker, theres a strong chance youll have chosen neither salad nor a sandwich for lunch this week, but plumped for a tray of supermarket sushi.

Sales of the Japanese speciality are booming, with one leading research company reporting that the UK market has seen an astonishing 27 per cent growth in the past 12 months alone.

Today, Marks & Spencer sells more sushi than salads and pasta combined as a lunch option, and Lidl offers 23 different sushi boxes, outnumbering its 21 different sandwiches and wraps.

Yet if you bought your sushi from Britains biggest retailer, Tesco, it will have been made by a company called Ichiban in the decidedly un-Japanese location of Earl Stonham, a small Suffolk village with a beautiful 15th century church.

And it will have been put together in a factory where the biggest ingredient is neither salmon nor tuna, but chicken along with rice imported from... Australia.

Welcome to the strange yet wildly popular world of supermarket sushi.

To find out how this once exotic dish has become a weekday staple for millions of Brits  and exactly how it is made  I pulled on a hair net and made my way to the medieval village known these days as sushi central.

Harry Wallop: I pulled on a hair net and made my way to the medieval village known these days as sushi central

Sales of the Japanese speciality are booming, with one leading research company reporting that the UK market has seen an astonishing 27 per cent growth in the past 12 months alone

The first big surprise is that Ichiban gets through three tonnes of salmon a week  but none of it is raw. It turns out that the vast majority of Brits dont actually like raw fish.

Instead, Ichibans salmon is smoked or cured with salt and sugar. This is both to preserve the raw appearance and to make it more acceptable to British tastebuds.

Isnt that a bit misleading, when most people associate sushi with raw fish  as the Japanese eat it?

No, says Natasha Younger, the new product development manager at Ichiban, who is showing me round the factory.

In fact, 90 per cent of the consumers assume that smoked or cured is raw, she says.

Indeed, Ichiban goes to the trouble of putting a statement on the back of sushi packs to say the contents are unsuitable for pregnant women  even though cured fish is perfectly fine for them to eat. Perceptions matter and the supermarkets would rather avoid a stream of needless complaints.

Nearly all seafood sushi in supermarkets  including Tesco, the Co-op, Aldi and Sainsburys  is either smoked, cured or, in the case of tuna and prawns, cooked.

Aside from changing the taste, curing and cooking help to kill off bacteria. Supermarkets cant handle the risk of microbial growth, explains Younger.

The small number of supermarkets that do use raw salmon  including Waitrose and M&S  have to freeze it beforehand to comply with Food Standards Agency regulations. The FSA insists on all sushi fish sold in supermarkets being frozen to -20C for at least 24 hours to kill bacteria.

Ichiban owner Bob Baker and his wife Trish

Fish arrives frozen at the Earl Stonham factory, too, even though Ichiban only supplies smoked and cured salmon.

Freezing helps extend the shelf life. Also, its easier to cut fish when its partially frozen, says Mark Turner, commercial director of the Wonderfield Group, the company that makes all of Yo! packaged sushi, as well as the Taiko brand sold in Waitrose.

I watch as one worker, Poalo, uses an extremely sharp knife trim the brown meat off one frozen side of salmon  already de-boned by the time it arrives  then slice it into four fillets, each about 18 inches long. These are placed on a conveyor belt that takes them through the cutting machine. A laser measures the thickness of the flesh, then adjusts a set of blades to ensure each resulting slice of salmon weighs exactly seven grams.

By the time the slabs of fish emerge, 15 perfect slices have been created ready to be used for nigiri. This is the most famous type of sushi  a slice of fish draped over a small block of rice.

Sushi literally means vinegared rice, and rice is easily the most important component in the process. Ichiban gets through 48 tonnes of cooked rice a week, a quantity dwarfing the three tonnes of salmon it handles.

I am ushered into the rice room and watch as a steady supply of fluffy, cooked rice emerges from the oven on a conveyor belt then falls into plastic red tubs, each holding about 12.5kg (2st).

The rice is a short-grain variety grown in Australia which turns out to be the main ingredient in all UK supermarket sushi. Australia has the space, the water and the sophisticated harvesting machines to supply rice at scale  and an acceptable price.

Its high quality and its cheap, says Younger. Japanese rice is much, much more expensive. We couldnt afford it, no retailer could.

The Daily Mails photographer is not allowed to take pictures of the rice oven which, costing nearly 2million, remains top secret.

Were ahead of all the competition with this, explains Alex Faulkner, the head of production. I am, though, allowed to peer into the machine and inspect the tiny nozzles spraying the vinegar over the cooked rice. This is what gives sushi rice its distinctive, slightly sour flavour.

But it also plays a useful safety role. By making the rice more acidic, the vinegar stops bacterial growth and extends the shelf life.

The rice is also sprayed with a small amount of rapeseed oil so it is sufficiently malleable to get through the processing machines.

Next, the rice is wheeled to sit in a cooling room before it is sent to a machine which turns it into little blocks for nigiri.

The cooked rice, poured into the top of the machine, is pressed  like tonnes of plasticine  into 20-gram blocks at a rate of 12,000 an hour.

Freezing helps extend the shelf life. Also, its easier to cut fish when its partially frozen, says Mark Turner, commercial director of the Wonderfield Group

Only some of the rice ends up this way. Another popular type of sushi is the maki roll  when a sheet of seaweed is wrapped around the rice which is, in turn, wrapped around a filling  sometimes fish, sometimes vegetables  and rolled into a log shape, then cut to create colourful wheels.

We move into the machine room where five workers stand at a conveyor belt and swiftly, but steadily, assemble an enormous maki roll ten metres long.

This is where the magic happens, says Faulkner. It is essentially a handmade product.

He is right  though a big machine is involved, too  and it is mesmerising to watch.

First a huge roll of nori  the green sheet of seaweed  is loaded on to the machine.

Ninety yards long, the roll spools out along a slow-moving conveyor belt while rice is gently pushed on top by a machine.

The filling is added by human hands, with each worker grabbing a bit and placing it onto the rice and seaweed, before the next worker in the line adds some more.

Jess, the supervisor, originally from the island of Sao Tome and Principe off the coast of Liberia, says it takes at least a week to train workers to do this accurately.

The workers in this room come from Portugal, Poland, Romania, Lithuania and Cape Verde.

As the conveyor belt approaches the end of its run, the two edges bend inwards, rolling up the contents and producing a never-ending sushi tube.

This then moves into a cutting machine, which slices the tube into ten-inch chunks. These are then cut into eight separate  colourful  wheels and packed, by hand, into plastic trays.

Despite the machines used to cook, roll and cut the sushi, humans are needed to fill and pack it

In a three-hour shift, the workers will make 5,800 logs and 46,000 separate pieces of maki roll sushi.

A machine is used to place the lid on each tray and print the best before date  four days from when it was made  before the sushi is loaded on to refrigerated lorries and taken to distribution warehouses around the country.

They arrive on Tesco shelves the following morning, giving each pack a three-day life on sale.

The maki roll Ive been watching is in fact a Korean-style chicken dragon roll. The filling has nothing to do with fish and is made from breaded chicken, which has been chopped up and mixed with spicy mayonnaise.

Which brings us to the next surprising fact about supermarket sushi. Namely, the most popular ingredient by weight  after the rice  is no longer salmon, but chicken. Ichiban gets through four tonnes of it every week, compared to three tonnes of salmon.

In the last 12 or 18 months, the British consumer has embraced chicken, says Faulkner. Ten years ago, [Sushi] was very Japanese but now its more fusion.

He reckons the increasing use of chicken has helped win over a new market. It is a view shared by Kathryn Turner, director of product development at M&S Food, which has recently launched a chicken Caesar dragon roll. It rapidly became one of its best sellers.

This flavour is a great entry point into sushi  where people may not like raw fish but want to have something lighter than a sandwich or want to dip their toes into sushi as a cuisine, she says.

Young consumers have embraced East Asian trends in the last few years, with Japanese anime cartoons, Korean bubble tea, Korean pop music and Labubu dolls, originally from Hong Kong, all now hugely popular.

Another key reason why sushi has taken off is because it is now incorporated into so many of the supermarkets lunchtime deals.

Tesco introduced Tesco Finest sushi into its 5.50 premium meal deal this year, which also meant both the Itsu and Yo! brands got prominent space on the supermarket shelf as you walked in.

Ichiban's finished products: The whole point of sushi is that it should be colourful, it stands out on the shelf'

The single most popular snack in the 5 Waitrose Food To Go Meal Deal is not a bag of crisps or cereal bar but sushi: Taiko chicken katsu bites  bits of breaded chicken with a spicy mayo dip.

Red peppers are another Ichiban staple, appearing in many of the dishes as a topping or as part of the filling. Ichiban gets through even more peppers and cucumbers  by weight  than salmon or chicken.

The whole point of sushi is that it should be colourful, it stands out on the shelf, says Younger.

But it is also undeniable that the vegetables are far cheaper than protein. And, with prices of meat and fish soaring, this is a useful way of keeping costs down.

For example, the Korean dragon rolls, by weight, are 62 per cent rice, 17 per cent vegetables and only 7 per cent chicken.

But the most significant cost of all is the Ichiban workforce of some 350 people.

Our biggest challenge is increasing labour costs. The increase in National Insurance and in everything else [including minimum wage] has really hit us, says Faulkner.

Despite the machines used to cook, roll and cut the sushi, humans are needed to fill and pack it.

You cant automate this stuff. It is too delicate, he explains. Robots, no matter how gentle they are, cant do what a human could do.

And that, in an age of AI, is strangely comforting.
Whats the story?

More than 1,100 years after Vikings began using down from the eider duck to keep warm, in 1956 the Stene family set up Norvegr in Trondheim, Norway  first crafting down sleeping bags, later expanding into pillow and duvet ranges using large, airy down. The brand now supplies several royal households around the world and its handmade duvets are used by Belmond hotels.

What makes it special?

The use of down (either goose or eider) rather than feathers makes the duvets soft and warm, but also very light. Having tested one out, we can confirm its like sleeping under a supremely cosy cloud. Norvegrs specific weave of Egyptian cotton allows air to circulate perfectly and its top-to-toe pockets of down (rather than square ones) provide better heat flow. Before buying, customers complete a survey describing their sleep habits so a bespoke product can be created to suit their needs. Its amazing quality  as long as your wallet is as well stuffed as these duvets.

Whats the eco factor?

The down of some of their duvets is gathered from abandoned eider duck nests on the Norwegian island of Svalbard. After midsummer, the mother and her ducklings head out to sea until the next year  at no point do the Norvegr team touch the birds. The goose down used in its other duvets is from animal welfare-certified European suppliers. Duvets and pillows can be repeatedly returned to Trondheim to be restored and refilled (at an extra cost). Do this every ten years and your duvet will last up to half a century.

Whats the cost?

You wouldnt want to spill your morning cuppa over this bedding. A 90 per cent goose-down double starts from 977 for the lightest summer version, but prices reach 29,000 for Norvegrs largest, warmest, limited-edition eiderdown duvet.

Our rating

Rating:
An influencer has defended her 26-year age gap with her husband amidst immense online criticism.

Aundrea Griffin, 39, from College Station, Texas, met her husband, Ken Griffin, 65, in 2009 at a bar in San Antonio when she was 22 and he was 48.

Despite him being more than two decades her senior, she was immediately drawn to his 'charming, confident and kind' personality.

'The age difference was noticeable, of course, but he made me laugh and made me feel incredibly safe and respected, which mattered more than anything else,' she explained during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail.

Aundrea explained that she noticed a 'calmness in him' that she had never experience with anyone else before, and was impressed by how 'established in life' he was.

'He received two masters degrees, knows Italian, has lived all over the world because he was in the Air Force for almost 30 years. I loved that,' she gushed.

They started dating a few weeks after they first met, but immediately, they faced some pushback from friends and family over their massive age difference.

'Some friends were surprised at first, mostly out of concern about how it might work long-term,' she admitted.

An influencer has defended her 26-year age gap with her husband amidst immense online criticism

Aundrea Griffin, 39, from College Station, Texas, met her husband, Ken Griffin, 65, in 2009 at a bar in San Antonio and they have been together for 16 years and welcomed five children

'My mom was the most concerned. But everyone quickly saw how genuine and balanced our relationship was.'

Flash forward to now, 16 years later, and the two are happily married and have five children together, with another one on the way.

And while their loved ones have all come around and have 'fully embrace them as a couple,' strangers are a different story.

Aundrea, who has racked up over 22,000 followers on Instagram, admitted that they often have to deal with stares in public and have faced immense backlash online over their relationship.

'The hardest part [is] dealing with how outsiders perceive it,' she said. 'Especially when we go out in public. Lots of staring.

'People make assumptions before they know us. Weve gotten everything from "grandpa jokes" to people calling me a gold digger [online].

'It used to sting, but now I see it for what it is - people projecting their own insecurities. Ken doesnt care at all. He doesnt even use social media.

'And inside our home and our marriage, its completely normal and full of mutual respect. We dont live our life for strangers on the internet.'

Aundrea admitted that they often have to deal with stares in public and have faced immense backlash online over their relationship

Aundrea vowed that despite growing up in 'different eras,' it hasn't caused a divide in their romance

Aundrea vowed that despite growing up in 'different eras,' it hasn't caused a divide in their romance.

'We laugh about it,' she explained. 'We share a love of travel, trying new food and wine, live music and spending time with our kids.

'We may not always agree on music or movie choices, but our values of family are totally aligned.'

In fact, she believes their opposite personalities - she's more 'goofy' while Ken, coming from a military background 'can be very serious' - is what makes them so strong.

'He teaches me patience and perspective. We balance each other out perfectly,' she said.

In response to those who may question the physical side of their relationship, she quipped: 'Would you be with someone for 16 plus years and expecting your sixth kid if you weren't [attracted to him]?

'Our connection is very real. Attraction goes so far beyond age as well, its about chemistry, trust and emotional closeness. We have all of that and more.'

Aundrea said she's 'very realistic' about the fact that as Ken ages she might have to care for him.

She believes their opposite personalities - she's more 'goofy' while Ken, coming from a military background 'can be very serious' - is what makes them so strong

She said: 'Our connection is very real. Attraction goes so far beyond age as well, its about chemistry, trust and emotional closeness. We have all of that and more'

In response to those who may question the physical side of their relationship, she quipped: 'Would you be with someone for 16 plus years if you weren't [attracted to him]?'

'Ive always been a nurturer, and I know that love includes caring for one another through every phase of life,' she stated.

'Hes also incredibly healthy and active, so we focus on living fully right now.'

She also vowed that Ken is an 'amazing, patient and gentle' father to their five kids, despite being slightly older than most dads.

'He may not understand every TikTok trend, but hes fully engaged. Our kids adore him,' she said.

'Hes a dad who shows up for everything. He doesnt miss a recital, a game or a tradition. Hes all in for our family, every single day.'

In the end, Aundrea said she hopes that by being so open about their unconventional romance, she can help show others that it's OK to go against the grain.

'If our story challenges stereotypes or helps others feel confident in their own unconventional relationships, thats enough for me,' she said.

'I hope that people understand that there is nothing "wrong" about being with someone older. Not when the foundation is love, respect, and genuine partnership.

The couple is seen early on in their relationship

In the end, Aundrea said she hopes that by being so open about their unconventional romance, she can help show others that it's OK to go against the grain

'And to those who fixate on his age or the idea that he will not be here forever None of us are promised forever.

'There are plenty of parents who are young and physically present but emotionally absent, battling addiction or simply not showing up. Ken is the opposite of that. Hes here, hes invested, and hes thriving.

'Our relationship might not look "typical" from the outside, but love doesnt have to fit someone elses version of normal. We know we arent normal.

'Its not about age, its about connection and how two people choose to love and build a life together.

'We are two consenting adults who have built a solid, joyful life. What more can you ask for? So to anyone worried about us, dont be. Were good. Weve got this.'
Comedian Bill Maher sent his liberal audience into stunned silence after a surprise joke about the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

The remark about Cheney, who died at the age of 84 earlier this week, came during a joke about Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayor's race.

Maher was talking about Republican candidate and Guardian Angels' founder Curtis Sliwa, whose campaign the left-leaning comic quipped 'was dogged by accusations of: we thought you were dead.'

After reminiscing about Sliwa's time in the 80s and 90s as a prominent figure in New York City culture to big laughs, he cruelly compared him to the Vice President.

'Speaking of we didn't know you were dead, Dick Cheney died.'

For a brief moment, all that could be heard in the studio audience were a set of audible groans at the joke.

Maher initially looked confused before throwing his hands up, as if to signal it was just a joke and the audience eventually laughed.

He then asked: 'How many people thought he was dead? Come on!' The comic did call Cheney 'the most powerful vice president ever' before saying his dying wish was to be 'put in the ground to live his dream of slowly turning into oil.'

Comedian Bill Maher sent his liberal audience into stunned silence after a surprise joke about the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney

The remark about Cheney, who died at the age of 84 earlier this week, came during a joke about Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayor's race

Maher also pointed out that Cheney had a fractious relationship with President Donald Trump, noting they 'were very different kinds of Republicans.'

'Cheney used to send troops to occupy other countries,' Maher joked, in reference to Trump's sending of the National Guard to various American cities.

The hard-charging conservative passed away Monday night due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.

Cheney served alongside Republican President George W. Bush for two terms between 2001 and 2009, and previously held a number of high ranking positions in the Republican party.

He was the chief architect of the 'war on terror' and was in office on the morning of 9/11.

Years after leaving office, Cheney became a target of President Trump, who blasted Cheney's pro-war stance.

His daughter Liz Cheney was the leading Republican critic and examiner of his attempts to stay in power after his election defeat in 2020.

In a statement at his passing, Cheney's family described him as a 'great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country.'

Cheney served alongside Republican President George W. Bush for two terms between 2001 and 2009, and previously held a number of high ranking positions in the Republican party

Cheney, seen alongside National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, photographed in the Situation Room on the morning of 9/11

Cheney was a vocal critic of Trump in his later years, and in a campaign ad for his daughter Liz in 2022, he declared: 'In our nation's 246-year history, there has never been an individual who was a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.'

'He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He is a coward.'

And in a twist the Democrats of his era could never have imagined, Cheney said last year he was voting for their candidate, Kamala Harris, for president over Trump.

Cheney had suffered coronary issues for much of his adult life, including surviving five heart attacks, and long thought he was living on borrowed time.

His passing on Monday evening was met with a divisive response, with critics hitting out at his war record while proponents paid tribute to his life of service to the nation.

Former President George W Bush said in a statement that Cheney's death 'is a loss to the nation and a sorrow to his friends.

As vice president, Cheney alleged links between the 2001 attacks against the United States and prewar Iraq that didn't exist. He said US troops would be welcomed as liberators; they weren't.

He declared the Iraqi insurgency in its last throes in May 2005, back when 1,661 U.S. service members had been killed, not even half the toll by war's end.

Cheney and his daughter Liz, seen together in 2022, became staunch critics of Donald Trump in recent years

Cheney is survived by his wife of 61 years Lynne, and his daughters Liz and Mary. The family are pictured in 1978, the year Cheney was first elected to Congress

For admirers, he kept the faith in a shaky time, resolute even as the nation turned against the war and the leaders waging it.

But well into Bush's second term, Cheney's clout waned, checked by courts or shifting political realities.

Courts ruled against efforts he championed to broaden presidential authority and accord special harsh treatment to suspected terrorists.

Cheney retired to Jackson Hole, not far from where Liz Cheney a few years later bought a home, establishing Wyoming residency before she won his old House seat in 2016.

The fates of father and daughter grew closer, too, as the Cheney family became one of Trump's favorite targets.

Dick Cheney rallied to his daughter's defense in 2022 as she juggled her lead role on the committee investigating Jan. 6 with trying to get reelected in deeply conservative Wyoming.

Liz Cheney's vote for Trump's impeachment after the insurrection earned her praise from many Democrats and political observers outside Congress.

But that praise and her father's support didn't keep her from losing badly in the Republican primary, a dramatic fall after her quick rise to the No. 3 job in the House GOP leadership.
Investors in Golden Prospect Precious Metals have enjoyed a terrific year so far, seeing the value of their shares rise by more than 140 per cent.

But the investment managers running the fund are convinced there are more gains to come on the back of a resilient gold price.

The investment trust, listed on the London Stock Exchange, is managed by Keith Watson and Robert Crayfourd who between them have more than half a century of experience investing in mining stocks.

They are part of a three-man investment team at New City Investment Managers, who between them look after four trusts with assets of around 600 million.

Three of the four  CQS Natural Resources, Geiger Counter and Golden Prospect  have a mining stock focus.

'We're fund managers and analysts wrapped into one,' says Crayfourd. 'We meet hundreds of companies every year and attend key mining conferences  all in a quest to deliver stellar returns for our shareholders.'

As its name implies, Golden Prospect is primarily focused on identifying listed companies involved in the mining of gold whose shares have the potential to outperform the gold price.

It's an investment objective which results in a 60-strong portfolio of global stocks with holdings in both Canadian and Australian gold mining companies.

With gold currently trading at around 3,060 a troy ounce  48 per cent up on a year ago  Crayfourd says the price may now take a pause. But he believes it will advance again next year to 3,500  maybe higher. He says sustained buying by the world's largest central banks (most notably China) will drive the price forward.

For gold stocks, the manager believes the outlook is even rosier.

He says: 'If you look at the earnings and valuations of most gold mining companies, they are as attractive as they have been for many years.

'Typically, their shares underperformed the gold price in 2022 and 2023, then tracked it for a while, but this year they have outperformed and there is more catch up to come.'

Although the fund holds some mining stock giants such as Canadian based Equinox Gold (capitalised at 6.5 billion), its focus is on searching for smaller gold companies which have gone under the radar of rival managers and analysts  and offer the potential for superior returns.

'We hold Equinox because it took over Calibre earlier this year, a Canadian company we invested in six years ago,' explains Crayfourd. 'We've kept our stake because the chief executive of the combined company is Darren Hall who was the previous boss of Calibre.

'We backed him and his management team at Calibre and he didn't let us down. We see no reason why he can't do a similar great job at Equinox.' The trust has made a 750 per cent return on its initial stake in Calibre, bought in October 2019.

Smaller companies that have come good include Canadian listed TDG Gold, which has generated to date a return of 420 per cent on a position taken in October 2023.

Despite the trust's good investment form, it remains a minnow with assets just shy of 100 million. A current rights issue, providing shareholders with the opportunity to buy one share at a discounted price for every five they hold, could bring a small amount of new assets under its wing.

Total annual charges of 2.2 per cent are expensive, although Crayfourd says these should be looked at in the context of the returns generated for shareholders.

The trust's market ticker is GPM and the identification code B1G9T99.
At times during my childhood in the Brighton area, I came to believe that my parents lives were governed by the Aussie stock market.

My father Michael was a horse-racing enthusiast, who could still be seen at the counter of his local Ladbrokes in his 90s.

But a card-playing friend, a regular guest for the weekly kalooki game, preferred a flutter on the stock market.

He suggested to my father that if he had some spare cash he might splash it on buying shares in a penny stock, Oil Search, then quoted in Sydney (it is now delisted).

Shares in Oil Search were a speculators delight. With each report of a prospective discovery, the shares would soar, and my parents would sell and disappear for a continental holiday.

When the company hit water, rather than oil, the shares would plunge.

It was an early lesson in the art of buying low and selling high. The pattern went on for several years until Oil Search really did find a gusher.

Gilts, as we have learned since the Liz Truss mini-Budget, can no longer be regarded as providing the same safety net as was once the case

The whole experience whetted my appetite for stock market investment. In those days, back in the 1960s and 1970s, buying and selling shares could be done over the counter at your local bank.

It is only in recent times that the high street banks, with the notable exception of Barclays, decided executing share deals was yet another service to customers that wasnt profitable enough.

In fact, a decade or so ago, my family received a letter from Lloyds Bank returning a pile of moribund share certificates of companies that vanished from the London market decades ago.

With an economics degree and a masters degree in business in the 1970s, I was recruited to the City Desk of a national newspaper.

My apprenticeship was in the results and dealings of public companies before graduating to coverage of banks, the financial markets and economics.

The Cambridge economist John Maynard Keynes once observed that in the long run we are all dead. The Barclays Equity Gilt Study comes up with a different answer

It was then I first came across the annual surveys into the performance of asset classes, reaching way back into history, produced by now-defunct investment bank Credit Suisse and Barclays.

The Cambridge economist John Maynard Keynes once observed that in the long run we are all dead.

The Barclays Equity Gilt Study comes up with a different answer. Shares are more volatile than cash and gilts  UK Government stock  over the short term.

But it reveals with data collected from 1899 to 2023 that the odds on shares outperforming cash have been 70pc over two years, rising to 91pc over ten years.

Yet as we get older, pension fund managers and financial advisers are compelled, or feel they have no other choice, but to move life-long savings from shares and equity funds into gilts or fixed interest. It is a trend I have stoutly resisted in my own portfolio.

Gilts, as we have learned since the Liz Truss mini-Budget, can no longer be regarded as providing the same safety net as was once the case.

In the desire to make bonds sweat and improve returns, pension fund managers used gilts to gamble on the derivatives market with the creation of a derivative known as liability-driven investments (LDIs).

When the gilts market blew up in the autumn of 2022 after the Truss episode, so did the LDIs. The Bank of England, wearing its financial stability hat, had to step in with a multi-billion rescue to prevent a cascade of financial failures.

Far from being the safest of investments, gilts proved to be as volatile as much-disparaged share markets, often criticised by those on the Left as no more than casinos.

As a City Editor for three-and-a-half decades, I have had to be extremely cautious in my share dealings. I have made no purchases of stocks written about for several weeks, before or after.

As a matter of policy, I never sell unless forced to do so. In recent years, my tendency has been to buy equity funds, rather than individual shares, on the grounds they are less subject to the influence of anything that might be written than individual stocks.

The results of my share buying have been mixed. In 2007, shortly before the banking sector exploded in the Great Financial Crisis, as a holder of NatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland shares, I poured money into Fred Goodwins last-ditch effort to save his bank with a bumper 12billion rights issue to existing shareholders. Those hard-earned savings might have just as well been poured down the drain.

Similarly, when a small family legacy came along, on the guidance of investment platform Hargreaves Lansdowns wealth list, money was ploughed into Neil Woodfords flagship Equity Income Fund, which collapsed in 2019. The cost of that episode to my portfolio is still being counted.

On a more positive note, holding long through thick and thin can pay rich dividends.

I have held Rolls-Royce shares for many years. It almost went belly up in the pandemic but the recovery since then has been spectacular and the shares have advanced more than ten times in value taking the group to almost the top of the FTSE 100.

Similarly, my holdings in two funds, Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust and Polar Capital, both of which have been at the forefront of the Silicon Valley and biotech revolutions, have been investments which keep on giving.

I have recently warned readers several times that overhype for AI may be distorting tech valuations and a crash could be on the way.

But in keeping with past practice, the plan, unless the cash is needed for family emergencies, is to hang on through the volatility.

Despite one or two setbacks, holding long has worked well and the gains far more substantial than in cash Isa or fixed interest funds.

Rachel Reeves and HMRC, with assaults on capital gains and inheritance, currently are the only barrier between me and my belief in stocks and shares.
Diageo is braced for a swoop by an activist investor that would force it to sell its Guinness brand after a profits alert sent its shares to their lowest level in a decade.

The UK-listed drinks giant  whose chief executive Debra Crew abruptly left in July  suffered a sell-off after a bleak trading update last week.

Its latest woes are likely to see activist investors pile in and call for big changes, City sources told The Mail on Sunday.

That could mean fresh pressure to break up the group by selling Guinness  which could be worth as much as 14 billion. Or it could see calls to put the whole group  whose other brands include Smirnoff vodka and Johnnie Walker whisky  up for sale.

Diageo's value has slumped to less than 40 billion from 90 billion at its peak in 2021. Analysts have said that makes it vulnerable to a takeover approach.

The company was earlier this year forced to deny a report that it was looking to sell Guinness. It said it had 'no intention' to sell the brand  or to dispose of its 34 per cent stake in champagne and cognac maker Moet Hennessy.

Bleak outlook: Diageo is braced for a swoop by an activist investor that would force it to sell its Guinness brand

Yet investors continue to press the board over the issue. Chairman John Manzoni reiterated at the company's annual meeting on Friday that it was not for sale.

And interim chief executive Nik Jhangiani told an investor results presentation last week that Diageo was 'still excited by the opportunities to accelerate growth' for Guinness.

Yet the statements carry less weight while Diageo is still searching for a new chief executive.

Guinness is Diageo's star performer, benefiting from popularity among social media influencers and famous faces including the Princess of Wales.

The Irish stout's profile has also been boosted by Netflix's House Of Guinness, a dramatisation of the founding family's history.

Meanwhile, non-alcoholic brand Guinness Zero has been gaining popularity. But the success of the beer business contrasts with the performance of the spirit brands that form most of Diageo's portfolio  which have been hit by waning demand in China and the US.

Recent analysis by Swiss bank UBS suggests Diageo could be worth more broken up, putting a 'sum of its parts' valuation at 2380p a share, 40 per cent higher than its current price.

They estimated Guinness's value at 11 billion to 14 billion, saying: A 'potential spin-off initial public offering (IPO) of Guinness, the fastest growing part of the portfolio' could be among 'levers for management to realise value'.

They pointed to its strong sales growth over the past couple of years including in developed markets 'driven by younger consumers and Zero'. And they noted that the denial in January that Guinness was up for sale came 'when Diageo's share price was 40 per cent higher than today'.

Chris Beckett, consumer staples analyst at wealth manager Quilter Cheviot, said: 'Selling Guinness is not necessarily the no-brainer that many think it could be for Diageo.

'Yes it would simplify the business. And Guinness is going through something of a renaissance at the moment. Striking now while the iron is hot would give Diageo the best opportunity to achieve full value, and potentially get someone to overpay.

'But by selling Guinness, Diageo risks exposing the rest of its business. Spirit sales are declining in the US and not looking much better elsewhere. Without Guinness's value helping to alleviate some of the challenges facing Diageo, the valuation of the overall group could fall significantly.

'Shareholders, therefore, would want one of the big brewing companies, such as AB InBev, to purchase the company rather than have a partial IPO. This would probably be the scenario where the most value is created for shareholders.'
Primark is pushing ahead with plans for a huge global expansion and a potential split from its parent company.

Owner Associated British Foods (ABF) will announce in April whether its retail arm will be spun out into a new entity, say sources close to the issue. Last week ABF launched a review of its business, paving the way for a break-up of the 16 billion empire.

Bosses believe it could take just a year to get Primark  which has pop star Rita Ora on its books  ready to list as a separate firm in what would be a big boost for the London stock market. A decision is to be announced at the group's half-year results, scheduled for spring.

News of a possible demerger comes after a volatile year for Primark as it hunts for a boss after Paul Marchant quit in a scandal over his behaviour.

Interim chief executive Eoin Tonge is the top candidate. He is seen as a safe pair of hands as ABF's finance chief since April 2023 and he was finance boss and chief strategy officer at Marks & Spencer. But ABF is also looking at outsiders, including overseas candidates, sources said.

Investors believe the right person can lead it to complete against rivals such as China's Temu and Shein, as well as Spain's Inditex, the owner of Zara.

Planning ahead: Bosses believe it could take just a year to get Primark  which has pop star Rita Ora (pictured) on its books  ready to list as a separate firm

Retail analyst Jonathan De Mello said that Brits in the running could be Reiss boss Christos Angelides and ex-M&S execs Katie Bickerstaffe and Richard Price. Top bosses at H&M and Inditex could also be under consideration.

Primark is targeting the lucrative Gulf region with plans to open its first three shops in Dubai. It opened its first shop in the Middle East last month in Kuwait.

The US is also a key market. It has 33 stores there and plans 18 more, with a flagship Manhattan shop due next year.

But shareholders want the firm to pick up the pace, especially in developing markets such as India.

One investor told The Mail on Sunday: 'Primark must be bolder internationally. India has the world's fastest-growing apparel market, and its young female demographic is seeing the sharpest rise in disposable income. It risks missing significant long-term growth opportunities.'

The value of a stand-alone Primark has yet to be determined, but retail analyst Nick Bubb said it could be over 10 billion. The Weston family, a billionaire dynasty established in Canada in the 1880s, controls 56 per cent of ABF through their personal vehicle Wittington Investments.

The family are keen to hold on to both parts of the business and ABF boss George Weston has said he would oversee the parts of the business that remain after a Primark split including its sugar production and grocery arms.

A new Primark board would be likely to include two Weston family members.

Primark accounts for half of ABF's sales, which hit 20 billion this year, and it has 450 shops in 17 countries.

It was founded in Ireland in 1969 by Arthur Ryan, and Marchant was only its second chief executive, taking over from Ryan in 2009.
US pharma giant Pfizer has triumphed in a bitter bidding war with Danish rival Novo Nordisk over a fat jab start-up.

Last month, Novo, the maker of drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy, gatecrashed a takeover deal between Pfizer and Metsera, an American firm that has a handful of weight-loss drugs in early development. Pfizer planned to buy Metsera for 5.5 billion but Novo unexpectedly swooped in with its own 6.8 billion offer.

The move prompted a furious response from Pfizer, which accused the Danish firm of reckless behaviour and threatened legal action.

Last week the US pharma group upped its bid for Metsera to 6.2 billion only for Novo to then increase its own offer to 7.7 billion. On Wednesday, Pfizer increased its bid once again to match the sweetened proposal from its Danish rival.

The winner: US pharma giant Pfizer has triumphed in a bitter bidding war with Danish rival Novo Nordisk over a fat jab start-up

And early yesterday, the US giant appeared to have won the battle when Metsera said its board would unanimously recommend Pfizer's offer.

The company also said Novo's bid had presented 'unacceptably high legal and regulatory risks' after US watchdogs warned a takeover by the Danish group may violate competition laws.

Following Metsera's announcement, Novo Nordisk said it would not make a higher bid for the firm but insisted its offer had been compliant with competition rules.
The moment Maureen Sullivan, then just 12-years-old and holding a dark secret that had dominated her young life, decided to confide in her school teacher, a nun named Sister Veronica, changed the course of her life forever - but not in the way she'd hoped.

Little did the vulnerable schoolgirl know then, but speaking out about the horrific sexual abuse she'd suffered at the hands of her step-father from the age of eight would unlock a world even more treacherous for her.

Uttering the words out loud, she tells the Daily Mail, evoked new trauma, after she was sent to Ireland's notorious Magdalene Laundries, where she would be cruelly shunned and ostracised from other children so as not to 'corrupt' them with her tainted childhood.

Now 73, and living in Carlow, in Ireland's south-east, Maureen explains how her already difficult young life unravelled further in just a few moments of honesty, saying: 'They looked at me as if I was the devil, I was the sinner...not my step-dad'.

The Catholic church, she says, quickly buried the allegation, explaining away the abuse as a 'weak moment', because Maureen wasn't biologically his daughter.

'The way the priest looked at it, he was a good man to take my mother on with three children.'

Far from being the rescue she'd longed for, Maureen would spend her early teenage years in an institution that would tarnish much of her adult life.

There were approximately ten Magdalene Laundries operating in Ireland from the 18th to the late 20th centuries. The first, an Anglican institution, opened in Dublin in 1767.

Maureen Sullivan (pictured), 73, who now lives in Carlow, in Ireland's south-east, was just 12 when she was sent to a Magdalene Laundry in the town of New Ross, after she disclosed she'd been abused by her step-father to a nun at her school

Often called 'asylums', the laundries would effectively imprison women, forcing them to perform unpaid laundry work, sewing, cleaning, and cooking for local businesses, the church, or the state, as penance for violating 'moral codes'.

Between 1922 and 1996 alone, around 10,000 women and girls are thought to have entered the institutions for a wide range of reasons. Residents included girls who had been orphaned or rejected by foster parents, sexual abuse victims, those who'd carried a baby out of wedlock, or young women who were perceived to be 'promiscuous'.

Now an author and campaigner for the Justice for Magdalenes group, Maureen was held against her will at a Magdalene Laundry in New Ross, a town in County Wexford, which was run by the Good Shepherd religious order, for four brutal years from 1964.

The young adolescent would endure abuse at the hands of the nuns who worked there, including being forcibly trapped in a tiny tunnel behind the property's church for eight hours without access to food or a toilet.

Due to her young age, Maureen was concealed within the institution - her identity was altered, her name changed to 'Frances' and her hair cut, taking away, she says, any sense of belonging and individuality she once had.

Despite her obvious absence from school, she continued to be marked as present on attendance records in Carlow, preventing authorities from discovering her disappearance.

One of 13 siblings, she had virtually no contact with her mother, who visited her at the laundries just four times in as many years.

After enduring the sexual abuse from the age of eight to 12, she finally plucked up the courage to confide in her teacher - but was quickly removed from her family and sent to the laundry, so as not to 'corrupt' others with her trauma (Maureen pictured as a child)

Because she was young, Maureen (pictured in childhood) was concealed within the institution, which was run by a Catholic religious order known as The Good Shepherd. Her identity was altered, her name changed to 'Frances' and her hair cut

Describing the day that had sealed her confinement to the laundry, she describes how a nun at her Carlow school, Sister Veronica, had expressed concern for her wellbeing, noting that she appeared unusually pale and had become emotionally withdrawn.

'She said "come on up to the office with me", and there was a box of Black Magic chocolates. These were poor times. Very poor times. So this was a luxury,' Maureen recalls.

Sister Veronica told her she had become 'very concerned' after seeing how low she appeared, noting that she was never 'clean like the other girls' and always had her 'head down'.

As she sat in the nun's office eating the chocolates, Maureen was gradually able to open up about her life at home and the abuse she had been subjected to by her step-father, who she refers to now as Marty, which isn't his real name.

She told the teacher she was unhappy at home and asked if she could live with her grandmother to escape her step-father.

Shortly afterwards, Maureen was asked to wait outside the office, where a priest came to speak with her.

She recounts what Sister Veronica told her moments later: 'They said, "Maureen, we're going to send you to a nice school tomorrow and you can come back to Carlow with your head held high". [These] were her very words. You know, I always remembered it.'

While the kind nun 'meant well' and 'really believed in her heart' that she was going to the nearby school of St Aidan's, the priest decided that she should be sent to the laundry in New Ross.

The following morning, Maureen's mother was informed of the abuse and told her daughter would be taken away 'for her own safety'.

Her step-father portrayed her as a liar. He had coerced her throughout the years of abuse into remaining silent by making threats that she would never see her beloved grandmother again if she spoke out.

Maureen explains: 'I never told my mother, all I could think was "I need to be able to see my granny"'.

At the age of 35, she attempted to take her own life and ended up in hospital - where she was given access to the therapy she received would change her life (Pictured with the book she published in 2023 recounting her experiences at the Magdalene Laundry)

For four years in the 1960s, Maureen, then a young adolescent, was forced to endure hard labour, before she finally escaped as a 16-year-old (pictured as a younger child)

On the day of her departure, her mother was told a bus would be collecting Maureen to take her to a 'new school' in New Ross.

Maureen says: 'I remember my mother ran down the road, I could hear her panting bless her, to buy me a pencil case. I never had a pencil case before, I just had a little paper bag with my pencils in it. We couldn't afford pencil cases at the time.'

The moment she arrived at the institution, she 'knew straight away that something was horribly wrong'. Maureen remembers how her new pencil case was taken off her by the nuns and she pleaded with them to get it back.

Instead of a school education, Maureen endured hard labour and long days. She was woken at 6am to clean corridors, windows, and doors before attending Mass and having breakfast.

The rest of the day was spent working in the laundry. After tea at 5pm, she attended so-called 'recreation', where she was forced to make rosary beads for Lourdes, Rome, and other holy places.

The women were not allowed to speak to each other as they worked. Exhausted, they would go to bed at 8pm, ready to start it all over again the next day.

Weekends would bring further arduous toil, cleaning the church or the nuns' apartments. There was no compensation for the work the women carried out.

As the youngest girl in the workhouse, Maureen would be hidden during routine inspection visits. At the time, the laws in Ireland allowed children to leave school at 14 only if they had a job.

Describing the horror of being incarcerated in a tunnel for up to eight hours, she recalls: 'It was early in the morning, we weren't long at work. The nun grabbed me and said "come on the men in the suits are coming", and I was put down in the tunnel.

'I had to go to the toilet, I was embarrassed. I had no way out of there. That place frightened the life out of me and I was terrified.'

Maureen says the nuns forgot about her and she remained trapped with no idea what time it was, only remembering that it was 'late at night' when she was eventually let out, and past dinnertime. She never received an apology.

Maureen wasn't allowed to mix with the children attending St Aidan's, which was next to the laundry, though she didn't understand why at the time. Years later, she met with one of the nuns to seek answers.

The author and campaigner's early life trauma left her depressed in her mid thirties after she started getting flashbacks of the abuse she had endured (Maureen speaking at a Magdalene Survivors Together press conference in 2013)

The sister explained that the belief at the time was that Maureen might 'corrupt the innocence' of the other children if she interacted with them.

Maureen says she asked the nun: "'Sister, are you telling me they put me into the laundry because they thought I would tell the other children what my step-father had done to me?'

The nun nodded, she says, replying: 'It was wrong... but yes, that's what they did.'

After her time at New Ross, she was transferred to another of the Magdalene asylums, in Athy, County Kildare, and then to a home for the blind on Merrion Road in Dublin.

At 16, Maureen was finally allowed to leave, she took the boat to London with her brother Patrick where the pair decided to build a new life.

Maureen, pictured at a book signing two years ago, eventually returned to Carlow to live - and has been an active member of campaign groups that fought for an apology over the Magdalene Laundry abuse

However, with no money and nowhere to live they slept in Argyll Square, Kings Cross, with no sleeping bags or pillows. After two months they found the Irish Centre in Camden Town, which helped them find a room.

'I'm very lucky that my life didn't turn out that I was murdered or forced into prostitution, drugs or alcohol, I'm very, very lucky. Some angel was looking after me.

'I was offered drugs in London, but I knew not to take them, I slept in squats, it took me years to get on my feet.'

She married soon after she arrived in London and had a daughter when she was 19 but she struggled to parent. A son came 15 years later.

Without an education, Maureen was limited to jobs in laundries and restaurants, she became depressed and started getting flashbacks of the abuse.

At the age of 35, she attempted to take her own life and ended up in hospital where she was offered therapy.

She adds: 'I had no education. I worked in Woolworths, I was so run down, it was a struggle, I couldn't hold down a relationship. I was depressed, I went to take my own life.

'I started talking about what happened to me. I had a fantastic counsellor, I told her I didn't want to be here anymore and she told me I needed to open up more. She said, "I'm not going to harm you or send you away anywhere, you need to talk to me.'"

'I told her the truth and it was like a breath of fresh air, it was healing, all this stuff that I had hid inside of me and carried with me every day.'

Reflecting on her time in the laundries, Maureen tells the Daily Mail what hurt her most was the realisation that, beneath their religious robes, the nuns were still women, yet they had chosen not to protect her, a child who had been sexually abused.

She adds: 'How can women be so cruel to a little girl that has been through an awful, awful time?'

Marina Gambold (left) and Maureen Sullivan (centre) of campaign group Magdalene Survivors Together leaving Leinster House in Dublin after hearing Taoiseach Enda Kenny's state apology in 2013

Her mother, who had ten children by Marty, left him soon after Maureen was placed in the laundry - but she kept the abuse a secret to 'protect' her other children.

Maureen explains one of Marty's biological daughters also claimed to have been sexually abused by him and ended up dying by suicide.

'She made the statement herself before she passed that he was abusing her, she didn't want to be buried with him.'

In 1995, Maureen moved back to Ireland - around the same time that Magdalene Laundries became the subject of intense scrutiny as others shared their stories.

The last laundry ceased operation on October 25th, 1996.

Maureen joined Justice for Magdalenes, a group that helped bring about an apology from the Irish State over past abuse - more than a quarter of those who spent time in the laundries had been sent there by the government.

In February 2013, Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny issued a formal apology on behalf of the state for its role in the Magdalene Laundries.

Delivering a speech in the Dail (Irish parliament), he said: 'For 90 years Ireland subjected these women, and their experience, to a profound indifference,' he said.

'By any standards it was a cruel and pitiless Ireland, distinctly lacking in mercy. We swapped our public scruples for a solid public apparatus.'

In 2022, the Irish Government's compensation scheme had paid out approximately 32.8 million to 814 survivors of the laundries.

Reflecting on the apology, Maureen says: 'That was better than any money they gave us, because they gave us pittance anyway. That was the most important thing, that apology meant the world.'

Asked if the church has taken any accountability for its role in the Magdalene Laundries, she adds: 'No, and it won't, they never will, they will never admit their role in it.'

Since releasing her book in 2023 detailing her harrowing early life, entitled Girl in the Tunnel, Maureen says the response has been mixed. While some have applauded her bravery, others still want to keep her silent.

Despite possessing official documents confirming her time in the laundries and her Confirmation there, some individuals have dismissed Maureen's account as untrue.

She recalls an encounter in a shop following the release of her book. A woman approached her and said: 'I knew your step-father, I always found him to be a very nice man.'

She asked how the woman knew him; she admitted, 'Well, I didn't really know him really but he was always at Mass. Such a holy man.'

Maureen listened quietly before walking away. Reflecting on the exchange, she says, 'What a thing to say to a survivor of abuse.'

Marty died when Maureen was in her thirties without being subjected to any criminal investigation. He asked to see his step-daughter one last time while he was in hospital. She confronted him about the abuse, saying she would never forgive him.

He told her he was only getting her ready for the outside world, at which point Maureen left the room.

Four religious orders who ran the laundries after 1992, the Religious Sisters of Charity, the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity and the Good Shepherd Sisters, have 'declined' to make a financial contribution to the Magdalene Laundries Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme, the Department of Children confirmed in 2022 to The Irish Times.

The Congregation of the Good Shepherd, said in a statement to the Daily Mail last week: 'The Good Shepherd Sisters remain focused on providing whatever support they can to women and children who were in their care and continue to offer help and pastoral support wherever possible.

'They support victims and survivors in several ways. The Congregation has made financial contributions to the Towards Healing support service since its inception almost 30 years ago.

'This means that any victim or survivor who requires support has access to a free, confidential, independent counselling service for as long as they need.

'Many former residents and their family members remain in contact with and have good relations with individual Sisters. This is encouraged and acknowledged as an essential encounter in the healing process.

'The Good Shepherd Sisters have co-operated fully with several historical inquiries, including detailed testimony from many of its members and by providing extensive files and documentation. We continue to engage with ongoing investigations.

'We do not comment publicly on individual cases, but we strongly encourage anyone in need to contact us directly.'

The laundries isn't the only macabre story to have come to light in recent decades.

In the past, Ireland's strict Catholic morality made it deeply shameful to become pregnant before marriage, and women would be rejected by their families and society as sinful.

Amongst the most shocking cases was the discovery in 2017 of a mass septic tank containing the skeletons of 800 babies, found at the former site of The Tuam Mother and Baby Home in County Galway.

The home was one of ten institutions in which an estimated 35,000 unmarried pregnant women - so-called 'fallen women' - were sent to.

The dead babies are thought to have been secretly buried beside the home for single mothers and their children over a period of 36 years, ending in the 1960s.

The home operated from 1925 to 1961, run by a Catholic order of nuns called the Sisters of Bon Secours. Almost 800 children, aged between two days and nine years, died at the home between 1925 and 1961.
The White House has a secret bin Laden-style plot ready to take out Venezuela's president should the order come, a source told the Daily Mail.

The operation, which would likely involve Special Forces such as those used to kill the notorious terrorist in Pakistan in 2011, is already 'teed up', the insider says.

The plan is understood to be awaiting Donald Trump's go-ahead and is justified by America seeing Maduro as a narco-terrorist leader and not a legitimate ruler.

But the seismic question of whether to force regime change in Venezuela has divided the top echelons of the White House.

Sources told the Daily Mail Marco Rubio, Stephen Miller and Pete Hegseth are at the tip of the spear for removing him.

Yet JD Vance, who promotes an America-First, non-interventionist foreign policy, and Susie Wiles, who focuses on business interests at home, are against the move.

It comes as relations between America and Venezuela sour amid a growing fentanyl crisis in the States that the Trump administration in part blames on the country.

It has been further stretched with the US's bombing of suspected cartel vessels off its coastline and sending the USS Gerald R Ford carrier into the region this month.

The White House has a secret bin Laden-style plot ready to take out Venezuela's president should the order come, a source told the Daily Mail

The bin Laden-style plot to oust Maduro was revealed to the Daily Mail by a source familiar with Trump's South America strategy - a plot White House aides did not deny.

While assassinating foreign leaders is illegal under international law, the Venezuelan leader has been designated as the head of a narco-terrorist network rather than a legitimate leader. The State Department doubled down on this.

'Maduro is a fugitive of American justice who undermines regional security and poisons Americans,' a State Department spokesman told the Daily Mail, dodging the question of what Trump and Rubio's plans are in regards to Maduro.

A legal source familiar with conversations at the Pentagon emphasized the US has the right to defend itself.

The source said: 'When an organization operates across borders in ways that deliberately endanger or kill US citizens, it becomes a lawful target under the right of selfdefense.'

America took out Osama bin Laden in a daring SEAL Team Six raid on a mansion in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011, after it was sanctioned by President Barack Obama.

US officials say other military options are on the table for Venezuela, including targeting the military, striking bases used for narcotics trafficking or seizing oil fields.

Other ideas reportedly include a CIAled coup or sending Special Forces to capture Maduro alive.

In the middle sits Rick Grenell, who as Trump's Venezuela envoy, has attempted to broker a compromise but has been 'left on the outskirts of discussions,' per one state department source

Sources told the Daily Mail Marco Rubio , Stephen Miller and Pete Hegseth are at the tip of the spear for removing him

The hideout of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden following his death by US Special Forces in Abbottabad on May 3, 2011

America took out Osama bin Laden in a daring SEAL Team Six raid on a mansion in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011, after it was sanctioned by President Barack Obama

Trump will likely not need to make a decision until the Navy's newest and largest carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, reaches the Caribbean Sea later this month.

The ship carries 5,000 crew and more than 75 aircraft. Even before its arrival, 10,000 troops are already in the region, split between warships and bases in Puerto Rico.

'It's going to get spicy,' the source familiar with Trump's South America strategy said.

Experts say the administration's interest in Venezuela goes beyond drugs, campaign promises, oil or regime change.

Rather, it is aiming to counter China, Russia and Iranian influence in the Western Hemisphere.

'Beijing sells arms, installs surveillance infrastructure and buys most of Venezuela's oil. Moscow sells fighter jets, sends military trainers, and invests in energy.

'Tehran has dispatched Hezbollah to prop up Maduro through arms trafficking, narcotics, money laundering and terror training,' said John Sitilides, National Security Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Trump will likely not need to make a decision until the Navy's newest and largest carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, reaches the Caribbean Sea later this month

A legal source familiar with conversations at the Pentagon emphasized that the US has the right to defend itself

Most fentanyl does not come out of Venezuela but instead originates or is trafficked through places such as Mexico  and to a lesser extent Ecuador

But the plans to intervene in the South American nation has caused a split among Trump's top officials.

Vance has criticized involvement in prolonged conflicts like the IndiaPakistan and RussiaUkraine wars and Wiles also has reservations, sources say.

A diplomat and former career foreign service officer told the Daily Mail: 'They have preached ''no more entanglements and forever wars''.'

In the middle sits Rick Grenell, who as Trump's Venezuela envoy, has tried to broker a compromise but has been 'left on the outskirts of discussions,' a state department source said.

As debates rage behind the scenes, Trump has yet to make a decision on the next move, with his advisors' opinions buzzing in the background.

But one factor that may tip the president against an audacious strike: His thirst for a Nobel Peace Prize.

'Look at what happened in Iran. Trump doesn't care about government change. Look deeper.

'He is weighing the costbenefit analysis. He wants the Nobel Peace Prize right now, and he is on a winning track.

'He is struggling to pull the trigger, deciding if it will be worth it,' a source familiar with the president's thinking told the Daily Mail.

The rift has created a highstakes tugofwar within the administration on one of the most consequential decisions a president can make

Amid these internal debates, the diplomatic source emphasized 'the public is not buying the narrative about Venezuela,' highlighting skepticism over goals there.

According to an exclusive poll, only a small fraction of Venezuelans who oppose Maduro would support American military intervention.

Just 10 percent back US interference, while most prefer internal solutions to the country's political crisis. Inside Venezuela, people are on edge.

'People inside Venezuela are afraid to express their opinions  if you are in favor of an intervention or an attack against the regime, you could end up in jail or a torture center like the infamous El Helicoide,' said Juan Pablo Uzcategui of San Cristobal.

May 2023  Venezuelans campaigning for Maria Corina Machado. She is a major opposition leader in Venezuela, advocating for a democratic transition away from Chavismo, free markets and rule of law. Her exclusion from electoral participation and the persecution she faces illustrate the country's ongoing political crisis

June 2024  Venezuelans campaigning for Maria Corina Machado, a major opposition leader in Venezuela, advocating for a democratic transition away from Chavismo, free markets and rule of law

But one thing is clear, there's little love for Maduro inside the country's populous, a fact that hardliners are well aware of.

'As long as the Trump administration helps us overthrow Maduro, we will be pleased with him. There is no other way for us to dislodge these mafias,' Uzcategui said.

In response to this story, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Daily Mail, 'The idea that anyone in this White House, under this President, wants more wars is fundamentally wrong.'
An award-winning South Carolina counselor has been suspended from her position for allegedly launching a vicious attack outside a Walmart.

Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson, 37, a St John's High School counselor in Charleston County, faces three charges after a violent domestic dispute during a custody exchange with the father of her child.

Nelson is now on temporary administrative leave while authorities continue to investigate the incident.

She was only voted St John's Teacher of the Year for 2025 in January in recognition of her continued dedication to students after being praised for her 'unwavering passion.'

However, another side of Nelson was allegedly on display at the Walmart in Summerville on October 18.

Andy Pruitt, a Charleston County School District spokesperson, told the Daily Mail in a statement: 'CCSD can confirm that Ms Sade Nelson has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.'

'Because this is a personnel matter and an active investigation, the district cannot provide any additional details at this time.'

Summerville Police Department officers responded to the call at around 5pm on October 18 on North Main Street, according to the incident report obtained by the Daily Mail.

Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson, 37, was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation after she was accused of assaulting the father of her child outside a local Walmart

When Nelson was named Teacher of the Year, social media tributes poured in and praised her as 'simply amazing,' highlighting her kindness and dedication

Nelson and the father of her child - who is unnamed in the report - met at the local Walmart to exchange custody of their son.

She allegedly attempted to hit the man with her car and attacked him, according to the report.

The father told the police he was actively dodging Nelson's car as she was trying to run him over.

He stated that he 'opened the front passenger door to get his son when Nelson grabbed his hoodie and began punching repeatedly.'

According to the report, he added that he fell from the car while trying to escape and claimed that Nelson opened the passenger door and struck his girlfriend in the face, who is also unnamed.

The father's girlfriend told police she did not initially recognize Nelson when she was allegedly attacked.

Two witnesses told police they saw Nelson assault a man and woman, and also attempt to hit the man with her car.

One of the witnesses added that she could not see if the father had also assaulted the high school teacher.

Nelson was voted as St John's High School Teacher of the Year for 2025 and the school shared a photo of her receiving the award in January

The 37-year-old teacher faces charges of third-degree assault and battery, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child

Nelson and the school principal holding up the Top 3 best teacher of the year poster in December 2024

St John's High School in Summerville, South Carolina, has placed Nelson on leave

Nelson was not on the scene when the police arrived but later went to the department to give a statement, the report said.

According to her statement, Nelson claimed that the father opened her car door, leaned over their child, and allegedly attacked her.

The high school teacher said her son was also hit, so she immediately parked her car and approached his vehicle to take a picture of the license plate.

Nelson then claimed she was 'knocked' so hard by the father of her child that she fell backwards, leading to bystanders stepping in, according to the report.

She told police that she spoke with her friend on the phone who told her to leave and that she would speak to the police on Nelson's behalf, so she got in her car and left.

Police obtained security footage from the parking lot that showed Nelson driving her vehicle directly at the child's father, the report said.

The report said the video showed the father open the passenger-side door and lean in, though nothing inside the vehicle was visible. Seconds later, he emerged with his hoodie partially off and his hat gone.

Nelson then allegedly moved her car further down the aisle, stopped and stepped out. She approached his vehicle on the passenger side and leaned into the car for an extended period, according to the report.

Nelson was awarded the Teacher of the Year accolade in January

Nelson back in August 2022, in front of the Charleston County School District plaque. She has worked for Charleston County School District since 2012 and has worked at St John's High School for the past three years

The alleged attack took place outside this Walmart on North Main Street in Summerville

The father walked over, and as Nelson stood up, he pushed her away from the open door and caused her to fall, the report continued.

The report provides that Nelson then approached him again and allegedly assaulted him as he backed away.

He briefly defended himself before Nelson stopped, and bystanders stepped in to deescalate the situation. She then got back into her car and left the scene with her son.

Nelson has been charged with third-degree assault and battery, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child.

She has a bachelors and masters degree in criminal justice along with a second masters in school counseling.

The counselor has worked for Charleston County School District since 2012. When she was named Teacher of the Year, tributes online praised her as 'simply amazing' and highlighted her kindness.

Nelson and her lawyer declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail.
On Tuesday, December 11, 2001, a 15-year-old schoolboy ran amok with a butcher's knife at Dover Heights High School in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The deranged student stormed into a class and held an 18cm blade to the throat of another boy, then went from classroom to classroom.

Momentarily restrained by a teacher, he broke free and later picked up a softball bat and chased kids while screaming: 'I'm going to kill you.'

The male student, identified in media reports at the time only as AL, had a history of violent behaviour dating back to primary school.

His real name was Anthony Lees, who years later would gain global fame as the convicted criminal and YouTube sensation known as Spanian .

Lees had only started at 600-student Dover Heights High in October after he was expelled from another school - but had already clocked up a series of incidents there.

Just the day before, on December 10, Lees and another boy appeared to be drunk and teachers confiscated a bottle of alcohol but Lees became aggressive, hurt himself and had to be restrained.

Police and ambulance attended, taking Lees to hospital where officers interviewed him before his release.

Lees returned the next day, behaving aggressively and refusing requests to leave, before brandishing the knife.

Spanian as the young crim Anthony Lees, who went into the juvenile justice system after running amok with a butcher's knife at the Dover Heights High School in 2001

Spanian pictured on Melbourne Cup Day at Sydney's Barangaroo, close to his $6 million waterfront apartment following his split from wife Angela McColl

Anthony Lees, known as 'Spanian' online, has introduced his much younger girlfriend (pictured together) after the end of his two-year marriage

He ran with the knife through the school to the lower playground, where two teachers were supervising students playing softball.

Confronted by Lees screaming threats and brandishing the knife, they were forced to flee for their lives over a wire fence as he picked up a softball bat and chased them.

Further harm was averted only when nearby building workers came to the rescue, restraining Lees, who police arrested and charged with assault and being armed with intent to cause harm.

The next day he appeared in Bidura Children's Court, where he did not enter a plea or apply for bail, and was remanded in custody until January the following year.

Lees, better known these days as Spanian, was about to begin his life of crime.

Even at that young age, the future rapper was already exerting significant influence.

Following Lees's rampage, one Dover Heights staff member suffered a hernia, while others later reported PTSD, anxiety and depression.

The NSW Teachers' Federation successfully sued the Department of Education and won a record $220,000 payment, which led to a radical overhaul of the way in which students are enrolled in NSW public schools.

An Industrial Relations Commission judge ruled 'the school was not told about [Lees'] violent history before he endangered staff and other pupils during a series of violent incidents over two days'.

Spanian then became a drug dealer and a thief, stealing laptops and running a major operation selling cocaine and heroin

Spanian was Anthony Lees, the deranged student who stormed into a class and held an 18cm blade to the throat of another boy, then went from classroom to classroom

In 2006, Justice Tricia Kavanagh awarded the highest-ever penalty imposed for an occupational health and safety breach of its type in a school.

Spanians actions led to a change in policy requiring school principals to be informed of any history of violence, psychiatric illness, or disciplinary records prior to student enrolment.

Lees was incarcerated at Cobham Youth Justice Centre in Werrington, western Sydney.

This was merely the first of several sentences served by the teenage Spanian over three years, during which he gained the nickname due to his dark looks and his father's Spanish heritage.

He says the juvenile detention shaped his immediate future and after the Dover Heights rampage, he never returned to school after being released.

Spanian told the I Catch Killers podcast that he grew up in Dulwich Hill and Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west with his mother, after his father left for Queensland when he was born 'to start a new family'.

He began pulling knives on people aged 10 or 11.

'The first time I stabbed someone in the yard at school I was trying to impress some girls,' he said.

Spanian said that he began pulling knives on people aged 10 or 11: 'The first time I stabbed someone in the yard at school I was trying to impress some girls'

Spanian and his now-estranged wife, Angela McColl, who have a five-month-old baby son together

Spanian's latest transformation - and the public debut of a much younger girlfriend, Ava (above) - has loyal fans questioning his authenticity

'I was a criminal because I wanted to be. I loved it. I thought being bad was cool.'

Spanian said the school incident was sparked when he was suspended for stealing a phone, and he returned with a kitchen knife to find whoever had reported him.

He became a heroin addict at the age of 16, and began stealing laptops from cars to support his habit, serving time for break-and-enters and a ram raid.

He said he was a member of an inner-city street gang, the Young Woollo Boys, based in Woolloomooloo, and has the name of the suburb tattooed across his chest in red.

'I carried on stabbing people, always had a box cutter, meat cleaver, always looking for someone to stab,' he said.

'There is definitely something wrong with me, even now.'

Spanian graduated to adult prison, where inmates congregated into ethnic groups - Pacific Islander, Lebanese, Vietnamese, and Spanian joined the Aboriginal prisoners.

When he was released from jail in 2008, he stabbed someone 'in the neck ... the day I got out'.

He was soon back inside for the offences of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and reckless wounding, pleaded down from an attempted murder charge.

Spanian said that he was jailed yet again in 2001 after 'I became a heroin and cocaine dealer with a very big drug run'

Out again in 2011, he became a 'heroin and cocaine dealer with a very big drug run' for ten months until he was caught and convicted for a drug operation that recruited children.

Spanian the 'crimfluencer' and hip-hop artist, was born after his final release from custody, when he walked out of Bathurst Correctional Centre in 2017 and vowed never to return to jail.

He said he had begun rapping in the jail yard, impressing another inmate-turned-rapper who contacted him when they were both out, telling Spanian he had a future on YouTube.

By late 2019, he was being recognised by fellow customers in KFC.

His Into the Hood YouTube series gained a huge following through music and documentary-style vlogs filmed in tough suburbs, warning viewers against criminal lifestyles.

Spanian now has almost a million followers on Instagram, 1.2million YouTube subscribers and 765,000 followers on TikTok.

His fame has surged, and he is frequently stopped in public, with every aspect of his life scrutinised - from his nose job to his gleaming new teeth.

Yet Spanians recent transformation, including his much younger new girlfriend, has some loyal followers doubting his authenticity.

Many have asked online if he is now turning into just another Bondi-style influencer.

Just weeks ago, Spanian confirmed his split from wife Angela McColl, the mother of his five-month-old son, who has hinted at sharing her side of the story.

Spanian, now an entrepreneur with his own food line, Spanian's Kebabs, has several companies and operates Spanian's Kebabs food truck franchises worth more than $2.5million

Just weeks ago, Spanian confirmed his split from wife Angela McColl, the mother of his five-month-old son, who has hinted at sharing her side of the story

Spanian and McColl's baby boy is the rapper's third son, and he has since publicised his new relationship with 22-year-old Sydney woman Ava Jean Walker, posting a cosy Snapchat photo with the Harbour Bridge glittering behind them.

'I'm in the news because I have a beautiful new missus,' Spanian bragged online.

'I get a girlfriend, I'm in the news. I break up with my ex-wife, I'm in the news. I love that I'm extremely relevant.'

Spanian said in another video he was 'clearly separated' from Angela and that it was a simple case of two people changing and 'fall[ing] out of love'.

'She thought it would be better if we separated and I lived here, and I did,' he said.

Spanian is now an entrepreneur, running multiple businesses including his food line Spanians Kebabs, with truck franchises valued at over $2.5million

His rapidly growing kebab business is set to open its first store on King Street, Newtown, with others in development

He drives a flash $250,000 Mercedes G-Wagen, the luxury SUV favoured by Sydney businessmen such as King of the Cross John Ibrahim.

Last year he also bought his now-estranged wife a more modest white $150,000 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 SUV.

The boy who spent much of his adolescence in boys' homes now lives in a $6 million waterfront Barangaroo apartment.

But while he boasts of his 'extreme' relevance, not everyone is cheering him on.

In May 2025, a Spanian's Kebabs truck in Melbourne burned down in a suspected arson attack.

And while he was once praised for his gritty authenticity, fans now say Spanian has become 'unrecognisable' - both in looks and attitude.

'He's had the nose done, the veneers, and now he's dating someone who looks so much younger,' one fan commented on TikTok, a sentiment echoed across dozens of posts.

'This isn't the Spanian people followed. He's let the fame and money go to his head.'
Secretive Aussie billionaire entrepreneur Brett Blundy, who made his fortune with brands Bras N Things, Best & Less, Honey Birdette and jewellery chain Lovisa, is behind an aggressive power play to take over Victoria's Secret.

Blundy's bid for control of the world's largest intimate apparel company has thrust the usually publicity-shy investor into the spotlight as he declares war on the Victoria's Secret board.

Despite its global market saturation with sexy supermodels boldly strutting catwalks in the brand's highly desirable products, Victoria's Secret's financial performance has slumped sharply in the last year.

The New York-listed chain has more than 1,380 stores in nearly 70 countries, but its share price has plummeted more than 25 per cent over the past year.

Blundy, who has been pushing for a seat on the board, has a near 13 per cent stake in Victoria's Secret via his private company BBRC Worldwide.

The 65-year-old Australian, who lives in Monaco, is now demanding the lingerie retailer remove its chairwoman, Donna James, to regain profit and relevance.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Victoria's Secret dominated the intimate apparel market as the brand with the famous fashion shows starring supermodels - dubbed Victoria's Secret Angels - such as Claudia Schiffer, Gisele Bundchen, Tyra Banks, Adriana Lima and Australian Miranda Kerr.

Bundchen once modelled a US$15million bra set, while Schiffer wore the US$10million 'Millennium' Fantasy bra, adorned with 2,000 diamonds set in platinum and several sapphire accents.

Bella Hadid walks the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Steiner Studios in New York City last month

Secretive Aussie billionaire entrepreneur Brett Blundy is behind an aggressive power play to take over the world's biggest intimate apparel company, Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret has tried to revive its flagging fortunes with influencers, athletes and new models like Emily Ratajkowski (pictured) and Gigi Hadid, but its share price dropped sharply

Victoria's Secret scratched the 'Angel' brand and more recently has tried to revive its flagging fortunes with a new 'VS Collective' line promoted by athletes, influencers and models such as Bella Hadid and Candice Swanepoel.

It relaunched its famous show and showcased its new brand PINK, aimed at younger shoppers, and featured a pregnant model on the runway, in moves to boost its share price.

Since becoming the company's the second-largest shareholder over the past three years, Blundy has been circling the company, but has now declared his intentions in a sharply-written letter.

After failing in his attempts to be appointed as a Victoria's Secret director, he has been up front with his plans to jettison Ms James and other board members.

Blundy is worth about $3.6billion, according to the Financial Review Rich List, and has lived overseas with his wife Vanessa Speers for more than a decade, moving from Sydney to Singapore, then the Bahamas and, more recently, Monaco.

In 2018, the couple made a killing on their $45million waterfront trophy home in Rose Bay, a luxury clifftop mansion which sold for $12million more than it was bought for in 2016, without any renovation.

Blundy sold his Bras N Things lingerie retail empire for $500million but later bought it back, and has also invested in huge cattle station properties across Australia.

He built his fortune investing in retail companies including Sanity music stores, property company Aventus, clothing chain Universal, and Accent, which owns shoe retailers such as Hype, Glue and Platypus.

Alessandra Ambrosio is one of Victoria's Secret's new fleet of models promoting the lingerie brand which Aussie billionaire Brett Blundy is trying to take over to revive its fortunes

Billionaire Brett Blundy and his wife Vanessa Speer shun the limelight

They sold this spectacular home in Rose Bay for $45million in 2018 when they moved from Sydney to Singapore, then the Bahamas and, more recently, Monaco

Blundy launched Leays in Sydney earlier this year, perhaps signalling his ambition to acquire Victoria's Secret

Earlier this year he opened the Leays lingerie, sleepwear and beauty emporium in Australia. His BBRC Worldwide still owns discount retailer Best&Less, along with other investments ranging from Queensland fashion brand Dissh to California's Hot 8 Yoga studios.

Blundy has fired broadsides at the governance of Victoria's Secret, and specifically at Donna James who he described in the letter as having 'a stale perspective'.

He previously stated Victoria's Secret has 'tremendous intrinsic value that has not been fully realised' due to 'continued mismanagement' and 'disastrous board-level decisions'.

Earlier this year Blundy, who shies away from giving interviews said: 'I like to think of myself as a global citizen. My preference is to do things that can go global.'

Victoria's Secret told investors on Wednesday that it was reviewing Blundy's demands for a board seat.

It added that it was evaluating 'conflicts of interest and competitive concerns, and the potential for reputational and legal risk arising from past conduct-related issues'.
A chilling mugshot of a thug who breached a restraining order 10 times has been released after he was jailed.

Christopher Miller, 54, had approached his ex-wife at her place of work and shouted 'f*** off' from his car window.

He then made a rude gesture before driving off, Oxford Crown Court heard.

His custody photo, published by Thames Valley Police, shows the scowling bully with what seems to be blood-red scratches across his forehead and right cheek.

The father-of-six also appears exhausted with huge bags underneath his eyes and a grimace on his face.

Police refused to comment on how Miller got the long scratches across his face.

The image, published by Thames Valley Police shows the scowling bully with what seems to be blood red scratches across his forehead and right cheek

Miller pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order in Banbury on September 21, 2024.

The criminal already had 23 previous convictions for 44 offences.

Miller initially denied the offence and so the case was listed for trial. But he later changed his plea.

Judge Michael Roques said: 'This was a deliberate breach.'

The judge then jailed him for 13 months.

He had two restraining orders imposed from his ex-wife in 2019 and 2023 - this was his tenth breach.

Miller has repeatedly appeared in court for breaking the terms of the order.

In 2019, he was given a community order after his ex-wife found him at the back of their marital home months after he had moved out.

Four years later, he appeared in Oxford Crown Court and gave a speech about how isolated he has felt.

He said: 'I've gone from a big family; six children and a dog.'

But the court also heard he had texted an individual with a rambling message 'sl****** off' his ex-wife.

And a claim that the restraining order was a 'full of s*** injunction'.

In mitigation, it was revealed the text messages were to 'protect his children'.

Nevertheless he was jailed to 16 months.

Recorder Bate-Williams said: 'These were clear breaches of the restraining order.'

He added: 'It is important for you to recall that the maximum sentence is five years' imprisonment.'

He was also issued with a civil injunction in 2021 due to antisocial behaviour.

It banned him from standing or loitering within 50 metres of any bridge over A34, M40 or Railway lines in the of Oxfordshire.

At the time, a spokesperson for Bicester and Kidlington Problem Solving Team, said: 'The behaviour that Christopher Miller has displayed over a long period of time has caused many residents, members of the public and railway staff significant amount of alarm and distress.

'The Bicester and Kidlington Problem Solving Team continues to listen to concerns of residents and our partners and we welcome the ruling of the court granting this injunction on Mr Miller.

'This has been the accumulation of a process that has taken just over a year and we would like thank those who have been affected by his behaviour for their patience.'
The three-year campaign of harassment that brought Julia Wandelt to court was never just about one woman and her feverish obsession.

As the jury was told at the outset of the trial, the disappearance of Madeleine McCann brought with it consequences far beyond the crushing pain of loss and not knowing.

'One of many tragic consequences for Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, has been their constant inability to escape the glare of publicity that came with that tragedy,' said prosecutor Michael Duck, KC.

'The attention they have received has not always been compassionate, sometimes far from it.

'There remains a group of individuals who continue to fail to acknowledge their plight and perpetuate conspiracy theories.'

In those words lies the agonising twist in this whole sorry saga.

For while Wandelt, clearly a troubled young woman, perhaps warrants some sympathy, the same cannot be said of the many others who have continued to perpetuate her fiction.

Among those supporters is Wandelt's co-defendant Karen Spragg, a woman who during the early stages of the trial was seen holding hands with her co-accused until the judge ordered they sit apart.

Wandelt sobbed as she was found not guilty of stalking the McCanns for almost three years

A sketch of Wandelt in the dock at Leicester Crown Court

Karen Spragg, 61, of Cardiff, arriving at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday. She was cleared

Spragg, 61, a grandmother who lives in a rental flat in Cardiff, was found not guilty of stalking or harassing the McCanns. She did not break any laws and, it should be stressed, walked free from court  but she undoubtedly had a role in this tumultuous tale.

She sat next to Wandelt, holding hands once again, as the verdicts were read out  Spragg was found not guilty of stalking and harassment, Wandelt was cleared of stalking but convicted of harassment.

But Spragg, who wept as her fate was decided, was given a five-year restraining order, banning her from contacting the McCanns.

'I'm satisfied she became involved and enjoyed the drama of the situation,'said Mrs Justice Cutts. 'Mrs Spragg said it herself in an interview  she saw Miss Wandelt as the victim and not the McCanns.

'She supported her while indulging in her conspiracy theories.'

Spragg has never wavered from her view that Madeleine's parents were somehow responsible for their daughter's disappearance from a holiday apartment, where Maddie had been sleeping with her siblings while her parents and their friends had dinner at the resort's tapas restaurant.

'We get arrested for turning up at their house once or twice, two days in a row... and they leave their children alone and everyone's asking why weren't they punished?'

These were Spragg's words to police after she was arrested. 'They know what they have done. They arranged the kidnapping and the abduction.'

Such sentiments are shocking and unimaginably distressing for the McCanns.

And yet, this was precisely the febrile online environment into which Wandelt plunged when she began claiming to be Madeleine.

Kate and Gerry McCann have both given evidence during the trial in Leicester

Wandelt, who claims she was sexually abused by her step grandfather as a child, first started thinking she was Madeleine (pictured) in June 2022

Ever since the McCanns were, for a brief time, made suspects by Portuguese police in the shambolic early days of their daughter's disappearance, the floodgates have been open for abuse and false hope.

Take the Facebook group entitled Justice For Madeleine McCann, a 'private' group with 42,000 members.

This is how it describes itself to members: 'From the very outset the parents lied, and an unprecedented amount of intervention from the UK Government took place.

'Our aim is to expose the lies, the subsequent cover-up, the people involved, and hope that one day we can all see justice for Madeleine.'

It was the collision of fame-hungry, vulnerable Wandelt and an army of keyboard warriors  armed with preposterous and at times utterly vile conspiracy theories  that fuelled the fire that led her to a Leicester courtroom.

The Free Julia Wandelt Facebook group, on which members continued to discuss Wandelt and uphold her claims throughout the trial  in apparent disregard of strict instructions from the judge  has more than 4,000 members.

But at the height of her notoriety  Wandelt's claims went viral in early 2023  she had in the region of one million followers.

How intoxicating it must have felt to a young woman who, apparently, thrived on the quasi-celebrity nature of it all.

Spragg, who clutched her husband's hand as she attended court each day  unlike Wandelt, she was not held on remand  was just one among many supporters.

Quite when she started following Wandelt online is unclear, but the court heard that contact between the two women started 'in earnest' on social media in 2024.

'I believe you are [Madeleine] and they know you are, that's why they [the McCanns] won't do the DNA test. You are going to expose something big,' urged Spragg in one exchange. 'Someone needs to take you seriously. Keep up the good work.'

It wasn't long before the missives escalated to daily telephone conversations.

In her police interviews, Spragg said she couldn't recall how the pair ended up exchanging numbers, but they did, speaking on the phone 'for hours sometimes'.

'She sees me as a good friend... she says I am like family to her,' Spragg said. 'I'm a mother and she's like a daughter to me. I'm a mother and a grandmother, so that's my motherly instincts kicking in.'

In November 2024, their chats escalated into action.

Wandelt  whose letters, emails and phone calls had been rebuffed by the McCanns  decided on a more direct approach.

It was Spragg, the court was told, who adopted increasingly bizarre plans to try to acquire samples of the McCanns' DNA.

'Yes, we can go through their bins. LOL,' quipped Spragg, with a jarring jollity.

It was Spragg who collected Wandelt from East Midlands airport, when she flew in from Poland in December 2024. Spragg's car was then picked up on CCTV on its journey to Rothley, where she sent a message to an associate.

A composite shared by Wandelt on social media claiming similarities between her and Gerry

'We are sat outside the McCanns' home waiting for them to come home. We are like private investigators with car lights out... Never thought I would be stalking the McCanns,' she wrote.

Flippant. But nothing about their meeting with Kate McCann on that dark evening in December 2024 was light or warm.

Wandelt shared an audio recording of the encounter, on the doorstep of the McCanns' home, on her TikTok account.

It is abundantly clear how upsetting it was; Kate can be heard saying: 'You are causing a lot of distress, stop it.'

Meanwhile, Wandelt can be heard telling Spragg: 'Don't shout at Kate.'

Afterwards, Wandelt and Spragg formed a WhatsApp group to which Kate's number, which she had never changed in the wake of her daughter's disappearance, was added. They made further plans to visit Rothley in February and to 'stake out' the next annual vigil, held in Madeleine's home town every May.

Thankfully, no further encounters happened.

Wandelt was arrested as she got off a flight at Bristol airport and Spragg, who the court was told had a police caution after slapping a neighbour in 2006, was arrested shortly afterwards, as she sat waiting in her car.

She is now able to return home a free woman.

But it remains an inescapable fact of this saga that beyond the two women who appeared in court, there are many others who metaphorically helped stir the pot.

Social media may have been in its infancy when Madeleine went missing but it has grown inexorably.

Among the first and most prominent of those to leap on Wandelt's assertion that she was Madeleine was American psychic Fia Johansson, who goes by the Instagram handle @persianmedium.

She contacted Wandelt in February 2023, flying to Poland to meet her and arranging, as the court heard, for the younger woman to fly to Los Angeles and appear on the sofa with US chat show host Dr Phil.

Contrast that with more recent online statements in which she distances herself from Wandelt, stating that she 'recognised at once what was being staged: a dangerous media circus that put not only the McCann family but also the validity of the investigation at risk'.

Then there was British publicist Surjit Singh Clair who, the court heard, advised Wandelt how to manage her social media posts, telling her: 'I am suspicious why they won't give you a DNA test.'

He, too, would subsequently distance himself from Wandelt.

On social media, there was endless appetite for theory and speculation, just as there was following the disappearance of mother Nicola Bulley in 2023.

Wandelt appeared numerous times on screen with true crime YouTuber Shaun Attwood and his collaborator Ron Swanson.

The pair even provided a forum for Wandelt to continue her attempts to spread her claims from behind bars  a live blog, which, understandably found no favour with the courts.

During the trial, Stacy Gorman, an American woman who helped co-ordinate the communications of the legitimate Find Madeleine campaign, and who also received emails from Wandelt, gave evidence.

'When it first started, I felt very sympathetic, and so did Gerry and Kate,' she says.

'They showed her a lot of grace. As time went on, I became concerned because she had a big following on social media.

'Julia's contact was not aggressive, but a lot of the other people were extremely aggressive.'

While the Wandelt trial may have offered a glimpse into the agonies faced by the McCanns, it is just a fraction of what they have been presented with since 2007.

One of the most striking pieces of testimony at the trial came from Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell, of Operation Grange, the Metropolitan Police operation that has probed Madeleine's disappearance at a cost of more than 13 million  prompting some to question whether the operation remains viable considering no arrests or charges have been made.

Mr Cranwell revealed that since 2018, his team had received 22,000 emails, and filed away some 42,000 documents. How many of those emails included claims to have knowledge about the case? He did not say.

But poignantly, he revealed that 12 people had contacted police saying they are Madeleine McCann.

Even as the trial neared its conclusion the online debate raged on.

Take this post from one of Wandelt's supporters: 'Regardless of outcome, Julia needs to write a book, go on podcasts and tell her story loud and proud.

'It needs mass attention to get people questioning and putting pressure on the system to fold. The truth must be brought to light!'

The simple truth is that after 18 years, one family still needs answers.
A top judge in Iowa was arrested for driving under the influence after she was allegedly found passed out on the wrong side of a major highway.

Chief Judge for Iowa's Second Judicial District, Adria Kester was taken into custody on Tuesday after reports a truck rolling in the wrong direction near Boone.

The 55-year-old was allegedly spotted by other drivers who said she 'looked unconscious' and was 'slumped over the steering wheel', according to a criminal complaint from the Boone County Sheriff's Office cited by the Des Moines Register.

A witness watched as her car rolled across the median until they climbed through the back window and put the truck in park, according to the document.

Officials claimed that Kester had bloodshot watery eyes and slurred speech.

They also alleged that she was 'unsteady and could not walk on her own' and refused to answer questions or take a field sobriety test.

A cup with a 'liquid that smelled like alcohol' was also found in the vehicle, according to Deputies.

Kester was charged with operating while intoxicated and was arrested at 4am on November 5 but was released later that morning without bond.

Chief Judge for the state's Second Judicial District, Adria Kester, 55, was taken into custody after multiple witnesses reported a truck rolling in the wrong direction

Officials also obtained a warrant to draw the judge's blood at Boone County Hospital, but the arrest document does not include any results, according to the outlet.

Boone County Sheriff Andy Godzicki noted he was relieved no one was hurt during the incident, according to The Independent.

Matt Lindholm, her lawyer, said in a statement: 'Judge Kester recognizes the seriousness of the situation and is fully cooperating with law enforcement and the judicial process.'

'She is committed to addressing this matter responsibly and in accordance with the law,' he added.

The judge has pleaded not guilty.

Kester's position of power has complicated her case. A district associate judge stepped aside because of the nature of her 'professional relationship' with the chief judge.

The other drivers who saw Kester alleged that she 'looked unconscious' and was 'slumped over the steering wheel,' according the Boone County Sheriff's Office

Kester's case was requested to be sent to a different district by Iowa Chief Justice Susan Christensen, who had appointed Kester to chief judge in the district.

Judge Gregory Brandt was assigned.

Kester was the first woman to hold the post of district associate judge in Iowa's Second Judicial District. She joined the bench in 2013, according to the outlet.
Rachel Reeves has been urged to slash energy bills by ditching Ed Milibands green levies instead of dropping VAT at the Budget.

The Green Alliance think tank has told the Chancellor that measures including scrapping renewables subsidies could reduce the average household fuel bill by 178 a year by 2030.

The Treasury is said to be eyeing up removing VAT from energy at the Budget later this month as Ms Reeves seeks to fill an economic black hole of up to 50billion.

Green Alliance said the Government must act immediately to lower bills, with the average household now paying 478 more for energy than they did four years ago.

However the environmental think tank has warned the Chancellor against cutting VAT - and urged her to instead take subsidies for solar and wind farms off household bills.

Green Alliance senior policy adviser Stuart Dossett said: There are households up and down the country that are being battered by this, and many people, as we move into winter, will be unable to heat their homes to a comfortable temperature because bills are too high.

While the Government has rightly recognised the need to bring down costs, Mr Dossett warned that bringing VAT rates down to zero could immediately cut bills but would be a forever more move and would be difficult to reverse.

The Green Alliance think tank has told the Chancellor that measures including scrapping renewables subsidies could reduce the average household fuel bill by 178 a year by 2030

Instead new research from the think tank urges Ms Reeves to use the 2.3billion it would cost the Treasury to scrap VAT to take renewables subsidies off household energy bills to bring costs down.

This would include tariffs on solar power and the renewables obligation subsidies for wind farms, with Green Alliance arguing this move would offer the Government better value for money.

It comes as the Conservatives launched a new broadside against the Energy Secretarys Net Zero drive, calling for Labour to scrap green levies to knock 165 off the average household bill.

Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said: Labour promised to cut energy bills by 300, but instead they are locking us into higher prices for decades

Well axe the Carbon Tax, scrap Milibands rip-off subsidies, and cut every households electricity bill by 20 per cent instantly or 165 for the average family.

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said the Government did not comment on speculation over tax changes.

But they added: The Government's clean energy mission is exactly how we will deliver cheaper power and bring down bills for good.

Our mission is relentlessly focused on delivering lower bills for the British people, to tackle the affordability crisis that has been driven by our dependence on fossil fuel markets.
Up a remote gravel track near the dusty outback town of Belalie North in South Australia is a little house that time forgot.

The two-bedroom bungalow, with its cracked walls and sun-baked tin roof, sits on a ten-acre plot which is being grazed by four moth-eaten sheep.

Alongside its driveway, youll find half a dozen cars, in various states of decay. On the verandah is a childs bicycle, with stabilisers on the back wheels.

The place appears to have been abandoned some time ago.

Visitors who dare approach the front door can glimpse the deserted and spartan interior.

In the kitchen, the doors on a fridge-freezer are ajar. On the wall is a calendar someone has filled with daily appointments until March. They havent touched it since.

This is the home of Josh Lamont, a sometime rock musician whose band The Cut Snakes played the pubs and bars of South Australia before disbanding during Covid. Property records show he bought it for $81,000AUD (40,000) in March 2021, around the time his first son, a blond-haired boy named Gus, was born.

That was now a lifetime away. For on the evening of Saturday September 27, police called on Josh to say that Gus had been reported missing from Oak Park Station, an outback sheep farm roughly two hours drive north.

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Augustus 'Gus' Lamont, 4, was reported missing on September 27 this year after vanishing from his home near Adelaide

When the Daily Mail knocked on the family's door last week, to gently ask whether they had any further details to share, we got a hostile welcome from Gus's transgender grandmother Josie Murray, who was brandishing a pump action shotgun (pictured)

The child had been living there with his mother, Lamonts girlfriend Jessica Murray, and grandparents Josie and Shannon.

Gus had apparently last been seen around 5pm, playing on a mound of red dirt that he used as a sandpit. By the time he was called in for dinner, half an hour later, hed vanished. No one has seen him since.

A huge search, involving dozens of police officers, soldiers, a small army of volunteers and an Aboriginal tracker was quickly mounted.

Yet despite scouring tens of thousands of acres using drones and helicopters, and last week draining a small lake beside the property, it came to nought.

The closest anyone has come to finding something resembling a clue came in the early days of the search, when a single footprint was found in the dust, 500 yards from where he was last seen.

In the meantime, what began as a simple missing persons case has become a major news event, drawing a collection of news reporters, TV crews and TikTok true crime obsessives to this remote corner of South Australia, roughly four hours drive from Adelaide.

Various outlandish explanations for Guss disappearance, involving everything from wild animals to disused mine shafts, have since been investigated and discounted. And as the case enters its seventh week, police seem to be no nearer to working out what has become of the missing child. In fact, there seem to be more unanswered questions now than there were when he first vanished.

All of which brings us back to Josh Lamonts house and the calendar hanging on the wall.

One of the last appointments it lists for March was term starts, presumably marking the introduction days for Gus at a local nursery school where he was due to start full-time in January. Importantly, that trial day was the occasion when the official police photo of Gus, in a grey and blue Peppa Pig T-shirt, appears to have been taken.

As far as we can establish, that nursery school visit also represents the last time anyone outside of the childs immediate family can remember seeing him.

The Daily Mail has visited almost every property in Yunta, the nearest town to Oak Park Station, populated by only 60 people.

While many residents knew the Murray family, and were aware that Jessica had two children (Gus has a younger brother named Ronnie), no one could recall catching a glimpse of the boy since he was a baby. Neighbours in Belalie North said similar. Meanwhile in Jamestown, where the nearest pub to Belalie North is located, a bar worker said that while Josh Lamont is a fairly regular customer, he hadnt seen Gus since 2024.

Put another way, the missing boy seems to have barely left his home in the six months leading up to the day he vanished. The only people who had seen him alive during that period were the ones who then reported him missing.

A casual observer might find this peculiar. But in the Australian outback, geography dictates that families can live very secluded lives.

Oak Park Station is a case in point. Spanning some 150,000 acres of scrubland and desert, an area roughly the size of the former county of Middlesex, it is 30 miles from the nearest major road.

Getting from the house where the Murrays live to town takes an hour. You then find yourself in Yunta. But its more a collection of houses than a town, and consists of two petrol stations, one pub, a post office and a police station. The closest medium-sized grocery store is in Peterborough, another hour away.

The Murray family have been largely silent since Gus vanished, until a few days ago, their only detailed public comments had come via a 150-word statement issued by Bill Harbison, a family friend, three days after the boy went missing. Were devastated by the disappearance of our beloved Gus on Saturday afternoon, it read. Were struggling to comprehend what has happened. We miss him more than words can express.

There has been no update from the family. And when the Daily Mail knocked on their door last week, to gently ask whether they had any further details to share, we got a hostile welcome from Josie Murray.

In fact, she was brandishing a pump-action shotgun.

Who are you? Get out! You are trespassing, get out, get out, she yelled. Are you deaf? Get out! When our reporter attempted to apologise, she was told to Shut your face and get out!

The encounter left our reporter shaken. But police later sought to portray the incident as a misunderstanding, saying Josie wasnt using the gun to threaten her visitor, but was carrying it because shed seen a snake on their porch.

Local Deputy Police Commissioner Linda Williams insisted: There was no intent for the person having that firearm at that time to be threatening.

Despite a massive search operation, the emergency services have been unable to locate Gus, with locals voicing fears that the youngster may have falled down one of the abandoned wells and mines that pockmark the area

The Trial Australia - Inside Australia's biggest criminal cases: Listen to the new Daily Mail podcast now

That explanation raised several questions, however.

Firstly, snakes are protected in South Australia. Didnt that make it illegal for Murray to shoot one? Secondly, are pump action shotguns an appropriate tool for dispatching a reptile at close range? And thirdly, if dangerous snakes really are in the habit of taking up residence on the porch, why did the family allow their four-year-old child to play unsupervised outside on the day he vanished?

The police have yet to address any of these points, just as they are refusing to comment on the question of when Gus was last seen by anyone outside his immediate family.

What we do know for sure is that Josie cuts an unorthodox figure in this God-fearing community, where social attitudes hark back to the era of Crocodile Dundee. For she happens to be a transgender woman.

Born Robert Murray, Josie is actually Jesss biological father. Josies wife, Shannon, is Jesss biological mother.

Locals say Josie transitioned in 2015, around the time Shannons father Vincent, a Second World War hero whod ran the ranch for several decades, died.

People were obviously a bit shocked, one told the Daily Mail. But over time they came to terms with it, and for the most part people have come round to the view of live and let live.

The family have since led largely unremarkable lives. However, locals say the years since Guss birth brought some conflict between the generations.

Specifically, friends of Josh say that he had spent extended periods of time at Oak Park Station but had moved out a couple of years ago due to a personality clash with Josie.

He and Jess have since enjoyed a complex love life, described by one acquaintance as a sort of commuter relationship where they remain a couple but largely live in different homes.

Although Josh tolerated his children living on the remote farm while they were infants, he doesnt think its safe for kids to be out there, a friend said, and was planning to move Jess and the boys into his home in Belalie North later this year.

That would have reduced the amount of time the little boy spent being ferried to and from his school.

On September 27, the night Gus vanished, Josh was found asleep in his home by police. Its unclear why Jess had not phoned to tell him their child was missing, but analysis of his movements that day are believed to have ruled out any involvement in the disappearance. He has since visited Oak Park Station to assist with the search and is now believed to be living with family members in the suburbs of Adelaide.

Meanwhile, the known facts surrounding the case are as follows: at 5.30pm, Shannon had realised Gus was missing. And with the sun starting to sink, the family spent the next three hours frantically searching their rambling homestead. After darkness fell, at 8.30pm, they called the police.

A major search began that night, involving helicopters, drones, and infrared cameras. The next day, and for most of that week, convoys of trucks and trail bikes brought search teams to the farm, while teams of divers explored its water tanks, ponds and reservoirs.

But the dusty footprint, found after three days, is the nearest anyone has come to locating Gus, with police saying it showed a very similar boot pattern to the pair hed been wearing, along with a blue long-sleeved Minions T-shirt and a grey sun hat.

Yet an Aboriginal tracker concluded that it could have been there for a week before the night Gus went missing. In the absence of any further footprints, the trail went cold.

Local topography makes it almost impossible that a stranger could have abducted him. The nearest major road is the Barrier Highway which takes long-distance truckers to New South Wales. But to reach it, Gus would have had to walk 30 miles

After a week, rescuers admitted the operation had shifted to a recovery phase, with the focus on locating remains. That wound down a few days later.

However, a team returned on October 17, for another four-day search. At the end of the month they drained about three million litres of water from a dam.

In the absence of evidence regarding Guss fate, various conspiracy theories are doing the rounds. Police have discounted most of them, particularly those involving wild animals.

Dingos, a wild dog, have previously been responsible for abducting small children. But there are precious few in the land around Yunta, since sheep farmers tend to shoot them on sight. The region is also protected by a 1,200-mile dog fence to protect livestock.

Crocodiles, which inhabit more tropical northern regions of Australia, are not found in the south.

Gus is too big to be taken by an eagle, and if he had been attacked by a wild pig, searchers would have discovered evidence of a bloody struggle.

Local topography makes it almost impossible that a stranger could have abducted him. The nearest major road is the Barrier Highway which takes long-distance truckers to New South Wales. But to reach it, Gus would have had to walk 30 miles.

And if he had simply wandered off and perished, some remains ought to have been found by now.

So, some six weeks after the little boy with curly blond hair went missing, this great Australian soap opera shows little sign of ending. And every passing day seems to bring more questions.

To learn more about his disappearance, search for The Trial Australia now, wherever you get your podcasts.
There can be few more forbidding prisons in the country than HMP Wandsworth.

The Victorian jail, with its double-fronted wooden entrance beneath a gothic arch, is flanked by twin three-storey towers. Surrounding the entire fortress-like complex are 30ft walls, with some sections topped with razor-sharp barbed wire and metal fencing.

HMP Wandsworth would not, metaphorically speaking, look out of place in Gotham City.

Back in the Sixties, Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs escaped from here but only following an elaborate breakout which involved scaling the perimeter with a rope ladder, lowering himself into a waiting van through a hole cut in the roof of the vehicle and knocking out nearby telephones to prevent anyone from alerting the police.

At the risk of stating the obvious, it was once very hard indeed to get out of Wandsworth once the doors had slammed shut behind you. Not today, though, as the latest scandal engulfing the Prison Service and, by implication, the Government illustrates in circumstances bordering on the farcical.

Two prisoners, including Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24  who no one was even aware was missing for six days and who was arrested in north London yesterday  were mistakenly released from Wandsworth in the space of little over a week.

They were simply allowed to walk out of the front gates, something we now know is far from uncommon in prisons up and down the country.

Wandsworth  where a bankrupt Boris Becker spent eight months in 2022 for hiding 2.5 million worth of assets and loans from his creditors  epitomises Britains broken penal system.

Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was arrested yesterday after his accidental release

Fraudster William 'Billy' Smith handed himself in after another bungled release at one of Britain's most famous prisons

The Victorian jail, with its double-fronted wooden entrance beneath a gothic arch, is flanked by twin three-storey towers. Surrounding the entire fortress-like complex are 30ft walls, with some sections topped with razor-sharp barbed wire and metal fencing

Its failings have resulted in 262 prisoners in England and Wales being accidentally freed in the 12 months to March this year  a 128 per cent increase from the 115 the previous year.

But why does it keep happening?

According to a prison source speaking exclusively to the Mail, the jail in south-west London, one of the biggest in Britain, is overcrowded and understaffed. This has created a chaotic environment with inexperienced or untrained staff often signing off vital paperwork.

There are staff who have only been in the job for six months making these crucial calls, the source told us.

A clerical error at this stage of the release process can lead to dangerous individuals being let out prematurely  as seems to have happened in the case of Kaddour-Cherif.

Few past or present staff at Wandsworth  some of whom have spoken to the Mail  will be surprised at the turn of events.

The failings at the prison have already been exposed in scandalous detail in a string of damning official reports in the past year: CCTV cameras that didnt work and warders unable to account for their prisoners  described as just unfathomable by the chief inspector of prisons.

The release of Kaddour-Cherif on October 29 may yet prove to be career-threatening for the new Justice Secretary and Deputy PM, David Lammy. He had told Parliament on October 27 that hed introduced the strongest release checks that have ever been in place to avoid a repeat of the Hadush Kebatu debacle  the Ethiopian migrant sex offender mistakenly freed from Chelmsford prison on October 24  which, he said, were effective immediately.

The release of Kaddour-Cherif on October 29 may yet prove to be career-threatening for the new Justice Secretary and Deputy PM, David Lammy

Daniel Khalife escaped from Wandsworth in September 2023 by strapping himself to the underside of a food delivery van

Two days later (last Wednesday) there was indeed a repeat but his story had changed.

Lammy said Kaddour-Cherif, who was serving time for trespass with intent to steal but had previously been prosecuted for indecent exposure, was released before, not after, the additional checks he had ordered came into force.

So, which of the answers he gave at the despatch box is correct?

His belligerence in initially refusing to say if another migrant had been released by mistake when standing in for Keir Starmer at Prime Ministers Questions, and sending out a junior minister to try to clear up the mess on Thursday, led to accusations of incompetence and cowardice, even from some members of his own party.

It would be unfair to scapegoat beleaguered staff at Wandsworth for everything that has happened there. Originally built to house fewer than 100 prisoners, the jail population has swelled to more than 1,500 at times and is never less than chronically congested with severely depleted staffing levels.

Every day, an average of one third of staff are unavailable, revealed the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) this month.

More alarmingly, IMB visitors, the eyes and ears of the public appointed by ministers, were unable to conduct roll checks because staff could not provide accurate prisoner numbers.

The revelations mirrored the findings of an earlier report by the chief inspector of prisons: that staff across most units were unable to account for the whereabouts of inmates during the working day.

Is it any wonder then that Iranian spy Daniel Khalife, a former soldier, was able to escape by clinging to the underside of a food delivery truck in September 2023, in a scene reminiscent of a comedy crime caper?

The best that can be said of the episode is that at least he wasnt let out by staff, who were supposed to be keeping him locked up, like Kaddour-Cherif and William Billy Smith, who was released this week on the same day he was starting a 45-month sentence for a series of frauds. He has now turned himself in.

On the day he disappeared, nearly 40 per cent of prison officers had not turned up for their shift, with long hours, violence among prisoners and poor pay causing staff burnout, according to the Prison Officers Association.

Wandsworth was placed in special measures in the wake of that farce, one of just ten jails out of more than 100 in England and Wales to suffer such a fate since 2022. A former prison officer with connections to the jail painted a nightmarish picture of life inside and the impact it is having on his old colleagues, and hence security.

Staff are worn out, he said. There is a massive gang problem because so many London gang members are in there. Violence is endemic. Its so overcrowded and so many prisoners need to be kept away from the others that there is a 23-hour lock-up for most of them.

Keeping people who are already unstable criminals in a prison cell for 23 hours a day turns them into wild animals. So, when you let them out all they want to do is fight and cause chaos.

This means staff are constantly in a state of heightened panic, they get stressed and sloppy, and mistakes are made.

Having the right people with the necessary experience is especially important in the Offender Management Unit (OMU), the office inside each jail which makes decisions when prisoners are due for release.

Both Kaddour-Cherif and Smith would have been processed by the OMU at Wandsworth.

The unit is made up of admin staff  so not normal operational prison officers  who deal with the paperwork over from the courts and probation service, our source explained.

What should happen on the day is that one of the OMU team rings up the caseworker to see if the prisoner has any outstanding charges, or if there is any other reason why they shouldnt be released, such as having to serve another sentence. Sometimes these checks just arent done properly or there is a simple miscommunication.

What can also lead to a wrongful release is someone gets confused between a prison transfer and release. The paperwork for when a prisoner gets moved to another jail looks almost identical to the release papers.

Wandsworth is a large London prison so they might have 25 to 30 releases or transfers every day. The turnover is so high, staff will be so stretched that inevitably there will be mistakes, not double-checking the paperwork  just incompetence.

But its the fault of the system and the bosses who put so much responsibility on people who are overworked and ill-equipped.

A second source went further: There are so many people and departments involved and boxes to tick that no one knows what they have, what they need to do or what they dont have.

Its like going back in time. They still use fax machines to send documents around.

The latest progress review of HMP Wandsworth by chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor spoke of a revived sense of purpose at the jail and limited and fragile improvements having been made.

But staffing remained a problem, with an average of a third of staff still absent every day.

The most worrying statistic of all, though, is worth repeating: That 262 prisoners in England and Wales were mistakenly released in the 12 months to March this year, up from 115 the previous year  the fourth consecutive year of increases.

Will it be any different next year?

Additional reporting: Tim Stewart
A Montana woman armed with a handgun shrugged at officers before she was shot 16 times after threatening a judge, shocking bodycam footage has revealed.

Danielle Moore, 36, allegedly pointed a pistol at Judge Christopher Abbott and security staff at the Lewis & Clark County courthouse in Helena in March of this year.

Deputies responded to the incident following multiple 911 calls and found Moore blocks away from the scene outside.

Officials said she was uncompliant with demands and reached for a handgun on her waist, which led to officers opening fire.

Body cam footage was presented as evidence on Thursday for a coroner's inquest into the killing of Moore, according to the Billings Gazette.

The video reveals the frantic moment when officers had their service weapons drawn and began to demand that Moore stop moving and show them her hands.

The officer recording, and the others with him, can be heard yelling several times at Moore to stop walking, and at one point, she screams 'NO' back at him.

Danielle Moore, 36, allegedly pointed a black pistol at Judge Christopher Abbott and security staff at the Lewis & Clark County courthouse in Helena on March 14

Officials said she was uncompliant with demands and reached for a handgun on her waist, which led to officers opening fire

As they got closer to Moore, she had her hands up, but still appeared to be screaming and cursing because of Weaver's demands. 'We don't want to have to shoot you,' one of them yelled at one point.

Several times, as the officer had his gun pointed at her, she dropped her arms to her sides and raised them into a shrug before finally turning around.

Moore dropped to a knee with her back towards the officials and appears to reach for the weapon in the back of her waistband.

Almost instantly, before the footage was cut due to its graphic nature, multiple gunshots can be heard.

The pistol she was reaching for dropped from her hand when the bullets hit her.

The officers then ran up to Moore, handcuffed her, and tried to perform life-saving measures.

Moore succumbed to her injuries at the scene, according to the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office.

During the Inquests, it was revealed that the woman's handgun was not loaded when she was killed. Her ammunition was in her van parked outside the courthouse, according to KTVH.

Judge Christopher Abbott testified: 'I thought she was going to shoot me.'

Moore was found blocks away from the Lewis & Clark County courthouse

More evidence was brought for the jurors yesterday, which included Moore's Facebook videos, which she posted hours before the incident.

'I don't want to hurt anybody, but I'm not getting hurt either,' she said on a video she uploaded.

Judge Christopher Abbott testified: 'I thought she was going to shoot me.'

A total of 10 witnesses are speaking in front of the jury of 9, according to the outlet. Anaconda Deer Lodge County Coroner Jessie Sather is conducting the inquest.

The hearing continued today - an inquest must be held when an individual dies or is killed while being placed under arrest by a peace officer.
A man plunged 130 feet to his death after he got too close to the edge of the Grand Canyon and slipped.

The 65-year-old was killed after he fell down Guano Point in Arizona around 2pm yesterday, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office received a call to help the Hualapai Nation recover the victim's body.

Search and rescue personnel found the deceased man more than 43 yards down on top of a pile of loose rocks.

Technical rope technicians set up a raising system to secure the body and transport it to the Mohave County Medical Examiner's Office.

The Hualapai Tribal Police Department, Hualapai Nation Fire, and Grand Canyon West Security also assisted in the operation.

The 65-year-old was killed after he fell down Guano Point in Arizona around 2pm yesterday, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office

Search and rescue personnel found the deceased man on top of a pile of loose rocks

Grand Canyon West is situated on the Hualapai Indian Reservation. 'Our condolences are with his family. Please respect their privacy during this time,' officials said.

The identity of the victims has not yet been confirmed.

A highlight of Guano Point is the Highpoint Hike, Guano Points railing less trail, which leads visitors up to one of the most dramatic viewpoints of the canyon, according to the Grand Canyon West website.

Just south of where the man fell is the point's largest attraction, the Skywalk, where guests can walk on a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that extends 70 feet out over the rim of the Grand Canyon and is 4000 feet from the bottom.

In June of 2023, a 33-year-old man plummeted to his death after falling at the skywalk.

The odds of dying from falling off the Grand Canyons rim are roughly one in 1.95 million visitors, according to Grand Canyon National Park Trips.

However, the leading cause of death is not from falling into the canyon but rather medical emergencies that occur to victims during their trip.

Annually, 2.4 visitors are killed from falls, with men being more than twice as likely to die from a fall than women.

Technical rope technicians set up a raising system to secure the body and transport it to the Mohave County Medical Examiner's Office

Annually, 2.4 visitors are killed from falls, with men being 2.5 times more likely to die from a fall than women

Even as more people visit the canyon, the rate of falls has remained relatively steady, according to the outlet.

Between 2007 and 2023, 185 people died at the park, according to the National Park Service.

Grand Canyon National Park spans 1,218,375 acres, equivalent to 1,904 square miles, and is approximately 193 miles from Phoenix.

The Daily Mail ranked the Grand Canyon as the most dangerous national park within the US in 2024.
SAS heroes who took part in the regiments greatest victory against the IRA have been threatened with murder charges after a capitulation by Labour.

Twenty-four soldiers are facing prosecution after the Government caved into Republicans over the possibility of a new inquest and inquiry into the 1987 IRA attack in Loughgall.

An eight-man IRA unit had launched the attack on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) base in the village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

But the militants were killed by SAS soldiers who were waiting after receiving intelligence should the terrorists proceed with the attack.

Despite being set upon by IRA rebels brandishing assault rifles and armed with a 400lb bomb, the servicemen have been accused of disregarding the terrorists human rights by killing them.

The Loughgall attack was carried out on the orders of Jim The Executioner Lynagh and Padraig McKearney, two of the leading members of the IRA in the late 80s, who were killed in the attack.

The new threat to veterans comes as Remembrance Sunday services are held this weekend to pay tribute to the sacrifices of the Armed Forces.

In the 38 years since the attack at Loughgall, no British soldier has uttered a word in public about it.

The destroyed RUC police base in Loughgall, Northern Ireland, following the attack by an eight-man IRA unit

The Loughgall attack was carried out on the orders of Jim The Executioner Lynagh and Padraig McKearney, two of the leading members of the IRA in the late 80s

Now a veteran, who took part in the SAS operation and has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder for decades, has broken that silence.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, he criticises Labours treatment of veterans and its capitulation to the Republican agenda in Northern Ireland.

The decision to hold new inquests for the Loughgall attack and eight other incidents comes after a former member of the Parachute Regiment, Soldier F, was cleared of murder on Bloody Sunday in 1972.

The SAS hero said: This situation is a farcical betrayal of soldiers  the politicians are completely in the wrong.

Theyre hanging soldiers out to dry, traumatising veterans and damaging operations today because younger troops fear they will be treated the same if they open fire.

He added: Loughgall was a defensive rearguard action against those IRA thugs. We did our job for our country and were being persecuted for it.

For me, I wake up with cold sweats after flashbacks and nightmares, which is frightening for my wife and I am still suffering from my injuries on that day.

Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by multiple inquiries, the soldier and his colleagues face more legal hell after Labour scrapped the Conservatives Legacy Act, which introduced protections for troops.

New inquests and possible criminal investigations will be based on the application of European human rights law.

Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) states that everyones right to life should be protected by law and no one should be deprived of their life intentionally except in a sentence following a fair trial. In relation to the Loughgall attack, Republicans have argued in court that security forces failed to prevent loss of life.

But the decorated soldier added: Bullets were ricocheting everywhere as the IRA opened fire and the detonation of the bomb in the bucket caused the police station to partially collapse. There was dust and debris everywhere. I couldnt hear or see, the radios stopped working and I thought the SAS soldier next to me had been killed. It was total confusion.

We later found out those attacking us were the IRAs top guys. They had been active since the 1970s and were responsible for scores of deaths.

The Daily Mail has campaigned to protect veterans of the Troubles while a petition calling for an end to their persecution has attracted more than 200,000 signatures.

Former soldiers say that the legal attacks on soldiers are being driven by the Governments Northern Ireland Office (NIO), with the Ministry of Defence failing to stand up for veterans.

Veterans have protested in London about repeated historical investigations into their actions on the battlefield. The Mail's SAS Stop the Betrayal campaign has highlighted these issues

The Conservatives Legacy Act, which was introduced in 2023 by the then veterans minister Johnny Mercer, put a block on the inquests.

But last year, the High Court and the Court of Appeal in Belfast found that the immunity clause was unlawful and incompatible with the ECHR.

The Government introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill last month, which aims to create a new framework for addressing Troubles-related deaths.

Last month, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn told the Commons that nine inquests will be restored and a remaining 24 will go into what he called a sifting process to decide if they should be handed to the Governments new Legacy Commission for investigation. Mr Benn said Loughgall was one of the nine but the eight others have not been revealed.

The NIO overruled the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on whether there should be another inquest into Loughgall. Sources said there were furious rows between officials as the MoD failed in a bid to stand up for troops.

Former SAS Sergeant Major George Simm said: How many examples of this human rights lawfare stupidity do the British people have to witness before those inhabiting that parallel universe finally realise that the cunning schemes of the NIO are causing damage to the countrys security?

A NIO spokesman said: The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill sets out the criteria for resumption of inquests which had started and were halted by the Legacy Act.
A female fire chief has won a $1.7 million settlement after male colleagues complained she looked intimidating while wearing sunglasses.

Jessica Fleshman, the first woman ever to rise to the rank of battalion chief in the Fairfield Fire Department, accused her male counterparts of launching a campaign of gender discrimination and harassment after landing her new job.

Fleshman said her 2021 promotion was quickly followed by a campaign of hostility that 'undermined her authority, interfered with her job, and derailed her career.'

'I was in my chief's office two or three times a week having to answer for some allegation brought forth against me,' Fleshman told NBC Bay Area.

'It's well over a hundred, a couple hundred My male counterparts weren't treated the way that I was.'

The city of Fairfield agreed to pay more than $1.7 million to settle Fleshman's gender discrimination and harassment lawsuit, filed in 2023, without admitting wrongdoing.

In her lawsuit and interview, she described an onslaught of trivial and serious accusations from wearing sunglasses 'too assertively' to endangering firefighters during hot-weather training sessions.

'From me wearing sunglasses during training and being intimidating, to severe things like safety concerns that I'm putting people in danger by holding trainings when it was too hot, or that I got people burned,' she said.

Jessica Fleshman, he first woman ever to rise to the rank of battalion chief in the Fairfield Fire Department in the Bay Area has won a $1.7 million settlement after alleging years of harassment, retaliation, and sexism from her male colleagues

Fleshman wrote online how 'there are a lot of great people that work there, but unfortunately it only takes a few to create issues.' She is seen pictured with her male colleagues

Despite the volume of complaints, none were substantiated, and Fleshman was never disciplined.

City records show how independent investigators reviewed her harassment complaints in both 2022 and 2024, but in each case officials concluded there was 'no evidence' of a hostile work environment.

Fairfield Fire Chief John Sturdee said in a statement that the city 'hired multiple independent and neutral investigators' and that Fleshman's 'allegations have never been proven in court.'

Civil rights attorney Deborah Kochan, who represented Fleshman, said her client's ordeal was 'all too familiar' for women in male-dominated professions.

'What happened to Chief Fleshman is what I've seen over and over again,' Kochan said to NBC News. 'She reached that level because she was amazing - and then she had to speak out, and nobody had her back.'

Fleshman said that after reporting the harassment to superiors, nothing was done - a lack of accountability that only emboldened her detractors and left her isolated.

'Not one person in that agency reached out or tried to help me through it,' she said. 'I was really dead to the organization at that point.'

Like most fire departments across the country, Fairfield's ranks are overwhelmingly male, with women representing fewer than 5% of firefighters. Nationally, women account for about 9% of all firefighters, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

The city of Fairfield agreed to pay more than $1.7 million to settle Fleshman's gender discrimination and harassment lawsuit, filed in 2023, without admitting wrongdoing

Battalion Chief Jessica Fleshman, center, the first woman ever to reach that rank in the Fairfield Fire Department, is seen pictured alongside her colleagues

Fleshman worked for the Fairfield Fire Department for 20 years

Captain Lauren Andrade, president of Equity on Fire, a nonprofit advocating for women and underrepresented groups in fire services, said Fleshman's case reflects a widespread cultural problem.

'There has to be some kind of accountability instead of just ignoring [the issue] and hoping it will go away,' Andrade said.

'You can't just not address these big issues - it continues to leave the door open for more of the same behavior.'

Fleshman said she joined the Fairfield Fire Department after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, believing her discipline and toughness would serve her well.

But even after making history, she said, she found herself fighting to be treated as an equal.

'We need to change the culture of the fire service,' she said. 'It's one of the last cultures to change. We women are just as capable as our male counterparts to do the job.'

Fairfield Fire Chief John Sturdee said the city 'hired multiple independent and neutral investigators' to review Fleshman's complaints, and none found evidence of sex discrimination or a hostile work environment

Fairfield's ranks are overwhelmingly male, with women representing fewer than 5 percent of firefighters. Nationally, women account for about 9 percent of all firefighters

Despite the volume of complaints, none were substantiated, and Fleshman was never disciplined

City records show how independent investigators reviewed her harassment complaints in both 2022 and 2024, but in each case officials concluded there was 'no evidence' of a hostile work environment

Under the terms of her settlement, Fleshman will remain on paid administrative leave until her planned retirement next year

Under the terms of her settlement, Fleshman will remain on paid administrative leave until her planned retirement next year.

She's now teaching as an adjunct fire instructor at Solano Community College - a role she says allows her to prepare the next generation for a more inclusive future.

'This was never how I wanted my career to end. I love the citizens of Fairfield and always strived to provide the highest level of service they deserved,' Fleshman wrote in a heartfelt message on her Facebook page on Thursday.

'There are a lot of great people that work there, but unfortunately it only takes a few to create issues. Thank you citizens of Fairfield for allowing me to serve you.'
A top Trump aide has warned that one in five flights could be canceled if the government shutdown drags on, with airport turmoil already spreading nationwide.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Friday that cancellations could spike to 20 percent if the government isnt reopened soon, with the shutdown now dragging into its 38th day.

'If this shutdown doesnt end relatively soon, the consequence is that more controllers dont come to work,' he told Fox News. 'I dont want to see that.'

As of 6pm Friday, nearly 1,500 flights had been canceled, with a staggering 4,576 delayed within, into or out of the US, according to Flight Aware data.

The economic impact of the mandated cuts is said to be 'far worse' than expected, experts say.

'If the air travel thing goes south for another week or two,' National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told Fox Business, 'you could say that they would have at least a near-term downturn.'

The Federal Aviation Association started cuts today, slashing 4 percent of routes at the nation's busiest airports.

The reductions, which impact all commercial airlines, will ramp up to 10 percent by Friday next week.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (pictured) warned Friday that flight cancellations could spike to 20 percent if the government isnt reopened soon, with the shutdown now dragging into its 38th day

As of 6pm Friday, nearly 1,500 flights had been canceled, with a staggering 4,576 delays within, into or out of the US

The Federal Aviation Association started cuts today, slashing 4 percent of routes at the nation's busiest airports

Neil Lyon, who must fly from New Mexico to Houston for a cancer-related surgery early next week, faces uncertainty as Houston Hobby Airport - his planned departure point - is among 40 hubs cutting flights.

'Its just adding what is unnecessary stress to a situation thats already filled with legitimate stress,' Lyon told CNN.

He and his wife have frantically lined up several backup plans - moving their flight up a day early and even booking a second ticket to Austin, with plans to drive the rest of the way to Houston if needed.

But with hundreds of flights grounded and FAA staffing stretched thin, the couple has resigned themselves to making the 12-hour drive to Houston should both flights be canceled.

'What Im worried about is getting to Houston in time for a procedure thats been scheduled for quite some time and theres some urgency,' Lyon told the outlet.

'Im dealing with this, and Im just thinking about the tens of thousands, or millions, who are dealing with other really serious circumstances that are impacted by what the situation is,' he added.

'Im frustrated for myself, and Im frustrated for millions of other people.'

Friday brought widespread disruption to all 40 major airports, including those in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, DC.

Friday brought widespread disruption to all 40 major airports, including those in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, DC

Nick Daniels (pictured), president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said that controllers are quitting 'every day' thanks to the Trump-era shutdown and blasted the government for using them as political pawns

Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said even if the government reopens soon, the chaos at airports could continue for a while.

He told CNN controllers are quitting 'every day' thanks to the Trump-era shutdown, blasting the government for using them as political pawns - yet thousands still show up to 'do the job' despite the uncertainty.

'We know the problems are going to get worse. They're going to increase, and anything that helps improve safety, we 100 percent stand by ensuring the safety of the American flying public,' he told the outlet.

Hundreds of FAA workers are unpaid, worn out, and some are taking second jobs or calling in sick amid the funding lapse, according to BBC News.

'We are going to do everything we can, but what we can't do is somehow, suddenly put money in our own pocket,' Daniels added. 'We need Congress to open the government to do that.'

On top of that, the situation is driving young people away from the profession entirely.

Duffy warned that the shutdown is wreaking havoc on recruitment, with countless air traffic controller positions still unfilled.

'This makes it more difficult to get the best and the brightest young people to sign up to be air traffic controllers,' Duffy told Fox.

Hundreds of FAA workers are unpaid, worn out, and some are taking second jobs or calling in sick amid the funding lapse (pictured: air traffic controllers)

Duffy warned that the shutdown is wreaking havoc on recruitment, with countless air traffic controller positions still unfilled while it grows 'more difficult' to get young people to sign up for the position (stock photo)

Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, warned that flight attendants are on the front lines when travel goes wrong and said: 'Without air travel, the country stops'

'And, again, after the shutdown is over and everyone stops covering it, Im going to be the one thats still dealing with trying to get young people in to take these great jobs,' he added.

Sheri Perry, whose husband has tagged along on more than a dozen Red Cross deployments, fears volunteers wont be able to respond quickly to the next disaster, as reported by CNN.

'This is hurricane season and it could be the drop of the hat when theres another disaster,' she told the outlet.

With flight boards across the country constantly updating with delays and cancellations, some travelers are stretching their pockets thin by doubling up on flights.

Choreographer Lewis McClendon, 33, was set to fly from Miami to Baton Rouge on Friday when he got word that his connecting flight was canceled. Delta rebooked him, but that flight was canceled later that same evening.

'For all my flights within the US, Im just booking two flights per location,' McClendon told CNN, adding that he has already spent more than $1,800 on buying extra plane tickets.

'Thankfully, Im able to financially afford that but I just cant imagine other people in this situation that could not afford that option,' he added.

Airlines for America, an air trade association, said they are working to comply with the mandated flight cuts but mitigating the widespread disruption is proving nearly impossible, according to BBC.

Airlines for America, an air trade association representing 55,000 flight attendants across the US, is calling for Congress to act immediately, citing rising concerns that aviation worker safety is at risk

The reductions, which impact all commercial airlines, will ramp up to 10 percent by Friday next week

'More than 3.5 million passengers have experienced delays or cancellations because of air traffic control staffing concerns since the shutdown began,' the group said in a statement.

'This simply is not sustainable,' it added.

The air trade group pleaded with Congress to act 'with extreme urgency' to end the shutdown, warning that 'time is of the essence' with Thanksgiving just around the corner.

A growing union representing 55,000 flight attendants across the US is also calling for Congress to act immediately, citing rising concerns that aviation worker safety is at risk.

Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said in a statement: 'The only way aviation keeps moving during a shutdown is because air traffic controllers and TSA officers come to work without getting paid, while everyone who supports their work for our safety and security is sent home without pay.'

'Flight Attendants are on the front lines of aviation safety. We count on federal workers being able to do their jobs without distraction. End this shutdown NOW,' she added, according to BBC.

Nelson warned that flight attendants are on the front lines when travel goes wrong, saying bluntly, 'Without air travel, the country stops.'

'Safety is not a political game,' she said. 'Recent events in aviation should sober us all and redirect an urgent call to work together to keep Americans safe.'

Southwest Airlines announced Friday night that it will slash about 100 flights Saturday and 150 Sunday to comply with the Trump administrations 4 percent flight cut

With flight boards across the country constantly updating with delays and cancellations, some travelers are stretching their pockets thin by doubling up on flights

A spokesperson for American Airlines told CNN that 220 flights will be axed from their Saturday schedule. United Airlines is slashing flights this weekend and into Tuesday of next week

Southwest Airlines announced Friday night that it will slash about 100 flights Saturday and 150 Sunday to comply with the Trump administrations 4 percent flight cut.

Southwest told CNN it will reach out directly to customers affected by cancellations, while emphasizing that 'majority of its flights' will remain on schedule.

'We continue to urge Congress to immediately resolve its impasse and restore the National Airspace System to its full capacity,' they said in a statement.

Friday night brought more chaos as United and American Airlines announced hundreds of flight cancellations to follow the government mandate.

A spokesperson for American Airlines told CNN that 220 flights will be axed from their Saturday schedule.

United Airlines is slashing flights this weekend and into next week: 168 on Saturday, 158 on Sunday, 190 on Monday and 269 on Tuesday.
A Metropolitan Police sergeant who was secretly filmed saying a detainee 'deserves to be beaten up' has been sacked.

The footage, which was aired in a BBC Panorama documentary, showed Sergeant Lawrence Hume calling a detainee a 'p****', a misconduct hearing in south London was told on Friday.

Speaking to an undercover journalist, Sergeant Lawrence Hume said of the detainee: 'I wanted to say he's a p****, he deserves to be beaten up, but yeah, it's all recorded.'

In the six-minute clip, which was played to the panel several times, Sergeant Hume goes on to say of the same detainee, 'charge him, send him to prison, throw away the key', adding, 'don't care, deserves to be beaten up don't he'.

The footage then shows the undercover journalist recalling an exchange he had with Sergeant Joe McIlvenny regarding the use of force on a separate detainee.

The journalist says he told Sergeant McIlvenny he had witnessed him giving a 'little dig' to the individual and that the sergeant had warned him to 'be careful' as there were cameras in the custody suite, to which Sergeant Hume replies, 'yeah, you have to watch out mate.'

Panel chairman Commander Jason Prins found Sergeant Humes's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and he was dismissed without notice.

Mr Prins said the sergeant was 'unable to provide a satisfying answer' as to why he had said a detainee deserved to be 'beaten up'.

Sergeant Lawrence Hume has been sacked after being caught saying a detainee 'deserves to be beaten up' in a BBC Panorama investigation

Hume is the sixth police officer to have been sacked following the BBC investigation, which involved secret filming at Charing Cross police station

Hume told the undercover journalist he had advised another colleague to 'be careful' handling detainees as there were cameras in the custody suite

'He made the comments on two occasions unprompted,' Mr Prins added.

'He was in a leadership position responsible for the welfare of detainees.'

The panel was told that even if the comments had not been broadcast, they were capable of damaging public confidence in the force.

Giving evidence, Sergeant Hume, who was based at Charing Cross police station, said of the footage: 'I was just, I think, frustrated from the non-compliant detainee we just dealt with who tried to spit at one of my colleagues.

'I would never say that if the public could see that at all.'

'He's just tried to assault one of my colleagues,' he added.

'I would no way endorse a detainee to be beaten up,' the sergeant said.

The allegation that Sergeant Hume's comments indicated a clear intention to minimise and not record levels of force used in custody was found not proven.

A further allegation that, after being informed of Sergeant McIlvenny's remarks, he failed to challenge or report this was also found not proven.

He is the sixth police officer who has been sacked following the BBC investigation.

Last month, Sergeant Clayton Robinson, PC Jason Sinclair-Birt, PC Philip Neilson, PC Martin Borg and Sergeant McIlvenny were dismissed without notice in separate hearings after it was found they had committed gross misconduct.
Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and his wife Catherine are being sued by the cyclist they allegedly hit with their car in 2013.

Ryan Meuleman, who collided with the Andrews' SUV in January 2013, lodged documents in the Federal Court on Tuesday.

Mr Meuleman was 15-years-old when he was hit by the Andrews in Blairgowrie, on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula.

He was airlifted to The Royal Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries including a punctured lung, broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and internal bleeding.

The Meuleman family said their investigation team will present 'new' evidence in the case to the Chief Commissioner of Police in a statement on Friday.

'Out of respect and deference to the Federal Court, Ryan and his family will not be publicly commenting on these new defamation proceedings,' a representative said.

'Separately, Ryan continues to advocate for a full criminal investigation into the accident.

'His investigation team has been gathering new evidence which they will present to the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in the coming weeks.'

Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and wife Catherine are being sued by the teenager they allegedly hit with their car in an infamous incident in 2013

Ryan Meuleman was airlifted to The Royal Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries after he collided with the Andrews' car on the Mornington Peninsula

Mrs Andrews collided with the cyclist while her husband, who was Victoria's then-opposition leader, and their three children were all in the car.

There was extensive damage to the front of the Andrews' car and its windscreen.

An Ambulance Victoria report stated the SUV 'struck' Mr Meuleman while 'travelling at 40 to 60km/h'.

The former premier insisted his wife came to a 'complete stop' and 'turned right from a stationary position' moments before Mr Meuleman T-boned their Ford Territory.

Police closed the case without pressing charges, and officers were later cleared of any wrongdoing by the corruption watchdog.

But more than a decade later, a bombshell review of the crash found the police investigation that supported the Andrews' version of events was 'deeply flawed'.

Mr Meuleman insisted that the car was 'speeding' and 'came out of nowhere'.

Earlier this year, Mr Meuleman received an out-of-court settlement worth several hundred thousand dollars over the incident.

Premier Daniel Andrews' Ford Territory car after the crash with Ryan Meuleman. Police reported Mrs Andrews as being behind the wheel at the time of the accident

Slater & Gordon handed over the payout after Mr Meuleman alleged that his former lawyers failed to appropriately investigate the crash.

He alleged his lawyers urged him to take $80,000 in compensation from the Transport Accident Commission and to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Assistant Commissioner for Traffic and Operations, Dr Raymond Shuey, stated the SUV struck the teen after 'travelling at speed' and on the wrong side of the road.

'The statements from both Daniel and Catherine Andrews that their vehicle stopped at Melbourne Rd are not consistent with impact consequences, nor the report by (witness) Brad Morgan of the squeal of tyres prior to impact,' he wrote in 2024.

'The effective vehicle stopping distance of 19.2metres following impact is indicative of a speed of 45km/h prior to impact.

'The version as provided by Catherine and Daniel Andrews is considered improbable and implausible. The truth is still outstanding.

'It is most probable that the vehicle undertook a sweep turn at speed, cutting the corner and still on the incorrect side of the roadway in Ridley Street, 27metres from Melbourne Road when the collision occurred.'

In response to Dr Shuey's review, the Andrews' released a scathing statement.

'This so-called report was commissioned by lawyers on behalf of their clients who are seeking money through the courts by suing their former lawyers,' it said.

'We are not a party to this legal action. We did nothing wrong. This matter has already been comprehensively and independently investigated and closed by Victoria Police and integrity agencies,' they said.

Daily Mail has contacted Mr Andrews for comment.
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has allegedly been spending his final days at Royal Lodge 'ranting to himself' - while ex-wife Sarah Ferguson is said to have taken refuge at a secret 'The Doghouse' bar, confiding in staff.

Buckingham Palace announced last week that the former Duke of York, 65, would have all of his royal titles stripped over his links to late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

In a bombshell statement, the Palace coldly announced the 'censures [were] deemed necessary' amid the growing controversy surrounding his relationship with the financier, with whom Andrew lied about cutting ties.

Within hours, the former royal was erased from the Roll of the Peerage, and it was revealed he could face a private prosecution over allegations of sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office.

Andrew, who has vehemently denied the accusations against him, is also being booted from Royal Lodge, his and Fergie's 30-room home in Windsor, where he paid 'peppercorn rent' over 20 years.

He will move out of the residence to a property on the Sandringham estate as soon as practically possible but the specifics regarding the relocation are unknown.

But, in the meantime, Andrew and his ex-wife have been making the most of their final days at their longtime home - by sleeping at opposite ends and only meeting for meal-times to chat about how the walls continue to cave in around them, The Sun reports.

A source was quoted as saying: 'They are both spending a lot of time alone.

Andrew pictured with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson in September. He has allegedly been spending his final days at Royal Lodge 'ranting to himself', according to reports

Pictured: Royal Lodge. Andrew will now move into a property on the private Sandringham estate and it's understood any accommodation he lives in will be privately funded by The King

'Andrew rarely goes out and has been padding around the lodge and ranting and muttering.'

Meanwhile, Ferguson, 66, whiles away the hours at purpose-built bar called The Doghouse which sits behind the mansion, the Sun reported.

She has been baring her soul to friends and staff, who she has been asking to stay extra hours to keep her company, at the on-site pub.

They still unite for meals, where they chat about their futures and their safety, thanks to Andrew's links to Epstein, according to the latest claims.

'Fergie' is reportedly struggling amid the turmoil and is concerned about the futures of their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie.

She is said to be uncertain about where she will live next, although she knows for certain that it will not be with Andrew.

The former duke has lived at the Grade II-listed mansion on the grounds of Windsor Castle for over two decades with Fergie, despite their divorce in 1996.

It comes after Andrew was ordered to appear in front of Congress to explain his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew and Fergie pictured with their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The family are said to remain close

Andrew last week had all of his royal titles stripped over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

Democrat members of the House Oversight Committee sent the disgraced royal a letter on Thursday saying they believe he possesses important information about people with links to the late financier's crimes.

It read: 'The Oversight Committee will investigate allegations of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek information on Epstein's operations, network, and associates based on the men's longstanding and well-documented friendship.'

Robert Garcia, the most senior Democrat figure on the committee, added: 'Rich and powerful men have evaded justice for far too long.

'Now, former Prince Andrew has the opportunity to come clean and provide justice for the survivors.'

In Thursday's letter, the Democrat committee members say Andrew's friendship with Epstein started in 1999 and they stayed close friends following his conviction nine years later for procuring minors for prostitution.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - as he is now known - has for many years been dogged by allegations he sexually abused Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein, which he strenuously denies.

Ms Giuffre alleged she was forced to have sex three times with Andrew, including when she was 17 and also during an orgy, after she was trafficked by Epstein.

Andrew paid millions to settle the civil sex case with her in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her.

Princess Beatrice pictured accepting her role as deputy patron of The Outward Bound Trust with her uncle Prince Edward at a reception and dinner at St James's Palace on Thursday

In 2019, the charity accepted Andrew's resignation following his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, having supported the then Duke, pictured in 2001, for decades

In some rare good news, his daughter Princess Beatrice landed a major charity role amid the growing scandal engulfing her family.

His elder daughter has become deputy patron of The Outward Bound Trust, an organisation encouraging young people to spend time outdoors.

She joins her uncle Prince Edward, who was announced as the royal patron of the charity at a special event at St James's Palace on Thursday.

Beatrice, 37, has already been a trustee of The Outward Bound Trust since 2019 - the same year the charity accepted Andrew's resignation as patron following his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, having supported the then Duke for decades.

Andrew himself took on the role from his father, Prince Philip, who was patron for 65 years, with many believing it was the charity closest to his heart.

It comes after it emerged that Beatrice, who is ninth in line to the throne, and her sister Princess Eugenie, who is 12th, will retain their titles as the walls cave in around their father Andrew.

Amid the controversy Charles is said to be very keen to 'protect' nieces Beatrice and Eugenie, 35, who remain Her Royal Highnesses as granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth.

'He wouldn't have wanted to sign off on anything that would impact them,' a source told the Daily Mail.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were spotted hugging on Thursday after a week where their father has also been taken off the Roll of the Peerage

'His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew,' the palace said.

In 2019, following Andrew's calamitous Newsnight interview where he discussed his friendship with Epstein, The Outbound Trust became the second charity to accept his resignation.

On Thursday, Beatrice and Eugenie shared a warm, lingering hug on a busy street close to Green Park and Buckingham Palace - around the time when Charles III issued a rare Letters Patent.

The official document, published by the Crown Office in The Gazette, the UK's official public record, formally stripped Andrew of his prince title and also removed his HRH.

Beatrice and Eugenie are close to their parents but have been reportedly spending more time supporting their beleaguered father.

They have also supported their mother Ferguson, who is said to be considering emigrating while Andrew will be banished to Sandringham, Norfolk.

But yesterday they were supporting each other through what will also be a very testing time for them too.

Multiple sources told the Daily Mail that both princesses have gone out of their way to strongly support beleaguered Andrew in recent weeks.

Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in a photo reportedly taken in 2001, when Giuffre was 17 years old. Andrew denied having sex with Ms Giuffre, but forked out millions in an out of court settlement in February 2022

Both girls are said to be deeply worried about his mental wellbeing, with Andrew having become a virtual recluse at Royal Lodge, which he is due to leave.

But one source said it won't be for a while.

'Even when she is sitting in Royal Lodge, Sarah can spend the money,' one informed source told Rebecca English.

'The Amazon deliveries that go up to Royal Lodge are unbelievable. There are rooms full of boxes that haven't even been opened.

'It will take weeks, if not months, to shift all their s*** out.'

Last week, Andrew also relinquished his position as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victoria Order.

His ex-wife, Sarah also lost her title and became plain Sarah Ferguson.

The former prince's decision was made after strong pressure from King Charles and in discussion with other family members, including Prince William, as heir to the throne, as well as Andrew's other siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

Andrew is expected to leave Royal Lodge and move to a new home on the Sandringham estate - which is owned by the Royal Family.

The move was entirely down to the King and his advisers, without pressure from the government or other family members, such as Prince William, sources told the Daily Mail.

'The process has been under way for some while but there was a need to get it right in the face of some very big challenges,' an insider said.

Notice was not served on Prince Andrew to move. It was his lease, so it was up to the former Duke of York to serve notice himself, suggesting that he is not fighting the process.

It comes as His Majesty had made it clear he would not hesitate to take 'further action' if his younger brother continued to cling on to his dukedom and other honours after he lied about cutting ties with paedophile financier Epstein, the Daily Mail previously revealed.

And despite the tsunami of growing evidence mounting against him, the 65-year-old was understood to still be 'digging his heels in' with a 'startling lack of contrition', in a situation the King deemed 'intolerable', sources previously said.

Last week, the row over the Royal Lodge continued to grow amid damning revelations in a posthumous memoir from Andrew's sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life this year, aged 41.

Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice was released in this month, with the manuscript having been completed before she died.

The explosive book revolves around her years spent as a sex slave to Epstein and his British madam Ghislaine Maxwell.

Extracts published by The Guardian show Ms Giuffre, who said she was trafficked by Epstein three times for sex with Andrew, called the ex-duke 'entitled' and viewing sex as his 'birthright'.

Andrew denied having sex with Ms Giuffre, though paid millions in an out of court settlement in February 2022.
An Algerian sex offender mistakenly released from prison was recaptured yesterday after 50 police officers joined the hunt in order to spare David Lammys blushes.

Scotland Yard pulled officers off other jobs fighting crime in London, deploying significant resources to find Brahim Kaddour-Cherif.

The criminal was on the run for a week before prison officials realised he had been released in error from HMP Wandsworth on October 29.

The arrest of Kaddour-Cherif was captured on camera by a Sky News team after a homeless man alerted police that the fugitive was hiding at an Algerian cafe in Finsbury Park at 11.30am yesterday.

A police officer, comparing the fugitive with his wanted photo, told Kaddour-Cherif that he had a very distinctive wonky nose, as the inmate claimed: Im not Brahim, my name is Ryan.

Unconvinced, police reached for the handcuffs, saying: You look identical to the person released from custody.

As he was put in a police van, Kaddour-Cherif turned to the cameras saying: Look at the justice of the UK... Its not my f****** fault. They released me!

He was arrested for being unlawfully at large and on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker in a previous incident.

Scotland Yard pulled officers off other jobs fighting crime in London, deploying significant resources to find Brahim Kaddour-Cherif

The criminal was was arrested for being unlawfully at large and on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker in a previous incident after being on the run for a week before prison officials realised he had been released in error

He is currently in the process of being deported after he overstayed his visa.

Due to the high-profile nature of his wrongful release, which has embarrassed the Justice Secretary, the Force had to call on specialist capability, including officers from the counter-terrorism team, to help track down the fugitive.

The manhunt is estimated to have cost the force tens of thousands of pounds.

Ordinarily, the Metropolitan Police might assign just a single officer to track down a criminal, depending on the risk they pose to the public.

Kaddour-Cherif was awaiting trial for a number of offences including possession of a knife, burglary and handling stolen bank cards.

The Mail understands that the 24-year-old, who has a conviction for flashing and was serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal, was not considered by police to pose a high risk to the public.

But it was the high-profile nature of the case, after Mr Lammys failure to come clean about it during Prime Ministers Questions, which necessitated such a huge police response at substantial cost to the taxpayer.

Mr Lammy is facing a growing backlash over his handling of the case, with even Cabinet colleagues said to be stewing over his rank incompetence.

The manhunt is estimated to have cost the force tens of thousands of pounds after Kaddour-Cherif was released in error from HMP Wandsworth on October 29

Days earlier, the minister had announced the strictest ever release checks following the mistaken release last month of migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu.

Yesterday, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: Fifty specialist officers were needed to catch him [Kaddour-Cherif] in order to spare David Lammys blushes. Mr Lammy has lost control of the justice system and is too cowardly to explain himself.

Mr Lammy said last night: Im appalled at the rate of releases in error.

Im determined to grip this problem but there is a mountain to climb.
Pressure was last night mounting on the BBC director-general to break his silence as he was accused of hiding from an impartiality row engulfing the corporation.

Tim Davie has yet to speak out after an internal report accused him of inaction against alleged breaches of impartiality, despite calls from political leaders for him to face the music.

The under-fire boss has not been seen since the emergence of the 19-pager dossier by a former advisor to the corporations editorial watchdog which claimed the BBC had doctored a Donald Trump speech, been bias in its coverage of the Gaza conflict, and suppressed stories on transgender issues.

But one source told the Daily Mail that they believed Mr Davie was on manoeuvres, looking to either shore up support or with an eye on the exit door.

Despite a succession of serious scandals, including those surrounding MasterChefs Greg Wallace and newsreader Huw Edwards, the former Pepsi marketing boss has remained at the helm for five years.

But television insiders now believe that he could be soon exiting the broadcaster following months of hell at the hands of some of his biggest stars - and most senior executives.

One source told the Daily Mail: Tim is asking all kinds of people for meetings right now. Its the classic behaviour of someone who is anticipating a move away from their current job.

It was the same tactic used by Channel 4s recently departed chief executive Alex Mahon. As soon as it clicked that the end was coming she got herself out and networked, and networked, and networked.

The BBC director-general Tim Davie is yet to speak out after an internal report on Monday accused him of inaction against alleged breaches of impartiality

Davie has not been seen since the emergence of a dossier by a former adviser to the corporations editorial watchdog which claimed the BBC had doctored a Donald Trump speech, been bias in its coverage of the Gaza conflcit and suppressed stories on transgender issues

Tim appears to be following a similar path, its a case of getting yourself out there and seeing whats about job wise, reconnecting with others in the industry.

He is liked by many, hes not a snob like so many bosses there have been in the past, hes a self-made man but so much has happened that you wonder if he knows, or indeed others realise that his time is up.

It comes as Housing Secretary Steve Reed called on Mr Davie to be accountable during the crisis.

He told LBC: I do believe in open accountability, and I know the DG of the BBC has appeared before select committees in the House of Commons before now, but every institution, and that includes the BBC, must be open and accountable. Id be surprised if he wasnt planning to say something to be honest.

Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho, meanwhile, piled on the pressure, telling GB News: Tim Davie as Director-General needs to set out what he is going to do to fix the problem.

The BBC have got to show they are impartial. What we need to see is action. We need to know if they are getting taxpayers funding that they will be impartial.

Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch previously told the Daily Mail that the corporation was losing the plot and called for Mr Davie to intervene or resign.

The damning dossiers author Michael Prescott will give evidence to the Commons culture, media and sport committee next Wednesday which is expected to put further pressure on the embattled BBC chief.

Mr Davie, 58, replaced Tony Hall as director general in September 2020. Before that was both the Chief Executive of BBC Studios and a Director globally when it merged with BBC Worldwide.

The BBC did not respond to a request for comment.
President John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg looks to continue his family's political dynasty as he gears up to run for Congress.

The 32-year old social media personality looks set to announce his bid to take the open House seat in New York's 12th Congressional District.

Schlossberg announced he was forming an exploratory committee in September and will announce his bid next week, Politico reported.

'It's happening,' a source told the outlet, with another adding that he's already begun hiring campaign staffers and discussed the run with at least one elected official.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Schlossberg for comment.

Schlossberg rose to TikTok and Instagram fame as a liberal heartthrob by sharing hunky shirtless photos and quirky clips of himself practicing ballet, hoverboarding while reciting poetry and even opening a coconut in Hawaii with his bare hands.

He would enter what is expected to be a crowded race to replace 78-year-old Jerrold Nadler, one of the oldest members in the Democratic caucus, who is retiring after 34 years in office.

The Democrats set to run in a district Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump in by 64 points include two members of the state assembly, a city council member and 26-year-old Rhodes Scholar Liam Elkind.

Anti-gun activist Cameron Kasky, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and actress and former candidate for governor Cynthia Nixon are also rumored to be jumping in, while Chelsea Clinton declined a run despite rumors to the contrary.

Social media personality and activist Jack Schlossberg looks to continue the Kennedy political dynasty as he gears up to run for Congress

Schlossberg enters what is expected to be a crowded race to replace 78-year-old Jerrold Nadler (pictured), one of the oldest members in the Democratic caucus, who is retiring after 34 years in office

The 32-year-old is a graduate of both Harvard and Yale, and has been active in progressive politics, as well as the media. Schlossberg is the son of JFK's daughter Caroline Kennedy.

Schlossberg spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and frequently criticizes his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who presently serves as President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services secretary.

His critiques are part of an active social media life, as Schlossberg has over 171,000 followers on X, 721,000 on Instagram and 835,000 on TikTok.

He has also been appointed to the America 250 Commission by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Nadler said last month of his potential successor that 'there's nothing particularly good or bad about a Kennedy holding my seat.

'But the Kennedy, unlike Schlossberg, should be somebody with a record of public service, a record of public accomplishment, and he doesn't have one.'

The future of the historically safe seat for Democrats will likely be set in the Democratic primary scheduled for June 23, 2026.

Nadler, 78, has represented New York City's Upper West Side for over three decades, and his decision comes as the Big Apple has been steadily swinging towards younger socialist leaders such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani.

Schlossberg polled his Instagram audience about kicking off a potential political campaign

The 32-year-old is a graduate of both Harvard and Yale, and has been active in progressive politics, as well as the media. Schlossberg is the son of JFK's daughter Caroline Kennedy

In an interview with The New York Times, Nadler cited the spectacle made of former President Joe Biden's cognitive decline as a key reason for his decision to announce his departure from Congress.

Biden's disastrous performance in last year's presidential debate escalated the scrutiny of the age and health of top leaders in the Democrat party.

'Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party, and I think I want to respect that,' Nadler noted to the New York Times.

He added that a younger successor 'can maybe do better, can maybe help us more.'

'This decision has not been easy. But I know in my heart it is the right one and that it is the right time to pass the torch to a new generation,' Nadler noted in a statement issued by his office Tuesday announcing the end of his political career.

Schlossberg is the son of Caroline Kennedy, the only daughter of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and JFK - who was five years old when her father was assassinated in 1963.

He has long shown an interest in politics, mingling with top officials at a young age alongside his famous mom and delivering numerous politically-driven speeches over the years.

He gained attention in June 2023 when he went on a harsh rant against RFK Jr. after the now-Health Secretary announced he was running for president.
The US Coast Guard dramatically pulled five sailors to safety after their boat went down in choppy waters hundreds of miles off the coast of North Carolina.

The five men, who were aboard the sailboat 'Magic Bus', issued a mayday call on Thursday after their boat began sinking.

The North Carolina Command Center scrambled an immediate response to the group some 260 nautical miles off Cape Hatteras as the sailors abandoned their boat.

The cutter Angela McShan (WPC 1135), along with an HC-130 Hercules aircraft and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter were deployed from Air Station Elizabeth City as part of the mission.

Photos released by the Coast Guard capture a Jayhawk helicopter hovering over stormy Atlantic waters, with a small orange raft tossed by waves and wind nearby.

Another photo captured the white sailboat almost swallowed by the sea, with only its mast sticking out as it tipped to the side.

The HC-130 Hercules from Air Station Elizabeth City found the raft with all five crew members and confirmed they were 'stable and in good condition,' the agency reported.

Because the rescue was far from shore, the Coast Guard called on the USS George H.W. Bush to supply additional fuel, allowing the helicopter to maintain range for the offshore operation.

Five stranded sailors (pictured) were rescued by the US Coast Guard hundreds of miles off the coast of North Carolina on Thursday, specifically about 260 nautical miles off Cape Hatteras

The crew aboard the sailboat 'Magic Bus' issued a mayday call to watchstanders at the Sector North Carolina Command Center after their boat began sinking (pictured), forcing them to take refuge in a life raft

Photos released by the Coast Guard capture a Jayhawk helicopter hovering over stormy Atlantic waters, with a small orange raft tossed by waves and wind nearby (pictured)

Video from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service shows helicopter crews hoisting a sailor into the air while he sat in a metal rescue basket, wearing a life vest and soaked water gear (pictured)

Moments later, the helicopter crew lifted all five men to safety, confirming they were 'in good health,' with the entire rescue captured on video.

Video from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service shows helicopter crews hoisting a sailor into the air while he sat in a metal rescue basket, wearing a life vest and soaked water gear.

After being secured inside, he stepped out of the rescue equipment and took a seat beside another sailor who had just been rescued.

The aircraft refueled after picking up the survivors and then returned them safely to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City.

One Coast Guard photo showed the five men stepping off the helicopter onto dry land, while another captured them linking arms and smiling in relief after the rescue.

Brandon Flack, owner of Magic Bus Charters, announced on Facebook Thursday night that he and his wife were picking up their son and three friends from Providence Airport - all part of the stranded crew.

He hailed 'the legend' Buster Pike, the fifth man on the sinking ship, for keeping his loved ones 'safe and sound.'

'In the darkest hours this morning, while relaying the Mayday to the Coast Guard and picturing all of them stepping up into a life raft in 40+ winds, 10+ foot seas, nearly 300 miles offshore and in total darkness, I got a text from his wife Heather,' Flack wrote.

The aircraft refueled after picking up the survivors (pictured) and then returned them safely to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City

One Coast Guard photo showed the five men stepping off the helicopter onto dry land after the rescue (pictured)

Brandon Flack (pictured), owner of Magic Bus Charters, announced that he and his wife were picking up their son and three friends from Providence Airport - all part of the stranded crew - and thanked the agency

The charter company took to Facebook to thank the 'teamwork of the crew, and the heroic efforts of the US Coast Guard and US Navy' for everyone 'making it home safe and sound' (pictured: rescue)

Pikes wife reassured him, saying, 'Buster is the person to have there in a situation like this.'

'I didnt believe it at first, but somehow I knew they were going to be okay,' Flack wrote. 'A few hours later, the Coast Guard shared that the crew were in good spirits. They had packed extra water and food for an extended rescue.'

It goes without saying that the US Coast Guard is the best in the world at this. Buster doing his job made it possible for them to do theirs,' he added.

'God bless the Coast Guard, and next time you see Buster Pike, dont let him buy a drink. Young souls are coming home tonight because he was the person to have there in a situation like this.'

The charter company also took to Facebook to address their boat, now lost deep in the Atlantic Ocean.

'We Lost the Bus, Not the Magic,' the company wrote.

'Thanks to the calm and quick thinking of our lifelong friend Buster Pike, the steady teamwork of the crew, and the heroic efforts of the US Coast Guard and US Navy, incredibly, everyone made it home safe and sound,' they added.

'We will be back, not to start over but to continue what the Bus began: helping more people experience the beauty, peace, and wild simplicity of life in the Exumas. The boat may be gone, but the magic she shared is very much alive.'
A reckless driver injured three firefighters after cutting off a firetruck that was rushing to an emergency call.

The incident happened on Thursday in Aurora, Colorado, as Engine 7 was responding to a medical emergency.

Footage released by local police show the truck attempting to make a left-hand U-turn, with its lights flashing and sirens blaring.

A black Nissan comes speeding up the left hand lane and attempts to overtake traffic at the exact moment the 40,000-pound truck moved across, clipping the truck.

The collision caused debris from both vehicles to spew out across the road, and to send three of the firefighters onboard to hospital with minor injuries.

Police identified the driver as 20-year-old Javohir Asrorov, who has been summoned for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, no registration, and no insurance.

'The suddenness with which the fire engine came to a halt saw three firefighters transported to a local hospital,' the department said. 'Thankfully, their injuries are not life-threatening.'

Photos released by Aurora Police show the Nissan's driver-side door shredded, with bare metal exposed where the outer panel was peeled away.

A 20-year-old Nissan driver (in the black car) cut off a fire engine that was rushing to an emergency call

Just as the fire engine was making a left turn, the Nissan driver was swiped

Inside the mangled car, airbags had deployed. The fire engine fared better  suffering only scraped paint and minor panel damage.

'When you see lights and hear sirens, move over and stop,' the Aurora Police Department said in a stern statement.

'Emergency lights mean someone needs help. Don't make it worse by getting in the way - or your car might end up looking like this one.'

'The suddenness with which the fire engine came to a halt saw three firefighters transported to a local hospital,' the department said. 'Thankfully, their injuries are not life-threatening.'

The Aurora Fire Department echoed that plea, saying the crash happened as their crew was doing everything by the book.

'At approximately 12:00pm Engine 7 was responding emergent to a medical emergency with lights and sirens activated when they were involved in an accident,' the department said.

'Engine 7 was making a U-turn when a driver continued driving and hit the front of the engine.

'This is another reminder to please watch out, slow down, and move over for emergency vehicles.'

The 40,000lb fire engine fared better between the two vehicles with just a minor scrape

Photos released by Aurora Police show the Nissan's driver-side door shredded, with bare metal exposed where the outer panel was peeled away

Aside from damage to the fire truck, debris littered the road

One of the truck's side panel came off with some visible scrapes made to the paintwork

Some online users were appalled at the actions of the driver.

'Slow down and move right to make way for emergency vehicles. It's the law. It looks like the FD was trying to make a U-turn and didn't have room for that turn without using the middle lane.

' I'm fine with that for emergency response. This is totally on the reckless car driver,' wrote one.

'Somebody's house burned down because of that,' another added bluntly.

Others suggested the fire truck might be at fault as it commenced its turn from the middle lane, rather than the left hand lane of the highway.

'Is it legal to make a U turn from the middle lane??? Asking for a friend', one user quipped.

Colorados Move Over Law requires motorists to slow down and give emergency vehicles at least one lane of space whenever possible.

Violations can result in hefty fines and, in cases like this, criminal citations.
The Trump administration got a victory Friday as the Supreme Court upheld its emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP payments amid the government shutdown.

A judge had given the White House until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

But the administration asked the appeals court to suspend any court orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund, and instead allow it to continue with planned partial SNAP payments for the month.

After a Boston appeals court declined to immediately intervene, liberal Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an order late Friday pausing the requirement to distribute full SNAP payments until the appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause. Jackson handles emergency matters from Massachusetts.

After the appeals court declined to do so, the Trump administration quickly asked the US Supreme Court to take up its request which it approved.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

Letitia James, the attorney general of New York and a longtime Trump rival, slammed the decision.

'This decision is a tragedy for the millions of Americans who rely on SNAP to feed their families. It is disgraceful that the Trump administration chose to fight this in court instead of fulfilling its responsibility to the American people,' she said.

The Trump administration made a last-minute bid to the Supreme Court to halt SNAP payments after an appeals court affirmed an order requiring the White House to fund the benefits amid the government shutdown

A judge had given the Republican administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

The food program serves about 1 in 8 Americans, mostly with lower incomes.

Officials in more than a half-dozen states confirmed that some SNAP recipients already were issued full November payments on Friday.

The state was able to access the federal money so quickly by submitting a request to its electronic benefit card vendor to process the SNAP payments within hours of a Thursday court order to provide full benefits.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said state employees 'worked through the night' to issue full November benefits 'to make sure every Oregon family relying on SNAP could buy groceries' by Friday.

Hawaii had the information for November's monthly payments ready to go, so it could submit it quickly for processing after Thursday's court order - and before a higher court could potentially pause it, Joseph Campos II, deputy director of Hawaiis Department of Human Services, told The Associated Press.

'We moved with haste once we verified everything,' Campos said.

Trump's administration told the Supreme Court that the fast-acting states were 'trying to seize what they could of the agencys finite set of remaining funds, before any appeal could even be filed, and to the detriment of other States allotments.'

'Once those billions are out the door, there is no ready mechanism for the government to recover those funds,' Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in the court filing.

After a Boston appeals court declined to immediately intervene, liberal Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson (pictured) issued an order late Friday pausing the requirement to distribute full SNAP payments until the appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause

People pick up food at a pop-up food distribution organized by the Alameda County Community Food Bank in Oakland

Officials in California, Washington state, Kansas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania also said they moved quickly to issue full SNAP benefits Friday, while other states said they expected full benefits to arrive over the weekend or early next week.

Still others said they were waiting for further federal guidance.

The court wrangling prolonged weeks of uncertainty for Americans with lower incomes.

An individual can receive a monthly maximum food benefit of nearly $300 and a family of four up to nearly $1,000, although many receive less than that under a formula that takes into consideration their income.

For some SNAP participants, it remained unclear when they would receive their benefits.

Because of the federal government shutdown, the Trump administration originally had said SNAP benefits would not be available in November.

However, two judges ruled last week that the administration could not skip November's benefits entirely because of the shutdown.

One of those judges was US District Judge John J. McConnell Jr., who ordered the full payments Thursday.

SNAP recipient Denise Malcom shops at Goodr Community Market in Atlanta

People pick up groceries at the nonprofit Deo Gratias Food Pantry in Detroit

In both cases , the judges ordered the government to use one emergency reserve fund containing more than $4.6billion to pay for SNAP for November but gave it leeway to tap other money to make the full payments, which cost between $8.5billion and $9billion each month.

On Monday, the administration said it would not use additional money, saying it was up to Congress to appropriate the funds for the program and that the other money was needed to shore up other child hunger programs.

Thursdays federal court order rejected the Trump administrations decision to cover only 65 percent of the maximum monthly benefit, a decision that could have left some recipients getting nothing for this month.

In its court filings Friday, Trumps administration contended that the judge usurped both legislative and executive authority in ordering SNAP benefits to be fully funded.

'This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers,' Sauer told the Supreme Court.

Some states said they stood ready to distribute SNAP money as quickly as possible.

Colorado and Massachusetts said SNAP participants could receive their full November payments as soon as Saturday.

New York said access to full SNAP benefits should begin by Sunday. New Hampshire said full benefits should be available by this weekend.

Arizona and Connecticut said full benefits should be accessible in the coming days.

Officials in North Carolina said they distributed partial SNAP payments Friday and full benefits could be available by this weekend. Officials in Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana and North Dakota also said they distributed partial November payments.

Amid the federal uncertainty, Delaware's Democratic Governor Matt Meyer said the state used its own funds Friday to provide the first of what could be a weekly relief payment to SNAP recipients.
A Texas teenager who smirked in his mugshot after a horrific head-on collision that wiped out a family has been sentenced to 65 years behind bars.

Luke Garrett Resecker, 19, was jailed this week nearly two years after the crash that prosecutors said was caused by his reckless, drug-fueled driving.

Resecker crossed the double yellow line on a highway near Cleburne, Texas, and plowed into a minivan carrying seven people on December 26, 2023.

Six members of the same family were killed instantly while a seventh was left paralyzed from the waist down.

Those killed were identified as Rushil Barri, 28; Naveena Potabathula, 39; Nageswararao Ponnada, 64; Sitamahalkshmi Ponnada, 60; Kruthik Potabathula, 10; and Nishidha Potabathula, 9.

The family had been returning from a trip to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center on a holiday outing.

The lone survivor, a paralyzed 43-year-old Lokesh Potabathula, lost his wife, children, cousin, and in-laws.

During the trial, prosecutors described the impact as 'catastrophic,' showing photos of twisted metal and shattered glass strewn across the highway.

Luke Garrett Resecker, 19, who smirked in his mugshot after a horrific head-on collision that wiped out an entire Georgia family has been sentenced to 65 years in prison

Lokesh Potabathula, 43, (at the back, yellow T-shirt) was the sole survivor of the crash. He lost his wife Naveena Potabathula, 36 (second right); her parents Nageswararao Ponnada, 64 (second left); and Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60 (front); and his children, Krithik Potabathula, 10 (far right), and Nishidha Potabathula, 9 (far left), in addition to his cousin

Resecker's pickup truck was found littered with marijuana wax, a vape pen, and loose cannabis.

A toxicology report confirmed THC in his bloodstream at the time of the crash.

When Resecker was first arrested in early 2024, his smiling mugshot infuriated victims' relatives and stunned the public.

The image of the grinning teen spread rapidly online. Prosecutors said it showed the sheer indifference he felt at the devastation he caused.

During the trial in Johnson County, Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Miller recited each victim's name in her closing argument.

'Justice for Rushil. Justice for Naveena. Justice for Nageswararao. Justice for Sitamahalakshmi.

'Justice for Kruthik. Justice for Nishidha. Justice for Lokesh  and justice for this community,' she told jurors.

After a week of testimony, the jury took just hours to reach a decision.

Resecker was sentenced to 65 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, a term prosecutors said reflected both the magnitude of the tragedy and the reckless disregard for human life.

After a week of testimony, the jury took just hours to reach a decision

Resecker was driving under the influence of THC when his white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck veered into oncoming traffic and collided with the family's minivan

Rushil Barri, 28, was driving the family in his Honda Odyssey home from a day out at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center when they were struck and killed in a head-on collision

The horror crash almost wiped out the family-of-seven in the crash, with victims including two children: Krithik Potabathula, 10; and Nishidha Potabathula, 9

The Johnson and Somervell Counties District Attorney's Office called the case 'by no means an easy one,' praising investigators, crash analysts, and first responders for their 'tireless work in pursuit of justice.'

Lokesh Potabathula, the only surviving member of his family, was pulled from the mangled minivan with spinal fractures, broken ribs, and intestinal injuries.

According to a GoFundMe created after the crash, he underwent multiple surgeries and initially lost his sight. He remains partially paralyzed.

His wife, Naveena, and their two young children, Kruthik and Nishidha, were killed alongside her parents and cousin.

The family had recently moved from Plano, Texas, to Alpharetta, Georgia, to start a new life, returning to North Texas over the holidays to visit friends.

Rushil Barri, the cousin who was driving the van, had immigrated from India in 2020 for graduate studies and was living in Irving. Friends described him as hardworking and ambitious.

'We were like brothers,' his roommate Ayyappala Bandaru told NBC News shortly after the crash. 'He had very big dreams. He always used to think about tomorrow. He used to say, 'Man, we need to rule this world.'

The Georgia family were visiting family in Texas at the time during the Christmas holidays, and were returning from a day trip to a wildlife center when they lost their lives

Barri, 28, had moved to Texas from India in August 2020. The other family members lived in Alpharetta, Georgia

The surviving member of the family lost his wife, son daughter, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and cousin, and suffered severe injuries including a deep intestinal injury, and several fractures all over his body including spine, ribs, and limbs

The crash killed six members of the same family in an instant

Resecker, then just 18, was seriously injured in the crash himself.

Because of his condition, the Department of Public Safety ruled he was 'not medically fit' for jail confinement, and a judge placed him under house arrest with a GPS monitor after he posted a $50,000 bond.

He was eventually indicted on six counts of intoxication manslaughter, two counts of intoxication assault, and drug possession.

His passenger, 17-year-old Preston Glass, survived but suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him mentally impaired.

When asked by police after the crash, Resecker admitted to smoking marijuana earlier that day. Troopers said they found drug paraphernalia inside the truck.
Australia's most haunted house is on the market for a buyer brave enough to ignore the sinister tales that have made the Victorian-era manor famous.

Monte Cristo in the country NSW town of Junee, 470km southwest of Sydney, has been the subject of many stories and legends in its colourful 140-year history - and it's believed to be haunted by as many as ten ghosts.

The ghostly manor is one of the Riverina's most famous estates and has been operating as a museum and tourist attraction with regular tours and overnight stays.

Olive Ryan, who lived in the eerie homestead for 50 years, told The Project in 2015 that she had felt the presence of the home's original owners.

Christopher and Elizabeth Crawley are believed to have haunted the house since their deaths in 1910 and 1933.

'I've had a hand on my shoulder,' Ms Ryan told the program.

'I've had my name called when I've been here by myself. It's nothing to hear footsteps on the balcony and you go out and there's no one there.'

Ms Ryan's son Lawrence grew up in the mansion in his formative years and said he had always felt like someone was watching him.

Monte Cristo is one of the Riverina's most famous estates and some think it's haunted

The double-storey residence at 1 Homestead Lane includes original fireplaces and a ballroom

He described a series of accidents in the house that were too creepy to be coincidence.

'Everything from a child being dropped down the staircase by the nanny who claimed it was pushed from her arms, to a maid that so-called committed suicide off the balcony who was pregnant to Mr Crawley,' he told The Project.

There are also reports of a young stable boy burning to death in his straw bed, a caretaker being shot dead in 1961 and tales of the housekeeper who tied his mentally unstable son in the outhouse for more than 30 years.

Built on a hill, the double-storey residence at 1 Homestead Lane includes several outbuildings, 18 bedrooms, five bathrooms, several kitchens, high ceilings, original fireplaces, a ballroom, two reception halls, and an indoor pool.

It's the first time the mansion has been on the market in 63 years.

Selling agent, Jason Barrett of Ray White Junee, told Daily Mail he couldn't believe his luck when the property came on the market and he was appointed the listing.

'I was elated. It's a pinnacle listing which was the original tourist attraction for Junee. It speaks for itself and it will sell itself,' he said.

'It's surprising the number of people that have inquired and said they had stayed there and done the tours when it was operating.'

The original owners of Monte Cristo, Christoper and Elizabeth Crawley are believed to have haunted the house since their deaths (the couple are pictured)

Olive Ryan (pictured) said she has felt the presence of the home's original owners

When asked if he thought the house was haunted, Mr Barrett said: 'I haven't experienced anything while we've been here getting the promotion ready.

'There's been no malfunctions with the camera or video equipment.'

The owners are fielding offers for Monte Cristo on a 'walk-in walk-out' basis.

Mr Barrett said keen parties have already made offers above $1.6million, which would be a new Junee price record. Expressions of interest will close on December 12.

'We've had people come and inspect who've done the tours themselves, obviously that aspect hasn't scared them off,' the agent said.

The home has been featured on A Big Country (1977), the reality game show Scream Test (2000), Ghost Hunters International (2010), and My Ghost Story (2013).

Aussies online shared their own experiences in the house while visiting.

'No way would I buy this. I stayed there for my 30th and let's just say the stories are true,' one person said.

'Stayed here overnight. Got some crazy pictures and some even crazier stories,' another said.

'It was very eerie and I felt cold chills going through the rooms especially the room on the balcony on the right side of the house second floor. That was the worst! So much active energy,' a third said.

The property features 18 bedrooms in total

There's already been offers of more than $1.6million

The Ryans also said their cat and dog refused to enter the house, and their chickens and pet parrot mysteriously died

They recalled lights that had been turned off would mysteriously turn on.

The most recent ghost haunting the house is believed to be Jack Simpson, a caretaker who was shot dead in 1960 on the front porch of Monte Cristo by a young local who had watched Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho three times.

Reginald died in 2014 and Olive passed away late last year.

Their children and grandchildren closed Monte Cristo to the public in January 2025 and are now bidding farewell to the estate.
A Miss Universe boss was axed from this year's pageant just days after he branded Miss Mexico a 'dummy' and sparked a walkout among contestants.

Nawat Itsaragrisil, 60, landed in hot water Tuesday after singling out Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, 25, in front of a crowd ahead of the sashing ceremony, blasting her for skipping a sponsorship shoot earlier that day.

'Mexico, where are you? I heard you're not going to support everything about Thailand. Is that true?' he said, before going on to call her a 'dummy.'

Hours later, Miss Universe president Raul Rocha revealed that Itsaragrisil would be booted from this year's competition and hit with several sanctions, even after his tearful apology.

In an Instagram video, Rocha, speaking in Spanish, said: 'I have restricted Nawat's participation in the events that are part of the 74th Miss Universe competition, limiting it as much as possible or eliminating it entirely.'

He began his statement by expressing love and support for contestants from all 122 countries and offering his respect to Thailand, this year's host nation.

'I will not allow the values of respect and dignity of women to be violated,' the president said.

'Unfortunately, Newat has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host ,' he added. 'It means to demonstrate to all delegates, of all countries, that he as a host has the obligation to serve them, assist them and support them.'

Miss Universe executive Nawat Itsaragrisil (pictured), 60, was axed from this year's pageant just days after branding Miss Mexico a 'dummy' and sparking a mass walkout among contestants

Itsaragrisil singled out Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch (pictured), 25, in front of a crowd ahead of the sashing ceremony on Tuesday, blasting her for skipping a sponsorship shoot earlier that day

Miss Universe president Raul Rocha (pictured) revealed that Itsaragrisil would be booted from this year's competition and hit with several sanctions

Rocha stressed that the pageant's goal is to unite people from all walks of life and backgrounds, creating an environment of 'healthy and friendly competition.'

The focus turned to the incident itself, with Rocha expressing his support for Bosch and condemning the way she was treated while representing Miss Mexico on a world stage.

'My great indignation toward Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fatima Bosch, whom he humiliated, insulted, and he showed a lack of respect,' Rocha began.

'In addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman, trying to silence and exclude her, Nawat, you need to stop,' he added starkly.

'Every woman in the world should be respected, and Fatima, who in addition to being a voice of her own, represents her country as well.'

Rocha urged CEO Mario Bucaro to speak for the pageant and hinted that legal action could be coming 'as a result of the malicious acts committed by Nawat.'

Organizers have since postponed the sash presentation to 'avoid any interaction' with Itsaragrisil.

The unprecedented incident unfolded during a live-streamed ceremony, as Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania of the Miss Universe Organization, confronted Bosch about missing a shoot.

The unprecedented incident unfolded during a live-streamed ceremony, as Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania of the Miss Universe Organization, confronted Bosch (pictured)

Rocha (pictured) urged CEO Mario Bucaro to speak for the pageant and hinted that legal action could be coming 'as a result of the malicious acts committed by Nawat'

Rocha condemned Itsaragrisil (pictured), declaring: 'Every woman in the world should be respected, and Fatima, who in addition to being a voice of her own, represents her country as well'

In footage broadcast on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, he asked Bosch to stand and 'explain herself' in front of the rolling cameras, before instructing security personnel to escort her out of the hotel after she insisted on 'using my voice.'

In a mass revolt in support of the beauty queen, several of her fellow contestants proceeded to stand up from their seats, ready to storm out of the room.

A distressed Itsaragrisil could be heard shouting 'stop, stop!' as the models began making their way out of the ceremony, demanding that they 'sit down.'

When a clearly uncomfortable Bosch tried to tell the president she didn't want to be scolded in front of the other contestants, he grabbed the microphone and snapped: 'I didn't give you the opportunity to talk. I'm still talking, I'm still talking, listen!'

'I have a voice,' Miss Mexico replied, accusing Itsaragrisil of 'not respecting me as a woman.'

The argument continued, with the president saying: 'My question is: Can you work to promote Thailand or not - yes or no?'

Itsaragrisil then instructed security to escort Bosch out of the hotel.

New footage then appeared of Itsaragrisil defending his comments, insisting he was 'human' and never meant to stir such controversy.

When Bosch (pictured) tried to tell the president she didn't want to be scolded in front of the other contestants, he grabbed the microphone and snapped: 'I didn't give you the opportunity to talk. I'm still talking, I'm still talking, listen!'

New footage then appeared of Itsaragrisil (pictured) defending his comments, insisting he was 'human' and never meant to stir such controversy

In a mass revolt in support of Bosch (pictured), several of her fellow contestants proceeded to stand up from their seats, ready to storm out of the room

'I am human. I didn't want to do anything like that,' he said.

Later on Wednesday, he apologized to a separate crowd of people as the various Miss Universe delegates stood behind him.

'I had not [intended] to harm anyone because I respect all of you. I am so sorry it happened. First, I have to apologize to the delegates.'

'If anyone was affected and not comfortable with what happened, I am so sorry,' he said.
Aussies have been urged to throw out an infected salad product sold at major supermarkets over fears of people falling ill with a strain of salmonella.

Food Standards Australia says Aussie Sprouts Alfalfa Sprouts 125g have been linked to 44 cases of salmonella infection.

There are fears the product, sold at Woolworths, Coles, IGA and other independent grocers, is infected with microbial contamination.

According to NSW Health, 18 people in NSW have fallen ill after eating the sprouts.

NSW Health director Keira Glasgow told Australians to be vigilant for symptoms.

'Anyone who has consumed alfalfa sprouts should be on the lookout for symptoms, which include: headache; fever; stomach cramps; diarrhoea; nausea; and vomiting,' she said.

'Most people recover within a week by having lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids such as water or oral hydration drinks from a pharmacy.'

Symptoms start six to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria and generally last about a week but can be more serious for vulnerable individuals.

Aussie Sprouts Alfalfa Sprouts 125g (pictured) have been linked to a strain of salmonella

Shoppers have been warned about Aussie Sprouts Alfalfa Sprouts and urged to throw them out

Infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness.

'These people may need antibiotics from their doctor or, in more severe cases, hospitalisation,' Ms Glasgow said.

The affected alfalfa sprouts were sold in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Northern Territory, the ACT and South Australia.

The products were all sold in 125g varieties with use-by dates up to and including November 20.

The impacted products include:

Hugo's Alfalfa Onion & Garlic Sprouts 125g

Hugo's Alfalfa Radish Sprouts 125g

Hugo's Alfalfa Onion Sprouts 125g

Hugo's Salad Sprouts 125g

Hugo's Alfalfa Broccoli Sprouts 125g

Hugo's Trio Sprouts Selection 125g

'There is a risk that if these affected alfalfa sprouts are consumed you could become ill,' Ms Glasgow said.

NSW Health said it was working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to investigate the problem.

Anyone needing non-urgent medical advice should call their local GP, healthdirect for free (24 hours) on 1800 022 222 or speak to their local pharmacist.
A federal judge in Oregon has ruled that Donald Trump did not meet legal requirements when he deployed the National Guard to Portland in September.

The ruling from US District Court Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, followed a three-day trial last week in which both sides argued over whether protests at the city's US Immigration and Customs Enforcement building met the conditions for using the military domestically under federal law.

The administration said troops were needed to protect federal personnel and property in a city that Trump described as 'war ravaged' with 'fires all over the place.'

In a 106-page opinion, Immergut found that even though the president is entitled to 'great deference' in his decision on whether to call up the Guard, he did not have a legal basis for doing so because he did not establish that there was a rebellion or danger of rebellion, or that he was unable to enforce the law with regular forces.

'The trial record showed that although protests outside the Portland ICE building occurred nightly between June and October 2025, ever since a few particularly disruptive days in mid-June, protests have remained peaceful with only isolated and sporadic instances of violence,' Immergut wrote.

'The occasional interference to federal officers has been minimal, and there is no evidence that these small-scale protests have significantly impeded the execution of any immigration laws.'

The Trump administration criticized the judge's ruling.

A federal judge in Oregon has ruled that Donald Trump did not meet legal requirements when he deployed the National Guard to Portland in September

The administration said the troops were needed to protect federal personnel and property in a city that Trump described as 'war ravaged' with 'fires all over the place'

'The facts havent changed. Amidst ongoing violent riots and lawlessness, that local leaders have refused to step in to quell, President Trump has exercised his lawful authority to protect federal officers and assets' said Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman.

'President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities and we expect to be vindicated by a higher court.'

'The courts are holding this administration accountable to the truth and the rule of law,' Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in an e-mailed statement.

'From the beginning, this case has been about making sure that facts, not political whims, guide how the law is applied. Todays decision protects that principle.'

Trump's administration has said the troops are needed to protect federal property from protesters and that having to send extra Department of Homeland Security agents to help guard the property meant they were not enforcing immigration laws elsewhere.

Oregon officials, meanwhile, have argued that Portland police have handled the protests and crowd control outside of the ICE facility appropriately, and have said that demonstrators who break the law are regularly arrested.

The small nightly protests, limited to a single block, have been ongoing since June.

At times, larger crowds including counter-protesters and live streamers, have shown up and federal agents have had to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowds.

demonstrator is detained outside a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility

Democratic cities targeted by Trump for military involvement - including Chicago, which has filed a separate lawsuit on the issue - have been pushing back.

They argue the president has not satisfied the legal threshold for deploying troops and that doing so would violate states sovereignty.

Immergut issued two orders in early October that had blocked the deployment of the troops leading up to the trial.

The first order blocked Trump from deploying 200 members of the Oregon National Guard; the second, issued a day later, blocked him from deploying members of any state's National Guard to Oregon, after he tried to evade the first order by sending California troops instead.

Immergut has called Trump's apocalyptic descriptions of Portland 'simply untethered to the facts.'

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals has already ordered that the troops not be deployed pending further action by the appeals court.

The trial Immergut held further developed the factual record in the case, which could serve as the basis for further appellate rulings.

Witnesses including local police and federal officials were questioned about the law enforcement response to the nightly protests at the citys ICE building.

People watch as others dance near a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility

Federal officials working in the region testified about staffing shortages and requests for more personnel that have yet to be fulfilled

The demonstrations peaked in June, when Portland police declared one a riot. The demonstrations typically drew a couple dozen people in the weeks leading up to Trumps National Guard announcement.

The Trump administration said it has had to shuffle federal agents from elsewhere around the country to respond to the Portland protests, which it has characterized as a 'rebellion' or 'danger of rebellion.'

Federal officials working in the region testified about staffing shortages and requests for more personnel that have yet to be fulfilled.

Among them was an official with the Federal Protective Service, the agency within the Department of Homeland Security that provides security at federal buildings, whom the judge allowed to be sworn in as a witness under his initials, R.C., because of safety concerns.

R.C., who said he would be one of the most knowledgeable people in DHS about security at Portlands ICE building, testified that a troop deployment would alleviate the strain on staff.

When cross-examined, however, he said he did not request troops and that he was not consulted on the matter by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem or Trump. He also said he was 'surprised' to learn about the deployment and that he did not agree with statements about Portland burning down.

Attorneys for Portland and Oregon said city police have been able to respond to the protests.

After the police department declared a riot on June 14, it changed its strategy to direct officers to intervene when person and property crime occurs, and crowd numbers have largely diminished since the end of that month, police officials testified.

The ICE building closed for three weeks over the summer because of property damage, according to court documents and testimony.

The regional field office director for ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations, Cammilla Wamsley, said her employees worked from another building during that period.

The plaintiffs argued that was evidence that they were able to continue their work functions.
READ MORE: Police airlifted to hospital after being stabbed

A rookie police officer is recovering in hospital after he was allegedly stabbed with a 50cm sword during a horrifying attack in Sydney's south-west on Friday night.

The 28-year-old probationary constable, who had only recently joined the NSW Police Force, was among four officers dispatched to a property on Werombi Road in Grasmere around 5:20pm on Friday.

The team, including another new officer and two senior constables, responded to reports of a breach of an apprehended violence order and were conducting a routine welfare check.

Police allege a 20-year-old man launched a violent and frenzied attack on the officers, first throwing a spear before charging at one of them with a sword.

Superintendent Paul Condon said officers used several tactical options, including a taser and OC spray, but none were successful in subduing the suspect.

Moments later, the man allegedly stabbed the young officer in the leg with the sword, inflicting a deep 20cm gash to his upper right thigh.

The rookie's fellow officers gave him life-saving first aid.

Superintendent Condon revealed that they applied tourniquets in an effort to stem the bleeding.

The young officer was airlifted to Liverpool Hospital on Friday after he was stabbed

The injured constable was then treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance.

He was then airlifted to Liverpool Hospital in a serious but stable condition, where he is awaiting surgery.

Superintendent Condon said the incident could have ended in tragedy if not for the quick thinking and bravery of the officers involved.

He revealed he had watched the body-worn camera footage and labelled it extremely distressing.

'Police are confronted day in, day out by violent situations like this. It escalated extremely quickly and again I commend my officers for what they've done,' he said.

He praised the actions of all four officers, saying they were 'incredibly brave'.

Detectives seized a knife, hatchet and spear from the scene.

The 20-year-old man, who was known to police and had previously been armed, was arrested after being tasered and taken into custody.

The 28-year-old is still in hospital recovering from the incident, where he is awaiting surgery

Superintendent Paul Condon (pictured) praised the quick thinking of the officers at the scene

He has since been charged with 11 offences, including two counts of attempted murder, four counts of wounding with intent to resist arrest, and wounding a police officer in the line of duty.

Additional charges include using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, resisting police, breaching bail conditions, and contravening an apprehended violence order.

The accused was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.
UPS said it has 'temporarily grounded' its MD-11 fleet following the fiery crash of a 34-year-old plane in Kentucky that killed 14 people.

The decades-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 plane, with three crewmembers on board, exploded shortly after taking off from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville on Tuesday evening.

Crews combing half a mile of charred wreckage on Friday found a 14th victim at the crash site, ABC News reported. The latest victims named included a grandfather and his three-year-old granddaughter.

UPS announced Friday that its MD-11 fleet, which makes up about nine percent of its aircraft, would be grounded immediately.

'Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety, we have made the decision to temporarily ground our MD-11 fleet,' UPS said in a statement.

'We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer,' the statement added.

'Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve. Contingency plans are in place to ensure we can continue to deliver the reliable service our customers around the world count on.'

While Flight 2976's deadly crash remains under investigation, aviation experts have shared unsettling details about the MD-11 jet.

UPS said it has 'temporarily grounded' its MD-11 fleet following the fiery crash of a 34-year-old plane in Kentucky that killed 13 people (pictured)

The decades-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 plane, with three crewmembers on board, exploded shortly after taking off from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville on Tuesday evening (pictured)

'Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety, we have made the decision to temporarily ground our MD-11 fleet,' UPS said in a statement (fleet pictured)

'The model was antiquated by the time it came out  except, of course, for cargo. Its a workhorse,' Mary Schiavo, a former US Department of Transportation Inspector General, told USA Today.

The MD-11 has the second-worst safety record of all commercial planes still in operation, according to Boeing data published in April.

The model was launched in 1990 as a passenger jet, but due to its poor fuel efficiency and high maintenance costs, it was retired from commercial flights in 2014 and has since been used only as a cargo plane.

'It had kind of a reputation of being a hard airplane to land,' Ross Aimer, the CEO of Aero Consulting Experts and a longtime United Airlines pilot, told the outlet.

The specific MD-11 that crashed on Tuesday was manufactured in 1991 by McDonnell Douglas, now owned by Boeing. UPS purchased it in 2006.

'The age may play a role, but as long as any airplane is well-maintained, it can last forever,' Jeff Guzzetti, a former NTSB investigator and air-safety consultant, told The Wall Street Journal.

Records reviewed by the WSJ indicated that the plane that took the fatal flight was grounded in San Antonio, Texas, from September 3 to October 18 because it needed a permanent repair to fix a crack in its fuel tank.

Echoing Guzzetti's sentiment, aviation consultant Mike Boyd told CNN: 'At UPS, I would not be concerned about airplane age.

UPS announced Friday that its MD-11 fleet, which makes up about nine percent of its aircraft, would be grounded immediately

The jet's engine was ripped off from its body during the crash (pictured)

Louisnes Fedon and his three-year-old granddaughter, Kimberly Asa, have been identified as two of the victims (pictured), according to a family friend

'The main issue for operators is increasing maintenance costs, which US carriers dont take lightly, and fuel burn.'

As of early this year, there are more than 80 active MD-11 planes operating for FedEx Express, UPS Airlines and Western Global Airlines.

Both FedEx, which has the largest fleet, and UPS have announced plans to gradually swap out the model for newer planes.

According to the NTSB, several other MD-11 planes were involved in deadly accidents.

Louisnes Fedon and his three-year-old granddaughter, Kimberly Asa, have been identified as two of the victims, according to a family friend who spoke with ABC13.

Another victim was also identified as Matt Sweets who survived the initial explosion but later succumbed to his injuries after 95 per cent of his body was burned.

Matt Sweets, pictured here, survived the initial explosion but later succumbed to his injuries after 95 per cent of his body was burned

Investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder from the ruins (pictured)

According to the NTSB, several other MD-11 planes (pictured) were involved in deadly accidents

The aircraft's three crew members are also believed to be among the dead, according to officials.

UPS identified the pilots on board the flight as Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond.

They were all killed upon impact when the flight erupted into a fireball as it crashed through industrial buildings.

Others remain missing, including mother-of-two Angela 'Angie' Anderson, 45, of Louisville, who may have perished in the fire.

Earlier on Thursday, officials reported that nine people were still missing as crews searched through half a mile of charred, mangled debris for additional crash victims.
READ MORE: New details after rookie cop was allegedly stabbed with a sword

NSW Police have been slammed after they allowed a neo-Nazi rally to be held outside the New South Wales Parliament on Saturday morning.

Politicians and community leaders have condemned the event, calling it a 'shameful act of hate' and a chilling threat to Australia's multicultural values.

The protest, organised by the National Socialist Network, saw 67 men dressed in black chanting antisemitic slogans and holding a banner that read 'Abolish the Jewish Lobby'.

'The Jewish lobby is one of the most powerful lobbies in Australia. They bribe our politicians, they coerce our politicians,' they said.

The rally concluded with the chanting of a Hitler Youth slogan.

The event, which lasted approximately seven minutes, was approved by NSW Police following a Form 1 application submitted by the White Australia group on October 28.

However, both NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon and Premier Chris Minns said they were unaware of the protest until after it occurred.

'There was a communication error in the police force for which I did not personally know that today's protest was taking place,' Commissioner Lanyon said on Saturday.

Police have been slammed for allowing a neo-Nazi protest outside of the NSW Parliament

'Accordingly, I had not briefed the Minister of Police.'

Premier Minns expressed deep concern over the incident and promised a full review of the approval process.

'We have been locked in discussions most of the day with the senior lawyers inside the government,' he said.

'They believe that there is room to move in relation to protecting public harmony further than what we've currently constituted.'

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman condemned the rally as a 'new low' in public intimidation.

'Seeing 67 black-shirt men outside the NSW Parliament, surrounding an 'Abolish the Jewish Lobby' banner and shouting hate, was a new low in intimidating, and instilling fear in, our Jewish community,' he said.

'This was not legitimate free speech... It was a calculated act of hate that must be investigated and never allowed to happen again.'

Speakman also called for an investigation into whether the rally breached Section 93ZAA of the Crimes Act 1900, which addresses incitement of violence and hate speech.

Chris Minns (pictured) vowed to undertake a full review of the process for allowing protests

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon (pictured) said there was a 'communication error'

The call was echoed by Liberal MP Kellie Sloane.

'Time to test our new incitement to hatred laws. These thugs should be locked up. They are a threat not only to our Jewish community, who were the targets of today's chilling display, but to broader multicultural NSW,' Sloane said.

Independent federal MP Allegra Spender urged the NSW Government to consider all legal avenues in response to the event.

'I have spoken to the NSW Police Minister and urge the NSW Government and Police to look at all prosecution options under hate speech legislation,' she said.

'I support Premier Minns' review of the legislation if needed.'

Spender said the situation highlights the need for stronger national protections.

'It is a clear reason why we need such hate speech laws nationally, and I will continue to pursue those,' she said.
Labour has been plunged into yet further chaos as its left wing looked set to battle any moves by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to tighten immigration laws.

Ms Mahmood is said to be considering adopting similar hardline rules to the centre left Danish government to deal with the UK's spiralling migrant crisis.

Such a system could see even genuine asylum seekers granted only temporary status to remain in the UK until they could safely return to their own countries as well as tighter family reunification rules to prevent abuse of the system and even a financial incentive system to encourage repatriation.

But Labour MP Nadia Whittome has said that the Labour Government should 'not be flirting with' a Danish style asylum shake up, condemning the Danish policies as all 'undeniably racist'.

Ms Whittome, a member of the party's Socialist Campaign Group, said it would be a 'dangerous' path for the party to go down if it attempted to emulate Denmark's tough stance on asylum seekers which has seen its immigration levels drop to a 40-year low.

Her comments follow BBC reports that the Ms Mahmood dispatched Home Office officials to Copenhagen in the wake of the ruling party's defeat of a populist right wing party by adopting tough new immigration laws to look at the Danish system.

The MP for Nottingham East said the policies of the Danish government were 'the policies of the hard right' and were 'not the kind of model that we should be looking to emulate'.

'I think that these are the policies of the far right  I don't think anyone wants to see a Labour government flirting with them,' she said.

The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured) is set to announce a huge shake-up of the UK's immigration system

Border Force escort people thought to be migrants into Dover Docks, Kent, on Saturday

Ms Whittome, 29, who became the youngest MP in the House of Commons when she was elected in 2019 at the age of 23, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme:

'These policies would be more at home in the far right than in any centre left government  some of them are undeniably racist policies.'

And she suggested that adopting any of the Danish policies could lead to the adoption of anti-ghettoization ones such as 'policies like not allowing people to move to certain housing areas'.

'All of these policies are discriminatory and what I am outlining is the dangerous path that they lead us down.'

But in a sign of a likely schism in party thinking, one of the so-called 'Red Wall MPs', Gareth Snell said he thought it was worth Labour exploring 'best practice from its sister parties around the world' in looking for a solution to the migrant crisis.

And the MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central warned the issue was currently preventing his constituents from bringing up anything else that mattered to them because it was so predominant in people's minds.

He said: 'We are looking into trying to put some fairness and credibility into an asylum and migration system in this country which my constituents look at and think of as inherently unfair so I think it's worth exploring.

'It is worth looking at what best practice we can find from our sister parties around the world and where they have managed to find practical solutions to the thorny issue of how you manage migration and asylum in a way that allows you domestically to talk to your constituents.'

Mr Snell said he also believed the Labour Party should support ways of migrants returning home when their countries were safe.

'If there is an opportunity for them to return to their home country to be part of a rebuilding or a re-establishment of their home countries to ones they recognise, then we should support that,' he said.

And he agreed that where people who applied for asylum 'understood it was a temporary arrangement to give you shelter, help and support whilst it is needed' then it was 'not inherently unfair to have your return facilitated for you' although he admitted he would have concerns and he believed his constituents would about that being 'conditional on large sums of money being paid'.

In the Danish system, an equivalent of up to 24,000 is paid to migrants agreeing to go home, according to the BBC.

Gareth Snell  MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central - is one of the so-called 'Red Wall MPs' who believes the government should explore 'best practice from its sister parties around the world'

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Looking at the way Denmark was treating family reunification, Mr Snell said a fair system should also be looked at for the UK.

'Denmark is a much smaller country than the UK so we need to look at it from a UK context and from my own constituency casework, I know that it is quite difficult in some cases to go through the reunification process but we have to be quite sensible about to what extent we allow family relations as grounds to have family into the UK.

'We need to look at whether it is immediate family, is it children, is it a spouse  is it a distant relative  we have to quite practical and rational about where we draw the line.'

Denmark has seen a massive reduction in asylum applications, which reached a 40-year low earlier this year, under the Social Democrats, Labour's sister party led, by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Since coming to power in 2019, Frederiksen has made tackling immigration a key priority, vowing to pursue a 'zero-refugee' policy that involves actively discouraging people from coming to the country.

Despite Denmark's rules remaining controversial, no one can deny its success, with asylum claims dropping by almost 90 per cent over the past decade. Last year they plummeted to 2,333, while the UK total hit a record 108,138.

It marks a major shift from Denmark's 2015 migration crisis, when annual asylum requests reached 21,316 in a country of only six million.

Some of the country's policies have been accused of being discriminatory while others appear to quite deliberately introduce a hostile environment for migrants.

Asylum seekers refused the right to stay are denied benefits. They get food, served three times a day, at the country's two deportation camps They are sent to the camps to await removal by the Danish Returns Agency, which gets extra funds for results.

And if a migrant's country of origin is deemed 'safe', even a successful asylum seeker can lose Danish residency and face being returned home.

Senior Home Office officials visited Copenhagen last month to examine what lessons could be learnt from their immigration system, according to the BBC.

They are said to be particularly interested in how Denmark has restricted family reunification, which is often a major incentive for seeking asylum.

In September, the UK Government announced that new applications to the existing refugee family reunion route would be suspended as they work up new rules.

The family reunion visa route allows people granted asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK to apply to bring immediate family to join them.

Unlike other migrants applying for asylum, they would not have to fulfil the income and English-language tests required to stay in the UK.

Mahmood will supposedly not go as far as Denmark when she introduces reforms to family reunion routes, although it is believed measures will be more restrictive.

Rasmus Stoklund, Denmark's minister for Immigration and Integration, said cracking down on immigration and enforcing stricter integration rules was key to protecting the nature of Danish society.

He told the BBC: 'We expect people who come here to participate and contribute positively and if they don't, they aren't welcome.'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer greets Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in London during a meeting last month

Rasmus Stoklund, who is Denmark's minister for Immigration and Integration

Other deterrents Mahmood could introduce include plans to force small boat migrants to repay their hotel and benefit costs if granted asylum.

The policy, which would act like a 'student loan repayment' is being back by Labour MPs in the 'Red Wall', who are under threat from Reform.

in 2015, Denmark paralleled the UK's political landscape as the anti-immigration Danish People's Party began surging in the polls amid record levels of immigration.

The latest polling in Denmark shows that the Social Democrats remain by far the most popular party, with 22.9 per cent of the vote - nearly 10 points ahead of the second-biggest rival.

By contrast, the Danish People's Party, which is usually described as far-Right, is on just 4.4 per cent, down from 21.1 per cent ten years ago.
A Polish woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann watched a Netflix documentary about the missing British toddler over a hundred times, a former confidant has claimed.

Julia Wandelt, 24, let out an audible gasp yesterday as the jury returned their verdicts, finding her not guilty of stalking but guilty of harassing Kate and Gerry McCann at Leicester Crown Court.

During a five-week trial, Wandelt was accused of stalking the McCanns for nearly three years, sending messages, leaving voicemails and calling with demands of a DNA test after claiming to be their missing daughter.

She was sentenced to six months behind bars, but the process of deporting her is understood to be in motion, as she already spent nine months in custody awaiting trial. The final decision will rest with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

A restraining order was also imposed on the woman as well as her co-defendant, Karen Spragg, 61, who indulged 'her conspiracy theories', preventing both from contacting the McCanns as well as publishing any information about them.

Spragg was acquitted of the charges of stalking and harassment.

Wandelt's family say her feverish obsession was fuelled by online conspiracy theorists in a campaign which eventually saw their daughter confront the McCanns at their family home.

And now, a former friend of Wandelt's who previously backed the 24-year-old in her claims of being Madeleine McCann, alleged she watched a documentary about the McCann family several times while she lived in her guesthouse in early 2023.

Wandelt (pictured) was found guilty of harassing the missing Madeleine McCann's parents today after claiming she was their daughter, who has been missing since May 2007

Dr Fia Johansson worked with Julia Wandelt before Wandelt started her harassment of the McCanns

Madeleine was three years old when she vanished during a family holiday to The Algarve in May 2007

Fia Johansson, who claims many titles on her social media such as 'psychic detective', repeated Wandelt's claims about her identity online to her millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram.

Until a DNA test in 2023 proved the Polish native's claims were fake. Johansson was then quick to say she had never believed she had been Madeleine.

The 43-year-old recently alleged to The Sun that Wandelt watched a documentary about the McCann family more than a hundred times while she lived in her guesthouse for three weeks in early 2023.

'She lived in my guesthouse with her own TV, but my housekeeper and nanny told me she was just watching crime documentaries and watched the McCann one 100 times,' Johansson claimed.

'She had been studying the McCann case for years and years since 2021; she had a whole file with evidence from the UK and Portuguese police investigations stored on her phone.

She also alleged her housekeeper found Wandelt's medical documents as well as a trove of childhood photos, on an iPhone purchased by Johansson, stuffed under the mattress where the Polish woman stayed.

The documents are said to detail the 24-year-old's vaccination history, health concerns and height, according to the newspaper.

Kate and Gerry McCann both gave evidence from behind a screen at the trial, where they said: 'Despite the jury's guilty verdict of harassment, we take no pleasure in the result. Like most people, we did not want to go through a court process and only wanted the harassment to stop'

The 43-year-old (pictured) recently alleged to The Sun that Wandelt watched a documentary about the McCann family more than a hundred times while she lived in her guesthouse for three weeks in early 2023.

She also claimed to have her housekeeper found Wandelt's medical documents as well as a trove of childhood photos on an iPhone purchased by Johansson stuffed under the mattress where the Polish woman stayed

Wandelt told the court during the trial that she believed herself to be the missing toddler who went missing from the Portugues resort of Praia de Luz in 2007.

Her barrister also claimed she was was 'vulnerable' and her behaviour was that of a 'rather sad and pathetic young woman' acting out of 'desperation' because she believed her parents had lied about who she was.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Wandelt's father Jacek, a 60-year-old radiologist, revealed she changed after being abused by a relative.

He recalled the last time he saw her when she told him: 'Daddy, I love you, but you are not my dad. I am Madeleine McCann.'

Her devastated family had, by that point, already tried to voice their fears after her online 'I am Madeleine' campaign garnered mass attention.

They said in a statement: 'She always wanted to be popular. What's happening now has given her one million followers. We're scared.'

Meanwhile, Spragg's defence team argued she was simply trying to detect a crime while on trial, accused of harassing and stalking the McCanns. She was acquitted of both charges.

However, she was handed the same restraining order with Mrs Justice Cutts saying the care worker from Cardiff 'enjoyed the drama' and supported Wandelt while 'indulging in her conspiracy theories'.

The grandmother had begun communicating with Wandelt online after watching her videos where she presented 'evidence' suggesting she was Madeleine.

She then arranged to take the 24-year-old to the McCanns home to demand a DNA test, where she shouted at Mrs McCann, accusing her of not wanting to find her daughter.

Julia Wandelt, 24, gasped as a jury convicted her of tormenting Kate and Gerry McCann in a campaign that began on the internet but resulted in her turning up at the family's home

Sentencing, the judge accepted that Wandelt, who was abused by her step-grandfather aged nine, had a difficult childhood but that did not justify the way she behaved.

Mrs Justice Cutts said her 'constant pestering, badgering and eventually attendance at their home address on a dark evening in December was unwarranted, unkind, and as the jury have now found, criminal'.

She added: 'They (the McCanns) were entitled to refuse to engage with you, particularly in the sad circumstances in which they live with the disappearance of Madeleine.'

The judge said Wandelt believed she was the victim, before telling the Polish woman: 'You are not.'

The court heard a DNA comparison between Wandelt and Madeleine, from a pillow case at her Leicestershire home, proved conclusively that Wandelt was not her.

Wandelt also called and messaged Mrs McCann more than 60 times on April 13 last year and wrote her a letter addressed 'Mom', signing it 'Madeleine'.

She also contacted the couple's twins, Sean and Amelie, their friends and other family members and turned up at a vigil for Madeleine, demanding a DNA test.

Jurors were told that, from 2022, Wandelt began to make attempts 'to persuade anybody who was prepared to listen that she was Madeleine McCann', believing she had been abducted and brought up by a couple who were not her real parents.

She utilised social media with twin accounts on Instagram and TikTok, both called @iammadeleinemccann, where she uploaded 'evidence' to support her claims, along with pictures comparing her face with Madeleine's and that of her siblings and parents.

Wandelt also claimed to have memories of growing up in the McCann household, and, particularly distressing, memories of being abducted, which she also shared online.

She has appeared on various YouTube shows discussing her claims and, incredibly, gave an interview from prison while awaiting trial.

As a result, prosecutors took the highly unusual step of attempting to ban all reporting of the trial in part due to Wandelt's 'significant social media platform'.

The jury was told at the outset of the trial that the disappearance of Madeleine brought 'many tragic consequences' for her parents, including their 'inability to escape the glare of publicity that came with that tragedy'.

Mr and Mrs McCann, who both gave evidence from behind a screen at the trial, said: 'Despite the jury's guilty verdict of harassment, we take no pleasure in the result. Like most people, we did not want to go through a court process and only wanted the harassment to stop.

'The decision to prosecute was taken by the Crown Prosecution Service, based on the evidence gathered by the police.

'We hope Ms Wandelt will receive the appropriate care and support she needs, and any vulnerability will not be exploited by others. If anyone has new evidence relating to Madeleine's disappearance, please pass this on to the police.'
Sydney man Andrea Surace has been charged with 11 serious offences after allegedly stabbing a rookie NSW police officer with a 50cm sword during a violent attack in Sydney's south-west on Friday night.

His charges include two counts of attempted murder, four counts of wounding with intent to resist arrest, and wounding a police officer in the line of duty.

Additional charges include using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, resisting police, breaching bail conditions, and contravening an apprehended violence order.

According to investigators, Surace first threw a spear before charging at one of the officers with a sword.

An image shared to Surace's social media account see him holding what appears to be a sword and a spear.

Daily Mail is not able to confirm if they are the same as the weapons allegedly used during the confrontation.

Police allege Surace launched a frenzied assault on four officers who had been dispatched to a property on Werombi Road in Grasmere around 5:20pm.

The team, which included two probationary constables and two senior officers, were responding to reports of a breach of an apprehended violence order and conducting a routine welfare check.

Alleged attacker Andrea Surace (pictured) holding what appears to be sword and a spear

Andrea Surace (pictured) faces two counts of attempted murder among other serious charges

Superintendent Paul Condon said officers deployed several tactical options, including a taser and OC spray, but none were initially successful in stopping the suspect.

Moments later, Surace allegedly stabbed a 28-year-old probationary constable in the upper right thigh, causing a deep 20cm wound.

Fellow officers immediately applied tourniquets to stem the bleeding and provided life-saving first aid until NSW Ambulance crews arrived.

The injured officer was airlifted to Liverpool Hospital in a serious but stable condition and is awaiting surgery.

Superintendent Condon described the body-worn camera footage as 'extremely distressing' and praised the bravery of all four officers involved.

'Police are confronted day in, day out by violent situations like this,' he said.

'It escalated extremely quickly and again I commend my officers for what they've done.'

He added that the officers' quick thinking likely prevented a tragedy, calling their actions 'incredibly brave'.

The young officer was airlifted to Liverpool Hospital on Friday after he was stabbed

The 28-year-old is still in hospital recovering from the incident, where he is awaiting surgery

Detectives later seized a knife, hatchet, and spear from the scene.

Surace was arrested after being tasered and taken into custody.

He will face court on Sunday, and will appear in court again on Monday for a hearing related to an Apprehended Violence Application.
The great and the good have descended on the hot and steamy Brazilian town of Belem to discuss the worlds climate problem at COP 30 - and escorts in the city are planning to cash in once the highbrow talks finish in the evening.

An influx of high-class sex workers have checked into hotels and rented Airbnbs for the jamboree, which will begin in earnest on Monday with more than 50,000 delegates expected to attend the two-week junket on the edge of the Amazon jungle.

And like the annual get together in the Swiss resort of Davos some of them will be turning their minds on how to relax after a long day putting the global environment on track they will be looking to relax.

One escort agency based in this north easten region  SexyNorte- said it had seen a spike in adverts from women in the days leading up to the start of the conference - which held a curtain raiser last week attended by Prince William and PM Keir Starmer.

The Daily Mail spoke to one woman on the site called Angel, who had flown in from Fortaleza 900 miles away, who was happy to meet up at a cafe overlooking the River Guama and discuss her job over a cappuccino.

Looking chic and stylish in her designer clothes and black luxury handbag, Angel  who charges 250 an hour - said: Im here for a month, and Im expecting to make some good money.

The people attending COP30 will be intelligent and will be looking for conversation with a like-minded person and they will find that with me; I am a luxury escort not a street prostitute with a pimp.

The people attending COP30 will be intelligent and will be looking for conversation with a like-minded person and they will find that with me;' Angel (pictured) told the Daily Mail

I know how to behave in high society, and I am comfortable in all situations from formal dinners to cocktail receptions and I have a glamorous wardrobe that will suit any occasion.

Thanks to her Germanic ancestors, Angel is tall, has flowing blonde hair and deep blue eyes  setting her apart from the local women and was able to speak in almost perfect English.

On her NorteSexy page her biography adds: Angel, a luxury escort who doesnt go unnoticed, originally from Rio Grande do Sul, with German decadency.

Among her striking attributes are her full. Natural breasts and captivating blue eyes.

Standing at 1.73m tall, she is elegant and a very discreet companion, perfect for any occasion. At 27 years old, Angel is making her debut in Belem.

Angel  who graduated from university with a degree in marketing - explained how she turned to escorting after her clothes boutique went under during Covid saddling her with a huge debt.

She said: A friend of mine suggested I try escorting, at first, I wasnt sure but then I talked about it with her and my family and I have been doing it ever since  and before you ask, yes Ive cleared my debt.

'I am a luxury escort not a street prostitute with a pimp,' Angel, who had flown 900 miles from Fortaleza, added

My father works in media, and my mother is a psychologist they both have good jobs and offered to help me out, but I am an independent woman and want to make my own way in life.

They have not judged me about what I do, the only person who doesnt know about my professional life is my sister.

Angel  dressed in a tight black top, baggy beige trousers accessorised with a Louis Vuitton belt, explained she initially found work as a model after Covid and them from there ended up working as an escort in Fortaleza but also in Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro.

Her clients are mainly Brazilian but with COP30 in town for two weeks she is hoping to broaden her horizons internationally  she told the Daily Mail she had toyed with the idea of going to Sao Paolo for the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend but opted for Belem.

Angel added: It would have been three days of hard work but here I can get at least two weeks and have some time off in between  plus it also gets ridiculously expensive to find a room in Sao Paolo when the Formula One is in town.

As she chatted with the Daily Mail, Angels striking beauty caught the attention of several passers-by and naturally prompted the Pretty Woman question: Have any of your clients fallen in love with you?

Laughing Angel replied: One or two have, they want me to marry them and offer me more money and jewels, but I havent found anyone that I want to share the rest of my life with yet, maybe one day and I hope I will.

I know this life I lead has only a limited time, so I have given myself until 35 and then I will try and find someone to have family with  at least at the moment Im not like many other Brazilian women with lots of kids and the infrastructure cant cope.

An establishment called the Love Hotel in Belem, where rooms can be rented by the hour

Prices of rooms at the Love Hotel in Belem, the town where the climate conference is set to be held

Displaying a shrewd business sense Angel  who carries a card reader for clients which gives out receipts for a convenience store to avoid any potential embarrassment from a misplaced transaction record.

However, like most women in the business she prefers cash and added:I have made enough money to buy my apartment, and I also have a few investments, I use the money to buy gold which always keeps adding in value.

Obviously I have to buy designer clothes as well, so I look the part and I have an extensive wardrobe, Chanel handbags and jewellery but when you hire me you are getting a quality product, I am not embarrassed to say it.

I am all natural and have no silicone in me at all, I havent had excessive plastic surgery, what you see is what you get, and I think I am well worth the money.

When asked if she ever had strange requests Angel said: Yes, all the time, people are very strange with vivid imaginations but so long as they pay me, I am happy to do anything they ask.

One client asks me to dress as a maid and humiliate him, another wants to be intimate while wearing my clothes and what I get a lot of is men asking me to walk over them with my heels on, like I said people are strange.

Elsewhere there are dozens of women offering their services and one brunette woman  called Suzy  even highlights how she is in town specifically for the COP 30 summit.

On her page she adds: Im a Brazilian escort passionate about life and the opportunity to meet new people.

My personality is affectionate, polite, and I always strive to provide special moments for those who are with.

Im looking forward to meeting interesting people and sharing unforgettable moments together.

Ill be the sweetheart of your dreams in bed, my love. If youre looking for pleasant and relaxed company, get in touch with me. I will be eagerly waiting for you.

Prostitution in Brazil is legal and according to the latest estimates is worth 2 billion reais a year (284,000,0000 GBP) and a study by Portal Mercado Erotico projects it will grow annually by 8% until 2028.

Its report added: Large international events tend to increase this revenue in th cities that host them. The expectation is similar in Belem.

One escort called Beatriz Sousa, who spoke to Brazilian media about working at COP 30, said: I have been preparing myself by studying communication in English. I can already understand well and express myself clearly.

In addition, I am investing in fast translation resources to ensure a positive social experience for foreign clients.

Speaking to Politica Diversa, Beatriz said she had already received initial inquiries from clients interested in booking her services during COP30 and added: My expectations are positive, since this type of event attracts people from all over the world.

My goal is to take advantage of the extra traffic to increase revenue in an organised and safe way.

Over WhatsApp, the person in charge of NorteSexy, who declined to give their name told the Daily Mail: We have a refined and discreet selection of escorts, very discerning and undoubtedly catering to the more upmarket gentleman.

The girls are well educated, university level and some speak several languages, they can maintain polite conversation and know how to behave at any event or function.

Maria Elias Silveira, of the Coisa de Puta, a sex workers collective,said: In the region... we look after 500 sex workers but in the last few days that number has increased

'They have come from across Brazil because they know there are people flying in from all over the world and will be looking for some intimacy after work and they will have money,' she added (picutred: The Love Motel)

The website promotes itself by advertising, creating a page with a video, and reinforcing direct contact with the girl. This guarantees confidentiality and security for clients.

People from other countries are already making contact, scheduling meetings for when they arrive in Belem.

The demand ranges from companionship for dinner to more specific jobs.

Maria Elias Silveira, of the Coisa de Puta, a sex workers collective, told the Daily Mail: In the region as a whole we look after 500 sex workers but certainly in the last few days that number has increased by at least 150 with COP 30.

They have come from across Brazil because they know there are people flying in from all over the world and will be looking for some intimacy after work and they will have money.

What we are telling sex workers is to be aware of the increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and also the potential for violence.

Activity is expected to increase with COP 30 and the arrival of delegations from all over the world and we know that sex workers have already been contacted by people looking for meetings.
When Madeleine McCann disappeared, it wasnt just her parents Kate and Gerry who found themselves at the centre of the ensuing nightmare.

Friends the couple had been holidaying with in Praia da Luz  and who were dining with the McCanns at the Ocean Club resorts tapas restaurant on the evening their daughter vanished  were also catapulted into the spotlight.

The Tapas Seven, as they became known, would go on to be both witnesses and a support crew for the McCanns, forever bound by the events of that fateful night.

Their evidence was scrutinised by police, their backgrounds probed.

None of the seven was ever an arguido, or formal suspect, and all co-operated willingly with the investigation. Yet 18 years on, the ties endure.

Last month two of their number  husband and wife David and Fiona Payne  gave evidence against Julia Wandelt and Karen Spragg after Wandelt contacted them via a slew of phone calls and emails.

Wandelt was convicted of harassment but cleared of stalking and Spragg was found not guilty of both charges. The judge gave both restraining orders.

The Paynes, who have remained close to the McCanns, told the court of the distress it caused.

Six members of the Tapas Seven, from left, Jane Tanner, David Payne, Fiona Payne, Dianne Webster, Rachel Oldfield and Dr Matthew Oldfield

Its disturbing, said Fiona. We have had lots of unsolicited contact from various people over the years, people with conspiracy theories.

However, we have never been contacted by anyone who thinks they could be Madeleine.

To recap, a group of nine adults and eight young children, including Maddie and her younger twin siblings, travelled to the Algarve in May 2007, flying from East Midlands and Gatwick airports.

In addition to the Paynes were Fiona Paynes mother Dianne Webster and married couples Matthew and Rachael Oldfield, and Russell OBrien and Jane Tanner. Matthew, Russell and the Paynes knew each other from their days studying medicine at Leicester University in the early 1990s.

It was through the Paynes that the McCanns got to know the rest of the group, after they moved to Leicestershire in 2000.

Fiona, an anaesthetist, met Kate, who was working as an anaesthetic registrar, in a staff coffee room at Leicester General intensive care unit in December 2000.

Kate would later recall: We became such great mates that one of our consultant colleagues rather cheekily used to refer to us as Charlies Angels.

The female friendship expanded to include their husbands. It was the Paynes wedding in Italy in 2003 that brought all three couples together on a holiday for the first time. Portugal was to be the second occasion they travelled abroad with their young families.

Julia Wandelt, who claimed to be Madeleine McCann, was found guilty of harassing the missing girl's family

Ending each day at the resorts tapas restaurant became a key part of the relaxation routine. The children would go to bed in the ground-floor bedrooms of their apartment, approximately 60 yards away, and the adults would dine alfresco, taking it in turns to check on the children. And then came the night that Kate went to check on hers  and found that Maddie had disappeared.

What unfolded has been probed, questioned and debated ever since, with the nine adults present all, in some way, falling victim to the tidal wave of conspiracies that followed. Of the seven friends, the Paynes have remained the closest to Kate and Gerry  a closeness Wandelt attempted to capitalise on.

When Wandelts barrage of calls and messages to Kate and Gerry failed, she simply extended the net wider and, as known friends who also lived in Leicestershire, the Paynes were next in line.

David, 59, a consultant urologist, told the jury he had been sent not just photographs of Wandelt, comparing herself to Maddie, but personal photos of his wife and children.

One email from Wandelt read: All I want is DNA, nothing more. You say you cant help me but as a member of the tapas group you could clear your names.

It was followed by: I understand you have received a lot of hate and that is traumatic for you. I know you have experienced lots of hate and criticism. Could you please speak to them and help me to get in touch with them? Then, on Christmas Eve 2024, came the festive missive: Merry Christmas, David. The truth will set you all free.

Neither of the Paynes has spoken publicly about the unresolved tragedy that affected their own lives. They have, however, stayed stalwart friends of the McCanns.

Fiona has turned up to every anniversary vigil in Rothley honouring Madeleines disappearance, to support Kate and pray with her.

Karen Spragg was found not guilty on charges of harassment and stalking but was given a restraining order

In May 2023, it was Fiona who recited Emily Dickinsons poem, Hope Is The Thing With Feathers, before embracing Kate. And when Kate and Gerry missed one gathering, due to another family commitment, it was Fiona who stepped in to address well-wishers and supporters.

We have stayed in touch and have seen them go through a lot of intrusion and seen how hard it is for them, David told the court.

Fiona, 53, described how they would regularly meet for walks or for coffee and Kate told her about the young woman who was claiming to be Madeleine.

She was half expecting it, Fiona said, when she too was contacted, by phone and via Facebook. Wandelts efforts even included trying to befriend Fionas own daughter on social media.

Fiona found this particularly cruel. It is really difficult, she [her daughter] is a vulnerable young adult who has been adversely affected by Madeleines disappearance. She has the good sense to ignore these messages.

I felt angry actually that she [Wandelt] sought to manipulate her in that way. As for the other members of the group, the Paynes remain friends with both Russell OBrien, a consultant in acute medicine and his wife Jane Tanner, who works for Exeter University, as well as Matthew Oldfield. Russell was best man to both David Payne and Matthew Oldfield and for a time, worked in the same field of cardiology as Gerry, the two men having identical roles at Leicesters two hospitals  Leicester Royal Infirmary and Glenfield.

Russells wife Jane was pregnant with their eldest daughter, now a 22-year-old medical student, at the same time as Kate was expecting Madeleine. By the time of the holiday, Russell and Jane had moved to Devon, where they live in a large family home, close to the River Exe.

Janes evidence from the night of the disappearance would prove, in those early days, the most enduringly powerful.

The mother-of-two said she had seen a man carrying a child in the vicinity of the McCanns apartment at 9.15pm, 45 minutes before Kate raised the alarm.

Her sighting was later discounted after a British man came forward to say he was holding his sleeping child in his arms on their way back from the night creche.

She would also become the first of the seven to speak publicly, appearing on Panorama in 2007, when she said: Im talking now because Im being called a liar and a fantasist. I know what I saw. I think its important that people know what I saw because I believe Madeleine was abducted.

Matthew Oldfield, 56, had worked alongside Gerry but by the time of the holiday, he and wife Rachael, 54, had moved south, where he began work at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, where he remains a consultant endocrinologist.

Rachael, meanwhile, was a recruitment consultant and is now an editor with a drug and medical device intelligence database company.

Publicly, they have said very little over the years about what happened in Praia da Luz.

But that the events of that night have left an indelible mark can be in no doubt.
Police officers missed an opportunity to detain an on-the-run Algerian sex offender after cops were caught running past the convict before eventually spotting him.

Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was finally re-arrested on Friday after mistakenly being released from HMP Wandsworth nine days ago, sparking a huge police manhunt.

The 24-year-old, who had been serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal and had a previous conviction for indecent exposure, was snared by cops after a tip-off from a member of the public.

They claimed he was spotted in Finsbury Park, the same area where sex attack migrant Hadush Kebatu was arrested two weeks earlier, following yet another error that saw him released by mistake.

When officers arrived at the scene, they were able to eventually track down Kaddour-Cherif and confirm he was the wanted man they were looking for.

But, it has emerged they could have tracked him down a few minutes sooner.

Footage of the moments before his arrests shows two officers racing through the street searching for the escaped sex offender and run past a group of men, unaware that Kaddour-Cherif is among them.

Even after doubling back on themselves, the cops are still unable to spot Kaddour-Cherif, who remains unphased as they continue to scramble around after him.

A police officer appears to run straight past on-the-run Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif who can be seen standing on the corner of the street in a grey hoodie

Kaddour-Cherif had been serving a sentence at HMP Wandsworth for trespass with intent to steal. He has a past conviction for indecent exposure

The footage, captured by Sky News, later shows reporter Tom Parmenter speaking to the group that Kaddour-Cherif is stood with.

He appears to speak directly to the escaped prisoner and asks him: 'Are you Brahim?

The 24-year-old then lies, telling the report it is not him.

'They are looking for the guy who escaped from prison,' Mr Parmenter explains, to which Kaddour-Cherif brazenly replies: 'I wish you find him'.

One of the other men whispers that it is him, which prompts the reporter to chase after the convict.

Speaking to the camera, Mr Parmenter says: 'I reckon it's him. The man we've been talking to is walking away pretty fast now.'

When he eventually catches up to him, Kaddour-Cherif plays off that it isn't him, instead claiming he saw the wanted man cycle away on a lime bike moments ago.

'I think the guy you are looking for, he went that way with a lime bike,' Kaddour-Cherif says, adding that he 'stole' the vehicle.

Kaddour-Cherif then appears to walk up to a nearby police van, where he is eventually rumbled by officers.

When confronted by a Sky News journalist, Kaddour-Cherif plays off he is not he inmate at large and instead claims he saw the wanted man cycle away on a lime bike moments ago

During his arrest, Kaddour-Cherif shouted 'look at the justice of the UK... it's not my f*****g fault, they released me' before telling the witness: 'You called the police?'

Police compare Brahim Kaddour-Cherif with his wanted photo during his arrest on Friday

They begin to handcuff his hands in front of him, telling him: 'You're going to be placed under arrest on suspicion of being wanted... because you look identical to the person released from custody.'

An officer, comparing the fugitive with his wanted photo, tells Kaddour-Cherif that he has a 'very distinctive wonky nose'.

They then bring him to the back of the van and hold up an image of Kaddour-Cherif next to his face before un-cuffing and re-cuffing his hands behind his back.

They later searched his backpack and found a laptop, umbrella and wallet.

Before Kaddour-Cherif was put in the back of the van, he turned to those gathered and said: 'Look at the justice of the UK they release people by mistake. It's not my f****** fault.'

When the Sky reporter asks: 'Why didn't you hand yourself in?', Kaddour-Cherif appeared to look at the police around him and said: 'Do your job.'

He was arrested for being unlawfully at large and on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker in relation to a previous incident.

While Kaddour-Cherif's arrest will come as a relief to the government, it will do little to dampen the backlash against David Lammy, who has been branded 'cowardly' and 'incompetent' for his handling of the issue.

It comes after another prisoner, Billy Smith, 35, was also accidentally freed from Wandsworth on Monday before handing himself back in.

Hadush Kebatu was set free from HMP Chelmsford in error just two weeks before Kaddour-Cherif's wrongful release

This is the moment Kebatu (second from left) was arrested by Met Police officers in Finsbury Park, north London

British national William Smith (pictured), who goes by Billy, was also mistakenly freed from the scandal-hit prison on Monday but handed himself in

After confirming the Algerian had been rearrested, Mr Lammy said: 'We inherited a prison system in crisis and I'm appalled at the rate of releases in error this is causing.

'I'm determined to grip this problem, but there is a mountain to climb which cannot be done overnight.'

Kaddour-Cherif was accidentally let out five days after the wrongful release of Epping migrant hotel sex attacker Kebatu.

Stronger security checks were announced for prisons and an independent investigation was launched into releases in error after Kebatu was accidentally freed on October 24, prompting a three-day manhunt.

The Ethiopian national had been jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, but was freed by mistake instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre. He was later traced and deported.
For many years, hunting for prey was the singular pursuit of the owners of Lochdhu Lodge. The 48-room gothic mansion in northern Caithness was designed as a plaything of the nobility, where the wealthy elite of Victorian society would go to indulge their passion for bloodsports.

They would do so surrounded by a sense of solitude almost unrivalled by the peace and tranquillity of their Highland retreat. Remote scarcely begins to describe its location deep in the heart of the Flow Country, Britains last untouched wilderness; even today, it takes an age to get there down a 14-mile private driveway.

Being so far from prying eyes has similarly suited the current proprietor, betting millionaire Kevin Booth, albeit his desire for privacy stems from a far more sinister place.

For years, Booth lured women  mostly young, vulnerable and foreign  to this isolated lair where he has subjected them to violent and degrading attacks, some of which were described by a sheriff as utterly harrowing.

Much of the abuse was meted out in the form of so-called punishment beatings for supposed transgressions of Booths own twisted set of house rules. Much of it took place in an underground dungeon specially created in the cellars of the B-listed mansion by Booth to gratify his sexual perversions.

Court papers stated this subterranean chamber, accessed via a trapdoor and a 200ft-long curved concrete tunnel, contained an empty coffin, life-size ancient Egyptian figures and a metal bench to which Booth, who is obsessed by Egyptology, handcuffed his victims before thrashing them mercilessly.

On other occasions he would travel the world trawling for victims he could beat with a variety of implements, including canes, wooden brushes, riding crops and belts, and with such ferocity that it would draw blood. All the while, he would film their screams of pain and terror for his own private collection. Detectives would later recover 341 such home videos.

Now, two recent court cases, including a landmark legal ruling, have exposed the horrifying scale of the danger posed by Booths shameful depravity.

Kevin Booth lured women  mostly young, vulnerable and foreign  to Lochdhu Lodge and subjected them to violent and degrading attacks

Indeed, so seriously do police and prosecutors consider his predatory instincts that they sought  and won  the first-ever worldwide travel ban against a named individual in Scottish legal history, preventing the wealthy businessman from setting foot abroad in a bid to curb his abusive behaviour.

The court ruling said the 65-year-old had carried out a systematic course of conduct of acts of human trafficking and exploitation over many years.

Sheriff Neil Wilsons judgment mentions more than one video shot in Booths dungeon, including an 18-minute-long film of a young black woman handcuffed to a red-and-black metal contraption crying hysterically and writhing in agony as Booth tells her to pray for the strength to take it properly. This, the sheriff concludes, appears to be nothing other than torture.

Worryingly, the judgment also mentions Booth having applied financial pressure on a woman to withdraw a rape allegation in Ireland.

Whether the ban succeeds in protecting women from the torturers clutches remains to be seen. Last month, Booth was convicted of attempting to induce one of his housekeepers into engaging in sexual acts against her will in exchange for cash. He will be sentenced on that matter later this month.

Together, the cases have reinforced fears about Booths willingness to exploit any legal loophole he can to satisfy his savage urges.

His long history of offending, which already stretches back more than three decades, begs the unpalatable question  will it be enough to hold the Beast of Lochdhu Lodge at bay?

As one former partner, Tammy Conner, who claims she suffered years of abuse at his hands, put it: One of these days he is really going to hurt someone and they are going to end up dead or are going to kill themselves. He just seems to get away with things because he is rich.

Police sought  and won  the first-ever worldwide travel ban for a named individual in Scottish legal history against Booth

Booth is undoubtedly wealthy. Obsessed with horseracing from an early age, the former maths teachers uncanny ability to spot a winner combined with his arithmetical prowess allowed him to cash in on a racing tipster service he founded in the 1990s.

By then, though, his brutal nature had come to the attention of UK law enforcement following complaints about the treatment of children aged between 11 and 15 at a private boarding school he founded with his Malaysian first wife, Nancy.

As headmaster of 900-a-term Greybrooks, in Newbiggin, on the Northumbrian coast north of Newcastle, he would punish the slightest transgression by pupils with horsewhips, bamboo canes and an 18in ruler. Stories of the strict regime at the school, run from a church hall and two terrace homes, filtered back to parents who soon began to complain about their childrens rough treatment.

The council eventually took the ten boarders  eight boys and two girls from Nigeria, Malaysia and India  into care and the school was closed, while Booth was charged with common assault but fled to India while awaiting trial. Once there, he set up a similar school, advertising for pupils as far afield as Botswana in southern Africa, which were flagged up by concerned British diplomats.

On his return to the UK, in 1994, he was convicted at Newcastle Crown Court of five charges of common assault against children and another of failing to surrender to bail. At his trial it emerged he told one mother that she was mollycoddling her 13-year-old daughter when she complained about the thrashings. The court heard he initially told police he had hit some 12 and 13-year-olds to promote and safeguard the childrens welfare.

Prosecutors said his chastisement was of a level inappropriate not only in this day and age but in any day and age. Booth escaped prison but was handed a three-month suspended sentence. He gave up teaching, but not his fondness for the cane.

His career took a new course after Booth made a name for himself as a leading racing tipster.

His business, Isiris Racing, earned him millions as he emailed tips to punters for an annual fee of up to 1,500. He boasted of counting MPs and at least one Royal among his clientele.

His former partner, Tammy Conner, has alleged she was caned and whipped by Booth for four years from the age of 16

A glimpse into his overweening egoism emerged in one 1997 interview, when he declared: I dont want to sound arrogant, but I am probably the greatest racing tipster the world has ever known. Thats why my salary is in seven figures. What I do is inspired  its hard to put into words.

By the late 1990s, he was dividing his time between his mansion near Keighley, Yorkshire, his office in the grounds of stately Broughton Hall in Yorkshire, and his newly purchased holiday getaway, Lochdhu Lodge.

The mansion was originally built for Liberal MP and landowner, Sir John George Tollemache Sinclair, an ancestor of Lib Dem peer Lord Thurso, and remained in the family for almost a century.

In the 1940s and 1950s, it was used as a hotel for exclusive hunting parties and a hideaway for the great and good, boasting guests of such stature as wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill.

Booth spent 150,000 on renovations, adding a swimming pool and sporting complex, and for a time, he was even hailed a local hero after forcing Royal Mail to reverse a decision to stop regular postal deliveries to the scattered community of Altnabreac.

Booth once described Lochdhu as like living in a fairytale castle out of Disney World. Its a view few of his victims would share with most who crossed his path reporting something closer to a nightmare.

In 2001, Booth was finally jailed for two years after he was convicted of indecently assaulting his 27-year-old Brazilian au pair in his Yorkshire office within days of starting her job.

Bradford Crown Court heard the woman had been recruited over the internet to look after his two young children, but Booth swiftly reverted to type, threatening to horsewhip her if she refused to have sex with him.

He showed her a video of himself beating a young African woman on her bare buttocks to convince her that he would follow through with his threats.

The woman, who feared she was going to be raped, was taken to Bradford police station by Booths secretary, who found her in a petrified state.

Others have since come forward with similarly distressing and near-identical accounts of Booths violent predilections.

His former partner, Tammy Conner, has alleged she was caned and whipped by Booth for four years from the age of 16.

Ms Conner, now 44, said she first met him after spotting an advert in her local paper in 1997 that read: Models required for race meetings. She was one of several teenage girls who were driven to race meetings in England and Scotland and plied with alcohol.

Ms Conner said in a BBC interview: Then hed suddenly try and kiss you or something. If you said no, hed say you had a punishment; my punishment was 20 lashes with a cane.

She alleged she was led to a sofa bed in Booths office and noticed a video camera on his desk, which recorded the beating. She said: Every time he hit me, I had to say, Please sir or Thank you, sir.

She claimed Booth was doing this with all the girls at work. We were 16. We were kids. He effectively groomed us all, she said.

She and Booth, who have three grown-up children together, separated in 2016 but maintained contact and Ms Conner did not report Booth to authorities.

That year, however, she was convicted of a breach of the peace against him, although she was later admonished. Booth dismissed his former partners accusations about his behaviour as laughable and insisted he had been the victim of domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour at her hands.

Whatever the truth of that, he had already moved on to other targets. In early 2018, a European woman was taken on as a maid by Booth. She told the BBC she was soon summoned to his office where he demanded a sexual massage, telling her: If you do this, you will get more pay.

She agreed to the request because she needed the money, but later she was presented with a new contract of employment which stated she could be punished if she did something wrong.

Her first offence was serving a chicken dinner that he didnt like.

Her punishment was being smacked really hard on the bottom with a brush. I could not sit for a couple of days, she said. She chose to speak out to save others from that horrible man and reported Booth to police in 2019.

They searched Lochdhu Lodge, but the evidence they gathered was apparently insufficient to secure a criminal conviction and proceedings against him were discontinued in March 2021.

Nevertheless, there was deep disquiet about the disturbing content of the videos. Most appeared to have been filmed in foreign hotel rooms in South Africa, Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Philippines  beyond easy reach of UK law enforcement  but at least two were labelled as having taken place in Booths cellar.

Earlier this year, Wick Sheriff Court heard a civil action raised by Scotlands most senior police officer, the then-Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, against Booth seeking to tether his movements in a bid to minimise his contact with potential victims.

In February, Sheriff Wilson granted a Trafficking and Exploitation Risk Order for a period of five years, which required Booth to surrender his passport to prevent him travelling abroad.

The sheriff said there was evidence Booth had targeted economically vulnerable women with messages that explicitly mentioned payment for submitting to beatings.

Sheriff Wilson imposed draconian measures, including a requirement for Booth to inform police 14 days before hiring any female employees with officers notified in advance of any female visitors to his home. Police were also granted powers to carry out welfare checks at his home to check on the safety of any staff.

None of the women beaten in the videos gave evidence in the civil case.

But in his judgment, Sheriff Wilson said that from 1998 to at least December 2022 Booth had engaged in a consistent course of conduct of recruiting women, both from the UK and abroad, for the purposes of isolating them, either at Lochdhu Lodge or elsewhere far from their homes, and thereafter submitting them to violent beatings and forcing them, through threats of violence, to perform sexual acts on him.

Last month, in a stark reminder of the threat he poses, Booth appeared at Wick Sheriff Court and denied repeatedly offering a housekeeper money for sexual massages in 2022.

Sheriff Principal Eilidh MacDonald found Booth guilty of the charge under the Sexual Offences Scotland Act after the court heard his 38-year-old victim had secretly recorded damning conversations on her phone in October and November that year.

His sentence was deferred until November 25 and he was placed on the sex offenders register.

For now, Booth remains at his lodge overlooking Loch Dhu  the black lake in Gaelic.

Only his dark soul knows whether his hunt for quarry is finally at an end.
Rachel Reeves is planning to launch a stealth tax raid on private sector retirement savings in this months Budget which could net her up to 2 billion a year.

In another major blow to British workers, the Chancellor will target salary sacrifice schemes, reducing tax breaks on pension contributions for both employers and employees.

And the raid will only apply to private sector pensions, meaning public sector workers including teachers, civil servants and MPs will be unaffected.

Experts who have dubbed it a seriously backward step warn such a move would slash the size of pension pots and reduce take home pay by targeting those saving for their retirement and will add to employer costs. HMRC has also forecast there will be strong opposition from businesses.

The sacrifice schemes, which some businesses could even shut down because of the proposals, currently allow private sector employees to give up part of their pay in return for pension contributions, saving them tax and national insurance.

It is widely expected that the Chancellor will target these schemes on November 26 rather than cutting tax-free lump-sum withdrawals which was also believed to be on the table.

It could lead to people saving less for their retirement, with all those earning salaries over 50,000 affected.

They include those in the 100,000 to 125,000 income bracket, who in recent years have put more of their cash into salary sacrifice schemes to offset the impact of cliff edge tax rules, potentially badly hit.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will target salary sacrifice schemes, reducing tax breaks on pension contributions for both employers and employees in this months Budget

The tax raid is part of the Chancellors strategy to plug a 30 billion shortfall which is also set to see her break labours manifesto promise of not increasing income tax.

The new deputy leader of the Labour Party, Lucy Powell, has already warned Reeves that breaking the pledge not to raise income tax would erode the publics trust.

The Office for Budget Responsibility will give the Treasury its verdict on her proposals on Monday.

Under Reeves new plan to hit retirement savings, she is expected to cap the amount of pay that can be sacrificed without incurring national insurance payments at 2,000 a year.

Any pension contributions over that level would result in an employee paying the full rate of national insurance of 8 per cent on a salary up to 50,000 and 2 per cent on income above that.

And employers are likely to lose some of the tax breaks which currently allow them to fund employer pension contributions.

Currently, there up to 60,000 tax free limit can be paid into a workplace pension by an employee and their employer without incurring any tax penalties.

And any company that runs a salary sacrifice pension scheme does not pay the 15 per cent rate of national insurance tax on the proportion that goes into workers pensions. That means costs to a company for a worker earning 50,270 and putting 10 per cent of their salary into a pension would be 450 more a year.

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Steve Webb, partner at the pensions consultancy LCP, told The Times: Salary sacrifice schemes have been around for a long time and are a way of encouraging employers to offer good workplace pensions.

Introducing a cap would increase national insurance bills mostly for employers and hits the very firms who are doing the right thing.

Once a cap is in place, there will be a widespread expectation that this is the thin end of the wedge and eventual abolition is on the cards. At a time when we need workers and firms to put more focus on pensions, this would be a seriously backward step.

Steve Hitchiner, chair of the Society of Pension Professionals tax group, said many employers would be forced to make their pension schemes less generous to claw back the additional tax.

Research carried out by HMRC earlier this year revealed companies were strongly against any change with warnings that it would result in a reduction of benefits for their workers and could disincentivise saving into a pension and affect employee morale.
Nine News Sydney viewers will notice the absence of a familiar face in the coming weeks, as veteran newsreader Peter Overton recovers from a serious injury.

The popular 59-year-old anchor recently suffered a nasty fall at home, resulting in a severely injured wrist.

The damage was so significant it required a gruelling four-hour surgery involving a bone graft, three metal plates, and multiple screws.

The news was shared by his wife, journalist and podcast host Jessica Rowe, in a heartfelt social media post on Saturday night.

Never a dull moment in our house! she wrote, revealing the extent of her husbands injury.

What with Allegra finishing her HSC & the chaos that can be daily life, Petee recently had a nasty fall at home, badly injuring his wrist.

Rowe, 55, added that Overton is now under strict instructions to rest & recover, and that it will be some time before hes back on screen.

She reassured that hes already eager to return to the news desk.

Jessica Rowe (left) shared that Peter Overton (right) had undergone surgery after a fall

Rowe also praised the medical team looking after her husband.

A special shout out to our healthcare system, the emergency nurses, physios, doctors & specialist surgeons who are the most remarkable, caring & compassionate people,' she said.

'We are very lucky.'

The update prompted an outpouring of support from fellow media personalities and fans alike.

Ouch! Hang in there! wrote Terri Irwin.

Married at First Sight star Domenica Calarca added: Oh no, poor Pete!!!! Have been missing him on my screen! Sending love and healing.'

Fellow Nine presenter Richard Wilkins also relayed his thoughts: Hang in there Pete Happy healing!! No more pirouettes for us!! Anything, anytime Love to all.'

American comedian and actress Rosie ODonnell, fresh off her recent tour of Australia, also sent her well wishes.

Jessica Rowe (right) said that Peter Overton (left) was eager to return to work after he recovers

Hope he feels better soon, she said.

Overton and Rowe, who married in 2004, share two daughters, Allegra and Giselle. Rowe also hosts the popular podcast The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show.
This is the moment Tom Cruise defies demonstrators to chopper in to Scientology's UK headquarters for the controversial church's annual fundraiser.

The Hollywood star, 63, was helicoptered into Saint Hill Manor, the church's British Base in East Grinstead in Sussex, to take part in the three day-event amid protests over the sect's contentious practices.

The Mission: Impossible actor, dressed in a blue buttoned shirt and a navy suit, was seen staring at his phone after stepping out of the chopper as he steers clear of angry locals.

In exclusive pictures obtained by the Daily Mail, Cruise is spotted wearing an aviation headset as he lands.

He avoided crowds of protesters who were taking part in a demonstration against the event, which drew 7,000 Scientologists from across the globe, as it was held for the third consecutive year.

In a bid to disrupt the protesters, the church played loud bagpipe music on a large speaker.

One resident, wishing to remain anonymous, described the event as 'very disruptive'.

He said: 'For six to eight weeks they were laying down pallets in the field to make a car park, so we had the disruption and noise of that, with lorry after lorry coming.

Tom Cruise defied demonstrators by helicoptering into Scientology's UK headquarters for the controversial church's annual fundraiser

In exclusive pictures obtained by the Daily Mail, Cruise is spotted wearing an aviation headset as he avoids protesters

'Then they made all the neighbours listen to bagpipe music on a loop all day.

'In the evening, they had two generators to power floodlights in the car park, and we could hear the generator no more than 60 yards from our back door.

'One didn't go off until 1am and the second generator stayed on all night, so all night an empty car park was lit up.

'I'm tolerant - I don't have religion but don't object to others having it.

'Scientology say they've cleaned up their act, but they still have the same boss and I don't really believe they have changed their spots.'

Another resident said: 'It's an endless stream of people and so much noise - the infrastructure isn't built for it so it ends up being chaos.'

'Then you've got Tom flying over in his chopper and it causes a right old racket.

'To top things off, a minibus ended up having an accident with another driver, which meant one of the roads ended up being closed.'

Crowds of protesters, who allege malpractice from the church, were taking part in a demonstration against the event

Demonstrators held signs which read: 'When was the last time you saw your family?', in reference to allegations that the church pressures members to cut ties with family who criticise the institution

The church made a request for a Public Space Protection Order in July 2024, saying protests held outside its premises caused 'harassment, disturbance and alarm' to its members.

Mid Sussex District Council's cabinet was due to make a decision - recommended for refusal - on June 30, before the church withdrew the application.

A spokesperson for the Church of Scientology in the UK said: 'The Church of Scientology's annual celebration at Saint Hill, East Grinstead drew over 7,000 attendees from across the UK and around the world.

'The weekend featured traditional bagpipe performances, community festivities, and a gala charity concert supporting local causes.

'The event was a resounding success, generating significant cultural and economic benefits for the area and warmly welcomed by residents.'

Cruise has been a member of the church, which critics describe as a cult, since the 1990s.

The fundraiser was not the first time the actor has visited Saint Hill Manor, a country house built in 1792 and the former home of Scientology's founder Ron Hubbard.

Hubbard, an American science fiction writer, moved into the estate in 1959 and it served as the Church of Scientology's worldwide headquarters until 1967.

The annual fundraiser, which was attended by 7,000 Scientologists from across the world, took place at Saint Hill Manor, their UK headquarters in East Grinstead

Cruise is even said to have spent time on a luxury wing of the estate as his 'lockdown sanctuary' during the Covid pandemic.

Last week's annual fundraiser came days before the actor was spotted out in London following the end of his nine-month romance with ex-girlfriend Ana de Armas.

Scientology, which was first set up in the United States in 1952 and also counts John Travolta among its followers, has been criticised by former members who allege mistreatment and claim it preys on vulnerable people.

They have also described how members are pressured to cut ties with family and friends if they criticise the institution.

Alex Barnes-Ross, a former member and employee of the church, organised this weekend's protest.

He told the Daily Mail: 'Despite Scientology's best efforts to disrupt our protest plans, we showed up this weekend with smiles on our faces and with empathy and compassion at the forefront of our activism.

'Scientology claims we're all anti-religious bigots engaging in a campaign of hate speech, but our signs said things like "When was the last time you saw your family?", "They love you and so do we" and "We come back, and we still care about you".'

He previously told the Daily Mail how aspiring leaders were put under pressure to work 18-hour days across seven-day weeks - and put on menial 'hard labour', such as hauling huge boxes or scrubbing walls with a tiny sponge, while rationed to sparse meals of rice and beans if they were deemed to be underperforming.

Mr Barnes-Ross has told of joining the Scientologists aged 15 in 2011, at what he describes as a 'vulnerable' time in his life, but began publicly speaking out against the church in 2023

The movement has previously rejected such allegations.

In a statement the Church of Scientology added: 'Since 1997, we have been holding annual charity concerts as part of the anniversary celebration of the International Association of Scientologists, supporting more than 50 local charities.

'These have included local hospitals, emergency and care services, community centres, youth groups, sports clubs and many more. Over the past 10 years alone, we have raised more than 2million for local causes, ensuring vital support reaches those who need it most.'
Former president Joe Biden was wearing a seemingly fresh bandage on his head during an appearance at a Democratic Party event on Friday where he gave a passionate speech about his and his late son, Beau's, battles with cancer.

Biden, 82, spoke at the Nebraska Democratic Partys Ben Nelson Gala. There, he said his son should have been president instead of him and lambasted President Donald Trump's administration 'cutting government funding for cancer research.'

'Cancer hits every family. Its hit my family hard,' the former president said.

'When the love of my life, my oldest son, the attorney general of the state of Delaware  who shouldve been the president, not me  volunteered to go to Iraq for a year, didnt have to, he came back with stage four glioblastoma because he lived in a burn pit just like those guys did on 9/11, and he died.'

It was announced that Biden was diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer in May, and the former president previously appeared in public with a large bandage on his head in August after receiving Mohs surgery, a procedure to detect how deep skin cancer has spread.

The 46th president went on to speak about his experience with cancer treatment and the importance of researching the disease.

He said: 'When you get that research theyre doing, when they diagnose it  in my case, I just had prostate cancer  when you finish that round of treatment, you get to ring that bell at the end of each treatment.

'Well, thank God for the doctors and nurses and incredible breakthroughs were making in cancer research. Now, Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care, making it more expensive.'

Former president Joe Biden was wearing a seemingly fresh bandage on his head during an appearance at a Democratic Party event on Friday

Biden did not explicitly mention the bandage, and it is unclear why he wore it

In August, Biden was also seen with a much larger bandage on his head

Biden did not explicitly mention the bandage on the top left of his scalp, and it is unclear exactly why he was wearing it.

He continued his speech with further critiques of the Trump administration.

'Why in Gods name are they doing this?' he said before answering his own question by stating Republicans are looking to fund tax cuts for the 'wealthiest people in America.'

The former president got particularly emotive when discussing the record-long government shutdown, which is on its 39th day, four days longer than the previous shutdown record that took place during Trump's first term.

Biden said the current president 'better get the damn government open' and accused Trump of 'deliberately making hunger worse for Americans,' in reference to the lack of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

'In the United States of America, one in five children, one in five children, go to bed hungry every night!' he said.

Republicans have blamed Democrats for keeping the government closed, because almost every Republican senator has voted in favor of the proposed spending plan.

Democrats have said they refuse to pass the bill until they can secure funding for healthcare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.

Before he was seen with this wound in August, the former president had recently undergone Mohs surgery, which is a procedure to detect how deep skin cancer has spread

Biden's eldest son, Beau (right), died from brain cancer at the age of 46

Biden got fired up during his speech on Friday while criticizing the Trump administration for issues ranging from cancer research funding cuts to the government shutdown

In the meantime, important public services such as air traffic control have suffered heavily. Up to one in five flights could be canceled next week if the shutdown drags on, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

During his speech on Friday, Biden also mentioned the stunning sweep of his party across state elections last week, which saw Democratic wins in New Jersey, Virginia, New York City, California, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Mississippi.

The former president said those results showed voters were 'sending a message to Trump and to his crowd.'

Biden said poignantly: 'The Democratic Party is back  not hyperbole.'
At least four people are dead after a street racer slammed into a Florida bar as he lost control of his car.

Silas Sampson, 22, of Dade City, was allegedly driving recklessly and being chased by police when his vehicle slammed into Bradley's, a gay bar on 7th Avenue, hitting more than a dozen people on the patio.

Three were pronounced dead on the scene and another later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

At least 11 people are injured, with one being in critical condition, authorities said.

Sampson was detained by police. The crash is being investigated.

'What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted,' Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said at a press conference.

'Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger.'

Police first picked up on Sampson's alleged bad driving while he started heading toward I-275 South around 12.30am.

Silas Sampson, 22, of Dade City, was allegedly driving recklessly and being chased by police when his car slammed into Bradley's bar on 7th Avenue, hitting more than a dozen people on the patio

Three were pronounced dead on the scene and another later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital

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It was first picked up on by the Tampa Police Department air unit on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street alongside another car before getting on the interstate alone.

Sampson eventually got off the interstate and entered downtown Tampa. While racing through the streets of the 414,500-resident area, police attempted to do a PIT maneuver to stop the young driver.

A PIT maneuver is where police tactically make contact with a car to force it to stop and spin. However, Sampson evaded it and was able to continue toward 7th Avenue, where he crashed into Bradley's.

Sampson has been charged with vehicular homicide and further felony charges are expected to follow, police said.

The owners of Bradley's said their 'hearts are broken' following the tragedy.

Bradley's confirmed their co-host, Esme Russell, was safe, but was 'shaken' by the experience.

'This tragedy has struck at the heart of Tampa's LGBTQ+ community,' it said in a statement. 'Bradley's on 7th is more than just a nightclub, it is a sanctuary, a space of celebration, love, and chosen family for countless people across Tampa Bay.

'Today, we mourn with our friends at Bradley's, the victims' families, and everyone affected by this senseless act.'

Blood was seen on the sidewalk after the crash that left at least 11 injured

The damaged car is seen where it came to a stop outside the bar

The front of the car was seen smashed as it was loaded onto a tow truck

The Daily Mail has reached out to Bradley's for further comment.

Nate Crosby was one of the people injured at the bar last night, he was taken to the hospital.

He had been enjoying his time on the patio when the car crashed into the bar.

From his hospital bed, he wrote on Facebook: 'Im grateful my injuries will heal with time. My deepest condolences to the families and friends whose loved ones have passed.'

Plenty of gay businesses are centered around 7th Avenue and the Ybor City neighborhood. The area is known for being progressive and even has the nickname 'GaYbor.'

Sampson was detained by police. The crash is being investigated

The scene has been roped off with caution tape and cones as investigators work

A Bradley's worker outside the bar on Saturday surveys the damage

Bradley's is a popular gay bar in the area that is bustling with bars and restaurants

The neighborhood started out as a place where Latin immigrants settled, but over the years, it has become a huge scene for the LGBT+ community, according to Out Coast.

Bradley's is a well-known establishment in the area.
A junior doctor who joked about gassing 'the Jews', referred to Jewish people as 'Jew banker goblins' and said videos calling the Holocaust a sham were 'pretty convincing' has escaped being struck off.

Dr Martin Whyte, a former executive member of the British Medical Association (BMA), was suspended in 2023 over a series of 'utterly vile' tweets that he posted on his social media, including calling for people to boycott Israel 'out of spite'.

Now the General Medical Council (GMC) has concluded that while his posts were 'grossly offensive' they fall 'just short of that which would be considered serious enough to pose a risk to public protection'.

An investigation committee heard that Dr Whyte had made comments that were not 'intentionally antisemitic' and had drawn its conclusion based on the fact that it was 'not the doctor's intention to be antisemitic'.

Dr Whyte, who is currently employed by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as a specialist trainee in paediatrics, has instead been given a formal warning by the medical regulator.

It states: 'On 18 April 2018, 27 October 2018 and 23 November 2018 Dr Whyte posted comments on Twitter (now known as X) which were grossly offensive.

'This conduct does not meet the standards required of a doctor. It risks bringing the profession into disrepute and it must not be repeated.'

Among the social media posts that brought Dr Whyte to the attention of the GMC and the BMA were jibes about the 'decomposing carcass of the Queen' and called Conservatives 'b*******', adding they should not be allowed to work as medics.

Dr Martin Whyte - who joked about gassing 'the Jews', referred to Jewish people as 'Jew banker goblins' and said videos calling the Holocaust a sham were 'pretty convincing' - has escaped being struck off by the GMCDr

Dr Whyte, who is currently employed by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as a specialist trainee in paediatrics, has been given a formal warning by the medical regulator

In response to a tweet about the deadly attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, which killed 11 and wounded six, Dr Whyte tweeted: 'hahaha zeig heil hahaha gas the jews hahaha just kidding but have you seen these youtube videos about the holohoax the're pretty convincing imo [in my opinion]'.

The same year, 2018, he tweeted: 'Me: It's important to represent Judaism and Jewish people fairly and respectfully in art. Also me: Jew banker goblins.'

And a year earlier, he argued that people should boycott Israel 'out of spite', writing: 'Lifehack: promise not to boycott Israel, but do it anyway. Do it out of spite.'

He also suggested, with zero evidence, that political journalist and Spectator publisher Andrew Neil was only on the BBC because he had killed a prostitute with Tony Hall, the then director-general of the Beeb.

Replying to Andrew Neil on Twitter, he wrote: 'Ahaha you thin skinned babyman.

'How are you still so prominent at the BBC? Did you and Tony Hall kill a prostitute together or something?'

After the social posts surfaced, a BMA spokesperson said the Tweets were 'totally unacceptable', adding that Dr Whyte had been removed from 'any and all BMA business'.

In an email to their members in 2023, the BMA called his comments 'totally unacceptable' and said there was 'absolutely no place in the BMA for anti-Semitism'.

It continued: 'We were not aware of these comments, nor of any anti-Semitic views. Any form of antisemitism is inexcusable.

'We strive to be a tolerant, diverse and progressive organisation. We want to assure members that we treat anti-Semitism and all forms of prejudice and discrimination with the utmost seriousness.'

Advocacy group Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) called the tweets 'utterly vile' and said the decision not to take action against Dr Whyte was 'another spectacular failure by the medical regulator.'

A spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'Every week there is some new outrage from the medical regulatory system.

'Is there any level of racism against Jewish people that the GMC would consider worthy of actual disciplinary action? If so, we have yet to see it.

'Antisemitism is at record highs in our society and regulators are totally asleep at the wheel. Another spectacular failure by the medical regulator.'

During Dr Whyte's a three-day hearing, which was held virtually in August, Colette Renton, representing the GMC, honed in on Dr Whyte's reference to 'Jew banker goblins'.

Minutes from the hearing show that Ms Renton argued such a term was 'an extremely reductive stereotype'.

The notes explained: 'It infers that members of the Jewish community are prevalent in the banking trade. 'Goblins' is an antisemitic slur used to stereotype the physical appearance of Jewish people or, alternatively, used to suggest that Jewish people share characteristics with fictional depictions of goblins, such as untrustworthiness or selfishness.'

Ms Renton said that Dr Whyte's use of such language 'connotes prejudice and hostility towards Jewish people.'

Regarding his tweet referring to 'the holohoax' and references to Nazi language, Ms Renton said 'an ordinary reader would immediately recognise the language used as antisemitic.'

Citing a previous judgment of Mr Justice Chamberlain, she added: 'The language or imagery of Nazism is often used as a taunt, which deliberately references and weaponises the most painful events in Jewish history'.

Ms Renton said that while it was not suggested Dr Whyte holds antisemitic views, 'there was a real risk that an ordinary member of the public would interpret his tweets as being antisemitic.'

Both Tweets were found by the investigation committee to be antisemitic, while his social media post pertaining to Andrew Neil was 'grossly offensive'.

The notes state that Dr Whyte accepted that his language had been 'offensive and inappropriate' in regards to the tweet about Mr Neil, but he denied that he holds antisemitic views.

A GMC spokesman said: 'We carried out a full and thorough investigation into Dr Martin Whyte's social media posts. After hearing the evidence, an investigation committee found his posts were grossly offensive.

Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, an NHS junior doctor who vowed she 'would never condemn' the October 7 Hamas attacks, is due to appear in front of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) to face accusations of antisemitism

The trauma and orthopaedics doctor, who is of British-Palestinian heritage, turned up to her most recent hearing in Manchester sporting a necklace with a gold number 7 charm

'They decided a formal warning was necessary to uphold confidence in the profession, which will appear on the doctor's online record for two years and must be disclosed to any potential new employers.

'A warning is a formal, significant disciplinary action on a doctor's registration.'

A BMA spokesman said that Dr Whyte would not be allowed to return to represent the BMA 'in any elected office again'.

A spokesperson said: 'The BMA takes the conduct of its elected officials and staff incredibly seriously.

'To that end Dr Whyte was immediately removed from taking part in any and all BMA business at the time the social media material came to light, and this was followed up with our own internal investigation which made this permanent.

'The decision about whether he can continue to practise as a doctor is a matter for the GMC, not the BMA.

'However, we have taken the view that he should not be able to represent the BMA in any elected office again. We wish to reiterate that the BMA stands opposed to all forms of discrimination.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'There must be zero tolerance for antisemitism in the NHS. Its one of the most diverse institutions in Britain, and every patients and member of staff deserves to feel safe and respectedno ifs, no buts.

'When doctors make vile, discriminatory comments, its not just offensiveits dangerous.

'The current regulatory system is failing Jewish patients and NHS staff, and thats unacceptable. Thats why Ive asked Lord Mann to lead an urgent review into antisemitism and racism in the NHS, and were rolling out mandatory training across the service. We will root this poison outwherever it exists.'

The latest GMC decision comes in the wake of other medical professionals currently facing tribunal over allegations of antisemitism, including Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, an NHS junior doctor who vowed she 'would never condemn' the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Dr Aladwan, 31, is due to appear in front of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) to face accusations of antisemitism and creating social media posts littered with praise for terrorist organisation Hamas.

She was cleared in September of the same allegations after the MPTS ruled her opinions on social media did not amount to 'bullying or harassment'.

Those posts included a description of the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, north London, as 'a Jewish supremacy cesspit', Israeli people as 'worse than Nazis' and the Holocaust as 'a concept'.

She has also openly called for Jihad during a protest in London, where she praised armed Palestinian fighters as 'heroes' and said Israel should be 'dismantled'.

Dr Ellen Kriesels, a consultant paediatrician at Whittington Health NHS Trust, has been referred for an Interim Orders Tribunal after making comments on 'Jewish supremacy'

Dr Aladwan was also arrested just days before an MPTS hearing to determine whether the tribunal could go ahead for the second time on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and malicious communication.

One of the charges, for which she remains on bail, relates to social media messages posted on October 7 'which demonstrated support for the Hamas attack on Israel'.

The trauma and orthopaedics doctor, who is of British-Palestinian heritage, turned up to the hearing in Manchester sporting a necklace with a gold number 7 charm.

A date for her next MPTS hearing has not yet been set.

Meanwhile, Dr Ellen Kriesels, a consultant paediatrician and clinical lead for community paediatrics at Whittington Health NHS Trust, has been referred for an Interim Orders Tribunal next week after making comments on 'Jewish supremacy'.

Dr Kriesels was photographed at several anti-Israel demonstrations earlier this year carrying a placard depicting an Israeli flag surrounded by the words: 'Rape, steal, cry, kill, cheat, lie.'

Her social media posts on X also include repeated accusations that Jews are 'supremacists', while Judaism is a 'racist, imperialist and genocidal religion.'

In one post dated 25 August 2025, she defended Hamas, claiming that its members are 'oppressed resistance fighters, not terrorists.' She also described yellow ribbons, worn in support of Israeli hostages, as 'a visual sign of Jewish supremacy.'
Good Morning Britain host Adil Ray is in crisis talks with ITV bosses after appearing to back Sharia law in the wake of the election of the New York mayor this week.

He was called in by bosses yesterday to answer questions on his apparent backing of the controversial Islamic legal system on social media a day earlier.

On Thursday, Ray, 51, who has an OBE for services to broadcasting, had congratulated fellow Muslim Zohran Mamdani on his stateside victory by praising the values behind Sharia law in a social media post.

In the post in which he appeared to back the new mayor bringing in the religious code Sharia, which has been severely criticised by women's rights groups for its pro-male stance, he wrote: 'Some say Mamdani may implement Sharia Law.

'He might. The heart of Sharia is social justice, welfare, fairness, charity and cohesion.

'Most Muslim countries operate a hybrid of Sharia and civil law and are slowly reforming and abandoning unethical practices despite the West's portrayal.'

A source told The Sun that Good Morning Britain (GMB) bosses were particularly furious as Ray's comments clashed with ITV's high profile talks with Sky.

They said: 'GMB execs are pretty cross. His comments sent bosses into a tailspin and he was called in.

Good Morning Britain host Adil Ray is in crisis talks with ITV bosses after appearing to back Sharia law in the wake of the election of the New York mayor this week

Mr Ray, 51, created the BBC's first Muslim sitcom Citizen Khan which ran for five primetime series on BBC1 until 2016

'It was a nightmare as hours earlier ITV revealed it was in talks to sell its broadcasting arm to Sky in a 1.6billion deal. Obviously, they don't want anything to derail that.'

Angry viewers made their disapproval known on social media.

One wrote 'Take your Sharia law and f*** off' while another warned 'This will be your undoing'.

Mr Ray later backtracked on his comments, saying: 'To clarify, I am not actually suggesting Mamdani would implement Sharia law but many issues he campaigned for are some of the positive values of Sharia that Muslims try to live by.

'Something many of us would agree on.'

Mamdani, 34, defeated former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa to become New York's first Muslim mayor.

TV and radio presenter Ray began his career on the BBC's Asian Network and has been a regular across the BBC, including on Radio 5 Live and Radio 4, as well as hosting shows on BBC TV.

Also known as a comedian and actor, he created the BBC's first Muslim sitcom Citizen Khan which ran for five primetime series on BBC1 until 2016.

He joined ITV in 2018 as one of the temporary replacements for Piers Morgan on GMB and has become a regular fixture of the show.
Hundreds have taken to the streets amid Labour's 'underhand' plans to 'dump' up to 600 asylum seekers in an army training camp at a time when local services are already at breaking point.

Crowborough army training camp in East Sussex has been lined up to house up to 600 male asylum seekers as part of the Government's bid to reduce the use of asylum hotels.

Today, organisers estimated hundreds turned out to oppose the plans to move hundreds of migrants to the military camp on the edge of the small Sussex town, which has a population of 22,000.

It comes as Wealden District Council deputy leader Rachel Millward revealed the local authority had sought legal advice about the move. She said the council was not able to stop the move with their planning powers because the site was Crown land.

Locals have also raised concerns about the six hundred migrants registering with GPs in the county, with some already struggling to book appointments. The NHS is required by law to provide services to asylum seekers.

Following a council meeting where it was confirmed the migrants would be moving to the army training base, many have become concerned about people walking around in the town that they 'don't know anything about.'

'We don't want people here we don't know anything about,' Crowborough resident, Shirley Hartfield said. 'I don't want to be confronted by them in the street.'

The barracks were previously used to accommodate Afghan families evacuated during the withdrawal from Kabul in 2021 before they were resettled elsewhere.

A woman draped in a British flag today at a demonstration opposing the use of Crowborough army training camp as asylum seeker accomodation

Hundreds have taken to the streets amid Labour's plans which they described as 'underhand'

A sign which reads: 'Crowborough says no to illegal immigrants'

The camp itself has a proud history going back to the war when it was used by Canadian forces preparing for D-Day.

Meanwhile, Barbara Mayne, who walked from her home to join the protest, said she will fear for her own safety if the Home Office carry out their plans in the Sussex town.

'No one listens. We should never have had to do this in the first place,' she said of today's protest. 'I'm terrified. I won't be going out at night on my own if this goes ahead.

'They are walking out of jails now. The government needs to know how people are feeling. It's frightening,' she added. 'I'm worried about myself and my grandchildren.'

In recent weeks, several prisoners have been accidentally released from prison, one being Epping migrant sex attacker, Hadush Kebatu, and the other being Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif. Both are now back in custody.

In Crowborough, Sasha Ridley expressed her worries about being able to make a GP appointment with the influx of migrants, explaining she already has to wait 'hours' on the phone.

'This was all done behind closed doors. We all only found out about it on the news,' she said. 'It's all very underhand. The people don't want it, and nobody is listening. The government needs to listen to the people.'

NHS Sussex said it was working to meet the immediate health needs of this community. It is understood migrants would be registered with local GPs for specialist car but primary care would be provided on site or virtually, according to the BBC.

Elsewhere, the lack of consultation has angered many, with organisers of today's protest estimating at least a thousand demonstrators had arrived at the camp's entrance before moving on to the green.

Pictured left: Orla Minihane who is a part of the Epping Pink Ladies group. Pictured right: Crowborough resident, Shirley Hartfield

Crowborough army training camp in East Sussex has been lined up to house up to 600 male asylum seekers as part of the Government's bid to reduce the use of asylum hotels

An aerial view of the military training base in East Sussex

Nate Austin said: 'We've had at least 1000, maybe 1200 people here today and we all know this is about the community and mothers who don't feel safe.

'Most of the people here are concerned mothers.'

However, he maintained the march was 'not about race', but 'community and consultation'.

'The council has not been helping, so the people have been organising this protest for themselves,' he added.

Orla Minihane travelled from Epping to support the demonstration with her Pink Ladies group.

'We were asked to come by the people of Crowborough,' she said. 'This is a movement of concerned women and mothers.'

Kerrie Knight, also a Pink Lady organiser from Kent, had journeyed to Sussex to show her support.

'We really need this movement to succeed for our daughters and our sons. We need to protect our girls from people we know nothing about,' she said.

'We need people to know we are not Far Right, we are just mums.'

A 'you're not welcome' sign outside Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex

Hundreds of residents attended a public meeting in Crowborough organised by Reform UK on Thursday

Mother Claire Firmager said her daughter lives near the main entrance and she fears for her safety

Green Party councillor Rachel Millward said earlier this week that the district council would be assessing the legality of the decision-making process of choosing the military camp.

She told the BBC that she was 'absolutely appalled' at the Home Office's 'radical mismanagement', and alleged plans had been leaked from the government department confirming the move 'without public consultation'.

'That was a huge shock and a massive disappointment,' she said, while also noting locals were anxious because the had been 'kept in the dark' by the government over the plans.

'People need to be... reassured and understand,' the councillor said. 'They [the Home Office] have a lot of trust to regain.'

A Home Office spokesperson said at the time it had been in talks with operational delivery partners as required, and then local MPs. 'We are continuing to assess the feasibility of using Crowborough,' they said.

Today, officials said: 'The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. The Home Office is in contact with Sussex Police.

'This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities across the country.'

It is understood all sites will comply with safety, security, health and wellbeing standards.

Christine Straker, who lives near the main entrance to the camp, previously contrasted the new arrivals with the Afghans the camp previously housed.

Work is underway to prepare the site for its new residents

A photo inside one of the rooms at Crowborough that will be occupied by asylum seekers

She told the Mail: 'They've given freedom to all these boat people and taken our freedom away. There will be 600 men here, not families.

'When there were families living here, we welcomed them.'

Mrs Straker said resentment against the migrants has been fuelled by the lack of consideration for local fears.

'There has been no consultation whatsoever. I just don't feel safe. It's just a knee jerk reaction from the government,' she said.

Yesterday, fellow resident Lucy Haddon said: 'I'm worried about the old people and our daughters.

'This is an area of outstanding natural beauty, Ashdown Forest is right behind it and these people have no respect for it or our town.

'This town has a lot of old people and some of them are vulnerable. I'm worried about my daughter and the town.

'I don't want her to be out at night on her own and my husband doesn't even want me to be walking on my own. This is all going to be in our back yard.'

The camp is home to local cadet groups.

'I've heard the MoD is really annoyed with this because there will be nowhere for the cadets to train now,' Ms Haddon continued.

'We've heard it's only supposed to be for a year, but none of us believe that.

'We moved from London to get away from gangs and crime and 600 is a lot to come to our small town.

'There's going to be nothing for them to do here. What are they going to do all day?'

Mother Claire Firmager said her daughter lives near the main entrance and she fears for her safety.

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'I've not slept since I heard about it - we were not told anything about this before we heard about it on the news,' she said.

'My daughter lives right beside it with her child on her own and I'm really scared for her.

'I'm going to have to install panic alarms in my house, I'm so afraid for my own safety.'

A public meeting in Crowborough on Thursday night heard angry locals demand action against plans to use an army training camp to house up to 600 migrants.

Many called for protests and asked why their local MP was not attending the public meeting.

More than 300 people packed into the hall at Crowborough Community Centre with hundreds more locked out.

The meeting - organised by Reform UK - was called so locals could vent their anger at the migrant plan.

Independent councillor Andrew Wilson was the only elected official to answer questions from the floor. He told the assembly he was unable to answer many of their questions. Local Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani was invited, he said.

Despite obvious local opposition to the migrant plan, the council had failed to make any representations to Whitehall.

Mr Wilson said: 'The council have sat on their hands. There is time to mount a challenge.'

Questions from the assembled locals focused on how the community could prevent the plan from going ahead and how the town would cope if it did.

Others wanted to know how the men would be vetted and if the local police would be able to cope.

'We have no idea who these people are,' a woman called out.

Cllr Wilson, as the only elected politician willing to take questions, said he was sceptical about promises that the camp would only be used for 12 months.

The Wealden District Council member of the opposition said: 'I am cynical,' he said.

On the size of the camp compared to the population of the town he said: 'I believe this is the largest in the country.'

Locals shouted for action and wanted to know why their MP was not at the meeting.

'Why are they not here to answer questions,' one man said, while another asked: 'What are the security checks.'

Cllr Wilson said: 'I can't give you any kind of answer.'

The few voices who questioned why their local community was so against the camp were shouted down.

The army training camp on the edge of town will be home to at least 600 lone male migrants in the new year, the Home Office said.

Conservative MP for Sussex Weald Nus Ghani started an online petition calling the plans 'wholly inappropriate'.

The use of military sites is part of Government efforts to end the use of asylum hotels, which a parliamentary committee branded 'failed, chaotic and expensive' last week.

MPs blasted the department's 'incompetence' over its handling of a 'failed, chaotic and expensive' system.

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There was 'manifest failure' by the Home Office to 'get a grip' of contracts with private companies it appointed to house asylum seekers, they concluded.

As a result, the firms had been allowed to make 'excessive profits' from the Channel crisis.

In one of the most damning reports ever published into the dysfunctional department, MPs said the Home Office was 'not up to this challenge' and demanded a series of major changes.

The Commons' home affairs select committee said it was 'inexplicable' the Home Office did not require accommodation providers to assess the impact on local areas before opening migrant hotels.

It had led to 'some local services experiencing unsustainable pressures', damaging community cohesion and allowing 'misinformation and mistrust to grow'.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.

'This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities.

'We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across government so that we can accelerate delivery.'
U.S. airlines began canceling flights on Friday after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a reduction in air traffic amid the longest-ever government shutdown.

As air traffic controllers go without paychecks, many arent showing up for work, with 20% to 40% not reporting for their shifts on any given day, according to FAA administrator Bryan Bedford.

As a result, the FAA has ordered airlines to scale back their flights in the coming week, starting with the 4% reduction on Friday, Nov. 7 and ramping up to a 10% reduction by Friday, Nov. 14, which would shake out to about 4,400 flights every day when you consider the FAA handles 44,360 flights a day.

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As we enter the busy holiday travel season, flight cancellations could soar into the 15% to 20% range if the governments impasse continues because air traffic controllers are taking second jobs, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. However, the shutdown could be coming to an end as eight Democrats on Sunday night voted with Republicans to allow the Senate to advance a compromise legislation package that would reopen the government.

While the airports most affected by flight delays and cancellations could change by the day (and hour, even) Flight Awares Misery Map gives real-time snapshots of the most affected airports across the United States. Heres how to get the most out of the Misery Map.

Friday was the first day of the ordered reduction of flights, and we now have an idea of which airports and airlines were affected most over the travel weekend, thanks to data from Flight Aware. One of the hardest hit was Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, one of the busiest airports in the world and a major hub for Delta. On Saturday, 20% of flights, or 222, out of Atlanta were cancelled, according to Flight Aware. Sunday, 154 flights were cancelled, equating to about 14% of flights out of the Atlanta airport. Newark was hard hit on Sunday, too, with 21% of its outbound flights cancelled.

The Transportation Department is allowing airlines to decide which flights to cancel, and some airlines have indicated that theyll avoid cutting routes between hubs and rather reduce regional routes.

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So while the 40 affected airports will likely see the most cuts, the impact might still hit smaller airports that run regional routes at a disproportionate pace.

An example on Friday: There were 33 flights out of Dallas-Fort Worth that were canceled, which amounts to about 3% of the daily flights out of the large hub, according to Flight Aware. But at Waco Regional Airport, American Airlines canceled two of the three scheduled round-trip flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, aviation data firm Cirium told The New York Times.

Airports are trying to find workarounds. For instance, Denver International Airport, one of the busiest airports globally and a major hub for United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, is proposing paying air traffic controllers during the government shutdown to prevent flights from getting slashed. The citys proposal requires FAA approval.

Denver International Airport is seeking FAA approval to pay air traffic controllers while the shutdown drags on. (Denver International Airport.)

Heres the U.S. airports with the most cancellations on Friday, according to Flight Aware:

Reagan National (DCA): 76

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Chicago OHare (ORD): 48

Hartsfield-Jackson International (ATL): 42

Denver International Airport (DEN): 35

Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW): 33

Los Angeles International (LAX): 30

Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX): 29

Newark Liberty International (EWR): 27

San Francisco International (SFO): 26

LaGuardia (LGA): 25

Heres the U.S. airports with the most cancellations on Saturday, according to Flight Aware:

Hartsfield-Jackson Intl (ATL): 222

Newark Liberty International (EWR): 87

Charlotte/Douglas Intl (CLT): 77

John F Kennedy Intl (JFK): 57

Chicago OHare (ORD): 51

Orlando Intl (MCO): 41

Reagan National (DCA): 39

Miami Intl (MIA): 37

Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW): 36

Fort Lauderdale Intl (FLL): 31

Heres the U.S. airports with the most cancellations on Sunday, according to Flight Aware:

Hartsfield-Jackson International (ATL): 154

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Newark Liberty International (EWR): 106

Charlotte/Douglas Intl (CLT): 73

John F Kennedy Intl (JFK): 52

Chicago OHare (ORD): 50

Reagan National (DCA): 38

Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW): 36

Denver International Airport (DEN): 34

Orlando Intl (MCO): 33

Philadelphia Intl (PHL): 31
Nearly 250 New York City police officers resigned in the weeks leading up to Zohran Mamdanis mayoral victory, despite the democratic socialist softening his earlier anti-police rhetoric.

Mamdani, 34, became the youngest mayor in city history Tuesday after a campaign centered on affordability and fueled by savvy social media outreach that energized younger voters.

The 245 resignations in October represent a 35 percent increase compared to the 181 officers who left during the same month last year, according to Police Pension Fund data.

In response, the NYPD told Daily Mail 'We are laser-focused on addressing our recruitment efforts and bringing in the next generation of officers. The momentum is changing and we will continue to attract the highest level of candidates to protect this city.'

The department noted that 1,093 new officers were hired last month, marking the largest Police Academy class since January 2016.

So far this year, the NYPD has hired 2,911 recruits and is on track for the largest annual hiring in its history, with nearly 10,000 new officers added over the past four years.

Despite Mamdani's recent efforts to soften his stance on policing, including an apology for past remarks calling the NYPD 'racist and anti-queer,' police unions said morale within the department has dropped sharply.

Officers are reportedly concerned about the mayor-elect's proposed reforms and past rhetoric.

Zohran Mamdani was in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday. He is known for his anti-police rhetoric that he has attempted to dial back in recent months

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani rejected claims that he was anti-police and emphasized that he had no plans to defund the NYPD

'Morale is down because everyone is concerned about the policies Mamdani wants to put in place,' Scott Munro, president of the Detectives Endowment Association, told the NY Post.

'You have a person who is supposed to be running New York City that does not believe in law enforcement.'

The Police Benevolent Association (PBA), which is preparing to negotiate a new contract with Mamdani, warned that the trend could worsen.

'Every single month, we're losing enough cops to staff an entire precinct,' PBA President Patrick Hendry told the New York Times. He cited unsustainable workloads, an expired contract, and a lack of support as key factors driving officers away.

A union source told the NY Post that Commissioner Jessica Tischs future with the department could have ripple effects on morale and retention.

'If she leaves it may result in an uptick,' the source said. 'If she stays, maybe not.'

Despite the spike in resignations, new hires have helped the NYPD maintain its overall staffing levels.

The department currently has a uniformed headcount of 33,745, slightly down from 33,812 in 2024. The NYPD's peak staffing was 40,285 in 2000, according to the Independent Budget Office.

A union source has said that Commissioner Jessica Tischs future with the department could affect officer retention

Mamdani greets people while attending the SOMOS Puerto Rico conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Saturday

Among the most notable recent departures is Deputy Chief John D'Adamo, head of the Strategic Response Group, a unit tasked with policing protests.

Mamdani has previously criticized the group and suggested it could be disbanded.

D'Adamo resigned the day after Mamdani's election, though a friend said his decision was unrelated to the political shift and that he was simply ready to retire.

Mamdani's past social media posts from 2020 show him repeatedly advocating to defund the police during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests.

He referred to the NYPD as a 'rogue agency' and a 'major threat to public safety,' and posted that 'nature was healing' after hearing an officer cried over Joe Biden's election win.

During the campaign, Mamdani denied being anti-police and stated he would not defund the NYPD.

He expressed interest in retaining Commissioner Sewell and said he would invest in social and mental health services to support public safety.

He also proposed transferring final disciplinary authority from the police commissioner to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, a move that has sparked further debate.
Two prisoners who were freed by mistake in 2024 are reportedly still at large more than a year later.

A further two inmates are also on the run after being released in error in June this year, bringing the total to four.

A fifth prisoner, Nigerian national Ola Abimbola, also remains at large after allegedly walking out of the open prison HMP Ford on October 10.

Sussex Police is working with its partners to catch the 36-year-old, who is currently serving a 21-year sentence for offences including kidnap, GBH and possession of an offensive weapon in public.

It comes as fresh humiliation for Justice Secretary David Lammy, who said last night he was 'appalled at the rate of releases in error'.

Mr Lammy is facing increasing backlash over a number of mistaken releases in recent days, one of which he failed to come clean about during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.

Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was finally re-arrested on Friday after mistakenly being released from HMP Wandsworth nine days ago, sparking a huge police manhunt.

The 24-year-old, who had been serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal and had a previous conviction for indecent exposure, was snared by cops after a tip-off from a member of the public.

He was detained by officers in Finsbury Park, the same area where sex attack migrant Hadush Kebatu was arrested two weeks earlier, following yet another error that saw him released by mistake.

David Lammy (pictured) is facing fresh humiliation after it was revealed that a prisoner who was freed by mistake in March 2024 is reportedly still at large

Ola Abimbola, a foreign national, escaped from open prison HMP Ford on October 16 and has not been seen since

Sussex Police released this CCTV image Abimbola last month after allegedly walking out of prison

The Ethiopian national was had been jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, but was freed by mistake on October 24, instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre.

He was later traced and deported following a three-day manhunt.

Another prisoner, Billy Smith, 35, was also accidentally freed from Wandsworth on Monday before handing himself back in.

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the mistaken releases revealed 'the incompetence of this government' and urged Mr Lammy to 'come clean about how many prisoners have been accidentally released and how many are still at large.'

Home Secretary Chris Philp added last night: 'Fifty specialist officers were needed to catch [Kaddour-Cherif] in order to spare David Lammy's blushes.

'Mr Lammy has lost control of the justice system and is too cowardly to explain himself.'

And Liberal Democrat spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller said 'every resource' must go into finding the prisoners.

'This is a disgrace and an omnishambles. It shouldn't have to take the media to inform the public that prisoners are at large after accidental release,' she told the BBC.

Kaddour-Cherif had been serving a sentence at HMP Wandsworth for trespass with intent to steal. He has a past conviction for indecent exposure

Kaddour-Cherif was filmed being arrested by Met Police officers in Finsbury Park, north London

Hadush Kebatu was set free from HMP Chelmsford in error just two weeks before Kaddour-Cherif's wrongful release

This is the moment Kebatu (second from left) was arrested by Met Police officers in Finsbury Park, north London

Abimbola is also not the only prisoner to have absconded in recent months.

Days after his escape, Thames Valley Police reported that a 'vicious' Eeast London drug dealer had absconded from HMP Spring Hill in Buckinghamshire.

Osei Kuffour, 36, had been serving 25 years for attempted murder after shooting a woman in the face when he failed to return the category D prison in October.

He was arrested the next day by police after warning members of the public not to approach him.

Another inmate Anton Newell, 36, who is originally from Isleworth in Middlesex, absconded from the same open prison in June and remains at large.

Investigating officers Detective Sergeant Matthew French, said: 'We are appealing for the publics help in tracing Newell. We would strongly advice members of the public not to approach him but to call 999 if they see him.

'If you have information as to his whereabouts then please call 101 quoting reference 43250369549.'
The political views of New York City's next First Lady are under scrutiny after social media posts featuring her art came to light during the mayoral campaign.

Rama Duwaji, wife to mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, is an illustrator who has used her work to campaign against attacks on Gaza after the conflict flared when Hamas killed 1,200 Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023.

An image created as part of Duwaji's work shows a stack of US bills labeled 'Israeli war crimes.'

The animation was posted in July 2024 by Mamdani himself, who wrote: 'New York charities send over $60 million every year to fund Israeli war crimes, and that number is only growing. Its time to bring an end to this.'

Another example came way back in November 2020, when Duwaji shared a drawing of a Palestinian family on their land as an Israeli plane flies overhead.

The caption read: 'Presidents come and go, but American imperialism never changes. Thinking of the Palestinians, who suffer no matter who's in office.'

More recently she raised eyebrows by posting four broken heart emojis on top of a picture of Palestinian social media influencer Saleh Al-Jafarawi, known as Mr FAFO.

Al-Jafarawi, 28, was killed last month by an anti-Hamas militia that has reportedly been given weapons by Israel. Videos circulating on social media appear to show Al-Jafarawi celebrating the October 7 attacks.

Rama Duwaji, wife of mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, has been against Israel's war in Gaza since it began

She often reveals her political stances through drawings she posts to social media. She is an illustrator and an animator who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts

In this drawing, Duwaji laments American imperialism and says that Palestinians are oppressed no matter who is in the White House

In this illustration, part of an animation, Duwaji depicts a giant stack of US bills labeled Israeli war crimes. Mamdani posted this, claiming that New York charities fund Israel's war effort

She recently posted broken heart emojis on top of a picture of the now-dead Palestinian social media influencer Saleh Al-Jafarawi. Videos circulating on social media appear to show Al-Jafarawi celebrating the October 7 attacks

Duwaji, who identifies as Syrian but was born in Houston, will officially become the First Lady of New York City on January 1, 2026, when Mamdani is sworn in.

The Dubai-raised artist took the stage alongside her husband at Brooklyn's Paramount Theater on Tuesday evening.

Dressed in an elegant black lace ensemble and with a blunt, choppy fringe that tips its hat to Breakfast at Tiffany's star Audrey Hepburn, she offered a polished wave, with immaculate dark-painted talons, to supporters as the results became clear.

She has gained over one million followers on Instagram, her fans captivated by her aloof, unbothered look.

The couple's love story began via one of the world's biggest dating apps, with the pair matching profiles on Hinge back in 2021, when Duwaji was just 24 and Mamdani a 29-year-old with already blossoming political ambitions.

Mamdani told The Bulwark podcast that those looking for love shouldn't dismiss online dating methods, saying: 'I met my wife on Hinge so there is still hope on those dating apps!'

They announced their engagement in October last year and, on a chilly February day in New York earlier this year, said 'I do' at City Hall, Lower Manhattan's historic 19th century building that Mamdani can now also call his office.

There were also nuptials overseas, with an opulent engagement party and Nikkah ceremony, an Islamic wedding, taking place in Dubai in December 2024.

Duwaji graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, studying in both Doha, Qatar and Richmond, Virginia.

After she graduated, she returned to Dubai before moving to New York City in 2021, just months before meeting her future husband.

Duwaji stands alongside Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday as he declares victory in the New York City mayoral election

Duwaji holds up a piece of ceramic art she made back in 2023

Mamdani and his wife share an intimate moment at the watch party for the Democratic primary election on June 25. The two were married at City Hall in February this year

Duwaji embraces a friend after it was clear Mamdani had won the primary

Duwaji met Mamdani back in 2021, when he had just been elected as a state assemblyman in Queens. Four years later, he has ascended to the mayoralty of the biggest city in America

When they met, Mamdani had recently been elected as a state assemblyman representing the 36th district, which encompasses parts of Queens neighborhoods Astoria and Long Island City.

Mamdani since took the city by storm, announcing his candidacy for mayor on October 23, 2024.

He entered the race with fewer than one percent of voters supporting him, and with the impending knowledge that former Governor Andrew Cuomo was likely to announce a run.

Cuomo did just that on March 1, 2025, and enjoyed three months of double digit polling leads.

Still, Mamdani chipped away little by little as he made inroads with young voters who were drawn to how comfortable he appeared in flashy social media videos.

His relentless focus on making the city affordable also won him a legion of rabid followers.

He pledged to freeze rent costs for stabilized tenants, make city buses fare free and open city-run grocery stores offering cheaper prices. These promises earned him scorn by Republicans and moderate Democrats alike.

By the time the Democratic primary rolled around on June 24, the race was tight, but most pollsters expected Cuomo to come out on top on the first few rounds of the ranked choice ballots.

Instead, Mamdani bested Cuomo on the first round by a margin of 43 percent to 36 percent. Cuomo conceded the night of the election.

Mamdani defeated Cuomo again in the general election this week, capping off a whirlwind year for the 34-year-old.
Air India has grounded three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for 'extensive investigations' after a crash killed 260 people earlier this year.

The horrific accident led to the deaths of 169 Indian nationals and 52 British citizens on the London-bound flight, while nineteen people on the ground were also killed.

The silent suspension of three long-haul Boeing jets comes after four serious in-flight incidents in the past six months.

Two of the aircraft are reportedly stationed overseas, and one in India. All three are understood to have come into service around the same time between 2012 and 2013.

It comes as India's top court heard on Friday that a preliminary report on the Air India crash in June does not insinuate anything against the captain.

However, judges will hear a plea from the pilot's father on Monday for an independent probe.

The plea by 91-year-old Pushkar Raj Sabharwal for an investigation by a panel of aviation experts, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, came weeks after he criticised the government investigation.

He said two officials from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau who visited him had implied that his son, pilot Sumeet Sabharwal, cut the fuel to the plane's engine after take-off.

Air India has grounded three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for 'extensive investigations' after a crash killed 260 people earlier this year

Investigations indicated that the jet lost fuel supply shortly after taking off, killing 169 Indian nationals and 52 British citizens. 19 people on the ground were also killed

The government has denied the accusations, calling the investigation 'very clean' and 'very thorough'.

India's air accidents investigation body published an interim report earlier this year saying the plane's fuel engine switches had almost simultaneously flipped from run to cutoff just after takeoff.

Briton Viswashkumar Ramesh was the sole survivor of the crash and has recently revealed he is still unable to speak to his family.

Footage shocked the world as he was seen walking away from burning wreckage with minor visible injuries, even as thick smoke poured into the sky.

But since returning to his home city of Leicester in England, Ramesh, who said he feels like the 'luckiest man' alive, has been struggling with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and can barely speak to his wife and four-year-old son.

Speaking publicly for the first time, he told BBC News: 'Now I'm alone. I just sit in my room alone, not talking with my wife, my son. I just like to be alone in my house.'

His younger brother, Ajay, had been sitting a few rows away and died in the crash. He emotionally added: 'I lost my brother as well. My brother is my backbone. Last few years, he was always supporting me.'

Ramesh previously explained from his hospital bed in India how he freed himself from seat 11A and crawled out of a gap in the fuselage. He even met India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recovery there.

During the interview, he broke down several times as he spoke alongside Leicester community figure Sanjiv Patel and spokesman Radd Seiger.

Asked about his memory of the crash, he said: 'I can't say anything about that now.'

He described the pain he and his family are now forced to deal with.

'Physically, mentally, also my family as well, mentally my mum last four months, she is sitting every day outside the door, not talking, nothing,' he said.

'Every day is painful for the whole family.'

Viswashkumar Ramesh was the sole survivor of the Air India disaster. For the first time since returning to the UK, he as revealed why he is still unable to speak to his family and how the incident has affected his life

The survivor also spoke about ongoing injuries, saying he has constant pain in his leg, shoulder, knee and back. 'When I walk, not walk properly, slowly, slowly, my wife help,' he said. He has not worked or driven since the crash.

His advisers say he received a PTSD diagnosis in India but has had no treatment since he came back to Britain.

Air India has paid 21,500 in interim compensation, which the family accepted, but they say it does not cover urgent needs.

Mr Seiger said the airline ignored or declined three meeting requests, adding: 'Please come and sit down with us so that we can work through this together to try and alleviate some of this suffering.'

The airline, owned by Tata Group, said senior figures have been meeting families and that it has already offered to arrange a meeting with Mr Ramesh's representatives.

The BBC reports that it said: 'We will continue to reach out and we very much hope to receive a positive response.'
The Trump administration's fight to limit food stamp funding during the federal shutdown has triggered a surge of demand at food banks nationwide as millions of Americans face uncertainty about how they will afford groceries.

For the first time in the program's history, SNAP benefits were halted on November 1 due to the federal shutdown, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The pause left 42 million Americans, or one in eight households, without food assistance and triggered a surge in demand at food banks nationwide.

SNAP typically costs about $9 billion a month. The Trump administration planned to cover only 65 per cent of November benefits using contingency funds, but U.S.

District Judge Jack McConnell in Rhode Island ordered full funding by tapping agriculture reserves, a move critics called essential to protect food security.

The administration appealed, arguing courts cannot appropriate funds, and on Friday the Supreme Court temporarily blocked McConnell's order, giving the White House more time to fight the mandate.

As a result, full benefits remain uncertain, and partial payments promised by the USDA have yet to reach most households.

The fallout has been immediate. Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief network, reported a sixfold spike in traffic to its food-bank locator, with more than 28,000 daily visitors seeking help.

Trump administration's push to limit food stamp funding sparked a surge in demand at food banks across the country during the federal shutdown

Monica Lopez Gonzales of Feeding America called the situation 'catastrophic'

'This situation is catastrophic,' said Monica Lopez Gonzales, the group's chief marketing and communications officer, told Fortune. 'Right now, 42 million people are having a hard time affording groceries, and their lives are being disrupted because their benefits have been disrupted.'

Food banks across the country are seeing longer lines and empty shelves. 'The lines are getting longer, and the food is running out early,' Gonzales said. 'We see veterans, older adults, moms, and kids - everyone is stressed.'

In New York City, the impact has been just as severe.

'SNAP is a critical lifeline for 1.8 million New Yorkers, and the lapse in funding - as well as the uncertainty about if and when funding will be restored - has left many of our neighbors wondering how they will feed their families,' Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest, told Daily Mail.

The organization, which supplies food to about 400 soup kitchens and pantries, reported a surge in requests for additional food as lines grow longer.

City Harvest distributed more than 40,000 pounds of extra food to 15 pantries this week and plans to deliver up to 150,000 pounds next week.

The nonprofit expects to move over 1 million more pounds of food this November than last year to meet demand.

'We were prepared to scale up, but we can only sustain this response with additional support from the public,' Stephens said, urging donations, volunteers, and advocacy.

Full benefits remain uncertain, and partial payments promised by the USDA have yet to reach most households

Volunteers work in an assembly line rotation to prepare grocery carts at Adams County Emergency Food Bank in Commerce City, Colorado, on October 31, 2025

The group has also hosted six pop-up distributions for federal workers who have gone weeks without paychecks - many seeking food assistance for the first time.

Polling shows 83 per cent of affected households are skipping meals or buying less food, and 85 per cent are resorting to cheaper, less nutritious options.

Nearly 50 million Americans already faced hunger before the shutdown, including 14 million children.

'SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger,' Gonzales said. 'When it's disrupted, every other part of the safety net shakes.'

Feeding America is urging donations, advocacy, and volunteer support to help meet soaring demand. 'Anything that we do cannot replace SNAP,' Gonzales stressed. 'We need everyone - government, business, and communities - to work together so we can finally end hunger in America.'
Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter Quentin Willson has died at the age of 68.

The motoring star passed away today following a short battle with lung cancer, his family said in a heartbreaking tribute.

They described him as a 'true national treasure', who 'brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms'.

Willson was one of Top Gear's original stars and was the show's used car expert for a decade from 1991.

During his time on the programme, he worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Vicki Butler-Henderson, James May and Tiff Needell.

His former co-hosts have paid tribute following the news.

Clarkson wrote on X this evening: 'I'm far away so I've only just heard that Quentin Willson has died. We had some laughs over the years. Properly funny man.'

Earlier, May said: 'Quentin Wilson gave me proper advice and encouragement during my earliest attempts at TV, back in the late 90s.

'I've never forgotten it. Great bloke.'

Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter Quentin Willson has died at the age of 68 following a short battle with lung cancer

Willson is seen on ITV's Good Morning Britain in March this year

Willson later went on to front Channel 5's rival motoring show Fifth Gear and also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing (pictured with his partner Hazel Newberry)

Quentin Willson and Michaela Wilson at the 2&8 nightclub launch party, London - 27 Sep 2012

Needell added: 'Oh Quentin how can you leave us so soon. So many memories of the @BBC_TopGear we built in the nineties that I wanted to remember with you again.

'Please upload the film of me with him and Jeremy in the Ford Puma that so wonderfully displays the times we had together ... RIP Q'

After leaving Top Gear in 2001, Wilson went on to front Channel 5's rival motoring show Fifth Gear and also worked as a motoring journalist.

He appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, where his total for one dance still stands as the lowest score given by judges on the show.

He and his professional dance partner Hazel Newberry were awarded eight points out of 40, with the judges giving them scores of two ones and two threes.

Despite the harsh comments, reflecting on that time in an interview with Metro last year, Willson revealed he still doesn't regret signing up to the show.

He told the publication that he believes it's 'really important for people in the public eye to make fun of themselves and to be made fun of'.

Announcing his death today, Willson's family said that he passed away 'peacefully surrounded by his family'.

The statement read: 'A true national treasure, Quentin brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms.

'He helped shape the original Top Gear as one of its first hosts, working alongside Jeremy Clarkson and the team who took the pioneering show global.

'He went on to front Fifth Gear and still holds the dubious honour of Strictly Come Dancing's lowest score in history.'

Willson also created and presented the shows Britain's Worst Drivers and The Car's The Star.

In his later life, he worked as a campaigner, fronting the FairFuel campaign to lower the cost of fuel duty. He was also an early advocate for electric cars.

Willson was the show's used car expert for a decade before he went on to front Channel 5's rival motoring show Fifth Gear

During his time on the programme, Willson worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Vicki Butler-Henderson and James May

L-R Jeremy Clarkson, Steve Berry, Quentin Willson, Tony Mason, Chris Goffey, Tiff Needell, Michele Newman

Willson is pictured in 2001 on a BBC programme investigating the biggest car fraud in the world

Quentin Willson with his partner Michaela Willson at The Italian Job Premiere at the Empire Leicester Square London in 2003

'Through his FairFuel campaign, Quentin saved UK consumers a fortune by helping to freeze fuel duty,' the statement continued.

'Over 100 billion in fresh taxation was prevented by the campaign, a real consumer win by a true consumer champion.

'He also created and presented much-loved programmes such as Britain's Worst Drivers and The Cars the Star.

'Long before it was fashionable, he championed the GM EV1 and the promise of electric cars, proving he was always ahead of the curve.

'More recently he had worked tirelessly to make EVs affordable for all, via his FairCharge campaign.

'Much-loved husband to Michaela, devoted father to Mercedes, Max and Mini, and cherished grandfather to Saskia, Xander & Roxana.

'Quentin will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him personally and professionally.'

Willson's family said that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, as they asked for privacy at this 'difficult time'.

They added: 'The void he has left can never be filled. His knowledge was not just learned but lived; a library of experience now beyond our reach.'

Willson is pictured with Richard Branson in Notting Hill

Willson is seen with Hazel Newbury on Strictly in 2004. He scored the lowest mark in the show's history

Quentin Willson and Jodie Kidd, hosts of the Classic Car Show, are pictured together in 2015

Quentin Willson sits in a Smart Fortwo electric car during the announcement that nine cars will be eligible for the Government's Plug-In Car Grant at the Guildhall, Gresham Street, London

Willson previously spoke about how he hoped that another car show would replace Top Gear, after the BBC confirmed the show would not return for the 'foreseeable future'.

He explained, however, that new safety concerns would mean that bosses would never be able to make the show he was a part of again now.

Willson told Metro: 'We were very lucky to have lived through this wonderful golden age of cars and car programmes because you couldn't make them now.'

He added: 'It wouldn't get screened, and people aren't as interestedor television commissioners aren't as interested in cars as they were then.

'It was a lovely time to make a TV programme about cars at a time when cars were much more socially acceptable than now.'

Reflecting on some of the close calls he even experienced on the show, Willson said they 'drove too fast and had crashes', adding that 'some of it's probably not repeatable'.

He explained: 'But it was a thrill ride in those days before health and safety. It was great to be able to go on camera and say, 'I'm doing 155 miles an hour on a runway at an aerodrome', whereas, you know, that, that wouldn't happen now.'

Willson added that while working for the BBC there is a 'professional expectation' and you've got to be 'proper and accurate' in what you are saying.

He also revealed that although he did once get to drive a McLaren at 190 miles an hour, he spent the majority of his time telling people how to 'buy a Rolls-Royce for five grand or a Porsche 928 for four grand'.
US President Donald Trump's 'secret' city-destroying nuclear weapon appears to have been pictured for the first time by a planespotter during an alleged test flight.

Californian plane enthusiast Ian Recchio spotted the flying object while attempting to picture military aircrafts while overlooking the Owen Valley.

Now, military experts believe it could be the AGM-181 LRSO, the US Air Force's (USAF) next-generation stealth nuclear cruise missile.

The missile is set to replace the Cold War-era AGM-86B and will be carried by both the forthcoming 585m B-21 Raider and upgraded B-52 bombers.

It is thought the weapon will have an adjustable nuclear yield between 5-150 kilotons, allowing uses ranging from tactical effect to destroying cities.

A yield of 150 kilotons is a blast ten times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945.

And if experts are correct, it is the first time the deadly missile has ever been pictured over California.

Photographer Mr Recchio told The Aviationist: 'We heard Torch52 on the scanner and looked up just in time to catch it climbing to about 5,000 feet.

US President Donald Trump's 'secret' city-destroying nuclear weapon appears to have been pictured for the first time by a planespotter during an alleged test flight

Military experts believe it could be the AGM-181 LRSO, the US Air Force's (USAF) next-generation stealth nuclear cruise missile

The US has reportedly been covertly testing the weapon for some time, with one of the central reasons behind its advancement being China's rapidly growing nuclear arms

'When we reviewed the photos, the ordnance looked unlike anything wed seen before.'

The bomber carried classic orange test markings and two unidentified weapons that bear a resemblance to public renderings of the AGM-181A, the publication said.

Officials have confirmed the nuclear warhead has been tested several times, and is scheduled to be ready for service by 2030.

But, US military chiefs have remained quiet about the deadly nuke, which is said to be among the most significant weapons created.

It can dodge electronic jamming attacks, has stealth capabilities, as well as the potential to drop thermonuclear bombs on its foes.

The US has been covertly testing the weapon for some time, with one of the central reasons behind its advancement being China's rapidly growing nuclear arms.

Due to its 'low-observable design', the missile will be more difficult for enemies to see and destroy, defence experts told 19FortyFive.

Mr Recchio added: 'This B-52 was using the callsign 'Torch', which is commonly used by Edwards (Air Force Base) bombers.

'By the time it reached me it was at about 4,000-5,000 feet AGL, based on the scanner calls I was listening to and my experience in the field.

'Like most digital photographers I proceeded to zoom into my LCD to see how the images turned out.

'To my delight there were a couple of interesting munitions visible on one of the wing pylons.

'I am by no means an expert in munitions, as I am most concerned with capturing nice images of aircraft, but this was intriguing.'
BBC staff who were part of a Pride group were among those who lodged complaints about Martine Croxall's response to a script referring to 'pregnant people'.

The newsreader was introducing a news bulletin in June this year when she changed the autocue from 'pregnant people' to 'women' live on air and raised her eyebrow at the gender-neutral language.

Many came out in support of Ms Croxall online, including news bosses and author JK Rowling.

And there was a backlash after the corporation's Executive Complaints Unit upheld complaints suggsting she broke BBC rules and that her facial expression suggested a 'controversial view about trans people'.

Ms Croxall has now been receiving support online, with some branding the BBC a 'disgrace' for reprimanding her.

Now it has emerged that a significant number of the 428 complaints received by the BBC came from members of staff there themselves, the Times has reported.

Many are believed to have come from pro-trans voices within the organisation, as well as from members of the BBC Pride staff group. although they are not thought to have formed part of the final 20 complaints that were upheld by the ECU.

A BBC insider from the news division told the Times that the ECU ruling highlighted a notably influence of pro-trans voices within the BBC.

Martine Croxall (pictured as she was made to say 'pregnant people') is one of the main presenters of BBC News, having started work for the broadcaster more than 30 years ago, in 1991, and for its news programme in 2001

Martine Croxall, arriving at the Central London Employment Tribunal, before a case over pay was settled by the BBC

They said: 'Complaints came in about Martine from members of the BBC Pride staff group. There is an acceptance that they have captured the BBC.'

The ruling against Croxall over her reaction to the script - understood to have been written at speed from a press release by an under-pressure junior producer - was described by the insider as 'Orwellian'.

'How have we reached a point where a woman's expression has become a face crime,' they added.

In response, MP Rosie Duffield told GB News: 'Obviously it's super important to represent gay people, trans people, everyone across the spectrum, and it's important that we do that in an unbiased way. But I think this is something very different. It feels really sinister, it feels like this Orwellian policing of ordinary speech.'

She added: 'As a woman, she presumably found it very insulting having to say ''pregnant people'', which we all know is a completely ridiculous, fabricated term. She did what I think most people would do, and for that she's been reprimanded. It's just bizarre.'

Investigative journalist James Esses wrote on social media platform X: 'In June, a BBC teleprompter instructed presenter, Martine Croxall, to say ''pregnant people''.

'Today, the BBC has announced that she broke the rules because of her ''facial expression''. Our national broadcaster is a disgrace.'

Discussing the complaint against Ms Croxall, Women's rights campaigner Maya Forstater said: 'You say journalists should put their hand up, but when they do that's what happens.'

Ms Rowling reposted the clip on X, captioning it: 'I have a new favourite BBC presenter'

Ms Croxall's message for supporters after she was praised for rejecting gender-neutral language live on air

This week the ECU upheld complaints from 20 viewers saying Ms Croxall had fallen 'short of the BBC's expectations of its presenters and journalists in relation to impartiality'.

Ms Croxall was introducing new research on the number of heat-related deaths expected amid Britain's current heatwave.

But as the autocue prompted her to warn 'pregnant people' to take care in the heat, she first read the term out before overriding it, with a smirk and eyebrow raise.

She said: 'Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people - women! - and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions.'

Her correction of the autocue won her praise from the Harry Potter author, who called Ms Croxall her 'new favourite BBC presenter'.

JK Rowling's approval coincided with Ms Croxall's following on X jumping from 56,000 to 127,000  and doubled in the first 24 hours after she changed her BBC script.

Ms Croxall thanked JK Rowling and her other supporters following the extraordinary TV moment.

'A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to follow me today for whatever reason. It's been quite a ride,' the married mother-of-two wrote.

She posted a picture of herself this week smiling into the camera with her colleague Sally Bundock sitting behind the newsdesk as the duo prepared to go live on air

BBC bosses had backed Ms Croxall, saying her reaction was 'to scripting which somewhat clumsily incorporated phrases from the press release accompanying the research, including 'aged', which is not BBC style, and 'pregnant people', which did not match what Dr Mistry said in the clip which followed'.

However, the ECU said: 'Even accepting this explanation, however, the ECU considered the facial expression which accompanied the change of 'people' to 'women' laid it open to the interpretation that it indicated a particular viewpoint in the controversies currently surrounding trans identity, and the congratulatory messages Ms Croxall later received on social media, together with the critical views expressed in the complaints to the BBC and elsewhere, tended to confirm that the impression of her having expressed a personal view was widely shared across the spectrum of opinion on the issue.'

The ECU said its finding had been reported to BBC management and discussed with Ms Croxall and the editorial team.

Ms Croxall has supported women on TV before - and behind the scenes also stood up with female colleagues in their fight for equal pay at the corporation.

Famously she also got tough with a transgender wannabe politician who said she felt attacked when Ms Croxall questioned her claim that the Supreme Court's April ruling that trans women are legally male and trans men are legally female might need further 'clarification'.

In April the broadcaster was praised when she challenged a transgender activist who claimed the Supreme Court's ruling that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex may still need 'clarification'.

The BBC veteran firmly told ex-Labour MSP candidate Heather Herbert that the landmark ruling made it clear 'sex is binary and immutable'.

Leicestershire-born Ms Croxall repeatedly challenged Herbert after she called for further 'clarification' on single sex spaces, at one point reminding her: 'The ruling is that woman means biological sex.'

She spearheaded a legal case against the BBC over pay, with the corporation settling. Ms Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera and Annita McVeigh launched an employment tribunal against the BBC in a bombshell case, which included the claim they had not been paid equally compared with their male counterparts.

All four claimed they lost their roles on the BBC News Channel following a 'rigged' recruitment exercise when it was merged with BBC World. The case was settled by the BBC in the spring of this year.

The row meant the women were all off for 12 months, which Ms Croxall chronicled on social media. Instead of being in the studio she enjoyed trips to Mexico, Bulgaria and Thailand.

Ms Croxall joined the corporation in 1991 following work experience with her local station, BBC Radio Leicester.

She grew up in the countryside, attending an independent school before graduating from the University of Leeds.

In 2022, she was briefly taken off air after breaking the corporation's impartiality rules.

Ms Croxall was informed by bosses about the ECU decision this week and remains on air.

When contacted for comment the BBC said they had nothing to add to the ruling.
Police in Scotland are using drones to tackle the growing menace of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters.

In recent years, a rising number of electric vehicles  including ones that have been modified to go at alarming speeds  have been linked to dangerous driving, crime and antisocial behaviour.

Police, however, have been wary of pursuing riders, fearing a high-speed chase could end up causing an accident and harming innocent bystanders.

But now specialist drones are being deployed to detect and track rogue electric scooters and bikes.

The technology allows officers to monitor riders from the air, without them even realising they are being pursued. Police can then tail suspects  before moving in to make an arrest once they come to a halt.

The forcess use of drones against illegal e-bikes was revealed at a meeting last week of South Lanarkshire Councils road safety committee.

Inspector Chris Hoggans told councillors the vehicles were linked to a range of offences including dangerous and careless driving, driving while unfit through drink and drugs, having no insurance, licence or registration as well as antisocial behaviour.

He said: The majority of e-bikes used in criminality will fail to stop for police. At that point, its up to officers to assess the proportionality of pursuing that bike.

Considerations might be time of day, location, how busy it is, whether the riders wearing a helmet or gloves, or is using a balaclava to conceal their identity.

He added: Ultimately, pursuing an e-bike is very high-risk and we have to be confident its proportionate for the original offence  whether thats antisocial riding or something more serious.

Police in Scotland are set to use drones to pursue e-bike riders they are tring to apprehend

A group of e-bike riders were arrested in Wales after being tracked by a drone

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell, lead for Operational Support, said drones 'are an effective, visible and low cost asset that can support our existing helicopter'

As a result, he said, officers were now trialling drones as an additional tactical intervention in areas where problems were being reported.

Last night Inspector Hoggans confirmed: Drones are used as an extra resource to policing teams, allowing officers to scan the area in a very short time for signs of people using e-bikes.

Where it is clear to us that there is an issue with e-bikes in a particular area, we will then devote the appropriate resources, including drones.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell, lead for Operational Support, added: The safety of all road users is a priority for us.

Drones are an effective, visible and low cost asset that can support our existing helicopter.

They improve our ability to search large areas using fewer resources, decrease the risk faced by officers in difficult environments and provide aerial imagery for evidence use at court.

Although the technology is just now starting to be deployed around Scotland, it has already been pioneered with great success in Wales.

In March, a drone operation in Newport tracked a group of bikers in response to repeated calls about nuisance behaviour. Four riders, dressed in black hoodies and balaclavas, were followed as they weaved through a housing estate.

The drone followed them to a house  where they were picked up by officers from Gwent Police, who seized the illegal machines.

As part of Police Scotlands Air Support Unit, drones  technically known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)  are based at hubs in Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow.

Specialist officers with Civil Aviation Authority training also operate the drones for other purposes, including searching large areas quickly for missing persons.
War heroes are to be evicted from their historic base to make way for the UK Governments controversial plans to house asylum seekers in MoD barracks.

The Queens Own Highlanders Regimental Association, based at Cameron Barracks in Inverness, will be moved from the site as part of the Home Offices proposal to turn it into a home for 309 single male asylum seekers by the end of the month.

The regiment, of which the late Prince Philip was the Colonel-in-Chief, was formed in 1961 through a merger of the Seaforth Highlanders and The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders.

It served with the British Army until 1994 when it was amalgamated to become The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons).

The Association supports regimental veterans and their families financially as well as organising social events and reunions. It has an office at Cameron Barracks which will be lost as part of the asylum plan.

Sources said that the Ministry of Defence has informed the veterans organisation that theyll be moved for up to a year until a longer-term solution can be found.

The Mail on Sunday understands that the organisation has also been told to keep quiet by the MoD and not to discuss the relocation.

The revelations have sparked outrage, with the UK Labour government accused of failing to respect the history of the site and those who have served the country at war.

Cameron Barracks will be home to more than 300 single male asylum seekers

Cameron Barracks in Inverness has been a base for veterans of the Queens Own Highlanders

Scottish Tory MP and Shadow Scotland Secretary Andrew Bowie said: This shows the total ignorance of this Labour government when it comes to the value they put on veterans and their associations.

These men and women have served their country and now their association is being made homeless as a result of the half-baked plan to rehouse asylum seekers in Cameron Barracks.

Labour have failed to stop the boats and, as a result, they are scrabbling around for solutions. Whilst we agree that the hotels need to close, forcibly evicting a regimental association is clearly not acceptable.

The Queens Own Highlanders served in multiple conflicts during its 34 years, including in the Gulf War, Northern Ireland and the Falklands.

The late Prince Philip met with ex-servicemen at Cameron Barracks in 2007, while the Association has held multiple reunions at the site over the years, including the last one in 2022.

The Association said that it would hold its reunion next year in a different location as Cameron Barracks may not be available.

SNP defence spokesman and MP Dave Doogan said: The bonfire taking hold within this Labour government has reached breathtaking proportions with this farcical proposition.

It is unbelievable that the Ministry of Defence has agreed to evict the Regimental Association from Cameron Barracks to make way for the Home Office and its shambolic asylum system.

This is further evidence of how poorly thought out these plans are. Communication has been dreadful and unanswered questions are piling up.

Members of The Queens Own Highlanders in 1961

The late HRH Prince Philip was the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief

Highland Council last week held a special meeting to discuss the Home Offices plans, accusing the department of disrespect and a failure to consult on the proposals before announcing it to the public.

Liberal Democrat MP Angus MacDonald, a former Second Lieutenant of the Queens Own Highlanders, has also raised concerns about the families of serving military personnel of 3 Scots battalion currently living beside the barracks.

He confronted Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander about their concerns at Westminster and later said: Nothing in this meeting changed my view. Cameron Barracks is not an appropriate location to house such a large number of asylum seekers.

With the battalion being deployed overseas, the military families living directly behind the barracks have voiced serious concerns.

I have also heard from many residents concerned about the pressure this will put on already overstretched local health services. The UK Government has not done anywhere near enough to put support for our council and our health board in place.

The Home Office refused to address The Mail on Sundays questions about the Regimental Associations eviction.

A spokeswoman said that the plans to use Cameron Barracks for accommodation for asylum seekers were part of the effort to close asylum hotels.
Chinese vice premier calls for joint global action to protect tropical rainforests

Xinhua) 13:51, November 08, 2025

BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Thursday called for concerted efforts of all countries to jointly advance tropical rainforest conservation.

Ding, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative and also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at a luncheon hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the "Tropical Forests Forever Facility" fund.

President Xi has emphasized the need for strict protection of tropical rainforests, and to promote ecological conservation, green development and the improvement of people's well-being in a coordinated manner, Ding said.

He noted that in recent years, China has strengthened policies and regulations, increased funding and technological input, and set up the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, achieving significant results in both environmental protection and local development.

Ding stressed that the protection of tropical rainforests concerns the survival and well-being of humanity and represents a common cause of all humanity, noting that it requires the concerted efforts of all countries.

He also called for building multilateral and bilateral cooperation platforms, enhancing communication and coordination, and working together to advance tropical rainforest protection.

Developed countries should, within the framework of the UN climate convention, provide adequate funding to support developing countries in reducing deforestation and rainforest degradation, he noted, adding that China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with all parties on tropical rainforest conservation and make greater contributions to global climate and environmental governance.

President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi, Surinamese President Jennifer Simons, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, among others, attended the event and delivered remarks.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Sheng Chuyi)
Somewhere over New Mexico, watching precious minutes evaporate on a 50-minute ORD connection, a flight attendant bent down with his handheld device and said the line I cant stop thinking about: You did the responsible thing.

Here's what happened

Wed left Phoenix more than 30 minutes late for Chicago OHare. I was trying to get to Toronto for my best friends weddingtwo days away, which Id built in as a buffer long before I knew there would be a government shutdown (my first lucky break!). On paper, 50 minutes meets the minimums for ORD. In todays environment, it can vanish fast.

Heres why: as the government shutdown drags on, the FAA has begun cutting the flow of flights at 40 major U.S. airportsstarting around 4% and ramping up to 10%to cope with air-traffic-controller staffing shortfalls. Officials are warning those cuts could deepen to 20% if the stalemate continues. Airlines are trimming schedules and passengers are seeing more delays, cancellations and gate changes as the system absorbs the squeeze.

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Midflight, I flagged the flight attendant during drink service, explained the tight connection and asked if there were later flights to Toronto if I missed it. He checked his device and nodded: You did the responsible thing by flying earlier in the day. If you misconnect, you still have several options to get there tonight. Thats the point right nowoptions. When capacity is reduced and schedules are thinner, your odds depend on how many backup doors you leave open.

We landed late and then we sat on the tarmac for more than 15 minutes. My next flight already showed boarding. Once we finally made it to our gate, I stood and politely (but somewhat frantically) asked the cabin if I could slip forward to try to make a tight connection. From 16C to just behind first, people made space. It was pure kindness and my second lucky break. It's not the first time I've had to do some cringe-worthy things to make a tight connection.

I sprinted to the listed gateand the door was shut. My stomach dropped as I realized I must have missed the flight. Then came an announcement that refreshing my app hadn't caught yet: the connection was delayed for a maintenance issue and the flight was switching planes and gates (my third lucky break!). Everyone had to move to a different section of the terminal. I hustled to the new gate and made the flight. It easily could have gone the other way.

That maintenance delay matters. The shutdown-driven traffic reductions and controller shortages are real, but the usual culpritsmaintenance holds, crew timing, weatherhavent stopped. With trimmed schedules, those everyday disruptions bite harder because there are fewer later flights or spare aircraft to absorb the hit. TSA and ATC teams are also stretched, compounding the ripple effects.

What I learned (and what you should do right now)

Book the first flight you can live with. Early departures leave you more rebooking ladders if something breaks later.

Travel a dayor twoahead for anything that truly matters. Weddings, interviews, cruises: a 2448-hour buffer turns a crisis into an inconvenience.

Pick a seat that helps you move. An aisle, forward of the wing if possible, can shave precious minutes at deplaning.

Tell the crew early. A calm heads-up lets flight attendants check alternates and sometimes coordinate with the ground.

Pack to sprint. Carry-on if you can; keep ID/boarding pass handy; meds and essentials stay with you, not in a checked bag.

Dont rely on one data source. Apps lagwatch airport monitors and listen for PAs; gate changes are frequent right now.

Know your alternates. Before you fly, identify backup flights and nearby airports that work. Having a plan makes rebooking faster.

Why earlier in the day matters more than ever

When the FAA meters traffic and airlines trim schedules, delays accumulate through the day. Late-day flights inherit everything that went wrong before themmaintenance holds, crew timing, weather reroutes, ground stops. My PhoenixChicagoToronto trip worked because I flew earlier and left a two-day cushion. Even if Id missed the connection, I still had ways to arrive that nightor early the next morningwithout missing the wedding.

What Id tweak next time

Id build a longer connection at a major hub during a crisis period. If I absolutely had to check a bag (I did carry-on only this time), Id drop a tracker inside so I could make smarter rebooking choices.
Scotland's Chief Constable Jo Farrell has landed taxpayers with an eye-watering 134,000 bill to help her buy a second home, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The police chief - who earns 270,000-a-year - has bought a 595,000 second home in Edinburgh while keeping on her 1 million family home 100 miles away in Northumberland.

Police Scotlands annual accounts - due to be published later this month - reveal Ms Farrell received relocation expenses of 69,901 - while oversight body the taxpayer-funded Scottish Police Authority (SPA) paid out additional tax costs of 64,525.

It is thought that part of the expenses claim relates to Land and Building Transaction Tax (LBTT) and Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS)  a controversial extra tax introduced by the SNP government for all second homeowners.

Details of the huge bill come just days after the Chief Constable demanded an extra 140 million from the Scottish government and said Police Scotland was at a crossroads financially and it would have to slash officer numbers if ministers short-changed it.

The benefits in kind attributed by the SPA to Ms Farrell are the equivalent of four new police recruits starting salary of 31,400.

Last night Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay, MSP, hit out at the SPA approved reimbursement and called for a probe into the rules on police relocation expenses.

He said: Struggling frontline officers and the paying public might question whether such huge sums of taxpayers cash should be spent on a second home for a chief constable whos on more than 260,000.

Scotland's Chief Constable Jo Farrell has landed taxpayers with an eye-watering 134,000 bill to help her buy a second home

The police chief - who earns 270,000-a-year - has bought a 595,000 second home in Edinburgh while keeping on her 1 million family home in Northumberland

Details of the huge bill come just days after the Chief Constable demanded an extra 140 million from the Scottish government and said Police Scotland was at a crossroads financially

This highly generous deal must now be subject to proper scrutiny and a full public explanation from Police Scotland, the SPA and the SNP government. If such largesse is within the rules, then the rules should be looked at.

Taxpayers are sick of being relentlessly hammered by SNP ministers who far too often spend their cash with reckless abandon.

Under Remuneration in Police Scotlands annual accounts it is noted: Jo Farrell received taxable relocation expenses of 69,901 (134,426 including tax costs paid). These costs are in line with the Chief Officer relocation procedure. The costs facilitate the reimbursement of the incremental accommodation costs upon the recruitment or transfer of Chief Officers.

The rules on chief officer relocation expenses state the retention of a second home may be considered only in exceptional circumstances and that LBTT and ADS may be eligible for reimbursement.

It is understood the Chief Constable, who joined Police Scotland in October 2023, makes frequent trips back to the Northumberland home she bought with her retired police officer husband.

Later, the couple bought an apartment in Edinburgh.

The total LBTT and ADS tax due on a property worth 595,000 would total 68,500

Due to strong demand in the capital, similar properties increase in value by an average of 5 per cent annually, meaning the Farrells could benefit from a 150,000 uplift in just five years.

Former MSP, shadow Justice Secretary and Assistant Chief Constable, Graeme Pearson, said Police Scotland regulations on relocation expenses was not designed to support the purchase of a second home.

The ex-Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, said: One would hope that professional senior officers would bear in mind the additional pressures their expenses place on Police Scotland which is currently under tremendous pressure in relation to its budgets.

I dont imagine it was envisaged that chief officers would be able to access these additional privileges in order to purchase a second home whilst maintaining their own home elsewhere, particularly in the context of the current economic stresses that Police Scotland are working against.

In 2017, the SPA came in for fierce criticism when it sanctioned a 67,000 relocation package and an additional 53,000 personal tax liability for Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick who had transferred from the Metropolitan Police, with Audit Scotland warning it did not represent a good use of public funds.

In Police Scotlands 2023 accounts, it was revealed that Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors received 61,889 in relocation expenses but notably this was in relation to the costs of moving home as opposed to buying a second property.

Ms Farrells 134,400 benefits in kind is the highest of any Chief Constable in the history of Police Scotland which was established in April 2013 - the combined expenses attributed to the three Chief Constables who preceded her over a ten year period amounted to just 43,900.

In comparison to Police Scotland, police forces in England impose strict limitations on removal expenses payable to chief officers who relocate from another force.

Cleveland Police will pay only a maximum of 3,000, Durham Constabulary - Chief Constable Farrells former force - cap removal expenses at 8,000, West Yorkshire have a limit of 26,000, while Northumbria Police, where Ms Farrell was assistant chief constable, placed a 30,000 benchmark on relocation expenses in 2023.

Ms Farrells reign at Police Scotland got off to a controversial start when she commandeered a police traffic patrol officer to drive her and ex-Durham Constabulary colleague Gary Ridley on a 240-mile round trip from Edinburgh to their homes in Northumberland.

She was forced to issue a public apology over her error of judgement in the Taxigate scandal which took place at the height of Storm Babet in October 2023 when the country was in lockdown and the public were warned not to travel.

Last week the Scottish Mail on Sunday revealed how Chief Constable Farrell caused furore before she even started in post when she tried to recruit disgraced former chief constable Nick Gargan to provide consultancy services.

Gargan was forced to resign from Avon and Somerset Police in 2015 after he was found guilty of eight misconduct charges which included sexting on a police issue phone, improperly interfering with a recruitment process, and sharing confidential police emails.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Police Authority said: Any relocation expenses reimbursed to senior officers are paid in line with a relocation procedure which complies with regulations.
A teenage thug who killed a bus driver last year could be set free within months  in what the victims widow has called a shocking betrayal of justice.

In an appalling act of violence, the youth, who was wildly drunk, attacked 58-year-old Keith Rollinson who had refused to let him board the bus.

A judge later called it a frenzied attack and revealed the teenager had repeatedly been in trouble with the police, and had previously assaulted another bus driver.

But thanks to soft-touch legislation introduced by the SNP, the attacker  who admitted culpable homicide  was sentenced to just four years and four months.

However Mr Rollinsons widow, Susan, has now been told the killer is set to be freed next year.

Mrs Rollinson, 63, asked: How is that justice? Thats not any sort of punishment for taking a life.

Meanwhile Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said the use of reduced sentences to offenders under the age of 25 should be scrapped.

He added: This shocking revelation has caused understandable shock, pain and confusion to Keiths family who continue to be betrayed by the SNPs weak justice agenda.

Surely no reasonable person can think its appropriate for a killer to be let out so soon?

Bus driver Keith Rollinson died of a heart attack after he was attacked by the violent teen

My Rollinson's death shocked Scotland given the young age of his attacker and the violence he was subjected to purely for doing his job

Tributes left for Mr Rollinson at Elgin Bus Station following his untimely death

Mr Rollinson died following the assault at a bus station in Elgin in Moray in February last year.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the boy, 15 at the time, head-butted Mr Rollinson before raining punches down on him.

The driver suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to Dr Grays Hospital in Elgin where he died.

Passing sentence last November, Lady Hood told the teenager that his sentence would be reduced because he had submitted an early guilty plea and also because being under 25 made him subject to new guidelines.

However, Mrs Rollinson last week received a letter from the Scottish Governments Victim Notification Scheme telling her that the killer is due to be released in December next year. The letter then added that he could be paroled even earlier.

Mrs Rollinson, who is the mother of two adult daughters, said the original sentence was ridiculous for what he did.

She added: Now Im being told he will only serve two years and ten months at most, and his sentence could be reduced even more so that hes out within months.

Our worlds been shattered, completely turned upside down.

Losing him has been a life sentence for us.

The Scottish Government said it had no role in sentencing or sentencing guidelines.

A spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Keith Rollinson who have lost a loved one in horrific circumstances.

'Sentencing in any given case is always a matter for the independent courts.

'The Scottish Government cannot comment on sentencing decisions and has no role in approving sentencing guidelines which are approved by Scotlands most senior judges in the High Court.'
This is the dramatic moment a Ukrainian kamikaze drone slammed into and destroyed one of Vladimir Putin's most valuable air defence systems.

Footage released by Kyiv shows Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOF) wiping out an S-400 Triumph missile launcher in the occupied Crimean village of Uyutne, near Yevpatoria.

Spies inside Crimea helped pinpoint the site, which also housed a large ammunition depot belonging to Russia's 18th Army.

The strike disabled the mobile launcher while it was on active combat duty.

Reports say a Russian 92N6E multi-functional radar and power supply equipment used to run the S-400 command post were also destroyed.

The state-of-the-art system had been used to shield occupying forces and launch attacks deep into Ukrainian territory.

Kamikaze drones from Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, using Starlink guidance, were deployed alongside SOF FP-2 drones to take out the air defence battery.

Ukrainian intelligence teams also hit the AORL-1AS and P-18 Terek radar systems. The operation took place on October 6 but was kept secret for over a month for security reasons.

Footage released by Kyiv shows Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOF) wiping out an S-400 Triumph missile launcher

Resistance sources inside Crimea helped pinpoint the site, which also housed a large ammunition depot belonging to Russia 's 18th Army

The state-of-the-art system had been used to shield occupying forces and launch attacks deep into Ukrainian territory

It comes a week after Ukraine launched a major drone strike on a Russian dam in the Belgorod region, forcing authorities to declare an emergency and leaving several Russian units stranded.

Water from the damaged Belgorod reservoir surged into the Siverskyi Donets River, flooding bunkers and supply routes around Vovchansk.

Footage posted online shows water roaring through the shattered structure and debris strewn across the dam.

Local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the reservoir had been hit and urged residents in Shebekino and Bezlyudovka to evacuate due to flood risk.

Ukrainian commanders say the attack has created a logistical crisis for Russian troops in the area.

It follows a broader Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian energy and refining infrastructure, which has taken up to a fifth of Moscow's refining capacity offline in recent weeks.

Ukraine used British Storm Shadow missiles to strike an important chemical plant that produces gunpowder in southern Russia.

In recent months, European leaders and the Trump administration have intensified efforts to pressure Russia into talks to end the four-year war in Ukraine.

After President Trump met Vladimir Putin in Alaska earlier this year, a follow-up summit in Hungary was planned, but it was later scrapped after a reportedly tense phone call between US and Russian negotiators.

The decision was made following discussions between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The call is understood to have gone badly, with Lavrov insisting Moscow would not accept any deal that froze the current front line.

The Kremlin has since said there is no 'precise timeframe' for a new Trump-Putin summit.

Donald Trump threatened to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine which could reach Moscow

File photo: A Tomahawk missile is launched over the Mediterranean sea

President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart at the White House

The meeting had been floated after Trump threatened to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine  a game changer as it would Kyiv the ability to strike deep inside Russia.

He later rowed back on his stance after meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he hoped the conflict could be resolved 'without thinking about Tomahawks', which the US 'needs'  a remark that reportedly frustrated the Ukrainian leader.

The uncertainty over a preparatory peace summit has added to delays in Trump's bid to end the war.

Zelensky and European leaders have accused Putin of stalling while continuing his assault, and have made clear they oppose any deal that would require Kyiv to give up territory seized by Russian forces, as Trump has at times suggested.
A British artist has sparked backlash after debuting his controversial artwork showing a crucified US President Donald Trump in an orange jumpsuit.

Mason Storm's 'Saint or Sinner' piece has been hanging in a pedestrian walkway in Basel, Switzerland, since Saturday.

Storm depicted Trump fastened to a cross-shaped gurney as if he was being crucified like Jesus.

Trump's hands lay slack and his head is tilted as if he is sleeping.

Owner of Galerie Gleis 4 that organized the exhibit, Konrad Breznik, told AFP: 'The skin is so realistic, it's really scary.'

Storm, who wears a mask covering his whole face to conceal his identity, posed proudly beside the artwork.

The controversial artist posted about the piece on Instagram and wrote: 'Half life-size Donny Trump, probably the most decisive politician of the modern era, or past for that matter.

'Despised by some, beloved by others, so is he a saint on a cross or a sinner on the lethal injection gurney? You decide.'

Artwork showing President Donald Trump strapped to a cross-shaped gurney in a prison uniform has popped up in Basel, Switzerland

The artist, Mason Storm, created the controversial work. He has left the interpretation up to the viewer to determined if Trump is a sinner or a saint

People took to Twitter to express their disgust over the piece and blasted Storm

Breznik told AFP he believes the US politician would enjoy the artwork, simply because of the foot traffic it has garnered.

'I do absolutely think that Mr. Trump might see himself very well in the role of a modern Jesus,' Breznik said.

'I'm pretty sure he is very much convinced that he is doing the right thing.'

The artwork has been drawing huge crowd - on Monday alone, 3,000 people visited the piece, the gallery behind the exhibit Galerie Gleis 4, revealed on Instagram.

The exhibition was displayed in Vienna, Austria, prior to this and was set to debut in Basel's central train station in September, but was pushed to the smaller location for fears of backlash.

Many people were appalled by the artwork, with many questioning what was wrong with Storm.

'Wtf is wrong with people,' one American wrote.

'That's just sick,' another wrote.

Many were appalled by Storm's artwork and called it 'outrageous' and 'revolting'

One man branded Storm's work 'leftist art' and said the artist was a 'masked man without balls.'

One X user simply branded it 'disgusting' while tagging the State Department.

A few other people also tagged the government agency.

Another person said the artwork was 'absolutely revolting' and called the sculpture 'outrageous.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Storm and the White House for comment.
The word 'legend' is overused. But on Remembrance Sunday, it is worth telling the story of a truly remarkable officer for whom the word barely comes close to honouring a lifetime of extraordinary derring-do.

Over a highly decorated military career spanning nearly half a century, Lieutenant-General Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart built a reputation as, quite simply, the 'unkillable soldier' - a man with a relish for warfare who kept fighting despite everything the enemy could throw at him and, in doing so, earned Britain's most prestigious gallantry medal, the Victoria Cross.

Carton de Wiart survived three major global wars, was wounded more times than he could remember, including being shot in the face, and shrugged off the loss of various body parts - a hand, an eye and part of an ear - as inconveniences.

Rather than retire from the battlefield, he walked straight back in after each new wound had healed, proving a point to his

commanders and fellow soldiers by learning to pull the pin from a hand grenade with his teeth and to reload a revolver with one hand.

Even when not under fire, he was irrepressible. He survived plane crashes, swam into enemy-occupied territory and, undeterred when he was captured in his 60s, tunnelled out of a prisoner- of-war camp.

Such was his reputation for heroism that Evelyn Waugh is reported to have used Carton de Wiart as the model for his character Brigadier Ritchie-Hook, the eccentric fire-eating officer from his Sword Of Honour trilogy.

But his life was far more impressive, and contained significantly more adventure, than any fiction ever could.

Lieutenant-General Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart (pictured) built a reputation as, quite simply, the 'unkillable soldier' - a man with a relish for warfare who kept fighting despite everything the enemy could throw at him

Born into an aristocratic family in Brussels in 1880, he went to Oxford to study law before abandoning his degree to fight in the Second Boer War in 1899.

During the fierce conflict in South Africa, he endured the first of many injuries when he was shot in the stomach and groin.

It required only a temporary pause: sent back to England for medical treatment, he soon returned and was given a regular commission as a second lieutenant in the 4th Dragoon Guards.

Following a period in India, he was naturalised as a British citizen, married an Austrian countess, and was promoted to captain.

But it was in Somaliland in the early days of the First World War that he came by some of his most serious injuries.

In November 1914, a British fort was set upon by the forces of Muhammad ibn Abdallah - leader of the Dervish movement, which sought to free the Horn of Africa from colonial rule - and Carton de Wiart was shot in the face, losing his left eye and part of his left ear.

A comrade, with mild understatement, said that while the agonising incident didn't stop Carton de Wiart fighting on, 'his language was awful'. Such resilience earned him the first of many awards for his bravery, the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

Once again, he found himself back in a London hospital and was given a glass eye for appearance's sake. But he found it so uncomfortable that he threw it out of the window of a taxi and instead acquired the black eye patch, which would see him frequently described as 'an elegant pirate'.

The Battle of Cambrai in 1917 where Sir Adrian was shot through the leg, an injury so severe his leg was nearly amputated

Sir Adrian was born into an aristocratic family in Brussels in 1880, he went to Oxford to study law before abandoning his degree to fight in the Second Boer War in 1899

Undaunted, he embarked to the Western Front in February 1915 where, over the next three years, he commanded three infantry battalions and three brigades.

Seven more battle wounds left their mark, including a devastating injury to his left hand in May 1915. When a doctor refused to amputate his fingers, he pulled off two of them and threw them away.

A surgeon removed the whole hand later that year.

In the early days of the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, by then aged 36 and a temporary lieutenant-colonel attached to the Gloucestershire Regiment, commanding the 8th battalion, he was shot again, this time through the skull and ankle.

His 'dauntless courage' that day, which had seen him take command when three other battalion commanders were injured and exposing himself 'unflinchingly' to intense fire, led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation said: 'His gallantry was inspiring to all.'

Following his recovery, he returned once more to the fray, only to become target practice for the enemy. He was shot through the hip at the Battle of Passchendaele, through the ear at the Battle of Arras and through a leg at the Battle of Cambrai, an injury so severe his leg was nearly amputated.

Each time he returned to Sir Douglas Shield's Nursing Home in London to recover, where he was such a regular, nurses kept a pair of his pyjamas for his inevitable next visit. There is no doubt he was one of the most battle-scarred soldiers in the history of the Army, in part because he believed in leading from the front with his signature rallying cry: 'Follow me!'

It says much about his character that, describing his Great War experiences in his memoirs, he noted: 'Frankly, I had enjoyed the war.'

In the early days of the Battle of the Somme (pictured) in July 1916, by then aged 36 and a temporary lieutenant-colonel attached to the Gloucestershire Regiment, commanding the 8th battalion, Sir Adrian was shot again, this time through the skull and ankle

The Victoria Cross awarded to Sir Adrian. Lord Ashcroft is launching a website on Tuesday (Armistice Day) so visitors can take a virtual tour of the exhibition of Victoria Crosses and George Crosses at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, closed by the Imperial War Museum in September

Once it concluded, he was appointed a CBE and, in 1920, was given the role of aide-de-camp to George V before leading the British mission in Poland as it fought off the Russian Red Army.

But even retirement in 1923 could not restrain his ambitions when the Second World War loomed 16 years later. Then approaching his early 60s, more than twice the age of the average soldier, he headed a campaign in Norway in 1940 and was dispatched to Yugoslavia the next year. But in an astonishing tale of grit and survival, he escaped from the wreck of his Wellington aircraft when it crashed into the Mediterranean off Italian-controlled Libya after its engines failed.

He kept afloat on one of the plane's wings until it broke in half, which forced him to swim to the nearest shore, while also - somehow - assisting a crew member who had broken his leg in the crash. The land they reached was, of course, enemy territory and the pair were captured by the Italians.

Still, as a prisoner-of-war, Carton de Wiart proved an entertaining companion.

His fellow captive General Sir Richard O'Connor, the 6th Earl of Ranfurly, described him in letters as 'a delightful character' and said he 'must hold the record for bad language'. Remarkably, given his many disabilities, he made five attempts at escape - including seven months spent digging a tunnel - and once evaded recapture for eight days dressed as an Italian peasant, despite not speaking a word of the language. He was finally freed two years later. Sir Winston Churchill, who admired Carton de Wiart as 'a model of chivalry and honour', sent him to China to be his personal representative to Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek. He finally retired from the Army in 1947 - after he broke his back in an accident.

Following the death of his first wife, he remarried and settled in Ireland, spending his remaining years fishing and shooting until his peaceful death in 1963, aged 83.

In his autobiography, he wrote: 'We are told the pen is mightier than the sword, but I know which of these weapons I would choose.'

We will not see his like again.

Lord Ashcroft is launching a website on Tuesday (Armistice Day) so visitors can take a virtual tour of the exhibition of Victoria Crosses and George Crosses at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, closed by the Imperial War Museum in September. Over coming months, a new website - www.lordashcroftmedalcollection.com - will be developed to include details on all the gallantry medals in Lord Ashcroft's collection.

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is an international businessman, philanthropist, author and pollster. For more information, visit lordashcroft.com. Follow him on X/Facebook @LordAshcroft
The row over BBC bias deepened tonight after two of its leading presenters claimed that airing concerns about its coverage was part of a political campaign to 'destroy' the Corporation.

Nick Robinson's remarks  later endorsed as 'exactly right' by veteran reporter John Simpson  were swiftly condemned as 'ridiculous' and 'arrogant' by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose vow to withhold his licence fee over the impartiality issue sparked yesterday's outburst.

Writing in his weekly Daily Mail column, Mr Johnson had said he would stop paying the levy until the BBC's under-fire director-general, Tim Davie, 'came clean' over why Panorama 'completely misled' viewers by doctoring a Donald Trump speech.

On Radio 4's flagship Today programme, Mr Robinson acknowledged that there was 'a genuine concern about editorial standards and mistakes' at the national broadcaster, but went on to say: 'There is also a political campaign by people who want to destroy the organisation that you are currently listening to. Both things are happening at the same time.'

Mr Johnson hit back, telling The Mail on Sunday: 'There is a difference between trying to destroy the BBC and trying to hold it to account.

'This is just a diversionary tactic from an organisation that is too arrogant to think it might be at fault.'

Mr Robinson, the Corporation's fourth-best-paid presenter on 410,000 a year, returned to the subject later in the programme. Speaking to political commentator Tim Montgomerie, he raised the prospect that Right-wing politicians could 'actually bring this organisation down'.

The row comes as Mr Davie faces increasing pressure to respond to a wide-ranging dossier outlining several instances of BBC bias on topics including transgender issues and the war in Gaza. The report by Michael Prescott  a former adviser to the Corporation's editorial watchdog  accuses the director-general of 'inaction' over the Trump case. Critics say Mr Davie has gone 'into hiding' over the issue.

On Today Nick Robinson acknowledged that there was 'a genuine concern about editorial standards and mistakes' at the national broadcaster, but went on to say: 'There is also a political campaign by people who want to destroy the organisation'

Boris Johnson hit back at Robinson's comments, telling The Mail on Sunday: 'There is a difference between trying to destroy the BBC and trying to hold it to account. This is just a diversionary tactic from an organisation that is too arrogant to think it might be at fault'

Tonight, the BBC said its chairman Samir Shah will provide a full response to the dossier to Parliament's culture, media and sport committee tomorrow, as its members had demanded.

However, it was reported tonight that his response will include an apology for the misleading editing of the Trump speech.

Mr Prescott will give evidence to the committee later this week.

The contentious Panorama segment was edited to show Mr Trump apparently riling up crowds ahead of the riots in Washington on January 6, 2021, as Congress was formalising Joe Biden's election victory.

Mr Trump was shown saying that he would walk with his supporters to the Capitol and urging them to 'fight like hell'. However, the report omitted a section of the speech where Mr Trump urged the crowd 'to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard'.

A source said tonight: 'There are now serious fears within the BBC that this could get them banned from the White House. And that Trump might launch a major lawsuit which would be very costly and hard to defend.'

Mr Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the BBC as '100 per cent fake news' and a 'propaganda machine' in the wake of the revelations.

She said: 'This purposefully dishonest, selectively edited clip by the BBC is further evidence that they are total, 100 per cent fake news that should no longer be worth the time on the television screens of the great people of the United Kingdom.'

Mr Prescott's report comes as BBC staff are in revolt after the Corporation's internal watchdogs censured newsreader Martine Croxall after she corrected the phrase 'pregnant people' to 'women' live on air

Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt (pictured) has also waded into the controversy describing the BBC as '100 per cent fake news' and a 'propaganda machine'

Mr Prescott's report comes as BBC staff are in revolt after the Corporation's internal watchdogs censured newsreader Martine Croxall after she corrected the phrase 'pregnant people' to 'women' live on air. The Executive Complaints Unit ruled on Thursday that she breached impartiality rules by raising her eyebrow when she changed the wording of the autocue.

Sources say that concerns about the Trump report, which were first raised internally at the BBC in May, were discussed at a board meeting ten days before it was first reported last week.

A source told this newspaper: 'This shows that inside the BBC there was clear knowledge at the highest level of what a serious issue this was. It wasn't just left to individual programme managers, it was discussed in detail by the board. But they chose to sit on it, and turn a deaf ear to the whole thing. It was basically a cover-up.

'There are some people within the Corporation who fear this could mark the end for the BBC.

'They have been caught blatantly distorting the truth over an issue of huge international importance.

'This crisis is having major diplomatic ramifications. It's impossible to overstate how damaging this is.'

Lord Grade, chairman of the broadcasting regulator Ofcom, has written to BBC chairman Samir Shah urging him to take Mr Prescott's concerns seriously.

Addressing Mr Robinson's remarks, the BBC's former director of television, Danny Cohen, said: 'There is no political campaign to destroy the BBC. This is a conspiracy theory being briefed by the BBC to divert attention from the serious journalistic failings that Michael Prescott's whistleblower report has revealed.

'This should be a moment when BBC journalists look inwards and do some serious soul-searching about the fall in editorial standards that the BBC is experiencing.

'Instead they are focused on attacking those who wish to hold the BBC to account.

'Tim Davie and Samir Shah have known for at least six months that Panorama faked a Trump speech but they remained silent and did nothing about it.

'This smacks of a shocking cover-up and I do believe their positions are now untenable.'

Tory chairman Nigel Huddleston said: 'The tsunami of allegations about BBC bias on multiple fronts shows that this is not just the traditional political disagreement. It's not about Left versus Right but much wider.

'The BBC is showing itself to be out of touch with the moderate views of the majority of licence payers  a much broader spectrum.

'I would warn the BBC not to pick a fight with its licence payers. You don't bite the hand that feeds you.

'If the BBC can't restore trust and abide by its own rules and editorial guidelines then the whole justification for its charter and the licence fee disappears. The BBC has to be impartial.'

Tory chairman Nigel Huddleston (pictured) said: 'The tsunami of allegations about BBC bias on multiple fronts shows that this is not just the traditional political disagreement. It's not about Left versus Right but much wider'

Independent peer Lord Austin said: 'It does not matter whether you support President Trump or not, this is a huge scandal because it shows BBC bosses cannot be trusted to uphold the values of impartiality and honesty which is why it is funded by the public.

'Tim Davie knew at least six months ago that Panorama had faked what Trump had said. This was a shocking failure of the most basic standards of journalistic integrity yet BBC bosses decided not to act on it.'

Boris Johnson added: 'I love the BBC. I just think they were trying to get away without trying to explain or justify their patent Left-wing bias.

'We need to hear from the director-general  and pronto.'

Mr Robinson declined to comment tonight.
BBC boss Tim Davie faced calls to resign amid a newsroom revolt after a newsreader who corrected 'pregnant people' to 'women' while live on air was rebuked.

Senior BBC journalists are said to be furious over the censuring of Martine Croxall amid claims that the Corporation has been 'captured by trans ideologists'.

The Mail on Sunday has learnt that colleagues of Ms Croxall are planning to complain directly to the director-general about how she has been treated and will urge him to overhaul the broadcaster's 'absolutely mad' complaints unit.

Ms Croxall, 56, was introducing a segment on Britain's heatwave in June when the autocue instructed her to report that 'pregnant people' should take precautions. After briefly reading the line, she corrected it with a raise of the eyebrow.

But in a ruling that has stunned other BBC journalists, the Corporation's Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) last week found that Croxall breached impartiality rules, concluding that her facial expression gave a 'strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial matter'.

Sources say the censure is a 'turning point' for the BBC amid a growing rift between the newsroom and bosses. They highlighted how, since 2023, the complaints unit has reported directly to Davie.

'If this can happen to Martine, it can happen to any of us,' one BBC insider said. 'There was incredulity in the newsroom when this came out.

'All she did was say a single word that was different to the autocue, and she did not roll her eyes, she just moved her face. Are presenters not allowed to move their faces now?

Senior BBC journalists are said to be furious over the censuring of Martine Croxall amid claims that the Corporation has been 'captured by trans ideologists'

The Mail on Sunday has learnt that colleagues of Ms Croxall are planning to complain directly to the director-general about how she has been treated

'This is a turning point at the BBC. Tim Davie needs to go, Deborah Turness [chief executive of BBC News] needs to go, Samir Shah, the chairman needs to go.

'Tim Davie promised he was going to come in and change things at the BBC, but under his watch we've had the Huw Edwards scandal, we've had the Tim Westwood scandal... but it is this situation with Martine that has really got people angry.

'She has had a really moving outpouring of support from colleagues, because overwhelmingly people are on her side.'

The source said George Orwell, whose life-sized statue stands outside BBC's New Broadcasting House in Central London, would be 'spinning in his grave' and likened the case against Croxall to the 'facecrime' policed by the Ministry of Truth in Orwell's dystopian novel 1984.

The MoS understands the phrase 'pregnant people' was written into the script from a press release by an under-pressure junior producer. It is understood that newsreaders will often change badly worded scripts as they deliver them without viewers realising they have diverted from the autocue.

But in this case, Ms Croxall appeared to have already faltered over the word 'aged', which is not in the BBC style guide, and had not spotted the phrase 'pregnant people' until it was too late.

The controversy has fuelled internal calls for the ECU to be scrapped. The unit is headed by veteran executive Fraser Steel, who is believed to have been involved in examining complaints about the BBC since the mid-1990s.

Another BBC source said: 'The feeling is that the ECU is an ivory tower and some of these people genuinely believe that sex is not binary and that you can change sex. There is a suspicion within the newsroom that there must be one person, and possibly more, within the unit who is genuinely a campaigner for that point of view.

'It's incredibly frustrating for those on the shop floor. There is a feeling within the newsroom that the complaints unit is absolutely mad. To be fair, that view is shared by even some senior managers.'

While Ms Croxall's manager is understood to have made the newsreader aware of the ECU's finding against her, the MoS understands that she has not been formally reprimanded and she was not taken off air.

She yesterday presented the lunchtime news bulletin on BBC1.

There are now calls for the BBC director-general Tim Davie to resign over the newsroom revolt

Ms Croxall posted a picture of herself this week smiling into the camera with her colleague Sally Bundock sitting behind the newsdesk as the duo prepared to go live on air

The decision by the ECU to uphold 20 complaints against Ms Croxall over the 'pregnant people' row came a day after Michael Prescott, a former independent adviser to the BBC, claimed the Corporation avoided publishing stories critical of trans issues.

One source this weekend said there is a group of reporters in the newsroom who 'shut down' such coverage, saying: 'These people make it incredibly difficult for any younger reporter ever to do any impartial investigative work when it comes to sex and gender. They have done it for years.'

Ms Croxall has been with the BBC since 1991 and was the broadcaster's main presenter during the November 2015 Paris attacks.

She was also presenting BBC News on April 9, 2021, when the news broke of the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The BBC declined to comment.
A childcare worker once hailed as the baby whisperer to a Texas towns wealthiest families could soon walk free - as her conviction for poisoning a four-month-old girl is brought back to court.

Marian Fraser, 61, who once had a waiting list for her exclusive Waco daycare, Spoiled Rotten, has twice been found guilty over the death of baby Clara Felton.

The infant was discovered unresponsive in a crib at Frasers home in 2013. Tests later revealed lethal levels of Benadryl in her system.

Fraser once had an elite set of clients that included pregnant lawyers and doctors. Many would sign up for her services as soon as they found out they were expecting.

For some, she was a lifeline and a critical part in their birth of their child. She would even step in and babysit if new parents needed time for themselves.

Now she is serving a 50-year sentence at a low-to-medium-security womens prison in Gatesville, but a report in Texas Monthly says her case will be reviewed.

Frasers first conviction was overturned in 2015, but she was retried and found guilty again in 2023.

Expert witness ExperTox lab director Ernest Lykissa told jurors at her first trial that the little girl was 'drowning from the inside out' because of the huge dose of diphenhydramine  the antihistamines main ingredient, and one deemed unsafe for children under two.

At her second trial, several parents whose children attended the centre accused Fraser of secretly giving their youngsters the same medicine without consent.

Although lab results were ruled inadmissible, witnesses said hair-strand tests on their children showed traces of the drug.

Marian Fraser, 61, is currently serving a 50-year prison sentence for the death of a four-month-old who died in her care in 2013 in Waco, Texas

Clara Felton died March 4, 2013 when she was found unresponsive in a crib at Spoiled Rotten daycare in Waco, Texas. The four-month-old was later found to have died from a Benadryl overdose

Now, an appeals court in Amarillo is considering whether text messages presented in court between Fraser and her daughter about hiding medicine from a state inspector should have been used.

The court is also weighing whether testimony from several witnesses should have been allowed.

Fraser could be set free if the Seventh Court of Appeals rules in her favor on either of these legal points.

However, even if Fraser's conviction is thrown out, she will more than likely see a third trial.

'Id try it a hundred times,' Will Hix is an Assistant District Attorney in McLennan County recently told the Texas Monthly.

During the first trial, Clara's father testified they never gave Fraser permission to give the drug to their infant, the magazine reported.

Fraser took the stand in her defense, maintaining she only gave medication that was approved by parents.

'They were all too young,' Fraser said. 'I always texted [the parents] if I needed to do medicine.'

However, Fraser's trip to the witness stand was considered particularly damning when asked by prosecutors if she knew that giving medication could be an 'act clearly dangerous to human life'the exact language the state uses to define felony murder.

'Yes, because youre not supposed to give it to them under two years of age,' she answered.
Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh has condemned a new Hulu about the slaying of his wife and son, describing the show as 'inaccurate and misleading'.

The 56-year-old is serving two life sentences for murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul, the deaths of which make up the new 'Murdaugh: Death in the Family' show.

In a blistering statement issued 'on behalf of Alex after receiving reports about the recent Hulu program', Murdaugh said he was 'deeply disappointed and disturbed' by the dramatization.

It's not believed Murdaugh actually has a subscription to Hulu as he serves jail time, rather that the statement came after he 'received reports about the recent Hulu program'.

'The program contains numerous inaccuracies and misleading portrayals that distort the truth of their lives,' his attorneys said, adding that the depiction of Murdaugh's family dynamics was 'particularly troubling.'

'It totally mischaracterizes Alex's relationships with his wife Maggie and his son Paul, both of whom Alex loves so dearly.'

The eight-part Hulu series, produced with input from journalist Mandy Matney, dramatizes the downfall of South Carolina's once-powerful legal dynasty.

Episode Six, 'June 7,' which airs this week, centers on the night in 2021 when Maggie and Paul were gunned down on the family's Moselle estate - the murders that shattered the Murdaugh name and captivated audiences worldwide.

Murdaugh has condemned Hulu's new true-crime drama accusing the streamer of spreading 'inaccuracies and misleading portrayals' about him and his slain wife and son

Jason Clarke stars as Murdaugh in the eight-part miniseries

While billed as a 'dramatization inspired by true events,' the show takes notable creative liberties.

Viewers see actor Jason Clarke portray Alex as an unstable patriarch, alternately violent, manipulative, and self-destructive opposite Patricia Arquette as Maggie.

A controversial scene showing the couple in bed has drawn outrage online, described by commenters as 'disturbing' and 'gratuitous.'

The production invents dialogue and condenses timelines.Some characters are renamed while others are composites.

Murdaugh's defense team says such changes cross ethical lines.

'Any other portrayal of his feelings toward Paul and Maggie are baseless and false,' the attorneys said. 'Equally concerning is the lack of engagement by the producers or actors to understand the individuals portrayed.'

Murdaugh's lawyers, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin said neither Hulu nor the show's creators sought input from Alex, his son Buster, or any relatives before airing the series.

'No one from Hulu ever reached out to Alex, his son Buster, anyone in the Murdaugh family, or Alex's attorneys to hear their perspective or verify the facts,' the statement continued.

The real-life Murdaugh family are seen together, from left, brothers Buster and Paul Murdaugh, together with their parents Maggie and Alex Murdaugh

Jason Clarke stars as Murdaugh alongside Patricia Arquette as his wife, Maggie, seen left

Jason Clarke, left, who plays Alex and Johnny Berchtold, right, who stars as Paul Murdaught

Alex Murdaugh is pictured alongside his wife Maggie and two sons

'Instead, the program appears to rely heavily on sensationalized accounts from secondary sources with no direct knowledge or relationship with him or his family.'

They urged viewers to approach the series 'with the knowledge that it is not an accurate portrayal of Alex, his family, or the tragic events that it sensationalizes.'

Murdaugh was convicted on March 2, 2023, after a six-week televised trial in Walterboro, South Carolina, that drew global attention.

Prosecutors argued he killed Maggie and Paul to distract from a web of financial crimes and drug addiction. Murdaugh testified that he loved his family and insisted on his innocence.

He is now serving two consecutive life terms but has appealed his convictions to the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, he has admitted to stealing millions from his law firm and clients - crimes that also carry lengthy prison sentences.

The Hulu dramatization portrays Murdaughs relationship with his younger son Paul as volatile, even physical.

The family are seen in a Facebook photo from Thanksgiving 2018

Johnny Berchtold is seen in the Hulu miniseries as one of Alex's sons, Paul

One scene shows him shoving Paul to the ground - a depiction his lawyers call fiction.

The series also emphasizes Alexs addictions, with scenes of him slurring, falling asleep mid-meal, and drooling on himself.

Murdaugh acknowledged on the stand that he was abusing opioids during that time.

The Murdaugh family once reigned over South Carolinas 14th Judicial Circuit for nearly a century, producing three generations of solicitors.

That lineage collapsed with Alexs arrest and conviction, leaving the family name synonymous with corruption, deceit, and death.
Meghan Markle critic and celebrity chef Jameson Stocks has accused her of leveraging her 'royal past' to promote her brand, adding 'nobody would care' about As Ever if she were just a 'TV actress'.

Jameson, who has been dismissive of the Duchess of Sussex's lifestyle ventures, also suggested the prices of her products - including a 49 honey - are inflated because of 'the royal tax' she levies.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, recently unveiled As Ever's new festive collection, comprising a 32 fruit spread gift box, 49 candles, 24 honey with honeycomb, and spiced cider and hot toddy mulling kits for 12 each.

Commenting on the pricing, Mr Stocks told The Express: 'While it's understandable that everyone needs to make a profit, there's a clear difference between earning a fair margin and exploiting customers.

'I'd recommend shopping elsewhere, where you can find honey for a fraction of the price without the royal tax.'

Mr Stocks is not the only expert who has criticised Meghan for 'cashing in on the royal status she so derides' to drive sales.

Royal biographer Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail: 'In the video promoting these festive delights, we actually see her monogram, letter M, with a coronet on top. This has been used in stationery too, as we have seen in correspondence.

'The gift basket that was sent to Archetypes contributor Jamie Kern Lima, had an accompanying note with her monogram as well. This is surely cashing in on the royal status that she so derides.'

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, recently unveiled As Ever's new festive collection, comprising a 32 fruit spread gift box, 49 candles, 24 honey with honeycomb, and spiced cider and hot toddy mulling kits for 12 each - but fans were quick to spot her embossed stationery in an ad for it

Indeed, since the launch of As Ever as well as Meghan's media projects - including two podcasts and a Netflix cookery show - royal watchers have noted the frequent use of motifs, symbols, and words tied to her brief time in The Firm.

However, LA-born Meghan's demonstrations of royalty have left most fans rather unimpressed - especially those living stateside - as one X user previously grumbled: 'It means absolutely nothing to me as an American.'

'Old money vs new money, real aristocracy just don't do that. Who wants to bet even her toilet roll has it on,' joked another, while other critics labelled Meghan's use of the royal insignia as 'cringey', 'pathetic' and 'vulgar'.

'I'm Sussex now!'

The most priceless moment from Meghan's Netflix series was her interaction with Mindy Kaling during season one.

In episode two of the cookery show's first season, Meghan is joined by The Office star, 45, as she shares her tips for hosting the perfect children's party.

While Meghan carefully assembled a cucumber sandwich, the pair discussed their their favourite kind of fast food.

Describing herself as a 'latchkey kid' who grew up eating 'a lot of fast food and TV tray dinners' from US chains like Pollo Loco, Taco Bell, and Jack in the Box.

Meghan reminded her friend Mindy Kaling 'I'm Sussex now' when The Office star referred to her as Meghan Markle

As Mindy looked confused, Meghan, who has only visited Sussex once, continued: 'You have kids and you go "No, I share my name with my children"

But Mindy appeared to get under Meghan's skin with her response, as she said: 'I don't think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack In The Box and loves it.'

Trying to hide her frown with a smile, she replied: 'It's so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I'm Sussex now.'

As Mindy looked confused, Meghan, who has only visited Sussex once, continued: 'You have kids and you go, "No, I share my name with my children".

'I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to go, "This is our family name. Our little family name".

After being corrected, Mindy awkwardly responded: 'Well, now I know and I love it.'

DS tote bag

The launch of Meghan's festive collection was preceded by trips to Paris, New York, and Washington DC, as the Duchess of Sussex attended Balenciaga's show, travelled to the Big Apple with Prince Harry, and spoke at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit in the capital.

Her trusted travel companion, fans noticed, was an oversized Longchamp tote with her initials 'DS' emblazoned across the black and blue bag.

Meghan was recently spotted with a 'DS' bag, with People magazine reporting it signifies 'Duchess of Sussex'

People magazine reported the monogram stands for the Duchess of Sussex, after Meghan was seen carrying it in videos from her trips across the US.

Meghan's supporters have suggested that the 'DS' may not be hers because it appeared to be being carried by someone else.

But People, considered Meghan and Harry's preferred publication in the US, insist it does belong to the duchess and that the DS tote bag is a 'nod to her royal title'.

And others pointed to her Instagram post and said that a member of her 'team' may have been helping carry her luggage.

A spokesman for the Duchess declined to comment.

Meghan's crown cypher

Royal fans have also accused Meghan of capitalising on her nearly two-year-long association with the Firm after they spotted her royal cypher in a promo for the holiday drop.

Hours before the collection was released, Meghan posted a clip on Instagram showing her working at her desk - but onlookers quickly spotted a blue notebook with her royal cypher on its cover.

Royal fans have also accused Meghan of capitalising on her one-year-ten-month association with the Firm after they spotted her royal cypher in a film for the holiday drop

Hours before the collection was released, Meghan posted a clip on Instagram showing her working at her desk - but onlookers quickly spotted a blue notebook with her royal cypher on its cover

The monogram - comprising the letter M with a crown on top - was unveiled ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.

Reacting to the embossed stationery, one X user wrote: 'Another example of Meghan putting her royal cypher on pretty much anything, you can see it on her notebook in the latest Instagram Story.'

It's not the first time Meghan has shown off her royal monogram since the Sussexes quit the Royal Family.

In October 2022, author Allison Yarrow, from New York, shared a thank-you letter she'd received from the Duchess of Sussex after contributing to Meghan's podcast Archetypes.

The note was written on headed paper featuring the symbol.

Then in April 2025, the former Suits actress sparked controversy after her friend, IT Cosmetics founder Jamie Kern Lima shared a picture of a food hamper from the Duchess with a message that read: 'With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.'

Harry and Meghan's agreement with the late Queen and senior officials was that they would stop using the word 'Royal' and their HRH titles after they quit duties and emigrated to the US to become 'financially independent' from the Crown.

While a spokesperson for the Sussexes insisted they do not use their HRH titles for commercial purposes, a source close to Meghan claimed she still calls herself Her Royal Highness to friends and in private correspondence.

In October 2022, author Allison Yarrow, from New York, shared a thank-you letter she'd received from the Duchess of Sussex after contributing to Meghan's podcast Archetypes. The note was written on headed paper featuring the symbol

Commenting on Ms Lima's hamper and Meghan's note, royal author Ingrid Seaward felt that the latter's insistence on calling herself Her Royal Highness would have 'highly offended the Queen' when the Daily Mail reported she has been sending the same HRH note for at least five years.

Signature Candle No. 519

In addition to the cypher, Meghan released a very royal-themed product as part of the latest launch.

Signature Candle No. 519, which retails for $64, is an obvious nod to her time as a Royal and living in the UK.

According to its description on As Ever's website, the candle is scented with Moroccan mint, cardamom, and tea leaves to 'evoke the freshness of a day in the English countryside'.

It also harks back to the Duchess of Sussex's 'cherished memories' of her nuptials at St George's Chapel, and the 'spirit of happiness' and being 'surrounded by love and laughter' on May 19, 2018.

Mr Stocks is not the only expert who has criticised Meghan for 'misreading the room' with her newest range of products, with American PR executive Sarah Schmidt telling the Daily Mail that As Ever is only really 'selling access' to the Duchess.

'A $64 candle tied to her wedding date might make sense for her personal narrative, but she's misreading the room,' Schmidt said.

In addition to the cypher, Meghan released a very royal-themed product as part of the latest launch. Pictured: Signature Candle No. 519, which retails for $64, is an obvious nod to her time as a Royal and living in the UK

Meghan showed off a range of stylish outfits when she joined Prince Harry for the Sussexes' quasi-royal tour of Nigeria last May - including a Heidi Merrick dress with a very regal name

'The vibe of this year's consumer is that of practicality and quiet comfort. The idea of "everyday luxury" works when people buy into the story,' she shared.

'As Ever still feels like it's selling access to Meghan. And is that something people are willing to pay a premium price for this holiday? Probably not.'

Windsor dress

Meghan showed off a range of stylish outfits when she joined Prince Harry for the Sussexes' quasi-royal tour of Nigeria last May - including a Heidi Merrick dress with a very regal name.

For one of her engagements on the three-day trip last May, the Duchess picked a daring backless gown from the Californian designer.

The peach maxi dress is thought to have been released in 2018 - the year of Meghan and Harry's wedding.

But the royal links didn't end there; Meghan's regal in-laws are officially titled The House of Windsor, the same name given to the gown.

Coincidentally, when Meghan launched her now-defunct storefront selling clothes, shoes, accessories, and homeware she loves, the Heidi Merrick gown was one of the earliest items she listed.
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When hunting for the perfect party dress, sequins are always top of mind. And for a Christmas celebration? It has to be red.

I will forever look to the Princess of Wales for inspiration, especially in her dazzling Needle & Thread frock.

Kate debuted the swoon-worthy design at a Buckingham Palace reception in January 2020, before bringing it back for the trailer of the 2022 Together At Christmas carol service.

Naturally, she looked flawless on both occasions, accessorising with Soru Jewellery ruby and diamond earrings, her signature Gianvito Rossi red suede pumps, and a coordinating Jenny Packham clutch.

With the festive season fast approaching, I knew I had to try this dress for myself.

Unsurprisingly, it's become one of the brand's bestsellers, selling out within a day of Kate's first appearance and amassing a waiting list of 700 eager buyers. Stock is now frequently replenished to meet demand.

I ordered Kate's exact style - the Aurora ballerina - in a UK size 10, though it also comes in a full-length ballgown version.

The Daily Mail's Senior Features Writer, Rebekah Absalom, tries on the Princess of Wales' favourite Needle & Thread dress

Unwrapping the delivery, the first thing I noticed was the weight of the dress - a testament to its luxurious quality.

It features a delicate tulle base, tonal red sequins, a softly frilled neckline, and a partially lined bodice, offering a subtle hint of decolletage. The lace-effect sleeves quickly became a favourite detail.

The A-line skirt skims the figure beautifully, falling to the ankle (I'm just under 5'8" and wearing three-inch heels), creating a flattering silhouette that will compliment all body types.

Despite its intricate detailing, the dress was surprisingly easy to step into, and the concealed back zip fastened without any fuss.

There's no denying it - the moment I slipped it on, I felt instantly glamorous and party-ready, with the added bonus of it being wonderfully comfortable.

Rebekah loved the partially lined bodice, which includes a semi-sheer panel for a subtle hint of decolletage, while the lace-effect sleeves quickly became a favourite detail

The striking dress features a delicate tulle base, embellished with tonal red sequins and finished with a softly frilled neckline

One thing worth noting: due to the heavy embellishment and structured fabric, the dress has a snug fit through the bodice - so you may wish to size up, as I did.

The Needle & Thread website describes this dress as cherry red, which I would say is accurate. The light-catching sequins can appear slightly more orange-red in some photos, or show a pink undertone in others.

As with any embellished design, a little shedding did occur, but it's unlikely to affect the garment's overall look - it's heavily adorned from top to hem!

While Kate opted for a full-on red accessory look, I let the dress take centre stage by pairing it with a simple pair of black Aldo heels (similar available here). It would look gorgeous with a hair bow, like this one from Boden.

Alternatively, if you want to channel Kate's style, her exact heels are still available to buy.

And if red isn't your colour, this dress is also available in an equally charming emerald green.

Meanwhile, the full-length version comes in red, green, champagne, beige and pink - and there's even a mini version for a playful twist.

Whichever you prefer, there's a style to suit every festive occasion this season.
Prince George has made his debut at the Festival of Remembrance in London alongside King Charles and the Princess of Wales.

George, 12, put on a brave face as he walked into the historic Royal Albert Hall in Kensington with his mother Catherine, 43, by his side.

The future King looked dapper in a black suit complete with a poppy pin and a striped tie.

The royal family play a key role in the Festival of Remembrance. The event is organised by the Royal British Legion - of which King Charles was made patron last year.

On Sunday, the monarch will lead the nation in a two-minute silence at the Cenotaph in central London.

Also taking on the first of many commemoration events this weekend, Catherine wore a stunning black dress with a wide white collar from Alessandra Rich and earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The mother-of-three's dress was adorned with an HMS Glasgow brooch and a handmade poppy created out of silk, glass and other natural materials by Izzy Ager, of Lock and Co, who has recently graduated from the Royal School of Needlework.

It marks the first time the Princess of Wales has been seen in public since Andrew was stripped of his titles and told to leave Royal Lodge in the grounds of Windsor.

Her husband Prince William was notably not in attendance as he travelled back from his Earthshot Prize Awards and the COP30 summit in Brazil.

The Princess of Wales arrives at the Royal Albert Hall with her son Prince George

A future King in training! George shakes hands as he makes his debut at the Remembrance Festival

The mother-of-three wore a collared black dress from Alessandra Rich while her son George matched her in a black suit

Catherine's dress was adorned with an HMS Glasgow brooch and a handmade poppy

King Charles, however, arrived at the Royal Albert Hall with his wife Queen Camilla following closely behind in a sequined dress paired with Van Cleef diamond earrings.

Although it was King Charles who removed Andrew's HRH by issuing a rare Letters Patent, it is understood that senior royal family members including Camilla fully support this decision.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are among those supporting the King - the latter of whom made quite the statement on Saturday night by wearing the Lulu Guinness 'Sophie' fan clutch as well as a poppy badge.

Prince Richard, the late Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, and his wife Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, also arrived to the event with their poppies neatly pinned to their clothes.

The crowd at the Royal Albert Hall in London stood as the family entered to a fanfare by trumpeters and took their seats in the royal box.

But roles were reversed when the royal family stood and clapped as the Chelsea Pensioners in red uniforms entered the auditorium and marched across the stage while an orchestra gave a rendition of the Boys Of The Old Brigade.

Thankfully there was much on the programme to entertain the royal family amid what commentators have called the 'worst crisis in living memory' for the monarchy.

This year's Festival of Remembrance marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and featured music from Sir Rod Stewart and Sam Ryder.

The King was filmed enjoying Sir Rod's opening song Sentimental Journey. Also beaming was his right-hand man and equerry Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson.

The festival also saw performances by Keala Settle as well as the Central Band of the RAF and the RAF Squadronaires.

And the folk band The Wellermen joined the Band of HM Royal Marines for a rousing rendition of The Nights by Avicii.

The King and Queen arrive ahead of the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance

Charles, 76, was announced as a patron of the Royal British Legion last year and will lead the nation in a two-minute silence at the Cenotaph in central London on Sunday

Camilla wears a black dress paired with Van Cleef diamond earrings for the Remembrance Festival

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh put on a united front as they arrive at the Royal Albert Hall

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, wears a black dress with a statement poppy pin and holds a Lulu Guinness 'Sophie' fan clutch

A general view of the royal box inside the Royal Albert Hall during the Remembrance Festival

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh stand to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War

Prince George speaks to his mother as he enjoys the show alongside other senior royals

Catherine was seen saying a few words to her 12-year-old son and pointing things out to him as Sir Rod performed Sentimental Journey accompanied by the RAF Squadronaires.

George shuffled a little in his seat between musical performances and watched intently as emotional videos of veterans speaking about their experiences and paying tribute to their lost friends and comrades played.

Also in the audience was Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria.

This year, the festival commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and was hosted by Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham.

Waddingham, wearing a long purple dress and a poppy, performed We'll Meet Again and spoke of the courage of her granddad Harry Waddingham, a 109-year-old veteran, as she addressed the audience.

In a clip from the BBC, Catherine appeared to praise Waddingham's moving performance.

Veterans in attendance at the event included those who had helped to plan D Day, some who had been prisoners of war and had survived direct hits at sea.

The Remembrance Festival was broadcast on BBC One on Saturday evening at 9pm.

According to the broadcaster, 'special focus' was given to 'the resilience and strength of military children who have faced bereavement.'

This will have particularly resonated with the Princess of Wales who has dedicated much of her time to the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

The festival also marked the 25th anniversary of the UK government lifting the ban on LGBTQ+ personnel serving openly in the armed forces.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester wear poppies for the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance

Prince Richard, the late Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, shakes hands upon his arrival at the Royal Albert Hall

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer arrive at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance

Sir Rod Stewart performs at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance

Queen Camilla points something out to her husband King Charles during the performance

The monarch, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, looks moved as he watches the stage

George watches as emotional videos of veterans speaking about their experiences played

Sir Rod was joined on Saturday night by Keala Settle as well as the Central Band of the RAF

Members of the Royal Air Force take part in the annual Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance

After standing for two-minutes of silence as poppy petals fell from above and joining in with God Save The King, Catherine and George were pictured leaving the Remembrance Festival shortly after 9pm on Saturday evening.

They were closely followed by King Charles and Queen Camilla who left the event in a blacked out car.

This is the start of a busy weekend for Catherine who will lead attendees in observing a two-minute silence at The National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield in Staffordshire on Tuesday.

Taking the mantle from the Duchess of Edinburgh who attended the service in 2024, Catherine will then lay a wreath to remember Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in conflicts.

The service is to feature a specially commissioned poem by Arji Manuelpillai, the 'Poet in Residence' at the Arboretum.

Mr Manuelpillai's verses will reflect the importance of connections, experiences and bonds formed between those who serve in the military. The themes are said to be close to the Princess's heart.

Also performing at the service will be the all-female a cappella collective Black Voices.

Catherine will go on to view the newly dedicated names on the Armed Forces Memorial before meeting veterans in attendance.

Her Royal Highness will also meet children of serving military members who are currently on deployment and she will get the chance to the Arboretum's exhibition, Letters from the Frontline - Words, War and Victory.

The National Memorial Arboretum was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 and is designed in such a way that at precisely 11:00 on November 11, a shaft of light falls on the bronze wreath in its centre.

Catherine and her son George leave the Royal Albert Hall shortly after 9pm

The Princess of Wales holds the programme for the Remembrance Festival

King Charles and Queen Camilla head towards a blacked out car as they leave the event

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, during last year's Remembrance Service at the National Memorial Arboretum

King Charles attends the LGBTQ+ Armed Forces Dedication Ceremony at the Arboretum in Staffordshire

The Arboretum is home to the UK's first national memorial commemorating LGBT military personal who were affected by the army's former 'gay ban'

The tribute takes the form of a bronze letter made up of words taken from personnel who were impacted by the ban

The Arboretum is also home to the UK's first national memorial commemorating LGBT military personal who were affected by the army's former 'gay ban'.

The tribute takes the form of a crumpled bronze letter made up of words taken from personnel who were impacted by the ban, which was in place from 1967 until 2000.

Meanwhile, in his role as the patron of the Royal British Legion, King Charles is set to lead the nation in a two-minute silence at the Cenotaph in central London on Sunday.

Joined by other members of the royal family and senior politicians, Charles will lead the laying of wreaths to honour the fallen.

Some 10,000 armed forces veterans will take part in the Royal British Legion's march-past and about 20 Second World War veterans will attend.

The royals are putting on a united front for Remembrance Day given the turmoil they have faced in regards to Andrew.

Mr Mountbatten Windsor, 65, was formally stripped of his prince title by King Charles on Thursday.

The monarch has also removed his HRH by issuing a rare Letters Patent, making his younger brother officially a commoner.

Charles has stripped Andrew of his titles and home over the Epstein scandal

It marks another dark day for the former Duke of York, whose reputation is in tatters due to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and Virginia Giuffre's recent posthumous autobiography Nobody's Girl.

Although William was in Brazil for the Earthshot Prize, tonight's appearance marks the first time he and Catherine have been seen since Andrew was stripped of his titles.

Details of the King's Letters Patent have been published by the Crown Office in The Gazette, the UK's official public record.

The entry read: 'THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 3 November 2025 to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of "Royal Highness" and the titular dignity of "Prince".'

It comes a week after Buckingham Palace confirmed he would no longer be a prince with immediate effect - and would also be leaving Royal Lodge.

The Palace coldly announced the 'censures [were] deemed necessary' amid the growing controversy surrounding his relationship with Epstein, with whom Andrew lied about cutting ties with.

The Mail on Sunday revealed how Andrew told Epstein in an email 'we are in this together' a day after the infamous picture of the former prince with his alleged then-teenage sex victim Ms Giuffre was published.

In the wake of the fallout, Ms Giuffre's family said she was 'an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family', who had 'brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.'

Ordinary: Andrew - seen driving his car through Windsor Great Park - will now be considered a regular member of the public

Meanwhile, new emails from unsealed court documents from a legal battle between the US Virgin Islands and JP Morgan show the former prince told Epstein it would be 'good to catch up in person' months after the child sex offender was released.

Andrew has continued to deny the allegations made against him as well as ever meeting Ms Giuffre, who made damning revelations about Mr Mountbatten Windsor in a posthumous memoir.

She took her own life earlier this year, aged 41.

In 2022, Andrew settled a US civil case she lodged for a reported 12million, reportedly receiving money from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, to help meet the costs. The settlement came with no admission of liability.

The shunned ex-duke has been erased from the Royal website entirely, with no mention of him on 'The Royal Family' page or when the term 'Andrew' is entered into the search bar.

However, the website is yet to remove previous features relating to his old engagements.

His Majesty's younger brother will now be banished to a private property on the monarch's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, but no further details have been shared. It is understood Prince William and the Royal Family fully support the King's decision.

It is understood Prince William and the Royal Family fully support the King's decision.

Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Andrew's former home. He will now be moving to a private residence on the monarch's Sandringham estate

Andrew has been deleted entirely from the official Royal Family website just a day after he was sensationally stripped of his Prince title and booted out of the Royal Lodge

In one of the few positives for Andrew, he had been allowed to keep his operational service medals, including the one he won in the Falklands.

The disgraced royal served for 22 years in the Navy, including throughout the victorious campaign in the South Atlantic where he was the co-pilot of a Sea King helicopter.

He conducted anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, casualty evacuation and search and rescue missions.

Andrew also played the role of a decoy for Argentina's Exocet missiles, flying over aircraft carriers to prompt anti-ship weapons.

Veterans of the war previously said it would be 'morally indefensible' to remove a medal earned through active service.

Meanwhile Andrew's daughters Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35, will retain their titles as Her Royal Highnesses with it previously reported that Charles was very keen to 'protect' his nieces.

However, royal expert Christopher Wilson told the Daily Mail today that King Charles's 'soft-hearted' approach to his nieces 'may come back to bite him' - and it may be up to Prince William to 'finish the job' when he becomes King later down the line.

As for Beatrice and Eugenie themselves, their princess titles will be 'tarnished in the eyes of many' due to their father and his links to Jeffrey Epstein, Mr Wilson claimed.

Andrew served in the Royal Navy between 1979 and 2001, serving as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands War

Andrew's daughters Beatrice (right) and Eugenie (centre) will retain their titles

If opportunities dry up, the princesses could be forced to accept more 'low-grade offers' like their mother, Sarah Ferguson, who, over the years has been accused of undertaking 'dubious' charity work and offering access to Prince Andrew for cash.

Both sisters have paid full-time jobs but do not receive cash from the Sovereign Grant as they're not working royals. They also benefit from a trust fund set up by the Queen Mother for her great-great-grandchildren, and received money from their parents' divorce in the 1990s.

Beatrice is married to millionaire property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, while Eugenie's husband, wine merchant Jack Brooksbank, is also wealthy in his own right.

Previously, the former Duke of York's website said he 'supports both of his daughters financially', but now this source of income and any other monetary benefits that may come with their titles will be brought into question.

Mr Wilson added: 'Dealing with ruthless businessmen who know how to exploit a royal title has been Fergie's downfall, and it could be theirs too.

'Neither woman has a husband with a job which can sustain them in the style to which they've long been accustomed - and they too may find it harder to maintain their status in the business world now that Andrew is no longer royal.'

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Sarah Ferguson is 'blaming herself' and may quit the UK following her former husband's humiliation.

The former duchess is said to be 'more on edge' than Andrew and is hunkering down in Royal Lodge 'surrounded by Amazon deliveries' amid the couple's dramatic fall from grace.

Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson (left) is said to be 'more on edge' than the former duke

A source told the Daily Mail: 'Sarah is going around blaming herself. She keeps repeating "what if I hadn't done this, or hadn't done that".'

Another source suggested that Fergie is now considering leaving the country.

They said: 'She's always rather lived on the hoof and aside from her children and grandchildren, there's not a lot to keep her here.

'Put it this way, the invitations have dried up overnight.'
Two mysterious flashes have been spotted on the moon's surface, sparking a debate over what just struck our nearest neighbor in the solar system.

Astronomer Daichi Fujii, curator of the Hiratsuka City Museum in Japan, captured the first of these bright flashes on October 30, revealing a large round dot briefly illuminating the moon's surface before disappearing.

The second flash was spotted two days later, on November 1, near the moon's horizon from Fujii's perspective here on Earth.

Currently, the prevailing theory is that these flashes were impacts caused by space rocks from the passing Taurid meteor shower.

This particular meteor shower can be seen every year around late October and early November.

It's caused by Earth traveling through bits of dust and rock left behind by the debris trail of the comet Encke, creating nights full of harmless shooting stars.

Fujii noted while revealing the mystery flashes that the moon has no atmosphere, meaning we can't see meteors nearing its surface until they light up at the moment of impact and form a fiery crater.

Fujii added in a post on X that the Taurid meteor shower was currently at its peak when he spotted the bright flashes on the moon.

Japanese astronomer Daichi Fujii captured the first mysterious flash on the moon on October 30 near the giant Gassendi Crater

Just two days later, Fujii recorded a second flash, with both believed to be high-velocity impacts by space rocks in the Taurid meteor shower

The astronomer had been watching the night sky using several telescopes from two locations in Japan, Fuji and Hiratsuka.

Special equipment helped him to instantly detect motion and explosions on the lunar surface.

Fujii noted that this high-tech setup has helped him spot nearly 60 impacts on the moon's surface over the last 15 years.

'With my 20cm telescope, I typically detect about one impact flash every few dozen hours of observation,' he told Space.com.

'Because the thin crescent moon is visible only briefly and often low in the sky where thin clouds are common, I only observe a few dozen flashes per year.'

That makes back-to-back impacts a space rarity, with the first one on October 30 appearing to land just east of the Gassendi Crater.

The crater is a massive impact scar measuring about 68 miles across that sits at the northern edge of the vast, dark plain known as Mare Humorum.

The second impact flash likely landed to the west of Oceanus Procellarum, one of the moon's largest seas of ancient lava that covers about 1.5 million square miles.

The Taurid meteor shower (Pictured) can be seen from Earth every year in late October and early November as the planet passes through the debris trail of the comet Encke

'I want the public to enjoy science,' Fujii told The New York Times.

The space rocks, which likely hit the moon, are believed to have been traveling at close to 60,000 mph.

With no atmosphere to slow anything down that's on a collision course with the moon, asteroids can sometimes strike the lunar surface at up to 160,000mph, creating a massive flash and extreme heat at the point of impact.

These same meteors, especially from the Taurids, vaporize in Earth's thick atmosphere, which acts like a protective shield against falling debris from space.

Smaller meteors burn up as they encounter friction in the atmosphere, creating the streaking effect stargazers see while watching the meteor shower.

However, new research has warned that the Taurids could become more of a danger to humans within the next decade.

A study in Acta Astronautica has found that the risk will spike around 2032 and 2036 when a swarm of larger, undetected chunks of space rock may get clumped together by Jupiter's gravity.

These more dangerous meteor fragments could pass over populated areas, causing hazardous air bursts, where the meteorite pierces the atmosphere and explodes in the air.

Larger meteorites could also make it all the way to the ground, potentially landing in crowded cities and causing significant damage.
A Virginia woman has been brought back from the dead twice, has broken her silence about what she really saw in the afterlife.

Deborah Prum, a wife, mother, and former research director at Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire, has opened up about the out-of-body experiences she had during two traumatic incidents that nearly destroyed her family.

The first near-death experience (NDE) took place in the mid-1980s when Prum went into early labor while pregnant with her oldest son.

She suffered dangerously high blood pressure, low blood cell counts, liver problems, and endured seizures.

Prum revealed that she left her body during the emergency and entered a state without pain or emotion, looking down from the hospital ceiling as doctors worked to save Prum and her baby.

Over 20 years later, Prum and her husband were involved in a near-fatal car accident that sent her into a realm with a glowing yellow light where she existed as pure energy.

Prum continues to wonder if she got a glimpse of the afterlife during the accident and said she didn't want to return to her body before being pulled back to Earth.

Mysteriously, she added that an unknown man held her hand and kept her stable until paramedics arrived at the crash, but her husband and the first responders never saw this person or have ever been able to track down who was there.

Deborah Prum (Pictured) went through two near-death experiences, including one where she believes she may have seen the afterlife

Prum said her first NDE was so shocking that she never told friends what had happened in the hospital.

As her blood pressure spiked, doctors shouted for Prum to be rushed into the emergency room, where surgeons were preparing to perform an emergency C-section to save her premature baby.

At that point, Prum explained how she felt that she had physically left her body and was looking at herself being tended to by the hospital staff.

Her last memory of floating above the emergency room was of doctors wheeling her into the operating room for the C-section.

Prum would spend the next three days in a medically induced coma, and her newborn son would spend his first two weeks of life in the neonatal intensive care unit.

'Except for my husband, Bruce, I don't remember telling anyone about my out-of-body experience. I didn't know what to make of it nor how to talk about it,' she explained in HuffPost.

A study by researchers at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine showed many survivors of near-death experiences recalled an awareness of entering what feels to them like another realm.

That's exactly what happened to Prum during her second brush with death in 2007, after an SUV drove through a red light and struck her and her husband's car on Valentine's Day.

Near-death experiencers often recount a feeling that they physically entered a different realm of consciousness as their body was dying (Stock Image)

Prum's husband, a physician, found that she had no pulse after the crash.

Although he continued to yell her name, Prum said she had already crossed over into a realm where she lost all recognition of herself as an individual and morphed into a being of energy tied to a larger 'life force.'

'Immediately after the crash, I had no awareness of myself as a unique entity  no cognition of having a distinct identity. Instead, I felt utterly and profoundly peaceful in a way that I'd never sensed. To my core, I felt safe and at home,' Prum wrote.

The near-death experiencer described this blissful realm as being filled with a glowing yellow light that reminded her of being submerged in pudding.

However, she could still hear to husband calling her name in the distance and tried to block it out as this energy realm put Prum in a euphoric state she didn't want to leave.

Shortly after, Prum said she was pulled back into her body, where a strange man described as being 'in his 40s, curly hair with a receding hairline, button-down dress shirt and no tie' was waiting by her passenger side door.

Prum said the man unbuckled her seatbelt, kept her from moving due to her injuries, and held her hand until an ambulance arrived.

Despite her vivid memory of this man and how he helped her, Prum's husband never saw him at the accident scene, nor did the paramedics who rescued her from the car.

To this day, no witnesses have ever been found who can confirm that this mysterious good Samaritan was at the scene or who he was.

'It took my having two NDEs to make me believe they exist. Would I have been convinced if I hadn't experienced them? My guess is no,' Prum said.
Hundreds of flights throughout the US have been cancelled this weekend due to the ongoing government shutdown, and officials warn that this is only the beginning.

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) official flight reduction plan revealed airlines will be forced to cancel six percent of domestic flights this Tuesday, eight percent on Thursday and 10 percent starting Friday, November 14.

A new report also highlighted that the major US airlines are set to see the most chaos under the program, including Ronald Reagan Washington National, Newark Liberty International, Chicago O'Hare, Philadelphia International, and Dallas/Fort Worth.

On Saturday and Sunday, these airports are in the heart of another travel night, as more than 1,000 flights have already been cancelled to comply with the FAA's directive.

The agency ordered airlines at 40 major airports to cut the number of daily flights in an effort to manage staffing shortages, including several already ranked among the worst in the nation for delays.

Currently, major airlines have only grounded around four percent of their domestic flights, meaning planes are taking off in one US city and landing in another.

However, this number is set to triple to more than 3,500 flights per day by next Friday as the US Department of Transportation (DOT) forces airlines to increase the number of cancelled flights this week.

By Thanksgiving, a new nightmare scenario has been projected that nearly 10,000 local flights could be cancelled on one of the biggest travel days of the year.

Over 1,000 flights are expected to be cancelled on Saturday and Sunday across 40 major US airports (Stock Image)

United Airlines has set up a special webpage to track the company's cancelled flights resulting from the FAA's plan to reduce air traffic

If the government shutdown drags on, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that 20 percent of all domestic flights could be axed later this month, amounting to more than 7,000 cancelled trips per day.

On Wednesday, November 26, the day before Thanksgiving, that level of airline cuts would lead to approximately 9,800 cancelled flights throughout the US.

The impending travel chaos would likely be the worst at Virginia's Ronald Reagan Airport, where researchers for SmartAsset found that only 62 percent of flights are on time each month.

Out of 75 airports surveyed, Reagan finished 74th, ahead of only Long Island's MacArthur Airport.

Delays and cancellations are sure to make flying through Newark just as frustrating this month, as the New Jersey airport has been at the center of the air traffic controller staffing shortage crisis all year.

Newark ranked 73rd in the new survey, with over 36 percent of the flights arriving and departing running late.

Chicago OHare, Philadelphia International, and Dallas/Fort Worth all saw more than 35 percent of their monthly flights experience delays, foreshadowing even more travel headaches for Americans as cancellations grow.

The FAA's mandated cancellations specifically target flights leaving between 6am and 10pm local time.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (left) and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford (right) made the announcement Wednesday, with Bedford admitting the airline industry could be headed for uncharted territory

Flyers are Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Pictured) have been among the customers affected by growing cancellations on domestic flights

International flights have been exempted from the cutbacks, and airlines have said these trips should continue to run on schedule, although passengers should still monitor their bookings for any delays.

While nearly all air travelers this weekend will need to check with their carriers if their specific flight has been canceled, United Airlines has listed 324 flights they have cut on Saturday and Sunday on a special webpage.

American Airlines has cancelled 205 of its scheduled flights on Saturday, according to the latest data from Cirium.

Delta has reportedly cancelled 158 of its more than 4,000 flights on Saturday and another 175 on Sunday.

Delta, United and American have all reported their anticipated cancellations are set to skyrocket once the new week begins.

That's when the FAA reduction plan will increase the number of dropped flights to six percent, starting Tuesday, November 11. Cancellations of domestic flights could increase to as many as 2,100 that day.

If the government shutdown continues beyond Tuesday, the FAA's plan then calls for an increase to eight percent of domestic flights cancelled on Thursday, November 13.

Estimates show that up to 2,800 flights may have to be axed on Thursday at the 40 affected travel hubs.

Air travel could reach a crisis point by Friday, November 14, when the FAA plan calls for these airports to hit the goal of cancelling 10 percent of all domestic flights, which could represent approximately 3,500 cancelled trips and 268,000 seats removed.

Air traffic control towers across the US, including at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Pictured), have gone dark for hours over the last month due to staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown

With the holiday season just days away, airlines have started recommending that travelers take drastic and expensive action to make sure they reach their destinations on time.

Frontier CEO Barry Biffle said any of his company's customers traveling within the next 10 days who didn't want to risk being stranded should also book an extra ticket on a different airline.

Private jets, charter flights, military flights, and planes delivering cargo for UPS and FedEx are also exempt from the FAA slowdown.

For passengers affected by the ongoing airport cuts, you're entitled to a full refund for cancelled flights.
Those who enjoy a pre-dinner bellini or French martini may have the right idea.

An aperitif is not just a civilised way to start a meal but may actually make the food taste better, a study has found.

People given a small measure of alcohol before their first course in a restaurant rated the soup they were served as more flavourful and fresher tasting than diners who did not have an aperitif.

University of Oxfords Professor Charles Spence, senior author of the study and a psychologist studying peoples perceptions of food  who has worked with chef Heston Blumenthal  said alcohol may act as a palate cleanser, so that diners experience flavours more intensely.

Another explanation is that a pre-dinner drink may create a mood of relaxation which allows people to fully focus on their food.

The researchers asked 257 people eating in a restaurant if they would be willing to rate their food for a scientific experiment. Half were given an aperitif and half were not.

Rating how much they liked their soup, from zero to 100, people who did not have an aperitif gave it an average score of 68. But the score was 76, on average, for those who had a shot of plum brandy first.

Experts believe a similar effect would be achieved with most popular aperitifs.

A study suggests people given a small measure of alcohol before their first course in a restaurant rated the soup they were served as more flavourful and fresher tasting than diners who did not have an aperitif. Pictured: stock image

Professor Spence said: An alcoholic drink before food may act as a physical palate cleanser, helping to remove any residual aftertastes from anything eaten previously, so we can more fully enjoy the flavours.

But taking an aperitif can also act as a mental palate cleanser, putting people in a better mood and helping them to feel more relaxed, so... they focus more on the qualities of the food.

The study, published in the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, also asked people to rate the flavour and freshness of the tomato soup.

The flavour was given an average score of 79 out of 100 by people who had an aperitif  but only 72 by those who didnt have the drink. Freshness was also rated 79 out of 100 by those who had the brandy, compared to 73 by those without.

The research team, led by Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania, whose study was conducted in a Romanian restaurant, found people reported their soup as tasting significantly sweeter if they had the alcoholic drink.

This may explain why people liked it more, the researchers suggest, noting that alcohol suppresses bitter tastes so sweetness may come through more strongly.

Professor Spence suggests that aperitifs may improve the taste of food for people in Britain because a drink before dinner is part of our culture, so we are likely to have deep positive associations with it.

Dr Georgiana Juravle, lead author of the study from Alexandru Ioan Cuza

University, said: Our findings highlight the usefulness of small quantities of alcohol served in controlled settings for augmenting the perceived profile of a dish.
Tourists clambering for sunbeds at 5am, fights outside nightclubs and British pubs showing EastEnders.

This might feel familiar to holidaymakers who have visited European tourist hotspots like Tenerife or Mallorca, but it's not what most travellers would expect from Asia.

According to the recent World Travel Market Global Travel Report, there is a growing trend of Brits - particularly the younger generations - leaving behind Spain and heading to far-flung destinations.

But this doesn't come without its consequences.

Gary Bowerman, a travel and consumer trends analyst based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, identified Bali, Kyoto and Phuket as areas which have been plagued by 'overtourism'.

He claims this is due, in part, to demand after the pandemic, as well as flights to Asian destinations getting cheaper.

In many places, developments have led to some areas, such as Kuta in Bali, becoming dominated by commercial tourist attractions rather than retaining their traditional charm.

Since the 1980s, British pubs have sprung up in Japan, with a chain called HUB dominating the market with more than 100 locations.

Large crowd of tourists are seen at the extremely crowded Dreamland Beach in Bali

People are pictured sleeping in Phuket, Thailand's largest island, which is known for its beaches and nightlife

Pictured: A British pub, part of the Hub chain of bars, in Tokyo's Akihabara area

Tourism is growing rapidly in Vietnam, with the number of British travellers in the first nine months of 2025 surpassing those for the entire year of 2022.

This means that to see one of the country's celebrated UNESCO World Heritage destinations, such as Ha Long Bay, you will likely have to battle crowds.

'As soon as places achieve that UNESCO destination, everybody wants to go there,' Bowerman told CNN Travel.

A recent study found that younger generations are leading the charge in booking alternative destinations, with 68 per cent of Gen Z and 62 per cent of millennials the most likely to have ditched Spain this year - including a whopping 78 per cent of 18 to 19-year-olds.

While boomers are swapping the Costas for the Amalfi Coast, young Brits are opting for far-flung destinations such as Dubai, which emerged as the top choice for 27 per cent of Gen Z travellers, compared to just two per cent of boomers.

While Asia is the biggest continent in the world, overtourism in popular spots like Kyoto highlights the issue of too many tourists visiting the same destinations.

It comes as Japan has approved its highest-ever hotel tax, which could see guests charged up to 49 per person per night.

Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is famous for its thousands of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Tourist are seen enjoying Seminyak Beach, a popular tourist destination in Bali. It is located north of Kuta and Legian beaches and is a popular destination for nightlife

Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam - pictured - offers vibrant, budget-friendly nightlife, from cheap drinks on backpacker streets like Bui Vien to more upscale rooftop bars and nightclubs in District 1

It is not unusual to find tourists sleeping on the beach the morning after Full Moon Parties in Koh Phangan, Thailand

There are shops where tourists can rent traditional Japanese clothing and then visit holy sites and take selfies.

But with the influx of visitors comes serious congestion on the streets and at popular beauty spots.

Following a record-breaking 36.9million international visitors in Japan in 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has confirmed that a hotel tax will come into effect in Kyoto from March 2026.

There is already a tax that has been in place since 2018 but currently the nightly rate is set at a maximum of 4.90 for everyone.

Kyoto is set to increase its accommodation tax by up to 900 per cent to 48.92 per person per night for the top category of hotels. This hike will make Kyoto's accommodation tax the highest in Japan.

The Philippines previously took action against overtourism by closing its Boracay Island in 2018 for rehabilitation due to severe pollution and overcrowding.

The government previously described the island as a 'cesspool' due to issues like untreated sewage being released into the ocean.

The beach is now a calmer experience with stricter rules on beach activities and environmental management.

Pictured: Crowds of tourists at Patong beach in Phuket, Thailand

There is a pub inspired by JD Wetherspoon - called Witherspoons - in Pattaya, Eastern Thailand, serving British pub classics like fish and chips and full English breakfasts

Across the South China Sea, despite Thailand's international visitor numbers being down by about six per cent over last year, sites like the Phi Phi Islands remain crowded.

The government in Phuket recently announced plans to tackle some of the major challenges facing the island, including traffic jams and water shortages, as it struggles to keep pace with growth.

But the influence of tourists remains apparent. There is even a pub inspired by JD Wetherspoon - called Witherspoons - in Pattaya, Eastern Thailand, serving British pub classics like fish and chips and full English breakfasts.

Another issue on the island is marijuana use, as the 2022 decriminalisation of cannabis saw a boom of dispensaries and cafes opening across the country, particularly in tourist areas.

Like Thailand, Bali is also known for its party atmosphere, particularly in areas like Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu.

But the influence of tourists remains apparent. There is even a pub inspired by JD Wetherspoon- called Witherspoons - in Pattaya, Eastern Thailand, serving British pub classics like fish and chips and full English breakfasts.

Bali has always had a reputation among international travellers for being more liberal and open-minded than it is, said Bowerman.

'It's actually a very, very spiritual destination,' he said. 'But people go there and behave badly by taking their clothes off for pictures at temples, or riding around without their shirts on motorbikes, not wearing helmets, that kind of thing that goes down very, very badly with locals.

'You can put laws or regulations in place, but enforcing them is very, very difficult to do. No country wants to be seen to be locking up tourists. It's just bad PR.'

The Mail recently reported that a new report has found Brits are ignoring the sign-waving protesters begging visitors to stay away in Spain.

Pictured: Tourists gather at Tanah Lot Temple, an ancient Hindu pilgrimage temple located on a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali

ABTA, which represents British travel agents and tour operators, found in its latest 'Holiday Habits' report that more than three-quarters of people are aware of the tourism backlash but concluded there has been no indication of a 'sizable change' in travel intentions.

But the effects of overtourism can be devastating for locals, visitors and the environment.

While many Asian countries rely on tourism for their economy, their infrastructure is not built to cope with the scale of visitors, leading to issues like overcrowding.

But this doesn't mean Brits should ditch these destinations altogether.

Nikki Scott, founder and editor of the Backpacker Network and South East Asia Backpacker magazine, told CNN: 'Even in popular tourist destinations, it's easy to find under-explored areas just by wandering away from the trodden path.'

As the impacts of overtourism in Asia are beginning to show, the travel editor urges people to strike out in their own direction rather than following the crowds or the advice of influencers.

Instead of heading to an English pub, talking to locals is a great way of discovering under-the-radar spots. For many travellers, local recommendations end up being the highlight of the trip compared to over-hyped tourist spots.
Plenty of us enjoy a drink when we're on holiday, whether that's a cold pint of beer while lying by the pool, an Aperol Spritz on the beach, or a glass of wine at sunset.

Naturally, we all know the standard rules around safe drinking. Don't drink and drive, don't drink until you've reached the legal age, and always stay safe.

But some countries may have alcohol-related laws you don't know about.

You need to exercise caution when travelling to a new place, particularly if you're not familiar with its drinking rules and etiquette.

Rules are also often changing - for instance, this year, Thailand implemented new drinking laws.

And some countries have unconventional rules that you need to obey.

Here's our guide to the surprising drinking laws around the world that could catch you out on holiday...

Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia: no alcohol for drivers

You need to exercise caution when travelling to a new place, particularly if you're not familiar with their drinking rules and ettiquete

Four countries in the EU - Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia - demand that you have zero alcohol in your system when getting behind the wheel.

This means you can't even have a single drink before driving.

If you're caught, you could face penalties such as fines, license suspension or even imprisonment. This applies to all drivers, including commercial and new drivers.

Thailand: no drinking after 2pm

Tourists have been warned about new drinking laws in Thailand - and the hefty fines they could face if they break the rules. New laws come into force on November 8, 2025.

A ban on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm, and again from midnight to 11am, will be enforced.

Buying or being served a drink during these hours  even at convenience stores  could lead to fines.

Anyone consuming alcohol outside of the permitted hours could receive a fine of up to THB 10,000 (around 230).

And some countries have unconventional rules that you need to obey - in this case, understanding what they are is key

Ireland: no drinking on the train

Ireland is often thought of as a paradise for drink lovers, as the home of Guinness. But the country does prohibit drinking in some instances. Irish Rail prohibits drinking onboard trains.

Its website explains: 'Customers are advised that alcohol is not permitted on any Iarnrod Eireann Irish Rail service until further notice.

'Non-alcoholic drinks, including "0 per cent" or "0.0 per cent" products, are permitted onboard.'

The only exception is the cross-border Belfast-Dublin service, where you are allowed to consume alcohol bought onboard only.

Sweden: no strong alcohol in supermarkets

In Sweden, alcohol can generally only be bought in state-owned shops, or at licensed bars and restaurants.

Sweden allows beer up to 3.5 per cent to be sold in supermarkets or other stores.

In Sweden, alcohol can generally only be bought in state-owned shops, or at licensed bars and restaurants

Strong alcohol above this limit is sold exclusively through the government-owned chain of stores Systembolaget, and customers must be at least 20 years old.

Norway: no drinking in public

This could be an important rule to know - in Norway, drinking in public is forbidden and punishable by fines.

Police are known to hand out penalties on the spot - and some of those caught breaking the country's Alcohol Act have been fined more than 300.

Bars and restaurants with outdoor tables are fine, but if you drink alcohol in public parks or on the street, you could face a hefty fine.

Turkey: no drinking in public

Turkey also has drinking laws tourists must be aware of.

Alcohol consumption is legal in Turkey, however there are specific places and conditions where it is prohibited.

Popular holiday destination Turkey also has drinking laws tourists must be aware of

For example, consuming alcohol is not allowed in mosques, schools, hospitals, on the street and in public areas such as parks and picnic areas.

This isn't surprising, given the country's Islamic roots, which you should be aware of when travelling in Turkey.

Alaska: illegal to give alcohol to a moose

This rather quirky rule is unlikely to get you into any trouble on your next holiday, but stands nonetheless.

In some parts of Alaska, it is illegal to give alcohol to a moose.

The bizarre law has its roots in a real-life issue in the 1970s, when a moose got drunk after consuming fermented fruit in Fairbanks. The intoxicated moose caused chaos in the town.

As such, it was established drunken moose could be dangerous - and so authorities in Fairbank made it illegal to give alcohol to a moose.

UAE and Morocco: illegal to be drunk in public

Both Muslim countries, the UAE and Morocco have strict rules around drinking. While you can buy and drink alcohol in both places, it is illegal to be intoxicated in public

Both Muslim countries, the UAE and Morocco have strict rules around drinking.

While you can buy and drink alcohol in both, it is illegal to be intoxicated in public in either place.

In both countries, alcohol consumption is permitted only within licensed venues or private residences.

In the UAE, violators can face severe penalties, including fines of up to AED 100,000 (around 21,840), imprisonment for up to six months, or deportation.

In Morocco, fines can be around 500MAD (40).

Australia: alcohol restrictions on busy holidays

Australia isn't the place that springs to mine when considering alcohol restriction.

Indeed, the stereotype goes that Australians enjoy a pint as much as us Brits.

Alcohol laws should always be checked before travelling, if you plan to enjoy a drink

But regional officers have been known to ban alcohol on certain days of the year - particularly national holidays such as Australia Day.

USA: open-container laws

The US has plenty of alternative drinking laws - for instance, their drinking age is 21, higher than in the UK.

Another restriction is the longstanding 'open container' law, which means carrying alcohol outside in public places risks an instant fine regardless of whether you were drinking it.

The rules differ from state to state, so it's always worth checking before you travel.
Today's travellers crave authentic finds that are richer in story, wallet-friendly and far more thrilling when purchased where they originate.

Whether it's sipping matcha at source, tracking down artisan rugs or getting your hands on the latest tech, here's our guide to what to buy across the world.

Japan: matcha

Our obsession with matcha shows no sign of abating, while celebs Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt swear by its energy-giving properties without coffee's jittery side-effects.

Uji is home to the finest matcha, where aficionados can even pick their own leaves. In Kyoto, find matcha essentials from Ryuoen Chaho, favoured by Japanese tea ceremony masters  and get matcha perfume and KitKats elsewhere.

UK/ABROAD

Matcha: 19/5

Our obsession with matcha shows no sign of abating, while celebs Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt swear by its energy-giving properties without coffee's jittery side-effects (FILE PHOTO)

Turkey: carpets

Near hip Bodrum lies Etrim, a village of just 400 residents famous for their rug making. Be dazzled by a riot of patterns and colours with prices far below city levels  plus, you can politely haggle.

In Istanbul, the art of traditional weavers is also appreciated at Jennifer's Hamam (Arasta Bazaar). They produce top quality, handwoven organic cotton bath towels, robes and peshtemals (light Turkish towels).

UK/ABROAD

Turkish rugs: 395/250

Near hip Bodrum lies Etrim, a village of just 400 residents famous for their rug making. Be dazzled by a riot of patterns and colours with prices far below city levels  plus, you can politely haggle (FILE PHOTO)

South Korea: skincare

K-beauty is a global phenomenon for those in search of a 'glass skin' complexion. Olive Young offers a free skin analysis before you shop  fans love its sheet masks and Reedle shots  while Chicor offers discounted international brands and free samples.

UK/ABROAD

Reedle shot: 27/10

K-beauty is a global phenomenon for those in search of a 'glass skin' complexion. Olive Young offers a free skin analysis before you shop  fans love its sheet masks and Reedle shots  while Chicor offers discounted international brands and free samples (FILE PHOTO)

Oz: fashion (and Uggs)

Australia's fashion capital Melbourne is brimming with bespoke boutiques and cut-price designers and is the place to slip into a pair of Uggs.

UK/ABROAD

Ugg boots 185/73

Australia's fashion capital Melbourne is brimming with bespoke boutiques and cut-price designers and is the place to slip into a pair of Uggs (FILE PHOTO)

Jaipur: gemstones

The epicentre of India's gemstone trade, Johari Bazaar is lined with shops offering dazzling jewellery. The Gem Palace has dozens of counters gleaming with colourful jewels.

UK/ABROAD

Blue sapphire 150/70

(depending on quality)

The epicentre of India's gemstone trade, Johari Bazaar is lined with shops offering dazzling jewellery. The Gem Palace has dozens of counters gleaming with colourful jewels. (FILE PHOTO)

Costa Rica: coffee

You can't help but wake up and smell the coffee in Costa Rica, where every blend is legally required to be 100 per cent Arabica. In the mist-draped hills of Monteverde, plantations dot the landscape. Early risers can hike the 5,436ft Arenal volcano before touring North Fields to trace the bean-to-cup journey.

UK/ABROAD

1kg bag 29/7

You can't help but wake up and smell the coffee in Costa Rica, where every blend is legally required to be 100 per cent Arabica. Early risers can hike the 5,436ft Arenal volcano before touring North Fields to trace the bean-to-cup journey (FILE PHOTO)

USA: tech and fashion

The US may not be the bargain it once was, but it still beats UK prices, with Apple products around 250 cheaper and iconic brands such as Levi's costing markedly less.

UK/ABROAD

MacBook Air 999/737

Levi's 501 100/ 59
If you're looking for a gripping documentary to binge on Netflix, this 'heartbreaking' story of a real-life US veteran might be exactly the ticket.

First released in 2024, In Waves and War has been getting rave reviews on the streaming platform since it was added earlier this week.

It is so good in fact that one viewer described it as 'the most amazing documentary they've seen in years.'

The documentary's synopsis reads: 'Highly decorated Navy SEAL Marcus Capone returns from Afghanistan and attempts to readjust to civilian life.

'But years of unprecedented warfare have left Marcus with treatment-defiant PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and severe depression beyond what current government treatment options can effectively address.

'Fearing for Marcus' life, his wife, Amber, finds hope in a groundbreaking therapy combining two powerful psychedelics unapproved for use in the US, but with seemingly limitless applications.'

First released in 2024, In Waves and War has been getting rave reviews on Netflix after it was added this week on November 3

The documentary is so good in fact that one viewer described it as 'the most amazing documentary they've seen in years'

Fans have now been taking to social media to praise the documentary for its portrayal of PTSD and the unconventional method of treating the illness.

They praised: 'Just watched the documentary called In Waves & War. So heart breaking what veterans have to go through post-service but this shows a different method of healing that is helping a lot of people.

'It's definitely more hopeful for healing trauma. Highly recommend on Netflix.;

'The most amazing Documentary that Ive seen in years, In Waves and War. Brief Synopsis, it tracks 3 former Navy Seals with TBI and PTSD.'

The film has also had critical success too and was described by Variety as a 'moving' and 'heartfelt look at a pressing social issue'.

The unconventional PTSD explored in the documentary is psychedelic therapy, which is illustrated through animated segments to convey how it works.

Following its success with the documentary's protagonist, Marcus, the film follows his attempts to introduce the treatment to other PTSD-afflicted veterans.

Fans were equally complimentary about the documentary on the film social media platform, Letterboxd.

The film has also had critical success too and was described by Variety as a 'moving' and 'heartfelt look at a pressing social issue'

One reviewer wrote in the five-star praise: 'Brilliant. Incredibly well done, I was so moved.

'I thought the story flowed so skillfully and the animation added so much. Such a good movie I really really recommend.'

Another described the film as 'heartbreaking but hopeful.'

They added: 'Strangely relatable film.

'I have never been to war, and I never will but man...

'Saw this at the documentary film festival. Incredible film omg just wow. Barely have the words to describe it.'

Other fans, meanwhile, took to IMDb to share their thoughts on the documentary, where it is rated an impressive 8.5 out of ten.

In Waves and War is available to stream on Netflix now.
The Choral (12A)

Brian Viner's verdict: Out of tune

Rating:

This weeks good news is that Alan Bennett, now aged 91, has written a new original screenplay.

Furthermore, The Choral is directed by Nicholas Hytner, with whom Bennett has impressive form: their previous cinematic collaborations are The Madness Of King George (1994), The History Boys (2006) and The Lady In The Van (2015).

The bad news is that The Choral  set in a fictional Yorkshire town during the First World War, where the local choral society is preparing to perform Edward Elgars The Dream Of Gerontius  is second-rate Bennett and for that matter, second-rate Hytner.

In trying to be a comedy, a weepie and a history lesson; in attempting to tackle class, sexuality and bereavement; in straining to be melancholic, profound and fun... The Choral never quite convinces as an actual story.

Which is a shame, because it has a tip-top cast (Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Simon Russell Beale, Alun Armstrong, Mark Addy) all doing their utmost with disappointingly flabby material.

Fiennes plays Henry Guthrie, a refined local doctor who reluctantly agrees to take over the choral society. It is 1916, and England is ablaze with patriotism.

The Choral  set in a fictional Yorkshire town during the First World War, where the local choral society is preparing to perform Edward Elgars The Dream Of Gerontius  is second-rate Bennett and for that matter, second-rate Hytner

There are many sub-plots, some of which work nicely while others fall flat, mostly related to the war raging on the Western Front

Unhelpfully, Guthrie has ties to Germany, a country he regards as more civilised and cultured than his own. He is also discreetly homosexual.

But by jove hes a terrific choirmaster, and finds enough musical talent in the town to prepare a Gerontius fit for a king, although not necessarily fit for Elgar (played by Simon Russell Beale as a caricature of pomposity indistinguishable from his character in the latest Downton Abbey movie).

There are many sub-plots, some of which work nicely while others fall flat, mostly related to the war raging on the Western Front.

But there are too many big, set-piece monologues; and every tug on the heartstrings feels more like someone energetically ringing the church bells.

Also, much as the best Bennett one-liners can make the heart sing, a mediocre one just makes the eyes roll. There are atheists now... theres one in Bradford. Thats not worthy of the great man, and nor, for all its occasional virtues, is The Choral.

Matthew Bond's review

Rating:

Set in 1916 and released in time for todays Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day on Tuesday, The Choral addresses one of the lesser-known problems presented by the First World War.

With most of the men of the fictional northern mill town of Ramsden already away at the front, who is going to sing at the annual concert given by the towns choral society?

A recruitment drive is immediately launched by a committee headed by Alderman Duxbury, mill owner and so-so tenor, played by Roger Allam, and the towns misanthropic undertaker, Herbert Trickett (Alun Armstrong).

And then the long-serving chorus master enlists and the society  or the choral as it is known locally  needs a new one of those too.

I think we can safely say that the stage for the latest film directed by Nicholas Hytner and written by the now-91-year-old Alan Bennett (their previous collaborations include The History Boys and The Lady In The Van) is set.

And what a nice, gently humorous treat it turns out to be, even if, given the grave seriousness of the Great War, it occasionally seems a little too nice and gently humorous at times.

Set in 1916 and released in time for todays Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day on Tuesday, The Choral addresses one of the lesser-known problems presented by the First World War

This is a film that largely leaves it to us to imagine the horrors that  with conscription looming  lie ahead for the 17-year-old boys we are just getting to know

This is a film that largely leaves it to us to imagine the horrors that  with conscription looming  lie ahead for the 17-year-old boys we are just getting to know.

But it is principally a Ralph Fiennes picture. He plays Henry Guthrie, once a star of the choral music scene but brought low by an ill-timed decision to live, work and possibly love in Germany in the years before the outbreak of war.

Hes unrepentant but still gets the job. And when someone points out Bach was German, hes pragmatic enough to suggest that a spot of thoroughly English Elgar  The Dream Of Gerontius  might do very nicely instead.

What results is an easy, good-looking watch that brings to mind the likes of Brassed Off and Pride, while never quite being in their class.

Its well acted and manages to be both funny and moving, although its a slight shame Bennett couldnt fashion something more poignant from Simon Russell Beales splenetic Elgar.
Alison Hammond is reportedly set to travel to Australia and appear on I'm A Celebrity's spin-off show Unpacked.

The ITV presenter, 50, will reportedly fly down under later this month to give her opinion on the latest series as celebrity guests enter the jungle.

According to The Sun, an insider said: 'Alison is a national treasure and bosses are really excited to get her on board.

'Her signature charm and infectious humour will go down a storm. She'll only be away a week, so This Morning won't miss her too much.'

The Daily Mail contacted Alison Hammond's representatives for a comment.

Alison took part in the series 15 years ago, appearing as a late entry in 2010.

Alison Hammond, 50, is reportedly set to travel to Australia and appear on I'm A Celebrity's spin-off show Unpacked

The ITV presenter, who appeared on the show in 2010, will reportedly fly down under later this month to give her opinion on the latest series as celebrity guests enter the jungle

This Morning's Nick Ferrari has reportedly thrown 2025's I'm A Celebrity into chaos after pulling out of talks at the last minute.

The veteran broadcaster, 66, sat down with ITV before his bosses at LBC, where he hosts the weekday breakfast show, intervened to stop him jetting off down under.

According to reports, the radio station offered to match any fee Nick had been offered by I'm A Celeb in order to keep him on the UK airwaves.

As well as hosting the early LBC show, Nick Ferrari At Breakfast since 2004, Nick also regularly appears as a contributor on This Morning.

A source said: '[Radio bosses] pledged to match any fee he was set to receive as they consider him such a vital and well-loved part of the LBC schedule.

'Ultimately, Global was able to flex its financial muscles and managed to keep their man. If he had signed up, he would have been off air for up to six weeks, which they were keen not to happen.'

They told The Sun: 'Nick is really well liked by those working on LBC and everyone thinks he has played a blinder by getting a payrise out of it.'

The Daily Mail contacted Nick's representatives and LBC for comment at the time.

This Morning's Nick Ferrari has reportedly thrown 2025's I'm A Celebrity into chaos after pulling out of talks at the last minute

The veteran broadcaster sat down with ITV before his bosses at LBC, where he hosts the weekday breakfast show, intervened to stop him jetting off down under (Ant and Dec pictured)

It comes after Kelly Brook was seen arriving at Heathrow Airport as she prepared to jet off to Australia for her stint in I'm A Celeb on Saturday.

Despite upcoming Bushtucker Trials the model, 45, appeared in great spirits and flashed a huge smile as she became the first star to set off down under.

Kelly cut a casual figure for the long journey in a form fitting brown tracksuit which she teamed with a pair of 1,000 Chanel sandals and matching 6,000 handbag.

Shielding her eyes behind chic shades the stunner was helped with her luggage which had piled high on a trolley.
Vicky Pattison was left gobsmacked when she topped the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard during Saturday's show.

As the BBC programmed returned to screens for week seven of the competition, nine couple's battled it out on the ballroom floor for a place in the final.

And it proved to be a very emotional night for Vicky, who stunned the judges with her immaculate Tango to The Fate of Ophelia by Taylor Swift.

The TV personality and her professional partner Kai Widdrington were awarded a huge 39 points, Anton Du Beke was left lost for words.

Youre line is the best line I have ever seen, ever! It was immaculate. Im a bit stunned it was that good!', he exclaimed.

While Craig Revel Horwood teased Vicky over her arm placement, even he admitted: 'But... a part from that it was perfect.'

Vicky Pattison was left gobsmacked when she topped the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard during Saturday's show

She stunned the judges with her immaculate Tango to The Fate of Ophelia by Taylor Swift

Head judge Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse said their performance was 'the dance of the night,' hailing their routine 'remarkable.'

Kicking off the show, Lewis Cope and his professional partner Katya Jones took to the floor first as they danced the cha-cha-cha to I Like It Like That by Pete Rodrigue.

The pressure was on for the duo who received a perfect 40 points their Couple's Choice dance last weekend.

After their performance Lewis and Katya received 35 points for their performance, with Craig awarding them an eight and the other judges giving 9's.

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu danced the Charleston to Upside Down / Think by Diana Ross / Aretha Franklin.

Shirley hailed their fast paced routine 'fantastic' but, like Craig, said Karen's 'swivel' was lacking in a few areas, which scored them 35 points overall.

Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe scored 30 points for their Paso Doble to Amparito Roca by Jamie Texidor which left Alex feeling emotional.

Next up, La Voix took to the floor with her partner Aljaz Skorjanec as they danced the Foxtrot to Make Your Own Kind of Music by Cass Elliot.

As the TV personality and her professional partner Kai Widdrington were awarded a huge 39 points, Anton Du Beke was left lost for words

Youre line is the best line I have ever seen, ever! It was immaculate. Im a bit stunned it was that good!,' he exclaimed

Mosti and Shirley said the singer brought 'sunshine to the ballroom' but needed to see more technicality from their routine.

They scored a disappointing six from Craig, which brought their score to 29.

Dancing their couple's choice to Sapphire by Ed Sheeran & Arijit Singh, Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon delighted the audience with their vibrant routine.

Host Tess Daley was left felling emotional after the actress paid tribute to her mum with her performance.

Craig admitted that while he was 'totally obsessed' with the style of dance it needed to be 'much sharper.'

After suffering a difficult few weeks, Shirley hailed it Balvinder's 'best performance yet' with Anton agreeing.

The audience was left booing when Craig gave the couple a poor seven out of ten, but luckily they managed to pull it back and received an overall score of 34.

George Clarke and Alexis Warr then performed a Vienesse Waltz to Somebody to Love by Queen, also receiving a 34 from the judges.

Kicking off the show, Lewis Cope and his professional partner Katya Jones took to the floor first as they danced the cha-cha-cha to I Like It Like That by Pete Rodrigue

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu danced the Charleston to Upside Down / Think by Diana Ross / Aretha Franklin and also scored 35 points

Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe scored 30 points for their Paso Doble to Amparito Roca by Jamie Texidor which left Alex feeling emotional

Next up, La Voix took to the floor with her partner Aljaz Skorjanec as they danced the Foxtrot to Make Your Own Kind of Music by Cass Elliot

Speaking ahead of their routine, Amber Davis admitted she felt like 'a duck' as she struggled to let go while learning the Salsa.

Despite the former Love Island star's fears, the judges were left very impressed by their routine.

They were awarded an incredible 38 for their performance which left the duo jumping for joy in the studio.

Finally, closing out the show, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer danced the Samba to Samba by Gloria Estefan, but found himself at the bottom with 26 points.

This week, the show became embroiled in further scandal after a video of a married contestant passionately kissing a female show professional has reportedly surfaced.

The dance series has been plagued by issues in recent months, including a poor calibre of stars, sex scandals, an internal drugs investigation and accusations by contestants of abuse and bullying by dancers.

TV insiders claim the 12-second clip, filmed at Elstree Studios, could 'rock the very foundations' of the hit BBC show, which is notorious for the Strictly curse.

The dressing room video, allegedly taken by a member of production, is said to show the family man from a past series leaning in for a kiss with the professional dancer, who is sitting on his knee.

Speaking ahead of their routine, Amber Davis admitted she felt like 'a duck' as she struggled to let go while learning the Salsa but manage to score an incredible 38

Despite the former Love Island star's fears, the judges were left very impressed by their routine

George Clarke and Alexis Warr then performed a Vienesse Waltz to Somebody to Love by Queen, also receiving a 34 from the judges

Dancing their couple's choice to Sapphire by Ed Sheeran & Arijit Singh, Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon delighted the audience with their vibrant routine

Finally, closing out the show, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer danced the Samba to Samba by Gloria Estefan, but found himself at the bottom with 26 points

Sources say the video is being shared on WhatsApp and if it were to emerge online, it could 'destroy the long-standing marriage to his "adorable and kind wife" as well as their family-friendly brand'.

'This incident has been the talk of Strictly for the past couple of years. The kiss only lasts a few seconds but it would more than likely end his marriage and destroy his carefully cultivated family man image,' a TV insider told The Sun.

'It has been shared around on WhatsApp though as everyone is slightly sickened by this pairs duplicitousness, especially as they always knocked down scurrilous romance rumours.

'If this video comes out it would be an absolute PR crisis for both the BBC and the two stars involved. It will rock the very foundations of Strictly.'

Strictly Come Dancing representatives declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail.

BBC bosses have been in a desperate bid to keep the show drama-free after it has been plagued by a string of scandals.

The show has found itself marred by controversy over how some of the professional dancers teach the celebrities, with multiple accusations emerging of bullying and abusive behaviour.
Channel Seven's upcoming renovation series My Reno Rules has hit a wall after builders uncovered a serious health risk on location in suburban Melbourne.

Sources close to the production revealed to the Daily Mail that the two homes purchased for the show by Adrian 'Mr Lambo' Portelli contained asbestos.

Insiders say that filming was shut down for two days in the last few weeks while experts were brought in to clean up the cancer-causing substance, before production could recommence.

Homes built before 1990 are likely to have been constructed with materials that contain asbestos, which is most commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms.

'Filming was stopped for a couple of days and everyone was sent home,' a source familiar with the trouble-plagued reality show revealed.

It's estimated one-third of Australian homes contain the carcinogen, according to the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency.

Channel Seven 's upcoming renovation series My Reno Rules has hit a wall after builders uncovered a serious health risk on location in suburban Melbourne. Sources close to the production revealed to the Daily Mail that the two homes purchased for the show by Adrian 'Mr Lambo' Portelli contained asbestos

Insiders say that filming was shut down for two days while experts were brought in to clean up the cancer-causing substance - before production could recommence

Homes built before 1990 are likely to have been constructed with materials that contain asbestos, which is most commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms

Channel Seven and Portelli have been approached for comment.

Property titles confirm that former Block buyer Adrian 'Mr Lambo' Portelli bought the two homes, worth a total of $2.7 million, back in May.

Portelli, who is reportedly a 'sponsor' for MRR, used his company Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd to make the purchase - he then 'donated' the properties to the show.

Announced in July, My Reno Rules has been hyped by Portelli as a 'rival' to Nine's ratings juggernaut The Block.

But chaos has surrounded the show for months.

Produced by MasterChef creators Endemol Shine, the format will feature four teams of renovators competing on two neighbouring rundown houses in Melbourne.

Just weeks after the show was announced, a builder walked off the set.

Meanwhile, there are whispers about whether Portelli will take an on-screen role after he announced he was going to be part of the show.

Property titles confirm that former Block buyer Adrian 'Mr Lambo' Portelli bought the two homes, worth a total of $2.7 million, back in May

Known as 'Mr Lambo', the high-flying entrepreneur, 36, has continually used social media to promote himself as one of the 'faces' of the series.

But insiders close to the troubled production have told the Daily Mail that Portelli's profile behind the scenes is near-invisible.

According to a statement released by Seven last month, part of Portelli's role will be to 'manage' the show's 'live prize draw'.

However, despite reports of his 'hands-on' role, a close source told Daily Mail they're yet to see any evidence of it.

My Reno Rules will be hosted by Dr Chris Brown and insiders say he will be handling the role of MRR's anchor 'solo'.

An insider told Daily Mail that Portelli is simply the show's sponsor and added that the filming was drastically delayed because the original builder 'walked'.

The show, due to start shooting on September 26, was nearly two months behind schedule at the beginning of October.

The insider added that an earlier report seen in the media saying that the show's homes were not 'TV-ready' is false.

Known as 'Mr Lambo', the high-flying entrepreneur, 36, has continually used social media to promote himself as one of the 'faces' of the series - despite his role as sponsor

'The real issue is that the production was searching for a new builder to take over,' they continued.

Another source familiar with the production site in Bulleen confirmed the original builder exited after there was a 'disagreement over payment'.

When Daily Mail approached Portelli and Seven for comment, a spokesperson confirmed My Reno Rules was still preparing to film.

'As part of the pre-production phase, there are continuing conversations with several builders,' they said in a statement.

'Construction will commence later this year, with the series premiering on Seven and 7plus in 2026.'

Portelli officially turned his back on Channel Nine's The Block in July this year.

The entrepreneur, who spent millions of dollars snapping up houses over the last three seasons of the show, shared a post to social media revealing he was leaving the series for good.
An Australian fashion designer has revealed a shocking health battle that left him in an induced coma.

Premal Patel, who is the founder and creative director of popular Sydney fashion house Runaway The Label, took to Instagram this week to share a very sobering post.

He shared an image that showed him lying in a hospital bed in an intensive care unit (ICU), hooked up to breathing apparatus.

The image was accompanied by an expansive explanation from Premal, who admitted that his hospital stay was the result of vaping.

He began the post revealing that his health ordeal began a month ago when he was rushed to hospital.

'Four weeks ago, I was rushed into ICU with dangerously low oxygen levels. I was mid conversation and literally falling asleep,' he said.

Australian fashion designer Premal Patel has revealed a shocking health battle that left him in an induced coma.

'My oxygen was so low it wasnt compatible with life without an external tank keeping me alive.

'I spent a week in hospital with test after test and still no answers.'

Continuing, Premal added that after a week, he discharged himself from hospital, only to find himself back in the ICU.

'I discharged myself  and two days later I was back in Emergency again. Sent home. Then back in ICU for a third time,' he said.

However, Premal added that things quickly went from bad to worse.

'The third time I wasnt so lucky. I was placed into an induced coma with two tubes down into my lungs,' he revealed.

'I was at 50 percent oxygen, on super high-flow support. My lungs were so severely inflamed that they couldnt absorb oxygen. I was actually dying.'

He added that doctors finally found the cause of the issue  vape fluid in his lungs.

He shared an image that showed him lying in a hospital bed in an intensive care unit (ICU), hooked up to breathing apparatus. The image was accompanied by an expansive explanation from Premal who admitted that his hospital stay was the result of vaping

'Four weeks ago, I was rushed into ICU with dangerously low oxygen levels. I was mid conversation and literally falling asleep,' he said. 'My oxygen was so low it wasnt compatible with life without an external tank keeping me alive. 'I spent a week in hospital with test after test and still no answers.'

Continuing, Premal added that after a week, he discharged himself from hospital, only to find himself back in the ICU twice more

'Then they finally found it  vape fluid in my lungs. They blasted my lungs with anti-inflammatory treatment just to keep me breathing,' he wrote.

Premal then issued a stark warning to people who vape, saying they were 'gambling with their lives.'

'If you vape and want to gamble with your life, keep vaping,' he added.

'I choose life. And I would never put my loved ones through what they just went through for me.'

Premal continued: 'The one thing I thought I had under control became the hardest battle of my life. Take this seriously. I always thought 'that wont happen to me.' But it did.'

The post was met with an outpouring of well wishes from friends and followers, including Bachelor star Keira Maguire.

'Omg babe this is terrible. So glad you're recovering & so glad you shared  I try to tell everyone I know not to vape,' she wrote.

Fashion blogger Shannen Jai also chimed in with: 'Im sure this was hard for you to share but its going to help so many people. Sending my love and wishing you a super quick recovery.'

'The third time I wasnt so lucky. I was placed into an induced coma with two tubes down into my lungs,' he revealed. 'I was at 50 percent oxygen, on super high flow support. My lungs were so severely inflamed that they couldnt absorb oxygen. I was actually dying.'

He added that doctors finally found the cause of the issue  vape fluid in his lungs and Premal rounded out his post with a stark warning: ''If you vape and want to gamble with your life, keep vaping'

Stylist Liv Rahme summed up the sentiments of many with: 'Im so sorry youre going through this Prem! So scary!

'Sending so much love and wishing you a speedy recovery.'

As the creative director for the Prem Group, Premal oversees the direction and design for Runaway The Label, Seven Wonders The Label, Prem The Label, and She Is Us.
Dressed as an ethereal underwater siren, Balvinder Sopal was poised and defiant as she glided around the dancefloor on Saturday nights Strictly Come Dancing.

She clung to partner Julian Caillon and couldnt help but grin as the judges praised her progress and hard work, with viewers quick to champion her on social media.

But just one day later and Balvinders smile had turned to a laugh of incredulity as it was revealed that she would have to compete in the dance-off for a third time.

Despite being one the most consistent of this years line-up, delivering good dances week after week, and impressing viewers, the EastEnders actress, 46, has not been getting the votes she needs.

Balvinder, who has played Suki Panesar on the BBC soap since 2020, avoided the first dance-off of the series, but has now been in a staggering three of out five.

She was saved by the judges when she went up against Ross King, Chris Robshaw and Ellie Goldstein, but viewers have been questioning why shes been having to compete in the dance-off at all.

Strictly's Balvinder Sopal continues to land in the dreaded dance off despite her impressive routines (pictured with pro partner Julian Caillon)

Here are FIVE reasons EastEnders star is failing to land much needed viewers votes

While the quality of the performance and the week-on-week progression are certainly factors in the voting publics decision, unfortunately there is rather more at play.

Here are the five reason why Balvinder keeps having to compete in the dance-off.

Her scores have stagnated

Viewers like to see progression, and while Balvinder is certainly better now than she was at the beginning of the series, the judges scores dont reflect that.

The actress has been given exactly the same score for the last three weeks in a row: four very middle-of-the-road 7s from all four judges, making a total of 28.

But, the scores dont seem to tally with the judges comments, with Shirley Ballas telling her on Saturday that she did very, very well indeed and even highlighted her progress.

Im trying to get my head around it, said Balvinder on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two this week.

If you can see improvement that warrants a little bit of a better score than we got last week, so I dont know where exactly the judges sit and what exactly theyre looking for.

Her scores have stagnated: Viewers like to see progression, and while Balvinder is certainly better now than she was at the beginning of the series, the judges scores dont reflect that.

The actress has been given exactly the same score for the last three weeks in a row: four very middle-of-the-road 7s from all four judges, making a total of 28

But, the scores dont seem to tally with the judges comments, with Shirley Ballas telling her on Saturday that she did very, very well indeed and even highlighted her progress.

She added: At this point Im a little bit confused and Im just going to go out there week on week, for however long Im here and just dance to my hearts content because thats all Ive got control of.

Balvinder admitted that shed been proud of last weeks rumba, and had worked so hard that she had almost given up.

Literally on Tuesday Id thrown the towel in and went, I cant do it, Id sat in the corner and cried, she said.

One observer said: The fact that weve all been saying this and even Bal has felt brave enough to put it out there the judges are a huge reason her confidence is so low and thats actually not right.

Her partner is a new professional

While the celebrities are the ones viewers are supposed to be voting for, its no secret that long-time Strictly fans are just as enamoured with the professionals.

Many of the fan favourites, such as Johannes Radebe, Katya Jones, Karen Hauer, Dianne Buswell and Amy Dowden are better known to viewers than the celebrities theyre paired with.

Her partner is a new professional: While the celebrities are the ones viewers are supposed to be voting for, its no secret that Strictly fans are just as enamoured with the professionals

So, for Balvinder, being paired with Julian  one of this years two newcomers  was always going to be a risk

So, for Balvinder, being paired with Julian  one of this years two newcomers  was always going to be a risk.

Being coupled up with one of the long-standing show professionals is always a big win for any celebrity each year, as they come along with their own established fanbase.

Theres always a clamour to get the most popular professionals every year, said a source. The professionals obviously always want a good celebrity partner, but it works both ways.

While Julian is a seasoned dancer, who made a name for himself down under as a professional on Australias Dancing With the Stars, hes an unknown to British viewers.

Shes better known as her character

Suki is a big character in EastEnders, and came in hot to Albert Square during Covid, initially appearing as a battleaxe who was over-protective of her children and not someone to cross.

The character has become increasingly more vulnerable and started a same-sex relationship with Eve Unwin, which has been well-received by viewers and critics alike.

Shes better known as her character: Suki is a big character in EastEnders (pictured) and came in hot to Albert Square during Covid, initially appearing as a battleaxe

But, the problem that many actors and actresses have when they appear on reality shows following long stints on one programme, is that viewers expect them to be their character

She is now considered one of the most popular characters on the long-running soap.

But, the problem that many actors and actresses have when they appear on reality shows following long stints on one programme, is that viewers expect them to be their character.

Im someone whos quite reserved, Balvinder said in an early VT on Strictly, while Shirley observed last week that shed appeared hesitant and nervous at the start of the show.

Balvinder doesnt have an audience outside of EastEnders and because Strictly always has been and always will be a popularity contest, people prior to the show only had an attachment to her character Suki and not Balvinder herself, one viewer observed.

Little is known about her personal life

Although Balvinder has an Instagram account and 83,000 followers, she uses it mainly for pictures and videos pertaining to her work on EastEnders.

She occasionally offers snapshots of her home life  she lives in Medway, Kent, which is where she also grew up  but shes offered up little information about her personal life.

Little is known about her personal life: The problem that many actors and actresses have when they appear on reality shows following long stints on one programme

Many of the contestants on this years line-up are reality or social media stars, including Vicky Pattison and George Clarke, whose personal lives have been open books for many years

One of the most heartwarming segments on Strictly was when she and Julian were joined by her adorable nieces Amelia and Florence  the daughters of her sister Majeet  to do Halloween crafting last week.

Many of the contestants on this years line-up are reality or social media stars, including Vicky Pattison and George Clarke, whose personal lives have been open books for many years, and as a result, viewers feel as if they know them better.

Not trained but not a complete novice

One of the sticking points every year on Strictly is who has and who hasnt received dance training prior to taking part on the show.

While some dont care either way, many viewers feel its unfair for those who have been professionally trained to compete against people who have never danced before.

For the likes of Amber Davies and Lewis Cope, who have appeared in West End musicals and productions, it is rather clear cut.

Not trained but not a complete novice: One of the sticking points every year on Strictly is who has and who hasnt received dance training prior to taking part on the show

For the likes of Amber Davies (pictured) and Lewis Cope, who have appeared in West End musicals and productions, it is rather clear cut

And while it doesnt appear that Balvinder has been dance trained, actors and actresses always fall into a grey area as they have performance training.

She started her career on the stage  appearing in productions of The Beautiful Violin, Absent Friends and Relatively Speaking  and has appeared in a number of soap roles including Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Bal certainly doesnt fall into the category of trained dancer like some of them, but neither is she a complete underdog like Chris Robshaw or Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink with no performance experience, said an insider.

She might be odds-on to go this weekend, but with viewers rallying around her and her dancing ability progressing steadily every week, Balvinder might still have time to turn it all around.
A utility pole beside a busy Las Vegas intersection is a strange site for a shrine. But for Tupac Shakur's millions of fans that gray concrete pillar was all they had.

The rapper was gunned down there on September 7, 1996. He died in a hospital, at the age of 25, six days later.

His mother Afeni had him cremated: there was no grave, and no real memorial. At least, that was what the world was told. But it wasn't the full story.

Almost thirty years after Tupac's death, it has emerged that his remains were indeed buried, and, what's more, there is a grave - one whose existence has largely been kept a secret.

'I don't really know why this place was hidden from the public,' said Jeff Pearlman, author of a new book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur. 'I just think they made the decision not to make this a thing, right? Maybe it's out of respect.'

Pearlman told the Daily Mail that stumbling upon the grave was the biggest revelation from three years of research for the book, and conversations with almost 700 sources.

He had flown to Lumberton, North Carolina - a remote town of almost 20,000 people, 100 miles south of Raleigh - hoping to find more information on Tupac's mother, who was born there.

He thought, at the time, that he knew what had happened to Tupac's remains: Some of his ashes were scattered in Los Angeles, some near her home in Georgia, and some taken to the South African township of Soweto. Some, his stepbrother Mopreme said, were handed around in a bag; mixed with marijuana; and smoked by his friends.

Tupac Shakur, who died in 1996, was not known to have a gravesite - until now

Tupac's headstone in Lumberton, which reads: 'Tupac Amaru Shakur; June 16, 1971Sept. 13, 1996; Beloved son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend; Always in our hearts'

Tupac Shakur's grave, which was not widely known about until the publication of a new book

'I guess we were trying to feel close to him, just being in his space,' wrote Mopreme in his memoir. 'Pac always talked about it, that's what he told us to do. He said it often enough that we knew this was his wish: "Y'all smoke my ashes. Y'all get higher than a mothaf**** smoking my ashes."'

Suge Knight, the Death Row Records founder who was in the car with Tupac when the rap icon was killed, confirmed their story, saying earlier this year: 'You've got to understand, that's what made sense. It was symbolic. It's like you keep part of him.

'I was so happy to say I was on probation - I couldn't smoke. I told his mother, "Moms, I'd love to, but if I hit that, I'll get in trouble." I was probably the only one who didn't hit him.'

In 2000, four years after Tupac's death, Afeni Shakur bought a 56-acre plot of land on the outskirts of Lumberton and built an expansive house down a long driveway, set back behind wrought iron gates.

She lived there from 2002, marrying in 2004 a local preacher, Gust Davis. But by March 2016 the marriage had collapsed and Afeni had moved to California, where she took up residence on a houseboat in Sausalito.

She died in May 2016, at the age of 69, and the Lumberton home has remained empty ever since.

Pearlman told the Daily Mail: 'I was interviewing one of Tupac's cousins, Dante Powers, in Lumberton and he mentioned that he's the caretaker of the house, and he's like, "I have to let a maintenance person in, do you want to come with me and have a look?"

'He let me just walk around the house. It's empty, except for boxes with her stuff in it. And then he's like, "do you want to see where Tupac is? Do you want to see the grave?"

'I don't remember how I responded, but in my head at least, I was like, I don't even know what you mean, because I knew he'd been cremated and his ashes had been set free.

'And he said, "No, no, no, his mom buried some of his ashes on the property."'

Pearlman described walking to the front of the house and being shown the headstone, buried under leaves and nearly hidden in the overgrown grass.

He said that finding the grave was 'a breathtaking moment', adding to Powers that it would be sad if the house were to be sold and the new owner did not appreciate what was in their front yard.

'Hopefully if they do [sell the property], they will get him from there,' said Powers. 'Bury him somewhere else.'

Afeni Shakur, Tupac's mother, is pictured in 2006. She died in May 2016, aged 69

Dante Powers is pictured showing the author the site of Tupac's grave in Lumberton

How is it possible that this is the final resting place of one of the most celebrated rappers in history, whose five-year recording career saw him sell 75 million records worldwide - almost double that of Snoop Dogg, and triple that of Dr Dre.

Why is there no Graceland or Paisley Park - how has his tomb remained hidden, while Jim Morrison's Paris grave and Seattle-born Jimi Hendrix's hometown mausoleum have become places of pilgrimage?

Pearlman speculates that it's partially because of Lumberton's remoteness, and partially because the family did not want to create a scene.

Tupac's surviving relatives include his father Billy Garland, now 76, who was largely absent from his son's life; his half sister Sekyiwa, 50, born to Afeni Shakur and her second husband Mutulu Shakur; and his stepbrother Mopreme, 58, Mutulu Shakur's son born before Afeni's marriage.

When Tupac's estate agreed to work with his childhood friend Staci Robinson on the 2023 authorized biography, there was no mention of the grave.

The estate is managed by Tom Whalley, who in 1991 signed the young rapper to Interscope Records. He was challenged in court in January 2022 by the rapper's half sister Sekyiwa Shakur, who runs the Tupac Shakur Foundation, over allegations of financial mismanagement: Whalley said the allegations were baseless, 'disappointing and detrimental to all beneficiaries of the trust.' Whalley's lawyer Howard King did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.

Wrangling over the New York-born musician's death is continuing, too.

Duane Davis is seen in a Las Vegas court in November 2023. His trial begins in February

The bullet-riddled car in which Tupac was travelling on the night of his killing is pictured

Next year the trial is scheduled for the only man ever charged in his killing, Duane 'Keefe D' Davis. Davis was one of four people in a white Cadillac that pulled alongside Tupac's BMW on the night he was shot: Davis is accused of orchestrating the hit on behalf of his nephew Orlando Anderson, who was punched by Tupac hours before. Anderson was murdered in 1998; DeAndre Smith, another passenger, was shot dead in 2004; and the driver, Terrence Brown, was killed in 2015.

Davis has pleaded not guilty and claims he was in Los Angeles on the night of the murder.

Despite the ignominy of the rapper's death and final resting place, Pearlman said visiting the rundown site was still moving.

'Finding it was this completely unexpected revelation,' he said. 'Standing there and actually looking at it... It was a real occasion.

'I'm not very spiritual, but it did feel like a spiritual moment.'
Jean-Claude Van Damme left Brisbane fans fuming over the weekend when he cancelled his Supanova appearance at midnight the night before.

The Belgian martial artist, 65, was set to attend the comic and gaming convention on Saturday, but the event announced just hours earlier he would be 'delayed'.

Sharing a post to Instagram, a spokesperson said there were 'travel complications' which meant the actor would not arrive in time for his 'one-day-only' appearance.

'Our team is working diligently with Radioactive Pictures as we speak, endeavouring to have him visit us on Sunday instead if possible,' they said.

'For those that have already purchased Jean-Claude's Autograph and/or Photo-Op, these Tokens will be automatically refunded by Ticketbooth with no further action required by you.

'For any cash sales, please see the staff at the Supa-Star Tokens Stand. Saturday Day Passes purchased in anticipation of JCVD can also be swapped to Sunday upon arrival at the event in this instance.'

Jean-Claude Van Damme, 65, left Brisbane fans fuming over the weekend when he cancelled his Supanova appearance at midnight the night before

'Please stay tuned for further details on Jean-Claude's prospective Sunday appearance, including new Panel and Photo-Op times, which will be released as soon as all the details are confirmed,' they continued.

'We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused, Supa-Fans, and hope that we can return with some great news for Sunday.'

Fans flocked to the comments to express their frustration over the delay, with some demanding more answers from event organisers.

'Oh no what a SURPRISE,' one person wrote, as another commented: 'Devastating.'

'How about giving people who got the photo tokens the option to reschedule to the Sunday instead of refunding them?' said another.

'Travel complications. Bulls***. There's nothing complicated about travelling if you've already booked and organised your transport,' someone else said.

'So what really happened, did he sleep in and miss the flight?'

Others chose to make light of the situation, writing, 'VAN DAMMIT!' and, 'That's a Damme shame.'

The Belgian martial artist was set to attend the comic and gaming convention on Saturday, but the event announced just hours earlier he would be 'delayed'

Sharing a post to Instagram, a spokesperson said there were 'travel complications' which meant the actor would not arrive in time for his 'one-day-only' appearance

Fans flocked to the comments to express their frustration over the delay, with some demanding more answers from event organisers

Daily Mail has reached out to Supanova for further comment.

It comes after Jean-Claude sent fans into a frenzy earlier this year when he finally ended his legendary feud with Steven Seagal after three decades.

Once mortal enemies, the two martial arts icons shocked fans in April when they were seen posing together at Steven's birthday dinner.

The bad blood between the action stars had run so deep, the photo of the sudden truce sent fans wild, with some even claiming it was AI generated.

At the height of his fame in the 90s, Steven, 73, famously took every opportunity in interviews to call out Jean-Claude as a fake martial artist.

The actor and martial artist, famous for his hard-charging 90s action movies, Under Siege, Marked for Death, and On Deadly Ground, has previously boasted he would 'squash' Jean-Claude 'like an ant' in a fight.

He even threatened to laugh in the face of an interviewer who suggested Jean-Claude was a 'tough guy' and martial artist.

Yet in a video posted on Jean-Claude's Instagram on April 10, he put his arm around Steven, called him his 'good friend' and wished him a happy birthday.
Kourtney Kardashian looked unrecognizable in a Halloween costume in new photos of her and her family celebrating the spooky holiday last week.

On Friday evening, the reality TV star, 46, took to Instagram to share adorable snapshots of her and her husband Travis Barker's coordinating costumes.

Their baby boy Rocky Thirteen, who celebrated his second birthday on November 1st, was also dressed in an adorable outfit to match their costumes inspired by the 1993 movie The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The Kardashians star set the location for her photo series as 'Halloween Town', a reference to the film's fictional setting, and wrote in her caption: 'The romance.'

She looked far from her usual glamorously done-up self and wearing her effortlessly stylish, casual looks as she posed with bright blue paint on her face and a long, reddish-brown hair wig.

She went all-out as Sally, a humanoid ragdoll monster, with stitches drawn all over her body paired with a blood red lip.

Kourtney Kardashian looked unrecognizable in a Halloween costume in new photos of her and her family celebrating the spooky holiday last week

The couple looked dramatically different from their usual selves as covered their faces up in face paint for the holiday; pictured in May 2022

She wore a pieced-together dress identical to the animated character's as she posed alongside her husband as Jack Skellington in their multimillion dollar Calabasas mansion.

Kardashian also wore a ghostly pale long-sleeved, turtleneck shirt with matching leggings so it appeared that she had black string sewn into stitches all over her body.

The Blink-182 drummer, 49, covered up his skin and tattoos with white face paint to look like the skeletal character.

He also wore the Pumpkin King's dramatic, pinstriped suit as he sat beside his significant other.

She also shared two snapshots of Rocky running around their mansion in a white cape with ears as Jack Skellington's ghost dog named Zero.

Her week-late Halloween post comes after she celebrated her youngest child's second birthday and posted never-before-seen delivery room photos of the toddler.

The Lemme founder shares the two-year-old with her husband, whom she married in a lavish Italian wedding in 2022.

She also shares three older children  Mason, 15, Penelope, 13, and 10-year-old Reign  with her ex-fiance Scott Disick.

As for the rock star, in addition to Rocky, he is also father to son Landon, 22, daughter Alabama, 19, and stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya, 26, from his previous marriage to Shanna Moakler.

She went all-out as Sally, a humanoid ragdoll monster, with stitches drawn all over her body paired with a blood red lip

She wore a pieced-together dress identical to the animated character's as she posed alongside her husband as Jack Skellington in their multimillion dollar Calabasas mansion

She also shared two snapshots of Rocky running around their mansion in a white cape with ears as Jack Skellington's ghost dog named Zero

She snapped and shared a candid photo of her husband and their son at their mansion in sunny southern California for the Halloween festivities

To mark her toddler's birthday last week, she posted a photo of her cradling him in the delivery room two years ago.

She has scrupulously refrained from showing Rocky's face on social media, a choice she stuck to in her latest post, using a heart emoji to mask his features.

In her caption she quoted the entire text of the baby book On The Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman, which she had presumably read to Rocky.

This comes after she recently delivered an understated response to social media trolls who took aim at her decision to keep Rocky's face off social media.

She quietly waded into a debate in the comments section of an Instagram album that included a photo of Rocky with a pumpkin emoji covering his face.

One exasperated viewer wrote: 'Still acting like we care what the kid looks like,' but another shot back: 'This is a sign you care btw'  in a comment Kardashian liked.

Her week-late Halloween post comes after she celebrated her youngest child's second birthday

She also shares three older children  Mason, 15, Penelope, 13, and 10-year-old Reign  with her ex-fiance Scott Disick. As for the rock star, in addition to Rocky, he is also father to son Landon, 22, daughter Alabama, 19, and stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya, 26, from his previous marriage to Shanna Moakler

On an episode of The Kardashians earlier this year, she candidly discussed the process of integrating her and Barker's blended family.

'I feel like blending, in the beginning, is a lot of adjusting for each person. Us in their space and then us being out of our space and into a new space,' Kardashian admitted.

'But it's really good, but I do want to get this going. And my stepkids have lived in their home for their whole lives,' the Poosh founder explained.

'It's new, all living together in one house, which is nice. It is change but I think we're at a really amazing place with it,' she added.
This is the moment Miss Universe boss Nawat Itsaragrisil broke down in a tearful apology after he branded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, a 'dummy', which sparked a walkout protest.

Miss Universe contestants staged a mass walkout from one of this year's events in solidarity with Miss Mexico, after the pageant president publicly reprimanded the contestant for showing 'no respect'.

Victoria Theilvig, the first Dane to win the top title, stormed out of the sashing ceremony at the Miss Universe delegates' hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, after the boss berated Fatima in front of dozens of other beauty queens.

New footage has now shown Nawat attempting to defend his comments as he confessed he was 'human' and did not intend to cause so much upset.

'I am human. I didn't want to do anything like that,' the Miss Universe Thailand director said.

Later on Wednesday, he apologised to a separate crowd of people as the various Miss Universe delegates stood behind him.

This is the moment Miss Universe boss Nawat Itsaragrisil (pictured) broke down in a tearful apology after he branded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, a 'dummy', which sparked a protest

Miss Universe contestants staged a mass walkout from one of this year's events in solidarity with Miss Mexico (pictured), after the president reprimanded her for showing 'no respect'

'I had not [intended] to harm anyone because I respect all of you. I am so sorry it happened. First, I have to apologise to the delegates.

'If anyone was affected and not comfortable with what happened, I am so sorry,' he said.

This series of apologies comes after Nawat's shocking confrontation with Mexico's Miss Universe delegate, Fatima, during a pre-pageant event on Tuesday.

Nawat singled out Miss Mexico in front of a crowd of people before the annual sashing ceremony after she did not participate in a sponsorship shoot earlier that day.

'Mexico, where are you? I heard you're not going to support everything about Thailand. Is that true?' and later called her a 'dummy'.

'I still keep talking to everybody, why do you still stand up to talk to me?' he questioned.

Justifying her protest against pageant authority, Victoria, 21, said: 'This is about women's rights.'

'To trash another girl - it's beyond disrespectful and it's nothing I've ever done. That's why I'm taking my coat and I'm going.'

Victoria Theilvig (pictured), the first Dane to win the top title, stormed out of the sashing ceremony at the Miss Universe delegates' hotel in Bangkok after the boss berated Fatima

New footage has now shown Nawat attempting to defend his comments as he confessed he was 'human' and did intend to cause so much upset

The unprecedented incident took place during a live-streamed ceremony of the event, where Nawat, Vice President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation, confronted 25-year-old Fatima about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day.

In footage broadcast on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, Nawat asked Fatima to stand and 'explain herself' in front of the rolling cameras, before instructing security personnel to escort her out of the hotel after she insisted on 'using my voice'.

In a mass revolt in support of the beauty queen, several of her fellow contestants proceeded to stand up from their seats, ready to storm out of the room.

A distressed Nawat could be heard shouting 'Stop, stop!' as the models began making their way out of the ceremony, demanding that they 'Sit down'.

When the visibly uncomfortable Fatima responded to the president that she did not want to be publicly reprimanded before her pageant peers, he took to the microphone to interrupt, telling her: 'I didn't give you the opportunity to talk... I'm still talking, I'm still talking, listen!'

'I have a voice,' Fatima replied, accusing Nawat of 'not respecting me as a woman'.

The argument continued, with the president saying: 'My question is: Can you work to promote Thailand or not - yes or no?'

Nawat then instructed security to escort Fatima out of the hotel.

Victoria, who beat out Miss Nigeria at the 73rd edition of the pageant in Mexico City last year, was one of the pageant queens who stormed out of the ceremony alongside Miss Mexico and was later seen in footage announcing she would not remain in the venue.

'We have respect for everyone, but this is not how things can be handled,' she said.

The clip was shared to social media and quickly gained traction online, as well as praise from other women and delegates.

Fans and former contestants hailed Victoria's walkout as an act of integrity and courage, while influencers described the moment as 'the most empowering act in Miss Universe history.'
Metallica frontman James Hetfield has visited a sweet tribute to original bass player Cliff Burton, as the band's Australian tour continues.

The Enter Sandman hitmakers are currently in Melbourne to perform at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Ahead of the anticipated performance, James headed to Melbourne's iconic AC/DC Lane, where a mural depicting the band's founding bass player was being completed.

An image posted to Metallica's official Instagram page showed James standing proudly next to the mural next to one of its creators.

The mural showed Cliff set against a lightning backdrop and the names of the artists  Maid (Liquid Pastels) and Ling written in Metallica's iconic font.

'Visiting an old friend in Melbourne,' James captioned the image. 'Fantastic mural.'

Cliff Burton was a founding member of Metallica and played on the band's first three studio albums  Kill 'Em All, Ride The Lightning and Master of Puppets.

Metallica frontman James Hetfield has visited a sweet tribute to original bass player Cliff Burton, as the band's Australian tour continues

He was tragically killed in 1986 in a bus crash in Sweden while the band were on tour.

The iconic bass player was replaced by Jason Newsted, who served in the role until 2001 before being replaced by Robert Trujillo in 2003.

The post was met with a flurry of comments from Metallica fans, with many praising the artwork.

One fan chimed in with: 'Even after nearly 40 years, the members of Metallica are still commemorating a lost brother in the most beautiful way.

'I truly respect them because they reminded us how important friendship is.'

A trip to AC/DC lane would not be complete without paying homage to iconic frontman Bon Scott.

And James did exactly that, sharing an image that showed him offering up a 'devil horn' salute to a bust of the Oz rock legend that takes pride of place in AC/DC lane.

'Love James fan worship, hes just one of us,' one fan commented, while another added: 'Legends recognising legends.'

Cliff Burton was a founding member of Metallica and played on the band's first three studio albums  Kill 'Em All, Ride The Lightning and Master of Puppets. He was tragically killed in 1986 in a bus crash in Sweden while the band were on tour

He was tragically killed in 1986 in a bus crash in Sweden where the band were on tour. Pictured clockwise from left: Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich

It comes after fans of the metal gods made shocking claims about drug use during the band's Perth show earlier this week.

Fans took to social media following the show to express their disgust at fellow fans who were allegedly using illegal drugs in the crowd.

Many posted on Reddit claiming they witnessed fans taking methamphetamine, marijuana, and DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) during the band's set.

'Whoever was smoking shard [slang for methamphetamine] in the pit at Metallica, seriously get a life,' one fan wrote.

'You're surrounded by about 20,000 other people, including kids, who are trying to enjoy a night out. Take your pipe and shove it up your a***, moron.'

A second claimed that they had also witnessed concertgoers imbibing illicit drugs.

'We had a woman crouch down before Metallica in GA1 and light a pipe, and it was like a beacon for all the derros to shuffle over and ask for a blow,' they claimed.

A third agreed, adding: 'The meth problem in Perth is out of control, and to do that at a crowded concert puts all the people around them at risk. Thats disgusting behaviour.'

The mural showed Cliff set against a lightning backdrop and the names of the artists  Maid (Liquid Pastels) and Ling written in Metallica's iconic font. 'Visiting an old friend in Melbourne,' James captioned the image. 'Fantastic mural'

A trip to AC/DC lane would not be complete without paying homage to iconic frontman Bon Scott

The Enter Sandman hitmakers are currently in Melbourne to perform at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night

Meanwhile, two men were charged after committing a dangerous act at the anticipated gig.

A 20-year-old man from the Bunbury suburb of Carey Park and a 23-year-old man from Australind allegedly scaled the central tower inside the stadium during the band's set.

The two men have been charged with a trespass offence and have been summoned to appear in court on a later date.
David Tennant's wife Georgia has been forced to contact the police after receiving more vile death threats on social media, just weeks after a stalker offered a reward for her murder.

The actress, 40, took to her Instagram Stories on Friday with snaps of the distressing messages that saw her branded a 'dirty w****' who deserved to 'die for good'.

Georgia, who has been married to the Doctor Who star, 54, since 2011, with whom she shares five children, was also referred to as the 'ex wife of David Tennant'.

In other messages she was cruelly called 'disgusting' before being told to 'return to the streets' where she came from.

Alongside screenshots of the messages Georgia tagged the Metropolitan Police and Instagram in a desperate bid for them to intervene.

The actress and her famous husband share Olive, 14; Wilfred, 12; Doris, 10; and five-year-old Birdie, as well as Georgia's 23-year-old son Ty from a previous relationship.

The actress, 40, took to her Instagram Stories on Friday with snaps of the distressing messages that saw her branded a 'dirty w****' who deserved to 'die for good'

Georgia, who has been happily married to the Doctor Who star, 54, in 2011 and with whom she shares five children, was also referred to as the 'ex wife of David Tennant'

In other messages she was cruelly called 'disgusting' before being told to 'return to the streets' where she came from

In September, Georgia revealed she has a stalker who she claims offered a reward on social media for her murder and reached out to Facebook, as well as its owner Mark Zuckerberg, to ask if action can be taken.

She shared an example of one of the threats, which read: Whoever kills Georgia Tennant immediately will receive a reward from me.

Earlier this year the actress shared a sweet tribute to her actor husband as they celebrated 17 years since they first started dating.

Posting a gallery of snaps from throughout their relationship, Georgia gushed about her 'kind, funny and relentlessly generous' spouse.

However, she also took the chance to poke fun at her husband after he once again missed out on a win for a BAFTA Television Award over the weekend, despite being nominated for his role in the Disney+ series Rivals.

Georgia's caption read: '17 years since we became us. I am so relieved I get to do it all with you. My kind, funny, relentlessly generous, Bafta-less love. You are it x.'

The couple met in 2008, when Georgia starred in the BBC hit series Doctor Who, as she took on the role of David's character's genetically engineered daughter Jenny, and they married three years later.

The acclaimed star had been nominated for Leading Actor in a Drama for his role in Rivals, but missed out on the gong to Lennie James for Mr Loverman.

Alongside screenshots of the messages Georgia tagged the Metropolitan Police and Instagram in a desperate bid for them to intervene

Despite earning praise for his role in Rivals, with filming for a second series currently underway, ITV's hope to turn the into one of their new faces has failed as his latest show has been one of the channel's biggest rating flops in years.

The actor hosted Genius Game, which cost ITV more than 2.5million to make.

Despite the channel investing in the former Time Lord, the viewing figures, which were released this week, showed only an average of 739,000 people tuned in.

A television insider told The Sun: 'The Genius Game was a reflection of ITV's rush to create the next big challenge show following the huge success of The Traitors.

'They chose Tennant as he's such a household name, although his not-insubstantial fee also inflated the cost of making the programme. Yet despite pumping so much money into the show, it hasn't delivered ratings wise.'

The prime-time reality game-show sees contestants compete in a series of mental challenges.

During the first show, Genius Game kicked off with an average of 1.2million watching but by episode two that had dramatically dropped to 846,000.

This week the ratings plummeted again and ITV have announced that it will be cutting the show from two episodes a week to one.
Shona McGarty has shared a cryptic post about 'not dimming her light for others' following her reported split from fiance David Bracken.

The EastEnders actress, 34, took to Instagram on Friday just hours ahead of her jetting off to Australia to appear in the latest series of I'm A Celeb.

Alongside a black and white clip applying make-up, she penned a lengthy caption with lyrics from her new song about 'finally being herself' as she marked a 'new beginning'.

Shona and David are believed to hve split last month just over a year after the Irish musician popped the question in London's Holland Park.

The soap star, who played Whitney Dean from 2008 until 2024, penned: 'Im finally learning to just be me, no filters, no apologies, no shrinking to make others comfortable'.

'Its a new beginning, and this time Im stepping into life with open arms and an open heart. Ive spent too long second-guessing, dimming my light, trying to fit into spaces that were never meant for me'.

Shona McGarty has shared a cryptic post about 'not dimming her light for others' following her reported split from fiance David Bracken

The EastEnders actress took to Instagram on Friday just hours ahead of her jetting off to Australia to appear in the latest series of I'm A Celeb (pictured with David last year)

'But now, its about freedom, being comfortable in my own skin, owning my story, singing LOUD, with all my flaws, and my fire. This is the start of really living, fully and authentically. From here on out, Im .. unapologetically me .

It was claimed earlier this month that the former couple had mutually called off their engagement, but remain on good terms.

A source told The Sun: 'They are on amicable terms, but have ended their romantic relationship.

'There are no hard feelings, they realised they wanted different things and are better off as friends. Shona is now focusing on her music and career.'

Daily Mail has contacted Shona's representative for comment.

They first met in 2023 after David messaged her on TikTok, asking if she'd like to duet on a song after watching one of her videos.

Last year the actress gushed that she knew the guitarist was 'the one' as the relationship felt 'different' to previous ones.

The pair also revealed that they had already started 'looking at colour schemes' and locations for their weddings.

Alongside a black and white clip applying make-up, she penned a lengthy caption with lyrics from her new song about 'finally being herself' as she marked a 'new beginning'

The soap star , who played Whitney Dean from 2008 until 2024, penned: 'Im finally learning to just be me, no filters, no apologies, no shrinking to make others comfortable

Shona and David reportledy split last month just over a year after the Irish musician popped the question in London's Holland Park (pictured last year)

Shona said at the time they were hoping to get married in 2025 and were thinking about a Christmas wedding.

It comes after Kelly Brook was seen arriving at Heathrow Airport as she prepared to jet off to Australia for her stint in I'm A Celeb on Saturday.

Despite upcoming Bushtucker Trials the model, 45, appeared in great spirits and flashed a huge smile as she became the first star to set off down under.

Kelly cut a casual figure for the long journey in from fitting brown tracksuit which she teamed with a pair of 1,000 Chanel sandals and matching 6,000 handbag.

Shielding her eyes behind chic shades the stunner was helped with her luggage which had piled high on a trolley.

Back in 2018, Kelly said there would be 'a million' other things she would rather do like working in her local pub, than appear in the jungle.

'I don't want to eat eyeballs or sheep testicles and all the things they have to eat on there,' she said on her Heart radio show.

It comes after Kelly Brook was seen arriving at Heathrow Airport as she prepared to jet off to Australia for her stint in I'm A Celeb on Saturday

'Even if I had a huge tax bill and I had to pay it really urgently, I still wouldn't do it.'

But It was thought she was finally persuaded by a big money deal as she joins a soap, music and comedy legends in the line-up ahead of the show's return later this month.

A source told The Sun of Kelly's appearance: 'Show bosses have been after Kelly as a campmate for years and think she could possibly be their sexiest contestant ever.

'Shes glamorous, witty and a familiar face to ITV audiences, having appeared as a panellist for Loose Women and other shows.

'Shes guaranteed to make perfect TV viewing.'
Kelsey Parker has admitted she is 'not ok' and is trying to 'find herself again', five months after the tragic loss of her third child.

The TV star, whose husband Tom Parker died of glioblastoma in March 2022, aged 33, suffered further heartbreak in June when her unborn baby - her first with boyfriend Will Lindsay - was stillborn.

Kelsey, who is a mother to Aurelia, five, and Bodhi, four, shared her feelings with fans on Instagram on Wednesday, admitting she just needs 'space to breathe' and that she feels as though she sometimes has the weight of the 'whole world' on her shoulders.

In a video, she said: 'Hi everyone, how are you all? I feel like Ive been a little bit quiet, but you know what, thats ok. Its ok to not be ok all the time.

She continued: 'We live in this world where everyones just trying to look like theyve all got it figured out.

'Strength means smiling for everything, sometimes strength means being still  it means saying, I just need quiet for a little bit.

Kelsey Parker has admitted she is 'not ok' and is trying to 'find herself again', five months after the tragic loss of her third child

The baby, whom she named Phoenix, was her first child with boyfriend Will Lindsay. Kelsey's husband, Tom Parker, died in March 2022 from glioblastoma - they share children Aurelia, five, and Bodhi, four

'Sometimes I just need calm, I just need space to breathe, to let my thoughts settle, to find myself again because life doesnt stop and for me, it never really has.

'Ive literally had the children and raised them, and Ive had to show up every single day  sometimes I struggle.

'Sometimes I literally feel like Im holding the whole world with my bare hands, but its the only thing Ive ever known how to do.

'Its pushing forward, its keeping on going even when its hard, even when I am tired, because my babies are watching me, theyre learning from me, they are my reason, my peace and my power.

'Im not ok, but I dont have to be. None of us do.'

She added: 'What matters is that I keep moving, keep loving, keep believing that better days are coming. And they are, theyve got to be.'

Kelsey also spoke directly to fans who may be struggling, saying: 'So if youre watching this and youre struggling too, its ok.

'Take your quiet, take your breath. Then, when youre ready, push forward because youve got this.'

Uploading a video to Instagram on Wednesday, Kelsey shared her feelings with fans, admitting she just needs 'space to breathe' and that she feels as though she sometimes has the weight of the 'whole world' on her shoulders

She said: 'Hi everyone, how are you all? I feel like Ive been a little bit quiet, but you know what, thats ok. Its ok to not be ok all the time'

She added: 'Sometimes I just need calm, I just need space to breathe, to let my thoughts settle, to find myself again because life doesnt stop and for me, it never really has'

Alongside the video, Kelsey captioned the post: 'We all hit that point where we just need quiet to breathe, to reset, to find ourselves again. If thats you youre not alone'

Alongside the video, Kelsey captioned the post: 'We all hit that point where we just need quiet to breathe, to reset, to find ourselves again. If thats you youre not alone. (love heart emoji)'

In June, Kelsey took to Instagram to share her heartbreaking news about her third child, who died one week before his planned due date.

Breaking the news in a poem, she wrote: 'The world grew quiet as you arrived, So loved, so longed for, yet not alive. Our precious boy, our angel light, Born with wings, took silent flight

'We named you Phoenix, brave and bright. A soul of love, of warmth and light Though we never heard you cry, You'll live in hearts that won't ask why.

'No breath you drew, no eyes to see, Still, you mean everything to me. You'll journey with us, softly near, in every sigh, in every tear.

Taking to her Instagram stories: she added: 'Before I receive an influx of lovely messages and heartfelt wishes, I wanted to just say that I truly appreciate everything you are all going to say and share.

'But with the news being so raw, I would really like to ensure that we as a family are given space and time to process this devastating and earth-shattering news.

'I love you all and thank you for your understanding and space. Love always, Kelsey, Will, and the Parker Family.'

In June, Kelsey took to Instagram to tell her followers that her baby Phoenix had died

Kelsey pictured with Tom who lost his battle with cancer

Kelsey was left devastated after her husband Tom lost his battle with brain cancer, but found love again last year, meeting Kent tree surgeon Will on a night out and announcing their romance in September.

The podcaster later admitted to being targeted by online trolls for moving on with her new partner.

Speaking on ITV's Lorraine, in their first joint interview together in March, she explained: 'It's been three years, this is Tom's three-year anniversary of his death, and it's almost like people want me to feel guilty for moving on.'

She added: 'I'm always going to have guilt, but what's so hard is that Tom's not here anymore, so what do people want me to do?',

'Our house was full of so much sadness, but now it's full of happiness. The kids deserve that more than anything.

'They've been through so much, I feel like we are taking the steps forward to heal, but I just want other women to feel like it's OK to move on, it's not taking anything away from the love I had for Tom.'

If you have been affected by anything in this article, please contact The Lullaby Trust on 0808 8026868.
Former EastEnders star Aidan O'Callaghan has revealed he's joining the Coronation Street cast - and hinted at a dramatic storyline centred around the iconic Rovers Return pub.

The Irish actor, 36, who had a stint on EastEnders in 2022, appears to be swapping Albert Square for Weatherfield.

Aidan took to Instagram on Thursday to share a slew of snaps of himself outside the famous pub, teasing his upcoming debut on the ITV soap.

He simply captioned the post: 'Who dis?' and fans flocked to the comments to share their excitement.

One thrilled fan wrote: 'OMG congratulations mate.'; 'Can't keep that man away from a good bar! Excited to watch..'

Meanwhile, a third chimed in: 'About time you're back on our Screens.'

Former EastEnders star Aidan O'Callaghan has revealed he's joining the Coronation Street cast - and hinted at a dramatic storyline centred around the iconic Rovers Return pub

The Irish actor, 36, who had a stint on EastEnders in 2022 (pictured), appears to be swapping Albert Square for Weatherfield

Aidan is reportedly joining the Coronation Street cast as part of a new storyline involving the recently introduced Driscoll family.

Bohemian Rhapsody actor Aaron McCusker is set to play Ben, the new landlord of the Rovers, who is married to returning character Eva Price, played by Catherine Tyldesley.

The couple will be joined by Father Ted star Pauline McLynn, who plays Ben's outspoken mother, Maggie.

It's understood that Aidan will take on the role of a newcomer named Alan.

A Coronation Street source told The Mirror: 'He is in one episode in flashback scenes, where we find out some of the family history from way back when Ben and his brother were children.'

They added: 'He's just a guest artist, but it's a really unique episode.'

Daily Mail has contacted ITV and Aidan's representative for comment.

During his time on EastEnders, Aidan portrayed the twisted character Lewis Butler.

Aidan took to Instagram on Thursday to share a slew of snaps of himself outside the famous pub, teasing his upcoming debut on the ITV soap

Aidan is reportedly joining the Coronation Street cast as part of a new storyline centred around the recently introduced Driscoll family. It's understood that he will play a newcomer named Alan

During his time on EastEnders, Aidan portrayed the twisted character Lewis Butler (pictured with Max Bowden on the soap)

The actor made history as the first Irish performer to appear in both Emmerdale and EastEnders, and has also featured in Wolfe, The Rook (pictured), and the award-winning short A Simple Killing

Introduced as the new bar manager of The Prince Albert, Lewis struck up a friendship with Callum Highway and Ben Mitchell, but the friendship soon took a dark turn.

After Ben rejected Lewis' advances following a night of drinking, Lewis became angry and assaulted him in distressing scenes.

Once the truth emerged, Kathy Beale sacked Lewis and ordered him to leave Walford.

When he later returned, Ben and the Mitchell family kidnapped him at gunpoint, forcing a confession before turning him over to the police.

Aidan went on to appear in The Witcher: Blood Origin, the Netflix prequel to The Witcher series, which racked up more than 663 million viewing hours in its first season.

He played Kareg, a member of the Dog Clan sworn to protect the royal family of Xin'Trea, alongside Lenny Henry, Michelle Yeoh, Mirren Mack and Laurence O'Fuarain.

The actor made history as the first Irish performer to appear in both Emmerdale and EastEnders, and has also featured in Wolfe, The Rook, and the award-winning short A Simple Killing.
Victoria Beckham let her hair down on Friday night as she attended Holly Ramsay's hen do at Soho Farmhouse.

The fashion designer, 51, took to social media to share snaps of her with the bride-to-be as they enjoyed a 'girls night'.

Victoria also appeared to briefly relaunch her singing career as she was seen taking part in karaoke with Holly and her other guests.

She and Holly are connected through the close friendship between the Ramsay and Beckham clans.

Posh Spice has had a busy week, supporting her husband David, 50, as he finally received his knighthood on Tuesday for services to sport and charity.

Holly's hen do took place in Soho Farmhouse as Holly was joined by her mum Tana, sisters Megan and Tilly, and fiance Adam Peaty's sister Bethany.

Victoria Beckham let her hair down on Friday night as she attended Holly Ramsay's hen do at Soho Farmhouse

The fashion designer, 51, took to social media to share snaps of her with the bride-to-be as they enjoyed a 'girls night'

Victoria also appeared to briefly relaunch her singing career as she was seen taking part in karaoke with Holly and her other guests

Taking to Instagram, Holly shared a slew of snaps as she began her big hen weekend at the celebrity hotspot.

Holly and her mum Tana were seen walking hand-in-hand as they arrived at the venue.

Another photo showed a beautifully arranged table featuring delicious food, a personalised champagne bottle, and cups labelled 'Bride' and 'Team Bride'.

The carousel ended with a sweet group shot of Holly and her hen do team.

Alongside the post, she penned: 'Bachelorette weekend starts now.. I love my sisters and mama so much.'

Earlier this week Holly voiced her excitement to tie the knot with Adam, as the couple's wedding day draws closer.

Teasing that their own nuptials were approaching soon, she captioned a PDA-filled snap of them both: 'We can finally say the next wedding we go to will be ours.. I cant wait to be your wife.'

Holly opened up about her upcoming nuptials to the Daily Mail at the Sport Industry Awards in the summer, saying: 'Everyone has wedding fever! We're all very excited, and the countdown is on.

Holly and the Olympic swimmer Adam, 30, announced their engagement in September last year after three years of dating, and are set to tie the knot this Christmas

The influencer was also joined by her mum Tana, sisters Megan and Tilly, and fiance Adam Peaty's sister Bethany as the group prepared for a weekend of celebrations

In the photos, Holly looked stunning in all white, wearing a long wool coat layered over a long-sleeved top and wide-leg jeans as she walked hand-in-hand with her mum

Alongside the post, she penned: 'Bachelorette weekend starts now.. I love my sisters and mama so much'

'There's just something so English about getting married in the winter. I love summer, but winter is my favourite time of the year.

'I want the Christmas magic feeling of everyone coming together, to celebrate and have a great time.'

Teasing her dress, she said: 'I'm very excited. I'll not say whether it's traditional or not, because I don't want to give anything away.'

But she did add: 'I've always been a huge fan of Kate Middleton's wedding dress, and the lace, and how traditional it is, so I took a lot of inspiration from her.'

And last month, Adam let slip several details about their big day, revealing the ceremony would be taking place in Bath and would be 'quite a big wedding' with future father-in-law Gordon Ramsay overseeing the food.

But he added that the couple were also having a no phone policy, insisting: 'Got to be in the moment and enjoy the day and just take time with each other.'
Loose Women's Gloria Hunniford has opened up her 'painful' grief, 15 months after the tragic death of beloved husband Stephen Way.

The veteran broadcaster, 85, wed the businessman in 1998, and said following his passing in August 2024 that he would leave 'the most enormous void, not only in my life, but our entire family'.

Gloria, whose daughter Caron Keating also passed away from cancer in 2004 aged just 41, spoke about the difficulty of navigating widowhood in a new interview.

'You have to do a head job every so often, its painful. You have to carve out a new type of life, dont you? Its quite hard really, at the beginning, and then slowly, slowly you sort of get into a different rhythm and a different situation'.

'Stephen and I had 30 years together. Some people never get 30 years of happiness, but I did, so as much as he is a huge loss, I am very grateful that I had that time with him. I was very lucky and have been very lucky in my life'.

But when it comes to the prospect of finding love again, Gloria said the idea could not be further from her mind.

Loose Women 's Gloria Hunniford has opened up her 'painful' grief, 15 months after the tragic death of beloved husband Stephen Way

The veteran broadcaster, 85, said following his passing in August 2024 that he would leave 'the most enormous void, not only in my life, but our entire family' (pictured 1998)

Gloria, whose daughter Caron Keating (pictured 2003) also passed away from cancer in 2004 aged just 41, spoke about the difficulty of navigating widowhood

She told The Mirror: 'Its not even in my head. Its too raw yet. Its only been just over a year, But I like having male friends who Ive had for decades, I like talking to them'.

Gloria gushed over one pal in particular, Sir Cliff Richard, 85, who she had known for 55-years, describing him as 'wonderful' and 'incredibly loyal'.

Following Stephen's death a family statement said: 'It is with huge sadness and very heavy hearts that we share the passing of Stephen Way, Gloria's beloved husband, who lost his battle yesterday afternoon.

'Stephen had been heroically fighting his illness... but always with great tenacity and a positive spirit.'

Meanwhile Gloria added: 'Stephen was a gentleman and a giant of a man, who will leave the most enormous void not only in my life, but our entire family.

'He was an incredibly kind, generous, and caring man, with a delightfully quirky sense of humour, which remained till the end.

'We had a tremendously happy 25-year marriage and did so many beautiful and exciting things together that I will always cherish.'

Stephen was described as a 'wonderful husband, father and grandfather' and Gloria added: 'It's a great shock and words cannot express my sadness at this time.

When it comes to the prospect of finding love again, Gloria said the idea could not be further from her mind

'Its not even in my head. Its too raw yet. Its only been just over a year, But I like having male friends who Ive had for decades, I like talking to them' (pictured 2024)

Gloria gushed over one pal in particular, Sir Cliff Richard, 85, who she had known for 55-years, describing him as 'wonderful' and 'incredibly loyal' (pictured 2006)

'A bright shining light has dimmed, and he shall be missed at every turn.'

It was Stephen who broke the news of the death of Gloria's former husband Don Keating as she came off stage after hosting a TV chat show in 1997, she revealed that year.

Don was found dead by a friend at his kitchen table, with his dinner and a glass of wine in front of him.

Gloria and Stephen started dating, he owned an hairdressing salon in New Bond Street, Mayfair.

They met at an event in London before getting married in Kent in 1998, one year after first husband's death.

She previously revealed that Stephen proposed while they were on holiday in Barbados after she was struggling in a pool at their villa having never learnt to swim as a child.
Amid family drama, The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys star Cole McBee had some reason to celebrate.

On Friday, the Bravo star popped the question to girlfriend Kacie Adkison with a dazzling 3.16-carat ring, catching her completely off guard.

'Kacie is the biggest spy, she knows everything going on, and we were able to keep it a secret,' McBee told People. 'It surprised her, and that was the number one thing I wanted.'

The proposal was made even more special with the couple's 10-month-old daughter, Blair, taking part in the moment.

'We 100% included our daughter. We want to include her in everything we do. She's our whole world and our whole life,' McBee added.

The happy engagement comes just weeks after Coles father, Steve McBee Sr., was sentenced to 24 months in prison following a guilty plea for crop insurance fraud.

Bravo star Cole McBee popped the question to girlfriend Kacie Adkison with a dazzling 3.16-carat ring, catching her completely off guard

The proposal was made even more special with the couple's 10-month-old daughter, Blair, taking part in the moment

The 52-year-old father-of-four  who also starred on the reality series McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys  was ordered to serve two years behind bars by US District Court Judge Stephen R. Boug on Thursday.

His sentence also includes two years of supervised release and an order to pay $4,022,124 in restitution, per People.

Steve Sr. has until Monday, December 1 by 2pm to self-surrender.

Prosecutors previously asked the judge to sentence the TV personality to 41 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

The patriarch received messages of support from two of his four sons via social media on Thursday.

Steve Jr wrote, 'Love ya Dad. Whole family is here for you,' while Cole said, 'We will get through anything together. To the hardest working man I know, its our turn to be her for you. We got you dad.'

Thursday's sentencing was meant to take place in March but was delayed multiple times.

It comes on the heels of news that the family's reality show has been renewed for a third season.

'We 100% included our daughter. We want to include her in everything we do. She's our whole world and our whole life,' McBee said of the engagement

The happy engagement comes just weeks after Coles father, Steve McBee Sr., was sentenced to 24 months in prison following a guilty plea for crop insurance fraud

The 52-year-old father-of-four - who stars on the reality series McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys - was ordered to serve two years behind bars by US District Court Judge Stephen R. Boug on Thursday

Cameras returned to the Missouri ranch to document this week's events.

Season one, which premiered in March 2024, began with the patriarch claiming that McBee Farm & Cattle Company was on its way 'to being a billion-dollar company.'

He waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty to a federal investigation that charged him with one count of federal crop insurance fraud on November 5, 2024.

He admitted that he engaged in fraudulent activity from 2018 to 2020 by submitting false reports to insurance companies.

Steve Sr. underreported to Rain and Hail, a company reinsured by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, that his farming operations produced only 340,476 bushels of corn and 190,171 bushels of soybeans in 2018.

In reality, his farming operation sold more than 1.2 million bushels of corn and nearly 416,000 bushels of soybeans.

The patriarch received messages of support from two of his four sons via social media on Thursday, with Steve Jr. writing that the 'whole family is here for you'

His son Cole vowed, 'We will get through anything together. To the hardest working man I know, its our turn to be here for you. We got you dad'

L-R Steve Jr., Jesse, and Brayden McBee pictured with their dad

Steve's sentencing comes on the heels of news that the family's reality show has been renewed for a third season

As a result of the false reports, the farmer received $2,605,943 in federal crop insurance benefits, as well as $552,980 in federal crop insurance premium subsidies.

He also provided false information to Rain and Hail to obtain insurance for the McBee farming operations 2019 soybean crop by misrepresenting that soybeans were the first crop in certain fields when wheat had already been harvested from those fields.

In 2020 the farm planted corn after the last planting date that year, which made the crop ineligible for insurance.

However, Steve Jr. provided false plant dates on crop insurance documents to NAU Country Insurance.

The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys returned for a second season in 2025 and was moved from streaming on Peacock to Bravo.
Glamorous Channel 10 Melbourne newsreader Candice Wyatt has announced she is leaving the network after 15 years.

The 41-year-old is expected to have her last day on air early next month.

Announcing the shock resignation as a 'new chapter', the popular journalist offered no details about her next career move.

'I leave Network 10 very proud of the journalism I have produced across 15 years, and the stories I have been privileged to tell,' she said.

'I have interviewed people in their darkest hours and others in the happiest moments of their lives.

'I have made lifelong friends and memories and, at times, the 10 newsroom in Melbourne has been filled with colleagues who have felt like family  and it has been my second home.

Glamorous Channel 10 Melbourne newsreader Candice Wyatt has announced she is leaving the network after 15 years

'But it's time for a new chapter and new challenges and I can't wait to see what the future brings.'

Wyatt's career highlights include stories on the release of notorious convicted drug trafficker Schapelle Corby and coverage of the Rio Olympics.

She also reported on the late Cardinal George Pell, who made a successful appeal in the High Court against a sexual abuse conviction.

'We are grateful for Candice's contribution to the newsroom and wish her all the very best for her future endeavours,' executive editor of 10 News Melbourne Nicole Strahan said in a statement.

Wyatt's move comes only months after she hard-launched her relationship with boyfriend, David Proctor.

In a gushing Instagram shared in September, the blonde beauty could be seen sharing a kiss with her new beau.

'My love ,' she simply captioned the post.

Many of Candice's friends flocked to the comments to share their excitement and send their well-wishes.

Announcing the shock resignation as a 'new chapter', the popular journalist offered no details about her next career move

Wyatt's move comes only months after she hard-launched her relationship with boyfriend David Proctor

'Okay, hot couple alert,' her Channel Ten colleague Steph Baumgartel commented.

Actor Krista Vendy wrote: 'Love this!!'

'So happy for you Candice (well to you both),' another wrote while a fourth added: 'Hard launch.'

While little is known about David, he is an osteopath practising in Melbourne.

Wyatt kicked off her career as a journalist 22 years ago, working for a local paper in the regional centre of Werribee.

In 2006, she scored a gig at the Seven Network as a reporter, based in Tasmania, which was followed by two years with ABC radio in Ballarat, Victoria.

She arrived at Channel 10 in October 2010 as a senior journalist and presenter.
Mike Smith, best known as Bubbles on Trailer Park Boys, has reportedly been charged with sexual assault.

The actor was charged in Halifax earlier this month in relation to an alleged 2017 incident, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Smith has been ordered not to contact the alleged victim or go near their home, school, or workplace, per the outlet.

Trailer Park Boys Inc. confirmed that Smith has stepped away from his role as managing director.

A statement from the company reads: 'We are aware of the allegation concerning Mike Smith dating back to 2017 and take such matters seriously.

'We recognize how difficult an allegation of this nature is for all involved. Out of respect for the legal process, we will not comment further on the case.'

Mike Smith, best known as Bubbles on Trailer Park Boys, has reportedly been charged with sexual assault

The actor was charged in Halifax earlier this month in relation to an alleged 2017 incident, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Smith played Bubbles in 116 episodes of the mockumentary comedy.

The show first aired in 2001 and ran consistently until 2007, earning a devoted fan following.

In 2016, Smith was arrested in Los Angeles and faced misdemeanor domestic battery charges following an alleged incident with a woman at a Hollywood hotel.

Police and jail records show Smith was arrested in Hollywood around 1:15 a.m. and was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery and released hours later on $20,000 bail.

Smith denied any wrongdoing in a written statement published on the Trailer Park Boys' official website.

Georgia Ling, the victim in the case, told USA Today at the time, 'Mike and I did indeed have a heavy argument but it saddens me the way things are being reported and the way it was handled by the police.

'At no point did I feel I was in danger, otherwise I would've called the police myself, which I did not. The police were called by others not present in the room who mistakenly perceived the argument to be something other than what it was.

'When the officers arrived I tried to assure them there was no real issue, but they proceeded to arrest Mike.'

A statement from the company reads: 'We are aware of the allegation concerning Mike Smith dating back to 2017 and take such matters seriously. 'We recognize how difficult an allegation of this nature is for all involved. Out of respect for the legal process, we will not comment further on the case'

Smith denied any wrongdoing, calling the situation a 'loud and heated dispute' with a friend.

For his part, Smith stated, 'Georgia is a friend of mine and we had a loud and heated dispute. That is all. At no time did I assault her. I am not guilty of the misdemeanour charged against me.'

The Los Angeles County District Attorneys office later dropped the charges, closing the case.
SHANGHAI, Nov. 6 (Guangming Online)  In an interview at the 8th China International Import Expo, Jean-Christophe Babin, BVLGARI CEO expresses strong optimism about Chinas current development and future prospects. He notes that Chinas landscape is extremely positive for Western companies, as more individuals involved in accessing, developing, and leading relevant technologies are also gaining greater purchasing power. Babin is certain that China will soon become the worlds largest luxury market. Additionally, he believes Chinas ongoing developments will act as a significant booster not only for technologies but also for discretionary spending, which will undoubtedly increase.

Editor: Xiong Jian
Kim Kardashian is no longer leaving fans in suspense as she finally revealed whether she passed the bar exam as she pursues a legal career.

The 45-year-old TV personality - who took the exam back in July - jumped to her Instagram stories on Saturday to share that she did not pass, but has no intentions of giving up.

'Well...I'm not a lawyer yet, I just play a very well-dressed one on TV,' she began, referencing to her new Hulu series All's Fair.

'Six years into this law journey, and I'm still all in until I pass the bar. No shortcuts, no giving up - just more studying and even more determination.'

Kim then sent gratitude to those who have 'supported and encouraged me along the way so far.'

The mom-of-four concluded her statement with a positive message and stated that she nearly passed the bar exam.

Kim Kardashian, 45, is no longer leaving fans in suspense as she finally revealed whether she passed the bar exam as she pursues a legal career; seen in October in NYC

The TV personality - who took the exam back in July - jumped to her Instagram stories on Saturday to share that she did not pass, but has no intentions of giving up

'Falling short isn't failure - it's fuel. I was so close to passing the exam and that only motivates me even more. Let's Go!!!!!!!!!!'

A source close to Kim also told TMZ on the same day that the aspiring lawyer wanted to share how she fared on the bar exam for her fans.

Before the results were made public on Sunday, Kim reportedly wanted to announce it herself.

The insider explained that the social media personality wanted to continue being open about her journey to become a lawyer as she has done in the past.

The source also added that she knew her fans would be interested in knowing how she did.

Late last month during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, the reality star explained that she had taken the bar exam in July and that she was awaiting her results.

The SKIMS founder also expressed at the time that if the results showed that she passed, she had plans to be a lawyer in two weeks.

'I took the bar exam in July. I get the results a few days after our [All's Fair] premiere. So in two weeks. So everyone please pray for me. I worked really hard,' Kim said.

She further opened up about her goal to work in the legal field by adding, 'Maybe in 10 years, I think I'll give up being Kim K and be a trial lawyer. That's what I really want.'

Back in May, the media personality reached a major milestone as she graduated from her law school program following a six year journey.

The star celebrated the big moment by taking part in a backyard ceremony which she gave a glimpse of on social media.

Kim took part in the four-year California Law Office Study Program (LOSP) rather than attending traditional law school.

'Falling short isn't failure - it's fuel. I was so close to passing the exam and that only motivates me even more. Let's Go!!!!!!!!!!' she concluded; seen above as a lawyer in Hulu series All's Fair

'I took the bar exam in July. I get the results a few days after our [All's Fair] premiere. So in two weeks. So everyone please pray for me. I worked really hard,' Kim said; seen in October in London

Back in May, the media personality reached a major milestone as she graduated from her law school program following a six year journey

During the ceremony, her mentor had opened up about the star's 'fierce desire to fight for justice' and also expressed that Kim is full of 'determination.'

They also applauded the TV personality for finishing the program while simultaneously 'raising four children, running businesses, filming television shows, and showing up in courtrooms to advocate for others.'

A second mentor discussed how Kim has 'advocated for clemency, helped reunite families, and brought national attention to the most broken parts of our legal system.'

Kim's late father Robert Kardashian had been a lawyer and notably was the defense attorney for O.J. Simpson amid his 1995 murder trial.

Days before she revealed the results of her bar exam, the reality star blamed ChatGPT for making her fail past law exams.

She made the comment while taking a lie detector test with her All's Fair co-star Teyana Taylor for Vanity Fair.

At one point, Teyana asked the mom-of-four if she uses ChatGPT for 'life' or 'dating advice.' The actress also questioned Kim if she sees ChatGPT 'as a friend.'

While she answered 'no' to the three questions, the SKIMS founder admitted to using ChatGPT for 'legal advice.'

Kim's late father Robert Kardashian had been a lawyer and notably was the defense attorney for O.J. Simpson amid his 1995 murder trial; the pair seen above in 1995 in L.A.

Days before she revealed the results of her bar exam, the reality star blamed ChatGPT for making her fail past law exams

'When I need to know the answer to a question, I'll take a picture and snap it and put it in there. It has made me fail tests... all the time. And then I'll get mad and I'll yell at it,' Kim said.

Teyana then asked, 'So she's a frenemy?' to which the TV personality agreed.

'Yes, a frenemy. And then it'll say back to me, "This is just teaching you to trust your own instincts. So you knew the answer all along."'

When Teyana suggested that Kim and ChatGPT are 'toxic friends,' the mom-of-four also agreed.

'But they need to do better because I'm leaning to them to really help me and she is teaching me a life lesson and then becoming my therapist to tell me why I need to believe in myself after they got the answer wrong,' Kim expressed.

'It's like a thing. I screenshot all the time and send it in my group chat. Like, can you believe this b***h is talking to me like this? This is insane.'

As Kim continues to pursue her legal career, she recently took on a leading role in Ryan Murphy's new legal drama All's Fair.

The Hulu series officially premiered earlier this month on November 4 - and also stars Glenn Close, Teyana Taylor, Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash-Betts and Matthew Noszka.

As Kim continues to pursue her legal career, she recently took on a leading role in Ryan Murphy's new legal drama All's Fair

Shortly before revealing the results of her bar exam, Kim uploaded a series of racy snaps to her Instagram page from her recent tropic getaway

However, the show has bombed critically - and currently holds a 5% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the audience rating is at 67%.

Shortly before revealing the results of her bar exam, Kim uploaded a series of racy snaps to her Instagram page from her recent tropic getaway.

In the photos, the star could be seen posing up a storm wearing a sheer lace ensemble and donned a pair of nude bottoms underneath.

Her long locks flowed down past her shoulders in light waves as she enjoyed the spontaneous photo session near a scenic ocean.
More than 10 flight routes between the US and Mexico will be axed today, affecting thousands of travelers.

Major flight routes between the neighboring countries are set to be canceled due to a government order aimed at combatting Mexico's 'unfair' air practices.

Announced in October, the order formed part of broader US measures targeting Mexico's aviation industry.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) made the decision a decade after an agreement was made between the two nations that promoted ease of air travel across the border.

Signed in 2015 under the Open Skies framework, the Mexico Air Transport Agreement was designed to promote an unrestricted flow of passenger and cargo flights between the US and Mexico.

It sought to limit government involvement in airlines' commercial decisions concerning routes, capacity, and pricing.

The DOT has targeted three Mexican airlines: flag carrier Aeromexico and low-cost carriers Volaris and Viva Aerobus.

As part of the decision, 13 flight routes operated under the agreement will end by November 7, 2025. Scroll down to see the full list.

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More than 10 flight routes between the United States and Mexico will be axed on November 7, affecting thousands of travelers

The DOT has targeted three Mexican airlines: flag carrier Aeromexico and low-cost carriers Volaris and Viva Aerobus

Passengers booked on any of the 13 affected routes should expect cancellations unless the decision is reversed.

The DOT advises travelers to contact their airline for refunds or rebooking options.

All passengers are entitled to a full refund if their flight is canceled, regardless of the carrier.

Major US airlines  including American, United, and Delta  continue to operate daily flights to Mexico City, though fares are typically higher than those of Volaris or Viva Aerobus.

The Trump administration asked a US appeals court on Monday to reject Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico's bid to halt the order forcing them to unwind their joint venture.

The airlines sought to have waived a January 1 deadline to end their venture as ordered by the DOT, so that the court can have time to conduct a review and issue a full opinion.

In a filing by the DOT, the government called the joint venture 'legalized collusion.'

The filing said the joint venture gave those three airlines a dominant market share  around 60 percent of traffic  on some US-Mexico City routes, limiting competition.

The DOT advises travelers to contact their airline for refunds or rebooking options

Passengers booked on any of the 13 affected routes should expect cancellations unless the decision is reversed

Major US airlines  including American, United, and Delta  continue to operate daily flights to Mexico City, though fares are typically higher than those of Volaris or Viva Aerobus

Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum (pictured), said the decision will negatively affect air travel between the two countries

Aeromexico told the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals it would face extreme costs it could not recover even if a court later upheld the arrangement. Delta has also made a similar claim.

The government said the airlines' claims are overblown, and the public interest favors restoring full and fair competition between Delta and Aeromexico themselves and among them and their competitors.

In 2022, Mexico was accused of breaching the agreement after revoking several flight slots held by US carriers at Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport.

The Mexican government has criticized the US decision, with President Claudia Sheinbaum saying it could negatively affect air travel between the two countries.

Following the DOT's announcement, President Sheinbaum said she would seek a meeting between the US Secretary of State and Mexico's foreign minister and expressed optimism about reaching a constructive outcome.

She also confirmed plans to meet with the Mexican airlines involved.

Viva Aerobus, the airline most affected, said that the sudden switch-up will impact thousands of travelers on both sides of the border.

'We trust in the dialogue between the authorities of our government and their counterparts in the United States to find a reasonable and fair solution to this conflict and minimize its impact on passengers,' the airline said.
Nothing says Thanksgiving feast quite like Taco Bell.

The Mexican food restaurant has surprised diners with a creative twist on a classic Thanksgiving dish.

Instead of cracking open a tin of pumpkin puree, Taco Bell has turned its iconic citrus soda, Baja Blast, into a pie.

Taco Bell described the festive dessert as 'unexpected in every way.'

'It's the iconic tropical Baja Blast flavor reimagined as a creamy key lime-style pie that's more than your everyday dessert. It's a statement in a sea of stuffing,' the chain said.

'More than a delightful dessert, the Baja Blast Pie is a Friendsgiving flex, making you the hero of thanksgiving.'

The pie made its debut on November 6, and curious consumers were desperate to try the creation.

But many Taco Bell fans have blasted the chain for their crazy Baja Blast concoction.

Taco Bell has turned its iconic citrus soda, Baja Blast, into a pie

People online were appalled by the bright blue hues of the pie filling, and those who have been brave enough to try it for themselves have been disappointed by its frozen texture.

According to a TikTok review, the pie costs $24.99, and customers are limited to one per person.

'Taco Bell, I promise no-one is buying more than one... if that,' Kayleigh Leon said in her TikTok video.

'This thing looks radioactive,' she said, adding: 'I'd have to be baja blasted to eat this thing.'

Leon rated the pie a two out of 10 and said, 'Just because it's edible doesn't mean you should eat it.'

A customer wrote on X: 'It's weirdly gummy', and another said: 'why did Taco Bell make a baja blast pie????? who asked for this.'

Others were surprised to actually enjoy the dessert. 'It tastes like key lime pie with a hint of Mountain Dew. Shockingly it was pretty solid,' Patrick Simpson said on X.

Taco Bell revealed all their newest menu items for the year back in March.

Some fans have been shocked by the bright blue color of the pie

DisTaco Bell partnered with Omar Apollo (pictured) to create Disha Hot, inspired by the musician's family's secret hot sauce recipe

Taco Bell has surprised diners with a creative twist on a classic Thanksgiving dish

CMO Taylor Montgomery revealed the chain will add more than 10 new menu offerings by the end of 2025 at the chain's 'Live Mas LIVE' event on March 4.

These products included a twist on their fan-favored drink, Baja Blast: Mountain Dew Baja Midnight.

The Live Mas LIVE audience also got excited over Taco Bell's upcoming Mike's Hot Honey Diablo Sauce.

The CMO insisted the sauce would be great for the chain's Chicken Nuggets, which will be returning to menus twice this year on unknown dates.

Montgomery gave brief shout-outs to menu items already added this past year, including Luxe Cravings Boxes and the Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu, before the event was over.

After the audience cheered for the upcoming Flamin' Hot Burrito and Toasted Cheddar Street Chalupa menu items, Montgomery mentioned the restaurant chain knows how much customers 'love their beverages.'

Montgomery then announced 'the future of Taco Bell beverages' called Live Mas Cafe, which has one location in Chula Vista, California. The cafe includes a 30-drink menu, including the Dirty Baja Blast.

Outside of food and beverage items, Montgomery also announced it would launch Fan Style, a new Taco Bell app feature that will allow customers to customize, save and name menu items.
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday departed for a six-day State visit to Angola and Botswana as part of Indias efforts to open up new avenues for collaboration and expand partnership with the two countries in the African region.

This will be the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to these countries. In the first leg of her journey, Murmu will reach the Angolan capital of Luanda and hold high-level engagements between November 8 and 11.

She will be in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, from November 11 to 13.

Murmu will hold bilateral talks with her Angolan counterpart, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, and attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of the African nations independence.

She is also scheduled to address the Angolan parliament and interact with members of the Indian community in that country.

India and Angola are also celebrating the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.

India and Angola enjoy very close ties of friendship and cooperation, which have been growing across sectors. We have a vibrant energy partnership with Angola, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, said at a press briefing on Thursday.

The visit will provide an opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral ties and to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, trade and investments, technology, infrastructure development, defence, and people-to-people connections, he said.

In Botswana, President Murmu will meet her counterpart Duma Gideon Boko and also address the national assembly at Gaborone.

We are confident that the visit of Honble Rashtrapatiji will further strengthen Indias long-standing collaborative ties with Angola and Botswana, and open up new avenues for collaboration and expanding our partnership.

It is also, as I said earlier, reflective of Indias firm commitment to further strengthen its multifaceted partnership with the African continent, the secretary had said.
Maldives will acquire a military aircraft next year, President Mohamed Muizzu said as he inaugurated the national defence forces first dedicated air station. The landmark event formalises a key component of the island nations defence strategy, significantly expanding the capabilities of the newly constituted Air Corps, state-run Public Service Media (PSM News) said.

The Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) Gan Air Station, commissioned on Wednesday, is located at the southernmost Addu city. The Maldivian army has made progress in all areas, Muizzu was quoted as saying by news portal Adhadhu. Hopefully this coming year will be more progressive. We have already decided to get military aircraft for the Air Corps, he added.
The Sudanese army intercepted drones fired overnight by its rival paramilitary group on two cities in Sudans northeast, a military official said on Friday. The army official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the matter, said 15 drones targeted Atbara, a city north of the capital, in River Nile province. He confirmed that strikes caused no casualties. Local media reports said residents heard explosions. The official added that ground defences intercepted a smaller-scale drone attack that also targeted Omdruman, the sister city of the capital Khartoum. The RSF drone strikes come a day after the group announced that it agree to a humanitarian truce proposed by a US-led mediator group known as the Quad.

A Sudanese military official told The Associated Press on Thursday that the army welcomes the Quads proposal but will only agree to a truce when the RSF completely withdraws from civilian areas and give up weapons per previous peace proposals. The war between the RSF and the military began in 2023, when tensions erupted between the two former allies that were meant to oversee a democratic transition after a 2019 uprising. The fighting has killed at least 40,000 people, according to the WHO and displaced 12 million. However, aid groups say the true death toll could be many times higher. Over 24 million people are also facing acute food insecurity, according to the World Food Programme.
BILL (NYSE:BILL  Get Free Report)s stock had its market perform rating reaffirmed by investment analysts at William Blair in a research note issued to investors on Friday,RTT News reports.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on BILL. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on BILL from $50.00 to $48.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Mizuho cut their price target on shares of BILL from $50.00 to $43.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 28th. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of BILL from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Wolfe Research raised shares of BILL from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $70.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of BILL from $55.00 to $52.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $58.90.

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BILL Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BILL traded up $1.18 on Friday, reaching $45.55. 4,955,623 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,463,874. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.57 billion, a PE ratio of -168.70, a P/E/G ratio of 11.65 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.58. The companys 50 day moving average is $50.77 and its 200-day moving average is $46.68. BILL has a fifty-two week low of $36.55 and a fifty-two week high of $100.19.

BILL (NYSE:BILL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.10. BILL had a return on equity of 1.39% and a net margin of 0.79%.The company had revenue of $395.74 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $390.91 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.63 earnings per share. BILLs revenue for the quarter was up 10.4% compared to the same quarter last year. BILL has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.110-2.250 EPS. Q2 2026 guidance at 0.540-0.570 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that BILL will post 0.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

BILL announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, August 27th that authorizes the company to repurchase $300.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to buy up to 7.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BILL

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of BILL by 3.5% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,843,612 shares of the companys stock worth $574,386,000 after acquiring an additional 371,265 shares in the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D increased its position in BILL by 20.6% in the 3rd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 51,565 shares of the companys stock worth $2,731,000 after purchasing an additional 8,808 shares during the last quarter. ING Groep NV purchased a new stake in shares of BILL during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,485,000. ProShare Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BILL during the 3rd quarter worth about $207,000. Finally, Carlson Capital L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of BILL during the 3rd quarter valued at about $297,000. 97.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

BILL Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

BILL Holdings, Inc provides financial automation software for small and midsize businesses worldwide. The company provides software-as-a-service, cloud-based payments, and spend management products, which allow users to automate accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions, as well as enable users to connect with their suppliers and/or customers to do business, eliminate expense reports, manage cash flows, and improve office efficiency.

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Biohaven Ltd. (NYSE:BHVN  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday after Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on the stock from $19.00 to $9.00. Royal Bank Of Canada currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. Biohaven traded as low as $8.34 and last traded at $8.6070, with a volume of 2514728 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.95.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. BTIG Research dropped their price target on shares of Biohaven from $33.00 to $16.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating and set a $9.00 target price (down previously from $34.00) on shares of Biohaven in a research note on Thursday. Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating on shares of Biohaven in a report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird set a $42.00 price target on Biohaven in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Bank of America lowered Biohaven from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $10.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $34.21.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Biohaven

Biohaven Stock Performance

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BHVN. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd lifted its position in Biohaven by 838.2% in the 2nd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 251,882 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,554,000 after acquiring an additional 225,036 shares in the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp bought a new position in Biohaven during the first quarter valued at about $13,983,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its stake in shares of Biohaven by 589.9% in the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 160,251 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,852,000 after buying an additional 137,024 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new stake in Biohaven in the 2nd quarter valued at about $244,000. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in Biohaven by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 124,839 shares of the companys stock worth $3,001,000 after buying an additional 7,244 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.78% of the companys stock.

The company has a market capitalization of $876.15 million, a PE ratio of -1.08 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 3.82, a current ratio of 3.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.91. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $15.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $15.78.

Biohaven (NYSE:BHVN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 11th. The company reported ($1.94) EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of ($1.94). Analysts predict that Biohaven Ltd. will post -8.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Biohaven

(Get Free Report)

Biohaven Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, focuses on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies for immunology, neuroscience, and oncology worldwide. The company's pipeline products include Troriluzole, which is in Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric illnesses; BHV-5500 that blocks glutamate signaling mediated by post-synaptic NMDA receptors; Taldefgrobep Alfa, which is in Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy and obesity; BHV-7000, a candidate in Phase 2/3 clinical trials for the treatment of focal and generalized epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder; BHV-2100 that is in Phase 1 clinical trials for the treatment of migraines and neuropathic pain; and BHV-8000, a product candidate in Phase 1 clinical trials for the treatment of early Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, sclerosis, and amyloid-related imaging abnormalities.

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Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM  Get Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) released its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The financial services provider reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.02, Zacks reports. Brookfield Asset Management had a net margin of 55.92% and a return on equity of 41.12%. The firm had revenue of $1.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.34 billion.

Brookfield Asset Management Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BAM traded down $0.30 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $52.97. 5,247,673 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,074,035. Brookfield Asset Management has a one year low of $41.78 and a one year high of $64.10. The companys 50 day moving average is $56.82 and its 200 day moving average is $57.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $86.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.38.

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Brookfield Asset Management Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a $0.4375 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. Brookfield Asset Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 117.45%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on BAM. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, July 11th. National Bank Financial assumed coverage on Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. They issued an outperform rating and a $71.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $62.00 price target on Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Monday, October 13th. CIBC boosted their price target on Brookfield Asset Management from $70.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Brookfield Asset Management from $53.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Brookfield Asset Management currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $64.14.

View Our Latest Analysis on Brookfield Asset Management

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookfield Asset Management

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in Brookfield Asset Management by 24.7% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 2,512 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $139,000 after purchasing an additional 497 shares during the period. Diversify Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management in the 2nd quarter valued at $183,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management during the 2nd quarter worth about $212,000. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management during the 1st quarter valued at about $235,000. Finally, Evergreen Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Brookfield Asset Management in the second quarter valued at about $250,000. 68.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Brookfield Asset Management Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. is a real estate investment firm specializing in alternative asset management services. Its renewable power and transition business includes the operates in the hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, and sustainable solution sector. The company's infrastructure business engages in the utilities, transport, midstream, and data infrastructure sectors.

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Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE:CLDT  Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Wednesday. The real estate investment trust reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.32, Zacks reports. Chatham Lodging Trust had a return on equity of 1.19% and a net margin of 3.04%.The firm had revenue of $78.41 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $79.68 million. Chatham Lodging Trust updated its FY 2025 guidance to 0.960-0.990 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance to 0.140-0.17 EPS.

Chatham Lodging Trust Price Performance

NYSE:CLDT traded up $0.19 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $6.62. The companys stock had a trading volume of 315,938 shares, compared to its average volume of 306,924. The businesss 50-day moving average is $6.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.00. Chatham Lodging Trust has a 52-week low of $5.83 and a 52-week high of $10.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.07. The company has a market capitalization of $324.00 million, a PE ratio of 220.50 and a beta of 1.44.

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Chatham Lodging Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%. Chatham Lodging Trusts payout ratio is presently 1,200.00%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chatham Lodging Trust

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its position in Chatham Lodging Trust by 195.0% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 5,836 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 3,858 shares during the period. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Chatham Lodging Trust during the 1st quarter valued at about $61,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Chatham Lodging Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $62,000. Creative Planning acquired a new position in Chatham Lodging Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $164,000. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in Chatham Lodging Trust by 8.4% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 34,078 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $238,000 after acquiring an additional 2,642 shares during the period. 88.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Separately, Weiss Ratings upgraded Chatham Lodging Trust from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $10.75.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CLDT

About Chatham Lodging Trust

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Chatham Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused primarily on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels. The company owns 39 hotels totaling 5,915 rooms/suites in 16 states and the District of Columbia.

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Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014-2016) Arseniy Yatsenyuk notes that the cost of Ukraines post-war reconstruction will significantly exceed the total amount of Russian assets currently frozen in Ukraines partner countries.

"In February, the World Bank estimated that $524 billion would be needed for recovery. I dont accept these figures, but I know $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets wont be enough to compensate Ukraine. The modern international legal system does not provide an answer as to how to recover this money from Russia," Yatsenyuk said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

He noted that Ukraines state budget is heavily dependent on assistance from partners, even during the war, and he advocates using frozen Russian assets now.

"If we dont have the reparation loan  I advocated confiscating Russian assets; now, they are talking about a reparation loan  we have money until February. Maybe not everyone knows this, but in recent years we have been spending what is not ours," Yatsenyuk said.
Corpay (NYSE:CPAY  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $5.70 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.63 by $0.07, FiscalAI reports. Corpay had a return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 25.17%.The business had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.00 earnings per share. Corpays revenue was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Corpay updated its Q4 2025 guidance to 4.600-4.800 EPS.

Corpay Price Performance

Shares of Corpay stock traded down $1.85 during trading on Friday, hitting $276.15. 643,009 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 500,449. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12. The firms fifty day moving average price is $292.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $315.64. The company has a market cap of $19.50 billion, a PE ratio of 18.76, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.95. Corpay has a twelve month low of $252.84 and a twelve month high of $400.81.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Corpay

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in CPAY. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd boosted its position in Corpay by 3.3% in the second quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 3,855,589 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,279,362,000 after buying an additional 124,368 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in shares of Corpay by 8.3% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 349,318 shares of the companys stock valued at $115,911,000 after acquiring an additional 26,688 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Corpay by 40.6% in the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 184,545 shares of the companys stock worth $61,236,000 after acquiring an additional 53,316 shares in the last quarter. Meridiem Capital Partners LP boosted its stake in Corpay by 229.3% in the second quarter. Meridiem Capital Partners LP now owns 88,466 shares of the companys stock worth $29,355,000 after purchasing an additional 61,598 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Corpay by 1,237.5% during the second quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 68,482 shares of the companys stock worth $22,724,000 after purchasing an additional 63,362 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.84% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CPAY has been the subject of several research reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Corpay from $360.00 to $356.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 11th. Williams Trading set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Corpay in a report on Monday. Raymond James Financial set a $392.00 price objective on Corpay and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Corpay in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. They issued a buy rating and a $390.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Corpay in a report on Monday. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $379.71.

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About Corpay

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Corpay, Inc operates as a payments company that helps businesses and consumers manage vehicle-related expenses, lodging expenses, and corporate payments in the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers vehicle payment solutions, which include fuel, tolls, parking, fleet maintenance, and long-haul transportation services, as well as prepaid food and transportation vouchers and cards.

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Crawford & Company (NYSE:CRD.B  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 25,285 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 376% from the previous sessions volume of 5,310 shares.The stock last traded at $10.0950 and had previously closed at $10.10.

Crawford & Company Stock Up 4.3%

The company has a current ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $10.08 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.19. The company has a market capitalization of $524.35 million, a P/E ratio of 17.90 and a beta of 0.76.

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Crawford & Company (NYSE:CRD.B  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The business services provider reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by $0.03. Crawford & Company had a net margin of 2.18% and a return on equity of 25.91%. The firm had revenue of $322.17 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $344.32 million. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Crawford & Company will post 0.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Crawford & Company

Crawford & Co engages in the provision of claims management and outsourcing solutions to carriers, brokers, and corporates. It operates through the following segments: Crawford Loss Adjusting, Crawford TPA Solutions, and Crawford Platform Solutions. The Crawford Loss Adjusting segment consists of adjusting services provided to insurance companies and self-insured entities related to property and casualty losses caused by physical damage to commercial and residential real property and certain types of personal property.

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Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited (OTCMKTS:DPZUF  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 45.3% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $13.76 and last traded at $13.76. 2,891 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 252% from the average session volume of 822 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.47.

Dominos Pizza Enterprises Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $9.30 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.09.

Dominos Pizza Enterprises Company Profile

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Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited operates retail food outlets. The company holds franchise rights for the Domino's brand in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Cambodia, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It operates various stores.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) had its price target raised by BMO Capital Markets from $930.00 to $1,100.00 in a research note released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on LLY. Berenberg Bank reissued a hold rating and set a $830.00 price objective (down previously from $970.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Hsbc Global Res raised Eli Lilly and Company from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday. HSBC upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $800.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $925.00 to $985.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $960.88.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 1.5%

NYSE LLY traded down $14.09 during trading on Thursday, hitting $923.35. The company had a trading volume of 4,370,758 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,060,355. The companys fifty day moving average is $796.15 and its 200-day moving average is $775.03. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $623.78 and a one year high of $955.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86. The company has a market cap of $872.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. The company had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 92.72% and a net margin of 25.91%.The firms revenue was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 29.35%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In related news, CEO David A. Ricks bought 1,632 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $644.77 per share, for a total transaction of $1,052,264.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 546,601 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $352,431,926.77. This trade represents a 0.30% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director J Erik Fyrwald purchased 1,565 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $642.33 per share, with a total value of $1,005,246.45. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 74,578 shares of the companys stock, valued at $47,903,686.74. This trade represents a 2.14% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders bought 4,314 shares of company stock worth $2,766,929 over the last 90 days. 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Compass Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.2% in the third quarter. Compass Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,203 shares of the companys stock worth $4,733,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. Hemenway Trust Co LLC lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 48.1% during the 3rd quarter. Hemenway Trust Co LLC now owns 17,707 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,511,000 after buying an additional 5,752 shares in the last quarter. Burling Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 20.4% in the 3rd quarter. Burling Wealth Partners LLC now owns 12,523 shares of the companys stock worth $9,555,000 after buying an additional 2,120 shares during the period. King Luther Capital Management Corp increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 11.5% in the 3rd quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 185,655 shares of the companys stock worth $141,655,000 after buying an additional 19,172 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CFO4Life Group LLC increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. CFO4Life Group LLC now owns 1,841 shares of the companys stock worth $1,405,000 after buying an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

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Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS  Free Report) had its target price cut by Royal Bank Of Canada from $93.00 to $86.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the information technology services providers stock.

Several other brokerages have also commented on FIS. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on Fidelity National Information Services from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on Fidelity National Information Services from $75.00 to $70.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of Fidelity National Information Services in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Stephens decreased their price target on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, KeyCorp reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Fidelity National Information Services in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $85.53.

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Fidelity National Information Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FIS traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $64.72. 3,601,387 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,791,969. Fidelity National Information Services has a 1 year low of $59.51 and a 1 year high of $89.57. The company has a market capitalization of $33.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 359.56 and a beta of 1.01. The companys 50-day moving average is $66.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $74.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.59.

Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The information technology services provider reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.48 by $0.03. Fidelity National Information Services had a net margin of 1.09% and a return on equity of 18.73%. The business had revenue of $2.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.65 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.40 EPS. The companys revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Fidelity National Information Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.740-5.780 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Fidelity National Information Services will post 5.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Fidelity National Information Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 9th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 9th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. Fidelity National Information Servicess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 888.89%.

Insider Transactions at Fidelity National Information Services

In other Fidelity National Information Services news, Director Jeffrey A. Goldstein acquired 889 shares of Fidelity National Information Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were bought at an average price of $67.66 per share, with a total value of $60,149.74. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 13,588 shares in the company, valued at $919,364.08. This trade represents a 7.00% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fidelity National Information Services

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Meeder Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 92.1% in the 1st quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 342 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. raised its stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 179.9% during the first quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 389 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 115.1% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 357 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Fidelity National Information Services during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 613.1% in the 3rd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 435 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 374 shares in the last quarter. 96.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Fidelity National Information Services Company Profile

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Fidelity National Information Services, Inc engages in the provision of financial services technology solutions for financial institutions, businesses, and developers worldwide. It operates through Banking Solutions, Capital Market Solutions, and Corporate and Other segments. The company provides core processing and ancillary applications; mobile and online banking; fraud, risk management, and compliance; card and retail payment; electronic funds transfer and network; wealth and retirement; and item processing and output solutions.

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Gulfport Energy (NYSE:GPOR  Get Free Report) and Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group (OTCMKTS:EUBG  Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends and valuation.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings for Gulfport Energy and Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Gulfport Energy 1 4 6 1 2.58 Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group 0 0 0 0 0.00

Gulfport Energy presently has a consensus target price of $215.63, suggesting a potential upside of 6.60%. Given Gulfport Energys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Gulfport Energy is more favorable than Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group.

Risk and Volatility

Valuation & Earnings

Gulfport Energy has a beta of 0.62, indicating that its stock price is 38% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group has a beta of 16.41, indicating that its stock price is 1,541% more volatile than the S&P 500.

This table compares Gulfport Energy and Entrepreneur Universe Bright Groups revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Gulfport Energy $1.16 billion 3.07 -$261.39 million ($7.18) -28.17 Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group $5.28 million 48.78 $1.49 million N/A N/A

Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Gulfport Energy.

Profitability

This table compares Gulfport Energy and Entrepreneur Universe Bright Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Gulfport Energy -9.14% 18.89% 11.36% Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group 28.28% 15.92% 14.51%

Summary

Gulfport Energy beats Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Gulfport Energy

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Gulfport Energy Corporation engages in the exploration, development, acquisition, production of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States. Its principal properties include Utica Shale covering an area approximately 187,000 net reservoir acres primarily located in Eastern Ohio; and SCOOP covering an area approximately 74,000 net reservoir acres primarily located in Garvin, Grady, and Stephens. As of December 31, 2021, it had 3.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent to proved reserves; and proved undeveloped reserves comprising 8 MMbbl oil and 22 MMBbl NGL, and 1,550 Bcf natural gas. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

About Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group

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Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group, through its subsidiaries, provides digital marketing consultation services in the Hong Kong and People's Republic of China. It offers consulting, sourcing, and marketing services. The company was formerly known as REE International, Inc. and changed its name to Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group in April 2020. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is based in Xi'an, China.

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First Majestic Silver Corp. (TSE:AG  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 11.1% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$14.42 and last traded at C$14.47. 1,006,612 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 39% from the average session volume of 1,644,530 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$16.28.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. TD Securities raised First Majestic Silver from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from C$14.00 to C$22.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on First Majestic Silver from C$18.50 to C$21.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Cormark upgraded shares of First Majestic Silver from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Thursday. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of First Majestic Silver from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Sunday, October 5th. Finally, National Bankshares raised First Majestic Silver from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their target price for the company from C$20.00 to C$22.00 in a report on Monday, October 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have given a Buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$27.80.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on First Majestic Silver

First Majestic Silver Price Performance

First Majestic Silver Dividend Announcement

The stock has a market capitalization of C$7.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1,602.00 and a beta of 1.61. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is C$16.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$12.64.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.0052 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $0.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.1%. First Majestic Silvers dividend payout ratio is currently -196.00%.

About First Majestic Silver

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First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver and gold production in Mexico and the United States. The Company presently owns and operates the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine and the La Encantada Silver Mine.

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Gray Media (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The company reported ($0.24) earnings per share for the quarter, Zacks reports. Gray Media had a net margin of 5.64% and a return on equity of 10.31%.

Gray Media Stock Performance

GTN.A stock traded down $0.39 during trading on Friday, hitting $8.62. The company had a trading volume of 1,215 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,755. The firm has a market cap of $879.51 million, a PE ratio of 5.71 and a beta of 1.10. Gray Media has a 1-year low of $5.00 and a 1-year high of $12.95. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $9.95 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.57. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.56.

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Gray Media Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th were issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 15th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.7%. Gray Medias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.19%.

About Gray Media

Gray Television, Inc, a television broadcast company, owns and operates television stations and digital assets in the United States. As of February 28, 2019, it owned and operated television stations in 91 television markets broadcasting approximately 400 program streams, including approximately 150 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network, and the FOX Network.

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ACRES Commercial Realty Corp. (NYSE:ACR  Get Free Report) major shareholder Eagle Point Credit Management sold 3,637 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.30, for a total value of $81,105.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 391,419 shares in the company, valued at $8,728,643.70. The trade was a 0.92% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys shares are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Eagle Point Credit Management also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, November 7th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 140 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.15, for a total value of $3,521.00.

On Thursday, November 6th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 200 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.15, for a total value of $5,030.00.

On Tuesday, November 4th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 352 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.17, for a total value of $7,803.84.

On Friday, October 31st, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 2,089 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.19, for a total value of $52,621.91.

On Wednesday, October 29th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 772 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.10, for a total transaction of $17,061.20.

On Tuesday, October 28th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 200 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total transaction of $4,414.00.

On Tuesday, September 30th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 2,500 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.68, for a total transaction of $56,700.00.

On Wednesday, September 24th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 100 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.60, for a total transaction of $2,260.00.

On Monday, September 22nd, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 126 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.63, for a total transaction of $2,851.38.

On Friday, September 19th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 402 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.62, for a total transaction of $9,093.24.

ACRES Commercial Realty Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of ACR traded up $0.18 on Friday, hitting $21.93. 25,300 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 33,921. ACRES Commercial Realty Corp. has a one year low of $14.94 and a one year high of $23.81. The company has a market capitalization of $162.82 million, a PE ratio of -1,095.70 and a beta of 1.77. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $20.62 and a 200 day simple moving average of $19.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.01, a quick ratio of 69.53 and a current ratio of 69.53.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ACRES Commercial Realty

ACRES Commercial Realty announced that its board has approved a share buyback program on Wednesday, October 29th that allows the company to repurchase $7.50 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 5.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ACR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of ACRES Commercial Realty during the 2nd quarter valued at about $52,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. bought a new stake in ACRES Commercial Realty during the second quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in ACRES Commercial Realty by 110.4% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,671 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 1,926 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. purchased a new stake in ACRES Commercial Realty during the second quarter valued at approximately $93,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund bought a new position in ACRES Commercial Realty in the second quarter worth approximately $106,000. 40.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. JMP Securities set a $24.50 price objective on ACRES Commercial Realty in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Citigroup restated an outperform rating on shares of ACRES Commercial Realty in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Citizens Jmp raised their price target on shares of ACRES Commercial Realty from $23.50 to $24.50 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Wall Street Zen raised shares of ACRES Commercial Realty from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of ACRES Commercial Realty in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $24.50.

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ACRES Commercial Realty Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ACRES Commercial Realty Corp., a real estate investment trust (REIT), focuses on the origination, holding, and management of commercial real estate mortgage loans and equity investments in commercial real estate property in the United States. It invests in commercial real estate-related assets, including floating-rate first mortgage loans, first priority interests in first mortgage loans, subordinated interests in first mortgage loans, mezzanine financing, preferred equity investments, and commercial mortgage-backed securities.

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Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE  Get Free Report) insider Maciej Kurzymski sold 13,105 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.09, for a total transaction of $1,888,299.45. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 93,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,439,130.21. The trade was a 12.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Maciej Kurzymski also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, September 16th, Maciej Kurzymski sold 2,474 shares of Bloom Energy stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.47, for a total transaction of $174,342.78.

Bloom Energy Price Performance

BE traded down $1.15 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $135.71. 15,620,732 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 14,695,683. The company has a quick ratio of 2.88, a current ratio of 4.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $91.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $49.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 760.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 77.12 and a beta of 3.43. Bloom Energy Corporation has a one year low of $11.02 and a one year high of $147.82.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Bloom Energy ( NYSE:BE Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.08 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $519.05 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $425.18 million. Bloom Energy had a return on equity of 8.74% and a net margin of 0.84%.Bloom Energys quarterly revenue was up 57.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.01) EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Bloom Energy Corporation will post -0.23 EPS for the current year.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $123.00 target price on shares of Bloom Energy in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Bloom Energy to $155.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Bloom Energy from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating on shares of Bloom Energy in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Mizuho set a $89.00 price target on Bloom Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $95.65.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BE

Institutional Trading of Bloom Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Banque Transatlantique SA lifted its holdings in Bloom Energy by 227.6% during the 1st quarter. Banque Transatlantique SA now owns 1,671 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 1,161 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its position in shares of Bloom Energy by 2,160.0% during the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,582 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 1,512 shares during the last quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bloom Energy during the third quarter worth $32,000. Fifth Third Bancorp acquired a new position in shares of Bloom Energy during the third quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in Bloom Energy by 250.9% in the third quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 393 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 281 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.04% of the companys stock.

About Bloom Energy

(Get Free Report)

Bloom Energy Corporation designs, manufactures, sells, and installs solid-oxide fuel cell systems for on-site power generation in the United States and internationally. The company offers Bloom Energy Server, a solid oxide technology that converts fuel, such as natural gas, biogas, hydrogen, or a blend of these fuels into electricity through an electrochemical process without combustion.

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Russia launched over 450 strike drones and 45 missiles of various types over Ukraine last night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Russia launched over 450 attack drones and 45 missiles of various types against Ukraine. And the terrorists targets remain unchanged: civilian life, residential buildings, our energy sector, and infrastructure," he wrote on the Telegram channel on Saturday morning.

According to him, all services are working wherever necessary - restoring after the strikes, supporting people, helping the injured.

As the president noted, a rescue operation is underway in Dnipro.

"Overnight, Russia struck the city, hitting an apartment building. As of now, 11 people have been reported wounded, including children. Unfortunately, one person has been killed. My condolences to the family and loved ones. Dozens of people were rescued. Tragically, one life was also lost in Kharkiv region, and people were also injured in Kyiv and Poltava regions. There were also strikes in Dnipro, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions. Odesa region has been under attack since the evening," Zelenskyy wrote.

"This is a matter of resources for killing, of money  sanctions are needed to deprive Russia of the means to continue the war it started and keeps prolonging. We appreciate all the steps partners have already taken, but Russian strikes show that pressure must be intensified. There must be a European decision on Russias frozen assets, additional sanctions, and support and reinforcement for Ukraines defense," he wrote.

"And for every Moscows strike on energy infrastructure  aimed at harming ordinary people before winter  there must be a sanctions response targeting all Russian energy, with no exceptions. So far, Russias nuclear energy sector is not under sanctions, and the Russian military-industrial complex still obtains Western microelectronics. There must be greater pressure on its oil and gas trade as well. We expect relevant decisions from the United States, Europe, and the G7. Thank you to everyone ready to help and act to protect lives," Zelenskyy stressed.
Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:THC  Get Free Report) Director Tammy Romo sold 645 shares of Tenet Healthcare stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.20, for a total transaction of $132,354.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 34,866 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,154,503.20. The trade was a 1.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink.

Tammy Romo also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, November 4th, Tammy Romo sold 11,756 shares of Tenet Healthcare stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.07, for a total transaction of $2,399,046.92.

On Monday, November 3rd, Tammy Romo sold 15,099 shares of Tenet Healthcare stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.81, for a total value of $3,032,030.19.

Tenet Healthcare Stock Performance

NYSE:THC traded up $0.80 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $204.99. 508,188 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,428,240. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.27, a quick ratio of 1.63 and a current ratio of 1.71. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $198.15 and its 200 day simple moving average is $175.72. Tenet Healthcare Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $109.82 and a fifty-two week high of $217.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.53.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Tenet Healthcare ( NYSE:THC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $3.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.33 by $0.37. Tenet Healthcare had a return on equity of 25.11% and a net margin of 6.49%.The firm had revenue of $5.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.26 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.93 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Tenet Healthcare has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.930-16.26 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Tenet Healthcare Corporation will post 12.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

THC has been the topic of several recent research reports. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Tenet Healthcare from $208.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, September 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Tenet Healthcare from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 4th. UBS Group upped their target price on Tenet Healthcare from $238.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Tenet Healthcare from $200.00 to $238.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $232.00 price objective on shares of Tenet Healthcare and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $226.25.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Tenet Healthcare

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in shares of Tenet Healthcare by 6.5% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,596,544 shares of the companys stock worth $1,021,736,000 after acquiring an additional 463,552 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners lifted its stake in Tenet Healthcare by 95.0% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 2,267,142 shares of the companys stock valued at $398,949,000 after purchasing an additional 1,104,500 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in Tenet Healthcare by 8.0% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 2,119,423 shares of the companys stock valued at $373,020,000 after buying an additional 157,109 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Tenet Healthcare by 12.2% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,675,199 shares of the companys stock worth $225,297,000 after buying an additional 181,667 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Tenet Healthcare during the 1st quarter valued at $218,549,000. Institutional investors own 95.44% of the companys stock.

About Tenet Healthcare

(Get Free Report)

Tenet Healthcare Corporation operates as a diversified healthcare services company in the United States. The company operates through two segments: Hospital Operations and Services, and Ambulatory Care. Its general hospitals offer acute care services, operating and recovery rooms, radiology and respiratory therapy services, clinical laboratories, and pharmacies.

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Shares of Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF (NYSEARCA:RPV  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $98.56, but opened at $8.35. Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF shares last traded at $98.6710, with a volume of 60,194 shares changing hands.

Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF Stock Up 1.2%

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $98.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $94.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.00 and a beta of 0.96.

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Institutional Trading of Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $56,000. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF by 41.8% during the first quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 668 shares of the companys stock worth $62,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. SYM FINANCIAL Corp acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF in the second quarter worth $67,000. Jackson Hole Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF in the third quarter valued at $77,000. Finally, Delos Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF during the second quarter valued at about $195,000.

About Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF

The Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF (RPV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500\u002FCitigroup Pure Value index. The fund tracks an index of primarily large-cap, committee-selected US stocks. The index covers about 33% of the S&P 500s market cap, using three factors to select value stocks.

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Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS  Get Free Report) CEO Robert Goldstein sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.98, for a total value of $2,519,200.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Las Vegas Sands Trading Up 3.7%

Shares of LVS stock traded up $2.34 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $65.13. 6,104,280 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,620,943. The firm has a market cap of $44.04 billion, a PE ratio of 29.47, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.03. Las Vegas Sands Corp. has a 1 year low of $30.18 and a 1 year high of $65.55. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.42. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $54.31 and a 200 day moving average of $48.57.

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Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The casino operator reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.04 billion. Las Vegas Sands had a net margin of 12.69% and a return on equity of 73.14%. Las Vegas Sandss revenue was up 24.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.44 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Las Vegas Sands Corp. will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Las Vegas Sands Dividend Announcement

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Las Vegas Sands

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 4th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 4th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. Las Vegas Sandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.25%.

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 69.3% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 567,101 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $21,907,000 after acquiring an additional 232,091 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in Las Vegas Sands by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,101,190 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $119,799,000 after purchasing an additional 12,593 shares in the last quarter. Ground Swell Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands in the 1st quarter worth $225,000. Everett Harris & Co. CA acquired a new position in Las Vegas Sands during the first quarter worth about $657,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC raised its position in Las Vegas Sands by 560.4% in the first quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 70,685 shares of the casino operators stock worth $2,731,000 after acquiring an additional 59,982 shares in the last quarter. 39.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LVS has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Zacks Research raised Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Las Vegas Sands in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Macquarie lifted their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Argus increased their price target on Las Vegas Sands from $60.00 to $65.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $64.13.

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Las Vegas Sands Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the Peoples Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

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Lifezone Metals (NYSE:LZM  Get Free Report) is one of 103 public companies in the MINING  MISC industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare Lifezone Metals to related businesses based on the strength of its risk, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Volatility & Risk

Lifezone Metals has a beta of 0.62, indicating that its stock price is 38% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Lifezone Metals competitors have a beta of 0.62, indicating that their average stock price is 38% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Lifezone Metals and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Lifezone Metals 1 0 1 0 2.00 Lifezone Metals Competitors 734 1826 3505 170 2.50

Valuation and Earnings

Lifezone Metals currently has a consensus target price of $14.00, indicating a potential upside of 266.97%. As a group, MINING  MISC companies have a potential upside of 13.34%. Given Lifezone Metals higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Lifezone Metals is more favorable than its competitors.

This table compares Lifezone Metals and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Lifezone Metals $140,000.00 -$46.31 million -0.82 Lifezone Metals Competitors $10.01 billion $439.04 million -16.46

Lifezone Metals competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Lifezone Metals. Lifezone Metals is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

35.5% of shares of all MINING  MISC companies are held by institutional investors. 9.4% of shares of all MINING  MISC companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Lifezone Metals and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Lifezone Metals N/A N/A N/A Lifezone Metals Competitors -1,016.65% -12.40% -4.52%

Summary

Lifezone Metals competitors beat Lifezone Metals on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

Lifezone Metals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Lifezone Metals Limited engages in the extraction and refining of metals. It supplies lower-carbon and sulfur dioxide emission metals to the battery storage, EV, and hydrogen markets. The companys products include nickel, copper, and cobalt. Its flagship project is the Kabanga nickel project in North-West Tanzania. The company is based in Ramsey, Isle of Man.

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McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE:MH  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $10.40 and last traded at $10.91, with a volume of 822 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $10.90.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MH. Needham & Company LLC began coverage on shares of McGraw Hill in a research note on Monday, August 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $19.00 price target on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of McGraw Hill from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of McGraw Hill in a research note on Monday, August 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $19.00 target price on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of McGraw Hill in a research report on Monday, August 18th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 price target for the company. Finally, Baird R W upgraded shares of McGraw Hill to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, August 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $20.97.

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McGraw Hill Stock Performance

Institutional Investors Weigh In On McGraw Hill

The companys fifty day moving average price is $13.04.

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new position in shares of McGraw Hill during the 3rd quarter valued at $12,550,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new stake in McGraw Hill during the third quarter valued at $147,000. Vanguard Group Inc. purchased a new stake in McGraw Hill during the third quarter valued at $32,923,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in McGraw Hill in the third quarter valued at about $14,600,000. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers purchased a new position in McGraw Hill in the third quarter worth about $279,000.

McGraw Hill Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

At McGraw Hill, our purpose is to unlock the potential of each learner at every stage of life. Our mission is to support educators, learners and professionals around the world with trusted, high-quality content and digital solutions that use data and learning science to adapt to each student as they progress towards their goals.

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Nevsun Resources (NYSEAMERICAN:NSU  Get Free Report) dropped 0.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $4.44 and last traded at $4.44. Approximately 25,500 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 71% from the average daily volume of 87,058 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.45.

Nevsun Resources Trading Down 0.2%

The business has a fifty day moving average of $4.44 and a 200-day moving average of $4.44.

Nevsun Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Nevsun Resources Ltd. engages in the mining and development of mineral properties in Europe, Africa, and North America. It explores for gold, copper, zinc, and silver deposits. The company's principal assets include Timok project, a copper-gold development project in Serbia; and Bisha copper- zinc mine in Eritrea.

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Nissan Motor (OTCMKTS:NSANY  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.45) by $0.52, Zacks reports. Nissan Motor had a negative net margin of 6.54% and a negative return on equity of 2.93%. The business had revenue of $19.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $19.43 billion. Nissan Motor updated its FY 2025 guidance to EPS.

Nissan Motor Stock Up 2.0%

Shares of NSANY stock traded up $0.09 during trading on Friday, hitting $4.54. 163,810 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 278,960. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.51 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.53. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $4.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.73. Nissan Motor has a twelve month low of $4.10 and a twelve month high of $7.11.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Nissan Motor from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce.

Nissan Motor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Nissan Motor Co, Ltd. manufactures and sells vehicles and automotive parts worldwide. It sells vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. The company offers vehicle and vehicle parts; engines, manual transmissions, and multiplier/reducer units; automotive parts; axles; and other related components.

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TC Energy (NYSE:TRP  Get Free Report) (TSE:TRP) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The pipeline company reported $0.56 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.56, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $1.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.63 billion. TC Energy had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 28.98%.During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.03 earnings per share.

TC Energy Stock Up 3.4%

Shares of NYSE TRP traded up $1.73 during trading on Friday, hitting $52.18. The stock had a trading volume of 3,554,902 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,288,560. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $52.17 and a two-hundred day moving average of $50.30. The company has a market capitalization of $54.29 billion, a PE ratio of 17.81, a PEG ratio of 4.82 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 0.61 and a quick ratio of 0.54. TC Energy has a 12 month low of $43.51 and a 12 month high of $55.37.

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TC Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. This is an increase from TC Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. TC Energys payout ratio is currently 84.30%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of TC Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Barclays reissued an overweight rating on shares of TC Energy in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on TC Energy from $74.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday. Cibc World Mkts lowered TC Energy from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of TC Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $77.00.

View Our Latest Research Report on TRP

Institutional Trading of TC Energy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of TC Energy by 50.5% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,706 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $181,000 after purchasing an additional 1,243 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in TC Energy by 26.0% during the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 3,781 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $184,000 after buying an additional 781 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in TC Energy in the second quarter worth about $205,000. Challenger Wealth Management bought a new stake in TC Energy in the second quarter worth about $224,000. Finally, ICONIQ Capital LLC boosted its stake in TC Energy by 9.8% in the second quarter. ICONIQ Capital LLC now owns 4,746 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $232,000 after acquiring an additional 422 shares during the last quarter. 83.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About TC Energy

(Get Free Report)

TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,600 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses.

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Shares of Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA (OTCMKTS:USNZY  Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . 139,500 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 127% from the previous sessions volume of 61,548 shares.The stock last traded at $1.08 and had previously closed at $1.0650.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Zacks Research upgraded Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Stock Down 1.8%

The firms 50-day simple moving average is $0.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 2.56 and a current ratio of 4.26. The company has a market capitalization of $597.12 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.22 and a beta of 1.48.

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais (OTCMKTS:USNZY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 24th. The basic materials company reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.01) by $0.02. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais had a negative net margin of 12.91% and a positive return on equity of 1.19%. The business had revenue of $1.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.20 billion. Sell-side analysts forecast that Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA will post 0.09 earnings per share for the current year.

About Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais

(Get Free Report)

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA manufactures and markets flat steel products in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Mining and Logistics, Steel Metallurgy, and Steel Transformation. It extracts and process iron ore, such as pellet and sinter feed and, granulated iron ore; provides storage, handling, and road cargo transportation services; and operates highway and railway cargo terminals.

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Metis Global Partners LLC reduced its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 9.9% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 78,054 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 8,607 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $10,616,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 759.1% during the second quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 189 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Hughes Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Elequin Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter worth $30,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the first quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the first quarter valued at $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ABT. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Benchmark assumed coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Friday, October 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $145.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, William Blair raised shares of Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.00.

Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $126.28 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $130.78 and a 200-day moving average of $131.40. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $110.86 and a 52-week high of $141.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $219.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.82, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.68.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.78%. The firm had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.21 EPS. The firms revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.59 per share. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.57%.

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Defense Forces neutralized 415 enemy targets last night, including 406 Shahed and Gerbera attack UAVs and nine missiles of various types, 26 missiles and 52 attack UAVs hit 25 locations, the press service of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"During the night of November 8 (starting at 18:30 on November 7), the enemy carried out a combined strike on critical infrastructure facilities of Ukraine using attack UAVs and missiles launched from air, land, and sea. In total, the radio-technical troops of the Air Force detected and tracked 503 aerial attack assets  45 missiles (32 of which were ballistic) and 458 UAVs of various types (about 300 of them Shaheds)," the Air Force reported on its Telegram channel.

It is reported that among these were 458 strike UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera (and other types) launched from Kursk, Millerovo, Orel, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia), and Hvardiyiske (temporarily occupied Crimea); 25 ballistic Iskander-M/KN-23 missiles (from Kursk, Voronezh, and Rostov regions of Russia); 10 Iskander-K cruise missiles (from Kursk and Voronezh regions); 7 X-47M2 Kinzhal aero-ballistic missiles (from Tambov region); and three Kalibr cruise missiles (launched from the Black Sea).

It is stated that the main directions of the attack were Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Poltava regions.

According to preliminary data, as of 10:00, air defense forces shot down/suppressed 415 aerial targets: 406 strike UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera (and other) types, and nine missiles of various types. At this time, 26 missiles and 52 strike UAVs are confirmed to have hit 25 locations, and debris from intercepted targets fell in four locations across different regions of Ukraine.

In addition, as of 10:00, information regarding the fall/hit of 10 more enemy missiles is being clarified.

The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Artivion (NYSE:AORT  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Needham & Company LLC from $50.00 to $58.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Artivion from $40.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Citigroup reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Artivion in a research report on Friday, October 10th. JMP Securities upped their price objective on Artivion from $42.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Artivion in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price target on shares of Artivion from $41.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $49.11.

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Artivion Price Performance

NYSE AORT traded down $2.68 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $44.82. The company had a trading volume of 582,541 shares, compared to its average volume of 433,923. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $42.44 and a 200-day moving average price of $35.40. The company has a market capitalization of $2.11 billion, a PE ratio of -106.72 and a beta of 1.65. The company has a current ratio of 4.78, a quick ratio of 3.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. Artivion has a twelve month low of $21.97 and a twelve month high of $47.69.

Artivion (NYSE:AORT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.02. Artivion had a negative net margin of 4.43% and a positive return on equity of 5.70%. The business had revenue of $113.39 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $110.71 million. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 18.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Artivion has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Artivion will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Artivion

In related news, SVP Marshall S. Stanton sold 18,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.02, for a total value of $801,164.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 64,200 shares in the company, valued at $2,826,084. This trade represents a 22.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider John E. Davis sold 10,802 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.67, for a total transaction of $471,723.34. Following the transaction, the insider owned 208,778 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,117,335.26. The trade was a 4.92% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 74,858 shares of company stock valued at $3,250,129. 7.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AORT. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Artivion by 2.4% during the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 206,777 shares of the companys stock worth $5,083,000 after buying an additional 4,749 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Artivion by 27.9% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 341,656 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,398,000 after acquiring an additional 74,589 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Artivion during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $669,000. Fred Alger Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Artivion during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,969,000. Finally, Diker Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Artivion during the 1st quarter worth approximately $369,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.37% of the companys stock.

About Artivion

(Get Free Report)

Artivion, Inc manufactures, processes, and distributes medical devices and implantable human tissues worldwide. The company provides BioGlue, a polymer consisting of bovine blood protein and an agent for cross-linking proteins for cardiac, vascular, neurologic, and pulmonary procedures; cardiac preservation services; PhotoFix, a bovine pericardial patch; and aortic arch stent grafts including E-vita Open Plus and E-vita Open Neo.

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Auto Trader Group (OTCMKTS:ATDRY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 2,821,637 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 755% from the previous sessions volume of 329,826 shares.The stock last traded at $2.58 and had previously closed at $2.49.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Auto Trader Group in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce.

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Auto Trader Group Price Performance

Auto Trader Group Increases Dividend

The companys 50 day simple moving average is $2.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.70.

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 1st were paid a dividend of $0.0192 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 105.0%. This is an increase from Auto Trader Groups previous dividend of $0.01.

Auto Trader Group Company Profile

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Auto Trader Group plc operates in the digital automotive marketplace in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company provides vehicle advertisement on its websites for private sellers, as well as insurance and loan financing products to consumers; and display advertising on its websites for manufacturers and their advertising agencies.

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Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH  Free Report) had its price objective raised by Barclays from $785.00 to $906.00 in a research report report published on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the industrial products companys stock.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on PH. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $726.00 to $723.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Mizuho raised their price objective on Parker-Hannifin from $800.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on Parker-Hannifin from $860.00 to $960.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Parker-Hannifin from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $809.00 price target for the company. in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $822.76.

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Parker-Hannifin Stock Up 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:PH traded up $9.74 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $843.89. The company had a trading volume of 975,444 shares, compared to its average volume of 707,783. Parker-Hannifin has a 1-year low of $488.45 and a 1-year high of $851.86. The stock has a market cap of $106.79 billion, a PE ratio of 31.12, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $758.48 and its 200 day moving average price is $712.46.

Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.62 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $5.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.94 billion. Parker-Hannifin had a net margin of 17.79% and a return on equity of 26.80%. The firms revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $6.20 earnings per share. Parker-Hannifin has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Parker-Hannifin will post 26.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Parker-Hannifin Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be paid a $1.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Parker-Hannifins payout ratio is 26.55%.

Insider Activity at Parker-Hannifin

In other news, EVP Joseph R. Leonti sold 4,625 shares of Parker-Hannifin stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $750.84, for a total value of $3,472,635.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 13,878 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,420,157.52. The trade was a 25.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Parker-Hannifin during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Interchange Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Parker-Hannifin in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. bought a new stake in Parker-Hannifin during the third quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin in the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Institutional investors own 82.44% of the companys stock.

About Parker-Hannifin

(Get Free Report)

Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment.

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Tesla, IREN, Bloom Energy, Constellation Energy, and Exxon Mobil are the five Energy stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Energy stocks are shares of companies involved in producing, transporting, generating, or servicing energythis includes oil and gas exploration and refining, utilities, pipeline operators, and renewable-energy firms. For investors, these stocks provide exposure to energy demand and commodity-price cycles and may offer dividend income, but they also carry sector-specific risks such as price volatility, regulatory changes, and technological disruption. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Energy stocks within the last several days.

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Tesla (TSLA)

Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Automotive, and Energy Generation and Storage. The Automotive segment offers electric vehicles, as well as sells automotive regulatory credits; and non-warranty after-sales vehicle, used vehicles, body shop and parts, supercharging, retail merchandise, and vehicle insurance services.

IREN (IREN)

IREN Limited, formerly known as Iris Energy Limited, owns and operates bitcoin mining data centers. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

Read Our Latest Research Report on IREN

Bloom Energy (BE)

Bloom Energy Corporation designs, manufactures, sells, and installs solid-oxide fuel cell systems for on-site power generation in the United States and internationally. The company offers Bloom Energy Server, a solid oxide technology that converts fuel, such as natural gas, biogas, hydrogen, or a blend of these fuels into electricity through an electrochemical process without combustion.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BE

Constellation Energy (CEG)

Constellation Energy Corporation generates and sells electricity in the United States. It operates through five segments: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, ERCOT, and Other Power Regions. The company sells natural gas, energy-related products, and sustainable solutions. It has approximately 33,094 megawatts of generating capacity consisting of nuclear, wind, solar, natural gas, and hydroelectric assets.

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Exxon Mobil (XOM)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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BlackRock Smaller Companies (LON:BRSC  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 1,311.37 and traded as low as GBX 1,284. BlackRock Smaller Companies shares last traded at GBX 1,292, with a volume of 104,704 shares changing hands.

BlackRock Smaller Companies Trading Down 0.5%

The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 1,311.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 1,303.90. The firm has a market cap of 522.36 million, a PE ratio of -6.82 and a beta of 1.11.

About BlackRock Smaller Companies

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The Company aims to achieve long-term capital growth for shareholders through investment mainly in smaller UK quoted companies.

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Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, three have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $170.4444.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on ATO. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $159.00 target price (up from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Cowen began coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Bank of America restated a neutral rating and set a $185.00 price target (up previously from $182.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $167.00 to $181.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.8%

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $282,487,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 94.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,652,267 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $562,851,000 after buying an additional 1,778,653 shares in the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 220.1% in the 2nd quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 720,956 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $111,107,000 after buying an additional 495,712 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,791,335 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,213,925,000 after buying an additional 424,235 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $65,333,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ATO stock opened at $176.96 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $28.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $170.68 and a 200 day moving average price of $162.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.25. Atmos Energy has a 12 month low of $136.05 and a 12 month high of $180.65.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $754.64 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $726.97 million. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.08 EPS. Atmos Energy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.150-8.350 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Atmos Energy will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 24th will be paid a $1.00 dividend. This is a boost from Atmos Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.87. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 24th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Atmos Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.40%.

About Atmos Energy

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Atmos Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated natural gas distribution, and pipeline and storage businesses in the United States. It operates through two segments, Distribution, and Pipeline and Storage. The Distribution segment is involved in the regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states.

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Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $38.25.

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Robert Half from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Zacks Research raised shares of Robert Half from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of Robert Half from $36.00 to $31.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Robert Half from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, August 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of Robert Half in a report on Wednesday.

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Robert Half Trading Up 1.2%

RHI stock opened at $26.32 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $2.66 billion, a PE ratio of 17.09 and a beta of 1.01. Robert Half has a 12 month low of $25.22 and a 12 month high of $78.41. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $32.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.55.

Robert Half (NYSE:RHI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The business services provider reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.43. Robert Half had a net margin of 2.85% and a return on equity of 11.76%. The business had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.36 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Robert Half has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.250-0.350 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Robert Half will post 2.48 EPS for the current year.

Robert Half Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 25th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.0%. Robert Halfs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 153.25%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Robert Half

In related news, Director Dirk A. Kempthorne sold 6,505 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.87, for a total value of $187,799.35. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 11,712 shares of the companys stock, valued at $338,125.44. This represents a 35.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 3.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RHI. Quarry LP lifted its position in Robert Half by 540.8% during the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 487 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 411 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Robert Half in the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its stake in Robert Half by 927.7% during the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 853 shares of the business services providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 770 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its position in Robert Half by 952.4% during the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,105 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC raised its stake in Robert Half by 393.8% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 963 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 768 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.41% of the companys stock.

About Robert Half

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Robert Half Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti segments. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support.

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TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE:TEL  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the sixteen research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have assigned a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $241.5833.

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of TE Connectivity from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of TE Connectivity from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of TE Connectivity in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on TE Connectivity from $260.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on TE Connectivity from $222.00 to $238.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th.

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Insider Buying and Selling at TE Connectivity

Hedge Funds Weigh In On TE Connectivity

In other news, EVP John S. Jenkins sold 25,021 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $247.73, for a total value of $6,198,452.33. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 20,903 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,178,300.19. The trade was a 54.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, CFO Heath A. Mitts sold 82,300 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $247.15, for a total transaction of $20,340,445.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 45,503 shares in the company, valued at $11,246,066.45. This represents a 64.40% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . Insiders have sold a total of 131,171 shares of company stock valued at $31,380,209 in the last ninety days. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in TE Connectivity by 1.1% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 38,292,320 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $6,458,766,000 after acquiring an additional 410,910 shares during the last quarter. Dodge & Cox boosted its stake in shares of TE Connectivity by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 17,039,803 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $2,874,104,000 after purchasing an additional 1,017,323 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of TE Connectivity by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,928,733 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $2,180,693,000 after purchasing an additional 100,040 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in TE Connectivity by 17.2% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 7,459,195 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $1,054,133,000 after purchasing an additional 1,097,035 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in TE Connectivity by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 7,028,380 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $1,185,474,000 after purchasing an additional 464,853 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.43% of the companys stock.

TE Connectivity Stock Performance

TEL opened at $242.27 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $222.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $191.57. TE Connectivity has a 1 year low of $116.30 and a 1 year high of $250.67. The company has a market capitalization of $71.59 billion, a PE ratio of 39.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.27.

TE Connectivity (NYSE:TEL  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The electronics maker reported $2.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.29 by $0.15. TE Connectivity had a return on equity of 21.18% and a net margin of 10.67%.The company had revenue of $4.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.57 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.95 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. TE Connectivity has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 2.530-2.530 EPS. Research analysts expect that TE Connectivity will post 8.05 EPS for the current year.

TE Connectivity Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.71 per share. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. TE Connectivitys dividend payout ratio is presently 46.18%.

TE Connectivity Company Profile

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TE Connectivity Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells connectivity and sensor solutions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the AsiaPacific, and the Americas. The company operates through three segments: Transportation Solutions, Industrial Solutions, and Communications Solutions.

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Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT  Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Thursday. The utilities provider reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.41, Zacks reports. Chunghwa Telecom had a return on equity of 9.72% and a net margin of 16.27%.The company had revenue of $1.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.93 billion.

Chunghwa Telecom Price Performance

Shares of CHT stock traded up $0.44 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $42.33. 165,345 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 129,215. The company has a market cap of $32.83 billion, a PE ratio of 27.66 and a beta of 0.28. Chunghwa Telecom has a 52-week low of $36.61 and a 52-week high of $47.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $43.53 and a 200 day moving average of $43.90.

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Institutional Trading of Chunghwa Telecom

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 9.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 310,705 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $14,482,000 after buying an additional 27,177 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its holdings in Chunghwa Telecom by 142.6% in the 2nd quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 129,440 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,033,000 after acquiring an additional 76,087 shares in the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC raised its position in Chunghwa Telecom by 43.7% during the second quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 109,845 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,120,000 after acquiring an additional 33,397 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in Chunghwa Telecom by 37.1% during the second quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 63,168 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,944,000 after purchasing an additional 17,081 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 21.3% in the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 61,030 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,844,000 after purchasing an additional 10,723 shares during the period. 2.11% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Chunghwa Telecom in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Chunghwa Telecom presently has an average rating of Hold.

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Chunghwa Telecom Company Profile

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Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services in Taiwan and internationally. It operates through Consumer Business, Enterprise Business, International Business, and Others segments. The company offers local, domestic long distance, and international long distance fixed-line telephone services; mobile services such as prepaid and postpaid plans; broadband plans; and internet and data services.

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CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE:CMS  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $78.3636.

CMS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of CMS Energy from $71.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of CMS Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 18th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of CMS Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of CMS Energy from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, KeyCorp raised their price target on CMS Energy from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th.

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CMS Energy Trading Up 1.2%

NYSE:CMS opened at $73.20 on Wednesday. CMS Energy has a 12-month low of $63.97 and a 12-month high of $76.45. The firm has a market cap of $22.28 billion, a PE ratio of 21.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $72.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $71.81.

CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $2.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.83 billion. CMS Energy had a return on equity of 12.07% and a net margin of 12.76%.CMS Energys revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.84 EPS. CMS Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.800-3.870 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 3.560-3.600 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that CMS Energy will post 3.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CMS Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a dividend of $0.5425 per share. This represents a $2.17 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 7th. CMS Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.72%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.47, for a total transaction of $289,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 64,259 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,656,849.73. The trade was a 5.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Lauren Y. Snyder sold 2,220 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.26, for a total transaction of $158,197.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 13,512 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $962,865.12. The trade was a 14.11% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CMS Energy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CMS. Bison Wealth LLC purchased a new position in CMS Energy during the 4th quarter worth $312,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of CMS Energy by 9.4% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 4,662 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $350,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLC boosted its stake in shares of CMS Energy by 24.5% during the first quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 4,504 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $338,000 after buying an additional 885 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA grew its holdings in shares of CMS Energy by 14.4% during the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,466 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $110,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Finally, OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in CMS Energy by 23.0% in the 1st quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,952 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $297,000 after acquiring an additional 738 shares during the period. 93.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CMS Energy Company Profile

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CMS Energy Corporation operates as an energy company primarily in Michigan. The company operates through three segments: Electric Utility; Gas Utility; and Enterprises. The Electric Utility segment is involved in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. This segment generates electricity through coal, wind, gas, renewable energy, oil, and nuclear sources.

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Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014-2016) Arseniy Yatsenyuk states that the date of Ukraines accession to the European Union is not the priority issue, but the process itself is non-negotiable. He emphasizes that Ukraines interests in this process can be secured only through a complex negotiation effort, in which the Polish side can serve as the most valuable adviser.

"The key thing is to end the war and preserve the Ukrainian state, and accession is a bureaucratic process that must continue The bureaucratic process must be handled flawlessly by the government, but the main task is to preserve the Ukrainian state, so that there will be someone to join the European Union," Yatsenyuk said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

He described the European Commissions report in the annual Enlargement Package, which was published by the European Commission on Tuesday in Brussels, as very positive for Ukraine. "I reviewed the European Commissions report and, seriously, I want to congratulate us that during wartime the country received very positive assessments. Are there gaps? Yes, there are  but they can be addressed," the head of the Kyiv Security Forum said.

At the same time, he emphasized that discussions about joining the EU or choosing neutrality are no longer subjects for debate. "It was precisely because of such discussions that Putin decided to attack Ukraine. The eternal uncertainty of political forces, as well as of the population influenced by these political forces. A catastrophic story that has haunted Ukraine. What else has to happen in Ukraine to understand that our path goes in only one direction  toward the European Union and NATO, if we want to have our own state," Yatsenyuk said.

When asked how to minimize losses from joining the EU, he replied that "this is a negotiation process." "You cannot get everything and give up nothing. It is we who are asking to join this club, not the other way around, and it has its own rules. The task of the negotiators is to ensure that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. It is impossible to eliminate all the disadvantages, otherwise the negotiation process will never be completed. This will be a very difficult process, because it concerns money, competitiveness, market share, subsidies, support programs  in other words, this is extremely complex work," the former Prime Minister added.

And for this, Yatsenyuk emphasized, Ukraine will need the Poles and their experience in order to conduct the negotiations properly.
British Land (OTCMKTS:BTLCY  Get Free Report) and RE/MAX (NYSE:RMAX  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

93.2% of RE/MAX shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.8% of RE/MAX shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Volatility & Risk

British Land has a beta of 1.4, meaning that its stock price is 40% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, RE/MAX has a beta of 1.17, meaning that its stock price is 17% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Analyst Recommendations

British Land pays an annual dividend of $0.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. RE/MAX pays an annual dividend of $0.69 per share and has a dividend yield of 9.2%. RE/MAX pays out 113.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for British Land and RE/MAX, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score British Land 0 1 0 3 3.50 RE/MAX 1 1 0 0 1.50

RE/MAX has a consensus price target of $9.00, suggesting a potential upside of 19.92%. Given RE/MAXs higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe RE/MAX is more favorable than British Land.

Profitability

This table compares British Land and RE/MAXs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets British Land N/A N/A N/A RE/MAX 3.19% -51.38% 4.88%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares British Land and RE/MAXs gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio British Land $571.65 million 9.16 $431.25 million N/A N/A RE/MAX $292.93 million 0.51 $7.12 million $0.61 12.30

British Land has higher revenue and earnings than RE/MAX.

Summary

British Land beats RE/MAX on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About British Land

(Get Free Report)

Our portfolio of high quality UK commercial property is focused on London Campuses and Retail & London Urban Logistics assets throughout the UK. We own or manage a portfolio valued at 13.0bn (British Land share: 8.9bn) as at 31 March 2023 making us one of Europe's largest listed real estate investment companies. We create Places People Prefer, delivering the best, most sustainable places for our customers and communities. Our strategy is to leverage our best in class platform and proven expertise in development, repositioning and active management, investing behind two key themes: Campuses and Retail & London Urban Logistics. Our three Campuses at Broadgate, Paddington Central and Regent's Place are dynamic neighbourhoods, attracting growth customers and sectors, and offering some of the best connected, highest quality and most sustainable space in London. We are delivering our fourth Campus at Canada Water, where we have planning consent to deliver 5m sq ft of residential, commercial, retail and community space over 53 acres. Our Campuses account for 63% of our portfolio. Retail & London Urban Logistics accounts for 37% of the portfolio and is focused on retail parks which are aligned to the growth of convenience, online and last mile fulfilment. We are complementing this with urban logistics primarily in London, focused on development-led opportunities. Sustainability is embedded throughout our business. Our approach is focused on three key pillars where British Land can create the most benefit: Greener Spaces, making our whole portfolio net zero carbon by 2030, Thriving Places, partnering to grow social value and wellbeing in the communities where we operate and Responsible Choices, advocating responsible business practices across British Land and throughout our supply chain, and maintaining robust governance structures.

About RE/MAX

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RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. operates as a franchisor of real estate brokerage services in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Real Estate, Mortgage, and Marketing Funds segments. The company offers real estate brokerage franchising services under the RE/MAX brand; mortgage brokerage services to real estate brokers, real estate professionals, mortgage professionals, and other investors under the Motto Mortgage brand; and mortgage loan processing software and services under the wemlo brand. It also provides kvCORE platform, which integrates a suite of digital products that enables agents, brokers, and teams to establish and manage client relationships; and RE/MAX University platform, a learning hub designed to help each agent in their professional expertise. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

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Trinity Industries (NYSE:TRN  Get Free Report) is one of 14 public companies in the TRANS  EQP&LSNG industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Trinity Industries to related companies based on the strength of its earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, risk and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings for Trinity Industries and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Trinity Industries 0 3 0 0 2.00 Trinity Industries Competitors 132 577 1004 66 2.56

Trinity Industries presently has a consensus price target of $27.00, indicating a potential upside of 5.17%. As a group, TRANS  EQP&LSNG companies have a potential upside of 12.74%. Given Trinity Industries rivals stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Trinity Industries has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Trinity Industries $2.18 billion $138.40 million 22.52 Trinity Industries Competitors $3.78 billion $360.72 million 4.83

This table compares Trinity Industries and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Trinity Industries rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Trinity Industries. Trinity Industries is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

86.6% of Trinity Industries shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.4% of shares of all TRANS  EQP&LSNG companies are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of Trinity Industries shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 10.6% of shares of all TRANS  EQP&LSNG companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

Trinity Industries pays an annual dividend of $1.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. Trinity Industries pays out 105.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, TRANS  EQP&LSNG companies pay a dividend yield of 1.5% and pay out 20.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Trinity Industries has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years.

Profitability

This table compares Trinity Industries and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Trinity Industries 3.83% 8.49% 1.25% Trinity Industries Competitors 10.91% 4.90% 2.78%

Risk and Volatility

Trinity Industries has a beta of 1.52, meaning that its share price is 52% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Trinity Industries rivals have a beta of 1.21, meaning that their average share price is 21% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Trinity Industries rivals beat Trinity Industries on 10 of the 15 factors compared.

Trinity Industries Company Profile

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Trinity Industries, Inc. provides rail transportation products and services under the TrinityRail name in North America. It operates in two segments, Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group, and Rail Products Group. The Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group segment leases freight and tank railcars; originates and manages railcar leases for third-party investors; and provides fleet maintenance and management services. As of December 31, 2023, it had a fleet of 109,295 railcars. This segment serves industrial shipper and railroad companies operating in agriculture, construction and metals, consumer products, energy, and refined products and chemicals markets. The Rail Products Group segment manufactures freight and tank railcars for transporting various liquids, gases, and dry cargo; and offers railcar maintenance and modification services. This segment serves railroads, leasing companies, and industrial shippers of products in the agriculture, construction and metals, consumer products, energy, and refined products and chemicals markets. It sells or leases products and services through its own sales personnel and independent sales representatives. The company was incorporated in 1933 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

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Millrose Properties (NYSE:MRP  Get Free Report) is one of 82 publicly-traded companies in the REAL ESTATE OPS industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Millrose Properties to related companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings and dividends.

Dividends

Millrose Properties pays an annual dividend of $2.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 9.2%. Millrose Properties pays out 171.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, REAL ESTATE OPS companies pay a dividend yield of 1.5% and pay out 54.6% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Millrose Properties and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Millrose Properties 0 1 3 0 2.75 Millrose Properties Competitors 382 1099 1384 109 2.41

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Millrose Properties currently has a consensus price target of $37.38, suggesting a potential upside of 17.59%. As a group, REAL ESTATE OPS companies have a potential upside of 19.57%. Given Millrose Properties competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Millrose Properties has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

58.4% of shares of all REAL ESTATE OPS companies are owned by institutional investors. 23.0% of shares of all REAL ESTATE OPS companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Millrose Properties and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Millrose Properties N/A 3.81% 2.93% Millrose Properties Competitors -2.46% -21.02% -0.48%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Millrose Properties and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Millrose Properties $410.96 million -$246.22 million 18.70 Millrose Properties Competitors $3.44 billion $114.58 million 8.39

Millrose Properties competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Millrose Properties. Millrose Properties is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

About Millrose Properties

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Millrose Properties, Inc. is a real estate investment and management company that focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing high-quality commercial properties. They are headquartered in Purchase, New York.

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Deer Consumer Products Inc. (OTCMKTS:DEER  Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $0.00 and traded as high as $0.0001. Deer Consumer Products shares last traded at $0.00, with a volume of 0 shares.

Deer Consumer Products Price Performance

About Deer Consumer Products

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Deer Consumer Products, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of small home and kitchen electronic appliances. It offers blenders, juicers, soy milk makers, food processors, popcorn makers, meat grinders, coffee machines, and hot water kettles primarily under the Deer brand name, as well as under one store brand for retailer's private label programs.

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Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report)s share price was down 2% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $148.82 and last traded at $149.3220. Approximately 4,220,337 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 41% from the average daily volume of 7,145,254 shares. The stock had previously closed at $152.41.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DELL has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Daiwa Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, September 11th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $133.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on Dell Technologies from $167.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $162.80.

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Dell Technologies Stock Down 1.8%

The company has a market cap of $98.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $142.46 and a 200 day simple moving average of $126.83.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 5th. The technology company reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.73% and a negative return on equity of 236.21%. The business had revenue of $26.43 billion during the quarter. Dell Technologies has set its FY24 guidance at $6.10-6.50 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.93 EPS for the current year.

Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 21st were given a dividend of $0.525 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 21st. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is presently 30.88%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Dell Technologies

In other Dell Technologies news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 824,999 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.98, for a total transaction of $112,183,364.02. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 565,000 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.32, for a total value of $74,760,800.00. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 4,587,755 shares of company stock valued at $649,644,973 in the last quarter. 42.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dell Technologies

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. increased its position in Dell Technologies by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 1,829 shares of the technology companys stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 1.3% during the third quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC now owns 5,563 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $789,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in Dell Technologies by 35.8% during the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 296 shares of the technology companys stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC lifted its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 3,559 shares of the technology companys stock worth $504,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 33.7% during the third quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 325 shares of the technology companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.37% of the companys stock.

About Dell Technologies

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Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

Further Reading

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Dorel Industries Inc (TSE:DII.A  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$1.98 and traded as high as C$2.50. Dorel Industries shares last traded at C$2.50, with a volume of 100 shares changing hands.

Dorel Industries Trading Down 6.7%

The stock has a market capitalization of C$81.67 million, a PE ratio of -0.49 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a current ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 287.70. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of C$1.98 and a 200-day moving average price of C$2.13.

About Dorel Industries

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Dorel Industries Inc is a Canadian company that sells juvenile products and furniture. Its segments include Dorel Home and Dorel Juvenile. Dorel Home segment is engaged in the design, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution of ready-to-assemble furniture and home furnishings which include metal folding furniture, futons, childrens furniture, step stools, hand trucks, ladders, outdoor furniture, and other imported furniture items.

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Enova International, Inc. (NYSE:ENVA  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $130.46 and last traded at $128.1310, with a volume of 41009 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $128.00.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on ENVA shares. BTIG Research lifted their price target on Enova International from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Enova International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JMP Securities upped their price target on shares of Enova International from $135.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Enova International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, September 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Enova International presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $116.80.

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Enova International Trading Up 1.7%

The company has a market capitalization of $3.10 billion, a PE ratio of 11.49 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a quick ratio of 18.15, a current ratio of 19.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $117.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $108.28.

Enova International (NYSE:ENVA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The credit services provider reported $3.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.03 by $0.33. Enova International had a return on equity of 24.50% and a net margin of 9.64%.The firm had revenue of $460.71 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $806.63 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.45 EPS. Enova Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Enova International, Inc. will post 10.31 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Enova International

In related news, CFO Steven E. Cunningham sold 14,874 shares of Enova International stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.70, for a total transaction of $1,795,291.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 127,719 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,415,683.30. The trade was a 10.43% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO David Fisher sold 6,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $122.61, for a total transaction of $735,660.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 348,223 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,695,622.03. The trade was a 1.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 86,874 shares of company stock worth $10,708,742 in the last ninety days. 8.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Enova International

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Pacer Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Enova International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its holdings in Enova International by 174.2% in the third quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 255 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new position in Enova International during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Enova International by 350.0% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 450 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S bought a new stake in shares of Enova International in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.43% of the companys stock.

About Enova International

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Enova International, Inc, a technology and analytics company, provides online financial services in the United States, Brazil, and internationally. The company provides installment loans; line of credit accounts; CSO programs, including arranging loans with independent third-party lenders and assisting in the preparation of loan applications and loan documents; and bank programs, such as marketing services and loan servicing for near-prime unsecured consumer installment loan.

Further Reading

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Titan America (NYSE:TTAM  Get Free Report) is one of 40 public companies in the BLDG&CONST  MISC industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Titan America to related companies based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings and institutional ownership.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Titan America and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Titan America 1 4 3 1 2.44 Titan America Competitors 286 1692 2426 136 2.53

Titan America presently has a consensus target price of $17.07, indicating a potential upside of 9.93%. As a group, BLDG&CONST  MISC companies have a potential upside of 9.21%. Given Titan Americas higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Titan America is more favorable than its rivals.

Dividends

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Titan America pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Titan America pays out 23.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BLDG&CONST  MISC companies pay a dividend yield of 0.9% and pay out 26.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Titan America is clearly a better dividend stock than its rivals, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

91.0% of shares of all BLDG&CONST  MISC companies are owned by institutional investors. 3.8% of shares of all BLDG&CONST  MISC companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Titan America and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Titan America $1.63 billion $166.07 million 22.84 Titan America Competitors $6.79 billion $555.91 million 43.75

Titan Americas rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Titan America. Titan America is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares Titan America and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Titan America 10.83% 21.42% 10.85% Titan America Competitors -5.80% 62.95% 4.44%

Summary

Titan America rivals beat Titan America on 8 of the 14 factors compared.

About Titan America

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Titan America is a leading vertically integrated, multi-regional manufacturer and supplier of heavy building materials and services operating primarily on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States (the Eastern Seaboard). We are a leading provider of materials that contribute to lower carbon emissions than traditional building materials and/or beneficial reuse of waste materials. We are a leading provider of heavy building materials in Florida, the New York and New Jersey Metropolitan area (Metro New York), Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina (Virginia and the Carolinas, together with Metro New York and their adjacent areas, the Mid-Atlantic). We serve markets that benefit from population growth, economic growth and technology and innovation trends that are among the strongest in the United States. We have built what we believe is a unique and differentiated building materials platform in the markets we serve. Today, our manufacturing, logistics and customer support capabilities span across critical building materials and products, including cement and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), aggregates, ready-mix concrete, concrete block and other ancillary products. Additionally, we believe that our market leadership in lower carbon cement and green concrete solutions positions us to benefit from growing demand for building materials that contribute to lower carbon emissions. We believe our vertically integrated business model and continued investment in our extensive logistical capabilities have enabled us to grow with our diverse customer base across infrastructure, residential and non-residential end markets. By leveraging these competitive advantages across our two reportable segments, the Mid-Atlantic and Florida, we believe that we are in a strong position to drive meaningful growth and enhanced profitability into the future. Our executive management team has led Titan America to experience growth in scale, product portfolio and geographic footprint. This growth was driven by our management teams targeted investment strategy, which has enhanced production capacity and strengthened distribution and logistics capabilities in high-growth markets. These efforts include expanding cement and SCM storage, scaling import capacity and leveraging digital investments to optimize logistics execution and boost asset reliability across our vertically integrated operations. Between fiscal years 2013 and 2023, we have grown our sales from $539 million to approximately $1.6 billion (an 11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR)), our net income went from a loss of $65.4 million to a positive $155.2 million and our Adjusted EBITDA increased from $36 million to $328 million (a 25% CAGR), while our net income margin has grown from negative 12% to positive 10% during that same period. As a result of our continuous investment program to modernize and scale our operations, we have experienced 50% revenue growth, 150% net income growth and 65% Adjusted EBITDA growth from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2023. Additionally, we have reduced our cement operations CO2 emissions per metric ton of cementitious materials by 18%, from 718 kg of net CO2 per metric ton in 2019 to 587 kg of net CO2 per metric ton in 2023. Our scaled, vertically integrated network of more than 100 facilities includes some of the largest cement plants, import terminals, mines, ready-mix concrete plants, fly ash processing plants and concrete block production lines in our core markets. Our cement plants are capable of producing approximately 3.8 million tons of cement annually, over 95% of which contains up to 10% lower CO2 emissions than standard use ordinary Portland cement (Lower-Carbon Cement). Our cement manufacturing activities are supported by a network of mining operations containing a total of 474 million tons of reserves as of May 1, 2024, which we are in the process of expanding through various opportunities.  Since our initial investment in the Essex Cement import terminal in Metro New York in 1989, we believe we have built one of the most comprehensive, capable and reliable building materials platforms on the Eastern Seaboard through focused and strategic investments. In 1992, we acquired 59% of Roanoke Cement Company and all its related assets, establishing our domestic manufacturing and regional distribution capabilities in the Mid-Atlantic region through the addition of the Roanoke cement plant in Troutville, Virginia (our Roanoke Plant), a marine import terminal in South Norfolk, Virginia (our Norfolk Terminal) and a rail-connected distribution network in Virginia and North Carolina. Between 1996 and 2002, we invested $110 million in our Roanoke Plant, which included a major modernization of its clinker and cement production process, as well as the addition of a preheater/precalciner, a new clinker cooler, new clinker silos, a new finish mill and a new packaged cement line. In 2000, we acquired Tarmac America Inc., including the remaining 41% of Roanoke Cement Company, giving us initial positions in ready-mix concrete and block operations across the State of Florida, as well as our Pennsuco facility in Medley, Florida (Pennsuco) that produces cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete and concrete block. In 2002, we acquired Separation Technologies (ST), a market leader in fly ash beneficiation and marketing. Throughout the early 2000s, we made significant investments to expand and improve the logistics and import capabilities of the business establishing a cement import terminal at the Port Tampa Bay, Florida (our Port Tampa Bay Terminal), and modernizing the Essex import operation at Port Newark in Metro New York (our Essex Terminal). Between 2001 and 2006, we invested approximately $254 million in our Pennsuco plant, which included modernization efforts with the commissioning of a state-of-the-art clinker production line, significantly increasing clinker production capacity at much lower energy consumption rates, and the addition of a new finish mill and a new packaging operation. Between 2006 and 2007, we invested approximately $365 million to significantly expand our ready-mix footprint through the acquisition of the S&W Ready Mix Concrete Company (S&W Ready Mix), which operated 26 concrete plants in the Carolinas, the Mechanicsville Concrete Company and five plants under the Powhatan Ready Mix brand in and around Richmond, Virginia. We also completed acquisitions of three ready-mix businesses on the west coast of Florida, including nine concrete plants located in and between Tampa and Fort Myers. In addition to these acquisitions, we installed 11 greenfield ready-mix concrete plants and one block production line throughout our territory which expanded our geographic footprint and improved density of delivery and manufacturing capacity in growing markets. In early 2010, we invested in a sand mine in Sussex County, Virginia, followed by commencing our operations in New Castle, Virginia (our Castle Sands Operation) in 2011 and Branchville, Virginia in 2019. From 2014 to 2023, we invested $53 million in an overland conveyor and two new draglines at the Pennsuco quarry. In 2017, we entered into a long-term mining royalty agreement and began operating a crushed limestone quarry in Estero, Florida, near Fort Myers. We upgraded the operations by installing a dragline and mobile mining fleet, as well as expanding the existing permit to substantially increase the base of reserves, all of which provide a stable source of aggregates for both external sale and internal consumption. Between 2018 and 2023, we invested $52 million in modernizing our logistics network in the Mid-Atlantic, including (i) investments in increasing silo storage capacity and installation of an automated loadout system at our Roanoke Plant, (ii) expansion of the Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Selma and Wilmington rail terminals to allow for multiple products, optimized storage and distribution capabilities and (iii) installation of a hybrid loadout system at the Norfolk Terminal capable of loading both trucks and rail cars. In 2023, we completed a $73 million investment at our Port Tampa Bay Terminal and our Norfolk Terminal, constructing new domes, adding multi-product storage capacity of approximately 70,000 tons each, as well as on other repairs and refurbishments. Recent investments we have made seek to capitalize on dynamic growth themes in the U.S. economy, including decarbonization, circular economy, resilient urbanization, infrastructure modernization, refurbishment and renovation, new construction technologies and high-performance products. We believe these initiatives contribute to and will act as significant drivers of growth. We have developed new cement types requiring less carbon intensive inputs that perform equally or better than conventional cements, resulting in lower CO2 content of the final product. We have replaced over 95% of our standard use Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) production with Lower-Carbon Cement, improving the CO2 emissions per ton of product by up to 10% compared to OPC. We are currently investing in the development of our Type IT cement (a ternary cement blend) that requires even less amount of clinker while delivering equal or better performance than Lower-Carbon Cement. Depending on the type of SCM used (such as fly ash, slag, calcined clay or natural pozzolans) the total reduction in clinker quantity can reach up to 50% compared to OPC cements, resulting in a significant reduction of the CO2 emissions per ton of product. We are also committed to digital transformation. We are early adopters of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) technologies in our industry, which we employ to increase plant reliability and capacity utilization, improve product quality, proactively manage operating and maintenance costs and improve energy efficiency. These initiatives place our cement plants in the top five most efficient in the U.S. cement industry out of companies participating in a 2022 Portland Cement Association (PCA) survey. We created a Digital Center of Excellence in 2022, which has driven digital transformation across our entire supply chain and fostered continuous improvement and fine-tuning of existing industrial AI/ML solutions, as well as the development and implementation of similar solutions in our commercial and logistics activities. Our investments in state-of-the-art operations and process control systems have also resulted in the deployment of predictive maintenance systems, based on data analytics for equipment faults and process anomaly detection to improve the reliability of our operations, and predictive quality analytics that improve product quality and consistency. Throughout the United States, we operate and maintain two cement plants, three marine import terminals, seven active mine locations, 82 ready-mix locations with 92 batch plants, eight concrete block locations with 13 production lines, seven fly ash plants and 21 distribution hubs that can handle various combinations of our products. We were incorporated on July 17, 2024 as a company with limited liability, incorporated and operating under the laws of Belgium. Our principal executive offices are located at 1000 Bruxelles, Square de Meeus 37, Belgium, which is also our registered office. We also have offices at 5700 Lake Wright Drive, Suite 300, Norfolk, Virginia.

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Modera Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC  Free Report) by 16.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,558 shares of the specialty retailers stock after purchasing an additional 3,517 shares during the period. Modera Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Genuine Parts were worth $2,979,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Genuine Parts by 276.2% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,352,772 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $399,449,000 after acquiring an additional 2,461,497 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its position in shares of Genuine Parts by 377.3% in the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 933,418 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $113,233,000 after buying an additional 737,836 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Genuine Parts by 22.1% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,752,845 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $327,974,000 after acquiring an additional 498,469 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in Genuine Parts in the first quarter worth about $41,646,000. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Genuine Parts in the first quarter valued at approximately $35,860,000. 78.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Genuine Parts from $143.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Genuine Parts from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Loop Capital boosted their price target on shares of Genuine Parts from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Genuine Parts in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Genuine Parts from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Genuine Parts has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $143.33.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Genuine Parts news, EVP Naveen Krishna sold 5,303 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.12, for a total transaction of $732,450.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 26,112 shares in the company, valued at $3,606,589.44. This trade represents a 16.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.42% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Genuine Parts Stock Up 1.4%

GPC stock opened at $126.73 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $134.84 and a two-hundred day moving average of $129.47. The company has a market cap of $17.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.81 and a beta of 0.75. Genuine Parts Company has a 12-month low of $104.01 and a 12-month high of $143.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78.

Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The specialty retailer reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.02 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.12 billion. Genuine Parts had a return on equity of 22.57% and a net margin of 3.36%.Genuine Partss revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.88 earnings per share. Genuine Parts has set its FY 2025 guidance at 7.500-7.750 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Genuine Parts Company will post 7.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Genuine Parts Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, September 5th were issued a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 5th. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. Genuine Partss dividend payout ratio is currently 70.91%.

Genuine Parts Company Profile

(Free Report)

Genuine Parts Company distributes automotive replacement parts, and industrial parts and materials. It operates in two segments: Automotive Parts Group and Industrial Parts Group segments. The company distributes automotive replacement parts for hybrid and electric vehicles, trucks, SUVs, buses, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, farm vehicles, small engines, farm equipment, marine equipment, and heavy duty equipment; and equipment and parts used by repair shops, service stations, fleet operators, automobile and truck dealers, leasing companies, bus and truck lines, mass merchandisers, farms, and individuals.

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Global Alpha Capital Management Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI  Free Report) by 13.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 170,990 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 19,790 shares during the quarter. Armstrong World Industries accounts for 1.7% of Global Alpha Capital Management Ltd.s holdings, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. Global Alpha Capital Management Ltd.s holdings in Armstrong World Industries were worth $27,776,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Savant Capital LLC lifted its position in Armstrong World Industries by 102.9% in the second quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 16,110 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,617,000 after buying an additional 8,172 shares during the last quarter. Corton Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries in the second quarter valued at $212,000. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 7,094 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,152,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Versor Investments LP lifted its holdings in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 29.9% in the 2nd quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 5,493 shares of the construction companys stock worth $892,000 after acquiring an additional 1,263 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Armstrong World Industries during the 2nd quarter worth about $2,168,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.93% of the companys stock.

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Armstrong World Industries Trading Up 1.0%

AWI opened at $188.87 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The stocks fifty day moving average is $196.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $176.38. The company has a market capitalization of $8.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.02, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.41. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. has a 52 week low of $122.37 and a 52 week high of $206.08.

Armstrong World Industries Increases Dividend

Armstrong World Industries ( NYSE:AWI Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 6th. The construction company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $325.00 million for the quarter. Armstrong World Industries had a return on equity of 38.97% and a net margin of 19.08%. Analysts forecast that Armstrong World Industries, Inc. will post 6.18 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 6th will be given a dividend of $0.339 per share. This is a positive change from Armstrong World Industriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 6th. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Armstrong World Industriess payout ratio is 19.31%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AWI has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Armstrong World Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, November 2nd. Bank of America increased their price target on Armstrong World Industries from $205.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Zacks Research lowered Armstrong World Industries from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Loop Capital set a $190.00 price objective on Armstrong World Industries and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their target price on Armstrong World Industries from $157.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Armstrong World Industries has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $207.50.

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Armstrong World Industries Company Profile

(Free Report)

Armstrong World Industries, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of ceiling and wall solutions in the Americas. It operates through Mineral Fiber and Architectural Specialties segments. The company offers mineral fiber, fiberglass wool, metal, wood, felt, wood fiber, and glass-reinforced-gypsum; ceiling component products, such as ceiling perimeters and trims, as well as grid products that support drywall ceiling systems; ceilings, walls, and facades for use in commercial settings; and manufactures ceiling suspension system (grid) products.

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Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014-2016) Arseniy Yatsenyuk considers the policy of the current Hungarian authorities not as anti-Ukrainian, but as aimed against the EU and NATO.

"This is the Trojan horse of Moscow and China inside the European Union. And if the EU continues to drag its feet, as it is doing now, and does not respond to Hungary, this could have rather dramatic consequences for the EU as a whole. It turns out that you can receive money from European funds, benefit from the security of NATO member states and all European privileges, yet publicly work for the enemy who stands against NATO and against the European Union. And nothing happens to you for it. This creates incentives for others: it means that this is allowed," Yatsenyuk said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

When asked whether the EU will take any institutional steps to prevent this, the head of the Kyiv Security Forum called the elections in the Netherlands a very encouraging example, saying: "they show that centrist forces can win elections and fight against radicals."

On another question, whether it is entirely the EU and NATOs responsibility to address the existing problem with Hungary, Yatsenyuk answered affirmatively.

"There are discussions, like we need to reach an agreement, do something for the Hungarian community, etc I support all national minorities in Ukraine, and we have always done this. Ukraine is a European country that respects the rights of national minorities. So this is not a matter of changing the law  we could change it  but Orban [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban] would come up with something new, because he is a conduit for anti-European, radical forces: against freedom of speech, against fighting corruption, against European unity," he said.

At the same time, he added: "Well see what happens in the 2026 elections in Hungary; they are not far off."

On the question of whether the EU and NATO can currently secure long-term guarantees for security, economic growth, and the unity of the European Union, Yatsenyuk replied: "No. They will have to carry out internal reforms, first and foremost within the European Union."

"Internal reforms in the decision-making procedure, in punishing those who do not implement joint decisions. Reforms are needed regarding the role and position of the European Commission and the European Parliament in their relations with national governments and national parliaments. It seems to me that the European Union should move toward the path of a United States of Europe  shifting more functions to the center. Right now, the redistribution of functions is moving more in the opposite direction  toward national governments. And this is the main political message of people like Orban. They take money from the European Union, yet they criticize the European Commission, which gives them the money," he said.

According to Yatsenyuk, the decision-making structure in NATO, on the other hand, should make the U.S. dependent on the EU, just as the EU is dependent on the U.S. today, "and only then will they love each other forever."

"I dont believe that the EU can be autonomous from the U.S., I say this publicly. Not to offend Europeans  our allies  its just the reality today; this is how the post-war transatlantic security structure has developed," added the head of the Kyiv Security Forum.
Stokes Family Office LLC boosted its stake in Grupo Cibest S.A.  Sponsored ADR (NYSE:CIB  Free Report) by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 43,290 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares during the period. Stokes Family Office LLCs holdings in Grupo Cibest were worth $2,000,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of CIB. RWC Asset Management LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Grupo Cibest during the first quarter valued at about $12,536,000. Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in Grupo Cibest by 527.0% in the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 316,877 shares of the banks stock valued at $12,738,000 after purchasing an additional 266,341 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC raised its position in Grupo Cibest by 176.6% in the first quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 239,710 shares of the banks stock valued at $9,636,000 after purchasing an additional 153,058 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its stake in Grupo Cibest by 88.7% during the second quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 178,137 shares of the banks stock worth $8,228,000 after purchasing an additional 83,751 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Triasima Portfolio Management inc. raised its holdings in shares of Grupo Cibest by 138.0% in the 2nd quarter. Triasima Portfolio Management inc. now owns 104,655 shares of the banks stock valued at $4,834,000 after buying an additional 60,680 shares during the period.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on CIB. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Grupo Cibest in a report on Monday, October 20th. Bank of America restated an underperform rating on shares of Grupo Cibest in a report on Thursday, September 11th. Zacks Research raised shares of Grupo Cibest from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Grupo Cibest in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $43.75.

Grupo Cibest Stock Up 4.7%

Shares of NYSE:CIB opened at $63.11 on Friday. Grupo Cibest S.A.  Sponsored ADR has a fifty-two week low of $30.68 and a fifty-two week high of $63.28. The firms 50 day moving average price is $54.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $47.63. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a market cap of $15.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.95.

Grupo Cibest (NYSE:CIB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The bank reported $1.79 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.75 billion. Grupo Cibest had a net margin of 15.30% and a return on equity of 19.77%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Grupo Cibest S.A.  Sponsored ADR will post 6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Grupo Cibest Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bancolombia SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking products and services in Colombia and internationally. The company operates through nine segments: Banking Colombia, Banking Panama, Banking El Salvador, Banking Guatemala, Trust, Investment Banking, Brokerage, International Banking, and All Other.

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Grupo Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GMBXF  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $8.15, but opened at $8.95. Grupo Mexico shares last traded at $8.95, with a volume of 100 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

GMBXF has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. HSBC restated a hold rating on shares of Grupo Mexico in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Grupo Mexico to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Grupo Mexico from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Grupo Mexico from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Grupo Mexico to an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Grupo Mexico

Grupo Mexico Price Performance

About Grupo Mexico

The businesss 50 day moving average is $7.86 and its 200 day moving average is $6.58.

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Mexico, SAB. de C.V. engages in copper production, cargo transportation, and infrastructure businesses worldwide. The company operates through Mining, Transportation, and Infrastructure divisions. The Mining division explores for copper, silver, molybdenum, zinc, sulfuric acid, gold, and selenium.

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Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI  Get Free Report) and Masco (NYSE:MAS  Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, profitability, risk and institutional ownership.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

98.9% of Armstrong World Industries shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.9% of Masco shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of Armstrong World Industries shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of Masco shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Profitability

This table compares Armstrong World Industries and Mascos net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Armstrong World Industries 19.08% 38.97% 17.14% Masco 10.89% 1,317.38% 16.47%

Dividends

Volatility & Risk

Armstrong World Industries pays an annual dividend of $1.35 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Masco pays an annual dividend of $1.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Armstrong World Industries pays out 19.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Masco pays out 31.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Armstrong World Industries has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Masco has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years. Masco is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Armstrong World Industries has a beta of 1.41, meaning that its share price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Masco has a beta of 1.17, meaning that its share price is 17% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Armstrong World Industries and Masco, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Armstrong World Industries 0 4 5 1 2.70 Masco 0 13 6 1 2.40

Armstrong World Industries presently has a consensus target price of $207.50, suggesting a potential upside of 9.87%. Masco has a consensus target price of $73.53, suggesting a potential upside of 18.81%. Given Mascos higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Masco is more favorable than Armstrong World Industries.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Armstrong World Industries and Mascos top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Armstrong World Industries $1.60 billion 5.09 $264.90 million $6.99 27.02 Masco $7.60 billion 1.69 $822.00 million $3.90 15.87

Masco has higher revenue and earnings than Armstrong World Industries. Masco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Armstrong World Industries, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Armstrong World Industries beats Masco on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Armstrong World Industries

(Get Free Report)

Armstrong World Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of ceiling and wall solutions in the Americas. It operates through Mineral Fiber and Architectural Specialties segments. The company offers mineral fiber, fiberglass wool, metal, wood, felt, wood fiber, and glass-reinforced-gypsum; ceiling component products, such as ceiling perimeters and trims, as well as grid products that support drywall ceiling systems; ceilings, walls, and facades for use in commercial settings; and manufactures ceiling suspension system (grid) products. It serves commercial and residential construction markets, as well as renovation of existing buildings sectors. The company sells its products to resale distributors, ceiling system contractors, wholesalers, and retailers comprising large home centers. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. was founded in 1860 and is headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

About Masco

(Get Free Report)

Masco Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes home improvement and building products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company's Plumbing Products segment offers faucets, showerheads, handheld showers, valves, bath hardware and accessories, bathing units, shower bases and enclosures, sinks, toilets, acrylic tubs, shower trays, spas, exercise pools, and fitness systems; brass, copper, and composite plumbing system components; connected water products; thermoplastic solutions, extruded plastic profiles, specialized fabrications, and PEX tubing products; and other non-decorative plumbing products. This segment provides its products under the DELTA, BRIZO, PEERLESS, HANSGROHE, AXOR, KRAUS, EASY DRAIN, STEAMIST, ELITESTEAM, GINGER, NEWPORT BRASS, BRASSTECH, WALTEC, BRISTAN, HERITAGE, MIROLIN, HOT SPRING, CALDERA, FREEFLOW SPAS, FANTASY SPAS, ENDLESS POOLS, BRASSCRAFT, PLUMB SHOP, COBRA, COBRA PRO, and MASTER PLUMBER brands. Its Decorative Architectural Products segment offers paints, primers, specialty coatings, stains, and waterproofing products, as well as paint applicators and accessories; cabinet and door hardware, functional hardware, wall plates, hook and rail products, closet organization systems, and picture hanging accessories; decorative bath hardware, mirrors, and shower accessories and doors; and decorative indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, landscape lighting, and LED lighting systems. This segment provides its products under the BEHR, KILZ, WHIZZ, Elder & Jenks, LIBERTY, BRAINERD, FRANKLIN BRASS, KICHLER, and ELAN brands. It sells its products to the plumbing, heating, and hardware wholesalers; home centers and online retailers; hardware stores; electrical and landscape distributors; lighting showrooms; building supply outlets; and other mass merchandisers. Masco Corporation was incorporated in 1929 and is headquartered in Livonia, Michigan.

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Enlightify (NYSE:ENFY  Get Free Report) is one of 46 public companies in the CHEM  DIVERSIFD industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Enlightify to related businesses based on the strength of its valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and earnings.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

0.1% of Enlightify shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 62.5% of shares of all CHEM  DIVERSIFD companies are held by institutional investors. 14.0% of Enlightify shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.6% of shares of all CHEM  DIVERSIFD companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Volatility and Risk

Enlightify has a beta of 0.96, indicating that its stock price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Enlightifys peers have a beta of 0.96, indicating that their average stock price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Enlightify -22.98% -18.78% -11.03% Enlightify Competitors -63.36% -0.81% -0.47%

Analyst Ratings

This table compares Enlightify and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Enlightify and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Enlightify 1 0 0 0 1.00 Enlightify Competitors 676 2894 3324 110 2.41

As a group, CHEM  DIVERSIFD companies have a potential upside of 27.68%. Given Enlightifys peers stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Enlightify has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Enlightify and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Enlightify $79.21 million -$28.41 million -0.08 Enlightify Competitors $10.40 billion $486.03 million -4.77

Enlightifys peers have higher revenue and earnings than Enlightify. Enlightify is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Summary

Enlightify peers beat Enlightify on 10 of the 13 factors compared.

About Enlightify

(Get Free Report)

Enlightify, Inc. engages in the research, development, production, and sale of various types of fertilizers and agricultural products. It operates through the following segments: Jinong, Gufeng, and Yuxing. The Jinong segment includes fertilizer products, with focus on humic acid-based compound fertilizer. The Gufeng segment refers to the compound fertilizer, blended fertilizer, organic compound fertilizer, slow-release fertilizers, highly concentrated water-soluble fertilizers, and mixed organic-inorganic compound fertilizer. The Yuxing segment develops and produces agricultural products, such as top-grade fruits, vegetables, flowers, and colored seedlings. The company was founded by Tao Li on February 6, 1987 and is headquartered in Xian, China.

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Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT  Get Free Report) Director Cathrine Cotman acquired 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $14.66 per share, for a total transaction of $58,640.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 37,635 shares of the companys stock, valued at $551,729.10. The trade was a 11.89% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Community Healthcare Trust Price Performance

Shares of CHCT opened at $14.48 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $14.78 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $15.71. Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated has a one year low of $13.23 and a one year high of $20.87. The company has a market cap of $412.26 million, a P/E ratio of -36.20 and a beta of 0.72.

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Community Healthcare Trust (NYSE:CHCT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $0.02. Community Healthcare Trust had a negative return on equity of 1.66% and a negative net margin of 6.27%.The company had revenue of $30.81 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $30.58 million. On average, analysts expect that Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Community Healthcare Trust Increases Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a $0.475 dividend. This is a boost from Community Healthcare Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 13.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. Community Healthcare Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -475.00%.

A number of research firms have recently commented on CHCT. Truist Financial dropped their target price on shares of Community Healthcare Trust from $23.00 to $19.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Community Healthcare Trust in a report on Monday, August 4th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Community Healthcare Trust in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Community Healthcare Trust from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Community Healthcare Trust presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $18.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CHCT

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Community Healthcare Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $241,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 21.0% during the first quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 60,358 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,096,000 after acquiring an additional 10,477 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Community Healthcare Trust during the first quarter worth $200,000. Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its holdings in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 21.9% during the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 25,719 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $467,000 after purchasing an additional 4,619 shares during the period. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd grew its stake in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 17.9% in the first quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 30,628 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $556,000 after purchasing an additional 4,660 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.84% of the companys stock.

About Community Healthcare Trust

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Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (the Company, we, our) was organized in the State of Maryland on March 28, 2014. The Company is a fully-integrated healthcare real estate company that owns and acquires real estate properties that are leased to hospitals, doctors, healthcare systems or other healthcare service providers.

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Intertek Group plc (LON:ITRK  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 4,783.34 and traded as high as GBX 5,050. Intertek Group shares last traded at GBX 4,954, with a volume of 168,552 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ITRK. Shore Capital reissued a hold rating and issued a GBX 4,500 price target on shares of Intertek Group in a report on Friday, August 1st. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a GBX 5,000 target price on shares of Intertek Group in a report on Friday, August 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a no recommendation rating on shares of Intertek Group in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and set a GBX 5,300 price target on shares of Intertek Group in a report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 5,700 price objective on shares of Intertek Group in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 5,300.

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Intertek Group Stock Performance

About Intertek Group

The companys 50-day moving average price is GBX 4,825.03 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 4,783.34. The stock has a market capitalization of 7.63 billion, a PE ratio of 22.17, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 103.83, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.27.

(Get Free Report)

Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide.

Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers operations and supply chains.

Intertek is a purpose-led company to Bring Quality, Safety and Sustainability to Life.

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Mendel Money Management reduced its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,808 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 279 shares during the quarter. Mendel Money Managements holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $2,264,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.4% during the second quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,897 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,290,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Cottonwood Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cottonwood Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,837 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,112,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. LCM Capital Management Inc grew its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. LCM Capital Management Inc now owns 3,847 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,115,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. jvl associates llc increased its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. jvl associates llc now owns 2,094 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $607,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aspen Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Aspen Capital Management LLC now owns 4,316 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,251,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.55% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on JPM shares. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $336.00 to $338.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen upgraded JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $366.00 price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a buy rating and issued a $343.00 price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $326.38.

Insider Buying and Selling at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

In related news, Director Linda Bammann sold 9,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.94, for a total value of $2,830,430.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 82,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $24,492,753.58. This represents a 10.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total transaction of $301,314.72. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 58,479 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,240,769.68. This trade represents a 1.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.47% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock opened at $314.30 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a twelve month low of $202.16 and a twelve month high of $318.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $864.26 billion, a PE ratio of 15.57, a P/E/G ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.14. The firms 50-day moving average price is $306.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $286.92.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.83 by $0.24. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.18% and a net margin of 20.90%.The company had revenue of $46.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $44.42 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $4.37 EPS. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s quarterly revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Monday, October 6th were given a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 6th. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.72%.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Company Profile

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate.

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DZ Bank cut shares of Kion Group (OTCMKTS:KIGRY  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Thursday morning,Zacks.com reports.

Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Kion Group in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy.

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Kion Group Stock Performance

Shares of KIGRY traded up $0.36 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $17.88. 27,079 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 31,732. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 0.99. The stocks fifty day moving average is $16.69 and its 200 day moving average is $14.69. Kion Group has a 1-year low of $7.66 and a 1-year high of $18.48. The stock has a market cap of $9.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.25 and a beta of 2.03.

Kion Group (OTCMKTS:KIGRY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter. Kion Group had a return on equity of 3.89% and a net margin of 2.08%.The firm had revenue of $3.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.94 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Kion Group will post 0.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kion Group Company Profile

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KION GROUP AG provides industrial trucks and supply chain solutions worldwide. The company operates in Industrial Trucks & Services and Supply Chain Solutions segments. It offers forklift trucks, counterbalance trucks with electric drive and internal combustion engine, ride-on and hand-operated warehouse trucks, automated guided vehicle systems (AGVs), and towing vehicles under the Linde, STILL, Baoli, Fenwick, and OM brands.

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Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina (NYSE:LOMA  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported ($0.05) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.06 by ($0.11), Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $135.15 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $221.70 million. Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina had a return on equity of 4.34% and a net margin of 5.67%.

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Price Performance

NYSE LOMA traded up $0.09 on Friday, reaching $10.82. The stock had a trading volume of 1,059,208 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,035,965. The company has a market cap of $1.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.92 and a beta of 1.04. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $8.45 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.42. Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina has a 1-year low of $7.04 and a 1-year high of $14.17.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on LOMA. Weiss Ratings lowered Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, October 25th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $14.80.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 53.8% in the 2nd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 141,765 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,555,000 after purchasing an additional 49,567 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 31,336 shares of the companys stock worth $344,000 after buying an additional 1,524 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Engineers Gate Manager LP boosted its stake in Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 35.3% in the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 24,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $272,000 after buying an additional 6,463 shares in the last quarter. 19.32% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina

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Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cement and its derivatives in Argentina. The company operates through Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime; Concrete; Railroad; Aggregates; and Others segments. It offers masonry cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, concrete, and lime to wholesale distributors, concrete producers, industrial customers, and others for use in the construction.

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Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE  Free Report) by 178.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 917,601 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 587,891 shares during the period. GE Aerospace comprises approximately 0.9% of Los Angeles Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 20th largest position. Los Angeles Capital Management LLCs holdings in GE Aerospace were worth $236,181,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in GE. Ameriflex Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace by 23.5% during the second quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 1,742 shares of the companys stock worth $437,000 after purchasing an additional 331 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace by 17.1% in the 1st quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 8,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,647,000 after acquiring an additional 1,201 shares during the last quarter. Rainey & Randall Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in GE Aerospace during the first quarter valued at $203,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in GE Aerospace by 7.0% in the second quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 182,120 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,876,000 after purchasing an additional 11,873 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Leisure Capital Management acquired a new stake in GE Aerospace during the 1st quarter worth about $222,000. Institutional investors own 74.77% of the companys stock.

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GE Aerospace Price Performance

Shares of GE Aerospace stock opened at $307.28 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $324.13 billion, a PE ratio of 41.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 1.56. GE Aerospace has a 12 month low of $159.36 and a 12 month high of $316.67. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $296.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $264.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99.

GE Aerospace Announces Dividend

GE Aerospace ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $11.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.29 billion. GE Aerospace had a return on equity of 34.01% and a net margin of 18.34%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 26.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.15 earnings per share. GE Aerospace has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that GE Aerospace will post 5.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 29th were issued a dividend of $0.36 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 29th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. GE Aerospaces payout ratio is currently 19.23%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on GE shares. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of GE Aerospace from $230.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Wolfe Research upped their target price on shares of GE Aerospace from $280.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of GE Aerospace from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 25th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of GE Aerospace in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of GE Aerospace from $34.00 to $38.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $301.27.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on GE

About GE Aerospace

(Free Report)

GE Aerospace (also known as General Electric) is a company that specializes in providing aerospace products and services. It operates through two reportable segments: Commercial Engines and Services and Defense and Propulsion Technologies. It offers jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business, and general aviation aircraft.

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China urges the Philippines to cease provocations on South China Sea issue

Xinhua) 13:54, November 08, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Friday urged the Philippines to cease its infringement, provocation and propaganda.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry regarding recent joint military exercises held by the Philippines and extra-regional partners in the South China Sea.

Defense and security cooperation between relevant countries should neither target or harm the interests of a third party, nor undermine regional peace and stability, said the spokesperson.

He noted that the root cause of tensions in the South China Sea is that the Philippine side frequently draws in outside forces to conduct infringement and provocation.

Noting that the historical context and the rights and wrongs of the issue of the South China Sea are clear, Jiang said China rejects any unfounded accusations that propagate false narratives and distort legal facts.

"We will neither tolerate the blackmailing by those who provoke first and then play the victim, nor indulge provocations by those who stir up troubles in collusion with outside powers," he said.

"We will not give up efforts for peace, stability and development through coordination," he added.

Reiterating China's resolve to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Jiang urged the Philippine side to stop undermining joint efforts by regional countries in pursuing peace and development.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Sheng Chuyi)
Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

Russia will never be a democratic state and reconciliation with it should not be expected in the coming decades, head of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014-2016) Arseniy Yatsenyuk is convinced.

"We will never see a democratic Russia Russia, by its very nature, has never been, is not, and will never be a democratic state; this contradicts the essence of the Russian people, Russian culture, and Russian history. An autocratic imperial state whose population is imbued with a militaristic, imperial, aggressive ideology. In our lifetime, we will not reconcile with them, because Russia will never have its own Willy Brandt, who would kneel, atoning for and acknowledging crimes against Ukrainians. There will be no process of denazification in Russia like the German population went through after World War II," Yatsenyuk said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine, responding to a question about the prospects of Ukrainian-Russian relations.

For this reason, he added, Ukraine will survive only "if we withstand this war, and I am certain we will," and will become a member of the EU and NATO.

"Alone, we will fall into a history we have already experienced: the Russian people will never stop in their utterly wild desire to engulf Ukraine. They feel inferior to us. I think the problem runs much deeper. They know who they are. And they know who we are. And they cannot reconcile with that. And this history has already lasted hundreds and hundreds of years," emphasized the former prime minister.

At the same time, the head of the Kyiv Security Forum called China an ally of Russia in the war against Ukraine and its main beneficiary. "Can Ukraine have equal relations with Beijing? No. Just like with India. We have different scales, different economies, different sizes. In fact, Ukraine is even feeding China: we buy from them for $16 billion, but sell for only $2 billion. $14 billion not in our favor. From this money, the Chinese then send part of it to the Russians. With India, its even worse: trade turnover with Ukraine is only $1 billion," Yatsenyuk said, adding that "to have relations with China and India, you need to be a member of a large union like the European Union."

He also positively assessed the signing of the mineral resources agreement with the U.S., noting that "the implementation of this agreement will not be in a year, not in two, not in five, but in ten years." "This is a real prospect. And money needs to be invested in it. This is somewhat worrying, because in ten years its hard to imagine that Trump will be in the office of the President of the United States. But if it is done now, then in ten years Ukraine will definitely not have the problems it faces today, being 90% dependent on the Chinese And I evaluate this agreement in the same way," Yatsenyuk said.
Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lowered its stake in shares of MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI  Free Report) by 8.8% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 156,975 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 15,159 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLCs holdings in MSCI were worth $90,534,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Quotient Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in MSCI by 5.9% during the first quarter. Quotient Wealth Partners LLC now owns 361 shares of the technology companys stock worth $204,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the period. Gries Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of MSCI by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Gries Financial LLC now owns 1,505 shares of the technology companys stock worth $868,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the period. Copperwynd Financial LLC boosted its stake in MSCI by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Copperwynd Financial LLC now owns 1,793 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,034,000 after buying an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in MSCI by 1.7% in the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,261 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $713,000 after acquiring an additional 21 shares during the period. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. raised its stake in MSCI by 8.5% during the second quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 268 shares of the technology companys stock worth $155,000 after acquiring an additional 21 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.97% of the companys stock.

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MSCI Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of MSCI stock opened at $582.50 on Friday. MSCI Inc has a 12-month low of $486.73 and a 12-month high of $642.45. The company has a market capitalization of $43.77 billion, a PE ratio of 36.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.34. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $562.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $561.53.

MSCI ( NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The technology company reported $4.47 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.37 by $0.10. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 110.94% and a net margin of 40.03%.The firm had revenue of $793.43 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $794.87 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.86 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that MSCI Inc will post 16.86 EPS for the current year.

MSCI announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, October 28th that allows the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the technology company to purchase up to 7.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

MSCI Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a $1.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. MSCIs payout ratio is presently 45.63%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on MSCI. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on MSCI from $533.00 to $570.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Barclays lifted their price objective on MSCI from $650.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of MSCI from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on MSCI from $700.00 to $710.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Raymond James Financial raised MSCI from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $650.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $655.90.

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MSCI Company Profile

(Free Report)

MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides critical decision support tools and solutions for the investment community to manage investment processes worldwide. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed financial product, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, and over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct.

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Magellan Asset Management Ltd trimmed its holdings in CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE:CMS  Free Report) by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 200,553 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 847 shares during the quarter. Magellan Asset Management Ltd owned approximately 0.07% of CMS Energy worth $13,894,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in shares of CMS Energy by 16.1% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 16,554,877 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,243,438,000 after acquiring an additional 2,297,928 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in CMS Energy during the 1st quarter worth $106,745,000. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC increased its holdings in CMS Energy by 72.9% during the 1st quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 2,302,338 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $172,929,000 after purchasing an additional 970,510 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its position in CMS Energy by 29.8% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 3,407,152 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $255,911,000 after purchasing an additional 783,077 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of CMS Energy by 20.2% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,483,585 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $336,762,000 after buying an additional 753,173 shares during the period. 93.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other CMS Energy news, SVP Lauren Y. Snyder sold 2,220 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.26, for a total transaction of $158,197.20. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 13,512 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $962,865.12. The trade was a 14.11% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.47, for a total transaction of $289,880.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 64,259 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,656,849.73. This represents a 5.86% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

CMS Energy Stock Performance

Shares of CMS opened at $73.20 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93. The firm has a market cap of $22.28 billion, a PE ratio of 21.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.42. CMS Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $63.97 and a 12 month high of $76.45. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $72.59 and a 200-day moving average price of $71.81.

CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.07. CMS Energy had a return on equity of 12.07% and a net margin of 12.76%.The firm had revenue of $2.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.83 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.84 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. CMS Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.800-3.870 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 3.560-3.600 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that CMS Energy Corporation will post 3.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CMS Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a $0.5425 dividend. This represents a $2.17 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 7th. CMS Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.72%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. KeyCorp raised their price target on CMS Energy from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of CMS Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 18th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of CMS Energy from $71.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of CMS Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of CMS Energy from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $78.36.

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CMS Energy Profile

(Free Report)

CMS Energy Corporation operates as an energy company primarily in Michigan. The company operates through three segments: Electric Utility; Gas Utility; and Enterprises. The Electric Utility segment is involved in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. This segment generates electricity through coal, wind, gas, renewable energy, oil, and nuclear sources.

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Shares of McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE:MH  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the sixteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have given a hold recommendation, twelve have assigned a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $20.9667.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on MH shares. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of McGraw Hill in a report on Monday, August 18th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 price objective on the stock. Macquarie reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $19.00 target price on shares of McGraw Hill in a research report on Friday, October 17th. William Blair began coverage on McGraw Hill in a report on Monday, August 18th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings started coverage on McGraw Hill in a research note on Friday, October 17th. They set a sell (e+) rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on McGraw Hill in a research note on Monday, August 18th. They issued a neutral rating and a $15.00 target price on the stock.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

McGraw Hill Trading Up 0.4%

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. purchased a new stake in McGraw Hill during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,923,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in shares of McGraw Hill during the third quarter worth $14,600,000. Alberta Investment Management Corp purchased a new stake in shares of McGraw Hill during the 3rd quarter valued at $12,550,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas acquired a new stake in shares of McGraw Hill in the 3rd quarter worth $7,530,000. Finally, Peregrine Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in McGraw Hill during the 3rd quarter worth $3,443,000.

NYSE MH opened at $11.29 on Friday. McGraw Hill has a one year low of $10.69 and a one year high of $17.25. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $12.98.

McGraw Hill Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

At McGraw Hill, our purpose is to unlock the potential of each learner at every stage of life. Our mission is to support educators, learners and professionals around the world with trusted, high-quality content and digital solutions that use data and learning science to adapt to each student as they progress towards their goals.

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Metis Global Partners LLC trimmed its holdings in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) by 9.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 83,203 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,945 shares during the quarter. Metis Global Partners LLCs holdings in Citigroup were worth $7,082,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in C. Accent Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 106.0% in the first quarter. Accent Capital Management LLC now owns 412 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 212 shares during the period. Truvestments Capital LLC grew its position in Citigroup by 131.6% during the 1st quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 433 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. grew its position in Citigroup by 157.1% during the 2nd quarter. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. now owns 414 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Citigroup by 805.2% in the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 525 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 467 shares during the period. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its position in Citigroup by 68.2% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 577 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.72% of the companys stock.

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Citigroup Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE C opened at $100.74 on Friday. Citigroup Inc. has a 1 year low of $55.51 and a 1 year high of $105.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $99.12 and a 200 day moving average of $88.67. The stock has a market cap of $185.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.37.

Citigroup Dividend Announcement

Citigroup ( NYSE:C Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The company reported $2.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.35. Citigroup had a net margin of 8.73% and a return on equity of 7.91%. The business had revenue of $22.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.92 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.51 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Citigroup has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 3rd will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 3rd. Citigroups payout ratio is 33.71%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on C. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Citigroup from $100.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Citigroup from $129.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Citigroup from $107.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $118.00 price target on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $107.63.

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Citigroup Company Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 1,576,239 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 103,708 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for approximately 1.0% of Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,228,726,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in LLY. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 97.5% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 101,305,650 shares of the companys stock worth $83,669,349,000 after acquiring an additional 50,002,551 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 6.7% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 79,224,392 shares of the companys stock worth $65,432,218,000 after purchasing an additional 4,975,395 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,707,512 shares of the companys stock worth $10,495,261,000 after purchasing an additional 81,587 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 13.3% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,821,993 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,808,443,000 after purchasing an additional 682,203 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter valued at $4,613,912,000. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director J Erik Fyrwald purchased 1,565 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $642.33 per share, for a total transaction of $1,005,246.45. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 74,578 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $47,903,686.74. This trade represents a 2.14% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO David A. Ricks bought 1,632 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $644.77 per share, for a total transaction of $1,052,264.64. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 546,601 shares in the company, valued at approximately $352,431,926.77. The trade was a 0.30% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have acquired 4,314 shares of company stock valued at $2,766,929. 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 1.5%

Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $923.35 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86. The company has a market capitalization of $872.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $799.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $775.76. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $623.78 and a twelve month high of $955.46.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. The company had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 92.72% and a net margin of 25.91%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.18 EPS. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 29.35%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $876.00 to $879.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $895.00 to $1,080.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,028.00 to $1,023.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Hsbc Global Res raised Eli Lilly and Company from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Finally, Guggenheim reissued a buy rating and issued a $948.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $960.88.

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Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. trimmed its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 8.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,963,729 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 557,183 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $811,127,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 63.5% in the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 29,385 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,997,000 after purchasing an additional 11,411 shares during the last quarter. Freemont Management S.A. raised its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 30.4% during the 2nd quarter. Freemont Management S.A. now owns 30,900 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $4,203,000 after buying an additional 7,200 shares during the last quarter. Aviva PLC boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 25.3% during the 2nd quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 1,784,931 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $242,768,000 after buying an additional 360,855 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 228.4% in the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 140,997 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $19,177,000 after acquiring an additional 98,064 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ZEGA Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 17.0% during the second quarter. ZEGA Investments LLC now owns 4,066 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $553,000 after acquiring an additional 591 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on ABT shares. BTIG Research reissued a buy rating and issued a $145.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $127.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $144.00 to $142.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $147.00.

Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE ABT opened at $126.28 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $219.59 billion, a PE ratio of 15.82, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.82. The firms 50 day moving average price is $130.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $131.40. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $110.86 and a 52-week high of $141.23.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.78% and a net margin of 31.88%.The company had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.40 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.21 EPS. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th will be given a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is presently 29.57%.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Modera Wealth Management LLC lessened its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 4,044 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 158 shares during the quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $2,862,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 17.1% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,474 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,989,000 after acquiring an additional 508 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 7.0% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 888 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $508,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.8% in the first quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 12,792 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $6,988,000 after purchasing an additional 224 shares during the period. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 13.1% during the first quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 620 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $339,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 46.9% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 72 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on GS shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $750.00 price target (up from $625.00) on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a neutral rating and set a $843.00 target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $785.00 to $855.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Daiwa Capital Markets raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $756.00 to $810.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $725.00 to $790.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $779.50.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance

NYSE:GS opened at $786.03 on Friday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $778.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $700.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.23. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $439.38 and a twelve month high of $825.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $235.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.97, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.41.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 13.18%.The company had revenue of $15.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.68 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $8.40 EPS. The Goldman Sachs Groups quarterly revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $4.00 per share. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is presently 32.50%.

Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,000 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $750.51, for a total transaction of $6,754,590.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 106,268 shares of the companys stock, valued at $79,755,196.68. The trade was a 7.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The industrial products company reported $0.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by $0.04, FiscalAI reports. Mueller Water Products had a return on equity of 20.89% and a net margin of 10.67%.The firm had revenue of $380.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $362.32 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.22 earnings per share. Mueller Water Productss revenue for the quarter was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. Mueller Water Products updated its FY 2026 guidance to EPS.

Mueller Water Products Stock Performance

MWA stock traded down $0.98 during trading on Friday, hitting $24.05. 2,655,205 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,633,286. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.18. Mueller Water Products has a 52 week low of $21.35 and a 52 week high of $28.58. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $25.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $25.26. The company has a quick ratio of 2.56, a current ratio of 3.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

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Mueller Water Products Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th will be issued a $0.07 dividend. This is a boost from Mueller Water Productss previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. Mueller Water Productss dividend payout ratio is presently 23.14%.

Insider Activity

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mueller Water Products

In other Mueller Water Products news, Director Brian C. Healy bought 1,070 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 7th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $25.78 per share, with a total value of $27,584.60. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 16,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $433,104. The trade was a 6.80% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, Director Thomas J. Hansen sold 24,005 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.15, for a total value of $627,730.75. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 86,163 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,253,162.45. This trade represents a 21.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 34,664 shares of company stock valued at $909,819. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its holdings in Mueller Water Products by 344.1% in the 2nd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 945,613 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $22,733,000 after acquiring an additional 732,669 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake in shares of Mueller Water Products by 10.9% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 572,686 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $14,558,000 after purchasing an additional 56,404 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its holdings in shares of Mueller Water Products by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 534,129 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $12,840,000 after purchasing an additional 37,555 shares in the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co lifted its stake in Mueller Water Products by 13.8% during the second quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 178,672 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,300,000 after purchasing an additional 21,626 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in Mueller Water Products by 25.3% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 153,043 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,890,000 after buying an additional 30,862 shares in the last quarter. 91.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MWA has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Mueller Water Products in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Mueller Water Products from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, July 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $29.00.

View Our Latest Report on MWA

Mueller Water Products Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mueller Water Products, Inc manufactures and markets products and services for the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water used by municipalities, and the residential and non-residential construction industries in the United States, Israel, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Water Flow Solutions and Water Management Solutions.

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NOV (NYSE:NOV  Get Free Report) and North American Construction Group (NYSE:NOA  Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares NOV and North American Construction Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets NOV 4.36% 5.89% 3.38% North American Construction Group 2.82% 17.15% 4.16%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares NOV and North American Construction Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio NOV $8.78 billion 0.64 $635.00 million $1.00 15.41 North American Construction Group $1.25 billion 0.33 $32.17 million $0.87 15.88

NOV has higher revenue and earnings than North American Construction Group. NOV is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than North American Construction Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

93.3% of NOV shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of North American Construction Group shares are held by institutional investors. 2.1% of NOV shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 9.7% of North American Construction Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for NOV and North American Construction Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score NOV 3 9 5 0 2.12 North American Construction Group 0 7 0 0 2.00

NOV presently has a consensus target price of $15.46, suggesting a potential upside of 0.37%. Given NOVs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe NOV is more favorable than North American Construction Group.

Risk & Volatility

NOV has a beta of 1.25, suggesting that its share price is 25% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, North American Construction Group has a beta of 1.29, suggesting that its share price is 29% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

NOV pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. North American Construction Group pays an annual dividend of $0.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. NOV pays out 30.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. North American Construction Group pays out 39.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. NOV has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and North American Construction Group has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years. North American Construction Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

NOV beats North American Construction Group on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About NOV

(Get Free Report)

NOV Inc. designs, constructs, manufactures, and sells systems, components, and products for oil and gas drilling and production, and industrial and renewable energy sectors in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Energy Equipment, and Energy Products and Services. The company provides solids control and waste management equipment and services, managed pressure drilling, drilling fluids, premium drillpipe, wired pipe, drilling optimization services, tubular inspection and coating services, instrumentation, downhole tools, and drill bits. It also offers equipment and technologies for hydraulic fracture stimulation, including downhole multistage fracturing tools, pressure pumping trucks, blenders, sanders, hydration and injection units, flowline, and manifolds; coiled tubing units, and wireline units and tools; connections and liner hangers; onshore production consists of composite pipe, surface transfer and progressive cavity pumps, and artificial lift systems; and offshore production, such as floating production systems and subsea production technologies, as well as manufactures industrial pumps and mixers. In addition, the company provides substructures, derricks, and masts; cranes; jacking systems; pipe lifting, racking, rotating, and assembly systems; mud pumps; pressure control equipment; drives and generators; rig instrumentation and control systems; mooring, anchor, and deck handling machinery; equipment components for offshore wind construction vessels; and pipelay and construction systems. Further, the company offers spare parts, repair, and rentals as well as comprehensive remote equipment monitoring, technical support, field service, and customer training. The company was formerly known as National Oilwell Varco, Inc. and changed its name to NOV Inc. in January 2021. NOV Inc. was founded in 1862 and is based in Houston, Texas.

About North American Construction Group

(Get Free Report)

North American Construction Group Ltd. provides mining and heavy civil construction services to customers in the resource development and industrial construction sectors in Australia, Canada, and the United States. The company operates Heavy Equipment  Canada, Heavy Equipment  Australia, and Other segments. It also offers mine management services for thermal coal mines; and construction and operations support services in the Canadian oil sands region. In addition, the company provides fully maintained heavy equipment rentals and full service mine operations support at metallurgical and thermal coal mines; heavy equipment rentals to iron ore, gold and lithium producers; and heavy equipment maintenance, component remanufacturing, and full equipment rebuild services to mining companies and other heavy equipment operators, as well as supplies production-critical components to the mining and construction industry. As of December 31, 2023, it operated a heavy equipment fleet of 900 units. The company was formerly known as North American Energy Partners Inc. and changed its name to North American Construction Group Ltd. in April 2018. North American Construction Group Ltd. was incorporated in 1953 and is headquartered in Acheson, Canada.

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OneAscent Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,900 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $200,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. NorthRock Partners LLC grew its holdings in Aflac by 1.5% in the first quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC now owns 6,519 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $725,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the period. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Aflac by 24.4% during the first quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 495 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Duncan Williams Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Aflac by 5.0% in the second quarter. Duncan Williams Asset Management LLC now owns 2,065 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $218,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the period. Stiles Financial Services Inc grew its stake in shares of Aflac by 3.4% in the second quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc now owns 3,070 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $324,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Apexium Financial LP grew its position in Aflac by 3.4% in the first quarter. Apexium Financial LP now owns 3,103 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $345,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.44% of the companys stock.

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Aflac Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AFL opened at $114.06 on Friday. Aflac Incorporated has a 52 week low of $96.95 and a 52 week high of $115.43. The firm has a market cap of $61.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a current ratio of 0.11. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $108.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $105.75.

Aflac ( NYSE:AFL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter. Aflac had a return on equity of 15.08% and a net margin of 15.32%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Tuesday, August 12th that authorizes the company to buyback 100,000,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Aflac Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be given a dividend of $0.58 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 19th. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Aflacs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on AFL. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Aflac from $110.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Friday. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Aflac from $114.00 to $111.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Aflac from $107.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Aflac from $108.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, August 18th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Aflac currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $110.50.

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Aflac Company Profile

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the Air Assault Troops on their professional holiday and presented the soldiers with awards, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reports.

"Today we celebrate an important day  the day of our Air Assault Forces, the day of our very brave people, extraordinarily strong people Thanks to our Air Assault Forces, the Pokrovsk direction is held, the Dobropillia operation is maintained, and our Donetsk, Kharkiv, and southern regions are holding. The heroic Kursk operation was also made possible thanks to the efforts of our paratroopers," the president said during the award ceremony on Saturday.

The head of state emphasized that without the Air Assault Forces, it is impossible to imagine strong results for all of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy thanked every soldier of the Air Assault Forces for their service and stressed that each Air Assault unit is a source of pride.

The president also asked those present to honor the memory of the fallen.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (NYSE:PCG  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the fifteen ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $20.6364.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Pacific Gas & Electric from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Pacific Gas & Electric from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Pacific Gas & Electric in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group increased their target price on Pacific Gas & Electric from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Pacific Gas & Electric to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pacific Gas & Electric

In other news, Director John O. Larsen acquired 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $15.96 per share, for a total transaction of $119,700.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 18,111 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $289,051.56. This represents a 70.68% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in PCG. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in Pacific Gas & Electric by 55.6% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 77,846 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,337,000 after purchasing an additional 27,832 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Pacific Gas & Electric by 431.2% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,469 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 2,816 shares during the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its position in shares of Pacific Gas & Electric by 1,339.3% during the 1st quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 320,668 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,509,000 after buying an additional 298,389 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its position in shares of Pacific Gas & Electric by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 188,411 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,237,000 after buying an additional 1,010 shares during the period. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its stake in shares of Pacific Gas & Electric by 446.7% during the first quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 55,599 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $955,000 after buying an additional 45,430 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.56% of the companys stock.

Pacific Gas & Electric Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE PCG opened at $16.51 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $36.28 billion, a PE ratio of 13.87, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 0.59. The business has a fifty day moving average of $15.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $15.42. Pacific Gas & Electric has a 52-week low of $12.97 and a 52-week high of $21.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 0.94.

Pacific Gas & Electric (NYSE:PCG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The utilities provider reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter. Pacific Gas & Electric had a net margin of 10.93% and a return on equity of 11.10%. The business had revenue of $5.80 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Pacific Gas & Electric will post 1.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pacific Gas & Electric Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a dividend of $0.025 per share. This represents a $0.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. Pacific Gas & Electrics dividend payout ratio is presently 8.40%.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

PG&E Corp. operates as a holding company, which engages in generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and natural gas to customers. It specializes in energy, utility, power, gas, electricity, solar and sustainability. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Oakland, CA.

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Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 14.0% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 55,352 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 9,000 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company comprises about 1.1% of Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest holding. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $4,435,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt increased its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2,735,254.3% in the second quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 949,769,723 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $76,095,550,000 after buying an additional 949,735,001 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 0.6% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 20,497,429 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,471,259,000 after acquiring an additional 128,207 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 277.4% during the first quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 10,740,934 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $771,092,000 after acquiring an additional 7,894,919 shares during the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 5.5% during the second quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 10,371,812 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $830,990,000 after purchasing an additional 542,493 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners grew its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 6.2% in the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 8,953,009 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $640,616,000 after purchasing an additional 523,107 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Citigroup upped their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $89.57.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $86.05 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $58.42 and a twelve month high of $88.50. The company has a market cap of $270.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.22. The companys 50 day moving average is $83.25 and its 200 day moving average is $79.27.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.11. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 17.18%.The firm had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.11 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.42 EPS. The companys revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current year.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 29.61%.

Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.

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PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd. boosted its stake in Toronto Dominion Bank (The) (NYSE:TD  Free Report) (TSE:TD) by 12.7% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 112,030 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 12,610 shares during the quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank comprises 2.8% of PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd.s holdings in Toronto Dominion Bank were worth $8,245,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TD. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank by 93.9% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 12,216,411 shares of the banks stock valued at $732,252,000 after purchasing an additional 5,917,078 shares during the period. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec grew its holdings in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank by 48.9% during the first quarter. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec now owns 14,785,565 shares of the banks stock worth $886,174,000 after buying an additional 4,853,498 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its position in Toronto Dominion Bank by 81.6% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 10,524,446 shares of the banks stock valued at $630,746,000 after buying an additional 4,729,657 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in Toronto Dominion Bank by 38.6% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 9,994,402 shares of the banks stock valued at $599,064,000 after buying an additional 2,780,984 shares during the last quarter. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its stake in Toronto Dominion Bank by 17.7% in the 1st quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 13,700,503 shares of the banks stock valued at $825,440,000 after acquiring an additional 2,057,784 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 52.37% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

TD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Desjardins raised shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Toronto Dominion Bank in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $93.00.

Toronto Dominion Bank Stock Up 0.6%

Toronto Dominion Bank stock opened at $80.90 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The companys 50-day moving average is $79.09 and its 200-day moving average is $73.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $137.24 billion, a PE ratio of 9.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.79. Toronto Dominion Bank has a fifty-two week low of $51.25 and a fifty-two week high of $82.88.

Toronto Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD  Get Free Report) (TSE:TD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 28th. The bank reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.45. The business had revenue of $10.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.73 billion. Toronto Dominion Bank had a return on equity of 13.59% and a net margin of 16.40%.Toronto Dominion Banks quarterly revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.05 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Toronto Dominion Bank will post 5.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Toronto Dominion Bank Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Friday, October 10th were paid a $1.05 dividend. This is a boost from Toronto Dominion Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.2%. Toronto Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.16%.

Toronto Dominion Bank Profile

(Free Report)

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking.

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PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd. cut its stake in CAE Inc (NYSE:CAE  Free Report) (TSE:CAE) by 89.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 34,950 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 299,150 shares during the period. PCJ Investment Counsel Ltd.s holdings in CAE were worth $1,025,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in CAE by 360.9% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 4,402 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $129,000 after purchasing an additional 3,447 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming raised its holdings in shares of CAE by 39.4% during the 1st quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 8,431 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $207,000 after buying an additional 2,385 shares in the last quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in CAE in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $236,000. Neuberger Berman Group LLC purchased a new stake in CAE in the first quarter worth approximately $263,000. Finally, United Services Automobile Association grew its position in CAE by 4.5% during the first quarter. United Services Automobile Association now owns 10,822 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $265,000 after acquiring an additional 462 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.36% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on CAE. Jefferies Financial Group restated a hold rating and issued a $30.00 price objective on shares of CAE in a report on Monday, July 21st. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of CAE in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. TD Securities upgraded shares of CAE from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of CAE in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded CAE from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $33.67.

CAE Price Performance

CAE stock opened at $27.18 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.54, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.42. The firms 50-day moving average price is $27.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. CAE Inc has a 12-month low of $18.67 and a 12-month high of $30.13.

CAE (NYSE:CAE  Get Free Report) (TSE:CAE) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 12th. The aerospace company reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.15. CAE had a net margin of 8.70% and a return on equity of 7.92%. The company had revenue of $806.92 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.21 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that CAE Inc will post 0.83 earnings per share for the current year.

CAE Profile

(Free Report)

CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the Oceania, Africa, and Rest of the Americas. It operates through two segments, Civil Aviation; and Defense and Security. The Civil Aviation segment offers training solutions for flight, cabin, maintenance, and ground personnel in commercial, business, and helicopter aviation; a range of flight simulation training devices; and ab initio pilot training and crew sourcing services, as well as aircraft flight operations solutions.

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Oldfield Partners LLP lowered its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 51.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,700 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,900 shares during the period. Philip Morris International makes up 0.2% of Oldfield Partners LLPs portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Oldfield Partners LLPs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $492,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PM. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Abound Wealth Management lifted its position in Philip Morris International by 566.7% in the 2nd quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 160 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 266.7% during the 2nd quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 165 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the period. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 405.0% during the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 202 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Philip Morris International stock opened at $153.26 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52 week low of $116.12 and a 52 week high of $186.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $238.58 billion, a PE ratio of 27.77, a PEG ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.43. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $158.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $168.34.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion for the quarter. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.14% and a net margin of 9.33%. Research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Investors of record on Friday, October 3rd were given a dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.8%. This is an increase from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 3rd. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is presently 106.52%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on PM shares. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $177.00 to $166.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and issued a $195.00 target price on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, KGI Securities began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Monday, August 4th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $194.00.

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Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its position in shares of BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 2.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,277 shares of the asset managers stock after buying an additional 223 shares during the quarter. Prospera Financial Services Incs holdings in BlackRock were worth $10,798,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Securian Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the first quarter worth $7,331,000. Prudent Man Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,018,000. Allianz SE lifted its position in BlackRock by 2.6% during the first quarter. Allianz SE now owns 11,025 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $10,435,000 after purchasing an additional 277 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System purchased a new stake in BlackRock during the first quarter valued at approximately $40,868,000. Finally, Weil Company Inc. lifted its position in BlackRock by 194.6% in the first quarter. Weil Company Inc. now owns 2,074 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,963,000 after buying an additional 1,370 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.69% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

BLK has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Barclays upped their price target on shares of BlackRock from $1,310.00 to $1,360.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Bank of America upped their target price on BlackRock from $1,394.00 to $1,456.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of BlackRock from $1,180.00 to $1,170.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of BlackRock from $1,280.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $1,196.00 to $1,325.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $1,299.29.

BlackRock Trading Up 1.1%

NYSE BLK opened at $1,081.66 on Friday. BlackRock has a one year low of $773.74 and a one year high of $1,219.94. The firms fifty day moving average is $1,130.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1,068.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 4.04 and a current ratio of 4.04. The firm has a market cap of $167.50 billion, a PE ratio of 27.81, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.48.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The asset manager reported $11.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $11.78 by ($0.23). The business had revenue of $6.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.22 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 15.36% and a net margin of 26.64%.The companys revenue was up 25.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $11.46 EPS. Analysts expect that BlackRock will post 47.41 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at BlackRock

In other news, Director Rachel Lord sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,165.04, for a total transaction of $13,980,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 7,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,394,113.20. The trade was a 62.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.98% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

BlackRock Company Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Prospera Financial Services Inc raised its position in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV  Free Report) by 13.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 258,645 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 30,864 shares during the quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc owned approximately 0.25% of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF worth $18,836,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC lifted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 723,173.3% during the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 193,822,792 shares of the companys stock worth $14,114,176,000 after buying an additional 193,795,994 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 20.0% during the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 3,584,663 shares of the companys stock worth $267,846,000 after acquiring an additional 597,838 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 42.7% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,592,513 shares of the companys stock worth $118,994,000 after purchasing an additional 476,779 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 7.8% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,411,700 shares of the companys stock worth $105,483,000 after purchasing an additional 102,504 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 13.9% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 1,115,712 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,366,000 after purchasing an additional 136,011 shares in the last quarter.

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Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:SPLV opened at $71.44 on Friday. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF has a 12 month low of $67.13 and a 12 month high of $75.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.11 and a beta of 0.62. The companys fifty day moving average price is $72.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $72.73.

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Profile

The Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Low Volatility index. The fund tracks a volatility-weighted index of the 100 least-volatile stocks in the S&P 500. SPLV was launched on May 5, 2011 and is managed by Invesco.

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Savant Capital LLC increased its holdings in Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:FIX  Free Report) by 13.2% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 14,539 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,695 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLCs holdings in Comfort Systems USA were worth $7,796,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Comfort Systems USA during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Stone House Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Comfort Systems USA during the first quarter worth about $31,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Comfort Systems USA by 54.4% in the first quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 105 shares of the construction companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the period. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Comfort Systems USA by 37.8% in the second quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 113 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group increased its position in Comfort Systems USA by 259.4% during the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 115 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the period. 96.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Comfort Systems USA Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE FIX opened at $954.47 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The firm has a market cap of $33.67 billion, a PE ratio of 40.41 and a beta of 1.55. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $831.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is $644.06. Comfort Systems USA, Inc. has a 12-month low of $276.44 and a 12-month high of $1,020.26.

Comfort Systems USA Increases Dividend

Comfort Systems USA ( NYSE:FIX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 15th. The construction company reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $713.90 million during the quarter. Comfort Systems USA had a net margin of 10.06% and a return on equity of 43.59%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Comfort Systems USA, Inc. will post 16.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 24th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. This is a boost from Comfort Systems USAs previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. Comfort Systems USAs payout ratio is 10.16%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Pablo G. Mercado sold 2,500 shares of Comfort Systems USA stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,005.41, for a total value of $2,513,525.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,021,640. This trade represents a 38.46% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director William J. Sandbrook sold 800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $733.56, for a total transaction of $586,848.00. Following the sale, the director owned 11,666 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,557,710.96. This trade represents a 6.42% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 17,447 shares of company stock valued at $16,206,497. Corporate insiders own 1.59% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

FIX has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus set a $1,069.00 price target on shares of Comfort Systems USA in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Zacks Research raised shares of Comfort Systems USA from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Comfort Systems USA from $875.00 to $1,140.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. DA Davidson set a $810.00 price target on Comfort Systems USA in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Northcoast Research downgraded Comfort Systems USA from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Comfort Systems USA presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $819.20.

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Comfort Systems USA Company Profile

(Free Report)

Comfort Systems USA, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides mechanical and electrical installation, renovation, maintenance, repair, and replacement services for the mechanical and electrical services industry in the United States. It operates through two segments, Mechanical and Electrical. The company offers heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as plumbing, electrical, piping and controls, off-site construction, monitoring, and fire protection.

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Sealed Air (NYSE:SEE  Free Report) had its target price lifted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $36.00 to $38.00 in a research report released on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the industrial products companys stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on SEE. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Sealed Air from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $45.00 target price (up from $40.00) on shares of Sealed Air in a report on Wednesday. Mizuho boosted their price target on Sealed Air from $36.00 to $41.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Sealed Air from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued a strong-buy rating and set a $50.00 target price (up from $39.00) on shares of Sealed Air in a research note on Friday, October 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $42.36.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on SEE

Sealed Air Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE SEE opened at $36.66 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.51, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.38. Sealed Air has a one year low of $22.78 and a one year high of $37.92. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $34.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $32.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.18, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.71.

Sealed Air (NYSE:SEE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.31 billion. Sealed Air had a net margin of 5.46% and a return on equity of 60.61%. Sealed Air has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.350 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Sealed Air will post 3.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sealed Air Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Sealed Airs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 40.40%.

Institutional Trading of Sealed Air

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SEE. Alberta Investment Management Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Sealed Air by 10.9% during the third quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 2,537,300 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $89,694,000 after purchasing an additional 250,000 shares during the last quarter. Guidance Capital Inc. increased its position in Sealed Air by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter. Guidance Capital Inc. now owns 16,933 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $590,000 after buying an additional 734 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Sealed Air by 12.4% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 150,538 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,322,000 after buying an additional 16,652 shares during the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D boosted its holdings in Sealed Air by 14.8% in the third quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 67,057 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,370,000 after acquiring an additional 8,656 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Sealed Air by 2.3% in the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 41,515 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,468,000 after acquiring an additional 944 shares during the last quarter. 94.40% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sealed Air Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sealed Air Corporation provides packaging solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It operates through two segments, Food and Protective. The Food segment offers integrated packaging materials and automation equipment solutions to provide food safety, shelf life extension, reduce food waste, automate processes, and optimize total cost for food processors in the fresh red meat, smoked and processed meats, poultry, seafood, plant-based, fluids and liquids and cheese markets under the CRYOVAC, CRYOVAC Grip & Tear, CRYOVAC Darfresh, LIQUIBOX, Simple Steps, and Optidure brands.

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State of Michigan Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE:OGS  Free Report) by 5.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,404 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the quarter. State of Michigan Retirement Systems holdings in ONE Gas were worth $1,035,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Amalgamated Bank boosted its holdings in shares of ONE Gas by 3.7% in the second quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 26,224 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,884,000 after buying an additional 944 shares during the period. Atria Investments Inc lifted its position in ONE Gas by 18.5% in the 2nd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 6,760 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $486,000 after acquiring an additional 1,054 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama boosted its stake in ONE Gas by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 160,249 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $11,515,000 after purchasing an additional 4,294 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its stake in ONE Gas by 5,362.5% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 874 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 858 shares during the period. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its holdings in ONE Gas by 34.4% during the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 27,107 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,948,000 after purchasing an additional 6,935 shares in the last quarter. 88.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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ONE Gas Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of ONE Gas stock opened at $82.28 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $79.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $76.15. ONE Gas, Inc. has a 1 year low of $66.38 and a 1 year high of $83.39. The company has a market capitalization of $4.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.18, a P/E/G ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.85.

ONE Gas Announces Dividend

ONE Gas ( NYSE:OGS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.44. The firm had revenue of $379.13 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $404.19 million. ONE Gas had a net margin of 10.76% and a return on equity of 8.06%. The businesss revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.34 EPS. ONE Gas has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.340-4.400 EPS. Research analysts forecast that ONE Gas, Inc. will post 4.26 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. ONE Gass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.47%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on OGS shares. Mizuho raised ONE Gas from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the company from $77.00 to $86.00 in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an outperform rating and set a $72.00 price objective on shares of ONE Gas in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on ONE Gas from $89.00 to $99.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of ONE Gas in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $80.69.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ONE Gas

ONE Gas Company Profile

(Free Report)

ONE Gas, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a regulated natural gas distribution company in the United States. The company provides natural gas distribution services to approximately 2.3 million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. It serves residential, commercial, and transportation customers.

Further Reading

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The Polish Sejm on Friday rejected President Karol Nawrockis bill on changes in providing assistance to Ukrainians, which also proposed to introduce criminal liability for the propaganda of "Banderism," Polish Radio reported.

"The Polish Sejm did not support the presidential draft of the new law on assistance to Ukrainians residing in the country due to the war. The document not only provided for the extension of legal residence for Ukrainian citizens, but also for tougher penalties for illegal border crossings and the introduction of criminal liability for promoting so-called Banderism," according to a report on the website of the Polish broadcaster.

It was noted that during the first reading of the bill in October, two proposals to reject it were submitted. On Friday, November 7, the majority of Sejm deputies supported these proposals in a vote.

Some 244 deputies voted in favor of rejecting the draft, 198 were against, and three abstained.

Nawrockis bill was prepared after he vetoed the previous new version of the law on assistance to Ukrainians in Poland at the end of August. It largely duplicated most of the provisions regarding the gradual rollback of some support measures that had already been included in the government law adopted at the end of September.

Nawrocki also proposed provisions that were not included in the government law. The first concerned amendments to the Polish Criminal Code and provided for increasing the penalty for illegal crossing of the Polish border to up to five years in prison, as well as raising the maximum penalty for organizing illegal border crossings from 2 to 12 years in prison.

Another change was the introduction of criminal liability for promoting so-called "Banderism" and the activities of the OUN-UPA  on the same grounds as the promotion of Nazism, Communism, or Fascism.
Stokes Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 148.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 9,828 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,874 shares during the period. Stokes Family Office LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $624,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Atwood & Palmer Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the second quarter worth $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Bogart Wealth LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 119.6% in the first quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 549 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 299 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $43,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Performance

Shares of EFV stock opened at $69.07 on Friday. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a fifty-two week low of $51.05 and a fifty-two week high of $66.83. The company has a market cap of $28.32 billion, a PE ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $67.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $65.16.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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Subaru Corporation (OTCMKTS:FUJHY  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $11.00 and last traded at $10.41, with a volume of 1628 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $10.65.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Subaru from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on FUJHY

Subaru Price Performance

The company has a fifty day moving average price of $10.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.58. The firm has a market cap of $15.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.64 and a beta of 0.38.

Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.06. Subaru had a net margin of 6.40% and a return on equity of 11.48%. The firm had revenue of $8.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.32 billion. On average, research analysts expect that Subaru Corporation will post 1.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Subaru

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Great Lakes Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Subaru by 26.8% during the first quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 293,796 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,618,000 after buying an additional 62,043 shares in the last quarter. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA grew its stake in Subaru by 27.5% during the 3rd quarter. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA now owns 64,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $663,000 after acquiring an additional 13,929 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Subaru by 12.7% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 15,286 shares of the companys stock valued at $132,000 after buying an additional 1,728 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 0.01% of the companys stock.

About Subaru

(Get Free Report)

Subaru Corporation manufactures and sells automobiles and aerospace products in Japan, rest of Asia, North America, Europe, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Automotive, Aerospace, and Others. The company manufactures, sells, and repairs passenger cars and their components, aircrafts, aerospace-related machinery, and related components; and rents and manages real estate properties.

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Summit Investment Advisors Inc. decreased its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 6.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 49,499 shares of the retailers stock after selling 3,373 shares during the period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Walmart were worth $4,346,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 8,707 shares of the retailers stock worth $851,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. grew its holdings in Walmart by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. now owns 25,915 shares of the retailers stock worth $2,275,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Walmart by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 9,830 shares of the retailers stock worth $961,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. RoundAngle Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. RoundAngle Advisors LLC now owns 25,995 shares of the retailers stock valued at $2,542,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. Finally, Lauterbach Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Walmart by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Lauterbach Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,885 shares of the retailers stock valued at $517,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. 26.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Walmart Price Performance

WMT stock opened at $102.60 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.79. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $103.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $99.43. The company has a market capitalization of $818.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 0.67. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $79.81 and a 52-week high of $109.57.

Insider Buying and Selling

Walmart ( NYSE:WMT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 21st. The retailer reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.06). Walmart had a return on equity of 21.45% and a net margin of 3.08%.The company had revenue of $169.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $174.02 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.67 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Walmart has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.580-0.600 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 2.520-2.620 EPS. Research analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Walmart news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 19,416 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.21, for a total transaction of $2,003,925.36. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 4,373,576 shares of the companys stock, valued at $451,396,778.96. The trade was a 0.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.83, for a total transaction of $415,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 1,048,455 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $108,861,082.65. This represents a 0.38% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 151,038 shares of company stock valued at $15,531,616 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $111.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Walmart from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Walmart in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $129.00 price target for the company. Finally, DA Davidson set a $117.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Thirty-one analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $113.40.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Walmart

Walmart Company Profile

(Free Report)

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications.

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Summit Investment Advisors Inc. lowered its stake in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 1.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 128,464 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 2,282 shares during the period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $5,361,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its position in shares of Bank of America by 30.0% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 108,872 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,785,000 after purchasing an additional 25,143 shares during the period. Leavell Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Bank of America by 5.4% in the first quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 16,808 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $701,000 after buying an additional 857 shares during the last quarter. Processus Wealth & Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 1.0% in the first quarter. Processus Wealth & Capital Management LLC now owns 77,464 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,233,000 after buying an additional 769 shares during the last quarter. Clarity Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 35.5% during the first quarter. Clarity Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,501 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $313,000 after acquiring an additional 1,964 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Diversify Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Bank of America by 37.3% in the 1st quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 106,239 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,248,000 after purchasing an additional 28,860 shares during the last quarter. 70.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BAC has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Erste Group Bank upgraded Bank of America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Bank of America from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, October 19th. Wolfe Research raised their target price on Bank of America from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Ameriprise Financial raised shares of Bank of America to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Twenty-three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Bank of America currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $57.86.

Bank of America Trading Down 0.1%

Bank of America stock opened at $53.22 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $51.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $47.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79. Bank of America Corporation has a 52 week low of $33.06 and a 52 week high of $53.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $388.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.34.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.13. Bank of America had a return on equity of 10.76% and a net margin of 15.70%.The business had revenue of $28.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.81 earnings per share. Bank of Americas revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 30.52%.

Bank of America declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, July 23rd that authorizes the company to buyback $40.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase up to 11.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Bank of America Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

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Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc. lowered its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA  Free Report) by 8.2% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 98,506 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 8,799 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF comprises approximately 2.4% of Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 11th largest position. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $8,805,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Fiduciary Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Elequin Capital LP grew its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 44.7% during the 1st quarter. Elequin Capital LP now owns 447 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. Curio Wealth LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 22,600.0% in the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 681 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 678 shares during the period. Howe & Rusling Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 99.2% in the first quarter. Howe & Rusling Inc. now owns 743 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $61,000 after buying an additional 370 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bfsg LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 48.3% during the second quarter. Bfsg LLC now owns 765 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $68,000 after buying an additional 249 shares during the period. 79.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Up 0.4%

NYSEARCA EFA opened at $94.30 on Friday. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 52-week low of $72.14 and a 52-week high of $95.95. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $93.60 and its 200 day moving average price is $90.34. The firm has a market cap of $68.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.84.

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA  Free Report).

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Sun Life Financial (TSE:SLF  Free Report) (NYSE:SLF) had its price objective reduced by CIBC from C$94.00 to C$93.00 in a report released on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on SLF. Scotiabank dropped their target price on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$88.00 to C$83.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Barclays upped their price objective on Sun Life Financial from C$82.00 to C$84.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Argus raised Sun Life Financial to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on Sun Life Financial from C$88.00 to C$84.00 in a report on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Desjardins increased their price objective on Sun Life Financial from C$90.00 to C$94.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$90.00.

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Sun Life Financial Stock Down 1.5%

Sun Life Financial Increases Dividend

Shares of TSE:SLF traded down C$1.29 on Friday, hitting C$82.12. 2,653,805 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,027,613. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$83.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$84.72. The company has a quick ratio of 84,866.00, a current ratio of 92.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.00. The company has a market cap of C$45.78 billion, a PE ratio of 14.56, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.83. Sun Life Financial has a 52 week low of C$74.56 and a 52 week high of C$91.11.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a $0.92 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 26th. This is a boost from Sun Life Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. This represents a $3.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.5%. Sun Life Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sun Life Financial

In other Sun Life Financial news, insider Thomas Murphy bought 3,389 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 13th. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$79.37 per share, with a total value of C$268,973.75. Following the transaction, the insider owned 3,389 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$268,973.75. This trade represents a  increase in their position. In the last three months, insiders acquired 4,262 shares of company stock valued at $338,105. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Sun Life Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sun Life Financial is one of Canadas Big Three life insurance companies along with Great-West Lifeco and Manulife. Sun Life provides insurance, retirement, and wealth-management services to individual and corporate customers in Canada, the United States, and Asia. It also owns MFS Investment Management, a Boston-based asset-management firm.

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Sunstone Hotel Investors (NYSE:SHO  Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Friday. The real estate investment trust reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.02, Briefing.com reports. Sunstone Hotel Investors had a net margin of 2.15% and a return on equity of 1.12%. The firm had revenue of $229.32 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $226.05 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.18 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sunstone Hotel Investors updated its FY 2025 guidance to 0.800-0.870 EPS.

Sunstone Hotel Investors Price Performance

SHO stock traded up $0.17 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $9.45. The company had a trading volume of 2,272,516 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,234,598. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $9.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.01. Sunstone Hotel Investors has a 12-month low of $7.45 and a 12-month high of $12.41. The company has a market capitalization of $1.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 472.49, a P/E/G ratio of 5.32 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 2.73, a current ratio of 2.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51.

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Sunstone Hotel Investors Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Sunstone Hotel Investorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 1,800.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on SHO. Truist Financial cut their price target on Sunstone Hotel Investors from $11.00 to $10.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised Sunstone Hotel Investors to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Sunstone Hotel Investors has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $8.93.

View Our Latest Report on Sunstone Hotel Investors

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sunstone Hotel Investors

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SHO. Cerity Partners LLC bought a new stake in Sunstone Hotel Investors during the second quarter worth approximately $88,000. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new position in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors in the 1st quarter worth approximately $120,000. Creative Planning purchased a new position in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $154,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $161,000. Finally, Engineers Gate Manager LP purchased a new stake in Sunstone Hotel Investors during the 2nd quarter valued at $169,000. 99.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Sunstone Hotel Investors

(Get Free Report)

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc is a lodging real estate investment trust ("REIT") that as of the date of this release owns 14 hotels comprised of 6,675 rooms, the majority of which are operated under nationally recognized brands. Sunstone's strategy is to create long-term stakeholder value through the acquisition, active ownership, and disposition of well-located hotel and resort real estate.

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Texas Yale Capital Corp. grew its stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG  Free Report) by 8.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 12,952 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,030 shares during the quarter. Texas Yale Capital Corp.s holdings in Packaging Corporation of America were worth $2,441,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Andra AP fonden raised its holdings in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 17.7% during the 2nd quarter. Andra AP fonden now owns 93,800 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $17,677,000 after buying an additional 14,100 shares during the period. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 4.3% during the second quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 29,196 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,506,000 after purchasing an additional 1,215 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 150.5% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 278 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 5.0% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 38,369 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $7,099,000 after purchasing an additional 1,829 shares in the last quarter. Finally, J. W. Coons Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America in the second quarter valued at $236,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.78% of the companys stock.

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Packaging Corporation of America Stock Performance

Shares of Packaging Corporation of America stock opened at $200.51 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 2.32 and a current ratio of 3.54. Packaging Corporation of America has a 1 year low of $172.71 and a 1 year high of $250.82. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $209.94 and its 200-day simple moving average is $200.41. The firm has a market cap of $18.04 billion, a PE ratio of 20.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.92.

Packaging Corporation of America Announces Dividend

Packaging Corporation of America ( NYSE:PKG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.73 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.83 by ($0.10). Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 10.18% and a return on equity of 19.98%. The firm had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.29 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.65 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.400 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th were given a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 15th. Packaging Corporation of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 50.56%.

Insider Transactions at Packaging Corporation of America

In related news, CEO Mark W. Kowlzan sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.97, for a total transaction of $5,399,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 437,378 shares in the company, valued at $94,460,526.66. This trade represents a 5.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. They set an overweight rating and a $242.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Packaging Corporation of America from $200.00 to $222.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Weiss Ratings cut Packaging Corporation of America from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $262.00 to $264.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded Packaging Corporation of America from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $230.17.

View Our Latest Stock Report on PKG

About Packaging Corporation of America

(Free Report)

Packaging Corporation of America engages in the production of container products. It operates through the following segments: Packaging, Paper, and Corporate and Other. The Packaging segment offers a variety of corrugated packaging products, such as conventional shipping containers. The Paper segment manufactures and sells a range of papers, including communication-based papers, and pressure sensitive papers.

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Texas Yale Capital Corp. acquired a new stake in Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 23,750 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $497,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in KVUE. Pittenger & Anderson Inc. bought a new position in Kenvue during the first quarter valued at about $30,000. Trust Co. of Vermont lifted its stake in shares of Kenvue by 266.8% during the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 1,581 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 1,150 shares in the last quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kenvue during the first quarter worth $36,000. Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new position in Kenvue in the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd boosted its position in shares of Kenvue by 378.5% in the first quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 1,627 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,287 shares during the period. 97.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on KVUE. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Kenvue from $24.00 to $21.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Kenvue from $22.00 to $19.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a hold rating and set a $15.00 price target (down previously from $26.00) on shares of Kenvue in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Rothschild Redb raised Kenvue from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Johnson Rice reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Kenvue in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $20.17.

Kenvue Stock Performance

Shares of KVUE opened at $16.90 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $16.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $20.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.37 billion, a PE ratio of 22.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.71. Kenvue Inc. has a one year low of $14.02 and a one year high of $25.17.

Kenvue (NYSE:KVUE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $3.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.83 billion. Kenvue had a return on equity of 20.02% and a net margin of 9.55%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.28 EPS. Kenvue has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.000-1.050 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Kenvue Inc. will post 1.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kenvue Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be issued a $0.2075 dividend. This represents a $0.83 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 12th. Kenvues payout ratio is 110.67%.

Kenvue Profile

(Free Report)

Kenvue Inc operates as a consumer health company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Self Care, Skin Health and Beauty, and Essential Health. The Self Care segment offers cough, cold and allergy, pain care, digestive health, smoking cessation, eye care, and other products under the Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Nicorette, Zarbee's, ORSLTM, Rhinocort, Calpol, and Zyrtec brands.

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Texas Yale Capital Corp. decreased its stake in shares of iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF (BATS:ICSH  Free Report) by 77.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 11,400 shares of the companys stock after selling 40,000 shares during the period. Texas Yale Capital Corp.s holdings in iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF were worth $578,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Costello Asset Management INC bought a new position in iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF by 136.7% during the second quarter. MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. now owns 613 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 354 shares during the period. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Bogart Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF by 54.0% during the first quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 1,525 shares of the companys stock worth $77,000 after purchasing an additional 535 shares during the period. Finally, AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its stake in shares of iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF by 40.9% during the second quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 2,043 shares of the companys stock worth $104,000 after purchasing an additional 593 shares during the period.

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iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF Price Performance

BATS:ICSH opened at $50.62 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $50.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $50.62. iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF has a 1-year low of $50.33 and a 1-year high of $50.77.

About iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF

The iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (ICSH) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is actively managed to invest in broad market, investment-grade bonds with ultra-short-term maturity. ICSH was launched on Dec 11, 2013 and is managed by BlackRock.

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The Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed an S-400 Triumph launcher near Yevpatoria and an ammunition depot near Simferopol in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, the SOF press service reported.

"The Resistance Movement of the Special Operations Forces, in coordination with the Deep Strike units of the SOF, struck enemy targets in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. The final phase of the special operation took place on October 6, 2025, but it was not publicized for operational security," the SOF reported.

It was noted that representatives of the SOF Resistance Movement obtained intelligence on the location of an ammunition depot of the Russian 18th Army in the village of Udachne, near Simferopol. Subsequent special reconnaissance confirmed the placement of the enemy arsenal. On the night of October 6, the ammunition depot was struck by SOF drones.

On the same day, SOF units destroyed a launcher of a mobile S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile system. The air defense site was located in the village of Uyutne near Yevpatoria. The S-400 is designed to detect and engage aerial targets at long range; the enemy also uses this system to strike targets in Ukrainian territory.
Texas Yale Capital Corp. cut its stake in The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL  Free Report) by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,855 shares of the companys stock after selling 600 shares during the quarter. Texas Yale Capital Corp.s holdings in Estee Lauder Companies were worth $1,200,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR increased its stake in Estee Lauder Companies by 1.6% in the second quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 7,361 shares of the companys stock valued at $595,000 after acquiring an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC increased its stake in Estee Lauder Companies by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 28,826 shares of the companys stock worth $2,329,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC raised its holdings in Estee Lauder Companies by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 5,007 shares of the companys stock valued at $405,000 after buying an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 2.2% during the second quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 5,950 shares of the companys stock valued at $481,000 after acquiring an additional 129 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in Estee Lauder Companies by 9.3% in the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,815 shares of the companys stock worth $147,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 55.15% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on EL shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Estee Lauder Companies from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Estee Lauder Companies from $63.00 to $84.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Estee Lauder Companies from $100.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Citigroup increased their price target on Estee Lauder Companies from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Estee Lauder Companies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $76.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Monday, October 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $95.16.

Insider Activity at Estee Lauder Companies

In other news, Director Lynn Forester sold 3,702 shares of Estee Lauder Companies stock in a transaction on Friday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.65, for a total value of $339,288.30. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 15,479 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,650.35. This trade represents a 19.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Lande Rashida La sold 6,417 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.88, for a total transaction of $589,593.96. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 13.05% of the companys stock.

Estee Lauder Companies Trading Down 0.0%

EL stock opened at $87.77 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $91.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $82.42. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $48.37 and a fifty-two week high of $104.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.30. The firm has a market cap of $31.59 billion, a PE ratio of -27.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.19.

Estee Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $3.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.38 billion. Estee Lauder Companies had a positive return on equity of 12.37% and a negative net margin of 7.91%.Estee Lauder Companiess quarterly revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.14 EPS. Estee Lauder Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.900-2.100 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. will post 1.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Estee Lauder Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. Estee Lauder Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently -54.26%.

Estee Lauder Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools.

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Van Cleef Asset Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 8.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,363 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,211 shares during the quarter. Van Cleef Asset Management Incs holdings in Archer Daniels Midland were worth $811,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Beacon Financial Advisory LLC raised its position in Archer Daniels Midland by 1.0% during the second quarter. Beacon Financial Advisory LLC now owns 18,505 shares of the companys stock valued at $977,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. Argyle Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Argyle Capital Management LLC now owns 20,575 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,086,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Archer Daniels Midland by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,310 shares of the companys stock worth $207,000 after buying an additional 220 shares during the last quarter. Edmp Inc. boosted its stake in Archer Daniels Midland by 3.4% in the second quarter. Edmp Inc. now owns 6,723 shares of the companys stock worth $355,000 after buying an additional 221 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Uncommon Cents Investing LLC grew its position in Archer Daniels Midland by 0.3% during the second quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 94,659 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,996,000 after acquiring an additional 249 shares during the last quarter. 78.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on ADM. UBS Group restated a buy rating and issued a $70.00 price objective (up from $60.00) on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a report on Monday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Archer Daniels Midland from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Archer Daniels Midland from $47.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Barclays upgraded Archer Daniels Midland from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $50.00 to $61.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an underweight rating and set a $59.00 target price (down from $61.00) on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a report on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $55.25.

Archer Daniels Midland Stock Performance

NYSE:ADM opened at $56.84 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $61.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $55.91. The stock has a market cap of $27.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.78 and a beta of 0.70. Archer Daniels Midland Company has a twelve month low of $40.98 and a twelve month high of $65.00.

Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE:ADM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $20.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.96 billion. Archer Daniels Midland had a net margin of 1.33% and a return on equity of 8.43%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.09 EPS. Archer Daniels Midland has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.500 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Archer Daniels Midland Company will post 4.31 EPS for the current year.

Archer Daniels Midland Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be paid a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 19th. Archer Daniels Midlands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.27%.

Archer Daniels Midland Profile

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company engages in the procurement, transportation, storage, processing, and merchandising of agricultural commodities, ingredients, flavors, and solutions in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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Texas Yale Capital Corp. lessened its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (NYSEARCA:VPL  Free Report) by 13.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 4,668 shares of the companys stock after selling 750 shares during the quarter. Texas Yale Capital Corp.s holdings in Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF were worth $384,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Access Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF in the second quarter worth about $5,600,000. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF by 160.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,965 shares of the companys stock worth $244,000 after acquiring an additional 1,828 shares in the last quarter. Elm Partners Management LLC grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF by 47.4% during the 2nd quarter. Elm Partners Management LLC now owns 1,040,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,516,000 after acquiring an additional 334,547 shares during the period. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF by 57,834.6% during the 2nd quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 2,584,461 shares of the companys stock valued at $212,388,000 after acquiring an additional 2,580,000 shares during the period. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF by 178,000.0% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,781 shares of the companys stock valued at $146,000 after purchasing an additional 1,780 shares in the last quarter.

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Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF Trading Up 0.0%

NYSEARCA VPL opened at $90.78 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.65 and a beta of 0.77. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $89.15 and a 200 day moving average of $83.70. Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF has a twelve month low of $64.21 and a twelve month high of $92.38.

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF Profile

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF, formerly Vanguard MSCI Pacific ETF, is an exchange-traded share class of Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund. The Fund seeks to track the investment performance of the MSCI Pacific Index that consists of common stocks of companies located in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore.

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Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, October 29th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th will be given a dividend of 0.40 per share by the financial services provider on Thursday, November 20th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th.

Webster Financial has increased its dividend by an average of 0.0%per year over the last three years. Webster Financial has a dividend payout ratio of 24.6% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Webster Financial to earn $6.68 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.60 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 24.0%.

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Webster Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:WBS opened at $57.52 on Friday. Webster Financial has a 1 year low of $39.43 and a 1 year high of $63.99. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $58.94 and its 200 day simple moving average is $56.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.56 billion, a PE ratio of 10.71, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.13.

Insider Buying and Selling at Webster Financial

Webster Financial ( NYSE:WBS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $732.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $725.22 million. Webster Financial had a net margin of 21.32% and a return on equity of 11.07%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.34 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Webster Financial will post 5.88 EPS for the current year.

In other Webster Financial news, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.95, for a total transaction of $463,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 239,872 shares in the company, valued at $13,900,582.40. This represents a 3.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Elzbieta Cieslik sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.58, for a total value of $123,160.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 14,894 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $917,172.52. The trade was a 11.84% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 11,807 shares of company stock worth $698,527 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WBS. Curi Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Webster Financial by 0.3% during the second quarter. Curi Capital LLC now owns 68,500 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,740,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the last quarter. BCGM Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Webster Financial by 1.2% in the second quarter. BCGM Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,161 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $882,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares in the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Webster Financial by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,348 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $237,000 after acquiring an additional 189 shares during the period. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Webster Financial by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC now owns 6,747 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $368,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. grew its stake in Webster Financial by 4.0% in the first quarter. PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. now owns 5,578 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $288,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 85.58% of the companys stock.

Webster Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking.

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Wedbush Securities Inc. grew its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 6.8% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 86,388 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 5,470 shares during the period. Wedbush Securities Inc.s holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $5,963,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC lifted its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 301,443.6% during the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 10,005,216 shares of the companys stock valued at $690,560,000 after purchasing an additional 10,001,898 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 1st quarter valued at $370,272,000. Amundi lifted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 49.1% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 4,938,507 shares of the companys stock valued at $331,576,000 after buying an additional 1,627,051 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 101.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,475,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $170,845,000 after buying an additional 1,246,467 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 15,919.9% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,044,658 shares of the companys stock worth $72,523,000 after buying an additional 1,038,137 shares during the period. 11.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on NVO shares. Rothschild Redb raised Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Morgan Stanley downgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from an overweight rating to an underweight rating and decreased their target price for the company from $59.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Zacks Research upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group downgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $59.20.

Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

NYSE:NVO opened at $45.62 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $203.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.53, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.56. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $55.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $61.49. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1 year low of $45.05 and a 1 year high of $112.52.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $11.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.98 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 78.64% and a net margin of 35.60%. Novo Nordisk A/S has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 EPS for the current year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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WESCAP Management Group Inc. decreased its holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report) by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 53,521 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 2,390 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Japan ETF makes up 0.9% of WESCAP Management Group Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. WESCAP Management Group Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $4,012,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of EWJ. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 2,106.3% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,398,952 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $164,472,000 after buying an additional 2,290,221 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 3.2% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 26,350,410 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,806,584,000 after buying an additional 815,660 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the first quarter worth about $35,121,000. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the first quarter worth approximately $35,041,000. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 94.2% in the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 1,001,860 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $68,259,000 after acquiring an additional 485,932 shares during the last quarter. 64.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:EWJ opened at $83.29 on Friday. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 52 week low of $59.84 and a 52 week high of $84.07. The firms fifty day moving average is $81.32 and its 200-day moving average is $76.66. The firm has a market cap of $15.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.63 and a beta of 0.68.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index).

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Yirendai Ltd. (NYSE:YRD  Get Free Report)s share price passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $5.91 and traded as low as $5.20. Yirendai shares last traded at $5.31, with a volume of 54,656 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Yirendai in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Yirendai Stock Performance

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $5.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $458.84 million, a P/E ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.85.

Yirendai (NYSE:YRD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 21st. The technology company reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Yirendai had a return on equity of 13.42% and a net margin of 21.07%.The company had revenue of $230.62 million for the quarter. Yirendai has set its Q3 2025 guidance at EPS.

Yirendai Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a  dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 741.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. Yirendais dividend payout ratio is 19.42%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Yirendai in the first quarter valued at about $103,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Yirendai by 15.2% during the 1st quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 393,987 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,711,000 after acquiring an additional 52,110 shares during the period. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in Yirendai during the first quarter valued at approximately $220,000. Trexquant Investment LP boosted its stake in Yirendai by 48.8% in the 1st quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 42,619 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $293,000 after buying an additional 13,973 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Yirendai by 35.7% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 23,799 shares of the technology companys stock worth $140,000 after purchasing an additional 6,261 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 1.99% of the companys stock.

About Yirendai

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Yiren Digital Ltd. provides financial services through an AI-powered platform in China. Its platform provides a suite of financial and lifestyle services. The company offers financial services, which provides a portfolio of loan products to borrowers; insurance brokerage services; and consumption and lifestyle services, including non-financial products and services to meet various consumer needs.

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Pentair plc (NYSE:PNR  Free Report)  Zacks Research increased their Q3 2026 earnings estimates for shares of Pentair in a report released on Tuesday, November 4th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the industrial products company will post earnings of $1.32 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $1.30. The consensus estimate for Pentairs current full-year earnings is $4.77 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Pentairs Q4 2026 earnings at $1.27 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $5.30 EPS.

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Pentair (NYSE:PNR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The industrial products company reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.18 by $0.06. Pentair had a net margin of 15.84% and a return on equity of 21.83%. The firm had revenue of $1.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.09 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Pentair has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.110-1.160 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 4.850-4.900 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Pentair from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Pentair from $104.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Citigroup boosted their price target on Pentair from $126.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Pentair in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their target price on Pentair from $120.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $119.93.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PNR

Pentair Stock Performance

PNR opened at $107.19 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The company has a market capitalization of $17.54 billion, a PE ratio of 27.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.14. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $109.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $103.79. Pentair has a 1 year low of $74.25 and a 1 year high of $113.95.

Pentair Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Investors of record on Friday, October 24th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Pentairs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.38%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Richardson Financial Services Inc. increased its position in Pentair by 64.9% during the 3rd quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 249 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Pentair by 105.4% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 345 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Pentair in the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Pentair during the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, North Star Investment Management Corp. grew its position in Pentair by 91.5% during the 2nd quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 404 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.37% of the companys stock.

About Pentair

(Get Free Report)

Pentair plc provides various water solutions in the United States, Western Europe, China, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada, and Japan. The company operates through three segments: Flow, Water Solutions, and Pool. The Flow segment designs, manufactures, and sells fluid treatment and pump products and systems, including pressure vessels, gas recovery solutions, membrane bioreactors, wastewater reuse systems and advanced membrane filtration, separation systems, water disposal pumps, water supply pumps, fluid transfer pumps, turbine pumps, solid handling pumps, and agricultural spray nozzles for fluid delivery, ion exchange, desalination, food and beverage, separation technologies in the oil and gas industry, residential and municipal wells, water treatment, wastewater solids handling, pressure boosting, circulation and transfer, fire suppression, flood control, agricultural irrigation, and crop spray in residential, commercial, and industrial markets.

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Five people were injured as a result of a massive air attack on the night of Saturday in Kyiv region, there were hits on housing and critical infrastructure facilities, said head of the regional military administration Mykola Kalashnyk.

"Unfortunately, there are casualties. In Vyshhorod district, this includes four women. Three of them experienced an acute stress reaction. Another woman, born in 1983, underwent surgery at a local hospital. She sustained a shrapnel wound to her thigh. Her condition is moderate, and she is under medical supervision. All necessary medical care is being provided. In Obukhiv district, a man born in 1975 was injured. He has an open wound on his forearm. His treatment will be outpatient," he wrote on Telegram.

According to him, 20 private houses, three cars, outbuildings, and garage facilities were damaged in Vyshhorod district. Windows and glazing were broken, and facades and roofs were damaged. In Boryspil district, one private house was also damaged.

Kalashnyk thanked the police officers, State Emergency Service workers, medical personnel, energy workers, and municipal services for their dedicated work.
Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014-2016) Arseniy Yatsenyuk is convinced that private investments in Ukraine during the war are impossible, nevertheless, Western countries, including the USA, have already made them in our country indirectly.

When asked during an interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency how investors can be attracted during the war, he replied: "Look at the limits of world banks. For Ukraine - zero."

"Lets be realistic. No one will make private investments in Ukraine today. The only investments that can come are those guaranteed by Western countries in support of Ukraine. Or by credit guarantee agencies. A bank can lend money if it knows that, in case of risk, it will be reimbursed from the federal or state budget of the country where the bank is located," the former premier explained.

At the same time, the KSF head noted that "the West has already made large investments for its own benefit."

"Look at the weapons transferred to Ukraine, and consider how much the West has ordered for itself. Hundreds of billions of dollars. In Brussels, I told Keith Kellogg, the US Presidents Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, that the best investment for the USA is Ukraine. Everything you gave us has worked better than ever before. We have half-disarmed the Russian army and ground forces. You have no losses in manpower, while Russia, one of your key existential threats, has a million killed and wounded. Not to mention the weapons you tested on the Ukrainian battlefield," Yatsenyuk explained.
Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014-2016) Arseniy Yatsenyuk is convinced that after the end of hostilities in Ukraine, foreign investments will be made primarily in the military-industrial complex, energy and infrastructure projects in the country, as well as in the financial sector.

"The military-industrial complex is one of the key elements of the new economy. The second is energy. The third is infrastructure projects And the financial sector. After 2014, when we cleaned up the entire banking and financial system, things really took off," Yatsenyuk said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

When asked if investments in the military-industrial complex would lead to investments in Ukrainian metallurgy, he replied, "I think private investors, Ukrainian metallurgy owners, will look for opportunities. Most likely, there wont be a redistribution of the market, but theyll be able to attract money to modernize and reconstruct their plants. This will also be a plus."

"The classic example is the agricultural sector. Yes, we need a new economy, but while we are building it, we have to live off something. Therefore, the agricultural sector is the foundation; it comprises a fourth of our economy Depending on the conditions, Eastern Europe may enter the processing industry. However, it all depends on the negotiating terms for the agricultural sector with the EU," added the KSF head.

Regarding energy, Yatsenyuk noted his expectation for the development of small nuclear generation in Ukraine. "I dream of modular reactors appearing in Ukraine. They are cheap and stable. They have their own maneuvering capacities, thanks to which we will be able to gradually eliminate thermal energy. This will result in better ecology and cheaper electricity. However, we need to decide where to source nuclear fuel. The Americans still buy from Rosatom. If the topic comes up, I will mention that, as prime minister in 2014, I refused Russian fuel and switched to American Westinghouse. They thanked me a lot in Moscow for that, and also for the issue with Gazprom. In short, we managed to do it then, and the possibilities still exist," said the former prime minister.

At the same time, he noted that Ukraine has a difficult experience with nuclear generation. "On the one hand, the Chornobyl tragedy, on the other hand, we receive about 50% of our electricity production thanks to nuclear power. Only the French can compete with us in Europe," Yatsenyuk emphasized.
PICTURED ABOVE: Professor Louise Dubras, Foundation Dean of the School of Medicine at Ulster University, and Dr Rose McCullagh from the charity Doctors in Distress, plant a memorial tree at the Derry campus to mark the Universitys participation in the UK-wide National Memorial Tree Campaign, honouring the dedication and compassion of health and social care professionals.

A memorial tree has been planted at Ulster Universitys Derry campus to honour the dedication and compassion of health and social care professionals across the country.

The event marks the Universitys participation in the National Memorial Tree Campaign, a UK-wide initiative led by the mental health charity Doctors in Distress in association with its Patron, BAFTA winner and former NHS doctor Adam Kay.

The campaign aims to commemorate healthcare workers who have died by suicide and to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the mental health and wellbeing of those working in the health and social care sector.

Ulster University and The Western Health and Social Care Trust have each planted a tree to remember and support healthcare workers. The Western Trust hosted its first gatherings on World Mental Health Awareness Day in October at newly planted memorial trees at Altnagelvin Hospital and South West Acute Hospital.

This week, to mark National Stress Awareness Day (Wednesday, November 5), Ulster University has planted its tree on the Derry campus - home to the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Paramedic Science, Health Sciences, and Applied Social and Policy Sciences (Social Work). The initiative shines a light on the impact of stress on health and social care professionals and encourages everyone to lead with love, kindness, and compassion.

Professor Louise Dubras MBE, Foundation Dean of Ulster Universitys School of Medicine, said: Ulster University is delighted to work in partnership with The Western Health and Social Care Trust and Doctors in Distress to plant this tree as a tribute to past, present and future health professionals, staff, students and all who collaborate with them, across fields of study and professional pathways on campus and in our community.

It is our hope that this tree will be a place of calm and quiet reflection for all our future health professionals and indeed all those who study, work and visit the Derry campus.

The poignant themes of leading with love and treating ourselves and others with kindness are particularly close to my heart, and I hope those sentiments prevail and touch all who visit this place.

On this Stress Awareness Day, I encourage all our staff and students to look after their own wellbeing and to extend a helping hand to friends and colleagues.

Doctors in Distress Patron, BAFTA winner, former NHS doctor and bestselling author of This is Going to Hurt, Adam Kay, added: The first step in solving a problem must be in admitting that the problem exists, and this is something I tried to highlight in the BBC adaptation of my book,

This is Going to Hurt. The series culminated in the death by suicide of a doctor called Shruti - a fictional character based on so many tragic stories. In the show, a tree was planted in her memory, which has led to trees being planted in real-life hospitals to commemorate lost colleagues.

Im very proud to support Doctors in Distress in raising awareness of this vital issue and protecting the mental health of healthcare workers.

Through this initiative, Ulster University and The Western Health and Social Care Trust join others across the UK in remembering colleagues, raising awareness of stress in the profession, and promoting a message of compassion and support for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
The city and districts festive campaign for 2025 will get off to a visually enticing start with the opening of the 2025 Guildhall Craft Fair next weekend. Coming just weeks after the hugely successful Halloween celebrations, the fair marks the official start of the Council's Christmas festivities.

A range of quality traders and producers from across Ireland will be part of the exquisite shopping event which sees an emporium of goods, gifts and treats on sale for three days, from Friday, November 14 until Sunday, November 16.

The fair will feature a range of textile and wooden items, ceramics, glassware and jewellery, as well as a range of varied crafts and giftware to cover every taste, all bespoke and handmade on the island of Ireland.

With a total of 51 businesses displaying their goods and wares and free entry, large crowds are expected to attend the event, which will be open from 10am until 6pm each day. As always there will be a small food and drink fair in the Whittaker Suite on the ground floor while the craft producers take over the upstairs of the spectacular building.

Thirteen crafters and producers will make their debut at the popular shopping event this year, alongside a range of established stands, many of whom only trade at a few events per year outside of their own studios.

The high standard of goods on offer reflects the quality of Irish craft and design. Visitors will find intricate and personal gifts, from the striking contemporary pieces by Ashleigh Collim Ceramics and Lichen Ceramics, to the delicate, nature-inspired pieces from Island Jewellery and Bluebell Handmade Jewellery.

For textiles, Elsie Tweed will showcase luxury handwoven accessories, while for something truly unique, Bog and Brass will exhibit pieces crafted from Irish bogland materials. Beyond home goods and fashion, the fair provides a platform for artisan specialities. For pet lovers, Doganic Barkery offers organic treats, while wellness and self-care products are catered for by Anam Wellness and Spiral Soul Apothecary.

The sheer diversity ensures that visitors can find gifts that are not only unique but also locally sourced and ethically produced, truly representing the best of the region's creative economy.

One of the most popular elements of the fair is always the Choirs and this year will be no exception with four choirs performing on the main stage in the Guildhall each day. Also important to highlight this year is the fact that entry is free!

Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris who will attend the official opening, said she is looking forward to the Fair and encouraging the public to support it. She said: "Following the spectacular success of our Halloween celebrations, we are excited to officially kick off the Christmas season with the return of the Guildhall Craft Fair.

"This event is a fantastic way to enjoy the festive atmosphere in our stunning Guildhall, but it is also a vital platform for our talented local craft makers.

"I strongly encourage everyone to attend, soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the choirs, and most importantly, support the livelihoods of these independent businesses by shopping local."

The Guildhall Craft Fair 2025 takes place from Friday, November 14  Sunday, November 16 2025, from 10.00am  6.00pm daily at the Guildhall, Derry. Entry is free.

The 2025 Guildhall Craft Fair features 51 exhibitors, including the following:
Dundalk-Carlingford Sinn Fein representative, Cllr Antoin Watters has said that the news that Fastway Couriers has gone into receivership is having a detrimental effect on workers and small businesses in Louth alike.

Councillor Watters told the Dundalk Democrat that this has come as a major shock to their 300+ workers who still have their bills to pay despite losing their income. I know of a few lads around Cooley and throughout Louth that usually picked up delivery work in November and December to help with the cost of Christmas and beyond. That safety net has gone now too, without warning.

He continued: With the cost of living crisis and the lack of any thought for workers and their families in the last budget, I fear that even more families are going to be pushed further below the poverty line.

People have paid for parcels in good faith and are facing uncertainty of delivery, fearing they may be one of around 50,000 parcels lying undelivered in a warehouse. The Receivers said they are working with third party delivery companies to get them delivered but it is uncertain.

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Cllr Watters, who works for OConnors Roofing Supplies in Lordship, said it is a logistical nightmare because we, like many other small businesses throughout Louth, have sent goods and we are getting calls from customers who have not received them.

Thankfully, we dont have a large online sales side but look at the businesses that do. How do they recoup their lost stock? They are going to have to send the stock again with an alternative courier and that in itself is a problem.

Other courier companies are too busy to take on fresh contracts and are struggling coming up to Christmas anyway. They cant possibly take on any more work. Fastway has left a gaping hole in the market at the worst possible time of the year.

The Sinn Fein councillor also cautioned, the government needs to take this receivership as a warning that their policy of piling taxes upon taxes on an already beleaguered industry is not working and we are in danger of seeing other haulage

Companies follow suit leading to even more job losses. Ireland relies heavily on road haulage delivery services for supply chains and we can see the chaos caused by Fastway going into receivership, imagine this happening on an even bigger scale.

Cllr Watters said that several things need to happen here, firstly the government need to ensure the workers have all necessary supports open to them and must liaise with the Department of Social Protection and Intreo to help workers secure alternative employment as quickly as possible.

Arrangements need to be made for customers to receive their parcels that have been paid for as quickly as possible. Thirdly, and most importantly, sub-contractors and road haulage companies may not be able to recoup their losses and the government need to prevent this from spiralling, they need to reassess how haulage companies are treated.

They face increasing fuel costs while getting little to no support on their transition to HVO fuels, increasingly restrictive regulations which is crippling the industry and the last budget offered no compensation or comfort to the haulage companies or their workers.

Cllr Watters concluded Its a worrying time for a lot of people and the government need to really step up here to prevent further devastation and chaos. For anyone that is experiencing difficulty, please reach out.
From being sipped from a plastic cup with a straw, to being served in a glass on the rocks  accompanied by pineapple or goldenberry extract  aguardiente or sugarcane liquor is now reaching the bars of prestigious establishments. The indispensable companion of parties and long nights in Colombia, its the latest addition to the family of Latin American spirits that have undergone a process of sophistication. Theyve become premium products, while still remaining popular drinks: tequila, mezcal, cachaca and pisco. Now, its aguardientes turn.

Better known in Colombia as guaro, its the unofficial national liquor and the first alcoholic experience for many Colombians. Locals dont debate whether or not to drink aguardiente, but rather which type. Until early 2016, the industry was dominated by the regional liquor companies, which hold a monopoly on spirit production in Colombia. Traditionally, each of the 32 departments (states) has its own: Antioqueno, Nectar, Llanero, Lider, Pijao, Blanco del Valle, Platino, Quindiano...

Historically, aguardiente was an industrial product, made with little attention to detail. This is according to Natalia Carreno, founder of the Aguardenteria Demente resto-bar in Bogota, which has a collection of 25 types of aguardiente. Industrial ones are all very similar; they all have the same tasting notes, she explains.

A bartender displays several bottles of aguardiente in Bogota. Sergio Acero Yate

The approval of new legislation in 2016, and then again in 2020, allowed private producers to open up production in Colombia. And then, a movement began, with different techniques and botanicals, each with its own secret, Carreno adds. As the laws established criteria to define what exactly constitutes aguardiente  a sugarcane distillate with between 16% and 36% alcohol content, along with the presence of anise or fennel in any of its varieties, in macerated seeds or oils  the popular guaro began to take on a new, more sophisticated face.

More careful production, wider reach

Mauricio Gutierrez, the founder of Mil Demonios, Colombias first premium aguardiente, explains: You go anywhere in the world today and they serve you tequila. Thats what we want to see with aguardiente: to give this Colombian spirit the credentials to be world-class. As Colombians, we should be just as proud of aguardiente as Mexico is of tequila and Peru or Chile of pisco.

Gutierrez produces and exports an aguardiente that doesnt contain anise, but rather fennel, ginger, lemon and coriander. He also uses extra-neutral alcohol, which has been distilled several times to remove higher alcohols. Those are the ones that cause discomfort the ones that give you a hangover, the ones that make the effects of alcohol happen faster and make the drinking experience one youd rather forget, he chuckles.

A woman drinks a cocktail with aguardiente in Bogota. Sergio Acero Yate

Science backs him up. Nicolas Rios, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and an expert in distilled spirits at the University of Los Andes, in Bogota, explains that, with each distillation, the alcohol comes out purer, reducing the amount of unwanted compounds that produce unpleasant smells and flavors. Furthermore, filtration with activated carbon, like the kind used by Mil Demonios, eliminates the remnants of strong or unpleasant compounds, known as fusel. Rios explains that this softens the flavor, without changing the alcohol content. When it comes out of the distillation column, each molecule is like a square; when you filter it, the corners become smoother, making it easier to drink, he describes.

Julio Molano, founder of Desquite, another brand of aguardiente that is produced in the municipality of San Francisco, asserts that there are five criteria that the alcoholic drink must meet to be considered premium. First comes the quality of the sugarcane, which Molano cultivates independently in the Gualiva region, located in the northwestern part of the department of Cundinamarca. Next is the distillation process, which he carries out using a continuous copper still. This allows the process to occur without interruption, in order to obtain 96% proof alcohol. The resulting spirit is mixed with water  the third element, also sourced from the region  and with high-quality anise essential oil, the fourth requirement. The product is filtered three times and then bottled. The packaging  which, Molano affirms, must be distinctive  is the final requirement.

Added to all of this, of course, is the story that each brand of aguardiente wants to tell. They all appeal to the affection that Colombians have for this beverage, celebrating it as a fundamental element of culture and national identity but each one presents something new. For instance, Desquite uses virgin sugarcane syrup  the molasses used to make panela, another national symbol  to create one of its aguardientes. Mil Demonios, for its part, packages its product in a bottle that seeks to resemble the gate of a colonial house in Cartagena.

A man prepares a cocktail with aguardiente. Sergio Acero Yate

A new way to consume

With the arrival of these new brands of aguardiente, the way its consumed has also changed. Its no longer just taken as a shot to knock you out, as Johan Yepes, head bartender at Aguardienteria Demente, puts it. Rather, it can now be explored via cocktails. Using Desquite, Mil Demonios, Jubilo, or Cumbe  which is aged in oak barrels from the city of Manizales  Yepes prepares cocktails that have transformed the way people approach and understand aguardiente consumption.

People drink [it] slowly  one or two [glasses]  without needing to get drunk. Some try it and say, Oh, how delicious, I didnt even like aguardiente before, he says. Among his specialties are preparations that combine aguardiente with hibiscus flowers and red chilis soaked in it for seven days; or with with pineapple extract and a touch of mezcal. He also puts together corn extracts with aguardiente and martinis, or aguardiente mixed with kiwi, cilantro and lime. He mixes the spirit with passion fruit, makes aguardiente margaritas, or simply serves it on the rocks with lime.

Yepes explains that guaro is a versatile and relatively unexplored liquor. The vanilla and wood notes that the barrel imparts to Cumbe, or the botanicals of fennel, ginger and cilantro in Mil Demonios, combine very well, he assures EL PAIS, enthusiastic about the world of possibilities that aguardiente offers. We have to be bolder, explore more [we have to] produce aguardientes with higher alcohol content and different flavors. Thats when you start to wonder: how does this aguardiente taste with this fruit, or with this other [ingredient]?

Johan Yepes, at Aguardienteria Demente, in Bogota. Sergio Acero Yate

Colombia is a country of aguardiente. And even if it becomes more sophisticated  [if] the recipe changes and the ingredients vary guaro will continue to be part of the national identity. Theres no risk of it ceasing to be, the restaurateur Natalia Carreno emphasizes. Its not that it doesnt exist elsewhere, but its our drink, she adds. People are eager to try new things, but there are also those who come to restaurants looking for the aguardiente from their region: a Llanero, a Doble Anis. And theres something for everyone.

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Louth Sinn Feins Deputy Ruairi O Murchu and Cllr Sionainn McCann were among the thousands of Irish speakers who attended the Oireachtas na Samhna event in Belfast at Halloween, with both public representatives taking part in question-and-answer sessions with audiences, all through Irish.

The event is Irelands oldest Irish language and arts gathering. It celebrates arts, music and spoken word, and features competitions, debates, film screenings and workshops all delivered in Irish, and back in Belfast for the first time in nearly 30 years.

The pair joined thousands of others at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre (ICC) in Belfast on Friday where they were joined by Sinn Fein activists at the partys stall.

Deputy O Murchu and Cllr. McCann were involved in Q&A sessions about what can be done at governmental level to ensure that the Irish language continues to grow in Gaeltacht and other areas around the country.

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There was a fireside panel discussion with Oireachtas members Deputy Aengus O Snodaigh, Deputy O Murchu, Deputy Barry Heneghan and Senator Shane Curley, that was organised by the Joint Committee on Irish, the Gaeltacht and the Irish-Speaking Community.

There was discussion about the impact of the housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas, ensuring there is a sufficient number of Irish teachers and the best means of delivering Irish medium education.

There was consensus on the need for more emphasis, planning and resources at government level in order to increase the number of people learning, speaking and being facilitated to use Irish on a day to day basis.

Deputy O Murchu said: This was a wonderful event, which took place across four days in Belfast. Everything focused on the Irish language and bringing it to a wider audience through music, culture, arts and debate.
Louth County Council has confirmed that it is now accepting applications for grants to help with essential repairs and home adaptations for privately owned homes.

These grants are designed to support older people and individuals with disabilities or mobility issues, helping them make their homes safer, more comfortable, and accessible. There are three types of grants available:

Housing Adaptation Grant - This grant helps cover the cost of changes needed to make a home suitable for someone with a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability, or a mental health condition. Works may include installing downstairs toilets, accessible showers, and other necessary modifications.

Mobility Aids Grant - This grant supports minor works such as grab-rails, access ramps, and stair lifts to improve mobility and safety in the home.

Housing Aid for Older People - This grant is for homeowners aged 66 and over who live in poor housing conditions. It helps with repairs and improvements such as re-roofing, rewiring, and drylining.

These grants are available to private homeowners only. Applications are assessed based on eligibility, available funding, and applicants needs, as well as the date the completed application is received.

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Welcoming the news that the local authority is now accepting applications for the grants, Cllr Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: Louth County Council is committed to helping people live safely, comfortably, and with dignity in their own homes.

These grant schemes are not just about bricks and mortar  theyre about improving quality of life, enabling independence, and ensuring that every resident has access to a home that meets their needs.

Applications for these grants had been temporarily paused in May 2025 due to high demand. During this time however, Louth County Council said that it continued to process emergency (Priority 1) applications.

Priority 1 refers to cases where a person is terminally ill, primarily dependent on a carer, or where adaptations enable discharge from hospital or residential care

Ger Murphy, Director of Housing and Cultural Delivery at Louth County Council commented: Applications for private homeowner grants have now reopened. We continue to process existing priority applications and invite anyone whose application was returned during the pause to now reapply.

"Processing times for applications may be lengthy, as applications are assessed in order of priority and date received. All grant allocations are subject to funding and eligibility.

Application forms are available online at www.louthcoco.ie and at Louth County Councils customer service desks in Dundalk, Drogheda, and Ardee.

For more information or help with applications, contact the Housing Grants Team by email at housinggrants@louthcoco.ie or phone at 042 933 5457.
Louth came together on 5th November, marking UN International Volunteer Managers Day, to celebrate the vital role that volunteer managers and leaders play in supporting thriving, resilient communities.

The occasion was highlighted by the announcement of the Louth Volunteer Leader Awards, recognising outstanding individuals who exemplify dedication, leadership, and passion in guiding volunteers.

The awards were presented by Louth Volunteer Centre (Louth VC) at their special Trustee Celebration & Showcase event in Bellingham Castle, which also marked the launch of Louth VCs new Strategic Plan 20262030. Chair Richard Hanlon highlighted the organisations mission, saying: We connect people with opportunities to make a difference. By supporting and celebrating volunteers, we help build inclusive, resilient, and thriving communities across our county.

He challenged both organisations and volunteers in Louth to hold Louth VC accountable by making full use of its services from free role advertising and a suite of volunteer management training, to Garda vetting and a year-round programme of events.

This year, there were a record number of entries for the Louth Volunteer Leader Awards, reflecting the extraordinary commitment of volunteer leaders across the county. Nominations were carefully judged by Gerry Kelly (LMFM), Nina Arwitz (CEO, Volunteer Ireland),

Rebecca Carolan (Sage Advocacy), and a Louth VC board member, ensuring a fair and thoughtful selection process.

It is such an honour to be presenting the Louth Volunteer Leader Awards again for the sixth year, said Kayleigh Mulligan, Louth VC Manager.

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Celebrating the incredible work of volunteer leaders reminds us that volunteering doesnt happen in a vacuum, the difference that strong, supportive leadership makes to volunteers, organisations, and the communities they serve is incredible and its a wonderful opportunity to ensure that it is recognised.

The 2025 Louth Volunteer Leader Awards were presented to:

Fiona Boyle, ALONE

Fiona has transformed volunteer engagement, ensuring every volunteer feels valued, supported, and confident in their role. Her approachable nature and proactive communication make volunteers feel connected, prepared, and motivated to continue giving their time.

Paddy Monahan, Dundalk Dog Rescue

Paddys hands-on leadership and dedication to volunteers and community initiatives create a welcoming and empowering environment. He leads by example, showing that no task is beneath a true leader, inspiring volunteers to give their best.

Iryna Kolotii & Irina Volia, Academy of Success and Happiness

Their inclusive approach strengthens volunteer capacity, giving people purpose and a clear understanding of their impact. Their leadership ensures the Academy delivers high-quality, culturally inclusive events that make a real difference in the community.

Leading Young Volunteers Award: Dominic Hartigan, Louth Nature Trust  Baltray Little Tern Conservancy

Dominic has committed countless hours mentoring young people, inspiring them to protect biodiversity through hands-on, youth-led conservation. His leadership empowers young volunteers to make meaningful contributions with creativity and confidence.

Louth Trustee of the Year Award: Marie Flynn, Youth Work Ireland LouthMarie has provided exceptional governance and support, guiding the organisation through growth and change. Her dedication ensures young people across Louth have access to safe, inclusive, and impactful youth services, embodying volunteer leadership at its best.

The awards shine a light on the essential role of volunteer managers and trustees in enabling organisations to thrive. Louth VC continues to provide practical support for volunteer leadership across the county, connecting organisations with skilled volunteers and offering training, guidance, and resources to maximise volunteer impact.

For more information on volunteer leadership and opportunities across County Louth, visit www.volunteerlouth.ie.
Teenage boys often get a bad press, and it can be hard for parents to see how some irresponsible and careless risk-takers can possibly transform into decent young men.

Theres no doubt some could do with a bit of help - and father-and-son team Andy and Oliver Cope are hoping to provide that through their new book, LADULT, which aims to help boys and young men grow in confidence, build helpful habits, spend less time glued to screens, upgrade their relationships, strengthen resilience, and fulfil their potential.

The pair teamed up to write a teenage survival guide as Andy has a PhD in positive psychology, while Oliver, 26, is completing a university thesis examining the link between social media and attention spans.

Oliver says: Teenagers have always had to deal with exams, relationships and the pressures of fitting in, but the modern world is punching harder. Lads are having to grow up in this swirling mass of confusion - its no wonder theyre getting lost.

Heres their advice on how teenage boys can navigate their way to being good men...

1. Forge strong friendships: Adolescence is a crucial time for young men to develop their social muscles, though today a lot of teenage boys socialisation happens online via social media or video games, say the authors.

While some social interaction is better than none, online interactions cant compete with face-to-face socialising, stresses Oliver. Boys need to learn how to understand the nuances of other peoples expressions and gestures, learn to take and make jokes, to read the room, and to resolve conflict calmly. 

He suggests joining clubs to meet new people or taking part in face-to-face activities with friends outside of school to hone these skills.

2. Maximise family time: Screen-free meal times should be non-negotiable, says Oliver, adding: It encourages presence over absence, and depth over small talk.

He says research has found family mealtimes at tables, and with no screens, boosts psychological wellbeing and improves social lives in young people, and their parents too.

3. Set the right standards: Teenagers have always compared themselves to others, but social media has taken it into overdrive, says Oliver, who highlights the famous saying that comparison is the thief of joy.

Now, instead of comparing yourself to the people around you, youre comparing yourself to people whose entire job is to show off, using filters to improve their appearance and renting cars to show fake wealth, he points out.

This can leave you always comparing upwards or chasing the wrong thing, setting unrealistic standards of what it means to be happy or successful.

He says that while setting goals is important, it should come from discovering what youre passionate about, not what someone with a Ferrari or a six-pack tells you on Instagram.

4. Rest your way to success: Over half of all teenagers are chronically under-sleeping, despite sleep being critically important for the teenage developing brain, stresses Oliver.

Sleep is the chance for the brain to recover from the stresses of teenage life, and a good nights sleep is critical for performance at school. Mobile phones and bedrooms do not mix - the endless supply of content on social media keeps your brain awake, while the blue light stops your brain from getting tired.

The simplest solution for a good nights sleep is to go old school, buy a real alarm clock, and charge the phone downstairs.

5. Praise for effort, not talent: Oliver says research shows children praised for natural talent soon give up when the going gets tough, while children praised for effort will keep going. So parents should be mindful to praise their childs effort, not really their talent.

6. Get ready to fail: Help your son prepare to fail - it happens to all of us. There are times in life when things dont go our way, says Oliver. Great men arent those who never make mistakes, but those who know how to accept their failings and learn from them.

7. Dare to dream: Oliver points out social media algorithms learn what you want to see before you know you want to see it. Its like they do the job of daydreaming for you, he says. Time spent fantasising and about where you want to be is vital to understand what you want to get out of life.
From the perils posed by Asian hornets and more frequent and powerful storms, to the fight against antibiotic resistance, few would argue that we dont live in challenging times.

However, science will hopefully have the answer to many questions - and we get the inside track as a new series of popular show 10 Things To Know About starts next week.

Veteran presenter Kathriona Devereux - a weekly columnist for The Echo - is joined by a new team for the latest run - fellow Corkonian Fergus McAuliffe and Amy Hassett, from Wexford.

Each week, the trio meet the researchers and communities working at the coalface of science and innovation, revealing how Irish scientists are tackling some of the worlds most pressing problems.

The first episode on RTE1 on Monday at 8.30pm looks at the topic of change, and asks: Why is change so difficult, even when we want it?

Whats the one change you want to make in your life, but you keep putting it off? Getting fit? Cooking more? Put up the shelving thats been staring at you for months?

The team explores why we are so resistant to change and examines aspects of behavioural science through the lens of climate action.

It gauges the mood of the public, discusses contributing factors such as status quo bias, and meets researchers engaging social change advocates in the unlikely but powerful setting of the hair salon.

Also on 10 Things To Know About, we visit the dairy farmers who are deeply committed to their livelihood, but who have dedicated 20% of their land to wildlife conservation and encouraging biodiversity.

They have seized upon the opportunity to make a difference and show how one small change can lead to much bigger and exciting things.

In Enniscorthy, we meet researchers working with local communities to empower them and transform how people live and move around Irelands small towns.

And in the Curious Chronicles segment, Fergus gets on his bike and explores how necessity can be the mother of invention and a driving force of change.

Future episodes of the series will dig deep into the materials and technologies behind how we build, from the gypsum mines of Monaghan to the craftspeople preserving Irelands architectural heritage.

The series also investigates the science of extreme weather and the efforts to protect forests and coastal communities.

Plus, the growing threat of invasive species  from Asian hornets to aquatic invaders  and the scientists developing new technologies to safeguard biodiversity.
A 1921 cartoon from Punch features in David McCullaghs new book, From Crown to Harp  How the Anglo-Irish Treaty was Undone.

It depicts an Irish nationalist asking an innkeeper whether the hostelry is called the Harp. The landlord genially replies:  Crown and Harp, sir, but I dont think youll find it any less comfortable for that.

David McCullagh says the cartoon encapsulates British thinking at the time of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

That is exactly the British attitude, that the addition of the crown is not going to make any practical difference, but it gives us that little symbolic thing to cover the fact that we are surrendering control of 26 counties in Ireland.

The book looks at why that was so important, and it looks at how various Irish governments successfully chipped away at the Treaty, and reduced the status and powers of the crown, bit by bit by bit, until eventually you have the republic.

When we meet for sandwiches and coffee in Market Lane on Oliver Plunkett St, the writer and broadcaster is on a visit to RTE Cork for an appearance on Today with Maura and Daithi.

New book

We chat about his new book - a must-buy for Christmas, he deadpans - and his new RTE Radio 1 show, Today with David McCullagh, which starts at 9am on Monday.

He says he wrote the book during a handy bout of insomnia, getting up at 5am to work on it, and building upon research he had done for previous biographies of Eamon de Valera and John A Costello.

Bits of those were about the relationship with Britain, and this brings it together and looks at why the crown, the monarchy, was so important a part of the Treaty, so important that the British insisted on including it at gunpoint. Literally at gunpoint.

They were quite prepared for the new Irish Free State to have as much practical independence as it wanted, but they insisted on keeping that symbolic link, which was anathema to any Irish republican, after the sacrifices of the War of Independence.

The British and the anti-Treaty republicans assumed that the Treaty was going to last, if not forever, at least for generations, he says.

It was a good Cork man, Michael Collins, who said, This Treaty gives us the freedom to achieve freedom.

Collins didnt like the Treaty, he says, but recognised that if Ireland became a dominion, the other dominions were gradually developing towards independence, and Ireland could ride that wave and gain more independence for itself.

De Valeras mistake, I think, in the Treaty debates, was to assume that partition was temporary, but the Treaty settlement was permanent, whereas in fact it was the other way around, he says.

Partition

That was a common mistake, he adds, with everybody in the Dail assuming the Boundary Commission was going to do the divil an all and make Northern Ireland completely unviable, and that would put an end to partition.

Of course, they turned out to be incorrect for various reasons, that I go into in the book.

He says the Treaty debates were entirely focused on the crown and on the Oath of Allegiance, on this symbolic link to the British crown, which, in practice, meant very little, but which to that revolutionary generation meant everything.

De Valeras alternative, external association, accepted that Britain had legitimate strategic needs in Ireland for defence, and he was prepared to offer them that, and he was prepared to offer them a connection between Ireland and Britain, if Ireland would be outside of the Empire, which meant it wouldnt have to swear allegiance to the British king.

And that was the Treaty split.

It is, he says, a historical irony that it was Michael Collinss political successors in Cumann na nGaeadheal who did a lot to unlock the padlock on Irish freedom with the Statute of Westminster, which basically was London acknowledging that the dominions could do whatever they wanted, including walk out of the Commonwealth if they so wished, which is hugely important, but Cumann na nGaeadheal thought, Okay, that's all we need, we dont need to move any further.

Diplomats

They removed the padlock. It took de Valera to open the door and to go further with the 1937 constitution, but he retained a tenuous link to the crown with the External Relations Act, under which Irish diplomats had their letters of accreditation signed by the British king.

He did that partly to avoid trouble with London, partly to avoid a renewal or an intensification of the Economic War, but mainly to provide a path back to unity on the island of Ireland, in recognising that if unionists ever came back into a United Ireland, there would have to be some kind of a link with the crown, no matter how tenuous.

It then took another change of government, he says, for John A Costello to actually walk through the door, declaring a republic in 1949.

In the end, you have a situation where de Valera, who had said that it was impossible to remove the Treaty without bloodshed, and a Fine Gael-led government, Fine Gael, who had fought against a republic, declared a republic.

There are ironies and inconsistencies on all sides, he says, in what he sees as a fascinating story.

Winston Churchill said the Treaty settlement would stand for all time as the relationship between these two islands, and he was out a bit because it only stood for 28 years, and it was undone, unravelled, removed, without a shot being fired, without any violence, without anybody having to wade through anybodys blood. And I think in terms of a sustained campaign of diplomacy, it was unrivalled.

Cork connection

Even if David McCullagh, a Dubliner through and through, has no Cork connections  None whatsoever, he cheerfully declares - there is a Cork connection to the story of Irelands sovereignty.

The moment when de Valera achieved full sovereignty in the 26 counties was the moment he stepped off the tender at Cobh in 1938 to see the handover from the British to the Irish of the Treaty ports, he says.

Cobh was first, Berehaven was second, and Lough Swilly was third.

Dev spoke sometimes about when he was going to America in the 20s, and hed get on the liner to go across the Atlantic, and theyd have to pass the port with the British flags flying, British troops there, and he said as long as that was the case, we did not have full sovereignty in the 26 counties.

The handing over of the ports was hugely significant because it meant that Ireland could remain neutral in the Second World War, which would have been impossible if the British had still been in occupation of the ports.

He was able to say, We now control every square inch of the 26 counties, and then obviously went on say: We fervently hope that we will be controlling the other six counties in short order'.

That was an absolutely massive moment.

Looking forward

The presenter has a significant enough moment himself on Monday, when he takes over from Claire Byrne on the Today show.

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. I was in at a meeting the other day about our plans - which I'm not going to share with you - but they played the amended jingle for Today with David McCullagh. That was kind of a moment, he concedes.

Having studied history and politics in UCD, his journalism career began in 1989 at the Evening Press. He joined RTE in 1993, becoming its political correspondent in 2001. He presented Prime Time from 2013, moving to the Six-One News in 2020.

He is probably Irelands most high-profile Bruce Springsteen fan, having seen the Boss 41 times and counting, and friends say Born To Run is the odds-on favourite to be the first tune he plays during his new gig.

The new job is really exciting, because itll be a different sort of challenge for me, covering a lot of topics that wouldnt generally come up in news programming," he says.

It can be a lot of fun, and Im hoping that the listeners will feel that its fun as well.

From Crown to Harp by David McCullagh is published by Gill.
In a conversation from Toronto, the author  who has released her long-awaited memoirs  reflects on Trump, the enduring power of The Handmaids Tale, Canadian literature, and mortality

Its rush hour at this busy downtown Toronto cafe, but no one seems to notice Margaret Atwood, Canadas most famous writer and one of the most celebrated in the world. Petite, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a hat that hides her white, curly hair, 85-year-old Atwood moves through the cafe unnoticed and, on one of those sunny days when the Canadian autumn timidly bares its winter teeth, chooses the terrace to speak in a low voice, with her customary irony, about her highly anticipated memoirs.

She didnt see the point in writing them (Who wants to read the story of someone sitting at a desk wrestling with a blank page? she asks in the book; Its boring enough to die of boredom, she concludes), but she finally did. And she has titled her memoir The Book of Lives, because that is exactly what it is: a far from boring, generous, and good-humored account of the lives fate handed to someone always ready to downplay herself  from a wild childhood to a wandering youth; from her awakening as the poet recently awarded the Joan Margarit International Poetry Prize to her rise as a celebrated novelist; and from her maturity as the prophetic author of The Handmaids Tale to the years of widowhood after the death in 2019 of her second husband, Graeme Gibson, her lifelong partner and father of her daughter.

The book, more than 600 pages long, is also the story of a lost era: the story of the postwar generation and the evolution of social customs in the second half of the 20th century, the triumphs and tribulations of feminism, and the emergence of Canadian literature, which, thanks to her and her contemporaries, rose in the shadow of hegemonic United States. On that topic, its said that Atwood  Peggy, to friends, she clarifies  is its grande dame.

Question. In the book you reflect on fame, but, given what weve seen, it doesnt seem to be such a big problem.

Answer. Its because one of my editors kept saying, but were you famous then? But were you famous then?

Q. When did you become famous?

A. It depends on the definition we choose This is Canada. People here are pretty intent on what theyre doing. I get recognized a lot at airports. Thats where I fall into what I call the selfie ambush.

Q. After reading the book, one would say that you have had a good life.

A. It was luck. It was a lucky time in history to be here. A lot of your life is time and place.

Q. The book at times reads like a kind of The World of Yesterday by Stefan Zweig...

A. The world of the day before yesterday, in any case [Laughter]. Im one of the few people alive who remembers those years.

Q. You write about a time when there wasnt enough of anything. Now theres more or less too much of everything. Do you miss those years?

A. I think we always miss years in which we were younger than we are.

Q. Are you nostalgic?

A. Not at all. We think of when we were younger as having been superior. But they werent necessarily. The 20s and 30s are a hellhole.

Q. Why does your book spend 400 pages to your first 40 years and 200 to the second 40?

A. Because things get less interesting when you get older!

Q. Are there any pleasures in growing older?

A. That you dont have to worry too much about the future. You already know where it leads! That gives you more freedom to say what you think, although Ive always had that freedom. I have been a self-supporting writer since 1971.

Q. Given that there is too much of everything are you optimistic about the future of humanity?

A. Challenging times are ahead for several reasons: the demographic time bomb, environmental degradation, the great ice melt, and global warming (which is not good news for Spain). Also, the possibility that someone will get trigger-happy with the atomic bomb and actually push the button.

Atwood, in Los Angeles in 1980. Wally Fong (AP)

Q. You remember when that almost happened

A. During the Cuban Missile Crisis [in 1962], I was studying Victorian literature at Harvard. We thought we were going to be blown up while discussing Tennysons poetry.

Q. In the book, you go from one house to the next. Have you counted how many youve lived in?

A. No. Ive had this one since 1985. We bought it from a cult. Before that, we lived in one that they said had a phantom

Q. Did you see it?

A. No. Apparently, it was a woman in a blue dress whose story involved the loss of a baby. We tried to trace it in the archives, but we couldnt find anything. When we were young, there werent enough of us to fill the needs of the baby boom. So it was quite easy to get a job. Thats why children of the Great Depression were so lucky. Then came the baby boom. Im pre-hippie

Q. But you tried LSD.

A. Yes, I found it boring.

Q. And what about ayahuasca? In the book, you mention that a friend recently invited you to try it

A. No, even though he suggested quite strenuously. Vomiting isnt my thing.

Q. At the beginning of your memoir, you argue that every writer leads a double life.

A. Every writer has a double life, one who lives and the one who writes, including you.

Q. Correspondents in the United States only have the one Trump allows us.

A. Ill give you a very bizarre thought. Considering our ages, I could have been his babysitter. I would have been 13 when he was seven.

Q. Perhaps you could have contributed to making the world a better place.

A. Surely, it would have been enough to share some instructive stories with him...

Q. Is writing a memoir a way of having the last word?

A. You never have the last word. You should know that by now. Or dont you read the letters to the editor?

Q. I was thinking of the Canadian writer Alice Munro and the scandal  which you recall in your book, and which broke after Munros death  when it became known that her husband was a pedophile who had assaulted her daughter, and that she looked the other way. Do you think that if Munro had written her autobiography, she would have managed to justify herself?

A. She couldnt. She was diagnosed with dementia much earlier than people think, maybe in 2005. Nobody knew until it became very obvious. So after Gerry [Fremlin, her husband] died, we realized shed been covering it up. By the time she received the Nobel Prize [in 2013], she didnt even know who she was anymore.

Q. Have you given up on the idea of winning the Nobel Prize?

A. I never had it. I suppose I was too controversial a candidate, and then I got too old: 80 is probably the limit to win it.

Q. Does it bother you that this award is presented as something that supposed favorites lose every year?

A. You cannot lose a literary prize. Prizes are for those who give them, rather than those who receive them.

Q. Its been 40 years since you published The Handmaids Tale, and in Trumps Washington, protesters are dressing up as characters from Gilead, the dystopian and oppressive world for women that you imagined

A. When we premiered the film in the eastern part of Berlin shortly after the fall of the Wall, people told us, This was our life. Surveillance is what defines totalitarian regimes. And those weapons of population control have improved tremendously in the last 40 years. Can that happen in the United States? I dont think so, and Im tempted to add yet. Trump and his people arent that well organized. And again, I hesitate to add yet.

Elisabeth Moss, in the sixth season of 'The Handmaid's Tale,' an adaptation of the novel by Atwood. HULU

Q. In your memoirs, you make it clear that you didnt seek inspiration for The Handmaids Tale beyond the Iron Curtain, but in the United States

A. Thats right: in 17th-century puritanism. All the dictatorships we know have a supreme leader. Why doesnt Gilead? Because its a society ruled by religion and the church

Q. There are people in Washington who want to revive those ideals on which the United States was founded  ideals they say should continue to guide the nations destiny.

A. Christian nationalism is a contradiction in terms. Christianity is supposed to be a universal religion. Its worse when you add the adjective white. A large proportion of Christians live in Africa.

Q. How do you see the resurgence of traditional values promoted by figures like the murdered MAGA activist Charlie Kirk and defended by his young followers? The traditional family, the superiority of the West, the idea that procreation is a womans destiny...

A. Christianity was actually emancipating to women in the beginning, and a lot of its early supporters were women. I hope Christian nationalists remember the reason the Founding Fathers separated church and state, a separation they now want to undo. They knew what the factional wars within Christianity had wrought in the Europe they fled.

Q. In the book, you define a middle ground between dystopia and utopia  Ustopia. It may be my professional bias, but from the United States its hard not to read that as U.S.-topia, an American utopia. You describe it as a period of chaos that has allowed a strong administration capable of taking charge to seize power. Were you thinking of Trump?

A. Of course, he would like to achieve that. He is working tirelessly to get rid of democratic foundations such as the separation of powers. And many people are complying in advance. It reminds me of those show trials in the 1940s in the USSR, where the accused didnt even know what they were accused of and yet pleaded guilty.

Pro-abortion rights demonstration in California in 2022. Araya Doheny (FilmMagic)

Q. Did you like the ending of the series The Handmaids Tale?

A. Lets just say I havent had time to look at it yet. I dont really want to say anything about it.

Q. Was it always clear that you wouldnt have control over where the story would go?

A. No production company would give a writer veto power. Theyd be crazy to do that. I signed a contract in the 1980s that included the television rights, but back then nobody believed a book like this would ever become a series. It took streaming, and the possibility of telling stories longer than 100 minutes. They started making things up on their own from the second season onward. They did follow a rule I impose on myself when I write: never include anything in the plot that hasnt happened at some point in human history.

Q. Speaking of things that hadnt happened before, how have you experienced Trumps attacks on Canada? Did they awaken a dormant nationalism in you?

A. No. Ive been through this before. In the late 1960s and 1980s, when we fought against being so dependent on the United States. In the 1960s, we wanted to establish basic cultural institutions; they didnt exist. When a publisher told me I needed an agent, I had no idea what that was Now the rejection of Trump is stronger, but fundamentally, the relationship is the same. Were separated by one of those one-way mirrors: we can see them, but they cant see us.

Q. Do you boycott U.S. products?

A. Weve all started reading the labels, but I wouldnt call it a boycott, but rather making informed decisions.

Q. Canadian author Louise Penny decided not to promote her book in the United States. Will you do the same?

A. Ill only go to two cities, but thats because Im too old to embark on one of those tours I used to go on. Canadians have many friends and relatives down there, but theyve stopped traveling to the United States. People are afraid of being stopped at the border.

Q. Do you agree with those on the right who celebrate the death of wokeness?

A. I think its pretty much dead, yes. If were talking about automatic cancel culture on social media, it happens less; people got fed up. For someone from my generation, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights generation, it was never a good idea to do like the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, have a verdict first and trial afterwards. If you study the history of witchcraft, its the same. First they were judged, and then they had to prove they werent witches.

Q. Youve said that people have always thought of you as a bit of a witch Does that still happen now that youre a venerable legend of world literature?

A. Now Im the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz. Older women are only allowed to be two things: wise old women or wicked old witches. Sometimes, both at once

Q. In your memoirs, you tell anecdotes  like that of a suitor who harassed you  that would be read very differently today. Do you believe in looking at the past through the eyes of the present?

A. We cant help it. What we cant do is see the past with the eyes of someone much younger than you. You can listen to what they have to say, but youre not necessarily going to intuitively know what such a person would think any more than they can intuitively know what youre going to think.

Spanish cover of Margaret Atwood's book 'Book of Lives.'

Q. Like that feminist who was called a bad feminist for defending Stephen Galloway, the Canadian professor accused of sexual harassment Would you say the movement is particularly divided now? Im thinking of the disputes over trans rights...

A. All movements throughout history have had internal power struggles, from Christianity to the Bolsheviks. Feminism is no different. It has had its ups and downs ever since the French Revolution chose the slogan Liberty, Equality, Fraternity  and not sorority [laughs].

Q. At what point did people stop thinking of you as a writer for women?

A. When I started, novels werent published in Canada; it was too expensive, so poetry was the main vehicle of expression. More than men or women, we were Canadian writers. We created a publishing network, and the novel took center stage. Then came the second wave of feminism, and thats when the differences began. I had to tell newspaper editors not to send me only books by women, and there were men who didnt want to review books by women for fear of being considered misogynistic. In the 1980s, we experienced a pushback from the feminism of the 1970s. The 1990s were a time of anarchy, and feminism was a no-word in publishing. In the 21st century, the third and fourth waves arrived. Right now, I dont think its a good time for feminist writers because people got turned off the #MeToo movement. Its the same old story: the pendulum of history. The sweet spot is in the middle, but also the hardest to defend: youre attacked from both sides.

Margaret Atwood and her husband, Graeme Gibson (1934-2019), in 2017. Leonardo Cendamo (Getty Images)

Q. You never wanted to turn your husbands death into literature. Suffering from dementia, he died of pneumonia in a London hotel room while you were there promoting your latest novel, The Testaments. Those circumstances could have provided a valuable contribution to the literature of grief... Was it hard to write about that in your memoirs?

A. No, because it wasnt the first time. I wrote the new introduction to his bedside book of birds, and I wrote a pamphlet about going birding together for a foundation we set up. My memoir is also about that, about the many things in life that you have no choice but to accept.

Q. Do you go birding without him?

A. Oh yes. Were currently building a center at a place called Pele Island. We gather there every spring to witness the bird migration.

Q. Do you consider yourself more of a novelist than a poet, or just a writer?

A. I wouldnt say just. I would say also. If I preferred one or the other, I would only do that one.

Q. Are you planning to write a new novel?

A. Ill never tell you that. I dont show anybody anything until its done.

Q. At the end of Book of Lives, you dont seem very worried about the idea of dying.

A. Do I have a choice?

Q. None of us do, but some seem to fear it more than others

A. Death frightens people your age. A German artist did a photo project in cemeteries and interviewed writers about death. He told me that young people had no objection to this. Neither did the older ones. It was the ones in between who didnt want to do it. Im not thrilled about the prospect, but Ive come to terms with it.

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News that planning has been granted for Cork Citys largest-ever student accommodation development has been described by a northside residents association as a death knell for the area.

An Coimisiun Pleanala has upheld a decision by Cork City Council to grant planning for a 957-bed development for students at the former Good Shepherd Magdalene laundry and convent in Sundays Well.

Appeals had been lodged by residents and groups, including the Blarney Street and Surrounding Areas Community Association, which said that the nature and size of the development were unsuited to the area.

Survivor group Justice For Magdalenes Research had asked that multiple conditions be attached to planning, including a forensic, victim-centred archaeological search of the site for human remains.

Green light

However, the planning commission has given the green light for the partial demolition, conservation redevelopment, and extension of the existing former Good Shepherd convent buildings for student accommodation use.

The development, to be constructed by Bellmount Good Shepherd Limited  which is owned by developer brothers Padraig and Seamus Kelleher  would consist of eight student-accommodation apartment blocks, ranging in height from three to five storeys.

A separate, three-storey mixed-use building is also proposed, with ground-floor shops and upper-floor student accommodation, while the existing gate lodge would be converted to a cafe and co-working space.

A total of 274 student apartments, with 957 beds, are planned for the site, with the property to be made available outside academic seasons for tourists and other guests.

Tom Coleman, chairman of the Blarney St community association, said he was devastated at the news.

Its a death knell for the whole area, he said.

An extra 1,000 people and their cars on top of an infrastructure that is already breaking at the seams is insanity, and thats not to mention years of construction traffic on top of a road system that is already in gridlock morning and evening.

Conditions

Conditions set out in the planning permission include that it be completed within seven years and should human remains be found during construction, all work must stop, and relevant authorities should be informed.

Permission for apartments at the Good Shepherd site, which is owned by Moneda Developments and has been on Cork City Councils derelict sites register since 2019, was previously granted in 2018, but those plans were never progressed, and planning lapsed in December 2023.

All of the surviving convent buildings are derelict and have suffered extensive fire damage as a result of multiple blazes across the years.

The Good Shepherd convent was established in 1870 and operated until 1977.

The convent also served as a Magdalene laundry, an orphanage, and an industrial school, with thousands of women and children incarcerated there over the years. Burial records show that at least 188 women died there.

Buried

Some 110 nuns are buried in a graveyard on the eastern side of the site, which is also the final resting place of Ellen Organ, a four-year-old who has been venerated as Little Nellie of Holy God since her death in the orphanage in 1908.

High up in an almost inaccessible corner on the northwestern end of the former convent site, in an area beyond the planned development, a vandalised stone cross bears the names of 30 women.

They were kept in the Magdalene laundry and are believed to be buried in a mass grave on the site. However, three of the women named on the headstone are also listed as being buried at St Josephs Cemetery.

The Echo has asked Bellmount Developments for comment, and has been unsuccessful in contacting Moneda Developments.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has said a new driving test centre is due to open in Mitchelstown in the coming weeks.

The RSA has confirmed that the lease agreement for the Mitchelstown centre has been signed, and that testing is expected to commence before the end of 2025.

The confirmation came following a parliamentary question from Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul OShea.

The facility will be situated at the Mitcheltown Community Enterprise Centre, at the Coolnanave Industrial Estate on the Dublin Rd.

Relieve pressure

Welcoming the development, Mr OShea said the new test centre will relieve pressure on the existing one, at the Cork Racecourse in Mallow, which has one of the longest waiting lists for a driving tests in the region.

This is a very positive development for local people, particularly those from Mitchelstown, Fermoy, and surrounding areas, who previously had to travel to Mallow or other test centres for their driving tests, said Mr OShea.

At the end of September 2025, there were 1,781 people waiting for an invitation for a driving test in Mallow, with a further 377 people already scheduled for tests.

The estimated waiting time for a new applicant was around 14 weeks.

This new test centre in Mitchelstown will play a vital role in reducing those delays and improving access for learner drivers across North Cork, he added.

This is a practical, sensible step that will benefit hundreds of local residents each year and support road safety by ensuring more timely access to testing services.

It is hoped the new Mitchelstown facility will also help relieve some of the pressure on the other two Cork test centres, which are located in Wilton and Skibbereen, respectively.
A stash of cannabis with a street value exceeding 19,000 was recovered during a drugs search at a house in Douglas, Cork.

The seizure dated back to March 2022 and now at Cork Circuit Criminal Court the young man who admitted responsibility for the drugs  27-year-old Leon Murphy  has been given a fully suspended sentence of two years and six months.

Leon Murphy pleaded guilty to a charge that on March 23, 2022, at his home at Lissadell, Maryborough, Douglas, Cork, he had cannabis for sale or supply.

Defence barrister Alan ODwyer said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court said: He came forward on a signed plea. He fully co-operated. He was engaged in drug dealing because of a drug debt.

He was abusing a multitude of substances from a young age. But now he is in full employment. His employer and work colleagues think quite highly of him. He is taking full responsibility for matters.

He was a regular and habitual user of drugs, but he turned over a new leaf and he has not got into further trouble, Mr ODwyer said.

Warrant

Detective Sergeant Pat Lyons said the gardai executed a warrant at the defendants home on March 23, 2022, and recovered over 19,000 worth of cannabis.

Mr Murphy said he had a drugs debt, said Det Sgt Lyons.

His role was to hold drugs, he would be contacted and pass on drugs to another person.

He was not receiving money for this. It was an effort to write down a drugs debt. He has a previous conviction for having drugs for sale or supply.

He did co-operate as much as he could without naming names, Det Sgt Lyons said.

The previous dealing conviction was dealt with at district court level and he was given a community service order in lieu of six months in prison for the offence, which related to a relatively small quantity of ecstasy in September 2018.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said that in the present case a fully suspended two-and-a-half-year sentence was appropriate.
Amidst all the slings and arrows hurled by the two candidates in the run up to the presidential election, there was at least one area where both were in full agreement.

Intriguingly, it was in regards to Irelands approach to the covid pandemic all of five years ago where Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys found their views aligned.

Asked in the final debate on RTEs Prime Time what was their biggest regret, both harked back to that strange era of lockdowns, social distancing, surges, and super-spreaders (shudder).

For her part, Humphreys was a Fine Gael minister in the Coalition government in 2020, and spoke of her sadness that the relatives of dying people could not be allowed to be with them in their final moments.

A way should have been found to avoid that happening, she said she now believes.

Independent Galway TD Catherine Connollys regret related to the fact that she initially supported the Governments covid restrictions.

I went [along] because the fear was so extraordinary that I went with that, she recalled.

Considering both politicians are from opposite ends of the spectrum, and found little common ground throughout the campaign, their stances regarding how Ireland tackled the pandemic are revealing.

For a long time, Ireland has patted itself on the back for its strict and swift response to the pandemic, and its true it undoubtedly saved many lives from the virus.

Even now, few would be quick to blame Leo Varadkar, Micheal Martin and health service officials for their actions - and at the time you might recall how our safety-first approach contrasted nobly with the flailings and mistakes made by the US and UK.

But, as the covid crisis progressed, there is a strong argument to be made that we stuck to that ultra-cautious line for too long, and that some of the restrictions surrounding people dying and funerals were too Draconian. Then there was the fiasco of how covid so easily entered our nursing homes.

A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable for a politician to say a word out of turn about how we faced down the biggest health crisis in a century.

But time allows people to ponder and reassess - and its vital that we undertake a cold analysis of not just what we did right in those dark days, but what we did wrong.

We owe it to the people who died of covid, or of other ailments at that time, and to the people who suffered in all kinds of ways, and we owe it to future generations - to ensure that if and when another pandemic arrives on these shores, we are well-equipped to deal with it, and wont repeat any mistakes - excusable as they may have been in the early 2020s.

The good news is that a public evaluation of Irelands covid response has begun.

There has been some criticism that the inquiry - officially titled COVID-19 Evaluation - will not deal with issues of civil and criminal liability, but instead make recommendations for future change that will be presented to Government.

But I personally think this is fair. A witch-hunt is not necessary - god knows it must be hard enough for the politicians and health officials of that era to have major, life-changing decisions they made on our behalf forever on their conscience.

The inquiry has also come under fire for being conducted, for the most part, behind closed doors, and for the fact it will not have the power to compel witnesses to attend. The transcripts of any interviews will not be made available, and no blame will be apportioned, while there will be no testimony accepted from whistle-blowers.

Some of these stances are harder to excuse.

Its vital there is a rigorous inquiry into the pandemic response, based on as many sources as possible, to get a clear picture, and that there is transparency to the process so that the public has full trust in the recommendations.

Contrast our low-key inquiry with the one currently taking place in the UK.

Its been interesting in recent months to see the likes of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson being fiercely grilled in public and before TV cameras as part of their covid inquiry, which began more than three years ago and will continue into 2026.

Its true that the UK government made many highly damaging errors in their pandemic policy, but perhaps we could learn a little from their willingness to lift restrictions sooner, for instance, where it was safe and prudent to do so.

All the evidence from around the world should lead any inquiry to suggest there was a happy medium ground which worked best in dealing with the pandemic.

A lax approach saw covid rip through entire populations to devastating effect, while a stringent approach risked harming the very fabric of society and infringing on peoples rights. The latter could end up being just as deadly - if not more so - than the virus itself, in terms of lives ruined and lost.

If that is the mistake Ireland made, then it needs to be acknowledged and accepted in the inquiry now taking place.

It is currently in its early stages, and has received more than 500 documents from the government around its response to the pandemic, along with 7,000 responses to a public survey.

The latter, in which individuals, families, workers, carers, communities and businesses shared their experiences of the pandemic, found that high levels of negative impacts were emerging across several areas, including education and development, civil liberties, human rights and trust and mental health. Isolation and loneliness were particularly highlighted.

It also found that those who reported difficulty in making ends meet reported considerably wider negative impacts to restrictions, while whole swathes of young people had their education and emotional growth adversely affected.

Professor Anne Scott, Chairperson of the COVID-19 Evaluation, said the public survey was the first step in building a clear and honest picture of how covid-19 was lived and felt by individuals, families and communities throughout Ireland.

Our goal is to produce a thorough, independent assessment of Irelands pandemic response. One that reflects real life as well as official records. We aim to understand what worked and what didnt.

Going off the comments of the two presidential candidates, there will be no shortage of testimony regarding what this country did wrong in those fraught pandemic days.
There's a fundamental question you can ask of both the internet and real life: "How do I enjoy my time here without taking unnecessary risks?" In grass-touching meatspace, you can cut out processed foods, carry pepper spray and avoid skydiving without a partner.

But the best methods for staying safe online aren't as intuitive. The internet is a massive town square where people are constantly bellowing deeply personal facts about themselves. It's no surprise that it's become a breeding ground for scams, theft and other criminal activity.

Given the breadth of dangers, it may feel easier to throw up your hands and say that whatever happens will happen. I'm here to tell you, though, that cybersecurity doesn't have to be complex, difficult or time-consuming. You don't need to be a hacker to foil a hacker  you only have to take advantage of simple tips and free apps designed to make you safer online. Whether you commit to all 12 detailed here or only focus on one, you'll be much more secure for it.

One of the most important things you can do to ensure your digital security is to install all software updates as soon as they become available on your devices. When you see the notification, don't wait  train yourself to download the update immediately.

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Not all software updates are about security, but the ones that are form your best line of defense against technical hacks. When developers discover a flaw that can be exploited, they ship an update to fix it. By the time the flaw gets patched, chances are very high that hackers also know about it, so any time lost means you could be the next to get exploited.

As you go down this list, you'll learn that cybersecurity threats are less technical than you think. To counter the ones that are, however, there's nothing more important you can do than install security updates.

2. Use strong passwords

Weak, easily guessed passwords are one of the most frequent causes of data breaches and malware attacks. If a password is one of the ten or so most common, an attacker may be able to guess it with no other information. If it's connected to you  your birthday, say, or mother's maiden name  it may be guessable from information anyone can look up online.

Even if your password is a random string of characters, it might still be guessable if it's too short. Hackers can use programs to guess all possible combinations and try each one on a target account. The longer a password is, the more exponentially difficult it is to guess.

SEAN GLADWELL via Getty Images

That means you need passwords that are both long and meaningless to you. You might rightly complain that these are bastards to remember, but you're in luck: password managers can do that for you. A password manager app or browser extension can create passwords when you need them, store them securely and fill them in automatically. All you have to remember is the one master password that unlocks all the others.

3. Set up two-factor authentication

Even the strongest password might get revealed through no fault of your own, like if it's stored without encryption and leaked in a data breach. That's why it helps to have two-factor authentication (2FA), also known as multi-factor authentication (MFA), as a second secure layer on every account.

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You probably already know 2FA as the irritating extra step that makes you go get your phone  but that's not the only way to do it. Many apps, including Google and Apple, now let you log in through passkeys. These not only don't require you to enter a code or password, but use asymmetric encryption, sharing credentials between your device and the service that runs the passkeys. It's a lot quicker for you, and leaves nothing to steal.

4. Back everything up

Ransomware and its cousins are a growth industry within the cybercrime economy. These attacks corrupt your files or lock you out of them until you pay a fee to get them back. The easiest way to foil a ransomware attack, or to clear any other kind of malware off a device, is to restore the entire system from the most recent backup.

To make sure you actually have a backup, experts recommend the 3-2-1 rule: three different backups, on two different types of storage, with at least one physically distant from the main system. For example, you could have one backup on another device in your house, one in the cloud and one on a portable hard drive. Automatic backup services can save disk images for you at set intervals so you don't have to remember to do it yourself.

5. Learn to spot social engineering

Despite all the technobabble flying around the cybersecurity world, a great many scams and hacks are accomplished through methods a 19th-century con artist would recognize. Scammers pose as experts or authority figures to gain your trust, and use frightening language to bypass your critical thinking. Ticking clocks, emotional manipulation and fake identities are all in the toolbox.

Alex Cristi via Getty Images

Take phishing, in which hackers trick you into giving up your information willingly. A typical phishing email might pose as a bank, credit bureau or other authoritative service. In red letters, it may demand your bank password or social security number to immediately fix an irregularity with your account. Other common approaches include warning you about speeding tickets you never incurred or sending receipts for subscriptions you never bought.

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Social engineering attacks are constantly evolving, but they often fall back on the same strategies. The best way to foil them is to take a deep breath every time you receive a frightening email or text message, then research it in detail: look up the email address, check the visual design to make sure the sender is who they claim to be, and ask yourself if there's any way the message could be true. I highly recommend working through this phishing quiz  it's tough, but fair, and extremely educational.

This is a companion to the previous tip. Social engineering scams don't always try to get you to give up information yourself. They also get you to click on links that put secret malware on your device  like keyloggers that watch you type your passwords or ransomware programs that corrupt your files.

If you're ever not sure about an email attachment or a link you're being asked to click, copy the link (without opening it) and paste it into a URL checker like this one from NordVPN. These free tools can tell you if a link is associated with any known malware domains.

Sam Chapman for Engadget

You can also mouse over any link, then look at the bottom-left of your browser to see what URL it will take you to. If an email is from your bank, any links within it should go to your bank's website. If it's going anywhere else, especially to an unidentifiable string of characters, be suspicious.

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A related tip is to never copy and paste something into your URL bar if you aren't absolutely sure of what it will do. Social engineering doesn't always get you to click the link  sometimes attackers leave it un-hyperlinked so mousing over it doesn't reveal anything. This also goes for the command modules on desktop and laptop computers. In a recent documented attack, hackers convinced AI chatbots to suggest a command that gave them root access to the victim's device. Never copy-paste anything into the command window without verifying it first, especially if an AI told you to do it.

7. Don't overshare

Over the last two decades, lots of us have gotten into the habit of dumping all sorts of personal information on social media. This trend has supercharged the scam economy. It may seem harmless to broadcast the names of your kids or the dates you'll be on vacation, but every piece of data you put into the world makes it easier for a stranger to get hooks into you.

For example, "grandparent scams" are on the rise right now. Grifters contact a target, usually a senior, pretending to be their grandchild. They'll claim to be in a crisis and need money fast. The more information they have on their target, the more convincing their tale of woe will be. Social media is a prime place to study a potential victim.

Oversharing can also be a compounding problem. If you use weak passwords, your public information can be used to guess your credentials or answer your security questions. So, if you don't have a password manager yet, think twice before you engage with that quiz post on Facebook that asks for the name of your childhood pet.

8. Use a VPN

I'm a big booster of virtual private networks (VPNs), but it's important to be realistic about what they can and can't do. Even the best VPNs aren't total cybersecurity solutions  you can't just set one and assume you're safe forever. A VPN can't protect you if you use easily guessed passwords, for example, or click on a malware link. It's about hiding your identity, not making you invulnerable.

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So what can a VPN do? In short, it replaces your IP address (a fingerprint that identifies you online) with another IP address, belonging to a server owned by the VPN. The VPN server does business with the internet on your behalf, while its conversations with your device are encrypted so it can't be traced back to you.

Sam Chapman for Engadget

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This means no third party can connect your online actions with your real-world identity. Nobody will be harvesting data on the websites you visit to sell to advertisers, nor building a file on you that an unscrupulous government might misuse. VPNs also protect you from fake public Wi-Fi networks set up by cybercriminals  even if a hacker tricks you with a man-in-the-middle attack, they can't do much without your real IP address.

Many top VPNs, including my top pick Proton VPN, include ad blockers that can also keep cookies and tracking pixels from latching onto you. So, even if a VPN can't do everything, you'll be far safer and more private with one than without one. If you dont want to pay for a new subscription right now, I've also compiled a list of the best free VPNs that are actually safe to use.

9. Run regular virus scans

The most important time to look for malware is when you're downloading a file from the internet. Not only can unwanted apps hitch rides on seemingly safe files, but links can start downloads in secret, even if you don't think they're meant to be downloading anything. A solid antivirus program can catch malware as it arrives on your system, and if it's uncertain, can lock suspicious files in quarantine until it knows whether they're safe or not.

Dedicated antivirus apps are sometimes even capable of catching malware that hasn't been seen or used yet. AV software uses machine learning to identify the common patterns of malware, filtering out new viruses that behave like old ones.

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But what about malware that's already gotten through the perimeter? An antivirus app can also check your computer at set intervals in search of unwanted apps, including those that might be masquerading as system files. Windows computers now come pre-installed with Windows Defender, which is enough to handle most of these tasks, but I recommend at least one anti-malware program on any device.

10. Use email maskers and private search engines

If you're concerned about your information being misused or mishandled, remember that the less you put out into the world, the less danger you're in. Keeping your private data off social media is one important step, but there are other ways your data gets disseminated  and other options for responding.

For example, you often need an email address to sign up for an online account. If you use your real email, your contact information is now floating around online, increasing the chance of someone using it to scam you (or at least adding you to mailing lists you never signed up for). To stay safe, use an email masker. These services give you a fake email address you can use to create accounts, which automatically forwards messages to your real address.

Sam Chapman for Engadget

Search engines, especially Google, are also notorious for building profiles on users by watching the terms they search for. You can dodge that by switching to a private search engine like DuckDuckGo, which doesn't track anything you do  it's funded by non-targeted ad sales on its search results pages, not by selling your data to brokers.

11. Use a data removal service

Speaking of data brokers: unfortunately, if you've been on the internet at any point in the last 10 years without taking intense precautions, your data is probably in the hands of at least one business that makes money by hoarding and selling it. These data brokers range from public-facing, people-search sites to private backend dealers.

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Data brokers are poorly regulated and lax about safety. The longer one has your personal information, the more likely it is to leak. The good news is that most brokers (though not all of them) are legally required to delete your data if you ask them to.

However, there are a lot of data brokers out there, and they really want to keep your data. Each one makes opting out harder than uninstalling a Norton product  and hundreds of them may have files on you. To make the process easier, you can use a data removal service like DeleteMe or Surfshark VPN's partner service Incogni.

12. Practice physical security

Let's close out the list by getting a little old school. I've already discussed how many online scams depend on classic con artistry to work. By the same token, physical infiltration and smash-and-grab tactics still pose a threat to cybersecurity.

It doesn't take too much imagination to see how this could work. If you leave your laptop or phone unattended in public, for example, someone might insert a flash drive that loads malware onto the system. In one illustrative case, a thief in the Minneapolis area would loiter in bars, watch people unlock their phones, then steal those phones and unlock them himself.

I'm not saying you need to be paranoid every second you're in public. Just use the same level of caution you'd use to protect your car. Lock your phone with a biometric key so only you can open it, and make sure not to leave any device lying around if it can access your online accounts. And at work, be careful not to let anyone into a secure area if they don't have the proper credentials.
She may be credited with inventing the selfie, but shes accomplished far more  from running her own media company to producing a hit true-crime podcast

For 44 years, Paris has been much more than a city. But now the heiress  once known for her endless parties, baby voice and chihuahua, Tinkerbell  has swapped cocktails for baby bottles and claimed her own voice literally.

In fact, the baby voice was always part of the persona of Paris Hilton. Like other iconic blondes such as Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe  journalist Hugo Rifkind called Paris Hilton the Marilyn Monroe of the 21st century  it was the product of an ongoing performance. Im not a dumb blonde, Im just very good at pretending to be one, she said at the time.

She knew how to turn fame into a career and, far from merely spending her fortune, ensured it grew through DJ gigs, a skincare line, 30 fragrances, music albums, and a seemingly endless list of ventures  to which she now has added another role: model for Karl Lagerfelds fall-winter campaign. Lagerfeld was a fan of the reality show The Simple Life, in which, alongside Nicole Richie, Hilton perfected the role of a work-averse bimbo and coined her own catchphrase: Thats hot.

Karl told me it was one of his favorite shows, which I thought was iconic. He could understand the show. It was a surreal moment for me and made me realize just how much of a cultural impact that show had, explains Paris, who arrives first to the video call, proving that diva behavior is absolutely not her style and that, indeed, is hot.

Paris Hilton wearing a look from Karl Lagerfeld's Fall/Winter 2025 collection. Chris Colls

Question. We thought we knew everything about Paris Hilton until your memoir and documentary came out. Were you afraid to show yourself vulnerable in a world that thrives on hate?

Answer. It was definitely scary at first because I had been playing this character for so long. It was almost like armor because Im a naturally shy person. Playing it helped me just feel more free to be silly. Going through so much trauma in my life being that character made me feel comforted in some way. But then I wanted to let go of the character, and it was the most freeing thing Ive done in my life: having the world finally know who I really am and that theres so much more to me than the party girl they thought I was. It allowed me to live more authentically and stop hiding parts of myself. Being able to live authentically has been a healing experience. It just feels more powerful just to be who I truly am, and the woman Ive become. Ive been through so much Im strong, resilient, and I feel like discovering who you are is a very empowering feeling.

Q. Youre not afraid to give yourself a compliment!

A. My mom always taught me the importance of confidence and believing in myself, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise. Ive learned that loving yourself isnt arrogance. We should be allowed to celebrate who we are unapologetically. And thats what my motto in life was all about, its about living.

Q. You even celebrate your ADHD  and have turned it into a hit song.

A. Sia told me shed never heard a pop star sing about ADHD. I asked her if it would be weird to have a song called ADHD on the album. She thought it was a brilliant idea. I wish Id had a song like this when I was a teenager. Instead of seeing it as a weakness, I started seeing it as a superpower. Sia is an amazing friend, and Im so grateful to her. Just having her believe in me and produce my album just gave me so much confidence. I feel like Ive grown so much since my first record. Im so much more connected to myself and my voice now. Singing has become a creative outlet, and Im having so much fun doing it. Now, back in the studio recording my third album, Ive been singing in ways I didnt even know I was capable of. I feel like music is such a powerful tool that can be so healing. Connecting with my fans on such a deep level through music has been amazing.

Q. Back in the 2000s, people constantly said that you were famous for being famous.

A. Fame is what you make of it, and Ive always treated it like a platform. Its about owning my story and creating a brand.

Q. Youre the executive producer of My Friend Daisy, a podcast by journalist Jenn Swann that explores the investigation into the murder of a 19-year-old woman in Compton and the online movement it inspired. What power does social media have in the fight for justice?

A. Too often, womens voices are silenced or ignored, especially when they speak out about abuse. This podcast is about making sure those stories are seen, heard, and believed. Social media gives us the power to shine a light on injustice. Im passionate about building a world where every womans story matters.

The campaign highlights structured tailoring and silhouettes combined with timeless accessories. Chris Colls

Q. Youre the CEO of 11:11, a media company that empowers creators, brands, and intellectual property  and through which you also produced your documentary and cooking show. How important is it for you to maintain control over your own projects?

A. Creative control is everything to me. Everything I put out through 11:11 Media is authentic and connected to me. In a world with so much content, I think people connect with what feels real. It means a lot to me to have that creative control.

Q. What can we expect from your hotel project?

A. Im excited to follow in my familys footsteps. Ive stayed in the most iconic, beautiful hotels around the world, so I know exactly what makes something truly special. I cant wait to bring all that luxury, creativity, and attention to detail into a space that reflects my world. It will have timeless glamour with a modern twist and will be a place where people can live their best lives.

Q. What has it meant to you to be the face of Karl Lagerfeld, a brand you admire so much?

A. Being the face of the brand is a full circle moment for me. Ive made my mark in fashion over the years, and this campaign celebrates that legacy in a powerful and playful way. We shot the spot in a Los Angeles studio close to home, which I loved. The vibe on set was very creative, but also very warm and family-orientated, which made it even more special. I loved working with Chris Colls. His photography is incredible, and hes so talented. We worked with Jon Kortajarena, who Ive known for about 15 years. Hes gorgeous, kind, funny, and sweet.

Q. As a fashion expert, what do you particularly admire about the brand?

A. The way it honors the designers legacy while keeping things fresh and fun. It captures his iconic energy: bold, elegant, and totally original, but also isnt afraid to evolve. Its timeless with a twist, which is exactly my thing.

Q. Paris, whats hot now?

A. The Labubus! I have about 100. My husband went to Harrods and bought me so many of them. My kids couldnt stop opening the boxes. Theyre so cute!

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Prince Harry's decision to announce a high-profile overseas trip to Canada during Prince William's official tour in Brazil has reportedly reignited tensions within the royal family, as insiders have called the timing "a declaration of war."

According to RadarOnline, the move puts the 41-year-old Duke of Sussex directly in Canada for a series of Remembrance events at the very same time his brother undertakes a five-day Earthshot Prize tour in South America. One palace aide branded the move "brazen and deliberate," suggesting that it was seen as an intentional act of rivalry.

A source close to the royal family confided the news outlet: "It's come across as Harry deliberately picking a fight. Announcing an overlapping overseas trip just as William landed feels like a pointed move. In royal terms, clashing schedules are a serious breach  the calendar is treated almost like a matter of state

Another source close to the palace echoed that the timing couldn't be coincidental. "It's difficult to see this as a coincidence," said the insider.

"Harry would've known William's tour dates well in advance  they've been locked in for ages. Whether he meant to or not, the timing signals that he's doing things entirely on his own terms and won't be managed by the Palace."

As per Sky News, the 43-year-old Duke of Cambridge touched down in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday to preside over the fifth annual summit of his Earthshot Prize, a global initiative aimed at promoting sustainable projects. As William was photographed shaking hands with schoolchildren and playing beach volleyball, Harry's California-based office announced his Canadian itinerary  featuring visits to veterans' organizations and a gala with the Halo Trust.

One former royal aide told the source that the announcement hit William's team hard. "This week was meant to belong to William  it was a major spotlight for the Earthshot project," the aide said. "But almost as soon as he started his first event, the focus swung straight to Harry. You can guess the reaction  people were livid."

Harry's spokesperson denied any deliberate overlap, instead saying the timing was dictated by logistics and security considerations. "The events were planned nearly a year ago," the statement said. "The period of Remembrance traditionally extends from 111 November and has done for over a century. He can't choose to move those dates."

Despite the explanation, tensions are reportedly still high inside Kensington Palace. One senior royal source says, "This isn't really a question of blame, it's a matter of respect. Moves like this make it almost impossible for William and Harry to find any common ground again."
On-screen father-daughter duo David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown showed a united front during the premiere of Netflix's 'Stranger Things' season 5 in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The co-stars seemed to be friendly with each other, despite the alleged tension between them while filming the hit suspense sci-fi thriller series.

Brown, who wore a feathered off-the-shoulder transparent black lacy dress, posed arm-in-arm with her TV daddy, who was sporting a pinstriped black suit and a matching tie, while posing on the red carpet of the show's premiere night.

Netflix posted a video of the duo hugging and laughing on the red carpet on Instagram.

Bullying Allegations

Early this week, The Daily Mail claimed that Brown filed a harassment complaint against Harbour before they began shooting for their show's final season.

Brown played the role of mysterious child Eleven in the series, while Harbour portrayed the character of Jim Hopper, Hawkins' former sheriff and Eleven's adoptive father.

According to the report, Harbour 'bullied and harassed' his younger co-star. 'There were pages and pages of accusations. The investigation went on for months,' the article stated.

However, there was no mention of sexual misconduct in the alleged complaint.

The report also mentioned that the British actress came with a representative on the set while filming all her scenes for season 5 until it wrapped in December 2024.

But there are no words about any resolution regarding the case.

The bullying allegations contradicted Harbour's statement in 2021 when he said that he feels protective of Brown since they started working when she was still a child in 2016.

'Millie and I have always had sort of a special relationship because I knew her when she was so young. I knew her before any of this big fame hit,' Harbour shared on an episode of the "That Scene with Dan Patrick" podcast at the time.

'I have a real protective feeling for her. I have a real, like, worry,' he added. 'I worry about her and the fame and all that she has to struggle with.'

The allegations came after Harbour's breakup with his wife, Lily Allen. They got married in 2020 but decided to part ways in February because of his rumoured infidelity.

The report's source claimed that it was not surprising for Netflix to stay silent about the rumoured harassment.

'Netflix will never comment on an internal investigation, but the fact they've not denied it speaks volumes. Stranger Things helped put Netflix on the map. Millions of fans around the world have been anticipating the finale. No one wants anything to take attention away from that,' the source stated.

The Duffer Brothers and Shawn Levy Broke Their Silence

During the premiere night, series co-creators Ross and Matt Duffer spoke with The Hollywood Reporter to debunk the bullying allegations.

'Obviously, you understand I can't get into personal onset matters, but I will say we've been doing this for 10 years with this cast, and at this point they're family and we deeply care about them. So, you know, nothing matters more than just having a set where everyone feels safe and happy,' Ross said.

Series director and executive producer Shawn Levy also talked about how the people behind the show handle bullying complaints.

'You have to create a respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe, and so we did everything to build that environment. And we're proud of the fact that we did so,' Levy said.

The director also mentioned that what was being reported was mostly untrue.

'I've read a bunch of stories and they range from wildly inaccurate to... there's so much noise around it. But the truth is that we view this crew and this cast as family, and so we treat each other with respect, and that's always been bedrock,' he added.

Netflix is scheduled to release the first four episodes of 'Stranger Things' season 5 on 26 November, then the next three episodes will be part of Part 2 and will come out on 25 December. The final episode will be released on the streaming platform and select theatres on 31 December.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
King Charles III reportedly claimed he had a medical appointment concerning his cancer treatment so he could have an early end to a fraught meeting with his son Prince Harry, according to royal biographer Robert Jobson's new book "The Windsor Legacy."

The incident reportedly took place during one of the periods of extreme tension between the monarch and his son. According to Jobson, the 75-year-old King was "irritated and exhausted" with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's running attack on the royal family in their Netflix series and memoir "Spare."

In the book, Jobson explained that the King wanted solitude while undergoing treatment. He wrote: "The King, who'd broken the news of his cancer to Harry in a phone call, had started treatment straight away. He was undergoing chemotherapy and felt a strong need for peace and quiet."

Harry's decision to fly uninvited to London disrupted the King's plans, RadarOnline reported. Jobson continued: "The lThe last thing he needed was any drama  yet, without an invitation, Harry took it upon himself to fly over to see his father. The King had planned to spend the weekend at Sandringham in Norfolk, so he was irritated at being forced to wait in London until his son arrived."

The meeting reportedly lasted only about 30 minutes. "Wary of letting Harry prolong it, Charles had pre-arranged for the meeting to be interrupted with a warning that it was time for a medical procedure," Jobson revealed.

"His son left soon afterwards. In fact, there was no procedure scheduled and there never had been. Instead, the King flew straight to Sandringham on a helicopter that had been standing by for his delayed journey."

A source close to the royal family described the reunion between father and son as "civil but frosty." The source told RadarOnline, "The King was furious that Harry tried to turn even that moment into a publicity stunt. He wanted peace and rest, not more drama."

Relations between Charles and Harry have reportedly worsened since that encounter. A senior royal aide says, "That comment was the breaking point for the King. He now views Harry as someone who's turned his back on the family  a man who traded loyalty for attention and profit. All trust between father and son is now gone."

In addition to Jobson's assertions, Sky News reported that Prince Harry publicly rejected claims that the meeting with his father felt "distinctly formal," calling such descriptions "categorically false" and blaming unnamed sources for attempting to sabotage any reconciliation efforts.
Meghan Markle has seen another member of her team depart, continuing a string of high turnover that insiders say reflects her exacting leadership approach.

Emily Robinson, who served as the Sussexes' Director of Communications for just four months, left the household in late October, according to sources cited by Radar Online. Since Markle married Prince Harry in 2018, 23 employees have reportedly quit the couple's team.

Robinson, a former Netflix professional involved with "The Crown," joined Markle and Harry in May 2025.

While representatives for the Sussexes said her exit came after completing work on her lifestyle show, "With Love, Meghan," insiders painted a different picture, suggesting that her departure highlights the duchess's strict, demanding style.

One source told the outlet that Markle is highly particular in her expectations and "doesn't take a lot of bulls**t."

They added that she "knows what she wants, she's cutthroat, and I think if you don't align with her and what she wants, she doesn't like you and you're gone."

Micromanagement and Pressure

Staffers also cited the Duchess's reputation as a micromanager, noting that her early-morning emails can create tension even when responses aren't expected immediately.

"She's known to email at 4 A.M., and she'll say, 'You don't need to respond to me right away,'" a source explained.

"But since she's a micromanager, people are scared of her and they feel that they must respond at that hour. Many of her workers feel a lot of pressure."

The high turnover has drawn attention not just from staff, but also from royal observers, some of whom note that Markle's demeanor has affected relationships with prominent friends. Reports suggest that former A-list acquaintances, including Barack and Michelle Obama, George and Amal Clooney, and Victoria and David Beckham, have distanced themselves from the couple.

Royal Insight

"It's sexist to call her a bully... no it's a fact!"



Meghan Markle sends her TENTH publicist running for the hills showing her true colors as a huge bully. @itslinklauren gives his take.



Full: https://t.co/2doAYG58tR pic.twitter.com/RytyNqjRB4  Spot On with Link Lauren (@spotonwithlink) October 28, 2025

Royal biographer Tom Bower, author of Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors, explained the dynamics between Harry and Markle, noting that when the former returns to the UK, he "becomes the focus of attention ... But of course, he is 'spare' to Meghan."

Another insider described Markle as a "bully," claiming, "If she doesn't get her way, she'll come after you. Everyone experienced that in the palace, and her behavior hasn't changed."

This is not the first time Markle has faced allegations regarding a difficult work environment. In January, Vanity Fair published an expose on the mom-of-two after former employees claimed she has "mean girl energy" and underwent "long term therapy" because of her.

One source told them, "You can be yelled at even if somebody doesn't raise their voice. (It's) funny that people don't differentiate between the energy of being yelled at and literally somebody screaming at you."

Jason Knauf, the couple's former communications secretary, has claimed the former "Suits" star bullied two assistants while in the royal household.

Markle has denied these allegations, with a representative previously calling them part of a "calculated smear campaign."

Despite ongoing scrutiny, Markle and Harry's team maintains that recent staff exits, including Robinson's, are part of normal, project-based turnover.
Actor Jeremy Renner is facing serious accusations from Chinese filmmaker Yi Zhou, who claims the "Hawkeye" star sent her "intimate" photos, went on drunken rants, and even threatened to "call ICE" on her after their relationship fell apart.

Zhou, 37, made the allegations public on Instagram earlier this week, saying she felt "scared for [her] life" after several disturbing encounters with the 54-year-old actor.

The pair had worked together on two projects  the documentary "Chronicles of Disney" and the animated film "Stardust Future: Stars and Scars"  both starring Renner.

According to Zhou, Renner first contacted her in June 2025 and began sending her personal photos and explicit videos through WhatsApp.

"He convinced me of his sincerity," she wrote, explaining that he told her he was single and interested in a long-term relationship, PageSix reported.

Zhou claimed she believed in "the possibility of redemption" and entered both a romantic and professional partnership with the actor.

However, things allegedly took a dark turn in August during a work meeting at Renner's home in Reno, Nevada. Zhou told the Daily Mail that Renner drank an entire bottle of wine and began "angry yelling for two hours."

She said she feared for her safety and "had to lock [herself] in a room," praying that he would calm down.

"I had to location-share to my team, my parents, and Disney colleagues in case something happened to me," Zhou recalled. "I was so scared for my life."

Marvel star Jeremy Renner accused of threatening to call ICE on his Chinese filmmaking partner.



Chinese filmmaker Yi Zhou, 34 has claimed she entered a romantic relationship with the actor whilst working together on two projects after he sent her unsolicited images, before pic.twitter.com/Gii96rv5tc  Oli London (@OliLondonTV) November 7, 2025

Yi Zhou Says Jeremy Renner Sent Threatening Message

After the incident, Zhou reportedly approached Renner in private to discuss his actions. During that exchange, she alleged that he warned her he could report her to immigration authorities.

"When I called him out privately about his past misconduct and asked him to behave properly, to respect me as a woman and filmmaker, he threatened to call immigration/ICE on me," she wrote on Instagram. "It deeply shocked and frightened me."

Zhou shared screenshots of messages she said were from Renner, including one in which he allegedly wrote, "Immigration will be notified of your" before the text was cut off.

According to the NY Post, she also posted screenshots of messages she sent to coworkers that night, saying Renner was "violent" and "angry."

A representative for Renner has denied the claims, calling them "totally inaccurate and untrue."

Zhou said it took her months to gather the courage to speak out, describing her experience as "a story of survival against aggression and abuse of power."

Renner, who was previously married to model Sonni Pacheco, shares a 12-year-old daughter with his ex-wife. Pacheco had also accused the actor of past misconduct during their 2019 custody battle, claims Renner strongly denied.
Actress Denise Richards has been granted a permanent restraining order against her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, following emotional testimony about alleged domestic violence during their marriage.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge issued the order on November 7, requiring Phypers, 53, to stay at least 100 yards away from Richards, her home, and her workplace.

The order will remain in effect until November 7, 2030. Phypers is also prohibited from contacting Richards in any way or possessing firearms.

The ruling followed several days of court hearings during which both parties testified. Richards, 54, described multiple incidents of alleged abuse, including claims that Phypers gave her "at least three concussions" and physically assaulted her during their relationship.

In one particularly disturbing account, Richards told the court that while recovering from surgery in May 2022, Phypers allegedly hit her on the head in a hotel room while demanding her phone.

"He smashed me on the top of my head with the palm of his hand while screaming at me repeatedly, 'Give me your phone,'" she testified. "I was disoriented from surgery and feared he might seriously injure me."

According to US Magazine, Richards' claims were supported by Phypers' cousin, Kathleen McAllister, who testified that she saw him strike Richards in January 2022.

"I saw Aaron hit Denise, and immediately she had a really bad black eye," McAllister told the court. "I'm still in shock to this day about it."

Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers were seen heading back into court today as Richards fights for a permanent restraining order against her ex-husband. : Andy Johnstone for NY Post pic.twitter.com/KeIKwleAP6  Page Six (@PageSix) November 7, 2025

Read more: Aaron Phypers Arrested on Spousal Abuse Charges Amid Legal Drama with Denise Richards

Aaron Phypers Rejects Abuse Accusations

Phypers, who filed for divorce in July after nearly seven years of marriage, denied the allegations, telling the court that Richards "bruises easily" and that she injured herself during falls or accidents around the house, PageSix reported.

He also denied hitting her, claiming that during the alleged black-eye incident, Richards "fell into a pole."

In her restraining order petition, Richards detailed a series of alleged violent acts, including choking, slapping, and threats to kill her.

"Aaron would violently squeeze my head with both hands, slam my head into the towel rack, and hold me down with his knee on my back," she wrote in court documents.

Phypers has maintained his innocence, calling the accusations "completely false and deeply hurtful."

After the court's decision, he told sources that he "wished it was the other way" but said he planned to "take a break" and "get ready for the next show."

Richards initially obtained a temporary restraining order in July, alleging that Phypers physically assaulted her during a heated dispute, which left her with a black eye.

His arrest for spousal abuse followed later that month. He faces multiple felony charges related to the alleged incidents, including injuring a spouse and dissuading a witness by threat.
Millie Bobby Brown surprised fans with a seemingly warm reunion with David Harbour at the "Stranger Things" season five premiere on Thursday in Los Angeles.

The appearance comes just days after it was revealed that Brown, 21, filed "pages and pages" of bullying and harassment claims against Harbour, 50, ahead of filming the show's fifth and final season in 2024.

Brown seemed to be in high spirits when she met Harbour as they took pictures outside the TCL Chinese Theatre. A video posted by Netflix's official X account showed the two getting a hug of surprise while they were signing autographs for fans.

David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown arrive together for one last Stranger Things premiere  pic.twitter.com/zjzcPi9Zv4  Netflix (@netflix) November 7, 2025

Body language expert Judi James told Daily Mail that both actors demonstrated a "playful style of cheery friendliness" during the premiere.

She noted that Brown initiated the interaction in one clip, using a mimed joke while holding her pen near Harbour's face, which prompted him to lean back and laugh. "Millie wriggles her body at her own joke, and the pair combine eye contact, sharing what looks like some overkill chuckling," James said.

During a hug, James observed that Brown's closed eyes and smile suggested she was genuinely happy in the moment.

She added that their red carpet body language lacked signs of tension, such as torso gapping or stiff smiles.

"Their torso proximity seems close and his hand around Millie's waist looks like a polite 'gentleman's hand' gesture with the fingers held away rather than holding or squeezing," James explained.

Brown also performed what James described as "upgrade" gestures, such as leaning toward Harbour when responding to his quips and squeezing her eyes shut in laughter, signaling appreciation and engagement.

Photos from the premiere frequently show Brown bursting into laughter, which James described as "overkill" responses to Harbour's remarks.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and CCO Bela Bajaria joined the stars on the carpet, underscoring the studio's support despite the reported internal investigation.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that Harbour faced scrutiny following Brown's complaints, although the investigation's outcome remains unknown.

The allegations did not include sexual impropriety. A source told the outlet, "Millie Bobby Brown filed a harassment and bullying claim before they started shooting the last season. There were pages and pages of accusations. The investigation went on for months."

Representatives for Netflix, Brown, Harbour, and the show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, did not respond to requests for comment.

The source emphasized that Netflix generally does not comment on internal investigations but noted, "'Stranger Things' helped put Netflix on the map. Millions of fans around the world have been anticipating the finale. No one wants anything to take attention away from that."

Personal Dynamics and Support Systems

Amid recent reports, Harbour's estranged wife, Lily Allen, reportedly stood by him during the allegations.

"Lily supported him throughout it all. It was a brutal time," the source added.

Following the complaint, Brown was accompanied by a personal representative on set during the final season, which will release its first four episodes on Netflix on November 26.

The streamer plans to drop the remaining three episodes on Christmas Day, with the finale released simultaneously in theaters and online.

A resurfaced interview with MTV, filmed prior to Brown's wedding to Bongiovi, shows her appearing uneasy discussing Harbour's role in the ceremony.

When asked, "[David] Harbour's officiating?" she responded, "Yes. Yes..." According to Perez Hilton, she added, "I don't know how I feel. Sure."

In the interview, she suggested Matthew Modine, who portrayed a complex father figure to Eleven and became close to Brown's family in real life, could have been an alternative.